Erin Sterling (The Ex Hex) returns to the witchy town of Graves Glen, Ga., in The Kiss Curse, a funny, clever and not-too-spooky romance in which competing shop owners go from enemies to lovers. Wells Penhallow is more than ready to leave his family's floundering pub in Wales, so when his overbearing father gives him the opportunity, he joins his brother, Rhys, in the same town in Georgia where he attended college. Gywn Jones--cousin to Rhys's wife, Vivi--runs Something Wicked, a shop catering to the many tourists who flock to the town for its curated Halloween atmosphere. Unfortunately for Gwyn, the newest Penhallow in Graves Glen is none other than her college rival, and he's setting up shop directly across the street.
Sterling establishes the romance early in the novel. This gives readers plenty of time with her two bickering and stubborn protagonists, whose attraction to one another is undeniable. Readers can expect lighthearted shenanigans--a love spell that turns out to be edible body glitter, a talking cat--grounded with a bit of mystery and danger. After Vivi and Rhys head off on their honeymoon, another former classmate arrives with the worst of intentions. Wells and Gwyn must team up to save the town, its magic and the people they love. Sterling treats her readers to Halloween vibes, humor and a bit of heat as these two rivals learn that kissing is a lot more fun than fighting. --Suzanne Krohn, librarian and freelance reviewer