This book was super cute. Felt like I was watching a Hallmark movie the entire time. Jack was adorable and you could tell how badly he was gone for Bryony.

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Started the year off reading a fantastic book by Melissa Ferguson!
By Chapter 2, I was invested in Bryony and her journey.
By Chapter 13, I was swooning and could not put the book down. I stayed up late and read into the early morning (work day) until I finished this book.
It was enchanting and definitely got the blood boiling in certain chapters.
Bryony is an aspiring author who wants to save her grandmothers organization, The Bridge Refugee and Immigration Services and plans to do so by getting her first book published. After being turned down by a few agents, she accepts a job to be a ghost writer for one of the most renowned Romance authors. Hoping this will be her ticket to meet agents/publishers interested in her story and cause.
Throughout her ghost-writing journey, her long-distance relationship ends but a new one forms. Her self-confidence grows as her stories continue to sell. But The Bridge continues to suffer and her original book still hasn’t been picked up by a publisher. That is until she rewrites it into the perfect rom-com!

Melissa Ferguson masterfully delivers a delightful and charming tale in The Perfect Rom-Com, blending humor, heart, and romance into a story that feels as cozy as your favorite cup of tea. Bryony Page is the epitome of an endearing heroine—optimistic, witty, and wonderfully relatable. Her journey from a struggling ESL teacher and aspiring author to an unexpected ghostwriting gig is full of laugh-out-loud moments and heartfelt discoveries.

Ferguson crafts a plot that sparkles with originality. The dynamic between Bryony and the demanding Amelia Benedict brings comedic gold, as Bryony’s talent transforms Amelia into a literary superstar while making us root for Bryony’s own dreams to come true. Add in the compelling tension of Bryony’s deal with Jack Sterling, and you’ve got a recipe for a perfectly balanced rom-com. Jack’s quiet support and growing affection for Bryony create an understated yet deeply rewarding romance that will leave readers swooning.

The book isn’t just a love letter to romance—it’s also a celebration of persistence, creativity, and staying true to oneself. Ferguson seamlessly integrates themes of personal growth and self-worth into the narrative, making Bryony’s triumphs all the more satisfying. And the humor sprinkled throughout—from cringe-worthy pitch sessions to amusing literary mishaps—keeps the tone light and joyful.

The Perfect Rom-Com is a feel-good masterpiece that will delight readers who love quirky heroines, slow-burn romances, and uplifting stories of chasing your dreams. Ferguson proves that love, humor, and the occasional disaster are all part of the perfect formula for a standout rom-com. Don’t miss this one—it’s a literary hug wrapped in a book jacket!

I absolutely loved this book. It was equal parts cozy and romantic. I told all my friends they had to read this book.

If this isn't "The Perfect Rom-Com," I don't know what is. As a book lover who makes a living in the trade, I love all stories that center around books, publishing, libraries, etc. And I also enjoy rom-coms. So, when I read that one of my favorite authors had written this book, I just had to check it out. And I was definitely NOT disappointed.

Bryony Page is a first-time author, and her book is a passion project for her. If all goes well, it may just allow her to save her grandmother's favorite place. So, Bryony puts a lot of pressure on herself to get everything "just right."

When she attends her first pitch fest, four out of four agents tell her, the book just isn't ready yet. But when her fourth meeting ends in less than half the allotted time, she decides she's not going to take "no" for an answer. Instead, she seeks to learn what improvements are needed. When the agent she's meeting with decides to put her to the test, she's confused. But she takes the bait and rises the challenge. So much so that the infamous agent (Jack Sterling) seeks her out a short time later to offer her a job. The only problem is, the only accolades she's bound to get are in the form of monetary gain. As a ghost writer, her name will never see the light of day. So, she strikes a deal with Jack, and the story takes off from there.

Bryony learns some of the tough lessons many first-time authors still need to learn, but the time under Jack's tutelage teaches her what she needs to know to go even farther than she'd dared dream. If only they could find a buyer for her own book too...

This rom-com is the perfect blend of books, humor, passion and compassion, while delivering on all the feels. Can't wait for another story by Ms. Ferguson!

Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson truly lived up to its name 💕 I adored Bryony’s awkward, hilarious moments and the banter between her and Jack had me grinning the whole way through. The two-year gap only made the slow burn even more satisfying 🔥 And Jack? Total book boyfriend material 😍 That line — “You weren’t dating me, but I was dating you” — absolutely melted me. The twist at the end and the way he put his career on the line for her? Chef’s kiss 💼✨ This one was funny, heartfelt, and full of swoon.

I will also publish a more in depth review on my blog on April 25th https://open.substack.com/pub/beawritesandreads/p/the-perfect-rom-com-by-melissa-ferguson?r=fjvxq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true


And on the same day I will make a post on my bookstagram @beawritesandreads

I forgot to review this a while ago so I think I didn't finish the book because the main character was way too all over the place. And yet nothing happened for so long.

3.5 ⭐️
Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction, the author, and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book follows Bryany, an English teacher for immigrants in the US working in a dying program. In a last-ditch effort to save it, she writes a novel, spending years trying to get it published with no luck. Along the way, she meets Jack, one of the best-known literary agent in publish with whom she strikes a deal: he would become her agent and help her publish this book as long as she becomes a ghostwriter for popular rom-com writer, Amelia Benedict. And spend more time together, things start to shift, what started as a work arrangement slowly turns into something way more personal.
I really enjoyed this book, I like the characters, especially Bryany, as well as the portrayal of unpublish author’s struggles, and the English teaching program for immigrants. I, however, wouldn’t say this is very romcom at least not in the first half as we are focusing more in Bryany, her book, and her journey, but the second part was definitely more romance heavy. Overall, this book was great, and the ending had me laughing and crying from one moment to the next and it was a very cute.
Anyways, I would definitely recommend this book if you like romance that also explores personal growth and impactful storylines outside the central relationship. And I would also recommend the audiobook version of this book because the narrator Karissa Vacker was great!

This was a fun book! I feel like romances about ghostwriters are becoming more common, which feels very random, and I am here for it. Bryony is fun and lovable but has an edge. She is maybe a little too good, but maybe not. I loved hearing about The Bridge and the bowling league. I loved her and Jack. Some things were predictable, but overall I enjoyed this book. Thank you Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for this ARC!

This book was an absolute delight from start to finish (I know I say that a lot by I swear I mean it every time). Bryony is the kind of FMC character you instantly want to be friends with — she’s funny, hopeful, slightly awkward (same), and trying her best to chase her writing dreams while also keeping her grandmother’s ESL center afloat. When her big shot at a writing conference crashes and burns, she accidentally ends up ghostwriting for a super famous romance author. An underappreciated trope that I LOVE to see honestly.

Basically everything goes wrong for Bryony, which is what makes this story so fun. Bryony’s secret success as the woman behind bestselling books is both hilarious and heartbreaking. You’re cheering her on the whole way, just waiting for her to finally get the credit she deserves (I was low key screaming at times). And speaking of cheering...Jack Sterling (*swoon*). A literary agent (Charlie Laska, anyone?) with charm, brains, and just enough swoon to make your heart flutter. The slow-burn (YESSSS) between him and Bryony is full of sweet, stolen moments that had me grinning like an absolute idiot at 1am when I should've been sleeping.

What I loved most was how this story blended humor, heart, and a behind-the-scenes look at publishing (that I'm hoping is mostly accurate?).
All in all, it was a warm, uplifting, and super satisfying read, perfect for fans of feel-good romances, underdog stories, or anyone who’s ever wanted to write their own happy ending.

The heart of this story truly lies in its characters. Brionny and Jack, in particular, were a standout duo—I found myself wanting more of their early interactions and the gradual build of their friendship and relationship. While I did struggle a bit with the pacing, especially during the time jump in the first quarter of the book, the vivid setting and well-crafted characters more than made up for it. Their world felt lived-in and emotionally resonant, which helped smooth over the structural hiccups. In the end, it was the characters who kept me turning the pages.

Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction | Thomas Nelson for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Cute and funny. It kind of was the perfect rom-com!

