This book was an absolute delight to read. Emma and Charlie captured my heart entirely and I loved every second of it. Their banter, chemistry and care for each other was done so well. It’s been a while since a fictional couple really got me like they did. I also loved Emma’s relationships with her dad and sister, especially dealing with their grief and the dad’s illness. Center always knows how to give us a beautiful, romantic story that has so much depth, character growth and humor. Any fan of her books will love this one as much as the others and for new readers, it’ll be a great introduction to her writing!
CW: death of a parent, injury, mentions of animal death, cancer, grief, illness

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced digital reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

A book about writing! A romcom about writing romcoms!

The writing style is light and fluffy, but the book deals with heavy topics (specifically, grief and chronic illness and the hardships of being a character). As someone living with chronic disease, I appreciate the depiction of a character who goes from being healthy to not being healthy, and gets a happily ever after without being “cured” of his disease.

If you want to cry, giggle, and read a no-spice romcom, here you go.

I should note that this personally wasn’t my thing (lack of communication between the MCs, specifically, isn’t my thing) but I understand that this is a nod to classic romcoms and that in classic romcoms, people don’t tell each other how they feel. That’s to say, I didn’t enjoy the character dynamics but feel like my hang up won’t bother a lot of people.

I think this might be my favorite Katherine Center book to date. Swoony, earnest, and at times laugh-out-loud, this love letter to the genre of romantic comedies ticks all the boxes of what makes a rom-com great.

Part of what makes this book stand out for me - and the reason it made me physically shed tears - is that it understands that a rom-com is more than just humor. It has to have heart and earnestness. Because love is not for the weak! To love is to open yourself to being hurt. But there can only be those gorgeous highs in life if they come with the possibility of the lowest lows - that's what makes it so sweet. Center's portrayal of grief and love enduring could make an optimist out of the stoniest cynic. I thoroughly enjoyed this.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this advanced copy! You can pick up The Rom-Commers on June 11, 2024.

I devoured this book in a single day. As soon as I picked it up, I was hooked and fully immersed in Charlie and Emma's story. The premise was irresistible, the banter impeccable, and the romance absolutely swoon-worthy. I love how Katherine Center led so many thoughtful discussions on romance as a genre through her characters. It truly felt like the best love letter one could write to the rom-com genre, and she integrated the elements of the rom-com perfectly in her own book.

I can't stop thinking about Charlie and Emma's relationship. I literally discovered a new favorite microtrope through this book: when he's an expert at something and she shows him a new side to his craft that makes him better at it. Think Emily Henry's Beach Read and Julie Soto's Not Another Love Song. Even Ali Hazelwood's STEMinist romances. I'm a sucker for a man who starts out so arrogant but lets his guard down when he sees how well she can match him (or better him) at what he does best.

Safe to say Katherine Center is a new favorite of mine and I'll be devouring her backlist immediately. 10/10, no notes, looking forward to reading again.

Emma is an aspiring screenwriter that is completely enamored with Charlie Yates, a multi-award winning screenwriter. He commands respect and attention. So why is he writing a Rom-Com? When Emma has the opportunity to read it she is surprised because it is just awful!! A unexpected surprise call from her agent gives Emma an opportunity to help Charlie improve it, as a ghost writer of course. The problem is Charlie could care less about the script it is simply a way he can get his next big project funded. Emma’s pride will not let her do anything but her best, she is determined to write a great story. Charlie needs to be shown how great romantic stories can be so they can write an amazing story that they will both be proud of.


Katherine Center has perfected the art of writing witty, heart-felt romances that feel as if they are written for me. Not only is her writing clever, smart and addictive but the fact that she can make me feel such a broad range of emotions is the true gift. This book met my expectations and exceeded them, This has all of the best elements of classic rom-coms, I was a bawling mess by the end.

5 ⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review,

In all honesty, I have never read a Katherine Center book I didn't like, and the author's on-line presence gives the impression that she is about the nicest person around, so when a copy of her latest book, The Rom-Commers came available, I jumped at the chance to fall in love with her characters once more. What a great decision--The Rom-Commers is quite possibly my favorite of Katherine Center's novels, and as my book club's selection for July, I eagerly anticipate a reread and great discussion.

When reading one of Ms. Center's books, I always anticipate characters with depth, witty banter, and a fairly clean romance, and The Rom-Commers lived up to my expectations completely. I loved Emma and Charlie, in all their imperfections. Their relationship was adorable, and I was rooting for them from their decidedly un-cute first meeting, and while it was not surprising to me or any of the book's characters that they were falling for each other, I enjoyed every minute of their journey.

