I know I am in a minority here, and it hurts me to even write this because I’m usually a big KC fan.

This book just never hooked me and I had to will myself to read a chapter each night in order to finish it. I think it came down to the characters.

Charlie to me was just very unlikable, and the way he spoke to and about Emma sometimes just rubbed me the wrong way. Although Emma was a more fun character, I felt like her narrative and inner monologues just dragged on and on.

Not to give away any spoilers, but the twist at the end was like whiplash. We find out about Charlie’s big secret just to be like oh wait, never mind it’s all good now! (Also what a thing of that magnitude to be mistaken about is what makes it an unrealistic story line)

I have several Katherine Center books on my TBR pile and after reading this it is clearly time for me to get on it! I loved this book.

Emma, an unknown screenwriter is asked to help Charlie, a famous screenwriter with a “whole drawer full of Oscars” re-write his terrible rom-com screenplay by their mutual agent and Emma’s ex bf. Charlie does not appreciate the genre of romantic comedy, which is Emma’s passion. Weaving in family and personal tragedy this is a fun, fast paced romance that made me not want to put this down until I had answers to all the information gaps! I fell in love with these two characters,as well as the supporting characters of Emma’s family. Absolutely recommend to anyone! You will love watching them research things that aren’t supposed to be romantic but then finding that they are actually romantic when you are doing it with someone you love. I’d love to see the line dancing scene in film!

For fans of Book Lovers by Emily Henry and classic 80s rom coms. This felt too tropey for my tastes, but I can see it being a great romantic escape for most. The plot of a writer helping a famous screenwriter edit their rom com script was cute, and it had more substance beyond the cute dialogue, but I have enjoyed many of Katherine Center’s other books more.

I was so blown away by the author’s earlier book, How to Walk Away, that I’ve ended up disappointed by most of her books since that one. I thought her last book, Hello Stranger, was better but it still lacked that powerful emotion punch. This book in many ways is very different because it reads almost like a stream of conscious as we spend large parts of this book listening to dialogue from Emma and her narration of things. That style moves the pacing forward quickly until it slows down about two-thirds of the way. The constant telegraphing of where it was going annoyed me and it took me a few days to force myself to finish it. I definitely would not recommend this as a light read or a romance read. This author’s books never ended up being easy reads. While there’s definitely an emotional ride in this book there is also a sentiment of appreciating what you have instead of dwelling on tragedies which might be a message that could be of interest to some readers. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Sigh…I guess I should just officially say that I’m a Katherine Center fan now. I don’t know how she does it, I always finish her books in a day and that’s because I couldn’t put it down.

The Rom-Commers is ridiculously fun to read and the banters are chef’s kiss. I actually didn’t want it to end, I want to know what else is going to happen to Emma and Charlie. I appreciated that even a happy ending is not always happy all the time.

Super happy when I got this copy from NetGalley, thank you NetGalley + SMP!

Opportunity. Celebrities. Screen writing. Dancing. Romance.

Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for this advanced arc. The Rom-Commers comes out June 11th, 2024.

Katherine Center does it again. The witty banter, lovable characters and surprise cameos made this book extremely enjoyable to read. While there are some serious parts of the book dealing with sickness, loss and grief, it is handled in a way you’d come to expect from Katherine Center. This story tugs at your heartstrings in all the right ways. It had me laughing, crying and all the emotions in between.

One of the tell-tale signs after reading a good book is feeling the heartbreak that it's over and wanting just one more page. As I close the final chapter of The Rom-Commers, it's a Yin-yang of emotions.

Filled with Katherine Center's prolific prose and charismatic characters, the novel tugs at readers' heartstrings. Serving up a slice of comedy, tragedy and romanticism, Center focuses on carpe diem and that even during adversity, we can choose its outcome. Do we let difficult times defeat us or allow afford becoming better people?

The adage of art imitating life and vice versa has been a common theme in the books I've read lately. The protagonists echo my disillusions regrading recent events but instead of allowing me to me to wallow, cheer me on to better my circumstances.

The power of reading is that it unlocks something different in each reader. Some will find comradery in Emma's accounts of losing a parent while others, share in her frustrations regarding being unable to move forward. While my story is still unwritten, this novel came into my life at the right time to make me question what I want out of life. Fans and first-time readers, I hope The Rom-Commers help write your stories.

Katherine Center’s books are always a joy to read, well written, and utterly lovable. If you’ve never read one of her books, go do so right now - you won’t be sorry! The Rom-Commers does not disappoint. In the same vein as Hello Stranger and The Bodyguard, The Rom-Commers is a sweet, fun, beautiful story that features characters you can’t help but fall in love with. This book is a masterclass in tension. From the get go you can feel the tension between Emma and Charlie, and their banter only intensifies that. The writing is swoony, giving you butterflies, and makes you root for love the way only a romcom can. If you are a fan of happiness, you will be a fan of Katherine’s books, including this one.

