Oh, Katherine Center. I just love her books. Every book of hers not only has wit, humor, and cute romantic moments, but they also deal with life’s struggles and hardships in an honest yet hopeful way. The Rom-Commers is her newest book, and quite possibly my favorite (Things You Save in a Fire has held the top spot for me, but this one may have just upset the ranking).

Emma is a struggling screenwriter who put her career aside to take care of her father after he had a life-altering accident ten years ago. She’s suddenly given the opportunity of a lifetime by her manager - to help the esteemed screenwriter Charlie Yates rewrite his script for a new rom-com. Charlie is known for his prolific skills as a screenwriter, creating scripts for blockbuster after blockbuster…except this script is atrocious. But when she arrives, she soon realizes that Charlie doesn’t want her help. He wants this script to fail so that he can get his dream project accomplished instead. Being a lover of all rom-coms, Emma can’t let this stand. She decides to teach Charlie the ways of a great rom-com, by showing him what needs to be changed and having him experience some elements that he placed in the script firsthand. But as they work together to rewrite the script, little moments begin to happen between them…and Emma begins to wonder if this working relationship may have the potential for more. The problem is…how does Charlie feel? And should she take the next step to find out?

I absolutely loved this book. Emma and Charlie’s banter is so enjoyable and witty! I love how they counter each other; how Emma doesn’t back down when Charlie challenges her. I loved every little situation they found themselves in and my heart just swooned throughout most of the book. My rom-com loving self was so happy throughout this one!

Both of their backstories speak to the difficulties they’ve faced and the heartache they’ve endured. Emma and Charlie have faced devastation in their lives, and finding their way out of that devastation to trust and be vulnerable with someone is one of the hardest things to do. I loved the honesty and emotion that both of them have as they grow closer, and how that speaks to the human heart. Without giving too much away, this particular element of the book truly spoke to my heart, and made me feel seen and understood.

I found myself highlighting whole sections of this book. The quotes are amazing. I want to include them here, but I decided not to. Because you just need to read them and let them speak to you and your life, like they spoke to mine.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this eARC, in exchange for my honest review.

This review may be slightly biased because I love Katherine Center so very much. She just nails the balance of love / loss / humor that I personally adore.

So yes, this book made me swoon at parts, cry at others and laugh throughout.

I actually read the first two chapters in between meetings and just knew I was going to LOVE Emma. And I was 100% correct. She's just the kind of character you get and root for.

After being in a bit of a reading rut, this was such a joy to read! There were just so many scenes that I want to go back and read again, from the sisters discussing their job opportunities to when Emma shows up to meet Charlie to her NOTES on his screenplay to the diving board to the awards ceremony, gosh I loved it all.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

“Love is something you can learn. Love is something you can practice. It’s something you can choose to get good at. And here’s how you do it…Appreciate your person.”

Emma Wheeler has had dreams of making it big as a writer, dreams she hasn't let herself think about in years...until her big break comes along: she's offered the chance to write a screenplay with the legendary Charlie Yates. The catch? It's a rom-com...a rom-com Charlie is only writing to get his big Mafia movie made...a rom-com penned by a man who doesn't believe in love.

I mean what could go wrong?! 😆😆 Loved it! Loved. It. This book is both laugh-out-loud funny and extremely endearing. It’s a grumpy meets sunshine, set in Hollywood. THE most perfect backdrop for a grumpy award winning Hollywood-ite and a naive, yet strong, ball of sunshine with wild curly hair.

I loved these characters so much! They are so real they were jumping off of the page and straight into my heart. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to them yet. And isn’t that just simultaneously the best AND worst feeling?!

I also really enjoyed the bonus scene in the audiobook. That was such a fun look at one of the best scenes in the book from Charlie’s perspective. Such a fun addition! 10/10 recommend!

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, and the author for the ALC and ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this one— it was a ton of fun! I honestly wish this would’ve been a dual POV but overall it was a fun ride.

