4.5/5

I always enjoy reading a Katherine Center book. They are silly, witty, funny, and so much fun to read. I have yet to be disappointed by her books and this one was no exception. I loved the main characters, Emma and Charlie, who had a rocky start at the beginning but managed to smooth things out by the end. There were moments that were emotional, and I could completely relate to Emma's situation as a caregiver having been a caregiver myself for my mom for nearly six years. With the help of her sister, Emma, a writer, after ten years of caring for her dad, finally gets a break in order to fly to Los Angeles to help Charlie, a handsome and famous Hollywood screenwriter, to assist him in rewriting a horrible rom-com screenplay that Charlie had written. What happens upon her arrival is amusing. The banter is excellent, and there were many laugh-out-loud moments. Some might say it's predictable but come on, it's a rom-com! I loved it!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the review copy.

The Rom-Commers by Kathering Center is absolutely unputdownable! I stayed up until one in the morning to finish this funny, poignant romantic comedy full of so many layered, fully developed, complex characters, hilarious dialogue, and of course, the requisite happy ending. This is the second book I've read by Katherine Center, and I am now a devotee! This is perfect read for fans of How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang and Beach Read by Emily Henry.

Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this lovely book!

God I loved this book. I’ve loved Katherine Center since I read The Bodyguard, and read everything previously written by her because of it. She just knows how to write humor and heart. It’s that simple. You can’t read one of her books and not feel really good. More hopeful about life.

Charlie is a misanthropic Hollywood screenwriter who has written a very terrible RomCom. In comes Emma, a bubbly, wild-haired RomCom aficionado. They are initially like oil and water, but they end up working and living together beautifully as she spends six weeks helping him re-write his RomCom. I loved learning about the writing process. I loved all of the RomCom lore. And Emma and Charlie were hilarious and just so charming. The two of them falling in love made me feel the way I do when I watch a RomCom: full of happy bubbles.

Highly highly recommend. It was life-giving.

Thank you NetGalley for the free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: THE ROM-COMMERS 💌🎬

Author: Katherine Center
Genre: Romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Content Warnings: Death of a parent, Cancer, Grief, Chronic Illness, Injury

📚 Emma is a screenwriter whose career just hasn’t taken off. When her friend Logan tells her about an opportunity to help famed screenwriter Charlie write his first rom-com script, she can’t resist. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime. Emma packs her bags and heads to LA to find that Charlie may not be as keen on the idea as Logan made it seem… and he may not believe in love either.

💭 This was my first ever Katherine Center and it certainly won’t be my last. WOW! This book was full of heart, love, grief, and humor. I loved both Emma and Charlie and watching their story unfold. The Hollywood backdrop and screenwriter romance aspects were a 10/10. Also worth noting this is pretty much a closed door romance.

💌 Read this if you like romantic comedies, hollywood dramas, donuts, books about grief, sister relationships, guinea pigs, and Meryl Streep.

I have become the kind of fan of Katherine Center that I look so forward to her books knowing that I will delving into another good story with likable, realistic characters! And The Rom-Commers did not disappoint! In fact - it brought in another element for me that I was ready for…..a romance with humor, family drama, and comedy!! Who couldn’t like/love the characters Emma and Charlie?? As they grew from dislike (sometimes extreme) to their unlikely romance we hear their back-stories of disappointment, family secrets, and fear of life and love. As they write together to bring old-fashioned romance to the screen - we heartily cheer on their own romance that holds all the elements of what they are attempting to accomplish together on the written page. Their fall-outs, their growing understanding of each other, and their need to walk-away from letting each other down, will keep the reader invested in both their romance and their final story. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, for the opportunity to read and review this advance reader copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #NetGalley #TheRom-Commers

Katherine Center can do no wrong in my eyes. I devoured this book in a day, and wish I could have stayed in their world longer. Who doesn't love a crotchety MMC? Then along comes the girl who finally gets him to stop being so frustrated and angry with the world and open up his heart. I'm going to soak that story line up every single time.

