If you love, love read this now! Also, read author’s note! Perfection!

Protagonist Emma Wheeler's journey from aspiring screenwriter to rewriting both her own and her hero's love story is both heartwarming and humorous. The narrative's strength lies in its well-drawn characters, particularly Emma and famous screenwriter Charlie Yates. Their dynamic is electric, as Emma's passion for rom-coms clashes with Charlie's cynical worldview. Watching their relationship evolve from reluctant collaborators to something more adds depth and emotional resonance to the story. What sets "The Rom-Commers" apart is its exploration of the power of storytelling and the impact of love on our lives. Through Emma's determination to prove that love stories matter, the novel celebrates the genre while also challenging its conventions. The witty dialogue and clever references to classic rom-coms will delight fans of the genre, while the authentic emotional moments will resonate with readers of all backgrounds. Overall, "The Rom-Commers" is a charming and uplifting read that reminds us of the magic of love and the importance of chasing our dreams. With its blend of humor, heart, and romance, this novel is sure to leave readers smiling long after they've turned the final page. Highly recommended for anyone in need of a feel-good escape into the world of love and laughter.

Katherine Center, I love you! I could lose myself in your novels for hours on end—and I do, even though they each time seem to slip away too quickly as I (reluctantly) reach the final page.
Yes, Katherine Center is a rare treasure.
Her storytelling hooks readers straight from page one and effortlessly draws them into its embrace with its straightforward charm and witty humor.
Her characters come alive like old friends, complete with their quirks and imperfections, yet utterly lovable in every way. They navigate life’s highs and lows, echoing our own personal experiences with such authenticity that it’s impossible not to be captivated by their journey.
In short, her stories are a balm for the soul, a delightful gift that lingers in the heart long after the final chapter closes. And Center’s latest one, the Rom-Commers, is no exception.

Overall, I thought this was a cute HEA that kept me smiling. Although I took issue with Charlie’s overall emotional capacity and the first-kiss situation, I will still recommend this book. A dual POV would have helped me better understand Charlie and his sometimes inconsistent reactions + decisions. Charlie gave middle-school boy “he’s only mean because he likes you” vibes. Regardless, I would absolutely watch this as movie.

Thank you to NetGalley, Katherine Center, and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced e-copy!

As one who doesn’t gravitate toward romance novels initially, I love Katherine Centers novels. She has a talent and of marrying relatable life situations with humor, and love. I always laugh at the witty remarks and introspective dialogue of her main characters. I love the dive into family dynamics and its complexities.

In The Rom-Commers, Emma a budding screen writer gets the opportunity of a
life time, working with her favorite screenwriter. She hesitantly takes a big risk, leaving her family and responsibilities behind to pursue her dreams. Does Charlie Yates live up to her fantasized idea of him?

This is a fun and heart warming read. You won’t be disappointed. Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.

I love this book! This quote really rang true for me:

"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. Whatever questions we’re struggling with—sometimes ones so deep, we don’t even really know we’re asking them—we look for answers in stories."

Every Katherine Center book I've ever read has left me with warm & happy feelings. This one too. Such perfect descriptions of feelings of grief, fear, joy, love... Those are what really stick with me even more than the story of Emma & Charlie's relationship.

Another amazing book by Katherine Center, I just love her books and couldn't put this one down. I laughed, cried and it stole my heart.

It's about two writers who have to rewrite a horrible love story and figure out how to work together without falling for each other. Then life happens.

Thank you to NetGallery and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really loved this book. I don’t know how to describe it except that this book made my heart really happy. They were a lot of cute, funny, and heartwarming moments!

Once again, I was so excited to read another Katherine Center book. And there was so much to love about this one. While there were heavy topics, they were balanced with humor, great banter and so much joy. I really enjoyed it.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

This book wasn’t great nor was it bad, I just didn’t really connect with the story. I didn’t connect with any of the characters which is odd for me! But I’m going through some stuff personally so maybe that’s it

I continue to have a complicated relationship with Katherine Center. I loooved The Bodyguard, I hated Hello Stranger, I liked Happiness for Beginners. So I took a chance on The Rom-Commers, and I remain conflicted.

