Katherine Center did a wonderful job with this lighthearted comedy. Her work reminds me of Emily Giffin and the Something Borrowed series. Lots of details to follow but done in a beautifully crafted way. This would make a great beach/vacation read!

There are not enough words to describe how much I loved this book - when first starting to read I already had a feeling I'd rate it around 4+ stars, but by the end it was an easy 5 star read.

The Rom-Commers follows Emma, who is given the opportunity to partner with her idol Charlie on a rom-com script rewrite. Soon after they meet, she learns that he isn't the guy she expected and he doesn't believe in love. This book had some of the best banter, and I absolutely loved how strongly the grumpy/sunshine trope shone through. I'm always a sucker for books centered in the entertainment industry too, so that was a huge plus.

Truly this book helped me get through a slump and that says a lot because once I'm in a reading slump I need an AMAZING book in order to feel fully out of it. This book fit the bill to the T. I have no critique, and can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy once it is released!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center is a new contemporary romance novel. The story in The Rom-Commers begins as a grumpy meets sunshine type of enemies to lovers romance but eventually grows into a friends to lovers from the forced proximity between the characters.

Emma Wheeler has always dreamed of becoming a screenwriter full time but life took a turn for Emma years before when she lost her mother and her father was permanently injured with Emma becoming his full time caretaker. Emma’s writing has won awards but as well as she knows her chosen genre of rom-coms writing them full time has continued to be a dream.

That dream may be turning into a reality though with one phone call from Emma’s old friend, Logan. Logan is now the agent for the famous screenwriter Charlie Yates, one of Emma’s long time idols. It seems Charlie needs help diving into the unknown genre for him of rom-coms and Logan thought Emma would be the perfect person who could help Charlie re-write the worst rom-com script that ever existed!

Katherine Center is one of those authors that whenever I pick up a new books for her I am completely certain I’m going to enjoy it and thus far she hasn’t made me wrong yet. From the very first of pages of this new book I was drawn in and knew I was going to enjoy these characters and rooting them along the way. There is of course a roller coaster of emotions over the course of the book but what it all keeps coming back to is the laughter and light that I hope to always find. Definitely an author I recommend checking out!

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Adult workplace romance with tropes of forced proximity and friends to lovers. I enjoyed this book! The characters were interesting, witty, and the dad had the most sage advice. The main characters, Emma and Charlie, had great banter and chemistry. I also thought the storyline was unique and very enjoyable. I wasn’t a fan of Emma’s actions/decisions in the third act, but the conclusion definitely made up for it! I highly recommend this rom-com novel!

“The Rom-Commers” by Katherine Center is delightful from start to finish. Like many of her other books, this story is embedded in realism but sprinkled with just the right amount of romance and whimsy to have you swooning and sighing throughout your reading journey.

Emma Wheeler is used to being the caretaker in her family, often putting her own dreams, as an aspiring screenwriter, on hold. Until she gets the opportunity of a lifetime from her ex-boyfriend, Logan. He tells her he needs her to ghost write on a project with Charlie Yates — Who just happens to be one of Hollywood’s best screenwriters…When it comes to action, but not so much in the romance department.

Only problem is…He has no idea she’s coming when she shows up at his front door. But, he eventually gives in and the two find a way to make their writing relationship work. Or is it just the beginning of something more?

The two begin to teach other about their worlds and step outside of their comfort zones - It’s friendship, it’s grace, it’s love and possibility. They create their own magic in the midst of their writing to make their words come alive and give it that *SPARK.” Without giving all the secrets away, they learn to lean on each other and learn the lesson of letting someone else in on the crazy that happens in life.

The dialogue is fantastic, the banter is witty and fast-paced and makes you eagerly bite your nails at the chemistry jumping off the page. It’s the anticipation build up of wondering if Charlie will let Emma push him to try new things he’d never otherwise do in a million years. And does Emma learn to lean on someone else instead of always taking charge?

Find out in the perfect rom-com book, “The Rom-Commers” — It’s released this Tuesday, June 11.

“The Bodyguard” is my favorite of Katherine Center’s books and this immediately gave me that same feeling of coming home, like a hug with open arms, you know? It also happens to have a few cameos from The Bodyguard, and I absolutely adored the crossover moment. I absolutely see this one as a comfort read in the time to come.

*I was given an advanced copy from NetGalley and Penguin Random House | Macmillan Publishers in exchange for an honest review*

The Rom Commers is a rom-com read with heart. It made me laugh and cry and feel happy and sad. I love when a book does that!

