Emma Wheeler studied as a screenwriter, but she’s spent the last ten years as a caregiver. After college, she had won a prestigious fellowship in Los Angeles, and her family had gone camping to celebrate her graduation and her bright future. But a rock climbing accident left her father disabled, so she changed her future. Her younger sister Sylvie was only 12, so Emma turned down her fellowship and stayed home in Texas to help her father and make sure her sister got through school.

Now it’s ten years later, and as Emma sister is graduating from college, and Hollywood is calling. Emma’s agent (and high school boyfriend) Logan calls with the chance of a lifetime. Her favorite screenwriter, Charlie Yates, known for his action movies, has written a romantic comedy. And it’s awful. He is in need of a ghostwriter to help fix the script, and Emma is the perfect choice. So Emma hands over the caregiving duties to her sister and heads out to L.A. for eight weeks of writing with an award-winning screenwriter.

She flies out, Logan picks her up at the airport, and he takes her right to the house of Charlie Yates. And Charlie takes one look a her and says no. He hadn’t known she was coming, or that Logan had told her she could stay at Yates’ house as they did the rewrite, and he turns the entire idea down. He does eventually offer Emma one night in his guest room, before she catches a flight back to Texas. She eventually agrees. And as they talk, Emma teaches Yates something he didn’t know about writing a romance.

After thinking over Emma’s ideas about romantic comedies and reading the scripts that won her the prestigious fellowship ten years before, Yates decides to ask her what’s wrong with him rom com script, a retelling of the classic It Happened One Night. Emma has pages of notes and decides that since he’d been so rude to her, she would go over them all, in detail. From page one to the ending (he doesn’t even have the lovers end up together), she rips through every piece of wooden dialogue, every romantic misstep, and every time he failed to create the magic that movie fans would be looking for before she gets on that plane to go back home.

And then something crazy happens. Yates listens to her. He takes pages of notes on what she says. And he decides he really does need her help with the script. They spend the next eight weeks together working side by side to rewrite the script while also going for drives, making dinners, swimming, babysitting Charlie’s ex-wife’s guinea pig Cuthbert, and taking line dancing lessons. Emma gets to meet people in the industry, and she talks often with her sister at home to help with her homesickness. And unexpectedly, or maybe obviously, she finds herself falling in love with Charlie.

But when they have an epic fight, followed by a medical emergency that sends Emma racing back to Texas to be with her family, she thinks that her screenwriting dreams are over for good. After everything that’s happened, will Emma be able to find her happily ever after? Or is all of those cheesy love story ideas just the stuff of movies?

The Rom-Commers is the latest rom com from the perpetual feel-good novelist whose consistency and writing ability makes her every book feel like a hug. Katherine Center has crafted another story filled with truth and compassion, pain and laughter that reminds you of comfort foods, warm blankets, and favorite nights with friends. Her love stories are not too saccharine or unrealistic. They are told about the type of people you imagine are all around you on any given day.

I am also a big fan of Nora Ephron and Nancy Myers movies and how captivating rom com films can be, so I jumped into The Rom-Commers with high expectations and a longing for laughter and love. I was not disappointed. I thought this was a fun look at the movie industry and it gives those classic rom coms the respect they deserve as masterful stories told with brilliance. This is a beautiful book, filled with heart and tears and laughs and love, and I bet it will steal your heart as it did mine.

Egalleys for the The Rom-Commers were provided by St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley, with many thanks.

I am participating in the SMP boycott, and I will not be publicly reviewing this book until SMP listens and addresses reader concerns.

For ten years, Emma Wheeler has sacrificed everything to care for her dad in the aftermath of a serious accident. When her high school best friend, Logan, reaches out to ask her to take a job helping renowned screenwriter Charlie Yates fix a rom-com script, she hesitantly rearranges her life to accept, only to find that Charlie doesn't actually seem to want her help, or to care about the movie at all. That is, until he discovers her writing skills are actually exactly what he needs... and maybe that's not all he needs from Emma.

Like every Katherine Center book I've ever read, this was a delight. I loved both Emma and Charlie right away, and I was so invested in their enemies-to-lovers journey. I loved the way the author invented her own celebrities but also name-dropped Meryl Streep, and it was fascinating to get a peek into the world of screenwriting. This book made me laugh and cry actual tears, and I couldn't stop listening to the audiobook narrated by Patti Murin. The audiobook also includes a bonus scene and an author's note read by the author that I really enjoyed.

