I've said it before, and I'll say it again - I'm definitely in my witchy-girl-era, and I could not wait to read this book. Unfortunately, it did not hold as my attention as much as I thought it might.

Also, if I'm being honest, it's been a few days since I've read this book and my memory/critique isn't as clear as I would hope. I'll consider re-reading it to be able to better update this review.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 ⭐️

I really liked the set up for this book and premise. I also really want my own kooky aunt. This is a great debut novel and I look forward to reading the authors next book. I like Gemma and I like her relationship with Dax and her sister. I like how her growth in this book and how she changes throughout the story. It's funny and charming.

The spicy scenes just weren't for me though. I ended up skimming them because I found the word usage and description choices awkward. Now, no significant plot points are lost by skimming them and it's still a solid story, so I would still recommend it. The alternate reality was really interesting and it handled how the changes impacted not just Gemma but those around her.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This was such a fun story with just the right touch of magic. Be careful when playing with magic! Aunt Livi was so much fun! Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This Spells Love releases on December 5th, 2023
4/5 Stars

This was a very cute, if predictable, friends-to-lovers story.

It follows Gemma who is filled with regret after her boyfriend of four years breaks up with her. After a night of margaritas with her Aunt Liv, sister Kiersten, and (male) best friend Dax, she performs a "love cleanse" to help her move on from her ex. The spell has unintended consequences, however, and places her in an alternate timeline in which she never met her ex but also is not friends with Dax.

After a little time, life seems better for Gemma in this alternate timeline and in starting fresh with Dax she is seeing him with new eyes. But how much of her friend and family's happiness is she willing to sacrifice to stay in her new timeline, and what would she have to give up if she were to return to her reality?

Overall I really loved the banter and dynamic between Gemma and Dax throughout this book. Dax is a true cinnamon roll love interest and while Gemma was self-centered, I was still rooting for them to end up together. The dialogue was Emily Henry-esque and the author did a great job of building tension between the characters with solid steamy scenes as pay-off. Again, I did find this story to be very predictable, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. All in all this was a great debut novel and I will definitely read whatever Robb writes next.

This book was so much fun! I loved reading it and how creative it was! Would highly recommend! I really connected with the main character and loved the side characters! It was a wonderful reading experience!

This is a cute story and I loved that it was set in Canada! Was awesome to read a story about characters in a place close to home! However I don't think this story was personally for but I would recommend to others looking for a cute romance!

Thank for you the eArc!

This was super cute! I couldn't stop smiling while reading. The writing was well done and I thought the magical aspect was totally believable without being over the top or silly. Friends to Lovers is such an under appreciated trope in romance books and I LOVED the development between Gemma and Dax. I will definitely be checking out more books by this author in the future!

I love books that riff off the improbable one time magic theme, where it all hinges on the probability of one singular moment of supernatural to change the trajectory of a life. How wonderful!!

This Spells Love is a fun what if, sliding doors type story of two best friends and what would have happened if their lives had gone a little differently. It was an interesting quick read and I liked Gemma and Dax although I was happier with both of them a little more until the last act when things got confusing for me. I really liked Gemma's family and wish we even had more time with them. I was confused about some of the ending since I dont know how it got there, how some of the changes occurred between the timelines. I wont spoil anything but I have questions. But it was enjoyable and I would definitely read more by author.

I loved this story.
Light and fun, humor that had me laughing out loud.
Spice and romance with communication from Dax that was swoon worthy.

3-4 spice scenes

**Spoiler alert:

I loved that she chose to go back in the end for the lives of those around her, and she used her new experiences to make her life better once back.

3.75⭐️

This was so cute! It took me a minute to get into the premise of it (having midnight library flashbacks, but pushed through) but after that it was so much fun. It has a similar premise to The Midnight Library, but less self-helpy and much more well done, in my opinion.

The romance was cute, and the parallel dimensions things was a very interesting twist to the whole story. I had a good time with this book.

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Random House for the advanced copy!

Set in suburban Canada (as a Canadian, this immediately tickles me), friends to lovers (my favourite trope), and add in some spice… this adorable magical realism romcom hit all the marks for me!

The ending wrapped up a little quick - what can I say? I couldn’t get enough.

Highly recommend!!!

This book was SO cute. I don’t know about yall but the world is so awful that I have been diving deep into fantasy and romance as escapist genres that won’t send me all the way over the edge into certain woe. This book is light enough to feed that escapist desire but the character arc has real stakes which keeps it from being too fluffy. I love the trend of combining romance with what I guess you might call “cozy witchcraft.” Anyone who enjoyed THE SEVEN YEAR SLIP will like this one.

Thank you so much to the publisher for this ARC!

