I DNFed this book fairly early because I could tell that it was not really for me. I may pick it up again later, but I'm not sure that a book about a guy who had a crush on a musician now getting to be with her is really a story I'm interested in reading. I like the idea of a romance novel by a male author -- it's a shame that's such a novel idea.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance reader's copy of this novel.

This was such a fun, witty, and charming romance . The book is filled with a wonderful cast of characters. I especially liked Billy. I loved the relationship that developed between him and rock star Margot Hammer. He also had an incredible relationship with his son, Caleb, as well as with his former girlfriend Robyn (Caleb's mother), and Robyn's husband Aaron. The dialogue in this book was so well done. I do enjoy Matthew Norman's writing, his book always have a way of bringing a little joy. Being a big fan of music and having a son that was an incredible drummer in a rock band a few years back, I thoroughly enjoyed the musical references in the book. This was just a lovely, feel-good book about family, second chances, and following your dreams.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for the review copy.

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗥𝗼𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘄 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻 is absolutely charming!
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This is the my favorite kind of love story - a darling meet cute, smart writing, funny exchanges, fade to black romantic scenes, and a setting that becomes one of the books main characters. Rock stars, famous actors, and just regular people in Baltimore combine to create the sweetest story about love and hope. I especially loved all of the relationships here - father/son, co-parents, neighbors. Everything felt so hopeful and positive while never veering into cheesy or corny. This is a great summer read that I highly recommend!
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Fun, creative and witty. Made me want to listen to all the music! But beyond that, I loved the reversal of the celebrity/rockstar romance, where Margo was the Rockstar and Billy was a single dad, since usually it's the guy who is the rockstar. This was my first novel by Matthew Norman but I will definitely be picking up the next one. He has a great writing style and the romance was really charming, and I loved all the nods to Baltimore.

Matthew Norman has written a wonderful rock ballad of a former rock 'n roll drummer who fell out with her band and movie star husband many years ago and how she connects with an ordinary guy from Baltimore that has always had a crush on her.

Billy's son, on an accidental high, reaches out to Margot Hammer, former drummer of rock band Burnt Flowers. However, he has posed as a group of little girls that brings Margot out of "recluse" hiding. When she finds out the truth she bolts and has an unexpected revival of her drumming skills in the local bar. Billy is there, and they have a sizzling connection. But as their two world's collide, they wonder if whatever this thing between them will actually work.

All the characters are actually likeable, with the exception of Axl, the producer/manager, and perhaps the former lead singer, Nikki. Even Margot's ex turns out to be a good guy, even if he is a womanizer movie star. This story show how a family supports each other, even if they are not the normal family. And there are many awww inducing moments between the two main characters.

Charm City Rocks has made me want to visit Baltimore and see for myself the charm it holds, even if their baseball team sucks!

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

Fells Point and Baltimore are characters in the book, much as Fenwick Island is in All Together Now. (I just sent a copy to a friend who took me to her uncle’s cottage in Fenwick Island eons ago). You’ll get to know the city and some of its neighborhoods as well as you do some of Charm City Rocks’ leading characters.

I’m an OG Norman fan. Since a mutual friend said, “My friend wrote a book; you should read it,” of Domestic Violets back in 2011, I haven’t missed one. That’s why I jumped on the opportunity to read this advance copy.

I’d never call Norman’s characters quirky. Quirky is too forced. But they’re not stereotypes, either. They’re regular people, likely to remind you of someone you know. They have dreams, but they also have flaws and contradictions.

Billy Perkins is a comfort meal of a man with his oversized cardigans, engaging approach to teaching music and loving relationship with his son. Billy’s life may have grown a little too comfortable. Not in terms of privilege, but he’s stuck in something that’s not quite in a rut. His life has become like a mattress slept on so long it’s taken on the shape of his body. The kind you don’t realize is a problem until your back hurts.

Slowly he’s nudged out of his comfort zone. He realizes his son is reluctant to leave him alone to go away to his dream college. He’s gentrified out of the apartment he’s called home for many years.

