Solar Eclipse of the Heart

Dial Delights #4

by Kate Robb

A grieving researcher finds her orderly life derailed when her aspiring musician roommate’s leather jacket sparks inexplicable visions—and an inconvenient romance that defies all logic.

Annalise Harris believes in facts and figures—her shield against a world that has thrown her too many curveballs. Raised by her uncle after her mother’s untimely death, she’s always relied on logic to avoid the unexpected. So when her uncle passes away, Annalise is left reeling. Grief doesn’t follow rules. There’s no rational explanation as to why life keeps dealing her such a brutal hand.

Luckily, she has an escape a PhD program abroad, where she can immerse herself in scientific reasoning and leave everything else behind. She’s almost packed and she’s found Mackenzis Smith—the perfect roommate to watch over the house while she’s gone. But unluckily, Mackenzie is not the female roommate she was expecting, but a leather-jacket-wearing, wannabe rockstar, extremely attractive man. At least they’ll only be sharing the space for a few months. Then she’ll be gone.

Except Mackenzie is more than he appears—and so is his jacket. When Annalise slips it on one afternoon, she’s struck by inexplicable visions that defy every law of logic she holds dear. One moment she’s standing in her apartment; the next, she’s somewhere completely different…and nobody can see her. Is she hallucinating? Has the stress of all the impending changes broken her brain? As Annalise scrambles to explain the impossible, she and Mackenzie grow closer, bonding over Hallmark Christmas movies and their neighbor’s inexplicably strange baked goods.

There’s no rational reason an old leather jacket should unlock visions—or for Annalise to fall for a musician with an uncertain future just as she’s preparing to move across an ocean. But for the first time since losing her uncle, she feels something she thought was gone for happiness. 

The question is, can she trust it? And can she follow her heart—even if it means letting go of sense?

Genres: Romance, Magical Realism, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Adult

Kindle Edition

Expected publication October 6, 2026

Reviews

[BookishKB]

❤️ Solar Eclipse of the Heart ❤️

📖 Bookish Thoughts

My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.

✨ What to Expect
• Magical Realism
• Opposites Attract
• Grumpy x Sunshine
• Forced Roommates
• Healing After Loss
_ _ _

📅 Pub Date: October 6, 2026
Thank you to Dial Press Trade Paperback, Random House, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

[Annie K · Rating 4 out of 5]

TL;DR: A slow-burn, tension-filled contemporary romance with a logical, relatable FMC, great chemistry, and a magical realism thread that didn’t fully land for me—but still a very enjoyable read overall.

I love a Kate Robb book. Her romances are always top tier, and she writes some of the best tension I’ve ever read—this one is no exception. It’s also a deliciously slow burn, which left me equal parts frustrated and enthralled. When Annalise and the MMC finally got together, I was cheering.

I really enjoyed Annalise as a character. She’s a neuroscientist who studies how addiction affects the brain, so she approaches the world from a very logical lens—something I can definitely relate to. It was fun watching her go from analyzing her feelings to actually experiencing them in real time. As a logical person myself, learning how to actually *feel* things is very real, lol.

The magical realism element of the book, however, left a little to be desired. I usually enjoy Kate Robb’s twists, but her last two ventures into magical realism have felt a bit disconnected from the storyline, and I can’t help but wonder if she might be even stronger sticking to contemporary romance.

I also always love the Canadian settings. As an American, it’s fun noticing the small cultural differences that show up in her books. In many ways we’re very similar, but her writing makes those subtle distinctions stand out.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book. If you love slow burns and stories with a touch of magic or hallucination-like elements, this one is for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dial Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Laci Rambo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Random House and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book and I’m tearing up a bit at the fact that I just finished it. I love every single character. I love the plot, the magic, the “signs”, and especially Uncle Larry. I want this book on my shelf and I don’t normally do shelf trophies. This is my first Kate Robb book, but I will absolutely be reading all of her other novels asap. I also love the Easter egg list at the very end explaining some details that are connected with her other books. Ugh!! I’m just excited about this and it’s made me all happy and giddy. It was everything I wanted it to be.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 🌶️🌶️

