It pains me to think about how this book didn't work for me the way I was hoping it to 😔

My main reason for the lowered rating this go around was the lack of chemistry between our two main characters. It felt sublime enough to categorize them as gradual friends, but to go further and say I could see their love bloom on the page? Sadly I just didn't see it. Maybe if we had different POVs spread throughout the story to give us a different perspective of that person who just didn't convince me they were in love.

If you can see past this tiny annoyance then you are in for a classic Katherine Center book. Charming story telling and cute banter amongst the characters! The Bodyguard is one of my favorite rom coms and I loved the brief cameos were got involving a few previous characters 👀

Thank you NetGalley for a preview of an author I have read and enjoyed in the past. RomCommers tells the story of Emma, a screenwriter looking for a big break but stuck home caring for her ailing father. She gets an opportunity to go to LA and work with her favorite writer, Charlie Yates...but he wants nothing to do with her. Until....and so the story begins. This book was smart, funny, cute and touching. Im not the biggest romance fan generally but this story charmed and surprised me. The characters grow on you. This will be well liked by many!

Katherine Center knows how to write a good romance and this is no exception. I legitimately got butterflies reading this!! I can’t wait to recommend it to all my friends and fellow readers.

Thank you Netgalley for the ebook of the Rom-Commers!

This was my first ever ebook (yes you read that right), and what a wonderful first it was ☺️

Emma is a talented writer, who was given a once in a lifetime opportunity in her field. After a devastating accident on a family trip, she gave up her dream to go where she was needed without thinking twice.

The Rom-Commers was an easy fast paced read for me. I enjoy reading about writers and how books shape their world. The concept of researching what was 'romance' in order to write a believable rom-com was a fun concept and executed very well. I also enjoyed the chemistry of these two very different characters and how they brought out the best in each other. A beautiful epilogue and a fun supporting character that is an animal is just icing on the cake.

"whatever story you tell yourself about life, that's the one that'll be true."

I have never given a Katherine Center book less than 4 stars. I can't wait to add a copy of this one to my collection when it releases this summer (with pink sprayed edges included)!

This author continues to deliver such top notch heart-warming romcoms again and again. Even though I am not a fan of celebrity trope, I devoured it in two sittings. Emma, after being her fathers’ caregiver for a decade, gets a chance to work with her favorite Hollywood screenwriter, Charlie and decides to take a chance. This brings to LA where she stays at his house to work bringing on vibes of forced proximity. He is someone who doesn't believe in love but is writing a romcom with her.


Though both fell hard for each other, it was only Emma who would pour her heart out by coming forward and kept getting rejected by him multiple times that I was annoyed by him for a while. I knew we would get to know his reason and it had to be a big one to pacify most readers. I loved their banter and cute yet weird encounters/experiences which help both in their mental health. It was absolutely enjoyable and felt like a warm hug.


TW- Cancer

This was my first book by Katherine Center, and it will definitely not be my last. I was hooked from the first page and voraciously devoured Emma & Charlie’s story. I was pleasantly surprised how Center effortlessly spun a fun and epic love story but managed to sprinkle in bits of tragedy, hardship, and perseverance. The more somber moments didn’t detract from the levity of the story. They, in fact, made it better; more believable & real. Just two wonderfully flawed characters, trying their best to deal with the tragedies of their past. All while hoping for a better future.

Emma Wheeler is a talented screenwriter. Well, sort of. She was on the path to realizing her screenwriting dreams when a tragic climbing accident left her father partially paralyzed. With a traumatic brain injury to boot. Guilt and a strong sense of responsibility made Emma abandon her prestigious Warner Bros. screenwriting internship to stay in Texas and care for her disabled father 24-7.

Charlie Yates is a screenwriting legend. He can do no wrong and everything he pens is sought-after. That is until he tries to write a romantic comedy and fails. Miserably. I mean it’s bad. Like, "We’re going to need a better word for terrible." bad. He only wrote it because he needed to get one of his other screenplays green-lit. He doesn’t even believe in love. He doesn’t really believe in anything anymore.

