This was such a fast and fun read for me! I loved Josh and Brynn and hated Sheldon and Poppy. Great character development and laugh out loud moments! There were some disconnects and frustrating parts but overall it was a good read!

This book had so much potential. The very beginning chapters were interesting and caught my attention. The main characters are transported into a favorite TV series, and our living out the life of some of the characters. The series ended on a cliffhanger, and it is their job to finish out the story.

There were many references to our favorite, 90s and 2000s shows, which was fun. Brynn, the female lead, is obsessed with the show Carson’s Cove, and this is where she was transported, with her roommate, Josh. After a certain point, I really did not understand the obsession she had with the characters and the show. This book was not very long, but it could’ve been even shorter than it was. The chapters dragged, and there was not a lot of action or progression in the story. I do not like to DNF a book, but I had to put this down at page 100. I just did not feel any connection to the characters or any chemistry between any of them. There was no emotion in the words on the page for me. There was not enough action or progression to keep me engaged in the story.

I can see there definitely being a niche group that really will enjoy this book and all the throwbacks to classic shows. Unfortunately, I am just not part of that group right now.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for this ARC in exchange, for my honest review.

A cute, quick, and easy rom-com! I've always enjoyed stories where characters get sucked into the world of their favorite movie, TV show, or book, so I was really excited to give Prime Time Romance a shot. After her life takes a turn for the worse following her divorce, Brynn makes a wish on the eve of her 30th birthday to get her happy ending. What she didn't expect was for that happy ending to suck her into the world of Carson's Cove, her comfort TV show, and definitely not for her roommate Josh to get pulled in with her. Now the two must pretend to be the characters in the show and give main character Sloan the happy ending she deserved before the show got cancelled. I enjoyed this book because the characters were likable, and I liked how it turned a lot of common TV tropes on their head. The plot is fairly predictable -- it's a rom-com based on 2000s teen television, after all -- but that didn't make it less enjoyable.

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to review!!
First and foremost: I LOVE Dawson's Creek. Pacey Witter might be my favorite male TV character from my teens. So reading this synopsis, about a woman and her friend who get dragged magically into a TV show set in Carson's Cove...hello Capeside. This would have had to try REALLY hard to not make me like it. Does it give you all of that WB nostalgia? IN BUCKETS. There are easter eggs you catch right away (The Bronze!) and ones you might have to check the guide at the end of the book (yup theres a guide!) to see if you snagged them all.
As for the actual story: this was good. Solid 3.5-4 stars. I actually thought the first chapter was excellent and then slid comfortably into just ok. Brynn and Josh don't completely make sense together, and they fall for each other much faster than I think really works, and the cast of characters are purposefully caricatures, which makes it a bit difficult to really invest in them.
If you took away the nods to all of my favorite teenage memories...this rating would probably be lower.

I ABSOLUTELY loved this story about Brynn and Josh. They are roommates and on her 30th birthday they wake up in Carson's cove. Brynn's favorite 90's TV show. There were many characters in here that kept it interesting and reeled me in. Think Dawson's creek, One Tree Hill and the O.C.

I loved how the author used Carson's cove as an integral part of the plot! It was a unique way to tell the story.
If your looking for spice 🌶️this book doesn't have it, but it does have a really cute romance

FIVE STARS. As a rom-com lover who grew up in the 80s and 90s and was who was obsessed with Dawson's Creek and the OC, this book was EVERYTHING I COULD HAVE ASKED FOR. Add this light, fun read (that DOES have a bit of depth) to your TBR for the summer-- I loved it.

It's giving late 90s early 00s romcom. I would love to see this made into a movie 90s style. Give me 2 average looking actors and plop them in this TV world of people with exaggeratedly good looks whose personalities fit into trope boxes. It could be so good!

I have to say that it isn't spicy. Maybe like a 🌶
If you think romance and spice are synonymous then you won't like this book.
I enjoyed the romance, the character growth, and the overall message about fiction not being as good as reality. I like that it made me think about the boxes I put people into and how maybe that isn't very fair.

Overall, a good cozy read with a unique plot in today's world of repetitive romances.

