The Rom-Commers was so delightful to read! Katherine Center has a knack for reaching a reader’s heart with wonderful, witty writing, and relatable characters. Emma Wheeler has been the main care-taker for her father for the past ten years after an accident left him half-paralyzed and with other medical conditions. During this time, she has been pursuing her screenwriting dream, however she can, given her circumstances. When she is presented with an opportunity to work with Charlie Yates, one of the most renowned action screenwriters in the industry, re-writing the most “terrible” romcom she’s ever read, she is hesitant to accept but eventually takes the big jump. There are a few problems though: Charlie doesn’t believe in love and he’s only doing this to get his mafia movie off the ground. Can Emma change the grump and convince him to take this project seriously and maybe even change his outlook on love? I was rooting for Emma and Charlie the whole time. Every scene was so easy to picture, the chemistry between the characters and conversations flowed so naturally it was like I was inside the book witnessing everything. I loved the interactions between Chalrie and Emma and seeing the change in both characters as they learned and grew more comfortable with each other. If you liked Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan you will love The Rom-Commers by Katherince Center.

4.5 stars!!

I LOVE Katherine Center's rom-coms! They're such a quick read with complex characters that will make you swoon and your heart break a little.

Emma is a teacher that lives with her father so she can help take care of him since he cannot take care of himself. She has always wanted to be a screenwriter, but her dream was put to a halt after her mother passed and her dad suffered a severe injury. One day, she receives a call from her ex (who still keeps in touch) about a job opportunity.. working with Emma's FAVORITE screenwriter ever. The only problem? She has to go to LA and leave her dad in Houston. After convincing, she leaves her father with her sister and makes her way to Charlie Yates.

Charlie is a grump who wants to finish his (awful) screenplay that just so happens to be a Rom-Com. He's never written a Rom-Com and only wants this done so that his Mafia movie will get published. Emma is the queen of Rom-Coms. After some convincing, Charlie agrees to work with Emma. Charlie says he doesn't believe in love, and Emma is determined to fix that, and the screenplay.

The banter, the grumpy/sunshine, the representation of Menieres disease! I loved it!!! A certain someone from Center's past book makes an appearance and I LOVE when authors do this! If you've enjoyed Center's other 2 more recent novels, you'll enjoy this one. It is a great romantic comedy that will have you feel all of the emotions!

Thanks to NetGalley, Libro.fm, and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center is absolutely a feel good romantic comedy that had me smiling, laughing, crying and thoroughly enjoying this book! This was my first Katherine Center book, but it certainly won't be my last.

Emma finds herself in LA at her favorite screenwriter's house, thinking she is here for the opportunity of her life to help Charlie Yates re-write a rom-com. However, what both her and Charlie don't know is that they have been tricked by Logan and Charlie refuses to work with Emma. After this tough realization, Emma plans to book it back home to Texas the next morning after Charlie agrees to let her crash for the night. But spending one night explaining how romantic comedies work has Charlie asking to her to stay and help him re-write this screenplay for real, even if their motives still don't align at first.

I love how this book had all the good parts of a romance novel, but also had deeper aspects worked into the character's stories and development as well! Emma is a very likeable character from the start, always so kind and giving to others. Charlie was a little rough around the edges at first, but he certainly grew on me and I think he even surprised himself as his feelings grew and changed. The ending had me crying and smiling and I loved how it wrapped up!

This book releases on June 11th and I’d definitely recommend checking it out for a feel good and funny rom com, perfect for summer!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the chance to read and review an early copy of this book. All opinions are my own and honest!

So I wasn't crazy about the title, but I am glad I jumped in anyway! This was a really enjoyable read!

Katherine Center has created lead and supporting characters that feel believable, even if it is a bit of a rom-com world removed from reality. Unlike many novels in which the family members act like toxic psychopaths to drive the plot, Emma's family and friends are flawed, not saintly, but also not abusive. Emma herself can be awkward but remains fun to root for, and while Charlie's life story does feel the most unrealistic of all, he was also my favorite character and I actually laughed out loud at some of the banter.

This is truly a fantastic example of this genre, and I will be looking to read more by this author!

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

Katherine Center did it again! A rom-com about a famous Hollywood screenwriter and a fledgling, unknown writer from Texas pairing up to write a rom-com? Yes, please!

Emma and Charlie were quirky and lovable MCs. Emma was such a caring soul and Charlie was a supposed anti-love curmudgeon (legit softy at heart though), but they found their groove in writing and built a relationship from there.

