Member Reviews
Katherine Center is one of the authors I will automatically read. I’ve been waiting for this book since I finished Hello Stranger and I was over the moon to receive an ARC.
This book follows romance writer Emma as she goes to LA for a co-write with Charlie Yates. THE Charlie Yates, the screen writer she’s semi-obsessed with. The only problem is that his new screenplay is terrible. A couple of tropes, forced proximity and a a little bit of a grumpy/ sunshine dynamic. Delivered by a true pro and a delight to read. I especially enjoyed the cameo of heartthrob Jack Stapleton and Hannah, two characters from The Bodyguard- my favorite KC book so far.
Another great Katherine Center book! I loved this story from start to finish. Great characters, loved the settings and how the story unfolded. Definitely a recommend read! 5 out of 5 stars!
The easiest 5 stars I’ve ever given! Katherine Center at her best. Do yourself a favor and preorder this book! SUCH A DELIGHT! Many thanks to Net Galley, Katherine Center, and the publisher for an ARC of this book.
Thank you so much to the author and Netgalley for an ARC of this book. Oh my goodness! Katherine Center you have done it again! I LOVED this book!! It was exactly what I needed at the beginning of a new year. This I think is actually my favorite read from Katherine. I thought it was written so beautifully. But it was also so much fun! There were so many times that I was laughing out loud. I felt the connection between the characters and was rooting for them the entire time. And I thought there was a great balance between the romance plot as well as the details of the main character's family and past. And I liked the little touch of having a cameo from Jack Stapleton in this as well(from The Bodyguard book). And just like a real rom-com I definitely had all the feels at the end.
“Whatever story you tell yourself about your life, that’s the one that’ll be true.”
Katherine Center - you are the Queen of Joy!
I loved the way this story unfolded. There’s no denying that your books just keep getting better and better.
This book tells the story of second chances and choosing gratitude and also changing the way you see everything can really help you love others more. The secondary cast of characters also have good character development which left me loving a whole cast of characters- a whole family- while devouring this story.
I always enjoy Katherine Center’s humor that shines through in all her books and the first person viewpoint. If you haven’t discovered Katherine Center yet - I’m envious of all those who get to read her books for the first time.
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins Press for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
"I don't think marriage is hard. I think, in fact, if you do it right, marriage is the thing that makes everything else easier."
This was a really nice, super cute romcom. Emma was hysterical and I found myself belly laughing several times, both at her actual dialogue and her internal monologues.
Charlie definitely had his moments too, but I feel like his character wasn't explored enough. A lot of their time together was described with Emma's internal monologues, so we missed a lot of their time working on the script and just going through life. So because of that, everything seemed to move kind of fast, so if we could have seen more scenes with the two of them, it would have cemented their development more.
But overall, I really enjoyed this story and hope to read more of Katherine's stories.
“The job of a rom-com . . . is to give you a simulated feeling of falling in love.”
Katherine Center is back with her new rom-com – The Rom-Commers! Emma Wheeler is a very good screenwriter, but unfortunately due to circumstances out of her control has never been able to actually “make it” or become well known in the industry, even with an amazing manager, Logan. When Logan calls Emma with the opportunity of rewriting a script based off ‘It Happened One Night’ with famous screenwriter Charlie Yates (whom Emma was obsessed with), she rearranges her schedule (and her sister’s) to go to LA for six weeks. However, working with a temperamental writer that doesn’t believe in love and has a heart of a “suicidal bird,” may be more of a challenge than Emma has bargained for!
Emma’s field research is classic: how can you go wrong with line dancing or even kissing to know how to properly write a love story? The wit and banter between Emma and Charlie at times will make you laugh, make you cry, and even teach you a lesson (Center has some poignant quotes that really make you stop to think, and value your family).
I absolutely adore Center and will read everything she writes – her books are funny, well written and thought out, with plots that pull you in and characters that you will easily connect with. The only problem is that you wish you were friends with the characters in real life!
This novel is coming out on June 11, 2024, and will be the perfect summer read! My heart is “glowing” after reading this novel; I give this 4.7 stars and rate it a Nina’s Notable.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this fabulous, heartfelt, funny read! All opinions are my own!
