So cute!!! Ahhh!! I really enjoyed this one! I love Bryony and her determination for her book. I really enjoyed reading a book about the book industry. It's so hard for an author to be published and get the notoriety they deserve. The audiobook was a great listen too! Great, heartwarming read!!

*Thank you partner @uplitreads @ourfriendlyfarmhouse and @tnzfiction for the #gifted e-galley, paperback and audiobook in exchange for an honest review.*

**ARC Review: *The Perfect Rom-Com* by Melissa Ferguson**

If you’re looking for a book that will have you *laughing out loud in public*, swooning over witty banter, and grinning like an absolute fool, *The Perfect Rom-Com* is your next must-read (or must-listen!).

Bryony Page is an ESL teacher with a heart of gold and a big mission—saving The Bridge, a nonprofit that means the world to her. When her attempt at publishing a book to fundraise flops, she finds herself in an unexpected deal: ghostwriting for *the* rom-com queen, Amelia Benedict, in exchange for the help of literary agent Jack Sterling. The catch? Jack is equal parts infuriating and charming, and working together quickly turns into a whirlwind of hilarious bickering, undeniable tension, and just the *slightest* possibility of falling head over heels.

Now, let’s talk about the **audiobook**—because it is *absolutely hilarious*. Between the banter, the snarky inner thoughts, and the chaotic energy of Bryony and Jack’s dynamic, you will be giggling in public *in the best way possible*. The narration brings every scene to life, making the chemistry even more electric and the humor even sharper.

Melissa Ferguson has nailed the perfect balance of humor, heart, and romance. Whether you’re a rom-com fanatic or just love a book that makes you feel *everything*, this one is a winner.

**Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity 💕**

This was so cute! Bryony, our mc, was annoying at times, she was bit over the top. I also didn't totally believe her love for the school. These things didn't diminish my enjoyment overall though. I did find her banter with Jack so cute. It was a fun and clean read.
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

I just love books that are bookish📖

On a real note, I loved every aspect of this book. Bryony is so relatable & says exactly what I think sometimes. She is an undercover hopeless romantic who finds love without even noticing she did. A closed door romance that is lighthearted & fun. Jack is your typical mysterious guy who doesn’t show much emotion but is actually falling in love with Bryony. He’s witty but also romantic which makes his character even more likable. I can’t wait to read more books by Melissa!

This contains an audiobook review.

This is a kisses only stand alone romcom. I have read/listened to a few other Melissa Ferguson books and this was my favorite so far! I'm not sure I would have enjoyed it as much as I did if I had read it myself. But I thought the audiobook was fabulous! The narrator kept me interested and entertained. I really felt like I was part of the action. It is told from Bryony's point of view, so there is a single female narrator. She does an amazing job with all of the characters and giving them their own voice. I knew who was talking without having to be told via the story. I also appreciated listening because I am not sure that I would have pronounced the main female character's name properly in my head.

I found 2 other things that I think helped me enjoy this book. The first is that the message from the author at the beginning was read. That personal information really helped me connect with the story. And the second thing was that it started in Nashville. I loved that part.

I was given an opportunity to listen to an advanced copy of this audiobook by Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio via Netgalley. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

I didn’t realize I’d already read the digitial version of this book. It wasn’t for me but I would still recommend it, especially to people looking for “clean” romance.

This book was delightful from the beginning! I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the pain of the publishing world came alive through the narrator! She nailed the voices of Bryony and Jack! I loved the warmth the author created between Bryony and her sister from the beginning! Loved the MMC, his character and the development of his hidden love for MFC was so moving and fun to watch! I loved this story!

Bryony is an aspiring author who also wants to save the ESL business that is owned by her grandmother and where she works. So she writes a huge clunky novel. At a conference, she is rejected repeatedly before she is offered an opportunity: become a ghost writer for a very successful romance novelist and the agent will represent her. Of course, the two develop feelings for each other which come to a head when Bryony is forced to come on tour with the rude author. But time is running out to save her school, what will she do?

This is a fun romance novel with some great comedic bits. I LOVED the ESL students. They brought so much to the story! Also, this is a clean romance so there is a small amount of kissing but that is it, nonetheless it is very romantic.

The narration was awesome, although the name Bryony continues to bend my mind and listening to someone say it was distracting for me.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction and Net Galley for the DRC. All opinions are my own.

This was such an enjoyable listen. Karissa Vacker is a great narrator, and I enjoy her style. The book itself was fun and interesting. I wish there weren't a skip of 2 years in the beginning. I think I would have liked the development of Jack and Bryony's friendship more so than diving right into their friendship.

3.5⭐️ I’ve read a couple other Melissa Ferguson books and have found them to be very sweet, fun reads. There’s not a lot of “rom” in her tales, but that’s ok. If you’re looking for spice, this is not the book. But if you’re looking for a cute, cozy story about an aspiring author that ends up ghostwriting for another “author”, then you’ll love this story. Bryony is the true talent and as frustrating as it is that she doesn’t receive the credit she’s due earlier, I think she really needed the time honing her skills to become undeniable. I have mixed feelings about Jack though. I could absolutely tell that he had feelings first, I just wish he could’ve been more transparent with Bryony.

