After absolutely loving this author’s debut last year, I was really looking forward to PRIME TIME ROMANCE. I’m so sad to say that it didn’t work for me. 😩 The writing is good, and the concept is fun, but it just came across kind of awkward. For one thing it’s hard to follow (via print or audio— didn’t matter, I still got mixed up some between the “real” characters and who they were been on the “show”) I liked the male MC a lot but don’t really understand the relationship or how any of it makes any sense in the end. The chemistry was there during the steamy parts but the whole relationship wasn’t quite right to me. I love the 90s sitcom idea, but it also made the book feel like it was two different things all together instead of one fluid story. I don’t know, I just wasn’t into this at all. I will still absolutely give this author another shot— her first book was excellent, I think this time the whole idea/concept just didn’t work out.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

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

Read if you like:
💖 dual POV
💖 roommates to lovers
💖 a little bit of magic ✨
💖 a lilllll spice 🌶️

I loved Kate Robb’s last novel so I knew I was going to love this as well. Her books always have a little bit of ✨ magic ✨ in them and I really enjoy it; they are perfect for the upcoming spooky season.
I really enjoyed the author’s writing style, it felt very natural and enjoyable to read. The author was very good with the description and I could picture everything in my head perfectly 🩷
The most important part of a rom-com for me is the banter between the 2 main characters, and I really enjoyed the banter here. I even laughed-out-loud a few times while reading this book, which I love 🤪

First thank you to random house for this advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨3. 75 stars

Synopsis: Brynn is divorced and living with a roommate on her 30th birthday. Her friends invite her out but only because she has a connection to the hottest club in town. After a long night out she goes home to watch her comfort show on the couch. She gets a birthday cake and makes a wish. The next morning she wakes up in her favorite show with her roommate. Is this a dream or a nightmare?

What I liked: I was a huge fan of Dawson creek so I was very excited for this book. I thought it was very realistic if you were a fan of Dawson creek. Jake was a great MMC and liked him a lot. He was so kind and genuine. I loved how he improved the bar and took care of Brynn. Brynn did take a bit for me to grow on me as she seem a little more self centered. I like how she did come around and changed for the better.
The plot itself was fun and loved when Brynn had to explain the plot lines to Jake and get his reaction. I thought it was a little predictable how her relationships played out but still enjoyed it.

This book was a breath of fresh air from some of the past romances that I have read. The characters are bright and vibrant, and just come to life. I loved Carson’s Cove and seeing the characters interact with this world where everything seems to be on repeat till Sloan gets the ending, she deserves. This book will just sweep readers off to a new world, one that is new yet familiar. Who wouldn’t want to be placed in their favorite comfort tv show? I just thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait to recommend it.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group, Dial Press Trade, and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

I loved the concept of this story. I thought it was fun to have the characters basically sucked into Brynn’s favorite show, during a time when both characters are facing challenges in their real life. I love how we see the typical characters from teen shows in Carson’s Cove and how Brynn is able to pinpoint what happens in every episode while there. Josh is also such a good sport. Reading the growth of their romance was really nice too. The censored curse words were pretty funny.

I struggled with the ending of this story because I felt like what Josh does, isn’t something Josh would do. I also felt like we never get a wrap up of what was going on while Brynn and Josh were away or when they return, the story just time jumps. I’m also not sure what to make of the final lines of the book. It’s hard to say more without spoiling it.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC for an honest review.

[SPOILER FREE] - 4 STARS - PUBLISH DATE SEPT 3 2024
Spice level: 1-2 peppers

As a nostalgic person... YES.

In a very common storyline (just divorced and reeling, needs a new start...) comes something a little less common - ALTERNATE DIMENSIONS!!

Now, if you're like me and grew up watching 2000s teen dramas (Dawson's Creek, One Tree Hill, The OC, etc.) AND had a weird obsession with the movie Pleasantville from 1998 with Reese Witherspoon and Tobey Maguire, this will tickle your nostalgic side.

Brynn and Josh, her sexy roommate (of course), find themselves in the world of Brynn's favourite show, Carson's Cove, being told they need to finish the perfect storyline from the cancelled show. What could go wrong?!

I thought this was a cute story with more original plot than a lot I've seen recently. It was super enjoyable, nostalgic, with a bit of drama, some good ol' tension, and some steam full of the tropes from teen dramas (and lots of easter eggs from them, which Kate Robb helpfully lists at the end if you miss them). I completely enjoyed my time reading this and it was an easy, quick read as well. I highly recommend for anyone wanting a quick romance with an original storyline.

[Kate Robb and SMP generously invited me to read this eARC as I previously read and reviewed an ARC of her debut novel, This Spells Love.]

