Charm City Rocks has that music store vibe that we love from High Fidelity and Empire Records. While not technically set in a record shop, the main character Billy lives above one in Baltimore where he teaches music lessons and lives a "happy" and fulfilled life. It isn't until his teenage son meddles in his love life that Billy realizes he isn't really living for himself.

This is a really cute love story about second chances and taking risks at a later stage in life. It is about accepting the past and learning to grow from your previous relationships while not letting them hold you back. It is about aging gracefully while still trying new things.

I think this book is a lovely romantic comedy for lovers of Rock N Roll! But there is something in here for everyone of all ages. Highly recommend for a fun summer read!

This was absolutely FUN. A mature adult, meet-cute, rom-com! Billy is a single dad that lives above a record store in Baltimore, and gives piano lessons. He's living a mostly happy life. He has a high school son, Caleb, who will be heading off to college. Billy has always had a crush on Margot Hunt, the drummer of one of his favorite rock bands, Burnt Flowers. Margot Hunt on the other hand has been living a more solitary, recluse life in NYC since her band broke up. Caleb thinks that he may have a way for his dad and Margot to actually meet and he sets it in motion. Can these two people become a thing?? Well I highly suggest you pick this up to find out, because you won't be sorry. This is a perfect book for summer. Completely entertaining, light, and adorable! Full of great characters and the setting at the record store was so great!

Out June 6.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own. My review will be posted on Instagram, Bookbub, Goodreads, and Amazon.

This book made me very happy. I loved all the references to the music of my twenties and the evident research that went into writing this book about someone who loves music, as Billy did. Billy was and is a nice man. He's cool, even though he would never admit it. He's one of those guys who hangs back, is not loud, and is the quietly cool people are drawn to. His story of meeting his rock and roll crush, Margo, is a fun tale that draws you in and settles you in to enjoy it like listening to both sides of your favorite album (that would be on vinyl) in one sitting. I thought this was a light-hearted book that kept things moving. Even when there was drama (or angst), it was handled without drawing out the blech.

Billy and Margot were so perfectly suited for each other. He was the perfect cardigan for her sharper edges and warmed her up to the world she had kept at a distance for a long time. Her daughter Poppy (who was an outstanding secondary character) was honest and backed her mom 1000%. She could see Billy's positive effect on her mom, which obviously made Poppy very happy. All the characters in the book played their part well and made the whole story just a fun, enjoyable read. If I have one complaint about the book, it would be I wanted more to the ending, but that is the romance reader in me talking. It did not stop me from finishing this book with a smile and knowing it was time well spent.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC! Not to be punny, but this book was charming. It is a love letter to Baltimore and love story all wrapped into one. The jumping of perspective between all of the main characters gave me a touch of whiplash, but it was nice to see all of their perspectives. Parts of it also felt like a late-season sitcom where anyone that can show up does or any coupling can happen. But it all worked! This is just a book filled with (mostly) nice characters and is a delightful page turner.

Overall, this book is a light read with a warm and cozy feel to it. I felt like I was reading a Hallmark movie. The dialogue was cheesy and cringey at times. I enjoyed the portrayal of the relationships between the two main characters and their respective children. I also like how the kids communicated with each other to discuss their parents. The flashbacks were slightly hard to follow at times. It wasn’t always obvious when it switched back and forth. I was not a huge fan of how the third person point of view narration was done. It felt a little off especially when it would also show characters inner thoughts. I would recommend this book to someone who wants a safe easy read with low stakes.

This was an adorable and quick read.
Loved the characters and their interconnections. Billy's lovely and his love for his city, friends, and life is so refreshing. Had a great weekend reading this

This novel is phenomenal. I'm usually not a fan of third person narration because I like being inside the characters' heads, but I felt like I got to know these characters so well, and I loved them. The premise is so endearing - a single dad's kid reaches out to his dad's rock star crush because he thinks they would hit it off. The supporting cast are fully fleshed out characters with their own ARCs. There were so many scenes that made me laugh out loud. One of the romantic scenes was one of my favorites scenes ever. This novel is an absolute gem you don't want to miss.

This book had a lot of great musical elements, which I enjoyed. I didn't feel as connected to the characters or the story. It was a quick read, and it was enjoyable. There were a lot of characters, and I felt bored and lost throughout the story. I liked the father/son dynamic, but I wanted more a connection with Margot. It just didn't feel real to me, and I didn't like that things weren't resolved in the end.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

I DNFed this book fairly early because I could tell that it was not really for me. I may pick it up again later, but I'm not sure that a book about a guy who had a crush on a musician now getting to be with her is really a story I'm interested in reading. I like the idea of a romance novel by a male author -- it's a shame that's such a novel idea.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance reader's copy of this novel.

