A wonderfully warm book full of heart. Romcom lovers will fall head over heels for this delightful story

Rating: ★★★½

The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson offers a charming glimpse into the world of publishing through the eyes of Bryony Page, an aspiring author turned ghostwriter.

The narrative provides an insightful look into the challenges and intricacies of the publishing industry, highlighting Bryony’s dedication to her craft and her grandmother’s ESL school. 

While the storyline is engaging, the romantic development between Bryony and her agent, Jack, felt somewhat underdeveloped. Their relationship progression lacked the depth and chemistry that typically drive a compelling romance. However, the novel’s strength lies in its exploration of Bryony’s personal growth and the behind-the-scenes aspects of ghostwriting. 

Thank you to NetGalley, Melissa Ferguson, and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to read this ARC. The Perfect Rom-Com is a lighthearted read that will appeal to those interested in the publishing world and stories of self-discovery.  

I received a ARC from Netgalley. I absolutely loved this book!
Bryony Page is a aspiring author and goes to a writers workshop in hopes to meet publishers to sign on to her manuscript. Jack is the last stop for hope. He is also the hardest sell and seldom takes on new clients. With nothing to lose she lays everything on the line, and he is amused with her. So he gives her pages to critique. She scans the pages and gives him very constructive feedback before her time runs out with him. This intrigues him. He makes her an offer, but not one that she was expecting. to be a ghost writer.
I absolutely loved these characters. You cannot help but fall in love with Jack, he is quite unexpected.
I recommend this to everyone who loves a rom com!
This is a clean romcom, closed door scenes.
5 stars!

This was an easy enough read that I read it in one sitting. It’s was cute and I enjoyed the premise but it lacked actual romance.

The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson is a lighthearted romance with unexpected emotional depth. It's a feel good story that will have readers falling in love with Bryony and Jack.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

Just a fun romance. The characters are wonderful. The storyline and writing were just a joy to jump into and became a world I didn’t want to ever leave. I hope to read more by this author as soon as possible.

Aspiring author Bryony Page attends her first writers conference bursting with optimism and ready to sell her manuscript with long-shot dreams of raising awareness for The Bridge, her grandmother’s financially struggling organization where she teaches ESL full-time. But after a disastrous pitch session, she stumbles into correcting another author’s work in a last-ditch attempt to make a good impression with the agent. And she, as it turns out, is spot on.

No one is more surprised than Bryony when the agent offers her the opportunity to be a ghostwriter for Amelia Benedict, popular rom-com novelist. Bryony agrees on one condition: she’ll write books for this vain, demanding woman just as long as Jack Sterling, literary agent of the legendary Foundry Literary Agency, works to sell her own book too.

What nobody predicted, however, was that Bryony’s books would turn Amelia Benedict into the Amelia Benedict, household name and bestselling author with millions of copies sold around the world.

And just like that, the Foundry Agency can’t let her go.

But on a personal note, Jack is realizing he can’t either.

I absolutely loved "The Perfect Rom-Com!" It started off a little slow, but luckily it didn't feel like it was for nothing like some books; it felt like we were able to get to know Bryony and her background more, as well as how she and Jack met and started their relationship. The rest of the book was paced really well, and since friends-to-lovers is one of my favorite tropes, I loved seeing Bryony & Jack's relationship shift into romance. It's one I'll likely go back to again in the future, and I'll be adding a copy of it to my library.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC.

4.5/5

Thank you, Thomas Nelson and NetGalley, for my eARC of The Perfect Rom-Com. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

***originally reviewed on instagram***

I enjoyed this one and devoured it in less than 2 days. The writing was good, the characters were relatable, and the plot kept me entertained.

I love reading books about books and authors, so this was my jam. I enjoyed the relationship between Jack and Bryony, because it wasn’t the sole focus of the book, and it grew from a friendship into something more.

The focus of this book is Bryony and her personal journey, which is refreshing.

If you like workplace romance, forced proximity, and friends to lovers, this one is for you!

Thanks, Thomas Nelson!

This book is such a fun and entertaining look into the life of an aspiring writer and the unexpected way she finds herself fulfilling her dream.

Bryony is an amusing and spunky character and after her first writer’s conference, makes an impression on an agent, Jack, and a delightful story is born. From the very start, Jack’s larger-than-life personality won me over, but it was the little things–the banter, wit, connection, and interactions that solidified this duo.

I was impressed with the balance of the portrayal of the ins and outs of the literary world with the realistic relationships of the heart. I would have loved to watch what lead up to the grand gesture, instead of time skipping, but I was completely satisfied with the way everything played out.