I felt like the story was a little too slow burn with not quite as much romantic tension as I like in a rom-com. And given the title and premise, I was just hoping for a little more OOMPH. However, I did love that KC was able to incorporate deeper and more serious issues into the story like she’s known to do. This book had a lot of heart and is a must for lovers of the genre! 💓

Thanks so much to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Katherine Center for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this ebook! 🫶💕

"Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion" - Dolly Parton (or the Steel Magnolias screenwriter)

I adored this book. It delivers on exactly what you expect, a perfect rom com.

This was a cute grumpy/sunshine trope. In this novel we meet Emma, who has been caring for her father for a decade. She gets an opportunity too good to pass up to help her favorite screenwriter, Charlie Yates re-write a romance screenplay – her favorite genre.

As she spends time with him rewriting the screenplay, of course they get to know more about each other the pain each of them carry from their past. Katherine Center does a great job of fleshing out the characters and moving the story along while also creating good sexual tension. I enjoyed tagging along on Emma’s journey as she discovers herself and stands up for what she believes in. Overall this was a fun romance that I would absolutely recommend for those who enjoy a good love story.

#TheRomCommers by @katherinecenter is what I finished listening to today! Many thanks to @macmillan.audio for allowing me to listen to their fabulous production of her work, and for @netgalley allowing me as well to be a member!

**** PEOPLE I LOVED THIS STORY****

I love a story that tells of the process of something, people working on a project, such as : an audiobook or podcast, or in this case: a screenplay. When Emma (who is a complete sweetheart) is called by her agent to work with Charlie Yates (a famous writer/screenplay writer) she is super nervous yet confident that she would help him rewrite a surprisingly bad screenplay. It seems Charlie can make good out of anything except a love topic. Recently divorced he has no mojo for romance. Or so he thinks! I have to say he was one of my least favorite characters because in pushing Emma away, I found him to be so harsh. But mannnnnn when things take a turn!
What I love about Katherine’s particular romcom books is that her characters always have an emotional depth, and she finds a way, even through the tragedies of life, to make her characters be ok in the end. She has these amazing lighthearted banter between the love interests which delights me and makes me literally laugh out loud with the fun of it all, but this one also made me cry. Katherine doesn’t just give you the light, she gives you a bit of the dark just enough to make you engage and root for the MC and becomes hopelessly invested. She shows the intimacy of family life, ripping the bandaid off of bad situations and showing a path to a fix. The scene between Emma and her sister when they had a falling out was brutal, but the forgiveness scene had me crying! I love that her characters find the BEST in themselves and then they GIVE that to their loved ones. It makes me feel hopeful that things that are broke can be glued back together with love and the right words. Maybe. But this is the magic of the romcom - making you laugh, cry, hope, and then it lets you do something that LIFE itself doesn’t always - it lets you put out a huge SIGH of relief!
I’ll always be a fan of Katherine’s humor and the heart of her characters! Coming out June!!

CUTE CUTE CUTE CUTE!

Katherine Center has found such a perfect formula for romcoms. They work exactly how you want a story like this to work. Hopeful and silly and melodramatic and filled with characters you can’t help but roll your eyes at while wishing they’d just kiss and confess their love already!

I so thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this and I would highly recommend reading the author’s note. Reading romance is fun and it feels good and there’s nothing low brow or superfluous about it.

When I pick up a Katherine Center book I know I’m going to enjoy it. The Rom-Commers is no exception; I knew by the end of the first chapter this would be a book devoured in a single sitting. The characters are quirky and awkward which fabricates some laugh out loud moments.

Emma Wheeler has a talent for writing, but when tragedy strikes her family she is thrusted into the role of full time caregiver to her father. Now, it’s 10 years later, her younger sister home for the summer, and Emma is presented with the opportunity of a lifetime to spend 6 weeks in LA ghostwriting a romcom screenplay with her screenwriter idol. Out of her comfort zone for sure, but this has the potential to change her life. Unfortunately, the screenplay she’s tasked with fixing is worse than terrible, the idolized screenwriter not only doesn’t believe in love but openly dismisses Emma. Emma is a go-getter and manages to find the best in the situation, and who knows…maybe the screenwriter really isn’t so bad?

The tone of this story reads like you’re talking to a friend. It hooks you off the bat and will have you laughing out loud and tearing up. There’s no spice, but the story is very sweet! A 4.75/5 for me 🥰

PS for those who enjoyed The Bodyguard, Jack makes quite a few cameos in this story.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC

I read this book in 1 day because I was so engrossed in the story of Charlie and Emma...I completely embraced and was enamored with watching their relationship grow.
Stubborn, head strong, yet sweet and charming, Charlie won my heart!
And I could relate so much to Emma always putting everyone else first.
I found watching Charlie fall in love so endearing,..and this book had me laughing...and crying at times.
The side characters of Sylvie, Logan, Emma's Dad, Jack Stapleton and TJ were also entertaining, this book was both a fun, sweet delve into the lives of Hollywood elite, screen writers and a story of getting out of your comfort zone and finding love, and your happy place in this world, but also about moving on from trauma and terrible life events...it balanced the bad with the good perfectly and I loved it!

