Katherine Center is back with another heartfelt, humorous, and fun contemporary romance. This one follows aspiring screenwriter Emma Wheeler, who is given the chance of a lifetime to re-write a script with the world-famous Charlie Yates! Her romance expertise is being called upon because Charlie has epically failed at his attempt to write a romantic script. The only problem is Emma is caretaker for her amazing dad, who needs full-time care, that is until Emma’s younger sister steps up and volunteers to help so that Emma can meet one of her screenwriting idols and kickstart her career. What follows is a funny romance filled with witty banter, great characters, and deeper conversations about health, family obligations, and how we move forward from grief. Center always does an amazing job bringing heart and hope to her romances, while weaving in very honest and true themes and she did it again with this one.

My first Rom-Com, and I wasn't disappointed!

I enjoyed following the story of Emma and Charlie and their journey to write a rom-com screen play. I listened to the audiobook and I would recommend the audiobook. The narrator did a great job. She was clear and easy to listen to. This story was engaging, and kept me interested to see what was going to happen with these characters.

My only critique is that I didn't find the many parts of the book humorous. I was expecting a romantic comedy to be funny, and I didn't laugh out loud. I thought some of the situations that Emma found herself in to be funny situations. However, I didn't find any of the dialogue very funny. I wanted more humor and quick-witted dialogue between Emma and Charlie.

Such a fun book! I loved the dynamic between Charlie and Emma! Charlie was this perfect blend of grumpiness that was so endearing! Something I can never get enough of. Him answering phone calls while accepting awards? Delightful. Emma was this golden retriever of a FMC that was so wonderful! The story was engaging and just so so lovely!

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an advanced audio-copy of The Rom-Commers, in exchange for an honest review.

Katherine Center's 'The Rom-Commers' is a heartwarming novel that follows the unlikely journey of two screenwriters: Emma and Charlie.

Emma, a once-aspiring screenwriter, has put her dreams on hold to care for her ailing father. Charlie, on the other hand, is a celebrated Hollywood screenwriter with a string of successful films to his name. When Emma's ex-boyfriend commissions her to help Charlie rewrite his abysmal first attempt at a rom-com, their paths collide.

Despite their vastly different backgrounds, Emma and Charlie find themselves drawn to each other's wit, banter, and undeniable chemistry. As they collaborate on the script, they navigate the complexities of their own lives, confront past hurts, and discover the transformative power of love.
Center's writing is both sharp and emotionally resonant. She deftly captures the ups and downs of relationships, the challenges of pursuing one's dreams, and the importance of family. The characters are well-developed and relatable, with their flaws and vulnerabilities making them all the more endearing.
One of the strengths of the novel is its exploration of the nature of love. Emma and Charlie's relationship is not without its obstacles, but they learn to overcome them through communication, compromise, and a deep understanding of each other's needs. The novel also celebrates the power of laughter, showing how it can break down barriers and bring people together.

'The Rom-Commers' is a perfect blend of romance, comedy, and drama. It is a story that will make you laugh out loud, cry tears of joy, and ultimately believe in the transformative power of love. Whether you are a fan of rom-coms or simply enjoy a well-written story, this novel is highly recommended.

Overall, 'The Rom-Commers' is a heartwarming tale that will leave you feeling uplifted and satisfied. It is a testament to Katherine Center's exceptional storytelling abilities and a must-read for lovers of contemporary romance.

This is such a fun audiobook. I thought it was original while still incorporating your typical HEA storylines. Emma is such a relatable and lovable character that even though she has some neurotic seeming moments, you can't help but continuously root for her! I felt like I should have been a bit more annoyed with or put off by Charlie up until the end but I couldn't help but love him throughout. I only gave this book four stars because I never felt strong enough emotion of betrayal or loss like I feel like adds depth to the novel, but I would still recommend it. I did really enjoy the book!