Many thanks to Random House Publishing and Dial Press Trade Paperback for this ARC! I really enjoyed This Spells Love by Kate Robb, so I was excited to read another great romance that she wrote.

On the eve of her thirtieth birthday, Brynn is living with a roommate and trying to adjust to returning to the dating scene after being newly divorced. The one constant in her life is Carson's Cove, her comfort teenage soap from the 2000s. Despite its cliffhanger ending after the show unexpectedly got cancelled, she still sees the show as perfect. In Carson's Cove, things always work out for the best.

So when a birthday cake shows up at her door, she makes a wish for a happily-ever-after. But The perfect ending isn't in her real life...its in Carson's Cove. She and Josh are transported to Carson's Cove, where she is Sloan (the sweetheart), and Josh is Fletch (the bad boy). They are stuck there until Sloan and Spencer, the show's "it couple" end up together. Will they stick to the script or will they change the ending?

What I liked: I loved the concept of getting dropped in the middle of your favorite TV show! I think many of us would love to find ourselves in the middle of our favorite tv show/movie/book. The authors are loveable. Kate Robb has a way of writing that is easy to read and enjoy. She does a great job of balancing plot and character development.

What I didn't like: I felt that parts of the plot felt a little rushed, but maybe that's just me!

All in all, a super enjoyable, light and fun read! You will want to check this one out!

I was super excited to read this book because I loved this spells love. I didn’t get the same excitement from this book, it was very young adult vibes to me which is fine but I was expecting more. This is about a girl named Brynn who loves a tv show and her wish comes true, her and her best friend end up on the tv show. She even gets to play the main character in the tv show. Brynn wants a happy ending for the show, so she tries to give the show what they want but Brynn’s best friend has other plans. Overall, a decent book. Thanks netgalley and publisher for the chance to read this book.

With the same vibes as Robb's first book, This Spells Love, I found Prime Time Romance spoke to the millennial in me! Robb writes for the people who used to watch CW shows for sure. Brynn is relatable, single, and wants more out of life. She wants to feel what all those shows and movies promise we'll feel. And the plot did something I haven't read before, and as a diehard fan of Dawson's Creek, it spoke to me. And can we talk about the cover? Gorgeous. I am eagerly awaiting her next book!

In "Prime Time Romance," Kate Robb introduces us to Brynn, a newly single woman wading through the challenges of adult life post-divorce. Brynn's relatable love for binging TV shows and opting for takeout over socializing resonates with readers who seek solace in familiar comforts during life's ups and downs.
When Brynn's friends forget her birthday, her birthday wish magically transports her and her roommate Josh to the set of her favorite teen drama, "Carson's Cove." As they assume the roles of the show's leading stars, Brynn and Josh embark on a delightful journey filled with familiar tropes and heartwarming moments, all while chasing Brynn's desire for a fairy-tale ending.
The chemistry between Brynn and Josh sparks emotions and creates a compelling narrative where readers find themselves cheering for these characters as if they were lifelong friends. Brynn's immersion in Carson's Cove allows her to experience her ideal life and confronts her perceptions of perfection and love, especially concerning her teen heartthrob crush, Spencer.
One of the book's highlights is its incorporation of pop culture references, adding layers of nostalgia that readers will adore. From subtle nods to beloved TV shows to nostalgic Easter eggs, "Prime Time Romance" pays homage to the teen dramas that shaped a generation.
Kate Robb's storytelling is addictive, making this novel a page-turner reminiscent of binge-worthy TV shows. With its seamless blend of romcom charm and nostalgic elements, "Prime Time Romance" offers a comforting and captivating read. Fans of dual point of view narratives, magical realism, small-town romance, friends-to-lovers dynamics, and 90s/2000s nostalgia will find this book a delightful addition to their reading list. Overall, "Prime Time Romance" delivers on its promise of being a feel-good read that leaves readers rooting for its characters until the very end.

