If you got the chance of a lifetime to live your dreams that have been sidelined for years along side your idol, would you do it? This was the premise of The Rom-Commers and I was excited to read it! After putting her dreams of being a rom-com screenwriter aside to care for her ailing dad, Emma finally gets her shot when she is asked by her childhood friend, Logan, to assist famous screenwriter Charlie Yates in re-writing his rom-com. The only problem, Charlie doesn't want help nor does he believe in love, an essential part of writing a ROMANTIC comedy. Now, Emma's got weeks to change his opinion and convince him to write a rom-com to beat all other rom-coms.

With a chance for grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity gold, I was excited to read this but the connection between the characters felt absent for a majority of the book. From the initial description of the characters and their first interactions, I had a hard time believing their "love story". They spent most of the book disliking each other and without feeling an underlying palpable chemistry, their love story fell flat. Also, this book included some heavier topics which tend to reel me in however, I felt they were dealt with in a more immature dialogue between the characters than I am used to with Katherine Center's other books. As with many of this author's books, I always find a real life lesson; however, with this one, the message felt more disheartening than uplifting, which I was was unprepared for and could definitely circumstantial for me more than others.

Please know that I have read many of Katherine's other books and LOVED them! How to Walk Away and Things You Save in a Fire are two of my favorites! This book just didn't hit the same way for me but could be someone else's fave. It still has the same excellent writing you expect from Katherine Center so, if your intrigued TRY IT! That's the best part about reading is we don't all have to love the same stories.

2.5 (rounded down)

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

My new favorite Katherine Center book!! I loved it so much! I’ll definitely be shouting about this book for a long time!

Emma has dedicated her life to her family. After losing her mom at a young age, and her dad having health issues that required around the clock in-home care, she puts her own life goals on hold. When her lifelong friend calls her and says he has the opportunity of a lifetime- to rewrite a screen play with her hero Charlie Yates- her family rallies together to send her. When she arrives, she is given a less than warm welcome. In fact, Charlie has no idea who she is or why she is there! He hates rom-coms and refuses to work with her or anyone on the screenplay. Emma does not back down easy, she is determined and honest. When Charlie let’s her in a little, the whole story transpires into something beautiful.

I am a huge Katherine Center fan, so when I was approved for this book I squealed with joy! This is a cute and quirky story, and was quite different from her other novels. I enjoyed it, but it was not my favorite that she has written. It was her usual heartwarming storyline, but the ending felt rushed and I did not feel that “spark” between the two main characters. Thank you so much to NetGalley and publisher for this ARC!

This book was my first book that I’ve read so far in 2024 that gave me a book hangover. I’’ve read other books by this author and this is by far my new favorite of hers. It is now in the top 10 of my favorite romance books I’ve read in the last 5 years.

The story really caught my interest within the first few pages, which is key for me if it’s not in not in audiobook format. The characters were imperfect but lovable, and that includes all of the characters, not just the two main characters. Emma and Charlie had such a fun chemistry. The plot kept on giving, throughout the whole book.

I cried at least 3 times. There was a lot of chemistry but not too much cheesy smut which was a breath of fresh air. My only complaint was that I would have liked to know more about some of Charlie’s friendships with other characters, especially Jack. Everyone loved him once they got to know him but he seemed like such a loner so there was a bit of a disconnect there.

Overall, I would say a solid 4.25 stars for me!

Katherine Center has done it again! The Rom-Commers is a delight from start to finish. I loved this rom com about love, life, and chasing one’s dreams. This grumpy sunshine novel made me both laugh and cry thanks to its wonderful mix of humor and heart. I cannot recommend this book enough and will definitely be rereading it soon.

*Thank you Netgalley, Katherine Center, St Martin’s Press, and Macmillan Audio for an arc copy. All opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved this latest book from Katherine Center! Her books are so real and captivating! This had some unexpected turns and was so engaging.

Thank you katherine and netgalley for the e-arc
Kat never disappionts
never EVER
Her books are cute and emotional in many ways
and this book is no exception
The whole book is about healing and forgiving.
And the best of all, it contains the typical wit of kat's.
I adore this book.
No one is ever gonna convince me to give it less than five stars cuz it's just that good
This book will make you laugh, cry and smile at the same time
like I said
typical Kat style
and i live for it

I can not list the ways I loved this book.
It was so much fun the characters had so much heart and it just gave me the warm and fuzzies will be buying this book when it comes out.

4.5⭐️

When I think of the greatest champions of and advocates for love stories, Katherine Center is always at the top of my list. Center’s stories are so deeply human and while they touch on the pain and tragedy that inevitably arises in life, I love how the focus is on the immense joy, laughter, love, and hope that can be found in the midst of heartbreak and suffering. Her stories speak to our humanity and remind us of the goodness that is at our core… how love is woven into the fabric of our beings and how sharing stories of hope and joy is an act of bravery and should be celebrated.

Gosh, I can’t tell you how many times I teared up while reading this story. My heart ached over the tragedy and suffering these characters experienced, and while they have every right to allow the immense pain to eclipse their lives, they ultimately chose to tell their stories a different way. Emma and Charlie faced the unthinkable alone in their pasts, but together, decided to chase after a future full of light and gratitude.

