I received an ARC of this book by the publisher via Netgalley in an exchange for an honest review.

The Rom-Commers is Katherine Center's latest romance novel, set in the same world as The Bodyguard. If you're looking for a tropes breakdown, it's grumpy-sunshine and forced proximity. There's zero sex in the book so gets a 0/5 on the heat scale (black pepper rating). Now onto the review.

The Rom-Commers was a mixed bag for me. The beginning of the novel moves very slowly and I wasn't really buying what Center was selling. But towards the last quarter of the book, the momentum picked up. Even though The Rom-Commers ended on a high note, energy-wise, if I look back on the novel I don't think I ever bought into the main couple. Both characters had their insufferable moments, and the book wasn't very romantic. Which feels like kind of a fail when it comes to a romance novel. However, there were some very strong moments at the end, and I enjoyed the ride. I just don't think it was a romance ride. I don't regret reading the novel, but I left feeling a little let-down.

3.5 stars rounded down to 3.

I have read (and loved) all of Katherine Center’s books, and this one is no exception. One of the things that I like is that her female main characters are not typical, and what I have grown to expect from a lot of romance books. They tend to be made from a tougher mold, even if they are still discovering it themselves, and Emma is both of those things. An aspiring screenwriter, who has been a full time caregiver for her father since an accident when she was 18 - she puts all of her effort into making sure he is healthy, and not so much effort into herself or her career. She is presented with a temporary job in California that is too good to be true…literally.

I liked her spunkiness, the dialogue between the main characters, and a little touch of the unexpected. I really enjoy the way she describes things (the line dancing instructor stick out in my mind), There are so many unexpected comments/phrases/occurrences throughout the book.

I am a big fan of Katherine Center and appreciate the opportunity that NetGalley, the author and her publisher gave me to read and review this book. This book is the story of Emma, a young woman who finds herself in the role of caregiver when a rock climbing accident kills her mother and seriously injures her father. Emma is a talented writer, specializing in the genre of rom-coms. Despite having been offered opportunities to grow her craft, she stays home and allows her younger sister to enjoy her life in ways Emma could not. However, when Emma is given the chance to work in LA rewriting an existing rom-com screenplay with her favorite writer Charlie Yates, it is an offer she cannot refuse. This adventure does not turn out the way Emma expects however. Her new writing partner is reluctant to co-author the screenplay, and sparks fly between them. Can Emma craft a happy bring of her own story, or will this summer’s experience be yet another failure?

Unlike many here, this book did not rise to the level of my expectations for this author. There were too many improbable plot events and I did not especially like the characters, some of whom seemed too good to be true. Even the ending seemed drawn-out. I did love the nuggets of philosophy and life lessons sprinkled throughout the book. I know many early readers here loved the book, and I am sad to say I am not among them.

It’s that time of year that I eagerly Katherine Center’s latest and wish I didn’t read it that fast and could read it again…and again. I loved that this book took us a bit behind the scenes of what it’s like to be a screenwriter. Neither main character was perfect (both were flawed), but it made me root for their HEA even more. Emma is sunshine, optimistic, ready to write her butt off with Charlie, a grumpy screenwriter she’s idolized most of her adult life. He wants nothing to do with it. As usual, great dialogue/banter which kept me hooked. I loved how while Emma had a huge crush on Charlie, she still had a backbone and definitely held her own - no simpering female here! Now I’ll just have to reread this one while we wait for the next…

Thanks to Netgalley, St Martin’s Press and Katherine Center for the ARC.

I LOVED this book! To its namesake, it was the perfect rom-com. The characters were lovable, the story had just enough cheese without being too cheesy, and obviously the ending was great. I would rate this perhaps as my favorite (!) rom com that I’ve read to date. Obsessed.

