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!

I need every single one of you to please stop what you're doing, and pick up this book.

Does that sound dramatic? Probably, but you should still do it.

You know the feeling us readers get when we find a really good book that we refuse to put down? Losing hours of sleep? Who cares! We refuse to stop until we see the book through and how it ends. That's how this book was for me.

I devoured the book. I'm already thinking about when I can go and reread it. I think you can tell just how much I enjoyed this book.

This is one of those books that I'll cherish forever, and I'll forever find myself thinking about this gem.

I refuse to spoil anything, because I want you all to thoroughly enjoy it just like I did.

Please give this book a chance! I beg you!

This book was absolutely ADORABLE!! I especially loved the meta aspect of a rom-com about two writers writing a rom-com. Everything about this book felt authentic (the characters, the chemistry, the situation, the medical issues) way more than Hello Stranger did. It was sweet but not cheesy, which is my favorite. I loved getting to know the characters and watch their relationship evolve over time. Highly recommend!!

THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING!

Katherine is a wizard with a pen instead of a magic wand, and she has bewitched my heart. I absolutely adored The Rom-Commers - to the point where I'm not sure I can even be coherent about it.

This is a love letter to romance books, and I am so here for it. Katherine's messaging is always powerful and poignant, and this is her best book yet.

When a famous screenwriter is tasked with re-writing a rom-com CLASSIC and absolutely ruins it, Emma is hired to fix it. Of course, Charlie is opposed to the idea and doesn’t care whether the movie is a success or not. But Emma won’t give up on the script - or defending the importance of love stories - without a fight.

Read for:
- A funny and swoony story
- Great, positive messaging
- Guinea pig named Cuthbert
- Screenwriter
- A great cameo from another KC favorite
- Forced proximity
- Hollywood
- BANTER
- Depth and so much heart
- Amazing characters

I had the pleasure of hearing Katherine talk about this lovely book at her pub day tour stop in Houston, and my heart is so full. I cannot wait to read this book over and over.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the eARC. All thoughts are my own.

This, like all of Katherine Center’s books, was so cute. It was witty and funny and the characters had some depth.

I loved Emma’s caring nature and her backstory with her dad. It is tragic and she has to learn to let go and find herself on her own. It was such a great, supportive family dynamic and I really enjoyed it.

I also loved Charlie and his fears/concerns. He also has his demons so him and Emma really learn to find love/companionship together which was sweet.

Definitely worth reading if you want a light hearted rom-com.

Spice: None, just kissing

Read this if you like:
🎥 Cameos from previous books
🎥 Overcoming trauma
🎥 Strong family dyanamics

The Rom-Commers is another fun book from Katherine Center. Like the other books from her that I have read, it includes a will-they, won't-they romance (that you know will end with them falling in love). I liked this one a little less - I thought that the male lead was underdeveloped and it felt a little less realistic. I also thought that the cancer sub-plot was a bit realistic. Still, it is a fun book and an excellent summer read for vacation.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

Katherine Center is my favorite author. I adore her books and her newest, The Rom Commers, does not disappoint.

Emma is an aspiring screenwriter. She has spent years studying love and what makes a perfect love story. She has also spent years putting off her dreams and career to take care of her ailing dad. Mega successful screenwriter Charles Yates is her writing god and he's just written the worst rom-com ever. His agent and Emma's childhood friend, Logan, flies Emma to Los Angeles to help fix Charlie's screen play, except Charlie does not think there's a problem with it nor does he want Emma's help. Charlie has also closed his heart off to love. Both agree to a short stint together to see what can become of the screen play -- and inadvertently their hearts too. The book will make you smile, laugh and cry -- just like life does. And oh that ending ......READ THIS BOOK!

The banter in this book is off the charts. Perhaps Katherine Center's best book when it comes to banter. And it's hilarious too -- cue up the pantry scene-- and tragic at the same time because that is life -- funny and sad at the same time. The book is thought provoking too with some of my favorite quotes being :

"If you wait for other people to light you up, then I guess you're at the mercy of darkness"
"Whatever story you tell yourself about your life, that's the one that'lll be true"

And --- there are cameos from Jack Stapleton from The Bodyguard ! So fun!

