It took me a while to get into this book, longer than I would have liked. I was about half way through before I really got into it and then I quickly flew through the second half. It's a charming read, heart warming with no spice. It's what I'd call a palette cleanser and is a light wholesome read. I will definitely check out more of this authors work.

I’d say a 4.5, this is definitely a zero spice (only kissing) rom-com that is only from the protagonist’s point of view. I tend to read a variety of genre’s -with a medium to heavier spice when it comes to romance plots.

That being said, this book is darling! I took the story for the specific genre that it is and I don’t regret it.

Byrony Page desperately wants to get her novel published and hopefully save the school her grandmother has worked so hard to start. Rejection after rejection is leaving her drained during a writer’s conference, when she realizes her last meeting is with ruthless agent Jack Sterling. When he dismisses her before their allowed time is up, Byrony receives a wave of empowerment and with a nothing-to-loose attitude faces Jack and surprises them both.

Getting her manuscript published is still off the table but Byrony gets an offer to be a new ghostwriter for one of the top selling romance writers. Fast forward a couple of years, Byrony and Jack’s relationship has grown and deepened into a familiarity even they can’t fully comprehend. Both claiming to be just friends but unwilling to have any serious discussions either way. It seems that everyone around them can see the sparks but they are both wearing very darkened sunglasses.

The plot thickens when Byrony has to fulfill new requirements stipulated in her contract. The cherry on top being that with everything she is dealing with, Jack has never filled his promise with helping to get her manuscript published.

It was fun seeing some of the inner workings of the publishing industry (or the fictional frustrations of it). Void of extreme fictional drama, the author leaves it to the readers to imagine the day-to-day instances that helped shape Byrony and Jack’s relationship. This novel was airy and lighthearted, perfect for those that love a feel good rom-com.

I love Melissa Ferguson's writing style so when I saw this new one, I knew I had to read it. Bryony is hoping to get her start writing books and meets Jack Sterling at a conference where he absolutely destroys her confidence and her manuscript. We then jump to them being friends which was a little different and I wish we saw that transition a little more, but regardless, I love them as friends. The banter is hysterical and their shared hatred of Amelia is what kept me intrigued till the end. I was not expecting the ending and loved it so much! I loved the focus on The Bridge and the students that she supported. They were so touching and excellent additions to the story. Loved this one!

*Thank you NetGalley for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review*

I’m not sure if I would categorize this book as a romance. The romance was there, of course, but for me the book was mostly focused on Bryony’s personal growth and her journey through life. That being said, the romance that was there, was *chef’s kiss* No spice, but oh so cute and I think at the end of the book you need the dedication Jack has for Bryony in your own life.

Im glad this book was my introduction to Melissa’s work, and I will definitely be looking forward to reading the rest of her work

Let me start by saying that this is my first book by Melissa Ferguson, so I was very new to the writing style and storytelling. I should also say that I enjoyed both of those things in this book — everything went smoothly, and I really was kind of flying through the chapters because the writing style was so captivating. I think that this book is exactly what it is promoted to be — a good book that encourages you to read, an easy read you can devour in one sitting, a great palette cleanser. I truly enjoyed it; it was easy, good, and really captivating and entertaining. It didn’t lack depth, it wasn’t trying to be anything it was not supposed to be, and it was just what you would expect from this kind of book.

So, you might ask, why am I giving it only 3.75 stars? Well, if you know me, you know that I’m a sucker for the friends-to-lovers trope. I really love that trope, and some of my favorite romance books explore it, so it’s not an issue with the trope itself, but with the execution of it. Firstly, I feel like we lacked the second POV here. I think Jack’s POV would’ve fit so well at the end of this book. One chapter of his thoughts would’ve been enough to properly see Bryony through his eyes, to finally see the yearning. I feel like the story would’ve only benefited from that addition.

In retrospect, I really wanted more development to happen on the page instead of behind the scenes, as the big time jump made it hard to love the friendship that developed between Bryony and Jack. We left off with Jack being very annoyed with Bryony, and then the story picked up when they were best friends, and it felt really weird because I wanted to see how they got there. Because of that, I didn’t find a somewhat closure.

We have two main characters — Bryony Page and Jack Sterling. However, as we were only able to read Bryony’s POV, I felt like I wasn’t able to properly connect with Jack. I get that it’s the genre, and I understand that we’re seeing life from Bryony’s perspective because it’s her story to tell and we’re dealing with her issues and life choices. I get that, but still, I feel like because of the focus on Bryony, we weren’t able to get to know other characters like Jack, Gloria, or Penny. It’s not bad since Bryony’s story was definitely highlighted the most, but I still wanted more from the other characters too.

Bryony is the type of person I could easily connect with because she just radiates those vibes. She’s a great friend, and her dedication to the things she does, her ability to captivate a reader, is mesmerizing. I was rooting for her throughout this whole book. I wanted her to find her voice and step up, to finally make other people see her worth. This book provided an empowering message for all the readers out there, and I hope people will be able to read it and see themselves in Bryony. They’ll find themselves inspired because of her. Well, at least I did, and that’s one of the reasons why I enjoyed this book.

