I am so lucky I got an eARC of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publisher and wow, I did not expect to love it this much! It has great characters, it has angst and longing and drama and everything you could wish for in a good romance book - I forgot to mention the swoon worthy MMC and the amazing, beautiful and strong FMC. Also, the old lady who steals the show, Kitty St. Clair, she is AMAZING and I love her so much, her character is beautifully written and even though at times I wanted to strangle her, in the end I understood why she did some of the things she did.

Jules meets Reeve at a party in her small town. She spins the bottle and has to kiss him. Reeve is a summer boy, Jules does not want to get involved but when he kisses her instead there is chemistry. Jules works at a retirement home and loves the residents. When Kitty dies, she wills her old dance hall next door to Jules. I loved the residents and how they interacted with each other and the staff. Reeve struggles with an artistic ability that does not meet his wealthy parent’s expectations, and he finds himself working with a man who is trying to buy the dance hall. Great book about finding yourself, working out your dreams, and being able to communicate your wants and needs.

I really enjoyed the magical realism! This was my first Kate Robb book and it was really enjoyable! The story was slow at times and took me a while to finish but after pushing through the conclusion was satasifying!
Kitty was absolutely adorable, loved her sooo much!

•eARC provided by NetGalley and Dial Press in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 Stars!

I liked this a lot better than This Spells Love. It was cute and wholesome. The romance felt natural and the whole going back in time and experiencing her life as Kitty felt very old school disney in the best way possible.

Jules doesn't expect a lot of things in her life, as she lives in a small lake town with the most exciting things happening only during the summer tourism months. But when Kitty St. Clair, a resident at the local retirement home that Jules works at, leaves a local dance hall to her after she passes, Jules decides to fight off investors looking to demolish the run-down dance hall - especially Reeve, an old flame from a past summer and the perfect example of why townies are not supposed to get involved with the summer tourists. In a sudden turn of events, Jules is transported back in time to the dance hall and Kitty's prime, giving her the chance to explore her options, her feelings for Reeve, and all the wisdom Kitty can impart to Jules.

Kate Robb's magical romances are always the sweetest reads, and Kitty St. Clair's Last Dance is no different. Exploring the dynamics of a small town reliant on tourism and development was surprisingly my favorite part of this book, but I also really enjoyed Jules and Reeve's story as well. Kitty St. Clair was such an intriguing character, so much so that I would read a whole book just about her life!

Thank you to netgalley and to the publisher for the ARC. Magical realism is not my favorite but I really liked this one. The characters were great and thankfully the 4th act breakup was short.

I really enjoyed this story — warm, heartfelt, and with a good dose of romance. The main character Jules is very relatable, and the way her life intertwines with Kitty St. Clair’s past through the diary adds a unique touch and depth to the narrative. The atmosphere of the small lakeside town is beautifully conveyed, and the characters feel vivid and believable.
Time travel to the past is a signature element of the author’s style, giving the book a special charm. These journeys to the heyday of the dance hall reveal the story in a multifaceted way, allowing readers to experience the emotions and struggles of the past characters while reflecting on Jules’s own choices and feelings in the present.
The romance with Reeve is touching, sincere, and realistic, with moments of doubt and hope for a second chance. The only minor downside was that some plot points felt predictable, and the pacing was occasionally a bit slow.
Overall, the book leaves a warm and pleasant impression, and I look forward to reading more from this author.

Thank you Random House and Netgalley for the arc.

I loved the magical realism in this one just as I have in all of the authors other books. This one however wasn’t my favorite. I didn’t connect with the main love interests and was more interested in Kitty’s story. Unfortunately we didn’t get the best closure for her and the ending felt rushed. Excited to read the authors next book after seeing the sneak peek!

I had picked up Kate Robb's previous novel randomly at the book store, and I'm so happy to have the opportunity to review the newest one. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book. Magical realism in this story has Jules flashing into dreams as Dot who is best friends with Kitty, someone Jules' cared for in the retirement home and who gifts her in more ways than one. The interplay between the dreams and reality for Jules is really cute, and the slow burn romance between Jules and her summer dock boy from the first scene is really sweet.