I will definitely read The Rom Commers again -- as I do with all of Katherine Center's books.

3.5

I love rom-coms, I grew up on the early 2000’s movies - forever chasing that nostalgia and hence, why I wanted to read this story! This was my first Katherine Center book I’ve listened to/read and I enjoyed the story overall. I liked her writing style. Therefore, I will continue to explore the author’s works and read more from her! I appreciated the emphasis given on rom-coms - that they are a respectable story that deserves as much love and attention as any other movie works! I liked the title and book cover, it is what initially drew me in and the book blurb solidified me wanting to read this story.

The issue I had from this story was that I could not connect with the FMC or MMC. I found them one dimensional, their relationship surface level. I found the heavy handed inclusion of his full name “Charlie Yates” bordering on irritating - it was too much. I thought his personality could’ve been adjusted better, I found him just grumpy, kinda mean to FMC and was written in a way that he was made out to be a bit of a sloppy loser?

I just couldn’t believe in his character. He only had beer, lunch meats, olives and cereal? The cereal he uses water because he has no milk?? There’s just no way. He was written like he was a bit antisocial and completely clueless to any emotions. I just didn’t understand why the FMC was in love with him, he didn’t have endearing qualities.

I found that the Epilogue and the bonus chapter of Charlie’s POV were not necessary, didn’t add much to the story for me.

I preferred reading this book, than its audiobook (I read via both formats). I would still recommend this book and suggest as physical copy/ebook format to others!

Thank you St. Martin’s Press & Netgalley for an eARC!

Nobody writes quirky female characters like Katherine Center does. Something about her female main characters is always so relatable. Not only did I love Charlie and Emma, but I loved the other characters in this book as well. This was a sweet summer rom-com that’s perfect for fans of Romantic Comedy or Nora Goes Off Script. Also, if you’ve read other Katherine Center books, get ready for a fun cameo!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the electronic arc of The Rom-Commers. This review is entirely my own honest thoughts.

This was the perfect rom-com read. Two writers are expected to write a script after being set up. They hate each other. They aren't going to do it, until they are. Then it turns out, maybe the other one isn't so bad. But before they can move on with a relationship, they must first fight demons from the past. Can they get over the past to make way for the future?

I really loved the characters in this book. I usually don't love books that bring in Hollywood but this one was great. You can't go wrong with Katherine Center!

Texan Emma Wheeler has spent ten years caring for her widowed father, who was severely injured in an accident. Emma has never married, nor has she had time to pursue her dream of becoming a successful screenwriter. Emma is torn when her friend and agent makes her an offer that is too good to be true—to relocate for six weeks to Los Angeles, where she will doctor a romantic comedy written by the award-winning Charlie Yates. At first, she is incredulous, since she has worshipped Yates for years, and cannot believe that this icon would want or need her help. In addition, she is reluctant to leave her dad with anyone else for so long. Ultimately, she decides that Sylvie, her younger sister who has just finished college, will tend to their father during Emma's stay in Los Angeles.

"The Rom-Commers," by Katherine Center, is a predictable but heartwarming novel that relies on the very clichés that cynics like Charlie Yates mock—such as the idea that two people who, at first, have little in common, can wind up being attracted to one another. We sympathize with Emma, who has martyred herself for reasons we will learn about later on; is not conventionally good-looking (her curly red hair is untamable); and who tends to blurt out whatever she thinks without considering the consequences. She soon learns, to her horror, that her job with Charlie—who treats her with outright hostility—is not what she anticipated.

As the days pass, Emma proves that she is far more talented than Charlie could have imagined, and the two bond over their shared passion for writing. However, there are obstacles that threaten to doom their collaboration. This book has several amusing scenes, as well as reflections about the importance of family life and the nature of romantic love. Although it holds few surprises, "The Rom-Commers is a diverting tale about the agony of loneliness and the yearning that most of us have to be loved, in spite of our imperfections.

This was such a real and honest rom-com!

It was so fun to read a rom-com focused on why people love rom-coms!

The characters were vulnerable for their own reasons which made connecting to them even better.

There’s nothing better than a “prince” saving the “princess” in my opinion.