There is just something so comforting about reading a Katie Robb book.
The way she writes and brings a story to life is like putting on your comfiest pj's and sitting in front of the screen watching your favourite romcom.

Magical realism is quickly becoming one of my favourite genres.

Prime Time Romance is for fans of Ashley Poston, it is a feel-good, whimsical romance, perfect for a cosy afternoon read! I love the mix of romance and humour that the author brings to the page and although some parts were predictable, it didn’t take away from the fun time I had reading this book as I just love the authors writing style.

Thankyou to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this one! I didn’t enjoy it as much as the authors first book but will still be checking out anything else she writes!

This was such a different story, with great characters and the connection between them. I loved it!

Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked this read, it’s was a cute funny rom com with a sprinkling of spice. The Chemistry the two MCs had was on point. The other worldly feel most of the book had was really well done and put together perfectly. I loved the relationships between different characters and how switching up the story changed things. Really enjoyable read.

I loved this book! Both the characters were great and I really enjoyed the storyline, it was so fresh and different.

All that Glitters
Prime Time Romance
Kate Robb
Publisher: The Dial Press New York (Penguin, Random House Imprint)
Release date: 3rd Sept 2024

It’s been two years since her split with Matt, but Brynn is finally dating again, even though, as she puts it, the dating pool is ‘pretty shallow’. Take her latest date Ford, for example. Definitely a hard pass.
She may have got the large screen TV when she and her ex divorced, but he got all the friends. Thanks to an expected spilled drink though, she did meet Lainey who added her to a brunch chat group and the women get together weekly to set the world to rights.
The night before her thirtieth birthday, she ends up at a random party hosted by Lainey, though she’d rather be at home watching her favourite show, Carson’s Cove. “Carson’s Cove is comfort food in television form.”
They convince her to get them into ‘The Devil’s Playground’ a hot nightspot where Josh Bishop, her roommate, bar tends. She’s fed up very quickly and when Josh finds out she plans to walk home he leaves work to walk her home.
She introduces him to her show, and as her birthday hits, the door rings and it’s a vaguely familiar guy carrying a cake from “Bake a Wish.”
Like that old flick “Peggy Sue Got Married”, Brynn and Josh awake the next day to find themselves literally stuck in the fictional town of Carson’s Cove, where everything is perfect and the only swear words they can use are “fudge” and “frick”.
Well, Sugar Honey Iced Tea, they’re not in Kansas anymore.
With Josh ‘playing’ Fletch the charming barman, it triggers memories and grief in him for the dad he lost and his dad’s bar he couldn’t keep afloat during the pandemic. And whilst Brynn (Sloan stand-in) is desperate to get Sloan and Spencer the happy ending ‘they deserve’ she finds herself dealing with unresolved feelings of her own.
Amidst all of the ‘OMG I’m in TV world’ style therapy, Brynn faces the challenge of the Ms. Lobsterfest pageant, an extreme makeover courtesy of BFF Poppy, and the sinking realisation that perhaps all is not greener on the other side. The shiny veneer of the Cove has lost its radiance and characters like Poppy in particular, are much different with seen through her thirty years old point of view.
Buffy fans will recognise some cute pop culture references to that show in here, especially in relation to the bar. There’s a guy called Danny Strong having his first pint and a busker named Seth and later his band and lots more beside. However, the hi-light is Brynn’s ‘date’ with Spencer about midway through the book. I don’t want to spoil it for you, but suffice to say I snorted my way through that part.
Robb sprinkles in lots more teen TV references including Poppy’s boyfriend ‘Chad Michaels’; most will get that it’s Chad Michael Murray an old favourite from The O.C. and Hallmark Christmas movies.
As with all well constructed romances, there are choices to be made, revelations, laughter, romantic gestures and poignant scenes.
However, as we read, we get the sense of urgency with Brynn and Josh; will they get home or will they be trapped in Carson’s Cove forever?
Suffice to say, you do get your HEA, but you get emotional growth too. And a nice amount of spice as a bonus.
I adored this book and actually would like to see more of Luce, Sherry and Sheldon in the real world.
A wonderful, funny, and hopeful rom com.

I loved this story! It reminds me of the movie Pleasantville.

