This Spells Love is one of the cutest books I've read this year. I loved this twist on parallel universes.

Gemma and her fiance, Stuart, just broke up and she is not taking it well. After casting a spell with her sister, aunt, and best friend (Dax) that she never expects to work she drunkenly tells Dax that she loves him, gives him a kiss, and passes out. Upon waking she's in a world that seems like it's just like hers, but with two big differences: she followed her dreams and started her own business, and she and Dax are NOT friends.

Watching Gemma adjust to this new world, and grow as a person was a lot of fun. There were times where she got on my nerves, because it was painfully obvious that she was in love with Dax and that her world's Dax loved her too. She was so scared of losing their friendship that she never wanted to pursue more, but in the alternate world she takes a chance and things go well. I was a little murky on the details of how things had changed in the month she'd been gone, but otherwise I really enjoyed the story. I was glad that by the end Gemma was willing to take risks and was less self-absorbed, and paid better attention to the feelings and needs of those around her.

I will definitely be keeping my eye out for more books by Kate Robb.

I have been getting the best ARCs through Netgalley lately!! THANK YOU!!

This Spells Love was a delightful read- one of those parallel universe "what if" stories....What IF I never met my ex? What if Dax and I were more than just friends? What if I followed my dreams instead of settling for what I thought I could do? These are all questions Gemma ponders as she shifts from her "real" life to her "what if" life after a spell her kooky aunt helps her with goes haywire.

I loved this book!! It was so cute and fun and had a nice build up to a friends to lovers romance. The only thing that bothered me was Gemma's mental rules about "but this is Dax and we are only friends" because it was obvious from the first page that was not true. I loved it. I loved the butterfly effect being explored in a different way and that she was able to use her glimpse into another life to better enrich her "real" one. Highly recommend!! 4 full stars and thank you again, Netgalley!

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. I am such a sucker for parallel storylines and this one didn't disappoint!

Gemma just has a break up with her boyfriend of four years and decides to do a "love cleanse" spell so that she doesn't ever think of him again. She wakes up the next morning in a different time line and as she navigates that time line and her relationship with her best friend- does she continue in the new time line or try and go back to the one she knew before?

Super cute read with a satisfying ending. I loved how Gemma developed as a character and I loved her Aunt and Sister in this book as well.

4.5 stars! This was a cute friends to lovers romance with a magical twist! I'm very into the idea of parallel universes, and other "timelines" that different versions of us might be living. It was so effective to use this idea of alt. realities for our FMC Gemma to consider the possibility of what it would be like to be "more than friends" with her BFF, Dax. Absolutely swooning!

Let's just take a moment for Dax — this is the type of MMC/book boyfriend that they warn you about! My expectations for men in real life is permanently altered.

This was reflective, with great character development and a lovable cast. Highly recommend if you're wanting a cozy romance with an eccentric aunt, lots of flirting, and "what if" vibes.

Gemma has been dumped by her vanilla boyfriend, wasting 4 of her prettiest years (her words, not mine) on him with nothing to show for it.

In an effort to distract her from her heartbreak, Gemma, her sister, and one of her closest friends gather for a night of tequila and ex-roasting at her aunt’s apartment.

Enter: The Love Cleanse. If there was a spell to change the night you met your ex, would you do it? What if it changes everything?

I feel like I should have made more comments along the way, but I was really just vibing and flew through this one. Good sign I guess! 

If any of this sounds fun to you — magical realism, friends to lovers, open door romance, small businesses, witchy (but not too witchy), solid character development, one decision changes everything, quirky and lovable aunt who owns a bookstore — try this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the e-arc!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

This book was absolutely EVERYTHING I want in a good romance book. I absolutely devoured this book and could not stop reading…even at 4AM when I knew I should. 🤣 I truly loved everything about this book. Starting with the plot which was such a good idea and was executed flawlessly. I am absolutely blown away that this is Kate Robb’s debut novel and will absolutely be reading anything and everything she puts out. The characters both main and secondary were wonderful - there wasn’t anyone I really didn’t like. The attraction and banter between Gemma and Daxon though was what made this a 5 ⭐️ book for me, it was just SO GOOD. I was melting or giddy at least once every chapter. I absolutely ADORE Dax, he is the perfect book boyfriend and I am absolutely obsessed. ❤️ My only complaint is this book should come with free donuts because I am craving them now. 🤣 🍩


