For The Xennials. Yes, we are a tighter demographic than most others, but we - those born roughly 1978 to 1983 - are still mighty, and this book hits us pretty directly. While directly pulling from a hidden-just-enough-to-prevent-copyright-claims version of Dawson's Creek, there are also *several* other TV shows and movies of our teen generation (specifically that late 90s/ early 2000s period) referenced here. Pleasantville being not even that arguably the second most obvious, but also The Notebook and Miss Congeniality, among others. So for us + those just older or younger than us who grew up/ became "new adults" watching these things, this was a great nostalgic trip into an interesting romcom premise that I, despite reading roughly 200 books per year, had never come across something *quite* like this.

And yes, it also "draws inspiration from" others of the same period of different forms, such as The Family Man in particular, and it is truly this combination of The Family Man + Pleasantville where the romance side of this truly comes home and works quite well.

As a side note for those who clearly feel opposite from how I do, please stop rating a book 1* if you DNF'd it. I understand Goodreads and their corporate overlords at Amazon don't allow you to have a direct DNF option, but other alternatives such as Hardcover.app *do* allow you to explicitly note a DNF without giving a star rating - and you can still review the book. It just doesn't plummet the ratings average the way a 1* is when you didn't even finish the book, and at least to me, rating a book you didn't finish feels dishonest - though clearly, you do you.

With that aside out of the way, again, I truly enjoyed this book and its premise really hit home as exactly that age group that it was very clearly targeting, but clearly there are a wide variety of views on this particular book. You, dear reader of this review, should absolutely read it for yourself and make your own call there. (And, remember, if you DNF it, please review it on Goodreads alternatives like Hardcover.app and use their explicit "DNF" option. :D)

Very much recommended.

I wanted to like this book more than I did. It reminded me of A Novel Love Story, similar premise but in the aspect of a TV show rather than a book. It was a good quick read. I preferred this over A Novel Love Story though. Liked the concept enough, but wish it wasn’t so cookie cutter.

Katie Robb has something special with Prime Time Romance. Brynn and Josh’s adventure through some of my favorite 90’s-2000’s teen drama tropes and plot lines made me so nostalgic. This was such a refreshing book to read since I haven’t read anything like it and I actually laughed out loud at some parts. I love the way Brynn’s goals/ideas about what happiness looks like started to shift as she unraveled her time in Carson’s Cove. I also love how psychotic Sheldon was. Lmaoooo. Poppy made my eye twitch and there were definitely moments when Brynn’s naïveté almost made me fling my device but I really enjoyed these characters. So quintessentially teen drama. Great Job, Kate!

DNF at 54%
I usually DNF much sooner than over halfway through but I suddenly realized I didn’t care about the characters or what was happening. The premise was really fun and I loved the nods to popular TV shows from the ‘90s and early 2000s but I didn’t feel remotely interested or invested in what was going on.

Prime Time Romance by Kate Robb had a cute premise. I thought the idea of a 2000s drama setting in Carson's Cove (a.k.a. Dawson's Creek) would be fun. Unfortunately, it confused me because I didn't know the TV show (Dawson's Creek) characters well. This distracted me from the story because I kept asking myself, "Am I supposed to know this character from a show?" I would be here for it if this were set in a fictional One Tree Hill world. I also felt the romance between Brynn and Jason was cute, but I wanted more from their romance.

I look forward to reading another book by this author because maybe it was more of a "me" thing instead of a story plot miss.

Imagine waking up in the fictional town of your favorite rom-com. But, you are the character of the sweet, hometown girl fifteen years after the show was over. It is your chance to give her the ending she deserves. And, for some reason, your male roommate is along for the ride. Crazy, imaginative, and fun novel.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4/5

I thoroughly enjoyed this book as it took me back to early 2000s chick flicks. ( I would love to see this as a movie!). It was a quick upbeat read with a “how are they gonna make this work” third act moment. Also I’m just a sucker for some magical realism

The Easter eggs were such a little delightful surprise, I loved all the subtle nods to teen dramas I watched growing up.

Highly recommend this if you want OTH, Dawson’s Creek, Pretty Little Liars (without the murder)

Katie Robb sprinkles in the Ashley Poston style of subtle magic in her books.

I really enjoyed this delightful follow up to This Spells Love.