Josh and Brynn are roommates but don't know each very well due to their conflicting work schedules but when Brynn ends up at the bar Josh works at one night, he decides to escort her home to keep her safe and together they watch Brynn's favourite comfort show "Carson Cove." Which is kind of like Dawson's Creek from what it sounds like - or really any of those teen dramas set in a fictional town.

At midnight there is a random knock on the door from a guy who looks vaguely familiar to Brynn, delivering a birthday cake to her. They chat for a few minutes about Carson's Cover before he leaves and Brynn makes a wish and blows out her candle. She then wakes up in unfamiliar surroundings which she quickly realises is the house of the main character, Sloan, on Carson's Cove.

Turns out the delivery guy is an extra from the original show and is determined to make sure the characters get the ending they never received (due to the show being cancelled). He tells Brynn and Josh the only way they can get back is if they make sure to give they complete this mission. At first Brynn is on board but she quickly realises that things in the town aren't quite what they seem and the connections between characters are very different to she perceived them on the show.

I really like both Brynn and Josh. They were both really nice, fun characters, each dealing with something traumatic from their past and being in Carson's Cove helps them both realise what they want from their lives - assuming they ever get back to them! Josh is the ultimate book boyfriend as well, even though he doesn't like what Brynn has to do to go along with delivery guy's plan, he supports her and is there for her as best as he can.

I thought it was well written and well thought out. I enjoyed the magical realism that allowed them to travel to the fictional town and interact with the characters and because it's all set 15yrs after the show ended, it doesn't matter what they do, they can't disrupt the original storyline.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

I love this new sub-genre of whimsical, genre-bending romances - think Ashley Poston's A Novel Love Story and The Seven Year Slip. Prime Time Romance is a worthy entry to the sub-genre: fun, romantic, and nostalgic in all the right ways.

🎧Audiobook Review🎧

#adprproduct

I want to thank NetGalley for approving me for an ARC of this book.

✨Magical Realism
📺Reality TV
🏘️Small Town
💓Roommates to Lovers

I enjoyed listening to this book, the unique concept grabbed my attention straight away. Brynn was a well-developed character and I enjoyed seeing her overcome her difficulties. The setting of Carsons Cove instantly reminded me of some of my favourite teen shows; the characters we meet there are cliche and funny. Overall it was fun and easy with a little bit of spice.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Prime Time Romance by Kate Robb is a charming blend of nostalgia and whimsy, perfect for fans of early 2000s teen dramas like One Tree Hill and Dawson’s Creek. The story follows Brynn, a recently divorced woman, and her roommate Josh, who mysteriously wake up in the fictional world of Brynn's favorite show, Carson’s Cove. To return to reality, they must orchestrate a happy ending for the characters, all while navigating their own budding feelings for each other.

The book’s magical realism and lighthearted tone make it a fun, escapist read. While the plot is predictable at times, Robb’s knack for blending romance with a touch of fantasy keeps the reader engaged. Fans of nostalgic TV dramas will find plenty to love, though those unfamiliar with the genre may miss some of the deeper references.
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group and Kate Robb for the ARC of Prime Time Romance.

This was an amazing romcom with plenty of laugh out loud scenes - i was rooting for the main characters the whole way through and thought the whole concept was amazing - a brilliant witty read with plenty of romance throughout

Prime Time Romance by Kate Robb is a delightful escape into a world where romcom magic meets the nostalgic glow of 2000s teen dramas, with just the right touch of alternate reality fantasy.

From the very first page, it’s a book that delivers pure fun and feel-good vibes, making it an absolute must-read for anyone who grew up glued to their favorite TV shows.

At the heart of the story is Brynn, a newly single woman navigating the complexities of life after divorce.

Her journey of self-discovery is as relatable as it is endearing.

Like many, she finds comfort in rewatching her beloved TV show, Carson's Cove, a fictional teen drama that acts as her safe haven during turbulent times.

Brynn’s love for the show is palpable, and anyone who has turned to their favorite on-screen worlds for comfort will find themselves nodding along to her experience.

The real magic begins when Brynn and her roommate Josh are transported—quite literally—into the world of Carson’s Cove.

In a clever and whimsical twist, they become Sloan and Fletch, the main characters of her favourite comfort show.

This shift turns their ordinary lives into a whirlwind adventure filled with all the juicy tropes and heartwarming moments that make TV dramas so addictive.

