Skip to main content

Member Reviews

I love Katherine Center Books! They never fail to disappoint in humor, heart, and hope. The Rom-Commers is a love letter and manifesto to what makes a Rom-Com. It is so easy to love Emma - to root for her to find her Happily-Ever-After.
In true Katherine Center fashion, you leave the pages of her book feeling a bit homesick. I fell in love with Emma’s family and her and Charlie’s relationship. I want to go line-dancing, be better at appreciating the lovely people in my life, and invest in a monstera leaf patterned dress of my own!
“Whatever story you tell yourself about your life, that’s the one that will be true.”

Was this review helpful?

Another charmer by this author. I was really enjoying this one, but the conceit of the male protagonist thinking he was being noble by hiding something from the female protagonist felt icky to me. It's supposed to be a great sacrifice, but the lack of honesty felt like a betrayal. So, I wasn't fond of that plot point. However, the characters were well drawn and there was a lot of humor throughout. Library patrons should enjoy and may be more forgiving than I was.

Was this review helpful?

Kathrine Center is one of those authors that I'll read a book by her without knowing what it's even about. She's a phenomenal author and the Rom-Commers was just delightful!

I really liked Emma in this book. This book touches on so many topics that I think so many of us can relate to and that's what I think makes this book that much more enjoyable. Emma wants to be a screenwriter but needs to care for her dad. She's gets a break and gets a chance to write for a world renowned screenwriter. However, Charlie Yates doesn't do lovey dovey stuff. Her sister steps in to help and take care of their dad while she's in LA for 6 weeks.

This book was just everything. If I could pick one adjective that would be it.

A big thanks to St. Martin's Press and netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Okay so here’s the thing. In my opinion - this book was just meh. It wasn’t a great book but at the same time, there was nothing I can pinpoint that was wrong with it. I just think I didn’t personally connect with this book. I do think other people will connect and love this. It felt a little slow paced and the tension just wasn’t there. The end picked up and got better but wasn’t enough for me to rate higher.

I was given an Advanced Reader Copy by NetGalley for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Kathrine Center knocked it out of the park with this one. I felt all the feels .I enjoyed it so much.I am a big fan of her work already but this one really hit the mark! Opposite attract, slowburn, heartfelt and humours at the same time. I wish i could rate it more than 5 stars. Her best work yet and my personal favourite!

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review*

Was this review helpful?

I absolutely loved everything about this book! There is just something about Katherine Center’s characters. They are never flat or one dimensional and they are so well rounded. This was a very kicking your feet while smiling and giggling kind of book sure to make a bad day good!

Was this review helpful?

This was my first Katherine Center book, and I am totally obsessed! The writing was so easy to follow and was so fast paced. I read this book in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down! Can we talk about their banter!! I’m not the biggest fan of miscommunication but this is one of the first books that I think did it right!

Was this review helpful?

Katherine Center knocks it out of the park with this one with equal parts laughter, tears, and heartwarming moments. You're hooked from day one with fantastic banter and a tension that keeps you eagerly flipping through the pages.

The chemistry between Emma and Charlie is electric, and watching them evolve from reluctant partners to a dream team is pure magic. Emma's sunny disposition and Charlie's grumpy demeanor make for the perfect rom-com duo, and their journey to rewrite Charlie's script is both hilarious and heart-tugging. Center's knack for infusing joy into even the toughest situations shines through, leaving you with a warm and fuzzy feeling long after you've finished the last page.

This continues to solidify Katherine Center's place on my immediate/auto read list.

Was this review helpful?

This is such an engaging delightful rom com. Charlie is a screenwriter that is very successful and well known. Emma is a rom com writer that has set her career aspirations aside to take care of her father who suffered a tragic accident 10 years prior. Her high school sweetheart is a Hollywood manager and offers her an amazing opportunity to work with her idol, Charlie. Unbeknownst to her, this screenwriter has no idea she is coming to help save a terrible rom com screenplay that her wrote. He writes action and sci fi. He had been somewhat blackmailed into writing a genre he absolutely despises to have a new movie made from a current screenplay he wrote. The enticing banter and escapades begin upon their meeting for the first time. The author and weaved a wonderful story. What I really liked was he writing and ability to have the audience fully engaged with the book. At times, Emma talks to the audience as if they are best friends having a sleep over and telling each others secrets. I give this book a full five stars and this is not my normal genre, I prefer horror and thrillers, but I will definitely seek out more books by her

Thank you #netgalley and publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this delightful book

Was this review helpful?

I love any woman that has no problem putting anyone in their place, and Emma is definitely not afraid to do that. You can't tell but fall in love with Charlie. He's cynical about love just purely never been in it. I loved as the reader feeling like I was in on a secret for Charlie's affection even without it being stated.

Was this review helpful?

This book had me hooked until the last page.

This is the second book I have read by this author. I have loved the complexity of the character arcs. The character development was fantastic. I loved the "imperfectness" of the characters. I loved the banter and I found myself laughing while reading.

I loved that "happily ever after" is not the same for everyone and that there will always be challenges.

As a reader, one of my pet peeves is lack communication. I understand it adds to plot and drama, but sometimes it can be a bit frustrating at times.

Thank you so much for letting me read this book. I hope to have the opportunity to read more by this amazing author.

Was this review helpful?

I love Katherine Center books, so I was really excited to read this one! It did not disappoint. I love a grumpy/sunshine troupe and the banter between the two main characters was fantastic. It was a clean, closed door romance, so if you don’t like steam this one was perfect. It was a heart-warming story that definitely made you feel. There was one too many cringe moments for the main character for me or it would have been 5 stars.


Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this ARC.

Was this review helpful?

Katherine never ever disappoints.

She writes rom-coms that will shatter your heart but stitch you right back up in the end.

Emma and Charlie are two people who have both seen their fair share of tragedy in life. Despite it all they come together and become an epic love story for the ages.

Just when you think they will finally give in, guess again. This book is a rollercoaster of emotions in the best way possible.

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoy Katherine Center books- especially some of the more recent ones (The Bodyguard & Hello, Stranger). This was another enjoyable story and I love how well the author balances sad/tragic events that happen in life while also giving the characters the happy ending that they deserve.

The story had a fun premise where you have a famous writer that totally bombs when he wrote a romantic comedy screen play. It was pretty believable that a famous writer would not want help from someone that did not run in the same circles (and really wasn't known at all!)

I thought there was a decent amount of depth to the main characters in this story and felt like I got to know Charlie and Emma pretty well. Their interactions felt real throughout and I loved the grand gestures that unfold towards the end! This book had me smiling the way a great rom-com should!! Absolutely worth the quick read!

Was this review helpful?

I. LOVED. EVERYTHING. ABOUT. THIS. BOOK!

One thing I really get impatient with in rom-coms is when the main characters have a misunderstanding and it gets dragged out. This seems to happen a lot in rom-coms to some degree and sometimes it can really ruin the story for me. Well, I kept waiting for it to happen in this story and it didn't. Katherine Center went off script in some ways with this story, but stuck with the joyful parts of a rom-com in other parts and made me really fall in love with this book.

I love the deep characters, the plot, the tension, the banter, the sadness, the hilarity. This story just really hit the mark for me.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This book!!! THIS BOOK!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is the third book I’ve read by Katherine Center and although I’ve enjoyed them all this one takes the cake! This love story was fantastic!!! Seriously all the exclamation marks!!!! What can I even say!?

I loved Emma and Charlie. I loved the premise of a famous screenwriter writing the world’s worst rom-com and needing assistance from a no-name writer. It gave us laugh-out-loud funny, ridiculous and heartfelt moments. But also, I sobbed ugly tears, don’t say I didn’t warn you! I loved this grumpy/sunshine combo and how Emma constantly challenged Charlie. I loved how the book examines real life vs fiction, romance, fantasy and happily every afters.

“Was this a happy ending? Of course. And also only a beginning in the way that beginnings and endings are always kind of the same thing.”

Was this review helpful?

Excuse me as I finish ugly crying.

There is no other author who can make me feel the rollercoaster emotions that I feel when reading when one of her books. Katherine Center is simply magic in her storytelling ways.

The Rom-Commers is another brilliant piece of work from Center. A story that yes, it's a love story, but in typical Katherine Center fashion, is also so much more than that.

Our MC Emma has sacrificed her whole life to care for her father, who survived a traumatic accident that resulted in a traumatic brain injury that left him needing around the clock.care. For ten years she's done this, all while being a big sister and stand in mother to her sister Sylvie. However, her life changes when she recieves a phone call (from her ex). Emma dreams of being a writer, so when shes asked to come to LA to ghost write a romcom, she bravely decides to do it. Here's the catch, the writer she'll be working with is Charlie Yates, the famous writer she adores. When Emma gets there, she finds out not only did Charlie not know about this arrangement, he wants nothing to do with it. After one night together, he changes his mind and agrees to work with Emma. Problem is, he doesnt believe in love. How do you write a romcom if you don't believe in falling in love?! Emma then makes it hee personal mission to convince Charlie what the perfect Romcom needs....not realizing that in order to do that, she also needs to convince Charlie that real love exists.

When I tel you.that I SWOONED throughout this book, I mean heart pounding butterflies at certain points. The chemistry and just pure joy between these two is palpable. It's your perfect sunny girl, cynical guy trope. The story also brings you on a journey navigating tragedy and grief, but in a way that is so gentle and beautiful. I devoured this in three hours and the whole time I was cheesing, crying,, screaming in frustration. ALL the feels! I truly can't wait for everyone to read this .I hope Katherine Center never stops writing.

Was this review helpful?

This is my first book by Katherine Center, it was recommended by a friend and boy did it not disappoint! The story is an absolute delight. Talk about refreshing and fun. Her style of writing is so relatable, so witty, and heartfelt. I fell in love with all of the characters. The banter between Emma and Charlie you couldn't help but chuckle and laugh. Although there was mis-communication it was appropriate. And don't get me started on the slow burn. There was no spice but it didn't need it. I absolutely loved it and couldn't put it down. Will most certainly read more from this author!

Was this review helpful?

Katherine’s books have become autobuys for me and this is the first book I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy of. I love immersing myself in Katherine’s books. There is always romance but she mixes it with a serious topic that she writes so beautifully. In this book, the loss of a parent and caring for a parent with significant health issues tugged at my heart and more than once brought me to tears but it’s always woven into the story to bring it full circle in such an incredible way. Loved this book!

Was this review helpful?

I absolutely loved this! Katherine Center sure knows how to write a rom-com, no pun intended. This didn’t feel cookie-cutter and I loved the main characters. While I did find myself frustrated with Charlie sometimes, I was still rooting for him and Emma from the beginning. The banter was laugh out loud funny, the storyline kept me guessing and the message of living life to the fullest was touching and well done. In a world of so many rom-coms, this one really stood out for me! An auto-buy author for sure.

Thank you to the publisher via NatGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Was this review helpful?