2.5⭐️It was so refreshing to read a book where they were in their 30’s and it was normal to not have it figured all out! I thought the concept of the whole story was so original and a fun spin on a romcom. As a Dawson’s Creek fan this felt so nostalgic and even though I felt some parts were really slow and it didn’t do a great job of holding my attention. I liked the creativity and I did like main characters, even though I wasn’t overly invested in them, I think they could’ve used more development and more chemistry between the two of them.

title: Prime Time Romance

author: Kate Robb

publisher: Dial Press Trade Paperback

publication date: September 3, 2024

pages: 336

peppers: 3 (on this scale)

warnings: vomit, drinking and binge drinking

summary: After her divorce, Brynn spends as much time as possible watching her favorite teen series, Carson's Cove, in which everything ends happily ever after, except the actual show, which ends without the two main characters ever getting together. On her thirtieth birthday, after a dud of a night out that ended with her roommate's having to bring her home, she makes a wish to live in the perfect life of the show. Of course, she wakes up there the next morning, as the star of the show, with her roommate, who plays the hapless bartender/town bad-boy. In order to get back to her real life, she has to win the heart and happily-ever-after of the show's teen heart throb, which shouldn't be hard, as he's just as good looking as he was fifteen years earlier.

tropes:

friends-to-lovers
magical wishes
teen tv
living in a tv show

what I liked:

both main characters
fun references to teen shows

what I didn’t like:

a little obvious

overall rating: 4 (of 5 stars)

I really enjoyed the millennial nostalgia of this book. I’m a sucker for dual POV. Growing up in a small town, I have a soft spot for small town romance. Can’t wait for more from the author.

"Prime Time Romance" caught my eye because of its cute cover and the fact that I follow the author on Instagram. This novel has an original premise: Brynn and Josh are roommates who are slowly becoming friends. One night, they sit down to watch a popular Netflix show, "Carson's Cove", which is a popular rom-com similar to "Dawson's Creek" and "One Tree Hill." When they wake up the next morning, they have somehow been transformed into the magical world of Carson's Cove. As they're trying to figure out what is happening, they rely on each other more and more, and their friendship begins to transform into something more.

I enjoyed how unique this storyline was, and that it was an original idea. Unfortunately, I didn't really feel any chemistry between Brynn and Josh. I think with some more edits, this could have been a really good book. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Recently divorced and having no real friends, Brynn is spending her 30th birthday with her roommate, Josh, watching her favorite teen show, Carson’s Cove. After a birthday cake is delivered for her and she takes a bite, Brynn and Josh wake up as characters in the fictional Carson’s Cove.

Brynn believes they can find their way home if she can just reunite the main characters and give the show a happy ending. This was a charming romance with some funny situations and dialogue. I can't say I enjoyed Prime Time Romance as much as Robb's earlier book, This Spells Love, but it's a quick, sweet read with the magical elements I enjoy. 3.5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Random House, for this complimentary ARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

OMG, you guys!! 📚✨ I seriously could NOT put this book down! Picture me kicking my feet in the air during those swoon-worthy moments—talk about getting my cardio in! 💖 This book had me hooked from page one with its whimsical charm. It gave me all the nostalgic feels of 90s/2000s sitcoms, where the town's sweetheart falls for the boy next door. But let me tell you, Kate Robb added her own unique twist, and I devoured every bit of it! 😍

I finished this gem in one sitting because I just couldn't get enough. If you loved the magic, romance, and wittiness of Ashley Poston's The Seven Year Slip and The Dead Romantics, then this book is a must-read! Trust me, you need this book in your life! 📖💕

I haven't read Kate Robb's debut book, but after reading Prime Time Romance, I am definitely getting my hands on her first book ASAP.

I love that Kate Robb puts a magical spin on her alternate universe story lines. They bring in the fun without wreaking havoc on the character's reality, making the stakes a bit lower than they would be otherwise; keeping it light despite the heavy topics and feelings discussed.

I loved the premise of this book with a 90's/00's teen drama backdrop, but I had a tough time connecting with the two main characters. I think if they had more contact before the shift into Carson's Cove it would have felt more like falling in love than base attraction, but with how little they interacted their feelings were sudden and out of place. The individual character development was steady outside of the romance, so even if their relationship felt too deep too quickly with limited interaction I could still see them bonding together and becoming more one day.