I know that the story got a well-deserved ending, but I couldn’t help but wonder where the characters went from there, if they are happy now, if they’re following their dreams. I know we got those answers in the epilogue, but I kind of miss them, as by the end of the book it felt like I’m friends with Bryony, like I’m a part of her team too.

So, in conclusion, I can say that I did enjoy this book. It was a good and easy read, and if you’re looking for something like that, you definitely should check this book out.

I thought this was a fantastic rom-com book, perfect for some relaxing reading! I especially love the comedic elements of the voice and the witty writing. It reminded me of Sophie Kinsella's books, which do such a great job using words to create levity and build comedic moments. Melissa Ferguson has a talent for creating humor while developing her characters and their emotional development through the book.

It could have been strengthened by seeing some of the intervening two years, even in an abbreviated format? The friendship between Jack and Bryony does pop up out of nowhere, it seems. I also don't love the miscommunication trope where a character is either interrupted from providing important info, or just willfully shuts down that communication. It happens here when Bryony gets mad and won't talk to Jack. I'm glad it was short-lived because it just isn't a very compelling way to build suspense while maintaining character integrity.

See Goodreads for my full review!

This was a cute, light hearted read! I came to admire Bryony, how she was so passionate about her role as a teacher and the cause of The Bridge, standing up for herself and her students throughout the book despite all the difficulties thrown their way. I truly despised Amelia, the author did a really great job of creating that. I do wish we got to know Jack better, maybe through a different point of view, he felt very one dimensional. I think because that I found myself questioning his character. Despite the title, I think this was more chick lit than a rom com, it really felt like Bryony’s growth journey was the focus of the story, with a side of romance. I was still rooting for Byron’s and Jack but felt their romance took up a small part of the plot. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book!

2 stars

I started reading this week's ago and when I got to 40% I had to go back and start again because I felt like I was missing something but nope were just never told how these two (Bry and Jack) became besties... they just did, and I strongly dislike when books tell and don't show. Especially when it comes to building a relationship, not that I was rooting for theirs because I didn't like Jack.
Overall, I liked other Melissa Ferguson books... just... not this one.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

While cute, Melissa Ferguson forgot to do one thing for me: For get to make the MMC likable. At all. This makes it not the perfect rom-com.

Bryony wants to get a passion project published so badly she goes to a workshop that basically promises speed dating for potential authors and literary agents. While Jack finds her current work unpublishable, he sees potential in her. As a ghostwriter. For someone almost as unlikeable as I found him. Fast forward two years: While Bryony writes for Amelia Benedict, she also works as an ESL teacher at her grandmother's school for English learners. It's going under, and Bryony can't go for that.

For me, the two year time jump didn't work. We hear all about these things Jack did to supposedly pine for Bryony during those two years, but in the context of the story itself in the novel, he was a jerk who jerked Bryony around. Also, Bryony had some significant other overseas for the first half? Who broke up with her? I know that character was there as a hurdle for Jack and Bryony, but also... he's her... boss? Couldn't that have been enough of a hurdle?

Jack pulled all these manipulative moves under the guise of them being "grand romantic gestures," but I was more rooting for Bryony to punch him in the face and be on her own.

Despite the title, The Perfect Rom-Com actually seemed to read a bit more like women's fiction than a romantic comedy to me. That's not necessarily a bad thing, and definitely similar to other books by Melissa Ferguson I've read in the past, but definitely something to keep in mind if that's not your cup of tea. I always enjoy characters who are writers, so that definitely appealed to me with this one. When the story begins, Bryony is an aspiring writer who is trying to get her book out in the world with no luck. Then she meets agent Jack Sterling, and while he doesn't believe her book is ready, he offers her a position as a ghostwriter... two years later, we catch back up with them and find she's still working as a ghostwriter for the same bestselling author and has skyrocketed that author's fame... and let's just say it's not a positive situation. I really enjoyed seeing Bryony grow as the story went on... though admittedly there were a few times where I questioned some of her decisions anyway. I definitely felt like the story focused more on that journey of discovering who she was as a writer/person than the romance, but I did enjoy that slow burn in the background with Jack as well. While this was definitely a little different than what I might have anticipated based on the title, this was still a really cute read and one that I enjoyed!

**ARC received via Netgalley for consideration. All opinions are my own.

I ended up not finishing this one. I didn't like that it skipped two years in advanced, I feel like we missed a lot! The writing felt a bit clunky and I had time relating to the characters. I think the cover is very cute!

Melissa Ferguson is such a smart writer! I’ve really come to appreciate her art and The Perfect Rom-Com had some stellar elements to it!

Bryony and Jack started off as such an unlikely pair. And while I was really nervous on just how the author was going to get me to fall for Jack, I absolutely did!

