Smart, funny, and a little bit heartbreaking, this truly is a love letter to all of the rom com fans out there. I know there are readers who don't enjoy mixing angst or family drama with humor, but that is exactly what makes this such a nuanced, memorable read. It's a rom com first and foremost - our heroine quite literally schools the hero on the rules of the genre - but there's also pain and heartache underscoring so many of the interactions. I loved the combination of the jaded, grumpy, wildly successful hero with the perpetually sunshine heroine who has dealt with so much. Our hero has let a roadblock hold him back, and the heroine comes into his life like a wrecking ball. I loved the way she just absolutely knocked his world off its axis, all while bringing love and joy into his life. We only get her perspective, but it was easy to see the way he was smitten; a delightfully curmudgeon of a hero who slowly softens at the edges. It's rich and complex, entertaining and funny, and genuinely romantic. I loved it!

The story follows Emma, a woman who has been the sole caretaker for her father since an accident ten years ago. Her screenwriting career has been stalled ever since - at least until now. When the opportunity of a lifetime presents itself, her family encourages her to pursue it. Which is how Emma finds herself heading to LA to help her favorite screenwriter rewrite a truly terrible rom com. It's outside of Charlie's typical wheelhouse and he has no idea just how awful the script really is. The good news? Emma was made for this job, and she's determined to help turn things around and possibly jumpstart her career in the process. But meeting Charlie does not go as planned, and Emma soon finds herself temporarily living with her idol while trying to show him all of the ways he's gone wrong.

Center's romances tend to straddle the line of women's fiction, and that was true here as well. It's a multifaceted read that tackles a variety of difficult subjects, with both leads grappling with their own issues. I loved the forced proximity and the way that Charlie and Emma were in nearly every scene together once it got going, which allowed the romantic connection to grow and flourish. I adored watching Charlie slowly change his ways, and there was something so uplifting about a "broken" hero letting love into his life. It's a slow burn with very minimal heat, but it was incredibly romantic. There were SO many great callbacks to beloved rom coms of the past, and it was awesome to see how much Emma cares about the genre. I smiled, I laughed, I swooned, I shed a few tears, and I worried how they'd find their way together. Through it all, I was very, very emotionally connected, and I had such a fun time. This one's going to stay with me for quite awhile.

Emma Wheeler has spent her life both studying and writing romantic comedy screenplays, and she is GOOD at it. She could have a career in it, but tragedy struck her family, and she has spent the last 10 years caring for her ailing father, while her sister went to school and began to create a life for herself. Out of nowhere, she has an opportunity to write with Charlie Yates, a living legend when it comes to screen writing. Charlie wrote a rom-com and it is awful. Her ex and Charlie's manager contacts her to ask her to help fix it. Charlie doesn't want to write with her and doesn't care about the screen play. Emma is determined to help him - not just with the rom-com, but with his lack of belief in love.

Katherine Center has written a fantastic, fun, delightful rom-com. Her main characters are wonderful, relatable people who you want to cheer for and get to know. Charlie is loveable, imperfect, sweet and guarded. Emma is quirky, cute, loveable and hopeful. Together they make a great team. I absolutely loved this novel, and did not want it to end, because I wanted more of these characters. I appreciate that in addition to the fun aspects of the story, Center also tackled some real issues like anxiety, and she did it in a realistic way, giving the reader a taste of some of what that looks like and what things helped her characters. Furthermore, I also loved the winks at some real movie stars in this book, along with a bunch of fictitious ones.

This book is being added to my list of favorites. If you love rom-coms and want to laugh out loud, this book is for you!

Thanks to Katherine Center, St. Martin's press, and Netgalley for providing the e-galley for this book in exchange for this honest review.

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

This book was great. It was funny, cute, just like you’d expect from a rom-com movie. I have absolutely nothing negative to say about this book.

This book was just what I needed. Emma and Charlie's tension could be cut through with a knife. It was clear to everyone but Charlie that they were in love, pretty early on. Charlie and Emma needed to work to write a RomCom in order for his other movie, his passion project, to be produced. Emma has always put her life on hold while taking care of her dad. Coming to LA to help out Charlie and his Terrible screenplay was a lot for her, and he didn't seem to want the help.
When he conceded and they started working together, Emma did teach him so much more about himself, love and what it looks like to be happy.
This book had a bit of a trigger for me with the Big C being mentioned, and it got a little scary there, but ultimately, this book turned out just like a good romcom should and gave me all the emotions getting there. 4.5 stars!

What a fun book! It helps that What Happened One Night is one of my favorite movies, but I loved the "story within a story" here. Emma and Charlie have a great dynamic and I also loved the cameos from Jack and Hannah of THE BODYGUARD. I seriously hope this becomes a movie because we need more romantic comedies on our screens!

