Katherine Center has easily become one of my must read authors over the past two years. I absolutely loved The Bodyguard and Hello Stranger, and The Rom-Commers did not top either of those for me.

The Rom-Commers is still a good book, but perhaps I just didn't love Charlie Yates, one of our MCs, especially in contrast to Emma, who is so easy to love! Our story follows Emma, who is a great romantic comedy writer that has missed her big break due to staying home and taking care of her disabled father. Her friend calls her and tells her she has the opportunity to write with Charlie Yates (a very big writer), after making arrangements for dad she shows up on Charlie's door step ready to work....except he wants nothing to do with her.

Common tropes include forced proximity and enemies to lovers (although it's more like they don't get along instead of straight enemies). I do think this book could have been made better if it had a little more substance to them actually building a relationship, instead of it just seeming like their time together flew by.

Thank you to NetGalley and McMillan for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

My first Katherine Center book! Ive heard a lot of positives about her so I was excited to go into this book.
I would rate this 3.5 - 4 stars. I listened to this fully on audio so I'm not 100% sure if that affected my rating. The book started off good but i feel like there was more showing than telling of their romance. They lived together for 6 weeks but we only saw a snippet of a few days of this time. We also focused moreso on each of the characters trauma/past versus them falling in love. It wasn't a couple that I was completely swooning over.

This star rating went down to the 3.5 range for me when i felt as though the FMC was way more invested/ begging for the man. This is explained later on in the book but the FMC’S actions still stuck with me. I also didn't love the way the narrator did the mmc’s voice, that definitely took away from the story for me.

Overall, they were a cute couple and I really did enjoy the scenes of them ending up in typical rom-com situations and falling in love through it all. I just wish we saw more of that and the building of their relationship. The book made me chuckle/laugh out loud a few times and the writing was really good! I just don’t think its a book that will stick with me for too long.

Really loved The Rom-Commers! Katherine Center really knows how to write characters you really care about. Couldn't stop listening to this one!

A+ to the narrator of this book, she really made these complex characters come to life. As for the story, I must say Katherine Center has does it again. She managed to get me swept up in Emma and Charlie's world especially with all the banter. I was constantly trying to find ways to fit more listening time in during my day. The Rom-Commers was such a fun story and the perfect binge read for the summer.

Are you looking for some fun characters and hilarious scenes? The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center has it.

"Emma is desperate to be a screenwriter. When she is asked to help another screenwriter fix his new Rom-Com, it turns out to be Charlie Yates - her favorite writer ever. And he's written a terrible Rom-Com, mostly because he doesn't think love is real. So Emma will do anything to convince him that love stories matter. But what happens when the love story hits close to home?"

First - this is a wonderful audiobook. Patti Murin gives Emma so much personality. From her convictions to her guilt about her mother's death and her passion for love stories. I really felt like I was listening to Emma's story.

There are so many funny scenes in this book - Lorenzo the Cowboy at Line Dancing lessons - and the scene on the high dive in Charlie's pool. I would watch this on Netflix just for that.

This is a romance so you have some idea about where the story is headed. But KC takes a different way to get there. When you meet someone and are attracted to them, you each have to work through the other's issues and hang-ups and hope it works. You're cheering for Emma and Charlie to get there.

This is a great book and characters from Center. Look for a lot of copies of this at the beach this year.

My rating for this book is 4.75 stars!

In The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center, Emma Wheeler, aspiring screenwriter and caretaker of her father, gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work with her favorite screenwriter of all time, Charlie Yates. Unfortunately, when she goes to meet him in LA, she finds out that he doesn't want to work with her, doesn't care about the project they're supposed to work on, and doesn't even believe in love! Emma decides that she's going to work to convince him otherwise and make a great romcom script. Along the way, their relationship goes from writing colleagues to maybe something more.

I LOVED this book! Emma and Charlie's sunshine and grumpy dynamic made me laugh and made for the perfect setup for their character arcs. I loved how they slowly grew to like each other and were so surprised when it happened.

I also loved Katherine Center's writing style! It was so. unique and relatable and compelling. She made the heartbreaks so painfully poignant and the happy moments perfectly sentimental and emotional. I wept for heartbreak and joy, and could not stop rooting for all the characters to get their happy endings.

