This is everything I love about reading romance and I’d give it ten stars if I could! A brilliantly original concept - waking up inside your favourite teen comfort TV show and you’re the main character - this is a smart, funny and spicy story that has its tongue just enough inside its cheek. Highly highly recommend if you love Dawson’s Creek, Riverdale and everything cheesy telly.

I really enjoyed this fun, easy read romance.

I love a book that provides whimsical escapism and that’s exactly what this was. I love the great gatsby vibes… was it a dream??

I do have a couple of things that confused me though…. I felt like Josh just got thrown in there as they were in need of an MMC but I felt there wasn’t enough backstory of Josh and Brynn to make it as strong as it could have been.

Secondly I’d have loved a bit more background on Sheldon… why did he randomly appear?? Why did the wish get slightly twisted and why was he threatening them so often/a little sinister? I didn’t understand why he cared so much, if it was her wish?

I loved that Brynn worked hard to do the right thing throughout the story, even though the choices were difficult. I liked seeing Josh reignite his passions again and I loved Sherry as a side character!

Also as a millennial, I really enjoyed the Easter egg hunt as the end of the book… so much nostalgia from my teen years!

Anyway, overall I really enjoyed this book and I couldn’t put it down! Definitely worth a read!

Thank you Net Galley for this e-ARC

I really enjoyed this book! I loved the supernatural element mixed with the romance and Kate Robb did an excellent job of capturing the nostalgia or late 90s/early 00s TV shows.
My only slight criticism is that the 'magic' is never explained, but that just adds to the mystery.

What if your favourite tv show was cancelled before the characters got their perfect endings? Imagine you got the chance to be transported there and fix all those mistakes that lead up to the unsatisfactory storylines. But somehow you ended up there with your roommate and starting to fall for him instead of fixing all the ending was not supposed to be a part of the plan…

I absolutely loved this! I loved this spells love when I read it last year so I already had high hopes for this one and I can say it definitely did not disappoint with its magical and romantic plot! Brynn and Josh were both great and the chemistry between them was sparking the entire way through this as they went from roommates to more.

✨ dual pov
✨ friends to lovers
✨ magic
✨ he falls first

REVIEW
cw: grief, brief mention of pandemic,
A young divorcee finds herself in the ideal world of her favourite 90s nostalgia TV show, in this second-chance romantic comedy

When divorcée Brynn and her roommate Josh are interrupted from binge-watching her favourite 90s TV show on her birthday by a mysterious stranger, they wake up in the seemingly idyllic small town of Carson’s Cove, the location of the show Brynn loves, in the body of Sloan, the main female character. She can't swear. She's tasked with giving the characters the ending the fans wanted, but were robbed of by its sudden cancellation. But is falling in love with the man of her (teenage) dreams all she hoped for?

This was a pretty cute read and such a fun premise. If you grew up invested in the lives of fictional teen characters, as I did, you'll immediately be able to spot several of them here. And, while I very much enjoyed the nostalgia of the similarities between Carson’s Cove and several VERY famous 90s and 00s teen dramas, there were a LOT of similarities (with quite a few of the episodes Brynn watched described in great detail). It took up a lot of the first half of the story, and while, yes, there were a lot of fun Easter eggs, I think a lot might go over some reader's heads. I liked Brynn and appreciated her journey. The story flourished when she began to reassess a lot of the plotlines in the seemingly sweet, nostalgic TV show, through a more mature, more experienced, and modern lens, and the realisation that the wholesome angle wasn't representative of real life and that she needed to learn to trust herself. I loved how she dealt with that realisation, and especially how she grew closer to Josh and treated Luce at the pageant.
I loved Josh. He was such a sweetheart, and my heart broke for him whenever Brynn/Sloan obliviously chased after Spencer early on. But his story ARC felt authentic, and through the lens of the brooding bad boy 'screw up' of Carson’s Cove, I loved how found the courage to face his grief, fear and previous failure. The romance didn't begin until just over halfway through. Still, it was worth it once we got there. I loved how caring Josh was, and the ending, though a little rushed, was satisfying.
There were some interesting supporting characters, all within the fictional Carson's Cove. I really loved Luce, and the friendship she and Brynn developed was lovely. Her strawberry wine sounded DELICIOUS, but I found myself wishing she'd appear at the end. I loved Sherry and her snark. But I also loved her advice for Josh. Sheldon gave me Wanda Maximoff vibes, and while I liked the resolution, it didn't really explain how he was able to manipulate things.
Though I was left with questions, and felt some parts were a little superficial as well as having huge potential for more swoon, I enjoyed this unique story.

