Katherine Center is a great writer. I have read all of her books and was highly anticipating this one - that said, I did not swoon over this love story. Emma was a failed screenwriter who never left her home to pursue her career because she was her father's caregiver. I thought that storyline was very relatable and it made me really like Emma as a character. I loved her relationship with her father and I sympathized with the guilt she felt as his caretaker. She was given an opportunity to co-write a screenplay with her favorite screenwriter which seemed farfetched but I still went with the concept. However, the screenwriter, Charlie was the absolute worst. She overheard him saying disparaging things about her THREE separate times and he never seemed to even apologize for it. I honestly do not see how she fell in love with him. I certainly didn't. He was always so grumpy and mean. She ended up begging him to love her several times which was not very empowering or romantic. However, I will say that I was very entertained the entire book. I loved the secondary storyline. The writing was engaging and it was definitely a page-turner. I just did not care for the love story.

5/5 Stars!!! Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this audiobook of The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center narrated by Patti Murin (and Katherine Center).

Katherine has done it again!!! I fell in love with her after reading "Learning to walk away". I was so excited and dropped everything when I got the approval to listen to her upcoming release. The audiobook was FANTASTIC. Patti Murin was just the perfect narrator for this book. I'm typically spoiled with multiple narrators but she definitely delivered!

The characters were great in the story and Katherine just knows how to tug my heart and find ways of connecting with her audience. I love the banter that Emma and Charlie have with each other and the ending was just...so heartwarming. I always feel so much love after reading Katherine's book. What I really love the most is how she intertwines her other characters in the story because who can forget Jack Stapleton from The Bodyguard?! haha.

Anyways, Katherine is just fantastic and she got my dang heart again. Love love love this book! (Her covers are definitely different from what I've seen before and I really like it.) LOVE! 5 stars all around.

Gosh do I love Katherine Center, I was excited to be sucked right into the newest book. Emma takes care of her father who’s long suffered complications from a TBI and I once again admire KC’s ability to delve into her subject matter with research and knowledge that comes through in her pages. Emma gets a break, to help a famous screenwriter (Charlie) get his romantic comedy on its feet since it’s abysmal.

The characters were easy enough to like, the story was intriguing enough to follow but I couldn’t help but feel like we didn’t get to see enough of Charlie’s background so I felt I had unanswered questions. However, in true KC form, I laughed out loud and I cried (twice) when she puts her touches on their family at the end.

I loved the audiobook, the narrator did a fantastic job once again.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. Publication date set for June 11 2024

I had just recently listened to "The Bodyguard" by Katherine Center, so this was a fun follow up to listen to. I loved the Jack/Meryl Steep references throughout! These are really fun to listen to on audio, narrator is great.

Center really connects you to her characters with vivid detail. I was cringing for Emma at some of her situations throughout the book. Charlie annoyed me a bit in the book, but the bonus epilogue helped make him more relatable.

Not a spicy book, so it's great for those who want to avoid that.

Not off to go find other Katerine Center books..... :)

Big thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Katherine Center is one of my auto-buy authors for a reason. Every single one of her books leaves me with the BIGGEST smile on my face, and The Rom-Commers does not disappoint. I'm not sure I could choose a favorite, but this one is definitely near the top of the list.

Emma has always longed to be a screenwriter, but when the accident that killed her mother leaves her father partially paralyzed, she becomes his full-time caregiver. She idolizes Charlie Yates, one of the best and most prolific screenwriters of the day, and when her agent arranges for her to help ghost-write a romantic comedy screenplay with the legend, she can't believe it. Her younger sister practically forces her to go, promising to take care of their father while she's gone. The only problem is that when Emma shows up on his doorstep, Charlie had no idea she was coming, and he hadn't agreed to the collaboration. However--after listening to her extensive critique of his current dumpster fire of a draft, he agrees to let her help him out. Their cohabitation and collaboration leads to the development of feelings, and you can't help but root for them. Of course it can't be a smooth ride because that wouldn't be nearly so interesting--but you'll have to pick the book up to find out what happens to keep them apart and also what ultimately brings them back together. I promise you, it's worth it.

I listened to the last hour or so of the audiobook as I was walking my dog, and I'm glad I didn't encounter anyone else on the trail because I was both laughing out loud and crying big fat tears. Center's writing is heartfelt and earnest, swoony yet honest and real. This is the perfect summer read--whether you're relaxing on a sunny beach or walking your dog on a trail in the rain (like I did)

The audiobook is fantastic--the narrator, Patti Murin, delivers a wonderful, engaging performance. Her skills at voicing both male and female characters is incredible, and it's easy to get lost in the story when she's the one bringing it to life.

