Katherine Center is ALWAYS a winner for me! The Rom-Commers on audio was a smash! I absolutely love Patti Martin's narration. She brings the characters to life and is able to play on Katherine's words making it so funny! Both of these characters are so relatable. I could not recommend this one more!

My new favorite Katherine Center novel, The Rom-Commers is full of laugh-out-loud scenes, witty dialogue, and a sparkling romance with perfect chemistry! With its grumpy-sunshine trope, Hollywood setting, and characters and scenes that are occasionally larger-than-life but in that sweet rom-com way, this book is an ode to the genre!

Center herself has shared and written a lot about how the romance genre is supposed to be predictable (expectation is key! It's all about the journey of how the characters get together, not "if" they do.) And I think that discussion has played a key part in the creation of this novel. As one would guess from the title and plot, a lot of the story hit on the "why" rom-coms are structured the way they are, what we expect from them, and the fact that while they may be "cheesy" they're also entirely necessary and an important part of fiction too! I really loved this exploration of the genre as a whole, and the passion our main character Emma felt toward it.

Center also does a really great job of navigating heavier topics and discussions, all the while balancing it with the light-hearted, feel-good experience we want from a book like this -- because that's real life!

The Rom-Commers is funny and heartfelt, full of warmth and joy, and while I really loved this audio version of the book, you can bet I will definitely be grabbing a physical copy for my shelf too!

Thank you @netgalley and @macmillanaudio for this arc! I’ve tried Katherine Center over & over but I think this is an author that just doesn’t work for me. I still liked the storyline and was funny at parts (narrators were great!) but the writing style isn’t as smooth as some of my other fav romance authors. Glad I listened, but now I’ve learned as a reader it’s not my fav … & that’s okay!

Katherine Center's newest novel is a charming yet slightly flawed romantic comedy that follows the unlikely collaboration between Charlie, a reserved and jaded filmmaker, and Emma, an enthusiastic rom-com aficionado tasked with helping him write his first romantic comedy. The dynamic between the two leads is classic rom-com fare: clash of personalities, differing goals, and an inevitable romance brewing in the background.

While the story is sweet and entertaining, it struggles with a noticeable power imbalance between Charlie and Emma, which makes fully buying into their romance a challenge. Charlie's status as the older, wealthier, and more accomplished individual, coupled with Emma's fan-girl admiration, creates an awkward dynamic that persists throughout the narrative.

However, despite this imbalance, Center's storytelling shines through with her remarkable ability to evoke deep affection for her characters and infuse joy into even the most challenging situations. She navigates the ups and downs of life with finesse, emphasizing the potential for happiness and the beauty that emerges from adversity.

Overall, The Rom-Commers is a heartwarming read that showcases Center's talent for crafting tales that brim with happiness, even if its romantic resolution may feel a bit over-the-top for some readers.

Title: A Heartwarming and Hilarious Rom-Com Delight

Rating: 5 Stars

The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center is an absolute gem of a novel that combines humor, love, and poignancy in equal measure. From the first page to the last, this book had me laughing, crying, and everything in between, making it a truly unforgettable read.

At its core, The Rom-Commers is a story about love in all its forms—romantic love, friendship, and self-love. Center's writing is as sharp and witty as ever, with laugh-out-loud moments sprinkled throughout the narrative. From quirky characters to hilarious situations, there's never a dull moment in this rom-com extravaganza.

But beneath the humor lies a deeper emotional resonance that truly sets this book apart. Center expertly navigates themes of loss, grief, and resilience, creating characters that feel utterly real and relatable. As the story unfolds, we see how each character grapples with their own struggles and insecurities, ultimately finding strength and solace in the bonds they share with one another.

What makes The Rom-Commers truly special is its ability to stir all the emotions. One moment you'll be wiping away tears of laughter, and the next you'll be reaching for the tissues as the characters confront their deepest fears and regrets. It's a rollercoaster of emotions that leaves you feeling uplifted and inspired by the end.

