3.5 Stars
Zero Spice
Forced Proximity
Grumpy Sunshine

Emma is an aspiring writer. She loves rom-coms and loves love. She is also her father’s full-time caretaker. Emma’s life has revolved around her father for the past decade pushing her dreams to pursue writing aside.

Charlie is a famous screenwriter who wrote a terrible script. Said script needs to be rewritten in order for his passion project to be produced. He switches genres and decides to write a romance but doesn’t believe in love.

Can a nobody-writer help a famous screenwriter get past his writer's block? Can she help him believe in love?

This was the first Katherine Center book I’ve read. Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book. I didn’t hate it. I actually loved it. Was it life-changing? Not at all. But it was really good entertainment between deeper-themed books. I appreciated the lack of spice. So if you’re looking for that, this might not be the book for you. But it’s a cute rom-com and I love a good Romanic Comedy. I laughed, gasped, and cried as the book unfolded. There was tension and bickering. What made it better was that the MMC was so awkward. They were both awkward but in the best way possible. I loved their banter and the tension between them. I didn’t mind that it took over 50% of the book to finally get a kiss.

If you’re looking for a light-hearted swoony rom-com, this book is perfect.

Like most of Katherine Center's books, The Rom-Commers is some fun fluff with a side of personal struggles. They truly embody the HEA. I have fun with her books because they always leave me feeling light. Her writing style sets her apart from many of her peers. It's funny and conversational in a way that I don't usually read, and it could be annoying if done differently.

I also recommend reading The Bodyguard if you want to understand the small crossover.

Katherine Center gets me every time!!!

This review is simple, if you like romcoms THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU!

Two writers. He is successful and doesn’t believe in love. She is a hopeless romantic that has put her writing career on hold for years to care for her family.

They come together to write the perfect romcom! It’s adorable. He’s grumpy and she’s sunshine.

It’s cheesy and heartfelt…all the things! Perfect read for a romcom lover.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this as an ARC!!!

Emma’s family tragedy has her tied to a 5 mile radius of an apartment she shares with her disabled father, tossing away her career aspirations to take on a role of full-time caregiver.
When the opportunity to work with THE Charlie Yates (action writer extraordinaire) to ghostwrite his romcom (your favorite genre)
Do you…
A. Not tell your family
B. Pitch your sister
C. Get caught by your dad
D. All the above

The dialogue between Emma and Charlie moved this story forward wonderfully. It made it nearly impossible to put down, and had me invested from the beginning. I love them both so much, even if I want to throttle Charlie for trying to hide his thoughts and feelings surrounding his career and the people around him.

How do I sum up cynical Charlie Yates outside of his rumpled oxfords and wide leg trousers?
“We were in his very cool, vintage—reconditioned and now hybrid, he told me—truck. The Allman Brothers were on the radio. The windows were hand-cranked down. The famous zero-humidity LA air fluttered all around us. Charlie drove one-handed, his free arm resting out the open window.“ (RIP Dickey Betts).

This rang true. “…blue versus black ink is an essential identity issue. Much like Coke versus Pepsi, or the Beatles versus the Stones, or college-ruled notebooks versus regular. You can be one kind of person or the other, but not both.” (The correct answers are: Black ink, Coke, Beatles, college ruled.)

Omg the Italian cowboy. ☠️

I love that Meryl Streep and Amy Poehler are part of this universe.

Does it take 88 days to fall in love with someone?

Do not, I repeat, do not read Chapter 12 while on your way home from work on mass transit if you aren’t able to handle crying in public. People may think another day of working in NYC destroyed you. But no. It’s just Chapter 12 wrecking you.

