The Kiss Curse by Erin Sterling: Gwyn Jones loves her life in her small witchy town of Graves Glen, 
running her cute novelty witch shop Something Wicked with her mother and cousin, really what more could a girl ask for? Well having the annoyingly stuffy Llewellyn ‘Wells’ Penhallow open up a competing shop right opposite her was definitely not on the agenda. If this wasn’t annoying enough Gwyn still hasn’t let go of the little grudge that she has been holding against Wells from the time they crossed paths in magic school all those years ago… oh and did I mention these annoying new feelings of desire and attraction that just seem to keep popping up every time she is around Wells?
With Halloween fast approaching the real competition is on to see which witchy shop really is better but when their constant bickering and bantering leads to a very real and steamy kiss Gwyn is more than convinced that she should keep her distance from one Wells Penhallow, this shouldn’t be to hard after all she has her three baby witches to mentor and this is her busiest times of the year… but when the arrival of a new coven of witches coincides with the weakening of her magic Gwyn has no choice but to team up with Wells to try and get to the bottom of what is going on in Graves Glen.
The Kiss Curse was just magically perfect, I loved reading the first book in this series and I have been super eager to get my hands on Gwyn and Wells book and let me just tell you that it was so worth the wait! For me personally books with magic or the supernatural can either be hit or miss but The Kiss Curse was a total hit for me! There is just something about Sterlings writing style that captures your attention and keeps you hooked with her playful and witty characters. As far as enemies to lovers romcoms go this was this trope at its very best!
Gwyn was just amazing, I loved all the boss girl vibes that she was throw off and that she was really a kick butt witch all in her own right. I have to say it was really nice having a bisexual leading female character and that she was so open with her sexuality and that this just felt so natural to her character. Gwyn and her baby witches were just a hoot! I loved getting to see her the girl that was so anti-responsibility take on the responsibility of mentoring her baby witches. Gosh these baby witches were just a hoot, I loved that Gwyn was alway there to help them learn and really find their magic feet.
As for our buttoned up hero Wells, well simply put he was a swoon fest with all of his proper olden speak and manners. I just loved his story and that had this intense loyalty to his family and keeping their magic going, but it was that connection and incredible pull that he felt for Gwyn that really had me hooked. I just loved that he was always there to give it back to her just as good as she dished those snarky barbs. Also I really liked getting to see him rebuild his relationship with his brother Rhys. I will say that my heart did hurt a bit for Wells when the entire thing with his fathers went down – no spoilers here, you need to read this to full appreciate the story, sorry.
The chemistry between Gwyn and Wells was perfection! These two had a total electric pull between them and it only got more steamy as they worked together to uncover what the new coven wanted in their town. I just loved the playful banter that flowed between these two as they danced around their feelings for each other. I really enjoyed getting to see them team up as they tried to figure out the mystery of Gwyns disappearing magic which helped bring them closer together.
I absolutely loved getting to see Rhys and Vivi again, if you haven’t read their book The Ex Hex then I highly suggest that you add it to your TBR! Also I just can’t help but just adore the Halloween obsessed town of Games Glen, this town that such a cute and quirky vibe to it that had me wanting to visit! And the baby witches, oh man they were just the cutest, I loved their ever eager desire to try out new magic and impress Gwyn and that they were her little helpers.
I really liked that this was largely a light easy read with just a touch of drama to keep you guessing. With the majority of the book being a playful game of banter between ‘rivals’ Gwyn and Wells, there were loads of giggles, swoons and a few oh dear Goddess! The Kiss Cures is a total must read! I can not wait to get my hands on Bowens book next!
Book Info:
Publication: September 20th 2022 | Avon Books | Ex Hex #2
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.
