Am I a certified Center head? Is Katherine Center an auto-buy for me? Yes. (This book is pre-ordered--even though I was blessed to get an early copy from NetGalley!) Also. YES!!!

Is this book adjacent to and dovetail with by VERY FAVORITE book from Center--The Bodyguard? Yes. Yes, friends.

So, I don't think you will be shocked to find out. 1. It's really good. 2. You will laugh out loud and cry. Audibly.

Emma Wheeler is primary caretaker (24/7/365) to her dad that underwent a huge climbing accident a decade ago. She was and is (kinda) an aspiring romcom screenwriter before her life shrunk to just her dad and his injury. Emma's high school boyfriend (very ex--he is now homosexual and very happy) is a huge Hollywood agent-- to Charlie Yates even. Charlie is among the world's most accomplished screenwriters--ALL THE AWARDS AND PRESTIGE. But, a Oscar tract project he very much wants to do is hung up until he can author a romcom. Specifically, A Night to Remember, the reboot.

He ABHORS the idea and assault of writing a romantic comedy. But, he does it. And, it's BAD. Like, we cannot fathom. Emma is tasked to "fix it." Charlie, though, begins to see Emma's talent.

What I LOVED!

-The cluelessness of Charlie. He is so extra he doesn't realize it. He pulls out a can opener to open store bought biscuits for Emma's birthday biscuits. He can't get them out of the tube. :/ I'm still dead thinking of it.

-The heaviness and burden Emma carries for her family all the time. She really doesn't understand sharing the load--it's her burden and cross to bear. (For clarification, I don't love this for her, but I am impressed by her sense of responsibility and purpose at such a young age.)

-The pool and the high dive and all it represented in their relationship.

-The Peruvian long haired guinea pig. Please google it. ADORABLE. It has joint custody with HIS EX. (Who, it the WORST. OF COURSE.)

-FORCED PROXIMITY!! He hasn't eaten a proper meals for MONTHS and loves eating/cooking dinner with her, working with her, all of her.

Don't walk, run to preorder this gem for your summer checklist. This is an epic read!

3.5 stars

I'll start by saying the banter in this is top tier and the ending is so sweet, it's so easy to read I breezed through it in a day and a half......now if I just felt the chemistry more between the two I would be swooning. It could just be me, I'm not much of an insta-love gal but this felt too one sided to me until bam it wasn't. There were a few times that the wording made me raise my eyebrows, Ex. she's in a swimsuit and he's having issues with it because she's "basically naked" and he hasn't been around a woman in a long time. Like dude come on seriously, it's a swimsuit. She does call him on it but like why does a guy even need to say that. Overall I did enjoy my time with it.

Thank you to St. Martins Press and Netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars.

Another win from Katherine Center! No one makes me laugh as much as KC does - I just love her unique way of storytelling so much (i.e. breaking the fourth wall). I also love that there's always an unexpected twist in moments where you feel like you know where it's going that make me cackle aloud. The funny highs are tempered with some emotional gut punches, but they balance each other so well. I won't pretend this book is perfect - if I wanted to, I could nitpick plenty. But I don't want to. It worked for me and I'll leave it at that!

I’m in love with this slow burn rom-com that made me laugh so far and ugly cry! While it took a while to get to the witty banter, I just couldn’t help but love it! I can just see this as a movie that is he a box office sensation! You will definitely not want to miss this lovely book, but be ready with a box of tissues!

****Many thanks to St Martins Press, Katherine Center and NetGalley for my gifted copy in turn for an honest review.

4.5 stars rounding up to 5 stars on Goodreads

This is my sixth Katherine Center, and I just love having her books in my life. I love how she talks about the complexities of life through the world of romance, and she does it with such unique characters. For this round, it's the story of two writers. One is a famous screenwriter who's lost his words, and the other is a woman whose always dreamed of a career in writing, but life responsibilities have taken priority. They find themselves working on a project where her job is to teach him about what romance in writing (and maybe life? I mean, y'all, this is literally a ROMANCE) looks like. This was an emotional journey, even more than I was expecting, so know that going in. But I adored the layers of this one, and the way the plot had so many layers. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the look at this June 2024 release!

