Member Reviews

“So it can’t be where you're going that matters. It has to be about how you get there.”

I was excited when NetGalley gave me access to this early read by Katherine Center.

The banter between Emma, a not-so-famous rom-com screenwriter, and Charlie Yates, a famous screenwriter who wants nothing to do with romance while they rewrite his screenplay, is perfect! I laughed and cried. I highly recommend this book for any romance lover.

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Katherine Center never fails to give me a happy, heart-burstingly beautiful book! I loved Charlie and Emma! I loved how it was a romcom inside a romcom! If I was to complain about one thing it’s that I wish the MCs would have been a bit more mature and take the time to communicate with each other and others (looking at Emma and her sister here) just a little more. They had reasons for everything they did but it didn’t make me want to shake them any less. I never fail to walk away from a Center book with a smile on my face and this book was no different! Perfect beach or vacation read for this summer!

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

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Thank you to the above and #netgalley for this complimentary ebook! I am a huge Katherine Center fan, and this was one of my most anticipated book releases of 2024! If you love a book where your heart aches when you read it, this book is for you! I was very invested in the main characters, their lives, and their families. There were laugh out loud moments and lump in your throat moments. Check it out! Also, look for Hello Stranger, The Body Guard, and How to Walk Away if you like this author.

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𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗢𝗠-𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗦 was our Read Spin Repeat Book Club pick for February and we all really enjoyed it. It's the swoony story of two screenwriters working together on the script for a romcom, and has all of the fabulous banter and emotional resonance I've come to expect from a Katherine Center book. Jack Stapleton makes a cameo for fans of 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗱𝘆𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱 and the plot felt like a natural extension of Center's wonderful author's note in 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿. I can't wait to read what she writes next!

Thanks to St. Martin's Press for the copy to review.

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Katherine Center should be on everyone’s auto-buy and read. She’s that good. I’ve loved everything she has written and I can’t decide which one I love more. The Rom-Commers is perfect. I couldn’t put it down, but I’m sad now that I’ve finished reading it. In a summer full of rom-coms, this one needs to be on the top of your list.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher.

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The Rom-Commers
by Katherine Center
Pub Date: June 11, 2024
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I absolutely get giddy when I see that Center has another book coming! I know I will love it!
This one was not the exception.
The New York Times bestselling author Katherine Center's next laugh out loud, feel good rom-com about writing your own story.

This author has captured my heart. The Rom-Commers is about finding joy and being open to love, no matter what it looks like. Fabulous writing and a story like none other!

As an aside: I do think a huge dis-service has been done to this book with the cover... Does not reflect the story at all.
Center is an author I will read even if I don't know what the book is about! This one had it all! Romance and a great story!
5 stars

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What a cute twist for a rom-com. Is it possible to become the main character of the story you are helping create? The opportunity to assist writing with the screenwriter Emma worshipped may seem like a dream come true, but do we really want to live our dreams?? Don't miss this one. Thanks St. Martin's Press for sharing. Thanks NetGalley too!

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if she writes it i will read it. the humor, seriousness, realness, and way with words is like no other.
please keep wrting!!!!

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I love Katherine Centers writing so I was super excited to get this on my kindle. The romance was spot on! I loved the chemistry and characters in this book!

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Thank you to NetGalley and Katherine Center for the e-arc of The Rom-Commers! Katherine is a go-to author for me and her newest book didn’t disappoint.

Emma Wheeler is a sweetheart of a FMC who put her dreams on hold so she could take care of her dad while her sister pursues her own dreams. But when Emma gets the chance to work with her favorite screenwriter, Charlie Yates, to rewrite his terrible romcom movie, she can’t say no.

But they say never meet your heros because they’ll just end up disappointing you — and that’s exactly what happens to Emma. After a rocky start, Charlie and Emma finally come to an agreement about the movie rewrite — but they didn’t realize they would also find common ground on how they feel about one another.

Even though this story is told in Emma’s POV, I think it’s easy to see how Charlie’s feelings for her evolve over time. As someone who didn’t believe in love, Emma is able to show Charlie was love truly looks like. And Charlie is able to help Emma realize that she can trust her family enough to put herself first and go after her dreams, and the love of her life.

Like I said, I love Katherine Center’s writing and how her characters fall in love. Although I’m not a famous Hollywood screenwriter, I feel like I’m about to relate to both Charlie and Emma in their struggles, which makes me as a reader want what’s best for them (aka fall in love and live happily ever after).

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This is by far my favorite Katherine Center novel to date. It has to be the best rom-com I have read in a very long time. This book will make you laugh out loud, cry a little and absolutely fall in love with the characters. I absolutely adored the chemistry between Emma and Charlie; at times they have a frustrating love/hate relationship. Follow the journey though, it is so worth it.

If you have read The Bodyguard by Center, you will also be pleasantly surprised to see the guest appearance of Hannah and Jack Stapleton.
This book is an absolute must read for anyone that loves a great rom-com.

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

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I absolutely loved this book! If you looked up the definition of rom-com in the dictionary, this book would be it! The characters are so much fun but they are also complicated and have flaws like everyone does. There are some serious elements in this book, but they don’t take away from the story, in fact they add to it. If you are looking for a fast paced, laugh out loud romance, definitely check this out!