While this isn't a clean romance by the strictest standards because of language and some innuendo, there is no spice on the page. There was one joke I didn't love about a character's name, but if you went to public middle school, it's nothing you haven't heard before. This is still very tame compared to a lot of what is out there now.

Thank you @netgalley, @macmillan.audio, and @stmartinspress for the opportunity to read and listen to this fantastic summer read. Romance readers will not want to miss this one!

I always wait in great anticipation for a new Katherine Center book. I must say that the physical book is a gorgeous piece of art with the sprayed edges and the artwork inside the covers. The cover just grabbed me with its vibrant colors. I would rate this book with ten stars if I could! The story stayed with me long after I read the last page. The dialogue between the characters was at times laugh out loud funny and I was always rooting for Emma and Charlie. A great love story about opposites attracting. Katherines' characters always become real to me and are very endearing. She knows how to make you feel the emotions the characters are feeling and therefore her books are very memorable. Her books are like treasures to me that I reread to feel the emotions over and over again. I would LOVE to see this made into a movie please :) @katherinecenter @kejanaayala

THE ROM-COMMERS is Katherine Center’s latest heart-tugging, quick and witty romance. When an acclaimed screenwriter (Charlie) drafts a truly terrible rom-com script, his agent sends Emma, a diamond in the rough and rom-com expert, to revise it. And, obviously, the best way to work together is for her to live in his mansion with him for six weeks. It’s a screwball concept, intentionally reminiscent of the forced proximity in IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT (which happens to be the film they’re tasked with updating), but a classic for a reason.

Center’s dialogue sparkles and builds the relationship between Charlie and Emma so genuinely, leading to the truly cathartic payoff in the third act. She never shies away from tough subjects, building out the past trauma of her character’s lives and weaving it in to the story in ways that feel authentic and drive true character growth. That’s especially true of THE ROM-COMMERS, so much so that if you have any triggers around parental illness/death I would highly recommend you make sure you’re in a very good mental head space before diving in. Because once you start, this book moves along at a brisk pace. Like Center’s THE BODYGUARD, this was a one-day read for me, and had me sobbing quietly in bed next to my partner at 2 in the morning in order to finish it. I wanted to live in this world and with Charlie and Emma so much longer, which is one of the highest compliments I can pay a book.

All that delightfulness said, there are a couple of points that kept this from being a flat out five-star read for me.

Emma’s neediness — the number of times that she pushes Charlie, practically begs him to love her — felt repetitive, rather than something she was growing out of.

[SPOILER] The climactic confrontation between Emma and Sylvie was so well written and devastating on both sides. While we seem Sylvie later apologize for the hurtful things she said to Emma, we never see Emma return the apology… she never even acknowledges that she said something just as hurtful as what she was holding onto from Sylvie. It’s just brushed over and feels like an unintentionally hanging thread.

Despite these little peeves, I did love this book in the end and would definitely pop it out as a comfort read in the future.

A fun one with lots of laughter! This was my first Katherine Center and definitely not my last.

Thank you SMP for eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely adored this book. But honestly not surprised as Katherine Center is one of my favorite authors and for a reason.
One— I loved that it takes place in the same universe as The Bodyguard and we got to see Jack Stapleton again. Will never stop recommending that book.
Two- this book made me CRY. Not because of a tragedy or anything, but you know those scenes in movies where the couple is arguing or they’re not official yet and are just like “do you really not feel that way for me?” and the other person denies it but they’re LYING— or really just any kind of angst and it just makes you cry? Well Center’s writing just has that effect on me.
I love when a book makes me feel, and this one sure did. I love Hollywood romances too, and this one is about two screenwriters. He had made it Hollywood big and she’s trying to catch her break.
It’s a bit of grumpy sunshine, and it’s also He Falls First.
Thank you Macmillan and NetGalley for the read! Absolutely loved it!

