I simply adored THIS SPELLS LOVE! I picked it up late one night thinking I'd read a couple chapters as a palate cleanser after a darker book, and found myself up until 3 in the morning because I couldn't put it down. The plot was propulsive, the pacing was tight, the characters were lovable and humorous, and the story had so much heart.

Gemma was deeply relatable to me - ruled by fear, desperate for stability, entirely averse to risk. I wish we all had the opportunity to take a look at an alternate timeline if we’d chosen to do X instead of Y, and the fact that Gemma got to live that life, learn valuable lessons from Alternate-Universe Gemma, and still realize that perhaps it wasn’t the best life for her after all was gratifying in a way I didn’t expect going into this book.

While Gemma’s main priority was getting Alternate-Universe Dax to give her a kiss so she could reverse the spell, along the way she learned valuable lessons about herself, her priorities, and the ways she was letting herself - and her loved ones - down in her primary timeline.

The supporting characters and female and sibling friendships added value to the story, both Gemma and Dax had emotional complexity and motivations, desires, and passions outside of the romantic arc (something that I always look for in a romance).

The only thing that dropped this from a five star for me was that once we got to the resolution it resolved very quickly. I think I anticipated slightly more struggle/complexity toward the end, but overall it was still a fulfilling and heart-fluttering conclusion. I will be highly recommending this book when it comes out!

What I liked about this book:
- a look at what life would be like if you had changed one small decision
- the sister bond/friendship + the quirky loveable aunt
- the best friend/could he be more/friends to lovers but make it parallel universe
- it will make you want a donut soooo badly & it will make you want some good clean beauty products

What I didn't love:
- a bit toooooo much steam for me (pretty easily skippable & you don't miss too much plot or conversation by skipping it)


This book was cute! I enjoyed reading it & while I probably won't be thinking about it for days, it was a fun read that I'd recommend to people (minus the steam for me) - solid 3.5 stars (rounded up to 4)

This book felt so cozy to me, so comfortable and easy to get into! I’m not usually into the spell / witch romance books but I fell in love with this one! I was able to easily relate to Gemma throughout the book and felt genuinely conflicted when she was trying to make her decision to return to her timeline. I loved the wittiness between the characters as well as the chemistry portrayed between Dax and Gemma. It made me really root for them and keep wanting to read more to find out what happens. And the perfect combo of humor & spicy🌶️

I really enjoyed this one. Robb did a great job with the alternate universe/ timeline. I really enjoyed watching the FMC see what her life could be like if she dropped her safety net. Her family dynamic was so fun to read. Their tight knit trio made me want an invite to Aunt Livi's place. The romantic relationship was kept interesting as we watch Gemma struggle through the "what if's" of her bestie being more than friend zoned. It's a fun, cute, sweet read with a satisfying "Happy Ever After" ending.

~3.5/5. Overall enjoyable, but didn't have me glued to the book.

This Spells Love follows Gemma, a 28 year old who has just been broken up with by her boyfriend of 4 years. She (understandably) drowns her sorrows, with her sister, aunt and best friend Dax in tow. They come across a love cleansing spell and decide to give it a go. Much to Gemma's surprise, she wakes up in the reality she would have lived if she had never met her ex-boyfriend. This alternate timeline is very different from her own, with it's own positives and negatives. As she tries to reverse the spell, she discovers feelings for her best friend she didn't know she had, complicating her desire to revert things back to the way they were.

At first I found myself relating to Gemma, but that very quickly went away. For the most part she was self-absorbed and seemingly didn't care about anyone else's struggles but her own, which resulted her missing totally obvious struggles her loved ones were going through. I did like Dax's character, even though I don't think Gemma really deserved him (until the very end, anyway).

Overall it was an enjoyable, quick read. Not a book I would pick up again, but glad I read it regardless.

Oh my goodness, i fell in love with Dax and Gemma. It was so interesting to see how much things had changed after that one night. It hurt seeing Dax’s situation unfold and it hurt more when Gemma put the blame on herself. That lady from the book club would have also weirded me out. I really enjoyed Gemma and Kierstens relationship. I was a bit confused at the end when she goes back but I really enjoyed to ending nonetheless.

Now this is my type of book. Loved it from start to finish. If you had the chance to change your path would you? Loved the characters.

This story was the perfect feel good romance!

