Member Reviews

Absolutely fantastic! I loved every moment of this! The characters were fun and witty and I wanted them for myself. I devoured this book.

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I alternated between e-book and audio book for this one, and preferred the audio option as the narrators did a great job of bringing the book to life.

The Bodyguard is still my favorite KC book, but I really did enjoy The Rom-Commers! Despite the story dealing with a few rather heavy topics (illness and family dynamics, for example) KC still has her signature light-hearted but complex way of handling romance with depth. Her stories are more than banter and love, and I’ve always appreciated the realness her stories bring to relationships.

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DNF @ 37%

KC's books are a hit or miss for me. And the last two have been misses. The last couple female protagonists have just seemed so meh. I found Em to be very immature and a martyr. And don't get me started on Charlie Yates-- whose full name is used too many times.

I was going to keep going, but went on and read a ton of spoilers and I am sticking with the DNF.

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I LOVED this book ! Katherine Center is one of my favorite authors and this book does not disappoint ! I love
The characters are so well developed and I couldn’t put the book down . I also tandom listened to the audiobook as well which made for a fun experience !

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Katherine Center once again proves why she is a automatic must-read author for me. Her characters are always real and believable - I really loved Emma and the natural relationship that she forms with Charlie. Nothing ever felt forced making it easy to read. I also appreciated the overlap in characters from previous work! This was one of my favorite reads this year so far!

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I absolutely love Katherine Center and everything she writes. I know once I open that book I am in for a delicious treat. THE ROM-COMMERS did not fall short. I felt all the feelings with this one! Which is something I just love about all of Center's character development. You just FEEL everything with them.

This was giving enemies to lovers and close proximity trope all in one. Charlie and Emma had the best chemistry from the jump. Even though Charlie was a little bit of a butt-hole in the beginning. You could totally see how both of them began letting their guards down with one another. Both of them carried so much trauma together so it was very raw to read. Definitely cried at the ending but don't worry it was all worth it :)

Please pick this up and all of her other reads. You will not be disappointed, like ever. Just not possible with Center behind the pen.

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Emma Wheeler has spent the last decade caring for her father, putting her dreams of becoming a screenwriter on hold. When her ex-boyfriend offers her a chance to co-write a rom-com with her idol, Charlie Yates, she jumps at the opportunity. Leaving her sister to care for their father, Emma heads to LA for six weeks. But Charlie, a bitter skeptic of love, doesn't want her help, and his script is a disaster. Despite the rocky start, Emma is determined to make it work, fighting for both the script and the possibility of real love.

I loved this book! Emma and Charlie's story had me hooked from the very start. Their enemies-to-lovers beginning, which transitions into a deep, heartfelt friends-to-lovers romance as they navigate forced proximity, is very well crafted. The way they fall in love and support each other through dark, difficult moments is really cute and moving.

The book touches on heavy topics like chronic disease, the death of loved ones, hypochondria, panic attacks, and cancer, but they are all explored with sensitivity and depth. Despite these serious issues, the story is filled with sweet, swoon-worthy moments and culminates in a heartwarming, happy ending that left me with a smile.

The audio version was wonderfully narrated by one of my favorite narrators, Patti Murin, adding an extra layer of charm to the story. Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and St. Martin's Press for the gifted copies.

I always look forward to Katherine Center's books, and "The Rom-Commers" did not disappoint. I can't wait for her next release

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3.5⭐️

This was fun! The first 2/3rds of this book was funny and adorable. I was laughing and crying and truly loved the concept.

I feel like the end of the book was a bit rushed. I didn’t love how the cancer trope played out, it felt a little forced and thrown in there. It felt a little immature. I also don’t think there was quite enough depth with her dad’s TBI.

This was a great romance pick me up after reading a hefty fantasy. Fun and what I wanted! Didn’t quite hit the mark.

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Okay, so I’ve read a few of Katherine Center’s books now, and I can honestly say she might just be my absolute favourite rom com author. “The Rom-Commers” totally lived up to the hype that I built up in my head (my expectations were highhhh)!

This book had me laughing out loud and ugly crying in the best way possible. The relationships were everything, especially the one between Emma and her little sister. Their banter, heart-to-hearts and fights were so real, I felt like I was eavesdropping on real-life sister convos.

