The title of The Rom-Commers immediately captured my interest. I am a romcom girlie through and through – both in terms of books and movies. I’ve read several of Katherine Center’s other books lately, and this one is my favorite.

Emma initially seems to be a totally selfless person. She puts her own life and career completely on hold in order to take over her father’s care. I appreciated that even though Emma has made all of these sacrifices, she is not presented as perfect. She can be impatient and frustrated, just like the rest of us.

I found Charlie Yates a very likable and compelling character. He is rich and famous and initially comes off as aloof and standoffish. However, it is clear pretty quickly that he is not someone who rests on his laurels and is constantly name dropping all of the famous people he works with. Starting with being willing to accept help on his screen play, Charlie goes through quite a journey of growth over the course of this novel that I loved.

As someone with three siblings, I love when a romance novel heavily features a sibling relationship. Emma and Sylvie, her younger sister, have a close relationship, but it is full of a lot of baggage. Emma worries Sylvie won’t do a good enough job taking care of their sick father, and Sylvie resents Emma for being the reason their family went on the camping trip that led to their mother’s death. Despite all of this trauma, it is clear that Emma and Sylvie love each other deeply and just want each other to be happy.

I love when authors bring characters from their other books into their novels. I read The Bodyguard last year. The protagonist of that novel, the famous actor Jack Stapleton, shows up in The Rom-Commers. I immediately recognized his name and was thrilled he made an appearance. It doesnt feel forced at all, but it is a nice little Easter egg for those of us who have read Center’s other work.

There is something beautiful about reading a story about two broken people coming togther and healing one another, and The Rom-Commers is just that. I hope this book gets made into a movie because it would be the perfect romcom.

This had some promising moments but overall, a mediocre book. Neither one of the characters know how to apologize or take responsibility for their poor actions. Charlie is an absolute ass and does the stereotypical grand gesture but avoids actually talking. Emma just forgives him because she admires him. She spills an entire paragraph as to why he's so amazing.

The cancer plot made no sense. we are never told what kind of cancer he had. just "I had cancer" THEN he gets lung cancer. Is this different from the first time? we'll never know and THEN come to find out its only tuberculosis.

The writing is what really killed this for me. The number of times the author repeats herself in this book made me want to hit something. here's a few. there were too many to mark down. In no world are nostrils sexy. That's about as cute as people with a foot fetish.

"the more I had to pick a side. And of course, that side was always Sylvie’s. She really was my Sylvie. I’d practically raised her. Between me and Sylvie, I chose Sylvie—every time.

"full of awesome parties and awesome food and awesome people. So I was highly surprised when a decidedly not awesome guy..."

“I wasn’t thinking about it— until you got me thinking about it. Now I’m thinking about it.”

"something about the shape of his nostrils? Is that a weird thing to say? That a man has appealing nostrils? But he did. Friendly, straightforward, symmetrical nostrils."

"the most agonizing sacrifice out of all my agonizing sacrifices."

“You wanted to do it yesterday.”
“You wouldn’t even hire me yesterday!”
“I didn’t know how good you were yesterday.”
“Well, I didn’t know it was a fake project yesterday.”

Emma is tricked into going to LA to help her screenwriter hero, Charlie Yates, polish (ie rewrite) his rom-com screenplay. Delightful shenanigans ensue, along with a healthy helping of obstacles. Another hit from Katherine Center!

“The whole trick to life. Be aggressively, loudly, unapologetically grateful.”

I am 100% grateful for this book.

Reading a Katherine Center novel is an absolute certainty that you will find joy, happiness, laughter and love. You will find entertaining characters, superb writing, and the best romance. You will be on the receiving end of a book that delivers pure bliss and enjoyment.

Emma Wheeler is a struggling screen writer caught in a life that is dominated by caring for her ill father. Charlie Yates is an acclaimed screenwriter who needs help writing his first romantic comedy. Put together by their manager, Emma travels to LA to help her screen writing idol rewrite his “terrible” script.