Center does such a great job of creating characters that are extremely realistic, with flaws and back stories that fit the actions that take place. It's always frustrating when you're reading a story and think to yourself, "this character would never do that." I believed everything Emma and Charlie said and did. Even when I didn't agree with them, I understood it. That's a talent that not all writers have.

The slow burn love writing style works in her novels too. I might wish that the characters would move things along a little quicker (often lol), but I also appreciate that she always makes their love convincing, because the foundation has been laid.

I will always recommend her books!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. This was the first book I’ve read by Katherine Center and I flew through the story. Up until the very end it was a four star read for me despite Charlie’s, at times, cruel comments and Emma’s somewhat annoying continued pursuit of a man who has expressed his disinterest. Without spoiling the ending, the conflict and its resolution were very frustrating to me to the point where I did not enjoy the book as much I was during the beginning and middle. With that being said, I enjoyed enough of the book to try some of her other works.

Emma Wheeler had planned to be a screenwriter, specializing in romantic comedies, but then tragedy struck. On a family vacation, she not only lost her mom, but her dad got so injured that he now requires around-the-clock care. So Emma gave up her dreams, and stayed home to care for her dad, because of course, family came first. Then, just as her sister graduates from college and is coming back home, Emma gets a call from her high school best friend. He has a script written by her idol Charlie Yates, and it needs serious work, and she would be the perfect person to turn this rom-com from a disaster into a hit. She only needs to fly out to L.A. for six weeks and collaborate with Charlie Yates. Charlie doesn't even care about the script - it is just a means to an end for him, He made a deal to write the rom-com, and in exchange he would get a green light on the mafia movie he wanted to write in the first place. What Emma doesn't know is that Charlie no longer believes in love, so Emma is going to have to convince him step by step that love is real, and love stories do matter.

The Queen of Rom-Coms herself has done it again with another magical story of redemption, friendship, hope, family and love. This book will have you hooked from the very first page. Whether you love romances, or are a romantic cynic such as myself, this book is for you. I highly recommend it!

Emma Wheeler is a screenwriter who writes the perfect rom coms. The problem? Emma is busy taking care of her Dad who needs 24/7 care and her scripts have not received the recognition they deserve. Until, she gets the opportunity of a life time! Help famous screenwriter, Charlie Yates re-write his first ever rom com. What could possibly go wrong? Well, Charlie doesn't want help especially from a "nobody screenwriter." But, Emma is desperate to help him re-write the atrocity of a love story he has created and change his mind about love in general.
Review:
4.5 stars
This was the first Katherine Center book I have read and I will say that it will NOT be the last. Wow! I loved this story. The comedy and wit of these characters is fantastic! I loved the way it was written. It felt like I was inside a movie being told and shown the scenes throughout the story. I felt emotional at times, I laughed, I smiled, I teared up, I got angry (just tell her!!!!). A story that entices all kinds of my emotions is a GREAT book! The Rom-Commers publishes on 6/11 and you will definitely want to pick this one up!
Thank you to NetGalley, Katherine Center, and St. Martin's Press for this ARC of The Rom-Commers in exchange for an honest review!

Emma Wheeler has always put others before herself. She gets the opportunity of a lifetime to help her favorite author Charlie Yates rewrite a romantic comedy script. Finally putting herself first she travels to LA to work with him. This was my first Katherine Center book and I really enjoyed it. I liked how the characters relationship grew and their banter was fun to read. This would be a great summer read.

Loved this one! So cute and easy to read with lots of character growth. My favorite Katherine center book I’ve read in a while!

**Review of "The Rom-Commers" by Katherine Center**

Reading "The Rom-Commers" by Katherine Center felt like stepping into a world full of playful banter and the classic grumpy/sunshine dynamic. The book’s charm lies in its humor and engaging dialogue, which kept me entertained and curious about what would happen next.

Emma, an optimistic writer, teams up with her idol, the moody Charlie Yates. The grumpy/sunshine trope comes through as Emma’s enthusiasm meets Charlie’s gruff exterior, creating moments that are both amusing and heartwarming. Their relationship’s evolution from contentious to collaborative had its delightful points.

