"You had to maximize joy when it fluttered into your life. You had to honor it. And savor it. And not stomp it to death by reminding everyone of everything you'd lost."

How is it possible that every new book that Katherine Center writes is my new favorite? Please keep on writing books, Katherine, I promise to keep on reading them and telling others to read them, too!

The Rom-Commers was soooo good.

It's only January 22nd, and I already know that The Rom-Commers will be in my top reads of 2024. I usually wait until closer to a pub date to read advanced copies, but there was no way I could let a new Katherine Center book sit in my inbox, burning a hole for almost 5 months.

The Rom-Commers has exactly what she does best. It's not just a romance story. The characters are all wonderfully messy, and you'll be just as invested in Emma's family as you will be in the romance. It's a tale of two people who had hit rough patches and had put their own needs and dreams aside. I rarely cry reading, but the last 25% of this book just had me. Katherine Center's books are just pure joy, and this was no exception.

P.S. It even includes a cameo from Jack (The Bodyguard) in the most delightful way.

Bottom line: The Rom-Commers will definitely be in everyone's beach bag this summer.

With The Rom-Commers, Katherine Center has officially cemented herself as one of my must-read authors. Am I a sucker for romcoms about writers? Yes. Will I read hundreds upon hundreds of stories about writers falling in love while they're writing? Also yes. (What can I say? I'm predictable like that.)

Even so, there was something so endearing, amusing, and surprisingly moving about this story featuring two screenwriters - one, an amateur named Emma Wheeler who has put her dreams on hold for a decade to be her father's sole caretaker only to now land the writing opportunity of a lifetime with her idol; the other, a Hollywood legend named Charlie Yates who has won multiple literary awards but can't seem to write a good romcom because he doesn't believe in love, because he thinks it's nothing more than a senseless, distracting affectation.

All in all, this was a grumpy-sunshine, opposites attract, workplace DESSERT of a story. Not only were Emma and Charlie stuck together inside the same house for six weeks, but there was witty banter, line dancing, swimming pool antics, kisses for "research," and an adorable but food-resistant guinea pig called Cuthbert. On top of that, there was nuanced sensitivity paid to issues surrounding ailing health, devastating loss, and family, which I felt added significant weight to the story as well as to the characters.

This was so cute, so sweet! Funny in spades, too. It's definitely the sort of book that makes readers believe, with their whole hearts, that love stories matter. So three cheers to that!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for my review.

I loved this new rom-com novel from the start. The plot that has both highs and lows just like life. The main characters - Charlie and Emma were so likeable and fun - flaws and all. The supporting characters were well written and important to the story. Keep writing them Katherine. I couldn’t put it down once I started. Thanks for the advanced copy NetGalley. Highly recommend this book! #NetGalley #TheRomCommers

Katherine Center has quickly become one of my favorite authors! Her newest book, The Rom Commers is one of her best yet. The book is self-aware and heartwarming. Its theme: while life has hardships, you can still have love and happy endings that make those hardships easier to handle. This theme was not just great for this book, but was a nice theme for the rom-com genre itself. While there were no “spicy” scenes in this book, I didn’t think it was necessary because the plot and characters were so well developed.

This book reminded me somewhat of the hit comedy Hacks if you were to make the main characters more likable and instead of a friendship between the two comedians/writers it was a romance. Both the book and the show have great one liners and chemistry between the main characters. I thought it was a great idea and Katherine Center really nailed the witty dialogue between the two characters that made the book shine.

Also, those that read and loved The Bodyguard, you’ll be happy to see that Jake Stapleton makes an appearance in this one!

Overall this book was a hit and I’m excited to see what Katherine Center does next! As a Katherine Center fan, I am grateful to have gotten early access to this book thanks to St. Martin’s publishing!

These days, it's not often that I find a book worth staying up well past my bedtime and into the early hours of the morning to read. It's not often that the characters and plot worm their way into my head until all I can focus on is finishing their story! Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Katherine Center for allowing me to absolutely DEVOUR this book over the past day. Will I be recommending it to everyone and their brother? Absolutely. Will it be ranked in my top five reads of 2024? Probably.

The Rom-Commers is everything to love about Emily Henry's Book Lovers and Elissa Sussman's Funny You Should Asked wrapped with a perfect bow. Emma and Charlie's chemistry jumps off the page as soon as the meet, and with the help of forced-proximity, only grows throughout their story.

