Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"Prime Time Romance" is a delightful blend of cozy magical realism and nostalgic nods to the teen dramas that shaped our youth—hello, Joshua Jackson! Kate Robb's concept is fun and engaging, celebrating the TV romances we all swooned over. However, the inclusion of multiple teen dramas ultimately overshadows the main premise and leads to some plot inconsistencies.

Focusing on just one of the shows would have created a more immersive experience, allowing readers to fully dive into the world of "Carson's Cove," which pays homage to "Dawson's Creek." It would have been wonderful to truly feel the nostalgia of Capeside.

The conflicts presented are very much in line with classic teen drama tropes, prompting readers to wonder, "Is this really a conflict?" This playful approach adds a nice touch. Interestingly, there are some spicy scenes that occur about three-quarters through the novel. While they seem aimed at shock value, they ultimately come off as rather mediocre—though I suspect this may have been an intentional choice by the author.

Overall, I’d rate this around 2.5 to 2.75, rounding up to a 3. The premise sparked great conversations and was genuinely enjoyable, but it fell a bit short of its potential.

Brynn thought she had found her happily ever after, but as she nears 30 and finds herself divorced and living with a roommate to make ends meet, Brynn realizes she’s only really happy these days when she’s binging her favorite 2000s teen drama series, Carson’s Cove. Even though a lot of fans are frustrated that the series ended on a cliffhanger, Brynn still loves it. When a birthday cake unexpectedly shows up at her door, Brynn wishes for a happily ever after of her own and is beyond shocked when she wakes up the next morning in the world of Carson’s Cove. Not only is she there, but her roommate Josh is there as well, and even stranger, they aren’t just themselves. Instead, they’re also Sloan and Fletch, two of the leads in Carson’s Cove, and they are tasked with giving the show its long awaited happily ever after.

I thought the premise of this book was so fun and unique, and it was very entertaining to follow Brynn and Josh as they try to make sense of this fictional world they have been plopped into, while at the same time, trying to figure out why both of them were sent to Carson’s Cove. I really enjoyed their chemistry and seeing them work through their own feelings (including feelings for one another) against this Dawson’s Creek-like fictional backdrop.

I loved all of the nostalgic vibes of this story, especially the 90s and 2000s pop culture references. I would have liked a little more spice in the romance, but that’s just personal preference, and I still really enjoyed the story as is.

If you like magical realism, teen drama shows like Dawson’s Creek, and small town romances, I think you’ll enjoy Prime Time Romance.

Okay.. I loved this book. This was so incredibly cute and heartwarming. Such a fun and unique premise, Kate Robb really outdid herself on this one! I loved the characters and the magical realism elements of going to your favorite tv show "set." I found the small town and 2000s references to be very whimsical. I do feel like this one fell a little short of 5 stars for me because I just wasn't invested in Brynn and Josh's love story. I see them as great friends but their love came second to the magical realism plot of the book. But, overall I really liked this one! I'll be posting my longer/full review on my instagram: WhenStephanieReads

This was a cute and fun story. I think it would be so fun to be transported into the TV show that formed and guided my teenage years. Overall the story was unique, entertaining and fun. A 4 star experience for me. Thank you to Netgalley and Randomhouse for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Prime Time Romance by Kate Robb started with a unique and intriguing premise that initially drew me in. Brynn, who seeks comfort in her favorite show, finds herself and her roommate Josh waking up as characters within that show, tasked with giving the series the ending fans wanted. The idea of revisiting and "fixing" a nostalgic TV show was something I was excited about, especially with nods to 90s/00s teen dramas.

However, the execution fell flat. While the book had potential, I found myself struggling to stay engaged. Brynn and Josh, the main characters, lacked depth and failed to elicit any emotional attachment. Their journey felt more like going through the motions, and I didn’t feel invested in their story or relationship. The romance was unremarkable, and the characters themselves were one-dimensional.

I did enjoy the references to past TV shows, but at times they felt more like rip-offs than clever nods, and too much of the book was dedicated to explaining a fictional show that doesn’t exist. The commentary on problematic aspects of the show’s world was interesting and relatable, especially for someone who has revisited old favorites and noticed things that didn’t age well. Unfortunately, this theme wasn’t explored enough and could have been the most compelling aspect of the book.

Overall, Prime Time Romance had a great concept but ultimately left me underwhelmed due to a messy plot and lackluster characters.

I loved the premise of this book — down-on-her-luck young divorcee obsessed with a Dawson’s Creek-esque show from the early 2000s makes a wish on her birthday and is transported to the town of Carson’s Cove (with her hot bartender roommate in tow) to give the main characters the happy ending they never received after the show’s abrupt cancellation. Brynn, our main character, soon finds that the life may not be as rosy in Carson’s Cove, as she once thought.

Prime Time Romance held my interest, and like Robb’s previous book, had just the right amount of magical realism. I didn’t love the antagonist and felt like he shifted too quickly at the end of the book, but all-in-all I enjoyed Brynn’s story.

