I received an ARC of This Spells Love by Kate Robb from NetGalley!
While the story is fast moving and does keep you intrigued, the characters don't feel fully real. Our protagonist Gemma has some great moments sprinkled in but for the most part she feels like someone ran every single Hallmark movie character into a blender and this is the result. Dax also felt like so wooden he too fell victim to feeling like a a lifetime movie love interest so bland you don't really care to root for him. While the premise of this book will appeal to all sorts of readers ( those spicy scenes are what earned this book a star) the book sinks itself early on due to poor characterization choices.

Fantasy meet sci-fi in this adorable heart-wretching romantic comedy. I love love love this book! The FMC is easy to love and goes through some major character changes throughout her adventure. It's a must read for sure if you love growth, friends to lovers, and slightly witchy vibes

This was my first to review on Netgalley & it did not disappoint! Gemma & Dax are adorable, Gemma wakes up in this crazy alt reality and ends up falling for this "stranger" Dax. Overall a very cute romantic novel with some bittersweet moments.
9/10 for me🫶🏻

Is this a predictable rom-com? Yes. Are there plot conveniences galore? Also yes. But it's laugh out loud funny, genuinely heartfelt, and has the perfect amount of magic and spice. And, let's be honest. Who hasn't looked at their life and thought "if I had or hadn't done this, things would be so much better" at least once or twice?

This Spells Love is a fun, light read about the choices we make and how those choices not only determine our future, but the lives of those around us. The characters are relatable and the plot is charming with only a little angst.

Side note: the cover is absolute perfection.

I will admit that friends to lovers isn't my favorite trope. But. BUT. This one had such a fun twist that it might now become my favorite trope!

A true delight to read, from beginning to end. Loveable characters with a very relatable sister-sibling relationship. Just enough angst to keep you hooked, but not so much to raise your heartrate to an unhealthy level. The spice added to the story, and gave those foot-kicking giddy vibes.

I will be recommending this book to every single romance reader I know, and to any who are looking to dabble in the genre.

Also, those Canada references? LOVE THEM. Love having a romance set here. EATONS?! IYKYK.

Okay wow. I love this book so much. I was not expecting a lot from a debut author but wow this hit all the marks. I was happily surprised that the book was written by a Canadian author whose Canadian references were on point and relatable. The writing reminds me of Carley Fortune but not in a copycat way— more of a, you can get excited about this book if you love her books way. I loved the characters, the plot, the writing— I was smiling like an idiot the whole time I was reading it. I cannot wait to see what Kate Robb does next!

If I were writing a one-word review, I’d go with a simple “delightful.” Since more than one word is required, here are my three favorite things about This Spells Love:

1. The premise is fun: Four years ago, Gemma friend-zoned her now-BFF Dax. After a night of too many margaritas and a little bit of magic, she wakes up to find herself on an alternate timeline, one in which she and Dax have yet to meet. With a fresh slate for getting to know him, she begins to see him in a different—and decidedly more sexually charged—light. In this new reality, Gemma is happier than she’s ever been, but the same may not be true for Dax. As the time approaches for Gemma to return to her old life, she has to decide what she’s truly willing to risk for love.

2. The secondary characters are refreshingly well-drawn. I especially loved Gemma’s sister Kiersten, who clearly has a full and complicated story of her own. I appreciated how she both supported Gemma and doled out some heaping servings of tough love. The balance was very much that of a loving but exasperated older sibling.

3. The chemistry between Gemma and Dax is believable and well-paced, and the steamy scenes are (ahem) quite satisfying. I appreciated how the author crafted the friends-to-lovers storyline within an alternate timeline—it came across as both clever and thoughtful.

This title is definitely going on my Recommended Reads list.

I binged this book in 1 day. When I read the premise for it, I knew I had to read it. I love what ifs and alternate realities. I’ve seen these kinds of storylines play out on screen but I’ve never came across them in a book until this one.

