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.

More like 3.75 stars.
This book was my introduction to Melissa Ferguson, and I'm very glad because I enjoyed it so much! However, the story failed in keeping me engaged for the first half of the book, which is a bummer as the storyline was amazing. I love chick-lit and I honestly didn't mind that Bryony's journey takes a lead as I absolutely adore when female charcacters have a personal goal. This was a very sweet and cute read, and the romance was really nice!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thanks to NetGalley for the e-arc!

Another wonderful Melissa Ferguson novel. I’ve read them all, and this is one of my favorites!
The characters were quite hilarious and lovable.
This is a well-written, creative, fast-paced, delightful story that grabbed my heart and attention right from the start. The characters are creative, lovable, and unforgettable.
I really enjoyed this delightful read and highly recommend the novel to anyone with a sense of humor.
Melissa Ferguson never disappoints!

Bryony is desperate to get published--not just to fulfil her dreams of being an author, but to share the story of her grandmother's beloved ESL school, where Bryony works as a teacher. But sending query letters and attending pitch conferences is getting old. So when hot-shot (and hot) literary agent Jack offers her the job of being a ghost writer for a famous author, she agrees--on the condition that he tries to pitch her passion project, too. Soon enough, Bryony's work is on best seller lists, though not under her own name, and she becomes the sole ghost writer for the big name author, making her indispensable to the publisher and Jack. Meanwhile, her manuscript is languishing and her grandmother's school is at risk of closure and Bryony is ready to pull the plug. But Jack won't let her--for more reasons than one.

I love the premise of this book; books about people who love books are one of my favorite things, and with a dash of celebrity, and ghost writing mystery, this one has so many fun elements. It's a bit of a slow start, though--we all know where it's going, since it's right there in the blurb, but it takes several chapters to get there. Once we're in the thick of things, it's an enjoyable read, even if Bryony is a bit of an idiot. She refuses to hear Jack out at all--after he admittedly fumbles the bag--and insists her bloated genre-bending manuscript is amazing even though literally everyone is telling her she needs to revise it. But I also love seeing her succeed and banter with both Jack and our annoying celebrity, and the ending is super satisfying. It's a great sweet romance for those looking for something a little bonkers, a whole lotta fun, and closed door.

Thanks to UpLit Reads for my copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4 stars - 8/10

I've become such a fan of Melissa Ferguson. I was so excited to be on tour with Uplit to review her newest!!

I loved Bryony Paige! An ESL teacher by day and an aspiring author by night. The romance between Bryony and Jack was utterly charming! Their relationship unfolds with humor and lightheartedness. The sassy banter and connection that adds depth to their romance. Jack was the ultimate sweetheart and loved his personality.

"I wanted to live in his nothings and and him to live in mine."

Ferguson's writing is exquisite and so beautiful. I got lost in the story of Bryony and Jack. Also huge Kuddos to Ferguson... it's set in the world of publishing <3. So fun!!

Overall, such a fun and sweet quick romance.

4/5 stars

The Perfect Rom-Com is a book about writing a book and while there isn’t jump off the page chemistry, Melissa Ferguson has not disappointed in creating characters you root for and shining a light on the struggle of aspiring authors, the resiliency they must have and the quirks of the publishing industry. While a lot of reviews have come in critiquing this book for not being a true rom-com, I think Ferguson was genius in the way she wrote this book to mimic what Bryony, as a ghostwriter, was fighting to achieve and write as Amelia Benedict.

I unfortunately couldn't even get through 20% of this read. I was hoping that the beginning wouldn't drag so much, and I struggled to feel any attachment to Bryony.

2.5★

I had to sit through with the rating for a few days since at first I wanted to give it a 4 star but now thinking back it’s a 2.5 star.

It did take me until over half of the book to get into this book. The beginning was so slow and boring. There was simply nothing happening. Also the time skip was so not needed, like why it’s there a whole big time skip were we see that both the main characters have formed a friendship from it. Especially since from the start we can see that they do not like each other. I feel like there was a lot of stuff missing from this story.

Can we talk about the romance that literally comes from out of nowhere. We’re told to believe that both of the characters suddenly developed feelings for one another from all the dates that they apparently had together that we don’t get to see happening at all. There’s literally no chemistry between them.


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Every writer want to get published. So when Byrony Page pitches her manuscript and receives an unexpected offer to ghostwrite for the very rich and famous Amelia Benedict, she takes the offer that literary agent Jack Sterling offers her. But, she never loses sight of her dream to publish her manuscript in order to use the royalties to save her grandmother’s ESL program. Byrony’s love for her students was commendable and one that I could relate to myself.