Charlie’s agent, Logan, who also just happens to be Emma’s ex-boyfriend from high school, has been throwing Emma work any time he’s able. When The Charlie Yates needs help rewriting his script, Logan jumps at the chance to give Emma the job. She is the best romantic comedy writer he knows, and Charlie Yate’s biggest fan. Two birds, one stone. Except Charlie doesn’t know Emma is coming to help him, and he absolutely does NOT want to write with anyone, especially a nobody like Emma Wheeler. That is until Emma rips Charlie’s script to pieces and impresses the hell out of him, all at the same time.

Charlie and Emma are polar opposites that complement each other perfectly. I love the kick-ass writing team they make, the close bond they form, and the deep love they share. From the way they navigate their working relationship, to the tension-filled "research" that leads to them falling in love, Charlie & Emma kept me laughing, crying, and turning pages at a rapid pace. Their character growth was immense, and their happily ever after was well deserved. Because Emma & Charlie are sheer perfection together. And it’s high time they both managed to be ok and write the very best story of their lives.

Also, more books should have an adorable pet guinea pig named Cuthbert. Just saying.

** I received this book for free from St. Martin's Griffin, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. **

Thank you, St. Martin's Press for consenting to let me read this arc, Rom-Commers by Katherine Center. I loved the banter between Emma, the wannabe screenwriter who has spent the last 10 years caring for her dad, and her hero, Charles Yates, the award winning renowned screenwriter. Because her specialty is rom-com, Emma gets the chance of a lifetime to work with Charles and rewrite a script he's butchered because romantic comedy isn't his thing. She moves to LA for six weeks, leaving her dad's care in her sister's hands to immerse herself in this project. At the onset, Charles is none too pleased with the idea of writing with a nobody. But lucky for Emma and her perseverance, they do work together, and they work really well together to turn the script around, and she even has Charles believing in love...to a point. Or so we think. This book has all the feels! You'll cheer for Emma, love her quick wit, feel her rejection, ugly cry at times, and laugh out loud along the way. This has all the makings of a great movie!

Am I a certified Center head? Is Katherine Center an auto-buy for me? Yes. (This book is pre-ordered--even though I was blessed to get an early copy from NetGalley!) Also. YES!!!

Is this book adjacent to and dovetail with by VERY FAVORITE book from Center--The Bodyguard? Yes. Yes, friends.

So, I don't think you will be shocked to find out. 1. It's really good. 2. You will laugh out loud and cry. Audibly.

Emma Wheeler is primary caretaker (24/7/365) to her dad that underwent a huge climbing accident a decade ago. She was and is (kinda) an aspiring romcom screenwriter before her life shrunk to just her dad and his injury. Emma's high school boyfriend (very ex--he is now homosexual and very happy) is a huge Hollywood agent-- to Charlie Yates even. Charlie is among the world's most accomplished screenwriters--ALL THE AWARDS AND PRESTIGE. But, a Oscar tract project he very much wants to do is hung up until he can author a romcom. Specifically, A Night to Remember, the reboot.

He ABHORS the idea and assault of writing a romantic comedy. But, he does it. And, it's BAD. Like, we cannot fathom. Emma is tasked to "fix it." Charlie, though, begins to see Emma's talent.

What I LOVED!

-The cluelessness of Charlie. He is so extra he doesn't realize it. He pulls out a can opener to open store bought biscuits for Emma's birthday biscuits. He can't get them out of the tube. :/ I'm still dead thinking of it.

-The heaviness and burden Emma carries for her family all the time. She really doesn't understand sharing the load--it's her burden and cross to bear. (For clarification, I don't love this for her, but I am impressed by her sense of responsibility and purpose at such a young age.)

-The pool and the high dive and all it represented in their relationship.

