Genre Fiction
![Erin Sterling - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_a_erin_sterling.jpg)
The Kiss Curse: A Novel
The follow-up to Erin Sterling's New York Times bestselling hit The Ex Hex features fan favorite Gwyn and the spine-tinglingly handsome Wells Penhallow as they battle a new band of witches and their own magical chemistry.
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.
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.
Editorial Reviews
"A spooky romantic comedy treat that had me sighing at one page, laughing out loud at the next. The Ex Hex is the perfect book for fall." - New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey
"Sterling casts a spell on her readers with this romantic comedy. … As humorous and fantasy filled as the novel is, it also encourages readers to ponder the idea that the world is a very small place. Sterling puts a wonderful spin on two people who once had each other's backs to two people who need each other to save a city from destruction. A cute and laughable holiday read to get you through the harsh winter weather." - USA Today on The Ex Hex
"Filled with delightful witchiness and humor, this playful romantic comedy from Sterling explores second chances and self-discovery. … Comedic chaos rules the day, with plenty of laughs overlaying just a touch of introspection as the exes realize how much they still mean to each other. The result is a fluffy Halloween treat." - Publishers Weekly on The Ex Hex
"Sterling's novel is ultimately crisp and sweet, like biting into the perfect caramel apple, and makes for an equally delicious autumn treat that will sweep readers up into a world of whimsical magic. A wickedly funny rom-com about the power of second chances, family, and love." - Kirkus Reviews on The Ex Hex
"Cozy and cute and Halloween appropriate, and Rhys is extremely attractive. The Ex Hex was, in short, a blast." - Jezebel
"Sterling casts a spell on her readers with this romantic comedy. … As humorous and fantasy filled as the novel is, it also encourages readers to ponder the idea that the world is a very small place. Sterling puts a wonderful spin on two people who once had each other's backs to two people who need each other to save a city from destruction. A cute and laughable holiday read to get you through the harsh winter weather." - USA Today on The Ex Hex
"Filled with delightful witchiness and humor, this playful romantic comedy from Sterling explores second chances and self-discovery. … Comedic chaos rules the day, with plenty of laughs overlaying just a touch of introspection as the exes realize how much they still mean to each other. The result is a fluffy Halloween treat." - Publishers Weekly on The Ex Hex
"Sterling's novel is ultimately crisp and sweet, like biting into the perfect caramel apple, and makes for an equally delicious autumn treat that will sweep readers up into a world of whimsical magic. A wickedly funny rom-com about the power of second chances, family, and love." - Kirkus Reviews on The Ex Hex
"Cozy and cute and Halloween appropriate, and Rhys is extremely attractive. The Ex Hex was, in short, a blast." - Jezebel
Readers Top Reviews
Hillary P
I loved The Ex Hex (Vivi and Rhys’s book) and its witchy vibes last year when I read it for Halloween so I was super excited to get this ARC through Netgalley of the second book in the series. The Kiss Curse has the same witchy vibes and a great enemies-to-lovers storyline following Gwyn (Vivi’s cousin) and Wells (Rhys’s older brother) back in Graves Glen, Georgia. This book was 4.5 stars and a great start to spooky season! Gwyn has hated Wells ever since their very first interaction when Gwyn was in college and has persisted until now when Wells never showed up for Vivi and Rhys’s wedding. When Wells shows up in town and accidentally crashes a bachelorette party Gwyn is helping with, their animosity towards each other flares up again. Now that Wells is in Graves Glen for good, watching the two of them compete via their respective shops and get closer as the story goes on and they try to figure out why Gwyn’s magic is disappearing made me so happy (and laugh a lot). I do love my enemies-to-lovers stories so I was hooked immediately and stayed invested the whole way through. This book was such a cute and spooky read and can’t wait to re-read both The Ex Hex and The Kiss Curse closer to Halloween!
Bethany ErinHilla
If you’re looking for a cozy, spicy, witchy read to ease you into spooky season, then do I have the book for you. The sequel to last year’s The Ex Hex, The Kiss Curse follows Gwyn Jones, the resident bi witch of Glen Graves, Georgia and co-proprietor of the town’s kitschy witchy shop, and Llewellyn “Wells” Penhallow, the dapper Welsch witch whose ancestors first established the town and who decides to start a witchy shop of his own. Add in a talking cat (Sir Purrcival, bien sûr), three enthusiastic witches in training, a new coven that arrives in town, the sudden disappearance of Gwyn’s magic, and the growing attraction between Gwyn and (the very swoon-inducing) Wells, and The Kiss Curse delivers an incredibly fun story full of great banter, more than a little spice (!!!!), and the type of witchy mystery that will have you itching to watch an episode of Charmed. I had an absolute blast with this quick read, which made me laugh out loud often and long for all things autumnal. It’s the perfect book to kick-off your fall reading or to devour in one sitting – preferably with a hand pie and a spiced cider in hand. A huge thank you to Avon Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy!
stefanie jenkinsA
A super cute and fallish themed book to get anyone in the Halloween mood. I enjoyed the ex hex so I was excited for more of this eclectic town. The ending seemed a bit rushed with the “big dramatic moment” and I was super upset that a certain reveal of his time at the college and the girl he crushed on was never talked about again… because hello swoony moment! I wanted to jump in the pages and say tell him who it was!!!! It was an easy read (although I’m not a huge fan of 3rd person pov) and I’m def looking forward to the last brothers book and hope to see more of Gwyn’s baby witches. Fingers crossed that the twist revealed in this book about Gwynn’s magic is actually resolved in the last one.
Liz Burkartstefan
So witty and fun. Interesting plot with a bit of spice to keep things lively. Love this author’s writing style. Overall, I absolutely loved it.
mlockLiz Burkarts
I liked this one even better than the previous one. It was so cute and fun and sultry. I hope there are more in the series because I will read them all! It’s so fun!
