I enjoyed this book because it was exactly the book I needed at the time.
But I do think it could use some better chemistry between Emma and Charlie and a bit more common sense for Emma.

Katherine Center show what is truly takes to write a good Rom-Com movie:

When Emma’s father got sick she knew she had to step up to take care of him and her younger sister. She put her dream of being a screenwriter on hold. For 10 years she has put others before herself until an old friend wants to bring her back in. A well known screenwriter needs help writing a Rom-Com and it just so happens that Charlie Yates is Emma’s favourite screen writer. When she reads the screenplay it is horrible and she cannot believe he wrote it. When Emma meets Charlie, well maybe one shouldn’t meet their hero. Worst Charlie doesn’t want to fix the screenplay and Emma knows rom com and know she can help him fix it, but it will take all of her to get it done and maybe just maybe she can find her own happy ending.

Center is the author that reintroduced me to Contemporary Romance, and is still a go to quthor for me when I need a change of Pace. I find that she has the ability to suck me in to her characters and stories right from the start and I need to know how this relationship is going to play out. The Rom-Commers is no different. When we meet Emma I already feel like I know her and the hardship she has gone through with giving up ehr dream so her younger sister can achieve her's.

When I saw that this book gave me all the emotions and feelings, I am not lying. It made me laugh, cry, feel dispare and hoepful, and sometimes all of these at the same time. I will say that I felt that this was a bit lighter in topic than some of the other books that I have read by Centre but I was okay with it and it was what I needed at the time I was reading it. The concept is really cute and I was here for it

Emma is a pretty loveable character, she is very happy and very much no self-centred at all. She wants to do what is best for everyone around her even if it is detramental to herself. There are times when i wanted to slap her for not thinking of herself first, but that is just who Emma is and she does go on a bit of the journey in the book to discover that it is okay to put herself first every once in awhile

Charlie (I am not writing his last name) on the other hand is basically an ass for most of the book. He puts Emma down (A LOT) and critisces her even more. I think Charlie has a hard time being around someone like Emma and he lashes out even more. When you first start reading Charlie he does not really have any redeeming qualities even though Emma searches for them. He has his moments and did I like Charlie by the end, Yes?

Grumpy Sunshine trope which was played perfectly, and honestly one of my favourite troupes when it comes to romance novels. I will say the third act I was not a fan of and it seemed a bit rushed towards the end, but this did not take away from my overall enjoyment of the book. One thing that did was the use of the MMC's full name every single time that Emma talks about him she uses his full name. We know by the tenth time who is it. I mean it's cute to begin with but then it was just annoying.

This is going to be one of my favourite by Centreprobably in my top two now (my favourite is still Things You Save in a Fire) but this is a close second. You'll want to pick this one up if you are looking for a lighter read and if you are a fab of the grumpy Sunshine Trope.

Enjoy!!!

Katherine Center is the perfect happy beach-read /summer author. I always smile and laugh when reading her books and I am so glad to have read this one.

I have read books with similar plots but this one is unique! With the screenplay collaboration, and a little bit of grumpy sunshine, it was an enjoyable read.

This book solidified the author as one of my favorite!

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for the honest review.

Katherine Center does it again! So far every book of hers has been a banger! I love the witty banter and the ending!

Katherine Center has become a go to author for me. This was a fantastic romance read. Perfect for a summer beach read. I enjoyed the characters and the plot. The narration was great!

Emma and Charlie will not be forgotten, Emma’s life has been put on hold to care for her father. With just a little shove her life changes in ways she couldn’t expect, but not without conflict, love and and chasing some dreams. These lovable characters are hard to let go. Katherine Center has a way of making you love every single well developed character more than the last. This is a story of finding yourself and the importance of family relationships.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this advanced audiobook!

This one disappointed me - nothing exciting happens really. An easy read with a happy ending. Enemies-to-lovers trope.

I received this ARC audiobook from NetGalley

Dnfd around halfway through because Charlie really was just a bit too mean. Like I get it it's supposed to be enemies to loved but sometimes in a contemporary romance it reads like the guys is simply a jerk.
I really loved Emma and she grew on me more and more as the book went on but I didn't care for her or any of the (admittedly very funny) characters to keep going with the story.
I might try and pick it back up again in the future as I really did like the authors other books!