If you've never read or watched a rom-com, this book will transform you from a newbie status to advanced rom-commer!

Katherine has blown me away again! Not much more to say apart from 5 amazing stars!

I was in a mood for a light book and knew from past experience that Katherine Center’s would fit the bill. As it happens, the title The Rom-Commers, was sitting on my review stack AND I was approved for the ALC from Macmillan Audio. That’s an embarrassment of riches!

Go ahead and read the publisher’s synopsis. I just want to give my brief take. I really enjoyed it. The MCs were likable. They grabbed my heart early on and had me invested in their HEA. The true joy for me was how Center got them there. I appreciated the depth given them and I loved the supporting characters.

If you prefer audio to print you can’t go wrong with Patti Murin’s narration. An unexpected bonus is an extra chapter read by Center. Plus she read her Acknowledgments which includes credit to her publishing crew as well as sources for various plot themes.

WOW! Katherine Center is proving to be one of my favorite authors! I loved everything about this book! It combined all the great elements of a perfect rom-com! Thank you so much for the ARC of this book! Can’t wait for her next book!

OMG!! This is my first Katherine Center novel and it will not be the last!!!
5 Star read for sure!!

To start: I mean the story was so much fun. The characters were so 3 dimensional and I was rooting and hating them at the same time. I don't know if it's because I haven't read a good romance book in a while but this one just really hit.

I love the writing style of this book as well. One thing I hate is when info is dumped in the beginning. You know when they go ‘My name is Rachel and my brother Micheal and I are asking for bread because we're orphans’ as like the first sentence and you're like woah. But with this I learned about the characters as I was listening and everything I learned just painted a clearer picture of them. Every new piece of information felt earned. So did the relationship and the plot.

The narration!! Oh man! I loved this narrator. She made it feel so natural. I felt like I was hearing a real person's inner dialogue. This never felt like I was listening to someone read a book. She was so emphatic and she had such a great tone of voice for each part. I just can't believe how good this all came together.

Lastly, Katherine Center I love you! There was a little message at the end by Katherine where she talks about romance and romance books and her love/ rallying cry of how this genre is so much more than what it's painted to be. And that deserves its own 5 stars by itself. I hate how shamed people are for reading and liking romance. (It's a men centered world and anything woman likes is considered stupid and less than) This reminded me that just because something might be seen as girlish its value is not diminished.

Just a complete love for this book and for how it made me feel.
*Also i did cry

This audiobook of "The Rom-Commers" is everything you want in a romantic comedy. The narration is well done and the character development is great throughout the book. The 2 main characters Emma and Charlie have laugh out loud moments as well as very cringy moments. I liked how both are screen writers and working on a project together. This one has forced proximity, misunderstandings and a meddling friend that bring them all together.

Emma's family moments are also sweet as well. I really enjoyed this book and the bonus scene at the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the chance to listen to this audiobook ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

“Happiness is always better with a little bit of sadness.”

Adorable and perfect…just like I would expect Katherine Center’s latest book to be.

I loved Charlie and Emma. I loved how you get what you wish for in this book but along the way you still face trials and tribulations like real life has a way of throwing at you. I loved how I started questioning what I thought I wanted for them and how it all ended up perfect for them in a way I didn’t know I should hope for.

The author’s note makes me love Katherine Center even more…and you’re a curly girl too?! Can we be friends?!

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of the audiobook.

4.5 ⭐️
Wow. Okay. This book blew me away and I was not expecting to be so swept off my feet! A rom-com that really makes you feel all your feelings, has a deep and profound plot, believable characters that you are rooting for every step of the way, plot twists, a realistic but overall happy ending… this had it all for me.

I love a good rom com as much as the next guy but this was something else, something bigger. I wasn’t expecting to cry (multiple times), gasp audibly, and have so many “aww” moments but this book grabbed me and didn’t let go.

Immediately recommending this to pretty much everyone I know, both fans of romantic comedies and cynics and everyone in between.

Plot: Emma is an aspiring screenwriter with a passion for rom coms, who thinks her time to shine might have passed, as she’s been a medical caretaker for her father for the last 10 years. Meet Charlie - an insanely famous screenwriter who writes everything from sci-fi to westerns to mafia movies - a real “guys guy” in the Hollywood scene. His next challenge- to write a rom com - but he doesn’t believe in love…it’s only in exchange for getting his next big screenplay greenlit. Emma is hired to ghost re-write his apocalyptically terrible rom com - but can she get the plot to a better place - and maybe even help Charlie believe in love in the process?

