The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center is about a romance loving writer helping another writer who - you guessed it - doesn’t believe in romance fluff.

I have seen before where KC defends the romance genre and happily ever after endings. So, Rom-Commers was just a little too “preaching to the choir” for me personally, as Emma spends a lot of time trying to convince Charlie of all its merits.

I already love love. I already love love stories!!! Reading a whole book where one character is constantly defending romance was actually kind of boring to me. (Which I was not expecting.)

But I did like the banter and scenarios between them. It’s all on par with Center’s style. And it’s safe to say if you like her books, you’ll like this too.

It's incredibly hard for Katherine Center to write a bad book. Seriously I don't know how she does it.

Finishing this book, it's my favorite. I laughed. Like a lot. And I cried. Also a lot. I heard and recognized so many things about myself in this book. The juxtaposition of soul crushing words and the lifting up of what's happening in your world, living your dream.

And the thing about this book is. I knew there was going to be a happy ending. You read the authors note in hello stranger, she tells you she writes happy endings. But the journey to the end. She had me second guessing her. This book was beautiful and cute and it brought me so much joy. There's wit and growth and determination and some pretty stellar quotes. I loved it.

I absolutely loved this book. This is my first book by Katherine Center but I will be putting all the others on my TBR list! I loved everything about the book and I couldn’t put it down. The characters are great and their banter is amazing. Everyone definitely needs to put this book on their list. Rom-Commers should be in everyone’s beach bag this summer! Thank you Net galley for the ARC.

4.5 ⭐️

I really loved this book and couldn’t put it down. It’s such a great story with a deal, forced proximity, work romance and a tad Cinderella retelling.
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It’s captivating, predictable but also surprising. At one point I really disliked a character’s manipulations for a bit. I understand the needed growth but this seemed unnecessary and really low shots for drama. Yes it made the character more realistic but it was hard to read and not what is usually said by main characters.
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I kept reading for Charlie. Love a grumpy cinnamon roll especially his love for Cuthbert 😍 Emma’s hero worship and sacrificing and self declared sainthood status was getting old quickly. I loved the mentions of Jack and Hannah!
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(I don’t like the cover 🙈).

I adored every word of this quirky, funny, and life affirming book. I am a huge fan of KC, and this is my new favorite! I laughed, I cried, and I just felt so dang lucky to be a reader. What an awesome, awesome book. Five huge stars!

Katherine Center has quickly become one of my favorite authors. Her romances are filled with amazing plots and really interesting characters. The Rom-Commers has now risen to the top of my favorite of her books.

Emma is an aspiring screen writer who, because of some difficulties in her life, has not been able to reach her full potential. Charlie is one of the best screen writers in the business and the one writer she looks up to. He's basically her IDOL. When she gets the opportunity to work with him up close and personal she jumps at the chance. She's a Rom Com expert and he's trying to write a Rom Com and is miserably failing at it. Their meeting does not start great but as their story flows you get to witness something beautiful bloom.

Here are the things I loved about this story.... the characters are flawed... Charlie isn't the perfect book boyfriend and Emma isn't the perfect sunny FMC. They have flaws and they have amazing characteristics and you get to see both sides of them and fall in love with their story. I absolutely love that Katherine doesn't focus on tedious details but allows us to enjoy all the big details and the really small ones that have great meaning.

Thank you St Martin's press for this ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

***And that honest review is.... put it in your TBR STAT!

Instagram post: 4/21/2024

Katherine Center sums up what it means to love a romcom. The joy of believing, the anticipation of a great kiss and the warm fuzzy feelings which come with a happy ending. On a miserable weekend, what could be better than to snuggle down and read one of her books.
Her main characters are full of witty dialogue, quirky humor and head smacking moments. I also love that her characters aren’t drop dead gorgeous but people with some extremely endearing mannerisms and attractive body parts, like nostrils. I like to read about everyday people getting the romantic adventures and sexy storylines.
Emma is talented, loyal and a little scared of the real world. But the chance of a lifetime to work with her idol means she jumps on a plane to LA, taking her misgivings with her and a high dose of anxiety. Charlie is the idol who falls from the pedestal she put him on. Together they navigate the world of the romcom and the hunt for Charlie’s romantic heart.
Another wonderful, light hearted romp from Katherine Center. This is full of heart and hope. Loved it.
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC.

⭐️I’m torn with this one! This book made me laugh but also aggravated me sometimes! I really liked Emma in the beginning, Charlie not so much🫠 he got better but I don’t think I get his thinking sometimes. Their relationship kind of gave me whiplash 🤪Also, the cussing felt a bit excessive! For me, it was a 3 star⭐️. I didn’t love it but I didn’t hate it. It had its moments!

Katherine Center is always a delight! I loved this story about two unlikely screenwriters (one famous, one not so much) coming together to work on a project. Both characters backstories were sad but real and they really made them my complex and made the reader understand the reasons they were both hesitant in their working partnership and then possibly more. Great book! 10/10!