If I were to estimate, I would say that only about 5% of the books I read are romance. It is just not my genre. For some reason though, I have enjoyed everything that I have read by this author. Her books are fluffy and there is no significant "spice" if that is what you are looking for, but her prose is delightful and her plots are as unique as it is possible to be within the genre. I always have a good time.

THE ROM-COMMERS is Katherine Center's forthcoming book, and it is more classic KC.

Center's writing is the book equivalent of snuggling on the couch with your favorite blanket, cozy and comfortable. Like we've come to expect from her works, THE ROM-COMMERS blanance romance and humor with real-life tragedies. As one of the characters himself says, “Here’s another thing I accidentally figured out: happiness is always better with a little bit of sadness.”

The story: Emma is the primary caregiver for her disabled dad, but has to let her much-younger sister take over when Emma's high school ex-boyfriend offers her a job helping her favorite screenwriter Charlie rewrite his attempt at a romcom. Except Charlie doesn't want help. But she's determined to convince him and do it anyway. Love ensues.

One thing you won't find in the book but I wish was there, are content warnings. Because there is always something potentially painful, and as I mentally review her oeuvre, it's often related to the fragility of life and our bodies. That said, I shall warn you that this book includes cancer, the death of a parent in an accident (prior to the story), traumatic brain injury and disability of the other parent from that same accident, and (and this is the one that really got me) on-page injury and hospitalization of that parent. Knowing any of this wouldn't have stopped me from reading it because I love Center's writing, but I could maybe have preserved my peace a little bit better.

By far. Hands down. The best book I’ve read. This is EVERYTHING. Now I was skeptical at first because the characters are just such quirky writer characters, I mean Katherine really knows how to develop characters. The growth and the love and the family dynamics in this ARE EVERYTHING. I have never swooned and cried and smiled and laughed. There is so much to unpack in this book. Charlie and Emma could be the most normal love driven characters I’ve see written. Their story together is amazing. Please read this book. It is just phenomenal.

🌸I’m a sucker for Katherine Center’s books. Whenever I want to read a book that’ll give me all the feels and make me laugh out loud I pick up one of her books. This was no exception! The characters were hilarious and wholesome and they made me feel so happy. Emma and Charlie may be my new favorite couple. Highly, highly recommend this cute as heck book!

Katherine Center does it again! This is my second book by the author and she has not disappointed yet! It’s funny because I usually love dual POVs but with her books and style of writing I don’t find myself missing that all. All of her books make you feel like you’re catching up with a friend and they’re telling you a story.

I was captivated by Emma and Charlie even though I will say I felt like their romance was a little slow to start. If you like forced proximity, enemies to lovers (who become friends to lovers) or grumpy x sunshine you will love this book!

Another thing I love about this book is the central message throughout. While the author doesn’t sugarcoat the main characters dealing with tragedies and losses she manages to address these subjects objectively, realistically, and in a way that would resonate with anyone who has experienced a similar tragedy. Even with those dark moments, Center was able to emphasize finding the bright side of things and being able to find your own path amidst all that chaos.

I laughed, I cried (a lot), and I found myself highlighting so many quotes. I truly enjoyed getting to see Charlie and Emma’s real, complex, and sometimes messy love story unfold.

Thanks so much to NetGalley, St. Martins Press, and the author for this advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Emma Wheeler has given up a lot to be a full time caregiver to her Father after an accident left him with numerous health issues. She is a writer and she idolizes Charlie Yates who is a Hollywood A list screenwriter. When she gets the opportunity to collaborate with Charlie on a romantic comedy and stay in his mansion in Los Angeles she thinks this is her chance. Charlie however, does not want a writing partner, does not want to write a rom-com and definitely does not believe in love.
This is the kind of book that you are sad to leave the characters when you finish it. This book has humor, sadness and lots of love of all kinds. I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for a copy of this book for review.

