Once again Katherine center writes a fantastic romance that leaves you emotional. I loved every second of this caregivers journey to pursue her passion despite fear and dealing with unresolved guilt and trauma. I greatly enjoyed getting to know Emma and Charlie and how they let their past control the present. Thank you NetGalley for this advanced readers copy!

I love the storyline Katherine Center creates with two writers, one famous and one fantastic, who would not be more at odds. Thank you @stmartinspress for my early audio and digital copy. Highly recommend the audio, it’s @pattimurin !!

Emma is like a modern day Meg Ryan. I said what I said, date me if you wish. I loved Meg Ryan growing up, she was fantastic, and Emma owns those vibes equally as the fantastic writer in Center’s new release, THE ROM-COMMERS.

Charlie has a rom-com script that needs to pass muster for an exec’s trophy wife (yes it’s lol-level funny). He and Emma share this well-meaning agent (read friend of Emma’s) who puts them in the most cringe-worthy moments. Katherine Center is a literal genius!

So we basically watch these two banter their way through a contract and fall for each other despite trying not to for many reasons. Emma keeps pulling Charlie out of his shell and we learn so much about his past.

The last ¼ of the novel will really endure you to Charlie and Emma to the point where you’re literally cheering for them.

Add this to your summer reading TBR, as always I kick off summer with Center’s newest and I really loved this one!

I hear there’s also a cameo from The Bodyguard for fans. 😉

There are mentions of loss of a parent, accident injuries, cancer and drowning. I know these can be especially heavy for some, so reach out if you have more questions, I’m happy to answer.

The Rom-Commers is another fun read from Center. In her usual style there are painful backstories involved.

Emma has the chance to work with her screenwriting idol, Charlie Yates. Charlie, however, does not want a writing partner, much less write a rom-com. They each have some life hurdles to deal with along the way.

Some fun banter, but also some mean comments. I had a harder time connecting with Charlie as a result of that.

I liked the way they eventually worked together to solve problems.

Not your typical romance book.

Thanks to netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the arc.

I loved this one! I read & listened to this one and enjoyed both! It was so fun, quick witted and heart warming. Such a unique concept & a perfect summer read! Also the authors note was amazing! 👏🏼

I always have fun with Katherine Center’s writing, and this novel was no different from the others. In this novel, we follow Emma, an aspiring screenwriter dealing with family issues and Charlie, a very accomplished screenwriter that Emma has looked up to for years. When they work together on a rom-com film, at first they clash, but soon they fall in love. I enjoyed the premise of this novel and I thought that the character development was extremely strong. The only thing keeping this from a 5 Star book for me is that some of the story felt a little cliche and really predictable. Overall, I enjoyed reading this and I would definitely recommend to a friend.

Katherine Center's "The Rom-Commers" is a laugh-out-loud, feel-good rom-com about rewriting your own story. Emma Wheeler, an aspiring screenwriter, lands the chance of a lifetime to re-write a script for her idol, the famous Charlie Yates. Leaving her caretaker role for her dad in her sister's hands, Emma heads to L.A. with high hopes.

However, Charlie Yates is not the hero she envisioned. Reluctant to collaborate and dismissive of rom-coms, he initially resists Emma's enthusiasm. Despite the rocky start, Emma fights for her beliefs in love and storytelling, even if it means challenging Charlie's cynicism and, unexpectedly, developing real feelings for him.

The novel is filled with witty banter, endearing characters, and the perfect amount of romantic tension. Center masterfully blends humor and heart, making this a delightful read for fans of the genre. While the plot may be predictable, the journey is undeniably charming. If you love rom-coms and believe in the power of love stories, "The Rom-Commers" is a must-read.

If you like KC’s work for its silly, light-hearted romances and fun characters you will not be disappointed by THE ROM-COMMERS. I flew through it and had a blast!

Emma is an aspiring screenwriter who thinks she’s getting her big break — to work with THE Charlie Yates (a screenwriting legend and her hero) on a rom-com movie but turns out that Charlie wants nothing to do with the frizzy haired amateur. However, Emma seems to win him over in small bits until Charlie’s aversion of Emma is more of a move for self preservation than a lack of attraction.

