When a young witch gets a life-changing chance to compete in a magical reality show, sparks fly as she’s partnered with a man she can’t stand.

In a Miami where enchantment is just another college major, the magic of television could change two lives.

Penelope Delmar, a broke salesgirl, has been chosen to compete on Cast Judgment, a spellcasting reality show. The winner gets a big cash prize, and for extra hype, this season is the Spellebrity every contestant will be paired with a celebrity teammate. Unfortunately, her partner, Leandro Presto, is best known for his goofy viral spell videos, not his skills.

Gil Contreras, alias Leandro Presto, has been crushing on his pen pal Penelope for months. Now they’re working together to win a contest that could save his grandfather’s charity—except he has to stay in character the whole time, so his dream girl thinks he’s a total loser.

Can they beat snobby rivals, fix spells gone wrong, and survive increasingly dangerous sabotage attempts to win the grand prize—and each other’s hearts? Or will Gil’s secret make both their magic and romance fizzle out? 

After a steady streak of darker, moodier reads, this book was exactly the kind of lighthearted break I needed. It’s funny, cute, and full of witchy charm. While it hits all the familiar beats of a romantic comedy, it was still fresh enough to keep things interesting.

Penelope Delmar, a young witch struggling to make ends meet, gets the chance of a lifetime when she’s chosen to compete on Cast Judgment, a magical reality TV show where spellcasters face off in a series of challenges. The twist? This season pairs each contestant with a celebrity teammate. Penelope ends up partnered with “Leandro Presto,” a viral magician more famous for his goofy videos than his actual skills. The catch is that Leandro is really Gil Contreras, a sweet, awkward guy who’s been secretly pen-palling with Penelope for months. The only problem? He has to keep his identity hidden, and Penelope finds him a little annoying (of course she has no idea he’s her secret crush).

It’s a classic rom-com setup, and it works. The chemistry between Penelope and Gil is sweet and genuine, even when the humor veers a little silly. I’ll admit Gil’s slapstick moments were a little too goofy (and a bit cringey) for my taste, but I understood the charm. He’s the kind of earnest, big-hearted hero who wears his feelings on his sleeve. And Penelope is easy to root for. She’s determined, funny, and refreshingly self-aware. She also tends to catastrophize. A lot. Something I am all too guilty of myself.

One of my favorite aspects of the book is how magic is handled. It just exists. No long explanations, no complicated worldbuilding, this is just a reality where witches, spells, and magical competitions are part of everyday life. That choice makes the story feel breezy and fun, and it allows the author to focus on character dynamics instead of exposition.

The reality show angle is another win. Watching Penelope and Gil navigate ridiculous magical challenges, celebrity drama, and a little sabotage kept the pacing lively. It also gave the story a unique flavor. It’s part Great British Bake Off and part Love Spell Island, with a dash of chaos magic thrown in. The behind-the-scenes glimpses of the show, the producer meddling, and the competitive tension all made for great background fun.

Rom-com readers will find everything they expect here: misunderstandings, slow-burn attraction, and a grand romantic payoff. The alternating points of view help balance the story, giving both Penelope and Gil space to shine. I liked seeing how their thoughts mirrored and misfired in all the right places. Even though I could see every turn coming, I didn’t mind. That predictability was part of the charm. And for you spicy lovers, there’s plenty of that here. I’m not much of a spicy fan, but it was easy to skip over those parts.

If you’re looking for heavy emotional stakes or high drama, this isn’t that kind of book. It’s light, warm, and meant to make you smile. It’s the kind of read that pairs perfectly with a cozy blanket and your pet snuggled up by you.

While it doesn’t reinvent the rom-com wheel, it’s still a lot of fun. It’s clever, comforting, and loaded with seasonal magic. If you want a witchy book perfect for this time of year, I’d recommend this one. Especially if you love your romance with a pinch of chaos, and plenty of heart. This one’s worth adding to your October reading list.

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