Member Reviews
This Spells Love is an adorable and thoughtful friends-to-lovers meets alternate universe romance. It was so easy to get drawn into this story and I literally could not stop reading. Gemma is definitely a character you want to root for and it was great to see her growth throughout the book as she finds a new path and realizes what or who she really wants in her life. Gemma and Dax have great chemistry in every universe. And Dax is a pretty fantastic book boyfriend. There is plenty of drama and angst but still so much humor and charm. Definitely recommend this endearing debut novel and am excited to see what Kate Robb writes next! Thank you to Dial Press, Random House, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this novel.
This was so sweet! I was a little bored in the beginning and didn't love the characters or their chemistry so I almost DNF'd but I kept going and quickly fell in love with Gemma and Dax. Their story was the sweetest and I was rooting for them so bad. The time travel stuff was a unique touch, not my favorite trope but it was done really well. Overall quick, cute, heart warming read.
This book was a beautiful story of a woman in a mid-20s life crisis. We all wish we could go back to see what life would be like if we made a different decision. This book was sweet, heartwarming, funny, and just an absolute joy to read. Dax was book boyfriend perfection. Of course I love a time slip romance and magical realism, but I feel like anyone who reads this will love it. It’s that good!!
I am so thoroughly surprised and impressed by this book! Such a sweet tale. I went in kind of thinking “I’m not sure if this premise is totally for me”, but it turned into such a sweet romantic adventure. Gemma Wilde has been broken up with by her longtime boyfriend, and she’s absolutely miserable. She, along with her best friend, sister, and aunt, create a ritual to cut ties with her ex, in a hope to forget what wasting the past four years felt like. Sealed with a kiss from her best friend Dax, and… Well, she certainly wakes up the next morning without a tie to her ex. In a completely different world where they’d never met! Things go haywire, and Gemma has the choice to stay in this new life without memory of her ex, or go back to her real world. I’m not giving it justice with my words, but it’s really just a joyful read. I loved the characters and the build of the world around the story. Highly recommend, it’s precious. Full of mischief and just the right amount of feel-good romance.
Thank you so much to Kate Robb, Dial Press Trade Paperback, and NetGalley for this advanced copy in exchange for my thoughts!
This Spells Love is a friends to lovers modern romance with a Butterfly Effect/Sliding Doors twist. Our main character Gemma gets dumped by her long-term boyfriend and drunkenly decides to cast a love-cleansing spell with her sister, kooky aunt, and super hot, single, but ONLY A GUY FRIEND Dax. She wakes up the next day in a different reality where she never dated her ex, but also Dax is not her best friend. To break the spell and go back to her reality, she has to kiss Dax.
This description interested me and also made me a little nervous. If done well, I thought it could be fun. If not, I thought it could be cringey. Luckily for me (and you!), it was done very well (in my opinion) and is one of my favorite romances of the year!
I thought this book was really fun! I liked Gemma and Dax as main characters. The spell/alternate reality things are part of the book, but this book is mostly a regular modern romance with some sprinklings of supernatural. The only supernatural part of the book is the switch. I thought that the balance worked well. This book is also HILARIOUS! Truly some of the best witty banter I have read. I kept snorting while I was reading it, to the point where my boyfriend was concerned (lol).
Overall, I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it to any romance enthusiasts! 5 stars from me. Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for the electronic advanced reader's copy of this book, my thoughts are my own!
Thank you NetGalley and Random House (Dial Press Trade Paperback) for the ARC! Gemma Wilde has just ended a long-term relationship and wants nothing more than to cut his existence from her life, so when her aunt Livi presents her with the opportunity to do just that, she gives it a shot (under the heavy influence of some margaritas). But what she thinks is just a fun time with her aunt, sister, and best friend Dax turns out to be too true the next morning when her home and career are totally different and worst of all, Dax no longer knows her, Gemma must rethink her life decisions and whether or not Dax is just a friend. A charming narrative with a touch of steam, This Spells Love by Kate Robb is a delightful romance that speaks to the heart of finding yourself and true love.
A young woman tries to heal her heartbreak by casting a spell to erase her ex from her past, but she wakes up in an alternate reality where she’s lost more than she wished for in this witty, whimsical friends-to-lovers debut.
I really, really enjoyed this book and devoured it in a day! The plot was adorable, the characters likeable and it was paced perfectly to keep you hooked into wanting to know how the story ended. The only complaint I have is that I wished we had gotten more of the "after" timeline but that's only because I wasn't ready to be done with the book! For being a debut author Kate Robb did a wonderful job and I will be adding her to my list of auto buy authors.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
Read this if you:
•enjoy friends to lovers
•like magical realism
•have a spider as a roommate 😂
•have ever done anything questionable after drinking tequila
This book was such a gem!!!! Gemma was spunky and hilarious and Dax was such a nice & patient friend while he loved her from afar. I read this in one day!!!!
