The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center
Contemporary romance.
Emma Wheeler writes romance. She’s good at it. But her dreams, and financial needs have her longing to transition to script writing. Her agent pairs Emma up with Charlie Yates, who has written a truly awful romance. It’s up Emma to teach Charlie what makes a romance come alive for the audience. Charlie doesn’t care enough to fix his script but there’s something about the effervescent woman that captures his attention.

🎧 I alternated between an ebook and an audiobook version of this book. The narration is done by Katherine Center and Patti Murin. The performance is engaging, with emotions clearly heard and felt. There are distinct voices for Emma and Charlie that made their arguments come alive. I listened to this at my usual 1.5.
The audiobook was immersive and made visualizing the scenes easy. Pick your preferred format as this would be a toss up for me.
The audiobook includes a bonus scene from Charlie’s POV that my ecopy did not have.

There are some very harsh arguments between Emma and Charlie, and then Emma and her sister. Unforgivable comments. Yes, in hurt and from a frightened frame of mind, but really harsh and shocking that the words would be said out loud by Emma.
I don’t know that I would ever be able to forgive or forget.

The romance is bumpy and amusing at times and ultimately satisfying. The arguments shocked me out of reading at the time which is impressive writing. Too much so IMO for a romantic comedy. But I know I won’t forget this story because of the “too far” words. Does that make the rating go up or down?

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and the publisher.

I enjoyed listening to this book. Patti Murin did a nice job narrating the entire story and portraying the character of Emma Wheeler.
Listeners Note: Playback listening speed 1.5X
There are parts of this story that I found humorous but overall I think it is a heartfelt romance that has a lot of aspects about it that make it feel a little less rom-com fiction and a bit more true to life contemporary romance. This story tugs at all the heartstrings while delivering the HEA romance readers crave. It is a journey to the very end and Katherine Center delivers an emotional read with a lot of care and consideration that help the reader through the more difficult parts.
Worth it all for the HEA or more the ending that is also just a beginning as some of the best endings are.

Wow, I loved The Rom-Commers!

The Rom-Commers is classic Katherine Center. Our heroine, Emma, has been through the mud, but she’s ready to blossom. She’s a writer, caretaker, believer in rom-coms and she’s going to change that award-winning, grumpy screenwriter, Charlie’s, mind about rom-coms one way or another.

It’s beautifully written, sweetly romantic, achingly sad, endearingly funny - it’s a love letter to rom-coms. The narration by Patti Murrin is impeccable. I highlighted so many phrases in defense of love, love stories and optimism to develop my mantra. There’s also line dancing. I’m only disappointed that it ended and that I have no more Katherine Center books to read for the first time. I can’t wait to re-read this and annotate the heck out of my book.

Thank you to St Martin’s Press for sending me an advanced e-copy. All opinions are my own.

(I got this as an ALC through NetGalley – it will be available on June 11, 2024.) You won’t be shocked based on the title to learn that this is a romcom, and I really loved it. Emma dreams of making it in screenwriting, but has been making a living by writing while also teaching at the local college, and being the primary caregiver for her dad after he was injured years earlier. But her agent calls her one day, offering her the opportunity to re-write a script for a rom com (her favorite!) with legendary screenwriter Charlie Yates… but she has to go to LA for six weeks for the job. It’s too good of an opportunity to pass up, so she pushes down her guilt and her anxiety as her sister agrees to move in to care for their dad, and off Emma goes. Except, when she arrives, she learns that Charlie has no idea she was coming and doesn’t really care about making the script, either – he just want to make it ok enough to move on. Eventually, he agrees to let Emma stay and work on the script, and Emma is determined to spend the next six weeks changing his mind about romcoms, and about love. I will admit that I was a little worried that this book was going to be all about how much of a burden caregiving is, and, in turn, make me feel like a burden as someone who needs care. But it actually also showed the joy and the love that can come from caregiving, and I thought that was really special.

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

The Rom-commers has a premise which is Hollywood and over the top in aspects, but it was a lot of fun. Emma is such a pure, passionate character. She is stellar at everything from her writing, to her teaching, to her care for her father and sister. Emma has also been excellent at protecting herself from bad relationships by not having any.

Her whole life is upended by the opportunity to write a screenplay with her personal favorite Charlie Yates. Emma is surprisingly blunt about things, well it is a business relationship. Charlie is more closed off, actual a bit of a gaslighter. He's not talented at rom-coms either.

Their routine of writing and trying out different aspects of his screenplay over six weeks are hilarious and heart-breaking as they get to know each other. It's hard for each of them, but they grow to be more supportive and protective of each other.

Emma misses her dad and worries that her sister will properly take care of him. Charlie is worried about his guinea pig and his five year cancer remission. It feels light and funny but there are serious issues and feelings supporting their connection in the background.