“There it is. The whole trick to life. Be aggressively, loudly, and unapologetically grateful.”
(And now… to go watch the movie It Happened One Night!)
The Rom-Commers was a very fun read! It captured my interest from the very beginning!
Emma is a struggling screen writer just waiting for her chance...while she soley takes care of her ailing father. She gets, what should be, the opportunity of a lifetime through her best friend, Logan. Of course, it does not turn out to be that simple. She has to move in with her hero...screenwriter, super-famous Charlie Yates. He turns out to be kind of a jerk! But of course, as the book progress...the author does a good job of developing these characters and their relationship.
I liked Emma from the beginning. Her selflessness made me root for her from the start. Given how her life has gone, you just cannot help but want her to succeed. Charlie...well, that took more time. I still don't think I have a good read on what he looked like. Somehow I got the impression of him as much older (which he isn't) and very stuffy. I did have a hard time shaking that impression and understanding the attraction Emma had. I got over it becuase they clearly had a connection. But it is something I noticed. There was a scene where Charlie was very protective of Emma before they were actually at a point in their relationship that was friendly that I just loved. It was a turning point for me with his character. Later, I liked the dynamic you could tell would develop between Charlie and her father. Charlie really needed that and you just feel satisfied at the end that he would have that fatherly relationship in his life.
One character I wish I liked more was Logan. He was in Emma's corner of course, but some of the things he did were shady. I felt like characters would have a harder time getting past his antics than they did. But maybe that is Hollywood! And, of course it's business. But sometimes I wanted to smack him! Overall he had Emma and Charlie's best interests at heart and really helped bring them together and make them successful in their project.
I recommended this book be sold at the Indie store where I work. I think romance readers will love it! Thank you net-galley! This was a good one!!
Katherine Center does it again! I've loved all of her releases and this new one isn't an exception. If you're a fan of rom-coms this romance is perfect for you! Imagine meeting your idol, someone you looking up to for their work, and then trying to help them on a new project of theirs (that they may have utterly tanked...). That's exactly what Emma is getting herself into when you agrees to help her screenwriting idol, Charlie Yates, rewrite the worst rom-com she has ever read, and she'd know because she is completely smitten with rom-coms. Add in that this little agreement was never actually agreed upon, some family strain, and of course an ex or two and you've got a recipe for a hit rom-com all on it's own in this new release! If you are a Katherine Center fan or a rom-com fan this read is for you!
Katherine Center's 'The Rom Commers' is a delightful romp through the ups and downs of love and friendship that had me laughing, swooning, and rooting for the characters every step of the way. With her signature blend of wit, charm, and heart, Center crafts a story that feels like a warm hug on a rainy day. The camaraderie between the characters is infectious, and I found myself eagerly cheering them on as they navigated life's unexpected twists and turns. 'The Rom Commers' is a read that reminds us of the magic of love, and friendship. If you're in need of a pick-me-up, this book is sure to leave you smiling from ear to ear.
Five solid stars. I laughed -- a lot -- I cried, I fell in love with both Emma and Charlie. Absolutely stunning banter between the two characters. Couldn't have been better.
This is masterclass chick-lit perfection.
HUGE thanks to Netgalley and the publisher (St. Martin's Press) for allowing me to read/review this ahead of publication.
What a fun book! This was my first ever NetGalley read and I was so excited to get the chance to read one of my favorite authors, before this book comes out. The Bodyguard was one of the best romcom’s I’ve read and I felt like The RomCommers captured so much of what I loved about that book.
I thought the writing style was fun and engaging and loved that she at times paused to talk conversationally to the reader. I thought the dialogue was clever and at times reminded me a bit of Emily Henry. The family members were great and the book was really touching and heartwarming, making me tear up several times.
I loved the main characters and how they worked through issues together. I had a couple of small quibbles with how a few things were dealt with, but other than that thought it was a great read and highly recommend.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the ARC copy provided through NetGalley.
