Member Reviews
I just love starting the year off with good romance. And more perfect: another brilliant romantic comedy from Katherine Center. I love her writing style and how she engages her audience with ease. I love the way she unfolds the complex layers of her characters with charm, wit, and warmth; much like how she reveals her entire story. Charlie and Emma are wonderful main characters to bring this story to life, also charming and witty, you can’t help but root from them, Emma especially, from the very first page. Romance is my favorite genre to read and it’s very obvious that Katherine Center wants to preserve its essence and purity and renown with her works. The interest she takes her people as human beings with complex feelings and gumption and strength is heart warming and refreshing. I've said it before in reviews for Center's works: Katherine Center took a tried and true romance trope and gave readers a story that takes that trope, gives a few unique twists to make it her very own and the end result just soars - and I'm saying it again. She hits it out of the park every time. This newest addition will be a huge hit for 2024 releases and for romance and human interest lovers everywhere.
This morning, I woke up at 2:00AM and thought to myself, "I guess I might as well read." And read I did. I finished
The Rom-Commers" in one sitting because I was not able to put it down. The main characters, Emma and Charlie, are so likeable and quirky that you can't help to root for them. I loved the dynamic of Emma being a perpetual caretaker paired with Charlie's history. Written from Emma's point of view, the quips she provided were hilarious. I remain a huge fan of Katherine Center's work, and she truly hit it out of the park with this one.
Release Date: June 11, 2024
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for a ARC of "The Rom-Commers." All opinions expressed are my own.
Just when you think an author can’t get any better, Katherine Center releases The Rom-Commers.
This book is just a beautiful read - there is no other way to describe it. I can’t remember another romance novel where I underlined so much, because she just finds a way to write exactly to my life — even when the story has nothing to do with me. The Rom-Commers seems like Katherine Center’s love story to love stories, and I am here for it.
Emma is the caretaker for her dad, and an aspiring, incredibly talented writer. She gets asked to ghost re-write a remake of a rom-com with her favorite author, and to live with him during the process. He immediately disappoints her by being nothing like who she imagines him to be. We travel a journey with Emma and Charlie as they write the screenplay of a lifetime, and maybe learn a bit about love and forgiveness along the way.
Bonus: we get to see Jack Stapleton again, and I just love when we have the chance to visit old, beloved characters.
Extra bonus: there is a scene about peonies in the book, and I happened to snag some at Trader Joe’s last week because they are my favorite flower. When I was given this ARC, I thought “oooh, I’ll use them for a pic, because peonies seem like a flower @katherinecenter would love. Then I read the scene, and it felt like it was meant to be! 🌸🌺💐
I truly didn’t want this one to end. It felt a bit like therapy to me — reading it helped me made me think about and begin to untangle things I didn’t realize I was feeling. It’s rare that a book renders me speechless, and this one did. I laughed, I cried, and I hope this one also finds its way to the big screen!
Thank you NetGalley, St Martin’s Press, and Katherine Center for this advanced copy — it was a gift!
🥰 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗺-𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 ✍🏼
By: @katherinecenter
★★★★★/5 (more if I could!!!)
From the very first pages I knew I’d love this book because of its reference to Meneire’s Disease, an inner ear disorder which is right up my alley as an audiologist. Shortly after that, there was a Parent Trap reference… and after that was a Jack Stapleton cameo (𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘰𝘥𝘺𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘥)!? I mean, come on.
The banter between Emma and Charlie was 👌🏼. The real emotions about what Emma is going through with her family were 🥺. And I loved Emma’s narration “breaking the fourth wall” (as @beth.read.books wrote in her review) in second person, talking directly to me as the reader. Oh, and the character growth between both Emma AND Charlie 🤌🏼. So dang good!
I laughed and I cried… and then laughed again. The epilogue was perfection - the philosophical truths of life that Katherine put into words made me melt.
As we all know, Katherine Center has become my favorite romance author over the last couple years and this one definitely held up to my standards. As my most anticipated read of 2024, I can easily say, it will be a top 5 of the year if not the top. Bring it on, every other book 😂
Thank you @netgalley @stmartinspress @katherinecenter for this eARC !!! 🥹 I’ve preordered it with pretty pink sprayed edges and it is out on June 11, 2024!!!
Is this book on your radar?? (Only correct answer is yes) 🙌🏼
I always get excited for a new Katherine Center book.. This one did not disappoint. It made me laugh and cry and want to read on.. I missed a few important chores so I could relax and read the story of Emma and Charlie Yates.