This book was like reliving a small part of all the teen dramas I used to be obsessed with. Josh and Brynn were such a great romantic pairing. I loved watching the magic of Brynn seeing past picture perfect and loving what the real world can provide in the way of love.

*Prime Time Romance* by Kate Robb is a charming rom-com that blends nostalgia, humor, and a dash of magical realism, transporting readers into the world of a beloved 2000s teen drama. The story follows Brynn, a 30-year-old recently divorced woman, who, after a disappointing birthday, finds herself and her roommate Josh mysteriously transported into the fictional TV show *Carson's Cove*. Living as the show's characters, they must ensure the show's love story reaches its conclusion while grappling with their own evolving feelings for each other.

The book is a delightful homage to classic teen dramas like *Dawson’s Creek* and *The O.C.*, with a fun twist of fantasy and romance. Readers who grew up watching these shows will appreciate the playful nods and the satisfying exploration of love, both on-screen and off. Brynn’s journey, from mourning her own failed marriage to reevaluating her life while in *Carson's Cove*, brings depth and heart to the story.

This book is not at all what I thought it was going to be about, but I think that's on me. I sometimes go in blind to books and enjoy being surprised. If I like the cover or think it's cute, there's a high chance I'm gonna blind read it. This strategy has led me to both great and terrible books.
Prime Time Romance falls somewhere in the middle of those qualifiers. It wasn't really good, but it also wasn't really bad. It just was.
As Brynn approaches her 30th birthday, she realizes that her life is in a rut of sorts. After getting a divorce in which her ex-husband got custody of their friend group, she realizes she is rather alone - even if she does have a roommate (Josh). This prompts her to wish her life was more like her favorite teen drama, Carson's Cove. (Although why any 30 year old would want their life to be like a cheesy teen drama, I have no idea.)
Brynn and Josh are transported to the fictional world of Carson's Cove where they "take over" the lives of Sloan, the girl next door, and Fletch, the bad boy. There's a love triangle with a Carson's Cove character, Spencer. There's also Sloan's best friend, Poppy, and their nemesis, Luce.
Luce and Sherry, Flech's aunt, ended up being my favorite characters in the book.
The relationship between Brynn and Josh just didn't work for me. They barely spoke before being transported to this place. Once they got there, they had to pretend to be these other characters. So how much was them and how much was their characters. They only had a few interactions; there was not a lot of time to develop the intense feelings they claimed to have. It was all so rushed on top of their lies due to life swapping with fictional television characters and a maybe sinister guy trying to orchestrate a happily ever after for his favorite television show.
So much happened, and yet, absolutely nothing happened. I honestly wasn't hooked on the story as much as I should have been.
I believe this was written as a love story to Joey/Pacey on Dawson's Creek, and I was never a fan of that pairing. That may be where my discontent is.

3/5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for an eARC of this title!

Anyone who watched and loved Dawson's Creek in the 90s will love this book! such a clever way to help us see that what's important and real is not the idealized version of romance on a screen, but what's right in front of you. And what you thought was perfect when you were a teenager can turn out to be something a little more problematic as a real-life adult. Not to mention the delicious rapport between the two protagonists!

my Joey & Pacey, Dawson's Creek loving heart is so happy!!
I wish I could jump into my favorite/comfort teen soap
The ending was too cheesy/cliche for 5 stars for me

This book reminded me so much of A Novel Love Story but better! The chemistry between the leads is undeniable. There's so much unspoken pining between the two since the beginning which made up for amazing tension. Would recommend to my friends and followers!

I don't know of an author better than Kate Robb at taking a premise that seems absurd on the surface, and making it work. This Spells Love was great, and Prime Time Romance did it as well. The magic piece isn't important, but the feelings between the characters steal the show and keep you in love with the story.

Thank you Dial Press and PRH Audio for my gifted copies. All opinions are my own.

This Spells Love was an absolute favorite of mine and while I enjoyed Prime Time Romance, it lacked some of the magic for me that This Spells Love had.

Josh and Brynn end up in an alternate reality in her favorite tv show, Carson’s Cove. They are forced to play two of the main characters if they want to ever get home. This was a little confusing to me as to whether their appearances changed or how they became the characters. Once they’re in their new roles, they begin to develop feelings for each other. Brynn/Sloan keeps getting into trouble because she’s supposed to get Sloan her happily ever after with Spencer. The person her character was in love with when the show abruptly ended.

