4/5

Prime Time Romance was my first book by Kate Robb that I read and overall did enjoy it!

I felt it was unique in the sense of a romcom having the two main characters be put into a TV show that the main female character enjoys to watch! It gave me Dawson Creek/One Tree Hill/Pleasantvillie vibes which I loved!

The romance between Josh & Brynn was a slow burn which I usually don't care too much for, but it was well written here. The plot line and character development was also good.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

I had mixed feelings about how to rate this book. Probably 3 1/2 stars rounded up to 4 because I thought the concept and description of this book sounded so fun, but I did not enjoy it quite as much as I hoped to. It is a light hearted romance and quick easy read. I did really like the author references at the end of the book and how she got some of the ideas for it. Thank you Dial Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley.

4 stars!

I enjoyed "Prime Time Romance" by Kate Robb quite a bit! This was a really fun read if you don't think too much about it. The nostalgia is real with this one. It's like a "Dawson's Creek" versus "Pleasantville" fan-fiction come to life with magical realism, self-discovery, and finding your place. I liked Brynn and Josh a lot as individuals, but I think a little something was lacking in their relationship. I wanted more of them together and found their courtship a bit underdeveloped. When they *were* together in the book, I adored them and really liked their chemistry... I just wanted *so much more* of them, you know? This book is not just about the romance, though. It's also about Brynn and Josh wrecking all of the old-school teen show tropes and sexism that were pervasive in my youth. I love how Poppy gets what's coming to her after her years-long reign of terror, and I love how Luce and Brynn become friends even though it's "not what she's supposed to do." Some readers will likely find this a bit too young adult, but I think that's the nature of the premise (getting "sucked into" a popular teen TV show). I didn't feel this way. I also liked the spice element here, too. This book was totally made for someone like me, a girl who never missed an episode of "One Tree Hill." Kids today just won't understand what it was like!

Thank you to NetGalley, Kate Robb, Random House Publishing Group - Random House, and Dial Press Trade Paperback for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

3.5 stars.

If you are a fan of shows such as One Tree Hill, Dawson’s Creek, or Pleasantville, you may enjoy this fun romance that has a touch of magical realism.

Brynn is a newly divorced, 30 year old who has a roommate to share the bills as she is starting over. Her very handsome roommate, Josh, is not around that much because he works evenings and weekends as a bartender at a nearby club.

When they both end up together in a small town, Brynn realizes that they’ve woken up in Carson’s Cove, the setting of a very popular teen tv show from twenty years ago. The show didn’t get the romantic ending the fans (and Brynn) wanted, so she is there to ensure the show gets its proper ending of Sloan falling in love with the popular dreamboat, Spencer.
<< this is the magical realism part of the story>>

In Carson’s Cove, Brynn is actually one of the main characters “Sloan” and Josh is the character of “Fletch”, the bad boy about town. The story goes from there. I liked the relationship between Brynn and Josh. I liked that the present day setting for the novel was in Canada (ie: mentions of Tim Horton’s and Orillia, ON) which was unique. I just found that it was a little too “teen” for me even with some seriously spicy scenes. There was a “B” storyline that concluded at the end of the novel that I really wasn’t into all that much, and I felt that piece went on for too long.

I did like how the story concluded and overall, it was a creative story. It will have its audience for sure.

Thank you to Dial Press and Netgalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

A sweet and very cute romance that leans heavily into tv teen drama nostalgia (especially Dawson's Creek & One Tree Hill). I read this in one sitting and enjoyed every moment of it!

This book is everything I wanted and expected wrapped in a cute, fun and heartwarming package. A lover of magical realism, the premise had me hooked. Who hasn’t imagined wanting to be a part of their favorite tv series?

When we meet Brynn, she’s struggling to find her place post divorce and agreed to go out with some acquaintances hoping to find some girlhood. She’s had enough of shitty dating and only interested in being a homebody with her favorite show, Carson’s Cove, where everything always finds its happy ending.
Josh, her roommate, happens to be at the bar she goes to and he takes her home. They watch an episode together and then a strange turn of events lands them on set, but in reality. Brynn is tasked with giving Sloane, the shows main character, her happy ending before the two can return home. But what if the happy ending looks a little different?

