4/5 stars. This book took a while to get into but the last 40% was really good. The dialogue was funny, the ending was so satisfying and the romance is oddly-paced but still really cute. A sweet read

Melissa Ferguson has done it again! The Perfect Rom-Com is such a fun, feel-good read that I couldn’t help but devour it. This is the third book I’ve read by Ferguson, and let me tell you—she knows how to write charming, relatable characters and bring a fresh perspective to the world of contemporary romance.

This time, we meet Bryony Page (yes, her surname is apt), who’s desperate to get her semi-biographical book published. But it’s not just about chasing a dream; she’s determined to help fund her grandmother’s community centre for refugees. Unfortunately, literary agent extraordinaire Jack Sterling isn’t impressed with her manuscript. Instead of giving up, Bryony takes a leap and accepts Jack’s offer to ghostwrite a romance novel for Amelia Benedict, a rising star with more celebrity sparkle than actual substance.

Right from the start, I was rooting for Bryony. How many of us have had that moment where we dig deep, find a sliver of self-belief, and use it to turn things around? That’s exactly what Bryony does, and it’s impossible not to cheer her on. Sure, I wasn't convinced her genre-soup draft was ready for the world, but I was rooting for her.

Now, let’s talk about Jack. I liked him straightaway. My first impression was that he was smart, straightforward (more on that later) and funny. As their working relationship deepened, it was lovely to see his admiration for Bryony grow into something much more. Their dynamic felt natural and earned, which made their romance all the sweeter.

The supporting cast also shines—or, in Amelia’s case, shines in a very maddening way. Amelia is vapid and villainous, and she made me think a lot about what we actually expect from writers these days. It’s not just about the writing anymore; we’re drawn to the celebrity, the glossy image, and the “brand.” The contrast between Amelia’s superficial appeal and Bryony’s earnestness couldn’t have been clearer, and it gave the story some great depth.

Now, for the third act drama. Without giving too much away, I found myself a little blindsided by Jack’s behaviour. It felt off for someone so level-headed, and while everything gets resolved in the end, the reason behind it didn’t entirely click for me. Also, Bryony’s inability to see what her first book needed felt a little odd, given her experience and the advice she gets from others. It didn’t ruin the story for me, but it left me wishing that part had been a bit stronger.

Overall, The Perfect Rom-Com is pretty close to what the title promises—fun, light, and full of heart. It’s low-spice, so perfect for readers who like their romance sweet and clean. It’s also a quick read, perfect for a weekend escape. Melissa Ferguson’s writing is so enjoyable, and I'm looking forward to seeing what she comes up with next.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley, and all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

"The Perfect Romcom" by Malissa Ferguson is a delightful read that deserves four stars. The storyline is charmingly crafted, following two lovable protagonists as they navigate the complexities of love and friendship. The characters are well-developed, and their chemistry leaps off the pages, drawing readers into their romantic escapades.

Ferguson's writing style is light-hearted and witty, capturing the essence of a classic romantic comedy with a modern twist. The pacing is just right, keeping readers engaged without feeling rushed. The humor is cleverly woven into the narrative, providing laugh-out-loud moments that balance the more emotional scenes beautifully.

While the plot is somewhat predictable, it doesn’t detract from the enjoyment, as Ferguson has a knack for infusing warmth and authenticity into even the most clichéd scenarios. The settings are vividly described, adding an extra layer of immersion into the romantic escapades of the protagonists.

Overall, "The Perfect Romcom" is a joyous read that any fan of the genre will appreciate. It may not break new ground, but its heart and humor make it a worthwhile pick for those seeking a feel-good love story to escape into.

Bryony Page wants nothing more than to publish her novel. However, after meeting literary agent, Jack Sterling, at a writing conference, Bryony has now found herself in a never ending loop of ghostwriting rom-com's for Amelia Benedict. With her grandmother’s ESL teaching non-profit in jeopardy though, it’s more important now than it ever was for Bryony to finally strike out on her own.

First off, this book was really daggum funny. I guess one of the perks of the main character of a book being a writer is that said character is bound to have a very vivid vocabulary. I mean, it's not every day that you hear someone described as "the most eremitic, vainglorious and least desirable agent of all time." Additionally, the animosity that bounces between Bryony and Amelia is absolutely hilarious, and it had me laughing out loud at several points.

The charm of this book isn't only in its humor. It's in its characters too. Bryony's sister, Gloria, is the perfect over-the-top hype-woman (which also lends to some of the novel's hilarity). Bryony's many ESL students that appear throughout the book lend to the heart-string-pulling element of the book and really help to showcase Bryony's passion for The Bridge. Of all of the characters in this book, though, I had my biggest issues with Jack. Jack felt somewhat one-dimensional. It just felt like his characterization didn't go much further than being a stellar literary agent and absolutely in love with Bryony. That being said, Jack was a very sweet character and I found myself saying, "AWWWWWWW," more than once while reading this book.

