It's clear from reading her books that Katherine Center loves love. This story is an ode to falling in love amid grief and worry, and realising it's OK to put yourself first. For a romance book, it feels more like it's about the characters' emotional journeys than the romance itself, but I didn't actually mind that, and enjoyed the ending.

Rating: 5 ⭐️
Pub Date: June 11, 2024
How I Read It: 🎧
Narrator: Patti Murin

Synopsis
Emma Wheeler dreams of becoming a screenwriter, but as the sole care-taker of her ill father, her dream life has been put on the back-burner. That is, until she gets a chance to work with her FAVORITE screenwriter, Charlie Yates. Emma hesitantly leaves for LA for six weeks, leaving her sister to care for her father. When she gets to LA, Charlie is not what she expected, and he doesn’t believe in love! How can you write a rom-com and not believe in love? Emma is determined to not only work with Charlie, but make him see that love is real.

My Thoughts
This book had me laughing out loud! It was so much fun! The banter in this book was right up my alley! The characters were so well written and enjoyable, and I loved Emma’s awkward moments in front of her screenwriting crush, Charlie! KC does such a great job of making you feel the connection and emotion between the two main characters; this book tugged on my heartstrings and nearly had me in happy tears at the end because it was a beautifully written love story.

Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a laugh-out-loud rom-com that will have people staring at you as you crack up, definitely pick this one up! You will not be disappointed! I listened to this in the audio version and I highly recommend it. The narrator was phenomenal and really made you feel each character’s emotions, making the book so enjoyable!

❗️Of Note
📝 Cancer

Themes:
💜 Rom-Com
🔥 Slow-burn

Ratings
Characters: 5 ⭐️
Pace: 5 ⭐️
Enjoyability: 5 ⭐️
Narrator: 5 ⭐️

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book!

I absolutely loved this hilarious, and heartfelt romance! This slow burn rom-com is filled with witty banter, awkward and hilarious situations, and a sweet and moving storyline with lots of heart. Emma Wheeler is a talented screenwriter who loves everything about romantic comedies. She has put her life on hold to care for her father. When she gets a call to cowrite a romcom with her screenwriter idol, her family makes her go. Charlie Yates is a successful screenwriter, but doesn't believe in love. He isn't happy to be working with Emma, but she is determined to make it work. Their time together starts off rocky, but I loved how Emma and Charlie slowly begin to attune to, and take care of each other. But they both have complications in their lives, and when that begins to be too much, will their new found relationship be strong enough to endure? This story was just perfect for me, and I was totally consumed by it from start to finish! I loved all of the awkward, hilarious, sweet, heartfelt and moving moments that had me laughing out loud, swooning, and cheering for Emma and Charlie's HEA. I am a huge fan of a great grand gesture and this one made me totally happy!
I have become a huge fan of voice actor, Patti Murin. I loved the way she developed and expressed these characters, and their struggles so intimately, making each character come alive, making me care for them, and cheer for their HEA. She did a fabulous job bringing this wonderful story to life!

Writing this as I just finished and I’m still so happy from the ending. With any rom-com there are some corny phrases spread throughout but I would and will recommend this one in a heartbeat. Five stars!

My favorite author does it again! I truly loved everything about this book and found myself relating so much to the main character. Add this typical with Catherine Center books. I laughed out loud, smiled throughout and felt all of the emotions of the story. The audiobook narrator did a fantastic job of bringing the story to life, and I loved the bonus chapter that is part of the audiobook, I cannot recommend this book or this author enough. so grateful to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this audiobook and so sad that I now have to wait another year for her next book.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan for an ARC of The Rom-Commers!

Truly, this is such a fabulous book. It's written so smarty, the dialogue and banter genuinely had me laughing out loud, and is so beyond heartwarming.

It's full of nugget of wisdom, and even through it was written purposely with unrealistic storylines, the characters come to life right off the page.

If you're a rom-com fan (and even if you aren't... yet) pick this book up! You won't regret it.

This is my first Katherine Center book. I know she is huge in the romance area. The writing style I enjoyed; I just was not overall intrigued by the story line. Was cute just jot for me. I would definitely read another book by this author before I deem her not for me. I have friends who love her.

Thank you for this opportunity to review this book!!

The premise of the novel intrigued me and it seemed like a fun summer romance read that I would enjoy. But honestly, I did not like either of the main characters. Charlie, the male lead, was so rude and awful to Emma (the female lead) for most of the book? And even when the reader gets some explanations for why he was being the way that he was, those explanations don't excuse his actions and treatment of her. Honestly not sure why Emma put up with him for so long. Emma was better, but it felt like the author was trying too hard to make her 'quirky'. However, I did like some of the more serious themes in the book -- Emma struggling to balance the caretaking of her chronically ill father and Charlie struggling with his own health issues. Overall, I was not super invested in their relationship and found the book to be just okay.

