My first Katherine Center, and I must say, it did not disappoint. It is a delightful blend of humor, heartfelt moments, and personal growth, making it a perfect and entertaining rom-com read.

We follow Emma Wheeler, a wannabe screenwriter juggling her dreams with the responsibilities of caring for her ailing father. When she lands a golden opportunity to collaborate with her screenwriting idol, Charlie Yates, Emma’s life takes an unexpected turn. Despite Charlie’s initial resistance and grumpy demeanor, Emma's persistence and humor gradually break down his barriers, setting the stage for a classic grumpy-meets-sunshine tale.

What really struck me about this book is how Center masterfully handles the emotional journeys of her characters. Emma’s relationship with her family, particularly her father and supportive sister, Sylvie, is both touching and realistically portrayed. These relationships added depth to the narrative and made Emma a character I genuinely rooted for.

The writing shines with witty banter and a keen sense of emotional balance. The banter between Emma and Charlie was a highlight for me. However, I did find that the chemistry between Emma and Charlie was a bit lacking and that “magical spark” was somewhat muted for me. Additionally, the narrative occasionally leans too heavily on Emma's internal monologues, which I felt detracted from the development of their on-screen chemistry. The romance took a backseat to the more profound themes of grief, self-discovery, and personal sacrifice.

Despite these minor quibbles, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story’s exploration of what makes a perfect rom-com, both within its narrative and meta-commentary, added an extra layer of fun for me as a fan of the genre.

If you are looking for a clean romance with snappy dialogue, complex characters, and a heartfelt family story, this book is a perfect pick. Whether you’re a long-time fan of Katherine Center or, like me, new to her work, this book is a great addition to your summer reading list.

Looking forward to reading more of her work soon.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the Advanced Listening Copy.

4.25 Stars

In typical fashion, I found myself sometimes giggling, often swooning, and nearly always smiling. That's the joy of a Katherine Center novel and this book had it all - engaging banter, entertaining characters, and poignant backstories. And the swoon factor was top-notch.

I enjoyed Charlie, grumpy brusqueness, and all. Although, it made his occasional guilelessness feel out of character. I understood it regarding his aquaphobia, but not with some of his ineptness. Not a dealbreaker, but it felt odd. Emma was an entertaining heroine. I understood her relationships and control issues. Charlie and Emma together? All the swoon.

Unfortunately, I feel compelled to comment on a major issue I had. What’s up with breaking the fourth wall? Granted, I've never been a fan of the device. Once or twice I can deal with its use, as long as the rest of the story is immersive. Sadly, it was a consistent writing device in this one. I’ve read each of Katherine Center's books and I don’t remember it being used before. If it had, it was minimal. Each time Emma addressed the reader it took me out of the story. Every. Single. Time. I had to work on tamping down my annoyance as it continued.

Katherine Center remains one of my favorite authors and The Rom-Commers is still a gluttonously ingestible story. A fun experience overall, but maybe not my favorite by the author.

Audiobook Notes: I read and listened to the ebook and audio interchangeably. Patty Murin is a regular narrator of Katherine Center's books and does a great job bringing life to the characters with spot-on diction, expression, and inflections.

I tend to voice-text myself lots of notes when I listen to audiobooks and want to remember something. One of the first notes I made while listening to The Rom-Commers was that in the first little bit of this book, I had already literally laughed out loud and then had to pause the book while walking Target because I was choking back tears. This about sums up the last couple of Katherine Center books I have read. Her books are more women’s fiction than romance for me, and she really is the queen of writing heavier stories for her characters in a way that still sets her books up as light, comforting reads.

To this very point, one of my favorite parts of this story is actually when she has her meltdown with her sister when learning of her dad’s most recent accident when Sylvie was supposed to be his primary caregiver. Her reaction is nearly cruel towards her sister yet feels imperfectly relatable.