This was such a fun, witty, and charming romance . The book is filled with a wonderful cast of characters. I especially liked Billy. I loved the relationship that developed between him and rock star Margot Hammer. He also had an incredible relationship with his son, Caleb, as well as with his former girlfriend Robyn (Caleb's mother), and Robyn's husband Aaron. The dialogue in this book was so well done. I do enjoy Matthew Norman's writing, his book always have a way of bringing a little joy. Being a big fan of music and having a son that was an incredible drummer in a rock band a few years back, I thoroughly enjoyed the musical references in the book. This was just a lovely, feel-good book about family, second chances, and following your dreams.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for the review copy.

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗥𝗼𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘄 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻 is absolutely charming!
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This is the my favorite kind of love story - a darling meet cute, smart writing, funny exchanges, fade to black romantic scenes, and a setting that becomes one of the books main characters. Rock stars, famous actors, and just regular people in Baltimore combine to create the sweetest story about love and hope. I especially loved all of the relationships here - father/son, co-parents, neighbors. Everything felt so hopeful and positive while never veering into cheesy or corny. This is a great summer read that I highly recommend!
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Fun, creative and witty. Made me want to listen to all the music! But beyond that, I loved the reversal of the celebrity/rockstar romance, where Margo was the Rockstar and Billy was a single dad, since usually it's the guy who is the rockstar. This was my first novel by Matthew Norman but I will definitely be picking up the next one. He has a great writing style and the romance was really charming, and I loved all the nods to Baltimore.

Matthew Norman has written a wonderful rock ballad of a former rock 'n roll drummer who fell out with her band and movie star husband many years ago and how she connects with an ordinary guy from Baltimore that has always had a crush on her.

Billy's son, on an accidental high, reaches out to Margot Hammer, former drummer of rock band Burnt Flowers. However, he has posed as a group of little girls that brings Margot out of "recluse" hiding. When she finds out the truth she bolts and has an unexpected revival of her drumming skills in the local bar. Billy is there, and they have a sizzling connection. But as their two world's collide, they wonder if whatever this thing between them will actually work.

All the characters are actually likeable, with the exception of Axl, the producer/manager, and perhaps the former lead singer, Nikki. Even Margot's ex turns out to be a good guy, even if he is a womanizer movie star. This story show how a family supports each other, even if they are not the normal family. And there are many awww inducing moments between the two main characters.

Charm City Rocks has made me want to visit Baltimore and see for myself the charm it holds, even if their baseball team sucks!

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

Fells Point and Baltimore are characters in the book, much as Fenwick Island is in All Together Now. (I just sent a copy to a friend who took me to her uncle’s cottage in Fenwick Island eons ago). You’ll get to know the city and some of its neighborhoods as well as you do some of Charm City Rocks’ leading characters.

I’m an OG Norman fan. Since a mutual friend said, “My friend wrote a book; you should read it,” of Domestic Violets back in 2011, I haven’t missed one. That’s why I jumped on the opportunity to read this advance copy.

I’d never call Norman’s characters quirky. Quirky is too forced. But they’re not stereotypes, either. They’re regular people, likely to remind you of someone you know. They have dreams, but they also have flaws and contradictions.

Billy Perkins is a comfort meal of a man with his oversized cardigans, engaging approach to teaching music and loving relationship with his son. Billy’s life may have grown a little too comfortable. Not in terms of privilege, but he’s stuck in something that’s not quite in a rut. His life has become like a mattress slept on so long it’s taken on the shape of his body. The kind you don’t realize is a problem until your back hurts.

Slowly he’s nudged out of his comfort zone. He realizes his son is reluctant to leave him alone to go away to his dream college. He’s gentrified out of the apartment he’s called home for many years.

In an unlikely twist, his celebrity crush, Burnt Flowers drummer Margot Hammer, wanders into his life, thanks to a bit of meddling from his son. I was predisposed to like Margot. She’s a drummer. I pretty much always like drummers and goalies. And catchers. (Anyone want to analyze that?) She’s been a borderline hermit in the years since the band broke up in a spectacular fashion.

A new documentary returns Burnt Flowers to the spotlight, and their record label’s publicist nudges her to take a photo opp in Baltimore, which does not go as planned but reawakens Margot’s love of music and performing.

Charm City Rocks is a nice reminder that sometimes good things happen to good people. Do yourself a favor this summer: turn off the news, stop scrolling social media and treat yourself to this warm and funny read.

