April Asher serves up tantalizing scenes with flair, leaving no room for subtlety. The chemistry between Olive and Bax sizzles like a witch's cauldron. Or perhaps it's just the irresistible allure of tattooed biker angels that adds to the enchantment.

I’ll admit that I liked the 2nd installment in this series best, so far (fingers crossed for a Harper book), but this 3rd was cute. Maybe Olive just isn’t my sister &/or her guardian-angel-roommate’s cheesy “angel” nickname for her just induced too many eye rolls for me. I mean, Bax is a super sexy love interest and Olive’s work challenge was ok (though kind of silly to write about seeking multiple orgasms on a college class checklist) and the steamy scenes were excellent, but something just didn’t connect for me. I liked the scenes with all the friends together the best. It’s a good installment in the series, obviously I recommend, but it just wasn’t my favorite.

<i>I received a very unedited proof as an ARC from NetGalley and St Martin's Press. All thoughts are my own.</i>

I'm disappointed to say I didn't like this. I loved the first book in the series, thought the middle book was okay but not my tropes, and actually didn't like this final entry.

<b>Angel:</b>
My biggest frustration with this book is that the MMC is a literal angel. He's an angel, his job is to work as Guardian Angel, he frequently interacts with angel affairs, and people call him "angel" in the same way you might call someone "dude" or the way people call the FMC "witch"-- he's a literal angel and people call him that.

BUT he also decided that his pet name for the FMC is "angel." And given his lived experience and all the baggage and connotations and nuances that term holds for him that don't exist in our world where angels don't literally exist... using it as a term of endearment is a <i>choice</i>. And it's a bad one.

It's a bad choice because it fucks with the internal consistency of the world-building, but it's also a bad choice because it makes the dialogue really confusing to follow. There are sections where it's dialogue, dialogue, dialogue, and one of the quotes will be addressed to "angel" but it's hard to follow if someone's talking to him or if it's him talking to FMC. I hope they pick a new pet name for her or at least remove it in cases where it's not explicit who the speaker is.

<b>Dare I Docket:</b>
This is a flimsy excuse to keep the characters in close proximity and in a wild range of situations. But after the 65% mark I literally forgot it was supposed to be the plot because it stopped coming up. (On a personal note, I found his behaviour during the circus training to be cringe and controlling without basis, and I was mad at having Hocus Pocus's "I Put a Spell On You" dangled in front of my face, only to then swap to Dirty Dancing's "I've Had The Time of My Life"... and then the scene also just cuts off without delivering! All setup and then cut to a later date right as they actually dance.)

<b>Third Act Miscommunication:</b>
The third act break-up/miscommunication was frustrating because I didn't see it coming and they bought it back so quickly (through healthy communication with all the secondary characters) that I honestly wondered why it was included at all. If it's not going to hold weight then I feel like we're just including it because it's expected and not because it's right for the story.

<b>Moral of the Story:</b>
Uncharacteristically, this also included some morals at the end while I don't feel like the other two novels did that. And I honestly didn't understand what they were going for. Especially since in a scene earlier, she was coaching a student and excited that the girl felt proud when riding the subway by herself. But then she's using her experiences with Bax to explain how the Docket is more impactful when you do it <i>with someone</i> and how it should become a mentorship <i>despite literally just talking to someone who was having valuable experiences independently.</i> Idk. It felt very shoe-horned in and out of place.

<b>Overall:</b>
Ultimately I got to the 65% mark and stopped enjoying myself (though note that I was catching ~10 errors per chapter and reading the ARC was starting to feel like work). I came back nearly three weeks later and that was only so I could give feedback on the ARC and stop feeling like this was hanging over me. It's far from the worst book I've read, but if this had been my first April Asher I'd have never picked up another.