Thank you to Katherine Center and Macmillan Audio for the early audiobook copy of The Rom-Commers! Definitely check it out when it releases on June 11th!

The narrator of this book was Patti Murin. I have listened to several books by this narrator and they are one of my favorites! The narrator seamlessly moved between characters, and kept an easy and understandable flow between chapters. The narrator made the main characters sound unique and relatable.

Emma and Charlie’s story is a fun one. They are both writers, but of very different genres. When Emma gets the chance to work with Charlie, a famous screenplay writer, she takes the chance.

Katherine Center is a storyteller. I am constantly amazed by her creativity. She weaves together the main story and side stories into something that is a joy to read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC, and for letting me share my early thoughts on The Rom-Commers.

Katherine Center is becoming one of my quintessential summer authors. This is my second Katherine Center book, and I adored it! The dynamic between Charlie and Emma was perfection (also - of COURSE Charlie is a Gemini).

This was very nearly a 5 star for me, it just lost me a little toward the end - I was expecting Charlie to have some big secret reason she would hate him and while he did have a secret, it certainly wasn't hate-worthy so I found myself re-reading to see if I missed something.

This is the perfect book to read (or listen to) by the pool or lounging outside in the sun.

Very cute, a bit of a book within a book feel and lots of sharp dialogue. I really enjoyed this story and think most closed door romance lovers will too.

What a cute story! This was my second novel by Katherine Center and I will definitely check out more of her earlier novels.

Emma Wheeler loves romantic comedies and wants to spend her time writing them however as the only caretaker for father (who needs around the clock care) her dreams to become a screenwriter have been on hold. Emma gets the opportunity to work with screenwriter Charlie Yates that she absolutely loves (and has a crush on) thanks to a friend who happens to be Charlie's agent. Charlie is switching genres of writing style and needed someone to guide him. Can Emma teach Charlie how to write a rom-com and how to feel love so he really gets it?

Katherine masterfully navigates the balance between emotional, relatable and serious topics while bringing in humour and some romance.

I absolutely recommend this book so anyone who loves romantic comedies! It's going to be a great summer read or listen for anyone who likes this genre!

A struggling screenwriter heads to LA for her one shot of writing a rom-com with her hero.

Emma Wheeler is obsessed with rom-coms. She’s spent a lifetime watching, studying, and writing them. But she’s yet to hit it big. As the sole caretaker for her father, there’s no time to cultivate a life of her own. When her now-successful-agent ex, offers her the opportunity of a lifetime—the chance to work with her screenwriting hero, Charlie Yates—it’s too good a break to pass up.

Emma’s sister steps up to care for her dad, while Emma heads to LA for six weeks, to help Charlie re-write a script. Nothing is as it seems, however, when she arrives. Charlie wants nothing to do with her and the opportunity seems to vanish in a blink. Before she leaves, she gives Charlie (who doesn’t believe in love!) a piece of her mind. And that does the trick…

Before too long, Emma is sitting across from Charlie Yates, writing a rom-com! Day after day, as they re-write Charlie’s script and unexpected sparks fly, they seem to be writing a romantic comedy of their own. After all, Emma needs to show Charlie that what love is really about… even as the line between fiction and reality blurs.

I absolutely loved this book! Center brings to life the enemies-to-lovers trope with a charming story of second chances, overcoming trauma, and finding love where/when you least expect. The narrative touts the perfect balance of humor and heart, enlivened by characters of which it’s a joy to root for.

Like always, this latest from Katherine Center is a wonderful, heart-filling delight to read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with an advanced copy of The Rom-Commers audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

My first Katherine Center book! I appreciate Center's ability to cover difficult topics in such a natural way, such as Emma's family dynamic, grief, and caretaking. It's evident that she did her research on the topics she includes in this novel. The romance was so cute and I loved the writing style. Looking forward to reading more of Katherine Center's books!

Emma is an aspiring screenwriter that is completely enamored with Charlie Yates, a multi-award winning screenwriter. He commands respect and attention. So why is he writing a Rom-Com? When Emma has the opportunity to read it she is surprised because it is just awful!! A unexpected surprise call from her agent gives Emma an opportunity to help Charlie improve it, as a ghost writer of course. The problem is Charlie could care less about the script it is simply a way he can get his next big project funded. Emma’s pride will not let her do anything but her best, she is determined to write a great story. Charlie needs to be shown how great romantic stories can be so they can write an amazing story that they will both be proud of.


