The Rom-Commers is a book you never want to end! I absolutely loved the book and you will grow so fond of the characters that you'll wonder what happens to them all after the book ends. Katherine Center creates magical, real characters that everyone can relate to and it makes her books must reads. Emma Wheeler lives in a small apartment with her Dad. Emma is her Dad's caretaker due to a terrible accident that occurred on a family hiking trip. Emma's Dad needs full time care and has to have someone with him at all times. He's a sweet, hopeful man who is grateful for everything he has even though he can no longer use his left arm.

Emma dreams of being a screenwriter and takes time to write when she can. When she gets a call from Logan, her college friend, he has an opportunity too good to pass up. Logan is an agent in California and knows what a good writer Emma is. He is also the agent for Charlie Yates who writes screenplays for zombie movies, alien movies, etc. Charlie is Emma's favorite writer and has a photo of him above her desk for motivation. Logan has convinced Charlie to let Emma help him rewrite a rom-com script. The one that Charlie wrote was awful as he doesn't believe in love. Emma's younger sister is coming home after graduating college, and she has agreed to take over the caretaker duties while Emma is in California.
Sylvie has always been sheltered by Emma as their mom died when she was only 7. Emma struggles with leaving her Dad for 6 weeks, but shows Sylvie everything and how to chart it.

When Emma arrives in California Logan is there to pick her up. They drive right to Charlie's mansion and Logan tells Emma to wait in the car. It turns out Charlie had not been told about Emma "helping" him with the rewrite and he refuses to work with her. He could care less about the rom-com script because he's only doing it to get another script made. Emma can't believe she came all this way, her sister gave up an internship, and she isn't going to get to write with Charlie. She overhears the conversation with Logan and Charlie as the door was left slightly open. Logan convinces Emma to stay by saying he convinced Charlie he needed her. She's going to stay in one of his guest rooms. That evening Charlie tells Emma he only agreed to have her stay the night and he'd drive her to the airport in the morning. However, when he asks for Emma's feedback on the rom-com, she reads him pages and pages of notes she made when she first read it.

Charlie is very impressed with Emma's feedback and took many pages of notes while they discussed the story. He decides he was wrong and Emma can stay until the finish the rewrite. What happens when your dream finally comes true? Will it be as good as you hoped? Will meeting and working with your hero turn out to be a great thing or a disappointment? Will Charlie ever open up and let Emma know why he doesn't believe in love? Will Emma share some of her dark past so that some of the weight she carries can be lifted? Will Sylvie be able to look after their Dad while Emma is away? Will Emma and Charlie rewrite the rom-com so that people want to buy it and watch it? Will Charlie and Emma both find out what true love is? This book has it all and had me laughing, cringing, and crying at times. It's the best Katherine Center book yet and that's saying something! I rate The Rom-Commers 5+ stars with my very highest recommendation. I'd like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy of The Rom-Commers in exchange for a fair review. The book is now available, so treat yourself and get it now! #TheRomCommers

A fab read, the story of Emma who gets the chance to work with Charlie, one of her screenwriting heros. She needs to convince him to believe in love again, but will he give her a chance?

4.5

In The Rom-Commers, Emma is a screenwriter who hasn’t had her big break. She’s the full-time caretaker of her father in Texas so she has had to pass on career opportunities. Charlie is a famous screenwriter who wrote a terrible rom-com script, and Emma is hired to help him rewrite it. Through the process the two of them fall for each other.

This was another hit from Katherine Center! It maintains her style of humor and messy, adorable romance.

I always love the heroines in Katherine Center books. They tend to have unique, fun personalities. Emma was funny and dorky and anxious in ways that feel so natural and relatable. She’s a lovable mess.

Although the story is from Emma’s POV, the writing made it clear to the reader how much Charlie liked her. There were little instances where this “grumpy asshole” character was sweet and protective. I really grasped onto those parts in the story. Although I loved the sublte, tender moments, I wish that we had a bit more of outwardly romantic moments. The hero doesn’t openly acknowledge his attraction to the heroine until the end.

I liked the family and friends in this story too. The dynamics feel realistic to actual familial relationships. Emma’s father and younger sister really wanted what was best for the heroine. They pushed her to follow her dreams, there were fights, and there was warmth.

This book is a rom-com, but it packs an emotional punch. Both characters have things going on, and it causes them both to have a lot of fear (keeping it vague to prevent spoilers). It makes the book a bit dramatic, but it worked for me. This is a situation where I wish that the characters went to therapy.

