I normally don't read books featuring friends-to-lovers, but this premise was cute enough for me to give it a shot! When our main character struggles to get over a breakup, her aunt accidentally casts a spell to help her get over her heartbreak but ends up changing the timeline in which she and her best friend have never met.

The story and pacing moved quickly, as did the development of their relationship, but the story is relatively short and took place in under a month. There wasn't much character development either, as the focus was mainly on the plot, but this wasn't much of an issue as it was such a light read.

This book was funny and sexy and easy to read in a matter of hours if something cozy is what you're looking for.

I couldn’t get through the first chapter. It’s not for me. The names were odd. It just felt odd and off.

This Spells Love pulls off the romcom with a speculative twist perfectly. After a bad break up, Gemma agrees to a “love cleanse" spell with her slightly witchy Aunt, who, though there is no magic present, definitely has a Practical Magic-esque, cute house with many margaritas vibe. Gemma, her sister, her aunt, and her inconveniently hot best friend, Dax (fine, it’s convenient and he’s FINE) muddle through it as a joke, but when she seals the spell with a kiss, she wakes up afterward in an alternate timeline where she hasn’t met her ex, which unfortunately also means she hasn’t met Dax.

Alternative universes and timelines are tricky, but Kate Robb does this with finesse, and there was not a single moment of this that didn’t work for me. There is beer. There is CURLING. There’s a costume party and too tight pants in a fitting room. I also loved Gemma’s character grappling with over reliance on safety in her own timeline versus a more risk-taking version of herself after the spell. And in all timelines, Dax is amazing, though the concept of a butterfly effect rippling through time and also having some sad consequences for him is amazing as an obstacle in this.

TSL was steamy, warm, and funny, and I found myself wanting to reread it right away. I’ll definitely be picking up a copy of this when it comes out.

Thank you so much Penguin Random House and Dial Press for the eARC!

Gemma desperately wants to forget her ex-boyfriend. Surely the pain of wasting four years of her life is worth the risk of using a spell her kooky aunt found, right??

Full of margaritas and sorrow, Gemma, her sister, aunt, and best friend Dax attempt to banish Gemma's ex...but when she wakes up the next morning, she realizes she may have made a huge mistake.

Her posh condo is replaced by a possible murder basement apartment. Her cushy job is replaced by a cute beauty salon she GASP owns, and her best friend has no idea who she is as evidenced by their hilarious encounter in his shop.

The ripple effect of never meeting her ex four years ago has affected every aspect of her life, and now Gemma has to decide which version of reality she wants to keep.

This Spells Love is an endearing, funny, smart romance about unrequited love and sacrificing for those you care about. Gemma and Dax have the kind of banter that makes you hide a smile behind your hand while you bounce on the couch in glee.

The author lets you see how all these tiny decisions Gemma made in the past could have changed the lives of her and her friends...for better or worse.

I love that you could sense something bad was about to happen, and you were powerless to stop reading. You HAD to know when the other shoe was going to fall and how far Gemma was willing to go to correct her mistakes.

And Dax...sweet, sexy Dax...his habit of calling her by the wrong name was the epitome of swoon-worthy, and I wish Gemma had given him a chance earlier! You could tell she agreed when she asked him where he'd been hiding...THAT (use your imagination) the first time they were together. I was dying laughing!


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

This is for all of us wanting to live out those what if moments!!

This is fun, easy read, where everything can be solved with either margaritas or donuts!! The whole 13 going on 30 vibe was fantastic.

Gemma is going through a breakup from her longtime relationship with Stuart. She decides after a night of drinking to perform a spell to reverse ever knowing her ex. However, it doesn’t quite go as planned, the next day Gemma wakes up in a parallel universe, where things seem better for her until she realizes her best friend Dax has no idea who she is. In order to reverse the spell, she must befriend Dax within the moon cycle, since the last step of the spell involves his kiss to send her back home.

Gemma likes life to be predictable but in the parallel universe she becomes brave, we see her taking chances and going after what she wants. Dax is an amazing friend and so in love with Gemma, their friendship blossoms so well in either universe.

Have you ever started a book and just had that feeling that it was going to stick with you for a long time? I knew right from the beginning of this book that it was going to be amazing and it just got better and better.

In Kate Robb's stunning debut novel, we meet Gemma, who has been recently heartbroken and is floundering a little in life. Armed with lots of tequila, her best friend Dax, her supportive older sister and her eccentric aunt, they cast a spell hoping to erase Gemma's ex-boyfriend from her life. Instead, she ends up in a parallel universe where her life has taken a slightly different path, including Dax not knowing who she is. I absolutely loved this unique plot line for a rom-com, it speaks to the age old saying "everything happens for a reason" as Gemma learns that if she never met her ex-boyfriend, she would never have met Dax either. As Gemma continues on in this alternate universe, she struggles to choose between all the good fortune she has found for herself, versus the unfortunate circumstances that her loved ones find themselves in.

