"Be careful what you wish for." This was a cute Romcom. Prime Time Romance quickly hooked me, but that faded as the book went on. I loved the banter; it made me laugh out loud many times. It was so much fun to feel like I was transported back in time when the world was in a better place. This book left some unanswered questions for me, but it won't detour me from reading other books by this author.

This book was SUCH a fun read. Are you a millennial who grew up deeply invested in the love lives of CW show characters? Then you'll eat this up.

Not going to lie this would have been a rom com I would have loved as a teenager. I mean who wouldn't want to be sucked into your favorite romantic comedy sitcom. However even though I loved the banter between the hero and heroine I didn't love it as much as I thought I would.

characters weren't fleshed out enough, and the unique plot wasn't enough to save the middling writing

In Prime Time Romance, Kate Robb delivers a heartwarming and humorous take on love, second chances, and finding your own happy ending. Brynn, newly divorced and grappling with the realities of single life, is struggling to get back on her feet. The only comfort she finds is in binge-watching Carson’s Cove, a beloved 2000s soap that ended on a cliffhanger, leaving the main characters' romance unresolved. A birthday wish for a happily-ever-after leads Brynn and her roommate, Josh, into the fictional world of Carson’s Cove, where they find themselves in the roles of the soap’s iconic characters.

The setup is delightfully quirky, and Brynn’s journey from a disillusioned, heartbroken woman to someone learning to embrace love and new possibilities is both charming and relatable. As she navigates life in this fictional world, she starts to see that real life—much like the drama on Carson’s Cove—is full of unexpected twists and turns, and that sometimes love isn’t scripted.

What makes Prime Time Romance truly enjoyable is its playful premise and the chemistry between Brynn and Josh, who are forced to navigate their new roles while questioning whether their growing feelings for each other are part of the plot or something deeper. Robb’s writing is sharp and engaging, mixing humor with emotional depth, as Brynn discovers that perhaps the perfect romance isn’t one she’s watched on television, but one that happens in real life, with all its imperfections.

For fans of romantic comedies and anyone who’s ever wished to live out a soap opera fantasy, Prime Time Romance is a delightful escape that offers both heart and humor in equal measure. A fun, sweet, and thoughtful read, it’s a story about embracing real love—even when it doesn’t follow the script.

Prime Time Romance was a cute twist on friends to lovers. I loved all the Easter eggs from some of my favorite old shows/crushes! It was a predictable storyline for me and a bit of a slow burn but overall a fun read!

I don't think I am the target audience for this Pleasantville-esque story. I think it is more suited for a younger audience. I felt bad for not having more to say about it considering it was an ARC through NetGalley, but it just wasn't for me
Having said that, I still rated it 3.5 stars because the premise was good and it wasn't a bad book. It was decent for what it was and I have friends and family who would love this book,

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I knew I needed to read this book when the blurb gave Gilmore Girl vibes.

Brynn’s about to enter her 30’s as a new divorcee living with her roommate, Josh. On her birthday eve, the two of them binge Carson’s Cove, her favorite teenage drama. The show ends unexpectedly on a cliffhanger and fans never get to see their favorite characters declare feeling for each other. Even though they don’t get the happily-ever-after they deserve, Brynn still thinks the show is perfect. Unlike her own life. So when a birthday cake randomly shows up on their doorstep, Brynn makes a wish for that exact thing. Little does she know, her and Josh will be the ones who have to make that happen.

I loved the overall theme of the book and the vibes it gave; however, I felt the book focused more on the show than Brynn and Josh’s relationship. Regardless, it was still a cute novel.

I loved reading Kate’s easter eggs at the back of the book and the explanations around them. I love the magical realism to Kate’s books and I can’t wait to see what she write next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Dial Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Prime Time Romance is a delightful, feel-good romance with plenty of heart. Robb’s characters are endearing, and the chemistry between the leads makes this a sweet, enjoyable story.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

DNF at 33%. I decided to try the audiobook for this one, but it didn't work for me. I loved The Good Place references, but the whole thing felt a little too sweet for me. The characters all just felt flat. It could be more with the way I tried reading the book too than the actual book.

I'm not sure what I expected from this book, but I ended up being very surprised and enjoying it! It was a very interesting love story and a great light-hearted rom com. Not the best i've read but also a great filler book when you aren't looking to think too hard!

I loved the idea of the small town romance from a tv show where they essentially prove how unrealistic it is, though it is based off Dawsons Creek I was picturing Gilmore girls!