The entire cast of characters was so endearing (with the exception of TJ), and I especially loved the seeing the interactions between Emma, Sylvie and their dad - how they encouraged, championed, and fiercely loved each other. Some of their conversations were heart-wrenching, but seeing the forgiveness and healing that took place was breathtaking.

Center’s beautiful, heartwarming storytelling will fill your heart with warm fuzzies and butterflies and leave you feeling all mushy and sunshiny inside… and all the other gooey cliches you can think of!

I enjoyed this book however i feel as if it kept dragging on. Without giving away any spoilers I think the ending was the best.

Katherine Center is maybe my all time comfort author. Her romances never fail to disappoint and just feel like a warm blanket or a cozy summer day. They are always everything I expect and nothing I don’t which just…feels like a hug.

I absolutely loved the premise of this one. Two writers, one who is undiscovered and idolizes the other, have to team up in order to fix a script? Yes, please. Something else I love in books that this one delivered on are themes of family and watching sibling relationships play out (do I have some sort of only child syndrome? Maybe). I will be fair and say that Charlie got frustrating at some point, but he had the hurt man who can’t let someone in again thing going for him, so I decided to forgive him in the end.

In any case, if you love romances with a push/pull dynamic, forced proximity, and overarching themes of family you’re absolutely going to love this one!

Made the mistake of reading the last third of this in public and it was a struggle not to cry. I'm pretty confident I'd have been sobbing otherwise.

Katherine Center books are always such a comfort. And always so touching. Rom-Commers was no exception. I'm so impressed out how the plot, the relationship between Emma and her family, the witty dialog, and the heart weaved together to form such a simultaneously fun and incredibly touching story.

Also if Center ever wants to write a book version of Emma's Accidental Mermaid script... I would be first in the line to read it.

4am at the Edinburgh airport: a time that no one should be forcibly awake and a place that is impossible to romanticize. I’m on my way to a day-trip in London (running on zero coffee), but my flight is delayed by almost an hour and a half (this review is not sponsored by Ryanair). Feeling defeated and dehydrated, I pull out my Kindle and read the first half of “The Rom-Commers,” by Katherine Center.

Woah.

Not even having to run after a gate-change could make me tear my eyes away from the book (looking back, not the safest decision), and once onboard the plane, I was sure I could finish the book in the span of the 50min flight...

…Pause.

Like a fine wine, this book deserved to be savored. That savoring shouldn’t take place in the middle seat of a discount-airline flight. (I’m writing this review from the middle seat of a flight to Belgium. Funny how life works.)

Timeskip to my flight back to Edinburgh. Another hour and a half delay — boo. I take it as a sign to finish the book, and, as this book is absolutely window-seat-worthy, I finish it in the first-half of the flight, and spend the second-half sitting in silence contemplating how amazing the book was. The next morning (after getting home and collapsing after spending over 24 hours of awake), I’m convinced that I could not have read a book that was that silly and full of heart.

Not only was it such a fun read that I was convinced it was an airport-induced fever dream, but it has definitely earned the place of my top book of 2024.

With jokes that are reminiscent of “The Proposal,” emotional stakes that rival “When Harry Met Sally,” a romantic duo that gives Mia and Sebastian a run for their money, and, I cannot stress this enough, a sibling relationship that screams “27 Dresses,” “The Rom-Commers” is a prime example of the power of storytelling, and how fictional romance is anything but frivolous or self-indulgent.

Rom-coms are meant to make you feel — this book made me feel way too many emotions, and for that, I applaud it (through tears).

While being a tribute to romantic comedies, the story doesn’t fall victim to any tired tropes or cliches, and if, anything, Katherine Center puts her own twists on them that give them new life that is anything but boring.

Oh, and having a cute guinea pig named Cuthbert doesn’t hurt either :)

“The Rom-Commers” will be available on June 11th, and thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this advanced reader’s copy!

Katherine Center is a must-read author for me. She never lets me down. Her romance novels always bring joy to my reading life, even as she covers serious topics along the way. The Rom-Commers is no different - it was just delightful.

Emma Wheeler is an aspiring screenwriter but life got in the way of her taking advantage of a prestigious Hollywood internship. Specifically, she became her father’s caretaker and a mother-substitute for her younger sister, after a tragic accident. So she put her life on hold, while she continued to write without achieving any success in that area. But an old friend in LA is her manager and one day he hands Emma the opportunity of a lifetime - to write (actually re-write) a rom-com with her screenwriting idol, Charlie Yates, if she can come to LA from Texas. Apparently, Charlie is a masterful writer but this rom-com is a disaster and rom-coms are Emma’s specialty. So this is a rom-com about writing a rom-com! Very meta.

The whole sequence of events after Emma gets to LA is pretty hilarious, while also touching on Emma’s fear of the unknown, fear of rejection, and her fangirl idolization of Charlie and other Hollywood writers and actors. There’s a fun cameo appearance by Jack Stapleton, who we met in The Bodyguard - and Meryl Streep! We have a bunch of tropes: enemies-to-lovers and/or friends-to-lovers, forced proximity, grouchy-sunshine, etc., but Center somehow pulls it together in her expert way. Among the serious topics covered are: Meniere’s disease (I don’t think I’ve seen another book that covers this, a disease a friend of mine deals with); cancer; death of a parent; disabling injury; and more.