Another favorite moment goes the opposite direction. Emma and Charlie teaming up (rather reluctantly) to rewrite a terrible rom-com screenplay leads them both to figure out just how romantic rom-coms can be-

“Had I really been insisting all this time that there was nothing even remotely romantic about two people randomly falling on top of each other?
Because this was working.
Had I just proved myself wrong? In front of the Great Charlie Yates?
This was not going to end well.”

This was a great, easy listen and I think all Katherine Center fans will enjoy this! If you haven’t read her work and enjoy rom-coms, then definitely read this one, but then after this one, read How to Walk Away. It’s still my favorite of hers.

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 for a free copy of this audio book in exchange for an honest review.
My Interest

My interest? Simple! I loved Katherine Center’s last two rom-coms: The Bodyguard and Hello Stranger (my reviews are linked). I learned of this book via a post by blogger A Book Wanderer–why not go visit her blog, too, and leave her some nice comments? We bloggers live for nice comments.
The Story

“I fell in love all the time. Just… nobody fell in love with me back. Fiction really kind of was all I had in the romance department. But that wasn’t a weakness. That was a strength. I had a theory that we gravitate toward the stories we need in life. Whatever we’re longing for—adventure, excitement, emotion, connection—we turn to stories that help us find it. Whatever questions we’re struggling with—sometimes ones so deep, we don’t even really know we’re asking them—we look for answers in stories.”

Emma Wheeler has spent a lot of years now caring for her disabled Dad and raising her kid sister. All the while her writing talent has been begging to come out. When a high school friend gets her the ghostwriting gig of a lifetime helping revamp the first ever rom-com written by screen writing legend, Charlie Yates, will Emma be able to leave her Dad in her sister’s care and go to L.A. for the 6 week gig?

Charlie Yates is the real deal–a drawer full of Oscars, an intimidatingly successful ex-wife, and a network of Hollywood mega-everythings at his beck and call. But he has some…”phobias?” Take for instance Hollywood legend Esther Williams’ old swimming pool complete with high-dive in his backyard–a body of water he’s never entered. Then there’s the shared custody of his guinea pig, Cuthbert. And that vintage Chevy Blazer he drives. And well, the man is just simply cool personified in public, but in private….? And what’s the secret to his friendship with blockbuster Jack Stapleton?

Can two such people navigate the egos, emotions, and problems of living and working in the same house for six weeks?
My Thoughts

Like she did in Hello Stranger, Center weaves a traumatic brain injury into the story. This time she has Emma occasionally speak to readers which is fun because it wasn’t overused. From the get-go I loved the chemistry between Charlie and Emma. The disaster of the initial set up, the growing relationship, the banter, the talk, the growing emotional attachment–it all just worked beautifully for me. This was a sweet, but never cloying, never precious, rom-com. This could be a really fun movie, too. But, I’m worried just which guinea pig(s) would get to play Cuthbert!
My Verdict
4.0

How fitting that a writer of rom-coms would aptly title her book The Rom-Commers! This was such a sweet (no spicy scenes....not my thing) story about a very headstrong woman willing to take on the task of helping a famous screenwriter fix (or completely overhaul) his latest rom-com. The issues lie in the fact that said writer has no interest in working on a rewrite since he doesn't believe in love, and our woman protagonist has had an infatuation with this man and his work for a vey long time. The way they interact and work through their problems in at the heart of the book. However, there are some side issues that really worked for me as well. Emma's dad has a chronic condition causing him to need round the clock care, and her guilt over having to leave him in the care of her sister while she jets off to LA take their tole in more ways than one. Charlie also has some health issues that are at the crux of the quintessential romance third act conflict. I really loved how strong Emma remained throughout the process. She clearly believes in her ability, and wanted to see it to completion. My only quibble would be that I questioned why she would be such a huge fan of Charlie's work when she is really only interested in rom-coms? Just a bit of a stumbling block that was easy to overlook once the story got rolling.

Great characters with witty banter, and some deeper issues also explored, made this a really enjoyable read. This will be a perfect book for your summer vacation if you like a bit more depth than just a fluffy love story.

