If you are looking for deep magical worldbuilding, this isn’t the book for you. It’s a laugh out loud book that features a delightful cast of characters and a wonderfully witchy town made for long walks through cemeteries. Think more Sabrina the Teenage Witch from the 1990s vibe and less The Craft. The Ex Hex is a contemporary rom com that has paranormal elements. 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. 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. With one calamity after another striking Rhys, Vivi realizes her silly little Ex Hex may not have been so harmless after all. 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.

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.

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. 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. Once I got my hands on a copy, I was worried: would the book live up to my expectations? I am so happy to report that yes, yes it did. The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling was one of my most anticipated reads of 2021. “You broke my heart, Rhys Penhallow,” she said. Vivi smiled and leaned over the circle, closer to the candle.