Wonderful book. I loved the banter between Emma and Charlie, the whole story line, and loved the happy ending! I couldn’t put it down. I will definitely read more by the author. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

I’ve learned I’m hard to please with chick lit, and this one just didn’t appeal to me. I found it too be predictable and cheesy. I am probably the minority though! I did really enjoy The Bodyguard by this author!

Thank you very much to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book is about Emma, an aspiring screenwriter with a deep love of romance who has been a caregiver for her father for the past decade. Her idol, grumpy screenwriter Charlie Yates, writes a romantic comedy. His script is absolutely terrible, and Emma has the chance to work with him on a total rewrite. There are a few hiccups with this plan—Charlie doesn’t even believe in love and he only wrote the script (which he claims will never see production) in a deal with studios to get a different project green-lit. Emma takes it on as a personal challenge to change his mind on both counts.

If you’ve read a lot of Katherine Center before and enjoyed her stories, you’ll be happy to know that this felt like a Katherine Center book.

I enjoyed the characters bickering and their arguments about love were pretty funny. Despite the romcom shenanigans Emma drags Charlie through so he can write more authentically on their shared project, there are some serious, real-world hardships that ground the book.

Jack from The Bodyguard makes an appearance. If you read and enjoyed The Bodyguard (a story about an actor who needs, well, a bodyguard), you’ll like this one.

In terms of steam and spice, this had basically none. I wish there was more, but it’s fine.

Katherine Center has a way in delivering sooo many messages in her books. I absolutely loved this book where two authors get together to do a rewrite of one of the authors work. This book has all the feels… I laughed out loud in places, felt my heart racing in others as I was reading so fast to find out the outcomes of situations. I welled up with tears in my eyes in other parts of the book, and did I say I laughed out loud like a zillion times??? Go ahead and grab this book, as it’s definitely a winner!
Many thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Publishing Group for providing me an ARC in exchange for my review.

A new Katherine Center favorite! The chemistry between Charlie and Emma, doesn’t let you put the book down! Center brings elements into the book that brings depth to a rom-com. My favorite element was these deadpan moments where you get into Emma’s thoughts. Overall a great read!

WOW. Katherine Center has done it again. The Rom-Commers is such a sweet, funny book and I couldn’t put it down. Emma is an aspiring writer who is a caregiver to her dad after an unfortunate accident after her senior year. She gets an unthinkable deal from her agent to go help ghostwrite with a famous writer named Charlie Yates who she is admired for a long time. There’s one catch though, Charlie has no idea she’s coming. He reluctantly agrees to let her ghost write on the screenplay he’s been working on and the story unfolds from there.
This book was written so well! It kept me wanting more and laughing out loud. I throughly enjoyed it! It may be my new favorite book by Katherine!

Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for this advance copy.
.
I rarely read romance novels, but I wanted something light and fun with a Valentine’s Day vibe. This book was exactly what I was looking for. To be fair, there were a couple of things with the plot that seemed TOO convenient, but I really didn’t care. The witty banter was spot on and I enjoyed Center’s defense of romcoms and romance novels generally. This was closed door, with maybe one minimally spicy scene, which I believe is the case with most of Center’s work. If you enjoyed The Bodyguard, you will love the cameos in this one!

Emma Wheeler, trying to make it as a screenwriter. She lucks out and gets to team up with popular, Charlie Yates, who's all skeptical about love. But, surprise surprise, they end up collaborating on a script and bam, it turns into this adorable story about two unlikely pals finding love in the world of romcoms. I love how it nails all the classic romcom vibes, mixing in some heartfelt moments, struggles, and sweetness. Plus, it tackles themes like taking care of others, believing in yourself, trust, and dealing with past screw-ups in a really cool way. And even though it could've fallen into clichés, it keeps things real with a sprinkle of magic.
I highly recommend this book. It's a feel good story.
Thank you Katherine Center and NetGalley for letting me read it.

I sped through this book in about two sittings. The banter was great and the LA movie industry behind-the-scenes setting was fun. It had a lot of the same effervescent tone that I loved from The Bodyguard. I loved Emma's dad and the whole family dynamic that developed by the end of the book.

I had a hard time wanting Emma to forgive Charlie for all the rude things she heard him say and do over and over and over again, he was borderline too unlikeable to root for their relationship. I loved that Emma started with so much feisty attitude and self-esteem, but by the middle of the book, that kind of went out the window and she let Charlie get away with a lot. I also didn't feel a ton of chemistry between the two leads for most of the book, they seemed like buddies and even in Emma's internal monologues, she seemed clueless about the fact that she was falling in love with him romantically, which defied disbelief.

I think the mark of a good reader writer is when a book ends you actually are sad to see it over. You want the story to continue on and on.

This book is everything. From humor and sarcasm to awesome one-liners that keep on giving, The Rom-Commers deliver a story that you will not forget.