The main characters, Emma and Charlie, were so likeable and relatable and had great chemistry with some great witty banter. I also really liked the mental health representation included in the story, the engaging first person point of view (Emma’s) and the themes of life, loss, dealing with past trauma, love and hope.

I enjoyed reading this novel so much - I inhaled it in a day. It is my favorite rom-com read of the year to date and there have been some good ones so that’s saying a lot. This one will be tough to beat for me. Highly, highly recommended!

Thank you St. Martin’s Press for this complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

you know what? i've waffled back and forth but i'm sticking with it.

✘ the never-meet-your-heroes to i-can-fix-him-no-really-i-can pipeline is not my usual fare
✘ straight hair is not the express lane to LA beauty anymore like it might have been in 2006
✘ everyone is insufferable, one-dimensional, or both

✔︎ the dialogue and banter make all of the rom-com story beats sparkle
✔︎ the characters are just shallow enough for the reader to project depth onto - in a good way!
✔︎ i'm a simp for late-20s/early-30s level life shit getting in the way sometimes and still making for a good romcom

many thanks to st. martin's press and netgalley for the advance readers copy.

Katherine Center has done it again! This is an enjoyable romance. I found the focus on writers fun, as well as the focus on writing (and defending) romance and rom-cons. The protagonist was a bit of a martyr, which did get grating at times. Overall a really quick and good read.

Okay so I almost DNF this book because the beginning was a hot mess. I don't know if it was just the ARC and it wasn't through editing or if it was Center trying to find the MCs voice it honestly felt like bad AI writing. It's also weird because I feel like this is par for the course when it comes to Center for me. I either love it or I'm like what the heck who wrote this?! BUT BUT BUT about 1/3 of the way in everything settled down and started to flow and make sense and feel good and I really enjoyed the rest of the book. So 3 stars hopefully it was an ARC issue and the final copy was 5 stars for everyone else

Well if this wasn’t one of the most delightful rom-coms I’ve ever read I don’t know what is! @katherinecenter in her brilliant little way wrote this book like a movie. This was so vivid I could literally SEE it playing out scene by scene on the screen. The main character broke the fourth wall from the get go and told us about her romance. This will sound weird but just go with me… it’s like if Ferris Bueller was a rom-com (hence the song). Brilliant.

This was a different kind of romance. Their connection seemed unconventional and the MMC especially seemed different. He’s not your typical hunky guy you swoon over but he’s got something else about him that you can’t help but be attracted to. And the MFC is one of the most resilient characters I’ve ever read. They brought out the best in each other which is probably one of the highest compliments you can give to a couple. And leave it to Katherine Center to give each character such grace as they work through their stuff.

I did often find myself wishing I could feel their romance a bit more. It’s one thing to read about their relationship on the page but it’s another to literally feel the butterflies and lovey feelings yourself as you read. So that is my one and only hang up. It’s just a personal thing you can’t really gauge until you read it. Other than that, it’s perfection.

The story was adorable, funny, insightful, and just down right too cute for its own pages. Oh and we get a Jack Stapleton cameo from The Bodyguard! Can we get this adapted into a movie asap please?! It would be criminal not to.

I was blown away by this book! I’ve always been a Katherine Center fan, but this one is by far my favorite. I laughed out loud so many times, and the ending had me wiping away tears. Charlie and Emma’s banter was fun, flirty and frustrating, and I loved every second of their developing relationship. Emma has a huge heart for others, and Charlie is confident and driven. They made each other better and it was really fun to follow their romance.

Thank you so much for sharing this book with me! It’s going on a bunch of my recommendation lists and I can’t wait to tell my reader friends about it!

Katherine Center hits it out of the park again! I LOVED Emma and how adorable she was. She had this perfect level of goofiness that didn't feel like forced quirkiness, but she was also so perceptive and smart. I teared up multiple times at one point (you'll know which scene if you read the book ;) ) and felt so much hope throughout the ending. I will definitely be rereading this one ASAP. Also, I started listening to this book as I headed out for a two-hour run and ran a PR for my ten-mile. So the current evidence suggests that listening to a new Katherine Center book while running will make you run faster. You're welcome in advance, fellow reader-runners.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for an advance copy of the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

I struggled with rating this book and writing my review because I really like Katherine Center's writing style, but I couldn't connect with the characters in this book. Emma is hired to help Charlie rewrite his rom com movie script. He is known for writing other movies, but he has never written a rom com. Emma and Charlie are opposites, but they have to work together and live together for six weeks.

