I don’t want to harsh vibes or ruin expectations but this one was… not for me. What I liked: Emma’s sunny disposition despite what she has been through. What I didn’t like: Charlie. He was so childish and annoying. This one has fantastic reviews all over Bookstagram and Goodreads so I am an outlier here. I just didn’t feel any chemistry between the main characters !

The narrator did a fantastic job though!

Not horrible, not great. 3 stars!

I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it for your summer reading list. Katherine Center does an incredible job with keeping the story moving and entertaining. There was no middle of the book lull like in so many books. I listened to this on audio and Patti Murin does and excellent job narrating this audiobook. The characters are all flawed and intriguing. Overall this book is just what a romantic comedy should be.
Thank you to netgalley and to Macmillan Audio for a free advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Katherine Center's books are pure delight. The narrator had the perfect tone for this rom-com. I loved how "tv show sitcom" it felt in the best way. This is a great book to read when you need a pick me up but still has heart and heft.

A fun story that was easy to listen to while running errands or working around the house. It does touch on some pretty heavy topics so readers should be aware of trigger warnings.

I loved this story! Anticipated pub: June 11th.

My favorite aspects:
-the banter between Emma and Charlie (Yates) when they get past their animosity towards each other
-there's even a cute guinea pig character, like hello!
-Emma's character growth, she finds that she can live for herself while being there and taking care of the people she loves
-this tore my heart apart then put it back together

Expanding on the above: Emma takes care of her disabled dad and has ZERO life for herself. This is part of her character growth is seeing she can get a job, have a life, be a friend, without keeping her eyes on her dad 24/7. I love that Charlie (Yates) helps her realize this. He seems to live in his (albeit bigger) own bubble as well. But I love that Emma brings some life to his life.

Not gonna lie, I thought we were going off the rails at the end into tragic love story territory but the title is the "Rom-Commers" so is anyone expecting anything else other than a romance with a HEA?

I will say -- this author LOVES to use a full name. FFS man, Charlie is referred to as "Charlie Yates" more than he is referred to as "Charlie" and I remember commenting on this same thing in my review of The Bodyguard. (and who would guess (/s), but Jack Stapleton is also called Jack Stapleton in THIS novel too [rather than just Jack].)

This was just super FUN to read (most of the time). I thought the narrator did a great job on this.

The Rom-Commers rom-commed in the best rom-commy way.

No notes!

The Rom-Commers
By Katherine Center
5⭐️

Katherine center did it again. I DEVOURED this audiobook. Every time I had a spare second, I turned it on.

I loved the characters, I loved their story. Katherine Center always gives her characters some adversity they are managing through while falling in love. Both of these characters have dealt with some heavy stuff, but are able to work through it.

I could be one of those cool people that times their review with pub day, but I wanted to talk about this one as soon as I finished. It comes out next week, so you don’t have long to wait. The audio narration was well done, and Katherine reads her own authors note to you at the end, which I loved.

They need to make this one into a movie. 🤞🏻 I’m manifesting it. I want to watch these two fall in love.

Thank you to @macmillan.audio for the ALC and @netgalley . And thank you to @katherinecenter for this delightful journey.

I laughed out loud multiple times while listening to this audiobook! It was well written and the narration was enjoyable.

As Katherine Center books are wont to be, this book was a love letter to love stories and romance that I was absolutely enthralled and delighted by from start to finish.

Emma Wheeler is a girl after my own heart. An Eldest Daughter who takes responsibility for her whole family and is more or less shoved out of the nest in order to fulfill her lifelong dreams, I found her really endearing and loved her love of love stories and determination to share them. And Chalie Yates? Never have I ever been more simultaneously obsessed with and aggravated by a love interest. By the end, I understood why he did the things he did, and he did have some really sweet moments, but wow was he a little all over the place.

I loved the Grumpy x Sunshine dynamic between the two characters. and the hijinks they got into together. Katherine Center has such a talent for weaving together humor and heart and enough emotion to tug at your heartstrings.

If you need a smile or a cry or a reminder of why romance is so incredibly important, please pick up The Rom-Commers!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!

