Love the eff it moments and the consent. I do agree that consent is sexy. A romantasy I loved to read.

I loved it! I have a new favorite author! This book is so good. It gave me the same vibes I remember getting while reading Harry Potter way back when. Paisley is accepted into an adult magic school to develop skills for her future but danger seems to follow her everywhere. Her family, friends, and professors are supportive yet someone is hiding important secrets from her. After work each day I looked forward to picking up where I left off with Paisley and her friends and I can already feel my anticipation building for the next in the series. Excellent author!

almost 4 stars. I had to sit on this review for a while, largely because I had no idea what to rate Spellcaster. When I first got into reading, I was a big Jaymin Eve fan. I've binged a ton of her backlist, and she really was a go-to for me when it came to PNR that was also available on Kindle Unlimited. To my knowledge, Spellcaster is Eve's first traditionally published book,but in my opinion, it still reads like a book published via Kindle Unlimited, and not with the editing you'd expect from a traditional publisher. For long-term fans of Eve's, I actually think that's a good thing, because this reads very much like other books in her backlist. When it comes to the plot, I am absolutely feral for magical academy books. And it is especially the case when there's an enemies to lovers romance at play. So after reading the blurb, I immediately requested this bad boy on Netgalley. Here's where it becomes difficult for me to review... I flew through this book. I was invested in the main character, wanted to know what was going on with her, and also with the academy itself, and gobbled up all of the steamy scenes. The problem is that although I found this highly entertaining, it wasn't the most original or well written. Outside of the main character, most of the other characters felt very one-dimensional-- for example, one character's entire personality was that they liked to read books. And the female main character had almost zero conversations with the male lead. Sure, he saved her butt a ton, but actual conversation? Not really. So it was hard for me to buy into their connection. Now I say all of this, having flown through the book with a smile on my face the entire time. Was I entertained? Hell yes. Will I read book 2? Hell yes. So because of that, I'm putting this at 3.5-3.75 stars, rounded up. Because at the end of the day, I read books because I wanted to be entertained. And Spellcaster delivered just that. Fans of Eves and also fans of academy settings will probably really enjoy this one.

Thanks so much to Eve, The Hive, and netgalley for the ARC.

4.25 stars!

THAT is how it ends?? UGH!!!

I went into this book knowing nothing more than the description on Netgalley. This book reminded me a lot/gave me the vibes of the first Zodiac Academy, just an introduction and set up to the college, the magic, etc!

The writing and cadence also gave me the same nostalgia as Harry Potter. Like an adult version (language, some spice) of the two mashed together. So basically, I didn’t want to put it down. It was definitely fast paced in parts with some predictability but quite a few curve balls in others!

As I mentioned, if you liked ZA I think you’ll like this book!! It’s pretty character dialogue heavy if you’re into that. I think I would have preferred a tad more of a mix of plot & dialogue but again I was still so drawn into what was going to happen next or how something was going to unfold even if it was predicted.
The ending has me ANGRY though because I want the next book now!! I need to know what happens next with Logan & Paisley!

Gahhh!!! That ending!!!! Whaaaa?!?!? I need more!!!

I loved seeing Paisley grow as a witch at Weatherstone College! Even with shy powers and chaos making her freshman year more difficult, she finds her connection. I loved her relationship with her family - the Hallistars are the type of family many would wish for - and her friends.
I read this book over a vacation, and it was a perfect read for escaping and relaxing!
I still want to learn a little more of the world of Weatherstone and definitely need more information about what was happening at the end!!

I can't say too much without getting into spoiler territory, but this was a fun read and I am looking forward to the next book to find out what is going on with Paisley!! I had some inklings things were going the way they were going, but I have questions!!!

3.5 ⭐️ rounded up

i can definitely get behind the description of “Harry Potter meets Zodiac Academy”.

overall this was a fun read, not too serious but definitely had me wanting to know more about the story and characters in general.
i need as many answers as Paisley does about DEMON-WITCHES (????????) and the mysterious (and super hot) Logan. childhood ceremonies, familial secrets, elder warlocks on a power trip? I NEED TO KNOW

thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc!

From the very first page. This book sweeps readers into a vividly imagined world where magic pulses beneath every shadow and destiny hangs in the balance. With a rich tapestry of lore and an unforgettable cast of characters, this fantasy tale offers everything fans of the genre crave: adventure, heart, and high stakes.

At the center of the story is [Protagonist's Name], a compelling hero grappling with inner demons and outer threats alike. Their journey from humble beginnings to a confrontation with fate is as thrilling as it is emotionally resonant. Along the way, a diverse ensemble of allies and enemies deepens the narrative, each one distinct and integral to the story’s unfolding.

