I found Prime time romance to be a brilliant story that captivated my heart from the beginning! This for sure is a story that would enthrall you and is guaranteed to pierce you deeply with impactful emotion, and all romantic elements.

4.5 stars!This book!!! I did not know what to expect for the plot, so was a bit thrown off at first but quickly fell in love. Brynn is post breakup and struggling to find her path in life and is searching for what she thinks should be her happily ever after. She watches her favorite comfort show on repeat (very relatable as someone who has rewatched vampire diaries at least 20+ times…which speaking of..the Ms. Mystic falls reference…chefs kiss) and fantasizes about her dream life. But is the perfect HEA she’s envisioning actually what she wants?

Josh was so swoon-worthy…“Her hair is wild and she smells a little like barf. And fuck, I think I really like her” I laughed out loud at his character’s lines, and also got goosebumps at his sweetness.

This was such a fun read and definitely one to add to your TBR’s! Very different from the traditional rom-com book format and I really enjoyed it. Comes out on September 3, 2024.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Sweet, fun book with just enough spice--I couldn't put it down! I really enjoyed the nods to previous teen dramas I grew up watching. I also really loved the character development of Brynn and Josh!

This book is super cute. This author does cheesy nostalgia really well. Her first book was amazing and I’m glad I gave this one a try. I love her nods to millennial favorites. This one was paced a little slower and it was a little harder to get into. Overall I really enjoyed it and her writing style. I’ll definitely read books by this author again.

*Arc review for Net Galley*

Right off the bat, this book catches your attention. I loved the flow and writing style. I loved how relatable the FMC is and her life situation.

Then comes the twist where they are sucked inside Carson Cove and can only get out when they fall in love. I loved how their adventures helped them deal with their real world problems. I thought the romance part was fine, cute, fast; typical for a rom com.

As a teenager, and still as an adult, "Carson's Cove", was/is Brynn's favorite show. In the real world, Brynn, with her thirtieth birthday rapidly approaching, is already a divorcee, and has not found her "happily ever after." However, on "Carson's Cove" everything always turns out right; mistakes can always be fixed. The only thing that did not turn out right was the ending. In the fifth season finale, Sloan Edwards, the girl next door, is planning to tell her best friend Spencer Woods that she is in love with him. A series of mishaps prevents that from happening, and the season ends with Spencer heading off to LA to become an actor. It was the perfect cliffhanger on which to end the season. Unfortunately, the show was cancelled, and Sloan and Spencer never got their happily ever after.

But maybe they will get their second chance after all. At 12:01 am on her birthday, a delivery man rings Brynn's doorbell and delivers a small white birthday cake with a candle. The delivery man sees "Carson's Cove" on the TV and reveals he is a big fan as well. Josh, Brynn's roommate, lights the candle and tells her to make a wish. Brynn wishes for the perfect happily ever after. Upon awakening, she finds herself in "Carson's Cove" and she is now Sloan. Josh is also there, except he is now Fletcher, the bartender and "bad boy." It is fifteen years after the show ended, and both Sloan and Spencer have returned to "Carson's Cove" after years away. The "Extra Extra" a/k/a Sheldon has brought the show back to life with some minor adjustments. In order to get back home, Brynn has to help Sloan achieve her happily ever after.

However, that will prove difficult, as Spencer is not as wonderful as Brynn always imagined him to be, and when Spencer and Brynn/Sloan finally kiss, there is no "spark" for Sloan; though Spencer thinks the kiss was amazing. Also, there is an attraction to Josh that Brynn cannot deny but knows she must try to resist (unsuccessfully). As she "reconnects" with other characters on the show, she begins to realize that "Carson's Cove" was not as idyllic as she believed. Everything only works out in the end for a select few characters; other characters are routinely disappointed and/or mistreated or are not much more than afterthoughts.

As Fletch, Josh is the bartender at his aunt's bar, which is a familiar role, as his father ran a bar, and Josh attempted to keep it going after his father died, but with the Covid-related shutdowns, the bar failed. In "Carson's Cove", the Bronze was a dive bar that struggled to stay in business. Josh sets about cleaning up the bar and makes it a place where the townsfolk want to hang out, not avoid. This, more than anything, changes the dynamic of the town. However, it also presents an obstacle to Sheldon's happily ever after plan, and he is willing to take extreme measures to ensure he gets the result he wants. Brynn goes along with the plan in order to protect Josh and others, but when it really matters, she realizes that happily ever after is not what she wants -- that the messy parts of life are necessary and important and make the good parts more meaningful.

If you grew up in the 90s, when you read about "Carson's Cove", you will think about "Dawson's Creek." In the Afterword, the author states that the book is intended in part as an homage to "Dawson's Creek" but also an homage to the other teen dramas of the era.