Posting a little late today because I was so surprised that BOTM picks were already out so obviously had to do that first 😂

Anyhoo, happy Monday, friends!

Starting off this week with a review for one of my most anticipated romance releases, The Rom-Commers because Katherine Center books are just a joy to read.

So this is about two writers cowriting a romance screenplay for a movie! That’s pretty much the plot!

I love the dialogues, the pacing, the storytelling, and this book just have so much great lines about love and marriage.

We all know that there is always this judgment around the bookish world about the romance genre and this book is the perfect example of why romance books need to exist!

My really only note to this book is that omg our male lead is just mean to our female hero. And yes, as you read more of the book and you get to know him a little bit more, you do get to somehow understand why he is the way he is.

Buuut it did affect my enjoyment reading this because I just don’t really like the classic girls-staying-with-men-who-treat-them-horribly storyline. It will make sense in the end though but if this was in real life, I wouldn’t even want to stay for the ending because I just don’t want to witness how he treats her anymore. But again, this is more of a personal preference. I still rated this book 4.5⭐️ because it was obviously still a good book!

Thank you @netgalley for the free audiobook!

Emma heads to Hollywood to help a brooding, famous screenwriter fix his rom-com script, and the sparks (and laughs) fly!✨ The Hollywood setting had me hooked from the start—I'm always a sucker for that vibe! Though I know some might not love the third act breakup, I was completely won over by the chemistry, pacing, and fantastic characters. 💫 Honestly, it gave me all the nostalgia feels while still feeling fresh and fun! If you’re in the mood for a rom-com with all the classic beats, this one’s for you!

Katherine Center never fails to deliver a charming, heartwarming story. This is the third ARC of hers that I've had the pleasure of receiving, and each time I'm more and more impressed by her ability to draw me in and keep me entertained throughout the entire story.

The Rom-Commers felt like it had a much higher stakes conflict compared to the other two I've enjoyed - The Bodyguard and Hello Stranger - where the MMC's distrust of the world and the FMC's conflicting emotions and aspirations seemed incredibly valid and deeply rooted in reality. Because of that, I was invested almost immediately in their relationship (or lack thereof). The two start off as almost enemies/incredibly reluctant allies, who I was so worried wouldn't make it to the end in an HEA! But once again, Katherine delivered! Not only that- I'd say this was a slam dunk in giving readers the perfect love story with the right amount of pop culture references, grump x sunshine trope and the sweetest final act resolution.

As a rom-com lover myself, this was everything I could have wanted in a story. Katherine Center has a way of getting her readers to care for the characters and their relationships, while maintaining a nice closed-door policy for readers who aren't interested in the latest trend in over-the-top spice. It was perfect!

As an avid audiobook listener, I was delighted to find that this was narrated by the talented Patti Murin, who has become a staple among my rom-com listens in recent years and has also provided narration for the other two KC books I've enjoyed (The Bodyguard and Hello Stranger). She does an incredible job of bringing the characters - both male and female- to life. She communicates emotions incredibly well, and this ability allowed me to not only imagine the characters conversations with their intended inflections, but I *felt* it, too. I also found that her speech was clear and pleasant to listen to at any speed between .75x and 2,5x (I personally found it most enjoyable to listen at 1.75x).

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for making this book available. Katherine Center knows what she's doing! This was a book that I would love to see come to a screen.

I adore Katherine Center for her sharp witted and relatable characters, as well as also intertwining some neurological condition or disorder, with rehabilitation representation! Yay OT! This is yet another delightful gem of a story that perfectly balances humor, heart, and romance. It's a feel-good read that leaves you smiling long after the last page. I enjoyed the narration, which was a great complement to the storytelling.

Sincere thanks to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for an advanced listener copy in exchange for an honest review.

The biggest thank you to St Martin Press for not only an advance audiobook & eARC copy of The Rom-Commers via NetGalley but for a stunningly beautiful final copy of it as well. I’m blown away but how beautiful this physical book is!!! All thoughts are my own.