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Robb, you are my favorite rom-com-with-a-magical-element author!!! I was approved for this eARC 3 months ago but I saved it because I knew I would not want it to end… and I was right. I absolutely love the way Robb weaves just a tiny bit of magical realism into her books, and her characters, plots, and dialog are all TOP NOTCH. More of this, please!!! (I also LOVED the connections pointed out at the end!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jodi Schulz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. I have really enjoyed Kate Robb’s other books and this one was just okay. I will say I flew through it, reading it in just a few hours. But the story was really just okay and I never really connected with any of the characters.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

At this point, Kate Robb has become one of those authors whose books I pick up without much hesitation. She consistently writes romances with incredible chemistry, and Solar Eclipse of the Heart is no exception. If you're a fan of slow-burn romance that makes you work for the payoff, this one absolutely delivers.

One of my favorite things about the book was Annalise. As a neuroscientist who studies addiction, she approaches life through a deeply analytical lens, always looking for a logical explanation before allowing herself to embrace uncertainty. I found her incredibly relatable. Watching her slowly move from observing her emotions to actually experiencing them was one of the strongest parts of the story for me. Her personal growth felt just as important as the romance itself.

And speaking of the romance—Kate Robb really knows how to write tension. The relationship between Annalise and Mackenzie unfolds gradually, built through friendship, banter, shared routines, and quiet moments that steadily become something more. I spent much of the book rooting for them to finally get out of their own way. The payoff felt well-earned, which is exactly what I want from a slow burn.

I also loved the found-family elements woven throughout the story. As Annalise begins opening herself up to new friendships and connections, the book develops a warmth that extends beyond the central romance. There’s a cozy, comforting quality to the story that reminded me a little of the feeling you get watching a favorite holiday movie—fitting, given all the Christmas movie references sprinkled throughout.

The magical realism element was probably the one aspect that didn't work quite as well for me. While I appreciated what it brought to Annalise's emotional journey, it sometimes felt a bit disconnected from the rest of the story. I found myself more invested in the character growth, relationships, and romance than I was in unraveling the mystery of the jacket and its unusual abilities. That's not to say it didn't add anything—I just think the contemporary romance side of the story was where the book truly shined.

I also would have loved a little more depth from Mackenzie. He's incredibly likable, supportive, and easy to root for, but there were moments where I wished we got a clearer picture of his inner world beyond how perfectly he fit into Annalise's life.

Even so, I had a great time with this book. The chemistry is excellent, the slow burn is wonderfully satisfying, and Annalise's journey of learning to embrace life instead of simply analyzing it gave the story a lot of heart. If you enjoy character-driven romances with a touch of magic, strong emotional growth, and plenty of romantic tension, Solar Eclipse of the Heart is well worth picking up.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy!

[Jaclyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC access to this book in exchange for my honest review.

Read the full review here: https://medium.com/@jaclyn.havington/...

Summer is the perfect time for love stories, and over the past few years there are few love stories I have enjoyed more than those written by Kate Robb.

To date, Canadian author Kate Robb has 3 books published — This Spells Love, Prime Time Romance, and Kitty St. Clair’s Last Dance. Her fourth novel, Solar Eclipse of the Heart is scheduled to be released in October.

Kate’s genre is Romance, sprinkled with a bit of magic. Think Emily Henry, Abby Jimenez, or Katherine Center…but with an extra bit of magical realism that really makes her stories stand out. This Spells Love involves a spell involving margaritas and chicken wings (two of my favorite things, which perhaps is what initially drew me to Kate’s writing), Prime Time Romance has a birthday cake that can transport you to your favorite teen sitcom (think Dawson’s Creek or Gilmore Girls), and Kitty St. Clair’s Last Dance featured a time transporting diary. The spark of magic in Solar Eclipse of the Heart is a vintage leather jacket that that triggers magical visions.