4.5⭐️

I DEVOURED this book in literally less than 24 hours. It was so good, the story was perfectly paced in my opinion. I got hooked from the beginning and fell in love with Bryony and Jacks chemistry. Their banter? 👌🏼👌🏼 chefs kiss, and probably because it reminds me of my husband and I 😂

This is my first book from Melissa Ferguson and it just makes me want to read more from her honestly! I’m usually a BIG smut reader, but I found myself not missing it at all from the story.

Great story, great characters, just overall great time reading it, I loved it!

A wonderful romance to recommend to readers who enjoy books by Emily Henry and Abby Jimenez. Bryony has a big heart, and wants more than anything to help her family. She teaches ESL classes at The Bridge, a school her grandmother founded, and which so many new immigrants depend upon. Unfortunately, they are about to have to close their doors, due to lack of funding. Bryony has a solution -- she's a writer, and she's written a book, and all she has to do is sell it and use the proceeds to keep The Bridge open. So, she attends a writer's conference and meets Jack, a top-level author's agent. He doesn't want to help her publish her book, but he does set her up with a job as a ghostwriter for Amelia Benedict, who is a wealthy, famous author who actually does not write her own books. Bryony's dream is to have her own books published under her own name, but she's under contract with Amelia, and because Bryony is such a great writer, Amelia's books are huge bestsellers and she develops a devoted fan base. We truly come to care about Bryony, and her romance with Jack -- and it's truly fun to hate Amelia, one of the most obnoxious villains ever! This is a fun read, and I'd love to see a second book about Bryony and Jack.

Thank you to my partners, UpLit Reads, NetGalley, and TNZ Fiction, and the author. I appreciate the gifted paperback and eARC, and I am leaving this review voluntarily!

1. 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 • I know this is a favorite trope of many, and I’m here to tell you that this is one you are going to want to get your hands on! The inside world of publishing books and the way Bryony makes it to the inside will make you ponder how often this happens!

2. 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭 • An appropriate term for Amelia. She is just a nasty, pretentious person who you will root against with all of your might! How many of these people exist in this world? Unfortunately, I feel like the rapid evolvement of social media influencers has driven this to high numbers.

3. 𝐀 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 • What would the perfect rom-com be without those butterflies in your stomach as you watch the main characters fall for one another. Bryony and Jack are one for the books! Swoon-worthy!

4. 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 • But why, Jack?! I know that secrets often make the story, but they will continue to drive me crazy! Even after finishing, I feel like some honesty with Bryony on his plan for her would have made more sense!

5. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐝 • I was essentially standing up and screaming for Bryony to NOT do what she was doing with her prized novel. Just as I was wallowing in my sadness, the Big Bang of an ending came in and made everything all better! I loved so much about the things that came together to make this culmination of 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐑𝐨𝐦-𝐂𝐨𝐦!

Oh - my heart! I can't express in words how much I LOVE and ADORE this book!

As with the other books I've read by the talented Melissa Ferguson, this is another FIVE star read - another home run; another slam dunk - insert all the sports jargon that means "chef's kiss" PERFECTION!

I LOVED:
* Bryony Page, the woman who so staunchly believed in herself, she didn't care of a crowded room of people judged her for almost giving up her allotted time to pitch her book to a literary agent no one else wanted to meet with.
*Jack Sterling, the seemingly grouchy literary agent whom readers learn, actually has a heart under his "you don't have near enough talent for representation" façade.
*to hate Amelia, the obnoxious "writer" who was famous only because her father owned part of several publishing houses.
*Gran, Gloria, Penny, and all the ESL students who appreciated what Bryony did for them

This was an incredible book and one that I HAD to buy the audiobook for. As if the book wasn't brilliant on its own, Karissa Vacker, voice actress extrordinare has proven, once again, that she is a master of her craft making the book 100 stars out of five!

Thank you so so much to NetGalley, Melissa Ferguson, and Thomas Neslon for the privilege of allowing me to read this book in exchange for a review. It was a pleasure, honor, and delight!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book a lot. It was fun and funny!

I loved this book and was too late to read it when it was an ARC but I'm so glad I finally got around to finishing it. It was such a fun book and I loved the pacing.

As the title suggests, this is THE PERFECT ROM-COM! I had such a great time reading about these characters. I am a sucker for a good romantic comedy. Because sometimes you just need a good palette cleanser. Excited to read more from this author.