Thank you to NetGalley and Mcmillan Audio for an advanced copy of this super cute and charming audio book.

Emma Wheeler hasn't had the easiest life. After losing her mom and becoming the main caregiver for her father, she has had to make many sacrifices. One of her biggest sacrifices being her career. As a screen writer, she has had opportunities, but had to pass them up. Until her agent calls her and gives presents her with a chance to work with her most favorite author.
The book goes on to tell their heartbreaking story of love, or lack there of and laughter.

The characters in this book were so lovable! I am always a fan of the authors in a book trope. It is one of my favorites. I have never read a Kathrine Center book before, but now I am hooked and cannot wait to dig into more from her.


I loved the narrator of this book. She did such a fantastic job of playing the characters. Overall, this was a great story.

The Rom-Commers is the kind of book that I didn’t quite realize I disliked until I was nearly at the end and my frustration had just continued to compound. A romance between screenwriters is at least a more original take than authors, but not by much. The “writers falling in love” trope has been done and dusted for years now - not even Emily Henry was safe from falling into this tired pitfall of the genre. I understand authors want to write what they know but… they all know writing. We don’t need a writer romance from every contemporary author in the genre.

Beyond an unoriginal trope mix, the main couple was just frustrating to watch interact. We are 30% into the book before the MC finally decides to stop flip-flopping back and forth between staying and leaving the ML’s house. Like what a phenomenal waste of page time when the main couple were certainly not having any meaningful character interactions before that. If this wasn’t a romance, it wouldn't be a problem. But it is.

And genuinely, honestly the sheer number of Jack Stapleton name drops in the story with no narrative purpose other than to be a cheeky throwback was actually mind-numbing. And this is coming from someone that genuinely loved the novel where Jack was the ML. You simply cannot pretend like this man is the most famous actor in Hollywood and then sit him next to Meryl Streep in the same book. Either commit to real life celebrities or not - it’s so jarring to try and include both.

I’m all for romance committing to the necessary bit of having a happy ending. But I think I’ll avoid romance books from now on that involve a grand gesture and a lung cancer undiagnosis in the same speech onstage at an award ceremony.

Thank you to the publisher Macmillan Audio for providing an audiobook ARC via NetGalley for an honest review.

I ADORED this book. It's been a while since a book has brought me to tears but this one did it. It was heartwarming, LOL funny and it hit all my wants for a rom-com. I loved the humor, the characters, the grand gestures (yes, more than one!) and I loved the high dive.
Emma and Charlie were complete opposites but the grumpy/sunshine was so well done, you couldn't help but root for them! Definitely add this one to your summer list!

The Rom-Commers
5/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I loved this book so much! just Flawless!!!!

Read this book if you like:
-grumpy x sunshine
-one liners
-LOL funny
-pet guinea pig
-forced proximity

I LOVED this one!! Loved the characters and the banter. I both laughed out loud and cried during this book. One of my faves of this author!! 5 stars ⭐️

Emma Wheeler is a bit stuck. A talented budding screenwriter (and a HUGE lover of rom-coms), she has put her career on hold for the past ten years to be the sole caretaker for her gentle, loving father. But when her ex-turned-LA-agent comes to her with the chance of a lifetime--to work with her favorite screenwriter to rewrite his (AWFUL) script for a rom-com, she swallows her anxiety and heads to LA.
The only problem is... the screenwriter doesn't want to work with her. And even when he does give in and let her stay, she faces a bigger problem: he doesn't believe in love. But will the steps she takes to convince him otherwise just end up breaking her heart?

As always, Katherine Center writes a romance novel with more wit, character development, and layers than many I am used to reading. Emma's family relationships are tender, and the reader truly sympathizes with her desire to care for her dad, while also realizing (as Emma slowly does) that maybe she DIDN'T need to sacrifice her entire life to watch him. Because once she opens her life up to help from others, while also making space for herself and her own dreams, she realizes that... everyone is happier. The way that she learns this lesson is a masterful example of "showing, not telling," and it makes it all the more satisfying for the reader when it clicks for Emma at the end.

The romance itself is also a slow burn, although it also created some of the issues I had with the book. Charlie is crotchety, but some of the things he says to Emma are... truly cruel. The reader is supposed to realize that he is trying to push her away on purpose to protect her, but he never truly apologizes for his words, and what's more, she doesn't necessarily act like a self-respecting, normal person in response to what he says. I think most people would not have taken it like she did, without even seeming to acknowledge the meanness more than to think "ouch," which is consistently what she seems to do. I get that it's her dream to write with Charlie Yates, but it felt like more could have been done to redeem his behavior. The trope of "he's just mean because he likes you" isn't great, in my opinion.

