Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⬜⬜
Title: The Kiss Curse
Author: Erin Sterling
Genre: Romance / Fantasy
Setting: Graves Glen, Georgia
Month Read: September 2022
Book Type: Paperback
Publication: 2022
Publisher: Avon Books
Pages: 320
TRIGGER WARNING-
Sexual Themes / Witchcraft
"Gwen had no doubt that whoever he was, his ancestors had absolutely once stared down the business end of guillotine.
You don't get cheekbones like that without oppressing some peasants."
No Spoiler Summary:
Gwyn Jones is perfectly happy with her life in Graves Glen. She, her mom, and her cousin have formed a new and powerful coven; she’s running a successful witchcraft shop, Something Wicked; and she’s started mentoring some of the younger witches in town. As Halloween approaches, there’s only one problem—Llewellyn “Wells” Penhallow.
Wells has come to Graves Glen to re-establish his family’s connection to the town they founded as well as to make a new life for himself after years of being the dutiful son in Wales. When he opens up a shop of his own, Penhallow’s, just across the street from Something Wicked, he quickly learns he’s gotten more than he bargained for in going up against Gwyn.
When their professional competition leads to a very personal—and very hot—kiss, both Wells and Gwyn are determined to stay away from each other, convinced the kiss was just a magical fluke. But when a mysterious new coven of witches come to town and Gwyn’s powers begin fading, she and Wells must work together to figure out just what these new witches want and how to restore Gwyn’s magic before it’s too late.
Review:
I'm glad I got this book and read it for a fun intro to fall/spooky season/etc, but I will be 100% honest in the fact that I liked The Ex Hex a lot more. If you want a good plot, and lots of thoughtful reading, these books are not for you, but if you want a fun lil' holiday romance that isn't set in December, these books are totally for you.
The longing is great, the sex scenes are not super graphic, but not super tame, either. You definitely spend some time on the edge of the seat watching Erin Sterling take her time, and letting the characters come together (sort-of) naturally. The characters are also lovely, and if you loved Gwyn before, she's even better being a lead. Wells is to die for, and such a great male lead, and I really wanted him to find himself in so many ways. You really root for them.
I liked the supporting cast of characters in this book! I wish we got a bit more of them, but I', hoping this isn't our last foray to Graves Glen so we'll see them more in the next book. The Baby Witches were SO fun.
Overall, 3/5 solidly. Definitely pick it up in your Book of the Month box, or grab it and a PSL or Apple Cider and let yourself be absorbed by sweaters, cute boots, and the fall foliage. Living in New England, this is definitely the time of year I covet most.
Recommendation:
The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling
"It turned out a cat’s thoughts were mostly about food and insults"
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