Skip to main content

Member Reviews

If you loved 1990/2000s teen dramas, you NEED to read this.
Brynn, a recent divorcee goes to the club where her new roommate, Josh, works at. He takes her home and when a birthday cake arrives on their doorstep for her birthday, she decides to wish for a happily ever after, just like her favorite show, Carson's Cove. The next morning Brynn and Josh wake up in Carson's Cove and they are being manipulated to be the town's sweetheart and bad boy. They are there to help the show achieve the ending it never got.
This town is so cute, but also eerie! Nothing ever goes wrong for more than a day, a storm will hit and there will be no debris! But there is a lot going on between Brynn and Josh as they are stuck here with all of Brynn's favorite characters and her first love, but not everything is as she dreamed.
There are great antics, the side characters are so loveable and horrible at the best of times, and I loved the two main characters. The romance was romancing, the reality of teen dramas was hitting real, and the rom com was *chefs kiss*. I devoured this book in a couple days because I couldn't put it down. Definitely recommend and will be going back to read her other novel now!
Thank you Net Galley and Dial Press Trade for my eARC!

Was this review helpful?

I was so excited to be offered this ARC as I loved This Spells Love, the author's debut. The premise of this book is super fun! I am certainly a fan of the shows that this book pulls it's setting from. I owned all of Dawson's Creek on DVD, have an annual re-watch of Gilmore Girls every Autumn and binged One Tree Hill for the first time as an adult... That said, the way these settings and characters are alluded to in this book kind of threw me off. The "famous white gazebo" was fine and recognizable but not overtly so, the coastal town and the bar were good too. However, the mention of the background character Chad Michaels and Pop's diner with it's Cherry Chip milkshakes were so specific, it felt unnecessary. We already knew the idea; I was left wondering why it was spelled out this way. It felt jarring. The spicy scenes felt like they were written by two different people. They began a bit juvenile and then the dialogue was suddenly dirtier... It felt clunky and again, took me out of the story. I certainly appreciated the way the characters in this novel were involved in their environment and improved things in Carson's Cove, but I was left feeling like there could have been more. It did not feel as refined as I would have liked. The author's first novel made me want to read this one. I wanted to love it, but it didn't quite hit the mark for me.

Was this review helpful?

This book had a really fun and unique concept that I haven't really seen before, but I thought it was executed poorly. I didn't love this book, but I also didn't hate it either. I often found myself wanting to just skim it because it was kind of boring and the characters' connections felt kind of random. In addition, the 2 sex scenes were written well but were very random and I felt they came out of nowhere so I wasn't a fan of that. Like I said, the book was light and fun but the actual romance fell short for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Was this review helpful?

Reading this book made me feel cozy and happy feels.
Brynn is down in her life - turning 30, divorcee, no friends, and seeking comfort in her favorite teen series. When a mysterious Uber delivery brings her a birthday cake she wished for her happy ever after life not knowing she would be transported to star in her favorite teen sitcom in the imaginary Carson’s Cove.

Man the suave that Josh has is swoon worthy.
This was the fun read that you want in the summer!

Highly rec to check it out!

Was this review helpful?

Prime Time Romance is a dual POV magical realism romance. It centers on roommates Josh and Brynn, who find themselves suddenly in the fictional world of Carson’s Cove after Brynn’s birthday wish comes true in an unexpected way. Suddenly they aren’t themselves, and have to navigate this charming world as Fletch (the town bad boy) and Sloan (the town sweetheart)!

Another great Kate Robb book! This one was a lot of fun to read and I loved both main characters! I really liked Josh and how supportive he was, and Brynn as she grew and accepted that there’s a place for nostalgia and a time for living your life!


Read dates: 08/04/2024 - 08/05/2024
Goodreads review: 08/05/2024
Instagram review: 08/06/2024
Blog review: 09/03/2024

Was this review helpful?

PHENOMENAL!!! Thank you NetGalley, Kate Robb, and Random House Publishing for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

OH MY DREAMY STARS!!! I absolutely loved this book so much!!! Kate Robb ALWAYS delivers for me and this is no exception!! This Spells Love was one of may favorite reads for 2023 so when I learned that the author had another book coming out I was beyond ecstatic!! Dare I say, I loved this one even more!! The author's books keep getting better and better, and now I have a new favorite for 2024 to add to my list. Prime Time Romance is a delightful, hilarious, and magical romantic comedy that tugs at your heartstrings while transporting you into your favorite television show. Brimming with humor, nostalgia, drama, banter, this story offers palpable chemistry, tender moments, and real relatable characters. Set in a charming small town, it authentically explores a journey from roommates to friends to lovers, featuring a heartfelt second chance at love. I found myself rooting for Brynn and Josh, captivated by their personal growth and the valuable life lessons woven throughout the story. 💗 💗💗💗💗