Thanks to NetGalley for this early read. I absolutely loved The Rom-Commers, which I was pretty sure I would just because Katherine Center continues to deliver amazing stories and relationships. I could not put this book down and wish it would keep going to find out what happens next. For years, Emma has put her family first and her big dreams last. When the opportunity to presents itself to help write a screenplay with one of her favorite writers she takes the leap to head to LA. But things are not as they seem and at every turn someone is lying or making Emma doubt her own abilities and the decision to take a chance while risking the health and safety back home. While it could be deemed predictable in some of the plot points, I didn't even care because I was so invested in every character, even the supporting cast. Center did a great job describing each person that you couldn't help rooting for them all in the end.

Katherine Center is such a gem in the world of romantic comedy. She writes in a way that unapologetically lifts up the genre in all its banter, swoon and happy endings. I have had her newest release The Rom-Commers on my radar for a while and was ecstatic to receive an advance copy of the audiobook from NetGalley. I really enjoyed Patti Murin's narration. In this book Emma temporarily steps away from caregiving for her dad to pursue a dream opportunity co-writing a romcom screenplay with acclaimed screenwriter Charlie. Despite his initial resistance to collaboration and his hotshot, solitary ways, Charlie ultimately teams up with Emma and their chemistry is delightful. This book is all about the witty dialogue and purity of emotion. This book warmed me up and made me happy. I just loved it.

The Rom Commers by Katherine Center
Narrator: Patti Murin
Rating: 3.5 stars
Pub date: 6/11

Thank you so much to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for my advanced copy and to Macmillan Audio for my complimentary audiobook. Big thanks to Katherine Center for my cute bookish gift, too!

Emma Wheeler is an aspiring screenwriter whose dreams are interrupted when a tragic accident forces her to become the full-time caretaker of her father. When an opportunity arises for her to help the famous writer, Charlie Yates, rewrite his terrible rom-com, she jumps at the chance to change her life.

This is a tough one to review. On the one hand, there is a lot to like! The banter was cute at times, and I loved Emma’s snark. The characters were flawed, but Emma was relatable. I enjoyed the celebrity sightings (including Jack Stapleton), the complicated family relationships, and the adorable guinea pig.

While I enjoyed most of this story, the real reason I couldn’t rate it higher was because of Charlie. He is a handsome, misunderstood writer who doesn’t believe in love, and at first, this seemed like it was going to be adorable. But he was SO mean to Emma throughout the book that it was hard to root for him and for a relationship to develop between them.

While the reasoning for Charlie’s bad behavior became clear later on, it was too late for me. Their chemistry felt forced after Charlie repeatedly told Emma he had no feelings for her. He spent so much time rejecting her advances (which are very cringey, by the way) that it became impossible to imagine them together. I honestly think Emma deserved better.

Patti Murin did a great job narrating this one! I loved her voice for Emma and she was able to bring the rest of the characters to life, as well.

This book has gotten great reviews, and no one is more disappointed than me that I didn’t love it. If this is on your TBR and you’re a fan of Katherine Center, I still highly recommend it. I am a huge fan of hers and will continue to read everything she writes.

Katherine Center has done it again!! Another fabulous story and one I couldn’t put down! Emma and Charlie are both such lovable characters who have been through lots in life. Especially Emma, and you just feel for her and her sacrifices immediately and what to see her get a win! So when she follows her dream (even with a rather large push from family) you hope it all works out for her. Of course lots of things try to get in the way to threaten this dream, but you still keep on laughing and smiling through it all with Emma and Charlie’s banter. For Emma writing a rom com is a dream, she’s seen them all and can recite about as many. For Charlie writing this romance is just a way to get his other movie produced. Definitely check out the Rom-Commers when it releases!!

The Rom- Commers

This title is perfect for this book, I truly felt like I was watching the newest Netflix Romcom with my friends the whole time I was reading it. Thank you SMP and NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy!

The Rom-commers follows Emma, a romance screenwriter who is also the full-time caretaker for her dad, because of that her career has always been on the back burner. Until she gets a call offering her a position to help rewrite the script for the famous Charlie Yates who has written an absolutely terrible RomCom. In order to do so she must move to LA, stay in his home (we love a forced proximity) and convince him that love exists (we also love a grumpy sunshine moment). You can see where this story is going from here.

I absolutely loved every character in this story, Charlie had the perfect amount of charm, and Emma felt like a really well developed character. One thing I especially loved about there dynamic was that Emma saw through his indifference so quickly, rather than taking every cold thing he said and making it about her she could see that it was a reflection on his own fear. I will say though, drunk Emma had me cringing HEAVILY, but I guess that was the point really, I was embarrassed for her.

Katherine Center always does such a great job of developing characters, giving them goals, and never leaving you wondering what there motive was (unless it’s an intentional mystery).

I cant wait to see this book in stores!

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the eAudiobook ARC! Emma Wheeler is an aspiring screenwriter but things just haven't been going her way, until the opportunity of a lifetime presents itself to her. Now, Emma is being offered the chance to work on the script of a new film adaptation of "It Happened One Night" with the famous, award-winning screenwriter Charlie Yates. Now, Emma must leave her ailing father and home behind for California. But the one thing standing in the way of her new start just so happens to be Charlie, who denies agreeing to any re-writes on his script and doesn't want to work with a no-name screen writer. Emma must convince Charlie that her ideas are good and that his script could use some help in the romance department. With humor and heart-felt emotion, the Rom-Commers is a perfect read for romance fans. Readers of Katherine Center's the Bodyguard will also be thrilled at the guest appearance of Jack Stapleton! Patti Murin provides a fun and emotional voice to the characters, bringing the story to a fuller depth of emotion.