Thank you NetGalley for eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for giving me early access to a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!
In trying to get over her ex, Gemma accidentally casts a spell that sends her to an alternate universe where she never met her ex— or her best friend. Now she has to live an alternate life for a month as she tries to find her way back to her timeline and decide if she even wants to go back.
I enjoyed this book! It wasn't an all-time favourite, but it was a cute little rom-com. My favourite part was definitely Gemma's sister, Kiersten. Kiersten was so funny and had me giggling multiple times throughout the book. Not to mention the eccentric Aunt Livi.
This Spells Love was a really comforting read. It really felt like reading a movie I’d already seen.
That being said, a big part of what carries romance books for me is the characters, and This Spells Love just didn't have the characterization I needed to really love this book though.
A part of that is due to the format— Robb basically had to develop two different love interests: One that has known Gemma for the past four years and one that hasn't.
The declarations of love were cute enough and I did swoon at Dax (in both realities) a couple of times. I felt like Dax is a pretty solid (if standard) kind of love interest. The spice was among some of the better that I’ve read and I think that’s largely due to how caring Dax is— both in and out of bed.
My biggest gripe with this book is our leading lady. Gemma is one note enough that you know what her major character flaw is within a few pages of the book. I'd rather have the time to explore the character and figure out that she's scared of change on my own, rather than through a painfully obvious donut metaphor.
My second problem with Gemma: Oh my good God is she oblivious!!
This lady just can not figure anything out for herself. Dax is clearly in love with her and she just refuses to admit it; not even to mention her own feelings. If it were just that, I could maybe forgive it. It would be annoying, but nothing ridiculous and nothing entirely unexpected for this trope. But no, she then goes on to not put together why this man just might have a barely furnished apartment, why he's been driving the same beater car forever, or why he's so stressed about making payments to fix his car.
Despite my issues with Gemma, the alternate realities plot does a lot to make up for the problems I had. In living her new reality, Gemma realizes a lot about herself and the life she’s been living and we get to see what she does with this new point of view.
Overall, I did enjoy it. As a Canadian who recently started curling, I had a lot of fun with this. It’s cute and I read it in basically one sitting. I don't really have that many big problems with the book, even my issues with the characters are easy to overlook as this is a very plot-driven romance. In fact, I thought the plot was really cute. I am always down for some pining, although I usually prefer it from our hero. Aunt Livi and Kiersten were amazing characters, they were equal parts charming and hilarious. It’s a great debut and I’m excited for what Robb does in future!
Rating: 3.5 stars.
*Rounded up*
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Such a cute debut! 'This Spells Love' pleasantly surprised me with its alternate timelines—a trope that isn't usually my favorite. The friends-to-lovers journey, woven with the charm of an alternate reality, felt like a delightful blend of '13 Going on 30' with a sprinkle of magic. I devoured it in one sitting, unable to put it down even during my flight. A must-read for those who love a heartwarming romantic tale with a touch of the extraordinary!
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for the eArc
📚✨Book Review✨📚
This Spells Love
Author: Kate Robb
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Notes: I received a copy of this book as an advanced reader but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
What I Liked:
🕯️I felt like I’ve read this story before, but at the same time it still felt fresh. I enjoyed that it wasn’t about her finding success, but instead it was about her happiness. Being successful and making loads of money isn’t a sign of true happiness, it’s finding love in people and the things that you do.
🕯️I ADORED how Dax would call her Gemma McGuire. It was precious 🥰
What I Didn’t Like:
🕯️Without giving too much away, I wanted to see some more of her alternative life bleed into her real life. Some of the people she met and some of the things she did, but we didn’t fully get that. I also wanted a little more insight into Aunt Livi. She knew way more than she let on. 👀
Final Thoughts:
🕯️ Kate Robb is a new to me author, but I know this won’t be the last book I read from her. I really found her style to be light and easy, familiar and comfortable all at the same time.
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I love a cute romcom and I absolutely adored this book. This Spells Love is a fantastic debut from Kate Robb. This book reminded me of the movie Sliding Doors, which was one of my all-time favorite movies of all time. I cried and laughed at the same time. Plus, it got me very much in the mood for Halloween season! And who doesn’t want to forget an ex-boyfriend!
Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
4.25 🌟
If you had the chance to wish away an ex boyfriend, would you?
This Spells Love was such a cute romcom. I am normally kind of iffy on books with dual timelines/chose your destiny sort of thing but this was done so well. I loved Dax and Gemma in this story... both as friends and maybe more. 🤐
Also, the title may make you believe this is best read during spooky season and you'd be wrong. This book can be enjoyed year round!
