4.5!

I loved it. So so so much!! I could visualize the entirety of the book on a screen- I need it in my life. Will be recommending this one a lot!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/195790586-the-rom-commers

My goodness this is might be my favourite read of 2024 so far! In “The Rom-Commers” by Katherine Center, readers are taken into a world where love stories unfold both on and off the page. I’m a huge fan of Center and her writing, and this story did not disappoint.

Meet Emma Wheeler. She’s an aspiring screenwriter who has spent her life immersed in romantic comedies, the kind that win contests and warm hearts. But her real-life script takes an unexpected twist when she gets the chance to rewrite a screenplay for none other than her personal writing god.

Emma's move to L.A. for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is a leap of faith. Her younger sister steps in as caretaker for their kind-hearted dad, allowing Emma to dive headfirst into the world of rom-coms. Meet Charlie Yates. He isn't the collaborative partner Emma envisioned. He dismisses her as a "failed, nobody screenwriter" and views love as an emotional Ponzi scheme. His own romantic comedy script? A disaster that might trigger the apocalypse.

But Emma won't back down. She's determined to prove that love stories matter, even if it means kissing sense into Charlie. As they write together, the line between fiction and reality blurs. What if their love story breaks all of Emma's rules and becomes something more authentic?

Center's writing is both laugh-out-loud funny and heartwarming. It’s what I love about her. I also love how she captures the essence of resilience, vulnerability, and the magic of storytelling. Emma and Charlie's banter dances across the pages, and readers will root for their unconventional romance. I know I did!

This book isn't just about love; it's about rewriting our own narratives, embracing imperfections, and finding joy in unexpected connections. Center's signature blend of wit and emotion shines through, making this novel a delightful addition to the rom-com genre. I think Netflix will totally make this one a movie, too. I know book clubs will be digging into this title in 2024 and for years to come.

Center continues to be the reigning queen of comfort reads, and continues to craft bittersweet romantic comedies that resonate with this reader. Her stories satisfy me in the most soul-nourishing way, and evoke comparisons to Jane Austen and Nora Ephron every time. Center's novels offer a perfect escape, and “The Rom-Commers” is expected to be published on 11 June 11 2024, and promises laughter, love, and a touch of magic.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️
Other: 💖🎥✒️🏊
Genre: Contemporary Romance
POV: Single

Emma has had to give up a lot of career opportunities to take care of her father for the last decade. When an old friend offers her the opportunity to help a mega successful (and personal hero) screenwriter revamp his attempt at writing a romantic comedy, her friends and family come together to make the opportunity happen. The thing is, Charlie really isn't interested in her help. But after meeting Emma, Charlie begins to let down his walls. Can Emma convince him that love actually isn't fiction?

To say I loved this one would be an understatement. I'm already planning on buying several copies as gifts as soon as this book is released. There is just something about a Katherine Center novel that just grips you from page one and Rom-Commers was no exception. I knew 5% in that I was just going to love it ("So predictable!") and I just devoured it like popcorn. Emma was lovely but Charlie was the heart of this story for sure. I loved them together. It was just so easy and the way they often spoke to each other - with such playful honestly - had me smiling through the whole book.

Katherine Center! You never ever disappoint. I always think that her most current book is the best one and yet again, I have a new fav. The characters are lovable and I feel like I have new friends. I missed Charlie and Emma after I finished the book. I love Katherine Centers ability to weave more serious themes within the cute pretense of a romance.

Emma Wheeler had promising future as a screenwriter when tragedy befell her family and she became the full-time caretaker of her father. Ten years later, when she gets the opportunity to spend six weeks rewriting the awful screenplay by her favorite writer, Charlies Yates, she thinks she can’t go. Then her younger sister steps in to take care of Dad.

Emma loves rom-coms and can’t believe such a talented writer could pen such awfulness. Then she learns why Charlie didn’t exactly put his heart into this work. The plot of this involves Emma overhearing more than one conversation she wasn’t meant to hear. I like the message of this novel, which is essentially, yes, if we don’t feel things, we don’t get hurt, but isn’t life more fun when we love and laugh and take some risks?

NetGalley provided an advance copy of this book, which RELEASES JUNE 11, 2024.

