The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center is a fun and heartwarming novel about Emma and Charlie, who team up to rewrite a romantic comedy screenplay. Emma takes care of her dad and loves writing rom-coms, while Charlie is a successful but cynical writer who writes everything BUT rom coms! When Charlie's attempt at writing a romantic comedy tanks, Emma helps him redo it, leading to a partnership filled with witty banter and deep emotions.

The book is full of humor and explores themes like love, belonging, and happiness. The characters, Emma and Charlie, are easy to root for as they work on the screenplay and navigate their personal lives. The dialogue is funny and keeps the story moving at a good pace.

The Rom-Commers is a charming read that fans of romantic comedies and heartfelt stories will enjoy. Katherine Center does a great job of creating relatable characters and capturing the ups and downs of relationships and creativity. Katherine Center is a fabulous author!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this book!!

Oh man. You have no idea how much it pains me to not give this book a 4 or 5 star rating. 😔 I love Katherine Center's books. They are always a guaranteed good time for me when I pick one of them up. And I'm glad to see everyone else so far is loving it! Although I don't want to be an outlier, it is clear by the rave reviews I have been seeing these last few months, I am. Unfortunately, I just couldn't get into this one.

As I was reading, I was trying to put my finger on what exactly wasn't clicking for me and I came to the conclusion there were a few things, so I'll delve into that. But first I'd like to say, take my review for what it is worth, and if you are a fan of Center's, don't let me be the one to rain on your parade and definitely check it out if you've been eyeing this one when it releases!

Most of the time when I pick up Center's books, I can't put them down. I become so emotionally invested in the story and the characters I can't get enough of them. However, I couldn't get behind Emma and I definitely couldn't get behind Charlie. I thought he was a jerk. Their relationship didn't feel believable to me. Some of the things he said to Emma didn't sit right with me and I don't think he deserved her. Maybe if the redemption arc was better for him or their love felt more believable I could ignore it, but that sadly wasn't the case for me.

Another issue that caused me to not become fully immersed in the story was the writing style and the banter. Alot of situations felt cheesy. Yea, it's a rom-com, we can have a little bit of that, but I also want to be giddy and have butterflies and I didn't quite get those when I was reading this book. I also didn't enjoy how Emma would occasionally talk to the reader. It was disjointing and distracting for me when she did. I feel the characters lacked the depth I usually associate with Center's characters and they felt very juvenile and Emma was just extremely naive.

We do get some redeeming qualities. I liked the caretaker trope and Emma's family and their backstory. I also liked the premise with both main characters being screenwriters getting together to write the next big rom-com and seeing what all that entails. I just couldn't look past everything else that bothered me to fall in love with this book. And that's okay! I'm still excited about what else we might get from this author in the future, because she's very much talented and worthy of all the praise! And although this book didn't work for me, I am so happy to see if work for so many others.

**Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an advanced copy of this book and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion. I am posting this review to my Goodreads account immediately and will post it to my Amazon & Instagram accounts upon publication.

First and foremost, thank you St. Martin’s press and netgalley for this arc!

Katherine Center excels at writing cute, sweet, and funny rom-coms. I previously read The Bodyguard by Katherine and enjoyed it! Granted to say, I was very excited to be able to read this book early.

This book centers around our female main character who is a struggling screen writer. Emma (fmc) gets the chance of a lifetime when her old high school friend calls her, saying that she has the opportunity to ghost write for this infamous screen writer. Emma has admired this infamous screen writer (our mmc) for years. So, Emma heads out to LA to help this screen writer out and this what the book centers on.

The storyline was very entertaining and enjoyable. I was never once bored! Katherine’s writing was very easy to follow along and was able to make it engaging. However, I was very disappointed by the main characters in this book. If I had to describe them in one word it would be immature. The male main character insults Emma multiple times, is ( in my opinion) emotionally unavailable, and emotionally immature. For most of the book, I just thought he was a mean guy. I do not, by any means, root for the mean guy. Emma is very strong from her past, but she is also very immature. The miscommunication was a large part of the “3rd act conflict” and it was very irritating. You ultimately have an explanation for the miscommunication, but this all could have been resolved if, get this, you communicated. Personally, I like characters more if they are mature and present a strong emotional connection.

Overall, this was a short and easy read. Super important! Just because I didn’t really like the book, doesn’t mean that you won’t! We all have different opinions!