The romance in this book is also beautifully done, with Center crafting a love story that feels both genuine and heartfelt. The chemistry between the characters is palpable, and you can't help but root for them as they navigate the ups and downs of their relationships. Whether it's the budding romance between the protagonists or the enduring love between lifelong friends, the love stories in this book will tug at your heartstrings and leave you swooning.

Overall, The Rom-Commers is a triumph of storytelling—a heartwarming and hilarious rom-com that will leave you feeling all the feels. Katherine Center has once again proven herself to be a master of the genre, delivering a novel that is as funny as it is touching. If you're in need of a pick-me-up, look no further than The Rom-Commers—it's guaranteed to leave you smiling long after you've turned the final page.

Thank you Katherine Center and NetGalley for ARC and ability to review this wonderful book.

Thank you Netgalley for the ALC of The Rom-Commers. I
Thus was one of my most anticipated releases of the year.
What a fun story about two people who are writing a screen play together. Charlie doesn't understand what is needed to write a rom-com. But Emma drops into his life to show him how to have fun in life.
I usually love the family aspects of these stories but I really enjoyed the romance so much more than the family storyline. This is still extremely cute and worth a read.

"The Rom-Commers" by Katherine Center is a delightful audiobook that will charm fans of romantic comedies. The story follows Emma, a screenwriter who is passionate about romantic comedies but has lost herself while being a caretaker. When she gets the opportunity to write a screenplay with her favorite screenwriter, Charlie, things don't go as smoothly as she hoped. Charlie is a grump who doesn't believe in love, creating tension between them at first.

What follows is a captivating story of two unlikely partners finding their rhythm and falling into a romance that mirrors the rom-coms they love. Emma and Charlie are both endearing characters, and their relationship develops in a way that feels genuine and heartwarming.

Katherine Center's writing is engaging, with a perfect balance of humor and heartfelt moments. The audiobook is especially enjoyable, with a narrator who brings the characters to life and adds to the overall charm of the story.

Overall, "The Rom-Commers" is a fun and engaging listen that will leave you with a smile on your face. Whether you're a fan of romantic comedies or just looking for a feel-good story, this audiobook is sure to delight.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

4STARS

I absolutely love Katherine Center's books and this one is no exception. This will make the perfect summer read to take to the pool, beach or on any trip! You'll thank me later!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is the perfect romantic comedy. I will die on this hill. Between the laugh-out-loud funny dialogue, the absolutely believable romance and relationship with just the right amount of miscommunication and crossed-lines to build tension but not frustrate, the sheer adorableness of (as a writer who once fell in love with another writer through words alone and lived to see it end disastrously, this felt very heart healing and hopeful) two screen writers falling for each other as one grumpy meets sunshine create together and maybe learn something about life and love in the process.

There was everything I adore about a good romcom—fleshed out and developed side characters, people you really want to root for, pearls of wisdom, and just the type of story that makes you feel giddy, makes you tear up, makes you really invested in these characters.

I’m not the type of reader to fall for fictional men—BUT IF I WAS—Charlie Yates would be the one for me. And, actually, Emma Wheeler too. I’d happily join this as a throuple. This is what Beach Read by Emily Henry SHOULD have been but wasn’t (sorry). There was nary a cringe or badly placed description in it.

The Rom-Commers is about Emma Wheeler who has been taking care of her disabled father for years when her stagnant career gets a boost with an opportunity to ghost write famous screenwriter Charlie Yates’s first foray into writing romantic comedies, something he is terrible at and she excels. Except he sees this as a means to an end (getting a “serious” movie of his made in exchange) and she sees it as her one true break, life’s calling. Hijinks abound, sparks fly, it’s a whole ass cinematic masterpiece. I particularly loved how Katherine Center used this book to make a case for the worth and place of love stories in our pantheon. Swoon.

