A fun story to listen to, THE ROM-COMMERS by Katherine Center entertained on every level. Patti Murin’s narration was the cherry on top of a delightful story.
Emma gave up her dream career to take care of her father after his accident. When her good friend offers her the chance to help Charlie Yates rewrite his RomCom screenplay, she is tempted but she has responsibilities. He’s her screenwriting hero, but the screenplay is epically bad, and her sister agrees to stay with her Dad, so she heads to Los Angeles, where she finds Charlie isn’t expecting her and wants nothing to do with her. He also really doesn’t care about the screenplay, it’s just a means to get another movie made. He also has writer’s block. When he relents, Emma sets out to teach him what makes a rom-com and I enjoyed seeing how the characters changed and came together, rom-com style.
I am slowly listening to more books on audio, and this was a great one to listen to.
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to listen to an advanced copy of the novel. All opinions are my own and freely given.
#MacAudio2024

I alternated between e-book and audio book for this one, and preferred the audio option as the narrators did a great job of bringing the book to life.

The Bodyguard is still my favorite KC book, but I really did enjoy The Rom-Commers! Despite the story dealing with a few rather heavy topics (illness and family dynamics, for example) KC still has her signature light-hearted but complex way of handling romance with depth. Her stories are more than banter and love, and I’ve always appreciated the realness her stories bring to relationships.

Katherine Center once again proves why she is a automatic must-read author for me. Her characters are always real and believable - I really loved Emma and the natural relationship that she forms with Charlie. Nothing ever felt forced making it easy to read. I also appreciated the overlap in characters from previous work! This was one of my favorite reads this year so far!

Emma Wheeler has spent the last decade caring for her father, putting her dreams of becoming a screenwriter on hold. When her ex-boyfriend offers her a chance to co-write a rom-com with her idol, Charlie Yates, she jumps at the opportunity. Leaving her sister to care for their father, Emma heads to LA for six weeks. But Charlie, a bitter skeptic of love, doesn't want her help, and his script is a disaster. Despite the rocky start, Emma is determined to make it work, fighting for both the script and the possibility of real love.

I loved this book! Emma and Charlie's story had me hooked from the very start. Their enemies-to-lovers beginning, which transitions into a deep, heartfelt friends-to-lovers romance as they navigate forced proximity, is very well crafted. The way they fall in love and support each other through dark, difficult moments is really cute and moving.

The book touches on heavy topics like chronic disease, the death of loved ones, hypochondria, panic attacks, and cancer, but they are all explored with sensitivity and depth. Despite these serious issues, the story is filled with sweet, swoon-worthy moments and culminates in a heartwarming, happy ending that left me with a smile.

The audio version was wonderfully narrated by one of my favorite narrators, Patti Murin, adding an extra layer of charm to the story. Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and St. Martin's Press for the gifted copies.

I always look forward to Katherine Center's books, and "The Rom-Commers" did not disappoint. I can't wait for her next release

This was, embarrassingly, my first Katherine Center book. In the two weeks after reading this, I devoured six more. I adore her writing and her plucky heroines. I especially love the ongoing manifesto defending romance as a genre that's taking shape in her author's notes at the ends of these books. I can't stop thinking/talking about it - she should put them all together as a TED talk. Keep up the great work, Katherine.

This was a wonderful enemies-to-lovers beach read! I loved the banter and tender moments between Charlie and Emma. My favorite moment was when they launched whipped cream at each other to see who could catch it the best. They were a perfect match. I appreciated that this was a sweet romance without any spicy scenes to skip over. The author did a great job of including all the senses in her descriptions. It made me feel like I was part of the story. The insights of being a caregiver to a parent suffering from a brain injury plus Minear disease showed the compassionate and caring side of Emma. It also helped convey the message woven throughout the story to make the best of life. This was not my favorite book of the authors, but I still enjoyed reading it and look forward to reading the next book she writes. I would recommend listening to the audiobook. It was a joy to listen to Patti Murin tell the story. Her voice was full of animation and each character had their own voice. It would be a perfect book to listen to while traveling!

Thank you to NetGalley and McMillan Audio for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review!

