Did not get to read - have way too many books on the shelf. Need to clear some out. Hope to get to this one in the future though.

This was a fun, lighthearted story and a cute rom com. The magical realism was entertaining, provided plenty of humor, and gave me nostalgic feels for 90s - early 2000s TV shows. An enjoyable read.

Do you ever find yourself getting into a reading rut? I sure do. Especially with romances. Luckily, this book was sitting there quietly on my TBR shelf, waiting patiently for its turn. The synopsis promised me something a little different than what I usually go for, and it ended up being just the thing to get me out of my rut.
I’m not big on fantasy books in general, but I loved this one. I’d call it more magical realism than fantasy. If you are looking to dip your toes in the water of magic, but don’t want to go full on, this would be an excellent choice.
Our main character, Brynn, is struggling. Newly divorced, she just wants some comfort in the form of watching her favourite old TV show in her fuzzy blue snuggly. But it’s her birthday, and although she doesn’t have a lot of friends, she’s trying to make the best of it. After a terrible date, she meets up with acquaintances to go to a club and throws caution to the wind by getting blindingly drunk. Luckily, her roommate Josh happens to work at said club and gets her home safely, where she receives a mysterious delivery of a birthday cake. Making a wish for her own happy ending, she then passes out. When she wakes up, she is in her favourite show, cast as one of the main characters. Her roommate Josh is there too, also as one of the cast members. In order to get home, they have to play along and give the “show” the happy ending it never got when it was abruptly cancelled. The only problem is that Brynn and Josh can’t help their growing feelings for each other.
I like Josh and Brynn together. Kate did a great job of having their relationship develop fairly naturally, which gave it a realistic feel. If you are a fan of the friends-to-lovers trope, you will like their relationship. They are somewhat thrust into this unusual situation together and need to work together to resolve it.
The writing is smart and funny, and I really enjoyed it. One of my favourite little details is that it is quite swear-y, as in, there are a lot of swear words, but when Brynn and Josh are in the world of the show, they can no longer swear.
For those who grew up watching all the 2000s teen drama shows like Dawson’s Creek, The OC, or even Gilmore Girls, this book is like a love letter. Full of easter eggs from those shows, you’ll feel a great sense of nostalgia for the times when things turned out okay in the end. There is even a helpful guide written by Kate at the end of the book to help you spot all references.
A great book to escape reality with for a little while, Prime Time Romance is a wonderful read.

This one was so fun and so unique! I’m such a TV fan and the magical realism in this was so creative and added a lot to the romance.

4.5 Stars

Kate Robb is officially one of my favorite authors. Her debut novel This Spells Love was my favorite read of 2024, so I was extremely eager to get to her latest release.

SUMMARY

It’s Brynn’s birthday, but instead of celebrating all she wants to do is rot on the couch and watch her favorite comfort show, a teen drama called Carson’s Cove. She’s not where she wants to be in life, already divorced at the ripe age of 29 and forced to take a roommate to afford the mortgage. That roommate is Josh, who has been stagnant since having to sell his family’s bar. A mysterious cake is delivered to Brynn and Josh encourages her to make a wish. She wishes for a “happily ever after,” but when she wakes up she’s in Carson’s Cove. All the townsfolk see her as the protagonist of the show, Sloan. Josh was also transported into the show as bad boy Fletcher. The only way the two will get back home is if Brynn gives Sloan the ending she’s always deserved with the boy next door, Spencer. But the more time Brynn spends in the idyllic Carson’s Cove, the more she realizes life in her comfort show isn’t all she thought it would be.

THOUGHTS

This book is SO FUN! This premise is right up my alley and the execution was amazing. I was not expecting the depth that this book had through Brynn realizing the characters she had wished to be like on her TV are not all they’re cracked out to be IRL. Josh’s adventure with restoring the bar on the show was oddly very entertaining to read about. The relationship between Brynn and Josh developed seamlessly and I was constantly giddy over the situations they found themselves in. I will confess, I absolutely loathe the strawberry shampoo that Brynn supposedly uses. Why is this a thing in romance novels? SHOW ME THE STRAWBERRY SHAMPOO ADULT WOMEN ARE USING.