Rating ⭐️⭐️

I adored this feel good, love story. The banter between the characters is so smooth and keeps the reader laughing and kicking their feet the whole way through. The main characters are easily relatable. Truly felt like this book was a warm hug straight from the author.

I have been reading alot of heavy books and really needed a lighter read that doesn't take itself too seriously and Rom-Commers fit the bill.
This is a closed door rom-com but unfortunately, if you do not want instances of harsh language and sexual dialogue you will want to skip this one.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this one in exchange for my honest thoughts.

4/5 ⭐️

Katherine Center is quickly becoming one of my auto-buy romance writers. The way she writes rom-coms is the same way she states her main character does as well. It was refreshing for the main character to be woefully aware of the pros and cons of her actions, which really showed here. I laughed out loud at this book, and the banter was quick witted and entertaining. A quick, fun little read.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

My favorite read of 2024 so far!

Wow, I absolutely loved this book. It is ballsy as an author to basically lay out the standards by which your book should be judged right there in the story, but that’s the exact premise of the Rom-Commers. And this books lives up to the promise.

I loved both Emma and Charlie. Their chemistry and banter was great, but they also felt real. Katherine Center has a talent for dialogue. The conversations felt like two real (hilarious) people talking, and I was laughing out loud. You can really feel the author’s love for writing in this story. I was blown away.

If you loved the Bodyguard, you will love this, and you’ll be thrilled by the cameos. This was very low spice, but I didn’t miss it at all. I cannot overstate how much I loved this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

wow wow wow. tempted to leave that as my review because WOW. i honestly had zero expectations going into this one. i was completely blown away with how much i loved this novel. katherine center is the queen of witty rom-coms with beautiful prose, top tier banter, and real human connections and the rom-commers is not exception.

every time when I read a romcom book about a girl being a fan girl of the male main character, it makes me so nostalgic, and reminds me of my girlhood - having justin bieber, One Direction and twilight movie posters all over my bedroom walls. it is like my girlhood dreams coming true. every moment of this book reminded me of the precious art form of going through life ✨NOTICING✨. what i mean by that, is noticing the precious little moments throughout your day that make up this great and wonderful life. that tragedy is unfortunately a given but surrounding yourself with the people you love, while recognizing the mundane will only make us appreciate those really big moments. katherine wrote every relationship in this story with such heart and soul. the conversations and (at times) conflicts felt so real and human. truly so beautiful.

this book felt like an early 2000’s romcom dream. the themes of grief and finding ones purpose while navigating hardships was so beautiful. emma is a new favourite FMC. she truly felt like my best friend. a true fellow lover girlie and romantic. not to mention, the PINNING and GROVELLING that king charlie did was truly everything to me. had me kicking my feet with the biggest smile on my face (🍩 iykyk 🥹). i saw myself in both charlie + emma in many different themes so that was so so special. i swear i was crying during the entire epilogue lol.

some of my favourite quotes:
- “what do i need to do to make you stay” 🫠
- “because last night when i was reading your stuff, i wanted to work with you and i havent wanted anything in a very very long time” 😭
- “i think that you’re my favourite person i’ve ever met”🤧
- “i’ve known you six weeks and i already can’t imagine my life without you” 🥲

if this book isn’t on your radar, you MUST add it to the top of your list. i will forever be recommending. pub date: june 11th! 💗

Katherine Center's new novel is a joy to read! I mean- I literally smiled throughout reading this book! The story of Emma and Charlie's path to love starts up questionably when his agent Logan (who was Emma's first boyfriend) brings Emma to Charlie's home to help him fix up a rom-com screenplay he has been writing. Charlie wants nothing to do with Emma and really doesn't care if the screenplay is any good. The book is just a means to an end for Charlie who is already a successful writer, although he currently has the "yips". Both Emma and Charlie are emotionlly scarred people who somehow are able to help each other become better versions of themselves asthey let down their guards enough to just maybe find some happiness together. I defintiely recommend this book if you are a fan of rom-com and want to immerse yourself in a fun and optimistic novel that will leave you feeling good!