Reading this book felt like wrapping myself in a cozy sweater on a chilly day. Center’s stories always restore my faith in humanity and leave me with allll the warm fuzzies. “The Rom-Commers” is a five-star read for me for sure, and I can’t recommend it enough if you are a fan of romantic comedies.

TYSM to @stmartinspress for bestowing me with an advanced copy - I literally screamed when it was sent to me! 🤩 #zerochill

#theromcommers #theromcommersbook #romcombookstagram #katherinecenter #katherinecenterbooks #feelgoodbookclub

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I'm a fan of Katherine Center and was very excited for this book.
I have greatly enjoyed many of her previous titles.
In The Rom-Commers, Center writes about Emma Wheeler, a young woman who desperately wants to be a screenwriter but feels torn to pursue her dreams because of her father's disability and her little sister's needs. But when prolific screenwriter Charlie Yates (her hero) needs help writing a rom-com (her specialty), Emma can't pass it up.
The premise is very cute. I have to say, right off the bat, I knew I may have issues with diving into this book. I live in Los Angeles and am very familiar with the film/screenwriting industry. This proximity does put the 'believability' of a storyline like this through the ringer, and hurts my suspension of belief.
All that to say, I think if the characters had been stronger I could have dodged any industry inaccuracies. But it was just too much!
Charlie was built up to be both a god of screenwriting and a terrible person. (But really just a terribly misunderstood person). When an author does so much work to showcase a character's irascibility, moodiness, and awfulness, I think you need just as much (if not more) evidence they are transforming into a better person. But Charlie hardly changed at all! He was the same. Just with moments of odd niceness. It was like a mildly abusive guy being nice a couple times and the heroine mistaking her gratitude for infatuation.
Emma was confusing. She loved screenwriting and yet did so little to pursue it. She was given opportunities far beyond her expertise. The plot was propelled by characters who believed in her for no apparent reason. Katherine Center is usually very conscientious about setting up her character's strengths. They are believable, even if mildly funny. But these two just didn't land for me.
I will read Center's next book, as I'm sure it will be top notch! This book will be great for a lot of people, it just wasn't for me.

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This had a fun theme with the LA screenwriting world and it held my interest easily. Loved the character interactions, the grumpy male lead and the chemistry was a nice, slow build.

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4⭐️ Solid four stars. I laughed a lot and some parts even gave me butterflies. I loved the storyline between the sisters and dad so much!! My main criticism was that Charlie was kind of a dick for a lot of the book, so it took a lot for me to cheer for him in the end. I think his character could have been refined a bit to make him easier to like. All in all though I enjoyed it and stayed up late to finish reading it!

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Katherine Center's *The Rom-Commers* is an absolute gem that captures the heart and humor of contemporary romance. This novel is a perfect blend of wit, charm, and emotional depth, making it a must-read for fans of the genre.

Center's storytelling is impeccable, weaving together a plot that's both engaging and heartwarming. The protagonist, Claire, is a delightfully relatable character, navigating the complexities of love, friendship, and personal growth with grace and humor. Her journey is one that many readers will see themselves in, making her triumphs and tribulations all the more impactful.

The chemistry between Claire and her love interest, Ben, is electric. Their interactions are filled with witty banter, tender moments, and just the right amount of tension to keep readers on the edge of their seats. Center's ability to create such authentic and compelling relationships is truly commendable.

What sets *The Rom-Commers* apart is its balance of lighthearted romance and meaningful exploration of deeper themes. Center doesn't shy away from tackling issues like self-discovery, forgiveness, and the importance of following one's heart. These elements add a rich layer of complexity to the story, elevating it beyond a simple romantic comedy.

The supporting characters are equally well-crafted, each adding their own unique flavor to the narrative. They bring additional warmth and humor, making the world of *The Rom-Commers* feel fully realized and vibrant.

In summary, *The Rom-Commers* by Katherine Center is a delightful and heartwarming read that will leave you smiling long after you turn the last page. It's a beautifully written story that celebrates love, laughter, and the messy, wonderful journey of life. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a feel-good romance with depth and heart!

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𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: 5⭐️
𝙶𝚎𝚗𝚛𝚎: contemporary romance 📚

𝙼𝚢 𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜:
For some reason I’ve been super stingy with my 5 star ratings this year but this one was for sure a 5 star read!

𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎:
Romantic comedies about writing romantic comedies
Workplace romance (screenwriters)
Emotional rollercoasters- this book will have you laughing out loud one second and in tears the next
Grumpy/ sunshine
Forced proximity
Heartwarming reads
Slow burn

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎𝚍:
The spoiled guinea pig
He makes her donuts
Charlie is the best

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚍𝚒𝚍𝚗’𝚝 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛:
Literally the only thing that bothered me was when the sisters got into a fight and Emma didn’t apologize lol

𝙵𝚊𝚟𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝚀𝚞𝚘𝚝𝚎𝚜:
★ "Whatever story you tell yourself about your life, that's the one that'll be true."
★ “I would write a hundred happy endings for us if I could.”
★ “Well, you’re lucky. Because love is something you can learn. Love is something you can practice. It’s something you can choose to get good at. And here’s how you do it.” He let go of his walker to signal he meant business: “Appreciate your person.”

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DNF. I’ve always loved her books but this one is going to the wrong direction. Didn’t like the characters, my first DNF of the year. I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review

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After reading a very heavy historical fiction book, I was looking for something very light and sweet. That's exactly what this is, but it's just okay, nothing great. In the beginning of the book, the writing seemed so immature that I wasn't sure if I could keep going. I pushed through that and it got somewhat better - it's a cute story but totally predictable. Emma Wheeler is a talented screenwriter who never got her chance for success because she had to become a full-time caretaker for her dad. She idolizes superstar screenwriter Charlie Yates who just so happens to be a client of her high school boyfriend Logan Scott who's now a Hollywood manager. When Logan makes Emma an offer to work with Charlie to fix a terrible romantic comedy script he wrote, she arranges for her younger sister Sylvie to take care of her dad for six weeks so she can go to LA. Charlie has never written a romantic comedy before and Emma rips it apart in their first meeting. Impressed with her feedback and intrigued by Emma in general, Charlie reluctantly agrees to work with her. To be able to write a successful romantic comedy script together, Emma first has to teach Charlie major lessons about romance and love. When their inevitable romance occurs with many expected twists and turns, it seems like Emma is the only one who doesn't see what's coming (to me, it was all very obvious and her character seemed too smart to not pick up on any of it). Thanks to #netgalley and #stmartinspress for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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For the past decade, Emma has put her life on hold, caring for her disabled father while her younger sister finishes her education. Now, however, she has a chance at a dream job: writing a romantic comedy screenplay with her writing idol Charlie Yates. Unfortunately, as much as he can write just about anything else under the sun, Charlie can't write a romantic comedy to save his life...nor is he particularly interested in trying. But Emma didn't fly halfway across the country and put her dad in her sister's willing but unexperienced care just to churn out a lackluster screenplay.

The setup of this novel is not the greatest, but it feels like a good old fashioned rom-com. Just the right amount of slapstick, a few tears, and some decent meaningful kisses, and there you have it. I have a few quibbles with the relationship (Emma lets him get away with SO MUCH casual rudeness — but then she also goes into it with a "I can fix him!" mentality, so...) and I think they're both too dramatic to have a long-term relationship. But this is a rom-com in book form, so I'll let it slide.

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I love Katherine Center's writing.This might not have been my favorite of her books, but I still enjoyed it.

It was a quick read that had a lot of humor and really great moments. It even kind of made me cry a little. And normally, all of that would add up to a 5 star read. But unfortunately, there was one slight problem with The Rom-Commers.Charlie was extremely frustrating, and I had a very hard time liking him. Emma, on the other hand, was so fantastic that she nearly made up for his shortcomings.

In the end, though, I did like this book and was left with happy, warm, fuzzy feelings. And after all, isn't that why we read romcoms.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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Katherine Center has quickly become one of my palette cleanser writers! The Rom-Commers managed to balance favorite tropes with freshness. And the dynamic between the characters made the slow burn feel ACTUALLY necessary and so much fun to read.

Classic rom com that makes you feel like a favorite movie. While nothing was particularly revolutionary here, Center always manages to make the familiar seem comfortable without losing the reader’s interest.

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***UNPOPULAR OPINION***

Center's books have been hit or miss for me, and unfortunately... this was another miss. Not her best given all the hype. The characters were annoying and had no depth.

Cannot recommend. Hope her next book is better.

THanks to NEtgalley, Katherine Center and ST MArtins Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Already available

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