I’ve been a LONG time fan of this author and let me tell you … this is the perfect summer read! BEST book to date! I devoured this one!! I absolutely fell head over heels for these characters! This made it into my top 3 books for 2024!! Pick up your copy today!!!

💕Book Description:
Emma Wheeler desperately longs to be a screenwriter. She’s spent her life studying, obsessing over, and writing romantic comedies—good ones! That win contests! But she’s also been the sole caretaker for her kind-hearted dad, who needs full-time care. Now, when she gets a chance to re-write a script for famous screenwriter Charlie Yates—The Charlie Yates! Her personal writing god!—it’s a break too big to pass up.

Emma’s younger sister steps in for caretaking duties, and Emma moves to L.A. for six weeks for the writing gig of a lifetime. But what is it they say? Don’t meet your heroes? Charlie Yates doesn’t want to write with anyone—much less “a failed, nobody screenwriter.” Worse, the romantic comedy he’s written is so terrible it might actually bring on the apocalypse. Plus! He doesn’t even care about the script—it’s just a means to get a different one green-lit. Oh, and he thinks love is an emotional Ponzi scheme.

But Emma’s not going down without a fight. She will stand up for herself, and for rom-coms, and for love itself. She will convince him that love stories matter—even if she has to kiss him senseless to do it. But . . . what if that kiss is accidentally amazing? What if real life turns out to be so much . . . more real than fiction? What if the love story they’re writing breaks all Emma’s rules—and comes true?

Don’t sleep on this one!! It’s sooooo good!!

Katherine Center does it again with another adorable and lighthearted rom-com! The title has never been more accurate. These characters are easy to like, the plot felt realistic, and the reality of it all felt, well, real! I will read anything and everything Center writes, she is a romance genius!

Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan and Katherine Center for an audio ARC of this book. Katherine Center has written another warm and uplifting romantic comedy which will appeal to long time fans as well as new readers.
Emma Wheeler’s dream of being a screenwriter is about to come true when she is given the opportunity to rewrite a screenplay for the very famous Charlie Yates. Emma moves into Charlie’s L.A. mansion. Naturally, they do not get along at all. Emma believes in love and happily ever after while Charlie is an avowed love sceptic. This book is filled with humorous moments as well as serious issues. The characters are likable, multidimensional and relatable. The writing is descriptive and the narration flows smoothly and is well paced. I had a hard time putting the book down! A comfort read with substance which will be enjoyed by individual readers as well as book clubs.

🎬 REVIEW: The Rom-Commers 🎬

Emma Wheeler’s life goal? To become a screenwriter like her hero, the legendary Charlie Yates. So when she gets the chance to collaborate with him on a new rom-com script, she’s over the moon 🌙! But as they say, "never meet your heroes"… 👀

Katherine Center has mastered the art of blending sweet and tart in her stories, and this book is no exception 🍭🍋. It’s a fun, heartfelt tale of a woman who’s faced more than her fair share of life’s curveballs, only to walk away with more than she ever imagined 💪💖.

I absolutely loved Emma as a heroine and couldn’t help but root for her as she did everything to support her family! However, I wish we got a bit more insight into Charlie’s motivations. TBH, he came off as a bit of a jerk 😬. If Emma were my friend IRL, I’d tell her to ditch this clown 🤡 – ha! There’s a big reveal that explains his behavior, but let's be real: guys like this should stay in fiction 📚.

Overall, it’s an entertaining read (or listen)! 🎧 One scene, in particular, gave me serious 27 Dresses vibes when Katherine Heigl’s character says: “That was yesterday. Today you're just the bitch who broke my heart and cut up my mother's wedding dress.” I could not. 🤯

Check out this book if you’re into:

✨ Enemies to lovers
✨ Bad first impressions
✨ Forced proximity

P.S. If you’re on the hunt for more Katherine Center gems, I highly recommend Happiness for Beginners and The Bodyguard. 💕

First let me say, I did enjoy "The Bodyguard" and gave it 5 stars and can't wait to try more of Katherine Centers' books but this book gets 1.5 stars.

One line of the book and my response to it sums up my thoughts and feelings.
"He shook his head at me like I was the most exasperating person on earth."
Me: Probably because you are....


