The Rom-Commers
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Katherine Center

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: She’s rewriting his love story. But can she rewrite her own?

Emma Wheeler desperately longs to be a screenwriter. She’s spent her life studying, obsessing over, and writing romantic comedies―good ones! That win contests! But she’s also been the sole caretaker for her kind-hearted dad, who needs full-time care. Now, when she gets a chance to re-write a script for famous screenwriter Charlie Yates―The Charlie Yates! Her personal writing god!―it’s a break too big to pass up.

Emma’s younger sister steps in for caretaking duties, and Emma moves to L.A. for six weeks for the writing gig of a lifetime. But what is it they say? Don’t meet your heroes? Charlie Yates doesn’t want to write with anyone―much less “a failed, nobody screenwriter.” Worse, the romantic comedy he’s written is so terrible it might actually bring on the apocalypse. Plus! He doesn’t even care about the script―it’s just a means to get a different one green-lit. Oh, and he thinks love is an emotional Ponzi scheme.

But Emma’s not going down without a fight. She will stand up for herself, and for rom-coms, and for love itself. She will convince him that love stories matter―even if she has to kiss him senseless to do it. But . . . what if that kiss is accidentally amazing? What if real life turns out to be so much . . . more real than fiction? What if the love story they’re writing breaks all Emma’s rules―and comes true?

My Thoughts: This was such a wonderful book, I am HUGE Center fan and always excited when a new novel comes out every year. I am grateful to the publisher allowing me to review the books from Center the last few years, it has been a blessing. Center really blew it out of the park with this one. Emma was born to be a screenwriter, she has spent her life devoted to crafting her art and has won contests with her amazing screenwriting abilities. Ten years ago, her family suffered a tragic loss, as a result, her father requires full time care. Emma put her dreams on hold to take care of her father and allow her sister to follow her dreams. An opportunity presents itself when Charlie Yates, her most favorite author, needs a romance screenwriter. Her sister just graduated and steps in for caretaking duties so that Emma can go to L.A. for six weeks to do the project. They always say, when you meet your hero’s, they may disappoint you. Well, this is exactly the case. Charlie does not want to write with anyone, period, especially someone who has not been in the industry. Charlie does not care how this romance script comes across as it is just a means to get the script he really wants green lighted and will never see the light of day. Emma will stand up for herself and show Charlie that romance novels have their place in this world and that love matters. Will her dreams come true? Or will her heart get broken by her hero? This follows the tropes of enemies to lovers, forced proximity, celebrity, and sunshine/grumpy.

The story is narrated in a dual narration by Charlie and Emma. Emma is definitely sunshine, even though she is suffering with guilt from her parent’s accident ten years ago. She is brave, courageous, and kind. By contrast, Charlie is the grumpiest grump. He is also charming, sexy, and when you get through that tough exterior, he is very sweet and kind. Charlie and Emma’s story really pulled me in, immersed me with the characters, carried me on their journey, and kept me invested in their ending, or maybe their beginning. The characters were well developed with depth, witty banter, chemistry, authentic, they were balanced, and were intriguing. The author’s writing style was complex, thought-provoking, funny, poignant, raw, endearing, steamy, and kept me engaged cover to cover.

Center does a stellar job at balancing literally laugh out loud moments with tender, pull on my heartstrings, moments. One moment you are crying, and the next you are laughing. Center just has this amazing ability to pull at your heartstrings in a way that is uplifting. The message of the book was truly amazing, that even though the worse of the worse tragedy, there is light at the end of the tunnel, and it is that light that we hang onto in faith for hope that things will get better.

TW: loss of a parent, Ménière’s disease, cancer, guilt, grief, and panic attacks. I had the digital and audio ARC versions. I loved the audio. Center is one of my favorite romance authors, I do have a lot, but for Center, she is an auto-buy, or auto-request (on NetGalley). This was just an amazing read, definitely one of my top books for this year. I HIGHLY recommend this book to readers, go buy or borrow from your library today!!

Emma has dreamed of being a screenwriter her whole life. However, she is also a full time caregiver for her dad. A once in a lifetime opportunity comes along for her to help re-write a rom-com script for a famous screenwriter. Not any screen writer but Charlie Yates, a writer she has idolized for years. Emma soon realizes it might be too good to be true and Charlie doesn't want help with the re-write of his awful romantic comedy. Charlie ends up changing his mind and their journey to screen writing and love begins.

This is such a feel good story with both emotional and lighthearted moments. I really enjoyed this peek into the world of screen writing. Emma and Charlie perfectly complimented each other with their grumpy/sunshine dynamic and fun banter. I loved the line dancing scene, the guinea pig, the diving board scene and the following bathroom scene. I would consider this clean or closed door romance. I highly recommend this adorable yet deep romance!