I wasn’t a fan of how Emma’s curly hair was such a focal point (hi, curly girly here. Embrace your curls!!), the confession(s) from Emma, and how hurtful of a phone call it was with her sister Sylvie. That being said, this is a 4.5 star read for me, and one I will absolutely reread. It ranks up there for me with Book Lovers and Savor It.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Katherine Center has a way of telling fun romance stories that are laced with deeper messages and themes that bring substance to the romance genre. This book almost makes fun of other romance books by saying things like falling on each other aren't romantic while turning a grump into a romantic. Within the first 50 pages, I was tearing up and feeling deeply for the characters. Emma is a strong female lead, standing up and defending herself. Even when resolving issues, Emma doesn't give way and cave but holds her ground supporting her values. Whenever Katherine Center releases a new book, it always goes to the top of my TBR pile.

This book was such a delightful read! I cannot wait to share about this one!

You're stereotypical Rom-Com about writers who are writing a Rom-Com. Seriously, the clichés were perfect. I ate this book up and enjoyed every moment of it. The character's are loveable, the drama is appropriate (maybe a touch stereotypical at moments), and you experience emotions (a wide range of them at that). I love the crossover events from Jack Stapleton. The ending was a lovely touch, especially the reminder of you don't have to get married to have your perfect ending AND the reminder that everything doesn't necessarily end perfect, but life is good.

This one will be on my shelf as soon as it's available and will be recommended many times over.

I loved this book so much! I absolutely loved reading about Emma and Charlie. The tension and slow burn was so good! This one also had great banter. Emma's past was so sad and emotional, but was so well written.

I loved The Bodyguard and was excited for more (LOVE that we get some Jack Stapleton cameos!). In this story, Hannah Wheeler is a screenplay writer who missed her opportunity to launch her career due to a tragic accident that left her caring for her father around the clock and sacrificing her own dreams so that her little sister could go to school and have the young adult life she deserved. However, after ten years, Emma has the chance of a lifetime to fly to LA and write a rom com with one of the most success screenwriters of Hollywood. Charlie Yates is just as handsome as Emma always believed, maybe more so in person, but their collaboration may not initially be everything she thought it to be.

This book was laugh out loud funny at points and that is rare to find! I really enjoyed the chemistry and banter between Emma and Charlie, but found that they both seemed quite inexperienced and immature. There were a few scenes that didn’t seem realistic for grown adults and that just kind of threw me, which is where I gave it four stars.

Did I fly through it? Totally! :) I would definitely recommend it as a fun summer read.

Thank you @netgalley and the publisher for this ARC, I had a blast!

(This review has spoilers.)

This book was honestly just ok for me. I enjoyed reading about Emma but unfortunately, I did not like Charlie at all. As other reviewers mentioned, he was very disrespectful to her, and I didn’t feel as though he had a proper redemption arc that justified their romance. I was hoping Emma would focus on how poorly he treated and belittled her, but she forgives him pretty fast. I wasn’t rooting for them and didn’t feel like there was that strong of chemistry between them either.

I found the dynamics Emma had with her father and sister quite heartwarming and special. However, the pacing and structure during the second half of the book felt a bit rushed, especially with the choppy dialogue and quick resolution of conflicts. I know this isn’t supposed to be realistic but it all felt a bit too far-fetched, especially with the celebrity cameos and Hollywood-realm scenes. Overall, I personally don’t think this book was for me. (I enjoyed The Bodyguard though!)

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Katherine Center for the opportunity to read this ARC!

I am the biggest fan of Katherine Center. I always fall in love with her books. I was elated when I got this advanced copy. After listening AND reading it I can honestly say it’s my favorite of 2024 so far. I love this book. I love everything about this book. I loved the witty banner, Emma and Charlie, the twists and turns, the details, and the insane ending . This plot is amazing, this book is amazing, the writing is amazing. She look all the cliches of a rom-com and un-cliched them. It’s funny and witty and enchanting. This book truly makes you believe in love again. I got butterflies on every chapter and that’s how I know it’s a great book. I loved it and so will you, go read this book!!

I would read the back of a cereal box if Katherine Center wrote it. This book is everything you are expecting from KC and more. Emma and Charlie are equally lost in life but through writing they find themselves and love - both in each other and in their screenplay. I can't wait for June to hold this book in my hands.

