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.

Prime Time Romance is a fast-paced and fun read that brought the nostalgia with a dash of magic. I was quickly hooked and found Brynn to be a likable and relatable main character. The dual POV chapters were well-timed and both characters had distinctive voices. I loved the Easter Eggs from the 90’s teen dramas and it was the icing on the cake for me! I haven’t read This Spells Love yet, but now I’m excited to go read another book by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley, Dial Press, and Random House Publishing Group for the eARC!

"Prime Time Romance" is like a cozy blanket made of all your favorite 2000s teen dramas, with a sprinkle of magical realism to keep things interesting. Brynn, fresh out of a divorce and clinging to her beloved TV show, Carson's Cove, suddenly finds herself living the soap opera dream alongside her roommate Josh. It's like Pleasantville meets Dawson's Creek, and I was here for every nostalgic moment.

Robb nails the vibe of those classic teen dramas, from the angsty romance to the quirky small-town charm. Brynn and Josh's journey into the world of Carson's Cove is a wild ride, filled with drama, humor, and, of course, unexpected feelings for each other. Forced into the roles of beloved characters, they stumble through their scripted adventure, discovering more about themselves and each other along the way.

While "Prime Time Romance" doesn't exactly reinvent the wheel, it's a fun and lighthearted read that hits all the right notes. The banter between Brynn and Josh is top-notch, and their evolving relationship feels both genuine and swoon-worthy. My only complaint? I could have used a bit more closure at the end. But hey, life's not always neatly wrapped up with a bow, right? Overall, if you're in the mood for a charming rom-com with a nostalgic twist, this book is a perfect pick-me-up.

Overall rating: 4.25 stars, 1.5 chili peppers.

Big thanks to Random House Publishing Group for providing via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own and freely given.

thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I made it halfway and everything still feels so flat to me which makes me so sad!! I don’t feel connected to any of these characters whatsoever.. I felt no emotion behind any of the words that were said.. everything moved at such a slow pace that i was getting bored.. i really wanted to like this one!

Prime Time Romance
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
🌶️

Thank you to @NetGalley & @randomhouse for giving me the opportunity to read & review Prime Time Romance before its release on September 3, 2024.

Have you ever wished you could take the place of the leading lady in your favorite tv show? Do you find yourself envious of onscreen love triangles? Were you a Dean girlie until you realized how much more fun (& hotter 🥵) Gilmore Girls’ resident bad boy Jess was? If you answered yes to any of the questions above, you’ll fit right in with Brynn.

After an abrupt divorce from the man Brynn thought she’d spend the rest of her life with, she finds her life has become a bit lack luster. Online dating has proved to be a hopeless romantics nightmare and to top it off, Brynn’s gal pals invite her out for a night of partying only for them to forget it’s her birthday. The only thing holding Brynn together is the date she has with a bottle of wine and her favorite comfort show, Carson’s Cove. After the day she’s had nothing can ruin her cozy evening, not even her bartender roommate crashing her solo binge of 90’s sitcom goodness. But little do they know, Brynn’s birthday wish will soon transport them into said 90’s sitcom where they will be tasked with playing out the shows finale that previously ended in the biggest cliff hanger in tv history.

If you have a rotation of 90’s sitcoms as your comfort shows, Prime Time Romance was written for you.

What you can expect from Prime Time Romance:
-dual pov
-MC’s are roommates
-he falls first
-divorced FMC
-reformed party boy bartender MMC
-brothers friend

A delightful romance. I loved Brynn and Josh and the depth that both of them had as they confronted their past and moving forward from the circumstances they were dealt. On the surface, it was a charming story of a charming story both uncovering more that was really going on and learning from mistakes and regaining/taking control of life. (It may have struck close to home for me at the moment.) I really enjoyed the journey of landing in an unexpected place and things working out how they are meant to be.

If you have a comfort show that you love based in the late 90's to the early 2000's (shows like Dawson's Creek and the like) and wish you were a character in one of said shows then I think you will absolutely adore this book. Since I was never really into any of those type of shows (sad for me) I didn't really find myself as drawn to this story. I will say it is well written and many readers will love it and it was entertaining and sweet with a touch of spice. I am torn between 3 and 4 stars with this one but ultimately I did enjoy it so I'm going with 4 stars.

I really loved Kate's other novel, This Spells Love and was hoping for that same feeling here but I didn't quite get it.

Thank you NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Random House, Dial Press Trade Paperback and Kate Robb for a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Prime Time Romance by Kate Robb
Overall: 3.5/5, Fluff: 4/5, Spice: 3/5, Predictability: 3/5

There’s nothing better than cozying up with your favorite comfort show from your youth, am I right? Brynn feels the same way, frequently turning to the idyllic world of Carson’s Cove when things in the real world get to be too much for her. In Carson’s Cove, the sun is always shining, the grass is always green, and everything always works out for the main characters. Brynn makes a wish on her birthday to <i>be</i> in Carson’s Cove, and as a result, she and her roommate, Josh, become trapped in a parallel Carson’s Cove universe. The only way to get back to the proper timeline is for Brynn to give Carson’s Cove’s female main character the happy ending she deserves… except Brynn isn’t so sure that’s the ending <i>she</i> wants.

Of course, this book requires a <i>large</i> suspension of reality. It got confusing at times because in Carson’s Cove world, Brynn was Sloan and Josh was Fletch, and I’d be lying if I said that it didn’t make my head spin a bit. Still, I couldn’t put the book down. I do think that a plot like this works better on the screen than on the page, but maybe I’m too unimaginative and being trapped in parallel tv universes are the line in the sand for me.

The book itself reminded me of <i>Pleasantville</i>, right down to the fact that Brynn and Josh couldn’t cuss in Carson’s Cove. I also loved the little bits of nostalgia Robb sprinkled throughout the book. I saw plenty of nods to some of my favorite shows like Dawson’s Creek, Buffy, Gilmore Girls, Vampire Diaries, and even Riverdale.

I don’t want to say that this was a case of sophomore slump because there is plenty to enjoy about this book; as expected, Robb creates lovable characters and steamy scenes, but I didn’t love it as much as I was expecting.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kate Robb, and Dial Press for a free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. It has been an honor and a privilege to read your work!

I absolutely loved everything about this book. The main characters were relatable and their banter and romance was perfectly executed for a light romantic comedy. I loved the minor characters as well including all friends, family and enemies. Can Luce get like a short novella or something? I’m desperate for more from her.

The plot really flowed, from the conflicts to the resolutions, I couldn’t stop reading and I couldn’t get enough of everything in this book.

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

I love a high concept romance and this one did not disappoint. Floundering after her recent divorce, Brynn seeks comfort in binge watching her favorite tv show, Carson’s Cove, a sort of Dawson’s Creek-Gilmore Girls mash-up. After a disastrous night out, a mysterious midnight delivery of a birthday cake leads to a wish that transports both Brynn and her roommate Josh into the world of the teen soap. Now they both have to step-in to fictional roles to give the characters the happy ending they never received if they want to make it back to the real world. Or at least this is what they have been told by an increasingly menacing Kirk Gleason-like spirit guide.

Somehow this all works (really it does!) and I really loved this funny and nostalgic romance. You get to know both Brynn and Josh well as they find parallels to their own lives in the fictional tv characters they inhabit. My only slight complaint is that this could have been a bit longer to allow for more development of the main romance. Overall, this takes a big swing and is an enjoyable and fresh take on a contemporary romance.

Many thanks to Dial Press and NetGalley for sending over this ARC in exchange for my honest review.