Genre: contemporary paranormal rom-com
New York

Olive Maxwell is the youngest of the Maxwell triplets, a trio of powerful witches. Oldest sister Vi is in line to be the next Prima, and middle sister Rose now chases demons for a living. Olive is practical and bookish and loves her job as a professor and youngest head of a department. She’s just moved into the extra room at her friend Bax’s apartment. Bax is a Guardian Angel, but not always the best of one. In fact, the tattooed biker angel seems to keep breaking the cardinal rules of being a guardian angel. But now that Olive is working on a project to stretch her own boundaries, Bax has been assigned to Olive as a GA. Only Olive can’t know. And Bax absolutely isn’t allowed to fall in love with her, despite the sizzling attraction between the two of them.

This series is an utter delight, and is my favorite of the witchy rom-com paranormal series floating around these days. I love a good push-yourself-out-of-your-comfort-zone trope, especially when it involves the heroine writing a list of things to try. And Olive’s list is so fun: from performing in a dance competition to joining the circus, it’s about stretching those boundaries in a way that feels realistic for a modern reader. Bax agrees to join her (though in part because he’s been assigned to her), and many of the activities push him as well. He’s an angel who hates flying, so aerial silks at the circus terrifies him, and yet, he’ll face those fears because he’s with Olive.

Deliciously explicit, April Asher never lays off the gas when it comes to the steamy scenes. They’re all icing on the cake for a treat of a romance. I can’t add the details here, but let’s just say that you can feel the chemistry between Olive and Bax. Or maybe it’s just because I really enjoy reading about tattooed biker angel types.

I wish the conflict had been a little stronger for the book, but that’s something I tend to want out of most of my contemporary romances. There’s miscommunication, which I do always love when portrayed well, but I’ll say only that I wish there had been a bigger miscommunication than there was. That said, despite the supernatural components, it remains highly realistic.

It's the third in a series, and while you don't have to read the first two first, those do a lot of good worldbuilding allowing book 3 time to just be sexy.

I love books during this time of year. It was so good. Cute, fun, and so intriguing. I can’t wait to see what the author writes next.

Olive Maxwell leads a quiet life in comparison to her sisters. One is set to become the head witch on the Supernatural Council and the other is busy working as a bounty hunter. After challenging her students to take a step outside their typical comfort zones, she decides that she needs to take on the assignment as well. Good thing her roommate is a guardian angel-literally!

When Bax Donovan is assigned Olive's case, he's caught between wanting to protect his friend-and crush-and guardian angel rules. Don't tell your assignment you are guarding them. Don't let your assignment die. And don't fall for your assignment. Bax has rules one and two covered, but it becomes increasingly hard to keep rule three.

This was my favorite book of the Supernatural Singles series. They were all sweet, but this one was the best. Friends to roommates to lovers with a side of forced proximity; what's not to love? I really enjoyed how Olive's Dare I Docket evolved over the course of the story and how Bax subtly shaped it. The emotional journey was so satisfying. The third act was also refreshing. Yes, there was drama, but it wasn't handled in the typical romance novel way. The small differences from the typical formula made all the difference for me as a reader.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a witchy-rom and is looking for a book with a lot of heart.

The 3rd book of the Supernatural SIngles series - Olive and Bax's story -the book nerd witch professor and the tattooed bad boy Guardian Angel. This series is a lighthearted, sweet, paranormal series. It works. Fun cultural references (Who doesn't love Buffy and Supernatural with some boozy ice cream?!) It is a refreshing summer beach book that makes you laugh. I am hoping that we get Harper's story next!

"Not Your Crush's Cauldron" is a super fun yet also sexy read. It is the third book in a series and while I don't think you have to have read the prior books in the series to understand and enjoy this one, I do think doing so will enhance your reading experience.

Olive is the youngest of the Maxwell triplets/powerful magical triad. Baxter is a Guardian Angel who has been part of Olive and her sisters' extended friend group for years. A confluence of events leads them to living together, where their attraction quickly spins out of control. As does Bax's career.

Olive and Bax together are great - a good amount of heat, just the right amount of angst. And the cast of secondary characters is hilarious. I definitely recommend, and hope Harper's story is coming next!

4.5 stars rounded to 5. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. The opinions herein are my own.

April did it again!! The 3rd book of the series and it DIDNT disappoint! I’ve really enjoyed reading the younger tripplets side in this book and how she was able to get out of her comfort zone! Loved the love story and the message behind this book!

