I don't always love this kind of set up and should have proceeded with more caution but I did not.

I ended up dnfin'g this about 25% in. I liked Emma but overall the set up for me just wasn't working.

It pains me to say that this was probably my least favorite KC.

The Rom-Commers is a lighthearted, meta take on the romantic comedy genre, blending classic tropes with a behind-the-scenes Hollywood setting. Katherine Center delivers her signature optimism through witty dialogue and heartfelt moments, but unfortunately, it missed the mark for me. I didn't like that Charlie wasn't as into Emma at first. I prefer my MMCs to be obsessed with the FMC and we didn't really get that until the end...

This was an enjoyable summer read, and a serviceable rom-com. Do I think it's earth shattering? No. Do I think there is anything wrong with this story? Also no. I liked some of the banter and back and forth dynamic. But there wasn't really that much going on with this romance, but I don't like when things are completely bonkers with too many impediments to a happily ever after either, so basically I don't know that it's a bad thing that this is more grounded. There was a decent chunk of humor and a few parts make me giggle a bit. I'm gonna say that this is a nice beach read, but not something that I'm screaming from the hills about.

The narrator was pleasant and I really liked the voice that was used for the snark and witty banter. The tone and pacing was nice, and aside from a few pronunciation issues, I thought this audiobook was done well.

This was sooo funny I absolutely loved it! What a precious couple it was so fun to read their dialogue. I loved everything about this!

I wanted to love this one, but I only liked it.

The plot was great, I was really intrigued with how the dynamic was going to play out. It definitely had the rom com feel, with a touch of more depth than most.

The main female character is very likable, and I loved the narrator in this audiobook. She had such a personality in this audiobook that added to the likeness of the MFC.

HOWEVER, I never liked the main male character. I am all for a grumpy MMC, but he was straight up just an A-Hole. And he had no redemption ARC for me. He was just so mean to the MFC. I never liked him, and I couldn't get behind him.


Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review *

Absolutely! Here’s a thoughtful 4-star review for The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center:

⸻

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Charming, Uplifting, and Full of Heart

The Rom-Commers is exactly what you’d hope for from Katherine Center—warm, witty, and brimming with emotional depth. This book is a love letter to storytelling and rom-coms, wrapped up in a feel-good narrative that balances humor with vulnerability.

The characters are immensely likable, especially the protagonist, whose journey toward self-belief and creative fulfillment is inspiring without feeling saccharine. The romantic tension is swoon-worthy, and the banter sparkles in all the right places. Center has a gift for making you laugh one minute and feel deeply the next.

While a few plot points felt a bit predictable or resolved a little too neatly, the joy of the journey more than made up for it. This is the kind of book that leaves you smiling—and maybe even a little more hopeful.

A delightful, heartfelt read that rom-com lovers will absolutely adore

The Rom‑Commers is a feel-good, witty rom-com with a meta twist—an aspiring screenwriter helps rewrite a failing rom‑com script for her idol. Katherine Center delivers sparkling banter, relatable characters, and a sweet slow-burn romance. The Hollywood setting and rom-com commentary add charm, and while sweet tropes may feel predictable, the emotional depth and laugh-out-loud moments make it thoroughly enjoyable. Perfect for fans of modern romance with heart.

Patti Murin's narration brings Emma's character to life with warmth and wit, enhancing the listening experience. Her performance captures the nuances of Emma's journey, making the story both engaging and emotionally resonant

[Really liked it]

This was a really fun book. I love when the main character is a writer and this story had two of them! I loved the fan-girl to lover trope. This was very entertaining on audio, the narration was excellent!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a free advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This one hurts me to write (so I didn’t for a long while). I didn’t love either of the main characters in this book and being such a character driven reader, that really put a lot on Katherine Center to overcome with the plot and the writing. I did read the whole book and I loved lots of parts, but I just didn’t believe that the characters would act the way that they did and I didn’t think that our MMC respected the FMC. I think they needed to be further down the road from their trauma before they met … or he just needed more therapy

"The Rom-Commers" by Katherine Center is the kind of book that wraps you up in a warm hug while still delivering those delightful, laugh-out-loud moments you crave in a rom-com. As someone who enjoys a good love story with a healthy dose of wit and heart, this one definitely hit the spot.

Highly recommend for romance lovers and as a palette cleanser after reading something heavy.

This was another super cute story. Just when you think you know what to expect, things change. Delightful!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Pure joy in book form!

The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center completely stole my heart. 💖 It’s everything I want in a rom-com: sparkling banter, real emotional depth, and characters you can't help but cheer for.

I loved how it wasn’t just about falling in love—it was about believing in yourself, chasing your dreams, and letting joy lead the way. ✨ The chemistry between the leads was absolute perfection (the slow build had me kicking my feet!) and every moment felt like a love letter to the rom-com genre itself. 🎬💘

If you’re looking for a feel-good, life-affirming story that leaves you smiling long after the last page, The Rom-Commers is a must-read. 📚💫

Once again, a Katherine Center book that I absolutely loved. Every time I read one of her books I feel like “this is it, this one is my favorite and it will never be topped”. And then I read the next one and I realize I was wrong. Her books get better and better and I find the characters to be so relatable and hilarious. Sometimes they’re a little too perfect with their dialogue but it’s fiction right? It’s ok that they always say something witty and they’re always ready with a great comeback.

I also loved the narrators for this book. While they’re voices I’ve heard before, I feel like both narrators really brought the characters to life. I never find myself confused or thinking “no which character is this” because the voices are familiar.

Anyway, I loved this book. I’d definitely recommend the audiobook if you have that option but since I switched between the e-book and audio, I can confidently say both are excellent.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you, NetGalley, for an audio-ARC of The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center.
I'm not a huge fan of romantic comedies, but I'll read anything Katherine Center writes. This book did not disappoint! I recommend her books to anyone looking for a romcom!

Another heartwarming and humorous novel from Center. Everything she writes makes my heart feel easy for the hours that I’m in her pages.

I absolutely loved this book. I would give it a 4.5, because a 5 star book a rarity for me, but since I would rather round up than down, this is getting 5 stars from me.

Charlie and Emma both have issues, but because of the situation they have been thrown into by their friend/agent Logan they end up seeing all parts of each other and fall in love. I did not see some of the small twists that happened in this book.

This was my first Katherine Center book and I will definitely be looking into more of her books because I really enjoyed the way that she wrote this story. I enjoyed the audio narration as well. I did feel like the voices for Charlie and Emma’s dad were a bit too similar for myself, but they didn’t really have any scenes together.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book and I fell in love with Katherine Center’s writing. I will definitely be reading more of her books.

I did enjoy this book but it was not my favorite. I did have to force myself to finish. The characters were likable but I felt like it was too predictable to me.

I loved this book! It made me laugh out loud and cry. I loved the dynamic between Emma and Charlie. It was a great listen!

An aspiring screenwriter who has been acting as the sole caretaker for her father gets the chance of a lifetime whenever she’s offered the opportunity to re-write a script for one of her heroes. But is it worth leaving home and her father when the famous screenwriter she’s so excited to meet says he doesn’t want her there, doesn’t even care about romantic comedies or “love,” and that he only even took on the script to get one he thinks “matters” the green light?

This Rom-Com about the love of Rom-Coms really hit the mark for me. The Rom-Commers felt like one I would have watched growing up with timeless banter, flawed characters, humor and a grumpy - sunshine romance.