This is the third book that I have read by Katherine Center, and she does not disappoint. She seems to have a way of writing a rom-com that gives you that euphoric feeling that a romance is supposed to provide you with but also throws in the grit of real life. That grit does nothing but make the meat of the story that much sweeter. (My head is giving an analogy like the thing we are biting into is a peach). "The Rom-Commers" follows aspiring screenwriter, Emma Wheeler, who is given a chance to ghostwrite alongside her idol, but she has to set aside her life, which is a difficult concept as she has spent the entirety of her adult life (10 years) as a caretaker for her father after a tragic accident. Her younger sister agrees to be the temporary caretaker so Emma can follow her dreams. Little to anyone's expectations Charlie isn't exactly the dream writing partner. He may be a brilliant writing partner, but he knows nothing of the rom-com genre, not putting any heart into his script as he doesn't believe in love.
I loved this story, and especially the narration in the audiobook, because it was like the character was actually sitting down and talking to you, recounting these events of her life. The narrator was able to really convey every aspect of this story perfectly. I felt that the characters were relatable in a way that you don't always see in a romance. There was lying, manipulating, and bouts of anger, but in the end it was the imperfections that made everything that much better, and even a little more realistic. I think the expectations that you have from reading previous Center books, will hold true with this one as well. She is an author that has yet to disappoint.
Side note, I feel like the author's note at the end is almost as great as the story itself, much in the same vein as her note in "Hello Stranger" She speaks of why romance is such an important genre.

I received an audio advanced reader copy from NetGalley for my honest review. I listened to this book in two days and really loved the rom-com about writing a rom-com screenplay. The banter was witty and the characters very easy to like. The narration fit the vibe of this book and allowed the book to flow well.

The story itself is exactly what you expect from a Katherine Center book - hopeful and fun and filled with the idea that love can be for everyone. There is a time and a place for a fun read like the Rom-Commers and it is definitely during the summer beach/travel season. It’s a great book about relationships, love, family and making the choices that can bring good things to life.

Katherine Center returns following Hello Stranger and The Bodyguard with her latest captivating and witty romance, THE ROM-COMMERS. The novel stands out with its portrayal of an unconventional couple, their messy lives, and their journey toward a heartwarming love story. Katherine Center is known for her charming novels and movies with witty sparkling dialogue and heartfelt storylines with substance.

She's rewriting his love story. But can she rewrite her own?

About...

Emma Wheeler, a former English teacher and a devoted caregiver to her father, has put her dreams of becoming a screenwriter on hold. Her struggle to balance her family responsibilities and her passion for writing is a poignant and relatable journey that will resonate with many readers. She had guilt over her mom's death (climbing accident) and her dad's paralysis. She is also the big sister of her 23-year-old younger sister, soon to graduate with her dreams.

However, when will Emma's dreams come true? When is her time? Is she procrastinating, trapped in her world of sadness and problems?

Emma's ex-boyfriend, who also happens to be her agent, offers her a chance to work on a romantic comedy with her idol, screenwriter Charlie Yates. Despite Charlie's initial cynicism and the script's poor quality, Emma is determined to prove herself and make the project a success.

However, things go differently than planned. Who is this guy? He is bitter, cynical, mean, and disrespectful. The script is terrible, and so is he. Yet, Emma is determined not to give up with a fight.

Emma will convince him that love stories matter. What if the love story they are writing about breaks all Emma's rules―and comes true? What has she got to lose? She will be honest and tell him everything wrong with his bloody script. What she did not see coming was losing her heart.

Audiobook...

I read the e-book and listened to the audiobook narrated by the talented Patti Murin, offering a fun, lively performance! The audio also features a bonus scene and author's note read by the author. A perfect listen for the beach, your summer vacation, a cozy porch read, or a hammock.

My thoughts...

THE ROM-COMMERS is a delight! In Center's signature style, this is another cracker of a read, a romance that sizzles with witty banter and depth.

Engaging and endearing, an unlikely pair team up with past burdens, baggage, guilt, family, and disappointments. Their emotional complexities, fears, and vulnerabilities will resonate with you, making you fall in love with these two!

While I am not a big fan of romance or rom-com novels, I appreciate Katherine Center's writing and snappy dialogue. Her fearless approach to tackling difficult topics such as loss, grief, sickness, family complexities, careers, and tragedy and her ability to infuse light even in the darkest times is commendable.

Bittersweet, the author skillfully weaves a narrative that pulls on your heartstrings. At times, it is emotional and heartbreaking, but there is also a balance of light, love, hope, joy, fulfillment, and lots of humor, making it a truly engaging romance. A mix of romcom, humor, action, and romance. Soulful, heartwarming, and full of wisdom and life lessons.

While The Rom-Commers isn't a sequel to The Bodyguard, Jack does make a cameo appearance, as Charlie wrote the screenplay that made Jack famous. (Check it out; it's also a fun read.)

