The premise of this book was SO promising, but it fell really flat for me. Brynn and Josh felt two-dimensional, and I did not buy the romance as I was reading. The magical realism was a unique concept, but it ended up ultimately taking away from the romance—which is the genre of this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of Prime Time Romance by Kate Robb!

I didn’t love this one sadly. I feel like it was fairly predictable. I wanted to know more about Brynn and Jackson - esp her divorce. I think that would have helped give them a bit more depth for me personally.

Adorable book that kept me engaged and entertained while reading. I like magical realism romcoms and this was just fun, with nostalgia vibes from the 90s!

This book was a total vibe, blending 2000s teen drama nostalgia with a sprinkle of magic. Brynn, freshly divorced and struggling to move on, finds herself bingeing her favorite show, Carson’s Cove (total mood). But when a birthday wish lands her in the fictional town, she’s suddenly Sloan, the sweet, beloved character, with her roommate Josh as Fletch, the town’s bad boy.

Their mission? Get Sloan and Spencer (the couple fans of the show shipped) together. But plot twist—real-life feelings start to develop between Brynn and Josh instead. Cue the swoons!

While the romance had me hooked, I would've loved even more moments of heart-thumping chemistry between them. Still, the pop culture nods and pure romcom joy had me smiling all the way through.

It’s a love letter to teen dramas and a feel-good read perfect for when you want to escape into a world of magic and romance. Totally recommend if you’re into big heart eyes, magical realism, and all the nostalgic feels.

Unfortunately, the romance in this one fell a little flat for me. There was too much side plot and not enough romance.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dial Press for an eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

The first 20% I was really intrigued but as the book went on it fell flat for me. Some of the lines were to cringey for me and I found myself wanting to skim towards the end.

This one was cute and definitely gave me Pleasantville vibes as Brynn and Josh are sucked into Brynn's favorite comfort show and becomes part of the cast. I definitely enjoyed This Spells Love more, but I'm finding it difficult to put my finger on the why. Maybe because Brynn and Josh didn't have any kind of relationship before this, but suddenly this changes everything. I get it's fantastical, but I think I would have preferred if they'd had even a friendship level kind of relationship before this. As it is, they're ships passing in the wind and know nothing about each other, despite living together.

Overall, it was OK. It just didn't blow me away. If you're looking for a cute, low-commitment rom-com with 2000's tv vibes, I'd definitely give it a shot.

While I loved both main characters this story wasnt necessarily for me. The traveling to a tv town and the magical realism felt forced and didnt really add much for me personally. That being said I loved the main characters and a lot of the side characters. Cant wait to see what else this author does next!

I really enjoyed this book. I really liked the characters. The plot was great. Would definitely recommend.

"Be careful what you wish for." This was a cute Romcom. Prime Time Romance quickly hooked me, but that faded as the book went on. I loved the banter; it made me laugh out loud many times. It was so much fun to feel like I was transported back in time when the world was in a better place. This book left some unanswered questions for me, but it won't detour me from reading other books by this author.

This book was SUCH a fun read. Are you a millennial who grew up deeply invested in the love lives of CW show characters? Then you'll eat this up.

Not going to lie this would have been a rom com I would have loved as a teenager. I mean who wouldn't want to be sucked into your favorite romantic comedy sitcom. However even though I loved the banter between the hero and heroine I didn't love it as much as I thought I would.

characters weren't fleshed out enough, and the unique plot wasn't enough to save the middling writing

In Prime Time Romance, Kate Robb delivers a heartwarming and humorous take on love, second chances, and finding your own happy ending. Brynn, newly divorced and grappling with the realities of single life, is struggling to get back on her feet. The only comfort she finds is in binge-watching Carson’s Cove, a beloved 2000s soap that ended on a cliffhanger, leaving the main characters' romance unresolved. A birthday wish for a happily-ever-after leads Brynn and her roommate, Josh, into the fictional world of Carson’s Cove, where they find themselves in the roles of the soap’s iconic characters.

The setup is delightfully quirky, and Brynn’s journey from a disillusioned, heartbroken woman to someone learning to embrace love and new possibilities is both charming and relatable. As she navigates life in this fictional world, she starts to see that real life—much like the drama on Carson’s Cove—is full of unexpected twists and turns, and that sometimes love isn’t scripted.

What makes Prime Time Romance truly enjoyable is its playful premise and the chemistry between Brynn and Josh, who are forced to navigate their new roles while questioning whether their growing feelings for each other are part of the plot or something deeper. Robb’s writing is sharp and engaging, mixing humor with emotional depth, as Brynn discovers that perhaps the perfect romance isn’t one she’s watched on television, but one that happens in real life, with all its imperfections.

For fans of romantic comedies and anyone who’s ever wished to live out a soap opera fantasy, Prime Time Romance is a delightful escape that offers both heart and humor in equal measure. A fun, sweet, and thoughtful read, it’s a story about embracing real love—even when it doesn’t follow the script.

Prime Time Romance was a cute twist on friends to lovers. I loved all the Easter eggs from some of my favorite old shows/crushes! It was a predictable storyline for me and a bit of a slow burn but overall a fun read!

I don't think I am the target audience for this Pleasantville-esque story. I think it is more suited for a younger audience. I felt bad for not having more to say about it considering it was an ARC through NetGalley, but it just wasn't for me
Having said that, I still rated it 3.5 stars because the premise was good and it wasn't a bad book. It was decent for what it was and I have friends and family who would love this book,

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I knew I needed to read this book when the blurb gave Gilmore Girl vibes.

Brynn’s about to enter her 30’s as a new divorcee living with her roommate, Josh. On her birthday eve, the two of them binge Carson’s Cove, her favorite teenage drama. The show ends unexpectedly on a cliffhanger and fans never get to see their favorite characters declare feeling for each other. Even though they don’t get the happily-ever-after they deserve, Brynn still thinks the show is perfect. Unlike her own life. So when a birthday cake randomly shows up on their doorstep, Brynn makes a wish for that exact thing. Little does she know, her and Josh will be the ones who have to make that happen.

I loved the overall theme of the book and the vibes it gave; however, I felt the book focused more on the show than Brynn and Josh’s relationship. Regardless, it was still a cute novel.

I loved reading Kate’s easter eggs at the back of the book and the explanations around them. I love the magical realism to Kate’s books and I can’t wait to see what she write next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Dial Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Prime Time Romance is a delightful, feel-good romance with plenty of heart. Robb’s characters are endearing, and the chemistry between the leads makes this a sweet, enjoyable story.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.