Member Reviews
Really loved the premise of this book, with that little hint of Sci-fi. I thought it was overall excited well and was a fun and enjoyable read. I think that I missed the majority of references to TV shows that were in this book because I do not think I’ve watched any of them but that didn’t personally affect my enjoyment of the book.
This definitely is a Summer read so a little shame it’s coming out in September. Although not all countries have Summer through June-August, I guess.
I liked this couple and I thought they made sense together and have good chemistry. I liked the flirting (even when they weren’t intending it, too). Overall I thought the too main characters complimented each other and I enjoyed reading their story.
My main criticism of this book was in regard to pace. I think there was several sections that dragged on more than needed and I wanted more moments between the core characters that lead to the ending. So it all made that little bit more sense in the end.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC of 'Prime Time Romance' by Kate Robb.
The concept of this novel was exciting and although I did enjoy the writing style, I felt like some areas did drag and it ruined the experience for me. I do believe that it would be perfect as an adaptation.
This is a great romance with some steamy scenes. It also has great characters that you are rooting for as well as a dash of magic. There is also a wonderful message at the heart of this book. I highly recommend Prime Time Romance. It is one of those books that you can escape with and feel happier because you read it.
If you're a fan of nostalgic TV shows like Dawson's Creek and The OC you'll love Prime Time Romance. Brynn, newly divorced, spends her days trying to forget the present by rewatching reruns of her favourite teen drama Carson's Cove with her room mate Josh. So when a meeting with a mysterious delivery driver ens in Brynn and Josh being magically transported into the world of Carson's Cove, Brynn must embrace her new role as leading lady and give the nostalgic TV show the ending it deserved.
This was filled to the brim with nods to much loved TV shows, nostalgic characters and those complicated teen emotions every millennial knows and loves. The setting was really well described and developed, as I could almost imagine myself stepping straight into this world and hanging out with Sloan and Spencer at the local diner. However I found that the relationship between Brynn and Josh was a little rushed and underdeveloped. Yes they're friends at the beginning, but to me they actually feel more like acquaintances that have been forced to live together. Josh's backstory is also a little underwhelming and predictable compared to Brynn, who has to juggle the complexities of her feelings towards a failed marriage and moving on to the strong hold she has on the past. I also found the ending a bit rushed given all the build up that happens.
Good summer read, with a massive hit of nostalgia, but I just wanted a bit more from the characters given the wonderful setting.
I had so much fun reading this, the storyline was unique, the characters were entertaining, and the 2000's callbacks were compelling.
Josh and Brynn had the chemistry, I wish there was a bit more push/pull between them, after their first kiss it all felt a little rushed, but really enjoyable nonetheless.
The *literal* side characters we meet in Carsons Cove are great, and fit in with the clichés we all loved growing up. Poppy classic 'mean girl', Spencer 'perfect boy next door', Luce 'sweet girl never given the chance to fit in,'
I enjoyed 'This Spells Love' but I think I enjoyed this just a little bit more, suffice to say I'll definitely be keeping tabs on what Kate Robb comes up with next
Thank you Penguin and Netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest opinon
I don’t know how to truly feel about this book mainly because it felt like I was too you to really relate to the main character in her current stage of life and the whole being transported into a fictional world is something I’ve seen before in Chinese dramas and anime as well but this story kept giving me uncanny valley vibes and other times I thought it was close to being cute I don’t really know how to feel about the book at all
3.5/5
Thank you Netgalley and Bloomsbury for the ARC and the opportunity to read this book pre-release. All thoughts are my own.
Considering I am in the biggest slump of my post-covid life, I have devoured this book.
I went into it completely blind and I just loved the crazy premise. So let me explain it:
Brynn is a unhappy divorcee, living with Josh, a basically stranger, to be able to pay the bills. She is (kinda) coping thanks to her teenage years favourite tv show, Carson's Cove, that she rewatches in loop. The day of her 30th birthday, she and Josh are teleported in the show's town, after she wished she'd get her happy ending. You can image how it goes from there.
Carson's Cove feeds right into my millennial nostalgia, and it's honestly hilarious. Very stereotypical of course, but that's the fun part for me. I am a sucker for a good small town story, especially when it has the vibes of my teenage years (and possibly even after lol).
The first 60% of the book was very entertaining for me, and I seriously had so much fun reading it, for the first time in a while I actually was thinking about my book when I couldn't read and that's a feeling I missed dearly in my life. It's mostly well written for a romcom, there's a few good funny moments and, again, the setting is just so good.
I still had a great time and to be honest, it's the kind of vibes that I need these days, but I think it kind of flattened out in the last third? There wasn't enough pining for my liking, and the romance went from 0 to 100 SO quick. I am always partial to a good slow burn, and this wasn't really it.
Also I found the sex very weird, half very detailed, and half very rushed so it kind of threw me out of the story. I would have preferred it if it had faded to black and in its stead we could have gotten a few more tension scenes in there.
Quite predictable plot wise, which again, I don't mind given what I was in the mood for, but for sure I was expecting a little bit more.
I would recommend it if you're looking for an easy, fun, and low-expectations read, it makes a good palate cleanser. Enjoyable but not life-altering.
