Spellcaster by Jaymin Eve is an enjoyable read, though not without its flaws. The premise is intriguing—magic, hidden powers, and a strong female lead—but the execution feels a bit uneven.

I appreciate the fast pacing and bursts of action, which keep the story moving. The main character has a compelling voice, and the world-building shows potential. There are definitely some unique elements in the magic system that stand out.

That said, the character development feels a bit shallow at times. Some of the relationships, especially the romantic ones, seem rushed or underdeveloped. I also wish there were more depth and nuance in the supporting cast.

Overall, Spellcaster is a fun, quick fantasy read that fans of light YA/NA paranormal romance might enjoy. It doesn’t blow me away, but I’m curious enough to consider picking up the next book in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Publishing for the eARC.

Spellcaster is available September 23, 2025

DNFed at 61%…this was so disappointing 😭

I was incredibly excited to hear that Jaymin Eve wrote a new book and got even more excited when I saw the cover; however, that’s where my excitement ended.

I did like the FMC’s relationship with both her family and friends. They all genuinely cared about each other and supported the FMC through the many obstacles she encountered.

Unfortunately, I felt like the beginning of the story dragged on for too long. It also felt like a lot was happening while at the same time nothing was happening…There was little to no explanation about what was happening and I was getting frustrated being left in the dark.

It also felt like I was being told the story instead of shown it. We got told about all of these different powers that witches and warlocks possessed but we weren’t shown how they worked. In one instance, the MMC obliterates this powerful monster and we get told he destroys it without any details as to how he actually did it. I also can’t help but feel that the characters act more like teens than college students especially with how much the FMC still relies on her parents.

The story had an interesting witches/warlocks concept but sadly it was not executed well. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

📖Spellcaster by Jaymin Eve (e-ARC)
2.5⭐️

📚Witch/Warlocks
📚Enemies to Lovers
📚College
📚Elemental Affinities
📚Single POV
📚Slow Burn

The only interesting part happened in the last few pages and the rest of this book dragged.

The FMC spent an entire year at this witch college getting almost eliminated by monsters every time she was alone. Her family and friends kept letting her be alone to get cornered by the monsters. She’s assuming it’s her hot rival who glares at her and saves her and heals her every time. Cut and paste her getting attacked until the end and then… the big twist.

If the plot isn’t going to be a driving factor, then the romance should be kicked up a notch, but that was lacking too. Also, how many sweatshirts does this guy have that he keeps giving to her?

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I wish I had liked it…

This book is a dream come true! I preordered this book as soon as I first saw it. And people say don't judge a book by its cover but it is safe to judge this book by its cover. I LOVED EVERY MOMENT OF THIS BOOK!
A bit of a dark academia vibe FMC hasn't had her powers shown yet but coming from her family she had high hopes of being something great. She was safe at this school where her older siblings attend but people already had opinions about her. Once her father finds out the child of her mother's enemy was a professor at the school she was worried that she would be pulled. He swore he was different. Well so was she. As her powers began to develop they all soon found out she was more powerful than anyone could imagine.

Spellcaster is a fast-paced, steamy romantasy with all the right ingredients—witch college drama, enemies-to-lovers tension, and dangerous, unpredictable magic—but it didn’t totally cast the spell I was hoping for.

The setup is solid: a young woman with unstable magic gets pulled into an elite witch college tied to her family’s legacy, and of course, immediately crosses paths with the brooding, powerful spellcaster she’s been warned to avoid. The hate-to-love energy between her and Logan definitely brings the heat, and if you’re here for magical creatures, tension, and dark academia vibes, you’ll probably have a good time.

That said, the worldbuilding felt a little surface-level for me. Weatherstone had potential, but the lore was more told than shown, and the twists didn’t always hit as hard as they could have. I also found the emotional arcs a bit rushed—like the plot was moving too fast to let any real depth settle in.

Still, it’s an entertaining read if you’re craving a quick hit of magical angst and romance. Just don’t go in expecting anything groundbreaking. More spice than substance, but sometimes that’s exactly the vibe you’re after.

I've read and loved a ton of Jaymin Eve's books and Spellcaster delivered on all of my expectations. The slow burn is no joke, but I can already tell it's going to be worth it when the series continues.

