As a teen growing up in the 90s and early 2000s, I always wished to be transported into my favorite teenage romantic drama filled tv shows. Where after plenty of drama, suspense, sadness, trials and tribulations, a beautiful happy ending was guaranteed, most of the time with the town's hunky heartthrob by the main character's side. Now I'm an adult wishing to be transported into idyllic Hallmark movies. If you grew up watching shows like Dawson's Creek, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, 90210, Gilmore Girls, and the like then I think you will enjoy Prime Time Romance as much as I did.

In Prime Time Romance by Kate Robb, we have newly divorced Brynn making a wish on the eve of her thirtieth birthday for her own happily-ever-after. A life where things always work out like in her favorite teenage soap Carson's Cove. When she wakes up the next morning, she finds herself in Carson's Cove (CC) along with her roommate Josh, but they're now Sloan, CC's sweetheart, and Fletch, CC's resident bad boy. Fifteen years ago, CC ended on a cliffhanger, but now Brynn is going to get the chance to give Sloan the happily ever after she deserves with CC's dream boy Spencer...right? If she wants to get her and Josh back to their real lives she must. While Byrnn is struggling to give Sloan her HEA while struggling with her own feelings of not being enough, Josh is struggling with his own emotional baggage as the bar Fletch lives above and works in reminds him so much of his own father's old bar that he failed in running. The Bronze, although fictional, gives Josh the opportunity to give running a bar another go.

This story was so well written. The pacing was perfect. I could see every aspect of CC in my head. The picture-perfect small town with its picture-perfect residents. Is it truly as wonderful and perfect as Brynn originally thought? Is Sloan's bff Poppy the best friend a girl could ever ask for? Is Luce, CC's mean girl, deserving of that title? Is Spencer the perfect dreamboat for Sloan? Will Brynn succeed in giving Sloan her HEA so she and Josh can return to their own reality? I really enjoyed reading this second novel by Kate Robb. Robb's writing is entertaining and makes me laugh out loud. Like her first novel, this one transports us to an alternate reality where we get to see if the grass is greener on the other side. Prime Time Romance left me feeling nostalgic for the amazing tv shows I grew up watching. It made me think of how when I watch them now as an adult, I pick up on things I was oblivious to as a teen, and it makes me love them all over again. If you're a lover of the teen dramas of the 90s and 2000s then definitely read Prime Time Romance and see how many TV show Easter eggs you notice while reading. Thank you to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC. Now I'm off to watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer for the thousandth time.

Another fabulous speculative romcom from Kate Robb! I knew going in that this was going to be about a woman who finds herself trapped in one of her favorite television series, but I didn't know the specifics and it was such a fun twist! Josh/Fletcher is the book boyfriend of my dreams! And all the Easter eggs to some of the author's (and my) favorite shows was an unexpected delight! A bar called The Bronze, a guy named Chad Michael. Be still my late bloomer Gen X with the television taste of a millennial heart! I can't wait to see what Robb brings us next.

4.25 ⭐️All the 90s shows nostalgia with all the rom com feels of This Spells Love. I had so much fun with this book and read it in less than 24 hours, I couldn’t put it down.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

Kate Robb has done it again with another masterful and delightful magical realism romcom- and brought a fresh new story to a tried and true tale!! 4.25 stars!

Brynn's having a hard time with life- she's divorced, lost most of her friends, and feels unsettled in her world- but the one thing that makes her feel good is rewatching Carson's Cove (her version of a Dawson's Creek, Gilmore Girls, One Tree Hill show). On the night before her 30th birthday, she has a mysterious cake delivery and makes a wish for her own happy ending. When she wakes up the next morning, she and her cute acquaintance of a roommate, Josh, have landed themselves in Carson's Cove, and learn that they are now two of the main characters from the show- here to bring about a happy ending for a story that ended abruptly.

This is a classic tale of girl wishes she was in her favorite book/movie world, realizes it's not all it's cracked up to be and learns something about her life along the way- but with a blackmail twist. The man who brought her the cake is an extra (like a Kirk from Gilmore Girls) who wants Brynn to follow the perfect path he's set out for her to give the main character a happy ending. Turns out, that happy ending doesn't involve anything he wants- and Brynn and Josh have to navigate some tough waters to get there (quite literally at one point).

