Ok I loved it enough to read about 70% of it in one day, BUT it had some flaws.
1. The romance happened too soon. You didn’t give me a chance to root for them or even fall in love with Jack first!
2. A pretty important piece of B’s story was revealed around 66% - would’ve liked to have known it sooner and then it was just rolled by and only mentioned one more time in the book! What?
3. While the ending was sweet, it was very unrealistic (not the romance - how the main conflict was resolved)

Buuuut I love Melissa Ferguson and her books are so cute and feel good and this one wasn’t an exception. There were just a couple wrinkles I noticed that I hoped would get ironed out before publication but seeing other people’s reviews, I don’t think they did.

Thank you NetGalley & ThOma’s Nelson for this advanced copy!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson is exactly what the title promises. It is a warm and witty romance with just the right amount of chaos. Bryony was such a relatable, lovable main character, and I enjoyed watching her stumble, sometimes literally, into the unexpected world of ghostwriting for Amelia Benedict. The premise hooked me right away with the behind-the-scenes look at the publishing world, a reluctant partnership, and a slow build of romantic tension with literary agent Jack Sterling.

Melissa Ferguson’s writing is engaging and light, which made it easy to fly through the pages. I especially enjoyed the banter and the slow development between Bryony and Jack. It was sweet without ever feeling forced. My only small wish was for more depth in Jack’s character development, as there were times I wanted more insight into his motivations.

This is the kind of rom-com that leaves you smiling and rooting for the characters until the very end. It is perfect for fans of laugh-out-loud, feel-good romances set in the book world.

This book was such a fun, easy read, but with character depth. I did feel that Bryony was a little too hard-headed at times, but overall I enjoyed all the characters’ development. The ending was also a very nice surprise.
* I received an e-ARC copy from Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson wasn’t quite what I hoped for, landing at a 2 out of 5 for me. Even though the concept—a struggling author ghostwriting bestsellers while longing to see her own book published—had plenty of promise, the actual story felt a bit flat in execution.

A major issue was the pacing. Much of the plot moved slowly, and significant events in Bryony and Jack’s relationship happened off-page, including a two-year time jump where readers miss out on seeing their friendship and potential romance actually develop. Because of that, it was hard to buy into their chemistry or feel truly invested in their relationship. When the romance finally did come together, it felt unearned and didn’t have the spark or tension I expect from a rom-com.

Most of the novel is made up of lengthy monologues from Bryony, and the story often drifts away from the main themes, making it feel drawn out and repetitive. Jack’s character, too, never quite came into focus, so I wasn’t able to connect with him or get excited about the romance between him and Bryony.

On the positive side, details about the publishing industry and the ghostwriting process were interesting and added a unique angle to the story. If you’re into clean, “closed-door” romances and want a quick, breezy read set in the book world, this might work as a palate cleanser.

Ultimately, though, the book didn’t deliver the depth, humor, or romantic development I look for in the genre and left me feeling underwhelmed.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Bryony Page has written her share of bestselling rom-coms—she just can’t tell anyone. As a ghostwriter working full-time as an ESL teacher, she’s spent years hiding behind the name of an entitled heiress. She landed this unique opportunity from the grumpy-yet-dreamy literary agent Jack Sterling at a writers conference. Her one condition is that Jack has to help her sell her own manuscript—the story of her grandmother’s ESL program that she’s hoping with help keep the organization’s doors open. What starts as a business deal soon gets complicated by success, secrets, and a chemistry neither of them can deny.

The humor in this book was top tier. Bryony had me cracking up with her unfiltered thoughts and total chaos energy, and her banter with Jack was everything. Their dynamic gave me all the slow-burn, opposites-attract goodness I love, while still keeping things clean and heartfelt. Melissa Ferguson absolutely nailed the timing and tone, making this story so much fun to read from beginning to end.

I also loved the way Melissa wove in her own ESL background—Bryony’s classroom scenes were some of my favorite moments in the book. They added heart and depth and made Bryony feel that much more real. The pacing was perfect, the chapters flew by, and by the end, I was grinning like a goof. The Perfect Rom-Com totally lived up to its name. If you love sharp wit, lovable messes, stellar side characters, and a good slow-burn romance, check this one out!

DNF’d at 25% Unfortunately this be didn’t feel like it was for me, but I know plenty others liked it! Regardless, thank you for the opportunity!

I really enjoyed this book. I had to suspend a little disbelief to enjoy it because some of the things that had to fall into place just so seemed a little too coincidental. But overall a fun read.

