Status
Available
Call number
Series
Publication
Headline Eternal (2021), 322 pages
Description
Fantasy. Fiction. Romance. Humor (Fiction.) HTML: New York Times Bestseller Erin Sterling casts a delightful spell with a spine-tingling romance full of wishes, witches, and hexes gone wrong. "A delightful and witty take on witchy mayhem." �?? Popsugar Nine years ago, Vivienne Jones nursed her broken heart like any young witch would: vodka, weepy music, bubble baths...and a curse on the horrible boyfriend. Sure, Vivi knows she shouldn't use her magic this way, but with only an "orchard hayride" scented candle on hand, she isn't worried it will cause him anything more than a bad hair day or two. That is until Rhys Penhallow, descendent of the town's ancestors, breaker of hearts, and annoyingly just as gorgeous as he always was, returns to Graves Glen, Georgia. What should be a quick trip to recharge the town's ley lines and make an appearance at the annual fall festival turns disastrously wrong. With one calamity after another striking Rhys, Vivi realizes her silly little Ex Hex may not have been so harmless after all. Suddenly, Graves Glen is under attack from murderous wind-up toys, a pissed off ghost, and a talking cat with some interesting things to say. Vivi and Rhys have to ignore their off the charts chemistry to work together to save the town and find a way to break the break-up curse before it's too late.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member jillrhudy
Thanks to Harper Collins for the free digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
All the Halloween feels and sex appeal in this witchy romance by Erin Sterling. A fun light romance with good characters and snappy dialogue. I thought it would have been funnier if the hexes literally came true,
All the Halloween feels and sex appeal in this witchy romance by Erin Sterling. A fun light romance with good characters and snappy dialogue. I thought it would have been funnier if the hexes literally came true,
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and the ending seemed a bit rushed, but the novel had a great autumn vibe and was a fun read. Show Less
LibraryThing member jennybeast
I was looking for fluffy, witchy romance and this fit the bill. I've been a fan of Rachel Hawkins other work, and she continues to write endearing, funny characters with interesting lives. The audio reader has a speech mannerism that took me a while to warm up to, but the story was solid and I just
Advanced Listening Copy provided by Libro.fm
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wanted to know where the curse and the town and the vodka-crossed lovers would end up next. Advanced Listening Copy provided by Libro.fm
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LibraryThing member ecataldi
Halloweentown meets an adult Sabrina the Teenage Witch in this cute romcom. Vivienne Jones drunkenly cursed her ex-boyfriend when she was a teenager. But she and her cousin were just fooling around, it's not like anything happened. Except when that ex-boyfriend comes back to town nine years later -
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all sorts of things start happening to him; a statue almost falls on him, he almost gets hit by a car. Did the curse really work? Rhys Penhallow is sent back to his family's hometown to recharge the ley lines on Halloween - and he hasn't been back since Viv broke up with him. The sexual tension is thrumming in the air and it's not the magic. Viv and Rhy have to work together to find a way to reverse the curse and save the town before something really bad happens. Cute, fluffy, and fun. A perfect Halloween read. Show Less
LibraryThing member samnreader
Sometimes amusing and entertaining enough, but none of this was very original. The plot was a generic witch world, and the second chance romance lacking in any real character development or relationship development. All in all, this book was very surface, and while I can use it as an escape for a
If you want one line: Fun, yet not terribly successful as a fantasy or romance.
2.5
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day or two, there's nothing that would get me to return to this world or the author's work based on this alone.If you want one line: Fun, yet not terribly successful as a fantasy or romance.
2.5
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LibraryThing member kevn57
3.5 stars This had some serious "Practical Magic" vibes going for it right from the start, and while I didn't like it quite as much as that book it still was very entertaining and a near perfect October read.
LibraryThing member jmchshannon
The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling is way too charming for its own good. Vivienne is totally capable, smart, sweet, and powerful. Rhys is the perfect blend of handsome, smarmy, and obnoxious. Together, they smolder. Sweet and sexy with plenty of mystery, it was the perfect seasonal read.
LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
Nine years ago Vivienne Jones nursed her heartache with a bath and vodka and then a random cursing of the boy involved; and everything kept going in her small town Graves Glen, Georgia where she teaches in the local college; a college that has a hidden part of it that's magical but that's not where
A fun light read with an entertaining view of magic and how it would work in the real world. Vivienne is quite disconnected from the witchy part of her life and getting back in touch with her roots is as important part of the plot as the relationship with Rhys.
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she works, even if she does have magic. Then the boy comes back, older and somewhat wiser, Rhys Penhallow is back to recharge the ley lines and ensure that the magic works in the place. However the curse kicks in and the two of them have to work together to save the city. Even if the curse side effects amuse Vivienne and she really does think that some of it is deserved.A fun light read with an entertaining view of magic and how it would work in the real world. Vivienne is quite disconnected from the witchy part of her life and getting back in touch with her roots is as important part of the plot as the relationship with Rhys.
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LibraryThing member ToriC90
This witchy romance was fine. The most disappointing part though is that there was absolutely nothing special about it. It had some cute ideas that definitely could have been explored further or fleshed out more which would have made this much more enjoyable to read. The characters were cute. The
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underlying plot wasn't as bad as I was expecting from the reviews, it did what it needed to do. I listened to it on audio but may have considered DNFing had I been reading it physically. Not good enough to keep on my shelves. The romance and steam was okay. The ending was very typical. A cute quick mindless romance for the witchy season if you really want to pick up something for the fall. Very surprised this was a Book of the Month though. Show Less
LibraryThing member murderbydeath
A departure for me, as this book is all about the romance, not a mystery plot that masks a little romance on the side. But Whiskey in the Jar’s review made it sound cute and a lot of fun, so I grabbed it from my library.
It was fun, and it was cute. I liked the N. Georgia setting and the brand of
I mostly liked the relationships; the dynamic between Vivienne and her aunt and cousin, and especially the relationship between Rhys and his brothers. The dynamic between Rhys and Simon, the father, felt forced and, the way it’s written here, kind of useless, as it really goes nowhere.
The narrative banter was the most enjoyable part of the book for me (that and the fact that the cat got a voice). The banter kept me reading, even though I skimmed the romance and the angst, but that’s not the book, that’s just me.
Overall exactly what I was hoping for.
I read this for Halloween Bingo 2021, and I read it at night, with my little book light for ambiance, making it work for Read by Candlelight or Flashlight; I was all ready to do the candle light, but I remember Easter-cats first confrontation with a candle flame, and her singed whiskers. Pikachu has insanely long whiskers and an insatiable curiosity that didn’t bode well for the candlelit reading.
It was fun, and it was cute. I liked the N. Georgia setting and the brand of
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witchiness the story relied upon (think more Bewitched, less later-seasons-Charmed). It was a nice change to read about a romantic hero that was Welsh instead of the tried and true Scottish or Irish male.I mostly liked the relationships; the dynamic between Vivienne and her aunt and cousin, and especially the relationship between Rhys and his brothers. The dynamic between Rhys and Simon, the father, felt forced and, the way it’s written here, kind of useless, as it really goes nowhere.
The narrative banter was the most enjoyable part of the book for me (that and the fact that the cat got a voice). The banter kept me reading, even though I skimmed the romance and the angst, but that’s not the book, that’s just me.
Overall exactly what I was hoping for.
I read this for Halloween Bingo 2021, and I read it at night, with my little book light for ambiance, making it work for Read by Candlelight or Flashlight; I was all ready to do the candle light, but I remember Easter-cats first confrontation with a candle flame, and her singed whiskers. Pikachu has insanely long whiskers and an insatiable curiosity that didn’t bode well for the candlelit reading.
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LibraryThing member WhiskeyintheJar
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Okay, so yes, Rhys had broken her heart.
The Ex Hex, starts off a new series about witches that live in the Georgia town of Graves Glen. Vivi grew up not really
Even now, battered and bruised and possibly standing in squirrel shit, he was . . . happy. Glad to see her, brush with vehicular homicide aside.