Seeing the dynamic switch from professional to personal to romantic was done so well, and really, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a grander gesture for someone truly confessing his love. Melissa Ferguson did a great job with this one!

P.S. I really want to read the Beaufort, SC story!

Unfortunately, this one didn’t work for me. It looked super cute and I love a good closed door romcom but u just couldn’t get into this one and DNF around 40% mark. I just didn’t vibe with the characters and not much was happening with the friendship/relationship to hold my interest. Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for my e-arc. This is my honest and voluntary opinion.

Due the low star level I will not share this to my social media pages.

Fans of Emily Henry are going to love this one. This force proximity, writer-agent, delulu-and not so, romance is set across in a linear easy fashion period while it does take a minute to gather, and make sense, you can tell all the beats are going to follow throughout.

Bryony, in an attempt to sell her debut novel, falls into a job offer of ghost writing Romcoms for a popular author. The push and pull between the agent and her and how they come close and how close, how protective and precious she is about and to her story forms the foundation for this one.. it touches on how close we can be to the things that require fresh perspective and how much stubborn we are to defend it instead of coming back to it. The reveal also isn’t a surprising one and it treads the lighthearted path. Only our heroine cannot see it and him in love with her but everyone else can.

While the love stories set in the publishing world will always have my heart, this one goes too much on expected beats. While it also reminded me of book lovers by Emily Henry, this one does not go too deep into the characters nor does it follow a fluffy path. Staying somewhere in the middle it tries to balance and do both. This, then causes, sacrifice of some side characters that support the protagonist.

There is betrayal. There is a drama . But come for a good time when you pick up this book this Valentine’s Day.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

The Perfect Rom-Com is exactly as its title suggests - the perfect rom-com! I laughed, cried, cheered, and swooned as I read this novel, unable to put it down. A great cast of well developed characters, a steadily moving plot, beautiful blossoming relationships - can you tell I loved this book? I will definitely be adding Melissa Ferguson to my "must read" list.

5⭐️

Thank you so much to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

ARC Review Of 📚The Perfect Rom-Com By Melissa Ferguson
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Release Date :- 11th February 2025

I really enjoyed this book—it was heartwarming, adorable, and incredibly inspiring. It had just the right balance of sweetness and depth, leaving me with a smile and a lot to think about.

I absolutely adored Bryony’s journey. Her relentless hard work, moments of helplessness, and sheer determination tugged at my heartstrings. There were so many instances where I just wanted to step into the story and give her a comforting hug.

The romance between Jack and Bryony was both adorable and hilarious, filled with cute banter and moments that made me smile.
However, I did feel that their relationship deserved more attention—it had so much potential to be the centerpiece of the story, yet it was relegated to a subplot.

Despite that, the book was incredibly engaging, and I thoroughly enjoyed their interactions. Bryony’s overthinking, in particular, was such a mood—funny, endearing, and so relatable✨️💕

3.5 stars. Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the E-ARC. As all the previous books Ive read by Melissa Ferguson this one did not disappoint. This was a fast read with a slow burn concept. The MFC ghostwrites for a "famous" author but also trying to save her grandmothers ESL school. The MMC Jack is a agent and very charming.

Bryony Page is hoping to sell her manuscript while attending her first ever writers conference and to also help her grandmother's organization called "The Bridge" where she teaches ESL. Bryony tries to pitch her manuscript but accidentally and disastrously correcting another author's work that she does not mean to do. Bryony ends up being a ghostwriter for no other than Amelia Benedict who everyone already knows of. Throughout the book you really see Amelia's behavior towards how she treats just about everyone who she comes in contact with. Jack Sterling is the literary agent for Amelia Benedict, however, Jack agrees to help Bryony sell her own book while she is a ghostwriter for Amelia. This book definitely has a lot of funny moments! I enjoyed the romantic moments, the serious moments, and the heartfelt moments. I especially loved the ending (which threw me for a surprise but in the best way possible!). Will Bryony stay a ghostwriter for Amelia the whole book or will she break loose and find her own voice? Does Jack realize he cannot let Bryony go? I definitely recommend this book as it was light-hearted and there was no spice which is my favorite! If you are looking for a clean rom-com, then this is your book!

This was an exhausting, dragged-on, all-tell-no-show, very-little-rom-or-com read. All the development between the FMC and her love interest happens during a time jump, so we don't see any real chemistry between them. It's hard to feel invested in a couple when we see very short, weak interactions between them. The narration goes on for PAGES. By the 60% mark, I was tempted to skip over the exposition. There's very little characterization (Bryony is a writer a publisher who tends to get along with waiters very well, and Jack is good at handling writers, but beyond that, what is there to say?) and the character development is weak. Bryony has the same realization in the same chapter that she has at the end (that maybe she should have listened to all the editors telling her that her first novel needs work before it's published). I wouldn't be surprised if many readers DNF this one.

i adored this book. a beautiful perfect rom com, i loved both of the main characters and completely raced through the book, a lovely cosy book