Emma is a screenwriter in her soul, but doesn’t work much due to the fact that she put pretty much every single one of her dreams and goals on pause to be the caretaker of her father, who due to an accidental rockslide on a family vacation, needs round-the-clock care. Charlie is a screenwriter with pretty much the opposite story. He was discovered in college and has been Hollywood’s golden boy writer ever since. He’s won every award there is and is a household name - oh, and Emma’s favorite writer and someone she’s been crushing on for a while. When Emma is given the opportunity of a lifetime - to fly to LA to work on Charlie’s current script with him - her sister stays with their father to make sure Emma jumps at this chance. Unbeknownst to her, Charlie didn’t know she was coming and, even though he knows his script is terrible, doesn’t want Emma’s help. After she rips his script to shreds, Charlie agrees to hire Emma as a fixer to ghostwrite alongside him on the script. Their working relationship that started out hostilely turns into a friendship, which of course fuels Emma’s crush. Charlie, however, is a pessimist and doesn’t believe in love, at least, not at first…

I’m certain that I will be recommending this book to everyone I know as soon as it comes out, and I can’t wait to be able to share The Rom-Commers with others!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this INCREDIBLE book.

I haven't liked the last few Katherine Center books I'd read, so I almost didn't read this one. But it was up on NetGalley and I love me a good rom-com, so I went ahead and grabbed it. And I'm SO glad I did.

Unlike another recent release with a version of "rom-com" in the title, this one was actually a rom-com. It had all the main story hits and was a delight. The banter was really fun, the best friend was funny (even if his moral compass was a little wonky at times haha), and I really enjoyed the character development.

I went with 4 stars instead of 5 because of the last 20%. Emma owes an apology (badly. I'm really shocked that after all the character growth in the book, that didn't happen or even get mentioned as potentially needing to happen) and some elements at the end just rubbed me the wrong way (it could be because of things that have happened in my personal life, but it did feel a little forced).

This book is adorable. Thanks to Netgalley for getting me the ARC. Emma is an excellent rom-com writer who gave up her life to care for her father after he was injured (and her mother killed) in an accident. When she suddenly has the chance to write with one of her screenwriting idols (reclusive action movie writer Charlie Yates) she is reluctant to take the chance. Her sister arranges to stay and take care of their dad and Emma heads to LA. The chemistry between Charlie and Emma is delightful if frustrating at times. I was rooting for them. This is a sweet clean enjoyably fun romance.

Probably the most perfect romantic comedy book I’ve ever read. It’s that good! I do typically enjoy Center’s novels but this one is by far my favorite to date.

Emma Wheeler has devoted her life to taking care of her ailing dad and raising her baby sister, Sylvie, after their mom tragically passed away a decade before. Given up on her screen writing dreams, she figured she’d make the best of her life even though it hadn’t gone as planned. When her childhood best friend calls her with an opportunity she couldn’t say no to, she heads out to LA to try to rewrite a romantic comedy movie script with none other than her screenwriting idol, Charlie Yates. CHARLIE YATES!

She gets there only to discover Charlie hates love, romance, romantic comedies, and pretty much anything that has to do with feelings. But Emma needs the money so the two stick it out to write the best Rom-Com ever in only 6 weeks.

This book made me feel what Emma felt and sympathize with Charlie. A perfect mix of romance, comedy, and a little seriousness, this is a shining five stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing this book, with my honest review below.

I have previously read a book by Katherine Center that I enjoyed and was looking forward to The Rom-Commers to see if she is an author with a reliable writing style I could be a fan of. I wasn’t disappointed! This was a solid story, the author showcased her ability to deliver on her unique premises to her stories, balancing light tones with more serious topics explored, which seems to also be part of her style.

I thought the dynamics between Charlie, our cynical screenwriter who writes dark films and Emma, a struggling to break through screenwriter who focuses on romcoms and lighter fare, was both spicy and sweet. Emma was an amazing MC and as she gets to know Charlie and try to improve his appalling draft you get to know and love her. Both protagonists have been faced with tragedies and have handled them differently, but they are the definition of two people coming together to make one another better.

The supporting characters (including Cuthbert, the guinea pig) were endearing and the perfect foil for this story. Recommended for all readers of romcoms!

I loved the overall concept of reading a rom-com about writers writing a rom-com. This story was heartfelt, funny, and emotional, and I appreciated that it covered many different topics, both joyful and difficult. I really enjoyed the dialogue and the humor that was woven into the story, creating a fun and playful dynamic between the characters. Emma's character was strong yet balanced, and I admired her boldness and vulnerability throughout the book.

I felt like at parts I needed a bit more time to explore the main characters' relationship as it felt rushed in certain areas (especially really wanting to dive in deeper on Charlie), but, overall, I ate this up and found myself flying through this story! 3.75 stars, rounded up.

Thank you, NetGalley, for this ARC!

I really love K. Center's work & have read all her books, so I was very happy to get my hands on her latest, "The Rom-Commers"! And I really enjoyed this one - loved Emma, the female MC ghostwriter & caretaker, so relatable and warm. The male MC, Charlie was kinda grumpy and I would have liked a bit more of him. Still, I found this very well-written as always, lots of charm and fun here. Loved the call-back to another of her books! My sincere thanks to Net Galley & the publisher for the complimentary DRC - my sincere pleasure to review this title.