I have come to the conclusion: Katherine Center could write a grocery list on toilet paper, and I would read it. She can do no wrong.

This book! Absolutely fantastic. I expected the writing to be on point, but the banter is unbeatable. You can't help but get wrapped up in the chemistry between Emma and Charlie and root for them both. Their struggles and conflicts are just as good as their sparks and heat.

The story's development and pacing made it difficult to put down. I would read this again and again. Also so on-the-nose to write about writing (here, screen writing), but it was so interesting to get this perspective on the process.

I laughed, I cried, and I cheered. Any book that makes you feel the whole spectrum of feelings deserves all the stars. HIGHLY recommend to the fans of the rom-coms.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for the advanced copy.

I was so grateful I was approved for this eARC from the publisher and was half way in the book when I got the audiobook! I loved both! The narrator was Patti Murin and she was great. And Katherine Center also made a guest appearance on the audiobook if you’re wondering and you definitely want to hear it. She shares her thoughts about the romance genre and I was with her on every single point! I love what she said.
Now about the book. This novel was a fun and frustrating romance. It ended up capturing me body and soul and pulled me, giving me that warm, happy satisfying feeling I love when reading a well written romance novel. It was a clean romance and I highly recommend it.

Things I loved:
• Man’s hands in his pockets kisses.
• The [“YouTube “best kisses ever” ] part.
• The HEA
Thanks St. Martins Press and Macmillan Audio via NetGalley.

I enjoyed The Bodyguard, so was excited about this one because rom-coms are my thing and the galley was appealing to me. Sadly, the Rom-Commers just didn’t come together for me. It felt like a Tessa Bailey book minus the sex: The characters were fairly unlikable, they didn’t grow to become likable, and the nitty gritty of the story just didn’t add up (a woman who spent the previous chapter relating the crushing loss of her mother in a tragic distance fall finds it funny when she is told that diving from a similar height might crush her own innards? Yuck. It creeped me out and shut me down from the character and the story.)
All that being said, a rom-com’s plot doesn’t have to be plausible to work. The true beauty of a romcom is falling in love with the characters as they fall in love with each other. That just didn’t happen here. I was disappointed, but based on her prior writings I will definitely try a future book by the author.
My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing access to a digital ARC.

Here's the thing about Katherine Center, her stories always make you feel happier in the end. She knows how to fill your heart, how to make you hopeful about the world, and how to smile. They are like a warm, cozy blanket on a cold day or a delicious cup of iced lemonade on a warm day. It's balm for your soul.

And this one is no exception. It's sad, it's funny, it's witty but most of all it's overflowing with heart. You will not regret reading her stories.

with gratitude to netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

I've said it before and I will say it again now: KATHERINE CENTER CAN DO NO WRONG! seriously the queen of rom coms. loved this one!!!

I put this on the back burner for far too long. Mistake. Every time I read one of Katherine Center’s novels, I wonder why I don’t do so more often. This became no exception.

Emma is lost. Without her mom, she uses her caregiving role for her father as her excuse to remain stagnant. But an opportunity to work with THE Charlie Yates, award-winning screenwriter extraordinaire and her favorite. To write a passable romantic comedy together, Emma must work to overcome her own heartaches and guilt before helping Charlie with his.

This book was about more than a romantic love story (though there are quite a few). This book is about love in general, the healing power of it, the pain of losing it, and the gratitude for the experience.

There’s a line late in the book that speaks directly to the reader, the writer, the characters, and the soul. “Whatever story you tell yourself about your life, that’s the one that’ll be true.” We have the power to control our own narrative and write our way out of what may be holding us back. I finished this book and noticed my cheeks were wet. I wish I’d devoured it like it deserved.

*I was honored to read an ARC of this book via NetGalley and the author/publisher. All opinions are my own.*

What a joy to read. The Rom-Commers makes you feel all the feels. Ranging from laughing out loud, to shedding some tears. Emma is such a cute, nieve screenwriter looking for her big break, while caring for her father who requires round the clock care. Meanwhile Charlie has it all except a good rom-com screenwrite. What could happen in 6 weeks time while they co-write a screenwrite?

‘Because love is something you can learn. Love is something you can practice. It’s something you can choose to be good at.’

This was my first Katherine Center book & it will not be my last. This is a book that will make your heart so happy and put a big smile on your face.

One thing about Emma is she is head over heels in love with writing, but unfortunately she hasn’t been able to pursue it as a career. Instead, she became the sole caregiver for her father after a horrible accident. Then she is presented with an opportunity to go to Los Angeles and help her favorite screenwriter fix his disaster of a script. How can she say no to that? It’s everything she’s ever wanted. To write, to meet her favorite author… what more could she ask for! Until those 6 weeks completely change her life.