Bryony Page is an aspiring author and ESL teacher who’s spent years writing romance in the shadows, until a chaotic pitch session at a writers conference turns into an unexpected opportunity. When she's offered a ghostwriting job for the infamously difficult rom-com author Amelia Benedict, Bryony reluctantly accepts on one condition: her dream agent, Jack Sterling, must try to sell her book, too. What follows is a whirlwind of secret success, rising fame (for someone else), and a slow-burning attraction between a quietly brilliant writer and the man who believes in her voice, even if he doesn’t know the whole truth.

Tropes
* Ghostwriter heroine
* Grumpy/sunshine dynamic
* Workplace romance
* Hidden identity / secret success
* Found family
* Aspiring author dream arc
* Slow-burn romance
* Writer + literary agent pairing

The Perfect Rom-Com is a love letter to writers, dreamers, and anyone who’s ever felt like they’re just one break away from making it. Melissa Ferguson brings her signature warmth, humour, and heart to this charming story about an invisible author who suddenly finds herself shaping the voice of a bestselling brand, and slowly, her future. Bryony is earnest, funny, and deeply relatable, while Jack is the kind of quietly supportive love interest who doesn’t just root for your success; he helps you build it. A clean, feel-good romance with surprising depth and plenty of swoon, this is exactly the book you'd want on a cosy night in.

I love this! What a cute book about a woman fighting for herself and achieving her goals.

I don’t know that I would necessarily consider this a rom-com or a romance in general. I would definitely say this is more women’s fiction with an element of a romantic relationship. I appreciate that it’s a clean book in terms of language and is void of anything sexual in nature - the most the characters do is kiss. I can always appreciate a book like that because as a reader myself, I want to keep a log of books I would feel comfortable for my daughter to read in the future, and this is definitely one of them.

I thought this book was unique in that I’ve never read a book with a main character who is an ESL teacher, but I’m glad I’ve been introduced to that. I also loved getting sort of an “inside scoop” to the field of writing (and ghostwriting) and what it’s like to get people to pick up your book to be published.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for a review.

I loveeee when authors write stories with characters that are also authors. I think it’s hilarious and always interesting how they portray an author. I’ve only read a few Melissa Ferguson books and have enjoyed many of them. I am a sucker for a cute pink cover and it’s even better when the story is just as cute. The cozy vibes and fun characters made this the perfect fluffy romance to read over a weekend and escape reality for a little while.

💫 Book Review

The Perfect Rom-Com
By @ourfriendlyfarmhouse
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

📚 books about books
💗 Friends to lovers
🔥 Slow burn
🧍‍♂️He falls first
👻 ghostwriter
🚌 Forced proximity
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒Found family
🗣️ESL community
🌶️ no spice
I won this book in a @goodreads giveaway and brought it with me to Costa Rica! After I won the giveaway I also received a copy on netgalley to review in exchange for my honest opinion. I enjoyed the book and the slow burn romance. If you’re looking for a cute no spice romance this is a great option! Great for Courtney Walsh fans!

Thank you @netgalley @ourfriendlyfarmhouse & @thomasnelson for this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

#goodreads #giveaway #netgalley #advancedreader #giveawaywinner #theperfectromcom #melissaferguson #bookreview #fourstarbookreview #romance #momswhoread #momswhoreadromance #costarica #travel #poolreading #vacationreading

This was a fun and easy read. The characters were engaging especially at the ESL place. The author did good in depicting the emotions of the characters. I just wish there was more pages for the blossoming romance between Bryony and Jack. I enjoyed their chemistry.

Thank you netgalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

A cozy, clever rom-com with a bookish twist and a heroine you’ll root for. However, Bryony’s decisions late in the book were frustrating, though the ending redeemed her arc. The pacing also dips a bit within the book tour section.

This was a cute read! It was nice and quick but not very memorable
A good read if you’re in the mood for something cute and simple

I enjoyed this. Great story/premise. I did feel like it lost something in the jump in time early in the book. All of a sudden the main characters are friends. I did feel like there was a bit of depth of the relationship that was missing. But the storyline was fun and I liked the ending. Overall a decent book.

In this delightful, quietly powerful novel, we follow aspiring author Bryony Page as she enters the literary world through the back door—and ends up writing her way into bestseller lists without anyone knowing her name.