Emma start out thinking her life long dream of writing and meeting her favorite screen play writer has come true...but when she meets Yates...is entirely a different event. Can they work together and can she transform him into a rom-com writer? His new book is awful and she has the difficult task of re=writing it with him...but will she "re=write him" as well. Read this one...its worth the time...
When I got the email from St Martins that I got the ARC for The Rom-Commers, I dropped my KU book and jumped right in!
First things first, my little ear nerd self knew this was going to draw me in as soon as Meniere’s Disease was mentioned. This is a condition I see patients with often at work, and Katherine did a great job showing the most severe side of it!
Something about how Katherine writes is just 👩🍳😘. Every single character is so relatable. I mean the quote “I don’t have anxiety, I just worry all the time” was so accurate 😂 The FMC, Emma, breaks the fourth wall and it’s as if she’s telling the story directly to the reader and talking to you at the same time (and in the most real way too). Soooooo good. While Emma’s backstory was heartbreaking in and of itself, the way she told it, it felt like you were there-could see it, hear it, feel it.
And come on, a rom com about WRITING a rom com?!?! Beyond perfect. The build up between Charlie and Emma was done so well and his monologue had me in tears 🥹.
And the ending!!!! Every rom com needs a good happily ever after and Katherine delivered on that over and over!!!
This one comes out June 11th, and I’d absolutely recommend you pick it up!!!!
Thank you again Katherine and St Martins for the opportunity to read this early!!!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this title. I was so excited to get to read this one early because in exchange fo an honest review because , goodness, I just love Katherine Center books. This one was absolutely just as good as I thought it would be and more. The way she tells a story and weaves heartache amongst a love story is beautiful. The characters are relatable and warm and the banter between them is oh so fun. She had me rooting for both of them the whole time.
Emma is an aspiring screenwriter, who hasn't had much time to pursue her dream because of the tragic death of her mom plus an accident that has left her as the full time caregiver for her dad. She has basically put her entire life on hold for everyone else. When she gets a call from her former high school boyfriend, who happens to be a big time Hollywood manager, offering her a role helping her favorite screenwriter rewrite a rom com she is admittedly hesitant to take the job. It sounds too good to be true, afterall. After some encouragement from her dad and sister, she arrives in LA to a less than stellar welcome. She makes it her mission anyway to teach Charlie, the writer, what a true rom com is about and to help him rewrite his screenplay. Charlie on the other hand is only writing the screenplay to satisfy a favor and isn't all the interested in Emma's help. The book has both main characters facing their demons in more ways than one. The reader gets to witness them both learning lots about themselves and their value as people and also the value of love. It was genuinely an amazing book and I just loved it. Katherine Center is an author I will always automatically read and this book is the exact reason why. Thanks for the opportunity review this book!
This book was perfection. I laughed and I cried. Katherine Center wrote a beautiful book that is inspiring and heartfelt about love and tragedy. The epilogue, LOVED, I want to carry around with me for inspiration daily.
Emma is an aspiring screenwriter who is her father's caretaker. She receives a phone call for an opportunity to rewrite a script with her favorite, handsome writer, Charlie. He is a bigshot in Hollywood and she can't pass this up even though she is anxious to leave her father.
Charlie isn't that excited about this partnership but he realizes he needs the help, because this movie is a romcom and not his speciality. Emma is someone who feels love and helps Charlie explore that. But now can they work together in a forced proximity and create the perfect love story on and off screen?
Emma and Charlie are the perfect sunshine/grumpy combo. They understand each other but can be stubborn at times. Their growth together is emotional to read in the best ways.
Highly recommend everyone to read this!
Thank you Netgalley, the publisher and author for an advanced copy for an honest review.
Absolutely adored this book!! Finished it in one sitting and couldn’t put it down. Love the witty banter between the two main characters and the rom com spin.
Everything Katherine Center writes is magic. I read The Rom-Commers in one sitting. It was so cute and made me feel all the warm and fuzzies! This book totally read like a movie- I could picture every scene in my mind. Emma and Charlie were total opposites. She was the sunshine to his grumpy, and their interactions and banter had me giggling and giddy. I loved that Emma was unapologetically herself and stood up for romance!!
Although the Rom-Commers has a light-hearted storyline, there were some heavier moments that had me in tears.
