When aspiring screenwriter Emma gets a chance to work with long-admired, award-winning screenwriter Charlie Yates, she quickly finds out he isn’t all she dreamed he would be. They can’t agree on anything, and Charlie just wants a finished script, not caring if the storyline is terrible. Despite it all, Emma falls for Charlie, who keeps sending mixed messages while repeatedly rejecting Emma. Katherine Center fans will read, while others may want to pass.

I truly love Katherine Center. I’ve loved every book I’ve read by her. Her points of view on life, her descriptions, her plots, are all wonderfully written and well-researched. She’s truly one of the best!

Katherine Center is the queen of rom-coms. There, I said it. It's true. Her stories are full of well-developed characters, interesting plot lines, miscommunications that drive a reader crazy, and satisfying endings. If you're looking for spice or smut, you won't find it here. You will find a story that tugs at your heart and some poignant statements about love and life. I'm definitely re-reading this one.

Thanks to NetGalley for early access to this book in audio and digital versions. I thoroughly enjoyed both!

This beautifully crafted story is incredibly compelling. The plot is so thoughtfully constructed and skillfully written that I can't recommend it enough. The title grabs your attention and hints at a fresh take on romance, and that's exactly what you get. The characters are so richly developed that they feel like people you might know.

Let me just say -
Katherine Center DOES NOT FAIL and totally maintains her crown as queen of the Rom-Com (yes, I think I'm funny!) Emma is the perfect heroine - She's sacrificed her own personal life for 10 years to take care of her father after losing her mother in a tragic accident that she feels was her fault :( She's had no personal life - not much of a professional life - and she's still in it until something so magically perfect literally falls into her lap. Enter Charlie - who is Emma's very favorite writer ever - and is also a whole hot mess. I generally hate it when people are manipulated "for their own good" - but I have to admit - it works here!!! I loved the love story - because, who doesnt!?? There was an amazing amount of minor characters in this story that I came to love as well - especially sweet little broken hearted Cuthbert!! Patti Murin knocked it out of the park with the narration - one of my favorites!!! Many Many thanks to Netgalley, Katherine Center and Macmillan Audio for an advanced listeners copy of The Rom-Commers in exchange for an honest review.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6461378669

TW: death of a parent, cancer, chronic health issues, grief,
I want to start this off by saying that I have loved every book I've ready by Katherine Center and anytime I see a new release, I HAVE to read it ASAP and this book did not disappoint. Patti Murin reads the MCs dialoge in a believable manner with the perfect character and qualities.
Emma has always taken care of everyone and helped everyone follow their dreams, but along the way she forgot to allow herself the same joys. After an accident that kills her mom and seriously injures her dad, Emma takes over as primary caregiver to her fathers complex medical needs in order to keep him safe and allow for her sister to lead a full life without worry. Being passionate about happily ever afters, movies, and writing for for ever... the isolation she has kept herself in has allowed her to continue honing in on her craft and becoming quite good.
When the opportunity to work with her screen writing idol, Charlie Yates, becomes avaliable, Emma is pushed by her family to unleash her control on her dads care and travel across the country to work with Charlie. Their dynamic is complicated with Charlie not believing in happily ever afters and hating Rom-Coms and those being Emmas forte. Eventually they create a peaceful dynamic full of the best banter, homecooked meals, and productive days spent working out a rom-com screen play that is more than just good enough.
I absolutly loved Charlie and Emma's dynamic. Both pushed eachother to go outside of their comfort zones and make room for love in their lives. Their banter was funny and there were some seriously sad moments. From laughing to crying, this book had it all.

From the moment I cracked open the pages of The Rom-Commers, I was transported to a world where every sentence felt like a revelation. I found myself enveloped in a world where laughter and heartache intertwine seamlessly, leaving an indelible mark on the soul.

Center, known for her knack for weaving tales of love and resilience, takes readers on a delightful journey through the trials and triumphs of her characters. Set against the backdrop of California and New York City "The Rom-Commers" introduces us to a cast of characters. Emma, the wanna be writer who takes care of her father and younger sister leaving little time for herself. Sylivie, Emma little sister who is not so little anymore and wants to help take care of their dad. Dad, 55, is plagued with health issues since falling while rock climbing with Emma's mom, needs constant care. Enter Logan, Emma's best friend since childhood. Logan encourages Emma to fly out to California to meet with the famous screen play writer Charlie Yates. Emma adores Charlie's work so she lines up her sister to care for their dad and heads out. When she arrives she has a few unexpected surprises in store. She must live with Charlie for six weeks while the rewrite a horrible screen play. That's the beginning of many antics throughout the story. Center deftly explores themes of friendship, love, and self-discovery, inviting readers to reflect on their own relationships and what it means to truly find happiness.

