Katherine Center continues to write some of the best and most heartfelt rom coms I’ve been read. I loved watching as Charlie and Emma’s relationship as coworkers grow into a friendship where they supported one another through some difficult parts of life. That support blossomed into an adorable relationship. I found both Charlie and Emma to be very real characters—even if that meant that some of it was hard to read. Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for my arc!

Katherine center has been a favorite of mine since i read the bodygaurd and this book did not disappoint. Such a fun and quick romcom read

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley- thank you!

For me Katherine Center is the Charlie Yates of rom com novels. So many of her books are my favorites in the genre. I liked the witty banter in this book, but I didn't connect with Emma and Charlie in the same way I have with her other characters. It was still a really good read, just not my personal favorite of hers.

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced reader copy. I'm new to Katherine Center, but this was lovely, emotional, and took great turns that I didn't expect. Amazing read!

Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for an advanced copy. Unfortunately this Katherine center was a huge disappointment. There were a lot of issues with this book, Charlie was an ass. It was boring and I had to force myself to read it. I kept thinking it would redeem itself at the end but I think it managed to get even worse. There was little to no chemistry between the main characters and no banter. I didn’t care for the lazy twist of a cancer scare. This book just isn’t it. I don’t know why it’s been so highly rated.

I have been so deep into LitFic that I needed something light and that was gonna be a quick read- this book for sure scratched that itch. There’s something about a book that has book-related Main Characters (in this case, both screen writers) that really just gets me into it.

Every bit of this read was enjoyable and everything you want in a romance (closed door which was a nice change of the popular pace!). The only part that drove me bonkers was how quick the Female MC was willing to forgive and forget how rude the Male MC was to her. I’m like girlfriend, stand up for yourself!! But other than that, I did love it.

A rom com, indeed!!

Charlie really bothered me for a while, but I ended up just LOVING him! He’s a sweetie cutie pie in disguise.

I also loved the emotional story involving both of their parents and how difficult that’s been and the anxieties they have about life and their lowest points.

I really liked how it talks about how life isn’t perfect and you won’t always be happy, but a little sadness is okay, but you should still on to hope and live life the best you can!

Katherine Center always writes a charming story!! Her characters are always so strong and her stories so sweet!

I loved the premise of this novel, and the insight into the work of screenwriters was fascinating and a refreshing take on the writing about writing trend. The characters were rich and well developed, and Emma’s voice was engaging; I devoured this. Katherine Center never fails to succeed with her own spin on the romance genre, and Emma’s life and her world were so full outside of the romance plot, which makes the story feel so realistic. However, I felt that the conflict in the last act felt very contrived, and Emma’s decisions and reactions felt totally illogical to me. I lost a little faith in the story and its realism, but aside from that, this was an enjoyable and meaningful read.

I love Katherine Center.
What I don't love is St Martins Press remaining silent when it comes to what was posted to their socials by an employee.
This is getting ridiculous.
I will not be reviewing any titles from this imprint on any social platform until a statement is made

This is such a great feel good book. This story of two screenwriters working together leaves you with all the feels. I love Katherine Center and this book doesn’t disappoint. You will be rooting for our couple Charlie and Emma. Such a great book for with vibes of a traditional rom-com.

After loving The Bodyguard and Happiness For Beginners I had high hopes for this book. Both of those books had depth that felt therapeutic alongside a romance filled with undeniable chemistry. This book was really missing both of those things for me.

Although this book didn’t do it for me I know lots of people who have loved it so I encourage you to still give it a try and see how you feel. Here are my thoughts…

First the good:

My favorite character was Emma’s dad. I highlighted quite a few things that he said and he gave me the heartfelt KC moments that I crave. He taught us how to find joy in the midst of suffering.

Emma’s sister and boyfriend were also another high point for me. I loved how they were loyal and selfless. Their relationship though short on the page was a highlight for me.

Charlie had some very swoon worthy moments, when he got out of his own head he was a sweetheart.

The kisses were written very well. By far the best part of the book. It was the only time I really felt tension and longing between them though.

