The Queen Still Reigns- Katherine Center has once again stolen my heart with this sweet love story! I absolutely adored the concept that this RomCom highlighted all the things that traditionally make a “RomCom” perfect, all while applying all those same elements to the story. It’s as if KC says, “This is the recipe for every successful romance story, here, now you try!” It was done beautifully!

Nothing beat the depth to a Center cast, our MFC Emma and MMC Charlie, are quirky, damaged, strong, opinionated, and they balance each other with the perfect amount of grumpy/sunshine trope, as well as, optimism and cynicism.

Emma has spent 10 years taking care of her dad in Texas after a near fatal accident, passing up opportunity after opportunity to chase her dreams of being a screenwriter. Charlie a famous screenwriter who after a divorce and other life altering events has gotten the “yips” as his agent says, and can’t produce anything remotely good!

When they are paired together, Emma is hoping to get the big break she needs, and Charlie just wants to “get it over with” so he can move on to write something he’s actually proud of, AKA a Mafia Action Script. But, as any good rom com main character does, they start to realize what you came for and what you leave with are usually very two different things.

Thank you Katherine Center, for a clean, fun, brilliantly witty, and deep love story that keeps our hearts full of hope for a happy ending!

Katherine Center's The Rom-Commers is a wonderfully fun rom-com with surprising depth. It charmingly explores the tough balance between family responsibilities and chasing your own dreams.
Center's characters are incredibly relatable, navigating life's messy obligations while trying to figure out their personal aspirations. It's more than just a light read; it thoughtfully delves into the sacrifices we make and the courage it takes to pursue our passions. Expect witty banter, great chemistry, and an insightful look at life's tough choices. This one's both entertaining and surprisingly deep.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center in exchange for my honest review and opinion. I absolutely love Katherine Center and every single thing she writes! She is always one of my absolute MUST read authors! Her books are just the right amount of everything from funny to sad and draw you in right from the first page. The only negative thing I can say is I finished it too fast and now have to wait for her next book! Add this to the top of your TBR pile immediately!

I love all Katherine Center books - they are good from beginning to end.
4 Stars.

Here is my scoring system in a nutshell. Five star books are not only engaging from beginning to end, but they are also beautifully written. Four star books are well worth your time - engaging and well-written. Three star books aren’t bad- engaging but perhaps slow or clunky in parts. Two stars, I finished but it was difficult - something about the pacing, the story or the writing was not compelling. One star - just don’t!

5 STARS= Definitely YES!
4 STARS = YES.
3 STARS = Maybe.
2 STARS= NO.
1 STAR = DNF; Definitely NO!

This was an enjoyable summer read, and a serviceable rom-com. Do I think it's earth shattering? No. Do I think there is anything wrong with this story? Also no. I liked some of the banter and back and forth dynamic. But there wasn't really that much going on with this romance, but I don't like when things are completely bonkers with too many impediments to a happily ever after either, so basically I don't know that it's a bad thing that this is more grounded. There was a decent chunk of humor and a few parts make me giggle a bit. I'm gonna say that this is a nice beach read, but not something that I'm screaming from the hills about.

Warm, witty, and utterly charming. Center blends humor with heart so well, and this story about screenwriting and second chances hit all the right notes. A bit idealistic at times, but I didn’t mind—I was smiling too much. A delightful love letter to the genre.

the rom-commers by katherine center is a five-star serotonin boost. it’s everything you want in a romantic comedy: clever, charming, and bursting with heart. the main character is the kind of chaotic good you can’t help but love, and the romance? slow-burn perfection with just the right amount of spark and sass. center balances laugh-out-loud moments with real emotional depth, making it feel both fun and meaningful.

This book made me laugh out loud. I love this author & will continue to read whatever she puts out. The ending speech by Emma’s Dad was fabulous. A great lesson in gratitude.

This book was just so much fun. I always find Katherine Centre’s books so delightful. Her way of weaving a story always makes me smile. I enjoy the way each MC had their own complexities, experiences, struggles that they brought with them which gave them depth and a reason to root for them.
Also adored the little Easter egg from The Bodyguard.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC all opinions are my own.

Not a fan of this story. This is an overdone storyline across authors right now. I also found too many similarities to the body guard.

I seriously don’t think I’m read a Katherine center book I have not liked. I was completely immersed in the Emma and Charlie from the start. While these two could not be more different that’s what made them work so well. So much humor and charm and such a fun read!

This is my first book of Katherine Center that I've read. It was such a good book! Like the title shows, this is a romantic comedy. There were definitely some laugh out loud moments.

Emma gets the chance to work with the famous screenwriter, Charlie Yates. She leaves her sister to take care of their dad so she can follow her own dream for once. Charlie doesn't believe in love and it shows in his new script. She makes it her mission to convince him that love exists.