The Rom-Commers, an ode to the very genre its title pays homage to, is the antithesis of anything romantic and comedic.

I’ve got so many thoughts and I fear none of them are good. There was no aspect to this story other than its originality that I enjoyed, or at the very least, did not completely and utterly detest.

Beyond my feelings as a reader, as a person, there is only so much I can tolerate before I need to stand my ground and say enough is enough. Despite authors being the primary contributors to a story’s conception, it takes a village and it’s time this one got some tough love. Not every person is going to love every book and that’s okay. Not okay is the lack of consideration when it comes to the delicacy of certain topics and the lasting impact they can have on readers. Life doesn’t have trigger warnings, but isn’t that why we read? To escape the unexpected in everyday life? To escape into a world with choice? There are many luxuries in life, and content warnings shouldn’t be one of them. So to all authors, publishers, and individuals alike, you’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain. Be mindful of your audience!

Emma Wheeler conforms to the very stereotypes generations of women have spent decades battling. No respectable woman would allow herself to bear claim to the feet of a man who she’s witnessed, on multiple occasions mind you, slander her name. Not just behind her back, but directly to her. I will genuinely never be able to comprehend the pure desperation this girl was radiating. Perhaps the only instance I will ever advocate for bringing back shame! You cannot change a man that does not desire change.

Let’s also dissect her lack of accountability. At her grown age, there is no excuse for the abundance of vitriol toward her sister after the climax of the story. Her lack of a life was due to her lack of communication. She wasn’t resigned to being the sole caretaker of her father, she just subconsciously basked in the savior complex it gave her. She lacks personality because she’s comfortable in her trauma and chooses to bend to its will instead of going to therapy. There comes to be a point where the ‘woe is me’ tone begins to sound more like a way to defend your inability to reflect and grow as an individual.

As for Charlie Yates, he was the catalyst for the feminist movement and you will not convince me otherwise. Should that man escape the confines of fiction, he would actively vote to take away my rights. He must be stopped at any and all costs. Living, breathing proof that all men do is lie, steal, and cheat. He was dragging her by the leash, goodness gracious. Not to mention, the man eats meat by the forkful and I mean that in the most literal sense. That in and of itself is a crime against humanity. If that didn’t deter you, he also eats his cereal with water. It’s 2024 for crying out loud! Why are we still endorsing men who embrace their toxic masculinity and incompetence like it’s a lifestyle to be proud of?

Perhaps it was the structure of the story, but without a dual POV to redeem Charlie, he will always be the antagonist in my book.

Between the two of them, no one is coming out unscathed. There was a lot about their dynamic that just did not sit well with me and it all boiled down to the lack of boundaries. Emma struggled beyond words with consent. While Charlie is by no means a flirtatious person, Emma can’t seem to comprehend his lack of attraction toward her without his lingering gazes and occasional intimate innuendo, much less with them. Initially, I tried to justify it as a difference in preference on my end; but once it became clear that this was going to be an ongoing affair, I became a lot less empathetic in voicing my concerns.

As for the writing, breaking the fourth wall made the story lose any potential magic it could’ve had. Reading a book isn’t as enticing when you feel as though you are reading a book. It’s supposed to be a way to fill you with life, not drain you of it, yet alas.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Katherine Center for providing me with an ARC. As always, all thoughts are my own and are in no way influenced by early access to this title.

I rated this one somewhere between a 4 and 5 star read. Honestly, one reason for the decrease is simply because I have health anxiety, and some of the heavy health topics were a little bit of a trigger for me. Aside from that, there were a few times when the MMC just felt a little bit too cold. I understand that there was trauma in his past and that he had been hurt very badly, but there were times when it was difficult to cheer for him.

That being said, I'm always a huge Katherine Center fan-- anything she writes, I want to read. I've never rated any of her books below 4 stars because she always does such a phenomenal job.

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC!

This is the third book I've read written by Katherine Center, and it may be my new favorite! I experienced all the emotions you would expect after reading book called "The Rom-Commers" to have! I laughed out loud, swooned & even cried. I relate to the main character in many ways, especially in the family issues she faces.

Emma gets the opportunity of a lifetime (so she thinks) to write alongside her favorite screenwriter. Although once she meets them this are far from what she expected them to be. I adored Emma & Charlie as the main characters, and would be so excited to see a follow-up novel or even movie exploring their story.

