Oh my. Katherine Center always reminds me that I do love a good romance. And of why I love to read. Great, great weepy smile-y book -- thanks NetGalley folk for an ARC to read!

All of the stars!

"I do. Of course. And would I give up ALL this personal growth to see her again for even and hour and just clamp her into my arms? In a second. But that's not a choice. All we have is what we have."

Beautifully written with wit, charm, and a touch of Hollywood magic, this rom com delivers a heartwarming narrative that resonates with dreamers and believers alike.

The characters are vibrant and relatable, each with their own quirks and fears. Emma and Charlie add depth and dimension to the story, inviting readers to root for their happily ever after.

Rom-Commers is a testament to the power of chasing one's dreams and embracing the serendipitous moments that shape our lives..

What a fun, funny, heartwarming, serotonin boost of a book! I laughed, I smiled. I teared up. I cannot wait to read whatever Center writes next! Also another major kudos for writing about medical issues and DOING THE RESEARCH to get it right,

Let me start by saying I am not a Katherine Center fan. I did enjoy The Bodyguard but none of her other works unfortunately. However, she hit the jackpot with her newest release.

Emma Wheeler desperately longs to be a screenwriter. She’s spent her life studying, obsessing over, and writing romantic comedies―good ones! That win contests! But she’s also been the sole caretaker for her kind-hearted dad, who needs full-time care. Now, when she gets a chance to re-write a script for famous screenwriter Charlie Yates―The Charlie Yates! Her personal writing god!―it’s a break too big to pass up.

Yes this book is every cliche imaginable when it comes to romcoms but all with a very deep and emotional side to them. It makes you ponder why you love them or don’t and really makes you change your way of thinking when it comes to live life itself. I loved the way Emma talks to the reader as if she’s simply telling you her life story and that made it even more impactful. There is so much love and heartbreak within these pages but there’s also a whole lot of humour and banter as well.

The only caution I would say is there is a lot of grief and descriptive medical talk on the pages so please be careful if this could be triggering to you. But while saying this, I do want to applaud the author for the representation and the respect in which she wrote it.

Of course my favourite part is the relationship between Emma and her dad. Most books have either a strained father daughter relationship, a non existent one or one with the dad deceased; but for once we have a strong one that is very much like the love between my dad and myself.

Overall, Center has finally won me over and I highly highly recommend

I double dog dare you to read Katherine Center’s latest book, THE ROM-COMMERS (available June 11), and not crack a smile. I mean, this woman has absolutely mastered the exact science of a swoony, sweet, gooey, witty, heart-fluttery rom-com and I adore everything she writes.

In this one, aspiring screenwriter Emma gets the opportunity to write a rom-com screenplay with her idol, the oft-awarded, ultra-famous Charlie Yates. Emma has spent the last ten years caring for her ailing father, putting her own dreams on hold. When she arrives in Hollywood, however, it turns out that Charlie is a real a-hole and doesn’t want her help writing a rom-com. He doesn’t even believe in love. But, it’s a rom-com, so of course they fall head over heel for each other. You might know how THE ROM-COMMERS ends, but it’s so much fun getting there. There’s a Peruvian long-haired guinea pig named Cuthbert, canned biscuit shenanigans, stolen moments while hiding hip-to-hip in a crowded pantry, accidental high-dives, and so many life lessons woven throughout.

I adore everything Katherine Center writes and this one sits side-by-side on my favorites shelf right next to The Bodyguard, and THAT’S saying something. AND - wooooo! - THE ROM-COMMERS takes place in the same world as The Bodyguard (cue guest appearances by Jack Stapleton).

Anyone who likes Abby Jimenez or Emily Henry books will also surely love this one.

A sincere thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy of THE ROM-COMMERS in exchange for my honest opinion.

Emma Wheeler’s career is just about to skyrocket when she realizes she has to press pause and head to Texas. Her father has just had an accident and in Emma's life, family is more important than her screenwriting internship.

Divorced screenwriting legend Charlie Yates doesn’t believe in love. Perhaps that’s why his romcom fails. Charlie also doesn’t co-write. He’s won multiple awards on his own and doesn’t need help. When his agent hires Emma to help Charlie rewrite his script, sparks fly. Charlie thinks it’s beneath him to have an amateur come to his aid…especially since he didn’t agree to the help. He soon discovers that Emma’s expertise is exactly what he needs.

The banter in this workplace romance had me giggling and gasping aloud in public! I can always count on Center to pull me out of a funk. She writes such authentic and heartfelt stories, mixes them with real-life moments, and adds a dash of sarcasm and humour. I loved how her characters brought out the best in each other and gave each other the opportunity to rewrite their own life story. Healing, for these two souls, is a process and reading about them working together to forge their happily ever after was beautiful. As with all KC reads, I feel like I want to hug the book when I’m finished. Most importantly, I always feel noticed and am always reminded to be gentle with myself - I’m a work in progress.

Note:
The Rom-Commers isn’t a sequel to The Bodyguard, but Jack Stapleton does make a cameo. Charlie in the Rom-Commers wrote the screenplay that made Jack famous.

I was gifted this copy by St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

I requested this book based on the cute cover and synopsis, but after reading it I think I’m done with Katherine Center. It doesn't seem fair to go into tons of detail about what I didn't like since there wasn't anything egregiously wrong with the book. I just wasn't the right reader for it. Her writing style doesn't work for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC, which was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Katherine Center is one of those authors that I keep on auto buy. She has a knack for the light hearted rom com. The award winning Screenplay writer Charlie is in a rut. He can not seem to write anything good so his agent Logan has him team up with his other client and lifelong friend Emma to fix his first rom com screenplay. He is resistant to this situation even though he needs to do it for his career. Emma had out her life and career on hold due to her ailing father and this is the first thing she does for herself. Inevitably and through a series of mishaps these two figure it out. Easy read and well done. The only criticism would be it was a lot of medical stuff for one book. Thank you netgalley for this arc. Would def recommend to a rom com loving friend.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the advanced copy! This book comes out in June!