I adored so much of this book. I loved the sweet, imperfect characters. I loved how Emma was herself. I loved how protective Charlie was. I loved Emma’s dad’s wisdom on love and good people. Loved the banter.

However, some of the situations they found themselves in were so over the top and felt like too much - basically taking me out of the story. I couldn’t decide if this was on purpose as it’s the most rom-commy of all Rom-coms or what. And I grew tired of Emma “accidentally” hearing other people talk about her as a way.

First off, I have been a fan of Katherine Center for quite a while now. As always, this cute, quirky, funny romantic novel was a huge hit in my book!

I was definitely engaged from the start in wall some of it might’ve been a little predictable, I thought that the plot and characters were very well developed and thoroughly enjoyed each time I got to sit down and read it.

It’s definitely a lighthearted, funny, easy summer read!

I’d always love it if some of her books turned into cute movies! Highly recommend you check this title out.

Thank you to NetGalley for this early release.

Love loved loved this book. So cute. So much character development. Characters are lovable. The banter in this book rivals some of the most popular authors out there known for banter. I’ve read almost all of Centers books and this is a favorite for sure. You follow this woman who’s had a hard life caring for her family who idolizes this screen writer and ends up ghost writing with him. Finds out he isn’t who she thought he was. But she’s determined to write the screen write. They laugh, they banter, they piss each other off, it’s all so wonderful. Always a closed door clean book from Center, gotta love it. I recommend this to everyone!

Absolutely swooning over this book. I would recommend this to any of my romance reader friends. Such a quick and easy read with a unique plot. 4 star read!

The Rom-Commers is an absolute joy to read! The storyline is all about love and finding your person with going through some hoops. There were definitely some twists and turns in this storyline but every one of them fit perfectly in the story. The connection between Emma and Charlie I loved so much! I also loved the background characters like Emma's family and Charlie's friends. The ending made me tear up in a good way and there were SO MANY parts that made me laugh! If you are looking for a book to make you laugh and cry this book is for you. I absolutely love Katherine Center's books and I cannot wait to read more of them!

Katherine Center never disappoints and her latest romance is as sweet and swoony as always. Emma and Charlie meet under forced circumstances but end up working together to finish his screenplay - a romcom. She is sunshine and love, albeit with heavy family issues that dictate many of her decisions. He is grumpy and cynical, determined to keep her at arms length. Witty banter, unexpected turns, perfect timing, and supportive family and friends surround Emma and Charlie as they write their own happy ever after - for the screenplay and for themselves. With a nod to the author’s previous novel, The Bodyguard, this book gives me the very best rom-com feels from first page to last. I absolutely loved it! All the stars!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC to read and review. All opinions are my own.

This was another 5-star read from Katherine Center! The Rom-Commers was a fun look into the lives of two screenwriters, one famous, one not, who connect to one another through their writing. I loved the sunshine vs grump trope, the forced proximity, and how the author guided us through the MCs' personal struggles.

Did I stay up all night reading this book? Yes. Is it Katherine Center's fault? Also yes. For the past few years Katherine Center's books have been my go-to for a make you cry, make you laugh, make you believe in love read. And, as I predicted when I first read the blurb for "The Rom-Commers," this one is no exception.

In "The Rom-Commers" we meet Emma, a screenwriter who has sidelined her career in order to care for her father and Charlie, a screenwriter who is having a bit of writer's bl...(shh, don't say it). They find themselves working together to transform his floundering script for a remake of "It Happened One Night" and the plot develops from there.

What I love about Center's book is that romance is, yes, at the heart of the book, but in a way that does feel like we're peering into the everyday lives of these characters. They're trying to live and maintain their lives and the obstacles they face feel fully realized and well, normal. And I don't just mean the obstacles to their romance, although there are plenty of those, but the obstacles they're facing outside of that.

This is a wonderful addition to Center's work. I just recommend picking it up early in the day so you're not up all night hoping not to wake anyone with your sobs or laughter.

2.75 stars rounded up.

