Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Bryony Page is a writer. Her first manuscript, about an organization her grandmother created that teaches ESL students, called The Bridge, has been rejected. At her last pitch session, she's given an interesting opportunity - ghostwrite for Amelia Benedict, the popular rom-com novelist. Bryony agrees on two conditions - that she will only write the one book and that Jack Sterling will work on selling her book too.

Two years later, Bryony is still writing as Amelia. She's getting nowhere with her book. And now, she has to go on tour with the author she ghostwrites and despises.

This was a very cute rom-com that was a quick read. I liked the character of Bryony and HATED Amelia. I liked the love interest between Bryony and Jack - friends to lovers, but it felt like it went from 0 to 100 in no time. Plus, the lying Jack did (or not telling the whole truth about Bryony's book) didn't sit well with me. I thought the ending was a bit rushed and would be surprised if what Jack pulled off actually happened in the real world (maybe it has - I don't know!)

Overall, a good, quick, clean rom-com.

Let’s start with the audio, loved it . The voices were amazing and jack voice really good .
Now the story . Is a bit of a slow burn . But so worth it. The FMC was so relatable, I like her personality and how she is such a sunshine. She needs it to step up a bit more for herself but aside from that she was a delight. The MMC it took a bit to grow on me, but once he does uff. Everything he does for her. I loved it , he did a couple of things too that he shouldn’t have, but he made it up for it . Definitely a super cute rom-com, loved every second of it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫(4.5)

Aspiring author Bryony Page attends her first writers' conference hoping to sell her manuscript and save her grandmother’s ESL program. Instead, she lands a ghostwriting gig for rom-com queen Amelia Benedict—who skyrockets to fame under Bryony’s pen. Now, the agency won’t let her go… and neither can Jack Sterling, the agent she never saw coming.

Melissa’s writing is effortlessly charming. I’m always amazed at the tension between playful and emotionally satisfying plots—and I do mean truly emotionally satisfying. The romantic tension had my heart racing and my cheeks blushing. Who would have thought innocent under-the-table touching could be so mesmerizing?

The breeziness of sweet kisses and Jack’s grounded, affectionate words made this so easy to devour. Around 42%, I felt the plot finally starting to take shape, but that’s because I initially consumed this as a romance. I think chick lit is a much better descriptor for the plot’s tone and pacing—there’s a great romantic couple with conflict, but plenty of other elements that contribute to the overall feel.

Also, can we take a moment to appreciate this stunning cover? If you love NYC publishing flirtations (cue TV Land’s Younger), you’re going to breeze through Jack and Bryony’s workplace relationship.

Thank you @tnzfiction for the ARC 🥰

Perfect for you if you like:
Swoon-worthy moments
Mix of rom-com and women’s fiction
NYC publishing and workplace romance
Strong, charming writing voice

Similar to:
Cole and Laila are Just Friends by Bethany Turner
The Rom-commers by Katherine Center
Beg, borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams (open-door)
*Also somewhat resembles The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston without the magical realism (open-door)

⛔️closed door romance (kisses only)
⚠️previous death of a parent mentioned

The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson was a very cute read, and was the second of Melissa Ferguson’s novels I’ve read, Meet Me in the Margins being the first. As I thoroughly enjoyed that one, I was excited to have a chance to read this as well!

I think what surprised me the most about this novel was that there was so much about the inner workings of the publishing industry. I have no clue what any of the publishing aspect of books entails, so it was very interesting to see the whole process of what goes into making a book. From pitching at a large writing conference to what exactly an agent handles.

I liked seeing it from the perspective of a new author, who was very passionate about her book and getting her book printed to the journey that doing so took her on. If you’ve read the synopsis, you’ll know that Bryony’s querying efforts inadvertently result in her obtaining a ghostwriting gig. As I didn’t read the synopsis (I like to be surprised going into a book!), I didn’t realize the story was going in this direction, but I was glad it did. It was so fascinating and also drama filled in such a good way - I was immersed in the story. I liked the setup of this novel a lot and the premise, though it did take a little while to really ramp up, so wait for it!

The rom-com aspect of the storyline was very sweet as well. I enjoyed watching the love story unfold and was rooting for the characters to get together.

The ending was so unexpected but I very much appreciated it. I liked how everything panned out in the end.

Thanks so much to Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this novel. As always, my review has been written honestly. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks so much to NetGalley for giving me access to this delightful audiobook and digital copy! This is a perfect rom-com, especially for book lovers (readers or writers!) it gives you a glimpse into the—albeit, fictional—publishing world. But most importantly, you fall for these characters. Bryony cracks me up. I laughed and smiled and just felt all the things with her. And her enemies to friends to lovers journey with Jack is beyond adorable. And Amelia is the enemy we all love to hate. Grab this newly released book—in any format you can! You’ll absolutely love this (zero spice) rom com!!

