Rock and roll, nostalgia and love flow through Charm City Rocks at a delightful pace. The characters are awesome and great. The relationships of Billy, Margot, Robyn, Lawson, Caleb. and Poppy are full of touching and quirky predicaments. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Charm City Rocks is a love story set in Baltimore about a single dad who meets his former rock star crush after his son gets involved. This book takes us through complicated romantic relationships, friendships, and family relationships. There was a nostalgic second-chance romance feel to this read, which I liked but the relationship I loved most was between Billy & Caleb.

If you liked Christmas With You on Netflix, this book gave very similar vibes.

Overall, I really did enjoy this book Due to the number of characters in this book, it felt like there was a lot going on while simultaneously not a lot going on at all. We missed out on some pretty big character & relationship development because there wasn't enough time spent on our main characters.

Also, this may just be personal preference... but there was so much swearing in this book. I don't mind some just scattered throughout but nearly every page and character's dialogue had something that was just unnecessary to the plot..

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this digital ARC with me in exchange for a candid review.

My first thoughts about “Charm City Rocks” were family, baseball and rock and roll! What else do you need to create an amazing story? I loved everything about this book and I immediately fell in love with the characters, the setting and the use of music as a backdrop. How many of us have dreamed about meeting our favorite band or rockstar? Billy’s crush on Margot dates back twenty years and was all encompassing. He was mesmerized by her stage presence when he saw her concert, he was in awe of her musical ability and he never forgot how he felt the first time he saw her.

I loved the chemistry between Billy and Margot and to me, they were a perfect match. Leaving the confines of her lonely apartment and surprising Billy in Baltimore was the spark she needed to start writing songs again. Being with him was refreshing, always fun and it felt like they had known each other forever. Billy couldn’t believe that this was his life now, and that Margot was enjoying their time together. They fell into a comfortable routine as a couple and Margot had found the happiness that she didn’t know she was looking for. Billy’s knowledge of music called to Margot and they spent many nights singing together, arranging songs and laughing about his “crush” on her. Margot became a baseball fan, found the perfect coffee shop where she could relax and write down her thoughts, and enjoyed being part of Billy’s family. It didn’t take long for their peaceful bubble to burst, as videos and pictures of Billy and Margot were everywhere on social media. When someone from Margot’s past finds her in Baltimore Billy is worried that their magical time is almost over. Will the bright lights of stardom guide Margot away or will she choose her new life with Billy that is filled with love, fun and endless melodies?

Thanks, netgalley! My requests recently have been A+ and this was the cherry on top of an astoundingly adorable sundae.

Historically and popularly known as a Nice Guy, Billy Perkins has a happy little life- hes a music teacher whos students love him, has a great relationship with his teenage son and a good enough one with his son's mother. Then a gummy graced distaster lands him in the path of his ultimate musical crush, the reclusive Margot Hammer, whos band basically owned the music scene twenty years ago before meeting its catastrophic end. The unlikely duo find common ground and fall in love in Baltimore, and hijinks ensue.

This was the cutest little romance novel ive read in....maybe ever? I love that the characters aren't teenagers and Billy has a real with real problems, and the author truly made him the most likeable dude on the planet. I want to take another trip to baltimore now. Thats how cute this book is.

Charm City Rocks is a fun book about a music teacher is his forties who finally meets his rock star crush from years before. I liked the characters and the complex relationships between them. And things got so much fun once Lawson showed up. I also loved some of the music references; it's almost a pity the band isn't real because they sound just like my cup of tea. Baltimore and New York were a good setting. I think I might even want to visit Baltimore now. All in all, an enjoyable read; I'm just not sure I'd label this a romance.

Thanks so much to NetGalley for this ARC! I loved everything about this book. Having a book focus on father/son dynamic was a refreshing change from many other books I’ve read. Add in family drama, a few celebrities and loads of amazing music references, this book is such a delight from start to finish. I enjoyed each of the characters in their own way and felt that each contributed to the quality of the overall story. Highly recommend this book!

In fair Baltimore we set the scene: First, we have a single dad teaching music in his apartment above a record shop is watching a rock documentary on Netflix. He’s reminded of his crush on former rockstar drummer Margot Hammer, and her amazing talent. When Billy confesses his former crush to his son, Caleb, Caleb decides to set his dad up. What follows next is a “Sleepless in Seattle” inspired meet cute.

This story was funny, sweet, and touching. I loved Margot and Billy’s relationship. It was also nice to see Billy and Caleb’s mother coparent in a nice way. Part of my inner child was healed just reading some of their interactions.

This story moved quickly, but sometimes it felt a little too quick. I would’ve loved Margot and Billy to have even more scenes together as their relationship felt rushed to me.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in romcoms featuring celebrities or musicians.

***
Thank you so much to Random House/Dell Publishing for my eARC!

I loved this book, music is such a big part of my life and I loved reading about characters who are so into making music. The book is light and funny and has a perfect ending. I would highly recommend.