Thank you NetGalley, Thomas Nelson, and Zondervan Fiction Audio for this copy of The Perfect Rom-Com to read and review!

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction for the gifted Audiobook!

I've read almost all of Melissa's books and adore her as a person!

While this book was titled The Perfect Rom-Com and labeled as a romance, it was sadly lacking in the romance department in my opinion. I think this would have been almost better off if I went in expecting women's fiction/general fiction.

The plot was interesting enough and while I didn't necessarily want to DNF at any point, but I just kept anticipating the connection between the two main characters, Byrony and Jack, and when it finally did come at the very end it was dissatisfying to me. I see what she was going for with the whole (overdone IMO) enemies to lovers trope, but all it seemed to accomplish here was turning Jack into a total jerk. You can't just treat someone terribly, call them names (the most annoying author in the world), lie to them constantly, and then have them fall in love with no real change and call it "enemies to lovers" and have it magically fix all the problems.

The other plot, which was really the main plot considering the romance was a secondary plot also didn't end in a satisfying way to me. I think there was an attempt to tie it all up in a nice bow, but it just didn't seem sincere or realistic.

I'm sad this one didn't work for me and hope to enjoy her next book!

2.5 stars

A sweet romcom with rich and multi-faceted characters.

I loved the elements of the story around the ESL students and The Bridge. I also enjoy when stories are set in the world of writing and books.

The narrator has a melodic voice which works wonderfully for the FMC and the side characters. She did a fantastic job but I really struggled with the MMC's voice.

I will say, I found this really slow in places. It was also predictable, but romances always tend to be.

I really liked the end and it was a cute story overall.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘙𝘰𝘮-𝘊𝘰𝘮 by Melissa Ferguson

Thank you, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Melissa Ferguson, and Net Galley, for this ALC audiobook of 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘙𝘰𝘮-𝘊𝘰𝘮.

Narrator:
🎤 Karissa Vacker

Review:

This was a cute, light story. I think it's perfect as a beach read or for when you just need something to lighten your mood. It was funny and I liked the plot.

I loved Bryony. She was passionate about the book she wrote, and she showed a lot of love for her family and her ESL students.


Also ~ Karissa Vacker is an awesome narrator, and I think she was just right for this audiobook.

I absolutely adored this book! From the very first page, Bryony and Jack’s dynamic had me hooked, and their journey together was heartwarming and entertaining.

Bryony Page is an ESL teacher with a dream - she wants to publish a novel inspired by her grandmother’s legacy and use the proceeds to save The Bridge (the ESL school her family has poured their hearts into). But the publishing world isn’t exactly welcoming to unknown authors with passion projects. When Bryony crashes a conference to pitch her book, she ends up with something unexpected: a ghostwriting job from literary agent Jack Sterling. Suddenly, she’s behind the scenes of a bestselling empire, watching someone else take credit for her work while struggling to keep her own dreams alive.

Jack and Bryony’s relationship is everything I love in a rom-com...banter that sparkles, undeniable chemistry, and a slow-burn romance that feels earned. Jack’s quiet support for Bryony, his belief in her talent even when she doubts herself, made my heart melt. The book tour chaos, the secret-keeping, and the growing tension all build toward a satisfying and emotional payoff.

If you love charming romances with humor, heart, and just the right amount of angst, this one is a must-read! The third-act conflict was a bit predictable, but it didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed this book. Definitely a feel-good rom-com worth picking up!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the ALC in exchange for my honest thoughts! 💕

“I wanted to live in his nothing, and have him live in mine.”

The Perfect Rom-Com by MelissaFerguson is a 3.2 ⭐️ read.

She's written dozens of smash hit romance novels. Too bad no one knows it. 

Aspiring author Bryony Page attends her first writers conference bursting with optimism and ready to sell her manuscript with long-shot dreams of raising awareness for The Bridge, her grandmother's financially struggling organization where she teaches ESL full-time.

But after a disastrous pitch session, she stumbles into correcting another author's work in a last-ditch attempt to make a good impression with the agent. And she, as it turns out, is spot on. 

—:—:—:—:—

A rom-com worth the time! The warm feeling this cozy close door romance book gives, is right up there with those hallmark movies we all love to watch! Bryony Page is a woman I so loved to follow, seeing the world out of her eyes was interesting!

Such a good February read for all who love to LOVE!

Best quote: “I liked you better when you were in awe of me!”

The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5

I really enjoyed parts of this book and really didn’t enjoy others. It was very up and down for me. I think the best way to review it might be to break it down into pros and cons. Just very cut and dry.

