Wow! I have not come across a Melissa Ferguson book yet I have disliked. Jack and Bryony have the chemistry and the friendly banter down. There are no swears, brief mentions of alcohol, and level 1 low-descriptive kisses only I received a complimentary arc of this book from @netgalley and @thomasnelsonfiction All opinions listed are purely my own. #Netgalley #ThePerfectRomcom

I enjoyed The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson. I liked reading stories about the publishing world. It is a fun read with a slow burn romance and snappy dialogue. Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley.

Another great release from Melissa Ferguson!

I thoroughly enjoyed this adorable, light-hearted read! Captured by the hilarious, witty and slightly sarcastic inner monologue of a new writer hoping to connect with an agent for her first manuscript, I was hooked from the very first chapter. It is that same inner monologue that kept me devouring the pages as the meet cute turns to friendship and then romance. Loved every minute!

Ferguson combines a cast of delightful (and not-so-delightful-but-equally-great) characters, a road trip/book tour, ghostwriting and the dreams of saving a beloved ESL school into a sweet story of romance, writing and the woes of the publishing industry. I found the bookish theme of this story to be unique and fun. In true romcom fashion, Ferguson had me laughing and swooning throughout this story. Towards the end, I wasn't Bryony's fan due to her decisions, but will admit, the ending was quite redeeming.

Overall, a great read and a definite recommendation for a fantastic weekend read that will lift your spirits and keep you chuckling from beginning to end.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary ARC digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.

I absolutely loved this book! The writing was super immersive, funny at just the right moments, and made the characters and situations feel so real. It had the perfect mix of humor and heart, which kept me hooked the entire time. The pacing was spot-on, and I almost read it in one sitting.
In this book, we follow Bryony after she ends up ghostwriting for Amelia Benedict (a rom-com star) while trying to publish her own book.
My only issue was the romance. I loved every single interaction between Bryony and Jack, but I found myself craving more romantic moments between them. Their connection was so strong, and I just wanted to see it explored more.
Another thing that didn’t quite work for me was Parker. Honestly, his character felt kind of pointless, and I kept wondering why he was even in the story.
That said, this book was heartwarming and left me wanting more. It also made me super interested in checking out more of Melissa’s books.

Melissa Ferguson's debut is one for the books. I didn't know what I was expecting from this story, but the turns and twists it took, where absolutely incredible.

She did an immaculate job of creating the most relatable and iconic Bryony Page, the most generous, heartwarming, and hardworking character, who pushed through so much that she went through in the workplace, as well as teaching for the most important cause. I truly enjoyed seeing her face the challenges that she did and how she overcame them, and how she persevered which is a lesson that I took deeply from the story.

Ferguson does an amazing job of creating a real world scenario, and letting someone be so invested in a story, and the whole mystery what was happening. I was feeling all the feels, anger at a certain someone, happy for Bryony, sad for what she was going through, but as I do love a strong FMC, Bryony can teach so much in this, to not let yourself down and stop chasing your dreams.

For it only being the second month of the year, I have no doubt that this book will be my top favorite, and truly an unforgettable story at that, I absolutely loved it. Thank you Melissa, for creating a beautiful story.

This book is a super cute friends to lovers romantic comedy that brings the ups and downs of the literary world to the readers. I enjoyed the relationship between Jack and Bryony as the evolved from friends to something more.

While this book was cute and quirky I found this book to be a little slow. I do wish this had been dual POV between Bryony and Jack instead of only focusing on Bryony.

A Love Letter to Writers, Romance, and Finding Your Own Story

Melissa Ferguson’s The Perfect Rom-Com is as charming and heart-fluttering as the genre it celebrates. But beyond the witty banter and swoon-worthy moments, it delivers a compelling look at ambition, self-worth, and the bittersweet reality of chasing creative dreams.

