Thursday, February 6, 2025

The Wedding Witch by Erin Sterling

A Bewitching Blend of Magic, Time Travel, and Love

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"The Wedding Witch" is a spellbinding conclusion to the Ex Hex trilogy. Erin Sterling has once again proven herself a master of magical romantic comedy. So grab your favorite cozy blanket, brew up some tea (or maybe a smoky whiskey if you're feeling adventurous), and prepare to fall under the spell of Graves Glen one last time.

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Picture this: It’s a chilly December night, you’re curled up under a cozy blanket, and you’ve just cracked open the latest Erin Sterling novel. The wind howls outside, but you’re safe in the warm embrace of Graves Glen, ready to be whisked away on another magical adventure. That’s exactly how I felt diving into “The Wedding Witch,” the third installment in Sterling’s enchanting Ex Hex series. And let me tell you, witches and warlocks, this book does not disappoint!

Now, if you haven’t had the pleasure of visiting Graves Glen before, let me catch you up real quick. This charming Southern town is home to a colorful cast of witches, warlocks, and the occasional human who gets caught up in their magical shenanigans. We first fell in love with the place in “The Ex Hex,” where a scorned witch’s curse comes back to bite her in the most delicious way. Then, “The Kiss Curse” gave us a enemies-to-lovers tale that was hotter than a cauldron on Halloween night.

But “The Wedding Witch”? Oh honey, it takes everything we loved about the first two books and cranks it up to eleven. We’re talking time travel, haunted houses, and a slow-burn romance that’ll have you fanning yourself faster than you can say “accio, cold shower!”

A Match Made in Magical Heaven

Our story follows Bowen Penhallow, a brooding Welsh warlock who’s more comfortable with ancient tomes than actual people. He’s the kind of guy who’d rather spend his nights decoding elven texts than hitting up the local pub. (Okay, I’ll admit it—I kind of love that about him.) On the other side of our romantic equation, we have Tamsyn Bligh, a human with a knack for acquiring magical artifacts. She’s smart, sassy, and has been starring in Bowen’s dreams for longer than he’d care to admit.

Now, here’s where things get interesting. These two find themselves at a fancy-schmancy Yuletide wedding at Tywyll House, a Welsh estate with more secrets than your grandma’s recipe box. Tamsyn’s there to score a priceless magical brooch, while Bowen’s reluctantly attending at the request of his ghostly BFF, Declan. (Yeah, you read that right. Ghost bestie. Just roll with it.)

Accidental Time Travelers

But faster than you can say “great Scott!”, our lovebirds find themselves zapped back to 1957. Suddenly, they’re smack dab in the middle of another Yuletide celebration, complete with vintage cocktails and some seriously questionable fashion choices. Oh, and did I mention that the bride and groom just happen to be Bowen’s grandparents? Talk about awkward family reunions!

Here’s where Sterling’s writing really shines. The 1950s setting is so vividly drawn, you can practically smell the cigarette smoke and taste the gin fizzes. And the way she weaves Welsh folklore and magical lore into the story? It’s like Harry Potter met Outlander and decided to throw a New Year’s Eve rager.

A Race Against Time (Literally)

Of course, it’s not all fun and games in the past. Bowen and Tamsyn have to figure out how to get back to their own time before they blink out of existence. (Time travel, am I right?) This means playing matchmaker for Bowen’s bickering grandparents while trying to unravel the mystery of that pesky magical brooch.

And let’s not forget the sexual tension, folks. Being stuck in the past means Bowen and Tamsyn have to pretend to be married. Cue the shared bedroom, lingering glances, and one very steamy bathtub scene that’ll have you reaching for a cold glass of water. Sterling knows how to write chemistry that crackles like magic gone wrong, and she doesn’t hold back here.

More Than Just a Pretty Face (or Brooch)

But “The Wedding Witch” isn’t just about the romance. Sterling tackles some pretty heavy themes with a deft touch:

Watching Bowen grapple with his family’s legacy and his own perceived failures is genuinely moving. And Tamsyn’s journey from lone wolf to someone willing to open her heart? It’ll hit you right in the feels.

A Cast of Characters to Fall in Love With

While Bowen and Tamsyn are our main squeeze, the supporting cast is equally delightful:

  • Emerald: A precocious teenage witch-in-training who steals every scene she’s in
  • Declan: Bowen’s ghostly best friend with a tragic past (and some killer one-liners)
  • Elspeth and Harri: Bowen’s grandparents, whose love story is as tumultuous as it is swoon-worthy

Even the setting itself, Tywyll House, becomes a character in its own right. This sprawling, slightly sinister mansion is packed with magical secrets and more than a few things that go bump in the night.

A Satisfying Conclusion (Or Is It?)

Without spoiling too much, I will say that Sterling sticks the landing. The way she brings all the plot threads together is nothing short of magical (pun absolutely intended). And while this book wraps up the Ex Hex trilogy nicely, I can’t help but hope we’ll get to revisit Graves Glen again someday. (Pretty please, Erin?)

A Few Minor Quibbles

Look, no book is perfect, and I did have a couple of tiny nitpicks:

  • The pacing in the middle gets a tad slow as Bowen and Tamsyn settle into 1957 life
  • A subplot involving a mischievous child feels a bit underdeveloped

But honestly? These are minor gripes in an otherwise stellar read.

The Verdict: Pure Magic

“The Wedding Witch” is like the best kind of spell—it leaves you feeling warm, fuzzy, and maybe a little bit lovestruck. Sterling has crafted a story that’s equal parts funny, romantic, and genuinely touching. It’s the perfect blend of whimsy and heart, with just enough spice to keep things interesting.

If you’re a fan of:

  • Witchy romances with a dash of humor
  • Time travel shenanigans
  • Grumpy/sunshine pairings
  • Cozy small-town settings (with a magical twist)

Then you need to get your hands on this book ASAP. And if you haven’t read the first two books in the series? Well, what are you waiting for? Cancel your plans, stock up on snacks, and prepare for a magical binge-reading session.

Trust me, this is one wedding you don’t want to miss.

For Fans of Magical Romance

If “The Wedding Witch” leaves you craving more enchanted love stories, here are a few recommendations to add to your TBR pile:

  • The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches” by Sangu Mandanna
  • “Payback’s a Witch” by Lana Harper
  • “A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon” by Sarah Hawley
  • “The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy” by Megan Bannen

And of course, if you somehow missed them, make sure to pick up “The Ex Hex” and “The Kiss Curse” to complete your Graves Glen experience!

A Note on the Series

While “The Wedding Witch” can technically be read as a standalone, I highly recommend starting with “The Ex Hex” and working your way through the trilogy. Not only will you get a richer understanding of the world and its characters, but you’ll also catch all those delightful little callbacks and inside jokes Sterling sprinkles throughout the book.

Plus, watching the town of Graves Glen and its quirky inhabitants grow and change over the course of three books is half the fun. Trust me, by the time you reach “The Wedding Witch,” you’ll feel like you’re coming home to old friends.

So there you have it, fellow book lovers. “The Wedding Witch” is a charming, funny, and utterly romantic conclusion to a series that has stolen my heart faster than you can say “accio, boyfriend!” Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a sudden urge to book a trip to Wales and hunt for magical brooches. Who’s with me?

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"The Wedding Witch" is a spellbinding conclusion to the Ex Hex trilogy. Erin Sterling has once again proven herself a master of magical romantic comedy. So grab your favorite cozy blanket, brew up some tea (or maybe a smoky whiskey if you're feeling adventurous), and prepare to fall under the spell of Graves Glen one last time.The Wedding Witch by Erin Sterling