Thank you #netgalley and Katherine Center for sharing this book in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this, hard stop! Katherine Center has knocked it out of the park again. Absolutely loved the premise and the feels between Emma and Charlie. Initially I was NOT keen on Charlie but a plot point later in the book made me come around. The only thing I had trouble suspending disbelief for was the number of times Emme overheard something negative. That just isn't humanly possible, so many times, in such short succession! But it totally did not detract at all from the plot.. Loved this hard and have already suggested some friends pick it up. Plus it was super fun reading it with my other Katherine Center loving friend! Excited to see what Center has up her sleeve for the next one for sure!

If I could give this book more than five stars, I would. I have loved each and every one of Katherine Center’s books, and this one met all of my expectations and then some!

I’m a huge fan of Catherine Center. I don’t read many romance novels. I mostly like books with in depth characters. I love Catherine’s books because her characters are relatable and layered. This book was so good.

Emma put her writing career aside to take care of her father after an accident. She gets the opportunity to ghost write with Charlie Yates. One of her all time favorite authors. The problem is his book is awful and she needs to tactfully help him fix it. She is determined to teach Charlie that love is real and falling in love is fun. I really enjoyed this book. It was funny, full of quick wit and sweet.

Thank you to netgalley for a copy of this book!

This is an absolutely delightful novel about the different forms love takes: family, self, romantic.

Emma gets the biggest break of her career, an opportunity to write a script with her biggest idol, Charlie Yates. She leaves behind her father she care takes with her younger sister and goes to LA. Only after she arrives, she realizes the whole thing was too good to be true.

Emma and Charlie work on the project (after a lot of discussion) and form a wonderful working friendship. Them Emma starts to feel more and Charlie pushes her away.

This book is hilarious, with top notch banter between the characters. It was a fast easy read because I was totally hooked. There are lots of feelings along the way too.

I can't recommend it enough!

What an emotional ride this book was! No spoilers here. But I was fully immersed into Charlie and Emma’s story. At times with sobbing tears running down my face. Katherine Center remains one of my favorites. No smut necessary!! It was a beautiful co-workers to lovers story. And I wouldn’t mind getting more of their story in the future
Thank you @netgalley and to the publisher for this e-arc. I’ve already preordered the physical copy for my shrine to Ms Center 😁

I LOVED this book. Definitely my favorite out of the 3 Katherine Center books I've read. The plot was unique, cute, and had me feeling all sorts of sappy at the end of it. There were a couple little details that I felt got a bit jumbled or lost, and there were some harsh comments from multiple characters that I don't think would ever slide in real life. That being said, though, I loved the warm fuzzy feeling I had the whole time, so this is now on my top rom-com list.

The dialogue in this book is unmatched, like kicking my feet it was so cute. But there were moments in the storyline that did seem unbelievable to me, like why Emma stayed after Charlie’s back and forth attitude. I also didn’t love the breaking of the fourth wall that would happen at random times throughout the story. Through all that, I was ready to give it 4 stars until the conflict at the end. The pacing of the problem and the resolution of the last 20% of the book kept me from giving this 4 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

A perfect addition to any rom-com lovers’ beach bag! Katherine Center’s The Rom-Commers veritably exudes joy and fun while preaching love, hope and an attitude of gratitude, and I loved it! About screen writers who fall for each other while penning a script for a rom-com, Center’s newest gem of a novel is equal parts witty and delightful and something of a guide to a happy life. Per usual, Center does not shy away from tough topics; her characters are instead relatable and striving for happiness and fulfillment despite illness and tragedy.

Highly recommended!

Many thanks to NetGalley and to St. Martin’s Press for the privilege of a complimentary ARC. My opinions are my own.

4.5 ⭐️. I really loved this book! It was the perfect mix of rom-com and emotional devastation that I love. The only issue I had with this book was Charlie, he’s not new book boyfriend material. He gave me whiplash with his hot and cold personality, I thought throughout the entire book he was ‘too’ mean. There is grumpy and then there is being an assh*le. He was more in the latter category.