Overall, The Perfect Rom-Com was such a fun and cute little read that’s releasing just in time for Valentine’s Day!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Eeeeeeeh! I wanted to squeal like a schoolgirl on a plane reading this one. It is so cute! And although there is a great romance here, this is also more about identity, personal growth, and living out your purpose. The funny conversations with characters learning English peppered throughout we're just the sprinkles on top of a perfectly iced cupcake. This book was a delight.

Content Note: Parental death (past)

Thanks to Thomas Nelson for the gifted title. All opinions are my own.

I really wanted to love The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson—who doesn’t adore a story about writers, quirky romance, and hidden talents finally getting their due? But while the premise had so much potential, the execution fell flat for me.

Bryony Page’s journey from hopeful author to ghostwriting superstar felt riddled with clichés, and her relationship with Jack Sterling lacked the spark I expect in a romantic comedy. Jack’s personality was underdeveloped, leaving their supposed chemistry feeling forced. Instead of rooting for their love story, I kept waiting for something deeper or more believable to emerge—but it never quite did.

While the book had some laugh-out-loud moments and a sweet message about finding your own voice, the pacing dragged, and Bryony’s constant martyrdom became exhausting. If you’re a fan of behind-the-scenes publishing drama, you might enjoy it more than I did, but this one just didn’t hit the mark for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What’s inside?:
Workplace Romance
Opposites Attract
Forced Proximity
Slow Burn
No spice

Despite the name of the book being The Perfect Rom-Com, there was very little romance inside. The romance really took a back seat and is secondary to following Bryony Page and her journey as an aspiring writer who is simultaneously trying to save the non-profit, ESL school she works at called The Bridge.

Bryony is fiercely loyal to her family, both biological and found family, at The Bridge. She has written a manuscript about her Gran, who founded The Bridge, and the incredible work they do there. In an effort to get her manuscript picked up, she finds herself represented by hot shot literary agent, Jack Sterling. But Bryony isn’t writing books for herself. She is a ghostwriter for another popular author and absolute nepo-baby, Amelia Benedict. This is supposed to be a short term, one time thing. But then two years has gone by and she has found herself to be too important to lose as a ghostwriter.

I enjoyed rooting for Bryony as she slowly descended into madness while dealing with the endlessly infuriating Amelia. Amelia wants to keep the books light and fluffy, whilst Bryony wants there to be meaning and substance to the work. This keeps them at odds with one another.

And then there is Jack. Who is…there. There really isn’t much to say about him beyond he is an agent and he is in love with Bryony.
We don’t know much more than that. He comes across a bit flat as the love interest as their past history is talked about, but not shown. We don’t really get to see their connection developing. They meet, then there is a two year time jump where their co-dependent best friendship slash work relationship has already occurred. It’s a personal bone to pick in stories for me. I prefer showing to telling. My final thought on Jack was that he felt rather manipulative of Bryony, and others, throughout the story. His “apology” at the end absolutely did not make up for the lies and manipulation.

I did enjoy getting a front seat to the behind the scenes, red tape, and struggles of traditional book publishing. But found the ending to be very chaotic and unrealistic. No way they all walk out of that situation without being sued.

I’ve enjoyed books from Melissa Ferguson in the past. And while I enjoy her overall writing style, the pacing and characters meant this one just wasn’t for me.

Thank you Net Galley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for providing me with a copy of The Perfect Romcom to read and provide my honest review. I’ve been really looking forward to reading this book after reading Melissa Ferguson’s previous novel Meet Me in the Margins, and I did enjoy The Perfect Romcom. I love the fact that Melissa Ferguson features writing and publishing in her novels. There’s just something extra special about reading books about people that love books as much as you.

The Perfect Romcom was both heartfelt and lighthearted. I adored the concept of The Bridge and the wholesome bonds formed between the people learning English and Bryony (and Jack). Bryony and Jack had such a sweet relationship and I wish we hadn’t had that 2 year time jump, so we could have seen their bond form. It was nice getting some context to what they had been up to after the fact, but I wish we could’ve been in the moment with them as it happened; their romance would’ve been all the more sweet. Jack and Bryony’s relationship felt easy and they had great communication and banter; there were moments when I actually laughed out loud.

Bryony’s inner monologue was really charming and relatable. I adored how devoted Jack was to Bryony. This story did not really go the way I thought it would, so the unpredictability was a pleasant surprise. Although called The Perfect Romcom, the romance felt more like subplot, but that didn’t really bother me that much because I found the rest of the story funny, enjoyable, and entertaining!