What can I say? This book was for me. I will never not read a book about writers, I always have a great time. A Romcom enthusiast meets her favorite screenwriter and tries to teach him how to write a love story? Thank you, KC, I will read that.

Emma is the responsible older sister who took charge when a tragedy struck her family. She did everything in her power to keep everything moving along, including burying her dreams of screenwriting, to take care of her family, and really is way better about it than I can imagine others would be.

Charlie is a grump, thinks he is better than everyone, and couldn't possibly need help from a nobody like Emma, but then she tells him off and something clicks, and then the fun begins.

I loved all the little things about this book: a guinea pig, coffee, swimming, and, of course, donuts, they led to a really enjoyable read. I laughed, I cried, and then I laughed again, thankfully!

I am off to figure out if the rom-coms named in this book are real so I can watch them.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

First of all, THANK YOU to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book.

I cannot stress enough what Katherine Center does to my inner emotions. I FEEL her books in so many ways. How she can make emotion literally jump out of the page astonishes me and I just want more of it. The depth and complexity of her characters is insurmountable and I'm once again in awe of her writing prowess. I couldn't put this book down.

Emma has put off much of her life to care for her homebound father. After a talk with an old high school boyfriend, her life is turned upside down when she is offered the chance to fix the rough screenplay of her favorite screenwriter. The only problem? Said screenwriter didn't agree to a rewrite or a ghostwriter, at that. With just six weeks to fix it up, she will have to not only confront her real feelings for "her writer," but also overcome her guilt for leaving home while her dad is in someone else's care.

Wow!! What an incredible ride this book was. Emma and Charlie may or may not be my new favorite book couple!

I absolutely adored this book. From start to finish, I was sucked into the world of Emma and Charlie’s story, and I. Could. Not. Get. Enough! I absolutely loved the dynamic of these two together and I truly felt like I was right there with them when I was reading the book.

The banter between them, the story line and the ending just was *chefs kiss*. I also really enjoyed reading about Emma’s story line with her Dad and my heart truly broke for her like she was a best friend in real life. Everything about this book was absolutely fantastic and I wish the book was longer!! I just adored Emma and Charlie ❤️

Thank you Netgalley for granting me this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Love, love, love, love, LOVED! Such a great rom-com!

I'm usually a pretty stoic reader but the Rom-Commers actually made me laugh throughout and tear up at one point.

There were so many moments that were utter perfection (peonies, airline pilot ... when you hit those parts you'll know).

If you love realistically flawed characters who are absolutely wonderful in their own right but make an even better team together, this book will be your new favorite.

Heartwarming! Funny!
Katherine Center delivers everything we’ve come to expect in her newest book, The Rom-Commers. I so enjoyed reading about Emma and Charlie! Pick this up if you’re in the mood for a feel good, banter filled, sweet romantic comedy. Center will continue to be an auto-buy author for me!
5/5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ACR in exchange for my honest review.

Okay, I am now convinced that I will love MMCs named Charlie who work in writing/publishing.

1st person, single POV. Competent FMC who holds her own. Grumpy, more stoic, subtlety and realistically swoony MMC who is really good at his job and knows it. Sunshine, optimistic FMC. Strangers to lovers. Clean. Slow burn, like, the slowest. FMC and MMC are screenwriters.

Katherine Center is a dialogue heavy storyteller, and I love it! In fact, until I picked up The Bodyguard, I didn’t know that type of storytelling existed in traditionally published Romance. But you don’t miss anything by this style of writing. It’s fast paced, it’s engaging, it’s can’t-wait-to-read. It is devour kind of writing and storytelling. And it’s funny because up until The Bodyguard (two books before this one), her covers screamed Women’s Fiction to me, not Romance. But the two I have read thus far are very much, very strictly Romances.

The characters are vivid and unique in the way that you feel like you could know them in real life. Dad, Sylvie, Logan, Charlie, Emma, they were all great.