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: June 11, 2024
Emma Wheeler’s dream is to be a screenwriter. But then her mom dies and her dad gets sick and Emma puts her dreams on hold to become a full-time caregiver of both her father and her sister. Then, Emma’s luck changes and she gets the oppourtunity to write a screenplay with none other than Charlie Yates- the world-famous writer. Charlie wrote a rom-com, a very bad rom-com, and Emma needs to help him fix it, ASAP. Soon, she is living in Charlie’s mansion in L.A., and Emma is teaching Charlie not only how to write a good romantic comedy, but to believe in love and romance again, even though Charlie is fighting her every step of the way.
Katherine Center remains one of the only romance writers I will read. I am NOT a romance fan and do my best to avoid the saccharine, staged Hallmark-style novels as best as I can. Center pulled me in with “Things You Save in a Fire” and “How to Walk Away” and since then I have actually been able to say that I am a fan of romance novels?!? What? Could it be true? Well, if it’s Katherine Center’s type of romance novels, then absolutely—YES! Her new novel, “The Rom-commers”, is delightfully charming and full of sass and spunk with the main character, Emma and I enjoyed every enthralling page.
“The Rom-commers” would make a fabulous romantic comedy movie on the big screen (and Center has the potential as we’ve seen from the Netflix creations inspired by her novels) and I would actually pause my horror movie watching to tune in! Emma and Charlie are unique and awkward, as you would expect two writers to be, and yet they somehow create powerful chemistry together. There was no doubt right from the beginning how it turns out for these two, and I loved the journey that brought them there!
Most romance novels are predictable, sticking to a set script and changing a few key players and plot points (heck, if you’ve watched ONE Hallmark movie, you’ve watched them all) but Center’s stories are completely different. She delivers a refreshing perspective and, although the ending plays out as I expected, I spent more time laughing and cheering for the main characters than I usually do with romance novels. Fresh, hilarious and relatable, Katherine Center writes romance novels like no other, and “The Rom-commers” is one of her best!

3.5/5

Katherine Center fall under my auto-read authors, so when I found out that she has a new book coming out, I couldn't be anymore excited.
The Rom-Commers follow two screenwriters who has to work together and rewrite a romantic comedy. Emma Wheeler put her screenwriting dreams on hold when she stepped in to be her father's full-time caretaker. When she gets an offer to rewrite a script for famous and her favorite screenwriter, Charlie Yates, this is her once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. However, Charlie doesn't want to work with anyone, especially "a failed-nobody."

This wasn't my favorite, but I still enjoyed reading this book. Emma is admirable-she put her family first before herself and it couldn't have been easy. When opportunity knocked on her door, her family was also very supportive, reminding her that it's time for her to do something for herself. Charlie is living a lonely life. He might not have wanted to work with Emma at first, but being around her has definitely made his days more interesting. They banter, work well together, and have moments that aren't supposed to be romantic but are actually romantic. This was a quick read. The ending felt a bit rush but there was a moment that got me teary-eyed.

What to expect:
> Rom-com references
> Character cameos
> Breaking the 4th wall

An enemy to lovers, feel good story that ticks all the boxes for an absolutely delightful day of reading! Two screenwriters are reluctantly thrown together to write a rom-com. That’s the gist..swipe to see a more detailed synopsis. It’s easy to see where this is all headed, and yet the Center delivers another witty, charming story.
I loved this.
Thank you @ stmartinspress. @netgalley and @katherinecenter for the eARC of
#therom-commers out June 11/24.

It's been a little while since I read a whole book in one day. This one just grabbed my attention immediately and I couldn't put it down! Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of this arc (:

Katherine Center really defines love and the romance genre in this book. Yes, there is always a happily-ever-after, which might be considered predictable, but it's all about the JOURNEY and how we get there. This story really gets you thinking about true love and why we choose to read/watch romance. Emma is a relatable character, full of love and optimism. Charlie is a Hollywood asshole. The two are forced to work together on writing a screenplay, while they learn about life and death, human connection and emotion, and ultimately, love. CHEESEY? Yes, but in a good way! Almost grumpy-sunshine, but not quite. Very heartwarming. A feel-good read that I would recommend to any romance reader.