I enjoyed this and had some real feelings. I cared about the characters and worried for them and laughed at their antics and cheered for their triumphs.

Narration:
Patti Murin is a familiar narrator to me. I appreciated her emotional performance for the characters. None of the voices pulled me out of the story, but they were distinct and felt comfortable. I listened at my normal 1.5x speed.

The Rom-Commers is a delightful and heartwarming novel by Katherine Center that is sure to leave you feeling happy and hopeful. It tells the story of Nora Stephens, a successful literary agent who is known as "the Shark" in the publishing industry. Despite her professional success, Nora's personal life is a bit of a mess, and she hasn't had a real relationship in years. When her sister challenges her to write a romance novel, Nora is forced to confront her own beliefs about love and happiness.

The Rom-Commers is a charming and witty novel that perfectly captures the essence of a rom-com. Center's writing is funny, engaging, and full of heart. The characters are relatable and well-developed, and the plot is both predictable and surprising.

One of the things I loved most about The Rom-Commers is the way it celebrates the power of love and hope. Nora's journey is one of self-discovery and healing, and it is a reminder that it is never too late to find happiness.

If you are looking for a fun and uplifting read, The Rom-Commers is the perfect book for you. It is a delightful and heartwarming story that is sure to leave you feeling happy and hopeful.

"So it can't be where you're going that matters. It has to be how you get there. That's what I've decided. It's all about the details you notice. And the joys you savor. And the hope you refuse to give up on. It's all about writing the very best story of your life. Not just about how you live it—but how you choose to tell it"

Thank you @StMartinsPress and @Macmillan.audo for the gifted eARC/ALC of THE ROM-COMMERS!

Katherine Center has been one of my autobuy authors for years now. I adore her writing and her characters. Somehow she is able to write about painful life experiences and infuse them with joy and hope and love, aka a world I would like to live in.

Pick this one up if you like:
*Hilarious banter
*Inside jokes that repeat throughout the book
*Quirky MCs
*Books about movies and screenwriting
*Jack Stapleton ;)
*Life lessons
*Books about finding hope
*Ending that will make you cry

THE ROM-COMMERS is out today!

CW: Character with cancer, character with disabilities due to accident, death of a parent

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6557891684
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/C8FIhITpIZd/

This is a romantic comedy about two writers who are writing a screenplay for romantic comedy. I absolutely loved Emma and Charlie. Emma Wheeler is an up and coming writer who gets the opportunity to work with her all time favorite screenplay writer, Charlie Yates. She loves rom-coms, Charlie not so much. Emma is determined to make Charlie love rom-coms as much as she does so she everything she can to convince him as they work together on their screenplay. This was fun, emotional at times, happy, sad, all of the things you want in a good rom com. I laughed, cried, smiled, sometimes all in the same chapter. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I suggest you go pick it up!!

One of my favorite quotes from the book that I just had to write down, “Happiness is always better with a little bit of sadness”

You guys, Katherine Center is just amazing. I joined her fan club late in the game when The Bodyguard came out. It was the first book I read by her and I absolutely loved it! Followed by Hello Stranger and now The Rom-Commers, which might be my new favorite. Patti Murin did such a fantastic job on the audiobook. It was such a delight to listen to. I started it early on my birthday hike and it was just truly a wonderful experience. Side Note, if you aren't listening to audiobooks on hikes or walks, definitely try it! (But keep one ear free, safety first)! Okay back to the story. Emma is a hopeful (but very skilled) writer who has been devoting her life to taking care of her Dad. After a horrific rock climbing accident that killed her mom, and left her Dad never the same, she's been his primary caregiver for the past ten years. Her best friend Logan, who lives in LA, has been giving her jobs when he can and wowzas did he just land her a big one... a rom-com re-write for the very famous and talented writer, Charlie Yates. With a lot of notes, spreadsheets, and books, Emma hands the torch over to her younger sister to care for their Dad while she goes to LA for six weeks. What unfolds is a truly wonderful story about integrity, believing in yourself and the power of love. I didn't want this one to end. I will promptly be buying a physical copy because I know this is worthy of a re-read! Thank you so much Macmillan Audio for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. #MacAudio2024

Hard for me to review this one because I think it depends on your mood. It was a cute, fluffy, typical (non spicy) romance novel. The plot reminded me a lot of By the Book by Jasmine Guillory. Emma is quirky in the sense that she has crazy red hair and talks like a Gilmore Girl. She kind of got annoying after awhile (the audiobook narrator's voice may have affected that - it was very cutesty). I don't think I like the trope where the guy is mean because he's trying to protect the woman from him. Charlie was a little too mean at times. But like I said, overall a cute, fluffy, romance novel, if that's what you're in the mood for :)

3/5

I am a sucker for a good enemies-to-lovers and/or grumpy/sunshine romance, however this one was hit or miss for me. Charlie was too much of a jerk for me. He didn't seem to have any respect for Emma. He was incredibly self-centered and only thought of himself until he started to have feelings for her. To me, that is not a representation of someone with good character. Also, Emma seemed to be incredibly gullible at times. Unbelievably so. Her flight miraculously decides to wait for her, her dads hospital stay gets upgraded because it was the 10,000th surgery and she somehow doesn't realize it was because of Charlie. However, other than that, I enjoyed the story. It was entertaining, well-written, and kept me interested until the end. If you can forgive the MMC being an ass and the FMC being naive, you will probably love this book.

Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This was my first Katherine Center story and what a wonderful launching pad! I now look forward to all her other books. This book gave me my favorite things I look for in a classic Rom-Com: heart, laughter, clever banter, a strong female lead, and a gentleman!

Thank you @netgalley and @macmillan for the ARC of The Rom-Commers by @katherinecenter. I always get super excited whenever Katherine Center releases a new book because I know it's going to be amazing. Her latest novel, The Rom-Commers, follows an unlikely duo who collaborate on writing a romantic comedy screenplay and end up falling for each other in the process. It has the grumpy sunshine trope and hints at romance, but it keeps things closed-door and clean. Despite facing significant challenges, the story is filled with warmth and hope. I adored Emma and Charlie, and the way they brought out the best in one another. If you're in the mood for a heartfelt and hilarious read, look no further than this book.

The audiobook narration was exceptional, with Patti Muran bringing Emma to life with her vibrant energy and charm. It's a must-listen. The bonus chapter and author's note read by Center really elevate the audiobook experience.

📕 The Rom-Commers
by Katherine Center
⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

A rom-com about a rom-com? What more can we ask for?

Emma has always put off her dreams for the sake of others. As she's been taking care of her father for the past decade, she now has a once in a lifetime chance to become a successful screenwriter as she gets offered to rewrite a rom-com script with her favorite screenwriter, Charlie Yates! The problem is, Charlie's script is TERRIBLE!

The plot is definitely creative and inspiring, just like the main female character, Emma! I loved that girl so much! Watching her from accepting the job and persevering through all the cracks and bumps in her way made me want to be like her. She never gave up and I truly admire that.

Katherine Center's writing never disappoint. This book made me laugh and smile. I enjoyed the conversations between the characters, the funny banter and sarcasm they exchanged. I also really enjoyed the surprise of having a character from The Bodyguard showing up in this book.

Overall, this was definitely one of my top books read this year and I will be recommending it to any rom-com lovers and those who don't believe in love. 😉❤️ This rom-com might change your mind!

I enjoy reading Katherine Centers books, but I feel like this one was the best yet!

Emma loves to write romantic comedies. When she gets asked to write a script for famous screenwriter Charlie, she can’t believe it. She is OBSESSED with Charlie and his work. He tried to write a script for a new rom-com, however it is horrible. Emma must figure out a way to help Charlie fix his script, even though he dosent even believe in love.

I enjoyed this book very much! The tropes included in this book are: enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and grumpy meets sunshine. Emma and Charlie go through a lot together, and their chemistry is great! Although there isn’t any spice in this book, I feel like it wasn’t necessarily needed.

Overall, this book was great and I would definitely recommend it! 4 ⭐️ from me!

Star Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐
Heat Rating: 1/5 🌶️
Audiobook: 4/5 🎧

What to Expect:
- Grumpy/Sunshine
- Forced Proximity
- Workplace Romance
- Hollywood Romance
- Temporary Roommates
- Quirky Characters
- Family Drama
- Past Trauma

Emma Wheeler is an aspiring screenwriter who is given the opportunity to help Charlie Yates rewrite a script for his upcoming romantic comedy. She is a huge fan of Charlie, so this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for her. Unfortunately, this opportunity requires Emma to leave her father in her younger sister's hands while she is in LA for this job. After some miscommunication and bad first impressions, Emma helps Charlie turn his terrible script around. When Emma finds out Charlie doesn't believe in love, she works to make him see love and rom-coms are worth it.

I really enjoyed the grumpy/sunshine dynamic between Emma and Charlie. Emma is optimistic, hopeful and believes in true love. Charlie is successful in his field and has a tough exterior. His time in Hollywood and past disappointments have caused him to be jaded and not believe true love exists. The characters are interesting, well-developed, and have many layers; however I didn't always like them. The story did drag a bit, and sometimes I didn't feel much was happening, but the laugh-out-loud moments kept me reading. I liked the banter between Emma and Charlie and the development of their relationship. I also liked that this was not a typical rom-com and had some heavier topics. The Rom-Commers is my first read by Katherine Center. The author's note at the end of the book is a treat for readers. Overall, this was an enjoyable story, and I would recommend it to those who want a lighthearted story that will leave a smile on your face.