3 1/2 stars rounded up to 4

I should start my admitting that I haven't been the biggest fan of Katherine Center's previous books. But I seem to always read them thanks to the gorgeous covers and book world hype that always tempts me so much!!

I actually think The Rom-Commers is my favorite Center book that I've read so far. To me, it was a little less cheesy than many of them are and it had a cute and fairly unique premise. I listened to the book on audio and for me, I think this is the way to go with Center's books.

The main thing that bothered me, and this is a biggie, is that I just didn't really sense the romantic connection between the two main characters, Emma and Charlie. And there's not really any building of feelings, it seemed like. Maybe Emma was in denial about her feelings and obviously she didn't get any sense that Charlie liked her romantically. But everything seemed to happen suddenly but also kind of vaguely, where I still wasn't totally sure the couple actually really liked each other in a romantic kind of way.

Overall, I think this will be a hit with Katherine Center's usual fanbase. She knows what formula works and she uses it. The book has a deeper lesson as many of her books do and I think this was an important one and that many of us can learn from Emma's life. I found the listening experience to be enjoyable; I just wish I felt that romantic spark a bit more!

Katherine Center's books are such a breath of fresh air that I saved this audiobook for a special day and even with such high expectations, it didn't let me down. Her stories are just pure joy! And Patti Murin is the voice I hear when I read her books so hearing her as the narrator is as natural as listening to Katherine herself tell me her story.
The Rom-Commers is about two screenwriters, one who is famous for writing action movies, and one who has won scholastic accolades and contests for writing amazing romantic comedies but then disappeared into oblivion as her family and personal life took over her ambitions. So what happens when the famous action writer is contracted to write a rom-com? And it's terrible? Opportunity, conflict and so many possibilities!

In addition to being an amazing story told with heart and soul by Patty Murin, the audiobook also contains a bonus scene, an author's note, and acknowledgments read by the author. I really appreciate having these included in the audiobook, the author's notes and acknowledgements always add another layer to the story and it's great to have these available to all audiences!

This book felt like a love letter to Rom Com movies and I was here for every minute of it. I loved Emma and her eternal optimism and devotion to Romantic Movies. I loved her passion for writing, plotting, character development and movies. This book had me smiling from ear to ear. I haven't read a ton of Katherine Center books but friends have told me this one is on the lighter side for her. Which is right up my alley. I seriously seriously LOVED this book. For me this book had a perfect balance of fun and heartfelt. Both characters had their past traumas that come up, but they also brought out the best parts of each other also.

I had such a great time listening to this story, I am now in love with and will be searching out any and all audiobooks narrated by Patti Murin.

There are a few nods to Katherine's previous book The Bodyguard in this one. I hadn't read that one and as soon as I finished the Rom-Commer's I went and got the audiobook immediately! It is also narrated by Patti Murin! But I think that says a lot about how much I loved this one that I immediately had to dive into another book by this author.

Katherine Center’s book I always whip through every summer. Her new book, “The Rom-Commers” I was able to listen on the audiobook.
Emma spends her time being the care-giver for her dad, but her real dream, is to be a screen writer. When her friend Logan calls with the opportunity to write for her favorite writer, Charlie Yates, she can’t believe the opportunity, but she also cant leave her father. Luckily Emma younger sister steps up as a caregiver so that Emma can fly to LA. But what happens when Charlie Yates is not what she expected…
I liked this one! Not my favorite by Katherine Center but it was cute! I enjoyed the characters and the slow burning love scenes. I am not into screen writing/acting so that part was hard for me to get into. The ending had me hooked and I really enjoyed the narrator of the audiobook. 4 stars!

This was my first Katherine Centers book and it will certainly not be the last! I enjoyed this book!

Things I liked: for the audiobook, I thought the narrator did a great job representing Emma and her humor, and real-ness. There was some witty banter, some funny moments, and the FMC Emma overall was a likeable character.

Honestly I thought the MMC Charles was a bit of a jerk so it was hard to root for him at times. But yes - he had reasons . And he did have a pretty epic redemption arc in the end. Lol.

Overall, I would recommend this book. It was a relatively quick listen, & a good choice if you like rom-coms, grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity.

Thank you Netgalley & Macmillan Audio for this ALC!

This book was another great entry into the Katherine Center library. I loved listening to this and I loved the characters. It was great how Emma set up how a romcom should work & then it played out in the story, Charlie’s awful screenplay got Emma out of her rut to get her to her best life. I loved that Jack & Hannah from The Bodyguard made appearances in this book. This book is light & fun yet has some serious & deep issues going on. ‘There it is. The whole trick to life. Be aggressively, loudly, unapologetically grateful.”

Thanks to NetGalley, MacMillan Audio, St. Martin’s Press and Katherine Center for a copy of this audiobook.