5 stars. This book made me laugh, smile, and even tear up. I also highlighted like crazy all the lines I wanted to look back at later. The name rom-commers is literally perfect and makes so much sense in terms of some of the plot points. I would definitely recommend this book and am so glad I read it. This was my first Katherine Center book and I will sure be picking up another!

This book follows Emma, a brilliant screenwriter who has put her career on hold to take care of her father, and Charlie, an award winning screenwriter who’s experiencing some writer’s block.

Emma’s sent in to help her idol, but this help is unwanted, which leads to so much glorious banter, tension, and longing that had me laughing out loud.

In Emma’s notes regarding Charlie’s “apocalyptically shitty” rom-com screen play she criticizes the lack of human emotion in his writing. The author delightfully proceeds to show the audience exactly what his screenplay was missing: tension, character growth, longing, buildup, anticipation, banter, and fun.

It’s important to note that there are themes of grief, trauma, illness, anxiety that are woven in the story, so check the trigger warnings before reading if this might be a concern. These themes give the novel depth, and tugged at my soul. I felt a full range of emotions during my reading journey.

In my opinion, The Rom-Commers was an embodiment of the romance genre. I loved it with my whole heart, and am loudly and unapologetically grateful to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Favorite quotes:
“Stories exist for the emotions they create—and you can’t write them if you can’t feel them.”

“If you wait for other people to light you up, then I guess you’re at the mercy of darkness.”

“There it is. The whole trick to life. Be aggressively, loudly, unapologetically grateful.”

Take one cynical screenwriter who doesn’t believe in love but is trying to write a rom com script, and add one romance enthusiast who is also a screenwriter, put them together to rewrite his script, and boom. You have an amazingly heartwarming and hilarious rom com of a book. Katherine Center always manages to balance wit with depth and this book is no different! This book has it all-friendship, family, pain, struggle, sacrifice, and most of all plenty of heart. If you are a fan of hers, do not miss this book!

💫 “Tragedy is a given. There is no version of human life that doesn’t involve reams of it. The question is what we do in the face of it all.” 💫

👩🏻‍💻♥️✈️🧑🏻‍💻


Thank you so much to Netgalley and Katherine Center for providing the arc for this book!!! I loved every single second of it! Literally could not be more grateful 🥹🫶🏻

Watch for cameos from Jack Stapleton and Hannah, from her book The BodyGuard. This book is part two (technically) to The Bodyguard !!

read if you love:

-found family
-great banter
-coworkers that despise each other (but are secretly in love)
-sickening sweet moments that make you want to sob

Emma Wheeler is the caretaker of her father after an extreme accident that she blames herself for, All she ever wanted to do is become a screen writer. Emma gets a once in a lifetime opportunity that she can’t pass up to work for her all time favorite screenwriter Charlie Yates, but what is it that they say don’t ever meet your heroes? Or maybe you do and you find exactly what you were looking for when you didn’t know you needed it.

This was an absolutely beautiful story and I loved every single second of it. I feel like at one point I highlighted the whole book! It had so many good scenes, quotes, and moments !!! I laughed, sobbed, and screamed the whole way through just like any good book does to you. Honestly this book is one of my new favorites! 💕


Here’s one of my favorite quotes:


“Love is something you can learn. Love is something you can practice it’s something you can choose to get good at and here’s how you do it, appreciate your person. Be sure you choose a good person. Choose a good imperfect person who leaves the cap off the toothpaste and put the toilet paper upside down and loads the dishwasher like a ferret on steroids then appreciate the hell out of that person train yourself to see the best most delightful most charming qualities. focus on everything they’re getting right, be grateful all the time, and laugh the rest off.”

If you are looking for a insanely sweet romcom that makes you want to kick your feet be sure to check out this book everywhere June 11th, 2024 <3

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for my review.

Name: The Rom Commers

Author: Katherine Center

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Rating: 5 stars

Brief Summary: a woman is hired to re-write a script written by a famous Hollywood filmmaker.

What I Enjoyed: This was the third book I have read by Katherine Center. I enjoyed the Bodyguard. Hello, Stranger was cute but not my favorite. This book is now #2 on my favorite Katherine Center books. While the story was slow in the beginning, it did pick up pace as the story progressed. It was an enjoyable and feel good light and fluffy romance.

What I Disliked: Nothing to note!

Overall, this was a great read. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I look forward to Katherine Center's next book.



Connect with Me <3
My blog is https://bookreviewsbyjules.blogspot.com/

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/44083250-julia

Instagram/bookstagram https://www.instagram.com/bookreviewsbyjules/

Thank you!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this ARC of The Rom-commers.

Katherine Center’s ability to capture the essence of the small intimate moments the reader craves is astounding. This sweet grumpy/sunshine romance is easy to escape into. The banter is addicting, the characters are well-rounded, and the focus of the story far exceeds just romance. It speaks to loss, grief, self-preservation, anxiety, gratitude, longing, family, and of course, love.

This is suitable for those who are interested in a slow burn, little spice, witty banter read.