I love Emma's character growth. She starts as an eldest sister who has given up her dreams to serve as the backbone of the family. Often with this sort of storyline, the MC will regret taking care of her family and the family will tell her they never needed her to give this sacrifice. Throughout The Rom-Commers, Emma's sacrifice is not once belittled, and never is it something she regrets making. She loves her family, and her dreams. Because of this, Emma finds a way to have them both.

Meanwhile, Charlie is everything you could want in a broody, needs-to-be-coaxed-out-of-misery love interest. After a series of sickness and abandonment issues, he has decided that love must only exist within the spray-cheese stories Emma writes. By the end, Charlie is definitely singing a different tune.

Read if you like classic rom-com films, guinea pigs, and shenanigans. Better yet, still read it even if you don't like any of those things.

Katherine Center should have her own section of the romance genre for her ability to write a romcom that makes me weep from almost the beginning. I was only 10% in when I realized I'd need a box of tissues by my side for this sweet, funny, and heart-wrenching story.

Emma sacrificed following her ambitions to be a screen writer to take care of her father after a traumatic brain injury. A high school friend who works in Hollywood gives her work now and then, but she is a full-time caretaker and teaches English at a community college. The story opens with that Hollywood friend asking her collaborate with a famous screenwriter on a romcom script in need of a rewrite. The screenwriter is known for blockbuster action films, not romcoms and he clearly isn't truly interested in the project himself - it's a means to an end, a way to move another project ahead. Through Emma's work to rehabilitate the script, she gets to be away from her caretaker role for six weeks and she thrives...but also falls for her writing partner.

Emma is instantly appealing as the underdog who is getting a "big shot." She's regularly put down, both to her face and within hearing distance. You can't help but root for her as she tries to make it through the six week project. The pace is fast and the writing is compelling...so much so that I burned through this story (and the aforementioned box of tissues) in a day.

Another gem from Katherine Center! Bonus: There's crossover with The Bodyguard.

Katherine Center does it again with this awesome book! I was all over the place - laughing, crying, feeling like I was right there in the ups and downs of someone else's life. Center's got this way with words that just makes you happy, excited, and totally into the whole reading experience.

I love how much she dug into the research for this one, and that guinea pig cameo was just too cool. It's like she pays attention to the little things that make a story pop.

This book isn't just a good time; it's also got some real talk about love and the struggle of putting together a romantic comedy. Katherine Center, you're forever my go-to author. Thanks for hitting us with another winner!

Emma has spent the last ten years of her life taking care of everyone but herself. After her father was severely disabled and her mother passed away in a tragic hiking accident, she was left to take care of her father and raise her sister. When she’s given the opportunity of a lifetime to work on a screenplay with legend Charlie Yates, she can’t refuse.

I’ve loved Katherine Center’s other books so I was beyond excited to read this one and it did not disappoint. So well written and the main characters had so much chemistry! My favorite of Katherine Center’s books yet.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

Katherine Center is on the list of authors I will always read, and this book is one of her best. I loved the main characters, and the cute cross-overs from The Bodyguard. The story arc is sweet and the enemies-to-lovers trope isn't too drawn out. Fellow rom-com readers: this is a good one!

[Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book!]

Katherine Center truly is one of my favorite authors in the world, I absolutely love how she writes a story!!! I am so thankful to have received this arc, thank you Netgalley and Erica Martirano for giving me this opportunity.

The Rom Commers is about two screen writers, Emma Wheeler and Charlie Yates. Emma is an inspiring romance writer, she knows all there is to know about rom coms and love on screen. The only problem is that Emmas life doesnt allow the time to dedicate to writing scripts as she is her fathers full time care taker. Charlie is one of the most famous screen writers in present day, everyone ADORES him for his charming and hilarious personality. He is on his newest project, writing a rom com when his agent, Logan, realizes he has to get Emma to help. This rom com Charlie wrote SUCKS. Logan knows that Emma is the perfect person and writer for this job but also knows that Charlie wont be so easy to convince. After ten years of caretaking, Emma sets off to Hollywood for this once in a life time chance to work with Charlie. When she gets there, its not what she expected at all.

I adored Emma the entire story, she really feels like an extension of Katherines personality. She was hilarious and so relatable at times. Charrrlliieeee, listen- one of the best character growths I have read. I wanted to hate him so much and every time there was something telling me that I need to love him. He really is perfectly written because I feel like he is a real life person and im so sad hes not.

Again, this just solidified my love for Katherine Centers books!!!!!!!! She really knows how to write characters that are so lovable and enjoyable. I love her ability to write a romance book that feels totally unique. I highly recommend this book to romance readers.

