If you're looking for a charming romance with a touch of magic, this book is an absolute must-read!!

Reeling from a breakup, Gemma jokingly does a love cleansing spell with her aunt and sister after a few too many margaritas. (We've all been there!) But when she wakes up the next morning, she's in an parallel universe, never having dated her ex, and her best friend, Dax, doesn't recognize her. In order to return to her old life, she has one month to befriend Dax and convince him to kiss her. However, as she devises her plan, she finds herself falling for him, and starts questioning whether she truly wants her old life back.

Thanks to NetGalley, Random House Publishing, and Kate Robb for allowing me access to this book. All opinions are my own.

Overall cute feel good book - but I will admit that the supporting cast including even the love interest Dax came off a a cardboard cut out for most of the book. He was simply a prop for the MC, same with everyone else. They were just her supporting cast and she was pretty unlikeable tbh as a airhead that just took and took and took from everyone around her, but they all still loved and supported her? Idk, I didn’t really get it. But she does grow and change - in the last like 5% of the book, so it turned out pretty ok in the end. It’s a fun little alternative reality romance but don’t expect anything more than that.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy.

This book is so perfectly adorable, charming, and fun. I highly recommend picking up a copy and I can’t wait to read more books by Kate Robb in the future. Fingers crossed she’s working on her next one now 🤞🏼! Also, Frank was the real MVP and my favorite character. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Oddly enough, this is the second book I've read this month with a FMC named Gemma in a time loop/alternate reality situation. I enjoyed this though. I was a little confused on the timeline but maybe that was just me. The overall concept was what really drew me to this book though. It's kind of a second chance romance but also not really since the two main characters were never together in the first place. I liked being able to see both "real" and "alternate reality" Dax through Gemma's memories of the situations she found herself in. It was a really fun read! There's a few spicy scenes but they don't overrun the book so I think it's a really good balance. I definitely recommend this book!

Gemma has just had a devastating break-up. With the help of her beloved aunt and sister, she tries a magic spell to forget her ex. The next morning, the consequences are beyond anything she could’ve imagined- including the removal of her best friend from her life. As Gemma retraces her steps and sees how life could’ve played out if she had never met her ex, she must choose whether to stay in this new world or return to her old one.

It took me a little bit to get into this book. Once the spell was cast and Gemma had to navigate the alternate future, then I felt pretty hooked. Gemma is a fun heroine who is seeking love and has perhaps been missing what is right in front of her. I loved her close relationships with her sister and aunt. Even in an alternate universe, her family was there for her. Dax and Gemma have a nice and relatively straightforward romance in the alternate world. This Spells Love is a cozy, cute romance that deals with alternate worlds.

This Spells Love would be perfect for fans of Ann Aguirre (The Only Purple House in Town), Sliding Doors, and romances with a what-if twist.

Thank you to Kate Robb, Dial Press, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Total Rating: 4.00 stars
Method: Kindle / electronic copy

What would you do if you drunkenly cast a spell and woke up the next morning to find yourself in a world where it worked?

I loved how realistically the entire situation was handled, and just how much of a fool Gemma made out of herself at times; made her feel realistic and I could see myself making those same mistakes. It really felt like she grew and learned more about herself throughout the entire story, and more about her friends and family along the way. Every character in this book felt so realistic and as though they are people I could walk past every day on the street. Did Gemma at times feel a bit immature in her decisions and not at all like a fully-fledged 27-year-old adult? Yes. But I didn't find it bothersome enough that I ended up disliking her as a character, which has happened before.

Going to be honest, I'm usually more of a fantasy girl and when I initially started this book I was a little sad that there wasn't more of a practical magic vibe to the book and more witchy vibes. But once I set that aside I quickly fell into this story and was in love with the characters and the realistic way that everything was approached. It ended up being a very realistic take on how a person would react if magic suddenly worked in the real world. Gave me very Freaky Friday vibes.

I do want to say that one thing that bothered me was the constant mention of things that could easily date the book. Like the pandemic and specific phone/car models, etc. I always enjoy reading fiction a bit more when it's less steeped in reality. And down the road mentions of those things will age the story, which I don't generally enjoy. At least it mostly refrains from mentioning any specific social media sites. Unless the book is specifically set in a past timeframe that's so far removed from my own, and they need to include those little nuances to set up the time of the story, I don't want to read specific things that date a story as it can completely take me out of the imaginary world bubble.