This is one swoon worthy read! Centre absolutely did it again! But much like centre’s normal books there is heavy content. But if you love an enemies to lovers that turns friends to lovers with forced proximity with a message that even though life gives you those dark moments there is always a way to happiness through it all

This is one of my favorite books of the year. It is so adorable, upbeat, and no toxic men. I’ll be looking for her other books now!

Thanks to @netgalley and @macmillanaudio for the #gifted copy of this book.

“I had a theory that we gravitate toward the stories we need in life. Whatever we are looking 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.”

Thoughts: Katherine Center is hands down one of my absolute favorite authors. I loved this book because it gave me all the feels. The banter between Emma and Charlie was spot on having me both laugh and swoon. I loved Emma's chance to completely change her routine to help with Charlie's script, especially when he wasn't exactly excited about it. These two were opposites in every way, Charlie being the grumpiest grump and Emma trying to find the best in all situations. This book had me laughing and in tears in all the best ways possible. The grand gesture and the epilogue were two of my most favorite parts of this book!!

I was able to listen to this book as well and I'm so grateful. Patti Murin did a fantastic job bringing Emma and all those surrounding her to life. The delivery was spot on and made me feel as if I were a part of the story. I loved Katherine Center's acknowledgments at the end, along with reading the bonus chapter.

This was certainly a MUST READ for me... Check it out for a guaranteed HEA.

Katherine Center's novels are always a delight in the not too complicated romance category. This one is no different. Narration was good, and loved hearing the author read an omitted chapter from the book at the end.

Audiobook ARC from the publisher via NetGalley but the opinions are my own.

This book was another hit for me! It was cute but had its serious moments too. The characters and moving emotions really kept me invested. The audiobook was fantastic too!

I don’t know if it’s possible to read a novel by Katherine Center without giving her 5 stars! Her romcoms have it all - delightful and dynamic characters; playful banter; engaging plot and engrossing storyline; and happily ever afters. For me, that’s the perfect recipe for a romcom!

Charlie Yates is an award winning screenwriter who is experiencing the “yips” (avoiding the word writers block!) after his recent hiatus. Wanting to get back into the game, he’s anxious for his mafia movie to make it to the big screen. Before that can happen, he’s forced to write a romcom. Known for his testosterone fueled, action packed movies, it’s not surprising his romcom script is not good. It’s terrible. Or as the novel implies, it gives the word “terrible” a bad name!

Enter Emma Wheeler, romcom lover who frequently ghost writers romcoms for very little money and absolutely no recognition. When she’s offered the opportunity to help Charlie Yates rewrite his screen play in LA, she can’t believe it. Charlie Yates is one of her writing hero’s! She has a picture of him above her desk as inspiration. But she lives in Texas and is responsible for taking care of her father who was injured 10 years ago on a family vacation, suffering a TBI and other ailments. She can’t possibly leave him especially since her younger sister is about to start a highly sought after internship. When her sister insisted it’s Emma’s time to pursue her dreams, she finds herself on a plane to LA!

Once there, Charlie makes it obvious he’s not interest in working with Emma or doing anything to the romcom than making it “passable” so his mafia movie can get the green light. Can Emma change his mind or will her dream be over before it even begins?

This was such a charming read and I absolutely loved it! Thank you to NetGalley, Katherine Center, and the publishers for providing me with both the novel and audiobook to read in exchange for honest feedback. Both were a delight!

I will always read a Katherine Center novel! She has a way with words and heartwarming, meaningful plots and character connections. Having said that, I had a harder time with this one. While the writing style itself is still great, and I appreciated the deeper context than some/many rom coms, I wasn't sold by the character's relationship. Given some of the cruel things mentioned (and overheard by the main character), it was harder to root for the two as a pair. While the character's flaws are attributed to something deeper, it was still a bit harder to be "swept away" by the romance of the book. Regardless, it was still a solid 3 stars-- although normally higher for me when it comes to Katherine' Centers books!