After four years of being in a safe, stable, predictable relationship, Gemma finds herself broken hearted and wanting to move on from her ex. When a "just for fun" spell works - a little too well - she has to decide which version of happily ever after she wants to explore.

Gemma and Dax are absolutely made for each other and seeing the growth that she has as she explored each option for herself and those around her is great!

Quick read
Happily ever after
Lots of coffee and tequila
And a little bit of magic too

-friends to lovers
-magical romance (contemporary setting with magic elements)

“We are the same here. The universe could make us live a thousand different lifetimes, and we’ll always find a way to be there for each other.”

A spell for you to forget your ex, but what else might you lose?
After being unexpectedly dumped by her ex, Gemma has a night of drinking with her sister, aunt, and best friend Dax to cheer her up. To get rid of any remaining feelings for her ex, Gemma casts a love cleansing spell. When she wakes up the next day, she finds herself in an alternate timeline. In this timeline, she never dated her ex, and her best friend Dax doesn’t know who she is. The past four years of her life have changed completely. She sees her life from a new perspective and must decide which world she wants to stay in. She has until the next full moon to reverse the spell and get back to her time.

I loved the whole premise of this book; it was so endearing and funny. Definitely a cozy read. Everything about it was amazing—the magic, the romance, the characters. I devoured this book so quickly; I didn’t want to put it down!

Gemma is a very relatable character. I loved watching her come out of her shell and become more confident in herself; she has excellent character growth. The side characters were also written very well; I found myself rooting for them as much as I was rooting for Gemma.

Friends to lovers isn’t one of my top tropes, but I was hooked from the beginning. Gemma and Dax had so much chemistry; their friendship and relationship felt so real and natural. They gave off soulmate vibes; they were definitely meant to be.

This book was more than just romance (though the romance was everything). It is also about how her choices affect those closest to her. And in the end, she must choose what she wants or what’s best for those people around her.

This book comes out in December 2023, and I HIGHLY recommend you read it! I'm definitely going to buy a physical copy when it comes out to add to my witchy collection.

I was expecting more of some old-fashioned Practical Magic level actual witches doing magic and not an accidental spell type mishap, but this still was a very fun read.

Gemma is reeling from the end of a long-term relationship with Stuffy Stuart and wants to wipe the pain and heartache out of her brain. So of course, with the help of a kooky aunt and supportive sister, she completes a spell to go back and undo dating Stuart. Gemma wakes up in an alternate timeline with a huge consequence - her bff Daxon (who she also met the same night as Stuart) doesn’t remember her. She is stuck in this timeline for a month before she can attempt the spell to go back home, so she might as well do her best to get Daxon back in her life…and maybe into her bed.

CW/TW: abandonment, fire

A fun, romantic journey that answers the question we all ask ourselves, all the time…”what if?”

A unique take on the friends-to-lovers trope. Kate Robb has done a wonderful job putting the heart and emotion into the “friends” arm of friends-to-lovers which makes the “lovers” impact all the more powerful.

💕 Friends to Lovers (one of my faves)
🌶️ Not a ton of spice, but a hint!
🔥 SLOW burn

I went into this book blind and I am so glad I did!
Gemma & Dax are absolutely adorable.

This book was really cute and much better than I anticipated. The writing/story flowed well and I enjoyed reading it!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC for my honest review.

This book is just like the title and cover suggests: a cute, fun, spelltastic disaster but in all the right ways *wink*. Who wouldn't want to reverse time and wish away years wasted on an ex? Unfortunately for Gemma, wishing away her ex boyfriend sends her into an alternate universe. On the bright side, her career is everything she ever wanted but never dreamed she could do. And on the not so bright side, she met her best friend, Dax, on the same night as her ex boyfriend so in this timeline, he doesn't know who she is. Things take a turn when Gemma realizes in order to get back she has to get a kiss from Dax, and her heart is telling her that maybe falling for Dax, and staying in this timeline wouldn't be so bad. This was a rom com through and through, it was a delight to read because it was easy to get lost in the pages. Gemma was such a fun character especially seeing her struggle through her feelings because of how much she loves her best friend Dax. Dax was a great compliment to her character in both timelines and he really amplified her character and the story.

Gemma, devastated by her breakup, drowns her sorrows with her sister, aunt, and best friend, Dax. In a drunken state, they perform a love-cleansing spell to erase her ex from her memory, with a platonic kiss from Dax as the final step. When Gemma wakes up, she realizes the spell worked, erasing not only her ex but also her entire life. Dax doesn't even recognize her. To reverse the spell and return to her old life, Gemma must convince Dax to kiss her. However, as she carries out her plan, she finds herself falling hard for him.