Super cute book. I was entertained and enjoyed the story. I think the book will be a success. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I can see how some people would like this book, but unfortunately it was just not for me. I went into this one completely blind, which was maybe a mistake. The premise of it was that the two main characters got stuck in a TV show that resembled Dawson's Creek. I realized I don't really like books with this premise, I really enjoyed the author's last novel which had components of magical realism, so I'm surprised I had such a strong dislike for this one. I didn't connect well with any of the characters. Quite frankly, they all irritated me. The plot was not interesting and did not keep me engaged. I had to skim the last 50-75 pages or so. I have it two stars simply because I did make it through the whole book and didn't DNF it.

this is fucking great actually!!! omg! a fuck you to the people who ruined dearly loved shows i might add.
got this as an arc from netgalley no comments except that this is a breath of fresh air i loved it so much! i also love cake so i think cakes were incorporated nicely!

First of this cover is so cute and will be ordering it when it’s released. This story was cute, it did feel a little bit like insta love and I would’ve liked to see more of a build up in the relationship in the story. If you are a fan of popular shows like OTH growing up you will enjoy this book.

Prime Time Romance literally feels like a fever dream. As someone who fully enjoys rewatching teen soap operas (and would have been personally victimized by a cliffhanger series finale) this was a very fun premise. But unfortunately the love story fell flat for me—I think because it was such a quick read, I just didn’t feel like there was enough of a build-up. I also felt like there should have been less mystery around how Brynn and Josh ended up in Carson’s Cove. I finished this book feeling like I was not left with enough explanation, which I really didn’t like.

Kate Robb’s "Prime Time Romance" offers readers a delightful escape into the world of television romance, blending nostalgia with a refreshing twist of reality. Set against the backdrop of the beloved 2000s teen soap opera, Carson’s Cove, this novel explores the age-old question: Is love on the small screen better than the real thing?Protagonist Brynn finds herself at a crossroads after a painful divorce, seeking solace in the familiar embrace of Carson’s Cove. Robb crafts a charming narrative where Brynn’s birthday wish magically transports her into the world of her favorite show, alongside her roommate Josh. Suddenly inhabiting the roles of Sloan and Fletch, they embark on a quest to ensure the long-awaited love story between Sloan and Spencer comes to fruition, in order to return home.Robb skillfully intertwines elements of romance, humor, and self-discovery as Brynn and Josh navigate the whimsical yet unpredictable landscape of Carson’s Cove. The author cleverly juxtaposes the scripted perfection of television with the messy realities of human relationships, prompting readers to question their own notions of love and destiny.One of the novel’s strengths lies in its character development, particularly the evolving dynamic between Brynn and Josh. As they confront the challenges of their temporary personas, sparks fly, adding depth to their burgeoning romance. Robb’s exploration of authenticity versus scripted narratives adds layers of intrigue to the plot, keeping readers engaged until the satisfying conclusion.While "Prime Time Romance" offers a delightful escape into the world of television fantasy, some readers may find certain plot elements predictable. However, Robb’s witty dialogue and engaging storytelling more than compensate for any minor predictability, ensuring an enjoyable reading experience from start to finish.Overall, "Prime Time Romance" is a charming and heartwarming novel that will appeal to fans of romantic comedies and television enthusiasts alike. With its blend of nostalgia, humor, and genuine emotion, Kate Robb’s latest offering is sure to leave readers smiling and believing in the power of love—both on and off the screen.

<i>Thank you to NetGalley and the Random House Publishing/Dial Press Trade Paperback for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.</i>

Kate Robb is perfect if you really enjoy Ashley Poston. I got her first book, This Spell’s Love on a whim from Book of the Month. I was pleasantly surprised with how good of a debut it was so I was excited when Prime Time Romance popped up on NetGalley.

Prime Time Romance is just as good as This Spell’s Love. Something I really enjoy about both her books is that there are magical elements that make the conflict for the main characters external, and not internal. It helps avoid some of the more overdone tropes. I also love Kate Robb’s love interests. They’re sweet and caring in a way that’s not over the top and cheesy. I adored Josh and how he cares for Brynn.

If you were a teen who ate up CW shows you’ll enjoy this love letter to the ‘90s and ‘00s teen dramas. There’s a ton of subtle and non-subtle Easter eggs and it’ll leave you dreaming about your favorite leading men from that time (Logan girl forever).

This was a fever dream. You could say it's if 𝘊𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢'𝘴 fairy godmother went rogue.

𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 finds Brynn and Josh misplaced in the world of the 2000s famous teen soap: 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯'𝘴 𝘊𝘰𝘷𝘦. Brynn is hesitant to start her thirties as a divorcée who still shares her house with her brother's friend - Josh. Josh is content with being a bartender but he's still haunted by what he's lost.
As the two get get sucked in the mess of Brynn's birthday wish and wake up in the fictional New England town featured in Carson's Cove, to fix the unfortunate ending, they might just help along their lives.

The beginning of the story had me hooked but the ending was lackluster. Without giving away spoilers and the plot twists, let's just say it could have been better.