In this parallel universe, Gemma also finds herself falling in love with Dax, in a whole new way, forcing her to reflect on her fear of losing him altogether, instead of taking that risk for love. Kate Robb does an incredible job at giving the readers just a touch of magic while keeping this book still very contemporary. Every single person has had those "what if" thoughts, thinking about how their choices may have altered their lives one way or another. All of Kate Robb's characters are well developed and relatable and you will cheer for the love story the whole way through! I could feel Gemma and Dax's chemistry right off the page from the very first meeting. Friends to lovers is just an enjoyable trope and the fun spin that Kate Robb introduces is such a refreshing read.

Kate Robb delivers such clever, witty dialogue that was so incredibly enjoyable to read. As a fellow Canadian, and also fellow Ontarian, the little references were so exciting for me to read. From the character's love of beer league curling, to the No Frills yellow grocery bags and the Go Train. Warning, this book will also make you crave donuts multiple times throughout!

I found that I relate to Gemma's character on a spiritual level, as in I think in some other parallel universe we are the same person. We both like to order the same kind of food each time at a restaurant, because we know it's dependable and safe, we both think coffee can fix everything, even during a life crisis, and we both prefer peloton workouts over running. We also both think we cannot "go with the flow" but once forced into it by life, we find that we ride the wave pretty damn well.

Whenever I had to put this book down I was counting down the minutes until I could pick it back up again, I already know this book will continue to be a long time favourite of mine!

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC!

Gemma and Dax have such a cute story. Gemma is recently broken up with her ex boyfriend and her Aunt casts a spell on Gemma, attempting to make her forget about her ex. Only this spell puts Gemma in an alternate timeline where her best friend, Dax, doesn't even know who she is. Gemma is determined to sneak a kiss from Dax before returning to her normal life, when the spell is reversed. Little does Gemma know, Dax loves her in either timeline.
This story is so cute and lighthearted, yet bittersweet at times. I loved reading this and would recommend this for anyone looking for some light reading with a cute story line and characters that you'll love!

This was a really fun and light romp through space and time! I love the premise of this book, but have mixed feelings on the execution. Still giving it a 5/5 because I had enjoyed the read and think the author is talented. Can't wait to read more from her!

“We are the same here. The universe could make us live a thousand different lifetimes, and we’ll always find a way to be there for each other.”

In Kate Robb’s charming debut, This Spells Love, Gemma Wilde attempts to soothe her broken heart over margaritas and by casting a love cleanse spell. Alongside her witchy aunt, her older sister, and her best friend, Dax, Gemma performs the spell, hoping that she can go back to the time before she met her ex and start all over again. Little does Gemma know that when she wakes up the next morning, she will have entered a parallel universe. One in which Dax has no idea who she is.

In order to reverse the spell, Gemma must forgo the years of friendship between her and Dax and start from the beginning. But as Gemma begins to see Dax in a new light, she wonders if she is meant to be in her old timeline or if she should stay in this new universe.

Robb did a phenomenal job at utilizing magical realism while still staying grounded in reality. I believe that everyone has thought at least once about how their actions have changed the trajectory of their lives for the better or worse. Robb gives us insight into how even the most minute details can change the course of not only our own lives, but the lives of the people we love. The characters are well-developed, flawed, but lovable, and extremely charming. From the very first chapter, you are rooting for them!

My critiques are few and far between, with the primary one being that this debut could benefit from editing with a fine tooth comb. The sheer amount of times the author mentions Hamilton/Hamiltonians was too many for a book that does not revolve around the setting at all. This book could be placed in any other Canadian or American town and it would not change the central plot. In addition, I think Harry Potter references, such as “he who shall not be named”, are an outdated, millennial-era reference that should be avoided in the wake of J.K. Rowling’s blatant transphobia.



Spice level: 2.5/5
Rating: 4.5/5
Tropes: sliding doors; friends to lovers; magical realism

This book was such a cute read! I was already intrigued just from reading the synopsis, and boy I as not disappointed. If you love a good friends to lovers troupe, where the guy is clearly in love, this is the book for you! I loved how Gemma and Dax's relationship grew deeper as they came to their own realizations of their feelings. My only gripe was how short the third arc felt before the epilogue.

Highly recommend adding this to your read list if you love a little magic, lots of love and chemistry! ;) I cannot wait to read more books from Kate Robb.

Thank you to Netgalley, Random House Publishing, and Kate Robb for the ARC!

