Imagine you make a wish on your 30th birthday for a happy ever after and you wake up the next morning in Dawson’s Creek or Stars Hollow, your favorite teen drama. A mean tv genie wants you to finish out the main characters’ love story since they split at the end of the series. In GG example, you come back as Rory 15 years later after the og finale (ignoring the seasons) and a genie is making you rekindle with Logan. Your real hottie roommate also ends up Carson’s Cove and is cast as bad boy Jess. That’s the premise of Prime Time Romance. Brynn wakes up in Carson’s Cove with Josh her roomie and has to find “Sloan’s” HEA in order to return home. Brynn goes off script, much to the chagrin of tv genie Sheldon, and teenage drama plot twists ensue. This is a suspend disbelief story and follows the author’s trope from her first book of “be careful what you wish for”. It was fun picking up easter eggs. It was a predictable story that is trying to fight predictable story lines, so a little mixed messaging there. This is open door for those interested. This is a good library rental IMO.

Thank you Random House Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this! It definitely felt like I’d seen this show before and I think that’s exactly what the author was going for! Cute, well thought out. I wish a little more back story to the main couple but all in all an enjoyable reax!

This book was such a roller coaster from start to finish! I’m so thankful to have received an arc for this book. As soon as I read the books description, I was instantly drawn in.

One of my favorite things that instantly hooked me about this book was how fantastic the world building was, and how I could visualize the setting so easily. I felt like I was actually in Carson’s Cove along with the characters! I also felt that the main character was very relatable, and I had a lot of fun reading from her perspective.

The only thing I would really change about the book is the pacing, as I personally felt the pacing was a little off. I absolutely loved the slow-burn, but at a certain point after, the whole story seemed to have been a little rushed for my personal taste.

Overall, this book really had the best vibes, and I had such a hard time putting it down. I really felt so immersed in the story with characters that I’m constantly rooting for, and Kate Robb does a fantastic job of making her readers feel like they’re actually in Carson’s Cove with the characters. I highly recommend checking this book out!

This book is so good from how they went from one world to reality is really intriguing and I was so pulled to it because I was like what just happened all in all it is to say I love this book!!

A super fun book idea! Reminded me of being plopped into a show like one tree hill or Gilmore girls. The small town vibes. A fun play on a romance.

Plot: Resembles Teen Beach Movie Rating: 4.5 stars Genre: Contemporary Romance Tags: Friends to lovers, small town romance

A Journey Through Nostalgia: Prime Time Romance by Kate Robb

Prime Time Romance by Kate Robb invites you on a delightful journey through nostalgia, blending the charm of 90's TV shows with a compelling romantic narrative. Robb skillfully weaves together elements of the beloved era with the use of Easter eggs that pay homage to classic 90's TV shows. These subtle nods add an extra layer of enjoyment if you're familiar with the era.

Brynn and Josh's chemistry leaps off the pages. Robb masterfully crafts their interactions, infusing them with tension, humor, and genuine emotion. The dynamic between Brynn and Josh is electric, and it kept me eagerly turning pages, rooting for their love to blossom.

However, amidst the nostalgia and romance, there is a notable flaw in the character development of Brynn. While her attempts to emulate the iconic Sloan may initially seem intriguing, they ultimately detract from her individuality. As a result, I found myself longing for a deeper exploration of Brynn's personality and motivations beyond her desire to embody a TV character.

Prime Time Romance is a charming and nostalgic journey that celebrates the magic of 90's television. With its captivating romance, clever references, and endearing characters, Kate Robb delivers a delightful read that will leave you reminiscing about your favorite TV shows long after the final page is turned.


Thank you NetGalley for sending me this ARC to read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the advanced copy of this book.
This book has such an interesting concept. It was nice to read a different type of romance novel. This book has magical realism and it not something I commonly read. I was very skeptical at first, but ended up loving this book.
I am a fan of 'The Truman Show' and 'Pleasantville' and could feel their similarities to this book.
Have you ever been so obsessed with a tv show and wish you could change the way the series ended?
Brynn is in her 30's, recently divorced, living with a hot bartender (Josh) in order to pay rent. On her birthday, a stranger arrives at her door to deliver a birthday cake for her. She blows out the candle, makes a wish, and wakes up in an alternate reality in the town of her favorite tv show.
Plot twist, hot bartender gets sucked into this vortex too. They have to figure out how to get the characters a happy ending in order to find their way home. A "perfect world" doesn't really exist, even in the land of television. People aren't who they seem, you can't force feelings that aren't there, and sacrifices have to be made.
This was a very fun and entertaining read. I loved the character development and the way that Brynn and Josh's relationship changes over the course of their time in Carson's Cove.

