ellementary's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I can see why this book would appeal to some, but I don't think I am the right audience for it. If I was rating this book purely on the plot, I'd have given it a higher score. The story about a witchy little town that is accidentally cursed and how the witches come together to try and save it is just wonderfully cozy spooky season reading. It reminded me of a spicier little Hallmark movie. Unfortunately, the romance overwhelms the plot and I was not all that interested in that part of the story. I also wish there had been a bit more attention paid to world-building and character development (and maybe there will be in future books). I wanted to know more about the magic and get deeper into the history of both the Penhallow and Jones families - especially when the origins of the curse were revealed - but mostly we just kept circling back to Vivi and Rhys pawing at each other. Don't get me wrong, I can enjoy a romance and I can certainly savor those spicy scenes, but I'm much better with a slow burn than something like this, and sex over story isn't really my jam. This was more lust than anything and, honestly, I think I would have been fine with that if I didn't feel like the author was trying to convince me that this was a real-deal romance at every opportunity. The connection, reader! The connection! The moment Rhys tries to convince Vivi they should get a room at a B&B instead of, you know, saving the town, well, that was the point of no return for me. The characters dated for 3 months almost a decade ago and in the span of a couple of weeks back in each other's presence we are supposed to believe they're madly in love as evidenced by the fact that they can't keep their hands off each other long enough to focus on the mission at hand. I just didn't buy into it. I also didn't find Rhys as charming as I think I was supposed to so I'm sure that didn't help.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Murder
ilaxaria's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Cursing
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, and Infidelity
Minor: Alcohol
laceym18's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment and Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent
vj_thompson's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A majority of the book I did like. The premise of curing an ex-boyfriend was funny. Vivi and Rhy figuring out how to life the curse was also a good time. Everything kind of wrapped up quicker than it should have. It’s like in ten pages, they suddenly figured out how to lift the curse and boom, that’s it. Cue the credits.
The book should have been a little longer with more detail. I will not be continuing the series, unfortunately.
The book should have been a little longer with more detail. I will not be continuing the series, unfortunately.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, Death, Toxic relationship, and Sexism
Minor: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Car accident, and Murder
bzliz's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Vivienne and her cousin sort of accidentally curse Vivi’s now ex-boyfriend when he drops a bomb on her- that his father is arranging a marriage for him. Nothing really happens for nine years but as soon as Rhys returns to that magical little town to charge the ley lines, bad things start to happen including multiple near death experiences, plastic skulls coming to life, and unleashing a ghost that really hates Rhys and his family. The pair must work together to cleanse the town of this curse while dealing with their lingering attraction to each other.
This was a really cute, quick read with good witchy vibes without getting super intense about rules of magic in this universe. The side characters are fun but a little flat. Rhys and Vivi make a cute pair but they do suffer from a bad case of Not Talking About Your Feelings Even Though It Would Fix A Lot Of Your Problems. Overall, the plot was pretty predictable and the end was wrapped up really quickly. It’s worth a read if you like slightly cozy witchy reads that don’t take themselves too seriously.
This was a really cute, quick read with good witchy vibes without getting super intense about rules of magic in this universe. The side characters are fun but a little flat. Rhys and Vivi make a cute pair but they do suffer from a bad case of Not Talking About Your Feelings Even Though It Would Fix A Lot Of Your Problems. Overall, the plot was pretty predictable and the end was wrapped up really quickly. It’s worth a read if you like slightly cozy witchy reads that don’t take themselves too seriously.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Death
Minor: Death of parent
shredsfists's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
a cute and light romance novel, halloween would be the perfect time to read this!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Death
Minor: Death of parent
kelisabeth's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Alcohol, Blood, and Death of parent
thecajunbookworm's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent
diana_raquel's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
“Never mix vodka and witchcraft”
I found this book in a local bookstore, and it seemed like something that I would like. I have seen it around on social media, and seem like a lighthearted romance involving witches. Do I like romance? Yes. Do I like witches? Absolutely!
Look, this isn't a bad book, in any way. But there is something about second-chances books that I can't seem to like. I think that the only book of this kind that I absolutely love is Persuasion, by Austen. The characters are interesting and funny at times, the book has a good structure, and the story is interesting enough, but, to me, it was just "meh". However, I think that this is more of me problem than a book problem. Therefore, I'm giving it a 3.5 stars rating (but I'm being a bit generous). I can also say that this has fall vibes all over, so if you like romances with fall vibes, maybe give this one a chance.
Now, the question is: will I read The Kiss Curse? Yes, probably. It seems like an enemies-to-lovers romance and that's my favorite kind of romance.
I found this book in a local bookstore, and it seemed like something that I would like. I have seen it around on social media, and seem like a lighthearted romance involving witches. Do I like romance? Yes. Do I like witches? Absolutely!
Look, this isn't a bad book, in any way. But there is something about second-chances books that I can't seem to like. I think that the only book of this kind that I absolutely love is Persuasion, by Austen. The characters are interesting and funny at times, the book has a good structure, and the story is interesting enough, but, to me, it was just "meh". However, I think that this is more of me problem than a book problem. Therefore, I'm giving it a 3.5 stars rating (but I'm being a bit generous). I can also say that this has fall vibes all over, so if you like romances with fall vibes, maybe give this one a chance.
Now, the question is: will I read The Kiss Curse? Yes, probably. It seems like an enemies-to-lovers romance and that's my favorite kind of romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and Cursing
Moderate: Sexism, Blood, Grief, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Abandonment
Minor: Self harm, Death of parent, Car accident, and Alcohol
lucyeanderson's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
this was such a cute, but sexy, romcom, i loved it! it was a little slow at first, and there were a few cringey phrases, but overall i loved the story and the characters! vivi is such a badass, i love seeing an older main character who really knows what she wants and who she is, i’m so fed up of seeing girls walked over in romances so this was so refreshing. rhys was a lovely, respectful and funny love interest, and i loved the dual perspective. gwynn and elaine were such great side characters, they felt so warm and welcoming, and the overall graves glenn was such a great setting. the book spoke about a lot of prominent issues such as female historical erasure, and consent in sex while still being light and funny, and overall i had a great time reading. i’ll deffo be reading the next one, loved how it made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside!!
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Death of parent