The concept is so creative and unique. The story is filled with heart and humor. The friends to lovers trope is so well-done in this. I love the fantasy aspect and how it meshed so well with the romance.

Gemma is one of the most headstrong and passionate FMCs I've read about and I love that Kate Robb gave her layers. I love when an author intertwines a coming-of-age story within a romance. As the story progresses, we see Gemma learn more about what she wants and getting more confident in who she is.

Dax is one of the sweetest and most thoughtful MMCs I’ve read about. He would drop everything for Gemma to make sure that she’s okay.

I was so invested in the relationship between Gemma and Dax. The love they have for each other is the kind of love I want from my future partner and the love I want to give them in return. I was rooting for them to end up together which tells you how invested I was in their relationship.

I wasn’t expecting the steam but I ate it all up. It’s written so well and there are moments where I had to gasp for air.

I cannot believe that this is Kate Robb’s debut. It feels like she’s been writing books for years. I love her writing in this. It’s fast-paced and leaves you wanting more.

I giggled, kicked my feet, screamed, and cried. It’s such a fun and entertaining read.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and The Dial Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The title and summary made me excited for this read and I’m so happy the actual story didn’t disappoint. I loved the characters from the very beginning and was glad that it didn’t take forever to get into the main plot.

Gemma and Dax! They pretty much screamed “I’ll love you in every universe “ (literally). Friends to lovers sometimes is super boring to me but there was nothing boring about these two. They’re the perfect rom-com couple. Gemma is a great protagonist and I found myself relating to her a lot. And Dax! I can see the TikToks now about him being a perfect book boyfriend. These two couldn’t stay away from each other no matter the circumstances or timeline. Going back to the friends to lovers, sometimes I just want couples in this trope to date already. Here, I found myself happy with just watching Gemma and Dax’s friendship rebuild because I loved their dynamic so much. Something unique to this book was watching them rediscover stuff about each other (particularly Gemma with Dax) that they might not have noticed before because of their comfortable friendship. It was a nice consequence of the premise.

Pairing these characters with the angsty, cheesy (in a good way), cute story made this book. The overall idea of this is something new to me and I wasn’t sure how I would feel about the magical elements in a very modern world, along with the alternate universe idea. I really didn’t have anything to worry about, I loved it all! The author took something a bit different from other popular rom-coms and made is so easy to understand and accept. The situations it put the characters in were super entertaining. I particularly enjoyed that this story not only highlighted the characters as a duo, but also Gemma as an individual. The progression of her own growth was a great addition.

Overall, this is an AMAZING book. I’m pretty sure this is a debut from the author and if it is, I couldn’t be more impressed. It has everything I want in a rom-com (likable main and side characters, the cliches, the confessions). I already want to read more from this author and will definitely be following for more updates. For anyone who loves books by Lynn Painter and Fearless (Taylor Swift) coded couples, this is for you.

MINI PLAYLIST 🕐☕️🪄
Fearless (Taylor’s Version) - Taylor Swift
Walking in the Wind - One Direction
You Are In Love - Taylor Swift
arms - Christina Perri
Daylight - Taylor Swift

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! :)