Overall Rating: ❤️❤️❤️.5
Heat Rating: 🔥🔥

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own*

Favourite Quotes:

...I like this feeling that she’s got my back. That we have this ability to communicate without actually saying anything.

...Every time I eat a strawberry, I subconsciously think about her, and now I wonder what else she’ll ruin for me once I taste her.

She’s a clammy shade of white. Definitely sweating. Her hair is wild, and she smells a little like barf. And f**k, I think I really like her.

"Carson’s Cove is a television show. Sure, it didn’t end the way we wanted it to, but it’s not the end of the world. And that’s why there is fanfic. You can dream up any ending you want.”

“Don’t worry about me,” I tell him. “I’m supposed to be taking care of you.”
He tightens his arms again. “We take care of each other.”

“I just didn’t want to be hurt again. And he seemed safe. He didn’t make me feel at all.” Emotion swells in my chest. “But when you were out in the water, I realized losing you would feel way worse than anything else I could imagine. Because being around you is the best feeling I can imagine."

“Don’t forget,” I whisper. “When you go back. Don’t forget me, okay?”

“I want messy days that make me appreciate the really good ones, and I don’t so much mind that feeling of hitting rock bottom because it makes me appreciate that I’m a tough-a$$ b**ch capable of crawling out of it. Divorce, despair, having my entire life pulled out from under me and tossed into a new dimension—I can take it."

Ahh Kate Robb has done it again, a wonderfully whimsical romance that's full of magical realism.

What to expect:
✨️90/00s nostalgia
✨️Easter eggs nods to your fave 00s TV shows
✨️Second chance romance

Brynn whilst trying to get fully over her divorce and move on makes a wish for her life to be exactly like Carsons Cove, her favourite TV show that she has binged obsessively whilst she was going through a bad time. Honestly this is so relatable we've all definitely been there. Everyone has a comfort series they go back to, and for Brynn it's Carsons Cove.
Her roommate Josh gets dragged into the TV show too, by the mysterious Sheldon, who wants Brynn to complete the last season of CC and make her character (Sloan) end up with Spencer. Sloan and Spencer were the IT couple of the show that never truly revealed their feeling for each other. It's 15 years later and Brynn has a chance to end the TV show how she always thought it was meant to be.
But what if the perfect guy isn't the one for her? What happens if it's her hot roommate Josh? And what does that mean for the CC storyline?

Brynn soon learns that whilst life in CC might look idyllic and perfect, it's anything but.

I just adored all the references to the TV shows of the 00s. The plot moved along so quick I read this one in a day. If you're looking for something nostalgic, cozy and fun this could be for you!

3.5 stars
This was a fun read which I enjoyed more than I expected. I loved the premise and I liked the characters, the plot and the romance. The book was well-paced and it didn't feel like an insta-love which I'm super grateful for. My only real critique would be that I wanted more in the ending. I wish there'd been a few more chapters, I will definitely read more by this author.

Overall, I'd recommend it to anybody who loves romance with magical realism.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.
4 stars book from me. Loved the plot and the stories in this book. Loved every single second reading it.

Firstly I’d like to thank the publishers for allowing an e-arc copy of this book, In return for an honest review.
Unfortunately this book just wasn’t for me, and I had to DNF at 18%
The whole blurb sounded right up my street (hence requesting this book), however when I began to read I’m not sure if it’s the writer’s writing style or something else (my mind set, my anticipation of the story), but it just didn’t grip me how I hoped it would, and I really struggled.
I really wanted to like this story, and who knows maybe I will pick this book up again in the future and really enjoy it.
I wish the author and publishers all the best with this book and truly hope it does well for them.
Happy Reading!