Gemma has recently been dumped my her ex and wants to completely erase him from her history. Good thing her Aunt has a special spell book that can help Gemma with that! When Gemma, her aunt, sister and best friend Dax perform the spell the Gemma has no idea what to expect. The next morning Gemma wakes up and is living in a new version of her life. She has her dream job, Dax doesn’t remember her and her sister and aunt have no recollection of the spell. Even though Gemma’s new life is pretty great it’s not the same without her best friend by her side. As she figures out how to reverse the spell, Gemma slowly lets Dax get to know her again. As they spend their time curling and connecting over their small businesses Gemma wonders what it would be like to date Dax instead of being afraid to cross the line like in her other life. This is what her life could be, but is she brave enough to go after what she wants?

This was such an enjoyable read with relatable characters trying to find their way in life even with the stumbles along the way. It really is nice to know everyone doesn’t have everything figured out even if it looks like that on the outside.

Ok, this was WAY better than I anticipated it to be! Firstly, thank you to Net Galley and Random House Publishing for the ARC.

This is a no spoilers review!

If you're looking for something cute and lighthearted with a little bit of spice, this is for you!

~~
What happens when you get drunk with your aunt and sister and decide that a love-cleansing spell will cure the heartache? It backfires, but not in the way one might think. This story follows Gemma on her journey to try and return to her normal life and not lose her best friend in the world in the process.

This book will make you laugh, perhaps cry a little (in a good way), and leave you feeling hopeful and inspired to get out of your comfort zone once in a while.

But also you should read it simply because Dax is *chef's kiss*

I requested this book based off of vibes and because I’m a sucker for magic. I’m not a sucker for time travel and alternative timelines. I have a really hard time buying that one decision would change so much. Having said that, the story was cute and the couple was sweet. Does make me wonder if Gemma was only able to make room for Dax as a romantic partner because of the break up. Maybe she needed that heartbreak to make her re-evaluate those in her life. Thanks Net Galley for the ebook!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for access to this book. This Spells Love by Kate Robb was released on December 5th, 2023.

This book was super cute. It was a feel-good rom-com and what more can you ask for in that? I laughed, I cried. This book has everything you would want in a rom-com. The characters were well-rounded for the most part and the writing was smooth. I would have never known this was a debut novel!

If you were a huge fan of 13 going on 30 growing up like I was, this may very well scratch that itch.

When Gemma, with a G, decided she wanted to forget all about her stupid ex she didn’t think it would make her lose her best friend too. Daxon and Gemma were the kind of adult friendship that you would hope for, but Daxon is absolutely right when he mentions that one friend usually falls for the other.

I will say that the one thing about this that I didn't like was that you kind of get dropped into the middle of the drama. Sure, I get it you've got to start the story somewhere, but I felt silly going who's that why are we mad, why are we drunk. Which makes it hard to get into the story. HOWEVER, I got over that quickly because the unknown worked a bit in your advantage because you didn't get attached to any character too easily.

One of the things I really loved was Daxon. His character showed just how much Gemma made an impact on his life in both timelines. It also showed how much one person can impact your life even when you don't think you have. This is a true glimpse at what could be, what was and what might be. I think this was a great debut novel from Kate Robb and cannot wait to see what she brings us next.

This book was not for me. I didn’t love the characters and the language was too much. This romance has a cute cover.

In "This Spells Love," Gemma embarks on a journey of self-discovery, learning that taking risks and facing failure is preferable to a life without trying. The story takes a magical turn when Gemma wakes up in an alternate timeline, having never met her ex-boyfriend, Stuart, but also never having met her best friend, Dax. To reverse the spell, she must convince Dax to kiss her. Gemma grapples with the challenge of reintroducing herself to her best friend and pursuing a dream long neglected due to fear of taking risks.

Kate Robb's debut novel intrigued me with its magical premise, and I was eager to share my thoughts on it at the beginning. The initial chapters, with an underlying theme of unrequited love, were enjoyable. However, my enthusiasm waned after Gemma's shift to the alternate timeline and the subsequent overwhelming focus on romance.

The extensive romantic scenes overshadowed the captivating premise, making the explicit content feel disproportionate in a 352-page book. While this disappointed me, I recognize that preferences regarding explicit content vary among readers.

On a positive note, Robb deserves commendation for portraying Gemma's journey toward courage and self-reliance. Gemma's realization of her self-worth and the need to be independent were commendable aspects of the narrative. Additionally, I like the side of Dax’s character when he is not afraid to reach out when he knows he has hurt someone, although the rapid reconciliation between him and Gemma in the alternate timeline could have been explored more thoroughly. It felt kind of rushed.

My primary reservation lies in the narrative's emphasis on intimate scenes, detracting from the potential depth in Gemma and Dax's relationship and the story overall. A focus on their emotional reconnection in the alternate timeline could have elevated the book's impact.

Despite my reservations, I acknowledge the enjoyable aspects of some chapters, warranting a three-star rating. This book has its merits and may appeal to readers who appreciate a romance-heavy narrative.