Recs...

This is for fans of the author's novels and movies and those of Emily Henry, Emily Giffin, and Sherryl Woods. However, none are quite as funny or comforting as KC!

Thanks to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for an ARC and ALC in exchange for an honest review.

blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pub Date: June 11, 2024
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This little sweet story is dazzling. It has humor and love and all of the emotions. My only tiny complaint is that I wish, as with many stories in this genre, that the happy ending was more showing than telling especially with a focus on that love story we've been waiting so long for. I had the opportunity to read the ebook and audiobook, and I loved both, switching between them. The narrator, Patti Murin, was great!
Massive thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy of both the ebook and audiobook!

Katherine Center has done it again. Do you even need me to tell you that this was a fantastic romance? Perfect amounts of funny and emotional and heartwarming and frustrating. It's everything you could want in a love story, yet again. If you love romance, absolutely pick this one up.

Thank you Netgalley for providing a digital ARC.

Read if you like:
🎥 4th Wall Breaks
🌤️ Grumpy x Sunshine
💋 Just Kissing
🏠 Forced Proximity
💻 Coworkers to Lovers
🥺 Hard Topics Mixed In
💕 Learning the Value of Living Life & Love

I don’t know how to start out this review other than to say this was such an amazing romance that truly made me sooo happy and was exactly what I needed with the sunshine Emma brought to the story.

Also, the way the story is told to the reader made me LOVE it so much and loved the 4th wall break with this style of storytelling.

I really loved the opposites attract with Emma and Charlie and how she was so sparkling and full of so much sunshine to Charlie’s grumpy personality that doesn’t believe in love.

The story was a bit silly, ridiculous and I loved every second of it and it truly made me swoon and oh so happy which was exactly what I needed! And loved the author’s note so much too!

Thank you so much to the publisher for my ARC and ALC in exchange for my honest review!

Last year’s Hello Stranger was a home run in my book, and I was thrilled to get my ears on an ALC of The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center; thank you so much to MacMillan Audio for the review copy!

Emma’s career as a unknown screenwriter gets blasted into the spotlight when she is handed the opportunity of a lifetime- to co-rewrite a rom-com screenplay with her idol * celebrity crush, Charlie Yates. There’s just… a few problems. 1, Emma must relinquish the full time care of her dad to her younger sister for the time she’s away. 2, Charlie doesn’t write with anyone, and he certainly doesn’t want to write with her. And 3, the screenplay is truly horrendous… almost as if the original writer doesn’t believe in romance or comedy!

It's a tale as old as time, folks. Grumpy meets sunshine, forced proximity, cue the montage of adorable and hilarious mini-adventures. Add in some family drama, mistakes, and one depressed hamster, and you’ve got The Rom-Commers. Center is certainly not the first or last author to rely on these themes in a romance novel, but she does them quite well. I flew through this book just as quickly as Hello Stranger. Romance readers take note- this book is very light on spice- I prefer romances this way, so this did not detract any points from my rating. I must admit that these MCs did not work as well for me as I hoped they would, however I do think that most chick lit readers will like this one for a light summer romance— Happy reading!

The Rom-Commers

"Read it. You will lose your mind with joy. It's a love letter to fun. And to love. And to you, I think."

Y'all. This one is it. I love all of Katherine Center's work, but this one takes the cake. It genuinely is a love letter to fun and love and joy and romance readers everywhere. I cannot emphasize enough how much I loved the business case for hope, love and joy that Center imbues in this work. With care and craft, Center shows us the power of writing your own story, and choosing how you see the world. As Center says, "It's all about the details you notice. And the joys you save. And the hope you refused to give up on."

This book brought me all of that joy and hope and love. I have butterflies and warm fuzzies and while there were some tears (I cry at everything, y'all), "Happiness is always better with a little bit of sadness."

In The Rom-Commers, we follow Emma, a curly-haired rom-com screenwriter who dedicates her life to being her father's caretaker. At a once in a lifetime opportunity, Emma takes on the task of helping her screenwriting celebrity crush, Charlie, write a rom-com and also learn to believe in love. There is banter, funny antics, a pet guinea pig named Cuthbert. There is also loss, grief, illness, and anxiety, woven in through the story in a realistic parallel to real life.