A rom-com about two writers writing a rom-com? Delightful. I really liked the premise of this story but unfortunately the male main character was a miss for me. Charlie said insulting things about Emma multiple times, which she overheard, and didn't really apologize or explain why he said them. He didn't have enough of a redemption arc to get me to buy this love story. I liked Emma a bit more and had more empathy for her but ultimately I think this will be a forgettable story.

Thank you to @Netgalley for the ARC of Katherine Center’s The Rom-Commers. And when I say thank you, I mean THANK YOU! All opinions are my own.

We need a new word for wonderful for this book. 5/5. The end.

Okay, you want more details? Katherine Center loves to write and you feel it on every page. She loved writing it and I loved reading it. It flowed so nicely and could easily be a one-day read. There were special connections throughout the book that felt so easy, yet they must have been difficult to come up with and write.

Emma Wheeler has had to give up a lot in her life and gets an offer she either can (or can’t) refuse, which is to help screenwriter Charlie Yates with his step into rom-com writing.

You will learn insider writer information such as immersion research and pen identity issues like ink color, fine-point or bold-tip. You will see how to lose a conversation, question how many days it takes to fall in love, and want to take note of Emma’s list of kissing categories. In many KC books you will learn about an illness or physical problem, and this one is no different. Like life, there is happy and sad in her books but there is also resilience. There were so many scenes and quotes and learning moments that I highlighted but they would surpass the character count if I added them here. One short one that I relate to: “I don’t have anxiety. I just worry all the time.”

I highly recommend this book, which publishes today, June 11, 2024. Grab it with both hands and don’t let go!!!

5/5 stars
Locations: Texas and Los Angeles, CA

I was so excited about this book because I have enjoyed the Center books I have read. Her books are so full of emotional punches and thought-provoking. This one did have a lot of emotional elements. Do look up trigger warnings. I should have done that because I had a hard time reading about cancer after my sister’s diagnosis last year.

One of the hardest things for me to enjoy about this book was the two main characters. Emma was hard to love and a bit over the top. I didn’t enjoy how she self-sacrificed her life and then complained about it. She didn’t take no for an answer, but not in a good way. How she treated Charlie was uncool and left me feeling uncomfortable. I get trying to look past things when someone is giving mixed signals, but no means no. He told her no many times before she stopped throwing herself at him. It wasn’t cute.

Now Charlie.. I also had a problem with how he treated Emma. For the most part, he was trying to fit this grumpy/grouchy trope, but it failed. He was rude, and I would not be happy with the comments. She frequently questions herself when it comes to things he says. He will act one way and then say something different. I get it; it’s a lot of mixed signals. The thing is, he was rude. Many of the comments he made about her to others were very hurtful. I didn’t love how she brushed past it and let it go.

The actual plot and romance were all very predictable. I know, that happens with romances but, I usually don’t find that with Center. It was a very fast-paced read. I started and finished it in two days. I loved the banter throughout the book! I thought Emma’s family was precious, and I adored her father. Even though this was fast-paced book, things happened rather quickly. Sometimes it felt a little too fast and like whiplash.

Overall, I am not sure how I feel about this one. I enjoyed it, for the most part, but it had some issues that had me questioning things. I love Center, and this book will not stop me from jumping into her next book. It just felt like it was written by someone else because it’s so different.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for an e-arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own!

Thoroughly enjoyed this rom-com! The storyline was unique and fun, which kept the flow of the read going. I really ended up liking both MCs, despite how drastically different they were. Forced proximity is one of my favorite romance tropes and this did not disappoint! This book had me laughing out loud, cringing, fuming with anger, swooning hard, tearing up and then starting the cycle all over again! Center puts you through the gamut of emotions in this one!

Another great novel from Katherine Center! Emma is a writer hoping to land a sweet deal for her screenplay draft. Charlie is a successful screenwriter who Emma idolizes. Emma’s future is in flux as she cares for her father who is disabled. When her friend, Logan, gives her a once in a lifetime opportunity to work with her idol, Emma can’t pass it up. How will Charlie respond to a collaboration with an unknown? Can they find success together? How will this project change their lives? Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC. This is my honest review.

“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.”

If you are looking for a quick, fun, closed-door Hollywood romance, this is for you! There were moments when I laughed out loud, but some serious moments as well.

Reason for my rating: I know characters aren’t supposed to be perfect, but I just couldn’t connect with them in this book (Charlie was too mean and Emma was too stubborn). I also didn’t feel any chemistry between them.