I didn't like that Emma tried to make Charlie face his fears. It felt like she was forcing him, and I didn't like that. I also struggled with all of the miscommunication between Emma and Charlie. As a character, Charlie's inconsistencies really got in the way of my ability to root for him. If I were Emma, I don't think I could ever trust him.

I also struggled with Emma's relationship with her sister. Emma had to be caregiver for their father, and she also helped to raise her younger sister.


Overall, I have mixed thoughts and feelings about this book, and it makes me sad to feel that way about it.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC.

I adored Katherine Center's "The Rom-Commers". Charlie and Emma's banter and grumpy-sunshine relationship was so freaking good. Their romance was slow yet somehow delicious - and this is from someone who doesn't always enjoy a slow-burn. Their story made me cry as well as giggle, and I highlighted numerous passages that I could not help but identify with. This story leaves you feeling hopeful and happy. 5 stars,

Thank you to NetGalley and SMP for a complimentary ARC of this book. These opinions are my own.

The Rom-Commers 4⭐️ 2.5🌶️

Contemporary Romance
Hollywood/celebrity romance
Workplace romance
Unwilling allies to lovers
Grumpy sunshine
Grief
Strong family
🏳️‍🌈Side Character
Injury disability rep

This was a very cute rom-com about a pair of screenplay writers writing a rom-com. It was cliche in the best ways, but also packed a punch when it came to a dressing trauma and serious topics.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The characters were complicated and dynamic. I found my self wishing that there was a little bit more vulnerability from the MMC for the big gesture, but he was also a silent but strong type... so, I don’t know. I’m conflicted. I was absolutely charmed by the epilogue.

The plot was a fun spin on a Hollywood insider’s romance. I appreciated that the boom wasn’t over-run by pop culture and real celebrity references. The pacing was perfect.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Overall a super cute beach read. My issue was it felt like the plot dragged and there was no real development for the male character. He truly was mean and gaslighting the main female character. He needed therapy that is for sure.

I was so excited to read this book, and I was getting along fine (about a 3.5 read) until roughly the 95% mark. Immediately, this book became a 2 at the most. And I am so mad.

This is going to be a spoiler, but I think it's definitely needed so readers know what they're getting in to.
WHY WOULD AN AUTHOR USE A FUCKING CANCER FAKE OUT AS A PLOT DEVICE.
Please excuse my language, but I am BIG mad. Two of my grandparents had lung cancer and died due to complications from it. THAT IS NOT SOMETHING YOU USE TO EMOTIONALLY MANIPULATE AN AUDIENCE. It is insensitive and callous and plain lazy writing. Also, no self-respecting good doctor is going to give a patient a cancer diagnosis ON THE PHONE. As someone who has been through a cancer scare, the doctor will say there is something "concerning" on the scan/biopsy/etc and ask you to come in for more testing. When you get to the office and are face to face with the doctor, THAT'S WHEN THEY'LL TELL YOU. Not on a damn phone call. And they're definitely not going to tell you they fucked up and misdiagnosed you over the phone. Wtf even was that? Lazy writing at it's finest.

*deep five point five second breath* IYKYK.

I wish that was all that was wrong with this book. But sadly, it's not. I have a whole list of notes I took while reading. Which I'm usually not able to do, but I kept getting pulled out of the story.
Also, yes, there will be spoilers ahead.

“I fell in love all the time. Just… nobody fell in love with me back.”

This perfectly describes our main character Emma. Her feelings are finnicky, and her personality is all over the place. She has zero common sense, no backbone, overthinks every tiny thing, and is constantly eavesdropping on conversations she has no right to listen to.
Charlie is a terrible love interest. He constantly criticizes Emma, is always talking down about her, and doesn't seem like a good guy, even though everyone says otherwise. He never apologizes for the disgusting things he says about and to Emma. He hurts her over and over to "protect her from herself" and says he would do it again. What a great guy!
Also, they had absolutely no chemistry. It was like putting two dolls together and saying "now kiss".

This author has an issue with time management. A 15 minute walk is apparently equivalent to a 20 minute car ride. And a 10 minute waiting period was long enough to divulge entire life stories. (This is probably just nit picking, but it really stuck out to me.)