The romance felt too neatly tied up without any angst towards the end like hello? where was the I'll-do-anything-to-be-with-you-forever? And tell me why it was only plain acceptance, like aight-cool-we-can't-be-together? huh.

- ~ -

3.96 / 5✩

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘙𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘮 𝘏𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.

This book was just not for me personally. I do love the concept but I felt like the characters didn’t have a good connection so I felt like I was missing something?? The pacing was a little off, but over all a super original concept

[Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing/Dial Press Trade Paperback for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.]

Oooo, if you loved late 90's early 2000's teen dramas you're going to enjoy this book (there are quite a few Easter eggs and Robb includes notes at the end that share who and what inspired her). I don't know anyone who loved those shows and didn't daydream about being a part of them (teenage me would have LOVED being Joey Potter).

The book starts off a little slow as we get to know Brynn and Josh. Josh is renting a room in Brynn's townhome because she can't afford the mortgage alone after her ex-husband left her. Brynn is trying to start over after her divorce, yet still a hopeless romantic. Josh is a bartender who is struggling with the loss of his dad and his dad's bar.

When Brynn and Josh get transported to Caron's Cove (a show that Brynn has idolized most of her life) 15 years after the finale, I immediately thought of Dawson's Creek, but I also thought about the movie Pleasantville. Two people get sent to a picture-perfect town only to cause mayhem because life isn't always perfect and things are not always what they seem. What starts off innocent ends up becoming a little sinister.

This is such a fun read. My only complaint is that I wish we had gotten more of Brynn and Josh's relationship. There's character development but prior to their adventure, they seemed to have interacted very little. They have great banter and chemistry, it just would have been nice to have some more moments where they're falling in love with each other.

Perfect if you enjoy:
- Dual POV
- Magical realism
- Small town romance
- Friends to Lovers
- 90's/2000's nostalgia

This book gave me major Teen Beach Movie mixed with Dawson Creek vibes. Brynn and Josh are thrown into a beloved teen show called Carson’s Cove to help the show get the perfect ending it never got after being taken off the air unexpectedly.
This was so good. I loved the nostalgic feeling it gave me and the description of Carson’s Cove made me want to hop in there with them. Being thrown into her favorite TV show was a dream for Brynn at first, but while realizing the things she needed to do to better herself, she helped the people in the town figure out how to better themselves, too. This was a super cute read full of tons of self-discovery on each characters part, and the way I fell in love with each and every one of them made their character development that much sweeter. Brynn and Josh together are also *chefs kiss*.

3.5 ⭐️ rounded up!

This book felt like coming home from school and turning on my favorite teen shows—One Tree Hill, Gilmore Girls, and Dawson’s Creek.

Even though Brynn and Josh were roommates and already knew each other, it still felt a lot like insta love when they were in Carson’s Cove. I would’ve like more romance from them.

Overall, I would recommend this for anyone who’s looking for a cute, nostalgic, and whimsical rom com with a generous dose of magical realism.

Brynn is recovering from a failed marriage and on the cusp of her 30th birthday makes a wish for her life to be as uncomplicated as life in her favorite teen drama. She, and her roommate Josh, get sucked into Carson's Cove and have to navigate to a happy ending. But is happiness what Brynn originally thought?

This book won right from the start with the dedication to Joshua Jackson and the iconic Pacey sweater. Pacey was the emo thinking girl's best boyfriend. Jordan Catelano and Dylan McKay may have been hotter, but Pacey was deep. I mean he took care of Andie and bought Joey a wall! He was underestimated by everyone, even himself. Pacey 4eva!

Prime Time Romance is an homage to these 90s (and early 2000s) teen shows. Inspiration from 90210, Dawson's Creek, Gilmore Girls, PLL, Gossip Girl, and many more abound. This book is best when being referential and also skewering these tropes. I like how it pointed out how whats cool as a teen is sad as an adult (points for the nod, with the charcater of Luce, to how everyone hated Jen in DC but she's the real hero.) Also loved that Spencer was basically a walking JVB meme!

The main characters were extremely likeable, and Josh definitely gave off BPE (Big Pacey Energy). His character arc was more developed than Brynn's. I wish the novel took everything a little bit further. The ending was a bit cheezy (and abrupt) in the same way these shows were, though the message was good. I wanted to see more of Brynne's evolution.

Kate Robb wrote a fantastic post script showing her love for the teen soaps. I enjoyed this book, though maybe not as much as This Spells Love. I will continue to read all of Robb's work- my inner Joey wouldn't accept anything less. 3.5 stars. Thanks to Net Galley and Dial Press for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was such a cute slow-burn romance where you get to see Brynn the FMC discover that maybe the picture perfect life isn’t as great as it may seem.

I’m not typically a slow-burn girly but I think this storyline was fast paced enough where If the author had introduced the main couple getting together sooner it wouldn’t have felt right.

The character development was great even down to Sheldon discovering that he needed to move on from Carson Cove as well. I also love showing the growth of maybe not all the people you consider friends are really looking out for you more than they are using you for their own agenda.

Overall a great read!