Our FMC Paisley has a lot to learn about herself and her connection with our MMC Logan, which I have no doubt is going to be a pretty epic surprise when it's revealed.

I love the relationship that Paisley and her family share. It's a really big part of the story. You don't usually see a lot of big familial involvement in these types of Romantasy books.

The plot twist at the end was fairly unexpected and of course the cliffhanger of what the big secret is will haunt me until book two. I wish there had been a little bit more interactions between Paisley and Logan, but it feels like we can expect way more in the future.

Magic college, close family with secrets, untapped powers, unknown enemies, dark and broody MMC, snarky FMC. What more do you need? Oh yeah, the next book ASAP.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book early in exchange for an honest review!

Oof…

I was sold on this being a fantasy dark academia and as someone who is a huge Harry Potter fan and who just finished the sequel to A Study in Drowning, I was looking for my next Fourth Wing. I did not get it.

Putting aside the fact that the copy I received was in major need an editor and I felt like I was alpha reading more than galley reading, this book was a loss. The characters were way too flat to be real, everything was being told to me instead of being shown to me, and I just could not fall in love with it. In fact, I had to DNF it, my first one of the year.

This author needs a better team behind her, especially an editor. At times, her characters felt like immature Twilight rip offs, at times it was like she was trying to copy Pride and Prejudice. The tone was everywhere and nowhere. The romance was far too obvious and too slow but too fast at the same time? I also got too many descriptive moments at the wrong times but never got them when I needed them.

Overall, it felt like a high school or freshman year of college writing project, not a novel. Especially not a novel from an author who has already published multiple series.

It’s a dnf for me. I was not interested in counting because I was boreddd and after reading some of the reviews on here I decided I didn’t want to waste my
Time when I have 5000 books on my tbr im excited about. I try to give arcs a full read but I just couldn’t do it. It may be for some but it wasn’t for me.

Love dark magic academia! The main characters have intense chemistry that really adds to the story. I’m excited to see where this new series leads as Jaymin Eve is a longtime must-read author of mine. Absolutely spellbinding!

Spellcaster is a perfect cozy read perfect for readers who enjoy witches, dark academia, and enemies to lovers!

When Paisley turns 22, she gets accepted to a prestigious college, known as Weatherstone. But what she doesn’t know is her father’s enemy’s son just transferred to Weatherstone. Can she stay far away from Logan Kingston or will Weatherstone draw them closer? Find out September 23, 2025!

Tropes
• Dark academia
• Slow burn romance
• Elemental magic 🪄
• Enemies to lovers
• Who hurt you?


⭐️⭐️

This is perfect for readers who love a cozy witchy read! The writing is a bit slow paced and I had difficulties at times since I do get distracted quickly. I wish there was more action but it definitely was a very cute read with the enemies to lovers dynamic between Paisley and Logan! Their chemistry was unmatched!
The ending definitely surprised me!

<b>Thank you to Jaymin Eve, NetGalley, and the publishers for the chance to read and review this e-arc in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions remain my own.</b>

I am FERAL for this book, literally gnawing on the bars of my enclosure. I wish that I had amnesia so that I could experience this for the first time again. Like If I could have this entire book tattooed across my forehead, best believe I would. Spellcaster was my #1 read this month, nothing is topping this.. The book was so good that I will be buying this in every format possible. The plot. The Magic. The worldbuidling. The characters. The spice. The entire thing was perfection from beginning to end.


Spellcaster's #1 fan :)