NARRATION:
Patti Murin did a wonderful job with this story. Her voice is very versatile and she did a great job portraying the characters. Murin perfectly conveyed the personalities of Emma and Charlie. Murin is expressive, and her inflection is perfect. I also enjoyed Katherine Center herself narrating a bonus scene. I highly recommend pairing the book with the audio for this story.

Thanks to Katherine Center, Macmillan Audio, and St. Martin’s Press for the gifted eARC and audiobook. Opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Katherine Center for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I have a hard time with romance sometimes, I usually find that they're quite cheesy at times. This one however, I really enjoyed!

This book was a fun forced proximity, enemies to lovers story. The characters Emma and Charlie were so fun to read, and they had such fantastic banter and chemistry. Emma's backstory is so heartbreaking, and I love how she is able to deal with her past trauma in a healthy way.

I love that their isn't any spice in the book, it makes for a more enjoyable read for me. This is my first Katherine Center novel, and it certainly did not disappoint!

I so enjoyed listening to this novel! I binged it in one day, I was too excited to share in their journey to love, that I couldn't turn the story off!

Wow, just wow! I loved it, the perfect summer read for summer 2024!

the setup…
At heart, Emma Wheeler is a screenwriter but it takes a backseat to taking care of her beloved father. Her high school ex has her doing ghostwriting projects on the side in addition to a job that provides the health insurance and pays the bills. But then Logan presents her with her dream assignment: re-writing a script for Charlie Yates. He’s only the most famous of screenwriters and her idol. He’s also written the most awful romantic comedy and luckily that genre is in her “Wheel-house.” It’s six weeks in LA and she has to leave her father in her baby sister’s care…the first time in ten years.

the heart of the story…
If you’re a champion for the romance genre, this story arms you with every defense possible. Emma is an excellent writer but is confronted with a cynical Charlie who only needs the script to be “good enough” to get his true project accepted. From the onset, Emma is not only fighting for going all out for the best script possible but getting him to embrace and experience the art of romance. I loved their confrontations, her passion and his honesty. As you could expect, Charlie comes off that pedestal she’s put him on and he begins to respect Emma’s skills and her talent. The brewing romance between the two goes unspoken…until it demands to be heard.

the narration…
I’m a fan of Murin and she delivers in a big way with this story, especially the voice she gives Emma. The characters were brought to life so vividly and her pacing was perfect.

the bottom line…
I had high expectations for this story from the moment I read the description and was fearful my anticipation would lead me to disappointment. My worries were unfounded as Emma & Charlie are well designed characters who are clever and interesting, two people I became invested in almost immediately. I loved every one of their interactions: the humor, the serious and rough moments, the teeming emotions under the surface. And for fans of The Bodyguard, you’ll see characters from that story make appearances. It’s a testimony for all the wonderful romcoms out there, including this one. Loved it! 4.5 stars

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Katherine Center for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Emma and Charlie are tricked into working with each other to write a rom-com, but end up in a rom com worthy story of their own.

4.5/5 ⭐️

Honestly, I have to say this, I am notorious for rating romance novels low. I find them formulaic and sometimes boring. Sometimes I just wish the characters would say what they are thinking and put us all out of the misery of having to sit through pages and pages of nonsensical inner dialogue.

I am so happy to say that that is not true for The Rom-Commers. This book was a fun forced proximity/reluctant enemies(ish) to lovers, hilarious, swoon worthy, make your heart flip read. Emma and Charlie’s banter will take you by surprise and also be predictable in all the was a heart warming rom-com should be. I love a good no spice read as well! This is definitely a must read for the summer!

For me, it felt like this took off in the beginning 🚀 I absolutely loved the banter between the two main characters and I was definitely LOLing throughout the book. Narrator Patti Murin did such a great job 👏🏼 I loved how it was Emma’s POV but there were moments where she was talking to the audience and Murin did it seamlessly 🫶🏼

Emma has been taking care of her dad for the last 10 years and she gets an opportunity to go across the country for a dream job. That dream job just so happens to be working with Charlie Yates, who is a famous screenwriter but also pretty grumpy and against working with another writer. Charlie doesn’t really believe in love and Emma is there to help him write a better love story by teaching him about love. We’ve seen this storyline before but I still enjoyed it!

Towards the end, Emma stopped being herself to me… It was like she became hyper fixated on “getting” Charlie, regardless of their friendship and agreement and that actually bugged me. There’s one scene where I thought she was being absolutely childish, she did acknowledge that she was being an attention seeker but still! The end knocked off a star for me but I still thoroughly enjoyed this book 🫶🏼