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✨eARC Review✨ {4.75/5⭐️}
I don’t know why I put off reading this ARC for so long - I was actually obsessed 😍 This book was the first one in a while to have such a hold on me. I found myself devouring chapter after chapter, and staying up late to finish it!

Katherine Center has the most beautiful way of articulating the importance of love, joy, and looking for the good in life, and that ability was on full display in this book. Not to mention the humor! I *literally* laughed out loud multiple times.

I loved Charlie and Emma, and they were so sweet together 🥹 If you’ve enjoyed Katherine Center’s previous books, definitely give this one a read!

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Starting off the cover is bright and catchy to the eye. My first ever Katherine book but it won’t be my last, though it might be hard to top this one because I loved it! A clean romcom with banter and all the filling needed to make the reader fall in love and shed some tears along the way. Perfectly written and highly recommended.

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Thank you Netgalley & publisher for this e-arc of The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center.

This is a rom-com novel. 4+*; one unique aspect of being a care-giver for those we love (family).

Synopsis:
Emma Wheeler, aspiring screenwriter and devoted caregiver to her father, seizes the opportunity to rewrite a script for her idol, renowned screenwriter Charlie Yates. Moving to L.A. for six weeks, she faces Charlie's skepticism and disdain for rom-coms, determined to prove him wrong. As Emma navigates the challenges of rewriting Charlie's disastrous script and confronting his cynical views on love, she discovers unexpected sparks flying between them. Will Emma rewrite not only Charlie's story but also her own...

Things I liked:
• The Rom-Com Guru vs. the Cynical Screenwriter: Emma Wheeler, with her unwavering passion for romantic comedies, finds herself in a clash of ideologies with Charlie Yates, a jaded and cynical writer who sees love stories as nothing but emotional manipulation. Their differing perspectives on love and storytelling form a central conflict in the novel.
• The Power of Love in Unexpected Places: As Emma works alongside Charlie to rewrite his script, she begins to challenge his beliefs and opens his eyes to the possibility of love's transformative power. Their collaboration not only leads to the creation of a compelling screenplay but also sparks a romance neither of them saw coming.
• Balancing Dreams and Responsibilities: Emma's journey isn't just about pursuing her dreams of becoming a successful screenwriter; it's also about navigating her responsibilities as a caregiver to her father. Throughout the novel, she grapples with the guilt of leaving her father behind while seizing the opportunity of a lifetime in L.A., highlighting the delicate balance between personal ambition and familial obligations.

Things a reader might dislike (if you can call it that):
• Unconventional MCs: While some readers may initially struggle to connect with Emma's idealism and Charlie's cynicism, their unconventional personalities ultimately add depth to the story. Emma's relentless optimism and Charlie's guarded demeanor create a dynamic tension that keeps readers engaged and rooting for their unlikely romance.
• Emotional Rollercoaster: Be prepared for a rollercoaster of emotions. While some readers may find themselves laughing out loud at the witty banter and charming moments between Emma and Charlie, others may feel the tug of heartstrings as they delve into the complexities of love, family, and following one's dreams. It's a journey that's sure to leave readers feeling both exhilarated and emotionally fulfilled by the end.
• Slow Start, Satisfying Finish: Some readers may find the initial chapters of the novel to be slow-paced, struggling to fully engage with the story as it sets the stage for Emma and Charlie's journey. However, those who persevere will be rewarded with a riveting second half filled with unexpected twists, heartfelt moments, and a climax that delivers on all fronts. As the narrative picks up steam, readers will find themselves unable to put the book down, making up for any earlier pacing issues with an unforgettable and satisfying conclusion.

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Katherine Center does it again. I have been a huge fan of this author since the first book I read of hers. Her effortless writing style that does such a beautiful job of making you instantly fall in love with her characters is brilliant. I finished this book in less than 24 hours. I highly recommend this book!

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Having read Katherine Center's "The Bodyguard" prior, I can say that this new novel fits right in with her signature style, sweet tropes, relative closed-door romance and storytelling. Center's language is witty from the get-go, which made it so easy to keep reading and discovering what would happen next. It was a slow burn, and I could feel that early one, which is why this was a tad slow for me to get into. For me, personally. It's cute and fun, plus innocent. Yeah, it's sweet.

CW: Death of a parent

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Big Katherine Center Fan. More serious than expected but I loved the characters. Some parts were a little cheesy but I still loved the characters and the family story.

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What a fun story. It has so much to enjoy. A great love story, a family story and a story about hope! Thank you to Netgalley, St Martin's Press and the author for the arc.

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The Rom-Commers
By: Katherine Center
5🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷

Emma wants to be screenwriter. She has been taking care of her father since her mother died in a tragic accident. Her father needs 24/7 care.
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She gets a call from her best friend about an amazing job working with one of Hollywoods screenwriters. Emma’s sister watches her dad so she can have an opportunity to work with Charlie Yates for 6 weeks.
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When they meet sparks fly, but not the good kind. Can Emma and Charlie work together to create a rom-com?
🩷
I love everything Center writes! She always brings joy to my heart.

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