We love a workplace 🤝 grumpy/sunshine romance! But this one did not unseat my fave from the author (which is THE BODYGUARD!! Read it!!) but it was a fun ride for sure. If I’ve seen criticism for this one it’s been about believability and I think that’s definitely warranted BUT if you are able to turn off the logical side of your brain, ya might enjoy it 😉

I love Katherine Center’s sense of humour. I was particularly excited for The Rom-Commers, a novel about two screenwriters collaborating on a romantic comedy.

This one was very funny. Our heroine, Emma, is hilarious, and made me laugh out loud multiple times. I’m not sure if I ever felt the depth in her relationship with Charlie, however, and the third act breakup fell into a mix of two tropes that I really don’t like.

The relationships between Emma and her family were much deeper and are what made the book for me. Her family has been through so much tragedy and came out stronger. There’s something about Katherine Center’s writing that is so positive and good-natured that it wins me over every time.

I would have loved to see more about the screenwriting — I wanted some witty lines and excerpts from the characters’ screenplay!

However, the book was still a pleasure to read and an easy 4 stars for me.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for my review copy.

Emma has always wanted to be a screenwriter but her dreams have taken the backseat to being a full-time caretaker for her father. When Emma gets the chance to rewrite a script for Charlie Yates, her screenwriting role model, Emma's younger sister steps in as a caretaker so Emma won't miss this opportunity. Yet Charlie has no interest in working with Emma or even in the script they are rewriting. Emma must convince Charlie that love stories matter, but it might end up being her heart that is on the line.

The Rom-Commers has all the hallmarks of a fantastic romantic comedy: witty banter, darling personalities with adorable clashes, and over-the-top plot twists. But all of these are combined with real emotions and character development. Emma and Charlie was so cute together and their will-they/won't-they had me gripped to the page. I love how Center knows all the clichés of the romance genre and expertly utilizes them to write something that feels charmingly adorable.

Katherine Center's "The Rom-Commers" is an absolute gem that captures the essence of romance with the sparkling wit we've come to love in her writing. This book is a heartfelt nod to the world of romantic comedies, filled with characters that feel like friends and storylines that resonate with real-life joys and challenges. Center’s delightful prose and masterful storytelling ensure that each chapter brings a smile and the occasional happy tear. It’s a celebration of love, resilience, and the unexpected twists that make life so thrilling. Perfect for anyone who loves a good laugh intertwined with moments of tender sincerity. A must-read that will leave you cheering for more.

Thank you for the ARC, St. Martin's Press!

So cute! Read a little bit like a fanfiction, but I didn't hate that. My only wish is that the characters got together before the very end, so we could have seen them together as a couple longer. But I did like the lack of spice (personal preference) and it was written very well. I'll definitely read more by this author!

I cannot rave enough about Katherine Center’s writing. This story is no exception. As soon as I finished it, I felt lost that I wasn’t in their world anymore. I can always count on Katherine Center to make me feel my feelings! There is so much detail in her writing style without being repetitive. I can’t wait to read what she writes next!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I loved The Bodyguard so I knew I needed to read this one. A note to readers: this isn’t your most typical mushy/ spicy romcom that you read… it’s a little quirky but funny and heartfelt and I very much enjoyed it.

Thank you to NetGalley for having this marked as “Read Now”! I absolutely adored this book. Charlie the Prize winning Screenswriter had me wanting to punch him through the pages for disrespecting Emma so much. I feel like you can really feel the strength of miscommunication in this novel and how actually talking to a person about a situation can fix so much. Emma the trying really hard to be a screenwriter was such a relatable character, and I was also screaming at her through the pages to just take a chance. Either way, the plot kept pace perfectly, the banter was magical, and I did cry at certain times. Emma’s family was also great aspects to add into her life. To see the lose she went through and how much she loved her family to take care of them and not do anything for herself. Also, I needed to add that this book is a rom com about a rom com, when it just turns into them writing a rom com about it each other. Betty prepared for a slow burn if you read this!

