I was very excited to get an ARC copy of the Rom-Commers because I love Katherine Center’s books. Her stories mostly center on women who overcome tragedy and find some romance along the way.

Emma is a writer who is obsessed with romantic comedies. She’s also care-giver to her father who was injured in a hiking accident, and she has given up everything to be with him 24/7.

When her ex-boyfriend/literary agent offers her an opportunity to ghost re-write a movie with her all-time favorite screenwriter, she heads out to LA to rescue him from this script, which has pretty much been deemed the worst thing ever written.

The screenwriter, Charlie, is quirky and cantankerous. He’s got a drawer full of major awards. And he doesn’t really want Emma’s help.

Emma and Charlie make a great team, even though they often clash and misunderstand each other. This story is funny and cute, even though the characters have some sad backstories, like most of Center’s characters. Be on the lookout for a cameo from the actor Jack from The Bodyguard.

I received an ARC copy of this book from St. Martin's Press in exchange for my honest review.

This was funny, charming, and had a unique point of view that was really refreshing. The most well respected and award-winning screenwriter tries his hand a a rom-com and it is terrible. Career-ending level of awful. So they bring in an unknown writer who has a tough road to help ghost write it and make it passable. Shenanigans ensue, can these two broken people find their way, alone or together? Comes out June 11th!

A solid addition to Katherine Center's arsenal. The addition of writing aspects will appeal to readers and writers everywhere. Enjoyable easter eggs from other Center books. As expected, in such a lovely way.

This is my favorite kind of rom-com. Lovable characters, great dialogue, swoony chemistry that is sweet and fun. This was my first title by this author but will certainly read her back list now!

Clearly I’m in the minority here, but I just did not vibe with this book at all. I kind of …hated Charlie? This review may have spoilers 🤐

I’ll start with a general issue I have. IMO, when you have a romance where there’s a power imbalance between the two MCs, the only way for it to work is if the person with more power is down SO bad. Preferably they fall first, but they definitely need to fall hardest, otherwise it just kind of gives me the ick. I honestly need their life to be hell over it for a short period of time lol that just was not the case here.

My other issue is if you are going to have a single POV romance, you have to show the reader why we should be invested in the other person through their words and actions throughout the book. By the time Charlie’s “true feelings” are conveyed at the very end, it’s too late…he had already yelled at her several times, stormed out on her, etc. etc. by then- I had written him off long before his declaration.

Also, the reason behind why he was pushing her away is SUCH a pet peeve of mine. Taking agency away from someone because you think it’s in their best interest is so incredibly infuriating.

And finally, and quite possibly the MOST egregious part of the book was the totally unnecessary throwaway line about the guinea pig on the very last god damn page 😩 literally wtf why lol #justiceforcuthbert

If you liked this book, I am happy for you!!

Katherine Center has become one of my new favorites. The Rom-Commers is emotional, funny, and just an enjoyable read. Once again the author note is almost as wonderful as the story itself. I love that the characters actually have time together to grow and develop, even if I did want to thunk Charlie on the forehead once or twice. If you love love stories, Hollywood drama, cameos from past novels (hello Jack Stapleton!), sisterhood, and writing/writers in general, read this book.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for my audiobook to review. As always, no influence from that fact in any way.

Quick easy read. The author does a great job at capturing your attention right away. A writer heads to LA to help rewrite a rom-com after 10 years of giving up her dreams to become a writer and taking care of her dad. Once she gets to LA will the writer allow her to stay or make her go back home? Can home survive without her while she’s in LA?

3.5 stars

I do really enjoy reading Katherine Center’s books but find them to be either a hit or a miss. The Rom-Commers was actually both for me. The first half was definitely a hit! It was funny and the author did a great job of creating likeable characters. But the last half of the book was, unfortunately, a bit of a miss.

The story revolves around Emma, an unknown screenwriter who helps award-winning Charlie Yates write a Rom-Com. The banter between the two main characters was fun and I laughed out loud during a couple scenes. I also enjoyed the secondary characters, especially Emma’s father. While the book is meant to be light and funny, it did introduce an element of grief and mourning. I appreciated that this aspect of the book was portrayed in a very realistic way.

But then the book became a bit of a cliché. I found myself cringing during the last half, which just did not live up to the first half of the story. The ending was satisfying, if not a bit predictable.

