Bookish Mewsings: Witches Get Stitches / The Ex Hex / Vanessa Yu's Magical Paris Tea Shop

"Okay, Violet's Turn!" ~ Opening of Witches Get Stitches

Witches Get Stitches (Stay a Spell #3) by Juliette Cross (2021; 390 pgs)

Witches Get Stitches is the third book in the Stay a Spell series featuring the Savoie sisters, all of whom are gifted with magic. This is a fun paranormal romance series, each book featuring a different couple.  I have wondered what the backstory between Violet and Nico is for awhile now. Why is she so rude to him all the time? Well, it was time to find out!

The attraction between Nico and Violet was instant, even if it took their brains longer to be willing to give it a chance. Particularly for Violet. Nico, a werewolf, has a plan though and a lot of patience. He is determined to help Violet realize they belong together. Violet’s dream to have her own tattoo business is finally becoming a reality, and that is in part due to Nico who owns the property where the shop will be. Violet has been working on a charmed tattoo that will help give werewolves control over their beastly side. If she can just manage it, the impact on the supernatural community, particular werewolves would be profound. Her skills are put to the test when Nico’s past catches up to him and his former pack comes into town—and not exactly for a friendly visit.

I enjoyed getting to know Nico and Violet’s backstory as well as see them finally end up together where they belong. I really like Nico who clearly respects Violet and wants her to be happy. Violet can be stubborn and feisty but she also has a softer side. There were appearances by other repeat characters from past books—and a deeper glimpse into the grim reapers' abilities (whose abilities I can’t wait to learn more about!). There’s plenty of steam as expected and suspenseful moments too along with a few unexpected twists. I enjoyed Witches Get Stitches and look forward to reading the next book in the series.

Never mix vodka and witchcraft. ~ Opening of The Ex Hex

The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling (Avon, 2021; 308 pgs)

I did not realize Erin Sterling was author Rachel Hawkins when I picked up this book to read. Not that it would have made a difference. It just means I read a book by her before (The Wife Upstairs), which I really liked by the way.

The Ex Hex was such a fun book to read. I loved every minute of it. It’s the story of witch named Vivienne, who, when she was young and broken hearted cursed her love—not really believing it actually took. Alas, nine years later, she is about to find out how wrong she was. When Rhys Penhallow, descendent of the town’s ancestors returns to Graves Glen, Georgia years after having his heart broken by Vivi, he hopes to be in and out. The last thing he wants to do is linger. All he has to do is re-charge the ley lines and then he can leave. Things never work out as planned in a novel like this, and all sorts of things start to go wrong. Wind-up toys are on the attack and other “accident” seem to keep happening when Rhys is around. It is up to Vivi and Rhys to figure out how to break this curse that is very real.

I thought the misunderstanding that lead to the breakup between a young Vivi and Rhys was rather silly, but age and immaturity does count for something, I guess. Despite that minor quibble, I thoroughly enjoyed The Ex Hex. It was such a rollercoaster of a reading experience. Just the right of magic, action and chemistry between the two main characters. Oh, and how I loved that ending! Major points for Rhys! I hope this will not be the last I see of Graves Glen.

I predicted the future on my third birthday. ~ Vanessa Yu's Magical Paris Tea Shop

Vanessa Yu’s Magical Paris Tea Shop by Roselle Lim (2021; 305 pgs)

Vanessa Yu can see people’s fortunes—or, as she believes, their misfortunes. It is not a gift she wanted and she sees it more as a curse and hindrance. On top of that, her love life is nonexistent and her family will not stop meddling in her affairs. They even hired a matchmaker from Shanghai who told Vanessa’s aunts that she was hopeless and would never find a match. When her eccentric aunt with similar clairvoyant abilities asks her to come to Paris to help her with her new tea shop, Vanessa is hesitant, but her aunt promises to teach her how to use and control her abilities. As Vanessa and her aunt grow closer, she lets go of some of her resistance and opens up to the help her aunt help her. She discovers her aunt had once been in love but that the relationship ended badly. It soon becomes clear to Vanessa that her aunt’s lost love is in Paris as well and she sets out to find a way to bring them together. Because if they can be reunited, perhaps she will be able to hold onto love as well and fates can be changed.

This was such a charming story and I loved getting to know Vanessa and her Aunt Evelyn. There are lots of descriptions of food too! Vanessa does meet someone who is quite charming and wins her heart as he shows her the sights in Paris. He struggles with his own issues though, as Vanessa will soon discover. I actually liked that bit of reality thrown in with this otherwise sweet tale. I loved Vanessa and her aunts and getting to see Paris through her eyes. I also like the way things wrapped up in the end.

Have you read any of these novels? If so, what did you think?

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