Oh my word, this book was an absolute delight! It made me smile from start to finish and resonated with me strongly.

I LOVE that the main characters are all in their forties. I could understand where they were coming from and I liked them all. It is a wonderful found family scenario.

Billy is a music teacher and single dad who is pretty happy with his life. When he meets the celebrity crush from his youth, he recognizes this is his one chance to go for it. Margot Hammer is gloomy and not sure what she wants in life. Initially she runs away from Billy (literally) but later she is drawn back to him. I adore the two of them as a couple. They've both had complicated lives and a lot of baggage yet they're curious about the potential between them.

I laughed a lot throughout the book and it made me recall the music from my youth that's been important to me. I also liked how the city of Baltimore is a character too.

Highly recommend.

Because I’ve enjoyed Matthew Norman’s novels in the past, I keep an eye out for when he has something new coming out to see if I can snag an opportunity for a preview copy and I was lucky enough to be granted that chance for his upcoming novel, Charm City Rocks. Exploring regrets, second chances, and the craziness that “going viral” can have on a person’s life, Charm City Rocks is lighthearted and hopeful even as it confronts uncomfortable realities. Taking chances and taking responsibility are part of growing up… and it turns out growing up might actually be a lifelong process.

Billy Perkins is a music teacher and single dad, co-parenting his about-to-graduate-high-school son, Caleb with his ex in Baltimore. After watching a documentary featuring one of Billy’s favorite bands and, in particular, their drummer, Margot Hammer, a mix-up combined with Caleb’s desire to see his dad happy has the reclusive Margot showing up on their doorstep with a camera crew expecting to find a group of young girls inspired by her example. With the documentary sparking a resurgence of interest in Margot and her ex-bandmates, Margot’s publicist is eager to get Margot back out in front of the world. Though the arranged shoot takes a humiliating turn, Margot ultimately gets her viral moment… and it looks like Billy might be along for the ride when the pair of them truly do hit it off. But beyond the pressure of unexpectedly starting a romance in the spotlight, the attention brings figures from their respective pasts out of the woodwork and has them examining which mistakes they might still have a chance to fix and which are best left in the past… and how will those choices shape or break their new relationship.

What was a bit surprising about Charm City Rocks is the way that it subverted my expectations in terms of the story being told. Though the heart of the story is very much Billy and Margot’s relationship, there isn’t as much direct focus on it as I would have expected. Instead, their romance almost feels like an afterthought at times while the novel is driven more by the reactions to their relationship. The drama and conflict aren’t really between the two of them as a couple, they’re in how their being together sparks reactions in the people around them – particularly their respective exes. And even though a lot of issues are raised in the fallout, it never quite feels like there’s a genuine threat to their relationship… just a lot of finally confronting pain and regrets that they’ve let define them and realizing that that’s no longer the case – that healing occurred and in removing the protective bandages to examine the scars, they don’t look as bad as expected.

As with the relationship, there were several other elements that looked like they were setting up for a larger plot thread but ended up being more of a red herring. The subplot around Billy needing to move because his apartment is being converted into a coffee shop feels like it might turn into some push to prevent that change from happening, but instead plays out in a way that was much more subdued, paying off with an emotional beat that I think was ultimately more satisfying (and way more thematically resonant). Then Margot’s notebook with the bits of ideas for future songs carries a lot of narrative potential, only a portion of which is realized by the novel’s conclusion. But that’s part of what I enjoyed so much about the way the novel ended – there’s so much open-ended potential and hope. The novel is all about making peace with the past and finding a place where the characters are ready to move forward, then lifting up that first foot but we don’t actually get to see them put it down which is wonderfully satisfying in one way and infuriating in another (there isn’t even an epilogue to satisfy that itch for just a little more, just to confirm what you’re already pretty sure you know, hahahaha).

Charm City Rocks will be available June 6, 2023.

I’m a fan of the author and was curious to read a book that seemed like a slight departure from his usual straight up fiction style. I’ve seen this labeled as a romance in a few places and while I kind of see it, I wouldn’t solely call it a romance. I think it’s more of a general fiction with a romantic subplot but it’s about much more than just a burgeoning romance between Billy and Margot. It’s about family and what that can look like in modern times, it’s about second chances, not only in love but in life in general and it’s also about just a typical family and a snapshot of their lives. The romantic elements here also have a feel of maturity and that’s probably because Billy and Margot are in their forties but I appreciated their growth as well as their relatable humor. This was really sweet, charming and a total love letter to Baltimore, a city I’m unfamiliar with but really enjoyed reading about.

Notting Hill meets The Bangles.

Except, it’s not really the Bangles. All girls rock and roll band Burnt Flowers actually broke up years ago and Billy Perkins is a piano teacher in Baltimore - not a travel bookstore owner played by Hugh Grant.

Slight mix-up when his son Caleb tries to lure legendary drummer Margo Hammer to the music store his Dad lives above, Charm City but - well meaning. A few plots twists and famous ex-husbands later and I can see this all play out SO well on screen. Billy and Margot find each other in the sweetest way possible and I found myself smiling through the entire story.