When Brynn and Josh become members of Carson’s Cove it was easy for me to see where the plot was going but I didn’t mind because it was wrapped up in small town goodness, friends to lovers, and the main FMC finding herself. The bar sub plot was cute too and I was happy Josh got his own growth. It’s a quick and easy read that is sure to charm any reader.

Vibes:
Friends to lovers
Love after divorce
Small town
Magical realism
Happy for now

Content warning: divorce, death of parent (off page), bullying

Kate Robb has such an incredible talent for writing these books that have a dash of magic and a dose of reality. I fall in love with every single one of her characters and worlds. How she manages to encompass me completely from the first line of every novel she writes is a little like magic itself. Adore her.

For all us girlies who knew Joey and Pacey were meant to be together always. Brynn wishes she could live in her favorite TV show, where everything turns out as it is supposed to and life is just easier. When she makes a birthday wish and not only transports herself, but also her roommate Josh into the show to give it the ending it deserves, she knows the two main characters need to end up together.
What she doesn't bank on is Josh being there every step of the way and he has been cast as the town's bad boy that she just can't stay away from. But in order for them to get OUT of this world, she needs to make a romance happen between her and Spencer. Will she be willing to risk it all and follow her heart or do what she is meant to do and give the couple the ending the deserve?
I related to Brynn, who starting over at 29 felt like it would never happen for her. Josh was so attentive to her and took such gentle care of her. He wanted to make her happy and was not at ALL jealous of her and Spencer. I am so glad that we got both character's POV and their growth together and apart was so heartwarming. This made my Dawson's Creek loving heart so happy because, OBVIOUSLY she was always meant for Pacey. 4.5 stars.
Thanks to Random House, Netgalley and Kate Robb for an early copy.

I was very intrigued with the blurb of Prime Time Romance by Kate Robb. Brynn is recently divorced and trying to move forward. Her life is a mess and all she wants is to find her place and happiness. Now she has a roommate and is just existing. One of her favorite things in the world is an old show, Carson’s Cove that ended unexpectedly with a cliffhanger. On her birthday she makes a wish that takes her to her favorite show with Josh, her roommate. But the grass is not always greener on the other side. Now they need to figure out how to get back and maybe just find something unexpected. This story was a bit magical realism, fun, and charming. This was my first read by this author and am looking forward to reading more.

Happy reading!

This book was cute read that definitely gave me Dawson Creek vibes/ Pleasantville vibes. Brynn and Josh are transported into Brynn's favorite TV show Carsons Cove after a mystery Birthday cake shows up. Now Brynn and Josh need to participate in the fictional roles and give their characters a Happy ending before they can return home.
I Enjoyed this book. A slow start but i did have a fun reading it.

Kate Robb is an excellent magical realism author, and this book is an example of it done well. Did I have logistical questions about how it all worked as I read? Absolutely. Did it impact my enjoyment of this book? Not one bit. Prime Time Romance is sweet, heartwarming, adorable, and just so much fun. I was rooting for Brynn and Josh the entire time, and thought this book was so original despite referencing practically every single recognizable scene from every teen soap to grace the WB.

I wish there had been a little bit more emotional depth in this book. What was there was great, but one of the things that was so magical about shows like Gilmore Girls and Buffy is that they could be so corny one moment, and then the next have you absolutely stricken at the end-of-episode cliffhanger, to the point of being unable to function until the next episode was rolling. We get the cheese in this book, and we love cheese, but I could have used a little more teen angst to balance it out.