Katherine Center does it again - another beautiful slow burn rom com. Her words really resonated with me - the words were so exquisitely chosen. Both Emma and Charlie have baggage and it takes a screenplay and friendship to move them forward personally and romantically. The story they will tell will be one of triumph, happiness and love. Thank you to #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for the ARC. The opinions are all mine.
What a lovely story. I feel like I learned more about what it means to be human and experience love, which sounds so odd for what could be described as a "rom-com", but wow, this was excellent. The characters are imperfect, but they each have enough depth to be relatable, lovable, and interesting. The ending made my face scrunch up with tears in the best way possible. I would recommend this to folks who like authors such as Emily Henry and Talia Hibbert.
If you love love, read this book. If you love characters you can root for, read this book. If you want insights and beautiful life lessons, read this book. If you want you laugh and cry, read this book.
Katherine Center does it again... hitting all the feels, writing witty and engaging dialog and exploring a whole new setting for love to transpire. This does not disappoint... for anyone who loves her books or is new to her... Rom-Commers is a perfect read!
I am deceased. This was my first Katherine Center and my God. Perfection. I cackled. I cried. It has been so long since a book has held me like this. Very reminiscent of The Happy Ever After Playlist (Abby Jimenez).
The banter. The tension. The falling in love. The showing of love. My God.
5 shining stars.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
4.5 stars - I really enjoyed the Rom-Commers. The premise of the story has the leading lady and the leading man (and her writing idol) working together to revise his truly awful Rom Com script. So there are lots of nods to the trope and the mechanics of what makes a good one work and then also works those elements into the writers' interactions as she bit by charming bit wins him over. And of course, the story fulfills the ultimate promise of a great romance with a satisfactory HEA. The leading man was very sweet under his initial "don't believe in romance" exterior and it was nice to see the leading lady realize her potential and break free from guilt after all her dedication to her family. I also liked all the bonus love in the ending and epilog. But the ultimate testament to my enjoyment is that I am hunting down the author's blacklist since the other two books I've read by her (The Bodyguard and Hello Stranger) were also winners for me.
ARC courtesy of St Martin's via NetGalley release date June 6 2024. This is an unpaid review.
First of all, I inhaled this book!! I started reading it in the evening, stayed up too late reading, then woke up early and finished reading in the morning. I laughed, I cried, and I only wish I had more time with Emma and Charlie!
One of the things I appreciate so much about Center's books is that she writes real people with real issues and challenges. Both Emma and Charlie experienced a lot before they meet each other, and while it doesn't excuse some of the crappy behavior on Charlie's part in the beginning of the novel, as more and more is revealed about his history, it's more understandable the reasons he reacts the way he does.
Emma in particular grew throughout the novel, recognizing how life events shaped her behavior and taking steps to change for her own benefit. I appreciated how her relationships changed not only with Charlie but also with her family grew and evolved as she became more aware of her own stuff and the impact her actions were having.
One of the other things I found particularly delightful about this novel was the unabashed defense of the rom-com, and romance in general. Emma challenges Charlie about his beliefs about love and romance - namely that it has to be "real" in order for him to write about it effectively - in a delightful scene that I won't spoil any further.
Katherine Center became a quick favorite after reading “The Bodyguard” and I’ve since consumed almost all of her books. So when I learned that she was releasing a new book called “The Rom-Commers” I knew I would be hooked!
As an avid consumer of rom-com books and movies as I started the book I began to see how the book could play out and while occasionally what I thought would happen played out for the most part Katherine Center melts me on my toes. I would think the story was going one way and then she would surprise my so delightfully that I would gasp or laugh at the unpredictability of it all!
I was utterly charmed by both Charlie and Emma and seeing how they both grew and developed throughout the book. And I loved seeing the rom-com stereotypes being analyzed by both Charlie and Emma and then seeing those same stereotypes played out between them.
If you need a fun and happy book look no further than this one and run to your nearest bookstore/library!
Thanks to Katherine Center and St. Martins Press for allowing me to read an early access copy of this book!
I loved this book so much. I laughed, cried,, and felt pretty much the whole range of human emotion while reading. Katherine center is one of my favorite authors of all time and I will definitely be recommending this to everyone!