This book is a must read for anyone who loves love & everything a Rom-Com explores! This book comes out in June, and although I read the e-arc, I've already pre-ordered my gorgeous physical copy!

Katherine Center always delivers such great reads and she didn’t stop with The Rom-Commers. I loved the banter between Emma and Charlie. It took me a little while to get over all the “Charlie Yates” but it did paint the picture of how important he was to her.

Emma Wheeler has the chance to go write a screenplay with her favorite writer. As Charlie Yates says “ he doesn’t need some washed up writer.” Charlie is trying to write his first RomCom and it is horrible! Emma leaves her caretaking duties to stay with Charlie for six weeks to write a Romcom with someone that does not believe in love.

The story was super cute. Katherine Center always writes sweet romances that aren’t spicy.

⭐️magical⭐️

A writer needs to write a romcom, but he only writes action type movies, so his agent enlists another writer to help him. I knew literally from the first chapter this was gonna be good. Some books just have a magic that cannot be explained. This was a romcom about writing a romcom.

There were times I laughed out loud, sad moments, and everything in between. There was chronic illness representation and caretaker representation- which I loved. Death and grief. Divorce, new love, and everything in between. I swear this book had it all. There was 0 spice level to this book, but it didn’t matter or need it.

This is my first ARC from Netgalley that I have given 5 stars. I have had a lot of good 4 star reads, but this one was great! Highly recommend.

Thank you NetGalley for me e-arc copy! I almost screamed when I saw that I was approved for this book!

I am a huge Katherine Center fan! Anything she writes is solid gold to me. The Rom-Commers is another golden masterpiece!

I want to preface this review by saying that at first, I wasn't a Charlie fan. I thought he was rude and egotistical. However, he redeemed himself in the end.

One thing I always love about Katherine Center's books is the family dynamic. It's not all romance. The Rom-Commers had that in abundance. Emma has been her father's caregiver for nearly ten years when her old boyfriend calls her and gives her the news of a lifetime: to co-write with her all time favorite screenwriter, Charlie Yates! She has to leave her father with her sister for six weeks in order to write. When she arrives, she finds out that Charlie didn't know about that she was going to help him and he's not too pleased. But he eventually comes around to the idea and the two begin rewriting a romcom screenplay that he had written...terribly. Emma decides that she wants to change Charlie's cynical views on love while working together.

It was cute, the banter was fun, I absolutely adored Emma. I loved middle of the story Charlie, but beginning of the story Charlie and towards the end Charlie, I did not like much. But there's a reason why he's like that.

Things I loved avout The Rom-Commers:
🤭 The banter
✍🏽 They're writers and we see that a lot in this story
👨‍👩‍👧‍👧 Family dynamic
😢This one will pull at your heartstrings
🥺Both characters have big feelings and vulnerability

Once again, thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my copy!

Emma has the chance to work with her idol, Charlie Yates. Only, she doesn't realize until she gets there that he hasn't agreed to let her help rewrite his abysmal romcom screenplay. Angry that she left her dad (who requires full-time care) to work with someone who isn't taking the business of writing a romcom seriously, she is determined to make it worth her while. Despite a rocky start, things start to look up and they get into a work rhythm, though things take a turn when she suggests Charlie kiss her "for research." When she gets a middle-of-the-night call from her sister telling her their dad is in the hospital, leaving everything behind - including Charlie. Will they get the screenplay written and will Emma ever get Charlie to truly open up?

It was a delightful story with great twists and turns leading to a satisfying HEA.

.𝚍𝚎𝚕𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚏𝚞𝚕.𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚢.𝚕𝚘𝚢𝚊𝚕.𝚐𝚎𝚗𝚞𝚒𝚗𝚎.

Katherine Center's latest novel, 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝒐𝒎-𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒔, is a clever blend of romance, humor, and family drama that will leave you feeling a kaleidoscope of emotions. Center's talent for character development shines through Emma and Charlie, bringing the story to life and making you root for the happy ending.

While remaining true to its rom-com beginnings, the novel skillfully intertwines some of life's more challenging realities. As someone who expertly navigates the literary minefield of sad topics, I found myself able to enjoy these issues without triggering my fight or flight response.

This was my second book by Center and I can confidently say I'm hooked on her writing style. I eagerly await her next literary creation!

A heartfelt thanks to St Martin's Press and Netgalley for the ARC. As always, my reviews are 100% authentic opinions.

Lovely. Such a fun read. I enjoyed all the emotions of this one. I laughed, cried, smile, frowned, everything in between.