I loved how the tough, sensitive topics of this book were handled honestly, poignantly but beautifully, with the happily ever after coming through like sunshine on a rainy day. There is humor and banter, cute swoony moments and tough, yes-I’m-tearing-up moments. There is depth and dimension and it’s a book that sticks with you long after you’re done.

Our MMC, Charlie, is a little too-good at his job, and a little entitled and full himself and grumpy because of it. His love and his actions of affection are more subtle and sweet. Our FMC is strong, competent, and a little anxious after getting too familiar as her Dad’s sole caretaker. But she’s a good writer who knows romcoms and has a professional-turned-more crush on Charlie. She’s a little snappy-sassy but not in a “sassy FMC” kind of way. More in a take no shit kind of way. She was bold, asked for what she wanted, and didn't whine and cry or throw a fit if she didn't get what she wanted. She was handed a tough set of cards and dealt them as well as she could, with a few mistakes here and there.

This book will make you laugh and cry and stay up too late so that you can finish it in one go, it's that good.

I don't even fully know how to articulate that this is a 5 star book that you absolutely, positively will not regret picking up. I'm still working my way through the backlog of books because I just utterly adore her style of writing and storytelling. So keep writing Ms. Center, please! because this reader will keep reading.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!!

Triggers: a character had cancer previously, a character gets sick, death of mother, father had a stroke with complications from a rock fall, guilt from everything, panic attack and anxiety, hypochondria

“It’s all about writing the very best story of your life. Not just how you live it— but how you choose to tell it.”

Emma Wheeler is a lesser known writer that aspires to make it big but never got the chance, especially overshadowed by being the primary caregiver for her sickly father. But when she gets notified from her ex-boyfriend/manager Logan about a huge rom-com opportunity, she’s on the next flight to LA. Meanwhile, Charlie Yates is a big-time screenwriter who has no idea who Emma is or what she’s doing at his LA mansion.

Tasked with the chance of rewriting Charlie’s first rom-com, together they experience what it really is like to live it. It’s such a quirky, cute, and fun story!

Emma was a bit unrealistic in her perceptions of people and life but it was cute nonetheless. She was very persistent in a way that I could never be. Charlie was also quirky and had his own differences but still managed to be a character that I wanted to read more about.

I loved the family aspect added into the plot. It made the story seem more wholesome and not just one-dimensional.

It definitely was a feel-good, lovey dovey book and now I’m convinced that I will never not read a Katherine Center book!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this much-anticipated ARC!

Emma is a talented screenwriter who has been held-back by circumstances outside of her control. After a decade spent caring for her disabled father, she gets the opportunity of a lifetime to consult on a romantic comedy screenplay with her idol- Charlie Yates.

Charlie is a world-renowned screenwriter who has won every award under the sun. He doesn't "play well with others" when it comes to his writing, much less a nobody like Emma. But she has something he needs to make his newest screenplay work- the belief that love is actually real.

While they have very different motives, Charlie and Emma form a partnership of convenience. What neither of them know is that their screenplay isn't the only love story being written.

I absolutely loved the one! Katherine Center has such a unique writing voice that makes her protagonists so incredibly lovable. The grumpy-sunshine dynamic of Charlie and Emma was perfection and the antics/banter between them made me laugh out loud at points. She also handles more serious plot lines so expertly and weaves them into the more lighthearted stuff in a way that enhances their power. And while others might be disappointed at the lack of "spice" in this story, I personally believe that sustained romantic tension between two characters is even better than a graphic love scene.

This will definitely be one I'm recommending to my girlfriends this summer as the perfect beach read!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. It's always a pleasure to review such a talented author!

Hi Thank you netgalley for this copy of rom commers. i have read all of katherine centers other books and loved them.

This one wasn’t her best. I had no interest in picking it up and it just was really hard to get into.

The ending was cute and better than I was picturing so I will give her that

Overall i give it 2/5 stars