The main characters in Solar Eclipse of the Heart are Annaliese Harris, a researcher and PhD candidate, and Mackenzie Smith, an aspiring rockstar who happens to be her new roommate. Their chemistry is electric from the second they meet(cute). Having only corresponded via email, Annaliese mistakenly believed Mackenzie was a different (female) Mackenzie Smith, and is more than a little surprised when she walks out of the bathroom in a towel to find a strange man in her apartment.

The cast of secondary characters in this novel is also excellent. Annaliese’s decease Uncle Larry, a firm believer in signs, plays a large role in the novel, as well as her friend Koko who owns the thrift shop below her apartment. Her neighbor, Harmony, who loves to bake but has questionable (at best) taste for ingredients is a fun addition to the cast.

I also delighted to see some nods to locations, characters, and in-universe pop-culture references from Kate’s previous novels show up in this book! It feels like we are starting to get a nice little Kate Robb-iverse, and I couldn’t possibly be more delighted!

This was a slow-burn romance (the best kind!) and much like Kate’s other books it was on the midly-spicy side. You can expect one or two spicier love scenes in her books. I’d rate her somewhere between Katherine Center and Emily Henry on the spice scale.

[Case · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve really enjoyed every Kate Robb book I’ve picked up so far. They’re sweet, slightly magical romances that are unapologetically Canadian. As someone from Ontario, there’s something especially comforting about seeing familiar places and references woven so naturally into the setting.

More than anything, Solar Eclipse of the Heart felt like the warm hug of a Hallmark Christmas movie. Not because the story follows the same formula, but because it creates that same feeling of comfort and hope. It’s the kind of book that lets you settle in, turn your brain off for a while, and believe things might actually work out.

I loved that Mackenzie was very clearly all in from the beginning, and that the tension never came from him. He doesn’t play games, push Annalise before she’s ready, or try to bulldoze through her walls with grand romantic gestures. He likes her exactly as she is and simply gives her the space to figure things out in her own time.

I think that’s reflective of the book as a whole. It isn’t really asking anyone to change. It’s about meeting people where they are. Throughout the story, Annalise is surrounded by people who keep showing up for her without asking her to become a different version of herself first. Whether it’s Mackenzie, Larry and the mystical jacket, or her friends quietly pulling her back into their lives, everyone just keeps reminding her there’s still a place for her until she’s ready to believe it herself.

I found Annalise herself to be sort of endearing too. She’s anxious, guarded, overthinks everything, and spends so much time convincing herself she’s on the outside looking in. But she’s gone through an incredible amount of loss for someone her age, so those reactions never felt frustrating or overdone to me. There were moments where I saw parts of myself that I’m not always proud of, and instead of making me frustrated with her, they made me root for her even more.

I don’t mind books that explore grief, but I appreciated that it never became Annalise’s entire identity. It explained why she had closed herself off while leaving room for a much more hopeful message that you’re still worthy of friendship, fun, and love, even when you’re struggling to believe it yourself.

Maybe that’s why the Hallmark comparison felt so fitting. Beneath the magic and the romance, this is really a comfort read about ordinary people choosing each other, and I finished it feeling a little lighter than when I started.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book!

[Pattricia Mesa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solar Eclipse of the Heart is Kate Robb's fourth novel, and I just want to start by congratulating her on reaching such an incredible milestone. The story follows Annalise Harris, a woman who has always relied on logic to guide every decision she makes. But when her beloved uncle passes away, Annalise is forced to navigate both grief and the unexpected inheritance he leaves behind, one that sends her on the adventure of a lifetime and slowly begins to challenge the carefully structured way she's always viewed the world.

This book really showcases Robb's growth as a writer. While I loved the whimsical, almost teenage dream quality of her earlier books, Solar Eclipse of the Heart feels noticeably more mature, more grounded, and more reflective. I really enjoyed this shift. Rather than bouncing back and forth between a "what if" reality and the real world, we get to spend our time fully immersed in Annalise and Mackenzie's journey, allowing both their relationship and their individual growth to take center stage. Their romance is a true slow burn, one that develops naturally and feels earned every step of the way.