A great instalment in the Supernatural Singles series! I loved the past two entries, and the Maxwell sisters are as fun as ever. The relationship between Olive and Bax was a really sweet change from the more enemies-to-lovers arc of the past two books. As a lover of urban fantasy, I'm looking forward to everything yet to come in this world!

I adored this book. I have read the other 2 books in the series so I couldn't wait for Bax and Olive.

First off thanks to netgalley for providing me an ARC!

This is the third installment of Maxwell romance novels by April Asher.
Olive is one of the Maxwell witches.
Olive is a follow the rules/don't do anything out of line professor. She tasks her students with a "dare" docket to get them out of their comfort zone, when she overhears the other professors mocking her, she decides to start her own.
Lucky for her, she recently moved in with the guardian angel, Bax, and the sexual tension is rising. He agrees to help her on her list. Unknown to her, it's an excuse to be around her because she's his new assignment.

Overall, it was a cute, witchy romance. It reminded me a lot of Charmed, the OG series. It gave a lot of Piper and Leo vibes. I recommend it.

Not Your Crush’s Cauldron by April Asher was so much fun! I read the first one in this Supernatural Singles series but not the second. There may be a few spoilers so if that bothers you, I would recommend reading them in order.

Friends to lovers. Magical community. Found family. Research nerdy girl. Tattoos. New York.

This is a great book for cozy fall reading AND will be great when it comes out in February 2024.

Thanks to @netgalley for the digital ARC. This was my honest opinion. #NetGalley

I’m so ready for spooky witchy season to start! Really enjoyed this book and all the vibes. The spice was so good too. Highly recommend!

So I read both of the other books in this series and REALLY liked them with the first being my favorite. And unfortunately even though I love this authors style and her writing this book just didn’t click with me. I really liked the male lead but I just couldn’t connect with the female lead at all. And it’s not because the book was bad it’s not it’s very well written and has good characters it’s just that this heroine just didn’t click with me. Not my cup of tea but if you liked the first two please give this book a shot I know it’ll be great for other people

I had no idea this was a third installment in a series, and while you do not need to read the previous books to understand this one, I enjoyed this book so much I now must go and read the previous two. The book follows Olive, who has just moved in with her crush (Baxter) and doesn't yet know that he is to be her Guardian Angel. The book essentially centers around (Olive) trying new things (while Baxter tries to keep her safe), stepping out of your comfort zone, and of course finding love - with magic mixed in for that witchy season.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A roommates to lovers, secret crush romance? I am here for it! Not Your Crush's Cauldron is so much fun and I devoured this book in one sitting! I'm really loving this series and it's perfect for those looking for witchy reads for the spooky season!

Not Your Crush's Cauldron is an enchanting read that explores the thrill of embracing new experiences and discovering unexpected romance. Asher's captivating storytelling never fails to captivate as she weaves a delightful narrative filled with vibrant and cunning witches.

I haven't read the first books in this series, but this can stand alone on its own. I loved reading Olive Maxwell. I'm the queen of sticking to my comfort zone, and I so related to her character in a big way. Bad boy Guardian Angel Bax is everything us quiet girls will never admit that we want, but more please! 😂😂😂

I love the magical side to this story, it added a little fun that is outside my normal. The relationship and tension with this two is spicy and delicious. I absolutely adored this well-written journey with Olive and Bax! ❤️❤️❤️

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

New to the Maxwell sisters’ novels, I will have to now go back and check out the others! This was a fun story watching Olive and Bax’s relationship evolve as Olive comes out of her shell causing Bax to be assigned to protect her. This was a fun supernatural rom com. My critique is that I found the amount of supernatural information and comments to be a bit overwhelming and distracting. If you aren’t super into or knowledgeable about all the different elements of supernatural beings, you may find yourself a little slowed down or confused as I was, especially in the beginning. I am sure reading the first two novels in the series definitely helps set it up which I did not realize until I had already begun the novel (so no stars will be taken off for my mistake!) All in all, this was still a lovely book. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!