However, Emma’s fangirling was sometimes a bit much, especially given Charlie’s often dismissive and rude behavior. It was hard not to cringe as she overlooked his insults, both to her face and behind her back. This dynamic, while interesting, sometimes made the characters feel a bit insufferable. Emma’s starry-eyed adoration and Charlie’s brusqueness created a tension that felt more frustrating than endearing at times.

While the book held my attention with its engaging premise and enjoyable tropes, the ending left me wanting more. The climax didn’t quite deliver the satisfying, triumphant “happily ever after” that I crave in a good rom-com. Additionally, Charlie’s character arc felt somewhat underdeveloped. His growth and transformation seemed rushed, lacking the depth needed to fully justify his change by the story’s end.

Despite these points, "The Rom-Commers" offers a fun escape into a world where opposites attract and the journey to love is paved with laughter and tension. It’s an entertaining read with memorable moments, even if the characters occasionally test your patience. If you enjoy banter, celebrity crushes, and the grumpy/sunshine trope, this book is worth a read.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Katherine Center for the early read of The Rom-Commers!

I adore Katherine Center's writing- her stories are often times so unique and her character's banter never fails to have me rolling. I enjoyed so many parts of this story- I loved how Charlie and Emma were both screenwriters, I loved the forced proximity, and I loved Emma's friendship with Logan. The ending was also adorable and had a perfect "rom-com" worthy gesture.

For me though, as many redeeming qualities the the MMC had, there were too many instances where he was just mean! He would say cruel things, Emma would overhear him talking poorly about her, his actions and words would often conflict and although he might have had his reasons, I have a hard time rooting for a character that is ultimately a little toxic.

I would say I liked this book but didn't love it. There are SO many amazing KC books out there, this one just isn't a favorite.

This was a cute, easy read. Obviously it was a tad predictable, but overall the characters were likable enough even if I find it tiresome that the messy, or unattractive (she was low-key portrayed this way early on) is always a curly haired redhead. It happens in media ALL THE TIME, like redheads and curly hair = less appealing. Because of this, I didn't get a lot of chemistry from this couple or that I would actually see this going where the book obviously was going to go (ie, romantic) My one (other) main issue was really just about the situation that came up between sisters. To avoid spoilers, I will leave it at it didn't feel very authentic to their characters and how they had been portrayed leading up to it. It seemed more harsh and intense and really, it didn't fit for me...The ending was a little hard to believe, it seemed just too convenient. overall, a 3* is a good review for me, it's a cute, easy read, just not memorable.

Good gravy I devoured that!! I loved Emma and Charlie but I think Logan and Cuthbert might have stolen the books. Plus a Jack and Hannah sighting!

Emma Wheeler has spent her whole life studying and writing romantic comedies while also being her dad’s full-time caregiver, delaying her dreams of becoming a full-time screenwriter. Until she is given the chance to rewrite a screenplay for famous screenwriter Charlie Yates—someone she has always admired from a far. Little does she know how difficult it’s going to be to write a convincing love story with someone who doesn’t even believe in love himself.

This was such a heartwarming and emotional story, with characters I really felt for. Emma and Charlie are polar opposites, as we quickly find out, but their banter and honesty with one another made their connection feel genuine, and not once forced. I especially loved Emma’s relationship with her dad and seeing her learn to prioritize herself after always putting herself and her career second! She was a very admirable character.

I absolutely loved The Bodyguard by Katherine Center, so it was no surprise that I ended up enjoying this one as much as I did. Thank you to St Martins Press & Netgalley for the ARC!

The Rom-Commers is a fun twist on a romantic comedy book. Emma Wheeler's best friend arranged a once in a lifetime opportunity for her to work with a famous writer, Charlie Yates. He tends to write action packed scripts. This time around, he takes a chance at writing a rom com script. Let's just say that this is not his forte. When Emma has the chance to read through a draft of it, she tears into it with all different kinds of improvements. Emma is hesitant to relocate to LA for this opportunity since her dad needs a full-time caregiver. She knows what a huge deal this is and her younger sister agrees to be the caretaker for 6 weeks. The next few weeks are full of lots of script revising, but also some bonding between Emma and Charlie.