If you love funny romances, characters with complex issues, and you don’t require a romance to be steamy, this is for you!

Another wonderful romance from one of my auto-buy authors. I loved the plot of this story of two writers with very different genre focuses coming together to write a novel. Emma and Charlie have great banter that leads to a slow building romance full of sweet moments and conflicts. There were two elements that kept this from being a five for me one was the constant reminder that Charlie doesn't believe in love and the other a scene that was a bit cheese for me. Still, a novel I can see myself re-reading in the future. A guinea pig, modern actor references, line dancing, humor, and a grumpy/sunshine romance are just a few added joys that made this a great read for me!

Center’s latest, The Rom-Commers, surprised me, delightfully, because I was expecting a reading experience akin to my previous Center, Hello Stranger. Which I liked, but had reservations, and yet, to this day, I think about it and like it better and better. On the other hand, The Rom-Commers captured mind and heart from page one; it made me laugh, it made me think, and it moved me.

Recounted solely from the heroine’s point of view, I was immediately immersed because I liked her so very much. In Emma Wheeler, Center created a funny, kind, whip-smart heroine; moreover, she is humble, self-effacing, and doesn’t take herself too seriously. We meet her in the midst of what, for most, would be a depressing circumstance: as house-bound care-giver to a disabled father. On the other hand, when she receives a call from her friend and sort-of manager Logan Scott (she’s his “pro bono” case in a sea of monied Hollywood clients) setting off the romance narrative’s action, she’s making dinner for her sister’s return from college and singing along with her dad to ABBA’s greatest hits. Even in difficult situations, Center’s Emma knows how to make people happy because she puts love about all else and why she writes rom-com scripts (and teaches English at a community college to help the family financially). Scott’s offer, to help salvage a rom-com script, comes with TWO provisos: one has Emma over the moon, to work with Charlie Yates (her script-writing idol of multiple-award fame) and ‘tother, well, to a devoted daughter and sister, is a problem: to travel to LA and work on the script in-person for the next six weeks.

That’s a classic “forced proximity” romance that sees Emma and Charlie work on his truly execrable rom-com script. Charlie writes all manner of stuff: horror, crime, thriller, but he doesn’t write rom-coms. (In this case, to get his mafia script made, he has to cough up a rom-com.) In effect, he writes everything Emma can’t stand, except he’s so good, she loves everything. Until she reads his script. And thus we have a forced proximity romance with opposites-attract – most delicious. Center’s execution? Chef’s kiss.

How can Emma leave her dad? With her sister’s help, of course; Sylvie is finished college and can take over family-care duties. This is at the heart of Emma’s block, not writer’s, but aspirational: with her mother’s death on a family vacation and her father’s injury as a result of that same mountain-climbing family outing, Emma took it all on: care for father and younger sister, managing the household, cooking, cleaning, sheltering her sister and ensuring she finish college and making her father’s life as good as it can be. Emma meets Charlie Yates, grump, carrying her family burden and yet, she makes his life sunshiny. It’s important to emphasize Emma is no MPDG. She’s sharp and funny, smart and kind and she matches Charlie Yates quip for quip and she’s a darn good editor/ghost writer, which brings us to the matter’s crux.

Though it sounds like I’m stating the obvious, bear with me. Center has written a rom com, like a real one, like what a rom com actually is: romantic and really really funny. Every time I read a novel labelled a rom com, there’s not much com to the rom. But, thanks to Center’s banter-writing genius, I guffawed, snorted liquids, giggled (and I almost NEVER giggle), chuckled, and chortled. Because the matter’s crux is how beautifully meta Center’s rom-com is. Because in writing a rom com, she has her protagonists revise a “shitty” (Emma’s words, not mine) script into the incandescence of rom-com, like the one Charlie’s is modelled after, It Happened One Night. I would LOVE to quote some meta-dialogue here, but I only have an ARC and a warning from the publisher not to.

Suffice to say, Emma sets Charlie straight on what a rom com is and what it should do. And I’m going to sneak in a quotation because it perfectly describes what a romance should do as well: ” ‘The job of a rom-com,’ I said, ‘is to give you a simulated feeling of falling in love…should give you a swoony, hopeful, delicious, rising feeling of anticipation as you look forward to the moment when the two leads who are clearly mad for each other overcome all their obstacles, both internal and external, and get together.’ Now I gave Charlie the stink eye. ‘This is the first, most sacred rule of rom-coms,’ I said, in a tone like You know what you did.” To Center’s credit, though he’s a grump, Charlie’s a good guy; he listens to Emma, considers what she’s saying and admits its truth.

