Well that was just the sweetest thing I’ve ever read!! I swear I spent 90% of this book smiling! I loved it! Bryony is so relatable and the development of her character is perfect. It felt exactly right from page one to the end of the epilogue. I loved getting a kind of inside peek of the publishing world and ghostwriting too!! I really enjoyed this!

Thank you NetGalley, Uplit Reads, Thomas Nelson and author Melissa Ferfuson for the arc!

Ok, so this was my first Melissa Ferguson book and ya’ll … it was a delight!! Excellent writing with a fun and fresh plot that's oh so swoon worthy ... this slow burn sweet romance has funny laugh out loud moments with the most loveable characters that will burrow their ways into your heart! Plus, a villain-ess that was so deliciously hate-able! Gah! It was absolutely one of those books that I just could snuggle down with & let the story take me away! And the ending was absolutely satisfying! This one is 100% a recommend from me!

SYNOPSIS
Bryony Page is an aspiring writer, currently teaching ESL in her grandmother's financially struggling organisation, The Bridge. After a disastrous pitch session, Bryony finds herself correcting another author's work in a last ditch attempt to impress an agent. This catapults her into becoming a ghost writer for Amelia Benedict, popular rom-com writer. Bryony agrees to write for the demanding, self-obsessed woman, on one condition - Jack Sterling, her literary agent, works to sell her book too. As the books catapult to success the Foundry Agency realise they can't part with Bryony, and neither can Jack.

THOUGHTS:
This one for me felt quite surface level, I didn't really connect with the romance. I don't think it helped that the story jumped 2 years & although the characters weren't an item after the jump we still missed the initial stages of them falling for each other and therefore I just felt disconnected from it.

I found Bryony as a main character to be quite annoying. She has multiple professionals in the publishing industry that repeatedly tell her that her manuscript needs editing and needs more work, yet she just continues to ignore thinking she knows and expecting everything to just fall into place. It also irked me the way she was such a push over, why is she acting like Amelia's assistant & just going along with everything that is said. That is most definitely not part of your job?!

It was a quick easy read, while reading chunkier things, it's just not one that will stick with me over time.

Tropes:
- workplace romance
- agent x author
- friends to lovers
- forced proximity
- under table touches

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher & the author for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️3.5

This is such a heartwarming story, I laughed, I cried.

Byrony and Jack are so adorable together!

To be completely honest, I gave The Perfect Rom-Com five stars purely on vibes. This book is the cutest one I’ve ever read. The writing itself is just okay, and the grand finale is a bit unrealistic, but the romance between Bryony and Jack is exceptional. Be prepared to giggle and kick your feet in the air while reading this adorable romance.

I can say that I have really read and enjoyed several books by Melisa Fergusson. Its characters are witty, funny, fun to get to know page after page and this book in particular made me notice the difficulties that authors have to go through and the little-known face of the publishing industry, with fictitious characters and situations of course, but which have made me appreciate more each new book that comes into my hands.
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Having said this, I want to say that I really enjoyed Bryony, her charisma, her love for books and how she did everything she could to continue trying to get her book published, and her school open. But when Jack began to make her a different proposal that the one she was hoping, I became suspicious and from then on, no matter how beautiful their friendship, chemistry and dynamic they had together, I began to dislike Jack.
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Every time the protagonist is going through a difficult situation, every time she felt about to leave the vicious cycle in which she was living stressed, feeling low and Jack opened his mouth, it made me want to scream "he's gaslighting you!!" "He is so patronizing!! “, and “he’s saying it only because he needs you to comply with the goals that are demanded of him or he imposes himself." It was very difficult to like him so I only saw Bryony's point of view and hope for the best
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I was really intrigued and get me worried that there was no way out of the situation and at several moments I wished that Bryony would man up and put them in their place or say that it was enough, you know that the MC has to work more and give in to have a good ending.
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Despite wanting to scream at it several times, especially in the audio book which feels so vivid and real as funny and entertaining , I really enjoyed this book, a solid 3.5 4 stars
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Thanks to Melisa Fergusson and Thomas Nelson fiction for give me a copy of this beautiful book in exchange for my honest and voluntary opinion.
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Cute book, but not what I was hoping for it to be. The title got me and I was hoping for the perfect rom-com, but sadly it was not for me. But i love Melissa work and will keep reading!

