In "Prime Time Romance", Brynn - a recent divorcee - finds herself and Josh, her bartender roommate waking up in in Brynn's favorite mid 2000s teen show. "Carson's Cove," ended abruptly without a true series finale and without the two main love interests, Spencer and Sloan never declaring their love for one another. When the mysterious figure that sent Brynn and Josh to Carson's Cove tells them to deliver the happy ending the show never got, they have no choice but to deliver - otherwise they're stuck in Carson's Cove.

I read about "Prime Time Romance" in Library Journal and was very excited about the premises. I'm a sucker for any kind of unique, magical twist on a romcom. However, the execution for me did not live up to what I was expecting. The story in general felt not very well developed and the chemistry between Brynn and Josh was absent in my opinion. Even though they were literally stuck in a fake teen town, the stakes felt so low and left me uninterested ultimately in even the character's separate stories.

this book gave 'The OC' & 'Dawson's Creek' vibes. felt rushed at times as well, but the premise of this one seemed like a good one, for the most part.
I couldn't seem to get more than 35% into it though unfortunately, but that could just be because i wasn't in the mood for a romcom when i read it.

4 stars
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Prime Time Romance was my first book by Kate Robb and it was such a cute read!!! The vibes were very much nostalgic 2000s teen drama and while I didn't watch Dawson's Creek or The OC, I absolutely LOVED One Tree Hill growing up so this book was right up my alley. So if you loved any of these shows, give this book a go! It also gave me vibes from the show Hart of Dixie (except for the fact that it doesn't take place in the south) where the female main character falls for the “bad boy” instead of the town’s beloved sweetheart male character. It was definitely cheesy, to say the least, so it might not be for everyone, but it made me feel warm and cozy inside.
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Thank you NetGalley, Random House Publishing, and Kate Robb for the ARC on Prime Time Romance!

✅ a divorced 30-year old (Brynn) and her roommate find themselves transported into her comfort-watch TV show (think CW) to give it the series finale it deserved
✅dual POV
✅ a little bit of magic
✅ 100% would watch as a movie/limited series
🌶️: yes, slow burn

I am somewhat confused how this premise even got approved. I couldn't even finish it after the whiplash of meeting the roommate and then immediately waking up in a fictional tv show? Maybe I've just never been that obsessed with a show but I just found this really cringey.

I didn’t enjoy this book. I think it just wasn’t for me. The entire premise is ridiculous and everything felt extremely rushed. I didn’t connect with any of the character’s at all. It’s not something I would read again.

Wow, I related to Brynn soo much in the beginning of this, it was almost eerie. I’ve definitely daydreamed about being in one of my comfort shows before, Gilmore Girls for me. This whole story just felt so cozy and lovable I read it in one day.

I really loved this book. I really like the commentary on shows that we loved when we were younger and when we mature, we realize how they’re kind of messed up. This book gave me teen beach movie vibes, if they got transported into their favorite teen show. Also, the couple in this book is so cute!! I love them!!

Review published today on Goodreads. Overall, fun romcom with an interesting and somewhat fresh plot!

Thanks to Random House for the ARC copy.

Overall a 3.8.

What might start a little slow in a Dawson’s Creek style show town, turns into a genuine, heartfelt story of finding your footing and loving an imperfect, but interesting, life. There are aspects of this story that remind me of other media (the mystery spot episode of supernatural lol, Dawson’s creek, riverdale, etc.), it became fresh toward the latter half.

I appreciated both of these main characters. Josh - heartfelt, sad, and lost - is a leading man that will remind you of an Emily Henry story.

Brynn started out a little stuck and admittedly annoying to me, lost in her idea of idealism, but quickly developed as a kind, interesting character. I do think Brynn’s backstory could have been better developed, or the relationship with her “friends” could have been wrapped up in a more conclusive way, but such is life. We don’t always get the closure ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.

Overall, would recommend for a fun romcom!

It was a fun read. I read it in one go. I would love to be transported into my favorite television shows. 3.5 stars!!!