I listened to the audiobook version. Usually I’m not an audiobook fan but I did enjoy this one. Maybe it’s just because Katherine Center can do no wrong. I found myself talking to the characters during this book which was entertaining. It was a good book from start to finish. I liked the concept of this one. I love a good happy ending.

Sometimes you just need a feel good book that makes you remember why so many believe in love. This one checks this box. I’ve already recommended to duel enrollment students for fun.

I adored this story! I’ve enjoyed previous books by Katherine Center, but this took the cake. The characters were so lovable despite (and sometimes because of) their flaws, the humor was just right, the romance was swoony, and the messages were insightful without being trite. The plot points were somewhat unbelievable when you stop to think about it too much (tragic rock slides, life-changing opportunities dropping out of the sky, cancer fake-outs, etc), but the story was grounded enough at the same time that I willingly suspended my disbelief. I’ll be buying a copy of this for my own collection when it’s published and rereading it some summer in the future because it’s a PERFECT summer rom com.

I’m very particular about audiobook narrators too, I’ve learned, but I genuinely enjoyed this one. Her voice was full of personality, like the character she was narrating for, without being annoying. I didn’t even mind the voice she put on when the love interest spoke, even though that’s usually the cringiest part of listening to a female narrator in a romantic audiobook. She didn’t overdo it or try to hard, but the character still came across.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my copy of The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center Narrated by Katherine Center; Patti Murin in exchange for an honest review. It publishes June 11, 2024.
First off, the narration of this book was very well-done, and top-notch. I would listen to anything Patti Murin narrates.
This book is yet another wonderful story in Katherine Center's collection. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, bringing the same readability that makes it IMPOSSIBLE to stop reading. Honestly, I just had to know what was going to happen next, I was always on the edge of my seat.
I adored the characters in this story, and I found the character development to be so satisfying. I loved what I got to learn about screenwriting, and I loved Meryl Streep!
Seriously, just read this book, you won't regret it!

THIS BOOK.
We read romance books because we love romance. THIS IS A ROMANCE BOOK about two screen writers, writing a romance movie - we have script development, we have relationships budding on and off script, we have real conversations, we have flirtation.
THE PREMISE ALONE - you need to read.
screen writer obsessed Charlie writes a romance script and its bad so his agent brings Emma in to help. What could go wrong? Just two people writing a romance script....!!

This book was incredible. The narrator makes you feel apart of the story as it progresses and its so fitting. I don't know how else to describe it, but while listening, i felt as though this story was specifically being shared just to me - and I loved this.
All of the quirky funny romance antics that happen in movies and in books that are out of this world are in this book but the way it plays along into the storyline and script development was so witty that I was chuckling constantly. Some of the ideas/happenings are so outlandish and wild but i LOVED every aspect of it in everyway. Our supporting characters are fun and witty and supportive.
Our MCs overcome grief, fears, emotions and really hard truths over the duration of our story and this is not an aspect to be overlooked - they both know they need to deal with personal things before they can give themselves to another (i love this in romance books/movies) and the pay off is SO GOOD.

Some random thoughts:
- I love Charlie, you can't convince me otherwise - he tied her shoes and that did me in - the pocket square at the end -- DEAD. The things that come out his mouth had me on the floor giggling in the cutest way ever.
- this man knows how to take notes on romance movies and the GUY DID HIS HOMEWORK
- ** when you realize you're reading the scene that coincides with the FMC's dress on the book cover!!**
- I love the emotional journey that Emma goes through, while hard and difficult - she grows so much as an individuals and it made for one of my favourite aspects of the book

Friends, without giving too much away, please for the love of all things wonderful, read this book, and PLEASE read the authors acknowledgments at the end. Romance readers till the end <3

Favourite quotes:
"I've been waiting for you for 3 hours, while you were serenading a rodent"
“I would write 100 happy endings for us if I could” (CRYING)
“It can’t be where you’re going that matters, it has to be how you get there”

Thank you @macmillanaudio @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the ALC - I LOVED.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. There were moments where I laughed out loud and the ending pulled on my heart strings. The MCs are both screenwriters - Charlie who is a the IT writer of Hollywood and Emma who is looking for her big break. Getting an inside look into the writing process was great. I liked Charlie but I didn’t love him, I really wanted to love him though! He was likable at times (the donut scene) but then he would say or do something mean to Emma that would ruin the moment.