The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center is another warm your heart, laugh out loud and fall in love with type of book. She just knows how to capture characters that seem like they are the reader's friends.
I loved Emma and Charlie from their first meet up. Emma's honesty was refreshing and Charlie's cluelessness was actually endearing. This was a fun book to cast in my head!
Well done!

It’s a yes. This book is another winner for this author. I enjoyed the mature romance along with the vulnerability of both fmc and mmc. I didn’t always enjoy fmc point of views. The best part was the ending and how Mmc showed his love.

This book is perfect.
I love Katherine Center with my whole heart. Her books always enter my life at exactly the right time and this one was no exception.
It's funny, it's sweet, it's honest, it's loving and the storyline of this one is just chefs kiss.
Oh and special points for Jack Stapleton being a part of this book.
Perfection.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you NetGalley and Katherine Center for this eARC. It was amazing as always!

“The Rom-Commers” by Katherine Center is a delightful romantic comedy that combines humor, heart, and the magic of storytelling. Here’s a glimpse into this enchanting novel: “The Rom-Commers” explores new chances, sacrifices for loved ones, and the pursuit of dreams. It’s a story of resilience, attraction, and the magic of love.

“I had a theory that we gravitate toward the stories we need in life. Whatever we’re longing for—adventure, excitement, emotion, connection—we turn to stories that help us find it.”

Katherine Center weaves a keeper-shelf-worthy tale that will leave you smiling. Whether you’re a rom-com enthusiast or simply seeking a heartwarming read, this book delivers. Add to your TBR stat!

Rom comers is a delightful story that follows the journey of Emma, who courageously puts her lifelong duty of caring for her father on hold to pursue her own dream of becoming a screenwriter. Throughout the book, readers will find themselves experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions—laughing, feeling frustrated, getting angry, and ultimately falling in love with the beautiful and unexpected friendship that blossoms between Emma and an unlikely companion.

The author skillfully weaves together a narrative filled with charm, humor, and poignant moments, making it a captivating read from start to finish. Despite their differences, Emma and her companion form a perfect duo, showcasing the transformative power of unexpected friendship.

It is a celebration of resilience, friendship, and the pursuit of dreams—a story that reminds us that it's never too late to chase what sets our souls on fire

I’ll preface this with the fact that I see I’m in the minority here and I really enjoyed The Bodyguard!!!

But, this just didn’t do it for me. The characters seemed immature for my taste. The scene about making biscuits …. Charlie was way too clueless. The discussion about whether or not to go line dancing.. too drawn out. The characters and conversations did not seem realistic to me at all.

I had really high hopes and I’m so surprised that I did not enjoy this. I’ll certainly plan to read more of Center’s books though 🫶🏻

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc!!

Oh my gosh, this SLAPPED. I am a huge fan of Katherine Center, so I was desperate to get my hands on this book. Emma and Charlie are sweet and this was fun (with a hint of real life drama and struggles that I always appreciate in Center's books). There were times when I wasn't Charlie's biggest fan, but I think he made up for it by the end. And Emma was such a fun character to follow! I would for sure recommend this book!

Another great story from Katherine Center! Likable characters and an enjoyable storyline with a happy ending. It was exactly what I wanted! And I learned a thing or two about writing a rom-com! Bonus!
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the digital ARC.

In Katherine Center's newest bookThe Rom-Commers, we meet Emma Wheeler, someone, after a few tragic incidents, becomes the sole caretaker of her father in Texas. She gave up her entire future as an aspiring writer, in order to watch him full time. By chance, her long time friend finds a way to send her to Los Angeles, to meet Emma's biggest screenwriting idol Charlie Yates. They end up living together in his mansion, so she can help rewrite his romantic screenplay. The Rom-Commers is written by a fan of rom-commers and is all about rom-comming. It's your basic, run of the mill rom-com - it includes eating cereal without milk, lots of deli meats, drawers of oscars, an unused Esther Williams pool, all the things that make a rom-com witty and completely again, only a rom-com can do.

I felt like this book was missing something. I had a hard time sticking with it and almost put it down one-to many time. Overall, I don't think this one was for me.