"The Perfect Rom-Com" is a sweet and closed-door romantic comedy about a ghostwriter and her literary agent. Forced proximity is one of my favorite tropes, and I really enjoyed Bryony and Jack's playful banter. The plot was fun, and I loved that this was a squeaky clean romance. While I liked this book overall, it just didn't stand out to me. There have been a lot of books about books lately, so I was feeling kind of burnt out on the subject. Overall, though, it was a light and quick read, and I will definitely be reading more from the author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was sooooooo good!!!!! True I love this author but I have been disappointed lately by a few of my go to authors but not this one.

I love the build of the relationship it was believable and worked so well. I loved the supporting characters they were so fun, including the "villain".

The hero was truly heroic. His patience, understanding, "knight in shining armor actions". He's not perfect but such a great example of everyday romance, joining a bowling league.

Our heroine, a little head in the clouds but so delightful. I loved seeing when her spine showed out.

The plot worked. Comedy, Romance, subterfuge.

Bryony is an aspiring author who also wants to save the ESL business that is owned by her grandmother and where she works. So she writes a huge clunky novel. At a conference, she is rejected repeatedly before she is offered an opportunity: become a ghost writer for a very successful romance novelist and the agent will represent her. Of course, the two develop feelings for each other which come to a head when Bryony is forced to come on tour with the rude author. But time is running out to save her school, what will she do?

This is a fun romance novel with some great comedic bits. I LOVED the ESL students. They brought so much to the story! Also, this is a clean romance so there is a small amount of kissing but that is it, nonetheless it is very romantic.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction and Net Galley for the DRC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction | Thomas Nelson for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this sweet rom-com. Loved the storyline and the characters. I would definitely recommend this book.

A sweet and cheesy story with some drama and snarky comments thrown in. This book will make you laugh and get all the feels. Could this be the perfect rom-com?

4.5⭐️s There are so many good moments in this book! Bryony is a mess and I loved every minute of her. Jack is so good!! If you love a man who subtly wins over a woman’s heart through hidden gestures, you’ll love him too.

5⭐️ narration. @karissavacker is amazing. She is very talented to give each character their own voice. I never felt lost in the characters. Truly, every one was given life.

Brief synopsis:
Bryony is a struggling writer. Rejected by countless publishers, she just needs one. One to see the potential in her manuscript. But the more rejection, the more she sees that maybe her work isn’t as polished as it could be. That takes time for her to truly see however. One day, she’s given an opportunity to become a ghost writer. This helps her find great success with selling her books. The only problem, they’re not in her name. It’s hard to keep going when your work is being attributed to someone else. So one day she tries to leave the publishing company, but one particular person can’t let her go.

This book is available now!! Highly recommend it!
Thank you to @netgalley @ourfriendlyfarmhouse @thomasnelson and @harpercollinschristian for the e-arc and advanced listener copy. They are both beautiful works. So happy to have been a part of this books journey. #netgalley #theperfectromcom #melissafergusonauthor #advancedlistenercopy #advancedreadercopy #alcreview #arcreader

Uwielbiam w książkach Melissy to, że romans nie jest na pierwszym miejscu i najpierw wciągamy się w życie głównych bohaterek, a dopiero później pojawia się wątek miłosny.
“The perfect Rom-Com”, która wyszła wczoraj, opowiada o Bryony Page, która marzy o wydaniu książki o fundacji założonej przez jej babcię. Szukając agenta, który pomoże jej w zrealizowaniu tego marzenia, na konferencji pisarzy poznaje Jack’a, który po zapoznaniu się z jej rękopisem, proponuje jej bycie ghostwriterką książek ekscentrycznej celebrytki. Nie tego spodziewała się Bryony, ale ta propozycja daje jej wejście do świata wydawniczego, więc zgadza się na pozostanie w tle pod warunkiem, że Jack w tym samym czasie będzie starał się znaleźć wydawcę dla książki o fundacji.
Czytało mi się ją świetnie, szybko wciągnęłam się w fabułę i polubiłam główną bohaterkę. Uwielbiam ten humor, z główną bohaterką sporo się utożsamiałam i myślę, że ta przebija poprzednie książki Ferguson. Jest raczej lekka (tak, to w końcu perfect rom-com), ale pojawia si tu kilka smutnych momentów. Czytanie o relacji B i Jack'a to sama przyjemność.
Mamy tu motywy: friends to lovers, forced proximity i he falls first + jest to książka o książkach!

The Perfect Rom-Com was so good. It made me laugh out loud at times and a hopeful romantic other times!

Bryony Page and Jack Sterling are the perfect combo of enemies to lovers! You can feel his disdain for Bryony when they meet, only to eventually fall for her charms. Only they are not on the same page much of the book! You eagerly wait for the sparks to fly while on tour.