The characters are so well-developed you feel like you know them. Friends and family are tight and selfless. Center clearly has thought of everything and found a way to make it perfect. Be still my heart!

This author has captured my heart. The Rom-Commers is about finding joy and being open to love, no matter what it looks like. Fabulous writing and a story like none other!

This novel was truly un-put-downable! I can’t remember the last book I read straight through without stopping like I just did with The Rom-Commers. Once again Katherine Center has created wonderful characters in interesting situations which make for a pleasurable reading experience. I’ll be recommending this novel to everyone.

I absolutely loved the characters in this book. Emma has been through so much in her life and I found myself rooting for her immediately. I loved her insight and compassion. This is such a sweet romance story, but also has a depth to the plot that revolves around family. It’s a hopeful and heartwarming story that I couldn’t put down.

Thanks to Katherine Center and NetGalley for an arc of The Rom-Commers, coming out June 11,2024!

Well… I’m a huge fan of Katherine and this novel evoked all the feelings and more. From the get go, I knew I was going to love both Charlie and Emma.

Emma was a struggling screenwriter and wanted to hit the big screens one day. But a tragic accident left her at home for ten years, putting her dreams on hold while her younger sister lived out her life. When her friend Logan presents her with the opportunity to work with thee Charlie Yates, she is over the moon. Charlie Yates is a famous screenwriter and her biggest crush of all time. Now all she has to do is figure out how to get there…

Emma and Charlie both suffered greatly in their lives, yet she still believes in love while Charlie… the famous screenwriter that he is, does not feed into the hype. When Emma is presented with his latest screen play… a RomCom… she can’t help but tear it apart. It’s that bad. Emma soon learns that she will be living with Charlie in his mansion while they work together on fixing his screenplay. While this was not all butterflies and roses, I enjoyed watching each character stay true to themselves, while simultaneously growing as an individual Their struggles and joys were quite the rollercoaster, and my eyeballs became quite wet at the end. I should have known the tears would come at some point!

Love, love, loved it!!!!

“If you wait for other people to light you up, then I guess you’re at the mercy of darkness.”

This book was fantastic! I love this author’s novels, and this was a beautiful story. This book brought joy and hope and love. We follow Emma, a curly-haired rom-com screenwriter who dedicates her life to being her father's caretaker. Emma takes on the task of helping her screenwriting celebrity crush, Charlie, write a rom-com and also learn to believe in love. Witty banter, forced proximity, coworkers to lovers… Real life emotions and situations. Just what my heart needed!

If you’re looking for an old-school, epic, gut-wrenching love story that is gonna redefine your idea of love, this is the book for you.
If you aren't, let me ask you: why don't you like fun?

I don't know if every Katherine Center’s book is so easy to read but, if it is, I may have found my favourite author of the year. I mean, as soon you've opened it, you blink and it’s already over.
I should warn you that you’ll experience every type of feeling in the meantime - I’ve mostly giggled and silent-screamed and cried my weight in tears, but I don't exclude you might go through something else.

Also, it's not only a love story. Of course the two fall in love with each other but, during the process, the author basically schools us on what romance is as a genre, and how to properly make it.
And she has the right to do so since she's obviously mastered this topic.

Last but not least, as a movie junkie, I just loved the fact that they're not the usual actors who fall in love on set - not a pair of actors and directors, for that matter.
When we think about writing, it’s common to think about book authors or journalists, but we don't give screenwriters enough credit for their role. And yes, my mind went straight to Greta Gerwig after I formulated this thought.

What else can I say to make you read this book? Ah, I know: for my fellow happily-ever-after lovers, there's an epilogue at the end of the book that could be nominated best epilogue of the five last year for how much it's good.
Now I have your attention, haven't I?

5 STARS! Wow! I loved this book so much, and I must read everything else by the author ASAP!! SWOON.

Emma Wheeler seizes the chance to rewrite a script for her longtime idol, screenwriter Charlie Yates. As they collaborate, she discovers he's a skeptic regarding love—a significant obstacle for a romcom writer. To salvage the script, Emma must persuade him otherwise, leading to a charming tale of unlikely allies finding common ground in the world of love stories.

This romcom hits all the right notes, delivering precisely what one expects from the genre. "The Rom-Commers" unfolds as a beautiful, heartwarming tale, tinged with the struggles of Emma and Charlie, yet balanced by the sweetness of their journey. The pacing is spot-on, and Emma, our main protagonist, is a delight. Center skillfully weaves a tapestry of themes throughout the narrative—caretaking, grappling with self-worth, the instinct to flee at the slightest hint of rejection, the struggle to trust others with something you've devoted a decade to, the uncertainty of where you fit in, and the weight of past mistakes—all of it laid bare. It's a story that resonates deeply, inviting readers to see themselves mirrored in its pages. And amidst exploring romance's nuances, there's a delightful playfulness in dissecting its key elements. Both protagonists are easy to root for, and the epilogue ties everything up in a satisfying bow. Despite the potential for cliché, Center manages to render misunderstandings believable with a touch of magic.