-The Peruvian long haired guinea pig. Please google it. ADORABLE. It has joint custody with HIS EX. (Who, it the WORST. OF COURSE.)

-FORCED PROXIMITY!! He hasn't eaten a proper meals for MONTHS and loves eating/cooking dinner with her, working with her, all of her.

Don't walk, run to preorder this gem for your summer checklist. This is an epic read!

3.5 stars

I'll start by saying the banter in this is top tier and the ending is so sweet, it's so easy to read I breezed through it in a day and a half......now if I just felt the chemistry more between the two I would be swooning. It could just be me, I'm not much of an insta-love gal but this felt too one sided to me until bam it wasn't. There were a few times that the wording made me raise my eyebrows, Ex. she's in a swimsuit and he's having issues with it because she's "basically naked" and he hasn't been around a woman in a long time. Like dude come on seriously, it's a swimsuit. She does call him on it but like why does a guy even need to say that. Overall I did enjoy my time with it.

Thank you to St. Martins Press and Netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars.

Another win from Katherine Center! No one makes me laugh as much as KC does - I just love her unique way of storytelling so much (i.e. breaking the fourth wall). I also love that there's always an unexpected twist in moments where you feel like you know where it's going that make me cackle aloud. The funny highs are tempered with some emotional gut punches, but they balance each other so well. I won't pretend this book is perfect - if I wanted to, I could nitpick plenty. But I don't want to. It worked for me and I'll leave it at that!

I’m in love with this slow burn rom-com that made me laugh so far and ugly cry! While it took a while to get to the witty banter, I just couldn’t help but love it! I can just see this as a movie that is he a box office sensation! You will definitely not want to miss this lovely book, but be ready with a box of tissues!

****Many thanks to St Martins Press, Katherine Center and NetGalley for my gifted copy in turn for an honest review.

4.5 stars rounding up to 5 stars on Goodreads

This is my sixth Katherine Center, and I just love having her books in my life. I love how she talks about the complexities of life through the world of romance, and she does it with such unique characters. For this round, it's the story of two writers. One is a famous screenwriter who's lost his words, and the other is a woman whose always dreamed of a career in writing, but life responsibilities have taken priority. They find themselves working on a project where her job is to teach him about what romance in writing (and maybe life? I mean, y'all, this is literally a ROMANCE) looks like. This was an emotional journey, even more than I was expecting, so know that going in. But I adored the layers of this one, and the way the plot had so many layers. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the look at this June 2024 release!

If I were to estimate, I would say that only about 5% of the books I read are romance. It is just not my genre. For some reason though, I have enjoyed everything that I have read by this author. Her books are fluffy and there is no significant "spice" if that is what you are looking for, but her prose is delightful and her plots are as unique as it is possible to be within the genre. I always have a good time.

THE ROM-COMMERS is Katherine Center's forthcoming book, and it is more classic KC.

Center's writing is the book equivalent of snuggling on the couch with your favorite blanket, cozy and comfortable. Like we've come to expect from her works, THE ROM-COMMERS blanance romance and humor with real-life tragedies. As one of the characters himself says, “Here’s another thing I accidentally figured out: happiness is always better with a little bit of sadness.”

The story: Emma is the primary caregiver for her disabled dad, but has to let her much-younger sister take over when Emma's high school ex-boyfriend offers her a job helping her favorite screenwriter Charlie rewrite his attempt at a romcom. Except Charlie doesn't want help. But she's determined to convince him and do it anyway. Love ensues.

One thing you won't find in the book but I wish was there, are content warnings. Because there is always something potentially painful, and as I mentally review her oeuvre, it's often related to the fragility of life and our bodies. That said, I shall warn you that this book includes cancer, the death of a parent in an accident (prior to the story), traumatic brain injury and disability of the other parent from that same accident, and (and this is the one that really got me) on-page injury and hospitalization of that parent. Knowing any of this wouldn't have stopped me from reading it because I love Center's writing, but I could maybe have preserved my peace a little bit better.

