Prime Time Romance is a romantic comedy written by Kate Robb. Drawing a lot of inspiration from Pleasantville, it follows Brynn as she mysteriously ends up in her favourite TV show - Carsons Cove. It's a feel-good novel, with a lot of references to other shows, but let's dive into why it is a fun story in the Prime Time Romance Book Review.
Below is my Goodread's review which explains a little bit more about the plot itself. Brynn goes through a turbulent breakup and settles in to watch her favourite TV show. A show that she wishes was her real life as everything is perfect there, and predictable. Josh, her roommate and brother's friend, decides to join her. A mysterious stranger (Sheldon) shows up with a birthday cake and tells her to make a wish. She does and then the next time she wakes up, she is in Carson's Cove.
The very start of this book felt a lot like Teen Beach Movie to me. There's inspiration from Pleasantville, but I haven't watched that so I can't comment. Needless to say, it doesn't feel original. There were also a lot of aspects of Carson's Cove that felt familiar such as the diner reminding me of Pop's from Riverdale. Once I got to the end of the book, the author reveals that she drew a lot of inspiration from her favourite TV shows like Buffy, Dawson's Creek, Riverdale and even Scooby Doo.
When I was reading it, I found it frustrating rather than endearing. Picking up Prime Time romance, I wanted to be immersed in Brynn's favourite show, not an existing show. I understand why Robb decided to do this. It's a way of connecting with the audience by reminding us of our favourite TV shows. It is supposed to make Brynn more relatable. However, it took me out of the story as it is referred to as Carson's Cove but all I see is Riverdale or Teen Beach Movie.
That being said, it was an enjoyable read once you get past that, provided you don't take the magic too seriously. It's a quirky book, but it's a feel-good romcom so it's not meant to be taken too seriously. It's meant to be fun and lighthearted.
What is interesting for me is the need for nostalgia. We all enjoy reminiscing on the things we loved growing up. But why is that? I think it is because as life goes on, we lose a part of ourselves. The part of ourselves that enjoyed discovering something new and finding wonder in the simple things. Brynn keeps mentioning that her favourite thing about watching Carson's Cove is the predictability and the reliable happy ending. We all enjoy a happy ending really. Of course, we like to consume media that will make us think and expand our knowledge, but it's also enjoyable to read or watch something just because we like it.
Prime Time Romance offers a story that is supposed to help us connect with that part of ourselves that we may have forgotten. The TV shows we used to indulge and characters we fell in love with. But of course, Brynn also wants her own happy ending and that doesn't come from a predictable TV show. Instead, it comes from the real world. But she also learns to put other's needs above her own out of true love. It's something we all try to do, but it's easier said than done. I think in the case of Prime Time Romance, that is only put in as the final point of conflict that you need in a plot (otherwise it's not such a great story), but it is still relevant to real life.
Prime Time Romance is a book that is enjoyable to read and if you grew up watching a lot of TV shows, you might recognise what easter eggs Kate Robb has included.
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