I like the story it was pretty cute I was giggling a good bit in this. This story is about bryony story is mostly about being about growth as a person with learning on how to stand up for herself with a little bit of love sprinkled. Bryony goes to a convention to try and pitch her book to save the bridge where she teaches esl where she meets jack, he is a literary agent unfortunately he didn't like it which had discouraged bryony she almost gave up and she then storms back to talk to him to make him see reason however he had showed a different Authors work and she gave some suggestions and that is how she became Amelia benedict ghost writer for the next two years in hopes that her book will see the light of day. Just let me say I did not like amelia at all. Eventually she gets fed up with amelia and learning that she was being lied to, and she just quits, and she is contracted for another book as a final ditch effort she ended up re-writing her first book to get it out in the world. Does she successfully get her book out there to save the bridge you'll just have to find out

3/3.5 stars. I have enjoyed Melissa Ferguson's past books but this one felt like there was too much going on unfortunately. I liked the audio more than the book, but this might be because some of the book felt slow. I did like Bryony as a main character however I found the plot deviated too far away from her own story at times. Was the ending realistic? Maybe? I guess it all depends on the contract both main characters signed. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced digital and audio copy.

<i>Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.</i>

4 stars

This was such a pleasant surprise! And actually had me tearing up at the end. Bryony is such a sweet and wholesome character that has you rooting for her the whole way through. Will definitely be checking out more from this author.

The Perfect Rom-Com is a cute feel-good rom-com. I enjoyed the ending and left with that heart eyes feeling you want after finishing this type of book. That being said, I felt that the middle portion was slow and a bit of a curve ball. I really wanted to love the characters more, but the ending felt so far out of left field I had a hard time reconciling it with the rest of the book. I enjoyed the back story of the bridge and the ESL students, and loved the feeling of community that that aspect brought to the book. However, it felt disjointed and like a second story from the rest of it. That being said, I did still enjoy the audiobook and thought it was a cute read. 3 1/2*

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest and fair review.

Bryony is an aspiring author who is looking for representation for her book based on the Bridge, an organization her grandmother founded to teach ESL. She is hoping by selling her book she can help the financially struggling Bridge to keep it's doors open. She meets an agent Jack, who is not interested in her manuscript but employs her to be a ghost writer.

My favorite part of this book was the connection to the ESL learning center. The characters from that were sweet and endearing and I found Bryony's passion toward the cause was a great add and motivation to the story. Unfortunately, I also found Bryony to be extremely stubborn and I wish she would just get out of her own way. Especially for a book named The Perfect Rom-Com, there was just not good romance in this book. The chemistry between the two leads was basically nonexistent and I feel the book would've been stronger without it.

Tropes
* Book about Books
* He Falls First
* Forced Proximity
* Workplace Romance
* Closed Door Romance
* Slow Simmer (not enough chemistry to be a "Slow Burn")

3 stars

2 stars ⋆˚࿔
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the beginning of this book dragged on unfortunately, i only started to get interested in what was going on by the 58% mark which should not be the case in a romance, contemporary book. i say 'interested' but i mean that in the loosest definition possible. i understand needing background and character development but wow.
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i did not care for anything in this story unfortunately. the plot and characters were really bland and even the ending reveal just felt super flat and empty. i really wanted to like this story but it was just not for me at all.

This was such a quick cute rom com! I love that it was a closed door romance, so I can recommend to younger readers. It was very predictable, but I still very much enjoyed it!

I am happy to report another 5-star romance to blissfully indulge in with a title that isn't shy about what it is: The Perfect Rom Com.

Bryony Page is a passionate ESL teacher with a dream of becoming an author and using her earnings to bolster the perpetually under-funded school she works at. She's written a profound literary masterpiece that is twice the length of a typical debut novel and is frantically trying to find a publisher who will give it a chance. Jack Sterling, literary agent to the stars, is her last chance...but when their short meeting begins to tank, she surprises him with her quick wit and sharp analysis skills, and he realizes she might be the answer he's been searching for for another project. If she agrees to ghostwrite one of the biggest names in the biz, he'll work with her to get her passion project greenlit.

