Summary: Emma has spent the last ten years taking care of her disabled father. Then one day her best friend calls her with the opportunity of a lifetime. She is being asked to work on a screenplay with her favorite screenwriter, Charlie Yates. As she reads the screenplay she realizes that this will take a lot of work but it is a challenge she is willing to pursue but she worries about her father. Leaving him with her sister who has little idea of what Emma has done to take care of him she takes a leap of faith and embarks on her chance at advancing her career.

But upon arrival she discovers that Charlie did not know she was coming. After some convincing and perusal of her work he reluctantly agrees but this job will not be as easy as she imagined. Charlie does not appear to care about the script or even believe in love. Emma is determined to show him that rom-coms are worthwhile and she will prove it to him no matter what.

My Thoughts: This is my second Katherine Center book and I enjoyed it just as much as the first, Hello Stranger. The title, The Rom-Commers, is exactly why I have enjoyed these two books. They are easy to read, have cute scenes between the two main characters and follow the usual pattern of a rom-com. Sometimes I just want something easy and silly. This fits that bill exactly.

Each character is hard-headed. They constantly butt heads and argue but this perfect romantic tension. At times I did find the story a little drawn out but it was easy to overlook. I enjoyed it, laughed at some of the silliness and got frustrated with the characters at appropriate times. This is perfect for reading at the pool side on vacation or with a cup of tea on the patio.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this audio.

What a good book!! Katherine Center does it again! This book had it all! Funny, sweet, spicy, drama, all of it. I recommend if you want a quick and easy read.

Emma has the opportunity of a lifetime...she has been asked to help famed screenplay writer Charlie, on his upcoming rom com. Emma is the primary caregiver for her father so she must take a chance and leave him in her sister's capable hands. But will Charlie hire her? Will he truly let her help him write?

As much as I love Katherine Center, this one was a miss for me. I just couldn't get into the story and I felt like the romance between Emma and Charlie was unrealistic and kind of lame. I didn't really like Emma or Charlie. I feel like both were stuck in their own head and neither were really ready for relationships. It just felt forced and inauthentic. It just felt like the author was going to try to see how sad she could make this book, just for the sake of being sad.  I didn't dislike the book, I just wasn't wowed by it.

As far as the audiobook, the narrator did a great job bringing the story to life.

I realize I'm in the minority with this opinion but that's ok. That is the beauty of reading, we all see and feel things differently.

CUTE CUTE CUTE CUTE!

Katherine Center has found such a perfect formula for romcoms. They work exactly how you want a story like this to work. Hopeful and silly and melodramatic and filled with characters you can’t help but roll your eyes at while wishing they’d just kiss and confess their love already!

I so thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this and I would highly recommend reading the author’s note. Reading romance is fun and it feels good and there’s nothing low brow or superfluous about it.

Patti Murin is one of my favorite narrators and she filled this story with so much extra love and hope.

This review is for the audio version of Katherine Center’s “The Rom Commers.”
It seems that it would be a challenge to make a Katherine Center romance even better, but narrator Patti Murin manages just that! The author’s incredible banter between the warring Emma Wheeler and Charlie Yates is elevated further — if you’re listening, you must either be smiling or crying. We have an enemies to lovers story, but this one is unique — it’s also a defense of Rom-coms and happy endings.

Emma thinks she’s been hired to fix the script of superstar screenwriter Charlie’s first attempt at romantic comedy, after his spectacular career making movies where quotes from his films are marketed on t-shirts. But his rewrite of “It Happened One Night” (with line-dancing) is an insult to the genre and his agent, Logan, tries to get Charlie to allow Emma to be the script doctor. Charlie is all darkness and grumpiness (he thinks pessimism is a smart option) while Emma is joy, humor, and sunshine. The story is totally between them and narrator Murin brings the characters to life. I knew I’d love Center’s latest and it was such a joy to listen to the terrific audio version. 5 stars for both Katherine Center and Patti Murin!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for a free advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

"The Rom-Commers" is a delightful read set in the charming backdrop of a cozy mansion in Los Angeles. The author skillfully weaves together humor, romance, and drama, creating a captivating story that keeps you hooked till the end. The characters are endearing and relatable, adding depth to the narrative. The witty dialogue make this book a joy to read, with many laugh-out-loud moments. While some parts felt a bit predictable, overall, "The Rom-Commers" is a heartwarming and entertaining novel that is perfect for fans of romantic comedies.

🔘Screen Writers
🔘Romcom
🔘touching story

🎧Solo narration
By Patti Murin

✨Thoughts✨
After devouring the ARC of The Rom-Commers and falling head over heels for it, I simply couldn't resist diving into the audio version, and let me just say, Patti Murin's solo narration is an absolute masterpiece.

The Rom-Commers is a sweet romance that will envelop you in its love-infused tendrils, charming you with its lovable characters.

Patti Murin effortlessly breathes life into Emma and Charlie, skillfully portraying them with a range of inflections that makes every side character shine brilliantly.

If you're a romcom lover, this audiobook is an absolute must-listen. A special thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this exceptional ALC.