Apparently, I need to visit Baltimore more often.

This is the third 2023 new release I’ve read that is about a thirties/forties-aged female musician dealing with the after-effects of past fame (the other two were “This Bird Has Flown” by Susanna Hoffs and “The Second Ending” by Michelle Hoffman). Weird little publishing subtrend!

I enjoyed this one as much as the other two. Billy and Margot were such a sweet, quirky pairing but I loved the supporting cast as well, especially Lawson and Caleb. Looking at this author’s oeuvre I don’t think he is in the business of writing series, but I would love a couple of Lawson/Robyn and Caleb/Poppy follow-ups. I’ve never been to Baltimore but it struck me in this book as appropriately charming.

Thank you to the publisher - I received a complimentary eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Charm City Rocks is the story of Billy Perkins, a cardigan-wearing piano teacher from Baltimore. He has a son,Caleb, that lives between his house and his mom’s, Robyn. One day, Caleb learns about Billy’s crush on a former rock star and creates a fake situation to lure the star to his neighborhood record shop. It may seem like your average unknown and famous person romance, but it’s actually much richer than that. There are plot twists in the story that keep you second-guessing and keep the story interesting. It is a really likable story with equally likable characters. My thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC.

Billy has always been happy, happy with his life, his job, his on, just happy. Margot is anything but happy. After her band broke up, and her marriage ended, she has taken to hiding away. While Billy has loved Margot since watching her band play years ago, he is shocked when she shows up at his job. Maybe he isn’t as happy as he always thought?

I really love Matthew Normans books, and this one was no different. I always love a real person/celebrity relationship, and this one was just so much fun. I loved that Caleb was the mastermind behind Margot and Billy meeting, and that he was so invested in his parents happiness. I also really enjoyed the dynamics between the four adults relationships in Calebs life. I found this to be a charming, adorable read, and I enjoyed every second.

I hesitate to give this 5 stars because it is really just a romantic comedy. But something about it just drew me in and I loved reading it. The characters are all quirky and lovable, if somewhat unbelievable. Billy is a beloved piano teacher in Baltimore. He lives in a cool neighborhood and has a teenage son, Caleb. He also has a good relationship with Caleb's mother and her husband. Caleb thinks Billy is lonely and stuck, so somehow connects with Margot, a former rockstar drummer who was Billy's celebrity crush years ago. The rest of the story is pure fun, seeing unlikely relationships develop. The story is also a love letter to Baltimore, now I want to go there for a weekend! Great summer read. Thanks so much @netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy. #charmcityrocks #matthewnorman #lovelettertobaltimore #netgalley #bookstagram #lovetoread #takeapagefrommybook #readallday #celebritycrush #readersofinstagram #bookloversofinstagram #5starread

Billy was a big fan of Margot when she was the drummer for Burnt Flowers. When they happen to cross each other's paths later on in life and sparks fly, can the two overcome the real world obstacles standing in their way to a HEA?

This was my first Matthew Norman book and it won't be my last. I adored Charm City Rocks. It was reminiscent of one of my favorites from last year, Nora Goes Off Script. I read it in one day. I enjoyed all of the side characters, father/son relationship, the feeling like this was a love letter to Balitmore itself, etc.... There's little to no spice in this one if that matters to you one way or another. Recommend adding this one to your Summer TBR!

Special thanks to @netgalley and penguin randomhouse -ballantine for the ARC and to @PRHAudio for the ALC. All opinions are my own.

Charm City Rocks by Matthew Norman is such a sweet, refreshing story about later-in-life romance between happy-go-lucky piano teacher Billy Perkins and former drummer for the girl group Burnt Flame Margot Hammer.

Billy had a crush on Margot when she was a rockstar, but after her husband cheated on her with the lead singer of the band, she went into hiding. Almost 20 years later, Billy and Caleb watch a docuseries that covers her band briefly, and Billy tells Caleb he used to have a thing for Margot. That night, Caleb gets into his dad’s weed gummies and e-mails Margot’s publicist, posing as a tween girl group, trying to get Margot to Baltimore and set her up with his dad.

Margot arrives, and even though she quickly learns it’s not what it seems, she’s drawn to Billy’s positivity. Thus begins their very unconventional love story.

This book gave me warm fuzzies. I fell in love with Billy and Margot, and the surrounding characters are delightful. My only gripe would be that we spent too much time with the side characters, and I would have loved to see more of Billy and Margot, especially in the second half of the book.

Four stars for the huge smile it put on my face. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC.

Thank you to Matthew Norman, NetGalley, and Dell books for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Single dad, music, and rock and roll, all in one book. This book was cute and funny, but the writing wasn't a hit for me. There was something off. It could have been that it was in third person and I am used to reading first person? I don't know. But I will recommend this one.