Thank you, Netgalley and Kate Robb for gifting me with this ARC for an honest review.
Thus far, i have read everything Kate Robb wrote as ARC and have enjoyed it so much, i bought myself a copy! Naturally, I was excited to get my hands on this new book.
That being said, I really did like this book, but it somehow missed the mark for me a little. There was the same element of mild paranormal charm, but not so much the whimsy of the other two books.
The idea itself was great, but I think execution is what didn't quite land. I felt that 1) The romance between Reeve and Jules felt very insta-lovey and forced. 2) Reeve lacked a distinct personality, and was sort of dull at times. 3) The Kitty flashback storyline didn't really mesh well at times with the main plot and didn't feel all that necessary, even by the end. It felt like I was reading two different books. The dream sequences could have been replaced by Jules just reading her diary instead. 4) I would have liked more with Jules. and her mom to go into a little more about their relationship.
That being said, this was overall an enjoyable read. Robb has a talent for bringing heart and soul to her characters for the most part and drove home a good message of allowing hope and love into your life to. write your own happy ending. The epilogue was sweet and I liked how the message with Kitty and Knots tied together with Jules and Reeves and following your heart. Overall, everything tied together well.
Although not my fave from KR, still a good book and I look forward to reading more from her.

Kitty St. Clair’s Last Dance offers a unique and whimsical concept filled with heart. The story centers around a lakeside dance hall, subtle magical realism, and a heroine on a journey of self-discovery and healing. The blend of nostalgia and emotional depth makes for an original and creative premise.

While I enjoyed the overall idea, there were a few elements that didn’t fully connect with me. Some of the humor, especially in conversations with side characters, leaned more vulgar than I personally prefer. This is purely a matter of taste, and I know other readers may enjoy the bold, playful voice.

The timeline was also a bit confusing at times. There were moments when events were referenced before they actually occurred, and although the story did eventually clarify things, I found the pacing a little disjointed for a romance. I tend to prefer a more grounded and linear structure that allows for a smoother emotional connection.

Even with those bumps, the magical elements were charming, and the emotional layers were impactful. I appreciated the quiet moments of growth and the atmosphere that gave the book its own unique flavor.

I would rate this 3.5 stars. It wasn’t a perfect fit for me, but I can see it resonating with readers who enjoy character-driven stories with a hint of magic, emotional depth, and an unconventional structure.

Thank you to Netgalley & Random House for an ARC copy of Kitty St.Clair's Last Dance, in exchange for an honest review 🫶🏼

That being said, let me just say if I didn't have to sleep, this book would have been done last night. I literally dreamt about it funny that happened ( if you read the book you'd understand), but I literally woke up this morning and immediately went for my Kindle.

I absolutely LOVED this book. I definitely need to get me a copy of it when it is published because I need to annotate it 🥹

I will always support authors as im a book nerd 🤓 but when it comes to Canadian authors, they hold a special place in my heart🫶🏼. I love how this book is partly set in toronto, where I was born and raised, and the other half of the book is set in the quiet country town that I wish to live in one day.

This book is one of my favorites of 2025 🫶🏼

Kitty Saint Clare’s last dance is the perfect novel for fans of Ashley Poston. It was the perfect blend of fantasy/sci fi and a romcom! I appreciated the underlying themes of putting yourself first versus sacrificing for other’s happiness were experience by both main characters as well as in the flashback. I would definitely recommend this book!

Jules inherits an abandoned dance hall from a woman who was a resident at a home she works at. She doesn’t quite understand why it was left to her. She meets Reeve who works with a developer who can help all of her dreams come true. But does she want to sell to him? With a bit of magic, Jules begins to understand why she was left the dance hall and it draws her closer to Reeve. This book was a fun, feel good read that I definitely recommend!