The very privileged and self-absorbed Amelia, was overbearing and was more than anyone could handle, including me. When Byrony has to go on a road trip in an RV with her, I wondered if Amelia and everyone else who had to travel with them would survive. I admired that Jack ran interference on more than one occasion between the two of them.

Things to Enjoy:
friends to more
package of pens
The Bridge students
Jack’s watch
the bowling league
1st date
grand gesture

3.5 stars rounded to 4

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher, UpLit, and NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own with no obligation to write a positive review.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
This book was so fun and cute! I am a sucker for a book about books and this did not disappoint. I am also always intrigued by books about ghostwriters because I find that career super interesting. The ending shocked me and I did not see it coming. A great Valentine’s read!

Bryony and Jack are the cutest friendship turned lovers I’ve read in a while. Their original meeting plus subsequent elevator meeting were original (if not implausible). I appreciated the emphasis placed on The Bridge, and the importance of helping immigrants adjust and learn English there. Also, Bryony’s students were adorable. I loved that she was driven by deeper reasons and the message of helping our neighbors is critical, especially now.

Amelia was the worst, so glad to see her get what she deserved, even though I was kinda hoping for a redemption arc where she learned about the importance of helping people, maybe by visiting The Bridge or something. Loved Trina, the bus driver, and was glad she made a second appearance at the end along with Penny.

It was a clean romance, which will probably make it lose some points for some, but I didn’t think it needed anything more. The only thing that bothered me was the choppy sentence structure and some of the dialogue felt a little stilted. 4.25 ⭐️

"And I've been in love for quite some time. I just didn't know it was with him."

⤿🎀09/02/25
2. 75 stars 💫 review posted on goodreads!
Release Date: 11th feb, 2025

From reading the title "the perfect rom-com", I thought it would be a good-feel-cute romance book, that would make you giggle and kick your feet, but alas nothing that sort happened here. The title was deceiving.😒 This was my first book to read by the author. For the majority of the book, up until 55%, it was hard to get into the story because there was simply nothing happening. If anything this book was made of 99% FMC's lengthy monologues (her exaggerating & off-the-plot thoughts) and only 1% romance between the main characters, Jack & Bryony. I'm not talking about spice, let me be clear, I don't like reading them. But for a closed-door romance I can at least expect some budding romance, right?😃 I really didn't feel connected to the characters. There was no angst, the kind that would make you sit at the edge of your bed, biting your nails off in anticipation, but no my expectations were too high apparently because the premise sounded promising and the cover felt too cute to pass.😬 As soon they start dating just after dinner one night, they fall off due to miscommunication and then viola they are back in the end. That's it. If anything, I'm being pretty generous with the rating here. This book had so much potential, only if the lengthy monologues were reduced, and we could see some real romance between the main characters.😞 For what's worth it, I still liked how the ending was made up, seeing the entitled so-called author Amelia being served what she deserved for mentally harassing Bryony and all the staffs.😌🙌🏻

What to expect:
📚 Agent x Ghostwriter
📚 Strangers to Lovers
📚 Slow Burn
📚 Closed Door Romance
📚 Forced Proximity

thankyou to the author, the publisher and netgalley for providing me this arc in exchange for an honest review 💓

I absolutely loved this one, it was funny, heart warming and such an easy read. It definitely made me smile all the way through.

Bryony Page may have written another nearly perfect rom-com, but Amelia Benedict's name is on the cover. One consolation prize is her agent Jack Sterling. And Jack has promised to help shop around Bryony's passion project about her grandmother's ESL nonprofit--The Bridge.

Here are four things I loved about this new release from Melissa Ferguson:

📚At the heart of this book is a love of words and reading. Bryony is a ghostwriter so also we get a glimpse at the book business and how they promote such relationships. Amelia Benedict is a piece of work.
🤣Speaking of Amelia, some of the most humorous scenes show her flexing her bestselling author status and looking like a major doofus.
🤩Jack Sterling is a dreamboat and a shrewd businessman. Melissa Ferguson sets him up as a frenemy at first, but he is soon a beloved friend -- well before Bryony realizes, of course.
👩‍💼Bryony may be one of the quirkiest characters I have met in a Melissa Ferguson novel. Her work with the immigrants at The Bridge is elaborated in so many clever ways throughout -- including a bowling team called the Pin Pals.

This book will be available on Tuesday, February 11 -- just two days from my posting. Happy Publication week! Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

2⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for an advanced copy of The Perfect Rom-Com.

