I was up till 2am this morning to finish this one. It was amazing!! Such a special romance. I also loved this author’s previous work, Famous for a Living. This one though, it had so much heart. Bryony teaches English at The Bridge, her grandmother’s creation that provides ESL classes for immigrants having to start anew for a chance at a better life. However, it’s struggling to keep its doors open & Bryony hopes to land an agent at a writer’s conference that can help her get her book, all about The Bridge, published so that the proceeds can help save it. But at that conference Bryony draws the short straw and is left with none other than the notoriously picky Jack Sterling. He’s not interested in her idea but, she may be able to get her foot in the door if she’s willing to ghostwrite for one of his author’s. What transpires is a 2 year working relationship with Jack that’s teetering on something more. She’s not any closer to publishing her book, especially when she can’t reveal all her success in writing for best selling romcom author (thanks to Bryony), Amelia Benedict. When will Bryony get her break? The Bridge doesn’t have much longer and she needs to make something happen. What she needs is a miracle. But in a romcom, we all know anything is possible. Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction & NetGalley for this eARC. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I think it’s fun to enter into the author’s mind and see their take on what the writer’s journey may actually look like. In this case, we are introduced to Bryony, a neurotic ESL teacher & author who is hoping that her first pitch is finally going to be picked up. This pitch is essential for saving The Bridge Refugee and Immigration Services, so when she keeps getting rejected at the Writers Conference, Bryony reaches for her last chance and seems to fall short when dealing with agent Jack Sterling. However, with her parting comments, Jack notices Bryony’s way with words and this interaction translates into a ghostwriting partnership.

I know absolutely nothing about ghostwriting, but if the relationship between an author and the ghostwriter is anything like it’s portrayed in this novel, that sounds absolutely miserable. It’s only the strong friendship, aka one sided relationship, between Bryony and Jack and the hope that Bryony’s initial manuscript might still be published that is making all of this worthwhile.

As always, the course of romance novels doesn’t run smoothly, but the uniqueness of the conflict in this one is too interesting to spoil - enjoy reading it yourself!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy!

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are mine.

This book is so perfect for fans of slow burn as it really took a minute to really get into. The book follows Bryony an aspiring author who initially is not having any luck pitching her book but that changes when her persistence leads her to editing someone else's work . Based on her track record it’s suprising that her edits make the author successful . It was overally a read but felt like the romance could have been a little more banter filled

Bryony Page is an aspiring writer who is offered a job as a ghostwriter for Amelia Benedict, a rom-com novelist. Bryony agrees under the condition that the literary agent, Jack Sterling, will try and sell her books as well. But nobody could predict that Brian’s books would turn Amelia from popular, to best-selling author with millions of copies sold. Now the agency cannot let her go and Jack realizes he does not want to for personal reasons.

Why Kirsten loves it
Melissa Ferguson always writes the most swoon-worthy, clean romances! Jack has all the green flags, but perhaps the best part of the novel is the contemptuous relationship between Bryony and Amelia. It had me giggling more than once.

OK. Wow.

This is my absolutely FAVORITE Melissa Ferguson book......ever. This was SO GOOD.

I loved the story - it felt unique and fresh. I also LOVED the love story. I loved how it wasn't your run of the mill story and our characters were so perfectly flawed, but also perfect for eachother.

I was so excited to read this book based off the synopsis but unfortunately the actual book was very different than the summary. I found it a little odd that the majority of the interactions between the main characters happened between the intro chapter and then the jump ahead to years later that followed. why weren't we included in that? I don't know, but unfortunately it had me feeling like I was the third wheel with friends where everything is an inside joke to them that they don't want to explain. unfortunately this one wasn't for me

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson Fiction, and Melissa Ferguson for the advanced copy of The Perfect Rom-Com!

This book was unexpected. It was one of those where you don't think you're going to like it but then you can't stop reading and suddenly you've finished it in a matter of hours? I was skeptical of Byrony's dream and how being an author (especially a first book) would financially save The Bridge, but Ferguson made it work in a feasible way. The friends-to-lovers relationship between Byrony and Jack was incredible, and the "I've been dating you this whole time" just. UGH. The end was interesting. If we learn anything, it's that Jack's a scrappy dude.

