The following version of this book was used to create the guide: Sterling, Erin. The Ex Hex. Harper Collins, 2021.

In the prologue, 19-year-old Vivi Jones jokingly summons the spirit of her ancestor Aelwyd Jones to curse her ex-boyfriend Rhys Penhaven. Rhys lied about being engaged to someone else.

Eight years later, Rhys runs his own tourism from London. Vivi lives in Graves Glen near her Aunt Elaine and cousin Gwyn. She teaches history at Penhaven College. Aunt Elaine and Gwyn run a store that sells magical paraphernalia called Something Wicked. Rhys visits his father Simon in Wales, who urges him to return to Graves Glen for the Founders’ Day Ceremony. Rhys must also strengthen the ley lines: the source of all magic in Graves Glen. Rhys begins having bad luck as soon as he lands in Graves Glen. First, Vivi almost hits him with her car. She leaves him on the side of the road, still angry with him for breaking her heart. Then, the statue of Rhys’ ancestor Gryffud Penhallow falls and breaks during the middle of his Founders’ Day speech. After the speech, Rhys invites Vivi to watch him strengthen the ley lines. He fails, and chaos continues to reign in the town. For instance, Something Wicked gets filled with talking skulls. Sir Purrcival, Gwyn’s cat, starts talking. Vivi realizes that she actually cursed Rhys all those years ago.

Vivi and Rhys head to the library to research how to lift a curse. While looking for books, they kiss. They are interrupted by a ghost named Piper McBride. Dr. Arbuthnot, the head of the Witchery Department at the college, explains that Piper’s ghost got released because of the curse. Vivi and Rhys must figure out how to lift it.

The next day, Vivi is approached by a woman named Amanda Carter. She claims to work for the Witchery Department. She gives Vivi a candle and explains that she must go to Piper McBride’s old house, locate Piper’s altar, then light the candle to trap Piper’s ghost. That night, Vivi brings Rhys with her to Piper’s house. While there, they hear some students exploring the house. They hide in a closet, fighting the urge to embrace. When the students leave, they turn their flashlight on and discover Piper’s altar. They light the candle and trap the ghost. Vivi and Rhys hide the candle in Something Wicked’s storeroom for the night. They have sex there.

The following morning, Vivi gives Amanda the candle. She learns through Dr. Arbuthnot that Amanda is really Tamsyn Bligh: a con artist. Vivi goes to Rhys’ house to tell him the news. They have sex.

Rhys and Vivi decide to embrace their relationship. They spend an enjoyable week together. Simon comes to Graves Glen to remind them to reverse the curse. The next day, Rhys locates Tamsyn Bligh at a nearby bed-and-breakfast. She willingly hands the candle over to them. That night, Rhys, Vivi, Aunt Elaine, and Gwyn free Piper McBride’s ghost. Piper explains that only Aelwyd Jones, Vivi’s ancestor, can reverse the curse. Aelwyd’s magic will be strongest on Halloween, the following day. If they fail, Rhys and all of Graves Glen will die.

The next night, Rhys, Aunt Elaine, and Gwyn watch Vivi summon Aelwyd. Aelwyd agrees to help them, but her magic is not strong enough. Vivi, Aunt Elaine, and Gwyn decide to head to the ley lines. Together, they manage to cast a spell to lift the curse. Rhys and the town are saved. Rhys returns to Wales the next day.

A few months later, Rhys shows up at Penhaven College. He missed Vivi, so he got a job there. Vivi declares that they can divide their time between Wales and Graves Glen. They each say that they love each other.