Was the book perfect? No, but I had a ton of fun reading it. The cover art is super cute and the book doesn't feel too long, though maybe a bit too short - as I felt like the end could've used just a bit more detail and insight into things. I would recommend this one to anyone though who is in it for a fun quick read.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I can tell Kate Robb is going to be one of my new faves for contemporary romance with a touch of magic. Within the first few pages, I knew I would love Kate’s voice, which has a wry charm and energy I could comp to any of the witty, bantery romcom greats.

Sometimes, we all wish we’d taken a different path in life. Risk-allergic Gemma makes that wish over a spell involving jerk chicken thighs and a kiss from her best friend Dax. It feels like a harmless drunken antidote to getting dumped by a guy she would have sworn was safe…until she wakes up the next morning in some other Gemma’s life. Gemma will have to figure out how not to screw up the dream job she suddenly has but doesn’t know how to do, and how to make friends with Dax again, all while waiting for the moon to come into phase to try to reverse the spell. But what happens if she falls in love and start thinking about staying right where she is…?

Kate’s humor and talent show on every page of this magical read. There are so many funny and true lines (which I will not spoil, although please believe I want to!). Gemma is supremely relatable in her journey to reconciling the risks and rewards she’ll need to take to have the life she’s always wanted, and Robb is serving top-quality book boyfriend with vulnerable, thoughtful, incredibly hot Dax. Get this book on your TBR for October 2023, ASAP!!

Thanks to Netgalley and The Dial Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

this was okay, but read a little juvenile and i didn't feel connected to the characters or what happens to them at all. i can see other reader enjoying this a lot tho!

— thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the free digital ARC.

3.75 rounded up to 4

Thank you to NetGalley and Kate Robb for a chance to read this ARC

This book was really enjoyable. Is it a concept that has been done before? Yes! But Robb does it well and it yields an adorable engrossing debut novel with a swoon worthy Dax and an adorable (slightly flighty) Gemma plus a handful of sidekick-worthy additional characters.

My 2 criticisms are the fact that Kiersten and aunt Lily were very quick to simply accept Gemma's "I'm in an alternate reality " declaration and the end was more abrupt than I like. Would have liked a little more wrap up. Overall however those 2 things are super minor!!

Who wouldn’t want a chance to relive their lives by making different choices? But as the old adage goes, be careful what you wish for.

This Spells Love by Kate Robb gives us much to love with this fun story. Drunk magic, quirky characters, a gorgeous guy whose friendship means everything. The chemistry between best friends Gemma and Dax is spot on in both realities.

Someone must have put a spell on me because I fell in love with this book. 4.5 ⭐

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group – Random House for this complimentary ARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #ThisSpellsLove #NetGalley

Okay, now this debut novel-it gives RomCom movie feels. It has that vibe that makes me feel like a film; it’s witty, cute, with the appropriate amount of sparks. Also the main characters Gemma and Dax are freaking adorable. It really makes you think too all of us have thought about doing a complete life do over thinking it will solve all of our problems…but does it? The friends to lovers vibe is endearing sweet and inviting and the chemistry is good to last the whole book. Such a great read!

Okay this was actually so adorable. I was worried the whole magical element wouldn't work. I don't usually read like "magical" romance, though not sure this truly apply since it's more just a "spell." There are no witches here. Dax was absolutely my favorite. He's just such a cutie and everything about was perfect. The end had me grinning so hard for him. Probably one of my fave friends to lovers book.

This book is amazing! I love the concept of “reliving” your life and making different choices. I loved all the characters! They were hilarious, strong and intriguing. The romance in this is 10/10!

“Sometimes the best risks are the ones you take with your heart.”

This Spells Love by Kate Robb was a wonderful, engrossing read!

I have not read a new adult book with this type of alternate reality plot line before and I was surprised how much I enjoyed it! I really liked our MCs- Gemma was funny and heartfelt, and Dax was swoony. The story was the perfect blend of romance and magic. I thought that it was nice that they did not go too hard into the magic bits- the navigation in her new timeline felt organic and not overdone. I also enjoyed the humor within this story and her relationship to Kiersten and her aunt Livie. Solid supporting characters!

What I would have liked more of is getting to know Gemma and Dax’s relationship a little more before the alternate reality came into play. While I did enjoy getting to learn about them through her re-meeting him, I feel like the story would have had a much more emotional punch for me personally if we knew him well before the world shifted. That is my only minor thing with the story. You can see how he is smitten in the beginning but I feel like he is a little stilted and awkward with her and he is not like that at all in the alternate timeline so it almost felt out of character for me just a little? But also too, he probably was uncomfortable and pining so much that it caused him to be that way. I don’t know- I am conflicted on my own opinion hahaha.