This book follows Emma, an aspiring screenwriter who gets hired to help ghost co-rewrite a rom-com screenplay with big shot screenwriter Charlie, who doesn’t believe in love. Even though this book takes grumpy x sunshine to new heights with Charlie, I really loved the entire book and teared up a few times towards the end. This was also my first book by Katherine Center and it will not be my last. She creates the perfect blend of laughs and deep emotional feelings that feels effortless and relatable. I’ll definitely be going into her back list to read more.

Get this one on your tbr list now, it publishes June 11, 2024.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Katherine Center for this advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

I know it is only April, but this could be my favorite contemporary romance of the year. It was everything I wanted from A Katherine Center book and more.

In 2023, when I read Hello Stranger, Center's author's short essay regarding romance books resonated with me. Center begs the question, why are you even reading romance if not for the happily ever after? As a lifelong lover of romance books, I found it crazy that Center had to justify the predictability of romance books and their space in the world of literature.

With The Rom-Commers, Center has taken that essay and ran with it, creating a full-length novel celebrating romance in all forms, and it is perfection.

Emma is hopeful and resilient but has let her life pass her by due to the trauma surrounding the death of her mother and her father's medical issues. Charlie believes in hard work and going after what he wants, but he doesn't believe in love. Now forced to write a rom-com together, they might find a way to the joy they both deserve.

Charlie and Emma are by far my favorite characters that Center has ever written. I loved them from the first moment they were on the page together. The banter was fantastic. Their character growth was phenomenal. I lived and breathed for them the entire time I was reading this.

I adored this. The storyline worked perfectly for me. Center is just so damn good at balancing humor and trauma and hope and heartbreak.

I don't know how else to say I loved this. So, I will stop here. GO READ THIS BOOK!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Great read! Katherine Center possesses a remarkable knack for pulling at your heartstrings, effortlessly drawing you into a deep affection for her characters. I found myself wholeheartedly rooting for the two beautifully flawed main protagonists, cherishing every moment spent immersed in the pages of the story. The rollercoaster of emotions evoked, from laughter to tears and everything in between, made for an unforgettable journey!

I was only a few chapters into this book when I knew it would be a five star review. The book centers around Emma, a writer who is also a caretaker for her chronically ill parent, and Charlie, a successful screenwriter. Charlie has lost his touch and needs to write a rom com screenplay. Emma is a huge fan of rom com and a huge fan of Charlie's work. This duo gets off to a rocky start, but then find common ground as they work together.

I loved this book! The banter between the two main characters was unmatched. I never wanted it to end. Also, I love when authors have characters from other books appear in their current book. It's like a little gift for a faithful fan and it makes it seem like there is really a world within this book. Highly recommend, and recommend Katherine Center in general.

A great read from Katherine Center! I would absolutely recommend for all rom-com lovers. Filled with different romance tropes and drama and tragedy intermixed, this is an exciting read!

Thank you Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. Katherine Center hit it out of the park with this one. It made me have all the "feels". I laughed out loud and cried at Emma & Charlie's love story. Emma has put her life as a writer pretty much on hold to be the care-taker for her father and younger sister. But then an opportunity of a lifetime to work with an acclaimed screenwriter on a rom-com rewrite in Hollywood is more then she can pass up. Charlie Yates has no intentions of working with a "no experience" writer on the rewrite of his script. But Emma is ready to put up a fight to prove herself. This book is pure joy and a delight as Emma and Charlie try to maneuver through working together and finding balance in their lives. I highly recommend this for all romance readers. Low spice and much banter and sweetness.

I've recently realized I am obsessed with Katherine Center, but her books are a hit or miss for me, but I always go back for more...

Emma is an aspiring screenwriter, and she gets her big break to re-write a script for her role model and screenwriting legend. Emma moves to LA and finds her role model is less than thrilled to work with her. How does she tell him his script is trash and that she actually knows what she is doing? He not only doesn't care about the script, but doesn't care for rom-coms at all. What happens if while she is convincing him that romance is real...she convinces him that romance with her could be real?

This book is beyond charming and full of heart!

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for sending me an ARC of this book!