And thus begins the most romantic of romances.

Bryony's character is very well developed. She has dreams and passions and history, and as far as her work is concerned, she knows exactly what she wants, and she's determined to get it. Jack's character is maybe not as visible in the story, but he doesn't feel flat. He's incredibly good at his high stress job, and though that makes it hard to distinguish his true feelings from Bryony's perspective, since she's his client and he'll do anything to appease his clients, I feel like the integrity of his character is plain as day.

The romance is so deliciously crafted. They can't really indulge in a usual romance because of their unique situation, but the friendship that develops between them is so genuine and endearing it fuels the craving and yearning for more. Everyone seems to see the potential between them before Bryony, and I was SO on board for every succulent sentence of it.

The story's development didn't lack either. There are real, serious conflicts that Bryony and Jack are contending with that don't have easy answers, but in perfect rom com fashion, everything resolves itself in the end, and the characters are done justice in a way that satisfies the built-up tension.

I was seriously so engrossed in this book the way that only great ones can do. I can't wait to read more from Melissa Ferguson, and I hope you find the time to add this one to your ever-expanding TBR if you're a romance lover like me!

After a disastrous pitch session at her first writers conference, aspiring author Bryony Page stumbles into correcting another author’s work in a last-ditch attempt to make a good impression with literary agent Jack Sterling. When he offers her the opportunity to be a ghostwriter for Amelia Benedict, popular rom-com novelist, Bryony agrees on one condition: she’ll write books for this vain, demanding woman just as long as he works to sell her own book too.

Bryony couldn't predict her books making Amelia literary royalty. She still held on to her publishing dream but stayed the ghostwriting course for her grandmother's struggling ESL organization.

I loved the narrator on this one. She brought out Bryony's chaotic life perfectly as she went on a book tour, tried to market her manuscript, and even fell in love. I loved the last chapters as everything fell into place for her beyond her wildest dreams.

Thank you to Netgalley and Publisher for an ALC. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 4.5⭐
Steam level: 1🌶️ Kissing only

This book had so much potential however I strongly dislike the MMC he was arrogant, self centred and then threatened the FMC with a lawsuit? I failed to see the funny side within this book. There was very little romance within this book and the first 50% dragged a little without much happening.
The narrator's of this book were brilliant they brought the characters to life however I felt the story let them down and I just didn't really care for either of them. I spent most of the book wishing Bryony would grow a backbone!
I found from the cover and title we were going to get banter, flirting, maybe some tension and there was none of this. Sadly I don't see the romance or comedy within this book. Not for me.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eALC of this book in exchange for an honest review

This was a fun time, the characters were basically caricatures (specifically Emilia) and they didn't really develop throughout the entire book however, the banter between the main characters was pretty fun.

I don't read that many romcoms but this was a fun one.

The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson

funny lighthearted slow-paced
Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75

A book that feels like a stroll in Starshallow. This book is all golden retriever energy & no black cat.
What I loved💕:
💕 The banter between Jack and Bryony
💕 Up and coming author FMC
💕 Literary events
💕 Bryony sassiness
💕 audio book narrator is easy to listen to and upbeat.

What’s not my cuppa tea:☕️
☕️ all the extra information- it slowed down the book and I’m reading a romance to focus on the main characters
☕️ Hate for affirmations in the bathroom scene

Bryony is an author trying to publish her debut novel, which is admittedly an epic. She goes to a convention for aspiring authors, but the competition is oversaturated. The agents there simply don't have enough time in their day to hear everyone's pitch.

There is one literary agent that everyone steers clear from, though, and Bryony is determined and takes the chance. Jack is intimidating and he rarely takes on new authors. In fact, he rarely goes to any conventions.

Though he turns down Bryony's novel because he believes her novel is too long, he has another proposition: to become a ghost writer for best-selling author Amelia Benedict.

Bryony basically has to sell her soul though, and Amelia puts no effort in and gets all the credit. Jack did promise to put in her manuscript though to potential publishers...