DNF @ 46%

After reading and loving THIS SPELLS LOVE last year, I wanted to love this one SO MUCH. But there was just something about the magical realism AND romantic elements that did not work for me. I wasn't rooting for either character, it seemed weird that they were the romantic duo...and that really shouldn't be the case when you're almost halfway through the book.

Read if you like:
- Laguna Beach
- The OC / Dawson's Creek
- Magical Realism
- Roommates to Lovers

I did enjoy the overall storyline but felt like living out their lives in a. tv show was a bit too silly for me. I did love the chemistry between the two main characters as well as the ending .

Kate Robb, I’m adding you to my auto-buy authors list! I wanted to read this book because I’m a sucker for a magical, romantic read. It was hard for me to put this book down once I started it, and I’m so sad that it’s over already.

This book follows Brynn and her roommate Josh as they find themselves in Carson’s Cove, the fictional city of Brynn’s favorite teen drama. Brynn has the chance to give the show the ending she’s always wanted, and to spend her days among her favorite comfort characters. What could be better?

The premise drew me in with its whimsy and originality, and Robb delivered on all of her promises.

LOVED:
* 90s/00s nostalgia
* the feeling of rewatching your favorite comfort show
* the highs and lows of a small town community
* sweet, believable chemistry between the FMC and her romantic interest
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📚 Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group, and Kate Robb for the ARC of Prime Time Romance in exchange for my honest review!

This was a cute romance. I've never watched Dawson's Creek but I assume Carson's Cove is loosely based on it. I do kinda wish there was more pining or tension between Brynn and Josh. They went from roommates that barely knew each other so being in love as soon as they were transported. But Brynn was pretty relatable. A 30yr old divorcee who wishes her life was like the perfect lives in her favorite comfort show

I absolutely fell in love with the premise of this book. Homage to early 2000s angsty teen tv shows? yes please. 10000 stars for the creativity of the plot and the Easter eggs to all the shows.
I also liked and appreciated the message of the main characters’ growth and development—it’s expected that you will change and you CAN change. You can appreciate something for what it did for you but acknowledge that it just doesn’t serve you anymore or that you realize and understand the flaws of it now…because everything has flaws, from humans to towns.

Where this fell a little flat and wasn’t a 5 star was in the romance. it felt very rushed and sudden. I would’ve liked to have more tension building and scenes between the two main characters (both in the beginning when they were platonic roommates and in the alternate universe TV show world). What was there felt a bit shallow and then all of a sudden they loved each other. There is a bit of a love triangle that had a lot dedicated to it too so I understand you can only do so much in so many pages. But I would’ve read 50-100 more pages if it was more Josh and Brynn.

It's like Kate Robb went inside my brain and found out I wished I lived in One Tree Hill. I LOVED 'PRIME TIME ROMANCE'! If you grew up watching One Tree Hill or Dawson's Creek, you will love it! Also, kudos to paying homage to not only our favorite 90s teen dramas BUT also one of my all-time favorite films Pleasantville. I honestly feel like this book is everything I have always wanted. It's got second chance romance, found family, friends to lovers, slow burn. Also, a respectful amount of spice! I enjoyed watching Brynn and Josh navigate Cozy Cove and realize their feelings for each other. It wasn't forced. It wasn't too slow or too fast. Just right!

It's funny, heart-warming, and fulfills the question all of us millennials had of what it would be like if we could jump into the 90s teen drama world.

If you love 2000's style hit TV shows this is the book for you!! This was SO cute. A little magic + a perfect (or is it) dream world and you have Prime Time Romance!

I think the author did a really great job showing the conflicting emotions that come with doing what people tell you to do vs what you ACTUALLY want to do. I loved it. I think the character building in both the Carson's Cove world and Josh/Brynn were done really well. I loved Josh and Brynn and the ending was CHEFS KISS.

I'd like to express my gratitude to NetGalley. I had the opportunity to peruse an initial version of this book, and more recently, I revisited it thanks to NetGalley granting me renewed access.