Watching them navigate this new reality, trying to bring Brynn’s fantasy of a happily-ever-after to life, is pure joy.

The chemistry between Brynn and Josh is a key part of the story, and while the romance is sweet and charming, some readers might wish for a few more heart-fluttering moments to really amp up the emotional stakes between them.

Nonetheless, their evolving relationship is heartfelt, and it’s impossible not to root for them as they face their unexpected new roles.

What sets Prime Time Romance apart is its love letter to pop culture.

The book is filled with clever nods and Easter eggs that will have fans of 2000s TV squealing with delight. From the tropes to the subtle references to beloved shows, Robb captures the essence of what made those dramas so special, blending it seamlessly into Brynn and Josh’s story.

With its unique blend of romcom charm, nostalgic fun, and a sprinkle of fantasy,

Prime Time Romance feels like a binge-worthy TV show in book form. Kate Robb has crafted a story that is both lighthearted and comforting, perfect for fans of pop culture and feel-good romance.

If you’re looking for a fun, escapist read with characters who feel like old friends, this book is the perfect pick.

With thanks to NEtGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Really fun & gently magical romance to scratch the itch - not ground-breaking but perfect for the genre.

This book was absolutely amazing and deffo up there with one of my top reads of the year!

I loved how it was basically a teen drama show set in a small town!

The dual POV was done SO well! It had minor spice but it linked to the story and characters well so that was also really good!

Full review to come on insta!

Newly divorced and turning thirty, Brynn is done with heartbreak. She’s sharing her home with a roommate, Josh, just to make ends meet, and escaping into her favourite 2000s teen soap, Carson’s Cove, where life always seems to work out—unlike her own. The show ended abruptly, leaving its central couple, Sloan and Spencer, without a happy ending. But when a mysterious birthday cake arrives and Brynn makes a wish for her own happily ever after, her world flips upside down.

The next morning, Brynn and Josh wake up in Carson’s Cove, and they’re not themselves anymore—they’re Sloan and Fletch, the bad boy of the show. Their mission? To give Sloan and Spencer the happy ending they deserve if they ever hope to get back to real life. But as they navigate the over-the-top drama of the show, real-life feelings between Brynn and Josh begin to surface, leading to a plot twist neither of them expected.

With humour, heart, and a dash of nostalgia, this is the perfect feel-good read. The concept of being transported into a beloved TV show is both fresh and well-executed, while the chemistry between Brynn and Josh makes for an engaging slow-burn romance. It’s a delightful palate cleanser—light, fluffy, and full of laughs—that leaves you with a smile and a perfectly satisfying ending. Fans of fun rom-coms will devour this book from start to finish.

http://thesecretbookreview.co.uk

This was a super quick and readable magical realist romance! Will I remember I've read it in a few months from now? Probably not. But did it provide a nice distraction and tie in perfectly with my recent craving to rewatch some old teen dramas? Yes, yes it did. 3.25 stars to be specific

At first I was thinking I would DNF this as it took me a couple of chapters to get into it but after that point I fell completely in love with this book - it’s characters feel so whole and real and the town, as fictional as it is, felt so well thought out that I could imagine sitting on lawn chairs with Luce getting drunk on strawberry wine. The chemistry between Brynn and Josh was so well written and I loved seeing things from both of their perspectives.

This was an interesting concept! Newly divorced Bryan and her roommate Josh find themselves inside Brynn’s favourite tv show!

I loved Brynn and she was very relatable. It was a slow burn, but the relationship development was lovely. A nice fun read.

I read this spells love last year, it was my first magical realism romance and I loved it. So of course when penguin wrote me that I would be getting an arc of this one I screamed.

Kate robb did it again, this book is amazing.

👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻 The chemistry between the two main characters is incredible. After their first scene I was already dying for them to be together. The relationship develops slowly in the most swoon-worthy way I loved it.

🎞️ The book takes place in a made up small town that's the set of the female main character favorite tv show.
Not only did the author write a book, she also created an entire tv show inside of it. The characters are so funny and the vibes of the classic teen dramas are top tier.

✨ I loved this book and gave it 5 stars!

Such a lovely read, I really hope this one does well - the friends to lovers trope isn't my favourite but this might just sway me, with the great chemistry and slow burn between Brynne and Josh, who are both really likeable characters.