I received this advanced reader copy of Charm City Rocks from Random House and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is such a feel good, charming romance. Starring adults in a new phase of life as their children are grown, it's also really nice to see people get fresh, new love while having years under their belts. Great sense of place as well as wonderful characters. It has the celeb/normal people romance I love, but it really personalizes the "celebrities" in the book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House - Ballantine for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

When you compare a book to Daisy Jones and the Six, it HAS to live up to the hype... and for me, it did!!

A rom-com that deals with musicians, famous rock drummers, all sorts of love stories, so I fell in love and devoured this one as quickly as I could. I loved all of the characters in their own way and wanted to root for each and (almost) every one of them.

Billy Perkins is a piano teacher in Baltimore. He's a single dad to a senior in high school and a great co-parent to his son's mom and her new husband. He ends up meeting his long time celeb crush, Margot Hammer of Burnt Flowers, and the crush deepens. Margot has been living in NYC after her band broke up after a fight at an award show and hasn't gone back to music, yet. Once she meets this piano teacher, she's starting to play in front of people again.

Another book to add to my physical bookshelf! I loved this story and the way it was written. This was my first of Matthew Norman, but not my last!

Charm City Rocks is a delightful reversal of the 'rock star/ordinary person' trope where the rock star is the female character.

Single dad in his early 40s, Billy Perkins loves his life as a music teacher, living about Baltimore record shop, Charm City Records. He's a happy, affable guy who has a amicable co-parenting relationship with his ex-girlfriend Robyn for their 18-year-old son Caleb.

Caleb, worried about this dad being alone once he goes to university, brings Billy's musical crush, rock drummer Margot Hammer into his life. Her old band, Burnt Flowers were very successful until they specactularly broke up after Margot 'went crazy' on TV, leading her to be a 'recluse'.

While the main story of this book is Billy and Margot's burgeoning romance, its really an ensemble comedy featuring their children Caleb and Poppy, Billy's ex-girlfriend and Caleb's mum Robyn, Margot's movie star ex-husband and other characters in Billy's neighbourhood. We see each character's point of view in a very modern, blended family way. I found that refreshing.

Matthew Norman had me hooked from the first sentence in this gem of a book. The tone is bright and engaging with none of the melodrama that I find tiresome and cliche. It really does live up to its name - charming! I couldn't put this book down.

Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for the ARC.

Billy Perkins loves his simple life of teaching music lessons, spending time with his son, Caleb, and living in a city he has always called home. When Caleb, about to head to college, senses that his father may be lonely, he comes up with a misguided plan to convince Margot Hammer, the drummer in a once famous band Burnt Flowers and someone that Billy has long had a crush on, to come perform at the music store located in the same building as Billy's apartment. Margot has stayed out of the public eye since her band broke up. Their unlikely meeting sets off a serious of events that causes Billy, Margot, Caleb, and the others in their orbit to question the lives they have created for themselves -- and wonder what they want for their next chapter.

This is a charming story about unexpected romances, family, fame, and community. Through a creative premise and terrific characters, the author offers an engaging and heartfelt story that you won't want to put down.

Highly recommended!

☢️ Book Release Radar!!
Title: Charm City Rocks by Matthew Norman
Published by Random House @rando
Release Date: 06 June
Free galley in exchange for review

Alright guys, I’m not gonna lie I got sucked into this book from the cute cover. A vinyl straight smacked in the middle? Color me intrigued!

We follow a single dad named Billy who resides on Baltimore, and is a lover of rock and a music teacher…he also loves his cardigans. Leave it to his son, whom is leaving for college and doesn’t wanna see his dad alone, to take interest in a band he found his dad swooning over and it’s all over from there!

Equal parts cute and entertaining — this was a fast read and very good to get into. A wonderful pallet cleanser between bigger books if you ask me. It’s light hearted, fun, and really makes you wonder what would happen if you did meet your favorite musician at a bar??

Norman did a great job with the story, dialogue, and all the lovable cast of characters inside the book. A great recommendation for those who stayed up watching VH1 in their teen years, sucked for “what if” romances, and lovers of music! 🎸 Make sure to pick it up this week if interested!

Thank you @netgalley and @random for the free arc. 🖤

Review run date: June 4
Review will be on my bookstagram: https://instagram.com/booksofgloom?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==

This book was great. It was a little Nick Hornby/High Fidelity-eque, but cuter. The characters were real and enjoyable. I liked getting the different perspectives of the main players. The author did a great job of imbuing each character with their own distinctive voice. Lots of humor and heart. Library patrons should enjoy this one.