Thank you to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
This book is like a favorite teenage drama meeting adulthood with some spice, sweetness, and some unexpected twists.
When Brynn is turning 30, missing the life she expected to have by now, she chooses to watch the show that’s always brought her comfort in difficult times, a teenage drama that always has things work out how they are expected. This time, her roommate, Josh, joins to watch her favorite show. Brynn later gets an unexpected visitor with a cake, a chance to make a wish, and wakes up in a different place through a space-time continuum with some unexpected rules to follow. This book shows what Brynn goes through as she navigates living in this favored beach town from her favorite show as an adult. Josh is there too, and has his own things to learn and grow with, while also looking out for Brynn throughout the story. Will they help out in Carson’s Cove or will they be stuck?
I really enjoyed the premise of this story, the tie in to favorite 90’s teenage dramas, the growth of the characters, and the space-time continuum! I had to keep reading to find out what would happen to Brynn and Josh, and loved the growth of them apart as well as together. I highly recommend Prime Time Romance for anyone who enjoys dual POV, sweetness and spice, a space-time continuum jump, and reading about character growth.

this was such a fun, nostalgic, quirky and whimsical small town romance!! i absolutely loved the one tree hill/dawson's creek vibes

thank you so much to netgalley and random house publishing for the arc!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Spice: 🌶️🌶️/5 (explicit scenes, but only 2)

Pros
- Really fun read. I enjoyed it!
- Josh and Brynn were fun together
- I loved getting a walk down memory lane of all my favorite TV shows
- I liked Josh's plot with the bar
- I really felt like I knew Josh more than Brynn by the end of it

Cons
- Josh and Brynn's relationship felt a bit rushed. I like them together, but I didn't feel like I knew them well
- I felt like the logistics of it weren’t fleshed out as well as I would have liked. It felt very musical-esque with all the Carson Cove characters acting like this was any other day. Are they trapped in this weird dimension that Sheldon created? Are they aware? I also find musicals jarring, so that’s probably just a me issue.

3.5 stars rounded up.

I enjoyed reading Prime Time Romance by Kate Robb. It had all the vibes of some of my favorite early 2000’s teen dramas. A really fun read with a lot of heart and character growth.

Thank you Random House and NetGalley for a copy of this eARC in exchange of my honest review.

One word: LOVE.

I read This Spells Love recently and I enjoyed how cute it was, then when I got an email about this book (via Netgalley), my first thought was sign me up.

I would like to start by saying that this book is made better because it is inspired by the shows and characters the author grew up with (along the lines of Dawson's Creek and Joshua Jackson), and at the back of the book she has a whole section on different inspirations and Easter Eggs she left throughout the book. She talks about her favorite boys from select shows, and where inspiration for different places/characters came from. I love when authors include a note on their inspirations, it gives me so much more respect for the book!

Okay, now for the story itself. I was intrigued by the idea of a character being pulled into her favorite show, and I was wondering how it would all play out. Then it got me thinking about what show I wouldn't mind spending the day in. The premise is easy: give the character the ending she deserves, and she will be able to go back to real life. Simple, right?!

WRONG. Because this is a romcom, and we all know the tropes that go hand in hand with that, the "happy ending" is definitely different than what you would initially think. But, that is not a bad thing. The main character gets to live out her in her favorite show, and see that not everything is as it seems. She has some good character development throughout the story, and I think she walks away with a better appreciation for some of the characters in the show (and some knowledge about others she didn't have before).

She was pulled into this world with her roommate, which I initially thought was going to play the shows love interest, but that would have been too easy. Instead he was the "loner" and kind of a degen character - the type that the "girl next door" would have never ended up with. I loved the chemistry between the two characters from the start, and I knew they had a good chance of getting together (I mean, it is a romance after all), but I was rooting for them all the same. Because this is a duo POV story, we get to see some character development from Josh as well, especially when he knows nothing about the show and is trying to navigate his new "role" as best he can.

All in all, this was an entertaining story and I had a hard time putting it down. I loved the chemistry between the characters, the ridiculousness that is small town based tv shows, the inspiration behind every piece of this book....it really is a masterpiece. No sophomore slump for Kate Robb! After this I will definitely be keeping an eye on this author, and I cannot wait to see where she goes from here.
Thank you Netgalley for an advance copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Content warnings: sexual content, bullying, alcohol use, grief, loss of a loved one.

This was such a fun book! I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the growth, the emotional development and dynamics across the arc of the story, and the romance in general. What a joy to read!

Newly divorced Brynn, finds herself pulled in the ideal world of her favorite 2000s teen soap, Carson's Cove, in this second-chance, whimsical, steamy romantic comedy.