Tropes: Grumpy X Sunshine, Workplace
Trigger Warnings: Death of a Parent, Parent with an Illness, Cancer, Divorce

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. Thank you, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Katherine Center’s books always make me think, and this was no exception.
She also makes me laugh & cry, and it’s a beautiful thing.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
😘

💭 overall thoughts:
This was beautiful and deep, while also absolutely hilarious.

The way Emma felt about romcoms was such a love letter to the romance genre.

I adored Emma - her wit, her quirkiness, her ability to be unapologetically herself - a favorite heroine for sure.

Charlie was a tough character to love for a good part of the book, but his realness eventually had me falling for him as well.

They both come with a lot of baggage, and somehow seem to fit together, even though they’re quite opposite (at least on the surface).

Side note - absolutely adored the Bodyguard cameos 🥰

🎧 audio thoughts:
I adore Patti Murin, and her narration added so much for the story!

tropes + topics:
✍🏼 writers/workplace
🏠 temporary roommates
🌤️ grumpy sunshine
🔗 forced proximity
💖 single 1st person pov

*definitely has some heavier topics mentioned, check triggers if you have any.

✨ books with similar vibes:
♡ the Bodyguard by Katherine Center

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, MacMillian Audio + NetGalley for advanced copies. All opinions are my own.

Katherine Center never disappoints to deliver the perfect rom com! There are some heavy subject matters in this one. (Cancer & death of a loved one) I do enjoy when there are deeper parts in books because it seems more like real life. I do wish there was a tad more comedy but I did enjoy this. Perfect summer read!

Thank you NetGalley for the eArc of The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center in exchange for my honest opinion.
Ever since reading The Bodyguard, Katherine Center has been an auto read author for me so I was excited about being accepted to read this one prerelease date. Unfortunately it was not my favorite.
This is about Emma, who is a writer but has had to pause her career to become a caregiver for her father. She has her sister take over when she is given the opportunity to rewrite a script with the famous Charlie Yates. It’s an opportunity that she cannot pass up but it wasn’t the experience she was expecting.
While the romance was progressing, I couldn’t understand how our female main character was falling for the love interest. With everything that was said and being pushed away so many times, I began to get frustrated with Emma for still pursuing Charlie. I couldn’t see how they had that connection to be together at the end of the story. So unfortunately it was not for me. I did appreciate the sweet message at the end of the book.
2.5 🌟

This book was so fun! I adored the characters so much; the dynamic between Emma and Charlie, their banter, their tension, their GROWTH! Another beautifully written book by Katherine Center. This one is definitely up there with The Bodyguard for me. I so look forward to rereading this book!!

Thank you, NetGalley, for my eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Quick Summary: An "I'm not crying, you are" wo-fi romance

My Review: The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center is a women's fiction novel. Its highly anticipated publication date is 6/11/24.

About the Book: Two writers with tragic histories are brought together for work. One writer views the opportunity as a dream come true, while the other views it as an unwanted burden. Little by little, as they learn to work together, they discover more about each other and about themselves. They explore new experiences and connect with real emotions that help them to realize that each journey brings growth, no matter how difficult it seems.

About the Characters/Conflict: The wonderful thing about this novel, as well as all of the Katherine Center novels, is that the characters are imperfect. They are messy and complicated, in a sense. They feel what they feel and stand on their own perceived truths. Much of what they have dealt with in their lives has shaped them and tainted (if you will) their sight. Their emotions or seeming lack thereof steer how they act, how they react, what they say, and how they engage. Because of the aforementioned, it oftentimes creates conflict and tension, which makes it all the more challenging to bridge relational gaps.

My Final Say: This is such an emo-rich story. It's not neat and precise; rather, it is untidy and heart-wrenching. It is haunting and humorous. It is up and down, back and forth, and just plain touching. The beauty in the story lies in the movement that happens in the lives of the leads and in the lives of the supporting characters. Each life is linked together in a most peculiar way. In the end, it all works.

Other: Lovers of stories with opposites coming together, with family healing from hurts, and with individuals growing in new directions will adore this novel. I would encourage readers to look beneath the surface level while reading this book.

Rating: 4.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status/Level: 💛

Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (St. Martin's Press), and to NetGalley. Thank you for making this work available in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you, Netgalley & St. Martins Press, for allowing me to read this eARC. I am a new fan of Katherine Center. Her writing is quite captivating and entertaining. I felt like I was watching a true romantic comedy movie while reading this. Her writing really comes to life and is so vivid. This book will make you laugh, and it will make you cry. Witty banter between characters is my favorite part of a rom-com book, and Katherine Center really knows how to write it. 4/5 star book for me. I will definitely be reading future books by this author. I highly recommend it to readers who are looking for a cute romantic comedy book that is lighthearted and a fun read.

