First, I want to thank NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballentine and Matthew Norman for the advanced copy. I received a free, advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I don't read a lot of later in life romances, mostly because....that's me and I'm in denial. But I really enjoyed this book. What really worked for me were the friends/family and the way they shaped the storyline. Usually when I read later in life books they make me feel old like this is the chapter before Old Yeller dies and the main character is getting one last bone (no pun intended). This felt a lot more genuine and had a really cute premise. I absolutely loved all the musical references which is what originally drew me to the book. Having never been to Baltimore, I felt connected to the community with the descriptions the author gave.

I think the only thing that I didn't care for were all the POV's. It didn't add anything for me and those chapters could have been used to show more connection between the FMC and the MMC, which sometimes lacked. It made the plot drag at times switching back and forth.

I will say that I was surprised this was a fade to black with no spice just because the sheer amount of steamy romance on the market. However, I did not factor that into my rating. It's not everyone's preference but I do think some intimacy can help build the character relationship sometimes.

Overall, a fine book. I'd be curious to read more from this author

This charming novel features a music teacher and a former rock band drummer. Two people who could not be farther apart in personality some how find their way to each other. Billy Perkins has had a crush on Margot Hammer, drummer for the defunct band Burnt Flowers, since her was young,. Over the years, Margot has turned into a bit of a recluse because of her meltdown on the MTV awards show, but now a new documentary on girl bands has sparked renewed interest in her. Billy has kept the spark burning for her even though he has never met her until one day, through the machinations of his son, Margot appears at the music store in the building where Billy lives. A sweet, funny, adorable and unlikely romance. Wonderfully draw characters.

⭐️ ARC Review ⭐️

Charm City Rocks
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


While I don’t just read romance when it comes to ARC’s I limit myself to requesting romance books. I’ll say upfront that, while I really enjoyed Charm City Rocks, I feel it was miscategorized.

There was a romantic storyline, but this book had many other plot lines that often seemed of equal importance and so many points of view offered (the two main characters, their respective children and their ex’s and the new spouse of one of those ex’s) that calling it a romance seems a little misleading. I can understand, though, how labeling it as “fiction” or even “contemporary fiction” might feel too broad.

I did very much like this book, whatever category it does or doesn’t fit in! As a romance, it would be a closed-door romance- there is discussion of sex but nothing more than kissing on the page.

What I loved about this one:
✔️ All the points of view: while confusing at first, once my brain caught up to the writing style, it really worked!
✔️ A “later in life” romance plot line: at 39, I’m reluctant to call a book with characters in their early 40’s late in life, but I suppose that’s what it is!
✔️ The complexities and intricacies of balancing love, life, and family, especially with both main characters having children with former partners

All said: this was well worth the read, and I’ll definitely be looking into Matthew Norman’s previous books. Charm City Rocks is set to publish on June 6th, 2023, and I can already think of a few people I’d recommend it to!

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House, and Matthew Norman for a chance to read this charming story about love, family, and Baltimore!

Read dates: 03/15/2023- 03/18/2023
Goodreads review: posted 03/19/2023
Instagram review: posted 03/19/2023

This is my first Matthew Norman book but it certainly won't be my last! Piano teacher, Billy runs into his "crush" of years ago, rock star Margot when she visits Baltimore. Still smitten, Billy is once again captivated but his own life is complicated by the fact he's a single dad and co-parents with his ex and her partner. Although I know next to nothing about music, I loved the rock and roll era and could listen to those tunes endlessly! This novel is both heartbreaking and heartwarming as we see families, relationships, and partnerships at their worst and at their best as good people attempt to navigate this messy thing we call life! Soooo good!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

My first read by Matthew Norman. Charm City Rocks was a well paced story. Loved the middle aged stars of the story. Everyone deserves a great guy like Billy. And he gets his dream HEA. What is so special about this book is all the secondary characters. It makes Margot and Billy’s relationship all the more precious, knowing there is so much drama going on in the lives of Jose closest to them.

I also want to visit the Baltimore of this book. Norman makes it the Charm City.

Thank you Random House Publishing & Netgalley for the chance to read this book! I’ll start by saying that any book that revolves around rock music will always have my heart. That said, Charm City Rocks was a such a fun read!!! Now I want to visit Baltimore lol I especially loved to read about the growth we see in Margot’s character. I do wish there was a little bit more of creativity with some names like Nikki Mixx? Really? Lol also, I had to google what “aughts” meant. Like dude, just say the 2000s. Also, what was that ending??? It just felt so abrupt? I wish we actually got to read about them physically reuniting. For all we know, Margot got hit by a bus or something.
All in all, super charming read, definitely a book that I would read again!

Charm City Rocks by Matthew Norman was even more charming than I anticipated. I loved the nostalgic feeling I got from the music references. The love story, the exes, the drama all delivered a fun story that I was sad to see end.

Thank you to Random House Publishing-Ballantine, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

I thoroughly enjoyed this fifth and latest outing by Matthew Norman, a superbly charming, feel-good story about leaning into the things in life that you recognize can make you truly happy. This is the kind of book where after you finish it, you just want to walk outside in the sunlight, basking in the glow of the start of a potentially glorious weekend. If this book can't put a smile on your face, I'm not sure what will.

I've consistently enjoyed Matthew Norman's earlier efforts, and this doesn't lack his good-natured humor, witty signature. With Charm City Rocks, you have a story full of largely likable characters that you can't help but root for. Even the characters you're sort of supposed to hate have an undeniably magnetic charm to them, you can't help but root for little victories for everyone. Well, almost everyone.

Straight to the point, this book will put a smile on your face. And really, isn't that the goal of it all? To lean into the things in life that have the power to make you want to smile?

The above is my honest opinion in exchange for a free e-book copy of this book, thanks to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group, and of course, Matthew Norman.

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.