I love Kate's writing style so much! The characters feel real, developed, and have lots of heart (well, the good ones at least). The world building is unique and cozy. The magical realism elements are beyond entertaining and extra reflective!! This is a cute story and a quick read!!

Thank you so much to Kate Robb and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review!

This was a cute and fun read. A bit slow for me at first but it picked up. I really enjoyed the setting and the characters. A fun rom-com with a touch of whimsy and magic.

Super cute!

Kate Robb's one of my new favorite authors for fun multidimensional / magical realism stories.

I'm admittedly not familiar with Dawson's Creek which the fictional Carson's Cove is based on, but I imagine for fans of the show, this book will be even more fun.

I loved seeing Josh and Brynn's relationship develop in the midst of zany setting and circumstances.

Content: There were a couple of open door scenes, which aren't my thing, but these were super easy to skip.

Prime Time Romance is a must-read for fans of '90s and '00s teen dramas. With its nostalgic pop culture references and slow-burn romance, this book is a delightful throwback. While the characters could have been developed further, the fast-paced plot and addictive storyline make it a worthwhile read.

After reading Prime Time Romance, I definitely need to rewatch my favorite teen drama, Dawson’s Creek. This book gave me all the nostalgia for that show and other teen dramas I watched as a teenager and even in my twenties. It even has some easter eggs, not only from Dawson’s Creek but also from other teen dramas from the 90s/00s.

Imagine your favorite TV show ending on a cliffhanger and the TV network deciding to cancel it, where you are left unsatisfied with no HEA for your favorite TV characters. (Looking at your Netflix since you love canceling shows.) But what if you are given a chance to live your life as your favorite character from that TV show, giving them a chance at the HEA they never got, plus finding yours, too? This is what happened to the FMC, Brynn, when she had a birthday cake show up at her door, and she got to make a wish. Not only is she thrown into the world of her favorite show, but her roommate, Josh, is there with her, too, living as the bad boy character. The issue is that the only way for them to leave is to give the main characters from that show the HEA they never got, but what if Brynn ends up having feelings for Josh, her roommate, while she’s there in the TV show world? She wants to have her own HEA, too, but unfortunately, she has to remember she’s there for the TV show’s main characters and not herself.

I enjoyed this book and found myself smiling, while reading it due to how it reminded me of everything about the 90s/00s teen dramas I used to watch when I was in my teens and early twenties. You know the emotional rollercoaster the writers used to put us through with those shows, especially Dawson’s Creek. Who was the girl going to end up with, and why were you always rooting for the bad boy to be with her? At least, that is what it is for me. I wanted Brynn to find her HEA with Josh, even though she was supposed to find her HEA with the main character of the TV show. Josh wasn’t a bad guy, either. He was such a sweet guy and reminded me of Pacey from Dawson’s Creek.

This was an adorable book that brought all the feels. It’s a slow-burn romance, so it does take a bit for the main characters, Brynn and Josh, to realize they are falling for one another, but once it happens, you’ll be rooting for their HEA.

I give this book four stars and look forward to reading more from Kate Robb. Yes, this was my first book from Kate Robb, and it definitely won’t be my last.

If you grew up watching all the TV teen dramas back in the 90s/00s, then you definitely should read this book. It may very well make you want to rewatch those shows. Thanks to this book, I know I’m going to rewatch Dawson’s Creek for the millionth time.

What to Expect:
🩷Small Town Romance
🩷Forced Proximity
🩷Roommates to Lovers
🩷90s/00s Nostalgia

What a fun and original rom com plot!! Brynn’s life has failed apart after her divorce. Living with her roommate Josh to be able to afford the apartment she kept in the divorce, she finds herself unsettled and clinging to the comforting reruns of her favorite tv show. A TV show her and Josh find themselves in after a run in with an Uber eats driver. I loved Brynn and Josh’ growth as separate characters and together. The banter was great and it felt like a cheesy hallmark movie in the absolute best way!

