A skilled, professional screenwriter meets a new, talented screenwriter to write a rom-com, and their story becomes the rom-com.

This book was an absolute delight, and maybe my favorite Katherine Center yet. I couldn't put it down from page one and it was the perfect winter weekend read. It made me laugh out and loud, and also cringe, but the characters were delightful, flawed, and ultimately, destined for one another. This was, simply put, a perfect rom-com.

Thank you St. Martins Press, NetGalley, and the entire KC team for letting me enjoy this ARC!

K Center solidly remains on my MUST READ list - I will read everything and anything written by her! I devoured The Rom-Commers and loved every minute of it! It felt more romance heavy than many of her other books (most of which have tackled a variety heavy, yet incredibly interesting topics - go read them!), but my heart is full and here for it. The character writing, their struggles with grief, anxiety, and overall life, were all perfectly crafted, and their banter was laugh out loud funny, SO swoony, and yet (mostly) believable.
No complaints other than that cover - which I will still add to my KC bookshelf 😅🫣 5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Thank you, Katherine, for a wonderful, uplifting time!

A book so good i read it in one sitting. Couldn't put it down if i TRIED.

did I cry? yes
did i laugh? also yes
did this book rip my heart out of my chest? uh, yeah.

If i could give this book a million stars i think i would.
5 stars, as always, for Katherine Center.

thank you to netgalley, st. martins press, and Katherine Center for an advanced e-copy in exchange for my honest review.
I'm begging everyone to read this. ok bye

Katherine Center once again proves why she is the reigning queen of romantic comedies with her latest masterpiece. This book, my new favorite, showcases Center's exceptional storytelling and her ability to create characters that readers can't help but fall in love with. The story revolves around a writer who puts her life on hold to care for her father, and things take an interesting turn when she encounters the charming and witty writer, Charlie. As a celebrity with his screenplays turned into movies, Charlie brings a unique dynamic to the narrative. The humor in describing Charlie and his witty lines is a highlight of the book, providing moments that had me laughing out loud. The chemistry between the two writers is palpable from the beginning, and Center skillfully weaves their interactions with humor and charm. The main character, a strong and independent woman reminiscent of Center's other heroines, adds depth to the story. What's remarkable is how the protagonist reflects the author herself, creating a connection that goes beyond the pages. The development of the relationship between the two writers is not only heartwarming but also cleverly intertwined with the principles of how romantic comedies should be crafted. Center takes the reader on a journey, skillfully navigating the intricacies of relationships and transforming them into a beautiful love story.

I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this story. Katherine Center has once again delivered a delightful romantic comedy that captivates readers with its humor, heart, and the magic of love. If you're a fan of romantic comedies, this book is a must-read, and if you're new to Katherine Center's work, this is the perfect introduction to her enchanting storytelling.

I am utterly in love with Katherine Center's books. They not only make me a better writer, they make me a better *person.* The Rom-Commers is no exception...in fact, it might be my favorite book to date. I laughed, I swooned, I wept through pages upon pages - from joy or grief or just *feeling everything.* Katherine is a magician and her books are my happy place.

I loved the earnestness of Emma, her unwavering hope, her commitment to the necessity of love. I loved Charlie's grumpiness, his reluctant (but inevitable) swan dive into Emma's hurricane, and his grandest of gestures. Just everything about this book warmed my heart.

Thank you to NetGalley, St Martins, and the author for the eARC in exchange for my review.

Another 5 star book by Katherine Center! I don't know how she manages to get so many emotions into one book! I was laughing out loud, hiding my tears, pouting, then back to laughing out loud again all the way through this book! I adored all the characters, and couldn't wait to see where their relationships were going to wind up. I already placed my pre-order for June, because this once certainly deserves a spot on my book shelf! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

I love Emma Wheeler’s devotion to her family, her love of all things Rom-Com and her desire to never give up on her dreams. She has always been a serious student of Charlie Yates’s writing and has read all of his screenplays, watched all of his interviews and has meticulously dissected every word, facial expression and sentence to the point where she could practically recite them in her sleep. Why wouldn’t she want to fly to Los Angeles for a once in a lifetime opportunity of co-writing a screenplay with her literary idol? Well, the answer to that was simple: she was her father’s caretaker and hadn’t left his side in ten years. Who could possibly replace her for six weeks while she hob-nobbed with the stars in Hollywood, while finally getting the recognition she deserved?