The Bad:

The writing style felt disjointed, there were pages and pages of dialogue. A lot of it was question and answer format. Lots of dialogue was italicized or there were explanation points at the end. It felt like that shouldn’t be necessary to get the point across…

Then there would be a random change of pace where Emma would essentially “break the 3rd wall” and start talking to me as the reader to explain something. It just made for a very odd reading experience.

The humor felt forced. I always saw the scenes coming that were supposed to be funny and unfortunately they fell flat for me.

Emma was all over the place as a character. She was mature one second and then incredibly immature the next. The way she keeps throwing herself at Charlie made me cringe with second hand embarrassment. I really wanted to see her develop a little more self confidence.

There was also a situation with her sister that she handled very poorly and though there was fault on both sides the sister had to grovel for forgiveness. It felt petty on her end and made me like her less.

I’m all for flawed characters and love a grumpy MMC but Charlie’s lack of ability to communicate and his tendency to be kind of jerk when he was trying to protect his heart came off a little too strong. It built walls between him and Emma that felt unrealistically easy to tear down in the course of a 6 week budding relationship.

Because we didn’t get his POV we had to guess as to his true motives for acting a certain way or saying something rude and I didn’t like that very much.

I really struggle with books where one or both of the main characters are fighting their feelings the entire book. I just want to shake them and tell them to make a decision! The back and forth gave me whiplash and by the end I didn’t even care if they were together or not.

There was a massive miscommunication plot point thrown in at the end that was then swiftly resolved in a far too simple way and again I felt annoyed by that…

Overall, I don’t regret reading this and I can see how it would appeal to some and not others but it just wasn’t for me. I will continue to read through her backlist and am hopeful that I enjoy her future books more.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. 
Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley.

I am a huge fan of Katherine Center. I have read most of her books and have enjoyed them without exception. The Rom-Commers is going to the top of the list. I followed her advice and chose it for my read on a recent plane ride and fell into the story of Emma and Charlie (with his perfect nostrils). Yes she actually wrote that and not just once. And that is one of the things I really like about Center’s writing - in the midst of the most romantic minute, or the largest and loudest altercation, she inserts humor - so while I may be having my heart broken I am also experiencing the absurdity of the situation - and while tears may be rolling down my cheeks I am having the hardest time holding in the laughter. She just knows how to break it up, whether it is Emma dragging her broken suitcase down the driveway in an attempt to get away from the worst humiliation or showing up uninvited, or was it when her agent said “Imaginary love is the only thing she’s got.”

The chemistry between Emma and Charlie is palpable, cliche but true. I loved these characters and kept rooting from them, separate and apart and together. I thought the situational elements of a disabled parent and the challenges of caregiving while supporting a younger sibling gave depth to the story. Emma just has to be taken seriously about her art, her story crafting - she really does make the best arguments for the importance of a good romcom despite what Charlie says.

A million thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a copy.

Is there anything she can't do? I LOVED this book. I laughed, I swooned, I love their story. The characters were enjoyable, even though grumpy. I finished this book so quickly because I couldn't get enough. Definitely add this to your summer TBR.

At time of review the St. Martin's Press boycott is still ongoing as SMP has chosen to still not address islamaphobic and racist remarks made by a member of their team.

The boycott of St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books, and other related imprints is a direct response to the publisher’s lack of accountability regarding statements made by an employee in their marketing department and their failure to respond to concerns about possible systemic issues within the department.

See https://r4acollective.org/ for more information on the boycott and see how you can help not break the boycott.

Even though this is one of my most hated covers ever I absolutely LOVED this book! Did I want to just reach out and shake the MC a few times, sure! Side characters too. Still enjoyed the hell out of it though!

In "The Rom-Commers," veteran author Katherine Center takes us on a rollercoaster of emotions. A dedicated screenwriter with a passion for romantic comedies, Emma Wheeler has put her dreams on hold to take care of her injured father. When an opportunity arises to collaborate with her idol, Charlie Yates, Emma embarks on what she hopes is the journey of a lifetime. What she encounters in Hollywood is far from screenwriter-perfect, and she finds herself grappling with the authentic and challenging Charlie Yates. Suddenly, what seems like a fantastic opportunity becomes an absolute nightmare, and Emma is left wondering what the future will hold.

