Kate Robb's debut novel, This Spells Love, is a delightful blend of romance and magic that keeps readers entertained with its whimsical premise. The story follows Gemma, who, in an attempt to heal her broken heart, casts a spell to erase her ex from her past. However, the spell has unintended consequences, leading her to an alternate reality where her best friend, Dax, doesn't recognize her. The friends-to-lovers trope is handled with charm, and the chemistry between Gemma and Dax is palpable, making their evolving relationship the heart of the story.

While the romance elements shine, with moments of genuine warmth and humor, the plot occasionally feels underdeveloped. The concept of alternate realities and magic spells is intriguing, but it sometimes lacks the depth and exploration needed to fully immerse the reader. Nevertheless, the witty dialogue and the endearing dynamics between Gemma and Dax keep the narrative engaging. Robb's ability to create relatable and likable characters ensures that readers are rooting for their happily-ever-after.

Despite its plot shortcomings, This Spells Love is a fun and enchanting read. It's perfect for fans of romcoms looking for a lighthearted escape with a sprinkle of magic. The novel's charm lies in its characters and their journey, making it a promising debut from Kate Robb.

DNF 55% I don't know, this didn't do much for me! The friends-to-lovers trope, I can get behind, but we honestly didn't even get to see these two characters as friends? The first scene in the book is them casting the spell to forget her ex, and then the best friend forgets who she is the literal next morning, so there's never any time to buy into any best friend chemistry before they become lovers aside from the author just telling us that they are best friends because she said they are. (Show me, don't just tell me!)

I also just don't typically fw commercial romances because the tone doesn't feel realistic to me. The overly horny best friend or sister type, the replacing swear words with silly goofy words, the saccharine fmc who is just completely clueless. I don't judge anyone for this type of thing being their jam, but sadly it's just not for me. I debated just finishing it out, but I honestly didn't care enough about what was happening in the plot to pick it back up.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I also purchased a physical copy of this book through Book of the Month and listened to a portion of the audiobook on Spotify.

✨ARC Book Review✨

This Spells Love by Kate Robb

What a delight this book was! I finished it yesterday and felt so giddy about the whole thing.

Gemma finds herself single after her predictable, practical, and pretty boring 4-year relationship comes to an end. One night after too many margaritas with her sister and aunt, she decides they should cast a love spell because she wishes the whole relationship hadn’t happened. Enter her bestie, Dax, who she met the same night as her ex. She needs his help to seal the spell with a kiss. Then he helps get her drunk butt to bed, and she wakes up in an entirely different life—one where her relationship never happened, but her best friend is now a complete stranger.

This is like a little of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind meets a lot of 13 Going on 30. It has friends to lovers and invisible string vibes (and a bit of spice). Gemma is a frustrating main character in a fun way, and I positively adored Dax. They are a really fun duo. I felt like their friendship made sense, and Gemma coming to terms with his potential feelings in her “real” timeline along with her own feelings for him was pretty funny—one of those situations where everyone else thinks it’s obvious, but she had to figure it out on her own. I think the alternate timeline bit would translate SO well on screen, and I would totally love to see a movie version of this one day. It would make a great film.

Anyway, this one sort of forces you to sit with the question of how our life decisions can affect those around us and how things could go differently if we simply choose a different path. Honestly, such a fun read. I recommend this one!

Thanks to @netgalley and @randomhouse for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

📖: (4.5/5—rounding down on Goodreads) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

This book was fine - thought I would enjoy the friends-to-lovers romance and the magical element of the plot more but it fell short because the main character, Gemma, was so unlikable and the lack of depth in her relationships with the other characters made me dislike her more. Understandably, Gemma is going through a rough time because of her breakup and it was definitely not unreasonable for her to be neglectful/selfish but the way it was resolved in the book was not satisfying. Her relationship with Dax was alright - didn't make me feel like rooting for them because it seemed like he was a great guy and she didn't realize until after the spell but it's weird because Dax post-spell feels like a different person. I usually would eat the whole "falling in love with each other even in a different timeline" up but since we didn't really see them before and Gemma was kinda horrible before, it didn't really hit.

A cute and whimsical read but I was not particularly endeared by the characters and was also not very compelled by the plot. The humor and “quirk” of the main characters just didn’t resonate with me this time around.

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!