The timing of the release of this book couldn't be more perfect, the Fall and Halloween vibes is perfect for late September and the light, chik-lit tone brought the spookiness in a fun and delightful way. I've seen some Hocus Pocus talk in the marketing and it has a little bit of that, especially one scene the movie's fans will be able to point to, but it does it with more of an adult theme with some sex scenes. With the lighter tone, we kind of dance into and around the characters, not too much delving deep. I felt like I knew Vivi more but I still didn't think her struggle with fitting in and complicated relationship with magic was explored enough. Rhys was the perfect gentleman with just enough moments of introspection to go along with his sweet and loose personality. We get introduced to his family, his scary father Simon, and two broody older brothers but, just. As Vivi's aunt and cousin live in Graves Glen, we see them more and Vivi's cousin Gwyn has future main character written all over her.
And the last thing she was going to do was fall for Rhys Penhallow all over again.
When Rhys comes back to Graves Glen to help celebrate the town's founding anniversary and strengthen the ley lines, the magic that flows into the town, the curse takes affect and he's suddenly dodging life threatening accidents. He thinks something might be wrong but his father's arrogance can't imagine Vivi being strong enough to be able to curse a Penhallow, so Rhys goes ahead with the ritual of strengthening the ley lines, only to transfer the curse into the ley lines and thus, into the town. Graves Glen is full of witches and civilians alike and now that magic is going haywire in the town because of the curse, they fear discovery. This gives the story the excuse to keep Rhys in town and working with Vivi and the second chance romance and enemies-to-lovers tropes to perform.
“Stay with me here. You’re an adult woman going through a stressful time in her life, and now your hot-as-hell ex is back in town and wants to kiss your face off. I say smoke ’em if you got ’em, babe.”
Vivi and Rhys figure out she cursed him for real by the 25% mark and with so much story left, there were enough times I stopped to think that they weren't paying enough attention to stopping the curse, the focus dwindles as Vivi and Rhys' relationship takes more of the spotlight. With the lighter tone, I didn't mind as much but it does become noticeable, especially in the second half. The town and it's mythology come into play more in the latter second half and I appreciated how it filled the world out and gave us more of a setting that could be continued into the series.
Cariad. He’d called her that, that summer. She could still feel it, growled against her ear, whispered into her skin, murmured between her thighs.
This was a fairly angst free zone, Vivi thinks Rhys thought of their summer romance as more of a fling but Rhys still checked up on her over their nine years apart and calls her the one who got away. As they start their romance back up, Vivi doesn't think they can have a future because Rhys lives in Wales and she loves Graves Glen too much to ever leave and Rhys is scared to tell her he loves her because of this. They were sweet, cute, funny, and steamy at turns but not particularly deep diving. This story did have loads of charm, from the seasonal Halloween vibes, the light tone, Vivi and Gwyn's friendship, Rhys and Vivi's cute romance, and to Sir Purrcival, who when he gets his chance to talk, opts for “treats” to be 95% of his vocabulary. The Ex Hex is the perfect light and sweet romance to start your Halloween season with.
“How did I ever give you up?” he murmured.
Okay, so yes, Rhys had broken her heart.
The Ex Hex, starts off a new series about witches that live in the Georgia town of Graves Glen. Vivi grew up not really
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knowing about her witchy powers because of how her mother feared the power but when her parents die, she is sent to live with her aunt Elaine and cousin Gwyn and tries to straddle the line between being a “normie” and a witch. When she is nineteen, she has a summer romance with Rhys, who is a Penhallow, the town's founding family. They burn hot for three months but when Rhys says he has to go home to Wales to tell his father to break his betrothal, Vivi freaks out not knowing he was engaged and breaks up with him. Heartbroken, she and her cousin Gwyn conduct, what they think is a fake, curse on Rhys. It takes nine years later and the return of Rhys to find out that their curse was all too real. Even now, battered and bruised and possibly standing in squirrel shit, he was . . . happy. Glad to see her, brush with vehicular homicide aside.