As Emma and Charlie begin to work together they open up about their lives and their pasts. They fall into a successful working relationship and also a friendship. They learn so much about themselves and each other as their lives intertwine. I laughed, I cried, I swooned, and I thanked the heavens that Katherine Center continues to write stories that fill up my heart with all the feels.

I’ll end this review with a quote from the book that says it perfectly:

“Read it. You will lose your mind with joy. It’s a love letter to fun. And to love. And to you, I think.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4.5 stars rounded up to 5

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and contemporary romance is not my typical go-to genre so I didn’t know what to expect. I think the highest compliment I can give is to say that Katherine Center has made me a believer!

Emma is an aspiring rom-com screenwriter whose been taking care of her dad since he was badly injured ten years ago, putting her life on hold. When she’s offered the chance of a lifetime working with her hero, Charlie Yates, she’s beyond excited but hesitant to leave the care of her father to her younger sister who has recently graduated from college. Of course, she does leave and what transpires was a pure joy to read.

What I liked:

The writing style. The book is told from Emma’s perspective and is directed at the reader as though she’s talking to you. The wording is very visual. I could see this story play out as though I was watching a movie.

The characters. All of them. Emma is witty, clever and intuitive and Charlie is yes, a bit of a butt-head but he is open to listen to reason and able to acknowledge and communicate his feelings as his character develops. And, while there is one very unlikeable dude, he’s done is such a way that is still amusing.

The banter. The interaction between Emma and Charlie had me giggling throughout the book.

The highs and lows. I had goosebumps reading the kissing scene and was near to tears reading the scene where her dad was injured. This book made me feel the emotions the author wanted the reader to feel. And, I rooted for the couple the whole time.

No gratuitous sex scenes.

What I didn’t like:

There is one part, and you’ll know when you get to it, that just didn’t ring true for me. The prolonged obstinate reaction from a diabolically emotional and believable fight is completely opposite of how this character has been portrayed throughout the whole book.

Conclusion: I love this book! So much so, that I practically read it in one sitting. Like, I was mad to have to set it down to go to dinner and wait to finish the last 10%. It’s a fun and easy read that will leave you smiling. And, again, the writing is SUPERB!

I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.

Katherine Center has become one of my favorite rom-com authors. This book hooked me right away, I rooted for Emma the whole time. It’s a very enjoyable and funny romcom with heart.
Because of the tragedy that hit Emma’s family, for most her life she’s put her wants and desires on the back burner for the good of her family. As the caretaker to her dad and mother figure to her younger sister, Emma’s talents as a screenwriter have mostly gone untapped. She’s had to turn down opportunities for the sake of her family until she finally has an amazing opportunity that could potentially be the break she needs. And finally the timing is right! Her sister practically shoves her out the door as she takes over caretaking duties of their dad so Emma can cease the opportunity.
When Emma arrives in LA, things are not quite as she was told. Her good friend/talent manager has hooked her up with one of Emma’s screenwriter heroes, Charlie Yates, but he never works with anyone and definitely didn’t agree to work with some nobody screenwriter. Oops.
Fast forward, they do work together on his romcom script and it’s Emma’s goal to get his curmudgeonly heart to realize that love does exist.
And then will love bloom between this unlikely duo? Read to find out! I think you will be charmed by this book like I was. Definitely a fun, easy read to get you all swoony.

Thank you to netgalley for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I am a big fan of Katherine Center. Her books are rom coms with depth to them, characters who are well rounded and often down on their luck, and I feel like I learn something when I read them.

The main character is Emma Wheeler, who is an aspiring screenwriter and full time caregiver for her dad. She also raised her sister since her mom died in an accident. Her old friend/ex boyfriend Logan has an opportunity for her to collaborate with her favorite writer Charlie Yates to rework a romantic comedy remake he wrote. He's recently divorced and curmudgeony.

This was more of a slow burn than her other books but I enjoyed it, and the side plot of her sister and dad and their apartment community gave me the warm and fuzzies.

This was PRECIOUS! I thoroughly enjoyed every part of this little romance. Witty and silly but with depth too.

