CHARM CITY ROCKS is a delightful, charming love story that is also real and emotional. A story about love, family, growing up, forgiveness, letting go, and going after what the heart wants. Beautiful writing, lovable characters, funny lines, touching moments... so happy to have witnessed this world that Billy and Margot are in. I didn't want the book to end. I loved how important of roles all the supporting characters played and enjoyed getting to know them as well. First time reading this author and certainly looking forward to reading more of his work. Most surprisingly, this book makes me want to go visit Baltimore now - of all places!

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This book surprised the hell out of me. It is such a great story of love in your 40s, found family, discovering yourself, fatherhood etc. I genuinely chuckled and smiled throughout this whole thing

Thank you to Net Galley, the publisher and the author for the ARC.

As a lover of music and romance, this seemed like it would be perfect for me!

How did this one play out for me? Did it hit the right note or was it a bit off-key? Let’s find out?


What I liked about the book:
1. I loved that this was a later in life romance (Is that what we call it when they’re in their forties???…That decade is creeping up real fast for me so let’s hope not!). I especially loved the scene where they were laying in bed pointing out their own flaws to one another, not in a “make me feel better about my flaws” way, but in the way you could tell these people were totally content with one another and comfortable with their flaws being on display in front of the other. And the fact that this turned into them making love was *chef’s kiss*.

2. I loved the characters and that we got to see the story from so many different perspectives. From the perspectives of both MCs, their two kids, their ex-lovers, and even a really cool co-dad, we got to see all sides of the story, which was nice. It made it so you didn’t hate the exes of the MCs (well, except maybe Lawson) and really showed that people recall and experience the same situation very differently.

For me, this also served as a real wake up call. If Buzzfeed created one of those quizzes where you find out which character in the book you are, I would undoubtedly wish to be a Poppy and end up being a Robyn. Robyn was fine, but I definitely saw a lot of Ghost of Christmas Future in her and I didn’t love it…

3. This very much seemed to serve as a love letter to Baltimore and I loved it! With the neighborhoods portrayed, the overall ambiance of music everywhere, and the food(!), I was intrigued if this is truly what Baltimore is like. I have never been to Baltimore, but with this story I have a new destination in mind!


What could have been better:
1. Overall, I was not a big fan of the writing style. It was a very direct, sometimes too sharp style. I tend to prefer more descriptive and flowy wording for romance books.

Also, this was written from the third POV so some of the more emotional or charged moments Could have been better suited to a first person POV. For a romance book, I feel third POV is a tricky feat because it takes a lot more work to invoke the butterflies in readers, or at least it does for me. Because of that, the giddiness I typically look for when reading a romance book was mostly missing.

2. There was a lot of downtime in the book. There were definitely major plot points, but overall, there were a lot of gaps where nothing really happened. I think this is typically where the romance is supposed to make you feel giddy but see item 1 above.

3. I’m not a fan of fade to black scenes in romance books. We were told so much about how often the couple had sex, but there was nothing on page besides kissing. With Billy being a total cinnamon-roll, Margot being insecure and emotionally stunted, and them specifically pointing out their own flaws, I was looking for them to worship one another at least once.

Final Thoughts:
Cute later in life romance, perfect for anyone who likes romance novels with little to no spice.

Final Rating: 3 stars

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and Matthew Norman for the advanced copy of this book. The review above is reflective of my honest opinions.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.
I LOVE THIS BOOK! This is my first time reading this author and now I have to go read all of his backlist. It's so refreshing to see a male protagonist who's not a complete jerk. And that he's over 40? Bonus. The dialogue is so witty, lots of laugh out loud moments. I loved all the music and baseball references, all the side characters are great, there's a wonderful father-son dynamic, the cover is perfect. What more could you want? Five big stars. Read this.

a good read and enjoyed this story. really liked it a lot and the love between this couple. i will read more of her books.