Loved everything about this book!! The magic system, suspense and the dark academia was so well done. This was a new new author, definitely will not be the least one I read by her. The plot twist at the end though!! I couldn’t get enough.

This book was incredibly enjoyable! I appreciated the academic environment and the intricate magic system featuring various types of powers. It was fascinating to explore the diverse ways in which magic operates within this universe. The college backdrop was delightful, and the characters exhibited significant potential. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and eagerly anticipate the next installment in the series!

This was so much fun! I wasn’t 100 percent sure if this would entirely be my thing but I had such a beautiful time with this!!

Rating: 4.5 ⭐️ (rounded up)
Spice: 2 🌶️

Tropes:
- Dark Academia
- Magic College
- Witches & Warlocks
- Elemental Magic
- Enemies(ish) to Lovers
- Lost/Locked Memories
- "Who hurt you?"
- Slow Burn
- "F*ck it"

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Jaymin Eve for the ARC! I was dying to get my hands on this book, and the scream I scrumpt when I got the email saying I was approved for it. Now that I'm salivating to continue this story, I realize that I just set myself up for an even longer wait for book 2. Totally worth it!

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Jaymin Eve could write the phonebook, and I would read it. The way she weaves her stories never fails to draw me in, and Spellcaster was no exception. I devoured this book. The beginning was a bit slow for me, but I understand that there was a world that needed building, and things started to pick up within a few chapters.

Spellcaster centers around 22 year old Paisley Hallistar, the youngest in a family of witches and warlocks, as she begins her freshman year at Weatherstone College, an elite magical college. When she arrives, she is horrified to learn that Logan Kingston, the son of her family's enemy, has transferred to Weatherstone and will be beginning classes as well. But she and Logan weren't always enemies, even if she can't remember her former childhood friend, and now it's hard to tell if he just wants her or wants her dead. He is broody and dangerous but oddly obsessive and protective, and the pull she feels toward him is undeniable. The tension and chemistry between these two is delicious, and the mystery surrounding Logan, their connection, and his true intentions is intriguing. They have that push and pull that I love to see. I couldn't get enough.

Two of the things that Jaymin Eve excels at are family/found family and strong female friendships, and that was evident again in this book. Paisley's dynamic with her family is so sweet and fun. They are so loving and supportive, while, in true sibling fashion, trading barbs and knowing just what buttons to push. I adore their relationship. And it wouldn't be a Jaymin Eve book without a supporting cast of ride-or-die girlfriends. Their banter and conversations were often times hilarious, other times sweet, but almost always relatable (at least to my former 22 year old self). Given one of the revelations at the end of the book, which I had to admit I saw coming, I'm curious to find out what happens to their friend group in the aftermath.

Add in the interesting magical system, suspense, dark vibes, bizarre monster attacks, scheming & intrigue, and the questions surrounding Paisley's magic, and Spellcaster is as addictive as it is entertaining. The plot-twist at the end left me reeling and counting the days until the next book is out. Another hit by Jaymin Eve, who continues to cast her spell on me.

The way I was HOOKED FROM THE START?! This is everything I want in a romantasy and I’m so excited to share it on social media!!

I honestly think this is one of my all time favorite reads of this year. It had everything that I love about a book and it kept me hooked from the very start

This book was lots of fun! I loved the academic setting and the magic system with all the different types of powers. It was fun learning all the different ways magic works in this world.

I loved all the sibling dynamics. The main character comes from a big family, and I enjoyed all scenes where they protect and love one another.

I really enjoyed the overarching mystery to the plot that the FMC was trying to solve. It kept me captivated the whole way.

Finally, the chemistry between the MCs was 🔥🔥🔥. Full of tension and spice and connection. The ending had a nice build up and immediately had me wanting to know what happens next. Can't wait to see where this series will go.

COZY CHAOS AND BLACK CAT MMC!?

This book was such a fun ride—like getting wrapped in a warm witchy blanket and then suddenly being yeeted into chaos. Spellcaster is a dark academia, fast-paced paranormal read with that perfect balance of cozy vibes and supernatural WTF-ery.

The FMC is off to college for witches (love that for her), and the dynamics with her family gave me all the warm fuzzies. But don’t get too comfy, because once the college chaos kicks off, it’s heart-pounding action and mystery nonstop.

Now let’s talk MMC—this man is black cat energy incarnate. Sassy, cocky, smug, and I ate up every moment. The tension? Delicious. The cat-and-mouse dynamic had me giggling, kicking my feet, and wondering who was actually in control.