🩷🧡The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center💛🧡

This book was SO FUN, heart-breaking, yet heart-warming at the same time. If you’re looking for some positivity in your life, you MUST check out Katherine Center’s books. Then, as I’ve said before, listen to her speak. I am in a good mood just thinking about this book! 🩷

Emma Wheeler put her screenwriting dreams on hold after a tragic accident left her to care full-time for her father. Enter The Charlie Yates! (famous screenwriter) who gives her the chance to rewrite one of his attempts at a TERRIBLE rom-com script.

The Rom-Commers is a fun story about a second chance (for everyone, really) that will make you appreciate the goodness in your life. Funny, witty, and overall charming, this book is a great summer read!! “Let the banter begin!”

Thank you to @macmillan.audio #MacAudio2024 for the audiobook copy!!

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

I can always count on Katherine Center for a good time. What I did NOT expect was to finish this one and have shed some tears, but I did, and Center has found a way to melt this thriller loving black heart JUST a smidge. This is probably my favorite of hers to date, and I could not get enough! I loved Emma and Charlie, I loved the plot, and the ending was chef’s kiss. The audio for this was fantastic, the narrator did such a wonderful job with this one. I don’t know who I am reading more romance this year but when they are books like these, I am not mad at it one bit.

This sparkling, funny book is about two screenwriters - one with all the awards and one with oodles of talent but no recognition - who are tricked into working (and living) together to fix a rom-com gone wrong, thanks to their agent. Emma and Charlie were cute and fairly clueless together, and such a joy to read (though Charlie had his moments where I was not a fan). Katherine Center's books are always enjoyable for me to read, and I recommend you add this one to your summer reading list! Narrator Patti Murin is always a delight when I listen to and her narration had me laughing out loud. Note: I received an advanced reading & listening copy, receipt of which did not impact my review. #MacAudio2024

Characters: 3
Connection to the book/Enjoyment: 2
Setting: 2
Plot/Overall Story: 2
Writing: 3

Every point= 0.25 stars, max per category 4 points

Not bad, but really not that great. The last 25% of the book was the best part but when I stopped and thought about it, it felt like a copy of her other books. The plot itself felt lacking to me and I just never connected our bought into the story. I didn’t care for her breaking the fourth wall in how she directly spoke to the reader, it just didn’t work for me. Prob my least fav of her books, but not a bad book. Thankful she is writing closed door still.

Ahhh I loved this one! The pacing was perfect and kept me interested the whole time! While the premise wasn’t super realistic, all of the details that went into the plot and characters were. I loved the LA backdrop and sincerely appreciated the Carleton College shoutout as a current staff member :) This was my favorite book so far from Center!

June Wrap Up 🌌

June was my favorite reading month so far this year. Stand outs from this month were #fireweather #challengerbook and #beforeiletgo which was our book club book for June.

Before I Let Go was such an emotional romance novel. I can't say enough good things about the beauty and complexity of the character development and how much tenderness was written into the trauma. Would recommend reading the cws/tws.

Big thank you to @macmillan.audio for the advance copy of #theromcommers which was an easy, breezy summer read. I would recommend picking this up if you are looking for spice-free romance.

June Reads Ranked ⭐️
🎧 Fire Weather - John Vaillant (432) 5⭐️
🎧 Challenger - Adam Higginbotham (576) 5⭐️
📖 Before I Let Go - Kennedy Ryan (376) 5⭐️
🎧 Fear is Just a Word - Azam Ahmed (368) 4
🎧 Fire Exit - Morgan Talty (256) 4
📖 Not in Love - Ali Hazelwood (384) 3.5
🎧 Abaddon's Gate - James S.A. Corey (539) 3.5
📖 Reaper - A. Zavarelli (260) 3
🎧 The Rom-Commers - Katherine Center (336) 3

QOTD: What was your favorite read in June?

#notinlove #fearisjustaword #fireexit #abaddonsgate #reaper #junewrapup #junereadingwrapup #reading #bookstagram #tbr #readinginstead

This is the saddest review I have to write, because it's the first Katherine Center book that I didn't absolutely LOVE. I didn't dislike it, but it just didn't suck me in like her books normally do. The characters were still amazing as always, and hello, Katherine is the queen of witty characters! I still think this one is worth a read for anyone who has enjoyed her work in the past. The narration for this audiobook was stellar!