5/5!
Loved Gemma from the start, and was rooting for her! It was one of my favourite reads of the year! It was a cosy and fast paced romcom. It was a quick read, and I would definitely recommend it to lovers of a romance with a splash of magic!
Thank you for accepting my ARC on Netgalley! I am leaving this review voluntarily. I will definitely be buying more from this author and another copy of this on release day!

A romantic comedy-esque tale full of wholesome characters and a heartwarming story. Although this wasn’t a story directly about witches, it has the right cosy vibes to make it a perfect autumn or winter read.

The main character Gemma has not long since broken up with her boring ex Stuart and is seeking comfort in the form of margaritas and the company of her handsome best friend Dax (who seems to be harbouring deeper feelings), her sister Kiersten and her Aunt Livi. Once the drinks start flowing, Gemma confesses that she wishes she’d never wasted the last four years of her life with her ex, to which her Aunt Livi just happens to have the perfect book (a ‘spellbook’) which contains a love cleanse spell.

After the spell has been unconventionally performed and Gemma heads to bed after an awkward conversation with Dax about unspoken feelings, she wakes up in an alternative dream life without the monotonous past relationship. However, without meeting Stuart that night, it also means she never met Dax.
After realising how she feels having lost this close friendship, she confides in her alternative timeline family Livi and Kiersten. Whilst Kiersten doesn’t believe Gemma straight away, Livi seems more than clued up and offers to help Gemma reverse the spell. But she is forced to stay in this new timeline for another month as the spell cannot be performed until the next ‘waning gibbous’ moon phase.

Now living her new life, which includes her secret dream of owning her own clean beauty store, she has the chance to get to know Dax again. A fresh start. Without the friend zone there, could a relationship blossom?

But Gemma is so scared of ruining her friendship with Dax that she stops every potential moment for things to move further. In both timelines Dax is clearly head over heels for her, even if they get off to a rocky start in her alternative life. Because she’d rather have a best friend than what could be true love.

In her alternative life she is more of a risk taker. She seems to do more of the things she actually wants to do. Things her past relationships were holding her back from.

As Gemma is starting to enjoy her ‘new life’ it’s clear that in this reality that Dax is struggling with his dream business. Now she has a choice to make, to stay in this life and thrive albeit with Dax by her side, or go back to her normal world and see if she can get the life both her and Dax deserve. Her dream or his?

She now starts to realise that as much as she regrets her relationship with Stuart, if it hadn’t have happened then Dax wouldn’t have had such a booming business. We all have life regrets, things we wished hadn’t have happened, but we can’t just stop them from happening, they mould us and even those those close to us into the people we are today and the lives we lead.

Dax is the perfect gentleman and absolutely charming. Why would Gemma ever have chosen to stay with Stuart instead of pursuing things with Dax?!

The story is well paced and I ended up reading it in one sitting. I like that they could have gone down the overused route of writing Sunny as Gemma’s nemesis, competing for Dax, but instead chose the supportive side character friend. Sunny is so wholesome and she deserved her happy ending too.

This had the best type of ending I could have hoped for and will be rereading this again in the future!

When Gemma Wilde, reeling from a recent breakup, tries to heal her heartbreak with a spell, she wakes up in an alternate reality where she's not only lost what she wished for but also her friendship with Dax(on) McGuire. But as she embarks on reacquainting herself and Dax, she realises it's not only friendship she wants.
You know those books where you just instantly know you're going to love it? This Spells Love was one of those for me. I ADORE secret pining, so I was immediately invested in this story and so giddy for Gemma and Dax to finally be together romantically. I loved both characters right from the first chapter. Gemma was so funny, and Dax was SUCH a sweetheart. Their dialogue in both worlds felt organic and crackled with humour. But it was their chemistry that had me rooting for them. They really were adorable together. This is the kind of book that has you squeeing at each page, just waiting for the HEA. But it was also moving, as well as very, VERY funny. I cried laughing at the h*rny curling. Speaking of which, I adored how authentically Canadian this story was. All it was missing was a bit of hockey *winks* There was a fun supporting cast of characters, but I especially loved Kiersten, Dougie, and Brandon. I also appreciated the reminder that every part of our past - good or bad - shapes who we become.
I still can't believe this was a debut! What a wonderful, ultimately uplifting story. I can't wait to read more from Kate Robb.