Thank you to Netgalley & Random House publishing for this ARC!

From the same author of This Spells Love and Prime Time Romance, I was so excited to get an ARC of Kitty St. Clair's Last Dance. I am a huge fan of Kate Robb, and she did not disappoint with this quirky, charming, magical romcom!

When Jules inherits a run-down dance hall from the glamorous and mysterious Kitty St. Clair, she has no idea why it was left to her - until Reeve, a charming developer from her past, shows up wanting to buy it. Selling could fund her dream of going to med school, but it would also price out her beloved hometown - and reopen old wounds with Reeve, who vanished after a magical night two summers ago. As Jules turns to Kitty’s old diary for guidance, she begins waking up in vivid dreams set in the dance hall’s heyday, alongside a young Kitty. The past and present begin to intertwine, and Jules must decide if love, and her future, can be found by following someone else’s footsteps.

4 stars!!!! Magical realism, in my opinion, is hard to get right - but it is done near perfectly by Kate Robb. While I did feel the connection between Jules and Reeve moved fast, I really loved the tiny magical elements of this book. The dual timeline was great and done in a way that wasn't too confusing, but I do wish we got more of Kitty and Jules relationship in-present-time. The only critique I would give is that it's a bit unrealistic that Reeve wouldn't have been able to get in contact with Jules until 2 years later at a chance run in at her work - but overall, I liked their connection a lot and thought it was a very sweet, cozy, and magical romance that I enjoyed. Would definitely recommend!

Also loved the sneak peak of Kate Robbs next book - A Solar Eclipse of the Heart. Will definitely be reading!

Kitty St. Clair's Last dance is a fun summer read. I love the magical realism that Kate Robb puts into all of her books. It gives them all such a unique touch, In this one it is an old diary that transports the main character back in time to see her small town decades earlier through the story of a teenager, My only complaint is that I enjoyed Kitty's part of the story more than the main couple's. I would have loved to have spent more time in her diary. Thank you NetGalley and Random House for the ARC!

Kitty St. Clair’s Last Dance by Kate Robb 🥂✨💃🏻

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spicy: 🌶️ 🌶️

Kitty St. Clair’s Last Dance is Kate Robbs third book and I was so lucky to get an advance reader copy from NetGalley. I enjoyed this book so much. Kate Robb has a way of writing a romcom that takes me back to the 2000s with some magical elements and a sprinkle of spicy that make me want to jump into the book.

This book two stories in one. We were getting Jules in the present and Kitty from the past. We start out with Jules and Reeve meeting two years ago at the beach, they have an amazing connection, but he’s from Toronto and she lives in the small town of West Lake. Fast forward two years and Reeves walks back into her life.

Jules is working at a retirement home, when one of the residents (Kitty) passes away and leaves Jules the old dance hall in her will. Trying to figure out why she left her the dance hall, Jules finds Kitty’s diary from when she was 18. Jules starts to have dreams of being with Kitty back in 1949 that feel very real.

I absolutely loved Reeve throughout this book. He was head over heels in love with Jules and it showed in his actions. (He got her, her favorite butter tart… when you read the book you’ll know the significance to this 🥰). The way he treated her was just perfect 👌🏼.

For me I gave this book 4 starts because I was being greedy and wanted more. I wanted more of Kitty in the past and more of Reeve and Jules in the present.