I am sure most of us dream of meeting our favorite actor or rock star, but what would we talk about? Would we be too starstruck to carry on an intelligent conversation and merely settle for a handshake or a sexy wink? Emma dwelled on all of this while sitting uncomfortably on the crowded airplane. She had no idea why Charlie Yates, the world famous screenwriter, would need her assistance with his latest screenplay, a Romantic Comedy. Emma was prepared to spend late nights brainstorming ideas with her dream screenwriter, while at the same time, worrying about her father. Emma was excited about this next chapter in her life, but she wondered “if maybe dreams were better off never trying to become reality.”

I liked the backstory for the characters and found pieces relatable. That's where the like for the story stopped as the whole idea of getting to write a famous script seemed very unlikely. Also, the first part of the book was a very slow read. Finally the forgiveness in the end I didn't think should happen. I know given the genre a happily after is necessary but I think it would have been better for separate happily ever afters.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press & NetGalley for this wonderful ARC ❤️

4.5/5!

Ugh, I just love Katherine Center's writing. Her books are just a delight to read: rich, engaging, painful, beautiful. I was so stoked to read this & it was amazing!

Loved it!!

I’m so sad to say this, but I just wasn’t feeling this book in the way that I usually do with Katherine Center’s stories.

The premise of the book is pretty straightforward: Emma is hired to help famous screenwriter Charlie write a rom com that he doesn’t want to write. I feel like Center’s plots usually have a little more to them than that, so I found it to be slightly lacking in that regard.

Additionally, I really don’t like it when characters aren’t just honest with each other. That bothered me in this book too.

Lastly, there seemed to be more crude language and references in this book than I’m used to from Center’s work, including a good amount of f-words and an entire crass conversation that I could definitely have done without.

In terms of the good, Center’s writing style is always fun. I also enjoyed and appreciated the importance of family throughout the story. Emma’s relationships with her dad and sister (specifically her dad) were really sweet.

I really wanted to love this. It sounds like I should love it. But honestly I disliked Charlie for a solid 80% of the book. And MAYBE I could have gotten over it but he didn’t even have to beg or grovel. She just forgave him easily and they lived happily ever after. The ending was good, it made me want to rate it higher but the first 200+ pages were hard to get past. Not my favorite of hers at all.

Katherine Center has done it again! The Rom-Commers definitely stands out to me as one of her strongest romantic comedies and if you're especially invested in the drama, you won't want to miss out on this one.

Emma Wheeler has spent the last 10 years of her life being a caregiver to her father, but her true passion has always been screenwriting. When her agent (her ex-boyfriend from high school) reaches out with an unexpected opportunity that makes her drop everything in her life to pursue. That opportunity? Helping her screenwriter crush and Hollywood darling - Charlie Yates - rewrite his romantic comedy... his romantic comedy that is absolutely terrible.

When I say I DEVOURED this book... I truly mean it... Devoured in less than 24 hours! I love rom-coms set in the Hollywood space which I know is not for everyone, but I think Rom-Commers at it's core is just a sweet story of giving yourself the opportunity to have the things that you want, even if against all odds you want to stop yourself from wanting it. It's been awhile since I've read a rom-com where I truly cared about the main protagonists and felt as though they had lives off of the page. Katherine Center, just has such a way with witty back and forth dialogue that is so natural, but also so fun. Sometimes I find that the back and forth between the two love interests can almost be too cheesy, over the top or cringe, but Center's is just so excellent. I for sure fell in love with Mr. Charlie Yates while reading this book!

If you read The Bodyguard as well, you'll be please to know that Jack Stapleton does make a cameo, and if you're a Ji Chang-wook lover, Katherine Center also manages to work his swoon worthy capabilities into the story as well.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the ARC for this review. This is my honest opinion.

This story was way more emotional than I was expecting from a book called The Rom-Commers. It had some funny moments and parts I really liked but I'm honestly feeling pretty blue having read it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, St. Martin's Press!

After a tragic accident that completely changed her family 1o years ago, Emma put all of her dreams on hold to be the primary caretaker for her father. She blames herself for the accident and has given up everything to help her family as a result. But when her ex-boyfriend/best friend Logan, offers her the opportunity of a lifetime, her family encourages her to go and finally chase her dreams. The opportunity is a chance to work with her hero, screenwriter Charlie Yates, and help him rewrite his terrible rom com. As they live, write, and work together, they get to know each other more, and as Emma tries to convince him love exists, she might also accidentally develop feelings for him.