I welcome everyone to meet their future book (and book boyfriend) obsession. This is BY FAR my top read of the year. I mean that, I cannot stress it enough because oh my gosh.. I already know we’re going to be scrambling to get our hands on a copy of it come September. And I’ll tell you what.. I got three chapters in and immediately RAN to preorder the physical book because it sucked me in that hard and that fast.
This book boasts everything we obsess over in our dark academia/romantasies.. We are talking childhood friends to enemies to lovers. Rivals. The dark and eerie setting. “F*ck it moments.” A friend group I only wish I could be a part of. They share books on an enchanted ereader because human devices don’t work at the magical academy.. like hellloooooo besties 😩🤍 I lost count of how many time I laughed out loud because of their banter. Steaaaaamy heat and slooow burn. (But Mr. Will give you his hoodies and completely annihilates monsters for you is sooooooooo worth the slow burn.)
I went through every emotion reading this book *insert meme of me giggling and kicking my feet any time Logan opened his mouth* *insert second meme of me looking for the hidden cameras like The Office because did I really just read that* It’s hard not to eat Spellcaster up in a day.. with a gripping fast paced plot (sure to keep you up until the morning hours.. ask me how I know?), action, complex elemental magic systems, and creatures from the depths of the darkness.
I really don’t want to compare it to Harry Potter, but I feel like many people are going to draw up some similarities. Where the similarities lay are within the magic (witch/warlock) system and the academy setting.. other than that.. this is, what I would say, a much needed fresh and unique take on witches and dark academia.
I don’t want to say a lot because I don’t want to spoil this FANTASTIC story but it’s one to be sure you have on your September TBR. I will be waiting the long wait for book two but that’s okay. I’m perfectly content rereading this many times!

3.25⭐️ I have such mixed opinions on this book. I think I want to like it but have gotten hung up on so many challenging facets. I love the concept of the book. The world, the dark academia setting and magic system are great! But the execution is the problem.

Now, this could be as a result of being an early draft which still needs considerable editing helps, particularly developmental editing. So if the audiobook becomes available closer to release, I will probably apply for it as that would be a final draft and I would want to see if things get fixed and therefore will adjust my rating.

I wouldn’t classify this as a romantasy as, well, the romance is barely present and what is there is just bizarre and to be honest, toxic. The plot is a bit strange as it’s clear this wasn’t written by an American which of course is fine, but, it takes place in America but it failed to use the US school system structure and language as the comparison needed. I didn’t want to give spoilers so I’ll leave it at that.

Then we have the diversity or lack there of. It’s 2025, describing a black man, the only one at that, the way the author did is just not cool. Also these are grown adults at the youngest being 22 years old but it reads like they are in High school. Now it’s a different world within the real world but it never gives a basis for why at 22 years old (and they say they are indeed adults) that their parents dictate what they can do. It just doesn’t make sense.

The last thing I’ll mention is that the prose just doesn’t flow. It has so much potential but instead is full of plot holes and repetitiveness. It reads like an extended outline rather than a polished novel. It’s one thing to be fast paced but it’s another to not have any sort of character or plot development.

All that being said, it is a good concept that with some work, which may absolutely be accomplished by publishing time, could be a winner in the fantasy genre.

It comes out September 23, 2025

I am thankful to have gotten a complimentary eARC from Harlequin Trade Publishing through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.

My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars

⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again

Paisley is the youngest of her 5 magical siblings to be accepted into Weatherstone after she comes into her powers at 22. Paisley is unsure what her affinity is and is excited to learn, but an unexpected transfer student may derail her plans.

A connection from the past with an almost Romeo/Juliet type push pull, Logan is the bad boy with all the power. Paisley is warned away from him but can't stay away and vice versa. There is some alluding to locked memories along with her locked power, which all comes to the front as the twist is revealed at the end of this book.

I have more questions than answers to things I thought I had unraveled, but then it was all twisted a different way.

The world building was creative and the reader gained society knowledge as the main characters did without it feeling forced. While there is some spicy scenes, they weren't many or over the top. More of Logan needs to be explained in the next book.

Guilty of being drawn in by the stunning cover, but man, did I stay for the plot. It's hard not to love an academia/romantasy story, and this one was done so well. This is my first book by Jaymin Eve, but it definitely made me excited to read her other books. I read that this book is like Harry Potter & The Zodiac Academy's love child, and it kind of hits the nail on the head. However, I do feel it stands up on its own very well. Every chapter made sense and was necessary; the book never felt slow, nor did it feel so fast that I had to reread a sentence a few times to make it stick in my brain. I will say the book did feel quite young adult, but I'm hoping this improves throughout the series.