The timing of the release of this book couldn't be more perfect, the Fall and Halloween vibes is perfect for late September and the light, chik-lit tone brought the spookiness in a fun and delightful way. I've seen some Hocus Pocus talk in the marketing and it has a little bit of that, especially one scene the movie's fans will be able to point to, but it does it with more of an adult theme with some sex scenes. With the lighter tone, we kind of dance into and around the characters, not too much delving deep. I felt like I knew Vivi more but I still didn't think her struggle with fitting in and complicated relationship with magic was explored enough. Rhys was the perfect gentleman with just enough moments of introspection to go along with his sweet and loose personality. We get introduced to his family, his scary father Simon, and two broody older brothers but, just. As Vivi's aunt and cousin live in Graves Glen, we see them more and Vivi's cousin Gwyn has future main character written all over her.
And the last thing she was going to do was fall for Rhys Penhallow all over again.
When Rhys comes back to Graves Glen to help celebrate the town's founding anniversary and strengthen the ley lines, the magic that flows into the town, the curse takes affect and he's suddenly dodging life threatening accidents. He thinks something might be wrong but his father's arrogance can't imagine Vivi being strong enough to be able to curse a Penhallow, so Rhys goes ahead with the ritual of strengthening the ley lines, only to transfer the curse into the ley lines and thus, into the town. Graves Glen is full of witches and civilians alike and now that magic is going haywire in the town because of the curse, they fear discovery. This gives the story the excuse to keep Rhys in town and working with Vivi and the second chance romance and enemies-to-lovers tropes to perform.
“Stay with me here. You’re an adult woman going through a stressful time in her life, and now your hot-as-hell ex is back in town and wants to kiss your face off. I say smoke ’em if you got ’em, babe.”
Vivi and Rhys figure out she cursed him for real by the 25% mark and with so much story left, there were enough times I stopped to think that they weren't paying enough attention to stopping the curse, the focus dwindles as Vivi and Rhys' relationship takes more of the spotlight. With the lighter tone, I didn't mind as much but it does become noticeable, especially in the second half. The town and it's mythology come into play more in the latter second half and I appreciated how it filled the world out and gave us more of a setting that could be continued into the series.
Cariad. He’d called her that, that summer. She could still feel it, growled against her ear, whispered into her skin, murmured between her thighs.
This was a fairly angst free zone, Vivi thinks Rhys thought of their summer romance as more of a fling but Rhys still checked up on her over their nine years apart and calls her the one who got away. As they start their romance back up, Vivi doesn't think they can have a future because Rhys lives in Wales and she loves Graves Glen too much to ever leave and Rhys is scared to tell her he loves her because of this. They were sweet, cute, funny, and steamy at turns but not particularly deep diving. This story did have loads of charm, from the seasonal Halloween vibes, the light tone, Vivi and Gwyn's friendship, Rhys and Vivi's cute romance, and to Sir Purrcival, who when he gets his chance to talk, opts for “treats” to be 95% of his vocabulary. The Ex Hex is the perfect light and sweet romance to start your Halloween season with.
“How did I ever give you up?” he murmured.
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LibraryThing member Anniik
TW/CW: Sex, mild paranormal violence
RATING: 4/5
REVIEW: The Ex Hex is the story of Vivienne Jones, a witch who a decade ago had a summer fling with another witch, Rhys Penhallow. When that summer ended in heartbreak, Vivienne cast what she believed to be a fake curse on Rhys – but when he returns
This was a fun book and a fast read. I love stuff about magic and witches, and while I wish this had a little more magic in it, it was still fun to read what there was. The first 2/3 of the book totally flew for me – the last third getting bogged down a little in the sex and romance – but I still really enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone who likes stories about witches.
RATING: 4/5
REVIEW: The Ex Hex is the story of Vivienne Jones, a witch who a decade ago had a summer fling with another witch, Rhys Penhallow. When that summer ended in heartbreak, Vivienne cast what she believed to be a fake curse on Rhys – but when he returns
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to the town nine years later, they discover it wasn’t fake at all.This was a fun book and a fast read. I love stuff about magic and witches, and while I wish this had a little more magic in it, it was still fun to read what there was. The first 2/3 of the book totally flew for me – the last third getting bogged down a little in the sex and romance – but I still really enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone who likes stories about witches.
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LibraryThing member AmyM3317
The night her boyfriend broke her heart, Vivi Jones broke one of the cardinal rules of witchcraft: Never curse while drunk. Luckily, in this case, Vivi's magic has never been one of her strong suits, so she doesn't expect the curse to take, but it sure helped vent her sadness.