At one point, Emma fell on top of Charlie. Then she just laid on him, sprawled in the middle of the kitchen floor. She started waxing poetic about his eyelashes, and Charlie had to explicitly tell her to get off of him, because it was obvious she was never going to. Yikes!
The café scene with Donna Cole was so awkward. It made Emma seem clueless and kind of pathetic. Charlie had to rescue her and not for the first time.
When Emma is telling us what happened to her parents, we get 2-3 pages of “stick with me” and “we’ll get through it”. Okay… We don’t need pages upon pages of coddling and inspirational life quotes. This kind of writing really took me out of the story. It was like the author had a word count to hit and added in so much unnecessary fluff, which would also explain why her sentence structure throughout the story was horrendous.
When drunk Emma fell in the pool, Charlie took her to his own room so she could change out of her wet clothes. Why? She lives there; she has an entire room filled with her own clothes she could’ve just as easily changed in to. Why was it necessary for her to change into his clothes? Was it so she could point out how she was wearing his hoodie three or four days later? Because she mentioned it constantly, as if we needed to be reminded.

What is with everyone saying each other’s whole names? Donna Cole is not going to refer to her FRIEND as Charlie Yates. And Charlie is not going to refer to his VERY CLOSE FRIEND as Jack Stapleton. He’d just be Jack. And I swear, Emma said Charlie Yates more than she just said Charlie. She beat us over the head with his full name, and I wish it could be scrubbed from my brain.

There HAS TO BE more words in the English language you can use to convey speaking instead of "said". It appeared 1,111 times in this book. (I searched it on my kindle.) That is an absurd amount of times! And, just as a reference, I also searched the word "Charlie", and it appeared 1,244 times. Wow!

This whole book was written like a stream of consciousness. Why is Emma talking to the reader all the time? Just another point that takes me out of the story. Also, we're continuously being told things and not shown, which leads me back to the unnecessary fluff added.

Overall, the book was okay. But the faking cancer plot gave me the major ick, and I can't recommend a book like this.

My rating is for the first 80% of this book. The third act becomes a little too much to handle, and the “twist” is unfair. But more on that later.

Things I loved: the witty banter, the premise of screenwriters working together and falling in love, exploring past traumas and achieving personal growth, family loyalty, and callbacks to Jack from The Bodyguard.

I loved Charlie and Emma’s working relationship and watching it bloom to something more over time in all the little cute romcom ways; stolen glances, grocery shopping together, forced situations “for research”, all of it. I loved their subtle tells and their quiet support. Otherwise, to be honest I didn’t feel the chemistry between Charlie and Emma.

The writing was cute and I loved the breaking of the fourth wall. In true Katherine Center fashion, heavier themes are included and explored including history of cancer, death of a parent, illness and caregiving, divorce, and others. This makes her books and characters more relatable, which I certainly felt in this book as well. She covers these topics with grace and compassion, and sneaks in eloquent commentary. [Please review trigger warnings; I’ve mentioned a few above, but they are not all inclusive].

HOWEVER she added a “twist” that, to me, was unforgivable. I won’t put a spoiler here, but I feel it is wholly inappropriate to use this circumstance for “entertainment”. I understood it being a means to an HEA, but it could have been achieved differently. In truth, the end of this book went off the rails a bit with a lot happening all at once and was a bit messy, then throwing this in was the final straw. Hence, my overall rating is based on the majority of the book but not the end.

I do wish to thank St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley, and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

As I've come to expect from Katherine Center, this book made me laugh out loud and shed a few tears. I love the way Center fleshes out even her secondary characters. The Rom-Commers feels a bit like an enemies-to-lovers story; though enemies is too strong a word to describe two people who are bringing a different set of values and expectations to a shared project. Center layers romance with family issues, guilt, old friends, and her usually snappy banter. In bringing together a hopeful believer in true love with a grumpy cynic, the entire novel allows Center to explore, and expound upon, the value of a happily ever after. Fans of Center's won't be disappointed and readers who discover her through this novel should go running to her other books.

The Rom-Commers is a solid well written rom-com with likeable characters. Emma has put her dream of being a screenwriter on the back burner to take care of her father. Charle is an accomplished screenwriter, except he has written the worst romance script there could be. Emma is brought in to help him and of course he isn't the most willing partner. A slow burn romance with fun witty characters, a great novel for those that like the love interest to bloom gradually and most happen behind closed doors. A great book to read while sitting by the pool or on the beach.

I read and reviewed a copy provided by the publisher and netgalley. All opinions are my own.