Kate Robb's "Prime Time Romance" whisked me away on a journey reminiscent of 2000s teen dramas, infused with a touch of enchanting alternate reality. It was an absolute delight!

Let's start with Brynn, our protagonist. Recently single and navigating the complexities of post-divorce adulthood, she epitomizes relatability. Who hasn't sought solace in the comforting embrace of their favorite television series during life's tumultuous moments? And speaking of TV shows, Carson's Cove serves as a sanctuary, offering Brynn a glimmer of hope amidst life's chaos.

The narrative takes a surprising turn when Brynn and her roommate Josh find themselves inexplicably transported into the heart of Carson's Cove. Suddenly, they're not just Brynn and Josh; they've become Sloan and Fletch, integral characters within this televised world.

What ensues is a delightful exploration of familiar tropes and heartwarming moments as Brynn and Josh navigate this new reality, striving to fulfill Brynn's desire for a fairy-tale ending. Sparks ignite, emotions run high, and soon you find yourself cheering for these characters as if they were your closest confidants.

While I adored the romance in this tale, I yearned for additional heart-fluttering moments between Brynn and Josh to truly intensify the emotional connection. Yet, what truly elevated this book were the myriad pop culture references that had me positively giddy! From subtle nods to beloved TV classics to nostalgic Easter eggs sprinkled throughout, "Prime Time Romance" serves as a heartfelt homage to the teen dramas that left an indelible mark on a generation.

If you're seeking a feel-good read that seamlessly merges romcom allure with a healthy dose of nostalgia, "Prime Time Romance" is the perfect choice. Kate Robb has masterfully crafted a narrative as addictive as your favorite binge-worthy TV series, complete with characters you'll champion until the very last page.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kate Robb for sending me an ARC of “Prime Time Romance.” I enjoyed the overall idea behind this book. I think it would be rare to find a person that didn’t want to insert themselves into their guilty pleasure teen romance show. I know I did for The Vampire Diaries so I could be with Stefan Salvatore. Poor Brynn is trying to find some good in the world, but her real life loved ones aren’t pulling their weight for her. After her stranger of a roommate gets her back home and helps her celebrate her birthday with a last minute wish, they are transported to her guilty pleasure teen romance show- “Carson’s Cove” several years into the future. Brynn has the task of making sure the two main love interests fall in love and have their happily ever after. However, her stranger roommate was brought with her and has to watch her go through the process.
The first few chapters really gripped my attention because it reminded me of classic early 2000’s movies. However, when we jump into Carson’s Cove it was hard to follow along with the “love” Brynn was supposed to have towards her new love interest from the show. It felt very surface level for trying to sell the given love interest rather than the true love interest of her stranger roommate. Which brings me to my next point, the love plot for the stranger roommate (Josh) and Brynn felt like Sleeping Beauty in a way. Their work schedules were opposite so their only interaction was passing by each other to go to sleep. They are then transported to Carson’s Cove and Josh has to just wing it while Brynn gets her happily ever. Besides Josh having his realization moment of “hey, that’s my girl” there isn’t exactly much tension to build up the fight from readers to root for Josh and Brynn together over her Carson’s Cove “soulmate.”
It was a cute, refreshing read. I would recommend this book for that purpose. If you’re looking for a more emotionally connected romance, I would not recommend.

A new divorcee finds herself in the ideal world of her favorite 2000s teen soap and a second-chance romance?

Hmmmm... maybe I should have read the full description before snagging the latest book from author Kate Robb when it was "Read Now" on NetGalley. It was totally not for me. First 20% was lots of fun and I liked where it was going until Brynn woke up in a fictional town from her favorite 2000's teen soap opera (which gave me major Gilmore Girls or maybe Dawson's Creek vibes)? I can't quite put my finger on what it was, but something in the story just didn't work for me and I felt there was very little romantic chemistry between Brynn and Josh. The TV show aspect was written in a way that the reader was supposed to know the in's and out's of a fictional soap opera, and I just felt lost. Overall, it all felt very juvenile for two 30 year olds and much too juvenile for me as a reader (and I love romance!)