This is one of those stories that has the themes of alternate timelines, how once choice an individual makes can affect so many, and a somewhat cautionary tale of careful-what-you-wish-for with a romantic twist.
After reeling from a breakup, a tequila infused Gemma goes along with a spell that would undo the day she first met Stuart, who is said boyfriend she is reeling from. She apparently met Dax that very same day, and they miss the opportunity to get together, thanks to Stuart making his move on first. Nevertheless, Gemma and Dax wind up with a wonderful friendship that began the same time as Gemma and Stuart's. There's always some feelings there between the two of them, but neither of them act on it in fear of violating said friendship. Nevertheless, Dax would do anything for Gemma--including kissing her to help complete a spell to undo the day Gemma had met Stuart. She ends up waking up in an alternate universe....one where she never met Stuart...but unfortunately for her, had never met Dax either. She doesn't know this until she wanders into Dax's store and starts talking to him.
Here's the problem. In order to undo the curse and go back home to the way things were, she would have to get him to kiss her in order to complete spell.
At first she's on board. It's her gut-punch feeling to want to go back home to her own timeline, right? However, as she hangs around this new timeline, she sees Dax in a whole new light that she wouldn't had they been friends. Her initial plan to woo him into friendship morphs into a plan to get him to kiss her, only to end up really feeling something for him and seeing what they could've been had they pursued a relationship. But that's not all. She does end up starting her own company, a dream she has had for many years, but never bothered to pursue after she met Stuart because he had some sway into her decisions. Her and Dax start to really fall in love. Why would she want to leave???
Of course, complications arise, seeing how each action she does not do from the previous timeline, has a reaction in the new one, and not all good. I appreciate how the main focus of this story is not simply about Dax and Gemma (even though there is A LOT of sex, romantic tension, and kissing) but also about the choices she has made in life and how she affects other around her. I'm pretty sure we've all had moments we wish we can undo, people we can have never have met, but it illustrates a point on how the Universe intends to be what they are. Gemma, of course, uses this opportunity to have more insight into her own behaviors and internal conflicts holding her back and tries to make a decision that would help others around her instead of simply give her what she wants.
Thank you, Net Galley for the ARC. I truly enjoyed this read and may consider buying a copy when it officially comes out.

A fun, cute contemporary friends-to-lovers romance in which a spell sends Gemma, our heroine, to a parallel universe (or alternate reality? I wasn't clear on which), where she realizes her best friend is better as a boyfriend.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!

A stunning debut that is magical, tender, and sexy all at once. Robb creates a set of worlds that are as believable as they are magical, and Gemma's journey back to her old life encourages the readers not only to ask ourselves our own "what ifs" but to hold dear to the parts of our lives inextricable from the rest. I can't wait to see what else Robb has up her sleeve. Plus, who know curling could be so sexy?!?

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for gifting me an e-ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

First, this book is so heart warming, cozy, and adorable. Gemma and Dax are the best of friends but when Gemma ends up broken hearted and looking to forget the man who broke her heart, she learns things about herself she never expected. This book will take you through time to an alternate reality where Gemma will have to decide what she truly wants in life. I loved this book so much and it was fun to read the crazy adventures of Gemma. If you are looking for a cozy, spicy romance with a little sprinkle of magic, you have to read this book!

This Spells Love a mildly fantastical romance between our heroine Gemma and alternate reality version of her best friend Daxon. Suffering from a recent break up with her long time boyfriend Stuart, Gemma preforms a spell to undo the moment she met him. The spell works, sending her into an alternate reality where she didn't date Stuart; however, in this same reality Gemma did not meet her best friend Daxon. Gemma pursues a friendship with Daxon and romantic feelings bubble up instead.

This book left me feeling very conflicted, because while there were things that enjoyed and/or appreciated, I could not stand Gemma. Gemma came off as very privileged and childish at first, and she never really stopped being that way. As the story progressed, it became clear that she was a maniac pixie dream girl with a dash of "I'm not like other girls" that would creep in every now and then. Her successes often didn't feel earned, especially in regards to alternate reality Daxon. He thought she was a stalker when they first met, but changed his mind, despite her acting even more stalkish during their next couple of meetings.

Because the story takes place in Gemma's head there is no reprieve from Gemma and her grating personality.

That aside, the story itself is entertaining. The writing style makes the books very easy and enjoyable to read. The plot is solid, although, a little more external conflict/obstacles would be appreciated, but the lack of external conflict is not detrimental. There is plenty of internal conflict as Gemma struggles with her feelings regarding Daxon and overcoming her fear of losing her friendship with him.

Daxon and Gemma also have a lot of cute scenes together and also have chemistry. The romantic potential between these two is not lacking. Although, as stated, it's weird how Daxon goes from "she's a stalker" to "I wanna date her."

Overall: enjoyable.

