A wonderful debut featuring love, passion, humour, whimsy and a little bit magic. I loved the friends to lovers vibes, the spice was so sweet and sexy at the same time, The main characters were so relatable yet very captivating too!
I really enjoyed the whole notion of wishing things were slightly different in your life and then having to actually deal with the consequences of that wish in a very real way.
Special shout-out to the inclusion of curling! It's my favourite sport to watch every time the Winter Olympics roll around, so it was great to read about in more depth here!
The resolution and how everything came together was great, I can't wait to see what Kate Robb writes next!

(My review will be posted on 7th December 2023 on my Bookstagram @rosesmagicalreads

I love the idea of soulmates, that your person is your person regardless of what timeline you’re in and that no matter what happens you’ll always find your way together. It’s so beautiful and comforting and one can only hope it’s true, so when I found out about this book, I knew I had to read it and it did not disappoint.

I LOVED seeing Gemma realize she was in love with Dax in the second timeline - the way they connected from the moment they met there (even though he didn’t know her before) and how Dax inevitably fell in love with her as they started spending time together and then went on showed her what they could have. I also loved the butterfly effect aspect of all of this, the way the tinniest change can make a huge difference and the subsequent dilemma that Gemma faced when she had to chose between her dream and the dreams of those she loved, and how she grew more confident in herself as the story progressed and the choice ended up being much easier than she thought it would.

However, as much as I love this type of book, the magic realism and the untreatable connection between soulmates, one thing I find they often lack is development when the MC comes back to the “og” timeline. These books are generally really focused on one of the timelines, which takes up most of the chapters and then when they return to the “real world” things tend to be really rushed, which I don’t love. I would have loved to seen more (even if only a little bit) of Gemma and Dax’s lives when she returned and that’s honestly the only reason why I’m not giving this book 5 stars.

Overall, I loved this book and had the best time reading it. I was really invested in the characters their stories, and the unbreakable connection connection between Dax and Gemma and couldn’t put it down.

4.5/5 Stars

A big thank you to Penguin General UK and Netgalley for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review💙

I enjoyed this book. It was like a will they won’t they type of book.

Gemma has just come out of relationship and is dealing with the breakup. Her Aunt, sister and her decide to do this spell will anything happen. Gemma has been friends with Dax for the last four years. Gemma wakes up in a parallel universe and realises over the next few weeks she feels differently about Dax. Will Gemma stay in this universe or go back to her one where she came from only time will tell.

The book was a sweet book and was quite light hearted I enjoyed the concept of it.

It kept my imagination going wondering what would happen.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars rounded to 4.

This was a lot of fun to read, a sort of 'what if', Sliding Doors scenario. I do have to confess I thought there might be a more witchy, magical aspect but aside from the spell at the beginning which erases FMC Gemma's entire history with best friend Dax, there's not really any magical element.

All in all this was an easy, quick read. I wish I'd connected to the characters a bit more, but that's more a 'me' problem and not the book itself. I think when I go in expecting one thing and getting something a little different then it colours my experience reading it.

I mostly read fantasy and romantasy however I do tend to pick up the odd contemporary romance now and again, and I needed something light and fluffy to lighten my mood while rereading so many emotional books and this spells love delivered 10 fold!

I was giggling and kicking my feet the whole way through this one, and let’s just say Daxon has made it onto the book boyfriend list! It’s was the perfect blend of sliding doors, when harry met sally and a sprinkle of practical magic thrown in there too! It doesn’t specify the time of year it was set but it definitely gave me autumnal vibes, so perfect to read around this time of year.

Read this if you love:

💕friends to lovers
💕slow burn will they won’t they
💕sister relationships
💕witty banter
💕just enough spice 🌶️(perfectly executed)
💕great character development and well thought out side characters
💕coffee and doughnuts 😂(I was seriously craving doughnuts the whole time reading this)

I was given an ARC of this book by net galley.

This is a lovely friends to lovers small town romance.

Love the way that this story is written and how the love story between the two main characters evolves.

Looking forward to reading more from this author.

I am not usually a fan of this type of romance, however; I found this to be a sweet and light-hearted romantic comedy. The story had an extra touch of magic thanks to the witchy family. I particularly enjoyed the friends-to-lovers plot, and I was rooting for the characters from the very beginning.

However, I noticed several typos in the ebook, which made it difficult to read. Words with a double "f" were missing one letter, which affected the overall reading experience. I hope the publisher will note these errors and fix them before the publication date.

Despite this issue, I still believe that this book's storyline is a faultless, enjoyable read with a touch of romance that is well worth checking out if you are a fan of this genre.

Unfortunately, I do not see myself going out of my way to read more of this genre.

I really wanted to love this book. I get so excited whenever a story incorporates elements of time travel into everyday life. Sadly, I never quite gelled with Gemma so I didn’t find myself that invested in her journey. She was a rom-com cliche: messy and chaotic but quirky and beautiful. I think I could have glossed over this formulaic characterisation if she wasn’t so self-absorbed. I get that messing with the space-time continuum can make a person a little egocentric for a while, but Gemma constantly put herself and her needs before others, particularly her supportive sister Kiersten and of course Dax.