I didn’t see the ending twist coming, which I love—but it also left me a little confused. Some clarification or fleshing out in the final chapters would've taken this to the next level. That said, I’m still absolutely diving into book two.

This was easy, spicy, and chaotic in all the best ways.

Tension & Spice: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
World-Building: ⭐⭐⭐
Banter & Sass: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Emotional Impact: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This book is very promising. I did feel when reading that there was too much about her family, friends, and classes and less information that would drive the plot forward. 50% in I still felt like I was at the beginning. I would also say a lot less telling and more showing is necessary when it comes to the characters and plot points. I don’t want the character to tell me they are more powerful I want to come to that conclusion myself based on actions taken. The same can be said for the main plot. Finally, there is a scene where there is a misuse of a characters name (when Belle reprimands her father in front of Pais). All in all, I did actually enjoy the romance and the story itself is interesting. I am intrigued to see what happens next.

After coming across this book on NetGalley, I knew immediately that I HAD to read it. It’s an absolutely delicious, enemies-to-lovers that’s so much more than that. With great banter, tense moments, and the perfect amount of spice, this is definitely a good book for fans of Harry Potter and Zodiac Academy. This is a single POV, but for me personally, I don’t mind single POV at all and it is very well written.

I will admit in the first few chapters I kept getting confused by the way the author used their storytelling. The best way I can describe it is that in one chapter characters would be actively in an environment doing certain things and in the next chapter they would start talking about things that had happened in the previous environment as if the reader should have already known but this is our first time reading it. For example, in an early chapter the characters are in class doing stuff, in the immediate next chapter they are discussing a student in that class and an event that happened in that class involving that student and for the life of me I though I missed an entire page of reading or something. However, this is just the way the author chooses to tell the story and once I fully realized it I actually came to enjoy this form of storytelling.

There are things that are a bit predictable at times but then definitely things that are not, the twist at the end had me as I definitely thought it was one thing and it does end on a cliffhanger so I’m not gonna lie I’m pissed that I have to wait for this book to be published and then the next book to come out. One of my favorite reads so far this year

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin for this eARC!

I really enjoyed this! I was hooked right from the start and did not want to stop reading!!

Has some of my favorite tropes!
- magic
- enemies to lovers
- academy/college

I love the Hallistars siblings, they are the epitome of the best siblings, Paisley could have asked for!

I liked the pacing of this book, it didn’t seem to drag on and I like that it was more than just 1-2 months that occurred. With that being said, I kind of wish there was more seen development between Paisley and her friends. I felt that was a bit too rushed, I kind of wanted more of a back story with Haley and Sara.

While I enjoyed the writing style, at times it seemed a bit corny, some dialogue also seemed a bit corny but in an endearing way ie “we were the best of friends…. Until tragedy struck”

But overall! Loved it and I can’t wait to read the next book! There is a cliffhanger 😔 hopefully it’s not too long of a wait!

First, I want to thank Netgalley and MIRA for letting me review and express my honest thoughts.

I gave Spellcaster a 4.75, and it was almost a 5-star. It was just missing something, and it did a little young. Other than that, I loved this book, and I couldn't get enough of it. It did drag in some places but I was fine with it.

It gave me Vampire Academy and House of Night vibes but with witches. I liked that the "chosen one," so to speak, wasn't perfect and had to put the work in. It tickled my brain and made it happy. It felt very nostalgic to me and put me in a very good mood.

Paisley is the FMC, and Logan is the MMC. I think they worked together really well, Also, I like the push and pull they had with each other. The side characters made the book, and I need more of them. They will need their books too. The twist had me shocked, and I had read the last chapter a few times to believe what I was reading.

(It's not a chosen one trope, but it felt like it.)

If you watched Fate: The Winx Saga or Sabrina (the Netflix version) and found yourself wishing for more spice, Spellcaster is here to deliver. Think of it as those two shows’ magical lovechild—raised on a steady diet of chili peppers and sexual tension.

I was completely hooked from the start. This book is packed with tropes that BookTok devours: slow-burn enemies-to-lovers, elemental magic, dark academia vibes, and those delicious “f*ck it” moments. The chemistry between the main characters sizzles, and the magic system is chaotic in the best way.

While I haven’t seen the physical copy in person, the online previews look absolutely stunning—sprayed edges, foil details, the whole nine yards. Between the eye-catching aesthetics and the addictive story, I can see this one blowing up when fall rolls around.

Spellcaster was my first read from Jaymin Eve, and now I’m definitely curious about the rest of her work. It was exactly the kind of escape I needed after a long day—fun, fast-paced, and just the right amount of steamy.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Mira for the advanced e-copy in exchange for my honest thoughts. I really enjoyed this ride!