Her nemesis, Amelia Benedict is a diva and the outcome is so perfect! Hence the Perfect Rom-Com!

Bryony Page has a heart for her grandmother's non profit, The Bridge. She also has aspirations of becoming a best selling author. She combines her love for The Bridge and her career goals by writing a unique manuscript that isn't being picked up by an agent. Enter Jack Sterling. He promises to help Bryony in exchange for some help from her. This is a fun, quick read. Give it a try!

The Perfect Rom-Com was perfectly hilarious and FUN! Romance, dramatics and stellar characters come together to form this amazing romance!

This story has everything that is wildly attractive about romantic comedies. It was even better than any Hallmark romance because the characters were so well-developed and lovable. There was drama and comedy and swoon, but all at just the right amount.

The only thing that I didn't love about this book was Bryony's long-distance boyfriend. He felt underdeveloped and like his part in the plot was just thrown in last minute to explain why the two MCs were not together from the beginning. I never understood why Bryony was with him, it was just a bit odd.

This really was exactly the romance I needed and you need it too, even if you don't realize it. I love a book that can balance hilarity with serious, and cozy with romantic. I have loved all of the books I have read by Melissa Ferguson because her writing and storytelling is so great, and this book was no different. All romance lovers need to pick this up as their next read.

4.25⭐
.5 🌶️
Tropes/Themes: Workplace romance, hate to love, forced proximity
Single POV 1st person

This book started off slow, and it took me a while to get into it. And when they sat down to watch the Keira Knightly version of P&P I almost took a whole star off because everyone knows that the BBC version is superior. 😤
(I legit wrote in my notes *considers giving you up* like that Rick Astley meme 😂)

Movie preferences aside, once I got into the story I really started to enjoy it. At first I felt like I was thrown into the middle of the story with her relationship to Bancroft, which I understand is the point to build tension and not give it all away at the beginning but it was a little too vague I guess.

I wasn’t a huge fan of how Grace is simultaneously super insecure but hates me and talks like every man is a piece of shit but I also have a love/hate relationship with feminism.

Amelia’s character is exceptionally written because I found myself hating her so much. So, so much. But again, that’s the point. Actually, I found all the character to be very well written.

Despite not being sure if I would enjoy this book at the beginning, I did eventually get sucked into it about 30% in. It’s a really cute premise for a book. Obviously the storyline is pretty predictable but it’s still enjoyable. The story sort of reminded me of a modernized Bridget Jones’ Diary mashed up with The Devil Wears Prada, both of which I enjoy. In the end, my biggest complaint is the lack of spice.

If you are trying to find the perfect rom-com for Valentines Day (or any day for that matter) then you will find this book is aptly named. The author has written an opposites attract, grumpy/sunshine story in a fresh way that had my rapt attention from start to finish. I especially loved the character development of both Bryony, the hopeful, sweet and incredibly talented new author who was trying to get her book published in order to help keep her grandmother’s ESL school afloat financially, and Jack, the brilliant but jaded, curmudgeonly literary agent who hired her to be a ghostwriter for a difficult client. Both characters had lessons to learn in their journeys toward being their best selves and following their journey was also enlightening for me. Even though I expected a happily-ever-after outcome (it’s a rom-com after all), the book was never formulaic and continued to surprise me right to the very end. Highly recommend! I received an ARC from the publisher. All opinions expressed are strictly my own.

I adored The Perfect Rom-Com.

It’s sweet and funny and charming. And why does Melissa Ferguson write such perfect heroes? They are always witty and you can’t help but fall in love with them.

I don’t mind steam but this is a clean romance for those who are looking for that. I also need an epilogue in a romance book and this delivers.

I loved Bryony’s story. She is such a kind, caring character. I always enjoy books about writing and authors but I particularly loved her journey with her own really meaningful book.

I highly recommend grabbing a copy of this adorable romance. You will finish it feeling warm and fuzzy.

3.5 stars for this Rom-Com. This read had the potential to be more, but it is a light read that will work after an angsty read. It's just a bit too perfect. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this one.

thank you netgallery for this arc!!

THIS WAS PERFECT. LITERALLY THE PERFECT ROM COM!!!
I finished this in less than 24 hours it. was so so good.

Bryony & Jacks relationship was addicting from the second she stepped foot in the room at the publishing convention. A lightbulb clicked when I realized i’m the first chapter that this would eventually be her love interest. You just wanted to know MORE about them - Like I needed to know their ending.

Bryony’s journey of ghostwriting for Amelia was genius. It kept me on the edge of my seat especially to see her dream being dangled in front of her with a plethora of empty promises.

The final scene had my jaw on the ground as I watched it all play out - And i loved joe were truly had to wait till the end to see it all happen

ANYWAYS!! I’m obsessed. I loved it. I was so so shocked to love it this much