Overall, it's a joyous read. As someone who harbors an unconditional love for well-crafted romcoms, this swiftly became a favorite. Every facet shines—the characters, their dynamic, the tension, and the witty exchanges. It's not just uproariously funny but also genuinely touching, with a hint of melancholy adding depth. Undoubtedly, it is a standout read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! All opinions are my own.

My new favorite Katherine Center book! Can I give this 10 stars!? This book had me smiling, laughing out loud, crying, falling in love with the characters, angry at the characters while still rooting for them because you just love them so much! Truly a feel good book, I want to read this again and again.

The Rom-Commers
By Katherine Center

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ /5

“I had a theory that we gravitate toward the stories we need in life. Whatever we’re longing for—adventure, excitement, emotion, connection—we turn to stories that help us find it. Whatever questions we’re struggling with—sometimes ones so deep, we don’t even really know we’re asking them—we look for answers in stories.”

Katherine Center is an auto-buy author for me, so I was thrilled when NetGalley gave me access to this early read.

Emma, a not-so-famous rom-com author is tricked by her friend, and agent, into traveling to LA to assist Charlie Yates, her personal hero, with re-writing his rom-com. The only issue is, Charlie is a famous screenwriter who wants nothing to do writing, or love, and doesn’t know she’s coming.

Katherine Center is the queen of banter, and she doesn’t disappoint here. There were hilarious moment, but also tender and emotional moments. This is definitely a must read for any romance lovers.

Spectacular!!!

I laughed, I cried...

A whole spectrum of emotions flowed out of me as I watched Emma Wheeler roll that proverbial Sisyphean boulder (aka acclaimed Hollywood screenwriter, Charlie Yates) kicking and screaming up the true-believer's Rom-Com hill

Charlie Yates did not believe in romantic love.

He wrote action-packed, alien-invaded, gangster-ridden, world-ending screenplays that had garnered him - quite literally - a drawer full of awards.

Then, out of the blue, Emma is asked by her agent (and former high school boyfriend), Logan Scott, to help rewrite her screenwriting idol's recent attempt at a (gasp!) Rom-Com (a retelling of the iconic It Happened One Night.) After reading his latest script, Emma Wheeler had to admit: Charlie Yates - that prolific creator of a stream of blockbuster movie scripts - had written a total stinker!

I love stories where the central characters are writers. I adore following along their creative process. I had just finished Elizabeth Berg's Home Safe (the central character is also a writer) several weeks ago and wanted more. Imagine my euphoric glee when I saw that Katherine Center had penned this gloriously funny, sometimes tragic, but always engrossing story about not one but TWO screenwriters!

I did not want to put this stellar read down! Center's characters are always relatable and human. Emma has put her own writing career on hold to take care of her father, who was injured in a climbing accident on her birthday. Charlie Yates - that grouchy, lovable bear - has his own demons to battle. (No spoilers!)

And, as always in a Katherine Center story, the road to love is rocky and full of seemingly insurmountable impediments. The supporting cast of characters were just as appealing as the the main characters. Emma's relationship with Logan Scott had me roaring with laughter more than once. No spoilers here, but that running joke these two shared about being twins based on the matching colour of their eyes had me in stitches! Loved their crazy dynamic!

I started my review with the word "Spectacular" and I will end it with my heartfelt exclamations of "Dazzling, Magnificent and downright Sensational!!!" When I got to the last, very satisfying page of this story, I wanted to go right back to the beginning and read it again!

My blissed-out thanks to the author, Katherine Center, her publisher, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for an ARC of this beautifully scripted, highly entertaining, and thoroughly thought provoking novel in exchange for an honest review.
Highly recommended! 5 out of 5 glowing, love and life affirming stars!

I’ll start with this…I am a huge Katherine Center fan. Her books will always be automatic buys for me. Going into this I didn’t think anything could beat the Bodyguard….I was wrong! This book was one I stayed up until the middle of the night to read in one sitting. I COULD NOT put it down. This is the absolute standard for rom coms. A strong and spunky female character, a tad bit crabby but loveable main character who is a good guy and a host of really solid background characters. This book made me laugh out loud, scared me at one point and made me cry tears of sadness and joy. This book also has some fantastic relationship wisdom. Savor the good stuff, bad stuff happens to everyone…find joy in your now.

This line right here. Such truth…
“I don’t think marriage is hard. In fact, if you do it right, marriage is the thing that makes everything else easier”.

Thank you St Martins Press for the ARC via NetGalley. This one comes out June 2024 and it’s an absolute must read. This will for sure be my top five in 2024.