This book was wonderful. My first (but not last) Katherine Center read. I predict it will be THE book of the summer and hopefully will be made into a movie, too.

Thank you to @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for the audio ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center is out June 11, 2024.

#bookreview #romcom #romance @katherinecenter

I will read (and often re-read) anything written by Katherine Center! There is just something about her stories that speak to me and I love her humor. I enjoyed this one!

Oh Katherine...you are just the best. I have read every single one of KC's books and love this one so much. Katherine writes a book with people who have a struggle. They have growth. Good, solid, on page, this makes sense kind of growth. It's always real and honest and relatable in a way that I rarely see in other books. The Rom Commers is a light hearted fun romance that loves on romance. But it's got the heart that we crave from her other books.

This book is for readers who love rom coms. It's for those of us who love sharp, witty banter. It's for all of us who anticipate and crave that HEA and love romance in books and in movies. It's about family and friends and finding your own self and letting others do the same. It's everything I needed when I picked it up.

𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙛𝙪𝙣, 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙣 𝙤𝙙𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖 𝙙𝙚𝙛𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙘 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙙𝙮! 𝙄𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙫𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙧𝙤𝙢-𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚, 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙢𝙪𝙨𝙩-𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝘽𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙮𝙚𝙨, 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙖𝙧𝙚 -- 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙝𝙮!

𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙖 𝙛𝙖𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙗𝙤𝙩𝙝 𝙖𝙪𝙙𝙞𝙤𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙆𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝘾𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙚𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧! 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙪𝙙𝙞𝙤𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙣𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙠𝙚𝙥𝙩 𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙡𝙮 𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙙 (𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙠𝙚!) 𝙤𝙣 𝙖 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙤 𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙙 𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙥. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙚 𝙆𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝘾𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙖𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙤𝙣, 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙣𝙤 𝙨𝙝𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙨. 𝘽𝙤𝙩𝙝 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙘 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙨, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝘾𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙡𝙮 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙝𝙪𝙢𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙚.

Charlie Yates does 𝙣𝙤𝙩 understand the secret to good a romantic comedy. One of Hollywood’s most acclaimed screenwriters, he is a fan of action, twisted plots, and the surprise ending. But he is 𝙣𝙤𝙩 good at writing rom-coms.

Emma Wheeler is 𝙣𝙤𝙩 an acclaimed screenwriter, though she’s dreamed of just that since she was young. She is, however, an excellent rom-com writer. So good, in fact, she is hired to help Charlie re-write his own disastrous attempt. Leaving the care of her sweet father, who needs constant supervision due to an accident, in the hands of her younger sister, she packs her bags and jets off to LA for six weeks. And that’s where the trouble begins…

Charlie doesn’t believe in love anymore, and it shows in every line of his manuscript. But he’s not having a “failed, nobody screenwriter” tell him how to do it.

Emma has idolized Charlie for years, but when the two meet she finally understands the old saying “don’t meet your heroes.” But Emma is no shrinking violet: she believes in her work, she believes in love, and she believes in all the reasons millions of fans love romantic comedies (𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙩: 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜! 😉).

Between worry for her father, Charlie’s oversized ego (I mean, what normal ego would toss all of those awards in a drawer??), and an ex-wife who shows up at all the wrong times, Emma must find a way to make Charlie believe in what he’s writing.

Enter 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑲𝒊𝒔𝒔 𝑫𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏.

You know, the one that is just supposed to help him write a better scene, but — wow! — did that just become something…𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚?

I recommend you toss this one in your beach bag when it releases on June 11 and find out!

Thank you to @katherinecenter @netgalley @macmillan.audio for the complimentary advance copy! It was my pleasure to write this candid review.

#TheRomCommers publishes on June 11, 2024.