I hated the FMC inner dialogue. She seemed like a teenager, possibly even a middle schooler to me, her poor decisions, and how she jumped into those decisions unbelievably fast without much thought. At one point, she broke the third wall, and I disliked that small portion as well. She is the most annoying fangirl in the world. How many times she says the MMC full name in her inner monologue is INSANE, please shut up!

I disliked the MMC character but not nearly as much as the FMC. In one spot, he fondly remembers his first kiss, and what was it that made it such a fond memory? The fact she had "Glorious boobs." I get that boys his age at the time may think that, but at that age, why is it still the fondest part, and why bring it up? My husband or any other man would never bring such a thing up to me. Also, how many corrections of wife to ex-wife are we going to have!? Dude, you are not ready for any kind of relationship if you can't keep it straight that your ex... it an ex!

I did get this as an audiobook arc read. The narration was done very well, and there is a bonus scene. Unfortunately, I had gained such a disdain for the FMC that in order to FORCE MYSELF to finish, I sped up the speed, and it still took me three days.

The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center is an utterly charming and heartwarming read that beautifully captures the essence of romantic comedies while adding its own unique twist. As someone who adores the genre, this book hit all the right notes for me, and I can’t help but hope it becomes an Amazon Prime original show—it’s just that delightful!

The story follows Emma Wheeler, a passionate and determined aspiring screenwriter who has dedicated her life to studying and writing romantic comedies. Her dream is finally within reach when she lands an opportunity to re-write a script for the legendary screenwriter Charlie Yates. This should be her big break, but there’s a catch—Charlie Yates is not the charming, rom-com-loving writer Emma envisioned. In fact, he’s the complete opposite. Disillusioned with love and convinced that rom-coms are a waste of time, Charlie is more interested in getting a different project green-lit than in crafting a heartfelt love story.

Emma’s journey from adoring fan to an equal partner in this creative endeavor is both inspiring and relatable. She’s a character you can’t help but root for, especially as she navigates the challenging dynamics of working with a man who seems determined to squash her dreams. Yet, Emma is resilient, and her belief in the power of love stories fuels her determination to change Charlie’s mind—not just about the script, but about love itself.

One of the aspects I adored most about The Rom-Commers is its meta-narrative. The book is a love letter to romantic comedies, filled with nods to the genre’s most beloved tropes while also subverting them in clever ways. Emma’s passion for rom-coms is infectious, and it’s impossible not to get swept up in her enthusiasm as she fights to prove that these stories matter. Her interactions with Charlie are electric, filled with witty banter, tension, and undeniable chemistry. The way their relationship evolves from professional friction to something deeper is both satisfying and emotionally resonant.

The setting of Los Angeles, with its glitz and glamor juxtaposed against the more mundane struggles of everyday life, provides the perfect backdrop for Emma’s adventures. The book also delves into Emma’s personal life, particularly her role as a caretaker for her father, adding depth to her character and highlighting the sacrifices she’s made to pursue her dreams.

Katherine Center’s writing is delightful, blending humor, heart, and a touch of realism that grounds the more whimsical elements of the story. The audiobook, narrated by Patti Murin, enhances the experience with a lively and engaging performance that perfectly captures Emma’s voice and the spirit of the narrative.

The Rom-Commers is a must-read for fans of romantic comedies and anyone who believes in the transformative power of love stories. It’s a book that celebrates the genre while also challenging it in meaningful ways. Emma’s journey is one of self-discovery, creativity, and, of course, love.

This book is perfect for a worthy Amazon Prime film—it has all the ingredients for a show that would be both entertaining and emotionally satisfying. I absolutely adored it, and I’m sure you will too!

I really enjoy Katherine Center's books and typically find them to be 4-5 star reads. This one didn't hit quite the same for me, perhaps being my least favorite that I've read so more of a 3.5 star. Don't get me wrong it was a nice read, but just felt a little too perfect or something. I really love her stories because they are typically a little 'messy' and have a nice ending. I'm not sure if it was the characters or the plot but it was maybe a little too cheesy for me personally. I like that her stories always have some sort of hardship, they make them more relatable and I enjoy seeing the growth in the characters. I don't feel I really have a favorite character, maybe her Dad? I like that he made his life the best he could and tried to live life to the fullest despite his accident.