Can you imagine reading a book that combines the essence of "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," "Sliding Doors," and "50 First Dates"? Picture waking up in an alternate universe where your best friend, the person you shared an intimate moment with last night, has no recollection of your existence. This book poses a fundamental question: if given the chance to start anew, would you follow the same life path, or would you choose a different road, being more cautious to avoid repeating past mistakes, even if it means potentially losing your loved one forever?

Amidst all these philosophical inquiries, you might wonder if I've been indulging in day drinking. Well, the truth is, I'm simply experiencing a book hangover after delving into this thought-provoking, intelligent, and delightfully steamy fantasy romance.

Here are the highlights of this captivating read:

-Perfectly crafted characters: Gemma and Dax are relatable and endearing, making it easy to root for their relationship.

-The sweet friends-to-lovers and alternative universe themes add depth and intrigue.

-The supporting characters, particularly the ultra-sarcastic and quirky Aunt Lily and Gemma's sister Kiersten, are so lovable that you'll want to connect with them on social media.

-The chemistry between the main characters is palpable, igniting sparks that will set off your own personal fire sprinkler system.

-The conclusion of the book ties everything together with skillful writing, leaving you with a satisfied smile as you cross the finish line of this literary marathon.

-The plot idea itself is interesting and unique, immediately drawing you into the story and holding your attention until the very end.

In summary, when Gemma Wilde experiences a devastating heartbreak after her four-year relationship comes to an end, all she wants is to forget her ex completely. What if there's a spell that could erase all memories of him from her mind? With the help of her Aunt Lily and sister Kiersten, they concoct a spell, sealed with a kiss from Gemma's best friend, Dax. However, when Gemma wakes up the next morning, she realizes that the spell worked too well—she not only lost the memories of her ex but Dax has also forgotten who she is. How can she navigate this new alternate universe and make Dax remember their friendship, and perhaps even become something more?

I wholeheartedly recommend this cleverly crafted and emotionally charged romance. It's a must-read!

A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Dial Press Trade Paperback for providing me with a digital review copy in exchange for my honest opinions.

This book starts with Gemma in the throes of grief over losing a long time boyfriend that never really deserved her. When her sister, aunt, and best friend Dax cast a spell to forget that loser, she wakes up in a different life. One where her best friend doesn't know who she is, and his life has turned to crap, and she's building her biggest dreams.

In a classic friends to lovers trope, in her efforts to get Dax to be her best friend again, Gemma realizes there may be more there than just friendship.

But when it's time to go back to her reality, can she go?

I'll be honest, I am not a friends to loves trope kind of gal. I enjoyed this twist because Dax didn't know who she was, so they were building the friendship from scratch in the alternate reality. It was only when Gemma was going back and forth constantly over the pros and cons of getting together that I remembered how annoying this trope is to me.

Thankfully, this books makes up for it by being very funny, sweet, and decently spicy plus it has a deeper meaning overall. Gemma is pretty self centered in her main reality, and it's only after coming to this one that she realizes she hasn't been there for the people in her life that are there for HER.

The biggest thing I wanted more of is the witchy aunt. Throughout the book we get hints that she knows everything that is going on here but Gemma never confronts her about it and the magic is never explored further.

Overall I thought it was cute and if you're a fan of friends to loves books you'll enjoy it too! Solid 3.5 stars.

Thanks for the ARC from #netgalley as it was my first from them and fun to participate! This book publication date is December 5, 2023.
#thisspellslove

Rating 3.5/ Spice 2.5

What a great plot. I seriously got giddy when I saw what this was about and realized it was an alternate reality-type situation. I’m a huge fan of Sliding Glass Doors and 13 Going on 30 so it was right up my alley. And it started out so strong…

Gemma is a play it safe, by the rules kind of girl who just got out of a 4 year relationship with a man that was all wrong for her. In her post break up funk, her sister, eccentric aunt, and hot best friend Dax go along with a spell to make her forget her ex and change the night that she met him. Which is perfect for Gemma until she realizes that she met her ex the same night she met Dax. The next morning she wakes up in a world where her life is completely different and Dax, her best friend has no clue who she is.

