This book totally caught me off guard in the best way! I went in thinking I’d get a fun fantasy adventure — and yes, it is that — but it’s also clever, emotional, and packed with way more depth than I expected.

I loved Winter from the start. She's funny, stubborn, and not afraid to challenge everything around her — even when she's suddenly thrown into a world of magic, vampires, and werewolves. The fact that she’s “magicless” made her story even more compelling. She constantly has to rely on her instincts, wit, and sheer determination to survive in this world that clearly wasn’t made to welcome her.

There’s also this delicious slow-burn romance with Westley (swoon), but it doesn’t take over the story — it just simmers in the background and adds another layer of tension and warmth.

The setting — a blend of historical fantasy and supernatural — was such a unique vibe. I was totally pulled into this moody, gothic-feeling world, and I honestly didn’t want to leave it.


Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me dive into this one early.

For the fantasy readers who want a slow burn romance to be (deeply) feral over

We follow Winter, a librarian at the Caldwell Archives in the year 2617. She spends her days protecting the magical archives from thieving vampires.

A spell gone wrong sends us on a dizzying journey to the past, and brings us face to face with a very grumpy alpha werewolf.

B. L. Lewis absolutely delivers a TRUE enemies to lovers tale. Both Winter and Westley have bite, and the tension had me internally screaming!

I really appreciated the additional POV of the mmc’s sister, Mel, who I instantly connected with. As a new mom juggling the challenges of postpartum life, her chapters felt so raw and relatable.

The Wizard of Oz elements are woven into the story in such a fun way, subtle nods here and there that put a smile on your face.

The ending was so shocking and brilliant, I was in awe. I NEED MORE. I love these characters with my whole chest.

✨Cat & mouse
🪄 Witch x shifter
✨Yearning & incredible tension
🪄 Trauma bonding
✨Magical library
🪄 Enemies to lovers (seriously)

Okay, listen. I don’t say this lightly, but The Magicless Mage is unhinged in the absolute best way. Like, I went in thinking, “Oh, a magical librarian in the future? Cute!” and came out on the other side of a feral reading binge wondering how I can sell my soul to get book two faster. The next big magical romantic fantasy book, mark my words.

Winter is a sharp, snarky witch librarian in the year 2617 who accidentally activates a forbidden spell while fighting off a vampire (as one does) and yeets herself 700 years into the past. Classic Tuesday. Oh, and her familiar cat Shisoba? Icon. MVP. 10/10 would travel through time with again.

Then there is Westley, a brooding, grumpy alpha werewolf who is NOT emotionally prepared for the chaotic little librarian who crash lands in his forest. They’re enemies, except… they’re not? Because the yearning, the tension, the he kneels moment? I screamed. I paused reading to scream. Out loud.

Let’s break down the vibes.
✨ Tropes that own me:
Witch x Shifter? Check.
Touch her & die? Absolutely.
He falls first? With his whole chest.
She uses blood as lipstick? I need this woman’s confidence.
Slowest slow burn? IT. HURTS. SO. GOOD.
Cinnamon roll MMC with a growl? Yes sir, I’ll take 10.
Unhinged FMC who doesn’t ask for permission, only forgiveness (maybe)? Inject it into my veins.

The banter was truly top tier. I’d pay to sit in on a full day of West and Winter roasting each other while secretly falling harder every second. The language barrier early on was comedic gold. And yet, amid the sass, there’s this beautiful emotional undercurrent as both characters slowly unpack their trauma, their identities, and their purpose.

And can we talk about the worldbuilding? We’ve got:
📚 A magical library with secrets and sentient spells
🐺 A shifter pack with major loyalty (and drama)
🕰️ A unique time travel system that doesn't over explain but still makes sense
👑 A Witch Queen who I’m both scared of and kind of obsessed with
🌪️ Subtle Wizard of Oz nods that made my nerdy heart so happy

Also… y’all. The romantic tension is so thick you could cut it with a spoon. Not a knife. A spoon. It’s teasing, it’s emotional, it’s hot when it wants to be, but it never overtakes the plot, and somehow that makes it even hotter. It’s a touch starved, enemies to lovers masterpiece with unspoken declarations and literal groveling.

🔥 When it comes to steam? Yes. It’s there. But it’s more "scorching glances and meaningful brushes" than constant spice, which makes those open door scenes hit harder when they do arrive. It’s worth the payoff. It builds. And then it burns.

🧙‍♀️ Winter is the kind of FMC I’d 100% follow into battle or brunch. Clever, feral, deeply loyal, and a little unhinged.
🐺 Westley? My beloved disaster wolf. A mix of protective alpha, deep thinker, and grumbly softie who very clearly falls first and just... spirals about it for 300 pages. I am obsessed with him!

The ending was CLIFFHANGER CENTRAL. I stared at the last page like it betrayed me personally and spiritually. And yet, I loved it. It felt earned and now I’m simply not okay until book two shows up.

The Magicless Mage is wild, witty, and wickedly original. Think Wizard of Oz meets Outlander with a dash of ACOTAR level slow burn and Ruin of Roses style chaos. You’ll laugh, blush, shout at the page, and possibly try to crawl inside the book. I’m not judging.

If you like:
chaotic witchy FMCs
morally gray shifters with soft centers
feral enemies to lovers with insane banter
magical libraries + time travel
dark, twisty, sexy fantasy retellings

Then please. For your own wellbeing. Read this book.

Now excuse me while I go scream into the void until the next book drops. 🐺❤️📚

Thank you to NetGalley and B.L. Lewis for the eARC of this book.