Thank you @NetGalley, @RandomHouse and @Kate_Robb_writes for providing me with an e-copy of this book! I absolutely LOVED this one and can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy. ❤️


“Goodnight, Dax McGuire,” I call to him.
“Goodnight, Gemma McGuire,” he calls back.
“Slip of the tongue?”
He shrugs and smiles. “Something like that.”



This review is available on my Instagram and Goodreads account as of 11/05/23.

I picked this book because I always find books with parallel universes really interesting! I fell in love with the concept reading Claudia Grey's Firebird series and have loved it ever since.

I was a little worried this one might not work for me because friends to lovers doesn't always but in this case I adored it! I loved Gemma and Dax and watching Gemma realize her feelings were more than platonic. The alternate reality is a really fun new take on the trope!

I also really liked the alternate reality! I liked that there were positives and negatives of both realities. I loved seeing how Gemma learned positive things from her relationship and it helped everyone around her.

All the characters in This Spells Love were well written! I loved Gemma's sister and particularly her Aunt! I want to go to that bookstore and get some monster smut recommendations!

I highly recommend This Spells Love! It's an amazing debut and I can't wait to see what Kate Robb writes next!

It was so good when the suprise that it brings is just wow I really like this it was amazing. I just don’t know how to explain this book it’s just so good when she casts that spell like omg

This spells love is one of the best titles I’ve heard in a while because it gets the job done and truly represents the book. I love magical realism so when I saw this title I RAN to read the description. Gemma is our fmc who has recently gotten her heart broken by her ex-boyfriend of four years. Out of sadness, she gathers with her sister, aunt, and best friend, Dax. After one too many margaritas, Gemma’s aunt suggests they do a love-cleansing spell that will make her memory of her ex disappear. To wrap up the spell she had a platonic kiss with Dex and somehow the next morning she woke in a parallel universe where her ex was not her ex and Dex did not know who she was. Now she needs to find a way to reverse this spell and get to know Dex once again.

Every single dynamic in this book was soo good! I just loved all the characters and what they brought to the story but of course, my favorite was Dex and Gemma. I love a good story that involves unrequited love. Their friendship is such an integral part of them becoming a couple, it was just great to see how well they got along. I feel like it reminds the reader that it’s possible to find someone who understands you and all your quirks.

It was also great to see Gemma realize that she wasn't living to her full potential and could live the life she wanted. Gemma is also the type of person who gets so lost in her things that she forgets about others, so to read about her realizing and resolving that was inspiring. Overall I had a great time reading this book and was surprised to see it was a debut book! I will be looking forward to more of Kate Robb’s work!

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group, and Dial Press Trade for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

*4.25 Stars*

Magical Realism, Alternate Universe, What If you made different choices, Happily Ever After, Great, Quirky Side Characters, Friends to Lovers & a dash of Spice! - what more can you ask of a romance?! Bonus: it's set in the GTA area.

This was such a cute and cozy rom-com read I thoroughly enjoyed and blew through. It was like a hallmark movie that makes you genuninely happy inside after consumption; I was smiling as I was reading.

I loved the main characters Dax & Gemma, they were so easily relatable and made realistic choices making it that much more enjoyable! Dialogue and chemistry were on point and I genuninely wish there was more to read. Crossing my fingers for a Book #2 & buying a copy once it releases!

Thank you so much to NetGalley & Random House Publishing for this ARC.