Other than that I would recommend this book if you are a fan of:

▪️second chance
▪️he falls first
▪️magical realism

Favorite quote 🫶🏼
“I think that’s where you have it backward, Jules. You’ve had me since the moment we met. I’ve been completely at your mercy this entire time.” 😍😍

🗓️release date: October 7, 2025

Thank you so much NetGalley and Kate Robb for the advance copy of this book.

title: Kitty St. Clair's Last Dance

author: Kate Robb

publisher: Dial Press Trade Paperback

publication date: October 7, 2025

pages: 336

peppers: 3 (on this scale)

warnings: death by old age and by cancer, mentions of vomit

summary: Though Jules would love to go to medical school in Toronto so that she can come back to her small town as a geriatric doctor, she's stuck paying off her mother's debts and working for a martinet of a boss. Meanwhile, she keeps running across Reeve, an unforgettable man with whom she shared one amazing night two years earlier. As she moves forward fearfully with Reeve, she's also trying to sort out a time-bending mystery left to her by one of the residents of the retirement home where she works.

tropes:

second-chance romance
black sheep of the family
horrible mothers
retirement community shenanigans
great best friend
from different worlds
long-distance romance

what I liked: 

her doubts make sense
relationships with her friend and the elderly residents where she works
time-bending element
figuring out the mystery
small-town life

what I didn’t like: none of it

overall rating: 5 (of 5 stars)

Thank you to NetGalley and Dial Press for the ARC access to this book in exchange for my honest review.

I was mindlessly scanning the shelves of Barnes & Noble’s Romance section about a year and a half ago when I serendipitously stumbled upon Kate Robb’s debut novel, “This Spells Love,” among the stacks. As a lover of Romantic Comedies with an affinity for all things magical, I was immediately drawn to it. I read most of it in one weekend, while on a 10th Anniversary trip with my husband. This friends-to-lovers Romance with just a hint of spice and magic felt like it was written specifically for me.

About six months later, I was thrilled to learn that Kate had written a second book, “Prime Time Romance,” and got to work happily devouring that one as well. Dawson’s Creek meets Gilmore Girls meets the sweet romance of a Katherine Center or Abby Jimenez? Sign me up! Her sophomore book, loaded with pop-culture references that even Amy Sherman-Palladino would be impressed by, did not disappoint.

When I learned that Kate’s third novel was available on NetGalley, I just knew I had to read it, and I’m happy to report that Kate has not lost her magic touch. “Kitty St. Clair’s Last Dance” was simultaneously nothing like I expected while at the same time being everything I hoped for, and more.

Kate is the master of combining heartfelt romances with just a touch of magic and a sprinkling of spice. She leaves you rooting for her characters, and Jules and Reeve, the main characters of her latest work, are no exception.

Jules is a small-town girl who lives in the quiet vacation town of Lake Huron, and Reeve is a trust-fund boy whom she meets at a party and instantly connects with. Jules works at the local retirement home while she dreams of attending medical school in Toronto. Reeve is a real estate developer from Toronto who wishes he hadn’t given up on his dream of being an artist.

When one of Jule’s residents, Kitty St. Clair, leaves the abandoned dance hall next to the nursing home to her in her will, Jules is confused and looks to Kitty’s diary for answers. That’s when the magic happens.

As the story progresses, Jules is transported to the Lake Huron of Kitty’s youth through her dreams and a touch of (unexplained) magic. (One of the things I like most about Kate’s books is that she doesn’t feel the need to explain exactly how the magic works…it just does, which somehow makes it all the more believable.) We see how Kitty’s own story inspires Jules to take a good look at her own life and forge a path that will give her the happy ending she deserves, romantically and otherwise.

Fans of Emily Henry, Abby Jimenez, and Katherine Center will adore Kate Robb’s writing. Her stories are just as heart-warming, her characters are just as well developed, and the extra magical touch she has included in her first three novels catapults her stories to the next level. I’m so happy to have found Kate’s books relatively early on, and I was ecstatic to see a preview of Kate’s next book included at the end of “Kitty St. Clair’s Last Dance!” I can’t wait to read more by this fabulous author!

“Kitty St. Clair’s Last Dance” is scheduled to be published on October 7th, 2025. You can find more information about Kate and her novels (including where to pre-order KSCLD!) at katerobbwrites.com

I love a Kate Robb novel. I know I am going to fall in love with the characters and the romance. This novel had Romance, time travel and Reeve. Reeve was perfect. Loved this novel! 4.5 🌟