I’m not even sure exactly where to start with this book. The first 10% had me curious and then we skipped two years which would’ve been pivotal to understanding the relationship between Jack and Byrony. Skipping the part of how they got to be friends made zero sense and honestly it would’ve made a better romance. Speaking of that, why was this marketed as a romance? There was literally no romance for the first 50% except when they discuss her long distance boyfriend who she hasn’t seen in two years and it was pretty much just saying his name. Byrony thought she knew everything when she quite literally knew nothing. Jack was such a one dimensional character that I couldn’t even remember his name when I was almost done with the book. The romance took up about 5% of the book. And honestly half the time I felt confused on what was going on even though I was taking my time reading it. I think there was just way too many words.

The Perfect Rom Com by Melissa Ferguson

Publication Date: 11th February 2025

Thank you to @netgalley and @thomasnelson for the complementary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Perfect Rom-Com follows the story of Bryony Page, an ESL teacher at The Bridge, a centre set up by her grandmother that is now facing financial difficulties.

Bryony is an aspiring author who has written a manuscript for a book that means a lot to her, a story raising awareness for The Bridge.

Bryony attends a writers conference where she pitches her story to literary agents, hoping that the final one will give her a chance.

Literary agent Jack Sterling is very dismissive of Bryony’s manuscript but is interested in her thoughts on another author he represents, Amelia Benedict’s upcoming romance novel.

Jack gives Bryony the opportunity to become a ghostwriter for Amelia so she agrees on the condition that Jack helps to sell her story about The Bridge.

I loved Bryony’s dedication to help her family, never backing down and pushing for her voice to be heard. I was routing for her to get her name on her own book cover.

I really disliked Amelia’s character. She was very demanding and shallow but that shows how well the character was written and I loved the way her true colours were finally shown in the end.

This book genuinely made me laugh and I loved the relationship and banter between Bryony and Jack.

I recommend reading this book when it is published if you enjoy:
- he falls first
- books about books
- friends to lovers

Read this if you love:
⭐ friends to lovers
🧼 clean romance
🎬 the movie Two Weeks Notice

For years, Bryony Page has been ghostwriting for the prolific yet conceited rom-com “novelist” Amelia Benedict. She made a deal with her agent, Jack Sterling—Bryony will continue to ghostwrite if Jack promises to sell her original novel, The Bridge. Bryony needs the cash from the sale to save her grandmother’s ESL center. After a publicity disaster, Bryony is forced to go on a book tour with Amelia and Jack. Chaos abounds in the close quarters of the tour bus.

This was the perfect vacation read—it has compelling characters, funny dialogue, a quirky sense of voice, and was easy to get through. I read the majority of The Perfect Rom-Com on Thanksgiving Day. This is my second novel of Melissa Ferguson’s, so I can’t wait to read her backlist.

Bryony and Jack’s relationship is the crux of this story. If you like the relationship in the Sandra Bullock rom-com Two Weeks Notice, you’ll LOVE them. It’s very much a “just kiss already!” dynamic. I can see how some reviewers might find them annoying, but I personally felt they were well-suited. Their dialogue made me cackle. The agent x writer dynamic added another layer to the story. Books set in the publishing industry are usually a win for me.

As well, I loved how much Bryony cared for the mission of her grandmother’s ESL center and her students. It brought a needed Found Family element to the story. Melissa Ferguson includes interesting details about side characters that make them feel well-rounded.

I am giving this 4 stars instead of 5 for a couple reasons. First, this novel has a slow start; I didn’t get invested until 20% in. Second, some of the plot points were outlandish, though I ultimately decided to embrace the rom-comminess of it all.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

3.75 stars!

The Perfect Rom-Com was the second book by Melissa Ferguson - my first being How to Plot a Payback and I enjoyed this one just as much!

Rather than centering on the romance, the story takes a refreshing turn by focusing on the protagonist’s personal growth—her journey through life, coming-of-age, and self-realization. So, it might be better described as a chick lit rather than a typical romance.

This read was heartwarming, engaging, and full of charm!

I know including the topes, especially when it comes to contemporary romance books (including myself) find them very helpful.
So here are some of them:

-Workplace romance
- Forced proximity
- Literary agent
- Friends to lovers
- Ghost writer
- He falls first

I will definitely check out this author's other works more regularly!

The perfect rom rom

I got the privilege to read advanced copy to this book. All these opinions are my own. Thank you @netgallay and Thomas Nelson Fiction for ARC copy of the book.
Pub date is February 11th!!
I started this book earlier, but didn’t focus it until recently. Some books are starting slow but actually they’re great books and take you with them that you just need to read whole book in one sitting. And that’s what happened here.
There were funny different characters in the book and those made the book so funny! The plot was well written, not really knowing how things gonna go! So refreshing ✨
Overall I enjoyed the book!
4/5

This was a beautiful plot overall. However, I found the story to be very slow. It did not catch my attention until 50%. The ending was amazing.