Super fun mashup on Pleasantville and Dawson’s Creek with tons and tons of Easter eggs and references to teen dramas of yesteryear. Brynn is having a rough time of things being recently divorced, having shallow friendships, and going on the worst first dates ever. She’d rather be sitting at home on the couch re-watching her favorite TV show, even though it ended on a cliffhanger and the main character did not end up with the dreamboat crush. And somehow, she and her roommate Josh wake up in the fictional TV world and are tasked with settings things to rights. Except the dreamboat crush is not what he seems and Brynn ends up growing feelings for Josh instead, changing the narrative of the fictional town. It’s fun and steamy and chaotic in all the best ways. I had so much fun listening to this audiobook and loved all the little callouts to the teen shows I used to love.

So I really liked the beginning, but there were details where I was like…why was that relevant? Why did we need to bring that up if it didn’t do anything special for the plot?

Like maybe I spaced or something but she never stood up to her flakey friends who didn’t value her? So then what was the whole point of spending the first couple chapters with them.

I thought the romance was pretty meh. I didn’t like nor dislike them.

Prime Time Romance is a cute romance. Pick your vibes: Dawson's Creek, The Truman Show, Pleasantville...they all kind of fit. The premise is that two roommates IRL end up in the set of a show, but it's real to the people in the show, and the roommates are playing iconic characters. In order to get back home to their real lives, they need to give the main character a perfect ending: win the pageant, get the guy! There are pageant antics, dramatic romantic gestures, and redemption arcs for previously villainized characters. It's a fun read!

Thanks to NetGalley for early access to this charming novel.

Prime Time Romance is a whimsical and romantic story that reminds you of your favorite comfort show.

Brynn is recently divorced and dreading her upcoming 30th birthday. Chilling at home with her roommate Josh, an Uber Eats shows up at her house with a mysterious birthday cake. Making a wish that her life was more like her favorite tv show, Carson’s Cove, Brynn and Josh wake up the next morning to find that they’ve magically been transported into the show, and Brynn is the main character. Having to play the part in order to get themselves back home, Brynn is torn between giving the character the happy ending she deserves and the life that she truly wants.

This was an adorable and pretty quick read. Filled with nostalgia, Reading this book reminded me of late nights watching Dawson’s Creek or Gilmore Girls. Those comfort shows that have a little bit of drama, but generally everything works out OK. But just like in this book, these shows, romance novels, and favorite movies are comfortable and safe, but real life doesn’t always work out that way. It’s messy and complicated, but that only makes it so that you appreciate the good times even more. Brynn and Josh are thrown into this situation and while they started out friendly, it was really nice to see their relationship grow as they both realize what they really want in life. I thought it was really great to see Brynn’s character growth, and her acceptance of her self and finding happiness in her own life, despite all the messy parts. This is a really quick read and a nice little escape from reality. I enjoyed it a lot, and I look forward to more books from this author.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own..

I adored this book. The writing was amazing and the pacing was great. The main characters were so spot on with romance novels. Great writing and moments of humor.

Read if you like:
✨ Magical Realism
🏘️ Small Towns
📺 Nostalgic TV Shows
🎂 Birthday Wishes
🙅🏻‍♂️ Bad Boys

This book is for the girlies that thought Rory was meant to be with Dean, but as they grew up and their frontal lobes fully developed realized that Jess, truly is who Rory was meant to be with.

When Brynn rewatches Carson’s Cove for the comfort and ends up making a birthday wish that sends her and her roommate into the show 15 years later to give the small town good girl her happy ending that she was robbed of when the show went off air without wrapping up the storylines when ratings dropped.

But when things don’t feel like that ending is actually the ending Brynn feels the beloved Sloan should actually have it gets a bit messy, especially when her roommate Josh is cast as Flech the town bad boy and Brynn starts to feel the feels for her roommate instead of the small town boy next door she always thought Sloan was meant to be with. But when the person who sent her and Josh there to give the HEA that Carson’s Cove deserved isn’t happy that she isn’t playing her part as expected, how far will Brynn take her role in order to get out of Carson’s Cove and able to return to her real life?!