This book was delightful. It was funny, sweet and heart-felt. I loved every single character. I have just recently become a romance reader, and this book made me want to read more in that genre! I enjoyed all of the fun banter between the main characters. I highly recommend this book!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ALC of "The Rom-Commers" by Katherine Center.. I really liked this story, but didn't love it as much as Hello, Stranger. The storyline is a good one, but the ways Charlie talks about and to Emma were off=putting for me. It was clear he liked her but he kept treating her less-than-ideal....and she stayed. I know the money is important, but after he lit into her for the day of "the phone call" and then she goes all out with the outfit and the dinner, and then is surprised he doesn't show up -ugh! I expected more from our heroine than to stay where she was treated like that.

Oh, and there were a few straight-up "Pretty Woman" scene/interactions. 1. When Charlie doesn't know what to get her for breakfast so he ordered everything, and then she took a crossiant....exact same. Also, their contractual price negotiationm was a clear duplicate of the scene form the movie. Most people might not notice that, but it stuck out to me.

I really couldn't get into their relationship because it really wasn't one, other than the business of the writing, until the very end.

The narrator was great. It was a good story, just not great.

Emma put her own life on hold to take care of her father. But when the opportunity comes up to go to LA to help her favorite screenwriter with a new project, she can’t help but take a chance. Charlie has been one of the most successful screenwriters, but writing this rom-com is just not in his wheelhouse. After reluctantly accepting Emma’s help, the two of them fall into a routine of writing, researching scenes by experiencing them, and surprisingly enjoying each other’s company.

Katherine Center is quickly becoming a must-read for me. After The Bodyguard and Hello Stranger, I was excited to pick this one up. I mean…it’s a rom-com ABOUT A ROM-COM. What’s not to like? The audiobook in particular had me laughing out loud, and then crying, and back to laughing again. Emma and Charlie are hilarious and charming, and I could listen to narration of their “research” dates over and over…the line dancing in particular!

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

This is the first book I've read by Katherine Center, and I really enjoyed it. Emma and Charlie are loveable characters who are delightfully human (in spite of Charlie's fame). I appreciated how, in addition to romance, the book dealt with anxiety, grief and fears of the main characters. I love the setting of L.A. and incorporating some famous people as well as the film industry. The other characters such as Charlie's agent and Emma's family are loveable and well-developed. I particularly enjoyed the role of the guinea pig. The Rom-Commers has a nice dose of humor as well as hope. Love the narration by Patti Murin. Looking forward to reading more by Center. Read thanks to an eARC from NetGalley.

Katherine Center always delivers such great reads and she didn’t stop with The Rom-Commers. I loved the banter between Emma and Charlie. It took me a little while to get over all the “Charlie Yates” but it did paint the picture of how important he was to her.

Emma Wheeler has the chance to go write a screenplay with her favorite writer. As Charlie Yates says “ he doesn’t need some washed up writer.” Charlie is trying to write his first RomCom and it is horrible! Emma leaves her caretaking duties to stay with Charlie for six weeks to write a Romcom with someone that does not believe in love.
I really enjoyed the narrator. She really brought the story come to life.

The story was super cute. Katherine Center always writes sweet romances that aren’t spicy.

Thanks to Macmillan audio and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

The ROM-Commers by Katherine Center was a very cute novel. I read this book in less than two days and listened to it just as quickly.

Emma travels to Los Angeles to help a famous screen writer. Charlie, famous for his mafia movies, is trying his hand at romcoms. His current rough draft is abysmal. His only chance for redemption is Emma. However, Charlie is not looking forward to this romcom adventure, and he plans to exert minimal effort on the rewrite.

I enjoyed reading about their relationship as it unfolded. Both characters have complex issues from their past.

I really enjoyed when the characters cooked together and sat at the large writing table collaborating together. I found some of the dialog frustrating (Charlie acting like he’s not in love with Emma when clearly he is), albeit predictable.

this was a fun, quick read. I look forward to listening to the narrated version when it becomes available. The narrated version includes one of my favorite narrators, Therese Plummer….. actually, it was Patti Muran, who is also enjoy. Not sure where I got info regarding Therese Plummer.

3.75 🌟 for the book
4.50 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for audio because narration is AWESOME.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillian Audio for the advanced audio copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook so much! The narrator did a great job. Katherine Center's books always make me FEEL so many emotions. I love the development of her characters, the rawness of their feelings, the tough situations. Life happens in Katherine's books, and it can be messy but she makes it relatable. Emma's love for her family and relationship with her father touched a soft spot in my heart. This audiobook made me chuckle one moment and well up with tears the next. This was a feel good romance that I couldn't put down. Katherine Center has become one of my favorite authors and it was such a pleasure listening to this audiobook. Thank you so much to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and Katherine Center for an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐦-𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬
𝐁𝐲 𝐊𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫
𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫: 𝐒𝐭. 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧’𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝟔.𝟏𝟏.𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆𝑜𝑜𝑛!


Thank you @Macmillan.audio for the gifted audiobook.

Thank you @stmartinspress for a gifted digital arc.