Bryony and Jack become fast friends and co-workers, but when did they step into something more? Was it the lunch dates? The late-night phone calls?

And that ending was soooo swoon-worthy! Bryony deserved every piece of it!

3.5? This was… okay. It kept me entertained while reading & listening, but I’ll immediately forget about it. The length was perfect, but I do wish we had a little more backstory into their friendship, and a little less Amelia tour. Minus the miscommunication please. The end reveal? So sweet.

This romance was a really good one. The friends-to-lovers story felt natural, with no rush or forced moments. I liked how the characters took their time to figure things out, and the chemistry between them was believable. It wasn’t one of those stories where everything feels rushed just to get to the good parts.

The office setting added some great moments—awkward, funny, but also moments where you could feel the emotional depth. It had just the right balance between humor and more serious parts that made me care about these characters.

I did wish for a little more spice, but the emotional connection was enough to make me invested in their journey. I ended up really liking how the story played out.

This was far from the perfect rom-com. It worked as a quick, fluffy palate cleanser, but nothing more. The writing was cheesy in a good way, and if you go in with low expectations, you might be pleasantly surprised. However, the biggest issue was the timeline—we completely skipped the two years where Bryony and Jack went from hating each other to best friends, which was arguably the most crucial part of their relationship development. Instead, we got tiny flashbacks, but it wasn’t enough. The story jumped from hate to friends to dating without really showing how they got there.

On top of that, the ending had massive plot holes, and it just wasn't my vibe. It was distracting, and it made the resolution feel rushed and unrealistic. The characters also felt a bit empty in places, like they needed more depth to make their emotions and choices fully resonate especially after having developed feelings over the span of two years!

Overall, while the romance felt more like a subplot to Bryony’s personal growth, it was still an enjoyable, light read. If you’re looking for something short and sweet, this fits the bill, but don’t expect anything groundbreaking.

Thank you Netgalley for the ALC!

This is very much a Hallmark-esque rom-com that felt pretty surface level. I didn’t feel as though I got to know Bryony very well at all, beyond her interest in publishing her book. Because we get a 2 year fast forward, I felt as though we skipped over a lot of the relationship building, and character building. Jack was fine but like Bryony, I felt I only got to know the surface level and there wasn’t a three dimensional character on the page. I enjoyed the overall storyline, it was easy to listen to and quick overall. The narrator was great. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to provide my honest review.

Listened to the Audiobook.
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I have read other Melissa Ferguson books and this is probably my favorite. Maybe because two weeks notice is one of my favorite rom-coms. But this is a great take on the classic movie ( at least classic to me)
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The narration was on point, quick and witty, with plenty of emotion to carry the story. Karissa Vacker absolutely nailed it.
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The story pulls you in from the very beginning, her work, her personality and her trials are part of who she is and Melissa did a fabulous job getting me to root for Bryony.
Jack is not perfect, but man does he knows how to play the long game, and puts in the work. If slightly annoying at times.
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I devoured every word on this book, stayed up to 2 am just because I couldn’t stop.
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Thank you NetGalley for the audiobook ARC of this book.

The storyline of this book was beautiful and for me when I read the synopsis I was attracted to the fact that it was loosely inspired by Two Weeks Notice which is my favorite RomCom of all time. I can see the parallels but love that it’s not 100% the same.

I have to say the narrator Karissa Vacker is perfection with the audio. Her ability to do so many characters and have them with their own voice is unmatched. I love any audio by her.

I fell head over heels for the characters and love how it all played out. From start to finish emotions were high and I was invested from the get go! A definite must listen/read!

Bryony’s dream to publish “Under the Bridge”, her manuscript about her grand mother’s organisation to teach English to foreigners. Is nearer after two years ghost-writing for Amelia popular rom-com author. Working side by side with Jack, literary agent of a legendary agency has make it almost possibly. But their feelings are getting involved and waiting is making Bryony go crazy. Can her dreams come true or will she let everything goes? The audiobook with Kariisa Vacker makes a great story in an ever better one. Thanks to NetGalley for the ALC copy. This is my honest review.