This Spells Love is about Gemma and Dax, two best friends who seem to be doing well for themselves, until a break up upends Gemma’s life. With the intervention of a ‘spell’, Gemma’s past is altered, leaving traces of those she loves in a different universe to be affected by her actions or lack thereof.

While Gemma finds happiness in the alternative version of her other life, she recognizes the long standing effects on others in her life. She has to make an important decision, and she only has a month to do it.

I loved reading through the alternate and sometimes heartbreaking versions of both Gemma’s universes. Ms. Robb’s writing is fun and engaging, and she did an excellent job bringing Gemma to life, almost as if I feel I know this same person in my life! I’m happy for how the ending played out, and absolutely loved the sister dynamic to the story, and the fun side characters we were lucky to be graced with. Would definitely recommend!

This was such a fun read! I love friends to lovers and this was a magical take on it! It made me laugh and kick my feet! Looking forward to reading more by her.

In hopes of getting over her ex, Gemma drunkenly casts a cleansing spell and ends up in an alternate timeline.

Alternate timeline books are tricky to get right especially if it’s a romance but This Spells Love is very well done. Is there plenty of angst? Yes, but there always is in a friends to lovers situation and Gemma is basically rebuilding their friendship from scratch. 2023 really was the year of magical wish books but this one stands out as one of the most unique that I’ve read.

This is Kate Robb’s debut novel. I’m excited to read more of her work in the future.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I liked the main character, but I just couldn't get into this story! The plot sounded so interesting, but I got bored about halfway through and didn't end up picking the book back up. I definitely see how this would be for some people, it just wasn't really my thing!

My rating: 3.75 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

I was a little disappointed after reading this book because I was expecting the book to have a "witchy vibe" but the only "witchy" thing about this book was the "spell" that "cast" at the beginning that starts the events of the book.

This was a quick read, the characters were likable, and the story was fun. I finished this book in 2 sittings. I originally planned to read it during spooky season, but seeing as there was no "witchiness" in the story, I'm glad I read it during the summer.

This was such a cute and romantic book with a fun spin on it! I really enjoyed the characters and the plot thanks for letting me read this early

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.
I LOVED the magic aspects mixed with romance!

Such a fun and magically romantic read!

A cute best friends to lovers rom com with a parallel universe that keeps you guessing what Gemma's next move will be.

I really enjoyed this book! Gemma and Dax were so cute and their banter was soo good- you can truly feel that their friendship is so deep and true and their love for one another is so genuine. Kate Robb did a really good job of building their relationship and making it so strong that no matter the universe you wanted them to make it work and end up together.

This book wasn't bad. I just tried to read it two separate times and only got about halfway and put it down and never picked it back up..

Maybe withcy romance books aren't for me.

I loved this book! Friends to lovers isn’t normally my favorite trope but this was such an adorable read!!

I love a good romance with magic sprinkled in, gets me every time. I loved the loveable friendship between the two main characters. Emma and Dax will want you to believe in the magic that there is someone out there for everyone. I think my favorite character was her charming Aunt, I felt like she knew more about what was going on than what the author said about her. I feel like there could be a second book with the sister, in maybe a what if kind of story.

I would definitely recommend this book as perfect summer read with your favorite lounge by the pool.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for copy of this book for my honest review.

This was a great friends-to-lovers romance (maybe also romantasy?) read. I loved the way the main character very much only ever looked at her friend platonically until she could notice another side of him. I also love how steamy this one was. Normally you don't get a 4 or 5 flame rated romance with friends-to-lovers reads, but this one definitely was up there.

Kate Robb's THIS SPELLS LOVE is such a delightful contemporary romance that has a splash of magic. Friends-to-lovers is executed incredibly well, and the parallel universe premise is so entertaining. The chemistry and tension between Gemma and Daxon is wonderful, and Gemma's eventual realization about who she needs to be and who she should be with comes together satisfyingly. This is a fantastic debut.

please note that the trigger warnings and topes/themes may contain spoilers
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
HEA: yes
POV: single 1st person POV
spice: several open-door spicy scenes
TWs: N/A
standalone: yes
final thoughts: this was such a fun magical realism book with tons of character growth and self-discovery. I was on the edge of my seat rooting for the MCs in all timelines. I loved the pacing, storyline, and characters (side and main).

read this book if you love
🔎 adventure
🍪cinnamon roll MMC
🎣 fish out of water
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 found family
💞 friends-to-lovers
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 great side characters
👦 he falls first /she’s oblivious
🤫 hidden secrets
🩹 hurt/comfort
🧠 “it’s always been you”
🛏️ “it’s just a fling”
🪄 magic
🔮 magical realism
🤐 miscommunication
🎭 mistaken identity
💞 mutual pining
😂 romcom
2️⃣ 2nd chance romance (kinda)
👺 secret identity
💓 slowburn
🥌 sports romance (curling)
⌛ time travel
🧙‍♀️ witches
🌍 world building

This Spells Love by Kate Robb is a very fun and unique take on the romance novel exploring friendship to lovers. I really love anything with a parallel universe / redo and I thought the writing was great and the premise landed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC - This Spells Love is out now!

It took me a few tries to get into this, but I'm glad I was finally able to! This was a fun and cute witchy novel. I really appreciated Gemma's struggle with her career, love life, and which path is generally the right one for her. (As someone similarly in her 20s who has literally just gone back to school and started over in a brand-new career, I had some sympathy!) I also deeply appreciated the Hamilton representation :) Toronto gets all the love in Canadian novels, but other towns deserve the spotlight sometimes!

I will say I found parts of the novel quite predictable, and I think a bit more could have been done to flesh out the characters. I think I also could have used just a *bit* more witchiness. The cover--stunning as it is-- and title led me to believe this would be a bit more hardcore magical, but I unfortunately found it a bit lacking in that regard.

This book makes me feel like it could be such a cute movie!

The book gives a solid plot, great secondary characters, a PSA to go get some donuts asap 🍩🤤, steamy romance & a main character that you actually see some personal growth 🙌🏽

I normally don’t love friends to lovers but this book made it work and had me invested!

Definitely recommend picking up this book for a quirky romance!

Thank you netgalley for the e-arc!

I love a witchy book and this was perfect! Such a fun premise and the execution is excellent. Highly recommend this romance for spooky season as a light hearted read.

Sweet, fluffy rom-com. Lots of spice. Love the sisters and the maternal aunt! Excellent debut novel. The writing was a little juvenile, but for a debut, it was excellent. But the name Daxon?! (Apologies if the writer has friends or family named thusly)

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC!
Gemma is getting out of a long relationship and just wants to drown her sorrows with her favorite people: her sister, aunt, and best friend Dax. They try a cleansing spell to get rid of the ex from Gemma’s memory. However, when Gemma wakes the next day, more than just her ex is gone. Her career and living space are unrecognizable, and worst of all, Dax doesn’t know her at all. She now has to convince her best friend turned stranger to kiss her at the right time to get her old life back but the longer she spends in this life, the more she’s unsure which life she wants.
I really enjoyed this book. The struggles Gemma goes through are relatable and makes you want to cheer for her and Dax to make the “right” decisions. The way Gemma wrestles with the relationships and career options between the two realities was well done. The indecision and hardship that happens in your 20s is a rough one and the author portrayed it well. There were definitely some parts where Gemma isn’t the most likable but no one is 100% at all times. As the reader, you are struggling right along Gemma and weighing the pros and cons of each timeline. Overall, I really enjoyed this and can’t wait to read future releases from this author.