Emma Wheeler has spent the first part of her adult life taking care of everyone around her. She let her sister go off to college so she could pursue her dreams and stayed back to take care of their father full time. When the opportunity of a life time comes up, her family will not let her turn it down. Charlie Yates, Emma’s favorite screenwriter, is in need of a ghostwriter for one of his upcoming films. He wrote a romantic comedy script and it was… not good.

We love a rom-com about writing a rom-com!

Read if you like:
• fantastic banter
• workplace romance
• movies
• he falls harder
• celebrity (famous screenwriter) romance

Elevator pitch:
Emma has one chance to make her dream of writing a romance screenplay come true. Unfortunately, that one chance means living with her writing hero in his mansion after discovering he wants nothing to do with this project and writing romance.

My thoughts:
Katherine Center is on my automatic recommend list. I feel like I name every new book she writes my favorite. Before starting Rom-commers, it felt impossible to like this one more than her priors, but I did. Rom-commers is easily on my top reads of 2024 list and potentially on my all-time favorites list.

The characterizations in this story made it for me. Katherine Center creates unique voices for characters, and within very few chapters, the reader feels like they’ve known the protagonist for years. The Rom-commers main character, Emma, breaks the fourth wall, pulling the reader into the story without the narrative feeling forced or cliché.

The budding romance between the bookish, hopeless romantic MC, Emma, and her curmudgeon co-writer, Charlie, made for the perfect storyline. I loved how Katherine Center intertwined insight into an author’s mind through Emma and Charlie’s partnership. It felt like a behind-the-scenes tour of the making of a screenplay.

Katherine Center never disappoints where hope is concerned. I loved this book's careful reminders that there is always room for finding the light. As always, I’ll be looking for the next Katherine Center and wholeheartedly recommending this to anyone who asks.

Recommended to readers who love:
📚Emily Henry, Jojo Moyes, Abby Jimenez
📚laughter, hope, curmudgeons, and awkward moments
📚writer MCs, character arcs, & redemption arcs

Rating: 5.0

Disclosure:
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the Digital Review Copy of The Rom-Commers. All opinions are my own.

Katherine’s books are always a fun time. They are super easy to read and I never want to put them down. This had the best banter had me laughing out loud. The tension in this book was so good I was up late finishing this book. It also has a super unique premise of screen writers writing a romcom. I loved that they were writing a script inside a story. I highly recommend adding this book to your tbr. It comes out June 11th!

The thing Emma wants most is to be a screenwriter, and when the opportunity comes along to write for her hero, famous screenwriter Charlie Yates, she decides to go for it. However, her bubble bursts when she meets Charlie, and he ends up to be not quite like she imagined. And even worse, he doesn't even believe in love.

Emma sets out to prove to Charlie that yes, true love does exist, and in this grumpy-sunshine, forced-proximity romance, you can imagine where this ends up.

I loved the dynamic of all the characters- Emma's family, her ex-boyfriend agent, and even a cameo appearance of characters from one of Katherine Center's other books, to name a few. This is the third book I've read by this author, and I admire how she takes difficult topics and weaves them into a sweet story that lingered with me long after I read the last page.

This book is just the perfect one for your summer reading if you're looking for a romance that's not just fluff but has substance with some laugh out loud moments.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a digital advance review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I absolutely loved “The Rom-Commers” by Katherine Center! This story gave me everything that I want in a rom-com. It was funny, deep, and it gave me all the warm fuzzies.

Many thanks for an advance copy.

The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center is a fantastic romantic comedy.
The characters are well developed and flawed.

The story is funny at times and endearing.

My favorite book by Katherine Center and I have read all her books!

Such a feel good story.

I received an ARC of this book and let me tell you it is a must read! It is everything a rom com book is and more. It was such a fun read and I love the celebrity aspect to the story. I loved reading this and didnt want it to end.