While reading this book, I found myself taking a while to become fully engaged, particularly due to the slow start that followed the intriguing blurb. The main character came across as somewhat obnoxious and selfish. She also has a habit of eating donuts and drinking when in crisis.. Fortunately, towards the end, the main character showed growth and development, which added depth to the narrative.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House, Dial Press Trade Paperback for the chance to review!

This Spells Love by Kate Robb

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A spell to forget your ex… what could go wrong? 🪄 Heartbroken twenty-eight year old Gemma Wilde casts a love-cleansing spell to forget all about her long-term boyfriend that unexpectedly dumped her. With the help of her sister, her kooky aunt, and her best friend Dax, she performs the spell, and seals the deal with a platonic kiss to Dax. When she wakes up from her drunken stupor, she realizes the spell has worked… at the expense that she now lives in an alternate reality, where her life looks completely different, she never dated her ex… and Dax has no idea who she is. To get her old life back, Gemma must reverse her mistake before the next full moon. She has one month to convince Dax to become friends with her in order to get a kiss. But as Gemma carries out her plan, she finds herself falling for him, and begins to wonder if she even wants to go back to the way things were before… ✨

This was an adorable book and I loved everything about it! It was so cleverly written and just great overall (and spicy I was not expecting that it was great 🌶️)

Robb has a remarkable talent for crafting vivid and atmospheric settings that transport readers into the heart of her story. From the quaint streets of a charming town, to the silliness between these two people and the love they have for one another, every scene is beautifully described, allowing readers to immerse themselves in this wholesome world the author has created.

The concept of an alternate reality and the whole question of “what-if” was creative and uniquely written, unlike anything else I’ve read especially in a romance-setting. There are lots of sweet moments, as well as funny parts that had me giggling. I like how the fantasy element was there but did not completely take over the plot and allowed for the romance to blossom as well as the “coming-of-age” plot to continue. I love witchy fantasy elements so much, especially when mixed with romance. This was the perfect amount of both.

I usually do not like the friends-to-lovers trope, but it was done in such a fantastic way in this story that I ended up loving it! The MCs are adorable little donuts I love them so much, Gemma is so passionate and headstrong and becomes so confident through the course of the story I loved seeing her character development. Dax is a golden retriever energy type of man he was so sweet I loved him. Their scenes together were so wholesome and you can feel what they have for each other is a deep, wonderful love. I loved the banter and tension between them!

I cannot wait to read more from this author if more books are in the making, because the writing style as well as the characterization of the cast in this book was proof enough she’s a fantastic writer.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy of the book for an honest review!

Can a rom-com be anymore cuter? The answer is no. These two are so adorable and loving. The plot was pretty fun too!!

Paranormal romcoms are all the rage right now and I can't get enough. Robb's entry into the genre is what I call a smiley goodtime. It made my cheeks hurt in the best way and my spirits lighter. Highly recommend.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Random House, Dial Press Trade Paperback, and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

This book was absolutely magical - pun intended - it was so sweet, funny, charming, and cute! But it also had some depth and great character development. It was an easy read and I was overwhelmed by its cheesiness! I LOVED every minute I spent reading it!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Can I give this book a million stars? Because it needs a million stars. I’ve been giggling over this book all day. When I wasn’t reading it, I was wishing I was reading it. I preordered the book 50% of the way through my eARC.

First, the writing is fun and entertaining. What hooked me immediately was the humor. And it definitely gives you a huge romcom feel. I loved the little glimpse of the relationship between Gemma and Dax that you get to see. You saw how strong their friendship is, and how much Gemma relies on him.

And then BAM. Gemma is now in a world where Dax has no idea who she is. I am a reader that THRIVES on character interactions, so I was interested to see how much I would like this book since they were starting over from scratch. Let me tell you, the moment they first “meet,” I was hooked. They obviously have incredible chemistry. And their interactions had me climbing up a wall.

Gemma goes through some major character development and learns to trust herself while also learning that maybe what she needed was in front of her the entire time.

This book is steamy, funny, and so so so cute. You don’t want to miss out on this one.

I loved this book! It was the perfect cozy rom-com. It’s the perfect book to read by the fire on a chilly evening. If you are looking for a little magic, check out this book!