I have read a couple of Center’s previous novels, and this one is by far my favorite! It was funny believable, and done so well. 5-star read! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center is an entertaining mix of romance and comedy that brings a fresh perspective to the world of screenwriting. Emma Wheeler's journey from caring for her father to pursuing her dream as a screenwriter is both heartwarming and inspiring. The dynamic between Emma and famous screenwriter Charlie Yates adds depth to the story, as they navigate the complexities of love and storytelling. This novel is engaging, humorous, and full of charm!

4.25 STARS

This was my first book by Katherine Center, and I damn well know it’s not going to be my last. This was such fun, with real-life moments that factualize these characters. The witty banter is top notch, and OH MY GOSH Charlie is so freaking romantic without even knowing it! Their tension, their romance, their everything is so much that I’m left kicking my feet and grinning like an idiot in the middle of the night.

This might be my favorite Katherine Center books. Wow she caught me in the emotions a few times, and then wrapped it up perfectly.

What a treat and delight!!!!! I could NOT put this book down, and enjoyed it every single second. I laughed out so loudly in parts that my partner came in the room to ask what I was doing. One of my most favorite books is The Bodyguard, and this is a perfect companion. No notes, perfection. What a treat and a joy. Thank you, thank you!!

This book was good! I enjoyed it enough but not sure if it made a lasting impact. It was a light read.

Another light cute romcom from Katherine Center. Great as a palate cleanser after a heavier book. Very light, easy read.

This book is like a big hug, especially if you like
rom-com movies. I laughed out loud at the quirkiness of Emma as she navigates working alongside Charlie and cheered for them as they found each other. I felt like I was in living in a rom-com movie with them as they both learned to navigate the ups (and downs) of life

Emma's life has been put on hold while caring for her father. When she receives an offer to help
with a rom-com script by her favorite writer, her father and sister push her to take the job.
Charlie is dealing with a serious case of writer's block and is only writing the rom-com script in
order to get a Mafia film produced.
Story focuses on Emma's and Charlie's growth, moving beyond their pasts. Their love of words and
wrting is a uniting force. Love the rest of the cast - a joyful read.
#TheRomCommers #StMartins #NetGalley

This was cute. I love Katherine Center. I like what Emma does for Charlie and how she changes him. I did not love the ending. Felt it was a bit of a bait and switch but I have a history with that subject matter so maybe that was part of it.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I feel like I either love Center’s books or they’re just not for me. Unfortunately this one wasn’t for me. I liked the idea of the plot and loved our heroine’s humor and quirkiness but I did not like our love interest Charlie. He’s a grumpy man but I didn’t find him lovable at all and I thought really he was just mean? I also just didn’t feel the build up between them or really was rooting for the HEA.

Texan Emma Wheeler is a would-be screenwriter in The Rom-Commers, the latest contemporary romance from Katherine Center due out June 11. One of Emma’s romantic comedies won a Warner Brothers internship although she could not take advantage of it as she is the sole caretaker for her father. Now her friend—her manager—is offering her a chance to assist a legendary screenwriter revamp his feature film script. Turns out, she is a fangirl of the writer.

Fortunately, her sister has just returned home after graduating from college, providing Emma a chance to leave her father in her sister’s care for six weeks and take the opportunity to go to Los Angeles to work with Charlie Yates. However, she is actually on Charlie’s doorstep when she overhears him tell her manager he is not about to write with anyone, especially a screenwriter who would turn down a Warner Brothers internship.

Nevertheless, Charlie is out of his element in writing a rom-com, which he has agreed to do in exchange for a producer turning his Mafia script into a movie. He does not even care if the rom-com gets produced; it is just a means to an end. However, Emma will only write with him if he gives the romantic comedy an honest effort.

Under Emma’s tutelage, Charlie learns all the things that are wrong with his screenplay, and they begin doing research and writing together to add all the components of a love story to the script. Recently divorced, Charlie is sour on love stories, but Emma vows she will kiss him senseless if that is what it takes to open him up to all that is needed in a rom-com.

How will Emma keep her feelings in check while working with the handsome writer, someone she has long admired? What will it take to convince him to trust her on all the basics that need to be in a rom-com script? Why is her heart suddenly thumping when she is working with Charlie?

Katherine Center is the New York Times bestselling author of ten other novels. Her books The Lost Husband and Happiness for Beginners were made into Netflix movies. Center lives in her hometown of Houston, Texas, with her family.

My review will be posted on Goodreads starting April 6, 2024.

I would like to thank St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in return for an objective review.