Thank you for my earc of this book. Unfortunately I didn’t finish, I just couldn’t get on with the FMC
This book opens wonderfully! Kate encapsulates the experience of dating online almost painfully well. I felt such frustration for Brynn and empathised with her situation but it equally felt so relatable that it felt like I'd been in her position before. From the start, Brynn feels relatable and is such a well rounded character that I couldn't help but root for her.
I loved Josh's self assuredness and his sprinkle of charm. His character felt popular whilst still feeling genuine. There is undeniable chemistry between these two. I feel like there was a lot of chemistry in the beginning and it sort of tapered out throughout the middle of the book. So it would've been nice to see their banter build a little more and have a bit more inside jokes and things like that.
The plot twist was executed SO well, I didn't see it coming and was such an interesting way of exploring the idea of getting what you want and the reality of your dreams coming true. I've never read a book like this so I loved the originality. The magical realism and dystopian element of this book was beyond refreshing - it kind of reminded me of '7 year slip' but it wasn't. too similar that it felt like I was reading a book I'd already read.
The ending was perfectly tied up, it felt really full circle and the stakes did feel high so the resolution was super satisfying!
I tried to read this but I wasn't a huge fan. It didn't grip me quick enough to keep me wanting to finish the book. Maybe I will go back to it another time.
This book is adorable, I absolutely love the concept and early 2000s is my fave. Will definitely recommend.
First of all as always thank you to the publishers penguin u.k for asking me to review this brilliant book .
I'm going to try to keep this book review spoiler free as much as i can .
i read This Spells Love by Kate last year and loved it so much , now she is here with her new book Prime Time Romance and i can say Kate has blown me out of the water and transported me back to my eighteen year old self . i am completely head over heels with this book ,with the small town romance vibe and so much nostalgia .
The book gave Dawson's creek and the film Pleasantville had a baby.
I love the fantasy element to the book it was the biggest plot twist and i thought Kate wrote this part of the plot perfectly .This book will take you on the most whimsical ride .
The characters Brynn and Josh i thought was so well written and i loved the dual perspective , i also really enjoyed you seeing them go on their own journeys of self discovery which gave me bit of Emily Henry vibes .
i thought that Kate's writing was wonderful as ever ,very well paced I love how she really thinks outside the box with this story it is refreshing .
I am giving this book a big 5 hearts
A whimsical fun romantic read, there was a much bigger fantasy element to this novel than I was expecting, but I enjoyed. I'm a sucker for small town anything; and this was a different take on small town romance.
This was not thee book I thought I would be reading as I had expected a fun cutesy romance but this book had some fantasy elements that were more prevalent than Ii had expected form the blurb. I would warn people about this when recommending it but not to turn them off just more as a heads up. The chemistry is great and it has the Emily Henry element of being about characters coming to terms with themselves and therefore finding love which I think is so great. there were elements that mean I probably wouldn't read it again but I would recommend this book.
4.5⭐️ thank you for allowing me to arc read Prime Time Romance. I absolutely loved it! Having recently gotten obsessed with Rom-com reading I’ve read loads but nothing has hit as hard as this. I found it creative and different. If you love Emily Henry books but what something a bit out of the ordinary try this!!
This book was not what I was expecting at all, and it is a tricky one to describe. I went into this thinking it would be cutesy romance with a bit of a twist, but the fantastical aspect was much more prevalent than I thought.
For a lover of any small-town, cosy television show (Gilmore Girls etc.), this was a fun book about the 'darker side' of these shows and what would happen in the fictional town after the show ends.
I really enjoyed this book and thought it was incredibly imaginative, but I found it unconvincing at times. At once it is a commentary on loneliness in the city, and also a full-on comedy. I think committing to either stance more would have been more effective. This felt particularly problematic within the romance, I was not rooting for any of the characters.
It was a fun book to read in an afternoon, but not one I will remember in a few weeks time.
I really liked the concept of this book - the idea of being inside your favourite TV show is something which sounded super exciting to me! And seemed like a great premise for a book. I also really liked the writing style; Brynn’s stubborn fiery vibe was definitely something I can relate to, and I think because she was so determined to give her TV character the ending she truly deserved I found myself admiring and liking her a bit more!
However, this book was missing quite a lot for me. For instance, I don’t feel there was a lot of build up between Josh and Brynn - they went from being roommates who barely knew each other to having sex in a very short period of time (which i know can be realistic of real life but felt a bit forced to me!). I also feel like Brynn was really frustrating for the majority of the first half of the book - she was whiny and irritating and just generally got on my nerves!!
That being said, I think the concept was great and it was generally quite easy to read but I wouldn’t rush back to read it again.
Thanks to Penguin general UK, Katie Rob and Netgalley for the ARC of this book.
I loved This Spells Love so was excited for this - the premise of a cheesy rom com. I feel like the first half of the book held my attention and I liked the comedic elements. However, the pacing of Josh's declarations felt a bit too close to what I would expect in a cheesy teen show which took some of the interest out for me.
This was a really fun read! My first book from this author and I will definitely read more from her, The plot was really unique and I loved the chemistry! I also loved the concept of letting the past go and excepting who you are . .
An easy read that I think a lot of people would enjoy!
This was a really fun read! It has small town vibes like Gilmore Girls, Dawsons Creek, Doc Martin with some good weirdness to it like Schmigadoon, Riverdale, and Buffy. If you liked those shows and want and entertaining story to read with sparks of romance and some drama than you'll enjoy this book!