Bryony Page enters the publishing world wide-eyed and hopeful, only to stumble into a secret career that skyrockets someone else’s name to literary stardom. The thrill of seeing her words resonate with millions is intoxicating—but so is the growing realization that she’s trapped in the shadows of a brand that isn’t hers. Ferguson captures this tension beautifully, layering the story with humor, heart, and just the right amount of industry drama.

And then there’s Jack Sterling. A literary agent with a sharp mind and an even softer heart, he’s the kind of bookish love interest that makes readers swoon. The slow-burn between him and Bryony is filled with delicious near-misses, charged glances, and a dynamic that feels both playful and deeply emotional. Their chemistry is the perfect mix of professional respect and oh-no-there’s-only-one-bed level tension.

What sets The Perfect Rom-Com apart is how it balances lighthearted rom-com beats with an honest exploration of identity and creative ownership. It asks: What does success look like when no one knows it’s yours? And how do you reclaim your own story when you’ve spent years writing someone else’s?

Equal parts uplifting, hilarious, and swoon-worthy, this book is for anyone who’s ever dreamed big, fallen hard, and rewritten their own happy ending. It left me grinning, inspired, and (of course) all in my feels. 💕📚✨

A meta offering about the publishing industry in general. Easy to read with good flow, but particularly given the title, I don’t know that I’d call it a romcom. The focus is on the behind-the-scenes writing and publishing aspect far more than the romance that results. It makes good points about the business of publishing, particularly that it’s more business than art. In doing so, that removes some of the whimsy and romance of it all. I found that my favorite moments were actually the interplay between the leads that didn’t directly involve publishing. I feel like maybe this could’ve been two books, each with a different focus taking on the same story, and while good, I think I would’ve preferred if it had been firmly one or the other.

Another Melissa Ferguson book that I could not put down! Bryony is an author, trying to make it in the publishing world with her debut when she meets Jack and the trajectory of her life changes. Bryony is given the opportunity to become a ghostwriter for a popular author, writing romantic comedies. The ins and outs of the publishing world detailed throughout this book was interesting to see and read about. I love getting the behind the scenes look of different industries but most definitely the book world. The friendship to relationship between Bryony and Jack was so sweet to watch unfold on the pages, and in fact becoming a "Perfect Rom-Com". Thank you to Thomas Nelson for an advanced copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own! The audio version was also wonderful, as it made it seem as I was watching this book unfold like a movie!

This was such a witty and charming rom-com that was a total dream for us book lovers. It delivered a fascinating behind the scenes look at publishing, a loveable heroine, and a swoony male love interest in Jack Sterling.

The perfect balance of humor, heart, and industry drama.

The author's signature humor made every page a delight - perfect for fans of books about books and slow-burn romances.

I enjoyed this novel, it is a quick and light read about a young aspiring author (Bryony) with a dream of saving the ESL program her grandma founded with a lucrative book deal. However, I found the pacing of this novel to be a bit odd. The first 20% of the book was just at the writing conference and then all of a sudden the reader is jumped forward 2 years and Bryony is best friends with the grumpy agent who turned her book down at the beginning. I struggled with how we got from point A to point B, but it's romance so I powered through.

I enjoyed Jack's "new" character in the second half of the book and his relationship with Bryony. Having been in a long distance relationship I questioned Bryony dating someone for 21 months overseas without seeing them ever but again it's a romance 🤷‍♀️ Overall the book was sweet but I didn't get a rom-com vibe, more second hand embarrassment for how naive and awkward Bryony was throughout the novel.

The ending was just 🤯 And that is where the author lost me completely. It wasn't believable or realistic, so the last 20% of the novel I read with my mouth hanging open in shock.

I don't know if I'd recommend this novel to a friend, i don't regret reading it but it didn't stand out to me as being well written or with a great plot. I was definitely disappointed with this one because it could have been amazing

This is a charming romantic comedy.

But.

The dramatization of the publishing industry is preposterous. Imagine the following scenario:

A woman flies to the US for an appointment with a Washington, DC hospital administrator. She says, “I have no formal medical training, but I’ve assisted at a Doctors Without Borders clinic for two years. I have a suggestion for a new technique for treating cleft palate.”

