These days, it's not often that I find a book worth staying up well past my bedtime and into the early hours of the morning to read. It's not often that the characters and plot worm their way into my head until all I can focus on is finishing their story! Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Katherine Center for allowing me to absolutely DEVOUR this book over the past day. Will I be recommending it to everyone and their brother? Absolutely. Will it be ranked in my top five reads of 2024? Probably.

The Rom-Commers is everything to love about Emily Henry's Book Lovers and Elissa Sussman's Funny You Should Asked wrapped with a perfect bow. Emma and Charlie's chemistry jumps off the page as soon as the meet, and with the help of forced-proximity, only grows throughout their story.

I love Emma's character growth. She starts as an eldest sister who has given up her dreams to serve as the backbone of the family. Often with this sort of storyline, the MC will regret taking care of her family and the family will tell her they never needed her to give this sacrifice. Throughout The Rom-Commers, Emma's sacrifice is not once belittled, and never is it something she regrets making. She loves her family, and her dreams. Because of this, Emma finds a way to have them both.

Meanwhile, Charlie is everything you could want in a broody, needs-to-be-coaxed-out-of-misery love interest. After a series of sickness and abandonment issues, he has decided that love must only exist within the spray-cheese stories Emma writes. By the end, Charlie is definitely singing a different tune.

Read if you like classic rom-com films, guinea pigs, and shenanigans. Better yet, still read it even if you don't like any of those things.

Katherine Center should have her own section of the romance genre for her ability to write a romcom that makes me weep from almost the beginning. I was only 10% in when I realized I'd need a box of tissues by my side for this sweet, funny, and heart-wrenching story.

Emma sacrificed following her ambitions to be a screen writer to take care of her father after a traumatic brain injury. A high school friend who works in Hollywood gives her work now and then, but she is a full-time caretaker and teaches English at a community college. The story opens with that Hollywood friend asking her collaborate with a famous screenwriter on a romcom script in need of a rewrite. The screenwriter is known for blockbuster action films, not romcoms and he clearly isn't truly interested in the project himself - it's a means to an end, a way to move another project ahead. Through Emma's work to rehabilitate the script, she gets to be away from her caretaker role for six weeks and she thrives...but also falls for her writing partner.

Emma is instantly appealing as the underdog who is getting a "big shot." She's regularly put down, both to her face and within hearing distance. You can't help but root for her as she tries to make it through the six week project. The pace is fast and the writing is compelling...so much so that I burned through this story (and the aforementioned box of tissues) in a day.

Another gem from Katherine Center! Bonus: There's crossover with The Bodyguard.

Katherine Center does it again with this awesome book! I was all over the place - laughing, crying, feeling like I was right there in the ups and downs of someone else's life. Center's got this way with words that just makes you happy, excited, and totally into the whole reading experience.

I love how much she dug into the research for this one, and that guinea pig cameo was just too cool. It's like she pays attention to the little things that make a story pop.

This book isn't just a good time; it's also got some real talk about love and the struggle of putting together a romantic comedy. Katherine Center, you're forever my go-to author. Thanks for hitting us with another winner!

Emma has spent the last ten years of her life taking care of everyone but herself. After her father was severely disabled and her mother passed away in a tragic hiking accident, she was left to take care of her father and raise her sister. When she’s given the opportunity of a lifetime to work on a screenplay with legend Charlie Yates, she can’t refuse.

I’ve loved Katherine Center’s other books so I was beyond excited to read this one and it did not disappoint. So well written and the main characters had so much chemistry! My favorite of Katherine Center’s books yet.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

Katherine Center is on the list of authors I will always read, and this book is one of her best. I loved the main characters, and the cute cross-overs from The Bodyguard. The story arc is sweet and the enemies-to-lovers trope isn't too drawn out. Fellow rom-com readers: this is a good one!

[Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book!]

Katherine Center truly is one of my favorite authors in the world, I absolutely love how she writes a story!!! I am so thankful to have received this arc, thank you Netgalley and Erica Martirano for giving me this opportunity.

The Rom Commers is about two screen writers, Emma Wheeler and Charlie Yates. Emma is an inspiring romance writer, she knows all there is to know about rom coms and love on screen. The only problem is that Emmas life doesnt allow the time to dedicate to writing scripts as she is her fathers full time care taker. Charlie is one of the most famous screen writers in present day, everyone ADORES him for his charming and hilarious personality. He is on his newest project, writing a rom com when his agent, Logan, realizes he has to get Emma to help. This rom com Charlie wrote SUCKS. Logan knows that Emma is the perfect person and writer for this job but also knows that Charlie wont be so easy to convince. After ten years of caretaking, Emma sets off to Hollywood for this once in a life time chance to work with Charlie. When she gets there, its not what she expected at all.

I adored Emma the entire story, she really feels like an extension of Katherines personality. She was hilarious and so relatable at times. Charrrlliieeee, listen- one of the best character growths I have read. I wanted to hate him so much and every time there was something telling me that I need to love him. He really is perfectly written because I feel like he is a real life person and im so sad hes not.

Again, this just solidified my love for Katherine Centers books!!!!!!!! She really knows how to write characters that are so lovable and enjoyable. I love her ability to write a romance book that feels totally unique. I highly recommend this book to romance readers.

I was so excited to get my hands on a copy of this book! Katherine Center’s books have never disappointed me and the Rom-Commers was no exception. Her books always mange to tackle heavy topics in manageable way which I greatly appreciate. I related to Emma’s devotion to her family and Charlie was swoon worthy. Especially, when he was caring for the grieving Guinea Pig. I am a sucker for a man you takes care of animals. The Jack Stapleton cameo from her previous book, The Bodyguard, was also a nice surprise. I love this book and highly recommend it! Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Katherine Center for the ARC.

This is a fun Chick Lit book about Emma - an undiscovered screenwriter who has been spending the past decade caring for her father. Unexpectedly, she is tapped to help famous screenwriter Charlie Yates as he dips his toe in the Rom-com arena. Emma moves to L.A. for six weeks and lives with Charlie while they tackle a complete re-write of his first draft. Emma is determined to teach Charlie about romance and keys to a good love story.

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.