I have enjoyed all of Katherine Center’s books. I usually don't read this type of book regularly, but I love to switch up my mystery thriller books with some light hearted books that make me smile. Another great one by Katherine.

WOW!! Katherine Center has done it again! Loved this story of Emma Wheeler - who had dreams of being a screenwriter until tragedy struck and had to walk away from her dreams to care for her father and younger sister.
A old boyfriend has kept her busy with work - until an amazing opportunity is offered. She’ll have to travel to LA
and will be working with her idol Carlie Yates.

Loved all the laughs and tears this had. Center is able to draw out our emotions like no other.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for an advanced copy in return fir an honest review.

3.5

👫Katherine Center is an author I always enjoy reading. Her romances are sweet, closed door, and fun. For this book, though, I personally did not feel a connection with the MCs. I did not understand the attraction to Charlie- he did not seem to be that great of a catch. I know he's supposed to be an amazing writer, but that part was just talked about and not shown, so you're just taking Emma's (FMCs) word for it. Charlie supposedly shows he is kind or vulnerable by caring for others by taking care of a guinea pig, which was unrelatable.

🐹I thought the supporting characters were flat. The ex-wife character detracts from the story, and her brief appearance did not make sense. Logan was Emma's best friend but had all the red flags of what a bad friend looks like. I loved Emma's dad.

👓The plot was a good idea but never took off, and I was a little bored. Please remember I am in the minority as the majority of readers loved this book. Sometimes, the author's name and reputation can sway the star ratings and they go in with fan goggles. I wonder if I start reading these books with such a high bar that I expect them to live up to instead. I will definitely continue to read anything she publishes

🥰What would have made this book better? Probably a dual POV from Charlie.

It was a cool premise. Liked the ending. Jablowme was hilarious. Love the Guinea pig representation.

I received a ARC copy from Netgalley. I absolutely LOVE Katherine Center. I laughed throughout the book, the bickering, the dialogue was spot on. I loved this book. Recommend to rom com lovers and want a unique story to consume your day(s).
5 stars!

Another strong story from Katherine Center! I couldn’t put it down and read into the wee hours of the night just to know how the characters would get their HEA. I loved the LA setting, the world of screenwriters, the female MC and her family, the grumpy vs sunshine dynamic, and the ending! This is a slow burn, no/low spice contemporary romance that is sure to please.

3.5 ⭐️

I’m not much of a romcom reader, but I have heard good things about this author’s other books so I thought I would give this one a chance.

Overall I’m surprised by how much I liked this story, even with its cheesiness, it was cute and entertaining. I think what would have made it better is if I liked the main character more. I loved her backstory and how she was a caretaker for her father, but then she turned too much into the ‘quirky’ girl with the unruly hair and who didn’t event notice her flip flops were on the wrong feet.

I would definitely give other books by this author a read, maybe I will become a romcom fan!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Yeah this is phenomenal. All the good things you’ve heard are true. She’s done it again folks. Soooo beach read and book lovers coded it hurts (in a way I want to hurt over and over again). I’m obsessed with Charlie and how Emma challenged him repeatedly until he had no choice but to fall in love with her. My favorite book of Center’s yet.

This book gave me all the feelings that a classic rom com should! I was completely captivated from the very beginning and I flew through this one. The banter was so fun, but there was a depth to the characters that made this all the more enjoyable.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thanks to St. Martin's Press for the copy of this ARC!

Emma Wheeler loves rom-coms and hopes to be a screenwriter one day. She finally gets a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work with her idol, Charlie Yates - but she's hesitant to leave her sick father in the hands of her younger sister. She decides to take a chance and head to LA to see if she can get her big break.

In true Katherine Center spirit, THE ROM-COMMERS is a delightful, fun rom com read with lots of heart. Emma and Charlie are on two opposite ends of the spectrum, but it's so fun (and humerous) to see them come together. Per usual, I also loved all of the side characters and subplots and thought they added to the story so well. This is a fun read, and you know I will always recommend a book with a redhead main character! ;)

Couldn't put it down. Can't stop smiling. My latest Katherine Center favorite that I can't wait to add to my personal library.

KC's sixth sense must include an ability to hold the contrast of the hard & tragic with the funny, beautiful, & hopeful in the perfect counter tension. Her stories are like Goldilocks--not too Pollyanna-ish; not too heavy or dark; but <i>just right</i>--and her writing often leaves me wanting to being a better person and to make happy choices.

Loved so much about <i>The Rom-Commers</i>--Emma & Charlie's character arcs; the banter, always the banter; more K-drama references; hope after and in the midst of hard; Jack Stapleton's cameo (<i>The Bodyguard</i>); grammatical & word-choice sparring on page; beautiful, descriptive, and insightful writing; and so much more!

Thanks to #netgalley and St Martin's Press for the ARC ebook.

Publication date: June 11, 2024