Book Review 📚

This Spells Love by Kate Robb - 4/5 ⭐

There's spice! Yes read that again, this ROM-COM contains spice 👀 I was blown away when I was reading and come across certain scenes. Was truly not expecting any sort of spice, some romance (obviously) but wow. That made the book for me.

Throughout the book there was also this massive "what-if". Not a single moment in this book was laid out, nope. It was all completely random and I actually really enjoyed it! I'm not always a huge lover of rom-com but this one sells itself. Robb has a knack as an author and I can't wait to read more of her books!

I rather enjoyed the characters throughout the book, Gemma could be a bit predictable but I still enjoyed her development. Dax was awesome from the minute we met him, he just seemed like the kind of guy you want for yourself. But rhe sister and the aunt truly made it so much more funnier. Just a couple of one liners here and there that I loved!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for allowing me to read this ARC - this is an HONEST review from my own personal opinion.

This book was such a fun read! I read it in one sitting, which typically doesn’t usually happen for me. Incredibly likeable characters that felt very realistic despite the premise of the book, they were relatable and so refreshing to read. While this premise has been used before, I loved that this telling made it feel so natural and not at all out of the ordinary, particularly with the female main character’s family members who acted as though this was just another regular thing. Beautiful book, wonderfully written. I can’t wait to check out more from this author

Sometimes, there is nothing I crave more than a wholesome romance and This Spells Love delivered.

Everything about this story was done well - the characters are likeable and the plot was flawless. Following a simple idea of What If? We see Gemma (with a G) switching to an alternative life, where the last four years haven't happened. But the consequence of that, is that her and best friend Dax have never actually met. She's got a month to re-establish their friendship so she can close the loop and return back to the life she'd been living.

It was so refreshing to read a book that didn't have a morally grey character in sight!

It was a grand book, probably a bit more than 3 stars, but not good enough (imo) to be 4 stars. I don’t hate the book or anything, it just wasn’t particularly to my taste. But I don’t think I’d actively discourage anyone from reading this book, I just know I won’t be rereading it.

Rounded up from 4.5 stars.

This was such a fun read! Honestly, it felt like I was watching an episode of Charmed. I love when authors do something a little different with the romantic comedy — in this case parallel worlds — it’s nice to have some variety.

It had more spice than I was expecting (not that I’m ever one to complain about that) but overall it was just a really wholesome read and the banter between Gemma and Dax was great.

If you’re looking for a cute romantic comedy with a sprinkling of magic, this could be just the book for you.

I can definitely see my self not only buying this on release day so I have a copy to annotate, but also making Kate Robb and auto buy author!

Have you ever read a book that’s screams it was meant for you? Well, this book did just that!

The things I loved about it are personal reasons and what did I do? I pre ordered a physical copy!

Such a unique book, I loved the plot, and oh my god the characters were so amazing!! I definitely will be recommending it!!

Magical time shifting-sliding doors friends to lovers story! Gem and Dax have been nest friends for over 4 years. Now her relationship has ended, Gem along with her sister and aunt perform a crazy spell. Next thing Gem knows is she has woken up in an alternative world. But like with all choices in life, one small decision can impact another. Does she stay in her new life or go back to her old one?
Highly recommend for a light happy read. The book was well written and characters were all adorable. Definitely left me with feel good vibes. Perfect for a holiday or weekend read.

Who doesn't love a little bit of magic and romance?
Kiersten is my fav character. I love that we have some secondary characters with personality and story. I connected to that.
The flowers with their meanings is adorable. Such a small but sweet romantic little aspect.
The aunt makes me chuckle. Another spot on secondary character who you connect to and want more of.
It's an interesting take on how a redo works and how changing your path, can also change so many other peoples. If you get everything you ever wanted, where does that leave everyone else's path? What do you see from the previous life that you probably didn't see, because you were too caught up on your own issues.

I've really enjoyed this read, super fun, easy and quirky take on a redo story.

I would say this is 4.5 star read. I would have given a 5 star but there seemed to be a lot of letters missing from words that really bugged me. I'm sure this will be fixed before published though! Make sure you give it a go.