Overall Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Heat Rating: 🔥🔥
Emotional Rating: 💓😉👏🏻💓😂😉👏🏻🥰💔🥰😂💓🙈💓🤦🏻‍♀️🥰😂🙈💔💓🥰😏💓😉💓😍😏💓😍💓😢👏🏻💓😍💓🥰💓😍😂🙈🥰😍💓😍💓💔😂😏😂😍🥰💔👏🏻💓😬💓😉😢💔💓💡💓👏🏻😍😂💓🥰😭💓👏🏻🥰🙈💓😍💓😉🥰


*Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to leave an honest review. This Spells Love is published on 5th December in the UK*

Favourite Quotes:

"I was miserable. And about ready to head home when I saw this girl at the bar, and somehow I knew that if I talked to her, she’d change my life."

Our spell caused a rift in the universe. We created a hot tub time machine without an actual hot tub.

I’ve never, ever had problems talking to Dax. But the only thought that seems to surface is to comment on the plumpness of his plums. At least I have the self- awareness to know that that’s f**king weird and not at all in line with the fun- loving friend I’m trying to portray.

“What may be better for one may not be better for all. We are all tiny threads in a greater tapestry. If you pull one, you may risk undoing everything.”

This was such a cute book, the dialog flowed really well and was very witty. I enjoyed the development of the characters and the story concept, it was an easy read and hard to put down once started.

I really loved this book, Gemma and Dax’s story was so cute and their banter was witty. Aunt Livi is my new favourite person, her one liners had me howling she was an absolute delight. Definitely recommend this gem!

Thankyou to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

This you to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy of this e-arc!

I wish I enjoyed this more than I did. It had everything I enjoy in a book in it but it just didn’t hit the spot for me but it was still written very well.

I think this will be widely loved

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘙𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘮 𝘏𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬, 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘐 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘦𝘥. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.

"𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸｡"

Every now and then, I reach for a book when I am feeling a bit slumpy, not expecting to love it, but to fill a gap between reads. I did that with 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘚𝘱𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 and I absolutely 𝗔𝗗𝗢𝗥𝗘𝗗 it!

This book had everything, it had a fun and well executed plot, MC’s that I just loved, side characters that were just as adorable, banter (seriously, I was laughing out loud - A LOT!), steamy romance, and there was 𝗡𝗢 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗥𝗗 𝗔𝗖𝗧 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞 𝗨𝗣! The whole book just flowed perfectly for me and I was just smiling the whole way through.

So, the book follows 𝗚𝗲𝗺𝗺𝗮 who is heartbroken after a recent break up and performs a 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘦 to erase the day she met her ex. What she didn’t anticipate however was the domino effect that would follow, erasing her best friend 𝗗𝗮𝘅, and anything that could be linked back to her ex, from her life at the very same time, and the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.

"𝗜'𝘃𝗲 𝗳𝘂**𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲-𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘂𝗺, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗮𝘅 𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲｡"

Gemma has a month to live in her new alternate reality before she can attempt to reverse the ritual and go back to her old life, but to do so she has to recreate her friendship with Dax and when the time comes she has a serious decision to make.

I really won’t go in to much more of the plot because I recommend just going in to this one blind and enjoying every moment of it for the first time because it is the most wholesome and beautiful little romance!

I truly enjoyed this book, I have fallen in love with the authors writing, and I will be keeping my eye out for future releases of hers for sure! A very pleasant surprise reading this one.

I really loved this, a lot more than I expected as this isn't my usual genre. Very cute and I'll definitely recommend!

What if you could wish never to have met someone?
And what if that wish came true?
But what if it lost you someone else, too?

After a bad breakup, Gemma's wacky aunt ropes her into a mystical "love cleanse" with unintended consequences.

I absolutely adored this book, with its magical, romantic and wistful plot line. It is a true story of being careful what you wish for, and that sometimes what we need has been right there all along. Wonderfully written characters, showing relatable struggles, had me instantly gripped from the first few pages.

A delightful, friends to lovers, mystical romance - I cannot wait to read more from this author.

A cute romantic story.
Gemma has just split up with her boyfriend Stuart of four years and regrets ever meeting him, so when she meets up with her sister and aunt they give her a spell to make her forget.
The next morning she wakes up in a alternate reality where her ex doesn`t exist but her long time friend Dax who she met on the same night she met Stuart does not know her and everything has changed and can`t be changed back for a month when there is another full moon and Dax has to kiss her.
As Gemma and Dax get closer Gemma has to decide to go back and just still be friends with Dax or to stay.
A lovely funny and magical story.
Loved Gemma and Dax and even Frank the spider.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC and I give my honest review.

I couldnt really get into this book, parts were cute but I did find it quite difficult to keep going and get into it.

Thankyou for allowing me to read this though.

