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!

The storybuilding was chefs kiss in this book. I loved the main characters, all so different and distinct in their personalities! Was a little slow at first but seeing as the story unfold and things connect throughout the book was AMAZING! such a great read.

the hard thing about arcs is that you have to wait EVEN longer for a sequel 🥲

this book is IT. I can’t remember the last time I read a book that had me kicking my feet throughout it, and instantly wanting the next book out asap. This book had everything I needed, and didn’t leave me feeling as though it was missing a single thing. If I could give it more than five stars, I would. Recommending this to my book club as soon as it releases.

Spellcaster follows the life of Paisley Hallistar, the youngest in a family of witches, who begins her freshman year at Weatherstone College, an elite college for witches and warlocks. Another new student is Logan, who she used to be friends with as kids, before tragedy struck, severing the ties between their families. The book follows her through her first year as a student, where she attends classes, makes friends, spends time with her (lovable) siblings, and tries not to be killed by the mysterious monsters that pop up to wreak havoc whenever possible. Oh, and trying to figure out if Logan is her ‘best friend’ (his words), or the one who wants her dead.

The relationships and friendships established in this book have me YEARNING to continue reading Paisley’s story. The ending is a cliffhanger of ALL cliffhangers. What about her best friend? Logan? Her parents? Her older sisters? I absolutely cannot WAIT for this to be released and for the world to eat it up.

Mysterious and Intriguing

Paisley has just come into her magic and was invited to the prestigious Weatherstone Academy. She’s struggling to find her affinity and avoid her family enemy, Logan Kingston. Unfortunately for Paisley she needs Logan’s help to access her magic. Things get really complicated when monsters start showing up and terrorizing the school. How is she supposed to avoid Logan when he’s the only one able to protect her from the monsters?

This book was everything I wanted it to be: mysterious happenings, broody morally grey man, spunky heroine, and a fabulous cast of side characters. I love the push and pull between Paisley and Logan that leaves us wondering what is happening between the two of them. The friends and family in this are fabulous. I really enjoyed that we didn’t have a broken and alone FMC for once. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait until the next one comes out!

I really wanted to love this book more than I did. Loved the college setting and the characters had a lot of potential. What I dislike is that it read more YA than new adult. It made it hard to really stay in the story.

I love this cover; the colors are everything. The tropes list is right up my alley and I was not disappointed. It is not very hard to get into and follows a formulaic potline.

Overall, I enjoyed this fast-paced magical academy mystery and my first Jaymin Eve book. And I’m left wanting more — it did sort of feel like one big set-up for a series though, as opposed to a story that’s satisfying in its own right.

Spellcaster did read a little young for NA, but I had a good time. The pace kept me in it, with only the occasional cringey word/phrase pulling me out, like “stalkcaster” or “witch out”.

Paisley is likeable as the main character, as are her close-knit family and newfound college friends. I wanted more Logan and more romance in general. But again, I’m assuming we’ll get answers and more relationship growth in the next book.

If Book 2 was already available, I would happily continue binge reading!

Thanks to NetGalley & Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for access to the ARC!

#Spellcaster #NetGalley

Spellcaster is a thrilling and captivating start to a new magical series that hooks you from the very first page. Paisley, a young witch about to attend a prestigious magical college, struggles with one major problem: she has no idea what her magical affinity is. In a world where every witch has a specific power, her uncertainty feels like a heavy burden—especially considering her family’s complicated history with another powerful family, the Kingstons. The son of Paisley’s family’s sworn enemy, Logan, transfers to the school, seemingly with one goal in mind—Paisley. Their forbidden, enemies-to-lovers romance is a deliciously slow burn, filled with tension, passion, and the constant reminder that their relationship is off-limits. It’s clear from the start that this romance will be complicated, and I loved every moment of their push-and-pull dynamic.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and cannot wait for the next in the series! Paisley was so relatable and likable. She made a few decisions that had me questioning her thought process, but she was one of the more resonant FMC's I have read about recently. When it comes to the romance, I do wish there had been more communication between her and Logan; the whole "we are starting a conversation, then get interrupted and never discuss it" scenario is a bit overdone. I was hoping the whole time for a little more between them, just to deepen their connection/relationship.

Jaymin Eve did a fabulous job of hooking in the reader with witty banter and connectable moments. There were a few times the descriptions felt a little too 'tell not show' and Paisley's choice of so many curse words felt out of place, but they did not take away from all of the overall likability of the book. The plot twist at the end was a bit predictable, but I'm still excited to see what's in store for the next book! I look forward to reading some of her other books!

I would like to thank NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Jaymin Eve for giving me access to the e-ARC.

To be honest, I'd buy this book simply because the cover is gorgeous.
I thought this was overall a good read. Pretty quick paced and easy to follow.
I think this book would be great for someone that is wanting to dip their toes in the genre.
I liked the magic system and I thought the themes were well executed. There were a couple times I cringed at the wording just because I felt it was cheesy. I am a sucker for dark academia and enemies to lovers so regardless of the cringe; I still enjoyed it,.

I really wanted to love this book. It has all the makings of an amazing story. I loved the setting, the storyline, the characters, but there were a few places that it fell flat for me.
I loved the idea of a witch not blooming into her full powers yet and being able to see her grow and learn. I also absolutely ate UP the fact that she’s falling for her family’s enemies son… love that. The college is such an interesting setting and I enjoyed learning more about it along with Paisley through her classes.
However,
most of the characters are written as if they’re all 17-18 but are actually said to be 22+. There were so many small modern day terms that kinda gave me the ick (ie; bestie, wifey)… there are also some plot holes that seem more fitting for a YA story. Lastly, some parts of the book were overly detailed while other events were just kind of skimped over?
This book has SO much potential but just wasn’t *quite* there for me.

4 Stars — Loved it, with just a few bumps!

Okay, this was such a fun read! If you’re into magical schools, slow burn tension, and mysterious pasts, this one’s for you. The vibe gave me major Zodiac Academy meets cozy mystery feels, dark and twisty but still warm somehow? The worldbuilding totally pulled me in, and I flew through the pages trying to figure out Logan and Paisley’s deal (I’m dying to know what went down in their childhood). That said, some parts felt a little too obvious (the big twist didn’t really twist), and I did wish Paisley asked way more questions instead of jumping to conclusions about Logan. Still, I was hooked and already need book two like yesterday. Definitely recommend if you’re craving some magic, drama, and a moody book boyfriend.

I literally devoured this in one day, at work...which says a lot. This is my first book by Jaymin Eve but I enjoyed it. Good amount of spice and consent and that is always sexy. Highly recommend.

This was a really fun and entertaining story. I loved the magical academic vibes. This gave Harry Potter, but for adults and with dark enemies-to-lovers vibes. I was thoroughly entertained from start to finish. Something about the dark broody, almost bully romance, gets me every time. He hates her but is constantly saving her, and I loved every second of it. I'm very intrigued to find out what's going on all the secrets, and that cliffhanger has me definitely wanting more.