ARC Review: Spellcaster
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

First - thank you to @htp_hive @jaymineve and @netgalley for gifting me a copy of this FANTASTIC ARC! So - Let’s get into it👇🏻

Spellcaster by Jaymin Eve is an addictive, fast-paced dark academia romantasy that had me hooked from the very first page. If you’re a fan of broody male leads, powerful female protagonists, and sizzling enemies-to-lovers tension, this one absolutely delivers.

The chemistry between Paisley and Logan is off the charts—their dynamic crackles with intensity as their hate morphs into something far more complicated and addictive. Jaymin Eve nails the slow burn romance without ever dragging the pace, keeping you fully immersed in the drama, danger, and secrets that surround Weatherstone College.

The magical world is rich but not overwhelming, offering just enough context to ground the story while keeping the plot moving at a breakneck speed. I loved how the magic was wild and unpredictable, much like the dark energy stalking Paisley, and Logan’s dangerous edge only made things more exciting.

The twists are unexpected and perfectly timed, and the cliffhanger? Brutal—in the best possible way. I wanted to throw my tablet across the room the moment I finished. If you love dark magic, forbidden attraction, and a good old-fashioned legacy rivalry, Spellcaster needs to be on your shelf. Highly recommend! Releases Sept 2025!

If Bewitched & Zodiac Academy had a baby, this would be it.

Paisley starts college as a witch who is trying to unlock her powers and discover what element calls to her. Soon after, her childhood friend transfers in, but there’s a blood feud now between their families. Monsters lurk around campus, secrets are discovered, and Paisley has to survive. There’s mystery, suspense, tension, magic, and so much more. I couldn’t put my kindle down.

I literally woke up my husband from screaming because I was so excited about what I was reading!

I need every edition of this book and will be reading the rest of the series immediately upon publication.

Perfect if you love:
✅ Witches
✅ Slowburn Enemies to Lovers
✅ Elemental Magic
✅ Dark Academia
✅ 🌶️🌶️

Review date: April 29, 2025
Publication date: September 23, 2025

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Jaymin Eve, and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Spellcaster had a lot of potential—a promising premise, atmospheric magic, and a heroine with the weight of a legacy on her shoulders. But while I was intrigued by the world and the lore, I found myself wishing for more depth in both the characters and the pacing.

Nadia is a capable and compelling protagonist, and her journey as a witch trying to protect her new town from dark forces had moments that really worked. The blend of small-town eeriness and magical tension created a solid backdrop. However, the character development sometimes felt a little surface-level, and the romance, while sweet, didn’t quite reach the slow-burn or emotional impact I was hoping for.

What kept me turning the pages was the underlying darkness in the plot and the glimpses of a larger magical system. I just wish we’d spent more time digging into it all. It’s the kind of book that hints at a deeper mythology but doesn’t fully explore it, which left me slightly unsatisfied but still curious.

Overall, Spellcaster is a quick, enjoyable read with familiar tropes and a touch of darkness. While it didn’t blow me away, it was a solid intro to what could be a much richer series if the layers continue to build.

4.5 ⭐
1.5 🌶️

If you are a fan of the show Legacies, this is the book for you! This book has witches, it has monsters, it has powerful warlocks! The world building was easy to get into and to picture, I loved the enemies to Lovers aspect between Paisley and Logan, that cliffhanger at the end, like I need book 2 asap! This is a slow burn, there is spicy but like 70 percent into the book, which was fine, because this book had a great plot. Paisleys powers start to come out when she turns 22, she gets into a prestigious college for witches where her brothers and sisters go, and there she is taught how to bring out her powers, but things go different than planned, when Logan her father's enemies son, and the most powerful spellcaster in the school, enrolls at the same time. Thank you so much Netgalley for letting me Arc read this book, in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so fun and had my attention the whole time. I gave it 4 instead of 5 because there were certain plot holes and gaps but I’m holding out that those will all get solved in the sequel. I also was just hoping for more, but the plot and the potential is so good!
It was also a tad cringey at times, but Paisley is a horny 22 year old so that’s to be expected.
I can’t wait to learn more about Noah, Logan, Paisley’s family, and the extent of her powers! There are so many places the plot can go and I really hope the next ones live up to that!