Most importantly, it is amazing to read a book that is so pro-Baltimore. Secondly, it is amazing to read a book that is so pro-Baltimore and so well-written. Matthew Norman's venture into romcoms is lighthearted and charming.

The characters are developed just enough and their flaws are obvious but not dwelled on. Norman goes out of his way to show that Margot and Billy are reasonably compatible and how they have both grown since the 1990s. Conflicts are easily settled but there aren't any obvious loose threads by the end of the novel. There are clear villains but even they aren't particularly cruel or egregiously out to get anyone for no reason.

Charm City Rocks isn't a particularly unique book but you don't always need to be unique to be a good read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I didn’t think I could love a book more than Norman’s last novel (All Together Now). But Charm City Rocks pulled me in, made me fall in love with every character, and entertained me as I sped through the pages. This book is a love letter to the city of Baltimore, and a look at what it’s like to be past the early stages of life and not sure what will come next or how to pursue new dreams. THIS is my idea of a great book club read…or a mid-winter escape…or a great book to dive into on a random Tuesday. I’m already looking forward to the author’s next book. Highly recommend

I loved this one, so glad for the opportunity from Random House. A love of music intertwined with a love story, a kiss cam kiss, a sweet man who wears cardigans, a non-traditional blended family... I'm also happy any time I stumble across an imperfect love story involving middle aged divorced people, which doesn't happen often. I could go on, but will just say I definitely recommend reading this one when it comes out in June!

This was an incredibly charming book with well-rounded, thoughtful characters. Lots of love for music and Baltimore, too. I liked Margot and Billy together, and actually, all of the characters were sympathetic, likable people. Sweet read. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Writing: 4.5/5 Characters: 5/5 Plot: 4.5/5

Norman’s books always make me happy. I love his characters — each one individually. They all live in imperfect worlds but make things work for them. They each think about what they want and can offer. They all have interesting personalities. I would be happy to spend time with every single character in the book.

Billy Perkins — cardigan wearing piano teacher with a prodigious knowledge of all music and an old time crush on the wild drummer from a briefly successful girl rock band who disappeared from sight nine years ago after a flame out on MTV. Margot Hammer — aforementioned drummer. And a bizarre, wonderful, somehow completely believable love story between them. Featuring a sprinkling of strong male and female characters, self knowledge, and relationships not focused on damage or drama, but on just figuring out what you want and can offer. And lots of music. All set down in Norman’s straightforward prose and great dialog.

I loved every minute of this book. No weak points. No filler. And a lovely ode to nice guys.

What a delightful, charming, true to life book! It was funny and hopeful and real. I truly enjoyed it and loved the (happy) ending!

I have always enjoyed Matthew Norman and this was no exception. This was a very sweet story with High Fidelity vibes—which is a compliment because I adore High Fidelity. Definitely recommend.

Billy is a single dad who wears cardigans. Oh, and he’s a super nice guy. He lives in Baltimore above a record shop where he teaches music. He’s pretty happy in life and loves his city.

Years ago, he had a crush on a drummer named Margot, who was part of a huge band that broke up one night during an award show. She’s now a recluse in New York until one day, she ends up in Baltimore and in the same room as Billy. How will the rock star handle the lovestruck cardigan-wearing fan? How will the fan act when confronted with the woman of his dreams.

Those are the questions that are answered through the book. Norman does a great job creating wonderful characters and a great setting in Baltimore. The book is hard to put down – sometimes endearing and sometimes cringeworthy, but always really good. It’s more of a romance than I typically read. But I enjoyed the nostalgic rock-and-roll feel of it.

Billy and Margot are a lot of fun together. His son and her movie star ex-husband are also great characters. Charm City Rocks is worth the read! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love this!! It had a Daisy jones and the six vib to it and we have all been searching for that since we read it. Yes I am completely absorbed in this
. I just reviewed Charm City Rocks by Matthew Norman. #CharmCityRocks #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL

I was lucky enough to get an advance copy from netgalley, and I loved it. #CharmCityRocks by Matthew Norman. Billy lives above a record store and gives piano lessons. One evening, Billy and his son are watching a documentary on rock bands and one of his favorite groups, Burnt Flowers, is mentioned. Billy tells his son how he always has had a crush on the drummer, Margot. What happens next, well, you need to read!

Charm City Rocks by Matthew Norman was a very enjoyable story.

I loved Billy and Margot's story. I thought this was a great romance story.
I felt these were very well developed characters. And thought they were fun but yet realistic.
I was completely enraptured by this couple's story.
The plot, and characters felt very real…and I thought it a was very written story.
I was definitely engrossed in this one.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House, Ballantine & Dell for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a cute read, though to me the writing felt stiff during the first chapter (maybe I just needed to get into it more?) and I wondered what I'd signed myself up for. Luckily it took off after that with a fun premise and some serious love to Baltimore. I'm not sure we needed all the POV's (but then again, having Lawson narrate a few chapters was mostly fun and very British). I wanted more from the ending as it felt really quick.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.