By far. Hands down. The best book I’ve read. This is EVERYTHING. Now I was skeptical at first because the characters are just such quirky writer characters, I mean Katherine really knows how to develop characters. The growth and the love and the family dynamics in this ARE EVERYTHING. I have never swooned and cried and smiled and laughed. There is so much to unpack in this book. Charlie and Emma could be the most normal love driven characters I’ve see written. Their story together is amazing. Please read this book. It is just phenomenal.

🌸I’m a sucker for Katherine Center’s books. Whenever I want to read a book that’ll give me all the feels and make me laugh out loud I pick up one of her books. This was no exception! The characters were hilarious and wholesome and they made me feel so happy. Emma and Charlie may be my new favorite couple. Highly, highly recommend this cute as heck book!

Katherine Center does it again! This is my second book by the author and she has not disappointed yet! It’s funny because I usually love dual POVs but with her books and style of writing I don’t find myself missing that all. All of her books make you feel like you’re catching up with a friend and they’re telling you a story.

I was captivated by Emma and Charlie even though I will say I felt like their romance was a little slow to start. If you like forced proximity, enemies to lovers (who become friends to lovers) or grumpy x sunshine you will love this book!

Another thing I love about this book is the central message throughout. While the author doesn’t sugarcoat the main characters dealing with tragedies and losses she manages to address these subjects objectively, realistically, and in a way that would resonate with anyone who has experienced a similar tragedy. Even with those dark moments, Center was able to emphasize finding the bright side of things and being able to find your own path amidst all that chaos.

I laughed, I cried (a lot), and I found myself highlighting so many quotes. I truly enjoyed getting to see Charlie and Emma’s real, complex, and sometimes messy love story unfold.

Thanks so much to NetGalley, St. Martins Press, and the author for this advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Emma Wheeler has given up a lot to be a full time caregiver to her Father after an accident left him with numerous health issues. She is a writer and she idolizes Charlie Yates who is a Hollywood A list screenwriter. When she gets the opportunity to collaborate with Charlie on a romantic comedy and stay in his mansion in Los Angeles she thinks this is her chance. Charlie however, does not want a writing partner, does not want to write a rom-com and definitely does not believe in love.
This is the kind of book that you are sad to leave the characters when you finish it. This book has humor, sadness and lots of love of all kinds. I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for a copy of this book for review.

What can I say? This book was for me. I will never not read a book about writers, I always have a great time. A Romcom enthusiast meets her favorite screenwriter and tries to teach him how to write a love story? Thank you, KC, I will read that.

Emma is the responsible older sister who took charge when a tragedy struck her family. She did everything in her power to keep everything moving along, including burying her dreams of screenwriting, to take care of her family, and really is way better about it than I can imagine others would be.

Charlie is a grump, thinks he is better than everyone, and couldn't possibly need help from a nobody like Emma, but then she tells him off and something clicks, and then the fun begins.

I loved all the little things about this book: a guinea pig, coffee, swimming, and, of course, donuts, they led to a really enjoyable read. I laughed, I cried, and then I laughed again, thankfully!

I am off to figure out if the rom-coms named in this book are real so I can watch them.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

First of all, THANK YOU to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book.

I cannot stress enough what Katherine Center does to my inner emotions. I FEEL her books in so many ways. How she can make emotion literally jump out of the page astonishes me and I just want more of it. The depth and complexity of her characters is insurmountable and I'm once again in awe of her writing prowess. I couldn't put this book down.

Emma has put off much of her life to care for her homebound father. After a talk with an old high school boyfriend, her life is turned upside down when she is offered the chance to fix the rough screenplay of her favorite screenwriter. The only problem? Said screenwriter didn't agree to a rewrite or a ghostwriter, at that. With just six weeks to fix it up, she will have to not only confront her real feelings for "her writer," but also overcome her guilt for leaving home while her dad is in someone else's care.