PERFECTION!!! Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Random House for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

AHHHH!!!!! I AM LITERALLY CRYING BECAUSE I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH😭😭!!!!! WHAT A MAGICAL, DELIGHTFUL, WHIMSICAL, CHARMING, ADORABLE, HEARTWARMING, EMOTIONAL, ROMANTIC, MEANINGFUL, INCREDIBLE, SENSATIONAL, HUMOROUS, PHENOMENAL, CLEVER AND BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN ROM-COM THAT WILL TUG AT YOUR HEART STRINGS!!! HOW IS THIS A DEBUT NOVEL😮??!! I AM COMPLETELY BLOWN AWAY THE KATE ROBB HAS CREATED SUCH A TOUCHING FRIENDS TO LOVERS ROMANCE WITH SO MUCH DEPTH AND RICH CHARACTERS DEVELOPMENT AND NO THIRD ACT BREAK-UP👏!!! I FOUND MYSELF SMILING, CRYING, LAUGHING AND SWOONING CONSTANTLY!!! HANDS DOWN ONE OF MY FAVORITE BOOKS FOR 2023!!!!!💜💜💜💜💜

After Gemma's boyfriend dumped her, she began to wish that she had never met him. Her mystical aunt helps Gemma cast a 'love cleanse' spell in order to forget her boring ex boyfriend. When she wakes up the next morning, Gemma finds herself in a parallel world and everything has changed! Her best friend, Dax, doesn't even know her in this timeline. What is that saying, be careful what you wish for!! Will she be able to reverse the spell and get Dax to be her friend again? In this alternate reality, Gemma starts to realize that she is falling in love with Dax!

I absolutely loved Gemma and Dax so much🥰🥰!! The personal growth Gemma experienced and her relationship with her sister was awesome. Dax is such a cinnamon roll, book boyfriend.and had me swooning🫠! The secondary characters were just as amazingly incredible and I hope this becomes a series so we can learn more about each of them. This Spells Love is full of angst, tension, love, humor, banter, chemistry, spice and has a HEA!!

Overall, I was completely captivated from start to finish! Now I need to go eat some doughnuts🍩!! I cannot recommend this book enough and it deserves infinite stars!!!♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️💫💫💫💫💫

Gemma tries to get over her recent breakup by casting a silly spell with her quirky aunt and best friend that allows her to forget her ex ever existed. The spell works, and Gemma suddenly awakens in a parallel universe where not only did her newly ended relationship never occur, but she's also never met her hot best friend. She can remember everything, but he has no idea who she is. To get back to her old life, Gemma must reverse the spell before the next full moon. That means she has one month to convince a now near-stranger, Dax, to become friends with her in order to get his kiss. To me this was a very cringe storyline but the characters ultimately won me over. There's some great side characters, and I appreciated that there was character growth on Gemma's part in addition to the romantic storyline. Although this wasn't a personal favorite, it's well written and many readers will be charmed.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: 4.5⭐️
𝙶𝚎𝚗𝚛𝚎: Contemporary romance📚

𝙼𝚢 𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜:
A sweet and magical rom-com that will have you swooning and leave you pondering over all your what-ifs.

𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎:
Magical realism
Friends to lovers
Romantic comedies
Steamy romances
Thought provoking reads
Relatable characters
Great chemistry
Cinnamon roll MMC

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎𝚍:
Great supporting characters- I love a good sassy Aunt
Unique plot

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚍𝚒𝚍𝚗’𝚝 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛:
I wouldn’t really say it gave witchy vibes
I wanted a little more at the end

This Spells Love is a fantastic romance that swept me up from the first line of the book. I could tell that I was going to root for and love Gemma! Gemma has just gotten out of a four relationship, and she has lost a part of herself. She fell into a boring pattern, and now, she is dealing with a broken heart. When her aunt tells her about a spell book that she found, Gemma decides to try a spell to make it so she never met her ex. Gemma has to seal the spell with a kiss, and she shares a kiss with her best friend, Dax. They have been best friends for four years.

The spell works, and she finds herself in an alternate timeline. Her aunt and sister are the same, but other things about her life have changed. Dax doesn't know her at all, and her job and life have changed. While she begins to feel happiness and joy in this timeline, she has to decide if she wants to stay here or go back to the way that things were.