This was such a cosy witchy rom com. Gemma has just broken up with her boyfriend. She's heartbroken, and not even her best friend Dax can help cheer her up. One day, Gemma is at her aunt's bookshop and finds a book on spells. She tries one only to wake up in an alternative world where she never met her ex. Everything seems to be perfect, but then she realises that her best friend doesn't know her either. And his life's business is failing. Now Gemma needs to find a way to put things as they were while figuring out what are these new feelings she has for Dax.

What a lovely thrilling Tom com! I loved my time reading this book as it brought so many emotions forward! I looked forward to it every time I picked it up, Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.

Firstly thank you to netgalley and the publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read this e-arc of this spells love.

This book was amazing! I felt all the emotions reading this book, my goodness it was a roller coaster!
The way this book was written by the author i didn’t want to give up after 50 pages, she gave enough detail about people, places, situations etc that kept me hooked.
All the main characters were very likeable, and I really did feel for Dax.
Im so happy for Gemma and the ending she got.
I would most definitely rate this book high, and will definitely buy this for friends and family interested in this genre.
Happy reading!

A fun, thrilling little rom-com that made my day. The characters are endearing, although at times predictable - that's the fun of the genre!

Cute, cozy and romantic! This spells love is a magical, fun and enchanting read. The characters felt relatable and lovable, Dax is the most wholesome man ever and Gemma is so lucky to have him in her life! Time-travel/parallel universes are normally hit and miss for me as they can become confusing but reading the authors take on this was surprisingly easy to follow. I loved this cute little read and would recommend it to others.

Thank you netgalley for the e-arc, all opinions are my own

What a fun and unique book! It feels like contemporary romance books can follow a set “formula” and can end up quite predictable but this felt very new/fresh/unique 🖤

We follow Gemma, our MFC who has a horrible break up which leads her to drunkenly take part in a spell to wish that the relationship had never happened… She wakes up in a parallel world where her wish is true. Unfortunately in this parallel world, her male best friend also has no idea who she is 🙁

This is a single POV book written in first person. If you like friends to lovers, eccentric aunts, alternative universe, angst and a decent amount of spice in your books, you’ll really enjoy this. There’s a strong plot and lots of cute moments sprinkled in too ❤️

Thank you for this eARC in exchange for an honest review 📝 This book is due to be released on 7th December 2023 and I plan on picking up a copy for a friend’s Christmas present!

I don't normally gravitate towards the friends to lovers trope. But this book definitely peaked my interest.

It was fast paced which was great because we got knee deep in the friends-turned strangers- to lovers part of the story pretty quick and I was here for it.

The whole time travel aspect of the story was well thought out but also really simple. You weren't going back pages or re reading paragraphs to wrap your head around it. Kate kept it straight to the point which meant we could focus on the romance instead of the ✨️science✨️.

There are so many aspects of this book that just worked. It all blended brilliantly together and made a cosy romantic book.

For lovers of Sliding Doors and books with Magical Realism then this book is definitely for you.

The book follows Gemma who isn't quite happy in her life, decides along with her aunt and sister to do a spell to rid her of her exes lingering smell, but it doesn't quite go to plan.

I really enjoyed this book, I have become a big fan of magical realism and this definitely hits that genre to a T. With a spell that hasn't gone quite right, unrequited love on both parts as well as thinking the grass is greener on the other side, but the reality is it isn't.

The characters are likeable and for me this is so important - Gemma and Dax are loveable and you can see the cuteness of their friendship, how they love each other and would do anything for each other. Gemma also has a great character growth. The side characters of Aunt Livi, Kiersten (Gemma's Sister) and Dax's cousin Dougie and his partner Brandon made the book more well rounded - it gave Gemma and Dax an extra layer to their characters and added that comedy element as well. Kiersten in particular made Gemma more likeable by calling her out on her behaviour.

If people are expecting a more witchy read then they will be disappointed - this is a book on alternate planes and what ifs - extremely enjoyable and I would highly recommend you give this a go. A cute RomCom, friends to lovers read that is super cute and has a Happily Ever After.

A charming but occasionally stressful friends to lovers romance with a touch of magic! I adored the dynamics between Dax and Gemma in both realities but perhaps more so in her real world, as I can certainly get hooked on the tension between two friends destined to be more and I would have loved to see more of that before the spell was cast. Gemma definitely fared far better than I would being thrown into a different world where things were both the same and different. Trying to navigate that minefield and fix things wasn’t an easy task but I enjoyed seeing her determination, especially in trying to befriend Dax after a rocky start. There was a great cast of characters, Aunt Livi in particular with all of her mysteries and her saucy side, but Gemma could be a bit too self-involved for my taste - which is perhaps fair for everything she was going through, but you’ve got to have your limits. In any case, this was a compelling read and I definitely lost sleep trying to devour it so I can certainly recommend it!

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.