The premise of Prime Time Romance is a captivating one. The idea of escaping into a beloved TV show, the promise of humour, nostalgia, and a sprinkle of romance, all leading to a heartfelt journey of Brynn from heartbreak to self-discovery. It's a setup that draws you in with its potential, making you eager to dive into the story. However, the execution, unfortunately, falls short of these high expectations.
The dynamic between Brynn and Josh, the central couple, feels underdeveloped. This lack of depth in their relationship makes it hard to fully invest in their journey. Their banter, while present, often falls flat, and their emotional connection lacks the depth needed to make their evolving relationship engaging. While fun in concept, the setting of Carson's Cove doesn't immerse you as much as you'd hope. Instead of fully embracing the charm and quirks of a fictional soap opera world, the plot gets bogged down by predictable twists and surface-level conflicts.
The pacing of the story is uneven, which can be frustrating. The first half moves at a slow pace, with too much time spent on Brynn's adjustment to her new surroundings. This slow start can make it difficult to fully engage with the story. The resolution, on the other hand, feels rushed and unsatisfying. The story has the potential to delve into themes of self-worth and letting go of idealized fantasies, but it only scratches the surface.
Ultimately, while the book had moments of lighthearted fun, it left me feeling more frustrated than fulfilled. It's a story with a creative premise that didn't quite deliver the emotional punch or engaging character arcs I sought.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This is my second book by this author. I will say, she writes cute romances and her writing style is consistent. This felt similar to the last book I read by the author. The characters are super cute, but I did not find the plot very riveting. I bet if you enjoyed the authors first romance that came out in 2023, you will also enjoy this because it seems pretty on par. This author may not be the best fit for my preferences but I can see others enjoying this style!

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

OMG this was so good! This was a wonderful romance but also coming of age/moving on book. This was the ultimate genre bending novella, with a sweet romance, coming of age, magical realism.

Brynn (MFC) is divorced young women who is a secret hopeless romantic. Thrown into a TV show (magical) she has to navigate the not so perfect world of film she once dreamed of. This was short and sweet. I loved the references to shows that made my teenage years!

PRIME TIME ROMANCE is a fun, light-hearted romance about a woman who finds herself in the world of her favorite 2000s teen soap.

The plot and setting in this novel were so nostalgic for a reader -- making me wish I could jump into the setting of my favorite 2000s tv shows!

I'm not a big magical realism reader, so I did sometimes struggle a little with the concept of the characters being stuck in the town and having to find their way out. But this is definitely a "me" problem!

I loved reading a book with a female main character who shares my name!! I don't see my name in books often, so it was really fun for me!

Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Pub date: September 3, 2024

Thank you @netgalley and Random House for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I’m officially a fan of Kate Robb!
I had the pleasure of reading her first book, This Spells Love as an ARC and LOVED IT.

I was fortunate enough again that I was able to read this ARC as well. Robb did not disappoint. I love her writing, dialogue, and loveable characters.

The setting was unique and fun, even if it wasn’t my favorite.
I really liked the homage to the 90s TV shows mixed in as Easter eggs throughout the story.

A great light romance read!

I LOVED this book. Kate Robb does such a great job weaving an intriguing story that readers will fall in love with like I did!! I would highly recommend this read to anyone who loves romance books!!

DNF for me at 58%. I think this is definitely a case of it’s not you, it’s me. I am realizing that the very specific trope of being transported into the world of your favorite tv show is just not my jam. The concept is cute, albeit a little cheesy. And if this is something you like, I would recommend. The town is cute and our main characters seem to have some chemistry. I don’t want to give this a star rating because I didn’t finish, but it is required for Netgalley.

✨ The Vibes ✨
Your favorite YA TV series with a rom com twist

📖 Read if…
✨ You always wondered what happened after the finale of your favorite show
✨ You wished Schmigadoon was about rom coms instead of musicals
✨ You loved The Good Place

Kate Robb has nailed the formula for combining smart, witty, emotional romance with just the perfect amount of magic sprinkled in. And Prime Time Romance has all of that and more!

The book follows Brynn, a recent divorcée, and her roommate Josh as they find themselves in the world of her favorite teen drama (think Dawson’s Creek) after a birthday wish goes awry. They have to stick to the script to give the show the happy ending it deserves, but of course, have to deal with the feelings that arise between them along the way.

This was super cute and will definitely be a book I revisit again and again! While I loved the romance between Josh and Brynn (obviously), I was an even bigger fan of the larger non-romantic themes, like how to be OK and find happiness, even if things don’t turn out the way you initially planned. Robb also includes SOOOO many references to other teen dramas throughout the story, which adds even more fun to the story.

Prime Time Romance is available now. Thanks to the Dial Press and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.