You definitely need to check out Emma & Charlie’s story in The Rom-Commer by Katherine Center! If you’re looking for a funny, lighthearted romance this is the one for you!

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

Ahhh The Rom-Commers was so cute!! I liked it SO much more than Hello Stranger. It was so funny, flowed so easily, and was soooo addicting!! I finished in less than 24 hours (stopping to teach America’s future) and enjoyed every bit of it. While it was funny, it also had more serious elements that reminded me of older Katherine Center books that I loved so much. This wasn’t my favorite Katherine Center but it was a great Rom-Com that every romance reader should read ❤️

Obsessed with the premise of a book about two screenwriters forced to write a romantic comedy! I'm a sucker for grumpy/sunshine and Katherine Center delivered <3

Another truly enjoyable and witty rom com from Katherine Center! This story is full of laughs and swoonworthy moments. I adored Emma and loved seeing her grow so much throughout the story. This is a solid 4.5 ⭐️ and while it didn’t hook me like her last two, for me the ending truly made the book and I would still definitely recommend this!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♾️ // 5+++ stars 😭🫶🏻

yall…i read this book in two sittings and was such a bag of emotions the entire time. this book make me happy, it made me melt, it made me irritated (miscommunication), it made my heart want to explode…this was the BEST🥹

ive only read this & hello stranger by Katherine now, and i just cant NOT love her writing style and the way she draws two characters in to one another!!

charlie may just be my favorite book boyfriend, even if he was quite the grump for most of the book 🤭 and emma was so strong and determined throughout as well. i really enjoyed watching their friendship grow into an unexpected relationship, PLUS, closed-door + plenty of slow burn tension 🔥🤪

i really enjoyed all of the family and friends characters sprinkled in, and also how family was a huge part of the storyline as well. some of the funniest moments were line dancing and biscuit-related…”i panic-bought 30 tubes of biscuits” 😂😍 also the swan dive?! GET OUT! 🤭

this book is a work of art and i thought it was absolute perfection. it was SO fun and cute, with lots of banter and forced proximity…also some slight miscommunication. Katherine also managed to include some heavyyy topics, which was so touching and added to the story even more!

ʙ ᴏ ᴏ ᴋ • ʀ ᴇ ᴠ ɪ ᴇ ᴡ

📖 The Rom-Commers
✍🏻 @katherinecenter
⭐️ 4
🫶🏻 ARC #28 of 2024
📚 73/100

I loved this book!

🫠 he doesn’t believe in love/romance
📌 “coworkers”
👊🏻 kinda enemies to lovers
💔 loss / hurt
🥹 HEA

I adored these characters. I found them both to have their own specific problems, traumas, and dilemmas. Wow, the miscommunication/emotional outburst wasn’t my favorite. I absolutely understand it, and overall think it fit into the book. I’m so grateful fun to have gotten an ARC from @netgalley @macmillan.audio and @katherinecenter ♥️

The Rom-commers follows Emma Wheeler, a relatable, hilarious, anxious, guilt-ridden screenwriter who has put her dreams on the back burner in order to take care of her loving father who needs full-time care. When the opportunity arrises to ghost-write for her personal screenwriting idol, Charlie Yates, it's too good of an opportunity to pass up. Emma decides to take a leap of faith and head to LA for 6 weeks to finally pursue her dreams. Unfortunately, Charlie had no idea she was coming, and is less than enthused by the idea of writing with anyone, let alone an unheard of girl with minimal experience. Not to mention that he's trying to write a romance... when he doesn't believe in love. It's a recipe made for disaster that is quite simply, delicious to read about.

This was the second book I've read by Katherine Center and I can say with confidence that I will be going back for more. The Rom-commers was light and fun while simultaneously maintaining depth and meaning. Banter is my go-to indicator of an enjoyable contemporary romance and this book checked the banter box several times over, with bonus points for making me laugh out loud. The characters were lovable, flawed, quirky individuals who were able to understand and support each other in a way that neither had seemed to expereince before.

The only things I would have changed would to have seen and heard more about Emma and Charlie's burgeoning relationship, because their story is beautiful. Would highly recommend to anyone and everyone.

Fantastic - wonderful characters, an interesting situation, sizzling chemistry, and a ton of angst in their personal lives – this story had everything that I wanted and more! Katherine Center has a way of creating characters that you want to spend time with and you feel like you are right there, experiencing all their highs and lows along with them. And it’s not just Emma and Charlie, who are both perfectly flawed and loveable, but their families, too – even the sister who comes off as selfish but wins you over in the end. I loved everything about this and can’t wait to read the rest of her books.