The Rom-Commers
By: Katherine Center
St. Martin's Press
Romance, Women's Fiction
Pub Date: June 11, 2024

This book makes me wish for wild, curly red hair, instead of straight and brown. You will learn why when you read it! Katherine Center writes for joy! I felt that emotion, along with so many more in The Rom-Commers. The rom com style banter and professional/romantic vibes between want to be screenwriter, Emma from Texas, and famous screenwriter Charlie Yates in Los Angeles, kept me laughing. Emma's caretaking of her sweet father, now one of my all-time favorite characters, added tenderness and compassion to the story. So did Charlie's back story.

Center's plot is such a perfect blend of not only Emma and Charlie's relationship, but also that of Emma and her sister Sylvie, and both Emma and Sylvie with their father. Charlie's friendships and career are captivating! This book is the most overall enjoyable and uplifting book that I have read in 2024. It melted directly into my heart with its components of family loyalty, friendships, overcoming obstacles, writing, and romance.

I love and highly recommend this this book, along with every one of the seven books that I have read so far by Katherine Center.

Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for a gifted advance reader's copy. My review is my own.

#TheRomCommers #NetGalley #Katherine Center
#StMartinsPress

This book is perfection! A lot of reviews are calling it a love letter to the romantic comedy genre and that it is! It also has tension, banter, multi-dimensional characters, and love! At the same time Katherine Center balances some pretty heavy storylines. I can't say enough about how much I loved it so just go read it. Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this eARC!

Looking for a heartwarming and hilarious read? Look no further!

"The Rom Commers" by Katherine Center follows Emma Wheeler, an aspiring screenwriter, as she gets the chance of a lifetime to rewrite a script for the legendary but cynical Charlie Yates. Emma's journey from caretaker to Hollywood dream-chaser is filled with humor, romance, and poignant moments, as she battles Charlie’s disbelief in love and proves that the best stories make us believe in happily ever after. With witty banter, unforgettable characters, and a perfect blend of comedy and heartfelt emotion, this book is a must-read for anyone who loves a good romance. Grab your copy today and fall in love with Emma and Charlie's story—it's a rom-com you'll want to revisit again and again!

4.5 stars! Thank you netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

4.25 Stars

In typical fashion, I found myself sometimes giggling, often swooning, and nearly always smiling. That's the joy of a Katherine Center novel and this book had it all - engaging banter, entertaining characters, and poignant backstories. And the swoon factor was top-notch.

I enjoyed Charlie, grumpy brusqueness, and all. Although, it made his occasional guilelessness feel out of character. I understood it regarding his aquaphobia, but not with some of his ineptness. Not a dealbreaker, but it felt odd. Emma was an entertaining heroine. I understood her relationships and control issues. Charlie and Emma together? All the swoon.

Unfortunately, I feel compelled to comment on a major issue I had. What’s up with breaking the fourth wall? Granted, I've never been a fan of the device. Once or twice I can deal with its use, as long as the rest of the story is immersive. Sadly, it was a consistent writing device in this one. I’ve read each of Katherine Center's books and I don’t remember it being used before. If it had, it was minimal. Each time Emma addressed the reader it took me out of the story. Every. Single. Time. I had to work on tamping down my annoyance as it continued.

Katherine Center remains one of my favorite authors and The Rom-Commers is still a gluttonously ingestible story. A fun experience overall, but maybe not my favorite by the author.

Audiobook Notes: I read and listened to the ebook and audio interchangeably. Patty Murin is a regular narrator of Katherine Center's books and does a great job bringing life to the characters with spot-on diction, expression, and inflections.

4.5/5

I always enjoy reading a Katherine Center book. They are silly, witty, funny, and so much fun to read. I have yet to be disappointed by her books and this one was no exception. I loved the main characters, Emma and Charlie, who had a rocky start at the beginning but managed to smooth things out by the end. There were moments that were emotional, and I could completely relate to Emma's situation as a caregiver having been a caregiver myself for my mom for nearly six years. With the help of her sister, Emma, a writer, after ten years of caring for her dad, finally gets a break in order to fly to Los Angeles to help Charlie, a handsome and famous Hollywood screenwriter, to assist him in rewriting a horrible rom-com screenplay that Charlie had written. What happens upon her arrival is amusing. The banter is excellent, and there were many laugh-out-loud moments. Some might say it's predictable but come on, it's a rom-com! I loved it!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the review copy.

The Rom-Commers by Kathering Center is absolutely unputdownable! I stayed up until one in the morning to finish this funny, poignant romantic comedy full of so many layered, fully developed, complex characters, hilarious dialogue, and of course, the requisite happy ending. This is the second book I've read by Katherine Center, and I am now a devotee! This is perfect read for fans of How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang and Beach Read by Emily Henry.

Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this lovely book!