Check this book out. You do not want to miss it. If you need more convincing, there is:
- Banter
- Forced proximity
- Coworkers to lovers
- Line dancing with an Italian cowboy instructor
- A cameo from Jack Stapleton of The Bodyguard

Note: This is a standalone. You do not need to read The Bodyguard first, but I do recommend it to enjoy Jack and Hannah's story!

The audio narration is absolutely delightful. Patti Murin absolutely smashed it - bringing Emma and Charlie to life off the page. I highly recommend the audio!

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillian Audio for the ALC. My opinions are my own. The Rom-Commers is on shelves June 11, 2024.

Thank you Netgalley, Macmillan Audio and Katherine Center for the opportunity to ARC read this audiobook. I thought this book was so beautifully narrated, both narrators were exactly the voices I would envision for these characters and I honestly just adored them. The subtle quirkiness came through so well with Emma's character. I loved the characters' complexity and the real world trauma mixed with the celebrity lifestyle and how well it mixed together to create an engaging story. I also adored the focus on HEAs, everything Emma said was true... I go into a romance knowing I'll get a HEA and that's part of the reason I read them. Real life is so hard, and so painful sometimes, that we just need a little love and joy in our fantasy worlds.

Katherine Center does it again💕

This is my fourth Katherine Center read, and she is becoming one of my favorite authors. I love how she makes her main characters adorably quirky and somehow incredibly down to earth and relatable. I love how she infuses humor and wit into her writing and dialogue. I haven’t necessarily noticed it in previous books, but I love how she draws the reader in and almost involves them in the story. And I love that her stories are not just romantic fluff, they are deep and sometimes sad and confront real, big issues.

As a romance and rom-com lover, I loved the premise of this book. I loved Emma, and I even loved Charlie (even though he was kind of a jerk at the beginning, he was really thoughtful and sweet on the inside). This was a super fun book full of classic romcom hijinks that will make you laugh and moving moments that may make you tear up. I can’t wait for my next Katherine Center read.💕

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Marten’s Press, and Macmillan Audio for an advanced audiobook of The Rom-Commers! All thoughts and opinions above are my own.

The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center was exactly the fun summer read I was looking for! As a fan of Center's work, I was anticipating this book's release, and it did not disappoint. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me an advanced digital audio copy!

Emma Wheeler has put her own dreams to the sideline as she supports her younger sister and tends to her father after a tragic accident that leaves their family devastated. When Emma's long-time friend and agent gives her an opportunity she can't pass up - to help do a rewrite for one of her favorite screenwriters' new romantic comedy movie script - her father and sister give her the push she needs out of her comfort zone and into a chance for her big break.

Emma arrives in LA to find her idol Charlie Yates not all she expected him to be. For one, he doesn't see why his screenplay needs rewrites. Second, he does NOT want Emma's help. And third, despite the fact that he seems to have no idea what love and romance actually mean, Emma finds herself slowly becoming more and more attracted to Charlie. But she cannot let herself fall for Charlie, she has 6 weeks to make this script useable and then she needs to get back home to take care of her father.

I loved following Emma and Charlie in this romantic comedy love story. I felt the connection to Emma right away, and her need to keep her family healthy and happy, and yet come to terms with the fact that she needs to do the same for herself. As Emma doesn't give up to help Charlie write his screenplay, she finds she is in store for a lot more than she bargained for! Another homerun from Katherine Center - this was one of my favorites!!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, St. Martins Press and NetGalley for an Advanced Copy in exchange for an honest review.

Emma is a rom-com girlie who dreams of being a screenwriter and the sole caretaker for her absolute gem of a father. She ends up with a dream of an opportunity to assist in rewrites of a romantic comedy script for the Charlie Yates! Her sister steps up to the plate to help take care of their father in Emma’s absence. Issue is he is terrible at rom-coms and only looks at this script as a means to get another green lit. Emma doesn’t want to let it be that and wants to take an honest crack at this screenwriting opportunity.

Drama and romance ensue in this romantic comedy about writing a romantic comedy. The storyline involving Emma’s family is real and relatable with characters that don’t get along at times and you become incredibly invested in the sister dynamic and Emma’s journey in realizing she has to make time to live her life. The romance is sweet and funny and has it’s own set of real challenges that makes you feel connected to these characters and the story being told.

This was my first Katherine Center book I’ve read and will be reading more! So enjoyed this book and am so grateful for the opportunity to have had an early listen!

Favorite Quotes:
“Whatever story you tell yourself about your life, that’s the one that’ll be true.”

“If you wait for other people to light you up, then I guess you’re at the mercy of darkness.”