Katherine Center does it again with another perfect book. The moment this book hit my email, I knew I needed to drop everything and read it. I was sold from the title and cover alone. But with Katherine’s incredible story telling, this book exceeded my already high expectations, and to no one’s surprise, I read it in one sitting. This book had me cackling from laughter and also had me Kim Kardashian ugly crying. The full spectrum of emotions I experienced when reading this book is testament to how deeply invested I was in these characters. I loved Emma and Charlie as individuals and together. Their banter was perfection, and the emotional hurdles they each had to overcome were heartbreaking and led to some beautiful journeys. I can’t say enough how much I adored this book, this beautiful love letter to rom-coms. I can promise this book will end up being one of my top books of the year.

A HUGE thank you to SMP Romance and NetGalley for the advance copy.

Who doesn’t love a good Katherine Center book? She has become a favorite of mine and won’t miss a new one. Thank you to #Netgalley and the publishers for the early edition. I love this s as much as I have her others. Dont miss out!

Katherine Center is a must-read author for me, and the Rom-Commers did not disappoint! Emma is a gifted writer, but her career has taken a back seat to her family responsibilities. She receives the chance of a lifetime to help re-write a screenplay with Charlie Yates, a famous screenwriter who unbeknownst to her, has the writing "yips". This is the story of how Emma and Charlie re-write the screenplay and ultimately the plans they have for their lives. Don't sleep on this one! An absolute delight.

Wow! Another great read by Katherine Center. I’ve enjoyed many of Center’s books and count Things You Save in a Fire as one of my all time favorites. As a huge fan of rom-com movies, like our female lead Emma, I really enjoyed the rom-com of it all in this book. Charlie was a great male lead too. The Hollywood setting was great too. The love story felt very real in that Charlie and Emma both had traumatic life experiences, including sickness and parents leaving or passing away. But as with all great romcoms, they were able to find a way past the mess of life to each other in the end. I love romances with heart and depth, and this definitely fits in that category. I would definitely recommend it to a friend.

The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publish date 6/11/2024

Synopsis: “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.

Emma’s younger sister steps in for caretaking duties, and Emma moves to L.A. for six weeks for the writing gig of a lifetime. But what is it they say? Don’t meet your heroes? Charlie Yates doesn’t want to write with anyone―much less “a failed, nobody screenwriter.” Worse, the romantic comedy he’s written is so terrible it might actually bring on the apocalypse. Plus! He doesn’t even care about the script―it’s just a means to get a different one green-lit. Oh, and he thinks love is an emotional Ponzi scheme.

But Emma’s not going down without a fight. She will stand up for herself, and for rom-coms, and for love itself. She will convince him that love stories matter―even if she has to kiss him senseless to do it. But . . . what if that kiss is accidentally amazing? What if real life turns out to be so much . . . more real than fiction? What if the love story they’re writing breaks all Emma’s rules―and comes true?”

I wanted to love this one, but it was a bit of a miss for me. I didn’t feel the chemistry between the main characters, and I think it dragged on too long in the beginning before we saw any sparks. I liked the premises, I thought the main character was likable, but overall it just wasn’t the romance book for me. I loved the Bodyguard and will continue to try Katherine Center’s books. Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced reader copy.

Katherine Center does it again! Grief, humor, love, and hope - all wrapped up on one delicious romance package. I read this one in under 6 hours...? So, needless to say, I found it difficult to put down.

rating: 5 STARS
genre: romance
format: ebook
release date: 6/11/2024

I think my absolute FAVORITE thing about this book was that it felt like Emma was just a friend talking to me and updating me on her day or her life. Her thoughts and feelings came across the page more like a conversation - or even a movie VoiceOver - than a book...and I really, really enjoyed that.

It made me think though: Are all books written kind of like a movie VoiceOver where you're in one character's head and I just didn't even notice? My exact notes reading this book: "Feels like a movie voice over...Actually - it reads a lot like e movie. With flashbacks and voiceovers and exposition - is this all books?" Food for thought.

On that note, it also kind of made me think of Jane Eyre in the way that the narrator speaks to you. "And reader, I married him." You get updates in Center's book that way - and, again, I loved it.

LASTLY, because this book is about screenwriters writing a romantic comedy, it's also a beautiful commentary on the romance genre and a love letter to romance readers. We often get a lot of hate for reading romance - "What's the point when you know how it ends?" The point is the journey , folks. And Center highlights that here.

Cannot recommend enough. Just read it.