God I loved this book. I’ve loved Katherine Center since I read The Bodyguard, and read everything previously written by her because of it. She just knows how to write humor and heart. It’s that simple. You can’t read one of her books and not feel really good. More hopeful about life.

Charlie is a misanthropic Hollywood screenwriter who has written a very terrible RomCom. In comes Emma, a bubbly, wild-haired RomCom aficionado. They are initially like oil and water, but they end up working and living together beautifully as she spends six weeks helping him re-write his RomCom. I loved learning about the writing process. I loved all of the RomCom lore. And Emma and Charlie were hilarious and just so charming. The two of them falling in love made me feel the way I do when I watch a RomCom: full of happy bubbles.

Highly highly recommend. It was life-giving.

Thank you NetGalley for the free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: THE ROM-COMMERS 💌🎬

Author: Katherine Center
Genre: Romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Content Warnings: Death of a parent, Cancer, Grief, Chronic Illness, Injury

📚 Emma is a screenwriter whose career just hasn’t taken off. When her friend Logan tells her about an opportunity to help famed screenwriter Charlie write his first rom-com script, she can’t resist. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime. Emma packs her bags and heads to LA to find that Charlie may not be as keen on the idea as Logan made it seem… and he may not believe in love either.

💭 This was my first ever Katherine Center and it certainly won’t be my last. WOW! This book was full of heart, love, grief, and humor. I loved both Emma and Charlie and watching their story unfold. The Hollywood backdrop and screenwriter romance aspects were a 10/10. Also worth noting this is pretty much a closed door romance.

💌 Read this if you like romantic comedies, hollywood dramas, donuts, books about grief, sister relationships, guinea pigs, and Meryl Streep.

I have become the kind of fan of Katherine Center that I look so forward to her books knowing that I will delving into another good story with likable, realistic characters! And The Rom-Commers did not disappoint! In fact - it brought in another element for me that I was ready for…..a romance with humor, family drama, and comedy!! Who couldn’t like/love the characters Emma and Charlie?? As they grew from dislike (sometimes extreme) to their unlikely romance we hear their back-stories of disappointment, family secrets, and fear of life and love. As they write together to bring old-fashioned romance to the screen - we heartily cheer on their own romance that holds all the elements of what they are attempting to accomplish together on the written page. Their fall-outs, their growing understanding of each other, and their need to walk-away from letting each other down, will keep the reader invested in both their romance and their final story. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, for the opportunity to read and review this advance reader copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #NetGalley #TheRom-Commers

Katherine Center can do no wrong in my eyes. I devoured this book in a day, and wish I could have stayed in their world longer. Who doesn't love a crotchety MMC? Then along comes the girl who finally gets him to stop being so frustrated and angry with the world and open up his heart. I'm going to soak that story line up every single time.

Center does such a great job of creating characters that are extremely realistic, with flaws and back stories that fit the actions that take place. It's always frustrating when you're reading a story and think to yourself, "this character would never do that." I believed everything Emma and Charlie said and did. Even when I didn't agree with them, I understood it. That's a talent that not all writers have.

The slow burn love writing style works in her novels too. I might wish that the characters would move things along a little quicker (often lol), but I also appreciate that she always makes their love convincing, because the foundation has been laid.

I will always recommend her books!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. This was the first book I’ve read by Katherine Center and I flew through the story. Up until the very end it was a four star read for me despite Charlie’s, at times, cruel comments and Emma’s somewhat annoying continued pursuit of a man who has expressed his disinterest. Without spoiling the ending, the conflict and its resolution were very frustrating to me to the point where I did not enjoy the book as much I was during the beginning and middle. With that being said, I enjoyed enough of the book to try some of her other works.

Emma Wheeler had planned to be a screenwriter, specializing in romantic comedies, but then tragedy struck. On a family vacation, she not only lost her mom, but her dad got so injured that he now requires around-the-clock care. So Emma gave up her dreams, and stayed home to care for her dad, because of course, family came first. Then, just as her sister graduates from college and is coming back home, Emma gets a call from her high school best friend. He has a script written by her idol Charlie Yates, and it needs serious work, and she would be the perfect person to turn this rom-com from a disaster into a hit. She only needs to fly out to L.A. for six weeks and collaborate with Charlie Yates. Charlie doesn't even care about the script - it is just a means to an end for him, He made a deal to write the rom-com, and in exchange he would get a green light on the mafia movie he wanted to write in the first place. What Emma doesn't know is that Charlie no longer believes in love, so Emma is going to have to convince him step by step that love is real, and love stories do matter.

The Queen of Rom-Coms herself has done it again with another magical story of redemption, friendship, hope, family and love. This book will have you hooked from the very first page. Whether you love romances, or are a romantic cynic such as myself, this book is for you. I highly recommend it!