And then there's the ending. I honestly don't know how Kate Robb keeps doing it, but every single one of her books manages to leave me in tears. She has this rare ability to write endings that feel magical without ever losing their emotional authenticity. She has such a beautiful way of bringing her stories to a close, leaving readers with a sense of hope, wonder, and just the right amount of heartbreak. This ending felt especially special because it reminded me that the best kind of magic isn't always found in extraordinary events, but in the people who change us and the choices we're brave enough to make. I truly can't think of a better way for a story like this to end.

Now the wait for book five officially begins, and I can't wait to see where Robb takes us next.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stayed up until 1:30am to finish Solar Eclipse of the Heart because I didn't want to put it down. Thank you Kate Robb, Dial Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy. 100% worth the lack of sleep.

First off, Solar Eclipse of the Heart made me homesick, as many books that take place in the greater Toronto and WNY area do. I love when I can visualize the real life areas that the characters are in, it adds another level to the story for me. While Solar Eclipse of the Heart isn't a Christmas book, it gives cozy-ish Christmas vibes. Classic Hallmark Christmas movie in book form and I would have thought that even if Hallmark movies weren't sprinkled throughout. I classify as cozy-ish & not cozy because I grabbed way too many tissues while reading.

I absolutely loved both Annalise (women in STEM, yay!) and Mackenzie as the main characters and how much the found family of Harmony and Koko brought to the storyline. They were all relatable in their own ways with Annalise being awkward while Mackenzie is soft and sociable. The way the two played off each other was adorable and had you rooting for them all along. Oh & you can't tell me that Philip doesn't give off Sheldon from Big Bang Theory vibes. I also feel as though grief itself was almost another main recurring character in Solar Eclipse of the Heart. Most of the actions of Annalise were driven or shaped through grief.

I can 100% say that I did not see the twist coming. Looking back I should have, there were probably signs but it was as big of a reveal to me as it was the Annalise & Mackenzie and made me laugh so hard. Having read This Spells Love, also written by Robb, I enjoyed the sprinkles from it that I caught in passing and the confirmation of them in the back of the book.

Overall rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 stars

[Meredith Redding · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every second of this book! I have such a soft spot for Kate Robb. I read her debut novel back when I was first starting out on NetGalley, so I was just picking up whatever books I could get access to at the time. So it was such a nice surprise when This Spells Love turned out to be such a memorable and enjoyable read! I’ve been reading everything Kate puts out ever since, just waiting for her books to gain the attention they deserve.

Back to this current story - the whole thing is like a nice warm hug of a book! All of the characters are so kind-hearted and good to each other. There’s no unnecessary drama, it’s just a story about someone muddling their way through life and grief and love, with a little help from some magic along the way.

I always look forward to seeing what new way Kate will think of to add some magic to her stories, and I enjoyed seeing how she tied all the characters together through Annalise’s uncle in this one. There have definitely been some times in my life where I’ve thought maybe things happen for a reason, or at least I’ve been either hopeless enough or optimistic enough to hope so, so it was interesting to see that play out in this story. I liked how it worked out that the characters chose their own paths, but it also still felt like it was all cosmically destined to be.

I also love when stories by the same author are all set within the same universe, so they can tie in all their previous stories through little Easter eggs. And there was even a summary of all of them at the end, which was nice to be able to see all the ones I missed, too! It makes me want to go back and read her backlist again now.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House/Dial Press Trade Paperback for the ARC of this book!