I was given permission for the audio version, and thought it was great! No problems with diction, voice inflection, or tone. A great presentation.

📚 #BOOKREVIEW 📚
The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Pages: 325 / Genre: Romcom
Audiobook Narrator: Patti Murrin
Duration: 11 hours 21 minutes
Release Date: June 11, 2024

Emma Wheeler is a struggling romcom screenwriter who’s finally gotten her big break. Her ex-boyfriend/agent has hooked her up with the opportunity to co-write a romcom with her idol Charlie Yates, a highly successful screenwriter of blockbuster action films. The end result? A highly entertaining, funny, heartwarming romcom that features some of my favorite tropes: grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, opposites attract, and workplace romance.

I really enjoyed this one. Thank you, @NetGalley, @Macmillan.Audio, and @KatherineCenter for my gifted copy of the audiobook. I loved it!

Giving this book a 4.5 stars.
This book focuses on Emma Wheeler, a twenty something woman who has taken on the challenge of being the caregiver for her sick father. Emma's father needs around the clock attention after an accident that left him injured and her mother dead. Emma has taken on responsibility of her father's health while at the same time making sure her younger sister is able to complete her school and become very successful. Emma has a dream of being a screenwriter, but now works teaching English, and putting her dreams on the back burner.
Emma then receives a chance of a lifetime from her old high school friend Logan who is a big talent agent in Hollywood to work with Charlie Yates. Charlie Yates, is an awarding winning screenwriter in Los Angeles that written some of top movies. Emma must work with Charlie to help him with improving his ROM-com screenplay.
I have found in reading Kathleen Center books that she focuses a lot on different aspects of characters that I don't see in other books. Kathleen seems to have a very unique way of writing characters that are dealing with health challenges; tragedies or coping with the challenges of making time for the things that are your passion.
If you want a slow-burn romance this is your book. I really enjoyed this book.
I want to say thank you Net-galley and Macmillan audio for the opportunity to review this arc.

4 Stars
I loved The Bodyguard by this author so I was pleasantly surprised to get more of Jack Stapleton in this book! This book is from Emma's POV and she was such a fun character to follow and had me rooting for her and Charlie from the start. I love how Charlie redeems himself in this (I cried when we got to that part in the end with Emma, the screenplay, and that video!!) and seeing his growth through Emma's perspective was great. I highlighted so many quotes from Emma's dad from his talk with her towards the end because they were so good (and as someone who only had use of one hand at one point I sobbed and found him so relatable lol). I loved the audiobook narrator for this one as well, she had a great voice and made the story more engaging for me. This one might be my new favorite from this author!

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC!

First, I loved the audio of this book! It was wonderful to listen to this story. The Rom-Commers is a delightful and heartwarming journey into the world of romantic comedy, filled with wit, charm, and unexpected twists. From the moment I met Emma Wheeler, I found myself deeply invested in her pursuit of her dreams amidst the challenges of real-life responsibilities.

Emma's determination to break into the world of screenwriting, despite the obstacles thrown her way, is both inspiring and relatable. Her dynamic with the famous screenwriter Charlie Yates adds layers of complexity to the story, as their initial clashes gradually give way to a simmering tension that kept me eagerly turning pages.

What sets this novel apart is its ability to blend humor and romance seamlessly while exploring deeper themes of self-discovery and the power of love. As Emma and Charlie navigate the highs and lows of their collaboration, they discover that real life can be even more unpredictable and enchanting than any scripted romance.

The Rom-Commers is a charming ode to the magic of love stories and the resilience of the human spirit. With its endearing characters, witty dialogue, and heartfelt moments, it's a must-read for anyone who believes in the transformative power of love. Hats off to the author for crafting a captivating tale that left me smiling long after I turned the final page.

I have been seeing this book everywhere so when I got the audiobook I was sooo excited. Honestly I get the hype around the book.