Thank you to Dell for my eARC & physical ARC in exchange for my honest review!

The way that Kate Robb captured the difference in worlds and explained it to us had me intrigued from the moment it started.

The questions she leaves us wanting answers to keeps your attention as you inhale the pages.

On her 30th birthday, Brynn makes a wish and finds herself in Carson’s Cove (home of her favorite tv show) with her roommate, Josh. Brynn’s job is to give the main character (Sloan) her happy ending after the show was unexpectedly cancelled on a cliffhanger. While in Carson’s Cove, Brynn realizes the show hasn’t aged well and the nostalgia she feels watching it is replaced by an understanding that things weren’t as great as they seemed.

The 2 explicit sex scenes felt out of place when the rest of the book is fairly PG (for example, the characters can’t swear in Carson’s Cove). I also thought Sheldon (an extra from the original series) came off as a creepy stalker throughout most of the book and his obsession with Sloan’s happy ending felt unwarranted. However, I did appreciate Brynn’s maturity and growth. Overall, this was a very quick and easy read.

3.5/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Okay, well this was FUN.

PRIME TIME ROMANCE is about recently-divorced Brynn who finding comfort from losing what she thought was her HEA in her favorite 2000s teen soap opera. (Which, relatable.) To afford her mortgage, Brynn lives with roommate Josh, a bartender dealing with his own grief.

When a birthday cake surprisingly shows up on her and Josh’s doorstep, Brynn makes a wish for the one thing she’s always wanted (but has failed to achieve herself): a happily-ever-after. Then, Brynn suddenly wakes up in the fictional world of Carson's Cove -- with Josh in tow. Everyone seems to know them, except they’re not Brynn and Josh; they’re Sloan, the sweetheart of Carson’s Cove, and Fletch, the town’s bad boy. And to get home, they have to make Brynn’s wish come true by ensuring Sloan and Spencer, the hometown heartthrob, end up together after the show ended unexpectedly on a cliffhanger after five seasons.

Unlike her own life, things always have a way of working out in Carson’s Cove...until they don't. As they spend more time together in their soap-opera world, Brynn and Josh realize that Carson’s Cove might not be as perfect as seen on television . . . especially when they start developing feelings for each other in a plot twist no one expected.

I thought this was a fun, nostalgic story that gave me vibes similar to A NOVEL LOVE STORY by Ashley Poston, but with a teen drama instead of a fictional book town. It's not especially deep, but still an enjoyable read with swoon, humor, and heart.

Thank you to Dial Press and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. PRIME TIME ROMANCE is out 9/3/24.

When I first heard the premise of this book I was so excited! It sounded like such a fun, unique story & I was ready for allll the nostalgia!

The Easter eggs like some of the names were so fun, I mean Spencer & Chad Michaels ?! Kate knew what she was doing 🤣

I did enjoy the beginning of the book, I think Kate Robb’s writing was witty & funny & a lot of it read like I was watching a show.

However, it did lose me in the middle. A lot of the book read very teen/YA & it took me out most of the time with how cheesy it was :/ I also was unable to connect to the romance, & the spice felt completely out of left field lol

It was an okay book, but I was expecting more out of it

When newly divorced Brynn and her hot bartender roommate Josh wake up in her favorite 90's teenage drama, they must work together to figure out how to get home and their own happy endings.

Wow! This book was so much fun and filled with easter eggs. Here's what I loved:

The plot: This was genius. Who wouldn't want to go to sleep and wake up in your favorite TV show? Here, the show is 90's but all grown up. This is a TV lover's dream come true to see what would happen to your favorite characters after the show goes off the air. Not only that, but Brynn also gets to become her favorite character which was also super fun.

Brynn and Josh: These two were amazing MMCs. While Brynn is really lost in life and finds herself hiding within Carson's Cove, she is still endearing. Josh is a book boyfriend for sure. He's super hot and funny and lovable.

The throw backs: If you grew up in the 90's and early 2000's and watched any kind of teen TV shows, you will find tons of little hidden gems in this one! Keep your eyes peeled.

All in all, this was a great romcom with a TV twist.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the gifted copy!