I immensely enjoyed Katherine Center’s other books, and was so excited and grateful to receive this early copy!
The writing itself was solid, witty, and fun.
The plot left much to be desired — it read like a sitcom series with several stand alone episodes.
I desperately wanted more chemistry between Emma and Charlie, more tension, more build up. Sylvie and Salvador’s relationship was actually more appealing to me!
Everything wrapped up a little too quickly. Charlie’s past and present cancer diagnoses felt unnecessary. The main message of the book was great, it just got lost along the way.

Wow. What a book!

The story follows a woman named Emma who has always dreamed of making it big as a screenwriter — but she hasn’t made the leap to Los Angeles quite yet. She’s found herself as the only caretaker for her father who requires assistance around the clock.

One fateful day, Emma gets the call of a lifetime: to rewrite a romantic comedy alongside her favorite screenwriter Charlie Yates. To continue caring for her father, she insists on passing up the opportunity — until her little sister steps up and sends Emma excitedly (and anxiously) on her way to live out her dreams in LA. Unfortunately for this romance writer, however, her idol is hardly a dreamer. In fact, he doesn’t even believe in love. How in the world are they supposed to write a successful romantic comedy together?

I was immediately sucked into this story and flew through it so fast. As someone who started out my career in LA in the film business, this was a refreshing read about the intricacies and idiocies of show business. With Emma not a part of the business and Charlie on top of his game, their opposite personalities made their banter even more intriguing, lovable, and laugh-out-loud funny.

This story isn’t strictly rom and com, though. One moment I was laughing at Emma and Charlie’s conversation, and the next moment, I was crying due to the depth of it. ‘The Rom-Commers’ was such a beautiful book about taking chances and being grateful for what life has to offer. It certainly did not disappoint. This is the first book I’ve read by Katherine Center, and now I definitely need more!

TRIGGER WARNING: While there are many light-hearted moments, this romantic comedy does dive into deeper topics like the loss of a parent and cancer.

Thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for my digital ARC!

"There it is.The whole trick to life.Be aggressively, loudly, unapologetically grateful"

Every time I read Katherine Center's books, two things are guaranteed to happen-Something older heals within me while teaching me something new simultaneously . The author has a knack of picking up implausible situations and always giving them a bright sunny yellow coat of happiness that will sooth your souls. I love how she blends humor, romance with life's direst situations, always showing you a way out by emphasizing that it doesn't have to end for you when the inevitable bad things happen

I loved these characters, their chaotic personalities, unfair situations. I enjoyed the whole package, the good, bad and Ugly! Emma is not a sunshine per se and Charlie is totally vexing, yet you root for them. As the superficial layers on either of the characters start peeling off, you see them as how they want you to see them. Emma, an aspiring screenwriter gets once in a life opportunity to ghostwrite for her favorite screenwriter Charlie who is basically a God for her, she seizes the opportunity after putting her life on hold to become a sole caretaker for her father after a tragic accident.There is only one problem-they have to write a rom-com and Charlie does not believe in love, can you make a cynic believe in Love? Emma takes up the challenge!

This is a closed door romance but once again proved that angst is sometimes just enough, the tension between these characters was so palpable especially with Charlie running hot & cold. The book as a whole is a beautiful commentary on life, love, humor, family, sacrifices and commitment towards people you call yours. It was definitely tear jerking and thought provoking as it gives a new perspective on life in the wake of tragedies, definitely recommend it especially if you are a fan of Katherine's take on romance!

Trigger warnings- Cancer, cancer relapse, caretaking family, loss of parent, divorce

This was my first book by this author. I appreciate getting a copy prior to publication. All opinions are my own. Absolutely loved this one! The dry humor and writing were top notch. I am not a huge fan of romance but I definitely enjoyed this one!! Highly recommend. Will be reading the authors other books soon!

Katherine Center has a way of painting love stories that shouldn’t feel real but do. In The Rom-Commers, Emma and Charlie have wounds to heal that make both of them hesitant to opening themselves up to anything more than a professional writing partnership. However, their working relationship quickly morphs into genuine friendship, making them realize their past hurts shouldn’t prevent future happiness. This story delivers enough emotional highs and lows to make it an absolute page-turner, and readers will be immersed in this story from the first page to the last.