This book was a delight! I loved the characters, I loved that it took place in Canada, I loved the use of the magic alternate timeline trope!

The way I squealed when I realized that this book took place in Hamilton was just silly, it’s not often I come across cute spicy romcoms that take place in places I know and have been to and as a Canadian I was so happy.

I loved the relationships and the development of the characters in through this story - not just the relationship between Gemma and Dax, but also with her sister and other side characters like Sonny. The characters were flawed but grew from their mistakes which I loved to watch. Gemma herself grew so much over the course of this book and it was so fun to follow her path.

Friends to lovers is easily one of my favourite tropes in a romcom, but watching Dax and Gemma start fresh from Dax’s side was such a nice twist. Their chemistry was beautiful.

Overall I highly recommend This Spells Love, it’s fun, cute and has just the perfect about of magic to make it a fantastic read! It doesn’t come out until December 5th, but definitely put it on your TBR!

Thanks to NetGalley, Random House / Dial Press and the author Kate Robb for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was sweet and fun but also utterly forgettable. I was definitely interested by our characters and storyline but there was nothing super unique that kept my interest. It was just a super fun story.

This book was super cute! It was cute, quippy, a little quirky, totally swoony, and overall very enjoyable.

While recovering from a devastating break up and after a few too many margaritas, Gemma Wilde is convinced to perform a love cleansing spell, aided by her wacky Aunt Livi, sarcastic yet supportive sister Kiersten, and hot best friend Dax. When she wakes up the next morning, Gemma finds herself in an alternative timeline where she never dated her ex. However, to her horror, Dax has no idea who she is. Even worse, she needs him to kiss her in order to get back to her reality. After the initial shock wears off, Gemma sees what life would have been like had everything been different, and it isn’t as bad as she first thought! She has her dream career and starts to fall head over heels in love with Dax. But all is not as it seems for the people she cares most about, and Gemma questions what is worth letting go and what might stand the test of time and dimension.

I will admit that I hesitated to read this book at first because of the title. You know those cozy closed door romances about a small town family of witches who do things like attend harvest festivals and fall in love with hunky warlocks while drinking mulled wine with their talking cats? That’s what the title reminded me of. Those books are fun, but this is not that. It is way better!! And if those witchy romcoms are what you’re looking for, this had just enough magic that I think you’d still enjoy it. I want a crazy Aunt Livi and kooky soccer mom sister!

Otherwise, it had just the right amount of angst and steam as you follow Gemma and Dax’s friendship turned relationship, and there were a few moments that tugged at my heart despite the book overall being a fairly light read. I zoomed through it in one day and was sad when it was over.

I believe this is Kate Robb’s first book, and if you love books by authors like Sarah Adams, Lynn Painter, Sarah Hogle, Kate Clayborn…this book fits right up there with those. Can’t wait to see what else she writes!

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the e-ARC!

This was an absolute delight from debut author Kate Robb! Definitely pick this one up if you love:
* friends to lovers
* contemporary romance
* romcoms ala 13 Going on 30
* witty, relatable characters
* just a sprinkling of magic/magical realism
This Spells Love follows a delightful cast of characters in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Our FMC, Gemma Wilde, is just coming off the breakup of a four-year relationship with practical, predictable Stuart. To guide her through this trying time is her older sister, Kiersten, great aunt Livi, and her bff, the handsome Daxon McGuire.

Aunt Livi owns a used bookshop and she suggests Gemma check out a book that just came in one evening. Primed with margaritas, Gemma agrees to try a “spell” and wishes she’d never even met ex Stuart. The next morning, she wakes up in an alternate reality where the events of the past four years never happened. Gemma has her own business, still is just as close with her sister and great aunt, but with one caveat—she never met bff Dax. Why? Because the night she met him was coincidentally the night she also met Stuart.

Cue a series of events as Gemma discovers her true priorities in life, and yes, realizes she wants Dax as more than just a friend. But at the same time, she is conflicted over whether she should return to her original timeline.

I adored this book! Whenever I had to put it down, I was counting down until I could read again! I’d definitely recommend this to everyone! My only gripe is that the ending felt a bit rushed, but that doesn’t take away from my rating. Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC!

This book is the Freaky Friday meets Groundhog’s Day meets Into the Spiderverse combo my soul didn’t know it needed. If a good friends to lovers story stokes your fires, This Spells Love is for you. It has all the laughs and heat and longing mixed beautifully with it’s a consistent sense ‘WTF is going on?’ to put a new spin on the classic magic gone wrong trope. 12/10 would recommend.

Holy crap this book was amazing. Once I started it I could not put it down and finished in a matter of hours. It was the perfect romcom and I wish I could reread it for the first time. Normally I’m an enemies to lovers girl but this book has converted me to friends to lovers. Dax is an actual dream and so swoon worthy. I think I’ve found my new book boyfriend!