Katherine Center has perfected the art of writing witty, heart-felt romances that feel as if they are written for me. Not only is her writing clever, smart and addictive but the fact that she can make me feel such a broad range of emotions is the true gift. This book met my expectations and exceeded them, This has all of the best elements of classic rom-coms, I was a bawling mess by the end. Then just as my tears were drying I listened to the authors notes at the end which brought them on again!! Her message was so amazing and I love her philosophy.

The audiobook was done very well and Katherine’s notes at the end were a special bonus.

5 ⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review,

Another great Katherine Center book. The characters were wholesome and the book was easy to read. Thanks NetGalley for the audio eArc.

This checked all the boxes for a rom-com in my books!!

Loved the predictably of co-writers to lovers. I adored Emma’s character. Her care and dedication to her dad, her sacrifices felt believable caring for a sick parent. I was definitely routing for her.
Charles character was well written, making him unlikeable turned loveable with his generous acts from afar at the hospital.

Loved the book. Also found it refreshing to not have steamy bedroom scenes!!

Audiobook narrator was great. Love it on audio and written form!
4⭐️s. Will be recommending to friends.

I laughed out loud, I cried, and I laughed some more. Loved this book so much. So sweet and charming without any unnecessary spice. The witty banter was right up my alley. I would love to watch this book in movie form! Didn’t want it to end.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

The audiobook narration was great, I’d rate that 5/5 stars.

The story however, left much to be desired. I do love a Katherine Center book but I had a tough time rooting for this romance. Emma has family baggage and she’s a total pushover because she worships the love interest, screenwriter Charlie Yates. Great premise but Charlie is an a-hole to Emma throughout almost the entire book and I just didn’t buy the romance.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Short synopsis: Emma gets the chance to help her favorite screenwriter rewrite a script for a rom-com, hesitantly leaving her sick dad with her sister.

My thoughts: This was one of my most anticipated books of the year and it did not disappoint. There is so much emotional growth throughout the pages, that I couldn’t help but root for Charlie and Emma.

I’ll admit, it took me a HOT minute to warm up to Charlie. Was a little too much male privilege that he eventually grew out of, but he did redeem himself with the picket square (if you know you know).

I also liked the growth emma went through. She needed to relinquish some control and let some things go, which she eventually did.

The audio on this was so well done! Highly recommend reading with your ears.

All in all, perfect classic Katherine Center. All the wit and banter which amazing characters.

Read if you love:
- Rom-Com movies
- Writers
- Celebrity romance
- Forced proximity
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Workplace romance

Granted, this was precisely the kind of book I needed right now--light and happy and not a lot of work--but it was also good. I am not a "romance" reader but I do like them once in a while, especially Katherine Center who is on the right side of romance--a bit corny at times but not silly or insipid. I am now in my summer reading mode and, especially with the end of the school year and upcoming surgery, I have very little focus and need lighter fare. It's like food: who wants heavy dishes in the middle of the summer; I need salads and things that are easy to digest. It is the same with books.
The reason I liked this book (and Katherine Center in general) is the voice. The narrator is likeable and funny, struggling with real life issues. And in the midst of some significant problems, she is optimistic and genuine, even if not perfect. Her love interest is curmudgeonly and who, at first, seems virtually misanthropic but with a heart beating somewhere inside under all that scorn. Has this been done before? Of course and it will be done again undoubtedly. However, Center has a really good handle on voice and character development so that the plot, while done before, doesn't really matter; I just want to listen to the character and have coffee with her. I would love to see a sequel, one where she and her curmudgeonly beau get married and navigate more life and difficulties alluded to in this novel.
Hopefully the author will see this review.
I read parts of the e book and listened to the audio; I think I preferred the audio but it may be my frame of mind. But also, the narration suited the voice of the main character.
Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and MacMillan Audio for providing me with the arcs in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this early. First, I love Katherine Center books, so was excited to read this one about a girl who moves in with her writer crush to write a rom com screenplay. Emma and Charlie have good banter, but the book went off the rails for me when there was an accident with Emma’s father, a fight with Charlie and a health issue. It all seemed just too heavy for a rom com book. If you’re a big fan of Katherine Center’s other books, I’d still recommend it.