Additionally, what felt like naiveté on Emma's part made me cringe during several of her interactions with Charlie. I understand that it was so far out of her realm of possibility to think that Charlie could fall for her, but she seems to almost deliberately not understand his meaning several times when he makes it obvious that he has feelings for her, and that was difficult to read.

Overall, I loved the messages and the themes of this story, and it will stick with me for a long time.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

5 PERFECT STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
this. this is my new favorite romance book of all time. and maybe, quite possibly, my favorite book of all time?? and i’m taking it as a sign of fate that it releases on my birthday June 11th so I can reread it again. and again. this is a book i want to inject in my veins, blend in a smoothie and drink for breakfast.

(and there is no spice, just perfect beautiful ROMANCE at its core)
this made me laugh, cry, cry some more, cry some more and then heal my heart in the best way possible.
i will be standing on a mountain top screaming on my birthday for everyone to read this unbelievably perfect blueprint of a romance novel. 💗😭🫶🏼

Thank you to NetGalley and to Macmillan Audio for an ARC of this audiobook.

I have read all of Katherine Centers books to date and have enjoyed them all. This book was no exception! Her books are fun, funny, and touching at times and over all just really good.


I enjoyed listening to this as a Audiobook. I can't wait until I read her next one!

This offered a pleasant escape into the world of light-hearted romance, a deviation from my normal mystery choice. While enjoyable, it didn’t quite capture my heart like some of Center’s other works. One standout element, however, was the impeccable narration in the audiobook version, Patti Murin is fantastic for this genre.

The plot follows a predictable trajectory common in romantic comedies, you pretty much know where the story’s headed—it’s your typical rom-com ride. However, Center deftly weaves in some heavier themes, adding depth to the narrative. Despite its predictability, the novel still manages to entertain and engage readers looking for a light-hearted escape.

This may not be my favorite from Katherine Center, it’s still a worthwhile read for fans of the genre, especially for those who appreciate some strong family dynamics with a sprinkle of drama and well-executed audiobook experience.

Emma's has been her father's caretaker for many years, completely setting aside her own dreams and aspirations. When the opportunity to work with one of the best screen writers comes about, she is pushed into trying out the job - helping a self proclaimed romance hater write a rom-com script. As they begin to work together disagreeing with everything, they both start to feel their relationship morphing into something different.

This was a cute closed door grumpy sunshine enemies to lovers romance. It's a slow burn and it's fun to watch Emma slowly convince Charlie how to write a romance. I appreciated the challenges that Emma had with her family and it made me want her to grow out of the constraints that she had. I especially loved her dad. I was surprised by Charlie's challenge and I liked the way the story ended. IT was a sweet story of two people overcoming some challenges in their lives and falling in love.

Thank you to netgalley, the author, and the publisher for the advanced copy.

Fantastic audiobook. I wish Charlie had a make voice, but that didn’t ruin the listening experience for me. Loved the bonus scene and author’s note.
Thank you #Netgalley for the ARC audio

"It can't be where you're going that matters, it's how you get there" -

Katherine Center has always been one of those authors, if she releases a book, I have to have it. I was so excited I got to get an ARC of the audiobook version. Patti Murin does a great job on the narration, although the way she voiced Logan was very hard to listen to.

This is my least favorite book by this author. I found the characters very unlikeable. The need for certain characters to have their full name said out loud over and over and over again. Charlie Yates, Jack Stapleton. Although I did like the nod to Jack Stapleton from the Bodyguard, I wish there was a bit of an update on what was going on with him and Hannah, other than having his name repeated multiple times.

The entire time I was listening to this I waited for better character development of Charlie, Charlie Yates. As with every Katherine Center book, there is always an underlying moral to the entire story, that just felt like a big miss in this book. Emma's character acted like she was 16, came across very immature. I can understand this with how she has spent her adult life taking care of her father and watching someone she loved die. I felt like what happened could have been told better earlier in the book so you had a better understanding of why she acted the way she did. The main characters just lacked chemistry and it took until the last 25% of the book for their story to somewhat flesh out, before I felt like I could feel for the characters a little bit more.

The first half of the book just had too many cliche moments that you see in every Rom Com. I am sure it was meant to be that way since the title of this book is The Rom Commers, it was just too forced and didn't feel like something that would ever happen.

But as always, the last line of the book was a good one. Thankfully the book finally got there.

I love Katherine Center, but she has been rather hit or miss for me the last few times. Unfortunately, this was a miss, but I am very much in the minority. There are hundreds of rave reviews. This one just didn't work for me. It was a cute idea and definitely moments that made me laugh, but it didn't seem like there was enough "story." Some of the banter between characters seemed to go on far too long. I did enjoy the narration and, of course, Cuthbert.

🎧The Rom-Commers🎧
By: Katherine Center
Narrated By: Patti Murin
Review Score: 4 Stars

Boogie’s Bulletpoints
•I loved watching Emma and Charlie’s relationship evolve.