Do not miss this book if you like rom-coms at all!

I bounced between the audiobook and the ebook for this title, which was very convenient, and allowed me to continue with the story even when I could not sit down and read - or when I could not listen. The audiobook was beautifully narrated by Patti Murin, and the audiobook includes a short piece by the author (read by the author).

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book and to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.

As someone who is a hopeless romantic who also loves rom-coms, I really enjoyed this book. It had all the elements of a classic rom-com, however I feel like it would've been even better if it was dual POV. The ending made me tear up a bit which is rare for me! Definitely recommend checking this out!

This is easily going to be one of my favorite books of the year!!

Katherine Center has created a story that will stick with me for a long time! This book is told from the POV of Emma, who is one of THE most selfless characters because she has sacrificed everything for her family. She is a caregiver to her father and has put her life on hold to take care of him until an opportunity of a lifetime comes up to work with her favorite screenwriter.

Charlie is in a writers slump (and also a life slump!). He is very analytical and does NOT believe in love. This is a HUGE issue since he is tasked to write a RomCom. He ends up getting Emma’s help and they work together.

I just can’t even describe how good this was! The Rom-Commers had the absolute perfect pacing for a slow burn book. You couldn’t figure out WHY he would not give in and would be such a jerk sometimes and I loved it!!!

The ending… whew.. it’s rare to find a book where you get a happy ending that makes you feel so good for a long time after! I could not stop thinking about this story hours after I read it.

I loved both characters, their growth, and everything about this book! It was an absolutely perfect read for me.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Publishing Group for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was such a great rom-com and I loved it. This is the first book of Katherine Centers that I have read which was on the recommendation of my boss who loves this author and she didn’t steer me wrong since it was right up my alley. The chemistry and banter between Emma and Charlie was so good and just jumped off the page and oh man how she eviscerated his screenplay when they met was just so good. Emma finally gets the push to pursue her dreams that she has put on hold these last 10 years while taking care of her dad and of course it starts off as a disaster since Charlie is not expecting her at all. Emma is determined to show Charlie that love stories matter even if she has to kiss him to prove it which she ends up doing but misunderstandings ensue which are compounded by an emergency at home that requires Emma to go back. All is well at the end and true love prevails and this was such a fast read and now I have to check out her other novels.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

Katherine Center is my go-to author when I need a story that will make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. The Rom-Commers was exactly that, and I loved every minute of it.

As the sole caretaker for her dad, Emma Wheeler’s dreams of being a screen writer have been on hold for the past 10 years. When she gets the unexpected chance to re-write a rom-com script with the famous Charlie Yates, a writer she idolizes, she’s finally in the position to make her dreams come true.

I really enjoyed Emma’s determination, resilience, loyalty, and optimism. You’ll fall in love with her and root for the happy ending she deserves.

This book is available June 11, 2024 and should definitely be on your summer reading list. I was given this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

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

I found "The Rom-Commers" disappointing, despite my usual enjoyment of Katherine Center's work. The chemistry between the main characters, Emma and Charlie, felt lacking throughout the book. Charlie's harsh and emotionally unintelligent behavior was off-putting, and Emma's passive acceptance of his treatment was frustrating. It seemed that both characters needed therapy rather than a romantic relationship.

Additionally, character development was lacking. Emma's insecurities, immaturity, and Charlie's toxic behavior were major drawbacks. Emma's rapid transformation from depressed to uplifted by her father's words felt unrealistic and left her character arc incomplete. Both characters seemed to have unresolved issues by the end, making it hard to root for their relationship.

Overall, "The Rom-Commers" failed to engage me due to its underdeveloped characters and unconvincing romance. While I usually enjoy Center's books, this one fell short for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy of this title. This is a wonderful romance; Katherine Center writes from the heart without any trace of triteness. We meet Emma who has been the sole caretaker for her father for 10 years. Emma is a talented writer, but feels obligated to devote the majority of her time to caring for her dad. Emma's sister has recently graduated from college, and could take over, but Emma seems reluctant to let her do so.

When Emma gets a call from her friend, a Hollywood agent, to ghost screenwrite a Rom-Com, she initially defers. Her sister steps up to care for her dad, and off Emma goes to work with her writer-idol, Charlie, in Hollywood. Charlie is a bundle of anxiety, and has to be led kicking and screaming into the mindset of a Rom-Com. Emma drags him along, and they seem to be falling in love, until Charlie mysteriously pulls back. Emma is called back to Texas when her father has a medical emergency, and refuses any assistance Charlie offers.

Charlie credits Emma with a fantastic new Rom-Com script, and she is forced back to Hollywood to iron out details. While there, she discovers the reason for Charlie's reticence, learns to forgive herself from family burdens, and live her own life.

These are fully drawn characters with relatable feelings and neuroses, the family dynamics are truthfully written, and Center delivers a Romance novel that is sweet and enjoyable, without any trace of saccharine or unbelievability.