3.5 stars. This was cute, but definitely not my favorite Katherine Center book. I really liked the premise or the story with the main characters coming together to write a rom-com, but unfortunately, it fell a little flat for me. I didn’t feel like they had a lot of chemistry, and it was all a little cheesy for me. On the other hand, I do think she really leaned into these tropes because that’s what a rom-com is all about. I didn’t dislike it by any means, and have already ordered a copy for the library.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Katharine Center for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this story, and the expert narration really added to my experience. This was very enjoyable and easy for me to recommend to almost any women's fiction or romance reader!

I really enjoyed this book! It was the first I read of Katherine Center and it was very enjoyable. I look forward to reading more in the future!

I don't want to say I'm Katherine Center's biggest fan, but she does make me kinda fangirl. She writes the BEST books and The Rom-Commers was no exception. The narration was spot on and the dialogue! She's the Queen of dialogue. I laughed, I cried. I cried a lot, but it was okay. I loved the ending, the bonus scene and the author's note. I loved everything about this title, even Cuthbert, and considering I have an aversion to rodents, that's saying a lot. It's a must-read for anyone who needs just a really good book.

THE ROM-COMMERS 3 stars
Author: Katherine Center
Format: Audiobook
Hours: 11 hours 21 minutes
Goodreads: 4.43

Summary:

Emma Wheeler desperately wants her romance writing career to take off and become a famous screenwriter. So, when her long-time best friend/ex-boyfriend Logan, sets her up with a job to help rewrite a very poorly written rom-com by the very famous, very handsome Charlie Yates, Emma cannot believe her luck. While Emma’s younger sister Sylvie steps in for their father’s caretaking duties, Emma moves to L.A. for six weeks for the writing gig of a lifetime. Except… when she arrives, Charlie makes it very clear he doesn’t want to write with anyone. And he definitely didn’t give Logan the go ahead, to send Emma all the way here to stay with him. He’s broody, ungrateful, and worst of all, he doesn’t even like rom coms! Emma decides she will do whatever it takes to show Charlie that true love is real and does exist. But what happens when in the midst of all this ‘research’, Emma ends up falling for the one man who does not believe in happily ever after...

Thoughts:

THANK YOU MacMillan audio for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!!!

This was just not it for me. The reviews I had been seeing were great and the Goodreads rating was very high, so  I thought I was going to totally love this!? However, I just felt like I couldn’t wait for this to be over. I felt like Emma was so oblivious, naïve and wayyyy over the top (*in a million different circumstances*). Charlie was also just a complete a**hole. He was mean and the number of times he said or did hurtful things to Emma should not have been redeemable. There was truly not any point I felt that the two had good chemistry. I also feel like nothing really happened in this whole book?! This was just a huge miss for me, (also I am wondering if I really just also disliked the audio version??)

Every time I read a Katherine Center book I always think wow this one is the best one. Her newest book that releases at the beginning of June is no exception. I absolutely loved and devoured this book.

Emma is a writer whose life was altered with an accident that left her taking care of her ill father. As soon as her sister graduates from college, she is given an opportunity to trade her places and work toward her own dreams. She’s travels to California to work with her idol of screenwriting. 

After a rocky start, she and Charlie begin working on a failed romcom that Charlie has already started. She works not only fix the screenplay, but also to fix Charlie‘s opinion about love and the power of a good romcoms.  

The narration was done very well and I loved the voices that she did for each of the characters.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I initially LOVED 'The Rom-Commers' but I wasn't a fan of Katherine Center herself as a narrator. Not for me.

What a delight!! So much heart in this story. I love how Center writes complex families and weaves her characters’ worlds together.
I was wary of this after finding the FMC in Hello Stranger difficult, but I was rooting so hard for our screenwriting, strawberry hoodie wearing heroine Emma! I loved the forced proximity as she worked along side her idol/hero/crush writer Charlie and they learned from each other.
I was a little frustrated with some of the later miscommunication (or lack of communication entirely) towards the end but the grand gesture absolutely paid off.
In all, this was a joyful story with the core belief that our relationships don’t complete our identities, but they can change our lives.