Bryony arrives at her first writers conference with hope in her heart and a manuscript in hand, dreaming of not just getting published but raising awareness for The Bridge, the underfunded ESL nonprofit her grandmother runs. But after a painfully awkward pitch session, her chances look slim—until she impulsively edits another writer’s work in front of a literary agent. And nails it. One spontaneous moment leads to the opportunity of a lifetime: ghostwriting for Amelia Benedict, a popular but demanding rom-com author whose success has more to do with branding than talent.

Bryony takes the deal on one condition—that the agent, Jack Sterling of the legendary Foundry Literary Agency, agrees to represent her original work as well. What follows is a whirlwind of publishing deadlines, secret authorship, and unexpected chemistry between Bryony and Jack. As Amelia Benedict becomes a household name based on Bryony’s words, the question looms larger: how long can you let someone else take credit for your voice?

This book is a warm, witty, and emotionally satisfying ride through the highs and lows of creative ambition. Bryony is an easy heroine to root for—self-effacing, quietly brilliant, and guided by an earnest sense of purpose. Her evolving relationship with Jack is both sweet and simmering, layered with real emotional stakes. And the publishing world, with all its glittering facades and backroom deals, is portrayed with just the right mix of satire and sincerity.

Romantic, relatable, and deeply satisfying, this is a story about owning your worth, finding your voice, and refusing to be sidelined—even when the world wants you to stay invisible.

I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

📖 BOOK REVIEW 📖🌸
✨ Title: The Perfect Romcom
💖 Author: [Insert Author Name]
⭐️ Rating: 5/5 (swoony) stars
💫 Genre: Romantic Comedy / Feel-Good Fiction

If I could bottle the feeling this book gave me and wear it like perfume, I would. ☁️💕 From the banter that made me laugh out loud to the slow-burn tension that had me mentally screaming “JUST KISS ALREADY!” — this was romcom perfection.

👩‍❤️‍👨 Our heroine? Relatable, witty, and just the right amount of chaotic.
👨‍🍳 The love interest? Grumpy, golden-hearted, and 100% book boyfriend material.
🌆 The setting? Cozy, cinematic, and practically begging to be turned into a Netflix Original.

This book gave me all the warm fuzzies and reminded me why I adore this genre:
✅ Friends-to-lovers
✅ Forced proximity
✅ One (1) bed trope
✅ A meddling grandma with a matchmaking agenda
✅ And an epilogue that had me SOBBING (happy tears, promise 😭💞)

📚 If you’re a fan of Emily Henry, Ali Hazelwood, or Tessa Bailey, this one deserves a top spot on your TBR!

🛒 Go grab it. Cancel your plans. Fall in love

Tone:

“Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC, the library for my physical copy NetGalley & , libro.fm for my audio copy and to the author for writing such a delightful read — this review is my honest opinion!”

first of all, thank you to netgalley, the publisher and melissa ferguson for this advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review. all opinions are mine.

for the majority of this book, i spent time wondering where the romance and comedy would come in. there was a little bit of comedy, i guess. nothing amazing, but it gave me a few laughs. the romance arrived too late for this book to be called a perfect rom-com. the development of their relationship, the actual romantic feelings are lacking because the story focused on the plot of bryony a lot--which isn't a bad thing--but is not exactly what i expected from a book supposed to be in the romance genre.

the characters were okay. there were times i was supremely frustrated with them, but i was quite excited for the book only to feel like something was missing by the end of it.

A fun read!
Intriguing characters, fun story, and more!
I do have to admit, it wasn't quite what I was expecting from the title. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but the story went in a different direction than I'd expected.
The heroine, Bryony, wants so badly to publish her manuscript. But she's not getting anywhere with it. And then.... an agent sees something in her work - and she is hired as a ghostwriter. Her novels become famous....only problem is, she's sworn to secrecy, and the person taking all the credit for her work is a mean, filthy-rich girl. Who expects everything to be done for her, and yes, she takes the credit.
Bryony agonizes over getting her own story published.
And in the meantime, builds quite the relationship with Jack.
This book is fun and funny, and if you like a story with humor, then you will want to read it!
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

I really enjoyed the playful “grumpy × sunshine” banter between Bryony and Jack, it genuinely reminded me of that cozy chemistry people rave about on booktok. I felt drawn into the publishing-world antics, though at times I wished the relationship had developed a bit earlier. The pacing occasionally drifted, making me pause, but the heartfelt warmth and witty dialogue carried me through. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s comforting—like slipping into a well-worn rom‑com. Overall, a solid 3.5 ☆: fun, comforting, and easy to enjoy, just not groundbreaking.