The hospital administrator says, “We don’t have any needs right now for treating cleft palate. But two of our surgeons called in sick today, and we don’t have anyone to fill in for them. Can you perform a lung transplant on the president?”

That’s the level of absurdity in the way the publishing industry is portrayed. Clearly, everyone associated with this book knows that—since it’s their industry. Readers need verisimilitude to suspend their disbelief. This book insults readers with all of its inaccuracies.

It’s impossible to enjoy a book when no effort has been made to make it believable. A few small tweaks would have fixed the problems, but clearly, no one on the publishing team cared enough to do the work.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Aspiring author Bryony Page dreams of getting her debut novel published, which was inspired by The Bridge, a school for English Language Learners where she teaches full-time. However, the only deal she can secure with an agent, Jack Sterling, is writing as a ghostwriter for bestselling novelist Amelia Benedict, with hopes that her book will eventually get picked up.

As a reader, I always enjoy books about books, and this was so exception! The characters are interesting and well developed, and you feel for Bryony in her struggles to become a published author {especially when she is stuck writing for the AWFUL Amelia Benedict!}. This was such a feel-good, uplifting read, and I’d definitely recommend!

Thank you to UpLit Reads, NetGalley, and Thomas Nelson Publishing for my gifted physical + digital copies!

The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson is a delightful and lighthearted read that’s perfect for fans of feel-good romance. Bryony Page, an aspiring author, finds herself in an unexpected situation when she’s asked to ghostwrite for bestselling rom-com author, Amelia Benedict. As Bryony’s writing takes Amelia’s career to new heights, Bryony struggles with the fact that her own writing dreams are still unrecognized. Enter Jack Sterling, a charming literary agent who might just be the distraction (and support) Bryony needs.

The premise is fun and unique, and I appreciated Bryony’s journey of balancing ambition with the desire for personal recognition. However, while the book had plenty of charm, I felt it was a bit predictable at times, especially with the romance between Bryony and Jack. The chemistry was there, but I would have liked to see more tension and build-up between them.

Overall, The Perfect Rom-Com is a sweet, entertaining read with a lot of heart. It’s not without its flaws, but fans of the genre will still enjoy the humorous moments and warm, satisfying conclusion. A solid 3 stars from me! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Excited and filled with hope, aspiring author Bryony Page steps into the bustling city for her very first writer’s conference, eager to pitch her brand-new manuscript. But as she quickly discovers, fate doesn’t seem to be on her side, at least, not yet.

After a disastrous first pitch session, Bryony ends up correcting a fellow author’s work—an accidental move that catches the attention of a top literary agent. To her shock, she’s offered a ghostwriting gig for the famous rom-com author, Amelia Benedict.

Bryony agrees to the arrangement, but with one stipulation: literary agent Jack Sterling, of the prestigious Foundry Agency, must work on selling her own book. What she doesn’t anticipate is that her ghostwriting will catapult Amelia into superstardom, transforming her into a bestselling author with millions of copies sold worldwide.

As Bryony’s career takes off, the Foundry Agency becomes more and more invested in her success, but Jack soon finds himself unexpectedly drawn to her, complicating everything all over again.

‘The Perfect Rom-Com’ is a new and interesting approach to the beloved genre of romantic comedies, but doesn’t withheld us, as readers, from the typical laugh-out-loud moments, romantic highlights, and the powerful nature of a slowburn..

One of many things that make Melissa Ferguson's romcoms stand out is how unique the plot of each novel is! Every one of her stories is so memorable I can still summarize them to my friends years later.

In this novel Bryony is desperate to publish her book to use the funds to save her beloved ESL school she has been teaching at. But fate (and a stern literary agent Jack) have a different plan for Bryony. She is to be a ghostwriter to Amelia Benedict, the mediocre author with the bigger-than-life name in exchange for the possibility of publishing Bryony's own novel.