Bryony is trying to get her book published and when she meets with publisher Jack he hates her book. She edits someone else’s work and that writer becomes a household name. Jack is trying to sell her book to publishers in the meantime so she is happy to continue ghostwriting. But has everything she thought was true wrong?

This book had so much potential but fell so flat for me. We miss out on the two years of when her and Jack became friends and that would have made the book so much better if we had seen that because it would of had us more invested in the relationship. The romance was just not there for me at all. I had such high hopes for this book but it was not a rom-com at all.

Ghostwriter Bryony Page desperately wants to sell books under her own name - which was the deal she made with agent - now friend - Jack Sterling when she agreed to be a ghostwriter. But after years of ghostwriting and turning Amelia Benedict into a household name, Bryony is desperate to publish stories under own name. But the Foundry Agency can't (won't*) let her go.

This was delightful! I really enjoy reading stories about authors and people writing their own stories in the publishing world. Bryony's own pathway is complicated by the fact that she's an incredibly successful ghostwriter.

Jack and Bryony's friendship is really delightful. I never used to like the friends to lovers trope, but this definitely makes me change my mind! I love the banter between them and the Bryony's slow awakening to Jack's feelings.

The Perfect Rom-Com is for fans of slow-burn and feel-good romances!

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Netgalley for an e-arc of this one! All opinions are my own.

I loved Bryony’s heart for ESL students and for her Gran, and I loved her relationship with her sister Gloria. I would have enjoyed seeing more of those interactions in this book. Jack isn’t my favorite romantic lead, especially since he starts quasi-dating Bryony while they’re both romantically involved with other people - and deceit has a pretty big role in their relationship. The grand gesture at the end of the book, while far-fetched, was nonetheless satisfying. Overall, the book is well-written and definitely opened my eyes to publishing’s challenges.

This was an enjoyable read, albeit not as romantic or comedic as I would expect from the title, nor as explicitly Christian as I would expect from the publisher (I didn’t change my rating because of that; just a note in case readers want to know).

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the free eARC! I post this review with my honest opinions. This is cross posted on Goodreads and Instagram. It will be posted on Amazon on publication day.

I had not read this author before but I'm not one to shy away from reading a new-to-me author. It often works out. It didn't this time, I'm sorry to say. I started and stopped multiple times. I finally just read through in spurts but it just never piqued my interest. It wasn't a fit for me, or what I was expecting, but others may enjoy it. Books are so subjective.

NOTE: I was expecting a Christian fiction publication but there was no faith content at all. It was clean but not what I was expecting. I wish I had known beforehand so my expectations could have been adjusted. I don't mind clean content but I expect Christian content from a Christian publisher.

That aside, this book just wasn't for me. I have enjoyed many rom-coms but this didn't really read like a rom-com in my opinion. For me, a rom-com is funny but still has something to chew on to keep it grounded. Much of the content felt shallow and superfluous. The first 55-60% of the book didn't really go anywhere and I really struggled to keep going many times. The last 15% was the best part of the novel.

I found Bryony a weird mixture of dedicated and flighty. (???) I didn't care for Jack and considered him iffy and untrustworthy. Amelia, the untalented, annoying person that Bryony did the ghostwriting for, was just a mean-spirited, spoiled narcissist with no growth. However, I really liked the assistants, Bryony's Grandma, and her students. The scenes with them were the best scenes. They were very likeable. There were two passages that I highlighted but I did not find this book funny otherwise. That was disappointing.

[To be honest, the entire concept of ghostwriting is something that I find distasteful and dishonest. Someone takes credit for someone else's hard work and the readers are lied to. Why can't talented writers use their own name rather than giving credit to another? It makes zero sense to me. The mainstream publishing world seems to be incredibly cutthroat.]

>>> My thanks to Net Galley and Thomas Nelson (publisher) for an advanced copy of this novel. My words and opinion are my own.

I absolutely adored this book - what a fun journey with two super lovable main characters. Bryony and Jack were the sweetest couple I’ve read about in a while, their banter was 10/10. Think literary agent and aspiring author with messy dynamics in between. Bryony is an ESL teacher and her love for the students she taught was so genuine, made me love her right away. Jack is the grump turned sweetheart. This book was a rom-com but did not lack depth and plot. I highlighted multiple quotes I want to hold onto. I will be reading Melissa’s books in the future!!

Thank you NetGalley, the author and Thomas Nelson for this gifted ARC in exchange for my honest review!