[madisyn (bookish verison) · Rating 4 out of 5]

SOLAR ECLIPSE OF THE HEART (ARC) | ★★★★☆.5 | KINDLE

annalise has found the perfect roommate and person to sublet her home while she goes off to liverpool to conduct research for scientific purposes.

mackenzie smith sounds like a dream — she’s quiet, keeps to herself — nothing over the top or out of the ordinary. except annalise google searched the wrong mackenzie and her new roommate is a brooding, want to be, leather jacket wearing drummer.

expect there is more going on than meets the eye, even with the slight mix up of mackenzie’s. there’s something strange happening to annalise and these hallucinations are starting to become a little too real.

but annalise who is grieving heavily from the loss of her uncle, larry, who always had the universe up his sleeve. it feels like maybe these hallucinations are trying to tell her something, maybe it’s a sign. as larry would say.

oh my god @kate_robb_writes this book was incredible. i absolutely fell in love with the premise of this book and was quickly swept up into annalise’s world. it was short, sweet, but tangled the ideas of the universe and maybe things are meant to happen for reasons we don’t know. i loved the way there was so much humour, symbolism and romance in this. the yearning between annalise and mackenzie was KILLING me. the amount of times i wanted to shout “YOU TWO NEED TO KISS” absolutely ridiculous.

i also adored that this was set in toronto, ontario — i loved the woven canadian features and lingo that i am very familiar with. i thought that the setting added to the overall vibes from the book itself.

thank you to @netgalley and @randomhouse for the e-arc! this was an amazing read.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Dial Press and NetGalley for this e-ARC.

3.75 stars. This was such a cute romcom with just a touch of magical realism… that maybe wasn’t magical realism at all, maybe it was just fate showing up in a funny way.

I really connected with the FMC, Annalise. Even though we have very different backgrounds and experiences, we both have very similar ways of living our lives. I immediately felt close to her and that absolutely locked me into the story so quickly.

This honestly felt almost like a Christmas novel. It gave me very similar Hallmark vibes… but more real. Maybe it has to do with the amount of Hallmark Christmas movies the characters watched, but there was a sense of magic flowing through the entire novel, similar to the kind of magic you feel during Christmas time. It just gave me warm and fuzzy feelings.

I think the only downside of the novel to me was the MMC, MacKenzie. He was great and perfect, but almost too perfect. I felt like we only got a glimpse of who he really is. It felt more like he was only half formed, and developed just enough to be the perfect partner for Annalise. But I don’t feel like I got a fully formed idea of who he truly is. It was all just a bit … too perfect. Which doesn’t help it not feel like it was made for Hallmark. I understood the character development and growth of the FMC, but it just wasn’t there for the MMC.

Super cute and enjoyable story, but definitely feels a bit more on the surface level side because half of the main characters just didn’t feel real.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, Net Galley, for this ARC. Annalise is a researcher who studies addiction and is leaving in a few months for a graduate program in London. Annalise has kept herself isolated since the loss of her Uncle Larry, but needs a roommate to watch the house when she is gone. She thinks her new roommate is a girl and is surprised when Mackenzie is a guy. After the initial shock, Annalise and Mackenzie start to become friends. Eventually she tries on Mackenzie's jacket and is briefly transported to past memories involving her Uncle Larry. This makes Annalise question herself, but ultimately, she is drawn to this and finds ways to put on the jacket on again to see more memories. As she investigates more about the jacket, Annalise begins to step out of her comfort zone, make friends who become found family, and slowly starts to fall in love with Mackenzie. This was an engaging read as it was a sweet romance sprinkled with a dash of magical realism. I really enjoyed seeing Annalise come into herself, grow as a character, and let down her walls to make friends. Additionally, I really liked Annalise and Mackenzie's banter/friendship, reading their notes to each other about trying their neighbor's new recipes, and seeing the slow burn of their romance blossom. As someone who loves Christmas movies, I loved all the nods and references to them. I recommend this book if you want an easy read with holiday feels mixed with STEM vibes.

[Kate Underwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Robb simply does not miss. This is yet another poignant and heartwarming romance from a delightful Canadian author. Annalise, facing devastating grief, has closed herself off from anyone or anything new. And when her temporary roommate shows up a few months before she’s set to move abroad for two years, she expects to be ships passing in the night, not friends and certainly not anything more.