I especially love that this author highlights a different mental health or physical health issue in her books. I feel like I have learned a little bit and become more understanding of people's differences after I finish one of her books.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the digital ARC of The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center. The opinions in this review are my own.

Another top notch read from Katherine Center!!

Emma (an aspiring screen writer) and Charlie (famous screen writer) connect through their agent for her to help ghost write the rom com he's working on, because his version, was, well, terrible.

Emma flies out to LA, turns out their agent set them up, professionally, and Charlie doesn't know that she's coming nor that their agent had intended for her to stay with him. The two get off on the wrong foot but as they work, their friendship builds more than either expected before they fall into their feelings.

I loved Emma and Charlie, so so so much. They had some absolutely sweet moments, before the inevitable third act, the resolution I felt like was a little rushed and I just wanted more of them from the epilogue because I wasn't done with the story yet. But this was easily one of my favorites from this author. Can't wait to grab a copy for the favorites shelf! 🥰


Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for my review!

Oh Katherine Center, you sweet soul!

It is no secret that Center is one of my favorite authors. Her writing voice just works for me. She’s hilarious and wholesome and wise. And it shows within the stories she tells.

That voice is strong in her latest release, The Rom-Commers.

From the first page, I instantly connected with the haphazard and caring main character, Emma. She stole my heart just as much as her writing counterpart. This story unfolds quickly and breezy. The pacing was well-done. There was so much heart and emotion in the story and the side characters were incredible.

This is a summer hit, for sure!

Thank you St. Martin’s Press for my gifted copy.

Emma Wheeler has devoted the last ten years of her life to her family, acting as a second mom to her younger sister and caregiver to her dad. She’s put all her hopes and dreams for a career in screenwriting on the back burner for her family’s wellbeing. When an opportunity to rewrite a script with her idol, screenwriting legend Charlie Yates, drops into her lap, Emma is ready to turn it down until her family intervenes and forces her to accept. When Emma lands in LA for the job, things take an unexpected turn, because Charlie has no idea she’s been hired to help him and wants nothing to do with her. Charlie’s personal life is in turmoil and he hasn’t written anything new in years. He knows his romcom script is bad, but he just wants to turn it in in order to get his languishing passion project green lit. However, Emma’s zeal for romcoms and her love for the movie he’s adapting has Charlie changing his mind about working together. Their days are spent writing and their nights are spent learning about each other. Feelings begin to grow and Charlie and Emma find their relationship shifting from collaborators to something a little more. But both of their lives come with serious baggage and real life isn’t a romcom.

Katherine Center writes the sweetest, most feel good romances. The Rom-Commers is so happy, lively, and funny with a little dash of angst. The perfect romcom recipe! The plot is fresh, fun, and a little bit meta…a romcom about writers writing a romcom! It’s such a neat idea. The best part of any Katherine Center story is her characters. Center’s characters are so real, warm, wonderfully weird, and believable. Emma and Charlie have both been dealt bad hands that have knocked them off their chosen paths, but they are slowly learning how to heal, grow and move forward. Something that many of us can relate to. Their struggles and triumphs are so relatable. They’re relatable, which really allows the reader to buy into the story and root for them. I’m a huge fan of romcoms and this one hit me with all the feels and did not disappoint. This has to be my favorite Katherine Center book yet!

Katherine Center is a national treasure. She is such a consistently good author.

The banter is top notch and the story is both really funny and has just the right amount of heartbreak. And she always throws some life lessons in there for free. I finish her books feeling happier than when I started.

Emma is a struggling rom-com screenwriter and also the full-time caretaker for her ailing father. She gets the opportunity to help ghostwrite a rom-com with her absolute favorite screenwriter except he doesn't want her help and doesn't believe in romance...so she decides to prove him wrong.

The only part I didn't like was the health scare that was used as a vehicle to propel the romance forward and it didn't read as very believable to me.

Readers who already like Katherine Center will definitely enjoy this and I think this would be a great book to start with for anyone who would like to give one of her books a try.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Rom-Commers. It was classic Katherine Center in its bridging of romance and what's often known as "women's fiction" and it was well done in terms of both character development and plot. The banter was excellent between the major players, but I also enjoyed the side characters a great deal (something that's important to me in my romance reading). My only small quibble (and this is small indeed!) is Center's tendency to always write explanations for nonverbal cues (e.g., "he quirked his eyebrows as if to ..."). Again, super small thing, but I'd love to have more of the nonverbals left to speak for themselves. :)

A fun sweet read! Highly recommend.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my ARC.

Katherine Center has done it again with "The Rom-Commers." This book is a delightful romp through the world of romantic comedy, filled with laughter, love, and unexpected twists. Center's writing is as captivating as ever, drawing you in from the very first page and keeping you hooked until the very end. It’s just perfect.