Seriously though, if you like the movie 13 Going On 30, this book is a MUST read. I will definitely be adding this author to my auto buy list.

Incredible! One of my favorite reads of the year! This is a story about a girl wanting to forget a relationship and the love for not only herself, but someone who has been there all along. I was excited for this book from the moment I read the synopsis, but once I started reading it I couldn’t put it down. When Gemma finds herself in an alternate reality where she never dated her ex Stuart, she realizes that much of her life that she loved or was comfortable in is gone. She works to get her best friend back and finds the feelings she’s held for him all along. I loved reading the journey to find her friendship again and the resulting relationship with Dax, then her struggle to decide to go back to her life or stay in this one. I was captivated to say the least. I hope to read more from this author soon as I’m sure she’s going to be one of my “must buy” authors from here on out.

I'll begin by saying I was excited to read This Spells Love. The premise intrigued me and as events unfolded in the first third of the book I was not disappointed. However . . .

The best friends to lovers trope always interests me because as sweet as it sounds in a daydream, I don't see how it can ever work in real life. Ok, so we're talking romance novels here, but there still has to be a basis for it to work. What guy can stand by watching, sometimes for years and years, while the love of his life engages in various relationships and all that involves with other men? Best friend listens to her complaints, heart breaks, stories of new found passion when the next one comes along, and simply waits for his turn? A turn that may never come because she has friend-zoned him into her sounding board and crying shoulder?

What started out as different about This Spells Love and gave me hope the trope would find a new life is when Gemma Wilde is catapulted into an a parallel what if universe after taking part in a spooky love cleanse cast by her quirky Aunt Livi. Oddly, our heroine wakes up in the bed of a strange man who never seems to appear in the story again after she makes her exit. Everything about her life is changed, including that her best friend Dax doesn't even know her. She lives in a crappy basement apartment and has no car, but for some reason her dream-fantasy shop selling clean cosmetics has become a very successful reality. Dax still has his shop selling custom athletic shoes but he's got a whole other life, too. He's not as successful here for one thing. Gemma must work hard to establish the friendship she has taken for granted in her other world. Her persistence pays off because we are simply told they click in any universe.

For me, this is where things get messy. Gemma begins to notice Dax more as a man than a friend, He's sexy and hot and likes tight pants and has killer abs. What we aren't told is what really draws Gemma to Dax as a person. Why is he special? Does he do more than listen to her problems and love stories? The spark of physical attraction is there. We get several chapters of erotic descriptions as Gemma explores that in depth. But what else? Is Dax lonely? Is she? Does he have other dreams for his life than running a shoe shop? Gemma sees herself as a self-styled free range lover who succumbs to the moment. Is this all she wants because a best friend can take care of the rest? I never saw a real feel-good emotional connection develop between these characters. The feels were not there even though Gemma seems headed for an awakening about her selfish ways..

Ultimately, on the arrival of the waning gibbous moon Gemma must choose between her real world and the parallel existence she's living. In one world, Dax is her loyal friend and in the other he's her lover. Can she find a way to mesh the two into what she now wishes for? Will the Dax waiting in her reality world want things to change? This story could be so much better if we really knew why.

Thank you Net Galley, Random House and author Kate Robb for opportunity to read and review this pre-release ebook file version of This Spells Love.

Thank you for the amazing early read of this debut! This fresh and fun read is the perfect escape! Gemma and Dax are too cute. I love their chemistry and true friendship. The steamy scenes were amazing! The family dynamics were very real. I love the older sister parts because I really relate to Kiersten.

I can’t wait to read more in the future from Kate Robb!

Overall, I loved this book. The intersection of love and magic is where my heart lies, so I was very excited to find this in the first place. The writing is good. However, there were a couple of things that bugged me.

First, Gemma says that she and Dax started curling together when she needed an activity for work. It doesn't say that she joined his existing team. Which means, he shouldn't have been curling at all when she went to meet him that first day.
Second, I was really with Dax on "Gemma's a stalker" and had a hard time buying how fast he changed his mind. I guess I shouldn't underestimate the things a guy will overlook to get laid, but still.
Third, the end. I know Gemma wished that she would "remember" everything in her alternate universe when she went back. That's fine. But there is absolutely nothing that explains how original-world Gemma was making changes during the month she wasn't really there. Those changes were based on things alt-world Gemma *didn't know yet and couldn't have acted on.*

I also don't buy that the exact same basement apartment just happened to be available 4 years later, because there is no reason to ever think that. If Gemma had woken up in her old life and started making immediate changes instead of this bizarre ending, the book would have been a 5 star read.

*Review based on ARC*