Emma is an aspiring screenwriter who has put her life on hold for the last ten years to care for her dad and sister. After her friend calls her with the job of the lifetime co-writing with her favorite screenwriter she finally takes the leap! Charlie however is not what she expects. Emma now has to show Charlie the critic that love is real for this screen write to work.

I really enjoyed the premise of this book. I love a good forced proximity grumpy/sunshine moment. I think this book delivered. It def put me through the emotional ringer! I haven't cried like this is awhile over a book. Both Emma and Charlie have unfortunate childhoods which I felt they were able to bond over. I for sure laughed a lot during this too.

My only critic was parts of the characters development. There was a moment in the book where Emma is frustrated with her sister and is saying hurtful things but when her sister claps back she can't forgive her. I just felt that it was unfair especially since she didn't have the full scope. Also, Charlie just didn't really see the appeal until right at the very end.

Otherwise a great read and would recommend.

Thank you @macmillan.audio for the advanced listener's copy

This was my first Katherine Center book and it was a hit! I enjoyed the main character a lot and her exploration of her anxiety and the choices she had made over the last 10 years following her parents' accident. I also really enjoyed the banter and the chemistry between the main characters. I did not love how the MMC handled his feelings in the end and that put me off of the story a little bit, otherwise, great book and totally recommend!

I struggle endlessly when it comes to reviewing books by Katherine Center, and here’s why. She writes insanely lovable, flawed, relatable characters you cannot help but want to know; her plot lines will capture your attention from page one; her love stories the best of the best. How can I properly do her beautiful, heartwarming, joyful, inspirational stories justice? I simply cannot.

I will leave you with this - read this book. If you are someone who is like me, and struggle with anxiety and overwhelming sadness at times, pick up this book. If you are also like me and suffer from chronic pain from a degenerative illness and have moments of hopelessness, pick up this book. If times are hard and you need a warm hug, PICK UP THIS BOOK. No matter what, you will never regret it.

And if you have already read and loved this one, like I know you will, pick up any of her numerous others.

🎧 I did a reread via audio thanks to my friends at Macmillan Audio. Patti Murin does a masterful job voicing these characters and this story. I think the best way to enjoy this one would be to do an immersive read, listening along while you read.

Read if you like:
•Hollywood romance
•books about writers
•grumpy x sunshine
•forced proximity
•workplace romance
•quirky characters
•joyful books
•swoony romance

Thank you Macmillan Audio and St. Martin’s Press for the gifted copies.

This is my first Katherine Center book. I can see why she has got the rating she has

I think this is a lovely lovely book. You kind of know where it will end from the beginning. Even though the journey always good. I laughed, I held my heart.

I totally recommend this book and will totally be reading more from this author

Katherine Center’s ode to the perfect romcom recipe captures the heart, where Emma Wheeler gets a dream opportunity to co-write a romcom script with her idol writer, Charlie Yates. However, Charlie turns out to be quite different from Emma’s expectations: he despises the genre. Tasked with fixing Charlie’s lacklustre script, Emma finds herself teaching him the essential elements of a romantic comedy.

Charlie is far from the ideal hero with his grumpy and cynical demeanour; there are times when his back and forth feelings for Emma that got to me, but he definitely grew on me and I embraced his character development. Emma’s background adds a layer of emotional depth to the story too. As a former caregiver, her experiences resonated with me deeply, evoking a mix of empathy and reflection.

Katherine Center masterfully weaves together humor, romance, and heartfelt moments, creating a story that is both touching and entertaining.

And that HEA. Wow!

Patti Murrin’s narration truly captures the humor, romance, and heartfelt moments that Katherine Center has beautifully painted. I’ve always found Patti’s voice to be lively and she continues to touch and entertain the listener in this audiobook.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
I absolutely loved this book! It really is worthy of the title ‘The Rom-Commers’ a perfect combination of Romance and Comedy!