I loved that this book had a very dramatic beginning with a twist (Bryony meets Jack)! It grabbed my attention from the first few chapters. And so began this unusual Agent-writer-colleague-friend-support-system-relationship. The romance side story was sweet, friends to lovers, close proximity, slowburn, kissing only - just my cup of tea!

There was a hilarious cast of ESL student characters I just fell in love with. Bryony's internal monologues were to die for! I laughed outloud reading her signature "self-loathing anti-pep talk". The novel is unique and imaginative. The author so masterfully conveyed an incredible experience of someone writing a book. It gives you a very good look inside the world of publishing.

This was indeed the perfect romcom and so much more! If you're looking for a clean romance/feel-good fiction, I hope you pick up this book!

Nothing about this book makes any fucking sense. The pacing is terrible; the characters are so flat that one dimensional would be too generous a description. There’s a two year time jump between the prologue and the first story when maybe an interesting story could have happened as the characters got to know each other, but we SKIPPED that part and went right into the dumbest do gooder / ghost writer on earth and the agent who has too much of a crush on her to be honest about the fact that her book SUCKS getting together then breaking up then doing something that would get their skin flayed off in a lawsuit and then happily ever after.

The mean, bitchy character in this book keeps trying to tell our sweet heroine that you shouldn’t be shoehorning Meaningful Issues into a Rom Com, and this book proved her entirely right every time it went off on another fucking digression about her precious family run ESL school and the international cast of stereotypes studying there.

Anyway. Fuck this book. If I hadn’t read it on my phone, I would throw my copy on the train tracks.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

While the cover and title make this one sound like it will be a rom-com, I think I would categorize it more as women's fiction with a light side of romance.

Bryony is hoping to sell her first manuscript, but instead she is hired as the ghostwriter for a rom-com writer who enjoys the publicity part of being an author more than the actual writing. Their agent Jack is tasked with keeping the peace between the two women, particularly during a road trip to multiple author events.

I loved the concept, and this book was reminiscent of a Sophie Kinsella book for me - lighthearted, with a heroine who makes outlandish choices at times but that you somehow still root for. The book felt like it was more about Bryony's growth and journey than about a romance, and I liked seeing her character growth along the way.

As for Jack- I'm still not quite sure why he couldn't be up front with Bryony from the beginning about the major conflict in the book, so he frustrated me. The end grand gesture was wildly over the top and one that would surely get plenty of people in trouble if it happened in real life, but man did I love it anyway when I suspended all disbelief 😂

Thank you to UpLit Reads and Thomas Nelson for the gifted copy! All opinions are my own.

I listened to the audio version of this book. I also have a copy of the e-book. I absolutely loved it.

The story opens with Bryony trying to find an agent or publisher for her epic book. She strikes out completely. But one agent in particular really gets her annoyed. As she's bad-mouthing him on her phone, he arrives at her doorstep with a proposal to become a ghost writer. Although she doesn't want to do it, she wants the money for her English As A Second Language school where she is a dedicated and loved teacher.

It turns out that her writing launches the popularity of the named author on the books to new heights.

The narrator of the audio book is fantastic. This book was so much fun to listen to. I look forward to reading more books by Melissa Ferguson.

The Perfect Rom-Com is such a fun story. Bryony starts out with the raw determination to pitch her book, her heart. Jack is a legend in the publishing world and likes the spunk Bryony brings to the table. More than that, he sees her talent and signs her on as a ghostwriter. The more time they spend together the more the lines between publisher and friend begin to blur. They finish each other sentences and appreciate each of their idiosyncrasies in ways that made me laugh out loud. I love how Bryony grows in her talent as well as her perspectives. My favorite part? Jack’s gesture!!! By far, one of my new favorite scenes. Rest assured, there are laugh out moments, pause and reflect moments, and sign in utter contentment moments. Another winner from Melissa Ferguson.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.