I loved this so much, it’s a fantastic read, so warm, cosy, just a great romcom. The story is fun, fast paced and addictive to read, I would think I’ll just read one chapter or so and I’d be there an hour later. It’s full of wonderful humour, the banter and snark, sass is just top class. If you are looking for a quirky, unique , cute read with some steam this one is definitely for you, it was for me

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

3/5

This book took me a while to get into mainly since, once you've read the blurb the first part seems very slow. I enjoyed the book but, I think at some point it felt as though there wasn't alot of plot or things were just very slow and uninteresting, whilst other parts were fast and great. However please be warned I do have adhd so this might just be mem

I think the reason why I felt this way main character was really selfish, whilst yes she showed character development near the end, the anger at the main character for me stayed alot and I found it hard to enjoy the book to it's potential.

Though I'd definitely give it a shot if you are thinking about reading it since it was still a good read though just not my cup of tea. :)

I really enjoyed this! The romance was delicious, and the hints of angst towards the end made my chest ache. Throughout the whole book I was rooting for Gemma to figure herself and the situation out, and the ending was an utter delight! The characters were loveable and well defined, and I have a particular soft spot for kooky Aunt Livi.

The only issue I have was that my ARC appeared to have some very odd editing - I haven't deducted a star for this because I appreciate it's not the authors fault, but in places the ARC was near unreadable. Every point where there was a double f in a word (i.e coffee, offered, off) the f's were missing. I also appeared to be missing the first few words of each chapter, but the missing f's in places made the book very difficult to read.

This was a wonderful read, Contemporary romance with a sprinkle of magic always hits the spot.
Friends to lovers, and the lingering question of "What if"...
The pace of the storytelling was good and was very easy to follow everything that was happening, covering more than just a romantic story, it also included changing the fates of others and how your choices can affect others.
The main characters of the book had character development, which helped move the story forward and the side characters helped bring the story back down to earth with their own struggles.
The "smut" was intimate and there was a little tension, which helped build the electric buzz between them..
By the end of the book I was questioning myself if I wanted Gem to go back to her old life because I didn't want her to lose everything she built with the alternate Dax, friends, family and her life plans, But things always manage to sort themselves out in the end.
💖Dax is perfect.
💖Gem grew on me.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
But this moment was just the cutest to me -
❣️"Goodnight Dax McGuire", I call to him. "Goodnight, Gemma McGuire", he calls back. "Slip of the tongue?" He shrugs and smiles. "Something like that".❣️
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
⭐ 4/5
🌶️ 2.5/5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Looks, we all have that one ex we wish we could forget, but how far are we willing to go to do so?

This story gives off “50 first dates” vibes in the best way possible, and really has young u asking yourself “if I could go back and start again with a blank slate, what would I change? Would I change anything?”
Gemma and Dax are an adorable pair, and the moment she realise he’s forgotten her is just gut wrenching, but watching them fight to regain their relationship is just delightful. The “friends to strangers to lovers” dynamic is done perfectly. A great read!

This was such a fun book!

Imagine waking up one morning and the life as you knew it is no more--your fancy apartment is gone, your job is new and your best friend has no idea who you are. What do you do?

Gemma and her slightly kooky family decide to try out a magic spell in a mysterious book that appeared in her auntie's bookstore and just that happens. When Gemma wakes up the next morning her life has been turned upside down and she only has a month to put it right again. If you had to make a choice between your own happiness and that of the people you love, what do you choose?

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

Great little twist on a time travelling romcom and all those what if questions. Fast paced chapters and likeable characters with of course a HEA. Bit more spice than was expecting so some content warnings may be needed.

I unfortunately could not get into this book. But this might be for another type of reader, and wish the best for the writers.

3*

Thanks to NetGalley for an arc of this book.

I enjoyed the storyline of this book and loved that it was set in Hamilton, Ontario. I used to live in Toronto so this gave me some really nice nostalgia.

I also really loved Dax and the progression and diversity of his character in the timelines, as well as Gemma’s character arc from as she learns, grows, and understands herself better.

What I didn’t enjoy was some of the writing style. It felt a little juvenile and needed maybe just another fine tooth comb with an editor to tightening things up.

It was still an enjoyable read, great for fans of romance with a touch of magic.

This story is fantastic, a fresh spin on a classic tale of "What If"
The pace of the story was perfect, the right balance of will she stay or will she return.
Gemma was easy to get behind, I felt myself on the edge of my seat ready to shout "you need to go back Gemma!!!"
Daxon is an absolute dreamboat, definitely worth the jump from friends to lovers 🤩
I devoured this book in one sitting and would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves a classic rom-com!

I LOVED this book. Such a nice, easy read, good story, likeable characters and just overall fun! I loved the premise of it and thought it was quite unique and different, and I really enjoyed how it ended, and how it covered so many themes like family, friends to lovers, self growth and so much more. Highly recommend!