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Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for a gifted advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

I am a HUGE fan of Katherine Center's work, but can I just shout from the rooftops how much I absolutely LOVED this book?!? Not only one of my favorites of hers, but one of my favorites I've read all YEAR The Rom-Commers is the perfect enemies to lovers story.Their progression from distaste (I wouldn't call it hate), to like, to love feels natural and unforced. As much as they start off on the wrong foot, they each see the good in the other—even before I think they see the good in themselves. And as much as I loved Emma and Charlie, I was just as engaged and invested in the cast of side characters. Highly recommend! Five BIG stars!

This fun, light-hearted book was just what I needed! Emma’s positive outlook and ability to roll with the punches is inspirational. I loved the banter between her and Charlie. One of my favorite scenes is when she is trying to explain to Charlie how they should research their kissing scene. The next time someone in an online book community asks for a funny book this is the one I will recommend!

I received an advanced readers copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Katherine Center, please take a bow! You truly outdid yourself with this gem!

I've read most everything by this author and I have many favorite books. That said, this one is definitely at the top of my list now. It was just such a complete romance in every meaning of the word. It was a beautiful story with scarred characters who needed to find someone who could help heal their wounds. At the same time, even though there was complete heartbreak, there was also incredible hope.

I also loved the plot of a complete rom-com queen helping a re-knowned screenwriter to "fix" a script. Their slowly evolving relationship was quite simply the thing of stories....no pun intended.

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: The narration for this audio was wonderful. I toggled back and forth between the audiobook and the ebook and it was wonderful. I was completely engrossed in this story from start to finish and couldn't wait to see how these two worked "things" out. 5 stars

A huge thank you to NetGalley for early copies of both the ebook and audiobook. I voluntarily chose to read and/or listen to them both and review them and the opinions contained within are my own.

Loved it! Such a breath of fresh air. Katherine Center is always a favorite and this didn’t disappoint. The banter and characters were so likeable! I love the ties to her other book and how it’s possible that another book could be written in the future!

For a book about rom-coms, I sure did a whole lot of ugly crying

A beautiful story, with so much heart - I just like that with every page, you can feel Katherine Center's love for romance.

Now for some quotes that called me out:

"I'm telling you, you'll never meet another writer who knows more about rom-coms. She's obsessed. And she's got nothing else in her life. No relationship. No kids. Nothing at all. This is all she does. Imaginary love is the only thing she's got."

"I fell in love all the time. Just... nobody fell in love with me back."

"Didn't everybody cry involuntarily on their birthday?"

And my new life motto:

"Life is tiring. Swimming is just swimming."

“A great rom-com is just like sex. If you’re surprised by the ending, somebody wasn’t doing their job. We all know where it’s headed, the fun is how we get there. Seriously, have you ever had fantastic sex that culminated in an epic orgasm and then said to yourself “god, that was so cliche. It should’ve had a different ending.”

I absolutely loved The Bodyguard when it came out a couple years ago, though was less impressed with Hello Stranger. I was hopeful this one would be a winner though. I love the premise (see blurb, because I’m not gonna re-blurb the book in my review 😉), and I had moderately high hopes for this one.

I did like the characters. I liked the plot. I enjoyed the romance and the family relationships. The only real issue I had was that some of her familial stuff felt very surface level. I don’t think they had enough of a conversation about some of the things that were said and done. The same can be said for Charlie and Emma - some things were resolved a bit too abruptly and didn’t seem to go as deep as they could’ve.

I did not love the “breaking of the fourth wall” that happened fairly often, where she’s talking to us directly. It’s just not my cup of tea. That’s more of a personal preference though and it didn’t overly detract from my ability to enjoy this.

That said, it was still a good read and I’d recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a digital copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4⭐️

This was the definition of a binge read. I picked it up and NEVER wanted to put it down and I never wanted it to end. This was my second book by Katherine Center and I can't wait to read more. Normally if a book makes me even a little sad and/or cry I don't love it....I was both sad AND cried and I loved the HECK out of this story. The grumpy sunshine we get from Charlie and Emma is perfection. I will be highly recommending this story to literally anyone that will listen to me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to be an early reader. All thoughts are my own.