It was so fun as I was reading through this book to imagine the bits and pieces she grabbed from different late 90s-early 2000s tv shows. While the premise is based off of Dawson’s Creek, there is inspiration from other shows sprinkled throughout. Kate discusses these in an author’s note at the end. One Tree Hill might be one of my favorites and I was picking up a lot of similarities, so imagine my surprise when it wasn’t even mentioned! One point to the ubiquity and nostalgia of teen rom-drams. I’m so excited to go back and rewatch some of the shows; I grew up in a no cable, no tv during the week household so unless we could get it on Netflix DVDs or in 5 parts from a YouTube-adjacent streaming platform that was definitely streaming more than tv shows, I wasn’t watching.

Kate is so creative, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next! Thanks to Random House/The Dial Press and NetGalley for the eARC and opportunity to review!

Prime Time Romance by Kate Robb is a solid 4-star read for me! As someone who is absolutely obsessed with fictional characters from iconic TV shows, I was immediately hooked by the premise. What I loved about this book was the clever twist—ordinary people actually becoming the fictional characters in the TV show. It's such a fun, unique take on the typical reunion episode storyline.

You'll need to suspend some disbelief, but once you embrace the concept, the romance that develops feels both heartwarming and genuine. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments that kept me entertained, and the ending is so satisfying—it tied everything up perfectly! If you're in the mood for a feel-good romance with a touch of whimsy, this one’s definitely worth checking out.

Brynn is sick of heartbreak. Still reeling from her divorce and from all of her friends sideing with her ex, she is sick of feeling alone. Especially on her birthday. That is until she can come home watch a lot of Carson's Cove. Her favorite show where everything always works out. During her binge watching she gets a misterious cake and makes a wish: for everything to work out. The next day she is in Carson's Cove and her roommate, Josh, is there alongside her.

It's a cute book. Brynn is an ok main character to follow and, even if we don't really see her personality all that much, she is nice. Josh is also nice although there also isn't much to his character - we're given a semi sad backstory but we don't really get to know him. The story is nice. It's an enjoyable book but there isn't much more to it than that. The romance between Brynn and her love interest is not really developed on page; suddenly the feelings are kind of there.

I liked it while I was reading it but it's pretty forgettable

Thank you Netgalley, author, and publisher for the ARC.

I've never read a book quite like this one—my teen-soap-loving heart was in heaven!

Brynn’s life is a mess, so she turns to her comfort show, Carson’s Cove. On her 30th birthday, while watching with her roommate Josh, a strange birthday cake delivery leads to an even stranger wish—next thing you know, they’re in the show! Now Brynn is Sloane, and Josh is the town screw-up, tasked with fixing the series' failed romance between Sloane and Spencer. But instead, they end up rewriting their own, much more real, happily-ever-after.

As someone who lived for 7th Heaven, Dawson’s Creek, and Boy Meets World, this book was pure entertainment! It's book-meets-youth-TV-drama. The character growth was top-tier, especially for both Brynn and Josh, whose individual journeys were just as compelling as their romance. The dynamic felt real and deep, and their connection? Built to last. It was insta-love without feeling insta-love.

There’s a brilliant message about craving safe, predictable endings like our favorite shows provide, but how real life is all about taking chances. Delivered with charm, humor, and nostalgia—loved it!

This book was so adorable! The twists and magical realism keep the book so engaging, and I really enjoy the plot! I didn't love this book as must as her first one with it feeling just a little disjointed to be at times. It's was still so cute though and such a fun and easy read! This is the perfect book to pull you out of a reading slump. I also loved all the references to 90s/00s dramas throughout! Since that's what I grew up watching, it was so fun to look for the little Easter eggs!
Thank you to @netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: 3/5
Steam: 3/5
Warnings: Death of a parent, divorce, bullying

Thank you to Berkley Romance and NetGalley for providing advanced copies in exchange for my honest opinion.

If you're into 2000s TV nostalgia, this book is for you! It channels all the Dawson's Creek and One Tree Hill vibes, with especially strong ties to Dawson's Creek. That said, I expected to enjoy this book more than I did.