I didn’t really care for this one.
I liked the premise and Bryony’s temerity but I found the book was muddled.
I found it difficult to focus because of all the internal dialogue that was going on inside of Bryon’s head.
I also didn’t like Jack. Their relationship seemed forced and like an afterthought.

thank you so much to netgalley for the arc of the perfect rom-com! this book was a good lighthearted fluffy read which i enjoyed, however it fell very flat in the romance aspect for me. i felt that all of the groundwork and romance between jack and bryony was told in the book and not shown, we didn’t get to see any build up to it. all of it felt pre-established which i didn’t love, i wanted to see more of them falling for each other than having it be already the two of them with feelings. i really wish the author took the time to show us jack falling for bryony first, i love the trope when the guy falls first and not getting to see any of that in this book was disappointing. personally this book felt like it should be categorised as women’s fiction instead of romance, i felt that the romance was a sub plot of the book while the main focus was on bryony and her career. i love a story focused on a strong woman fighting for her dreams, however i went into this expecting the perfect rom-com book and was disappointed that wasn’t at all what the story was. i felt more romance when bryony was talking about the books she was writing than i did between her and jack. i also did not love the third act breakup nor the reasoning behind it. however if you are looking for a light read about a strong woman fighting for what she loves and believes in then i would recommend this book.

The Perfect Rom-Com is the first book I have read by author Melissa Ferguson. As soon as I began the book, I realized that the title didn't describe the genre of the book but reflected the publishing world and the goal of numerous authors. It was easy to read and what held my interest was the main character, Bryony Page. She is dedicated to getting her first book published not to become a famous writer but to save her grandmother's legacy. She is relatable because, like many of us, she becomes deaf to suggestions on how to improve her work. Her growth as a person drives the story and I was really happy as she learned to put away the self-doubts and find her voice. Jack, her agent, was such a rock for Bryony in ways she never saw but secrecy and closed door moves almost caused him to lose her professionally and personally.
I loved the ending and yes, it was a bit over the top but perfect in my opinion and who doesn't love a grand gesture used to show how much the male main character loves the female main character. It's a work of fiction where anything is possible!
I received an advanced review copy from NetGalley and am leaving a voluntary review based solely on my reading experience.

I LOVED this book. Beautiful story. So well written. Can’t wait to look for more from this author. If you want a feel good story with a happy ending this one’s for you.!!

DNF @25%

Sadly, this book didn't connect with me. As a romance reader, the development of the MCs' relationship is pivotal. To have a large chunk of the beginning of the story - even if it was a friendship - is disappointing.

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction. All opinions are my own, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Sweet Romance, Rom-Com
Spice Level: Kissing
Tropes: He falls first, Enemies to Lovers

THE PERFECT ROM-COM is sparkling with situational irony, and I loved every minute of the (bus) ride. I actually loved the whole thing, but the bus is particularly good because it's almost a locked-room situation that really raises the heat in this book.

This book also came at a good time for me because I'd just finished writing a romance, and I felt every bit of the pain that Bryony Page is going through as she ghost writes for a famous author. Her level of denial is also epic—which adds to the tension and is fun. Much like the books that Bryony is writing, this one touches on genuine subjects that matter. That's something I enjoyed in this book. And it feels particularly timely to discuss immigrants in today's world.

Jack Sterling begins as the quintessential grump but turns into something of a Golden Retriever. If he didn't have that no-nonsense, business streak, the story wouldn't have worked as well—in part because the writing world is so difficult and glacially slow.

If you're a romance reader, put this one on the top of your TBR.

Happy reading!

Bryony is an aspiring writer who attends a conference to get exposure for her Grandma’s ESL program. Even though she bombs her pitch, she is offered a ghost writing position for the popular romance novelist, Amelia Benedict. She decides that she will only accept if she can have Jack Sterling ,the top agent, work on promoting her book too.

Bryony does such a great job that Amelia Benedict, becomes a household name and drives the books into mainstream popularity. Now the agency can't let her go but when will Jack realize he can't let her go either?

The idea is smart but the execution is lacking. It's almost like the world of publishing is its own character in the book and it takes the main character spot away from Bryony and Jack. The same thing happened when I read Meet Me in The Margins. The book world was more front and center and the characters took a back seat.

I did enjoy the banter between the characters and also Bryony's fight to get her own work published but I didn't feel a connection between the two leads. No anticipation tingles.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for sharing this book’s digital advanced review copy with me in exchange for an honest review.

I read this book through a digital ARC from NetGalley
Author: Melissa Ferguson
Genre: Romance

3/5 stars

I liked this book by Melissa Ferguson. I went into it blind and I wished I would have read the synopsis first as the first few chapters left me wondering where it was going.

The enemies to friends to lovers troupe is strong is this book. I liked how it was set around a author/agent/publishing world and it was cool to see how the process unfolds. I wished we got more of Bryony's backstory and maybe the ghost writer process. I am times, despised Jack and wanted him to tell Bryony what was happening.

The last 1/3 of this book flew by with so many twists and turns and I had no idea how it would end.

If you're looking for a quick rom com, this book is just that!