This was a great quick read and palette cleanser in between some heavier books. I really enjoyed the characters however this book seemed more like contemporary fiction than a rom-com.

Read this book for:
✏️Workplace romance
✏️Author x Agent
✏️Forced proximity
✏️Slowburn

Synopsis
An ESL teacher during the day and a ghostwriter at night.

Bryony Page has one goal in mind when she attends her first writers' conference: to sell her manuscript and raise awareness for her grandmother’s nonprofit. But after a disastrous pitch of her manuscript, her dreams of becoming a published author seem crushed. Until she gets to her last meeting of the conference with a literary agent, Jack Sterling, changes everything. When she unknowingly impresses him by correcting another author’s manuscript, Bryony is offered a chance to ghostwrite for the celebrated rom-com novelist, Amelia Benedict.

What starts as a mutually beneficial arrangement, Bryony ghostwrites while Jack works to sell her manuscript, turns into an unexpected success as Amelia’s career skyrockets, thanks to Bryony’s ghostwriting. But as the world falls in love with Amelia’s books, Bryony’s writing success remains hidden. Jack finds himself growing closer to Bryony. As Bryony balances her secret life as a bestselling ghostwriter with her dreams of making it on her own, she must decide if she can continue to live in the shadows of Amelia or if it’s time to step into the spotlight and if Jack is the man who will help her get there.

My Thoughts
This was the first book I have read that was written by Melissa Ferguson.
Overall, I enjoyed the storyline. However, I felt that the characters—especially Jack—lacked depth. I didn’t really get to know him beyond a few cute gestures and his manipulative behavior. His character could have been developed more, as it left me feeling like there was something missing in terms of emotional connection and understanding of his motivations.

Additionally, the first two years of their “friendship” after their agreement were skipped over, and I felt that this was a key period for providing more background on both of them and the initial dynamics of their relationship. The same goes for Bryony’s long-distance relationship. It’s briefly mentioned during the breakup, but we don’t get much insight into it otherwise. More exploration of this relationship could have added some emotional complexity to Bryony’s personal journey.

While the book primarily focuses on Bryony's personal development and the mission to save The Bridge, which is enjoyable, the title of the book suggests a rom-com vibe. As a result, I was expecting a more typical romantic comedy storyline, rather than a journey of self-love. It would have been nice to see a stronger balance between the romance and the personal growth themes.

That said, I absolutely loved Gloria and her motivational pep talks, as well as the heartfelt relationship Bryony shares with her grandmother and the students at The Bridge. These elements added warmth and depth to the story, providing a strong emotional core. I also really appreciated the plot twist surrounding the publishing industry—what happens behind the scenes in the literary world was an intriguing and unexpected angle.

I received an e-ARC from NetGalley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. Bryony is an aspiring author who starts ghostwriting for a best-selling celebrity author. Jack is her agent and friend and has to manage keeping Bryony motivated to ghostwrite for his A-list client while also supporting her own goals to publish a novel that is dear to her. This convoluted situation results in a cute romance with fun side characters, some commentary on "the perfect rom-com," and an inside look at the publishing world. Although I enjoyed the book, I thought their chemistry was lacking and would have liked a little more 🌶️... as in: any.

The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson was an absolute hoot from the start. At first, I was stunned a bit silent by her "chatterbox" style of writing. But then I found myself engaged and laughing out loud with a few gasps of surprise throughout the storyline. It truly was a pleasure to read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions expressed are completely my own.

The Perfect Rom-Com is a delightful and heartwarming romance novel that celebrates the power of perseverance and the magic of storytelling. Bryony, an aspiring author, finds herself in an unexpected partnership with the renowned literary agent, Jack Sterling. As they navigate the challenges of the publishing world, a budding romance begins to blossom.

Ferguson’s witty banter and charming characters make this book a delightful read. The author skillfully balances the romantic tension with the complexities of the publishing industry, creating a well-rounded and engaging story. The supporting characters, particularly Bryony’s grandmother and her students, add depth and heart to the narrative.

While the plot may be somewhat predictable at times, the author’s ability to craft believable and relatable characters keeps the story fresh and engaging. The book’s exploration of themes such as friendship, ambition, and the pursuit of dreams is both heartwarming and inspiring.

I loved everything about this book. It’s possible this is my new *favorite* by Ferguson. I loved the way the two main characters banter, support, and challenge each other. I love that Bryony really has to step out of her comfort zone to find who she really is and doesn’t take no for an answer. I loved that Jack, her agent, is patient and gentle. I loved this and will definitely be recommending personally and professionally!