The flirting and banter are top notch cute. Very blushy-giggly reading experience.

But I am once again BUGGED by how wrong people are (not just Katherine Center) when writing about the film industry. Charlie "has a drawer full of Oscars," but is also just in his mid-30s, so I don't buy that. Beyond that, the movies he's written are apparently a zombie movie, an alien movie, a Western, etc., aka genre movies. These are just not the kinds of movies that win screenwriting Oscars. Why don't people do research?

And Emma talks about how she and Charlie argue over the punctuation in the screenplay, like the choice between a dash and a comma. Again, it's a screenplay! No one cares! The words aren't being read by the audience! Why would this matter!!!

The reading experience reminded me of Curtis Sittenfeld's Romantic Comedy, which had some delightful parts, but the stuff about the TV industry was just soooo annoying to me.

The other thing I really didn't like (which IS a Katherine Center thing) is the "plot twist" in the final chapters, which is also the basis for the third-act break-up. What especially bothered me is that, as a plot point, it lasted for all of 10 seconds before it got resolved, which felt deeply unnecessary and forced.

So... that's what I thought.

Katherine Center has perfected writing books that give you the giggles, warm fuzzies and heartaches. The Rom-Commers delivers all of these, while being her tweak about how putting them all together is what makes people love rom-coms so much. She does this by making her protagonists screenwriters, with lover of love Emma being brought in to help grumpy Charlie fix his (insert a word better than terrible) rom-com screenplay. Except Charlie doesn’t work with other writers, and didn’t even know Emma was coming to help. Thankfully having unassociated meltdowns can occasionally come in handy in the pursuit of love and saving careers, and Charlie invites Emma to stay-after she destroys his screenplay. An adorable battle ensues as Charlie tries to make the screenplay just good enough to be accepted so that he can do the screenplay he actually wants to do, while Emma tries to get him to see just how important love, and telling the story of it is. If you know enough about rom-coms, then comes the conflict between the characters after they start having feelings for each. If you know enough about rom-coms you know how it ends. But the journey is just as much worth it as the ending, which is why you read rom-coms all the way through-you already know the destination.

Yet another wonderful, feel-good romance from Katherine Center.

Emma is a talented, but not famous screenwriter, who has spent the past ten years of her life caring for her kind-hearted father instead of pursuing her chosen profession. Charlie is a talented, and very famous screenwriter with an established career in Hollywood. Charlie is also Emma's professional idol, and he needs her help. Well, at least according to Emma's high school friend, who also happens to be their mutual agent. Unfortunately, Charlie is of a different opinion.

However, once Charlie realizes that Emma really, truly has talent, and begrudgingly agrees to accept her help in rewriting his first (terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad) rom-com script, sparks fly. Holed up together in his home, they quickly fall into a comfortable routine that includes daily swim sessions, homecooked meals, and the occasional 'research' outing so that Emma can teach Charlie about romance (in a purely professional manner; for the writing).

As with any KC novel, the protagonists have a whole obstacle course of emotional baggage to address before they can truly connect on a deeper level that will allow them to admit their feelings for each other. But this is not just a romance novel, it's a rom-com! Filled with overheard conversations, socially awkward moments, and plenty of physical comedy. Plus, the author constantly breaks the 4th wall and addresses the reader directly, which only adds to its charm.

Highly recommended for fans of humorous contemporary romances with a 'confidante' style narrative voice.

I devoured this book, I was held random, and the words wouldn't let me go. I'll be honest I found the main character way too into her inner monologues, emma was great but damn she liked listening to herself think and it was a weird change of pace not having the couple actually end up together until the last 94% of the book. I saw them grow and build with each other and to me that's what a true rom com is, I loved the campy aspects and the human realness of this story.

Kathrine center is a must buy author for me. Proof not every romance needs to be smut to be good.

Also I cried big sobbing tears once and squealed / giggled pure glee at least 50 times.

(( BTW I love how either the author Is actually obsessed with power wash simulator or actually did some kick ass research, but that scene was gold to me)) thankyou ❤️

I think I am definitely not a rom commer anymore.

