*I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher; the review is my own.*

2.5 stars

I read a similar book about a month ago and intentionally waited until now to read this one so I wouldn't be comparing them the whole time. While I was able to separate the two and allow this one to stand on its own, I still have a very strong preference for the other because of content (see Notes). This book was cute but could have been so much better. I loved the storyline and the tropes (best friends to lovers), but so much of its potential was lost behind all of the f bombs and sexual content. I know a lot of people like that stuff, but I try to avoid it. As this was my first Kate Robb book, I wasn't aware I should expect it.

Gemma (28) experienced a significant amount of character growth during the month after she performs the love cleanse. She became more aware of what was important to her and those around her. Not only did she learn the value of taking risks for things that matter, but she also became less selfish in her relationships with her sister and her best friend. But I also feel kind of like the month she spent after the cleanse allowed her to have a risk-free trial of what a relationship with Dax would be like, which felt a bit like cheating. I liked Dax, both versions of him. He was a devoted, supportive friend who was so clearly in love with him Gemma despite her inability (or unwillingness) to see it in her original timeline. Even when things weren't going well for him, he tried to keep going.

Quirky Aunt Livi and her random psychic insights were fun. I liked the strong bond that Gemma and Kiersten had as sisters and the support hey provide one another, particularly once Gemma became aware of her sister as a person rather than her personal support group. And I can't forget Frank the spider; I appreciate that Gemma didn't squish him.

I grew tired of how frequently Gemma talked about Dax's penis. Is it acceptable for men to fixate on women's breasts and vaginas and talk about them all the time, as if the rest of a woman is secondary to the importance of those parts? No, it's not. So why is it supposed to be funny or cute that Gemma fixates on Dax's anatomy so much? (I also think it's very odd that in the author's acknowledgments, she told everyone that her husband's penis inspired the sex scenes.)

Note: Swearing, including a LOT of f words. Sexual content, including several pretty descriptive open-door scenes, talk about sex, and lots of talk about Dax's penis.

Very cute, sweet romance. I liked the characters a lot. I was actively rooting for them. Well-written!

Thank you netgalley for this eARC! This was an average romantic comedy, I recommend for its cuteness and cozy charm. I dont think its anything special in the rom com category, but it was fun.

A cute rom com for the year. It had me laughing and swooning. Very enjoyable and entertaining with cute characters and witty banter!

VIBES: Magic, Slow Burn, Sassy Grandma, Friends to Lover
THOUGHTS: The concept of this book was so fun and unlike anything else I have ever experienced. The blend of magic & love was otherworldly. A cute quick rom-com read!

Spice rating: 3/5

a big 4.5!

when gemma is dumped, her aunt helps her perform a love-cleansing spell. with her best friend, dax, there to seal it with a kiss like the spell book calls for, she falls asleep just hoping for an easier day tomorrow. what she wakes up to is a a whole different life with no best friend. she must reintroduce herself to dax and hope that another kiss from him will return her to her old life. but with how cool her new life is and how dax and herself are slowly starting to fall in love, she's hesitant to return back to her old life.

i was absolutely obsessed with this book. the tropes and premise of it, the magic weaved in this was just perfect to what a friends to lovers trope is written for. there's yearning in both timelines and such a cool story told with gemma's goals and what she could romatically have with dax. their chemistry was so much fun and i got butterflies reading their story.

a wonderful read i will be recommending to everyone!

Spicy Rom-Com with magical realism thrown in. It was a quick, well enjoyed romance. The story unfolds at a great pace and it is interesting to see how the magical qualities come into play.

Witchcraft gone wrong, this romcom takes the readers on a trip of realizing the right person was there all along.

It took me a while to review this book. Usually friends to lovers is not my favorite type of books but "This spells love" is an exclusion. I really enjoyed reading it. Light, sweet and really easy reading

I loved Dax so much! He is the perfect book boyfriend. There is not much spice in this book, in a good way! It’s a perfect cute Rom-com. It gives me all the feels. Gemma is wonderful & so relatable! If you are looking for a cute book to cozy up to. Don’t miss out on this one!! 4/5 stars! I hope to read more from this author in the future!

This book was so perfect. When Gemma’s aunt casts a love cleanse spell to help her forget her ex boyfriend, Gemma wakes up in a parallel world where everything is different. In this timeline Gemma not only realizes that her best friend doesn’t know her, but that she’s in love with him. Gemma has to figure out how to undue the spell and return to her original life so that she can act on her feelings.

In this charming debut novel, Gemma finds herself in a whimsical yet unexpected predicament after a breakup: waking up in an alternate reality where her ex-boyfriend no longer exists in her memory. As she navigates this new world with the help of her quirky family and best friend, Dax, Gemma grapples with the realization that she may have lost more than she bargained for.

The premise of a love-cleansing spell gone awry sets the stage for a delightful exploration of friendship, love, and self-discovery. As Gemma embarks on a mission to reverse the spell and return to her old life, she finds herself drawn to Dax in ways she never expected. Their journey from friends to potential lovers is both heartwarming and humorous, filled with witty banter and genuine emotion.

Author Kate Robb crafts a relatable and engaging narrative that explores themes of identity, regret, and the transformative power of love. Gemma's internal struggle between holding onto the past and embracing the present is portrayed with authenticity and depth, allowing readers to empathize with her journey of self-realization.