Is love on the small screen better than the real thing? Brynn's happy ending has gone up in flames. Newly divorced and sharing a mortgage with her roommate Josh, she's struggling to move on. At least she has Carson's Cove, her beloved '90s teenage soap, to binge-watch. When a birthday cake mysteriously appears on their doorstep, Brynn wishes for her own happily-ever-after. The next morning, she wakes up not in her apartment but in Carson's Cove... with Josh by her side. Except they're not Brynn and Josh anymore; they're the show's sweetheart and bad boy. Will they stick to the script, or will real love rewrite the story?

In conclusion, I was completely captivated from start to finish!! If you’re looking for a feel good rom-com with a Dawson’s Creek or Gilmore Girls vibe then this is the book for you! I wholeheartedly recommend and it deserves all the stars 💫💫💫💫💫!!!!!

Was this review helpful?

A book that mentions the television series of the 2000s? I'm in.

I super loved it, I really had a lot of fun with the story, Brynn represented Dawson's Creek to me with her feelings and the almost instant connection with Josh I liked, I appreciated that there wasn't excess drama. Suddenly it's nice to read books like this, among so much dark stuff falling into my hands.

If you are looking for an enjoyable book, with nostalgic tinges of a nice time in your life, this book is for you.

Was this review helpful?

*SPOILER*

I really wanted to like this book. The synopsis sounded unique and interesting - a woman makes a wish and finds herself living as one of the characters in her favorite comfort TV show (I was picturing a cross between Gilmore Girls and Dawson's Creek). Unfortunately the execution didn't quite live up to the premise. First, the story didn't need a villain. Sheldon was completely unnecessary and his abrupt change of heart at the end wasn't believable. I wish he'd been eliminated altogether. Also, I'm not sure why, but I was never able to connect with either Brynn or Josh, the two leads. They were likeable enough, but I found it hard to become invested in anything they were trying to do. Perhaps my biggest hang-up though was that Brynn and Josh becoming two of the characters within the fictional town just didn't work. It didn't make sense, and knowing that everything was fictional made me not care about any of the characters in Carson's Cove. I give the plot a 6 out of 10 and the characters a 4 out of 10 with an overall grade of a C-.

Was this review helpful?

I was so absolutely consumed by this book that I finished it in one sitting. The nods to early 2000's teen tv dramas was done so beautifully that I almost forgot I was reading. This was the first time in a long time that I didn't notice how long each chapter was because I was so interested in the story.

It was such a fun, light-hearted read with the best kind of predictable storyline. The premise of the story truly encompassed the "but what happens next" that we all face once our favourite shows roll the credits for the final time. Even if you were happy with how things ended, you always sort of wonder what would have happened had the show continued & this book did a perfect job of portraying that in an engaging way.

Both main characters were extremely likeable & had a beautiful mix of traits from some of my favourite tv characters. It truly was just a perfect love letter to early 2000's tv. Highly recommend if you're looking for a nice blast from the past or break from reality.

Was this review helpful?

A solid book for lovers of 2000s romcoms. It has a nostalgic feel and had me giggling at times. I think it could have used a little more build up and tension but I enjoyed the book!

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this unique rom com! I’m a big comfort show girl and one tree hill is my favorite comfort show! Carson’s Cove and its inhabitants gave all the OTH vibes. I loved the dual POV and the magical elements!

Was this review helpful?

3.5 rounded up

This one felt more like the characters' personal journeys were the main plot with a romance subplot.

I read open door all the time so this next statement surprises even me buuuut kind of felt like it should have been more vague or even fade to black? They're in a teen sitcom setting where they can't even properly swear but we're getting a detailed description of sex? Just didn't fit the vibe for me.

My last gripe is that the ending felt a little anticlimactic back in the real world.

I did enjoy the easter eggs of various teen shows throughout. The town definitely felt like a sitcom setting. Wondering how it would play out kept me invested.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing for the eARC in exchange for review.

Was this review helpful?

For those of us Millenials who grew up loving shows like Dawson's Creek, you'll love this novel.

Brynn's life sucks. She's newly divorced and unlucky at love. On the night of her 30th birthday, she goes out with "friends" and finds herself promptly ignored. Thankfully, she's saved from a disastrous night by her roommate, Josh, at the bar where he works. Josh gets her home safe, where she can watch her favorite show, Carson's Cove. But a birthday wish for a better life winds up with both Brynn and Josh being sucked into Carson's Cove. Not only do they have to navigate this new world, but Brynn is required to give the show's leads the happy ending they never got. But threatening that is her newfound feelings for Josh. Can she save the show and get them back to the real world?