Side note: no 🌶️ makes it a perfect addition to a high school reading library! I think my students would eat this up.

Available June 11, 2024 - just in time for summer!

Thank you Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the ALC.

I want to start off by saying this was a strong 3.5, and maybe it was unfortunate timing that I finished this right after reading How to End a Love Story which is the superior romance novel about screenwriters falling in love.

This has everything that’s lovable about a Katherine Center novel: a light, fluffy, plot with interesting main characters that you root for from the beginning. TLDR: One unknown screenwriter takes a pause from being her father’s main caretaker and gets to work on a screenplay with her hero.

I think what knocked this down a couple stars for me was that there wasn’t enough tension between the characters and the stakes weren’t high enough. Random characters were peppered in with no real reason, and the storyline was choppy. Regardless, a fun read and nice audiobook listen. I will say that the British side male character sounded a little too much like Julie Andrews to be believable lol.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Katherine Center for an eARC Audiobook copy via NetGalley.

I already was the biggest fan of The Rom-Commers from my Kindle version ARC I read previously, and was already planning on a very swift-re-read of the book, so getting approved for the audiobook induced immediate joy and I dropped everything so I could listen to it as soon as I received the email notification. No regrets, this was a great narration of a great book.

As an avid audiobook listener, finding audiobooks where I enjoy the narrator is a must; I can't listen to titles if I don't enjoy the narrator. When I saw the narrator for this copy was Patti Murin, I was very glad because I've listened to a plethora of her other titles and have always loved them. The same can be said for this book, she does a great job bringing the characters to life.

I have previously reviewed the content of The Rom-Commers, but I loved the story, the characters, the banter, basically everything about it. Emma is funny and very relatable as a (sometimes to an insufferable level) oldest child who needs to take care of everyone at the expense of herself, and Charlie is a wonderfully quirky oddball who is down SO BAD for Emma, it's so endearing.

I think that even those who aren't frequent audiobooks should try it out with this title, it's very well done and a fun story that I will recommend to anyone looking for a happy closed-door romance.

📚✨ **Book Review: The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center** ✨📚

I recently finished listening to Katherine Center's The Rom-Commers, narrated by the author and Patti Murin. It's a sweet and light-hearted read that offers a delightful escape into the world of romantic comedy.

Katherine Center's writing is as charming as ever, filled with relatable characters and witty dialogue. The story revolves around a group of friends, each with their own quirks and struggles, navigating love, life, and laughter. Their experiences and interactions are so familiar, they'll make you feel like you're part of their circle, rooting for them every step of the way.

The narration is a standout feature in this audiobook. Katherine Center and Patti Murin's voices blend so seamlessly, it's like you're eavesdropping on a real conversation. Center's intimate knowledge of her characters adds a special touch, while Murin's vibrant performance injects energy and emotion into the story. This perfect harmony of voices makes it effortless to get lost in the narrative.

However, while the book is enjoyable, I still need to reach the level of some of Center's previous works for me. Some plot points felt predictable, and there were moments where the pacing lagged slightly. Despite these minor hiccups, it's still a solid read that fans of the genre will appreciate.