4/5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

Prime Time Romance by Kate Robb is a charming and witty contemporary romance that dives into the world of reality television. The story follows Tessa, a talented but overlooked producer, who finds herself thrust into the spotlight when she’s tasked with creating a new dating show. As she navigates the chaos of filming, Tessa also grapples with her feelings for the show's charismatic host, Ethan, who has a reputation for being a heartthrob but is much more complex than he appears. Robb's writing is engaging and filled with humor, making it easy to get lost in the ups and downs of Tessa's journey both on and off the screen.

What I loved most about this book is how it balances the glitz and glamour of reality TV with genuine emotional depth. Tessa is relatable as she navigates her insecurities and ambitions while trying to maintain her integrity in an industry known for its drama. The chemistry between Tessa and Ethan is palpable, filled with flirty banter and sweet moments that keep you rooting for their romance. While some plot points may feel predictable, the delightful character development and witty dialogue make Prime Time Romance a fun read that will leave you smiling. If you're looking for a lighthearted escape filled with love and laughter, this book is definitely worth checking out!

Romances/Romcoms have really been hit-or-miss for me this year and, unfortunately, PRIME TIME ROMANCE falls moreso into the latter category this time around, which is disappointing for me given that I enjoyed Robb's previous/debut novel a lot. While the premise for PTR sounded super compelling, and admittedly the first..... 40-50% of the book, I'd say, was engaging, it kinda fell apart for me in the back half and just felt like a slog to get through/finish. I think the concepts were definitely there, but the execution was simply lacking. Like I said, I enjoy Robb's work and style of writing (extra points being given for writing her characters as actual ADULTS who think logically and [mostly] act their given age), so while this was a miss for me now, I'll always be open to checking out her work in the future!

OOH I love a comeback story! Young divorcee Brynn just wants a happily- ever- after. Maybe wishes a LITTLE too hard. When she blows the candle off a cake delivered to her and her (sexy) roommate, she finds herself transported back into her perfect comfort show- Carson's Cove.

This was cute-but also like a bad trip from too much sugary foods at a carnival. Josh and Brynn's relationship was sweet, albeit felt VERY fast. I kind of wished they had a bit of an established friendship before to make it feel believable..... but then again she gets magically transported into her favorite show's setting with all the characters. Some of the plot points felt a little rushed and the romance definitely took a hit for it.
Also, really appreciated the theme that things do not have to be perfect to be loved and worthy- OOF message received and felt. Kate Robb delivers on the early-200s nostalgia shows and the theme of having a "comfort show" to pull you through hard times. I really liked the subplot of Josh and his father's bar.

Overall, this book feels like it would be a really fun fluffy Hallmark Movie if the leads were cast perfectly. I didn't kick my feet and squeal (literally or internally) but I smiled and felt soft fuzzies a handful of times.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Random House /Dial Press for the ARC! I will definitely read more from this author.

I absolutely adored this one! I really like the magical elements of this one and who wouldn’t love being transported into their favorite teen drama?! I think this was a really fun story with twists and turns built in because of the magical quest aspect. I also thought the characters were written well and I enjoyed both of their own journeys of self discovery. The one aspect I didn’t love was I didn’t feel like the magic was completely explained. But I also think it wasn’t entirely necessary to be explained, so I still really loved this one. I think the themes of breaking out of expectations and finding out what really makes you happy was really well done

4 stars!!

If I had a dollar for every time I ever thought, "I wish that was my life," while reading a good book or watching a great, nostalgic TV show, I would probably be rich enough to move to that coastal town and try it out for real.

Brynn doesn't need dollars, though! Just one wish on a magical birthday cupcake sends her and her roommate into the fictional world of Carson's Cove, backdrop to Brynn's favorite teenage t.v. show and the "perfect" life she's been wishing for.

I love how Kate Robb writes magical realism into her stories in a way that is so relatable to anyone that has ever wished for something different, and I love how her characters grow and evolve throughout the book. While this didn't top her debut (This Spells Love) for me, it was a great follow up and has me officially on board the Kate Robb train!! This is a great story for anyone that wants a lil spicy friends-to-lovers adventure, with nostalgic characters, a scenic small town, and a little comedy, too.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for a DRC in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House, and Kate Robb for this ARC!

This book was so fun! I had a great time in this world. I am so surprised I haven’t heard many people talk about this book! The premise is so intriguing to me. The fact that she ends up in the small town from her favorite tv show is just genius. I adored it. The setting was lovely (as all small towns are). It felt so cozy and comforting to read.

The characters were so sweet together and I loved seeing them grow closer together. It was very cheesy in some parts but I’m gonna be honest, some of my favorite books are! I would recommend this to my romance girlies who love a cozy small town romance with a twist.

Kate Robb’s This Spells Love was one of my favorite reads from last year, so this one was highly anticipated for me. While I loved the premise and Robb’s use of magical realism, I didn’t love this one quite as much.