I loved the dynamic between Gemma and Dax. I love the friends to lovers trope, and this one was done so well. There was some spiciness in this story too!

Overall, this is a really beautiful romance about finding yourself, finding joy, and finding your true happiness. It's also about taking risks and making changes, even though those two things are so difficult to do.

I absolutely adored this! It's a cute romcom with a bit of spice, and it just hit all my feel-good buttons.

Gemma just got out of a 4 year relationship and is lost now after believing she had a safe plan for basically the rest of her life. When her lovely aunt proposes a spell to stop Gemma from even starting that relationship, her whole world changes. Not huge changes like global catastrophe, but she moves to an alternate universe that holds many surprises.

This book. First, I don't have siblings, but I wish I had a sister like Gemma's sister Kiersten. Second, omg I need an unhealthy amount of donuts and coffee after reading this! The way I craved a donut throughout this story is absolutely ungodly.

I thought this was funny and sweet. Gemma at first comes across as a bit self-absorbed (but who wouldn't in this situation), but she grows throughout the story, and that was really great to see.

Out December 5, 2023!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!!!

Gemma's plan to heal her recently broken heart includes casting a silly spell to erase her ex from her past. But when the spell actually works, Gemma wakes up in a world where everything has changed. She never dated her ex, but at the same time, she never met her best friend, Dax. While she waits for the optimal time to reverse the spell, Gemma learns the huge impacts one small change can have on her life and begins to wonder if things would have been better off left unchanged.

This was a fun read, with an interesting premise. The characters were lovable and the small town charm was through the roof. Overall, a good, enjoyable book.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Read this if you’ve…
• ever wondered what life would be like if you never dated that person, took that job, fought with that friend, etc.
• ever wished you could cast a spell to forget your ex
• ever been in love with your BFF

Gemma casts a spell after her long-term boyfriend breaks up with her, but as one might imagine — it doesn’t quite go as planned. She ends up in an alternate reality where most things are totally different, but one thing remains the same… whether she knows it or not, Gemma and her BFF Dax share feelings that go beyond friendship.

In Gemma’s real world, she and Dax have never crossed the friendship line. She couldn’t possibly think of him that way… could she?

In her alternate reality, she and Dax take things to the next level and now Gemma can’t imagine it any other way…

The lines start to blur between Gemma’s old life and this new version of life she finds herself in. Will she stay here or try to go back?

This was a fun read - spooky, magic, spells, and spice! Things fell off a bit for me midway as I found the writing to be a bit clunky and there were some stretches that read like filler to me. I prefer 300+ page books, but this felt like it could’ve been shorter or better organized. I would’ve liked a little more about the ~after~ and maybe a teeny bit less of the alternate reality.

I loved this book! It was super fun, different from any other romcom I’ve read. It definitely could’ve been more witchy, but overall a very enjoyable read that makes you feel good.

This novel is a dream. Almost literally. I flew through this one, and I would argue that this is, hands down, the best ARC I’ve read to date. The tension is delicious, the pacing is perfect, and the ending is deeply satisfying.

Gemma, a beauty sales exec, has recently been dumped by her ex, Stuart. In an attempt to remedy the situation, Gemma, along with her sister, aunt, and best friend, Dax, casts a spell to make it as though Gemma never dated Stuart at all. Sealed with a platonic kiss from Dax, Gemma enters a new reality where she sees the fruits of the labor of dreams she never explored and the prices she paid to make those dreams happen.

This new reality is also one in which Dax is not a part of her life. In this one, she and Dax start fresh, becoming something heated and more. This Dax has been through more than her Dax though, and Gemma is suddenly left pondering some deeper questions than she thought necessary.

Perfect for fans of friends-to-lovers tropes (with a twist!), a little bit of magic, and alternate reality stories.

Available December 5. Cannot recommend enough!

I’m not sure why but I hated this book. It was so boring and an absolute chore to finish. I was hoping for more witchy magic vibes considering the premise and the title but I was disappointed to discover there was barely any magic at all. I think this book is a me problem because it seems most people are really enjoying it.