In an unlikely twist, his celebrity crush, Burnt Flowers drummer Margot Hammer, wanders into his life, thanks to a bit of meddling from his son. I was predisposed to like Margot. She’s a drummer. I pretty much always like drummers and goalies. And catchers. (Anyone want to analyze that?) She’s been a borderline hermit in the years since the band broke up in a spectacular fashion.

A new documentary returns Burnt Flowers to the spotlight, and their record label’s publicist nudges her to take a photo opp in Baltimore, which does not go as planned but reawakens Margot’s love of music and performing.

Charm City Rocks is a nice reminder that sometimes good things happen to good people. Do yourself a favor this summer: turn off the news, stop scrolling social media and treat yourself to this warm and funny read.

I received this advanced reader copy of Charm City Rocks from Random House and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is such a feel good, charming romance. Starring adults in a new phase of life as their children are grown, it's also really nice to see people get fresh, new love while having years under their belts. Great sense of place as well as wonderful characters. It has the celeb/normal people romance I love, but it really personalizes the "celebrities" in the book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House - Ballantine for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

When you compare a book to Daisy Jones and the Six, it HAS to live up to the hype... and for me, it did!!

A rom-com that deals with musicians, famous rock drummers, all sorts of love stories, so I fell in love and devoured this one as quickly as I could. I loved all of the characters in their own way and wanted to root for each and (almost) every one of them.

Billy Perkins is a piano teacher in Baltimore. He's a single dad to a senior in high school and a great co-parent to his son's mom and her new husband. He ends up meeting his long time celeb crush, Margot Hammer of Burnt Flowers, and the crush deepens. Margot has been living in NYC after her band broke up after a fight at an award show and hasn't gone back to music, yet. Once she meets this piano teacher, she's starting to play in front of people again.

Another book to add to my physical bookshelf! I loved this story and the way it was written. This was my first of Matthew Norman, but not my last!

Charm City Rocks is a delightful reversal of the 'rock star/ordinary person' trope where the rock star is the female character.

Single dad in his early 40s, Billy Perkins loves his life as a music teacher, living about Baltimore record shop, Charm City Records. He's a happy, affable guy who has a amicable co-parenting relationship with his ex-girlfriend Robyn for their 18-year-old son Caleb.

Caleb, worried about this dad being alone once he goes to university, brings Billy's musical crush, rock drummer Margot Hammer into his life. Her old band, Burnt Flowers were very successful until they specactularly broke up after Margot 'went crazy' on TV, leading her to be a 'recluse'.

While the main story of this book is Billy and Margot's burgeoning romance, its really an ensemble comedy featuring their children Caleb and Poppy, Billy's ex-girlfriend and Caleb's mum Robyn, Margot's movie star ex-husband and other characters in Billy's neighbourhood. We see each character's point of view in a very modern, blended family way. I found that refreshing.

Matthew Norman had me hooked from the first sentence in this gem of a book. The tone is bright and engaging with none of the melodrama that I find tiresome and cliche. It really does live up to its name - charming! I couldn't put this book down.

Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for the ARC.

Billy Perkins loves his simple life of teaching music lessons, spending time with his son, Caleb, and living in a city he has always called home. When Caleb, about to head to college, senses that his father may be lonely, he comes up with a misguided plan to convince Margot Hammer, the drummer in a once famous band Burnt Flowers and someone that Billy has long had a crush on, to come perform at the music store located in the same building as Billy's apartment. Margot has stayed out of the public eye since her band broke up. Their unlikely meeting sets off a serious of events that causes Billy, Margot, Caleb, and the others in their orbit to question the lives they have created for themselves -- and wonder what they want for their next chapter.

This is a charming story about unexpected romances, family, fame, and community. Through a creative premise and terrific characters, the author offers an engaging and heartfelt story that you won't want to put down.

Highly recommended!

☢️ Book Release Radar!!
Title: Charm City Rocks by Matthew Norman
Published by Random House @rando
Release Date: 06 June
Free galley in exchange for review

Alright guys, I’m not gonna lie I got sucked into this book from the cute cover. A vinyl straight smacked in the middle? Color me intrigued!