I absolutely love this book. The main characters are relatable and fun, and the premise is literally out of this world. Kate Robb tells a great story filled with humor, passion, and magic. I love this so much I now want to check out Robb's first book.

Was this review helpful?

This was super fun for a quick summer read! I crushed it in less than a day because it is very readable, even if predictable.

This minus the spice would’ve been something preteen me would have ate up! But grown up me just doesn’t love shows like dawsons creek, Gilmore girls, etc. so the premise is my actual nightmare lol.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the eARC of this book.

After reading This Spells Love (and loving it), I knew I had to give Prime Time Romance a go. This book was exactly what I wanted, predictable romance and easy to love mains.

Prime Time Romance follows divorcee Brynn and her bartender roommate Josh as they find themselves living in the fictional comfort show world of Carson’s Cove as two of the characters, Sloan and Fletch. The only way home is for the main characters of Carson’s Cove, Sloan and Spencer falling in love and giving them the happy ever after that the show did not provide during its run time. However along the way Sloan (Brynn) starts to fall for Fletch (Josh) and things don’t actually end up as they were supposed to.
Predictable drama occurred with the sometimes childish characters of Carson’s Cove but if you liked Dawson’s Creek growing up, I think you’ll enjoy this book. Carson’s Cove reminded me so much of the show and the relationship dynamic Dawson, Joey and Pacey had.

Was this review helpful?

3.75 I liked this a lot more than I expected it had good place vibes with the censored cursing and a variety of references to teen dramas from the 2000s-2010s such as The OC, Dawson’s Creek, and Gossip Girl. And of course a Chad Micheal Murray reference since he ruled our screens during that area.
I would definitely recommend this read if you are looking for a rom com with a sprinkle of magic realism.

Was this review helpful?

Prime Time Romance is an unexpected, quirky romantic comedy. The female lead, Brynn, finds her life not what she envisioned on her 30th birthday, and just wants to escape reality by binging her favorite tv show Carson’s Cove. A mysterious cake delivery later, she finds herself waking up in an alternate reality where she’s immersed in the show as the main character!

I went in blind and was absolutely surprised! Kate Robb brings in the nostalgia factor with her version of Dawson’s Creek, which had me cackling at times. It was a fun, fast read and I loved the dynamic between all the characters. I highly recommend for readers that loved Dawson’s Creek and Kate’s previous work!

Thank you again to NetGalley and Random House Publishing/Dial Press Trade for a chance to read and review an advanced copy of this book!

Was this review helpful?

Prime Time Romance- 4.5⭐:
This is such a warm and fuzzy book with some good tension. It’s also somewhat set in Toronto, which was a delightfully surprise. I think that I could learn a lot from Byrnn. She finds escape in narrative stories and life seems great when she is transported to Carson’s Cove, but as she lives out life in her dream world, she learns it isn’t perfect and it reminds me that sometimes stuff you put on the pedestal isn’t always as amazing as it seems. Josh is so sweet. Before he even starts to care for Brynn in a romantic sense and she is just his roommate, he makes sure she is safe, even if it means he has to lose out on some money. The one thing I would change is having a slightly more climactic ending with more resistance from Sheldon.

Was this review helpful?

For a girl who loves romance, fantasy, and romantasy, magical realism in romance novels is surprisingly difficult for me to get into. That being said this book did it as good as possible. The characters were fun and I appreciate that they both grew in their relationship but also independently. Although it was a bit fast at times, I did really buy their love story. I appreciate books where it’s not just one character bending over backwards for the other but more of a give and take, and this book had plenty of sweet gestures going both ways!

Really wish I could give half points because this is a firm 3.5 to me, but I’ll round up because I’m having a good day!

Was this review helpful?

EDIT: I don’t know if the publisher takes mistakes into account, but there’s a line where one of the characters says shit in CARSONS COVE! which was against the whole rules, considering nobody else could curse.


This book was enjoyable, but it definitely didn’t make it to my top reads list. The ending felt extremely rushed, and there were some things in the book i simply didn’t understand.

the romance was rushed and overplayed, we didn’t get enough tension. it’s just like they kinda knew they liked eachother & that was that.

josh and brynn were enjoyable characters for sure, it was a refreshing lighthearted read and maybe i’ll pick it up again someday, especially because of how fast i flew through it.

i’m not going to say i hated it, because that’s simply a lie. i enjoyed it, it just wasn’t my cup of tea. though it reminded me of riverdale, & the oc a lot so maybe that’s why. i’m not a tv girly.

overall, 4/5. if you’re wanting something fun & lighthearted this is your book!

Was this review helpful?