With its mix of humor, romance, and magical realism, "This Spells Love" offers a fresh take on the classic friends-to-lovers trope. Fans of contemporary romance will be captivated by Gemma and Dax's charming and heartfelt story, rooting for them every step of the way as they navigate the complexities of love and friendship in a world where wishes can come true. I absolutely loved this book.

Thank you Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

After a break up Gemma casts a cleansing spell to erase her ex from her life. But something goes wrong (or right?) and she wakes up in a life where she never met him. As a result, many other things are different as well.

This Spells Love has a a little bit of everything - romance, humor, spice, a pinch of magic, consequences and hard choices.

A delightful romantic comedy with a touch of magical realism. Brilliantly written with endearing characters. Entertaining page turner.

I received a DIGITAL Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I LOVED THIS BOOK. I read it in less than a day because I had no desire to put it down. I found myself with a giant smile through most of the book.

I loved this play on friends to lovers with the magical realism. It was kind of a one sided friends to lovers in a way. Before Gemma goes to the alternate reality you get the impression already that Dax is in love with her so you don't need to see that happen for him. But you get to see Gemma throughout the book go from that transition of seeing him as just her best friend to the perfect guy for her. I would have liked to be able to see a little bit more of the Gemma and Dax in the correct reality but that could also be because I didn't want the book to end.

(No title)
Bye Baby
by Carola Lovering
5 stars
Psychological Fiction
Dual POV

Billie and Cassie have been friends forever but drift apart after so many years. This starts with a baby being taken, then they jump back 50 days to explain what led up to it all. Also, they jump back to when both girls were younger and how their friendships went along the way—showing how they grew closer and then apart. It takes Billie a lot to realize Cassie isn't what she needs in her life and it's okay to move on and grow apart.
I loved this read it had me on the edge of my seat and wanting more. I love how they show you the toxic friendship and how friends grow apart and we don't need to keep everyone in our life. It's okay to grow. It also shows the struggle of a relationship not being perfect and how not everything in life will go your way.

Thank you, Net Galley and St Martins Press for this eARC for an honest review



This Spells Love
by Kate Robb
4 stars


After Gemma goes through a hard break-up her Aunt Livi shows her a little spell that will help her. Gemma, her aunt, sister, and a hot best friend Dax. Sit to work through this spell and a lot of alcohol. After the spell, Gemma wakes up in a different bed, different everything. After she gets her bearings, she has to decide to stay in this other lifetime or go back to what she is used to.

I loved the whole, magical, whimsical, and all-around little charm. My favorite character was Aunt Livi love her; she is all around the best. I enjoy Gemma and Dax they are a cute friendship and I love watching what happens. Gemma's sister is badass and Oh my god the doughnuts they talk about can we get a recipe, or can I get a doughnut that sounds that amazing, please?

The only thing that drove me nuts was how stuck in her little world and the problems Gemma had. She doesn't figure out what is going on with Dax or her sister which okay really it doesn't take a genius to figure it all out.

Thank you, Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group for this eARC for an honest review.

This was a cute story that I enjoyed. There were great relatable snippets of the characters that I loved and because of that I enjoyed their character arc. A nice lighthearted read that would be good for a rom-com loving book club!

This Spells Love is an adorable and emotional romcom by Kate Robb. Thank you to her, Random House, and NetGalley for providing me with this ebook ARC. I am voluntarily reading this review ✨

This Spells Love is exactly what I’ve been craving in romance! Gemma and Dax’s romance felt so real and true, it was perfect. Gemma’s character growth and self-reflection was so rewarding to see, and it made me think about my own life, too. This title was also so entertaining and made me laugh out loud! 🩷

I also sincerely appreciated the subtle, nonchalant way the author described Gemma as childfree. Neutral and positive childfree representation in media is so scarce. Thanks for including this in Gemma’s characterization 🫶🏻

Overall, I adored This Spells Love and it’s an easy five-star rating. You’ll love this is you enjoy friends to lovers, time travel, entrepreneurial women, and emotional rollercoasters ✨

This Spells Love took me by surprise - in the best possible way. After a breakup with her boyfriend Gemma gets drunk and has her aunt cast a spell to make her forget about him and make it all go away. The next morning Gemma wakes up to a completely different life. In some ways this life is really good, but in other ways it's bad. They need a full moon to do the spell again so Gemma has a month in this new, seemingly better, life. Gemma grew so much in This Spells Love. You could feel everything as she makes realizations that what appears good might not actually be good. One of my favorite romances of the year.

I could fall in love with this book in any alternate reality! I loved the concept of Gemma, her bestie sister and wackadoodle aunt conjuring up a spell to help Gemma forget her life with her good-for-nothing ex. However...that's kind of where the magic ends. I was hoping for more of a witchy vibe!

Luckily, a different kind of magic happened! In her new alternate reality, life has completely changed, and Gemma gets a new lease on life, work, and falling in love with her best friend Dax (who was obvi in love with her in her original reality!). This was such a cute book and I loved Gemma and Dax's chemistry.

There were some character flaws, like why wouldn't Dax fight for Emma in the other reality if he loved her that much. Or why was Gemma so self-involved that she couldn't see that her sister needed her help SO MANY TIMES. I also wanted more of Dax and Gemma in their regular timeline. Plus, more of Sunny!! Overall, this was so cute and flirty and fun!