So happy I got the TBR from Katherine Center. I have always loved her novels and this one was no exception. Great witty characters, a fast paced plot and all set in beautiful LA what more could you want.

Can I give this book 6 stars? I thought this was so funny and the writing was so good. This was one of those books where I forced myself to read slowly so I could make it last longer. I loved both the main characters so much. It was kind of grumpy sunshine but not really. Sometimes sunshine can be too ‘shiny’ if you know what I mean but this was just the right amount of optimistic and realistic. I’ll def be buying this book when it’s out.

Thanks to NetGally and St Martins Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

How does Katherine Center always write such a great story?! One moment, The Rom-Commers had me smiling at the banter between Emma Wheeler, aspiring screenwriter and Charlie Yates, successful screenwriter and then tearing up with emotions in the next moment.

I absolutely loved this story. Emma and Charlie’s relationship progression was sweet and just so real. Emma’s character was so well-developed and likable, I just kept rooting for her!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own. 5 stars!

Katherine Center is one of my fave romance authors, and I was so excited for The Rom-Commers. And overall, it was good.

I liked the premise a lot. But I honestly couldn’t get connected with either Emma or Charlie. And I really didn’t like Charlie until like 60-70% into the book.

The ending was really great, though. I loved the emotion and how things wrapped up for all the characters.

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for the gifted audiobook and e-book!

My very first Katherine Center book and yessss. I just loved it. It felt like such a great comfort read. Talking about what we all love about rom-coms?! Grumpy sunshine trope?? Say no more!

All I can truly say is Wow! I have read a lot of novels similar to this one genre-wise, but very few have made me want to, as Emma Wheeler would put it, ‘swan dive’ into the characters’ world and just live there indefinitely. I had never read anything by Katherine Center prior to reading The Rom-Commers, but now I feel compelled to consume every single piece of writing she’s ever written.

I figured the trope of coworkers to lovers would produce a sweet and charming story. What I didn’t anticipate was the gravity of the emotions, the humanity that shone through every word, the late/near end plot twist (times two), and the genuine excellence in prose and 1st-person narration.

I will not elaborate on the plot, nor the characters, as I feel every reader of this novel should have the opportunity to experience it with just the information that the blurb provides. However, I sincerely hope everyone falls just as much in love with The Rom-Commers as I did (the fact that I had dreams of being a screenwriter and went to school for it notwithstanding).

First of all, I will read and listen to anything by Katherine Center. Her books always have engaging characters and the perfect blend of wit and pathos. The Rom-Commers is no different, and I swept right through it in less than a day, sometimes reading and sometimes listening, depending on my availability. I love the way Katherine Center brings together two broken people who fill the gaps in each other's lives. And this time, it was done with two screenwriters--one famous and one unknown--navigating the structure of a rom com while they collaborate on a project. There is a lot of fun banter, wise philosophy, and the reminder that we write our own stories based on our personal outlook. Another winner by one of my favorite authors and a fun audiobook that I plan to listen to again with my husband on our next road trip.

Thank, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ebook and the audiobook arcs! I enjoyed both immensely.

I thought this book was fine. There were some really amazing nuggets of wisdom in here, so I loved that part. The main theme was to not let life bring you down. Have hope. Stay optimistic. Take chances.

Love that.

I know it’s such a minor thing, but I loved that Emma had wild, curly hair. From one curly girl to another, I see you. 🤝🏼

I also thought Emma’s dad was priceless and must be protected.

What I primarily didn’t like was the romance.

Neither Charlie nor Emma was overly likable to me.
The core story was driven by miscommunication (at best), and I didn’t feel a lot of chemistry with the two leads. Friends maybe. But romantic partners? Not sure.

I don’t want to spoil anything, but I found a couple plot points fairly problematic. I would say that if you are looking for a general fiction book and don’t mind miscommunication in romance, you may be okay with this book.

I know I’m in the minority in my thoughts about the book, so keep that in mind here. I didn’t dislike the book, but I was a little disappointed.

Thank you netgalley for a free copy!

This was an absolute delight. A book that grabbed me from the first page and kept me reading late into the night to see how these two eventually become a couple. This was fun and the banter was too notch. I’ll definitely be reading more from this author in the near future.

I adore Katherine Center’s work. I could not put this book down and was so excited when I received an early copy. I think this may be my favorite Katherine Center book yet!

I absolutely loved this book! This was the first book I’ve ever read by Katherine Center and it will certainly not be the last. I received an arc of this book to review and was pleasantly surprised, to say the least. The main characters are fleshed out, the writing itself is GOOD, the pacing is great, and it has a satisfying ending. I highly recommend this book!

GAWD I haven’t had a 5star rating in over a month! And I thought my ‘emotions’ were off kilter, but no… I was just waiting for the right book to hit all the buttons in me to be a 5star read and Katherine did it. With every one of her books I read or listen to… I love her writing more and more.

