The Ex Hex
A revenge hex cast years ago comes back to haunt an ex when he returns to town
The Ex Hex is a witchy rom-com about Vivi, who drunkenly cursed her ex-boyfriend Rhys years ago after a bad breakup. She didn't think the hex would work, but now Rhys is back in town for a magical festival and everything is going wrong. Erin Sterling writes paranormal romance with a light touch, the magic is real but the tone is romantic comedy, not dark urban fantasy.
What makes the book work is the balance of humor and genuine emotion. The hex creates absurd situations, glitter everywhere, a cat that won't stop yowling, magical mishaps at every turn. But underneath the comedy is real hurt from their breakup and real chemistry that never went away. Sterling doesn't let the humor undercut the stakes.
The small-town magical community feels cozy and lived-in. It's not just Vivi and Rhys. There's family, fellow witches, a town full of people invested in the magical festival succeeding. The romance is personal, but the stakes involve the whole community.
The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling follows Vivi, who cursed her ex Rhys years ago and now has to deal with the chaotic consequences when he returns to town. The book blends paranormal romance, second-chance love, small-town magic, and romantic comedy with cozy fall vibes and genuine heart.
A revenge hex cast years ago comes back to haunt an ex when he returns to town
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What you're really looking for when you search for books like The Ex Hex
You want paranormal romance that's more cozy than dark. You want magic that feels whimsical rather than dangerous, witches who are part of the community rather than outcasts. You want the paranormal elements to enhance the romance, not overshadow it.
You're also looking for second-chance romance with genuine obstacles. You want exes who broke up for real reasons, who hurt each other, who have to figure out if they've changed enough to try again. You want the history to create depth, not just nostalgia.
And you want small-town romance with magical elements. You want communities where everyone knows everyone, where magic is just part of daily life, where the setting feels like home.
The reader take
Sterling found a sweet spot: paranormal romance that's cozy rather than dark, second-chance romance with genuine obstacles, and humor that doesn't undercut emotion. It's the witchy fall rom-com you didn't know you needed, perfect for readers who want magic without the intensity of urban fantasy.
Book recommendations
The Kiss Curse
by Erin Sterling
Sterling's follow-up to The Ex Hex, about Gwyn (Vivi's cousin) and a grumpy witch hunter. It's set in the same town and has the same cozy paranormal vibe with more enemies-to-lovers tension.
Practical Magic
by Alice Hoffman
The classic witchy romance about two sisters cursed in love. Hoffman writes magical realism with more literary heft than Sterling but the same interest in witches as part of community.
Payback's a Witch
by Lana Harper
A witch returns to her magical hometown for a tournament and gets revenge on her ex. Harper writes queer witchy romance with small-town charm and genuine magical stakes.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches
by Sangu Mandanna
A witch hired to teach three young witches finds found family and romance. Mandanna writes cozy paranormal with warmth and charm.
Witches of Ash and Ruin
by E. Latimer
YA witchy romance with more darkness than The Ex Hex but similar interest in magic woven into relationships. It's second-chance romance with paranormal stakes.
Common questions
Is The Ex Hex more paranormal or contemporary romance?
Both. The magic is real and integral to the plot, but the tone is romantic comedy. It's paranormal with a light touch, more cozy than dark. If you want urban fantasy with heavy world-building, this isn't it.
Do I need to like Halloween to enjoy The Ex Hex?
It helps. The book is set during a fall festival and has strong autumnal vibes. If you love cozy fall aesthetics, you'll love this. If you're indifferent to Halloween, the romance and humor still work.
Is the hex genuinely dangerous or just comedic?
Both. Sterling balances actual stakes, the festival could be ruined, people could get hurt, with comedic mishaps. The hex is real enough to matter but not so dark it stops being fun.
Related tropes
Common in these genres
Ready for your story? Imagine living it.
Ember writes you into the magical town you've been reading about. You're the one dealing with hex consequences, deciding whether to help your ex or let him suffer, if the chemistry you still feel is worth risking heartbreak again. Your choices shape whether you break the curse or let magical chaos reign.
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