Thanks, Netgalley for the ARC of this book!
I absolutely loved this book! One of my favorites Ive read. The chemistry between Gemma and Dax in both timelines was amazing. I loved their dynamic and personalities. Also who knew curling could be sexy?? Dax makes it sexy. I enjoyed the build up to and within the spicy scenes. The author wrote those scenes really well. My only other feedback is some places read weird, I’d have to reread them to understand what was said. Otherwise, obsessed with this book and I’d recommend it to anyone. I’m definitely ordering a physical copy.
Brimming with quirky prose and a unique premise, This Spells Love is an exciting debut from Kate Robb! Her authorial voice is a delight and this book has the same energy as watching your favorite rom-com movie. Timeline plots are always a huge challenge to take on, but this one does so without making it too complicated or convoluted and allows the reader to enjoy the romance. Excited to see what she does next!
We've all been there, right? We date someone for what seems like forever, and we plan our lives around them, then BOOM. One day, they break up with you, and you're navigating life as a newly single person with no plan anymore. We wish we never met the person who had the audacity to break our heart.
After a night of wallowing and one too many margaritas with her aunt, sister, and best friend in the whole world, Dax, Gemma's wish comes true in the form of a love-cleansing spell from an old book donated to her aunt's bookshop.
When she wakes up the next day in a stranger's bed, can't get into her apartment, and her typical barista says some extremely odd things, she knows something is off. But it gets even worse. When she goes to get Dax's help to figure out why everything is so weird, she's shocked to discover he has no clue who she is and claims they've never met.
Consulting with her sister and aunt, they determine they have to redo the spell exactly how they did it the first time to undo this crazy alternate reality Gemma woke up in. But there's two issues with that plan: they have to wait for the next waning gibbous moon phase (1 MONTH AWAY!!!) OH, and she has to get Dax, her best friend who no longer knows who she is, to kiss her!!!! Easy peasy lemon squeezy, right? RIGHT?
Along her journey in the alternate reality, Gemma learns things about herself and her relationship with Dax that change everything. As her relationship with alternate reality Dax blooms into something she would have never imagined, she's uncertain she can take the leap back to the way things were in her original reality. She also learns that things that didn't happen in this new reality due to her wish have some pretty big consequences on the people she loves in the only reality they know.
This book was laugh-out-loud funny and heartwarming, with a wonderful lesson tied in: that everything happens in our lives for a reason. Incredible things can happen when we learn to trust ourselves and our choices. And that's exactly what Gemma learns throughout her journey.
If you love friends to lovers and enjoy a little magical twist, definitely add this book to your winter TBR!
This book was so fun, funny, and adorable! It made me laugh out loud too many times to count! The friends to lovers trope was perfectly done and the slow burn was just slow enough. The characters were so fun. It’s the perfect feel good rom-com you need in your life.
Thank you so much to Net-Galley for the ARC!
This book definitely benefits from the fact I was meeting up with my guy best friend I was dumbly in love with for most of my 20s, the same day I started reading it.
What a cute book though and I kind of love the "what if you just take that chance" message behind it. Not just with her friendship but with her career too. Only so long you can play it safe
4.5 stars
This Spells Love was an absolute delight. After a string of meh books in September and October, this book was the perfect way to kick off a new month.
I’m a sucker for the friends-to-lovers trope, and books like this cement my love for it. I adored the friendship between Gemma and Dax, and watching it blossom into more brought me so much joy. Dax was so swoonworthy (added bonus trope: he falls first), and I loved the way he cared about Gemma and would do anything for her. They had great chemistry, and I enjoyed their banter and inside jokes.
Gemma was realistically and relatably flawed, and it made me like her and appreciate her growth even more. Her aunt and sister were wonderful characters, and I loved how her relationship with her sister evolved and became such an important part of the story.
Another thing I loved about this book: the fact it’s set in Canada (Hamilton, Ontario to be exact)! I knew Kate Robb was Canadian, but I expected the book to be set in the States, like so many other books written by Canadians. I was absolutely thrilled that it was set just a few hours away from where I live.
If you’re looking for a charming, magical, whimsical read that will make you laugh out loud and also tug on your heartstrings, be sure to pick up a copy of This Spells Love when it comes out in December.
I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley, however all opinions are my own.
This Spells Love by Kate Robb was such a sweet love story for Gemma, as she grew on her own and in a relationship. This Spells Love includes a time jump of Gemma living another life that she wishes for, and thanks to her Grandmother's assistance with a spell, gets to try out another time realm of what her life could look like if there were some changes. She has similar and different relationships in each set of time, and has to understand how the changes she makes could affect those around her. This Spells Love was a sweet story that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a romance book with some spice, somewhat of a friends to lovers story, a time jump, and a happy ever after.