The characters in "The Rom-Commers" are beautifully crafted, each with their own quirks and charms that make them feel like old friends. From the lovable protagonist to the quirky sidekicks, you can't help but root for them as they navigate the ups and downs of love and life in the bustling city.

What sets "The Rom-Commers" apart is its perfect blend of humor and heart. Center has a knack for finding the humor in everyday situations, and she infuses every page with wit and charm. But beneath the laughter lies a deeper emotional core, exploring themes of self-discovery, forgiveness, and the power of love to heal old wounds.

Whether you're a fan of romantic comedies or simply looking for a heartwarming escape, "The Rom-Commers" is a must-read. It's a feel-good story that will leave you smiling long after you've turned the last page. Bravo to Katherine Center for another five-star masterpiece!

Emma Wheeler finally has a chance at the career as a screenwriter she has always dreamed of. She has a chance to re-write a script for Chalie Yeates, the famous screenwriter that is is mildly obsessed with, and with a push from her ajent/ best friend, she decides to give it a go. She is reluctant because her dad requires full-time care, but her younger sister agrees to help take care of their dad while she is gone.

When she arrives in LA, she quickly discovers that Charlie does not want any help writing his script and has no intentions of making the script good. In fact, he did not even know that she was coming to help. As Charlie reluctantly agrees to let Emma, he realizes there is more to life than just sci-fi /cowboy / hero movies and there may be room for love.

Why I Love It: This romance about writers immediately caught my attention, but the characters' flaws, as well as character development, made me love them both.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy!

I really just…the main character was not my cup of tea. When her dad got sick and she blamed her sister and then proceeded to be a giant a-hole? That was enough for me. I have no idea why ANYONE would like her? And Charlie? Oh boy. Talk about the ick!!

This book was full of ~quirky characters~ like it was a season three episode of Gilmore Girls. It was all too much.

Another great Katherine Center book. The characters were wholesome and the book was easy to read. Thanks NetGalley for the eArc.

Thank you @netgalley and @macmillanaudio for this arc! I’ve tried Katherine Center over & over but I think this is an author that just doesn’t work for me. I still liked the storyline and was funny at parts (narrators were great!) but the writing style isn’t as smooth as some of my other fav romance authors. Glad I listened, but now I’ve learned as a reader it’s not my fav … & that’s okay!

Closer to 4.5 for me.

Katherine Center has done it again! Emma is an aspiring screenwriter, but has taken on the role of caregiver to her father after an accident leaves him permanently injured and kills her mother, and leaves her to look after her younger sister. A once in a lifetime opportunity presents itself for Emma to work with the hottest screenwriter in LA, and despite her instincts she goes for it. She spends six weeks with Charlie working on his horrendous (her words) rom-com and the two run through the gamut of emotions for each other.

I enjoyed the tropes of enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and grumpy/sunshine. There was also serious depth to the story as both Emma and Charlie are struggling with issues that have depth and impact how they view the world and their relationship with each other. I also appreciate (and this may be a dealbreaker for some) that Center writes closed door romances.

My sincere thanks to NetGalley the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Rom-Commers is a cute read about a storywriter, Emma, that gets the chance to work with her idol, Charlie Yates. As with all rom-coms the main character has to leave a situation that is tough to leave for a chance to find herself, all to get her heart crushed and then put back together again.
💜 Things I loved:
-How the book portrayed anxiety and what constant stress and worry can do to the body.
-The Hallmark-y-ness of the book. It was just so darn cute, but it also threw in some tough topics to make you think.
-Emma’s hardheadedness when it came to Charlie.

😡Things that made me question why I didn’t DNF the book:
-The random use of SAT words thrown in a normal conversation. I get that the characters were writers, but every time the words made me stop and question myself
- The breaking of the 4th wall. Since it was not a common theme throughout the book, it really didn’t make any sense to randomly be reading from the POV of the main character as she’s writing the story.
-Emma’s relationship with her sister

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC. Solid 3.75/5 ⭐️

Katherine Center is one of those authors that I can always count on to deliver a fantastic read.
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The Rom-Commers was a funny, delightful, heartfelt read.
Emma has been hired to help famed screen writer (and her writing hero) Charlie Yates fix is romcom screenplay. Charlie doesn’t believe in love and Emma is here to change his mind AND write an incredible story.
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🎬grumpy x sunshine
🎬opposites attract
🎬forced proximity
🎬top tier banter
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I adored Emma and Charlie and I fell pretty hard for Emma’s family, her Dad especially. And an added bonus is getting a few cameos from my favorite, Jack Stapleton. ❤️
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This is a MUST read for summer.
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this book?