All in all, I knew this would be an amazing book and I was right! I am impatiently waiting for the next Kate Robb novel coming later this year. She is100% an auto-buy author for me!

I really enjoy Kate Robb's contemporary romances. She writes secondary relationships really well that feel real. The chemistry between the two main characters was lovely.

If you are looking for a cute and fun read set in a quirky small town, this is the book for you! This was so adorable! I loved the magical realism aspect of the entire story. Both main characters built such an endearing relationship with each other and the people of the small town they found themselves in. The whole time I was reading I kept thinking to myself “this would make a great movie!” Highly recommend!

Prime Time Romance is pure rom-com escapism with a nostalgic twist—and I loved every minute of it. Kate Robb blends a wildly fun concept (getting trapped inside your favorite early 2000s teen drama) with a heartfelt, slow-burn romance that feels both fresh and comfortingly familiar.

Brynn is relatable in her messy, late-20s uncertainty, and her dynamic with Josh, the sarcastic but secretly sweet roommate, is full of simmering tension and perfectly timed banter. Their chemistry only intensifies once they’re cast into the over-the-top world of Carson’s Cove, forced to play love interests while figuring out what’s real and what’s just “scripted.”

What really works here is how Robb uses the nostalgia not just for laughs (though there are plenty), but to explore identity, self-worth, and the idea that real life—though messier—is more rewarding than the fantasy.

Unfortunately, I just could not get into this book. I’m not sure why! I thought it would be something. I’ll be interested in because I love pop culture, and romance, it’s just not for me.

This was such a fun, nostalgic read. The concept—two exes waking up inside a 2000s teen soap—was totally chaotic in the best way. It gave One Tree Hill meets 13 Going on 30 vibes, with lots of heart and a bit of ridiculousness (in a good way).

Brynn and Josh had great chemistry, and the nods to old-school dramas made me smile. I do wish the ending had a bit more space to breathe, but overall I had a great time. Definitely recommend if you love second chances, pop culture throwbacks, and a little TV magic.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

I absolutely loved Prime Time Romance! From the very first chapter, I was completely drawn into the story and couldn't put the book down. Kate Robb has such a natural and engaging writing style — it made the whole reading experience feel effortless and immersive.

What stood out the most to me was the development of the central relationship. The chemistry between the couple was not only believable but also incredibly well-paced. Their connection unfolded with just the right amount of tension, vulnerability, and warmth, making it easy to root for them from the beginning.

But what truly made the book shine for me was the protagonist. She felt so real — smart, complex, funny, and emotionally grounded. I loved watching her growth throughout the story and how she held her own without losing her softness. It’s refreshing to read a female lead who is both strong and deeply human.

The balance between romance, character depth, and emotional stakes was spot on. If you're looking for a feel-good romance with heart, humor, and a couple you’ll definitely fall for, Prime Time Romance is a must-read. I’m already looking forward to whatever Kate Robb writes next!

This was a delightful story, but not one that really moved me in any particular way. I do absolutely understand the comp to Change of Heart by Falon Ballard which produced the same "okay, sure!" feeling for me

What could’ve been a really cute book seemed to drag on and should’ve had a few chapters cut out of it.

Prime Time Romance by Kate Robb
⭐⭐⭐½ (3.5/5 stars) 🌶️🌶️ (2/5 for spice)

Prime Time Romance feels like crawling into your favorite well-worn hoodie while binge-watching reruns of the shows that defined your youth. The premise? Pure nostalgic magic - newly divorced Brynn and her (unfairly attractive) roommate Josh wake up inside her comfort show Carson's Cove, tasked with giving the prematurely cancelled series the ending it deserved.

I melted at how perfectly the book captures why we cling to comfort shows during our darkest moments. There's something achingly familiar in how Brynn describes Carson's Cove as "a steady presence as life as I knew it shattered around me." Don't we all have that one show that feels like home?