I enjoyed this concept behind this book. It was a really fun and light hearted read. There were some parts of this book that made me smile. Certain parts of this book were raw and realistic by highlighting the fact that sometimes love requires some trial and error. The author seemed to make the concept of love seem more realistic instead of like a fairytale. Because of this, I feel like this story might be easier for some readers to relate to. This book was such a compelling story from start to finish!

Charlie is a famous screenwriter who wants to get his mafia script sold, but needs to impress a producer with a romcom script first...and it's pretty terrible. Emma is also a screenwriter, but has had to put her life on hold while caring for her dad for the past ten years. When the opportunity to work (ghostwrite) with her idol on a romcom arises, she takes the opportunity.

Charlie has been burnt in the past and pretty much hates romcoms, so he doesn't really care about the script. Emma really wants it to see the light of day, she just has to convince Charlie to love romcoms.

I really loved these characters. Emma is super sarcastic and snark, which reminds me of myself. I kept laughing at the stuff she'd say. Lots of really good one liners. Charlie is a grump, but there's more than meets the eye and he's actually pretty lovable. Also, lots of SWOON.

Overall, I loved it. This may be my favorite of Katherine Center's so far!

Disclaimer: As much as this book is a rom com, it deals with some heavy topics. Charlie has had cancer. Emma's mom's death ( as well as her dad's injury), although in the past, is on page and I felt it was semi graphic. So, keep those in mind when deciding if you want to read. The books was great, but if those are sensitive topics, you do what's best for you.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley. I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

The Rom-Commers is exactly what a great rom-com should be. Funny, sweet, a little slapsticky, and full of heart.

Emma Wheeler always wanted to be a screenwriter. But when an accident left her dad in need of a full-time caretaker, she put her dreams on hold to take care of him and give her sister a normal life. Now, though, a chance to work with her favorite screenwriter of all time has landed in her lap, and both her father and her sister insist she take it. Except it turns out that Charlie Yates, the screenwriter in question, has no idea that she's been brought on board to fix his tragically terrible affront of a rom-com. And he doesn't exactly play nice with others.

This book is a little bit meta when it comes to rom-coms, filled with plenty of jokes and references, but it also tells its own story. I loved the heft of Emma's backstory - becoming a caretaker and forgetting what it means to have anything for yourself - and the way that the book didn't just brush past it or resolve her father's chronic illness with a magic wand. Charlie also has a strong backstory and I loved the way that Emma both acknowledges that he can genuinely be an asshole and knows how to see through it. Their chemistry was the best part of this book - as it should be - and honestly, I wished we'd gotten to see sparks fly more often. The slowness of the burn was really my only complaint.

Overall, I laughed a lot and really fell in love with all of the characters. Plus, Meryl Streep shows up at one point.

4.25/5

THE ROM-COMMERS by Katherine Center is an absolutely delightful and heartwarming romantic comedy that truly has everything – wonderful characters, humor and an unexpectedly sweet love story with the requisite happily ever after. Emma Wheeler dreams of being a screenwriter for romantic comedies, something she is really great at. But when her darling dad ends up needing full-time care, Emma gives up the chance of a lifetime to be his caretaker. She can’t believe it when her agent gets her the chance to re-write a script for famous screenwriter, Charlie Yates, who is her writing hero. It seems too good to be true. Her sister agrees to care for their dad while Emma moves to LA for the six weeks it will take to re-write the script. But when she arrives at his home, Charlie makes it clear there is no way he is writing with anyone, especially a nobody like Emma. Emma refuses to quit and what follows is a funny and emotional journey that held me captive with every page. I won’t say much more other than I loved the story, the characters and every other little thing about this perfectly-crafted rom-com. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review an early copy.