This was a quick happy read with a great message about taking chances in reality vs the perfect scripted dream and while I wouldn't re-read this book iteself I will definitely be picking up the next Kate Robb adventure - I love her style!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review

Review to come.

Love the cover✔️
Interesting description ✔️
New Author to me ✔️

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC ❤️

After reading the blurb I got ‘Pleasantville’ vibes and I loved movie so I was looking forward to this book. The writing is good, the overall story was fun, and it was a fairly quick read. I did struggle getting through the second half a bit, but I’m glad I kept going.

This book was SOOOOO adorable! I really enjoyed reading this new to me authors writing. While I went into the book blind, I was pleasantly surprised with the storyline and the development of the characters. I loved the magical realism and second chance elements. Although at first I wasn’t quite sure where the story was headed. I ended up really liking the ending and how it wrapped up!

Prime Time Romance was one of the cutest, and most endearing romances I have read in a long, long time! If you are a fan of Dawson's Creek, Gilmore Girls, Seventh Heaven, or any of the shows that fall along those lines, then you are going to EAT THIS BOOK UP. It was such a unique concept that I was sucked in immediately. I loved getting to experience Brynn and Josh's love story in a way that felt funny and unique, while also giving me the Pacey Whitter ending that my heart so longed for.

If you like magical realism, unique storylines, romantic comedies, and all of the tropes that make a small town rom com gold, you will love this one. I enjoyed it and flew through it!

The concept of this book was so fun! But I feel like it feel a little flat?

30 year old, Brynn, has no real friends, is super single and is still kind of reeling from the divorce… so she finds comfort in an early 2000’s teenage drama show called Carson’s Cove that was abruptly canceled after 5 seasons and ended on a huge cliffhanger!

On the night of her 30th (her “friends” forgot her birthday)! She makes a wish that unintentionally sends her and her roomie, Josh, to the town of Carson's Cove.

She is the main girl character, Sloan, and she is convinced she has to win over the town heartthrob, Spencer, and boy next door... So in order to get her and Josh back home she has to give the show the ending it deserves - haha newsflash - her real love was really right in front of her the entire time. And maybe things aren’t always as perfect or meant to be as they seem to be?!

When Brynn lands in this perfect town of Carson’s Cove she quickly realizes it’s actually not so perfect… Sloan's best friend Poppy, is not really a nice person. Spencer does not give her butterflies but she finds herself drawn to Josh, who is masquerading as, Fletcher, the town "screw up"...

I enjoyed Josh's backstory a lot... the stuff about his dad and trying to own and run his dad's bar back in his hometown was so sweet and wholesome. I felt so bad when he had to sleep above the bar in Carson's Cove, it gave him minor "PTSD" but actually ended up being a good thing because it made him realize how much he wanted to try and buy back his dad's bar and run it again.

Overall, I enjoyed this story? But I felt like the love between Brynn and Josh just happened so quickly… there was not a lot of build up… and then it just happened?! And I found myself needing MORE!

But this was still a cute and fun read and I’m thankful for NetGalley for the ARC ebook!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kate Robb for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Prime Time Romance is about Brynn, a newly divorced woman on the brink of 30. She lives with a roommate, Josh but they don't have much interaction as they work opposite schedules.

When a cake is delivered for her birthday, she makes a wish and the next day she wakes in her favorite teenage TV show, Carson's Cove.

Carson Cove is Brynn's go-tv show when she needs a pick-me-up. It ended on a cliff hanger and was cancelled before the show had a proper ending. She and Josh must live in TV land and give the show its proper ending.

Prime Time Romance has all the 90's and early 2000 teenage TV show vibes-Dawson's Creek, Vampire Diaries, 90210, Gilmore Girls...it has all the vibes. This is such a cute story and Kate Robb has a way with writing a good world hop, as also done in her debut, This Spells Love. Great author, great stories.

This was such a cool premise but it took so long to set up that the romance element was left a bit stifled. I never got any swoonworthy vibes and the middle of the story seemed to drag.

This book will be a hit with romance readers who enjoy magical realism and want the pure nostalgia of late 90s and early 2000s tv!

📅 Pub Date: 9/5/2024
✍️ Author: Kate Robb
📚 ARC: NetGalley / Random House / Dial Press
📖 Book Review:

Have you ever fallen in love with a TV show that didn’t end the way you wanted to? Did it get canceled before it could be wrapped up? Have you ever wished you could see the ending, or make it yourself?

