
Member Reviews

Not Your Crush’s Cauldron is the third novel in the Supernatural Singles series. This story follows Olive Maxwell, who decides to step out of her comfort zone after telling her supernatural college students to do the same. Bax Donovan is a Guardian Angel and is assigned to help Olive once she begins to get out of her comfort zone. As the two spend more time together, they begin to develop some feelings; however, Angels are not supposed to be romantically involved with their assignments. Since the guardian side of the story is what brings the two characters together, I loved the concept, but wished that this was explored even further. As Olive is checking items off her “Dare I Docket” list, it keeps the characters together.
There are some pieces of the “Docket” that I did not understand as it emphasizes how it is worthwhile to complete it with someone yet there are examples throughout about how it can be valuable independently. I feel this and other elements of the novel have great potential, but they lack the follow-through. Bax’s job was the standout for this issue as, even after reading, I did not quite understand his and his agency’s purpose. While I enjoyed the insta-lust chemistry between the characters and their relationship developing, I feel Asher forgot to lay a nice foundation for their jobs and what brings the characters together. As for enjoyment of the couple, I liked them together a lot and they had amazing chemistry. As for writing, there were many elements that I loved (the ease, etc.), but others (the background) that I did not. Overall, it is difficult to think about an a rating as there were a lot of pieces that I loved and others that I did not, so I settled on a middle-ground one.
**I give a special thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, St. Martin’s Griffin, for the opportunity to read this entertaining novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

This was such a fun, spicy adventure for our sweet Olive, who may have seemed like the mildest Maxwell, but had so much spark and warmth to her. And don’t even get me started on our swoon worthy angel, Bax. I really enjoyed this one, delightfully awkward moments, sweet concern, it was just lovely!

For the love of Goddess! Bad boy Guardian Angel, Bax, is my perfect book boyfriend. I was screaming when we learned about his affinity for (ahem) *pleasure* jewelry. (IYKYK) This book was perfect parts chaos, spice and adventure. I love how with each book we continue to learned more of the previous couples continued stories in more depth than just being casually mentioned. The only thing I need to express my confusion about is part of the conclusion. Maybe I’m wrong, but I feel like a big part of the book was focused on this long term goal for Olive. We found out (kinda) the outcome of her presentation, but there was literally two sentences to let us know what happened (sorta). My nosy little heart wanted all of the dirty details of the meeting! I’m praying to the book gods that this was done on purpose to leave it open for another book. (Also…because I NEED to know more about this sex demon).

Thank you to NetGalley & St Martin Press for an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion!
This was a quick and fun Witchy Rom Com! I enjoyed all the characters in this story, and think this will make a great Spooky read around Halloween time!

✨ARC Review✨
⭐⭐⭐ for Not Your Crush's Cauldron by April Asher
While I did mostly enjoy this one, I didn't LOVE it, and some of it is my fault - like the fact that I didn't know this was the third book in a series - and some is the story itself.
I was definitely missing some context by not having read the other books first, which is maybe why I found the characters's feelings towards each other to escalate quickly. They're friends to lovers, but we don't see them being friends very much before it's established that they both have secret crushes on the other, which felt a bit too insta-love for me.
I did enjoy the dual POV though, and the forced proximity was great, as was the open door aspect. Steamy but not overdone.
I found the story to be lacking in context about the way witches, angels, demons, shapeshifters and the like coexist with humans, and it all seems perfectly normal to them; how did it get that way? This isn't a fantasy novel, it's a romance and as such I needed some explanation why these species coexist the way they do.
All in all an enjoyable read, lighthearted and fun but nothing to write home about. Thank you Netgalley and SMP Romance for the arc in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

This was adorable! Just like with the other books in the series, I really enjoyed the characters and the found family aspect of this supernatural community. I did enjoy the other two books in the series more, as this one was slightly slower paced for me. I think the docket could've been more fun and I think I missed the excitement of the first two books in this one. However, the relationship between the MCs was nice and I loved seeing them get their HEA.

Not Your Crush's Cauldron by April Asher is a good fit for those seeking a lighthearted, playful romance with a touch of the supernatural, following the journey of a witch who takes a chance on love and self-discovery, featuring themes of friendship, growth, and the blurring of boundaries between work and personal life.. I gave it 3.75/5 ⭐️

Olive Maxwell, a witch with a penchant for teaching, finds herself with her own Guardian Angel – her secret crush and new roommate, Bax Donovan. Assigned to keep Olive out of magical trouble, Bax risks breaking the Guardian Angel Code.
It was a cute, fun read!
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this eARC!!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for allowing me access to e-Arc.
This is my favorite couple in the Supernatural Singles series so far! There is something about Olive that I personally related heavily to. She wants to find a way to get out of her comfort zone. I think a lot of people can relate to that. Bax is definitely a new book boyfriend. He is so caring, protective and loving. This book was perfection!
I highly recommend picking their story up!