Emma wants to be a screenwriter but family circumstances have kept her in Houston as the primary caregiver for her Dad. When an unexpected opportunity arises for Emma to co-author a romcom movie script, she takes it, but the path isn’t smooth. Brilliant screenwriter Charlie Yates doesn’t work with other writers and didn’t know Emma was even coming to LA. He’s reluctant to co-write, doesn’t believe in love, and questions Emma’s commitment to writing due to her passing up past opportunities.

The Rom-commers is my 2nd book by Center, after loving The Bodyguard earlier this year. My feelings toward Emma shifted throughout the book — I felt she was too self-righteous at times and was glad her sister stood up for herself. I felt indifferent about Charlie. That said, I ultimately enjoyed the story and appreciate its message about forgiveness and living for “the now” more so than the romance itself.

First, you can’t convince me that Logan and Emma aren’t based on Will & Grace! That drew me in immediately, but the rest of the story was absolute perfection. It’s an ode to all your favorite romcoms – you know, the good ones from the 90s and early 2000s. The ones with a little miscommunication, characters being too hard on themselves, cliché kisses and scenarios, but instead of getting annoyed, you savor each moment because you know there’s a happily ever after coming. This is my second Katherine Center novel, and I’m definitely diving into her entire backlog. I only have two other romcom authors whose books I religiously follow and autobuy, but Katherine Center is officially added to that list. Incredibly grateful to receive an eArc and audiobook from NetGalley and Macmillan audio. Pub day is June 11th and I have definitely ordered a physical copy for the shelves. The Rom-commers is a PERFECT romcom.

I went between the ebook and the audiobook narrated by Patti Murin for this one. I'll have to say that I loved having it read to me by such a delightful narrator.

I have totally enjoyed everything I've read by Katherine Center and it seems like they are all pretty different from each other and distinctly wonderful. This one dealt with some health issues, grief, taking your chance in life and caring for aging parents. It also dealt with love...and romance.

Emma is a published author of rom-coms and Charlie is a super successful writer of just about all genres--except romance. He really doesn't seem to have a romantic bone in his body, so when he writes a truly tragically awful rom-com, his agent pairs him with Emma. She's supposed to fix it by writing it with him. He, however, doesn't want anything to do with a collaboration.

Charlie and Emma have so many humorously awkward moments before they get to anything resembling romance that I would have normally started to wonder if it would even happen. But, since it is a rom-com it was bound to happen and well worth the wait. It was wonderful to experience the shifting in Charlie's attitude and the beginning of his softer feelings for Emma.

And oh my gosh, the canned biscuits!

Thanks to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for these copies. All thoughts are my own.

This is the second book of Katherine Center's that I have read, and I absolutely LOVED IT. This storyline was really in my wheelhouse, considering that I was a Cinema Studies minor in school and movies and Hollywood have always been a major interest of mine. I had so much admiration for Emma, as the older sister, the one who took on the hard work of caring for her father and putting aside her dreams in order to allow her younger sister to pursue hers. Emma was the quintessential Rom-Com writer, who never got the opportunity to share her talent due to taking care of her father and putting her family's needs before her own. When her old high school ex-boyfriend comes to her with an opportunity she cannot pass up, her sister and father encourage her to finally take time for herself and pursue her dream! When Emma meets Charlie Yates, he has no idea she is coming, wants nothing to do with her and does not want to write or work with anyone, so naturally a romantic, hilarious storyline with a fun meet cute moment ensues!

I really enjoyed how fun and enjoyable this read was, while Charlie was a total curmudgeon and definitely made it hard for you to love him at first, Emma was able to look past all of that and see the good in him and get him to come out of his shell a bit. I loved how empowering this experience was for Emma, I loved that it wasn't all sunshine and roses, and she had to confront some really big feelings and hurdles! Most of all I loved how it was not all nicely tied up in a pretty bow, nor did it have a realistic or "adult" ending either - it was one part real, one part Hollywood, and a couple parts of just fun and easy reading.

I most definitely will be reading more of Katherine's books in the future, and now that I know The Bodyguard ties into this book with Jack, which is next on my list!