It took me a while to get into this book, but once I did I really enjoyed it. I loved that it was a cute, fluffy, cheesy romance. I did get a bit annoyed with the time jumps and the bits we missed in that time we missed but overall a good read

This truly was the perfect rom-com. I was hooked from chapter one. The chemistry between Bryony and Jack was pouring off the pages. Loved their dynamic and how well they both played off each others character. The heart of the story for me was her never giving up on saving the center where she worked, which hit close to home personally. I had the best time watching these two totally platonic friends fall for each other. It was a fun, flirty, feel good love story. I’ve loved each book I’ve read from Melissa and this has become my new favorite! A must read for all of us hopeless romantics.

This book felt like it was missing like 100 pages. We're told they hate each other and then like a chapter later we jump forward in time and they're best friends. Considering their relationship is based off their friendship, it feels weird to me that we don't really get to SEE them become friends. Overall it just felt very basic and i wish the author had spent more time building up the relationships instead of focusing so much on the ghost writing and Bryony's writing career.

I am always here for a closed door romcom, especially when written by Melissa Ferguson!
Add in characters that are writers and I’m double sold.

While this was a cute and charming read; it was soooo slow and the beginning was extremely wordy. Overall I’m glad I finished it but it’s not something I’m going to remember for very long

This book was so exciting to the very end. I really enjoyed this plot, its characters, the romcom, and the challenges the fmc comes across. I feel like this book was unique in the way the story kept going til the end. It wasn't full of fillers, and there wasn't a forced "and they lived happily ever after with marriage and a baby "at the end. This was so good in my opinion.

The narrator did a really good job, she captured the emotions of the characters so well. So good, i finished in 1 day.

Thank you to netgalley and the author for sending me the book in exchange for an honest review

It took me awhile to get into this book. It was really wordy at the beginning and it was hard to want to keep going. But I am SO SO glad I did!!! What a heartwarming book!! I teared up at the end with the way Bryony’s truth comes to light and what the Bright Show does for The Bridge.
I ended up loving this book!

The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

“Of all the books, of all the stories I’ve ever written, this one is dearest to my heart.”

Have you ever wondered about the journey behind a successful author’s rise to fame? It’s so easy to admire their popular and best-selling works, but we don’t always pay attention and consider the struggles, setbacks, and sacrifices that came before the recognition. Many writers don’t become a household name overnight, and it’s that very struggle—the perseverance, the waiting, the unwavering hope—that makes The Perfect Rom-Com so compelling.

At the heart of this novel is Bryony Page, a talented yet overlooked writer who also dreams of seeing her name on the cover of a book. She takes a leap of faith by pitching her novel, Water Under the Bridge, to the renowned literary agent Jack Sterling, hoping for a breakthrough. Instead, she finds herself navigating a different path—one she never anticipated—when she’s offered a contract to ghostwrite for a then up-and-coming author. Driven by necessity rather than ambition, Bryony accepts the job, using the opportunity to financially support The Bridge, her grandmother’s beloved organization. With each novel she crafts behind the scenes, she hones and proves her talent albeit always in the shadows, all while she patiently waits for the moment when she can finally claim her own success. As she waits and hopes for that day to come, we find her suddenly pressed for time as The Bridge is on the brink of shutting down — and we readers also journey along and root for her as she tries her best to publish her most beloved story.

This is the first book that I read from Melissa Ferguson, and it is always a treat when I realize that the way of writing of an author is crafted to my liking. Ferguson’s storytelling is a joy to experience, effortlessly weaving humor, warmth, and emotion into a narrative that is both engaging and heartfelt. The novel’s lighthearted tone makes it an easy read, yet beneath its charming exterior lies a story rich with depth and meaning. The slow-burn romance between Bryony and Jack is built on an undeniable foundation of chemistry and banter, and their playful exchanges served as the perfect backdrop for a relationship that feels as natural as it is inevitable. Watching their connection evolve was one of the highlights of the book, making each interaction something to look forward to.