Gemma could also be annoyingly slow to pick up on things, especially when they concerned Dax. This made it harder for me to root for her and their romance. It was obvious that Dax (in both timelines) adored her, so it was frustrating to watch Gemma fight so hard against the idea of catching feelings for her best friend.

Despite the novel’s exciting premise and some moments of fun, the heroine let me down. She could be annoyingly ignorant and self-absorbed, often to the detriment of those who supported her.

A broken heart, a spell book and a few too many margaritas. Gemma has just got out of a 4 year relationship and is struggling to get over it. On a drunken night with her sister and her aunt, the three of them cast a love cleanse. Only problem is the cleanse requires a kiss to be completed. Enter Dax, Gemma best friend. After the kiss, Gemma wakes up in a whole new world. A world where her ex and her never got together. Only problem is, Dax doesn't remeber her either. Gemma begins to realise all the things her relationship brought her and needs to find a way to fix it. But is this new world better than hers? Does she really want to go back to her heartbreak?

I absolutely LOVED this book. After a recent reading slump I stormed this book in 3 days. It is so heartwarming and family oriented. The relationship between Gemma and Dax in both worlds is beautiful. Gemma sister and Aunt also play amazing roles in the book and add to the cozy vibe. Very lucky to have received this as an ARC and will definitely be buying a physical copy!

A break up has left Gemma heartbroken and missing her unsuitable ex Stuart. Aunt Livi invites Gemma over to her magical home an eclectic bookshop, for a night of margaritas to comfort her with her sister Kiersten and her handsome best friend Dax.for company. Whilst the margaritas are flowing Aunt Livi performs a spell to erase the night Gemma met Stuart, the only problem is it’s also the night Gemma first met Dax. The next morning Gemma goes to see Dax and soon realises nothing is as it was before the spell and her best friend Dax has no memory of ever meeting Gemma.

This is such a cute book, I loved the friends to lovers troupe ( they were perfect for each other ), the alternate reality of a changing timeline plus a sprinkling of magic✨.This is a perfect heartwarming read to devour in one sitting and to help ponder the what ifs .. very sliding doors romance.

This Spells Love by Kate Robb is a delightful romcom that weaves humor, romance, and a touch of magical realism into a captivating tale. Gemma, reeling from a painful breakup, takes a whimsical journey with her sister, eccentric aunt, and best friend Dax to erase her ex from her memories through a love-cleansing spell. However, the spell works a bit too well, transporting Gemma into an alternate reality where her past is unrecognizable, and Dax has no memory of their friendship.

Robb skillfully crafts a story filled with warmth, personal growth, and charming characters. Gemma's journey of self-discovery and her evolving relationship with Dax are heartwarming and relatable. Dax, the cinnamon roll book boyfriend, adds a swoon-worthy element to the narrative, making readers root for their connection.

The writing style is engaging, drawing readers in from the start with a unique and intriguing plot. The blend of humor, banter, chemistry, and a hint of magical elements creates a perfect concoction for a feel-good romantic comedy. The secondary characters are equally captivating, leaving readers hoping for a potential series to explore their stories.

Kate Robb's debut is a page-turner, combining elements of romance and magical realism in a way that feels fresh and enjoyable. This Spells Love is a must-read for those seeking a heartwarming and charming romantic escape. I devoured the book in a day and found myself enchanted by the story's warmth and coziness. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a delightful romcom with a touch of magic.
Thank you so much NetGalley for the ARC!

This is the perfect type of story sharing a what-if/sliding doors snapshot. What if you took the leap and started your own business, what if you didn’t date the ‘nothing’ guy for four years, what if you fell in love with your best friend instead? What would it mean? What would be changed?

There were so many heart-warming moments throughout that meant I had a constant cosy feeling while reading.

The plot was interesting and unique and I enjoyed the suspense of not knowing how or where the story would end.

One of my favourite things was the honestly of the characters in their respective relationships. There was no miscommunication or secrets for the sake of tension. Instead the anticipation came from wondering which was the right choice for all the characters and if Gemma was strong enough to make it.

If you’re a fan of authentic characters, friends to lovers with A+ chemistry all wrapped up in a magical realism bow this book is for you.

This was quite a cute and engaging read. It wasn’t entirely my cup of tea but I was able to get through it quite quickly. The relationship between Gemma and Dax was quite sweet in both timelines and I thought they had some nice scenes together.

I thought this book had some good ideas in it and I was really intrigued by the premise. However, personally I was not keen on the execution of it all. I didn’t think it would lean so heavily into the idea of being an actual ‘parallel universe’ –and I found aspects of this a little clunky.

It just wasn’t my kind of book, really; it had some very cute bits I just wasn’t keen on how the story played out. Still, the writing was nice and it was definitely an easy, fluffy read. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free copy of this book.