Center makes a romance out of a working partnership: two equals meeting over opposing ethoi, one learning from the other. And rom-coms aren’t the only thing Charlie learns: he learns to cook together, laugh together, and line dance together. One of the funniest scenes in rom-com is right here in this volume when Emma convinces Charlie to go line-dancing…and the instructor turns out to be an Italian hunk. The scene is doubly funny as Emma blithely ogles the instructor and Charlie shows signs of jealousy.

I’ve said much about the com, but the rom is as good. Emma and Charlie have vulnerabilities: Emma, her family and the accident that she’s always felt guilt over; Charlie, my goodness, where to start, his marriage gone to hell in a handbasket and ending in divorce, his “don’t believe in love” sadness, his cancer diagnosis five years ago (thank goodness, this isn’t WF and it’s in the background, though it has a place in the HEA, in a good way, trust me). Center also understands the hidden core of the grump: the cynicism hides a soft heart, a hurt heart, and disappointment.

Without spoiling, another romance-writing Oscar 0n Center’s shelf is how unpredictable her narrative is. With most romance, my familiarity with the genre means I can anticipate next moves: doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy the romance, but I’m rarely surprised. I liked how Center moved the narrative, organically in keeping with how she established her protagonists’ personalities, to a magnificent dark moment, resolution, and HEA. That’s all I can say without ruining it, but I’ll say “read it”. It’s marvellous.

Katherine Center’s The Rom-Commers is published by St. Martin’s Press. It released on June 11th. I received an e-galley, from St. Martin’s Press, via Netgalley. The above is an AI-free expression of my opinion.

The Rom-Commers, Katherine Center's latest, is light and fun and what I would expect of the author! It would make a good beach read. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!

Katherine Center delivers another delightful rom-com adventure where the line between fiction and reality blurs in the most heartwarming and hilarious ways.

The story follows Emma Wheeler, a dedicated screenwriter whose dreams of success have been put on hold as she cares for her ailing father. When she gets the chance of a lifetime to work with her idol, renowned screenwriter Charlie Yates, Emma's world flips upside down. Leaving her responsibilities behind, she heads to L.A. for what promises to be a career-defining opportunity. But as they say, never meet your heroes. Charlie turns out to be less than thrilled about collaborating, dismissing Emma as a nobody in the industry and undermining her passion for romantic comedies—a genre he dismisses as frivolous.

What ensues is a battle of wits and words as Emma challenges Charlie's cynicism about love and strives to prove that rom-coms are more than just fluffy entertainment. As they clash over scripts and ideologies, sparks inevitably fly—both creatively and romantically. Center deftly weaves humor into their banter and builds a slow-burn romance that feels authentic and earned. Emma's determination to stand her ground and Charlie's gradual thawing make for a dynamic and engaging storyline.

Center's writing shines with its wit and charm, capturing the essence of both the Hollywood glamour and the everyday struggles of chasing dreams. Emma's journey from caregiver to aspiring screenwriter is poignant, reflecting themes of sacrifice, self-discovery, and the courage to pursue one's passions. The supporting characters, including Emma's supportive sister and a cast of eccentric Hollywood types, add depth and humor to the narrative.
This book is more than just a romance; it's a celebration of resilience and the power of storytelling. Center reminds us that life, like the best rom-coms, can surprise us with its twists and turns, and that sometimes, rewriting our own stories leads to the most satisfying endings. With its blend of laugh-out-loud moments and heartfelt emotions, this novel is sure to leave readers smiling—and maybe even believing in love a little more.

I really loved the characters in this book and very much enjoyed the writing! I found the plot and focus on past trauma to be a little much, and wish we had gotten more of the side characters but I’ll read anything Katherine Center writes!

Her best work yet!! This was packed to the brim with laugh out loud moments, sweet and charming moments, swollen heart moments, tears, love, and a happy ending. Not to mention, there is no miscommunication! It’s so good. And if you miss Jack Stapleton, you’ll be happy to see him again. As usual, Katherine delivers a closed door pining that most can only dream of.

Katherine Center's books are some of the only romance books I enjoy and this was no exception! I laughed out loud and finished it smiling.