A delightful novel about a very happily single father of a teenage son who admits to his son that he had a crush on the drummer in a girl group when he was much younger. The son decides that he needs to play matchmaker since he's going off to college soon and his father will be alone. I am enjoying the dry, self-depreciative wit throughout this novel. I own all of Matthew Norman's previous books and this is a great addition to my stash.

Shared on several Facebook book groups, one specifically for Netgalley.

Also shared on The Dew: https://todaysdeepsouth.blogspot.com/2023/02/charm-city-rocks-matthew-norman.html

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I have read Matthew Norman's other books but this one, this one is special. I adored these characters.
Billy is an adorable Dad to son Caleb whose getting ready to go to college. Billy wears Cardigans and teaches kids to play Music, he is the best of men and a wonderful father and friend to all. He has a good relationship with Caleb's mom which was an interesting story line as well. Caleb reaches out to Margot, Billy's rock star crush after a hilarious mishap and you will have to read it to find out what happens to this great cast of characters. The Banter between so many different characters was great and these characters we so easy to root for. It was great to have a story about Adults finding themselves later in life and figuring out what they want the second half of their life to look like. This book is really for anyone who wants a light hearted story with well written characters, and a story that will stay with you long after you are finished reading it.

Margot Hammer was a famous drummer from an all girl rock band, Burnt Flowers. The band split up years ago after a MTV Music Video Awards show where Margot had a melt down and trashed her drum kit.
The band is featured in a rock documentary and music teacher Billy is schooling his son Caleb on appreciating music and how to be a man watching it. Billy always loved the band, but crushed hard on Margot. Things happen after Caleb accidentally eats gummies in a cereal box and Billy comes face to face with Margot.
In my head I kept picturing Gina Gershon playing a Joan Jett like character. The bond between Billy and Caleb is something special. Throw in the characters from Billy’s neighborhood all the scenic background of Baltimore… I felt like I was there. Loved it!

This book is SO SWEET! The main characters are all loveable, each in their own way. It's so fun to believe in those later on in life loves. If you love to root for the sweet, kind, good guy you'll love this book. no miscommunications from people not sharing their thoughts, everyone in this book knows how and why to be honest. Just a genuinely lovely love story!

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for this ARC, in exchange for my honest review.
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For lack of a better word, I found this completely charming. I loved the dual POV, and the backdrop of music. The slightly older than normal age of the characters was a fresh take, and one that I really enjoyed.

Charm City Rocks by Matthew Norman is a new novel coming out June 6th. It’s a new romance book that follows Billy and Margot's relationship. Billy is a single dad with a teenage son. I absolutely loved his character because he was such a sweet person and had a great relationship with his son. The reason why I am giving this book a three-star review is that I honestly did not like the writing style which made it difficult for me to connect with the characters and finish the story. This is just a personal preference but the story was still a sweet and easy read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this eARC.

This was a very sweet romance. I loved the music themes and the inclusion of rock and roll. The single dad trope isn't exactly my style, but it was done well here.

This review has been posted on GoodRead.

I was excited to read Charm City Rock after reading summary of book since I'm a huge music fan. I love stories of fans falling in love with their musician/celebrity crush.

The book had its funny romcom moments and main characters are easy to love, especially Billy. How can you not root for the divorce music teacher that plays piano for everyone in the neighborhood?

Few things that probably could've brought my rating to a 4 are:
1. There was a line in book that was off putting "it's time a straight white guy finally catches a break in this country."
2. Wish author focused more on the main characters, Billy and Margot's POV. It was hard to focus on the story once the author brought in Margot's ex husband showed up. There was no need for every supportive character to have their own POV.
3. I didn't care for the ending. Not sure if the author ran out of ideas on how to end the book. It abruptly ended.

I loved this book the writing took me back to my time in Baltimore. I could imagine being there with the description of the city. The main characters Billy and Margot I loved. There was depth to them and you could feel what they were feeling.