This is such an enjoyable story and really was “the perfect rom-com.”

Content: mild romance

This was a perfect Melissa Ferguson, she really knows how to write the bookish world. I think some
Of her other novels have fallen short for me, but this isn't the case here. It's a delightful read, and I really
Love this it was cutesy.

This was sure an interesting premise! I enjoyed the idea of the ghost writer and the tumultuous nature of how she and the face of the book Amelia got along and the train wreck that ensued. The romance between Bryony and Jack was sweet, with a bit of miscommunication trope thrown in. It was a little too nearly wrapped up for my liking, but overall glad I gave this a read.

This was a funny romantic tale of a writer who doesn't realize love is around the corner. This story was so cute and made me laugh out loud many times. The sarcastic and witty banter between characters kept the tale lighthearted and engaging. What a refreshing read.

It was the perfect rom-com. Amazing writing as always, she always is able to find the right flow of the book and pacing is amazing.

DNF'ed 20 percent. Didn't like the book. ....................... .......... ....... .......... ......... .....

This was an ironic title for a book that was more women’s fic with a less than stellar execution of a romance subplot. It started strong with seeing how an aspiring author meets a literary agent, but then it jumps ahead a few years and we miss out on seeing their relationship develop, and instead focus on the FMC being a ghost writer for an insufferable celebrity. I started skimming toward the end and the grand gesture made no sense.

2.5 stars, I'll say.
The plot only begins 40% into the novel - and that's not exaggeration. Overall, I liked the protagonist, especially the work she does with immigrants - that was so amazing to see! I think the character Amelia was used entirely too much as an antagonist, providing no real depth or nuance to her. I get that there are people that behave this way, but I wished there was more to see besides a villain. The romance felt a little lacklustre for me, though I really enjoyed the conclusion, the grand gesture was super sweet and satisfying!
Thank you so much to Thomas Nelson publishers for an e copy in exchange for an honest review!

unfortunatly i did not enjoy this at all :( first things first, while titled ‘the perfect rom-com’, i’d argue that this isn’t a rom-com, maybe not even a romance book at all?

the romance plot starts at 52% of the way into the book which feels like a little late, the chemistry is lacking, and i honestly don’t know where the romance is?

i think the book wouldv’e worked better if it wasn’t marketed as a romance book and was more so a funny / feelgood book about the publishing industry. learning about the publishing industry was the best part of this book and the main thing it had going for it.

overall a fun idea but just not executed to my liking.
also the formatting on the kindle could use a LOT of work.

thank you netgalley for the arc!

The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson is simply perfect! I adored this novel. Bryony is an ESL teacher who is trying to save her work place with a book she has written. Jack Sterling is a literary agent who talks Melissa into a ghost writing for a big-name author. What can possibly go wrong?

This book was everything! Bryony and Jack had amazing chemistry, banter, and a great friendship. Jack is simply cool and you never quite sure what he is up to which gives him a little bit of mystery. Bryony is the friend that you always wanted and you hope her sister comes along with you when you go to lunch! I loved this novel from beginning to end and kept turning the pages to see what would happen next. It has romance, sweet friendships, great humor and sparkles. You will smile at what we are all willing to do when we are in love.

The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson is a novel you do not want to miss. The writing is fantastic and I think it is the author’ best work to date. The humor, romance, and engaging characters will draw you in and you will not want to leave. I highly recommend The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson.

I was given a complimentary copy and not required to write a positive review.

✍🏼 What a delight! I bit off more than I could chew over the summer and even though my sweet friends at @uplitreads sent me this book in advance I did not get to it before pub date. BUT I’m so glad I finally picked it up! It was so sweet and fun!

✍🏼 This is centered around a female MC who is trying to break into the publishing industry. While shopping her literary passion project she’s hired to ghost write rom-coms for a celebrity.

✍🏼 Obviously, as an aspiring author, this one hit home for me! All the querying, and trying and the WAITING of the industry is addressed in the most fun way. I loved the arc here both with the romance and Bryony’s writing journey— and adored the way it all wrapped up!

✍🏼 I think any avid reader would appreciate this peek behind the curtain. Plus, it’s just a super cute rom-com. Take it on your spring break trip or throw it in your beach bag this summer. You won’t regret it! I paired this with the audio as well and it was perfection.

The Perfect Rom-Com presents an entertaining premise with its publishing backdrop and a heroine with commendable goals. However, its execution left me wanting more and narrative pacing was definitly not my vibe but It's a suitable choice for readers seeking a breezy read but may not fully satisfy if you are looking for a deeply immersive romantic experience.