I thought the plot line of this was unique, there were times it dragged a little however was enjoyable overall.
Not quite enough romance for my liking however is a fun, easy read!

This was an incredibly fun read, I had an absolute blast. The plot line of being placed in to your favourite show is such a unique concept and one that I could only dream of! It was extremely nostalgic and I loved the little nods to iconic tv shows throughout. The romance was perfectly executed and unlike any other, the build up and the pining was literally everything you could ask for in a tv show and Kate gave us that with our lead characters as they explored a fictional world where they was never meant to be. I'm really enjoying Kate's stories, she has such a unique taste for storylines and they're my most favourite kind of genre so keep them coming!

Remember that time as a teenager when you discovered that one show that resonated with you on a cellular level? You adored everything about it! There was that one character you just knew you'd have an instant, raw connection with if you met them in real life. You were certain that if you lived in that universe, all your problems would melt away. What if you actually got that chance? Would you take it? And more importantly, would everything turn out as perfectly as you envisioned?

Prime Time Romance explores this tantalising premise. It follows the story of Brynn, a newly divorced 29-year-old struggling with the social isolation that stems from losing the communal friend pool post-divorce, and Josh the roommate Brynn had to take on to afford the mortgage on her now single wage. Finding life and the merry-go-round of building a friend circle too trying, Brynn slips back into the comfort of her favourite teen soap Carson’s Cove. Its endless reruns bring solace in the way that everything always works out and people always get exactly what they deserve. So, when Brynn made a wish for her 30th birthday thinking that’s what she wanted for herself…. She wished for exactly that.

Thrown into this new reality, both Brynn and Josh get the chance to explore their true desires, ones they've been too afraid to pursue in real life. Watching their personal growth gives both characters a very satisfying character arc. The romance unfolds in multiple layers, echoing themes of "be careful what you wish for" and "don't overlook what's right in front of you." Yes, the story can be predictable, but in the best way possible. It's not overly dramatic and may be a touch subtle for some, but fans of slow-burn romance will find it utterly charming.

Author Kate Robb clearly had a love of 2000s soaps and this shines shines through in the multitude of Easter eggs scattered throughout the book, offering a delightful nostalgia trip for anyone who fondly remembers their own teen-soap obsessions. It’s a smart move as readers become engaged with the story filled with their own feelings from the same period in their life. It really helps with deepening their connection to Brynn's story.

I love how the book challenges the simplistic views we often hold about our favourite shows. It reinforces the idea that people are multidimensional, not just defined by a single characteristic. It gives you the same feeling as the first time that you watched Dirty Dancing and realised that Baby’s dad was actually quite reasonable.

Overall, Prime Time Romance is an easy, enjoyable read. The characters' growth is satisfying, the romance is sweet and subtle, and the backdrop of teen drama nostalgia makes it the perfect holiday escape.

<i>Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Publishing for providing me with this eARC. All opinions are my own.</i>

This book was such a fun read. I was really rooting for Josh and Brynn and I loved both characters. The little Easter eggs to shows were a great addition. Similarly premise to teen Beach movie but for adults. Definitely recommend this read. A fun, heartwarming romance with a hint of magic.

I LOVED THIS BOOK!

All the nostalgic feels of teenage drama tv series with a great romance plot! Loved the set up and all the nods to great tv series (plus handy guide in the back for all those Easter eggs you may not have gotten). I think even if you didn’t know these shows as well as me and the author you would still absolutely love this book and it’s heartwarming (and spicy) moments.

Kate Robb is definitely one of my new go to authors!

such a fun read! probably the most fun read of the whole year. first of all, thank you so much to penguin for sending me this book!! i reviewed kate robb’s previous book ‘this spells love’ ahead of its releas, and i can already say this book has overpowered and overshadowed that one completely. kate robb you have outdone yourself.

it’s wonderfully ridiculous and perfectly executed. i truly couldn’t put it down- i managed to read the whole book in about three hours. i LOVED the premise of this story…disappearing into your favourite show? genius. the fairytale not working out how it should? genius. not to mention that there’s so much character growth and development at times that it feels a little too much like a therapy session (in the best way).

the amount of work that’s gone into this, creating two whole worlds that are almost complete opposites to each other but painfully similar at the same time is honestly incredible. to make the fictional world seem also realistic enough for them to be able to interact with the characters as they did but as ridiculous enough that the reader DESPERATELY wanted them to go home is such an insane back and forth but it worked so well.

genuinely, i don’t think i’ve enjoyed a book this much in so long. im so looking forward to everything upcoming with this author. Take My Money.