"The Rom-Commers" is not just a book – it's an experience that will leave you smiling long after you've turned the final page.

Special thanks to NetGalley, MacMillan Audio and the publisher for allowing me an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I really like this sweet story of a would-be screenwriter coming to in to fix the awful screenplay of one of her idols. Emma Wheeler loves Charlie Yates’ work & is excited to read his newest screenplay- a romantic comedy. Only to realize it’s terrible. This has a lot of fun rom-com tropes, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, grumpy sunshine. I loved the slow burn of their relationship. They both have a lot of baggage that’s slowly revealed. And great chemistry!

Katherine center did it again!!! This book is so fun! I couldn’t put it down.. this latest book might be my most favorite yet.

I’m waiting for another one of her books to be turned into a movie. This one would be perfect! Bring back the rom com era!

Charlie, a successful screenwriter, needs to write a rom-com. His problem? He wrote one but it’s bad. Very, very bad. He thinks romance is a Ponzi scheme and doesn’t believe in love.

He needs help. And fast. Enter Emma, an aspiring screenwriter who has been hired to re-write Charlie’s script.

Her problem? She’s the full-time caretaker for her dad, who was injured in an accident that took her mother’s life. But her sister steps in to help so Emma can fulfill her dream to write for Charlie, her writing hero. Dreams can come true.

Now her problem is how to thaw Charlie’s cold heart and make him believe in love and rom-coms.

In true Katherine Center form, this book has the perfect blend of romance and comedy, but with substance and depth. The witty banter gets me every time.

I closed the book with a full heart and a smile on my face.

I also loved the theme in defense of love and rom-coms, a theme the author continued in her note at the end of the book. Don’t miss it. Finding joy in adversity is another overriding theme that I loved.

I read a variety of genres and rom-coms will always have a place in my heart and on my shelves. Especially one written by this author. A well-done rom-com requires serious writing chops, and Katherine Center is among the best. She is able to write a story that has the perfect magical blend that captivates this reader.

My only regret is I now have to wait another year for a new Katherine Center book.

Don’t miss this one. A pure delight from start to finish! 5+ stars! The audiobook narrators were just perfect in their roles - 5+ stars for them too!

Honestly, 2.5 Stars? Which is SUCH a bummer! I really enjoyed Hello Stranger and had heard such good things about this one. That said, I found nearly all of the characters (minus her dad and sister) unlikeable immediately and most never really recovered in my mind. Also, I expected to chemistry in a book called The Rom-Commers, but felt absolutely none. 😩

The audiobook was good, but I think because I disliked the FMC I also disliked the narrated a bit. Le sigh.

I personally struggled recommending this one, but also know SO many people gave it 4 or 5 Stars so who knows! If it sounds interesting to you, definitely check it out!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

I have enjoyed so many of Katherine Center’s previous books, so I was excited at the opportunity to read/listen to the latest release. The premise got my attention. However, that’s pretty much where the positive aspects ended. It bothered me that Emma was a doormat. She had no self esteem and there was just no romantic chemistry between Emma and Charlie.

I won’t give up on Katherine Center books, though. Several others, especiall Hello Stranger, were delightful reads. But don’t choose not to read this book on my review alone. There are plenty of reviewers who loved the book. So it may be just up your alley.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for an early copy of the audiobook! ⁣
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The Rom-Commers was my first Katherine Center book and it certainly won’t be my last! Emma Wheeler is an inspiring screenwriter in need of a big break. Charlie Yates is a famous screenwriter in need of a ghost writer. She loves romantic comedies. He hates romance. What could go wrong? ⁣
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I absolutely loved these two vastly different characters and it was quite the ride as they tried to figure out how to work together. There were some deeper themes (mentions of trauma, loss, and illness) to the story that I wasn’t expecting but they really help you to appreciate and get to know our main characters. The plot was entertaining and I found the ending to be satisfying as well. Would definitely recommend to anyone who is a fan of romantic comedy movies!