I will admit I was hesitant to choose this one, because I didn't love This Spells Love. However, I wanted to give Kate Robb another chance...and chalk it up to being in a reading slump. Prime Time Romance was fantastic! I loved the premise, the characters and the fact that there was a little bit of a darkness to it. Sheldon truly brought the creepy vibes. I feel like you're cheering for Josh and Brynn from the beginning. The Carson's Cove gave me a "cleaner" version of One Tree Hill vibes, but then with Pop's and Sheldon's presence it gave me Riverdale vibes too. I feel like this book encompassed emotion, drama, fun, and empowerment. I am really trying to think of a negative to the story, but I am coming up short. I will definitely be buying this one!

Primetime Romance has such a unique and intriguing premise that drew me in from the start.
The idea of two roommates waking up inside a nostalgic TV show is both charming and original.
As the story unfolds, the characters navigate their own personal issues while grappling with their growing romantic interest in each other. Really unique premise!

While I enjoyed the concept immensely, I couldn’t help but feel that the execution fell slightly short. The story needed a bit more depth and development to fully immerse readers in the romance developing between the characters.
Despite this, I believe that with the right adaptation, this story could captivate audiences if it was made into a movie or series, with its blend of romance, humor, and nostalgic charm.

Thank you to author Kate Robb, Dial Press Trade Paperback publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Charlene 📚🤗🌸 @lastnownext

I loved this book! It’s my favorite book I have read so far in 2024, I even managed to finish it in just under 24 hours (which I haven’t done in ages). The world building was amazing, and I could just imagine myself in this picture perfect island town. It reminded me of a mixture of Dawnson’s Creek, Riverdale, and maybe even a splash of Gossip Girl.

My heart felt so happy, seeing Brynn and Josh fall for the genuine version of each other. They bring out to the best in each other, and seeing them get their happily ever after makes my soul feel all warm inside!

Thank you to Net Gallery for the early read. I can’t wait to suggest this book to all my romance loving girlies!

Prime Time Romance by Kate Robb had all the makings of a great book for me: ‘90s/‘00s nostalgia, teen TV drama and small town romance. Unfortunately, magical realism just isn’t for me.

It was an original concept and well written, but I didn’t get drawn in. Brynn and Josh are likable characters, though.

Read if you like:
🩵 Roommates to lovers
🩵 Small town romance
🩵 The O.C. or Dawson’s Creek

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the eARC!

A refreshing take on the romantic comedy genre, blending nostalgia with a modern twist. The protagonist, Brynn, finds herself transported into the world of her favorite 2000s teen soap, providing a unique opportunity for self-discovery and second chances. The novel’s whimsical approach to the concept of “what if” is really engaging and thought-provoking. I do wish the author would have explored more the emotional depth of secondary characters for an overall more immersive experience. Overall, a super delightful read!

This book satisfied my craving for a cute romance with a hint of some magical happenings that sucked me in from the very beginning! It reminds me of the TV series Extraordinary You—if you’ve watched and enjoyed that show, I definitely recommend this book!

I wish we got to see more development between Brynn and Josh and also wish the book was longer, but I still really enjoyed this read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this ARC!

I enjoyed this book but I wanted more romance. I was craving a captivating romance novel to binge read over the long weekend and this one left me wanting more. However I did love the quirkiness and all the nostalgia it brought me!

This book was so fun! Such an interesting concept and I loved the characters! This was such a fun and nostalgic romance story and I was here for it! The spice was great and overall highly recommend this book!

Poor Brynn has been through it. She is still raw from her divorce and she feels used by her friends who forget her birthday. All she wants to do is curl up and rot in front of the tv watching her favorite teen soap opera Carson’s Cove. Josh is her new roommate that she hasn’t really spoken to because he at a bar so they are on different schedules. And of course he has some baggage of his own. Brynn makes a birthday wish, and magically is sucked into Carson’s Cove where she and Josh both step into the rolls of characters in show.

This book brought out all the 90’s teen drama nostalgia (it gives all the Dawson Creek feels). The Cove characters were so cliché and fun and I loved that some characters had a great arc and were someone totally different that they portrayed on television. I would call Brynn and Josh a friends and lovers relationship and while it was good, it did fall a little flat. There wasn’t much fighting for the relationship. The spice is low and a little fade to black. If you’re looking for a feel good romance with a twist this is for sure for you!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for providing me with this ARC!