Throughout the story, Emma and Charlie's relationship evolves, driven by their shared passion for storytelling and the realization that real-life romance defies conventional scripts. Once again, Center has created a compelling read that balances humor and heart. This is definitely a book worth reading again and again.

I loved this so much! The banter, the humor, and Katherine’s signature stance that the romance genre holds value. Emma still grieves over the loss of her mother, & works through family conflict while taking a shot at fulfilling a dream to write a rom com with her idol. Problem is, Charlie is a romance cynic. The pacing of their relationship going from butting heads to love was perfection. Many of Charlie’s quotes had me chuckling out loud

Center is one of my favorite romance authors, and this may be her best yet! This one is grumpy/sunshine + enemies-to-lovers. My two favorite tropes in one book 😍. I laughed, I cried, I guffawed. Center pulled out all the stops for this one 🫶.
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Emma Wheeler has always dreamed of becoming a screenwriter. Her dedication as a full-time caretaker for her father has prevented her from going all-in on a screenwriting career. But when she’s offered the job of a lifetime rewriting a rom-com script with her idol, Charlie Yates, she knows it’s an opportunity too big to pass up. Turns out, Charlie doesn’t want to work with a nobody writer, doesn’t actually believe in love, and thinks rom-coms are a joke. Never meet your heroes 😬. He’s surly, sullen, and so dang dreamy. Emma is not giving up on this project. She’s determined to prove to Charlie that love is real, both on and off the page.
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This book is a beautiful tribute to rom-coms and love. But Center also handles the subjects of trauma, loss, and grief with such grace.
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Thank you to @macmillan.audio and @stmartinspress for these ARCs! I cannot recommend the audiobook enough! The narration by @pattimurin was everything, and there are 2 audio exclusives!! (A bonus scene and an author’s note 😍.)
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Rom-Commers - Katherine Center
5/5⭐️
🎉Out Now!🎉
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“I had a theory that we gravitate toward the stories we need in life. Whatever we’re longing for—adventure, excitement, emotion, connection—we turn to stories that help us find it. Whatever questions we’re struggling with—sometimes ones so deep, we don’t even really know we’re asking them—we look for answers in stories.”
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“Be grateful—all the time—and laugh the rest off… There it is. The whole trick to life. Be aggressively, loudly, unapologetically grateful.”

Another emotional book from Katherine Center.

The Rom-Commers is a heartwarming and emotionally engaging book. It tells the story of Emma Wheeler, who gets the opportunity of a lifetime: to collaborate with the renowned screenwriter she has always admired, Charlie Yates. Emma temporarily moves to LA for the project only to find out Charlie doesn't want to write anyone. With different agendas, both of them strive to complete the script together while slowly learning and figuring out the essence of rom-com, romantic gestures, and love itself.

Just like the author's previous works, this book strikes a nice balance of humor, wit, and somberness. I adore both Emma and Charlie. I like how they help each other come out of their shell both personally and professionally. I enjoyed the banter between main characters and them figuring out each other's tics and tells. It's slow burn in a good way. They are adorable together, and I love how secondary characters in this book root for them too! I also adore Jack Stapleton's short scenes in this book as I adore the author's previous book, The Bodyguard.

The familial love and loyalty aspect in this book is wonderful too. I love Emma's Dad so much. If you have read the previous books by the author, you will notice a pattern when it comes to her characters and their backgrounds. It's not a bad thing; it's just something I've noticed as I read more books by the author.

One thing I felt like I need to mention is that please check the content warnings of this book first. This book contains detailed tragic scenes that may be upsetting to some readers.

Thank you to the publisher for my copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Loved this book! I always finish Katherine Center books in less than 24 hour and my streak is unbroken. I loved the banter and the tension. I wished Charlie lied less. Somehow she always manages to make wildly unbelievable scenarios seem completely believable. Her characters come to life in my mind so easily. She always had magic in how she toes the line between sad and sweet. Love it.