That’s what Prime Time Romance by Kate Robb is all about. Brynn, newly divorced and seeking solace in her favorite teen show, Carson's Cove, finds herself on an unexpected adventure. A disastrous night out with her hunky bartender roommate, a binge-watching session of Carson's Cove, and a birthday wish made on a mysterious cupcake lead Brynn and Josh to wake up in none other than Carson's Cove itself.

This book is pure nostalgia for anyone who adored early 2000s teen dramas. The Easter eggs referencing shows like Dawson's Creek and Buffy the Vampire Slayer are delightful to spot throughout the story. It made me feel like I was living my own teen drama obsession (One Tree Hill, if you must know). There are plenty of storylines I wish I could go back and change, and Brynn gets to do just that.

Brynn is determined to give her favorite characters their happily ever after, but she has to decide if it’s worth giving up her own. This book was a five-star read for me, and I can't wait to revisit it after its official publication on September 5th, 2024.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kate Robb, Random House and DialPress for this eARC. If you’re a fan of teen dramas and second chances, this book is a must-read.

I’d say this is a 3.5 rounded up!

Brynn, newly divorced and adjusting to single life with her roommate Josh, wishes for a happily-ever-after on her thirtieth birthday. The next morning, she finds herself in the world of her favorite TV show, "Carson’s Cove," with Josh. In this alternate reality, they must ensure the show's characters, Sloan and Spencer, end up together to return home. As they navigate this fictional world, Brynn and Josh begin to develop real feelings for each other, challenging the scripted storyline and their own expectations of love.

I was initially skeptical about this book, but after the first few chapters, I was fully invested. I enjoyed the concept of the main female character (FMC) being transported into her favorite TV show and experiencing it firsthand. Although I've never seen "Dawson's Creek," I assume "Carson's Cove" is based on it. The FMC's explanations of the show's episodes to the main male character (MMC) provided great context and made the TV show backstory feel well-developed.

Each of the main characters had their own journey of self-discovery, and while I don't usually love insta-romance, I found the overall storyline endearing. I'd recommend this book to anyone with a comfort show they return to time and again, as they will find the FMC relatable and might even wish to be dropped into their favorite storyline.

The one criticism I want to mention about this book was that the antagonist was more sinister than I'd expect for a romcom. Like, if the author had wanted to, they could pivot this book thriller territory if written a bit differently. Don't let that deter you from reading this though; it's not actually too intense, just something that stuck out to me as I was reading.

Big thanks to Netgalley, Kate Robb, and Penguin Random House for a chance to read this ARC.

“𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻’𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗲”

𝙋𝙧𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙍𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 had such a cool concept that I thought I would definitely loved. But, there was something missing for me. Maybe the lack of emotional connection or lead up to the to MC connection.

When Brynn’s friends forget her birthday she finds herself wanting nothing more than the comfort of her favourite show Carson’s Cove. When a mysterious birthday cake shows up at her door at 12:01 AM on her 30th birthday she makes a wish and finds herself waking up in an unfamiliar place- Sloane’s bed from Carson’s Cove. Her mission is to finish out the show in place of the main character.

Overall, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly how I feel. Maybe due to my mood reading I would have enjoyed it a little more. But, I feel like there were missing pieces and confusing at times.

Thank you to Netgalley, Dial Press, and Kate Robb for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

This story has: dual POV, roommates to lovers, instalove, space time continuum magical realism, spice and silly television-esque hijinks.

If you were a fan of the WB in its golden days (Dawson's Creek/One Tree Hill)- this book is for you! This concept of finding yourself in the midst of a reunion of your favorite show, as a main character, is such a fun use of magical realism. I loved the little Easter Egg tied to the shows-- especially how Poppy is married to Chad Michaels (Chad Michael Murray anyone?) and our MMC is Joshua (Joshua Jackson- our beloved Pacey). I loved how we ended up seeing that these shows did not age well- namely with literal pageantry and mean girl antics.

I would have loved to get more of Josh's POV living with Brynn and not knowing her at all. Once they were smashed together into this crazy scenario the chemistry between them was palpable.

I really enjoyed watching this story unfold and seeing how Kate Robb wove them into this fictitious town and storyline.

“You can’t start the next chapter of your life if you keep rewatching the old one” AGHH ok Miss Robb don’t come for me like that.
It was a quick read but it left me wanting more. TBH my life is also a big mess like Brynns