We follow a single dad named Billy who resides on Baltimore, and is a lover of rock and a music teacher…he also loves his cardigans. Leave it to his son, whom is leaving for college and doesn’t wanna see his dad alone, to take interest in a band he found his dad swooning over and it’s all over from there!

Equal parts cute and entertaining — this was a fast read and very good to get into. A wonderful pallet cleanser between bigger books if you ask me. It’s light hearted, fun, and really makes you wonder what would happen if you did meet your favorite musician at a bar??

Norman did a great job with the story, dialogue, and all the lovable cast of characters inside the book. A great recommendation for those who stayed up watching VH1 in their teen years, sucked for “what if” romances, and lovers of music! 🎸 Make sure to pick it up this week if interested!

Thank you @netgalley and @random for the free arc. 🖤

Review run date: June 4
Review will be on my bookstagram: https://instagram.com/booksofgloom?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==

This book was great. It was a little Nick Hornby/High Fidelity-eque, but cuter. The characters were real and enjoyable. I liked getting the different perspectives of the main players. The author did a great job of imbuing each character with their own distinctive voice. Lots of humor and heart. Library patrons should enjoy this one.

This book is such a fun read. I loved all of the musical references and enjoyed the relationship as it developed between Billy and Margot. It is also a love letter to Baltimore, and I enjoyed learning more about the city. Very well done and a great book.

This is a great comedy romance about Billy Perkins, a nerdy cardigan wearing piano teacher with a love of classic rock, his teenage son Caleb, and a chance at romance with his old celebrity crush Margot Hammer. The whole story was like Billy's favorite cardigan, comfy and practical, and gave me a feeling of happiness and nostalgia. I absolutely loved this book!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

"Cardigans are the perfect garment, like, the convertible of sweaters... They are very disarming. We can probably thank Mr. Rogers for that."

"When a single dad meets the former rock-star crush of his youth, everything they thought they knew about happiness and love is thrown into chaos in this hopeful, heartwarming romantic comedy."

This book is exactly like how its main character is. Easygoing and charming. I've read it in two days with a smile on my face.

Listen! When I saw this romance book was written by a man, I was hesitant. I blame Nicolas Sparks for that:) But Norman wrote a heartwarming and charming story. A cardigan wearing, music nerd and former rock-star just work. Maybe the romance part won't leave you with heart-eyes but it is sweet and feels very real. The father-son relationship on the other hand is awesome. Caleb is a gem.

I liked that MCs are both in their 40s. And they act their age. There are really good side characters like Billy's baby mama, her husband and Margot's Hollywood superstar ex.

I don't have a vast knowledge of music, especially of 1980s rock but this book gave me a feeling of nostalgia.

Read this if you like "nice" guys, badass drummer chicks, second chance in life stories and if you are in the market for an easy read perfect for summer.

4⭐

“Because sometimes … sometimes you’ve gotta take a chance on something.”

I came for the Jessica Anya Blau blurb and stayed for the likable characters! This fabulous, fun novel features Billy Perkins, a Baltimore based single Dad, who works as a private music teacher and harbors a years-long crush on a rock star. Billy’s teenage son gets involved in a sideways introduction of his Dad to Margot Hammer, former drummer for the wildly popular rock band Burnt Flowers. Margot is currently living a very non-celebrity life, holed up in her New York City apartment, years after the band broke up - a bombshell event she hasn’t recovered from. An unlikely bond forms but is it really something they are both looking for? I adored all the other characters on the periphery (including the city of Baltimore itself) who are all going through their own coming of age trials. Mr. Norman fills in the backstory with a cadence that created an easy, highly readable experience which was perfect for the kick off to summer.

A little Daisy Jones & the Six, a nod to Nora Goes Off Script, with some The Unsinkable Greta James vibes, I found this to be a quick, captivating read!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Read this if you love: MUSIC, the history of music, instruments, multiple storylines, multi-generational, rock and roll, famous person/normal person, Baltimore, omniscient 3rd person POV

I really liked the premise of this story. I cannot remember the last time I read an omniscient third person point of view book. I liked the characters, and the way that we saw many people of different ages, their experiences in the world today, and the way that music can impact us all at any time.