Katherine Center's "The Rom-Commers" is a delightful and heartwarming novel that effortlessly captures the essence of love, friendship, and self-discovery. The book immediately draws the reader in from page one. In the realm of contemporary romance and women's fiction, Katherine Center's "The Rom-Commers" emerges as a delightful beacon, shining brightly with its wit, warmth, and heartfelt storytelling. This book not only meets but exceeds expectations, especially within a genre that thrives on the delicate balance between humor and emotion. It is a narrative that's as engaging as it is uplifting. Center's writing is effortlessly charming and it's not just her ability to make readers laugh out loud or its skillful play on rom-com tropes; it's Center's exploration of love, resilience, and the journey towards self-discovery that truly resonates. This is a book that not only entertains but also resonates, leaving readers with a lingering warmth and a renewed belief in the power of love. Center has once again proven herself to be a masterful storyteller, and "The Rom-Commers" is a must-read for fans of romantic comedies and heartfelt narratives alike. I highly recommend you add this book to your TBR pile.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an early listen of this book. All thoughts are my own, I do not accept money for reviews.

I did not expect to love this book as much as I did. This book took me through all the emotions; I felt hurt when Emma felt hurt, I almost cried so many times, I felt the optimism and happiness. This is one of those books where the author is so good at conveying the emotions and you feel like you are right there with the characters experiencing everything they are when things happen. Good, happy things, or devastating, sad things, I felt every single emotion.

What makes this book just fantastic for me is how real Emma is. She does stupid things that made me want to yell at her. She gets in arguments where she knows she's wrong, but doesn't back down. She does embarrassing things that made me feel like crawling under a rock. It's rare that I feel this much with a character, but even more in an audiobook.

This book and characters had my so hooked. I download these to listen to when I'm working on art projects, but I found myself playing this when I had any free time because I was so invested in what was happening. I feel like Katherine Center is a fantastic audiobook book author.

This story is classic Katherine Center, however the romance is way more prominent. There is more mention of sex and innuendo than her others IMO, (take that as you will). The narrator did a fantastic job and I really enjoyed hearing her!

Emma and Charlie’s story was filled with everything a good love story needs. The way they brought out the best in each other, loved each other unconditionally, and helped each other through the hardest times was everything I could expect and more. I loved the journey of them writing a screenplay together and going on dates for “research”. This story gave me butterflies and had me blushing. Loved that it was closed door too! I will definitely be reading more from Katherine Center.

I love all of Katherine Center's books and this was no exception! There was wonderful banter and real characters. The story moved along at a decent pace and I was satisfied with the ending.

Katherine Center has done it again! The witty banter and the hilarious jokes had me giggling throughout. In her author’s note, she described it as a “hopeful story about human connection” which is completely spot on. I absolutely loved the concept of writing a rom-com screenplay but playing out their own rom-com story within it. The book really hit its stride for me halfway through. I loved all the life lessons and tidbits of wisdom, it was all so genuine and thought-provoking.

The narration by Patti Murin was top notch. She can easily switch between characters, and really brings out the emotion in the story with her inflections. I would definitely recommend this book on audio, as it brings the story to life so well!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the audio ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.

What a fun read! Katherine Canter can do no wrong and in her stance to make romance novels as important as any other novel, she churns out a masterpiece. Her author's note at the end really got me. As an avid romance reader, she goes on to talk about how important these stories are in making people happy- and isn't that the whole point of life, to me happy?! Well you did it, I smiled through almost the entirety of this book.

Charlie and Emma are the quintessential grumpy x sunshine coupling and damn if i don't eat that shit up. They each come with their own baggage, which makes them so relatable. The way these two come together and build a life without initially meaning to is so charming and enchanting.

Katherine Center can do no wrong and this one is proof of that. The Rom-Commers hits shelves June 11th so mark your calendars to grab this one!

Special thanks to @NetGalley and @MacMillanAudio for the advanced copy, this one deserves the hype and I’m so lucky to have gotten an early listen!

I LOVED this book. It was fun and quirky and exactly what I expected from Katherine Center. If you liked Hello Stranger, you will love this. I laughed out loud a few times especially during the end. It was fun and believable and I was rooting for the leads! Will definitely recommend.