I thought that Gemma was really a relatable character- while to some she may come across a little juvenile, I found that she was very real and emotionally charged in her choices throughout the story. I think that leading with your heart is how most people are wired, but when we see it on the page a lot of people are like wow that is silly. I don’t find it to be silly! I think that is the realist we can be. Love me a person who is not afraid to wear their heart on their sleeve.

I also loved how cute the cover was. I was not disappointed in this read at all! Read it nonstop and finished it in one sitting. Really a funny read full of heart. I am excited to read whatever Kate Robb writes next!

🌟🌟🌟🌟.25/5🌟

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this book! I really really enjoyed it. Gemma and Dax relationship was my favorite. They were best friends who became lovers. I feel like the spell she did was definitley to show her just how in love with Dax she’s always been. She got out of her own way and let herself love him. Aunt Lilli is the best, so witty and funny! Kiersten is also the best sister, she knew Gemma always settled and never went after what she wanted and I’m so glad she did! Such a cute friends to lovers, comedy/romance novel!

<b>Thank you to Kate Robb, Dial Press and NetGalley for providing this ARC for me to review.</b>

This Spells Love is a cute thought exercise in how your life would be different if you could change one thing in your past. After her multi-year relationship ends Gemma playfully casts what she thinks is a fake magical spell to undo her meeting her ex. However, by doing so she also erases the moment she meets her best friend Dax. Desperate to get back to her real life Gemma tries to navigate this parallel universe that is so similar to her own but then not entirely. While trying to befriend Dax to help her reverse the spell, Gemma discovers that maybe he should have been much more than her best friend all along.

Overall I enjoyed the book. I had a few qualms - ie how easily Gemma's sister and aunt accepted that they were part of an alternate universe. The end of the love story was also a little too easy - as it was a "the lady doth protest too much" type of situation that quickly was accepted as a romantic interest to a man who was already in love with her. I wish that through this experience Gemma would have had a stronger emotional development throughout.

But, I did give it 4/5 stars and thus clearly enjoyed it as a fun, quick read and a different take on a 2nd chance love story.

This was such a cute, fun, and cozy read. I'm a big fan of the friends-to-lovers trope and this book did not disappoint! I also really liked that there were bits of insta-love and fated mate vibes mixed in all within an alternate universe.

While there is a slight magical component of this book as the main character wishes for a different life, there isn't much of a magical vibe to the book outside of the initial spell casting in the beginning. I feel like the story retains a realistic and down to earth feel with just a hint of magic thrown in. Overall, if you are a fan of cute romcoms, I think you will really enjoy this book.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Have you ever wondered what if? What if you went after that job you really wanted? What if you made a different choice? What if you told your best friend how you felt?

Gemma just got dumped by her boyfriend of four years and she is nursing that broken heart with donuts and alcohol with the help of her sister, her eccentric aunt, and her best friend Dax. After lots of margaritas, a decision is made to perform a love cleansing spell to forget all about Stuart and how he broke her heart. While no one expects the spell to work, Gemma and Dax seal it with a kiss and some late night confessions. The next morning, Gemma wakes up in an alternate reality where she never met Stuart, has a completely different job, and lives in a different place. The only issue? The night she met Stuart was the same night she met Dax. So when she shows up to his work to vent about her crazy day, he has no idea who she is.

As Gemma takes advantage of her second chance with her career and Dax, it is clear that some things are different in this world, things that may have been caused by her being in this alternate reality. But would going back change things even more? And would she have to give up Dax the boyfriend and return to Dax the best friend?

This best friends to lovers story is funny, delightful, and steamy. There is so much love and tension between Gemma and Dax, and they are so attuned to one another. I loved all the sweet moments between them, as well as the real and sad moments, and how they were always there for each other. Their communication was everything (with the exception of some pining), and there was no third act breakup. The side characters were lovable and charming just as much as the main character.

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

It was okay. I wish there was more magic or Romance it just seemed to slide between the sweet spot of the two. It was obvious that the MC was in love with her best friend from the first chapter but it took most of the book for her to figure it out. It just seemed like the whole journey was unnecessary. I feel like if we had a chapter at the beginning of more friend zoning or something to solidify that romance was far from her mind then it would have worked better for me

Super cute story if a girl who is heartbroken and does a love cleanse to help forget her breakup only to realize she’s altered not only life but the life of her best friend who is now a stranger. I loved meeting Dax and Gemma and see the chemistry that still lingers in this alternate universe.