Bax and Olive! Wow - I didn’t anticipate loving this one as much as I did. I really enjoyed the first in the series, Not the Witch You Wed, but not the second, Not Your Ex’s Hexes. So I was hesitant going into this one, but I loved it. I love watching Olive step out of her comfort zone and fall for the biker bad boy angel.

Thank you @SMPRomance and @StMartinsPress for the #gifted ARC of NOT YOUR CRUSH’S CAULDRON!
This series is just so fun. In NOT YOUR CRUSH’S CAULDRON we finally get Olive Maxwell and Baxter Donovan’s love story. Throughout the first two books, I couldn’t help but root for these two BFFs to finally get together so I was so thrilled when I saw that they were getting their own book.
There’s forced proximity as Olive moves in with Bax to escape a toxic living situation. There’s longing that comes from long-term crushes on both sides. Basically this one is much sweeter than the romance in the first two which was full of tension and dislike.
The stakes were also lower in this one than the first two but I still enjoyed it.
If you’re looking for a charming supernatural romance with some steam, then definitely pick this one up!
NOT YOUR CRUSH’S CAULDRON comes out February 13, 2024!
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6195219362
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This was a cute and easy read. It was fun and adorable - a slow burn with a mild heat to it. I loved the relationship between Olive & Bax. And I am here for Olive's "Dare I Docket" list. Go girl!! I absolutely loved her project idea and think that everyone should find a way to like outside their comfort zone!
I do admit that I have not read the other 2 stories previous to this - but I was able to navigate through with minimal confusion. This is the first book I've read by the author and will be looking to her for future witchy romcoms.

Paranormal Steamy Romance following a witch who takes a stroll on the wild-ish side, saddling her with a Guardian Angel... who happens to be her new roommate and secret crush.
5/5 stars: This is the third entry in Asher's Supernatural Singles series about a witch and her Guardian Angel new roommate and long-time crush become even more entangled when he's assigned to watch over her after she creates a list of “dares” to break out of her comfort zone. Asher's writing and character work makes for an engaging and hilarious read. Olive, a professor, and Bax, an artist and tattooist, are both on self-discovery journeys and I love how they grow and come together. Also I really like the description of the tattoo Bax's inks on Olive. The world building is fun and has a great mix of paranormal species throughout the series. It's also fun to catch up with Olive's witchy sisters, Vi and Rose and their hunky supernatural partners. Additionally, Asher's OPS scenes are hotter than Hades... all I have to say is Bax has piercings and they're not in his ears. This can be read as a stand-alone but to read how Olive's sisters found their HEAs start this companion series from the be beginning, by picking up book one, Not the Witch You Wed. Oh and I really hope Harper, the succubus, gets a book!
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

Olive Maxwell much prefers teaching about the Supernatural world to taking part in it and leaves the magical shenanigans to her two sisters. After assigning her college students a project designed to nudge them outside their comfort zones, Olive realizes she’s never once stepped a toe out of her own . . . and it’s about time that changed. Her first trip into the unknown? Moving in with her longtime crush and friend . . . tattooed, motorcycle-riding, and pleasantly pierced Baxter Donovan.
Bax Donovan, Guardian Angel not-so-extraordinaire, has acquired so many black marks on his record it looks like a Scantron test. He’s been given one last chance to keep his Guardian wings—a high-profile Assignment he knows all too well. Olive is usually as low-risk as it gets. Hell, she wrote the safety manual. But something landed her on the Guardian Angel Affairs radar, and he guesses it has something to do with the heart-pounding stunts she’s determined to check off her Dare I Docket list.
Keeping Olive out of trouble is about to be his toughest Assignment. He’s at real risk of shattering the only Guardian Angel code of conduct rule he’s yet to break: Don’t fall in love with your Assignment. And he isn’t so sure that’s a bad thing.
If love doesn’t play by the rules, why should they?
Omg I loved this book. This is the third book in the series and it is about the youngest sister Olive. It was cute, funny, and had it’s spicy bits. I have loved all books in this series. April Asher does not disappoint. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for providing me an ARC of this book. Hope fully there is a fourth book.