Emma longs to be a screenwriter, but her career takes a hold while she cares for her dad after a bad accident. She has an opportunity to work with her idol, Charlie Yates in LA. He’s written popular action movies of the decade, and decides to write a romcom, but it needs…work. Charlie clearly isn’t a fan of love based on his script. He’s a grump. He’s a skeptic. Will Emma convince him how to write a proper romcom?

Sunshine/grumpy trope! This was everything I wanted in a book. Truly. It made me laugh, it made a cry. Ugh just perfect.

Thank you Net Galley, St. Martin’s Press, and Katherine Center for the ARC! Pub date 6/11/24

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this digital ARC!

I wanted to like this one, but I just found neither Charlie or Emma to be very likable. The whole scene when Emma arrives in LA made me not like Charlie and he couldn’t recover from that unfortunately, which made the rest of the book not as enjoyable.

I also physically cringed big time at the scene where he’s explaining TJ Heywood’s nicknames.

This was my first Katherine Center book and I will try another one of hers, but unfortunately this one was not for me.

I can always count on Katherine Center to deliver a great read. I read this in a day and loved every minute. She gives us characters we want to root for. This was the perfect book to start the summer with!

I’ll start by saying I love Katherine Center books. The Bodyguard was an instant favorite. This story about a screenwriter falling in love with another (much more famous) screenwriter was heartfelt and cute. That being said, as a physician assistant in neurosurgery, she should fire whoever answered her medical questions. First, any PA loathes being called a “physician’s assistant” - the apostrophe s is an important difference between a clinician and an administrator. I like the PA shout out and recognition but ugh. Second, anyone who gave her the advice to treat an acute subdural hematoma with midline shift (she specifically wrote pressure on the brain shifting it off center), with burr holes should not be giving advice. That patient would die. Can’t get acute blood out with Burr holes, that man needs a craniotomy or hemicraniotomy./hemicraniectomy. Cute story but nothing ruins a story for me like simple medical inaccuracies.

I received this book as an ARC from netgalley.com, in trade for my honest feedback. This book was adorable. The characters were easy to like and I enjoyed getting to know them in this book. There was a slight twist at the end of the book which was entertaining, and almost sad, but then rebounded, the way a rom com often does. I adore Katherine Center, and all of her books. This was a wonderful, quick read.

Thank you Netgalley and St Martin's Press for allowing me to ready an ARC copy of The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center.

Emma Yates is an aspiring writer and full-time caretaker for her ailing father. Her sister comes home from college and her ex-boyfriend Logan pitches an opportunity to re-write a romantic comedy script with Emma's all-time favorite writer, Charlie Yates. The catch is that she has to stay with him for 6 weeks....and also, Charlie has no clue. This is a forced proximity / grumpy-sunshine romcom.

I liked Emma's character. She's fun, funny, witty, caring, and always makes the best of what she has. My only issue with her was how she went off on her sister and then expected her sister to apologize for what she said but never admitted to how she spoke to her.

Charlie was a complex character. At times you love him and other times you don't. He was confused and needed to work on himself before being with anyone. Some of it is the common miscommunication trope I'm not sure I fully care for. However, overall, both characters had growth which is something I look for in a book.

I felt Emma and Charlie's connection and was entertained by their banter. They were funny together. And I liked how Emma pushed Charlie outside of his comfort zone. I loved the main ideas of this story. I was invested, it was easy to read, and it got me out of a reading slump. I'm not sure I liked how the story ended but I still enjoyed my time. What I liked the most was the idea of learning about what love is and what is considered romantic. Also, the factors in making the perfect romcom was talked about, which was fun and intriguing.

Overall, I enjoyed this book, but I didn’t love the main characters. Or the fact that Emma allowed Charlie to be a jerk to her. Remember that book /movie about him just not being into you? This reminded me of that and I was hoping Emma would move on and find a man that fights for her.! Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for this advanced copy