This book has the unlikely pair and overcoming obstacles tropes. If you're looking for a good laugh, this is the book for you!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of this book in exchange for my review.

The Rom-Commers was a cute and charming read, delivering exactly what I expected from Katherine Center. It’s a classic, feel-good romance that follows familiar tropes but does so with warmth and heart.

Emma is an aspiring screenwriter and when she gets the chance of a lifetime to work with one of her favorite screenwriters, she leaves her ailing father and moves to California for 6 weeks! But when she gets there, she finds out that Charlie Yates isn't what she anticipated and writing the screenplay isn't going to be as easy as she hoped.

The relationship between Emma and Charlie was the highlight for me — their chemistry and development kept me engaged from start to finish. I genuinely cared about their journey, which made the story enjoyable even if the plot felt a bit predictable at times.

Overall, this book is perfect if you’re in the mood for a comforting, straightforward romance. While it didn’t break new ground, it offered a satisfying, lighthearted read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Katherine Center has a way of writing that feels like a warm hug and a burst of laughter all at once—and The Rom-Commers definitely lives up to that vibe. This book was such a joy to read, filled with charm, wit, and those heartfelt moments that remind you why we love rom-coms in the first place.

The story follows characters who are perfectly imperfect—flawed, funny, and relatable in all the best ways. I loved how Center balances humor with emotional depth; the laughs felt genuine and the vulnerable moments hit just right without ever feeling heavy or forced. The dialogue sparkled, making every interaction feel fresh and real, and the chemistry? It simmered beautifully without rushing, which is exactly what I needed.

What stood out most to me was the way Center crafts her characters’ journeys—not just in love, but in self-discovery. It’s a rom-com, yes, but it’s also about learning to embrace yourself, face your fears, and find joy in unexpected places. There’s this lovely theme of personal growth woven throughout the story that made it resonate on a deeper level than your typical light read.

The pacing was mostly great, although there were a few moments where the story slowed down a bit, which I felt could have been tightened. Still, those moments gave space for reflection and added to the emotional payoff at the end. The setting and side characters were equally enjoyable, adding layers of warmth and texture that made the world feel lived-in and cozy.

If you’re a fan of rom-coms that are sweet but not saccharine, funny but thoughtful, and filled with characters who feel like friends you want to hang out with, The Rom-Commers is an excellent pick. It’s the kind of book that makes you smile on the bus, laugh out loud in public, and maybe even shed a tear or two when you least expect it.

Thank you so much to @netgalley for the ARC! Katherine Center’s voice is one I always look forward to hearing, and this book reminded me why she’s such a beloved author in the genre.

This was another great romance by Katherine center. I loved the premise. The secondary characters were slightly better than the main characters.

Now this a rom-com & a perfect summer read. It’s fun. It’s quirky. It had plenty of laugh out loud parts that I had to explain to my husband when he asked, “what’s so funny?” The perfect amount of drama & sadness- love a book with a full affect.


Thank you Net Galley & to the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Of the books by Katherine Center that I’ve read (which is a handful at this point), this is my favorite to date. Every character is well thought out, deep, leaping off the page. It is a joyful ode to rom-coms. There were delightful and suspenseful twists and turns, and I genuinely enjoyed every moment.

This book was really cute! I loved the premise so, so much. The FMC, Emma, loves this screenwriter, Charlie. He writes many different things, but one thing he doesn’t? Romances. Then he tries to write one and it is absolute trash. Through a friend, she ends up under contract as a writer helping Charlie with it. And through their journey of critiques, a guinea pig, writing, fear of water, cooking, and so much more, they fall in love.

Just a little side note, Emma is in her head a lot in this story. She is constantly thinking through things and weighing options and so on and, for me, it was a bit much at times, but I do understand why the author did it because it was authentic to the character.

Tragedy strikes on both sides with one pushing the other away and the other running away for an emergency. But eventually, as we all know and love (because why else do we read romance), through a time when something major was possibly happening that would keep them apart, they finally get together at the end.

I thought this one was just okay. Definitely enjoyed the first 50% but the end fell off a bit for me. Still enjoyed though! If you’re a Katherine Center fan, her classic charm can still be found here! I did like how the title played into the plot though. Approximately named for the premise!

Written well, a love story rooted in miscommunication and secrets.
The female main character has made her adult life choices after a tragedy occurred in her late teens. As a result, the ripple effect on her family members is evident, resulting in missed opportunities, resentment, and martyrdom. However, there is humor, hope, and redemption too! Simultaneously, the male main character has his own developmental arc, as he reconciles with some demons of his own. There is some physical comedy interspersed as well as sweet gestures, which keep the plot moving.

Overall, a satisfying read, and I’d read more from this author.