The moment I finished this book, I immediately downloaded another Katherine Center book on my kindle. She is the perfect author when I need something happy and want an escape.
Thank. you, St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. I LOVE Katherine Center so when I saw this one come in I literally dropped everything else and started in. I of course couldn't get enough of this love story. I always enjoy a grump who ends up softening up by the end. What a cute plot and ending. I always learn a good lesson after reading Center's books. Center fans will love it as usual
This was such a cute read! I could not put this book down, even with a newborn!
Emma gave up her biggest dream, to be a screenwriter, to take care of her disabled father. When her ex-boyfriend presents her with a job to work with her favorite screenwriter, Charlie, she is hesitant to say yes. This book brings you on the journey of Emma facing her fears, stepping out of her comfort zone, and making her passion a career.
Charlie doesn’t believe in love and has a past that complicates things. He doesn’t want to work with Emma, but eventually figures out that her talent is real and impressive. Watching Emma and Charlie work together is exactly what you expect from a rom com! It’s whitty, it’s frustrating, and it ends happy!
Thank you to @katherinecenter @netgalley and @stmartinpress for the opportunity to read this book!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this advanced copy.
I was not prepared for this emotional roller coaster, although I should have been. Katherine Center has done it again! She gave us the perfect example of a romcom! She simultaneously brought me joy and broke my heart without fear of losing the happily ever after. I will trust her with my heart every time! She can do no wrong! This story is pure delightful perfection! It played out in my mind like a movie, and I think I would be fabulous on the big screen!
I’ll share more details closer to pub date, but be sure to pre-order this beauty so you don’t lose a minute getting started on it! It’s so worth it!!
This book is everything I love about Katherine Center’s books….witty banter, complex characters, a great, well-told story. Not to mention, a cameo from Jack Stapleton (IYKYK)!
Emma Wheeler is a flailing screen-writer and a master of the romantic comedy. Charlie Yates is a successful screen-writer who hates romantic comedies. So when Charlie is tasked with writing a rom-com, he begrudgingly enlists Emma’s help and romantic comedy shenanigans ensue!
It made me laugh out loud, it made me shed a tear or two, and it almost made me want a pet guinea pig. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read for me!
Thanks to St. Martin's Press for the eARC.
One of the best days of my year is always when I get to read a new Katherine Center novel. Her novels are brimming with joy and banter and balanced with life's heaviness, without it feeling completely overwhelming. I absolutely adored Emma from the moment I met her character. She was so easy to root for because I could relate to her controlling tendencies and feeling of not wanting to let go. I also adored Charlie and his disheveled appearance, love for guinea pigs, and being not what I was expecting. I loved how this novel was a love letter to the rom-con and love and why these things are so important in people's lives. I laughed and teared up while reading this novel. I already can't wait to read this one again once it releases in hardcover - especially since the finally copy is stunning. This was a beautiful story with the perfect balance of Hollywood and normalcy and finding one's way. I also loved the cameo of Jack, and I think this book is tied with The Bodyguard for my favorites of hers.
I really enjoyed this book! Katherine Center is the QUEEN of combining fluffy rom com with deep, meaningful plot lines. This book makes you giggle, laugh, smile, and cry all at the same time. I particularly enjoyed how the main characters were both screen writers and how they were polar opposites. The banter was top notch. The arguments over love and rom come were also hysterical!
The Rom-Commers was unique yet familiar. Such a great story full of love and heart!
The read exceeded my expectations. If I could, I'd give it 10 stars. It made me laugh and cry, which is rare for me. Beautifully written with well-developed characters and noticeable personal growth. Couldn't put it down, loved it, and could totally see it as a movie. Captures the essence of living through tragedies and embracing acceptance and forgiveness. So good!
My first by Katherine Center ... what a wow of a book! Loved the wit, swoony romance, fab dialogue, and a story read happily in one sitting. Now I know what all the raves are about!
Yes, yes, yes! I squealed when I received this because Katherine Center is my favorite auto-buy author. This book is proof of why. Somehow she comes up with all these different plots, more than adequately describes her characters where they become like people you know, and glitters humor throughout. There’s swoon, there’s hysterical laughter, there’s an excellent storyline. Another 5 star read!
We spent 6 weeks with Charlie and Emma, but I feel like I wanted to see more of them together. The book made me happy and sad, and I read it in one sitting, but the jump from the 3rd act break up to the epilogue felt too quick for me, and I wanted to see more of the resolution.