This reminds me a bit of A Novel Story when we see that our favorite books/shows are not as perfect as we’d like to believe.

I liked the person Brynn helped Sloan to become and how she fought for what she thought was right even if it’s cost her being able to return home.

I liked the romance between Brynn and Josh but it was a little too instalove for me as they had no real romantic connection before this incident.

I will still definitely check out new books from Kate Robb!

Haven't we all wished we could go into the world of our favorite tv shows? How fun would this book be if it really happened to you? I loved this whole story, and I couldn't put the book down. Highly recommend for those of us with comfort tv shows.

3.5! the concept of this was really interesting and i loved how layered it became as the story went on. the commentary on our favorite 2000s shows was a great addition to the love story, which had great chemistry.

Brynn is our main character who is newly single, she has found comfort in her fave tv show, Carson's Cove. It's the one steady thing in her otherwise topsy turvy life right now. One evening while watching the show Brynn & her roommate Josh find themselves magically transported into the heart of the show and have transformed into the shows MC's Sloan & Fletch.

As they navigate their new world and try to get back home I just didnt feel the romance or the chemistry. Brynn spent more time with side characters than she did with Josh, and while they had some deep moments, I couldn't feel their connection at all.

Overall I enjoyed the book, but by the end I definitely liked it more than I anticipated.
Prime Time Romance by Kate Robb is a whirlwind of nostalgic bliss.

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

Brynn's life is not going how she expected it would. On the eve of her 30th birthday, Brynn - recently divorced and forced to live with a roommate so she can make her mortgage payment - would rather spend her time at home on the couch watching old episodes of her favorite show Carson's Cove. Despite an abrupt cancellation after the fifth season finale (leaving many fans distraught), at least Brynn knows what to expect with Carson's Cove. Things always have a way of working out how they should. That is, until a birthday wish finds Brynn waking up in Carson's Cove. And not only Brynn, but her roommate Josh too. Not only waking up in Carson's Cove, but they've each been inserted into the storyline as town sweetheart Sloane and badboy Fletcher respectively.

Turns out, someone wants the series, and characters, to get the ending they deserve before it was cancelled. Namely, the show ended before the aforementioned town sweetheart Sloan could make her feelings known for equally revered town golden boy Spencer. Brynn and Josh decide to play along hoping a quick resolution will mean a quick return home. However, even the most idyllic fictional town must weather a few storms that tend to throw everything off script. Do Brynn and Josh risk flipping the script or their hearts?

This has been one of my favorite reads of the year so far. I was really surprised by this one. I feel like I was clearly the target audience because it literally hearkened back to ALL the teen shows I loved to watch in the late 90's / early 2000's. I loved picking up all the little Easter eggs sprinkled throughout. Some more blatant than others, but all delightful to find.

Also, the book doesn't shy away from the fact that many of the things we swooned over as teens are completely cringe looking back on them with adult eyes. This is done in such a way that doesn't completely drag what was, but instead kind of honors where you are as a young adult as well as growing up to maybe know better. It's an interesting rumination on how we often tend to look back on the past with rose-colored glasses. But if we look at things from a older, wiser perspective oftentimes you find that things weren't so perfect.

Any particular fan of Dawson's Creek will completely understand how things play out between Brynn and Josh (aka Sloan and Fletcher). I had it pegged from the moment they learned their respective roles to play in Carson's Cove, so I just enjoyed seeing how things played out.

I did like the fact that, while they each have their own storylines, those stories are very near a mirror to one another. They're each unhappy with how their lives have gotten so off track from where they believe they "should" be. For Brynn that's her marriage that didn't work out, and for Josh it's losing the family business. They have this innate understanding of one another, whether they acknowledge it or not, and I think it makes them a wonderful team in trying to solve the predicament in which they've now found themselves. This is helped by the fact that we get both Brynn and Josh's points of view, which is something I always enjoy.

This was just the book I needed at just the right time. I think I enjoyed this one more than Kate Robb's previous book. There was something so familiar yet also completely unexpected about it.

This book was adorable! It was so fun to be inside a fictional world. I have always wondered what it would be like to live in one of my favorite TV shows. Brynn was relatable and Josh was the perfect book boyfriend. I would definitely recommend this one to all my friends.

Thank you to NetGalley and The Dial Press for an eARC.