I was so excited to get my hands on a copy of this book! Katherine Center’s books have never disappointed me and the Rom-Commers was no exception. Her books always mange to tackle heavy topics in manageable way which I greatly appreciate. I related to Emma’s devotion to her family and Charlie was swoon worthy. Especially, when he was caring for the grieving Guinea Pig. I am a sucker for a man you takes care of animals. The Jack Stapleton cameo from her previous book, The Bodyguard, was also a nice surprise. I love this book and highly recommend it! Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Katherine Center for the ARC.

This is a fun Chick Lit book about Emma - an undiscovered screenwriter who has been spending the past decade caring for her father. Unexpectedly, she is tapped to help famous screenwriter Charlie Yates as he dips his toe in the Rom-com arena. Emma moves to L.A. for six weeks and lives with Charlie while they tackle a complete re-write of his first draft. Emma is determined to teach Charlie about romance and keys to a good love story.

A skilled, professional screenwriter meets a new, talented screenwriter to write a rom-com, and their story becomes the rom-com.

This book was an absolute delight, and maybe my favorite Katherine Center yet. I couldn't put it down from page one and it was the perfect winter weekend read. It made me laugh out and loud, and also cringe, but the characters were delightful, flawed, and ultimately, destined for one another. This was, simply put, a perfect rom-com.

Thank you St. Martins Press, NetGalley, and the entire KC team for letting me enjoy this ARC!

K Center solidly remains on my MUST READ list - I will read everything and anything written by her! I devoured The Rom-Commers and loved every minute of it! It felt more romance heavy than many of her other books (most of which have tackled a variety heavy, yet incredibly interesting topics - go read them!), but my heart is full and here for it. The character writing, their struggles with grief, anxiety, and overall life, were all perfectly crafted, and their banter was laugh out loud funny, SO swoony, and yet (mostly) believable.
No complaints other than that cover - which I will still add to my KC bookshelf 😅🫣 5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Thank you, Katherine, for a wonderful, uplifting time!

A book so good i read it in one sitting. Couldn't put it down if i TRIED.

did I cry? yes
did i laugh? also yes
did this book rip my heart out of my chest? uh, yeah.

If i could give this book a million stars i think i would.
5 stars, as always, for Katherine Center.

thank you to netgalley, st. martins press, and Katherine Center for an advanced e-copy in exchange for my honest review.
I'm begging everyone to read this. ok bye

Katherine Center once again proves why she is the reigning queen of romantic comedies with her latest masterpiece. This book, my new favorite, showcases Center's exceptional storytelling and her ability to create characters that readers can't help but fall in love with. The story revolves around a writer who puts her life on hold to care for her father, and things take an interesting turn when she encounters the charming and witty writer, Charlie. As a celebrity with his screenplays turned into movies, Charlie brings a unique dynamic to the narrative. The humor in describing Charlie and his witty lines is a highlight of the book, providing moments that had me laughing out loud. The chemistry between the two writers is palpable from the beginning, and Center skillfully weaves their interactions with humor and charm. The main character, a strong and independent woman reminiscent of Center's other heroines, adds depth to the story. What's remarkable is how the protagonist reflects the author herself, creating a connection that goes beyond the pages. The development of the relationship between the two writers is not only heartwarming but also cleverly intertwined with the principles of how romantic comedies should be crafted. Center takes the reader on a journey, skillfully navigating the intricacies of relationships and transforming them into a beautiful love story.

I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this story. Katherine Center has once again delivered a delightful romantic comedy that captivates readers with its humor, heart, and the magic of love. If you're a fan of romantic comedies, this book is a must-read, and if you're new to Katherine Center's work, this is the perfect introduction to her enchanting storytelling.

I am utterly in love with Katherine Center's books. They not only make me a better writer, they make me a better *person.* The Rom-Commers is no exception...in fact, it might be my favorite book to date. I laughed, I swooned, I wept through pages upon pages - from joy or grief or just *feeling everything.* Katherine is a magician and her books are my happy place.

I loved the earnestness of Emma, her unwavering hope, her commitment to the necessity of love. I loved Charlie's grumpiness, his reluctant (but inevitable) swan dive into Emma's hurricane, and his grandest of gestures. Just everything about this book warmed my heart.

Thank you to NetGalley, St Martins, and the author for the eARC in exchange for my review.

Another 5 star book by Katherine Center! I don't know how she manages to get so many emotions into one book! I was laughing out loud, hiding my tears, pouting, then back to laughing out loud again all the way through this book! I adored all the characters, and couldn't wait to see where their relationships were going to wind up. I already placed my pre-order for June, because this once certainly deserves a spot on my book shelf! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!