This is such a disappointment because I'm a huge fan of Katherine Center and it breaks my heart to say I just was not in love with her newest novel!
The Rom-Commers had potential to be a wonderfully written book about self-love, acceptance, forgiveness, and moving on after tragedy-as all Katherine Center's books are-, but fell short because of lack of chemistry and details.
I felt as if we skimmed over the best parts of the book; the parts where you feel the vulnerability of each character and the little things that bring them close: cooking together, writing together, going swimming together. These are the scenes I live for because you can feel the chemistry and intensity through their banter, dialogue, and body language, but it was completely missing!
Also, I did not appreciate Charlie's quips to Emma most of the times. I understand he didn't believe in love and his defense mechanism was total shutdown and pretending not to care, but couldn't Emma have stood up for herself sometimes? Fought back? Her manipulation tactics had me cringing (because I am a Charlie myself) and going, "Yeah, that would never happen!"
There was definitely more focus on Emma's relationship with her family. I empathized with how worried she was over her father and how she mothered her sister, but as superb as a family bond lesson is in a story, that is not the main reason I am reading a romance novel.
Frankly, The Rom-Commers did not live up to its name: There was barely any Rom, and the Com was lacking. It was a cute, slow, shallow romance, with a bunch life lessons thrown in at the end (that are crucial to acknowledge, but could have been executed better).

Read if:
-you don't mind shallow relationships
-you've always wanted to live in Hollywood
-you secretly love to power wash your house
-you have a pet guinea pig
-you need a quick pick-me-up

This has been my favorite Katherine Center book so far! I loved the banter, loved how Emma was highlighted so much for being a caretaker. The third act breakup had quite the twist I was not expecting. I would have loved an epilogue, but was overall pleased with the happy ending!

Katherine Center does it again. She creates the most interesting characters to fall in love. I am already partial to books with characters who are writers/writing/creative. And I actually enjoyed the grumpy/sunshine aspect. Although I think Emma did let Charlie dump all over her. I love Emma's passion and commitment to her family. I cried at the end when she fought with her sister. While I think Emma should have left Charlie's house multiple times and gone home, I admire her tenacity and determined-ness to change Charlie's mind about rom coms. And while the health of the characters seem to be on the line every other page, it's a nice reminder to the reader that happiness can be found in bad situations. And i was sweating bullets during the cliffs scene!

Katherine Center has done it again with The Rom-Commers. Emma and Charlie are screenplay writers. Emma is asked to help Charlie with his screenplay. The characters are real, the dialogue witty of course. This story will make you laugh and then cry. A wonderful slow burn romance. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press. This is my own opinion.

Katherine Center has become one of my favorite authors, so when I received a copy of this book, I might have squealed and done a happy dance. When I heard there would be a reference to Jack Stapleton from her other book The Bodyguard, I was off-the-charts excited.

This book follows Emma, a rom-com screenwriter who has been assigned to work with THE Tyler Yates on his latest screenplay. What's the problem? Tyler Yates, world-famous and award-winning screenwriter, does not believe in romance, so Emma clearly has a big job ahead of her. As the two continue to work on the script, obviously sparks fly, and both Emma and Tyler have to figure out how to handle their past baggage.

There were so many conversations that stuck with me and made me feel all the emotions. I found myself crying to the point that my husband kept asking me if I was sure it was a rom-com book.

This is definitely my favorite book by Katherine Center, and it WILL be my favorite book of 2024.

Christina Nelson
7:27 AM (0 minutes ago)
to me

Well, Katherine Center does it yet again!
This cute and bubbly novel will have you smiling ear to ear right from the start and until the end. The tumultuous relation between Emma and Charlie is anything but!
Katherine defines what a Rom-comm is and fulfills in every way. Its "swoony, hopeful, delicious, rising feeling of anticipation as you look forward to the moment when the two leads who are clearly mad at for each other finally overcome all their obstacles, both internal and external." It was hard to put down and made me smile throughout the entire book, even during the "misunderstandings. " Whenever someone asks for an uplifting book, I always recommend Katherine Center. She has a way of making you feel happy and good even when all of the books deal with some kind of a crisis like a fire, or stress and loss. Katherine Center has Nailed how to make a Successful RomComm, and this book is a 5 star for me. Happy Reading! Due to be released in June of 2024. Pre-Order your copy today!

Katherine Center does it again! The one-liners, the laugh-out-loud humor, the witty dialogue…what a joy this book was to read! I loved stepping into Katherine Center’s world a bit with this book and learning the do’s and don’ts of writing a rom-com. Afterall, she is the queen of this genre! Her characters are so real and relatable, I never want her books to end.

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