I think Katherine Center has cornered the market on “feel-good romcoms,” or at least, that’s what I’m going with. Her books are always full of bright, bold emotions and characters you’d probably want to be friends with in real life.

What’s the saying? Don’t meet your heroes? Well, Emma Wheeler, a screenwriter, finally has the opportunity to meet and work with the award-winning screenwriter Charlie Yates.

Emma must re-arrange her personal life, what little she has. Besides writing, she’s been the sole caretaker to her ill father, and now she needs her sister to step up - just for six weeks while she is in LA with Charlie.

The story takes some funny turns as Emma and Charlie start working on a romantic comedy together. Charlie is a grumpy love skeptic. But Emma and Charlie have hurts, resentments, and fears that they harbor.

As sweet and humorous as this story of two writers trying to find their way is, it also has some heavy emotions. I wasn’t prepared for some of the intense family scenes, but it added so much depth to the story. And Charlie, oh Charlie, he really blossomed through all of this.

𝐹𝑢𝑛𝑛𝑦, 𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑓𝑢𝑙𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛.

Thank you Macmillion Audio for my copy! All thoughts are my own,

No one is more surprised than me that I loved this book. I really thought this author and I had parted ways after The Bodyguard, but I am back full force and obsessed. This is the kind of book you can read in a day because it’s so easy to fall into step with these characters. I loved getting a peek inside the reality of writing of Hollywood, esepcially as a woman, but also how to find yourself again after years of neglect. Emma spent more of her young adulthood caring for her father and feels like she’s missed her opportunities to further her career. On the flip side, Charlie’s career is the only thing that’s thriving and I sadly think a lot of people will feel seen by his story.

Synopsis:

What I Liked:

The Set Up—I love books about writers, from novels to TV and film. I thought this was a really fun set up because it allowed for a great use of the forced proximity/enemies to lovers/don’t meet your heroes tropes while still being swoony, fun, and a bit different.

The Banter—SO good. I didn’t love this author’s last book so I didn’t have high expectations, but I loved this one. The audio is exceptional for the banter.

The Emotional Development—Each of the main characters had a lot they needed to overcome in order to find a happily ever after. I loved their development together and separately.

What Didn’t Work for Me:

Rushed Ending—I just wanted a bit more, especially due to the news Charlie receives. But I loved getting the bonus POV from Charlie!

Character Authenticity: 4/5 Spice Rating: 0/5 Overall Rating: 4/5

Content Warnings:

cancer, divorce, brain injury, loss of a parent, ill parent

The Rom-Commers is definitely nothing like I have read before and I loved it. I enjoyed getting to see the other side of writing with this book. The Rom-Commers was written by Katherine Center and this was my first book that I have read from her. I started off reading the ARC provided by NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an honest review, but then forgot that I also requested the ALC from MacMillan Audio, so after I was about halfway through, I went back and listened to the story as well. I enjoyed both versions the same, but Patti Murin did a great job bringing this story alive.

In this book you will find a Grump MMC who is a sci-fi screen writer tasked to write a rom-com. Which he has never done before, and he is also in a writing slump. His Agent takes it upon himself to hire an unknown ghost writer to help him write. Enter the sunniest of all sunshines FMC, who puts everyone else before herself.

This was such a sweet story that I will forever recommend to any romance reader.

Tropes:
Grumpy x sunshine
Rich MMC
Forced Proximity
Anxiety Rep

Katherine Center, you've done it again! I have adored Katherine Center for awhile now, the banter is always on point, the romance adorable. This one worked on so many levels for me. It was dark and deep in parts, it was wholesome and wonderful, it was snarky and swoon-worthy. Plus, lets not even get me started on the level of googling and humor it entailed- I won't spoil any amazing jokes for you! This is how you do a modern romcom. So glad to have gotten a copy of this early from NetGalley, the audio narration was phenomenal!

Such a fun audiobook! The Rom-Commers is the story of Emma and Charlie (and their separate underlying traumas causing each to wrap themselves up in their private little cocoons) and how they open up while rewriting a terrible rom-com script. I really enjoyed the way Center wrote Emma and had her on occasion speak directly to the reader and the narrator was phenomenal. My only quibble was how fast it seemed that the two fell in love as the 6 weeks of writing wasn't clearly differentiated and it felt like days in the front end seemingly to make room for what's coming at the back end. I still thoroughly enjoyed this book and will recommend it, though with some sensitivity considering the amount of trauma and medical complications throughout. This is not a super light book. Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the early listen in exchange for my honest opinion.

So so so so cute! I really enjoyed this story! It had its heartbreaking moments but ultimately gave us the HEA we were hoping for.

I really loved the characters! Logan was the supportive scheming best friend we all need. Emma was sweet and hopeful but also down to Earth. She KNOWS the world is not full of sunshine and rainbows but chooses (most of the time) to not let it get her down. I may have said "you idiot" to Charlie a few times, but the poor guy just couldn't get out of his own way. And I loved to hate TJ with his awful nickname, dude bro attitude and sadly miscalculated confidence.

Fun story, fun characters, great banter - rom-com gold!