A witch who has always followed the rules and played it safe decides to take a ride on the wild side with a list of things she wants to try... and who better to do it with than her new hot angel roommate who might secretly be er guardian angel and... maybe the love she's been looking for all along. Olive Maxwell is a professor who has always enjoyed playing it safe and enjoying a quiet life. When she's finally had enough of her roommate she is offered a room with Bax Donovan, tattooed, pierced, motorcycle riding and hot as sin Guardian Angel. Bax is hiding a secret from Olive, he's her guardian angel and he might be harboring a very big crush on her which is definitely a big no no on the guardian angel rules. Olive assigns her students a project, to make a list of things they'd want to do.... only to realize that she's got to do it to and to try being a little spontaneous... only by doing so that lands her on Bax's work list and has flaged her as a high-profile assignment. What better way to keep and eye on Olive and to be near her than to make her his new roommate... but that also means trying to resist temptation at every corner. Bax and Olive's chemistry only ramps up as they begin living together and as Bax offers to help Olive with her list... the lines between roommates and more is getting blurred. Bax hasn't told Olive he's her guardian Angel... but if he risks telling her he'll risk his wings... but if he doesn't he might risk losing the witch who's bewitched his heart. This is the third book in the series and can definitely be read as a standalone. It was a cute paranormal romance read and I enjoyed the friends to lovers aspect of the story. Olive and Bax were a really cute couple and thankfully their third act breakup/makeup was fast and handled nicely. Getting to see Olive break out of her shell and try new things was great and Bax was obviously smitten with Olive from the moment he met her. It's a fun read and I've enjoyed reading the series overall! If you want a cute paranormal romance with a bit of spice and fun, definitely give this series a go!
*Thanks Netgalley and St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Witchy, quirky, and romantic!
You definitely have to be in the mood for a light and sometimes over the top witchy rom com, but if you are, this series is great!
Olive was the studious and less flashy Maxwell sister and it was her time to find love, she just didn’t realize it would be her long time friend and new roommate, broody Bax.
I enjoyed this story because I liked both of the characters and how they complemented each other. Bax kind of seemed like a bad boy, but he was really just a workaholic under pressure from his family who wanted a simple life. I actually liked Olive much more than the other sisters because she was more grounded in reality. It was all about her learning to leave her comfort zone in her own way and Bax became a huge part of that.
I thought their love story was sweet and I enjoyed that they were friends first and grew closer due to other circumstances.
I definitely recommend this book and also recommend the other two. You don’t have to read them first as each story focuses on a different sister, but some of the witchy words and supernatural world was a bit better explained in book one if you find it hard to roll into a strange world right away.

This book, like the first one, is a laugh-out-loud type of book and ideal for the halloween season! It was so funny and steamy, I highly recommend it.

Maxwell sister #3
This third book in the series features Olive Maxwell, a Professor and Bax Donovan, Guardian Angel. Both have played parts in the other two series books featuring Olive’s sisters. Olive is looking for a new place to live, when Bax offers the spare room in his apartment to her. She accepts, and a mostly non-magical story starts. Olive is nothing like her sisters, which makes sense since they are triplets. She is the low key one, staying out of the limelight. Bax’s character is more flashy but has more layers to his makeup. Of the two characters, Bax is more developed, and because of this, the more interesting one. Olive’s character didn’t generate a lot of interest on my part, and I think because of this, the story dragged in parts for me. Once I got 2/3’s of the way into the book, the story became more interesting, and all the characters became something “more”.
Not Your Crush’s Cauldron is well written with the storyline giving readers more depth into the world April Asher has created. I felt the story was a strong 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars. I will continue to read other books in the series if Ms. Asher continues to write them.
I was given an ARC of the book through NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

4.25⭐️
ughhh, i really like this series!! i was very excited for olive and bax's story because of the teasing we got last book. i definitley had a great time!! i really liked the forced proximity of them rooming together & then subsequently him helping her with her litlle dare i docket list. i think that's one of my favorite little microtropes. and the fact that bax was... pierced... WOWZA. so so so hot. all of their sex scenes were hot. again, i had a great time, and now i NEED a book with harper and a certain shifter.... ;)
content warnings: injury/injury detail, abandonment, toxic relationship, gaslighting, violence

OMG I loved these witchy sisters!!!!!! I read all of their books and I am so happy that Olive finally gets her story, I had seen the way Bax has been crushing on Olive since book 1. Bax asks Olive to become his roommate since she had some issues with her old one, and you can feel the chemistry between this Guardian Angel and Witch. I love the setting of this book, New York City, living together, humans and supernatural, this has always been so creative to me and makes it seem less “fantasy.”
I loved how the other sisters had evolved, into their new lives, Vi about to be Prima, after her grandma, and Rose finishing her journey on being a full on bounty hunter, and Olive finally stepping out of her comfort zone and doing things out the box. How Bax ended up trying to keep her out of trouble, and keeping her close, and he finds himself joining in on this list she has that’s supposed to help her do spontaneous things, GOODNESS it’s so damn cute! And remember that Bax is a Guardian Angel!!!!! (I will leave that right there)
But can we talk about the spice between these two! Like, BAX!!!! Anyway, this book was so awesome, and inspirational, where all of these characters unlock their true potentials, come out of their comfort zones, following their own hearts and all that extra sappy crap that I love so much. I feel like Harper is missing out, and I was cracking up when it came to her the word “Love.” I am here wondering if she will finally find that too.