I love friends to lovers and it’s completely clear from the onset that Dax wants to be more lovers than friends with Gemma, so in the new reality where there isn’t four years of friendship to hide behind, it’s clear that Dax and Gemma would make a good couple.

I like Gemma, I understand being the one to play it safe and take the more steady route. But Gemma just doesn’t seem to know her own mind and is so indecisive in her feelings and her decisions. And Dax, he’s the quintessential good guy. Hot and sweet and perfectly made for our heroine. I just wish he had a little more depth. His path in both timelines seems to hinge on Gemma’s decisions and life whether she realizes it or not. And it takes away just a bit from him being a strong lead.

There were parts I truly enjoyed and I did really want them to get together and find their happily ever after. It’s started out stronger than it finished, but the Hallmark-type suspension of reality made it a fun and easy read. I loved the plot. Gemma’s quirky aunt Liv felt like a real life Luna Lovegood (which is the highest praise I can give) and the premise, as unrealistic as it was, did work and did really make the book enjoyable. I think I just loved this trope so much, I had high expectations going in, that I wanted it all. I did love the ending though. And loved the way that real Gemma and alternate reality Gemma meshed and grew from the experience.

Overall, if you love alternate universes, a sweet HEA and free up loving hallmark rom-coms (but with a little more spice) then this book is a great read for you. It also had the added bonus of featuring Curling of all things as a sport, and it was just a delightfully weird addition to the book. Also there might have been a pet spider.

This book had just enough heart and offbeat appeal that I did still enjoy reading it and would recommend.

Note: this was an ARC provided by Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own!

I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Content: language and sexual situations

I had a really hard time with this book. Firstly, the split time line made it difficult for me to commit to the characters. That makes a story pretty dull. Secondly, it was a lot too spicey for this girl. I started with skipping the sex scenes and ended up just skipping to the end to see if she ended up back where she belonged.
The author did a fine job, but this story just is not for me.

I can’t remember the last time I smiled this much when reading a book. I was reading and waiting for a coffee earlier today and was completely oblivious to the massive grin on my face that this book caused.

I haven’t been super into friends-to-lovers since I was younger, but this book now has me questioning if I’ve been missing out these last few years!

In this amazing book, after a crazy, margarita-fueled night, Gemma wishes that she never met her now ex-boyfriend. Somehow, she wakes up in a life where not only had she never met her ex, but her best friend, Dax, no longer knows her, and her entire life is different!

I absolutely loved Gemma and Dax. Gemma herself was such a relatable character and I loved how she always said everything that was on her mind. She had a quirky personality that I felt so connected to and I just loved it.

Now Dax, in either timeline, I love the man. He is just so adorable and such a gentleman but with the perfect dirty side.

I also loved that the book not only focused on Gemma’s relationships and hardships in life, but her connection with her sister. I thought the story was very insightful for the lighthearted nature of it.

This may be one of my new go to comfort reads because I already miss the story and the characters. This book just made my heart happy in a way I was totally not expecting. The author really crafted something here that is uniquely wonderful and I will definitely be looking forward to more of their work ❤️

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for my ARC of this book. This in no way impacted my review.

I liked this a lot! It was cozy and creative and cute and the spicy scenes were very spicy lol. I wish we had spent a little more time with OG Dax and Gemma to get a better feel for their banter and closeness. I was a bit frustrated by how in the second timeline, Gemma feels this closeness with Dax and doesn’t seem to realize that he can’t possibly feel that way about her because he barely knows her! Also the state in which she met him and the fact that he just brushed that off and immediately wanted to date? WUT? No. Not believable. And the way she explained it away could’ve been much better. But overall, I thought it tied things up nicely and it was a sweet story with a number of characters I enjoyed!

3.5 rounded up to 4/5.