This book was another boy meets girl. They hate one another but do start to work with one another until you know what pops up!!! Of course after many misunderstandings and lots of back and forthing, cupid hits his mark and everyone lives happily ever after. Ta da!

Katherine Center follows a romantic formula that always seems to work for her. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for me.

I absolutely loved it! It was cute and funny and had me tearing up multiple times throughout. Super heartfelt and a great romantic comedy. Very worth the read. Thank you for the early opportunity to get my hands on it.

The Rom-Commers is Katherine Center at her best - a delicious, slow-burn love story between two lovable characters with past trauma they need to overcome before they get their happy ending. It's The X-Files, but instead of aliens, they're arguing if love exists. Emma & Charlie are so well-matched - a hypochondriac who worries everything is a sign of doom and gloom and a stoic who gets a literal cancer diagnosis and decides to pretend everything is fine.

And the rom-com runner! Rom-coms generally do not get the praise they deserve - there IS something nice about a movie where the happy ending is guaranteed, and even someone struggling with the most difficult day can relax and enjoy themselves for a few hours. I like that Charlie was upfront about recognizing that nothing inherently made the other genres of films he wrote better; they were just what he personally connected to.

An easy 4.5 star for me. I had such a great time reading this one. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Actually found myself smiling while reading this and that in itself makes it a worthy read. Our heroine has put her life on hold to take care of her father, a decision easily understood and she is to be admired for it. But now that her sister has finished school she suddenly has an opportunity, for a temporary respite and total lifetime dream job. She will be working with a famous screenwriter as a ghost writer to fix a script. Yes there are flaws but it screams it's own title and does not disappoint. And yes again, there are groan moments when in the tradition of always having to have something go terribly wrong, along with having characters not simply communicate, we have to bite our nails for a moment BUT you're still smiling at the end and what more could you ask than that?

i got sent the rom-commers last night and i dropped EVERYTHING to start reading it. this was one of my most anticipated reads for 2024 and it did not disappoint!!! katherine center is a phenomenal author and this is my new favorite book of hers. she has truly outdone herself with this one. i instantly fell in love with emma and charlie. their enemies-to-lovers beginning that turns into friends-to-lovers with a mix of forced proximity is absolute perfection!!!! if you're looking for a sweet and fun love story - this is the perfect book for you!! i can't get over how perfect this book was AND there were cameos from her book "the bodyguard."

thank you so so so much to st. martin's press and netgalley for the arc! <3

Katherine Center is one of the best romcom authors, and The Rom-Commers definitely is a hit.
While it's hard to not compare it to The Bodyguard, which is one of my faves by her, this book is right up there. Emma and Charlie's dynamic relationship has you hooked, and also wanting to smack them throughout the story. It is a fun and enjoyable read!

Thank you NetGalley for an arc of The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center

Emma has always wanted to be a screenwriter and knows everything there is to know about her beloved genre of rom-coms - but for the last 10 years since her high school graduation and a tragic accident, she has been caring for her father and helping raise her younger sister. But when she gets a chance to help re-write a script with her idol, *the* screenwriter Charlie Yates - whose preferred genre is decidedly not rom-coms - her dad and sister launch her off to finally fulfill her own dreams. Living in Charlie's LA mansion and writing with him starts out with animosity as you might expect from a rom-com, but then develops into banter and feelings - and oh, it's fun! I haven't *loved* the last couple of books by this author (The Bodyguard and Things You Save in a Fire were so good they keep me coming back though), I think partly because they end up feeling a little underdeveloped, perhaps a casualty of the book-a-year rate she publishes... but also because sometimes the protagonists feel a bit flaky or flighty. I'm over it with the female leads who. We're back to what I love about a good rom-com in this one though! Great banter, great protagonist who has her life together but is a bit stuck in a rut, interesting jobs (I'm a sucker for a Hollywood/show-biz setting), an homage to the genre. Also it's perfect for my level of enjoying romantic chemistry but not explicit spiciness. I'd just say that the story/writing felt like there was a dip in interest and quality about 2/3 of the way through, but the expected happy ending was satisfying enough to bring me around. Would recommend for fans of Katherine Center or other homages to rom-coms like Waiting for Tom Hanks or the YA Better Than the Movies.