When Mackenzie, her new roommate, throws her for a loop by first of all being male and not female as she’d expected, she’s surprised but agrees to let him stay. Her wannabe musician cohabitant turns out to be a lovely person, and he even has a leather jacket that reminds her of her beloved uncle who passed away. Plus, the jacket seems to send her into some alternate plane, reliving memories of another time, and not always her own memories.

This is a beautiful story about what can happen when you open your heart to trying again, accepting the risk of getting hurt as the price of experiencing beauty and joy. Annalise finds her way through confusing moments that guide her to begin embracing life the way her late uncle always did.

If you love a romance packed with emotion and realistic struggles—along with a touch of possible magic—this is the book for you. Thanks to NetGalley and the Dial Press for the ARC!

[Monica Hills · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a sweet and enchanting romance!

Annalise has recently lost her uncle to cancer. He has been the only parental figure in her life for the last several years. She has effectively closed herself off from the world and only focused on her work. She will be moving to Liverpool to work on her PhD for 2 years so she needs to sublet her aparartment. Before she leaves she decides to get a roommate and then that roommate will take over her lease. However the roommate she thinks she is renting to is not the one she gets. The roommate ends up being a very hot guy who has come to Toronto to be part of a band so that he can write his own music. Annalise finds herself falling for him but there is more to the story because his jacket appears to have magical qualities. Every time she puts it on she sees things from the past. Annalise must figure out where she truly wants her life to go and if she should follow her heart.

I loved the magical element of the jacket. It was a great touch to see how different aspects were connected through Annalise's different visions. Plus this was a truly great romance. I also loved the Hallmark Christmas movie refrences. This was a refreshing romance with a touch of magic that any romance reader will love.

Thank you to The Dial Press for this ARC and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annalise tiene su vida planeada, un doctorado esperándola al otro lado del océano y una rutina tan ordenada que apenas deja espacio para las sorpresas. Desde que perdió a la persona más importante de su vida, aprendió que es más fácil mantenerse en movimiento que detenerse a mirar lo que duele.

Todo cambia el día que una extraña chaqueta de cuero aparece en su camino y algo imposible sucede. Un instante está en una tienda de segunda mano y al siguiente parece haber sido arrastrada a recuerdos ajenos, momentos cargados de emociones que no le pertenecen y señales que desafían todo aquello en lo que cree. Como si eso no fuera suficiente, un malentendido convierte a Mackenzie Smith, un músico encantador, caótico y demasiado atractivo, en su nuevo compañero de piso.

Mackenzie parece el tipo de persona que vive dejándose llevar, justo la clase de persona que Annalise evita. Pero mientras sucesos cada vez más extraños comienzan a rodearla, empieza a preguntarse si algunas coincidencias son demasiado perfectas para ser ignoradas. Porque tal vez el universo lleva tiempo intentando decirle algo y quizá la verdadera pregunta no es qué está viendo, sino qué pasará si por primera vez decide escuchar.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to @kate_robb_writes @randomhouse @netgalley for the opportunity to read & review this ARC. Solar Eclipse Of The Heart releases on October 6, 2026 💜

If Kate Robb writes it, I am going to read it. And I was so excited & honored to be able to read Solar Eclipse Of The Heart before it’s released to the world. Kate’s magical realism style always creates such wonderful characters & stories, and Solar Eclipse Of The Heart is absolutely no exception.

The story weaves together grief & love & hope & chance. Annalise and Mackenzie are characters you’ll love to root for - together and separately - and I cannot forget to mention the lively cast of supporting characters. Everyone in this story is someone I wish I could be friends with! The timeline spans over Christmas and while I wouldn’t necessarily call it a “holiday read”, it should definitely be on your radar for this fall! It’ll only enhance the magic of the season ✨

I highlighted so many lines of this book, subtle reminders to trust the universe and allow good things to happen. I found Solar Eclipse Of The Heart to be more thought-provoking, more nostalgic-feeling than I’ve experienced with Kate’s other novels. All to say, make sure to add this to your TBR & get excited for October 6!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kate Robb has officially become an auto-read author for me. I have yet to read one of her books that I didn’t get completely immersed in.