Beyond its romantic elements, The Perfect Rom-Com offers a poignant exploration of passion, perseverance, and purpose. Bryony’s relentless dedication to The Bridge adds another layer of depth to her character, showcasing a love that extends beyond romance—one rooted in family, community, and making a difference. Her journey made me reflect on the driving forces behind the books I love—understanding what compels an author to pour their soul into a story, and what unseen struggles they endure along the way.

With a cast of lovable side characters and a message that lingers long after the final page, this novel is a heartwarming tribute to those who dare to dream, write, and believe in the power of their own stories. More than just a romantic comedy, The Perfect Rom-Com is a story about found family, building a career, and finding your own voice—or, in Bryony’s case, her own words.

Thank you Netgalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review. I love books that focus on writers and this book didn't disappoint. Bryony want to make it out on her own as writer, but is having her struggles. To keep up her skills, she becomes a ghost writer by looking over another writers' work. Bryony goes through many emotions as her journey of being a ghost writer becomes a world-wind when her writing becomes famous, but it isn't under her own name.

This was a sweet, closed-door rom-com. Bryony, trying to seek her first novel, meets with the elusive literary agent, Jack. He recognizes her talent-not with her own novel, but as a ghostwriter for a one-hit wonder author. The books become a success while Bryony still seeks to have glory under her own name and her own. Her and Jack also skirt their mutual feeling s for each other. The romance too a back burner in the plot, but it was fun to have insider insight on the ghostwriter part of the publishing world. The story was also told from Bryony’s PoV only, I would have loved to know Jack’s inside thoughts too! 3.75 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. While it took me a little bit to get into this book, once I did, it was such a good read. Bryony is an aspiring writer and an ELS teacher. She is a ghostwriter for a famous author and while she is doing that she has to go on a book tour. She is ready to be known for her own writing and wants to save the Bridge. Jack is a literary agent who is working with Bryony. While they are working together, they begin to build their relationship. I loved that he fell in love with her first, while it took her a while to love him. I did love this book and Melissa's writing. I would definitely read more books by Melissa Ferguson. #ThePerfectRomCom #Netgalley

The Perfect Rom-Com offers a great behind-the-scenes look at the publishing industry from the perspective of a book agent and the ghostwriter for an egomaniac contemporary romance author. Bryony and Jack are fantastic - their banter is truly top-tier! Bryony is quirky and endearing, sometimes a little desperate, but has such a big heart and cares deeply. And Jack is perfectly in-tune with Bryony, patiently waiting for her to realize that they might just be perfect for each other and doing everything in his power to help her achieve her dream of publishing her own novel and saving her grandmother's nonprofit organization/school catering to refugees. Overall - this was an incredibly entertaining and heartfelt romance. Loved every single page! Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the chance to read this novel.

I expected this to be a light, feel-good romance that would make me giggle and kick my feet, but sadly, that wasn't the case. The title was really misleading. 😒 This was my first book by the author, and for most of it—up until about 55%—I struggled to get into the story because nothing was really happening. If I'm being honest, the book felt like it was made up of 99% of the FMC's long, rambling monologues (mostly her exaggerated and off-the-wall thoughts) and only 1% romance between the main characters, Jack and Bryony.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ .5
Bryony’s story is heartfelt. She wants to save The Bridge and has written a novel that will help her get the money to save it. Except the novel is far too long winded and she isn’t willing to hear any criticism. In comes Jack.
Now, instead of having her book she spent countless time working on, she has become a ghostwriter and is slowly making someone very famous with her work.
How can she get her book published and save The Bridge?
It’s a cute story. Some of Jack’s actions are a little confusing at first.
The banter between the two is excellent. Gloria and her southern slangs she looked up were excellent (i'm a southerner and we even use those to make fun of ourselves!)
I read this book as an ARC. Thanks to Melissa F. and Netgalley. This is my honest opinion.