Thank you again to NetGalley for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for an honest review.

There's just something about a Katherine Center book that always gets me!

Emma wants to be a screenwriter, specifically romcoms, one day. But she currently is caregiver for her dad, who has medical issues and needs care. Logan, who is her manager and also her ex, approaches her with a chance to work with one of her idols, Charlie Yates, in rewriting his first romcom script. She is able to get her sister to come stay with her dad for a while.

Off Emma goes for this too good to be true opportunity. However. No one told Charlie this was happening and boy do they get off on the wrong foot.

Their banter was stellar and their humor had me giggling. I enjoyed these characters and being a long for the ride on their story.

I loved the audio and it brought the story to life for me.

Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press for an eARC, and MacMillan Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review.

The Rom-Commers is a delightfully enjoyable rom-com that weaves together themes of family obligations and mental health with wit and charm. Emma Wheeler finally gets her big break when she's given the opportunity to rewrite a script for her idol but this dream opportunity comes with its challenges, including leaving behind her role as caretaker for her father and facing off against Charlie's cynicism about love.

The dynamic between Emma and Charlie is both hilarious and heartwarming as they clash over their differing views on love and rom-coms.

As with many of Katherin Center's books, what sets this apart from other rom-coms is its ability to balance lighthearted humor with deeper themes. The exploration of family dynamics and the character's health adds depth to the story, making it not just a fluffy romance but a exploration of personal growth and self-discovery.

This is a feel-good read that will leave you smiling and believing in the magic of love and second chances. With its lovable characters, witty dialogue, and heartwarming romance, it's a book that's sure to delight fans of rom-coms.

If you're someone who enjoys a rom-com, the Rom-Commmers was such a fun experience. As you're reading, you're experiencing the characters discussing (more like arguing about) the key elements of a Rom-Com, while simultaneously experiencing the moments. From the "accidental fall" to the fallout, it's all there in the perfect Romantic Comedy. There was humor, cringy moments, and an emotional connection I wasn't expecting. I felt my heart go out to the characters and was eager to see how it turned out between them. If you're looking for a good beach read this summer, this one is it!

Rom-Commers by Katherine Center
Emma Wheeler is a writer, caregiver, daughter and sister that has put her dreams on hold in order to take care of her father and support her sister.
All of this changes when Emma has the opportunity to go to Los Angeles and help re-write the famous screenwriter Charlie Yates’ “terrible”romantic comedy. Just organizing daily details so that she can go is a huge obstacle, but convincing Charlie that she’s the woman for the job is even more difficult.
Rom-Commers is a charming story of two writers, their process and collaboration, and all that goes into writing a movie. The ensuing “research” on what makes a good romcom is comical, and the budding relationship between Charlie and Emma is tender. This book definitely lives up to Katherine Center’s body of work.
#netgalley

Another great read from Katherine Center! Emma has put her life on hold for so long to take care of her father 24/7 . She gets the opportunity of a lifetime to work with a screenwriter and takes the opportunity. Charlie is struggling professionally (and personally) when his agent brings in his good friend Emma to help. Loved this!

Set in Hollywood and Houston, I loved getting to know Emma and Charlie as they fixed the script of a reimagined 1934 romantic comedy It Happened One Night (which is fantastic).

Both characters have flaws and have gone through major life issues. I loved Emma's dad's wisdom towards the end and will think about it long after finishing this novel.

Since it is single POV, there are specific times when we rely on what Emma has overheard from Charlie or his actions towards her without knowing what is going on in his head. This tended to make him a bit unlikeable until further explained.

I have read and loved The Bodyguard and Hello Stranger (as well as listened on audiobook), so this novel fit very nicely with what I already enjoy about Katherine Center books. I feel her love of the romance genre shine in her stories, The Rom-Commers included. I can't wait to listen to this book on audio as well!

Rating: 4.5 / 5

Closed Door

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced digital copy. All opinions are my own.