Thank you House Publishing Group - Ballantine and netgalley for allowing me to read this book. I just could not get into this story. I enjoyed the father/son relationship between Caleb and Billy. I wish I would have felt more chemistry between Billy and Margot. I guess I was just bored with this story in the beginning then I was overwhelmed by it 75 % of the way through when all the drama happened at once. I felt a little lost at times with how many characters were thrown in. I didn’t love how it ended either. I was just expecting more to be resolved by the end of the book.

This was a light-hearted, refreshing palate cleanser for me to read after a particularly dark and angst-filled book. I loved the premise (who wouldn’t love ultimately connecting with the crush of your younger self and discovering he or she is actually a great partner for you!), the well-written secondary characters, main characters of a certain age (so elusive!), and the dashes of baseball and rock and roll. This was my first book by Matthew Norman and I’m excited to explore his other creations!

This was a super cute, quick read! The story centered around Billy, a single dad with a giant kid who is always happy. He was a great dad, friend, neighbor (and overall person), and it was really easy to root for him. I really enjoyed the writing style of the book and loved how the author incorporated the side character's perspectives into a lot of chapters. It was a lot more than just the romance, and with it being a closed door romance, I needed that addition to the story. There were a lot of good conversations about family and healthy co-parenting, and with the main character's all being above 40, there was a certain maturity about the romance and the conversations that was refreshing to read. If you're looking for a quick low-angst, closed door romance with a great cast of supporting characters and a bit of rock-and-roll, give this one a read!

What great fun ! Billy is a talented piano player and music teacher living a stress free life in Baltimore. He co parents his son Caleb with his first love and truly isn't wishing for much more. When cable tv features a "Where are They Now?" Rock special, Billy reveals his crush on the great dummer, Margot Hammer. Caleb is struck by this information and puts a plan into place. What happens next is fun, charming and just a great Baltimore story!

If you love rock and roll, think your best years may have passed you by or just love a romance for the ages, Charm City Rocks is for you!
#RandomHouse #CharmCityRocks #MatthewNorman

Confession time: I lived just outside of Baltimore for 9 years before moving away in 2021. When I saw 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐑𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐬 was available on NetGalley, I jumped, nay leapt at the chance to read this book. There are things that Marylanders, and more importantly, Baltimoreans just get. Imagine my delight within the first few pages when nostalgia kicks in and I am transported to the places, people, and good times I've had over the years (Johnny Rad's! Natty Boh! Clancy?!). What I enjoyed so much about this book is that Baltimore is just as much a character as Billy and Margot are. It says a lot about the love an author has for a place and a people when they devote so much of their energy to making it part of the story. Dare I say that the true romance of this book is between the reader and Baltimore?

Okay okay, let's get into it...

Billy is a self-proclaimed "nice guy" single dad who teaches music, wears cardigans, and lives above a record shop in Baltimore. Margot is a once famous rock 'n roll drummer and single mom who enjoys her quiet life in New York City. When an "accidentally on purpose" incident brings these two together, they find that second chance romance is only just a train ride away.

With an exceptional cast of supporting characters, including Billy and Margot's children and the famous ex-husband, this book is a charming take on relationships between partners, families, and friends (and a little bit of rock 'n roll!).

Billy is passibly happy - he’s a single Gen X dad, who teaches piano, and wears cardigans and always had a crush on Margot.

Margot is … more complicated. Not exactly happy, not unhappy - she exists. A mostly retired rock star drummer, she’s a divorced mom of an adult child.

Billy tells his son of his crush on Margot - and one accidentally ingested weed gummy, the best of intentions, and video editing skills later, and Billy and his decades long crush meet.

Charm City Rocks pulled me into it, and dare I say it, charming me entirely and I really appreciated my time reading this one.

This was my first book by the author and I enjoyed his writing - the characters here are vivid and realistic, and I liked the pacing of the novel; I’ll read more of Mr. Norman’s works.

I really did adore this one and do recommend.



Thank you to Bantam Dell and NetGalley for the DRC!