The little details absolutely delighted me - characters physically unable to curse (resulting in hilarious "what the H-E-double-hockey-sticks" moments), Easter eggs that had me squealing with recognition, and a romance that unfolds with the perfect mix of tension and tenderness.

✨ **Vibes we're tracking:**
🏙️ Small town
🏠 Roommates
📺 90s/00s nostalgia
✨ Whimsy
📝 Dual POV

A cute read with an imaginative premise that doesn't quite reach its full potential, but still delivers on nostalgia and sweet romance.

This book was so much fun. I love a small town setting, and this delivered on that in such a unique way. I really loved this romance and seeing the characters grow. Would be a great beach read!

Prime Time Romance is like stepping into a cozy, rom-com daydream—and you won’t want to leave! With its blend of heartwarming romance, witty dialogue, and a sprinkle of nostalgia, this book is pure fun from start to finish.

Brynn is the relatable heroine we all cheer for. Fresh off her divorce and navigating the messiness of adulthood, she’s resilient, funny, and just a little bit obsessed with Carson’s Cove (who can blame her? We’ve all had our comfort shows). When she gets magically transported into her favorite soap opera, alongside her roommate Josh, the book takes readers on a delightful journey of twists, turns, and unexpected romance.

The “stuck in a TV show” concept is creative and executed brilliantly—complete with all the over-the-top drama you'd expect from a 2000s soap. From secret relationships to swoon-worthy heartthrobs, Carson’s Cove isn’t just a setting; it’s a character in itself. The chemistry between Brynn and Josh as they navigate their roles adds a layer of depth to the story. Their budding romance sneaks up on you in the best way, delivering moments that are both laugh-out-loud funny and tenderly sweet.

Kate Robb does an excellent job balancing escapism with real-life emotions. Sure, Carson’s Cove has its quirks, but through Brynn’s eyes, readers also see how love and happiness don’t follow a script. Sometimes, the best endings are the ones you don’t plan.

Whether you’re here for the romance, the nostalgia, or simply a good laugh, **Prime Time Romance** delivers in all the right ways. Perfect for fans of rom-coms with a dash of magic. Who’s ready to dive into Carson’s Cove and binge on love? This book will leave you grinning like it’s prime-time TV!

Prime Time Romance by Kate Robb was such a fun and nostalgic read for me. As someone who grew up loving teen dramas like Dawson’s Creek and One Tree Hill, I really enjoyed the story of Brynn, a recently divorced woman who suddenly finds herself living inside her favorite early-2000s TV show. The magical realism gave the book a quirky twist, and I loved watching her and her roommate Josh navigate this fictional world together.

The slow-burn romance between Brynn and Josh was sweet and had plenty of heart, though I’ll admit the middle of the book dragged a bit and the pacing felt off at times. I also didn’t connect super deeply with the characters, but the premise kept me hooked. Overall, it was a cute, imaginative escape with just the right amount of charm—perfect for when you’re in the mood for something light and nostalgic.

This book was such a clever take on workplace romance with a side of reality TV fun. I loved the behind-the-scenes media setting and the sharp, witty dialogue. It’s sweet, snappy, and so bingeable.

Funny People meets A Novel Love Story. This book was the easy romance book I needed! I love magical realism novels and this one is no exception. My only reason for deducting a star is because for an FMC that got divorced because her husband didn’t know her well enough, it seemed odd she’d think she’d be into a guy who believed her to be a different person.

This was such a fun read! Roommates Josh and Brynn get sucked into the world of Brynn's favorite teen soap after a birthday wish gone-wrong and have to give the show the ending it deserves before they are allowed to return home. Even though she's supposed to be falling for the Dawson's-Creek-inspired blonde boy next door, Brynn can't stop thinking about her roommate and everything she's learning about him. I thought that this book was really sweet & funny, although I thought some scenes between the main duo lacked genuine chemistry. Overall, a fun read!