This book was so cute! As a music lover, I really enjoyed the premise. The characters were so easy to love and understand. I don’t think I’ll be able to look at a cardigan and not think about Billy and his story for a while. My only criticism is that the ending seemed a bit rushed. I loved how Robyn and Lawson’s story seemed to conclude but everything with Billy and Margot seemed so incredibly rushed. When I hit the last page on my kindle, I was expecting another chapter but it opened to the acknowledgment page and I was legitimately surprised. It just didn’t feel like an ending that either character deserved after following them for the whole book.

Charm City Rocks is the perfect romcom! I seriously hope they adapt this into a movie! It reminded me so much of Notting Hill mixed with Sleepless in Seattle and I was SO invested!

I lived in Baltimore for over 10 years and my love for Charm City came rushing back to me. I remember going to The Horse You Came in On Saloon and Mustang Alleys, walking the cobblestone streets of Fells Point, and was immediately transported back to that time in my life.

Margot and Billy's story is beautifully crafted with layered character development and vulnerability.

“He’s been really into cardigans lately, too, because cardigans are the perfect garment, like, the convertible of sweaters.”

As a therapist that pretty much lives in cardigans, Billy immediately had my heart when he said this. Also, who doesn't love a leading man that loves to wear cardigans with John Cusak’s vibe from the movie High Fidelity?? Margot is sassy and strong and I loved when we got glimpses of her softer side. I also loved the side characters! They really added so much warmth and laughter to the story.

This is my first Matthew Norman book and I cannot wait to devour his backlist now!

Thank you @netgalley and @randomhouse for the early copy

4.5 stars

Grab your copy out 6/6!

This was a GREAT romance/rom com with more mature characters (bless you Matthew Norman) and miscommunication at a minimum, I loved the handsome but not too handsome but lovable dad character (Billy), his relationship with his son Caleb and Billys love of a rock star for who she is and not what she looks like.The brits , including a famous actor who reminded me a bit of Russell Brand from Forgetting Sarah Marshall. The writing is sharp and funny and overall just a really fun, sweet read that would be an amazing book to throw in a beach bag. For a cynic like me this was perfection.

Charm City Rocks by Matthew Norman is an absolutely charming novel told from multiple POVs. I loved reading a "rockstar" romance that was on the other side of fame, and that the instigator is the rockstar's adult son who worries his dad is lonely. Such a fun book! And now I need to take a road trip to Baltimore- a city I've never visited!!! (And after reading CCR, I will definitely be listening to a book from Norman's backlist as I drive!) Highly recommend!!

A love story that incorporates a music shop and musicians? Sign me up! I LOVED this book. I definitely was getting High Fidelity vibes with this book, but the characters were definitely more charming and lovable. I flew through this is one day. Highly recommend.

I absolutely cannot say enough good things about Charm City Rocks. The characters all leap off the page, wanting to get to know you and tell you who they are. It's crazy, but I quickly felt like one of the gang - hanging out with Daquan, Billy, Octavio, and Caleb.

The author brings Baltimore into the book like its a separate character, which is very cool. And thank you Matthew Norman, I now want to buy a cardigan for my husband and to own a drum kit. Mr. Norman made those things so cool that they're now on my bucket list...

Not only does this book have great characters and a wonderful setting, but the storyline is so good. It's all about growth, change, happines, and finding your own way in the world being just who you are. Charm City Rocks goes near the top of my list for 2023's best reads and I'm sure if you give it a shot, you'll feel just the same.

Thank you tht eauthor, publisher, and Netgalley for an ARC at my request. All thoughts are my own.

Thank you so much to the publisher and to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this! I thought it was fun and it kept me entertained. I couldn't ask for anything more. I enjoyed every single page and I would happily read this again and again just to feel the happiness I felt while reading. Matthew really knocked it out of the park!

This book was quite different from a lot of romance I’ve read, in a really good way. While it may not be for everyone, I really enjoyed the 3rd person POV, as well as the writing style. It felt quite unique, almost like reading a script at times. I loved the “adultness” of the book; the characters are all full/blown adults, and it’s a nice change of pace to late 20 year olds finding love. Margot is very likable, and while there’s a little bit of “not like other girls” vibe, she feels like a very real person. Billy is sweet and caring and creative, and comes across as such a positive person. The author does a good job of setting the scene and describing Baltimore, as well as all the characters, so it felt like the book came to life. A really fun read! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to provide my honest review.

Aw, this was a really heartwarming read! I'm a huge fan of celebrity romances where they fall for a normal person (i.e., Notting Hill, Music & Lyrics, Win a Date With Tad Hamilton, etc) and it's a trope I love in books as well. So, picking this up was a no-brainer.

I know it's technically a love story, but it's actually so much more than that. This was a love letter to Baltimore and did well highlighting unconventional family dynamics, the relationship between father and son, and just knowing that you can be absolutely clueless about where your life is going at any age. I do wish there was more of a focus on the actual romance at times because I never completely felt the chemistry between Billy and Margot. I enjoyed Margot's storyline a lot more than Billy's (hello, she's a rock star) and I felt more of a kinship with her. There was a lot of lulls in the storyline, and I think the story could've benefited from a few more climatic moments. But overall, I enjoyed this one! I'll definitely check out Norman's other books.

3.5 stars, rounded up.