First, a little recap: This book follows aspiring author Briony Page as she aims to get her passion project novel published. Briony is full-time adult ESL teacher for The Bridge, a program where immigrants can learn English and get their GEDs. Unfortunately, The Bridge is struggling to stay funded and will close soon if nothing changes. Enter Jack. Jack is an agent who Briony queries at a writer’s conference to take her on as a client, and in the process, save The Bridge with her advance. While hesitant to take on her book, Jack does pick Briony up as a ghost writer for one of his most famous clients, Amelia Benedict. We follow Jack and Briony as they navigate the world of publishing while trying to save The Bridge and inevitably grow closer.

Ok. Pros: I really loved the story of the ESL students. The author pulled from her real-life experience as an ESL teacher, and some of the stories were just hilarious. These characters had so much heart and soul, and their love for Briony just leapt off the page. They were a shining light in this book, and I was so invested in seeing The Bridge saved. I loved Briony’s dedication to them and her willingness to try literally everything she could to make sure the program stayed open.

I also enjoyed the plotline of Briony as Amelia’s ghost writer. Amelia Benedict is easily one of the most infuriating characters I have ever read. She was heinously awful. The ending she got was so sweet and satisfying. I absolutely ate 👏 it 👏 up 👏, despite it being supremely unrealistic haha, but what do we read for if not suspension of disbelief. Amelia deserved every single thing she got. I love that Jack facilitated it, and finally, put Briony’s best interests first like he should’ve been doing for years as HER agent.

Now for the cons … in a book titled “The Perfect Rom-Com,” one would think that the romance aspect of the book would not fall into the cons category, but it — unfortunately — does. There really is no other way around it. The romance in this book sucked with a capital S. I actually think I preferred Briony and Jack as friends. There’s no build-up, no chemistry, no burn, no tension, no banter. Nothing about their relationship said to me that they should be together romantically. It just came off as two really good friends/coworkers.

Briony gets broken up with halfway through, Jack immediately asks her on a date, then bam, they’re together. I was actually thrown off by how quickly it happened, thinking I might have accidentally skipped a section of the book. I didn’t. It was really just that quick. Then, it immediately takes a backseat for the rest of the story. Jack royally screws up, and Briony dumps him for it. AS SHE SHOULD. What that man did was so beyond ridiculous, and there is absolutely no logical reason he couldn’t have been honest with her from the start. Yeah, sure, he fixes it, but if I were Briony, there is no way I would have forgiven him. NONE.

I am happy with the ending and with what happens to Briony and The Bridge. That was my favorite part of the book. It was so endearing and made me smile. They were a family. It was beautiful to read about it, especially knowing it was inspired by a similar program in real-life. It makes me happy to know that places like that still exist in this evil world.

This book has good bones, but, sadly, is not a perfect rom-com.

Thank you to NetGalley, Melissa Ferguson, HarperCollins, and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions stated are my own.

The Perfect Rom-Com was a fun, quick romance read. I really enjoyed the characters and liked the ESL storyline the author included from her real life experiences. At just over 300 pages, this one was short and sweet.

Melissa Ferguson writes rich realistic characters and wonderful storylines and playful banter. It starts with meeting Bryony. As a first time author, she's trying to get a book published, and her pitch doesn't go the way she planned. Instead of selling her own novel, she's suddenly faced with an opportunity to ghost write for someone else, the larger than life, Amelia Benedict. She goes from an unknown author to the brains behind the best selling novels, attributed to someone else.

Bryony is always putting her students, her family and of course her work first. She is always with Jack, her now friend and agent. However, is Jack being up front with her, or is he keeping her novel so that she doesn't get her dream? You soon find yourself rooting for Bryony to get her happily ever after with Jack, but more importantly you want her to get credit for her hard work.

The work she has put into creating stories that everyone loves. However, would she have been able to do this and achieve what she wanted with HER novel, without first writing the other works for Amelia?

The audio book is beautifully narrated, in a way that you feel like you are standing right there with the characters.

If you are looking for a light romance, with just a touch of comedy, this is the perfect book.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

I've read all of Melissa Ferguson's books, but there was something extra special about this one that landed it firmly as my favorite of her novels. I don't know that I can put my finger on it, but I seriously LOVED everything about this book. It just hit the spot for my reading mood and I ended up bingeing it unexpectedly. I simply didn't want to put it down, it's that good. It was just a great escape, exactly what I hope to have happen when I pick up a rom-com. Low stakes, but high reward. Dynamic characters and a really fun plot for a bookworm.
Told through Bryony's POV, I felt like her character was relatable and even as she was navigating everything, it was impossible not to feel the chemistry between her and Jack. It was just fun. I loved the plot and the characters as a whole. The romance was nice; the way they danced around each other in denial (friendzone/work place romance) and then Jack making his move and his end grand gesture … yeah, I was here for it. It put a smile on my face.
I listened to the audiobook version and really liked the narrator, Karissa Vacker. I felt like she encapsulated Bryony really well and handled the dialogue in an engaging way. It was easy to listen to and something I’ll pick up and reread again.
This is a clean romance. I received an advance listening copy of this novel from Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Was really interested in the book until I started scrolling the authors social media.

Not for me.
Closed door romance is great, but we don’t need to villainize spice to advertise it.