This is a charming story filled with hope, love and going after your dreams!

The Perfect Rom-Com had characters that made me want to know more about them as I was reading. Bryon and Jack had just the right amount of chemistry between them. I liked that it was a light heartwarming romance.
The title says it is The Perfect Rom-Com but for me it did not quite hit the perfect aspect.
Thank you NetGalley, Melissa Ferguson and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC of The Perfect Rom-Com. This is my personal review.

This book was such a treat! I loved the glimpse into the publishing world through Bryony's story. Bryony's passion for writing was so electric and seeing her own her prowess as a writer was really cool. I love a slow burn, and this was slow burn indeed!

There is something special about a friends to lover's story when the friends were BEST friends. Special nuggets you can only get when the characters are already so intertwined in each other's lives. I also loved the close relationship Bryony had with her sister. Everyone needs someone like Gloria in their life!

My two biggest issues were:
1. Feeling like my brain glitched every time Bryony's name came up (which felt like a lot, considering she is the main character).
2. The book's pacing was a little slow and some parts felt over-explained.

All in all, this was a fun read!

4.5/5 ⭐️

📖 Clean romance
📖 Ghostwriter FMC
📖 Literary agent MMC
📖 Opposites attract
📖 Single POV

𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙜𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙥𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘼𝙍𝘾 𝙞𝙣 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙣 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜.

This book was heartwarming and adorable!

I really enjoyed the characters and the humor woven throughout made me smile. What really stood out to me was how Jack broke the typical rom-com hero mold. He’s refreshingly blunt and direct (but not malicious), which I found to be a delightful change of pace.

There is a slight time jump between when Bryony and Jack first meet and where their relationship stands two years later. While I would have liked to see more flashbacks to better explore that development, the author did a good job of showing their progression through their current dynamic.

I would definitely recommend this for a fun and light read.

Bryony Page is an aspiring author who hopes her breakthrough novel will not only be a huge hit but will bring enough awareness to her grandma's ESL center (The Bridge) so it will not go under financially. She meets Jack at a literary conference and boldly demands that he spend the entire allotted 15 minutes talking, rather than being dismissed quickly. Jack ends up hiring her as a ghostwriter for a NYT best selling author. who is very difficult to work with, but Bryony demands as part of her contract that Jack will continue to represent her personal manuscript.

I don't usually enjoy stories written in the publishing industry because writers who live that life seem to end up in the weeds or the story comes off as pretentious discussions of the fictional author's inspirations. This was a refreshing take on the life of an author. Bryony writes, but she's also a dedicated ESL teacher and a major extrovert who lives an actual life outside of her fictional worlds.

Of course, Jack ends up not being true to his word and isn't actually showing editors Bryony's novel because it isn't ready yet. She leaves the book tour in anger and ignores Jack's attempts to contact her. Until his grand gesture under the guise of suing her for breach of contract.

My favorite part of this story is the quirky ESL students. The literal understanding of the English and the search for words was incredibly endearing. Seeing Bryony as a passionate ESL teacher helped me relate to her world and the importance of The Bridge. TPRC has Ferguson's trademark banter and was a joy to read.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thanks to #Netgalley and #HarperCollins for this advanced reader copy. All opinions in this review are my own.

Bryony Page is desperate to save The Bridge, a community hub for new immigrants and refugees looking to make their way in the US, so she sets out on a mission that will change her life. Bryony writes her heart out, creating a tragically muddled, genre-bending tome that she shops to dozens of potential agents with no takers, except one. Jack Sterling agrees to take Bryony on but only if she agrees to ghost write for one of the hottest romantic comedy authors in the industry: Amelia Benedict.

I’m 65% in and Bryony is still being told to be a good girl and wait her turn by the man who supposedly loves her so much he’s been dating her for a year and a half even though she wasn’t dating him because, “He knew there was a chance.” That’s not love. That’s patronizing and dismissive. This book has some sweet moments and witty dialogue, but they don’t make up for a protagonist who is supposedly brilliant and yet so spineless and simpering that she can’t stand up for herself over even the simplest things.

The story picks up (eventually) and offers all of the elements we want from our love stories- hi jinx, grand gestures, witty repartee, and driving off into the sunset, but it comes as too little, too late. I was thoroughly irritated with the main characters and the story by the time I started caring, so the most I could muster by the end was a vague ambivalence.

The Perfect Rom-Com has some redeeming qualities, but not nearly enough to make it stand out in a genre with outstanding titles and authors. I appreciate the effort to write a love story to writing and the author’s passion for celebrating the vibrant diversity that makes our country incredible, but it isn’t enough. This book set itself, and all of us, up for disappointment with such an ambitious title. It did not deliver.