I absolutely loved Kate Robb's Under Your Spell so I was super excited to get my hands on her new book, Prime Time Romance. I'll start with my only "complain", whereas I felt that in Under Your Spell the magical and witchery elements were super well integrated in the story, I felt that this time, it was not very clear how the "magic" happened here. The main characters simply appeared in a fictional town and couldn't leave until they accomplished their goal. I would have liked maybe a better explanation of how they ended up there and how this type of magic worked.

But apart from this, once I was onboard with the concept I actually enjoyed the story a lot. I loved that it was an ode to those teen drama tv shows from when I was a teenager myself, and I especially liked how the story and the main characters evolved and realised that not even those perfect storylines were that perfect to start with, just as life, we grow, we make mistakes, we learn and we try to do better.

I was also a big fan of Josh, our male main character. He was very easy to like, he was supportive, mature and a good guy all round. So all in all, I would say this was a fun escapism rom com with lots of nostalgic bits and fun moments.

I found this entertaining but I struggled to connect with the characters, I found the ending a bit odd and felt it was unresolved, but it was an easy, enjpyable read

This time, instead of ending up inside a romance, the author takes us to the set of a teen drama hodgepodge made from Dawson Creek, Beverly Hills 90210, the Q from Star Trek and a little something from Buffy but not enough if you ask me. Fantasy romance with all the teenage angst topics: from the election of the town queen to the rivalry between girlfriends. It gets read, but nothing more.

Stavolta, invece di finire dentro un romance, l'autrice ci porta sul set di un miscuglio di teen drama fatto da Dawson Creek, Beverly Hills 90210 e il Q di Star Trek piú qualcosina di Buffy, ma non abbastanza secondo il mio parere. Fantasy romance con tutti i topic della teenage angst: dall'elezione della reginetta della cittá alla rivalità tra amiche. SI fa leggere, ma niente di piú.

I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

I loved the book at the start. Took be a while to actually get into the storyline but eventually I managed to then it had a twist and I was thrown again.

The romance was all really at the end and I am not sure how that made me feel. Definitely good for YA readers.

Prime Time Romance - Kate Robb

As somebody who lives for rewatching predictable, small-town sitcoms where everything works out and nothing drastically changes, this book became something I didn’t know I needed.

What I would do to be thrown into the world of one of those tv shows to play the role of my favourite character to give the season the finale it truly deserves… Which is exactly what happens to Brynn when she makes a wish on an unexpected cake delivery the night of her 30th birthday.

The plot twist however.. Is that Brynn has to take on the role of Sloan, in Carson’s Cove where the characters are living life as if the show Brynn loved is real. Her only way home? To give Sloan the happy ending she never got.

However, Brynn is thrown into the world with her roommate Josh who is expected to play the role of town bad boy Fletch without truly knowing a thing about Carson Cove.

This book made me reevaluate everything I thought I knew about my favourite sitcoms. Are the on-screen sworn enemies as necessary as we think? Is the typical dreamboat boy next door, in this case Spencer, as perfect as he seems?

Brynn and Josh undertake their roles as Sloan and Fletch with the aim of getting back home whilst realising not all as it seems and coming to terms with the issues they know they must face upon their return.

I felt a bit lost at some points, with the ‘extra-extra’ Sheldon pulling the strings and the magical cake. A bit more explanation to the magic behind the plot would have added an extra star or two!

As Brynn realises Sloan’s fictional love interest isn’t what she wants, she realises she can find what she needs a bit closer to home.

It’s definitely giving 2000’s tv and The Good Place!

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin for the arc in return for an honest review!