Rhys Penhallow
Except ever since he stepped foot back in Graves Glen his magic has been a bit off. And after he charges the ley lines, everything magic seems to be going wrong within the town.
Although she tried to avoid Rhys's return, Vivi can't help but think that maybe her curse took after all. Once she begrudgingly admits she may be the root cause of everything happening, Rhys and Vivi will have to work together to ensure Graves Glen makes it past Halloween while trying reconcile with what happened between them all those years ago.
This book is the perfect entry into the Fall season. Seriously, I could feel the chill in the air and smell the pumpkin spice while I was reading. Erin Sterling peppers Graves Glen with such vivid imagery I wanted to be there to see the pretty fall colors on the trees.
Really I think what did it for me the most, was the fact that there was such history imbued within the pages. Family history, town history, magical history. The world was just really well thought out and I'm eager to immerse myself more within Graves Glen. There's the issue of witches not being known to "normies" which I think is something that can be further explored in another book and has a slight setup with Vivi's cousin Gwyn.
Now, on to the romance. I'm a sucker for second-chance romances. What I especially liked about this was that there was so much still between Vivi and Rhys that they hadn't worked through with one another. I almost wish we had gotten a little bit more out of the early part of their relationship, but I did like the focus on the latter part. I like how the curse and their relationship and the issues going on in the town were woven together with some interesting twists.
Plus, won't lie, I found myself with a big smile on my face at the ending. It was one of the more perfect endings I've read recently.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It checks all the Fall boxes and is a great, light read with a lot of heart.
Rhys Penhallow
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loathes the obligation to his family name, but since the Penhallows founded Graves Glen, they are required to make annual trips to charge the town's ley lines. So far, Rhys has avoided going back to Graves Glen since the incident nine years ago where he broke Vivi's heart. Luckily, all the trip requires is showing up at the Founder's Day celebration, recharging the ley lines, then he's out.Except ever since he stepped foot back in Graves Glen his magic has been a bit off. And after he charges the ley lines, everything magic seems to be going wrong within the town.
Although she tried to avoid Rhys's return, Vivi can't help but think that maybe her curse took after all. Once she begrudgingly admits she may be the root cause of everything happening, Rhys and Vivi will have to work together to ensure Graves Glen makes it past Halloween while trying reconcile with what happened between them all those years ago.
This book is the perfect entry into the Fall season. Seriously, I could feel the chill in the air and smell the pumpkin spice while I was reading. Erin Sterling peppers Graves Glen with such vivid imagery I wanted to be there to see the pretty fall colors on the trees.
Really I think what did it for me the most, was the fact that there was such history imbued within the pages. Family history, town history, magical history. The world was just really well thought out and I'm eager to immerse myself more within Graves Glen. There's the issue of witches not being known to "normies" which I think is something that can be further explored in another book and has a slight setup with Vivi's cousin Gwyn.
Now, on to the romance. I'm a sucker for second-chance romances. What I especially liked about this was that there was so much still between Vivi and Rhys that they hadn't worked through with one another. I almost wish we had gotten a little bit more out of the early part of their relationship, but I did like the focus on the latter part. I like how the curse and their relationship and the issues going on in the town were woven together with some interesting twists.
Plus, won't lie, I found myself with a big smile on my face at the ending. It was one of the more perfect endings I've read recently.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It checks all the Fall boxes and is a great, light read with a lot of heart.
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LibraryThing member Maydacat
Vivienne is in love, until her boyfriend tells her that his dad is making an arranged marriage for him. Now she and her cousin, who just happen to be witches, decide to drown their sorrows with vodka and place a curse on the deceitful beau. They didn’t think it would actually work, but years
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later, it appears to have had some effect. Unless some other witch also had a reason to curse his family as well. The former couple are thrown together in a series of unfortunate events, and find there is still a spark there on both their parts. Now, if they can just break the curse before it kills, they might just have a future together. This racy romance is filled with witchy spells and liberally dosed with profanity. The premise is cute - young witches who are drunk shouldn’t play around with spells - but the writing missed the bullseye for me. Show Less
LibraryThing member AdonisGuilfoyle
Nothing to do with TikTok or BookTok because I'm not fifteen, but 'tis the season - also I wanted to test for myself if this was a five star or a one star read (or firmly in the middle!)
