Go Hex Yourself
Go Hex Yourself by Jessica Clare
Published in 2022
Main Couple: Reggie and Ben
The Story: Reggie answers an add to assist someone in her favorite magic card game. Turns out it wasn’t about the cards, just the magic. And the nephew of her new employer is just as unsure as she is about her ability to handle it.
The Sex: So much permission. Can I do this? Do we need that? Enthusiastic consent is my new kink!!!! Now that I’ve gotten that off my chest, there’s definitely explicit sex, but it’s not described in a ton of detail. Nothing wrong with that, but it makes it feel like everyone comes very quickly. Which feels odd to me because the book is generally saucy with sex positive vibes. (There’s literal sex magic.) I figured we would get a long drawn out experience when they got together. Anyway…There’s a wonderful joy that Ben has when it comes to Reggie’s body. He’s completely obsessed with her freckles, and her tiny boobs. I like that we get celebration of these two physical traits that aren’t always top of the list when people think of “sexy female form.” (The quotes are because all bodies are beautiful, and standards are bullshit.) Something else that I appreciate is the conversation around protection. I’ve found that when people are coming together, if there isn’t a condom, usually the response from a female participant is “don’t worry, I’m on birth control.” While that might prevent pregnancy, STDs need a condom. It was great to see Ben realize he didn’t have protection, and for them to engage in other activities without any judgement.
Favorite Lines:
“I fucked my hand last night imagining those damned freckles. Just to get it out of my system.” Chapter 6 Lol! It’s never gets it out of your system.
“‘You want to come on my hand?’ He purrs, all dark and sexy and gorgeous.” Chapter 28 It was the purring that got me. He’s been growly, but not a purr until now.
“Right now, all I want to do is grab her and through her down onto the mattress and push her legs into the air so I can tongue her for hours. To taste her and claim her and make he so giddy with lust that she’ll fall in love with me no matter how awful my past is.” Chapter 29 This is both sexy and heartbreaking. Yes, he wants to tongue fuck her for hours, but at the heart of it is his fear that she’ll leave him.
“I want to jerk that stupid covering off her so I can feast on the sight of her naked body, but I need her to give me permission first.” Chapter 29 YUP! Please ask before you rip our clothes off.
“I lick her though the gusset of her panties, my tongue stroking her soft flesh through the now-damp material.” Chapter 39 This was a highlight solely for the use of the word gusset.
Least Favorite Lines:
I didn’t highlight anything.
Final Thoughts:
This book was witchy and fun, without feeling halloween- ish. Probably helps that at its core is Roman mythology, rather than Wicca. Something that I really love about PNR is that each author gets to decide what the rules of their world are. Jessica Clare created a clear rulebook for how magic works in this world. It made it easy to believe and easy to follow. The cast of characters was well thought out and developed. I loved watching Reggie interact with all the people around her, not just Ben. This grumpy/sunshine story was the coming together of who people who at their core have suffered the same trauma. Reggie understands how Ben’s past has affected him, and Ben understands what support Reggie needs in the present moment to overcome her parents. They compliment each other with their similarity, rather than complete each other with their differences.
Spice Level: 2/5
Kinks Explored: Nothing. Though the ages gap of 500 years might be a specific thing for some.
Voices Heard: Reggie has a GBF. They talk about his relationship with Diego, but it’s most white cis het people.
Did I like it? I enjoyed it a lot. Curious to see what the next book is like.