This story is about Brynn, a recent divorcee who is living with a roommate, Josh, to afford her mortgage. Her friends forget her birthday, and she finds herself watching her favorite comfort show “Carson’s Cove” which is a clear ode to Dawson’s Creek. She makes a wish that fateful night and finds herself within her favorite show.

I was immediately hooked at the beginning of this story, and found the concept really interesting. But I felt like I hit 40% and it started to drag for me around there. I think it’s because the book focused so much on the characters in the show, and I wanted it to focus more on Brynn and Josh, and see their relationship naturally build. I didn’t feel much tension or angst, but instead a lot of insta love. I found the end to be a little too cheesy.

An imaginative premise, yet this didn't engage me as much as I had hoped. Brynn and Josh both being transported into her favorite teen soap to provide the central couple with the happy ending that they were denied when the show was prematurely canceled held a lot of promise, and I enjoyed how the world of Carson's Cove had so many nods to existing teen programs from the 90s and 2000s, which Robb clearly has a lot of love for. However, I was never invested in either of these characters and the romantic progression felt very rushed, with there being too little of their current lives as roommates in the beginning to get a sense of their existing relationship as well as what was being left behind that they needed to get back to. Also, the explanation provided for why the magic of going into the show was possible was weak and unsatisfying. Hopefully Robb can strengthen the parts of her books beyond the primary concept in future works to result in a wholly satisfying read.

*I received an advanced copy to review. This is my honest opinion.*

I read this in one day, which almost never happens! It's not super long, and it's a fast, easy read. I JUMPED on the chance to nab this ARC when I saw that Kate Robb had another book out, because I loved her debut last year! Dare I say I like this one even better? The premise is like if Pleasantville met the WB (or any of the late nineties/early aughts teen shows!) but fast forwarded fifteen years.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the premise of this book. I get so caught up in the media I consume, especially the romance of the shows, so seeing Brynn and Josh getting tossed into a show is like...not a dream, obviously, because we all know those sorts of things never end well, but it's so FUN. Living in our favorite shows always seems fun, but Brynn's eyes are opened to the darker, less fun side of what it's like to be the It Girl (or her enemy) in a small made for tv town. And she realizes that maybe the perfect screen boyfriend should just stay on the screen.

I really love this story and it's pure escapism and nostalgia. I can't wait to read more from Kate Robb!

Thanks to Netgalley, Kate Robb, and Random House | The Dial Press for the ARC!

2.5 stars rounded up.

Brynn is a new divorcee who loves watching her comfort show Carson's Cove. Everything in Carson's Cove just always works out right and turns out the way it should in the end--unlike her life. On Brynn's birthday, someone gets a cake delivered to where she lives with her roommate, Josh. Brynn makes a wish for "happily ever after," but it does not go as planned.

Next thing she knows, she's waking up in a place that looks familiar, but for a reason she cannot explain--until she runs into Josh with her car. Then, she realizes that somehow, they have entered into the world of Carson's Cove and there's no way out. Brynn loves this place, so she's not terribly concerned at first, but as the storyline of the show progresses, Brynn realizes that what she thought she wanted was all wrong, and she fights for herself, Josh, and Carson's Cove to get the ending they deserve.

In my opinion, this book was.... fine. I'm starting to realize that even when I'm in the mood for a romance, I'm almost never going to actually love it as much as I want to, which is mildly disappointing, but also kinda freeing. I'll forever be a sucker for a Christmas romance novel (stay tuned, I have lots of ARCs for those already haha), but outside of the Yuletide season, I guess I should just stick to the thrillers, hist fic, and fantasy.. *sigh*

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for the eARC!

Prime Time Romance is every young woman's dream...to be sucked into your favorite TV show! Brynn has just started dating again after her divorce, and she is striking out miserably. Just before her 30th birthday, she finds herself immersed in her favorite TV show, Carson's Cove, with her nocturnal house mate. She makes an unlikely wish on a surprise cake that arrives with a quirky Uber Eats driver, and wakes up to find she and Josh are in Carson's Cove! They discover they have to make the ending everyone really wanted between the two main characters. However, she finds she's leaning more towards Josh and his character than the main squeeze.

The characters have great chemistry and the quirkiness of the supporting characters make this read enjoyable. Brynn and Josh grow so much, and together they bond in the alternate reality they weren't supposed to be in. They learn to take chances instead of taking the safe route in life. Kate Robb continues with her magical twist imaginings which makes reading her so much fun!

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Random House | Dial Press Trade Paperback and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

If you're looking for a literary masterpiece - you should keep looking because this isn't that. However, if you're looking for a book that is as it's advertised - you found your book.