•There is a lot of heart in this story.

•It was fun to see a romantic comedy script evolve.

•No spoilers, but the last third of the book was so engaging, I could not put it down!

————————————————————————
The Rom-Commers was kindly provided as an ARC by Netgalley and MacMillan Audio. Thank you for allowing me to enjoy this wonderful book!

Release Date: 6/11/24

I have a lot of mixed feelings on this book (which, truthfully, I tend to have a lot of when I read Center’s books).

I always love her characters and their evolution. That was no exception for Emma and Charlie.

Where I struggled with this book was the “believability” of it all. I am not saying it’s impossible, so no spoilers. But there were parts that just didnt seem like they could happen.

Regardless, I really enjoyed this book, and I know so many other people will love it too! It’s a great book for a beach read.

#bookstagram #books #readingnow #boogiereadsbooks #fivekeyfeels #audiobooks #audiobook #fiction #arcreview #netgalley #boogiesbulletpoints #theromcommers #katherinecenter #pattimurin

Another fabulous book from Katherine Center!
I really enjoyed Emma and Charlie, their witty banter, Emma’s family, and how Katherine tugs on your heartstrings while simultaneously making you smile ear to ear.
10/10 Recommend for romance lovers!
Thank you NetGalley for this audiobook ARC. The book hits shelves on 6/11/24.

I loved this rom-com! It’s a perfect summer beach read with a lovely balance of humor, romance, and surprising characters. I highly recommend this as an easy, light, enjoyable book.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Rom-Commers is incredibly delightful, the perfect romantic comedy for people who read too many romantic comedies. The audiobook was so well narrated, it's one of the best I've listened to all year. I've read one other Katherine Center book and liked it, but this book was so wholesome, fun, and lovely, that I've been converted to a full on fan club.

Thank you Macmillan Audio, NetGalley, and Katherine Center for sending me an advanced copy of the audiobook for The Rom-Commers.

Emma Wheeler has always wanted to be a screenwriter but has had to put that dream on hold while she's cared for her father for the last 10 years. When she's given the opportunity to work with her writing idol, Charlie Yates, on his upcoming Rom-Com - her favorite genre - it's a dream come true. But, maybe it's too good to be true? She certainly has her work cut out for her when his screenplay is beyond terrible, and he has ZERO desire to work with her. But Emma’s not going without a fight! She will stand up for herself, and for rom-coms, and for love itself.

What happens between the two is nothing less than an awkward, funny, and heartfelt relationship. These two nerds are so great, and their banter is hilarious. I loved this book so much! I was cheesing the whole time. It was so sweet and cute, while simultaneously being heartbreaking and incredibly frustrating in parts. I was literally crying in the gym listening to this book, both from the heartbreak and then the subsequent adorable and pure moments.

I highly recommend this book. June 11th can't come soon enough, I already want to reread it.

The Rom-Commers easily made my top 3 books for the year. Katherine Center has a way of telling stories that makes the classic "rom-com" believable and not like this only happens in a fairytale. If you enjoy romance and Hallmark movies then you will love this delightful story of two people that couldn't be more opposite at first glance, as they work together to write the rom-coms of all rom-coms.

The story of Emma and Charlie is filled with just the right amount of flirtation and unspoken love. For example, "Google symptoms of a heart attack" and many other situations tell of the mutual feelings for each other without ever saying it. Rubbing elbows with Hollywood A-listers is a fun added layer that left me wondering who the inspiration was for the characters. Oh, and spoiler alert there is a cameo from the beloved Jack Stapleton!

Patti Murin does a wonderful job narrating this audio book. Her voice is easy to listen to and she has just the right intensity of fluctuation between characters. The feelings of love, sadness, and frustration are easily conveyed with her storytelling. Be sure to keep listening when the book ends for a special message from Kathrine Center about romance books and rom-coms.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with an ARC of this audiobook in exchange for my honest, unbiased opinion.

Katherine Center is baaaack. She is an absolute must read/listen and always recommend kind of author for me and The Rom-Commers, out June 11th, is her latest but sadly not greatest. A romantic comedy written about writing a romantic… comedy. I’m ready to laugh and cry and believe in looooove. I did laugh. I did cry. The aging parent arc will get me every time. #noshame

But I have to admit- this was not my favorite story. Charlie Yates just didn’t do it for me. 😑 He was a dick. And I just didn’t LOVE Emma. She is messy. In the nicest way possible - she needs therapy.

Over all- it’s a quick read and I found it palatable enough to finish. If you’re a fan of KC, I feel confident you’ll likely enjoy it! If you’re new to KC - check her backlist while you wait for this release.

Thank you NetGalley, Katherine Center, St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for granting me access to this book AND audiobook as well in exchange for an honest review. 3.5 stars.