Hexed

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What was your overall impression of Hexed? Did you find it a compelling romance? Why or why not?

2. Did you know about Hexed’s connection to The Little Mermaid before reading it? How did this impact your reading experience?

3. If you’ve read any of McIntire’s other books (for instance, Hooked or Scarred), how does Hexed compare? If this is your first time reading McIntire, what other romance novelists would you compare her to?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Have you ever felt obligated to fulfill your family’s wishes rather than pursue your own dreams and desires? How did you approach the situation?

2. Did you enjoy fairy tales as a child? Do you still appreciate them today? Where do you think the value of such stories lies?

3. Hexed revels in Venesa and Trent’s violence toward villainous figures like Aria and Carlos. In your opinion, is violence ever justified? If so, is it also acceptable to glorify it? 

4. Do you have any family heirlooms with particular emotional significance, similar to the trident painting? What makes that heirloom special?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. Hexed features two criminal families headed by abusive men (Trent and Carlos). What kind of commentary does this suggest about how patriarchy manifests, publicly and privately?

2. How does the book’s setting drive the plot? Does McIntire’s portrayal of New York City and South Carolina seem realistic?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. Why do you think the author chose to alternate between Venesa and Enzo’s viewpoints? How does McIntire’s use of this structure compare to that of other romance novelists (for example, Colleen Hoover in Ugly Love)?

2. How (if at all) do Enzo and Venesa change over the course of the story? What drives those changes, and how do they contribute to the novel’s overall meaning (for instance, its portrayal of morality)? 

3. How would you describe the novel’s tone and atmosphere? How do literary elements like characterization, word choice, and imagery contribute to that effect?

4. Both Enzo and Venesa have troubled relationships with their families, yet both end up taking over the family businesses. How might this conclusion comment on The Effects of Toxic Family Legacies?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If Hexed were made into a movie, whom would you cast in the roles of Enzo, Venesa, Aria, and Trent? Why?

2. Imagine a sequel to Hexed. What would the story be about? Where would the characters go next on their journey?