Content Notes: Mild injuries, absent parents, references to fire, serious debt, on-page sex, oral sex.

I really liked the premise of this book- a ‘what if’ alternate universe story that happens after main character Gemma performs a spell and magics away ever having met her ex-boyfriend. We then explore what this life is like, where incidentally it has erased Gemma having ever met her best friend Dax. She then goes to build up their relationship and it follows a friends-to-lovers trope.

I feel that this could have been executed better; Gemma is a very difficult character to like and some parts of her inner monologue I just really wasn’t keen on. Dax is definitely the best character and I really liked the way he was written.

I feel that the ending was fairly predictable, but I didn’t hate it. The character development is good and I enjoyed the resolution.

Also, there were a lot of spelling errors in this copy- double F missing most of the time and the start of the chapters seemed to be missing words. It was slightly frustrating to read this way and I am hoping that this will be sorted in time for printing.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Penguin and Kate Robb for early access to this title.

A sweet book with both the friends to lovers trope and an alternative universe! It read and felt like a great noughties romcom with elements of 13 Going on 30. I quite liked the characters although there could have been more depth to them. Overall it was a fun read!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I really enjoyed this, it was a really entertaining romcom with a hint of magic.
The character relationships were well written, and I liked the focus of friendship and family being so important. Although loved obviously wins the day, it’s not a smooth ride.

Such an amazing concept! I loved every second and adore this writing style! I was hooked from the very start! Just amazing!!!

This Spells Love - Kate Robb

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I absolutely loved this book! I was lucky enough to receive this book from Netgalley but this is one that I will 100% need to buy a physical copy of.

The book centers around Gemma who has just gotten out of a long term relationship and wishes to forget all about her ex.

Gemma, her sister and her aunt spend a night drinking margaritas and end up creating a spell that sends Gemma to an alternate universe where she ends up dating her best friend.

100% would recommend this book to everyone, it is now a must read for me and I will be revisiting ASAP.

For some reason any words with a double F in this book (coffee) disappeared so it read as (coee) which was very weird but it didn't put me off.

Cannot wait to get my hands on the physical copy and reread this. 🧙🏻‍♀️

*Thank you to Netgalley for sending me this book in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.*

#thisspellslove #NetGalley
20s

I absolutely loved the essential question of the book: What would you do if you and your best friend’s entire history was deleted and you could have a fresh start? How would you act? Would you do anything differently?

That’s what happens to Gemma and Dax. In a drunken, fateful night Gemma wishes to wipe her ex, Stuart, from her mind. She’s been heartbroken over him for too long and she is angry and sad and fed up. What happens is that she lands in an alternative dimension, where a lot of things are the same but the things that make her life hers are very different.

Gemma has to navigate this new dimension where she made her lifelong business dream come true but she lives in a dark, slightly weird cellar and worst of all, her best friend is not her best friend. They don’t even know each other, so when she stumbles in his life, there is a lot of confusion on both sides. But also attraction.

Gemma starts seeing Dax in a whole new light and realizes that there is so much more to their relationship than she ever thought of. I really liked seeing how their relationship unfolds. There is the constant comparison between the dimensions and how both have advantages and disadvantages. While Dax from the other dimension (Dax 2?) is still Dax, he discovers Gemma without any romantic involvement on her part, with no past history and friendship on the line. He is allowed to act differently and Gemma falls in love with him quickly. But while she loves Dax 2 she comes to realize that Dax 1, her best friend, is also the man she has loved forever even if she didn’t see it. She is constantly torn between her old life and the new one which opens her eyes to so many things she has been blind to before. Not only her love life, but also when it comes to her family and her work choices.

I liked the ways in which Gemma comes to see her life differently and how she grows with each interaction she has. The book has amazing secondary characters that push the plot and the MCs forward and help them on their journey but are also separate and realistic characters that I could imagine very well.

I was annoyed with Gemma at many points, though. I get it, this is her story. But she is also so very egoistic, demanding help of her loved ones left and right to get her things in order while not seeing how everyone else might need her, too. And how can she not realize some basic stuff going on with the other characters? Gemma is supposed to be quite smart, yet she is very unobservant and always stuck in her own head.
I did like that This Spells Love explores that as well but not as much as I would have liked. There were way too many instances where I just wanted to shake Gemma out of it and open her eyes to other people’s problems.

Another thing I had a hard time with were the spicy scenes. This is a very personal thing but the metaphors used to describe the sexual activities were just too funny to me and made me laugh out loud.

Generally speaking, This Spells Love is an enjoyable read with an amazing premised that is explored in an interesting and surprisingly fresh way, yet had a protagonist that didn’t really grow on me. It was a solid story that I might have expected more of but still liked a lot!

I really wanted to like the book as the premise seemed interesting but the writing is very clunky, messy, too much at one time and did not flow well. I just couldn't get into the characters and it felt very newbie writing without a proof read.