Thank you to NetGalley, MacMillan Audio, and Kathrine Center for giving me an eARC of The Rom-Commers in exchange for an honest opinion about the book!

This was my first Katherine Center book. I've head great things about her writing so had pretty high expectations going in. I'll say that this book was ok. The romantic attraction/tension/chemistry between Emma and Charlie wasn't electric which I feel is necessary to fall in love with a rom-com book. I felt like they were both good people and I liked them an characters individually. But I didn't get heart eyes for either of them.

There were a few funny moments which stuck out to me and overall I enjoyed the pacing of the book as well as the character development. I'm not sure what trope it would be considered (lying? miscommunication? withholding information?) but it is not my favorite in general so when it came into the book later on, I wasn't a huge fan.

This book didn't really stick out to me, but it was ok. 3/5 stars.

This was my first Katherine Center book (even though I own 3 others!) and I loved it! The audiobook was fantastic and I’m so glad I listened to it! I absolutely loved the characters, and the storyline. I didn’t expect to cry at the end - but i did. And then laughed when the whole reason I cried changed!

It had a little more language early on than I usually care for, but it mellowed way out as it went on and I couldn’t stop listening. Now I can’t wait to read the other books I have!

This is my first Katherine Center read. I've heard so many good things about her stories and overall this was a fun enjoyable read. At first I was a little hesitant because the first quarter is pretty heavy cheese and general rom com set ups without much personal depth from each character. Imm glad I pushed through though because the story got better as a I got know Emma better. I enjoyed her dynamic with her sister, even when it was a little strained. I was never fully sold on Charlie, he felt like too much like a John Green stand in and he felt very oblivious about his privilege and despite Emma calling him on it at one point, there was no evidence that his character changed at all. The narration was great though and I would read more from this author.

A very cute love story, easy read! Emma has been attempting to be a screenwriter for a long time and gets her lucky break when she gets to help write a script for a famous screenwriter Charlie. She quickly finds that she is falling for him but he doesn't seem to reciprocate in the same way. She attempts to teach him the ways of romantic comedies to his dismay.

This is very cute, lighthearted! I love Katherine Center books and would recommend this highly to anyone looking for a light summer read.

Katherine Center is a must read author for me. Her books always have the right balance of trauma/joy that is needed when dealing with tougher subject matter.

In The Rom-Commers, we have two screen writers pushed together to rewrite a horrible rom com movie. One has put her career on hold to care for her father after a hiking accident and the other is highly successful but freshly divorced and in remission from cancer giving him the yips.

You know they are going to fall for each other because come on, BUT it was fun to see the journey to get there.

Katherine never lets us down! This is a love story for people who love love stories. A hopeful screenwriter (Emma) with some trauma in her past lands a job with her favorite screenwriter (Charlie) who happens to be a total catch… BUT he doesn’t actually want her help. Emma is determined to make it work, and Charlie is determined to not let her in. Did I mention they’re living the same house?

This has some tropes I totally love - grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, and he doesn’t believe in love (a micro trope but for sure one I can’t get enough of). The way Charlie and Emma fall for each other, hurt each other, and then fix it later is so precious, and Emma has the BEST family so I enjoyed that so much, too!

All in all, another instant classic by a beloved author. Highly recommend

Thank you SO much to netgalley and Katherine Center for the ARC of this book. Pub date: June 11, 2024. I cannot wait for this romance to fly!
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This book was quite sweet. I loved the message. It had some top tier jokes.

I read this as an audiobook, and the narrator was very good! If you love audiobooks, you’ll love this. I think I may have liked it better reading it though.

<i>”I don’t have anxiety, I just worry all the time.”</i> Through the FMCs perspective, you can tell Katherine Center in an anxious overthinker herself.


<i>”I don’t think marriage is hard at all, I think when you do it right, it’s what makes everything else easier.”</i> 💕💕


Don’t skip the bonus chapter from Charlie’s perspective!

Also, don’t skip Katherine’s author note at the end of her defense of romance books. So true. You tell them 🥊
<i> Witnessing other people do good makes us want to be better.
If we didn’t insist that romantic love was more ridiculous than zombies, would we be better at it? </i>