3.5 - Moving, different and a bit unexpected. I enjoy Center’s ability to weave heavier topics into unique story lines. She creates interesting and flawed characters and in this case, addresses some tough personal and family dynamics. Illness, tragedy, trauma and grief are big here.

The way Emma and Charlie navigated their work, life and love was frustrating at times - like I got pretty annoyed pretty often - but also made sense once I finished the book. As two seemingly different (in their preferred genres and success so far) but ultimately very similar (in writing style and banter) screen writers, their dynamic was highly entertaining. I liked Emma! I understood her. And Emma pulls Charlie out of his shell, but discovers a lot about herself in the process. I do love a fame trope, and was excited when Jack Stapleton (The Bodyguard) made an appearance (I love crossover characters in any setting). That being said, this wasn’t a fame heavy book, as the story mostly focused solely on Charlie and Emma’s relationship and Emma’s (not famous) life and family.

I guess my main hang up is it was kind of sad? The themes were heavy and I didn’t get that sizzly spark about this pairing. The end was a bit rushed - I liked how the story resolved, and actually cried near the end, but still wish I got to experience more of the happy moments as a reader.

Thank you to @netgalley, St Martins Press and Catherine Center for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. Out now!

Another fun romantic read from Katherine Center! Emma sticks to her values and writes the rom com she wants! One has to root for her as a character.

We get a story that is funny, charming and a rom com. I think most people will enjoy this book. Thank you netgalley for the chance to review.

This was not my favorite Katherine Center book, but I absolutely think it’s worth a read and her loyal fans will like it. Emma and Charlie are very sweet and certainly make you want to root for them. Their back stories are quite tragic, as is often the case with Center. But I think the relationship just developed a little strangely for me? Lots seemed to happen all at once in maybe the last quarter of the book - I think the action could have been a little more spread out. 3.5 stars.

Katherine had done it again! She’s written a story that makes me swoon yet laugh because it all feels so real!

All Emma has ever dreamed of being was a screenwriter. She’s obsessed with romantic comedies and wants to write one of her own. But that’s hard for her as she’s the full time care taker for her sick dad. So when she gets the chance of a lifetime to write a script for the famous Charlie Yates, her little sister finally steps up to help. But Charlie doesn’t like working with a nobody.. and worse he doesn’t do Rom-Coms.

Emma and Charlie are the perfect enemies-lovers. They have forced proximity that makes them grow on each other. I also the loved the undertone to the story of finding one’s self and dealing with life’s tragedies.

Honestly anything Katherine writes hits a spot for me and I just want to hug all her books!

Oh, The Rom-Commers, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways!

1. This book was quirky and hilarious and heartfelt and deep all at the same time. The comments from Emma alone were fantastic! Seriously, the banter in this book delivers!
2. I felt every emotion while reading this one. I laughed at Emma's jokes, gasped at shocking moments, and cried when the characters felt their grief. She really handled this long term grief and tragedy in the most honest and heartwarming way.
3. Any book with a character who nicknames himself Heywood Jablowmie is a winner in my eyes!
4. Patti Murin can narrate anything to me and I would love it.
5. I'm now calling my mom bun my pom pom from here on out.

In all honesty, Katherine Center is the queen of the rom-com and this book has NO RIGHT to be this amazing. I even think I loved it more than Emily Henry's Funny Story (don't come for me). This is clearly going to be a top contender for my 2024 book of the year!

I give this one 5/5 stars!

I absolutely ADORED this book! Katherine Center is an auto-buy author for me, and has been for the past few years. I got to attend her book tour for HELLO STRANGER and fell in love with her passion for the romance genre in literature. So often romances are brushed off as "chick-lit" or "guilty-pleasures" when in actuality, romance books are the highest earning fiction genre. In a world where anxiety is on the rise, romance novels offer an escape into fictional worlds often much simpler than the one we actually live in. Predictably formulaic, romance novels can often emulate the same comfort as rewatching your favorite episodes of Gilmore Girls or New Girl. THE ROM-COMMERS was a love letter to rom-coms! I absolutely adored the opposites attract trope and the elements of caretaking, self-discovery, and the banter. I cried so much reading this book and left it feeling so happy and light! I loved it so much!