While the premise intrigued me, I struggled with the content. I was left wanting more—particularly in terms of relationship development. I had a hard time connecting with the characters, and Sheldon’s manipulation of Josh and Brynn just felt icky. Plus, the reminder that we’re adults and not in high school made the “mean girl” moments feel forced and unnecessary. Josh and Brynn weren’t standout characters for me, and the way their real lives intertwined with their on-screen personas felt too muddled at times.

Adding to my frustration were the many loose ends that never got resolved, leaving me unsatisfied by the end. Lastly, the steamier moments didn’t quite fit the tone of the story and felt disconnected from the overall narrative. While the nostalgia factor the book didn’t meet my expectations.

I feel like this book was a pretty timely read for me because I just started watching back some of my old favourite shows from high school- think Veronica Mars and One Tree Hill- and guys, these shows were actually pretty problematic (I'm looking at you Pacey from Dawson's Creek who stalked his teacher and wouldn't take no for an answer).

When Brynn makes a birthday wish that lands her as the main character in her favourite teen comfort show, Carson's Cove, where she has to win a pageant and finally bag the boy next door, it felt a little like deja vu. I was concerned that this romcom was going to be a bit juvenile with characters trying to re-enact plots that were barely ok 15 years ago, but I was so pleasantly surprised by the immediate different- and grown up- take. A la Pleasantville, Brynn learns her perfect town isn't exactly perfect and what she thought she wanted isn't what she needed after all.

I also loved how her roommate Josh- somehow sucked into bizzaro tv world with her- also got his chance at a do-over, so he was more than just an ornamental love interest. I don't know if I totally bought the Josh-Brynn romance, but they did have fun energy together.

This book was super cute and a fun little homage to Dawson's Creek with tons of teen drama Easter eggs. Loved the fresh take, but it's enough to read it for the nostalgia alone!

Kate Robb is sharp, funny, observant, and somehow has drilled a pipeline directly to my long-lost teenaged soul?! HOW. This book will remind you of all the best things about comfort watching the shows you’ve always loved and imagining yourself among your fave characters,

Prime Time Romance was an adult romcom, mixed with magical realism, that swept me away. The characters were easy to connect with, the story-line was fun, and I closed the book happy with where the story took us. If you’ve ever wanted to take a step into your favorite tv series, especially one that didn’t get the ending it deserved, this book is for you!

By that second chapter, I already adored Josh. He was such a good guy, and didn’t think twice about taking care of his roommate, Brynn. Josh was hilarious while also being thoughtful, dependable and fun. So when the two of them woke up in Brynn’s favorite tv show’s town, Carson Cove, I was glued to the pages wondering what was going to happen next.

Once they realized that they couldn’t just go back home, and had to play these characters' parts, I loved watching them grapple with their previous and current lives. Brynn was now the local sweetheart and Josh the town’s bad boy. Yet there were elements from both of those characters that reached deep into their hearts. That made them second guess and see things in a new light. And made them realize what they truly wanted. I loved watching them grow in this environment and their story made me smile so much.

This small town romance was a quirky, adorable read that was so enjoyable! I love how effortless her books are to enjoy! Whether it was watching the friendship bloom between Brynn and Josh, to seeing them interact with the other characters, to just watching everything unfold, it was all so much fun! As someone who died a little inside when I never got a true ending to a series I adored, *cough The OC cough*, this book made me so happy! I can't wait to read whatever Kate Robb writes next!

This is gonna be a very short review. I feel bad giving ARCs 3 stars and below just because I know authors pour their heart and soul into those books but at the same time we promised honest reviews

This is the second book by this author that I’ve read and I will say I was kinda disappointed just because I was expecting a lot more. I read her first book so fast because it was so good. This one though? Not the same feeling

I feel like it lacked plot. The idea behind the book was unique I’ll tell you that and friendships were kinda cool too. The 90s vibes as well was really cool

The going back and forth though, was very confusing. I found myself confused half of the time and I couldn’t keep up sometimes. I was conflicted about how I’d rate this book..