Emma is an aspiring writer who is a full time caregiver for her father. She has an opportunity to go to LA and work with a famous screen writer on a rom com re-write. Their banter was funny at times and annoying at others. And, I found their language to be really mean toward each other but I also understood the intention behind it (but, it still felt “too much”). The family dynamics were fun and heartwarming, loved the Dad! The story wrapped up nicely for me.

I absolutely loved this book! It was everything you’d want from a rom-com. Follow Emma’s journey from screenplay writer stuck at home for a decade as her father’s caretaker to LA. Such a heartfelt story with excellent characters. This is one not to miss!

I love Katherine Centers books. Her characters are always so likable and this book was no exception.

As I watched the main characters relationship change and grow, I enjoyed learning things about each character that I had not known previously. It was like a mystery were details would unravel and I would keep turning pages anxious to find out how the latest development would change the plot.

I also think that this book is a great read for those who may given up their dreams for someone else. It shows that it’s never too late to crush your goals. All while supported by love of family.

Withholding my review in solidarity with the readers' strike with Readers for Accountability: https://www.instagram.com/readersforaccountability/.

Katherine Center's latest novel, The Rom-Commers, is a delightful and heartwarming tale about Emma Wheeler, an aspiring screenwriter who gets the chance to rewrite a script for her idol, Charlie Yates. But Charlie is not only reluctant to collaborate with Emma, but he also believes that love stories are meaningless. Emma is determined to prove him wrong, and in the process, she discovers that real life can be even more romantic than fiction. Emma is a relatable and well-developed character. She is passionate about romantic comedies and has a gift for writing them. However, she is also insecure and self-conscious, and she has been putting her own life on hold to take care of her sick father. When she gets the chance to work with Charlie Yates, she sees it as an opportunity to finally achieve her dreams. Charlie is a complex and enigmatic character. He is a brilliant screenwriter, but he is also arrogant and cynical. He believes that love is a sham and that romantic comedies are nothing more than vapid entertainment. However, Emma's infectious enthusiasm and unwavering belief in love begin to chip away at his defenses. The relationship between Emma and Charlie is the heart of the novel. It is a slow-burn romance that is both believable and heartwarming. Emma and Charlie are initially attracted to each other, but they also clash frequently. However, as they work together on the script, they begin to understand and appreciate each other. The Rom-Commers is a well-written and entertaining novel that will appeal to fans of romantic comedies and feel-good stories. Center does an excellent job of creating characters that readers will root for and a plot that is both engaging and heartwarming. The novel is also a thoughtful exploration of the nature of love and the power of storytelling.

I loved loved loved this book! Katherine Center can do no wrong. She is my favorite author. I loved it. I loved it!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
This book surprised me in the best possible ways. I love a rom com, but this was simply more in every way. It had everything I wanted, like witty funny banter and chemistry, but also a bunch that I didn’t even think to want, like nuanced and caring handling of emotional and difficult topics. Bravo!

Nothing prepared me for the amount of cuteness that exuded out of this novel. I mean, let's face it, normally rom-coms are undeniably cute and have pertaining qualities that just make rom-coms enjoyable to read. However, this book has completely exceeded my expectations of what can be included in a rom-com book. For one, the humor and the banter between the two characters is incredibly funny and witty, and the plot and characterization within the novel go hand in hand as well. The scenes and settings were well-described and immersive. I thoroughly binged and enjoyed this book the whole ride. I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to have a good laugh, read some great spice, and just delve into a simply great rom-com.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this early-release digital ARC of this book.

The Rom-Commers is one of those romance books that just makes you smile to read. Despite the heavy medical diagnoses throughout the book Katherine Center managed to keep it from getting too heavy while also making you feel all the emotions. I loved the dialogue and banter between the characters. The Bodyguard guest appearances felt like seeing old friends and was another plus to the book in my book.
This one reminded me a bit of Thank you for Listening by Julia Whelan with the little peek into the fictional lives of the people who write (or narrate) our favorite books.

I love love LOVED The Rom-Commers! I'm pretty sure I experienced the full range of human emotions throughout the course of the book and cried actual tears as I finished reading it. Katherine Center's rom-coms are something special and this may just be her best one yet!

This book is a breath of fresh air!! Katherine Center has a way of writing a story and making you feel like you are sitting across the table enjoying coffee with her. Her new book , The Rom-Commers, is about a screenwriter, Emma, who has put off her career to take care of her dad. She ends up helping him rewrite a screenplay with her idol, Charlie Yates. What happens is a roller coaster of emotions, friendships and self-discovery that will benefit anyone that reads this. This story has it all, a wonderful plot where you're constantly wondering what the ending will be. These characters are the real heroes of the story. They are real, flawed and perfect! Read this book and you will be a better person for it.

First of all, I am a huge Katherine Center fan. I love her writing, I love her characters, and I especially love how there is always some “off the wall” disease or medical problem that instantly has me googling. She’s great.

The ROM-Commers does not disappoint if you are also a fan of all of the above. I fell in love with grumpy Charlie, sunshine Emma (and her family), and a guinea pig (who knew?) I found myself WANTING to read this book more. Even with the very odd ailments, the character were so likeable. The banter between Emma and Charlie had me smiling, and I genuinely wanted a HEA for everyone involved.
In short, this is another great novel from Center that I cannot wait to add to my bookshelf this summer. Thank you Katherine Center and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.