I wasn't the biggest fan of Bryn's; I thought she was dramatic and, at times, very "woe is me". I thought Josh was super sweet, and I loved how "down bad" he was for Bryn. The romance between her and Josh progressed really - really - quickly, but it still felt very reminiscent of an early 2000's sitcom...which was the point...so I'm not mad about it. It was also neat how the author put a note at the end that mentioned where a lot of ideas came from and/or Easter eggs that were in the book.

This was a super quick, easy read - and I will definitely read more of Kate's books in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and Kate Robb for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Prime Time Romance was a quick read but nothing to really write home about. At times it felt a little long winded and the TV part felt a bit YA.

Brynn has had a rough few years. Her 30th birthday wish takes her and her roommate, Josh, to the fictional TV town of Carson's Cove. She is brought to give the main character, Sloan, of her favorite show a happy ending after the show was suddenly canceled 15 years prior. What Brynn realizes is the town, and it's characters, haven't changed over time- but she has.
Granter of her wish, former show-extra Sheldon, declares she and Josh can get back to their real lives once Sloan and Spencer (undeclared show love interest) get together and Sloan wins the Ms. Lobsterfest pageant. Yet, in trying to fulfill the happily-ever-after premise, Brynn and Josh fall in love. This detour causes events in Carson's Cove to go off track from Sheldon's expectations. Can Sloan fix the show's sequence and have a happily-ever-after of her own, too?

Okay okay, I’m really sorry, this one wasn’t for me. My reviews are 100% honest, but keep in mind every review is subjective!! Just because it wasn’t for me doesn’t mean it won’t be for you.

This had a large dose of magical realism, and you absolutely have to suspend belief to follow along in the plot. The plot itself had a lot of potential, but fell short of achieving it.

It was a slowwwww burn. The first kiss happens at 50% through the book. And even then, the romance wasn’t that great unfortunately. Brynn and Josh weren’t even friends as roommates, but suddenly they’re in love? There was little to no tension, and it all fell a bit flat. Moreover, I just wasn’t ever invested in these characters.

There are a lot of similarities to 90’s/00’s TV shows, and a bunch of Easter eggs in characters’ names and multiple pop culture references, which was fun.

Thank you Random House and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a fun surprise. I thought I was getting a sweet little rom come but instead I got a Dawsons Creek meets Pleasantville story. I loved everything about it. Brynn is the best. She is messing a broken heart and holding onto the one thing that makes her happy. Her favorite show but when she finds herself inside the show things become a parent that they aren’t always what they seem. Josh , is it necessarily the bad boy he is in the “show” but he is exactly what she needs. He definitely ranks among boyfriends. This is a fun read that I wouldn’t miss out on.

This was exactly what I anticipated signing up for, and was as enjoyable and frothy as sitting down to (re)watch your favorite WB teen soap would be. With two fantastic leads and references to multiple faves, this was just a really enjoyable romcom for a quiet weekend.

Kate Robb can do no wrong.

Even though I wasn’t a Dawson’s Creek fan, I was a fan of other teen drama shows, and the nostalgia was strong while reading this book. The small town setting with all the characters to go along with it was perfect, and I liked how Robb put her own, more modern twist on some things. There were moments where I was laughing out loud at certain scenarios, and other times where I appreciated the sincerity and depth of the story.

I really enjoyed the romance between Brynn and Josh. Their banter was equal parts funny, sweet, and carefree, and some of my favorite scenes were of them together. I’m a sucker for dual POV when it comes to romance, and it really delivered here. Although there were a few moments where I wanted to shake some sense into Brynn😂 I could understand where she was coming from after all she had been through.

If you’re a fan of magical realism and want a dose of nostalgia with your romance, pick this one up!

3.5⭐️ This was a cute and quick read! I loved the premise of this - falling back to the be the leading lady of a 2000 romance and writing your own ending.

While I liked this I didn’t love it! The romance felt a little rushed & something that’s a me issue is I don’t really love “time travel” or whatever you would call this. However it was definitely different than any romance I’ve read in a long time!

This was an advanced read copy I received through Netgalley so it’s not going to be officially published until September 3, 2024! But this is my honest review!

Add this book to your to read list, I promise you won’t regret it! & then let me know what you thought!

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This book was so much fun. I spent much of my teen and early adult years watching and rewatching Gilmore Girls. This book is such a fun nod to those shows while also pointing out flaws in the formula.

Brynn and Josh are sucked into a wild adventure and I loved their experiences in Carson’s Cove. I really enjoyed both of them as characters and the relationship that develops between them, as well as the other friendships and relationships in the story within the story.

Overall, I fully enjoyed the story. It was fun and funny and nostalgic and spicy and sweet.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.