The good: The 90s nostalgia was On. Point. So many fun references for us 80s/90s babies! Robb also includes 'easter eggs' after the conclusion which was a nice touch. I also really enjoyed the supporting cast and their antics, although in some ways I feel as if I understood their motivations more than the MCs. I love the magical realism genre and I feel as if Robb did it well here.

Could Be Better: The spicy scenes. I WAS PROMISED SPICE. The pacing just felt off, and I did not feel as connected to the main characters as I would have liked.

Overall, I liked this book but many areas fell short for me. The pacing was off and I didn't feel like I had time to really know the characters. The story was cute, but did not feel fully developed. I am going to call this a sophomore slump because I adored Robbs debut novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of Prime Time Romance. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I loved this booK! I was a little skeptical at first with how the characters ended up in a TV show. The more I started reading I could not put this ARC down. I kept thinking about the book and what was going to happen next, even though I kind of thought wheat was going to happen I was still hooked I loved the characters. I think this storyline will relate to a lot of people in how we all watch certain television shows or reality TV and get hooked and sometimes wish that was our life and how perfect everything seems but in reality its not perfect. Honestly sometimes someone else’s perfect may look totally different to someone else.

This was a page-turner! I had to know what was going to happen. I mean, you and your super cute, extra nice roommate get sucked into the world of your favorite soap opera! Who wouldn't love this? What a great take on finding your person and finding yourself. You don't need a canceled teen soap opera as the guide for an idyllic romance.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for an e-arc in exchange for an unbiased review.

Thank you NetGalley and Random house for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Prime Time Romance was a struggle for me to get through. I didn't have any attachments to the characters and felt like the relationship with Brynn with all characters in the book was really shallow. Brynn never talks about the things she likes outside of looks when talking about Spencer and Josh.

In the beginning, the plot is hard to stay connected with due to having to rely on Brynn filling in the audience with details on the characters from Carson's Cove. Even when she did explain details, I wasn't invested in those characters so it was hard for me to relate to how Brynn was feeling in her scenario.

A miss for me, but I still plan on reading the author's first book 'This Spells Love' which I have heard wonderful things about.

Prime Time Romance by Kate Robb catapulted me straight into a whirlwind of nostalgic bliss of 2000s teen dramas, sprinkled with a generous dose of alternate reality magic. It was sooo much fun!!

First off, let's talk about Brynn, our leading lady. Newly single and navigating the murky waters of adulthood post-divorce, she's the epitome of relatable. I mean, who hasn't found solace in the comforting glow of their favorite TV show during life's tumultuous moments? And speaking of TV shows, Carson's Cove is the ultimate sanctuary, a beacon of hope in Brynn's otherwise topsy-turvy world.

Things take an unexpected turn when Brynn and her roommate Josh find themselves magically transported into the very heart of Carson's Cove. Suddenly, they're not just Brynn and Josh anymore; they've morphed into Sloan and Fletch, the dynamic duo of this small screen sensation.

What follows is a delightful romp through familiar tropes and heartwarming moments as Brynn and Josh navigate their new reality, all the while striving to fulfill Brynn's wish for a happily-ever-after. Sparks fly, emotions run high, and before you know it, you're rooting for these characters like they're your own best friends.

As much as I loved romance in this book I would've loved even more a few more heart-fluttering moments between Brynn and Josh to really amp up the feels. But what made this book even more special were pop culture references that had me squealing with delight! From subtle nods to beloved TV shows to nostalgic Easter eggs scattered throughout, Prime Time Romance is a love letter to the teen dramas that shaped a generation.

If you're in the market for a feel-good read that seamlessly blends romcom charm with a healthy dose of nostalgia, look no further than Prime Time Romance. Kate Robb has crafted a story that's as addictive as your favorite binge-worthy TV show, with characters you'll root for until the very last page.

Prime Time Romance - Kate Robb ✨

A young divorcee finds herself in the ideal world of her favorite 2000s teen soap in this second-chance, whimsical romantic comedy from the author of This Spells Love. 💚

I knew this book was going to be a 5 star rating for me 🥹 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I love it so much! I love her writing, I love the plot & I love the magic in the story 🥹

I read her other book "This Spells Love" and I love it and that's why I needed to read this book! 🤍

Thank you @kate_robb_writes and @netgalley for this book! 🥹🫶🏻

Kate Robb's debut novel <i>This Spells Love</i> was an unexpected delight for me last year. <i>Prime Time Romance</i> however, missed the mark. Between two leads with zero chemistry and a MacGuffin that made no sense, this story felt inorganic at best.

As a big Dawson's Creek fan in my teen years, I saw all the nods to DC (and a few to various other teen dramas of the late 90s/early 2000s) and they were unfortunately not enough to improve my reading experience.