I absolutely loved the magical twist in this one. It’s fresh, whimsical, and adds just enough magic to deepen the story without ever overshadowing the romance or the emotional journey. The slow-burn roommates-to-friends-to-lovers romance between Annalise and Mackenzie was so sweet, full of yearning, rooftop stargazing, cheesy Christmas movies, and all the little moments that made me fall in love with them.

While this is a story about grief, it never lets grief become Annalise’s entire identity. Instead, it’s about finding your way back to joy, opening yourself to new connections, and believing that maybe some people- and some moments are meant to find you. I loved watching Annalise slowly learn to trust both herself and the people who kept showing up for her.

Heartwarming, hopeful, funny, and incredibly romantic, this had me smiling the entire time. Kate Robb just doesn’t miss.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the ARC.

[V (working on thesis, still reading) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not happy to say this: I really wanted to like this book. The cover is stunning and the premise pulled me in. But this book fell more flat for me every time I tried to push myself to read more.

I didn't get why the prologue was about the death of Annalise's uncle when the story was actually romance, because let's be real, that part didn't make any sense because the execution was not really good. I didn't see any strong connection between the death of her uncle and the romance going on here. As if it was just a sprinkle. Or maybe it was just me? But then again, I think, maybe it's because Annalise is not a real character. She felt like just a narrator for me, nothing interesting about her.

Also, I felt like the plot was nowhere to be found. The story was like just about Annalise and Mackenzie hanging out with each other before she moved abroad. They're roommates, yet their interaction felt nothing interesting. Mackenzie is a potential character, but I didn't see more about it.

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve always been such a fan of Kate Robb’s books. This one was no different. It felt like a hallmark movie in the best ways. It’s a slow burn romance with so many swoony moments. I really enjoyed both main characters, the plot and the setting. While I did not enjoy this as much as her previous works, it still felt very true to her style of writing. The part I struggled with was how far from reality this book got. Magic realism is Kate Robb’s usual style, but this was far from magical realism. At times I felt it very hard to follow because it was so far out in left field. If you love her books, this is so worth reading. If you’re looking for something different from a normal romance, go for this one! It’s in no ways bad, in fact it’s downright enjoyable. But it will keep you on your toes so you don’t get confused! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Julia Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

'Solar Eclipse of the Heart' by Alanna Fraser is a romance that features a slow-burn romance. What I loved most about this book is that it has representation for mental health, trauma, and healing. I would suggest you check your trigger warnings because this book deals with some heavy issues that may not be for everyone. This story begins with Kam, who is trying to overcome some trauma and issues in her life. Her brother, Dylan's best friend Leon, is an over-confident college student. These two have forced proximity and eventually get to know each other. The romance is only a small part of this story. It's more about the healing that both characters experience and learning to trust in other people after you've been hurt badly. This is not a lighthearted romance, but it's worth the read.
3.5 stars. I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for my honest

[Yvette Jarrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ ARC Review ✨
Solar Eclipse of the Heart by Kate Robb
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was pure magic from beginning to end. I flew through it, and now that I’ve finished, I’m already missing these characters. I could easily have lingered longer knowing the group was going to be having a wonderful time together!

This was my first Kate Robb novel, and it definitely won’t be my last. Annalise and Mackenzie were so easy to root for, and Uncle Larry completely stole every scene.

✨ What to Expect:
🔮 Magical realism
☀️ Grumpy × Sunshine
🏡 Forced roommates
💕 Opposites attract
🌿 Healing after loss

The magical signs sprinkled throughout the story added an extra layer of wonder, and the unforgettable cast made it a world I never wanted to leave. ✨📖

Set during the Christmas season, it’s less of a holiday romance and more of a cozy fall and winter read filled with hope, healing, and heart.