Emma is a ‘failed’ writer who takes care of her father and has a once in a lifetime chance to rewrite a screenplay with a famous albeit prickly writer Charlie. It is filled with ups and downs, a sort of forced proximity trope and a lovely cast of characters! If you need a break from the lay it on thick/over the top romances I think you will enjoy this! I certainly did!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press - Minotaur books and Macmillan Audio for the digital advanced readers and listeners copy!! The narrator of this audiobook - Patti Murin was amazing to listen to! This novel will be published June 11, 2024! Add it to your TBR!!

Katherine Center’s “The Rom-Commers” is a delightful blend of wit, romance, and the struggles of balancing personal dreams with familial responsibilities. The novel introduces us to Emma Wheeler, a determined screenwriter who has devoted years to caring for her father. When the opportunity arises to work with the legendary Charlie Yates, Emma leaps at the chance to finally pursue her aspirations.

Emma’s move to L.A. to collaborate with Charlie on a romantic comedy script is both exhilarating and daunting. Charlie, disillusioned with love and rom-coms, initially sees Emma as an unwanted intruder. However, Emma’s tenacity and passion for romantic comedies slowly chip away at his cynical exterior. The banter and debates between Emma and Charlie are the heart of the story, showcasing their evolving dynamic and mutual respect.

The novel shines in its exploration of what makes love stories compelling. Emma’s quest to prove the worth of rom-coms to Charlie—and perhaps to herself—resonates deeply. She challenges him to reconsider his views on love, leading to moments of genuine connection and blurred lines between their professional and personal lives.

The Narration:

Listening to the audiobook, narrated by Patti Murin, adds an extra layer of enjoyment. Murin’s performance brings Emma and Charlie to life, enhancing the humor and emotion embedded in their exchanges. For audiobook enthusiasts, this format is a wonderful way to experience the story.

Final Thoughts:

“The Rom-Commers” is a charming read for anyone who loves stories about writers and the romantic comedy genre. Emma’s journey is inspiring, and her chemistry with Charlie is both endearing and entertaining. Katherine Center has crafted a narrative that celebrates the power of love stories, both on and off the screen.

I received an ARC of the audiobook from the publisher, but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

4.5 stars (rounded up to 5).

Loved this book! Great beach read / listen! Loved the characters of Emma and Charlie! Highly recommend!

The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center
Narrated by Patti Murin

Thank you so much Macmillan Audio, St. Martins Press, + NetGalley for the free audiobook #MacAudio2024

Blurb:
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.

✨ My thoughts:
Katherine Center will always be one of my favorite authors! And definitely an auto buy author for me. As always, I completely inhaled this book. I made sure to wait until my BOTM came in the mail before I started because I wanted to be able to switch between both the audiobook and physical book (hybrid reading is my favorite way to read). Finished in a day, it’s a must read of the summer. Patti Murin narrated this story and did an amazing job! It didn’t skip a beat when I would switch between the two versions. An enjoyable read that’ll leave you feeling on top of the world, you’ll want to read this one! I need to get my hands on a sprayed edge edition stat! I wonder if Target will have it because I do need to run errands tomorrow… 🙃 get ready because The Rom-Commers hits shelves tomorrow 6/11/24!!

Happy reading 📖

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Katherine Center does it again. She creates a story of two imperfect people finding their ways through life and to one another.

What I loved about the book was the story within the story. You have two writers writing their way through their own story. I laughed at the scenarios she made him question - such as can falling on someone be romantic…can line dancing?. I enjoyed the addition of Cuthbert and seeing Charlie’s softer side. I also really felt Emma’s struggle to leave a sick parent and trying to navigate guilt.

What I didn’t like…Charlie does throw Emma under the bus quite a few times, and says some pretty harsh stuff…not only to their manager but to his ex. I understand he’s trying to push her away and keep himself distance, but it felt like a bit much, especially as she continues to overhear all of it. There isn’t a real apology to me.

Otherwise, I found myself sucked into Emma and Charlie’s story, hoping for the best, especially as they both had hurdles to overcome.