The Rom-Commers is an absolute delight—a must-read for anyone who loves a good rom-com!
Emma Wheeler's dream of becoming a screenwriter finally gets its big break when she lands a chance to work with her idol, Charlie Yates. But things quickly take a turn when she realizes Charlie is not the romantic hero she imagined—he's cynical, dismissive, and utterly uninterested in the romantic comedy they're supposed to be writing together.
As Emma fights to prove herself and save the project, sparks fly between her and Charlie in a way that even the best rom-com scripts couldn't predict. Katherine Center weaves a charming and hilarious tale of love, friendship, and the power of believing in your dreams.
With witty banter, swoon-worthy moments, and plenty of laugh-out-loud scenes, The Rom-Commers is a refreshing take on the classic romantic comedy. The author's writing is sharp, her characters are relatable, and the chemistry between Emma and Charlie is electric. Don't miss this heartwarming and entertaining read—it's sure to leave you with a smile on your face and a warm feeling in your heart.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press!

As a fan of Katherine Center, I had high expectations going into the Rom-Commers. The one thing that is almost always guaranteed with Katherine's novels is a certain depth and characters that are real and relatable. The Rom-Commers is true to its title. It is a Rom Com. The characters don't necessarily have all that much depth and are a bit disconnected. Despite some characters falling flat I did enjoy the story and did find myself laughing out loud at certain points. Is this my favorite Katherine Center novel? No. Did I enjoy it? Yes. Will I continue to flock toward any new releases from Katherine Center. Absolutely.

I’m not usually a fan of romantic comedies but this was by far the best romantic comedy I’ve read. The characters were likable and the story never slowed and always had something happen. It was heartfelt and I didn’t want it to end. Thank you NetGalley and at martins press for an ARC.

“I fell in love all the time. Just . . . nobody fell in love with me back. Fiction really kind of was all I had in the romance department. But that wasn’t a weakness. That was a strength.”

Those of you who have followed me for a bit know that I tend to gravitate towards thrillers. That’s where I live. They feed my soul. Every once in a while, however, I just need a good rom-com to soothe that thrilled soul. For the second time now, Katherine Center has been the architect of that appeasement.

“He felt real. But more than that: he made me feel real.”

This book was an absolute joy! Funny, romantic, and heartfelt, ‘The Rom-Commers’ had me smilin’ my goofy smile until the very last page. I absolutely loved everything about it! Emma and Charlie are delightful and their supporting cast was perfect in every way.

“He just . . . lit me up. And I missed that light so much. But I guess this was a teachable moment. If you wait for other people to light you up, then I guess you’re at the mercy of darkness.”

The Rom-Commers is the latest romantic comedy by this author who never disappoints. Emma Wheeler is a struggling writer that has sacrificed her career for the last ten years to take care of her disabled father. Her high school ex is her agent and he offers her an opportunity to work with her idol in Los Angeles. Now it’s her sister’s turn to step up and let Emma pursue her dreams. But Charlie Yates, Emma’s writing idol is not all he’s cracked up to be. Gruff and grumpy, Emma must work quickly to establish her usefulness on his latest writing project and if she becomes essential in his life than more power to her. The characters are lovable and people you would really want for friends. The story tugs at the heartstrings with warm fuzzy feelings tinged with heartbreak and frustration that just make the story feel more real. The Rom-Commers is another feel good story that deserves to be on the to be reread shelf. Katherine Center is my go to for feel good romantic comedy. My voluntary, unbiased, and non mandatory review is based upon a review copy from NetGalley.

"The Rom-Commers" was such a fun read! I love Katherine Center's other books, so I was incredibly excited to receive this ARC. "The Rom-Commers" follows Emma and Charlie, where Emma travels from Texas to California to help Charlie write a screenplay for a rom-com. Only there's one problem, Charlie doesn't believe in love. Emma takes on the challenge to make Charlie believe in love so that their rom-com screenplay is successful.

I found the characters to be so lovable. I just wanted to give them both a big hug! They have their own, unique struggles and it was heartbreaking at times to experience their internal struggles with loneliness and feeling unlovable. Charlie and Emma had incredible character development through this story and it came together very nicely. Overall, I gave this read 4/5 stars. Thank you NetGalley for giving me this eARC for an honest review. I would highly recommend this book!

WHAT. A. BOOK. Oh my gosh. I had never read anything from this author before but I simply couldn’t pass up a romance right now. This book was PERFECT! I fell for the characters immediately. I laughed with them, cried with them, and learned with them. The character development was outstanding and I truly fell for Charlie Yates and all his quirkiness. There wasn’t one single boring moment in this book for me and it truly read like a romantic comedy you would watch on the big screen. I will absolutely re-read this book to visit these characters again.


Thank you, Katherine Center, for a wildly romantic book. I cannot wait to read the rest of your work!