I love Charlie and Emma! Laughter was out loud! Sarcasm was checked and I smirked! And man….tears were shed…. I had to keep those in check as I was listening to the end of the book driving to work, but if i had been at home i would be bawling!

The last 20% of the book… 😭🥹😩🙈🥺🙂🙃😆😅. All the emotions were had! And thats what makes this a 5 star for me, when I feel the butterflies in my stomach, when I cant stop listening even though im already late for work 😅. It was EVERYTHING. And i cant wait for her next book!!!!!

𝗧𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽𝗲𝘀:
🧡Forced Proximity
🧡Grumpy/ Sunshine
🧡He’s Famous
🧡Witty Banter
🧡Care Giver
🧡Single POV

I received an advance readers copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

If you love, love read this now! Also, read author’s note! Perfection!

Protagonist Emma Wheeler's journey from aspiring screenwriter to rewriting both her own and her hero's love story is both heartwarming and humorous. The narrative's strength lies in its well-drawn characters, particularly Emma and famous screenwriter Charlie Yates. Their dynamic is electric, as Emma's passion for rom-coms clashes with Charlie's cynical worldview. Watching their relationship evolve from reluctant collaborators to something more adds depth and emotional resonance to the story. What sets "The Rom-Commers" apart is its exploration of the power of storytelling and the impact of love on our lives. Through Emma's determination to prove that love stories matter, the novel celebrates the genre while also challenging its conventions. The witty dialogue and clever references to classic rom-coms will delight fans of the genre, while the authentic emotional moments will resonate with readers of all backgrounds. Overall, "The Rom-Commers" is a charming and uplifting read that reminds us of the magic of love and the importance of chasing our dreams. With its blend of humor, heart, and romance, this novel is sure to leave readers smiling long after they've turned the final page. Highly recommended for anyone in need of a feel-good escape into the world of love and laughter.

Katherine Center, I love you! I could lose myself in your novels for hours on end—and I do, even though they each time seem to slip away too quickly as I (reluctantly) reach the final page.
Yes, Katherine Center is a rare treasure.
Her storytelling hooks readers straight from page one and effortlessly draws them into its embrace with its straightforward charm and witty humor.
Her characters come alive like old friends, complete with their quirks and imperfections, yet utterly lovable in every way. They navigate life’s highs and lows, echoing our own personal experiences with such authenticity that it’s impossible not to be captivated by their journey.
In short, her stories are a balm for the soul, a delightful gift that lingers in the heart long after the final chapter closes. And Center’s latest one, the Rom-Commers, is no exception.

Overall, I thought this was a cute HEA that kept me smiling. Although I took issue with Charlie’s overall emotional capacity and the first-kiss situation, I will still recommend this book. A dual POV would have helped me better understand Charlie and his sometimes inconsistent reactions + decisions. Charlie gave middle-school boy “he’s only mean because he likes you” vibes. Regardless, I would absolutely watch this as movie.

Thank you to NetGalley, Katherine Center, and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced e-copy!

As one who doesn’t gravitate toward romance novels initially, I love Katherine Centers novels. She has a talent and of marrying relatable life situations with humor, and love. I always laugh at the witty remarks and introspective dialogue of her main characters. I love the dive into family dynamics and its complexities.

In The Rom-Commers, Emma a budding screen writer gets the opportunity of a
life time, working with her favorite screenwriter. She hesitantly takes a big risk, leaving her family and responsibilities behind to pursue her dreams. Does Charlie Yates live up to her fantasized idea of him?

This is a fun and heart warming read. You won’t be disappointed. Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.

I love this book! This quote really rang true for me:

"I had a theory that we gravitate toward the stories we need in life. Whatever we’re longing for—adventure, excitement, emotion, connection—we turn to stories that help us find it. Whatever questions we’re struggling with—sometimes ones so deep, we don’t even really know we’re asking them—we look for answers in stories."

Every Katherine Center book I've ever read has left me with warm & happy feelings. This one too. Such perfect descriptions of feelings of grief, fear, joy, love... Those are what really stick with me even more than the story of Emma & Charlie's relationship.

Another amazing book by Katherine Center, I just love her books and couldn't put this one down. I laughed, cried and it stole my heart.

It's about two writers who have to rewrite a horrible love story and figure out how to work together without falling for each other. Then life happens.

Thank you to NetGallery and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really loved this book. I don’t know how to describe it except that this book made my heart really happy. They were a lot of cute, funny, and heartwarming moments!

Once again, I was so excited to read another Katherine Center book. And there was so much to love about this one. While there were heavy topics, they were balanced with humor, great banter and so much joy. I really enjoyed it.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC. All opinions are my own.