I absolutely loved Katherine Center's book, The Bodyguard, so when I had to the opportunity to review this book I jumped at it!

Emma is a struggling screenwriter who has the chance to help her idol, Charlie, fix a horrible romantic comedy that he had written. As she explains the ins and outs of rom coms, poor Charlie's heart starts to open up to her, allowing some of her beliefs in romance to seep in. What began as a professional relationship certainly ended as more.

I truly enjoyed reading this story, inspired by Emma's selfless act of helping her dad and not wanting to do anything for herself to her family pushing her to pursue her dreams for once. And Charlie, while crushed by a past relationship gave up on "love", finds that sometimes it is real and not to push it away. This story was sweet, no spice and I wasn't missing a bit of it. Would definitely recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley, Katherine Center, and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to review this ARC!

Katherine Center does it again! I thoroughly enjoyed watching Emma & Charlie grow and evolve.

Emma is an aspiring screenwriter who puts her career on hold to be the sole caretaker for her father. Charlie is a famous screenwriter of action films but is trying his luck at a romcom for the first time - except he doesn't believe in love. When Charlie's agent hires Emma to help rehabilitate his abysmal script, sparks fly in this enemies to lovers, workplace (of sorts) romcom.

Emma and Charlie spar over everything. Their witty banter hides some deeply hidden baggage that each carries inside. Emma learns what it means to be cared for, not just care giving, and Charlie learns what it means to have someone in life who sticks around. I loved their chemistry and Center's writing, as usual, is warm and reliable.

I have to say that I wasn't keen on the ending (pre-epilogue). It didn't quite ring true as someone who's had my fair share of doctors and diagnoses. However, the anticipated HEA is heartwarming - especially for Emma's dad!

But for the ending, this would have been 5⭐️ so I’ll round up a bit to 4.5⭐️.

Note: If you enjoyed Center's earlier book The Bodyguard, MMC Jack Stapleton makes a cameo appearance in the Rom-Commers and is just as delightful as before!

What a treat this book was! Full of laughter, heartache and love. It was a quick read and even though you know who gets together in the end it was still a magical read. Definitely add this to your tbr if you haven’t read it already.

<b>"They're just not the kind of flowers you buy for yourself." Charlie was quiet a second, and I realized he was suppressing a smile. "I'm glad I bought them for you, then."</b>

dazzling! emotional! reader, you will WEEP! i loved it sm!

<b>”happiness is always better with a little bit of sadness."</b>

✨THINGS AND STUFF✨
-screenwriters
-la setting
-forced proximity
-oh no! you’re wounded (her)
-three cheers for information gaps
-cuthbert the guinea pig
-birthday biscuit donuts
-oh no! now YOU’RE wounded (him)
-love matters
-family dynamics
-#IsThisAKissingBook closed door. for immersion research. “are you ji chang wook-ing me right now”

thank you st martins press for an advanced copy!

Thank you netgalley for the advance readers copy of The Rom-commers by Katherine Center.
This is the third book i read from Katherine Center.
I love the MMC and FMC's banter. I love the MMC's character development.
I love the FMC's sister.

I love the banters between the two main character
what i dont love about the book is the fmc dont have a character development. I hate what she said to her sister.

Thank you to @macmillan.audio for the audiobook & @smpromance for the digital ARC.

Katherine Center is one of my favorite authors and one that I recommend to lots of friends. Her books are always so full of hope and inspiration. I loved the Rom-commers! This is of course a romcom, so there is plenty of banter, humor, and swoony moments. Because this is Katherine Center, there is also some healing from past wounds, overcoming major obstacles, family dynamics, and so much more. I think it was all balanced perfectly. Emma and Charlie start off not so great and I really enjoyed watching their relationship develop both with their work and in how they care for each other. This might be tied with How to Walk Away as my favorite KC book.

Ok, I was getting so frustrated in the middle with the love build up, but IT WAS SO WORTH IT IN THE END! Such a sweet, perfect ending with so many profound thoughts about life and love that totally made me weepy in the best way.

Katherine consistently knows how to get me to enjoy romance books- sweet, not over the top tooth ache sweet, and realistic. I loved this almost as much as I’ve loved “things we save in a fire”, but that one has a special place in my heart!


Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to receive an arc in exchange for my honest opinion!

This was a fun and cute romance. There was aome good banter between the characters and a pretty interesting and unique background for them. Overall enjoyable read