On 30th birthday, Brynn makes a wish that transports herself and her roommate Josh, into the world of her favorite TV show, Carson’s Cove - where they are forced to step into roles to make sure the characters get the happy ending they deserve.

The story was a quick lighthearted read, and while I loved the nostalgia of the teen drama 90’s/2000’s vibes, I found that it made it hard to connect with the characters. Since they were playing the roles of the TV show cast, I felt their own character traits and storylines weren’t fully developed. The romance between Brynn and Josh was overall very sweet and there were certain moments where I felt like I could really buy into their romance, but in other moments I felt letdown and wanted more from them.

⭐️ If you are a fan of Dawson’s Creek, Laguna Beach, One Tree Hill and many other classics - there are great Easter eggs and tie-ins and Robb does a great job with this ⭐️

**Thank you to NetGalley and The Dial Press for the ARC and the chance to read and review. All opinions are my own**

Thank you to the publisher for the free copy of this book! Unfortunately, I chose to DNF this one around 20% as I found it hard to connect with the story. It felt a little too cheesy for me and so it just wasn't a great fit for me to want to keep reading.

This is such a fun novel! Perfect for fans of Dawson's Creek, and individuals who wish they could hangout at the Bronze from Buffy.

Brynn is dissatisfied with her life, but loves snuggling up and watching her favourite show from her teenage years, Carson's Cove. When a delivery person shows up at her door with a birthday cake she wishes that her life was more predictable and romantic like Carson's Cove. When she wakes up she's confused, as she appears to be living in Carson's Cove and her current roommate Josh is there too.
The only way back to their real lives is to give the characters of Carson's Cove their perfect ending. Brynn and Josh learn more about themselves and their connection to each other as time goes on. They are ultimately faced with doing what's right for the character and doing what's right for themselves.

I really enjoyed this magic realism romance reminiscent of 90's tv hits.

Another hit from Kate Robb
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


Thanks to NetGalley and The Dial Press for an advanced review copy.

This was my first Kate Robb book and I adored it. For any fans of the 90’s show Dawson’s Creek, you will love this book so much!

Brynn and Josh are roommates who are thrown back in time to the set of Cawson’s Cove to try and get the two love interests together in the end.

This book had such 90’s nostalgia and was a great roommates/friends to lovers book. Super cute read.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the arc!

Another fun magical realism romance from Kate Robb! A fun book about getting the ending you thought you wanted vs the ending you need.

Josh and Brynn are roommates who get magically transported into Brynn’s favorite show, Carson’s Cove, where everything always turns out how it’s “supposed to”. They’re here to give some of the main characters the happy ending they never got when the show got cancelled. Things are not always as perfect as they seem, however.

I thought this was really fun and I liked both main characters, the concept, and their sweet love story.


Overall I was just hoping for a little more connection between them. I thought the ending felt a little rushed and I would’ve enjoyed not being stuck in the fake town for quite so long. I would definitely recommend and I’ll be reading more from this author!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

Magical realism with a dash of nostalgia and romance...what a clever and fun book! Brynn is trying to get over her heartbreak by continuously watching "Carson's Cove" (think Dawson's Creek) which ended the series on a cliffhanger where the girl next door and the best friend love interest never make their feelings known and go off on their separate ways. Josh is Brynn's roommate after her divorce to make ends meet. Brynn even gets Josh watching the show. On Brynn's birthday an unexpected cake delivery and a wish is made for a happily ever after...the next day Brynn and Josh are literally in Carson's Cove. Brynn in the role of Sloan (the TV-land sweetheart) and Josh taking on the part of Fletch (the bad boy of the series.) Carson's Cove is not as perfect as it appears on screen, and neither are all the characters. Is Sloan's (Brynn's) happily ever after with Spencer or Fletch (aka Josh)? There are twists and turns and just a crazy, fun ride in prime time...

4 stars

I actually enjoyed this more than I thought I would. We all have that show we just love and rewatch over and over (looking at you, Gilmore Girls) and would love to visit in a way. But what happens when you get trapped in that world? How does peeking behind the curtain pan out and would you still find it as charming years after the fact or as some of the problematic aspects show you real problems for others?

I enjoyed the romance and seeing how the characters grew over the course of this book. The growth and realizations they came to were refreshing and I honestly loved seeing everything come to fruition.

I'm quite the eclectic reader and I needed a break from dark thrillers. Katie Robb delivered such a hilarious and romantic book - just what I was looking and hoping for. Having just gotten divorced myself not too many years ago, I was confident I was going to connect with this one in a more personal way that I do many romantic comedies. Brynn quickly stole my heart for sure. She's strong and witty. She's also creative and imaginative. I think that is what I love the most. I don't spend much time watching TV, but this left me so happy - it was time spent reading that felt like watching TV, if that is even possible.

Do yourself a favor - just read this one already!