Overall, **The Rom-Commers** is a fun and heartwarming listen, perfect for fans of romantic comedies looking for a light and entertaining story. 🎧❤️

#BookReview #TheRomCommers #KatherineCenter #PattiMurin #RomanticComedy #Audiobook #Bookstagram #ReadingCommunity #AudiobookReview

I went into this book knowing how much I enjoyed The Bodyguard and Hello, Stranger. The Rom-Commers did not disappoint! I was immediately pulled in by Emma, her persona, her characteristics, her family dynamics and the anxiety of everything that comes with it. Her character was relatable in an emotional sense even if I personally didn’t connect to her circumstance. I craved knowing more of her back story as Katherine left crumbs for us along the way. And then, in walks Charlie, with his grumpy demeanor and I just swooned. As the reader/listener, there is so much we WANT for these characters. Unfortunately in life it just doesn't always happen the way we expect. Emma is trying her best to re-write the Rom-Com for Charlie and with Charlie all whilst doing the same in her life. Patti Murin did an excellent job narrating and I could completely envision the characters coming alive in her voice. I walked away from the book smiling, with happy tears and a warmth in my heart.

I adored this book.

It was my first Katherine Center, but I new of the author because of social medias, and was very intrigued to see what the fuss was all about; i was not disappointed.

Katherine Center really has a gift for building loveable characters that feel like they could be our friends in their realness and their imperfectness. She is also a master in writing in the funniest, yet most beautiful way. She made me laugh, gave me goosebumps and brought tears to my eyes. The way she manages to teach us things about love throughout her book is also amazing, since it's easy to think we already know everything there has to be know about love, a subject talked about at lenght. But I swear, whe managed to remind me of the importance of selfcare, of gratitude and of determination.

As an audiobook, this book was a real treat. Patti Murin is absolutely delightful in her rendition, being so real and raw and full of the right emotion at all the right times... I felt like I was listening to a friend telling me the most beautiful story.

Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio, Netgalley and the author for this book! I'm insanely grateful.

This was my first Katherine Center book and I am definitely a fan. Her writing style is very mature and fresh and I love how she drops the fourth wall. In Rom-Commers it felt like the FMC, Emma & I were having coffee and chatting like old friends.

However, to be completely honest, I can’t say that I loved this one. There was a lot of filler and dialogue and I lost interest a bit in the middle. I’m also personally not a huge fan of the grumpy-sunshine trope because I don’t love how small the FMC is sometimes made to feel.

I was impressed with how Center intermixed heavier topics with a lighter tone and that helped bring depth to her characters and round out their back story. I loved Emma’s relationship with her Dad and the realities surrounding the job of a 24:7 caretaker.

I’m definitely intrigued by Center’s approach to storytelling and excited to read more of her work. How to Walk Away and Happiness for Beginners are on my physical tbr and will be up soon for me!

A big thank you to @netgalley and @macmillian audio for the ARC of the audiobook. The narrator did a great job and it was a fun change of pace for me to listen to a rom-com on audio.

3.5-4

This reminds me of the wit and charm that I loved in the Bodyguard and banter is Katherine's Center specialty. See Emma Wheeler was called in to touch up a rom-com script by her screenwriting hero Charlie Yates. It's not ideal timing, her Dad needs her at home but she can't miss this once in a lifetime chance to work with her hero. The only issue is - Charlie Yates had no idea she was coming. AND he's only writing this screenplay to appease some executive so he *really* didn't need any help.

Except, he does. The screenplay is trash and Emma is the only one who can fix it.

This book had me hooked from the beginning. The forced proximity romance was full of witty dialog and funny awkward moments. The family drama mixed in helped add depth to the story and a real purpose to the main character. Highly recommend this for a fun read! Great for summer.

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced reading copy! I am not trying to sound dramatic, but this book ripped me to shreds and then put me back together again in the best possible way and is now one of my favorite romances of all time. Center created the perfect book for me at this time in my life, but saying that, it’s hard for me to believe that people won’t just fall in love with this beautiful book. Emma is a screenwriter who has given up her career to care for her father, when she’s sent to help the very famous screenwriter Charlie get over writer's block to create a romantic comedy - even though he doesn’t believe in love. This is a great set up in so many ways, creating two great leads who are funny and damaged and find each other in a messed up world. The audiobook was great, I really liked the pacing and thought Patti Murin was perfect for this book. This book has it all: comedy, tragedy, swoon moments, and great banter. I highly recommend this book for fans of Center, romantic comedies, and great books.