I quite liked the story, which is sort of Hallmark Christmas movies does Practical Magic, but found a lot of the
Shagging aside, I enjoyed the characters and Georgia setting. Rhys is supposed to be Welsh, descended from the founders of Graves Glen where Vivi and her family of witches live, and his 'Britishness' was endearing rather than annoying. Also bonus points for making the cat's vocabulary very accurate: 'TREATS!'
Onwards with Hex Appeal!
I quite liked the story, which is sort of Hallmark Christmas movies does Practical Magic, but found a lot of the
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descriptions and the 'romance' to be annoyingly repetitive. The sex scenes felt tacked on and - for me - got in the way of the actual story (this is why I don't usually read romance novels, clearly!) Vivi and Rhys were forever finding themselves trapped in confined spaces, breathing on each other. When they do finally get together, the reunion sex is very brief - they keep going, granted, but all that introspection and PWP? build-up was leading to that? And what kind of line is 'Vivienne, if you'll allow me to make you come tonight, you'll make me the most fortunate of men'?Shagging aside, I enjoyed the characters and Georgia setting. Rhys is supposed to be Welsh, descended from the founders of Graves Glen where Vivi and her family of witches live, and his 'Britishness' was endearing rather than annoying. Also bonus points for making the cat's vocabulary very accurate: 'TREATS!'
Onwards with Hex Appeal!
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LibraryThing member Glennis.LeBlanc
Vivienne Jones was born a witch but never really got to use her powers until she moved back to her mom’s hometown and moved in with her aunt and cousin. The small college town was founded by a witch from Wales. Viv had a 3 month college fling with Rhys Penhallow, a descendant of the founder of
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the town and there for a summer. When Rhys left, Viv was heartbroken and one night to finally get over the breakup Viv and her cousin Gwyn “hex” Rhys but they don’t bother to do anything that would really power the hex. Fast forward nine years and Rhys is back in town to reinforce the wards his ancestor set up when the town was founded so there would be plenty of magic in the area. As soon as he arrives the hex finally hits him and it also hexs the magic that is in the town. Now Viv must work with Rhys to remove the hex and keep the normal people in the town ignorant of the magic around them. The overall story was cute and of course there is a HEA at the end. I liked the part about the college having a magical section that they kept the normal students from knowing. Show Less
LibraryThing member GeauxGetLit
This was a miss for me! I wanted to enjoy it, but it didn’t do it for me. I felt it was more of a juvenile witchy magic book; however,
LibraryThing member Andy5185
This was cute and entertaining. It had just the right amount of witchery for me. Definitely has steamy parts which isn't my norm. A great fun Halloween read for any romance fan.
LibraryThing member mktoronto
I do love my witchy stories and really enjoyed this one. Faith, belief, stretching what you know about yourself. It's all here. Wouldn't mind more stories in this world.
LibraryThing member sedodge
okay, i actually really liked this one. A guy with a scotish (sorry, welsh) accent, a relatable leading lady who acts normal but is actually a super powerful witch with an amazing, polka-dotted sense of style? This one was a quick read but it was right up my alley and the Kiss cures is 1000% on my
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list for the next time i head to the book store. Show Less
LibraryThing member Bodagirl
Cute, cozy-adjacent rom-com. Nothing too spectacular. I do wonder why the Penhallows moved back to Wales though.
Language
Original publication date
2021
Local notes
Nine years ago, Vivienne Jones nursed her broken heart like any young witch would: vodka, weepy music, bubble baths…and a curse on the horrible boyfriend. But then Rhys Penhallow, descendent of the town’s ancestors, breaker of hearts, and annoyingly just as gorgeous as he always was, returns and what should be a quick trip to recharge the town’s ley lines and make an appearance at the annual fall festival turns disastrously wrong. With one calamity after another striking Rhys, Vivi realizes her silly little Ex Hex may not have been so harmless after all.