I struggled a little bit because conversations were too direct or too on the nose, with very blunt delivery. With all of the different storylines, it was hard to stay interested in all of their stories. I never knew which character's chapter was going to be next. It was somewhat hard to get to know them with the POV, so many characters, and getting to know allllll their thoughts left little to the imagination. By the end, I sadly didn't really care where the story went, I was more interested in getting to the end :(

A delightful read! Caleb finds gummy bears in his dad's cupboard and eats them- not knowing that they are edibles or that they will turn their world upside down after he impulsively writes an email to the manager of a rock star drummer his dad has admitted to liking. Margot has retreated from the world, especially from her movie-star ex husband but the suggestion that she go to Baltimore and play a concert with a pack of 11 year old girls appeals. But there are no little girls, only Caleb and his dad Billy, a music teacher. Billy has been coparenting Caleb with Robyn and her husband Aaron but Caleb's about to head to college. Margot's trip to Baltimore- well, it goes viral first when she plays a set at a local bar and then when she's caught on kiss cam with Billy at Camden Yards. Can these two build a relationship? Where will Caleb choose to go to college? What about Margot's ex? This is easy amiable reading with great Baltimore vibes (baseball, squeegie kids, the Ravens, Fells Point, Eddies, and extra points for a girl in an RPCS hoodie- go Reds!). There are some twists here and you'll never stop rooting for these characters. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Terrific.

I wasn't familiar with Matthew Norman until the publisher offered me an advance copy of Charm City Rocks via Netgalley, and I'm so glad they did, because I was, well, charmed. Billy Perkins is a 40-something single dad who is totally happy with his life as a self-employed music teacher living above a record store in a fun neighborhood of Baltimore. His little community there and his interactions with his teen son and his students are just delightful. But then he has a hilariously brought-about meet-cute with his rock star girl band crush from his 20s and he realizes maybe he was a bit lonely underneath... Margot is the famous drummer; she has been a bit of a recluse, living a small life out of the spotlight, since an infamous meltdown on a TV awards show that was followed quickly by divorce from her movie star husband. Meeting Billy brings some fun, and even more importantly - music! - back to her life. I adored their relationship, this sort of "second act" story, and also the very real feeling issues they're facing in their lives, like becoming an empty nester, figuring out what a new vision of their dreams is as they get older, embracing where life has taken them even if it was in an unexpected direction. I adored as well the Baltimore hometown pride - even if it's not "my" city I think it's fun to read a book that loves its city so much. Charm City Rocks had a lot of the hallmarks of my recent most favorite rom-coms, Nora Goes Off Script and Romantic Comedy (though maybe even more heartwarming and a tad quirkier): older protagonists starting their "next act" in life, celeb-meets-normal relationship in an arc that somehow actually feels real and well-developed, such a great little community around them (whether that be small town, tight-knit work community, specific neighborhood), great banter not only between the love interests but also between them/their kids or friends. It also would be a great choice for anyone who enjoyed The Unsinkable Greta James, both for the tone/ease of the writing and for the reluctantly famous rock star who has gone into hiding after a public meltdown character. Though in different age brackets, the characters of Margo and Greta are similar in their quiet bad-assery, and in their self-doubts and reinventions.

This book is as much a love letter to Baltimore as it is a love story. I was admittedly a bit skeptical of a love story being written by a man but that all changed after a few chatpers. After a few chapters I didn't think about the author at all and instead fell down the Margot/Billy rabbit hole. I laughed and squee'd and I wanted to keep reading. I was charmed by the ending, and I think you will be, too. I definitely recommend!

Charm City Rocks comes out next week on June 6, 2023, and you can purchase HERE! I really liked this one!

As lovely as it was to see the look on his face when he opened the door, this—the fact that he so adamantly doesn't want her to leave—is even better. Maybe we're all overthinking it, and everybody just needs someone who wants them to be there.