💫 If you love magical realism, unforgettable characters, and romances that leave you smiling long after the final page, add this one to your TBR!

🗓️ Available October 6, 2026.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Random House | Dial Press Trade Paperback for the advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.8

I will not lie, this book took me a minute to get into. But after the first couple chapters I was hooked.

From misunderstanding, grief, fear of loss, insecurities and the MMC understanding the FMC’s communication needs, this book was fantastic!!! There was literally a moment that made me swoon at my desk at work when I read it at lunch one day!! This heartwarming book reminds you that you need to trust the signs sometimes! Believe in luck! Pick up that head’s ip penny occasionally. The universe has a plan for you, you just have to be willing to listen to the signs it’s giving you!

This book made me feel all warm inside!! Truly loved this book and highly recommend it!!!

Thank you Random House and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book!

[Maddelyn]

After her uncle died last year, Annalise has been alone. She has a good job that she cares about and is happy preparing to move to Liverpool for grad school. So, she sublets her apartment to a woman named MacKenzie Smith. They will share the apartment for three months until Annalise leaves. But MacKenzie turns out to be a man. At first, she's horrified but they become close. Then, she puts on his leather jacket and sees a vision. When it happens again, Annalise has to admit that something's going on. It's a sweet story about two people living learning to open up.

I received an advanced copy from Netgalley in return for an honest review.

[Illyana · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was cute, cozy, and very hallmark-movie-coded with a touch of magical realism. however, i think the book stayed a little too surface level for me. the magical realism aspect sounded really interesting, but it never fully came together in a way that felt impactful. i kept waiting for more explanation or emotional payoff from the visions/jacket storyline, but it felt underdeveloped by the end. i wanted more depth from mackenzie outside of being the ideal love interest. because of that, the romance didn’t hit as hard as i wanted it to emotionally. i just wish the characters and magical elements had been explored more deeply.

[Alex Lynch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to The Dial Press for the ARC of this one! I have loved all of Kate Robb's books and was excited to dive into this one. There were many things that I liked about this one and I felt like the relationship between the two main characters was really sweet. I would have liked to see more details about how they connected because from my vantage point, they really did not have that much in common. I liked that they were opposites, but beyond physical chemistry, there didn't seem to be any common ground. Overall, this was a fun read and if you enjoy romance with a little bit of magic, you will likely enjoy this one. It didn't quite land for me as a whole, so it was 3 stars.

[Ali Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the Arc

Omg I enjoyed this so much. What a sweet beautiful love story that has so much magic & whimsy it makes my heart want to burst.

This is one of those books that feels like it was made for me. Friends to lovers. Magical realism. I would even say this is a little grumpy sunshine. You have Annalise who is a a scientist who believes in facts and who has been hit with the harsh reality that the world isn’t always magic. Then you have Mackenzie who believes in the magic end together, they just heal each other in the most amazing ways. This book was the perfect end to a month long reading slump

[Sheri Zamot · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick golden-retriever, grumpy cat romance with a lot of heart, this story was endearing and a nice, light read. Annalise, or as I have taken to calling her, Lise, was a great FMC and had a refreshing perspective on life and a scientific explanation for everything. Mackenzie was a total dream dude, thought the insta-love for me was a trope I’m not super into.
I really enjoyed the little magical moments peppered through. I wish there may have been more discussion of the incidents once they happened OR more built in to make the novel fit the magical-realism genre. As I said, I liked the characters, but they always felt a bit 2 dimensional for me, especially a Mackenzie.
Special shoutout for the VPR reference in the acknowledgments. I love a fellow SURver.

ARC provided by NetGalley and Random House
Publishing -
Release October 6, 2026

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic book by Kate Robb! After being disappointed with Prime Time Romance, I was hesitant, but I can confidently say it’s worth the read.

I love how Kate weaves magical realism into her stories. I think she also did a great job incorporating grief into this story.

If you’re looking for a sweet, Hallmark-like romance, this is the perfect read!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for the e-arc