i adored this book. a beautiful perfect rom com, i loved both of the main characters and completely raced through the book, a lovely cosy book

60/100 or 3.0 stars

This was overall a decent rom-com...despite the name. I do like that the stroy focuses on publishing and does go into how cutthroat and cliqueish the industry is, and I do mean it was a high point of the story for me.
Outside of that, there wasn't all that much about this that is memorable. The characters are fine, and the ending is way over the top, and not in the good way.

The spice/sexual content being mild is absolutely fine, but I know some romance readers will be left wishing there was more to offer there.
I did read this quickly and it was a decent time, so I gave this 3 stars instead of 2.5 stars. I woul be willing to read future stories from Ferguson to see what else they got!

I loved the concept of this book and I thought the story was a cute rom-com thought it did not have as much romance as I thought there would be. I would have liked to see more of their friendship develop (or flashbacks or something) and I do like closed door but would have loved a little more romance. I love books about authors and publishing so this was a fun read and I would recommend and read more from this author in the future! Thank you NetGalley for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Summary:
Bryony, an aspiring author, can’t get her debut novel published. Her last home is a 15 minute meeting with legendarily prickly agent, Jack Sterling. After he quickly dismisses her, shes defeated and ready to fall apart.
But she’s not going without a fight. She stalks back over to Jack and makes him listen to her. She intrigues him enough that he has a proposal: ghost write for a very successful author. She’ll do it, if he gets her novel published.

Thoughts:
It was a little jumpy at the start. I kept asking myself: What’s the main conflict we should be focusing on? The business she’s trying to save, the book she’s trying to publish, her ghost writing, Jack?

In the end, I liked it a lot. I loved how it all came together, so I just needed to be patient. I wish we had gotten a little more about Jack and Bryony, but I did like that there were other focuses than the love story. I just felt like maybe it was too many other focuses.

I have read every book that Melissa Ferguson has written. And this is definitely one of my top two favorites.

I loved that this story moved along. There was always something going on. I found it fascinating learning about the world of publishing and about the role of book agents.

I did wish there were more romantic feelings shown by Jack. I would have liked to hear some of his thoughts about Bryony. Maybe more information could have been given about the two years that the novel skipped over.

And I would have like to have seen Bryony have different name. It was distracting. I kept thinking about how to pronounce it.

I loved the ending and how Jack showed his hand in planning it. He truly put himself out there.

Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read this book. The opinions are entirely my own.

The Perfect Rom-Com is full of heart, humor, and wit. The slow burn romance between Jack and Bryony was sweet. I loved the banter between these two and watching as their friendship grew to more. While I would have liked to see the two years that were skipped, I can appreciate the author's need to jump ahead for the storyline to work.
I enjoyed the insider's perspective of the literary world, especially in regards to the use of ghostwriters. Although, I admit to being extremely frustrated on Bryony's behalf more than once.
I would recommend this to readers who enjoy closed door Rom-Coms.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Perfect Rom-Com was a quick and enjoyable read for me. While I’m not a writer or involved in the publishing world, I appreciated the unique perspective it offered on that industry. That said, I’m not entirely sure the ending felt plausible, and honestly, it was a little mean. We’re introduced to Bryony and Jake when she pitches her book to him, and he counters with an offer for her to become a ghostwriter. They strike a deal, and then the story fast-forwards two years, skipping much of their shared history. While the title suggests this is a rom-com (and technically, it is), I never fully felt the romance or connection between Bryony and Jake. I think missing those early moments of their relationship made it harder to feel invested in their chemistry as a couple. That said, I enjoyed the overall storyline, particularly Bryony’s fierce belief in her book and the Bridge. However, I needed more development in her relationship with Jake to really elevate this book in my ratings. I also would have loved more with her students, grandmother, and sister. It’s a charming read, but for me, the romance fell just a little short of perfect.

The Perfect Rom Com is sweet, funny, and packed with heart. Jack and Bryony’s banter and their slow burn, he falls first romance were definite highlights.

While the story started strong, it lost a bit of momentum, and the third act breakup (ugh, not a fan) wasn’t my favorite. That said, the resolution wrapped things up nicely, and I think closed door romance readers will love this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC!

This book was ok, but left a bit to be desired overall. I wished we hadn't skipped so quickly over all of the development of their relationship. I feel like we just pressed fast forward and suddenly they were besties. I also struggled with the ending.... i feel like there has to be a lot of fallout from that!

I was really excited about this book, however, it fell flat.
I can appreciate a good closed door romance, however, I don't understand why the friendship building needed to be off page as well. What was the point of the book.

I didn't like the secondary characters, felt unrealistic and I thought MFC was immature and unbelievable.

I really enjoyed this book! It was a perfect blend of lit-fic and humour, with a strangers/friends-to-lovers romance subplot.

I will say that there was a touch less romance than I was expecting - it reads more like a womans fiction story with touches of romance, as opposed to a rom-com

This only gets 4 stars from me because I didn't always love Jack's actions. His and Bryony's friendship/relationship was so fun to read - they have great chemistry and banter! However, I didn't really love that this was a single POV book, so we never get a glimpse into Jack's feelings and rationalisations; and I didn't super love his explanations and solutions when his behaviour came to light. I would have loved just a touch more grovelling from him.

This was my second Melissa Ferguson book, and so far I've enjoyed what I've read!
I just love books about books and authors!

Recieved this book via NetGalley as an ARC, so thank you!
I definitely did enjoy this one, however it did take a little longer to get into the storyline as l'd usually prefer. I was 54% of the way through and feel like l'd mainly only received backstory. It was definitely an entertaining read though and very cute. I liked Bryony as a character and she definitely made me laugh at times!

My first read of the year, and I absolutely loved it! Jack and Bryony were such a treat to read about, and honestly, their banter had me hooked from the beginning.

This story follows Bryony Page, a dedicated ESL teacher by day and aspiring author by night, whose dream is to publish a novel inspired by her grandma’s legacy. Bryony hopes the proceeds will help save her gran’s ESL school, which is on the verge of closing due to lack of funding. Despite having no formal training in publishing or fame to her name, she pitches her very lengthy manuscript with nothing but determination and heart, hoping to score a book deal. Instead, she lands a very demanding ghostwriting gig—courtesy of her new literary agent, Jack Sterling.

The romance was absolutely charming. It unfolds with humor and tenderness, with Jack and Bryony’s witty banter and connection adding a layer of sweetness to the story. Jack’s quiet support for Bryony’s dreams was so heartwarming. He sees Bryony’s potential when she’s too busy doubting herself, and that belief becomes the undercurrent of unspoken feelings that slowly bubble to the surface. Something Jack said to Bryony—“You weren’t dating me. But I was dating you”—is, I think, the perfect way to describe them.

If you’re in the mood for a feel-good read, The Perfect Rom-Com (a very fitting title, lol) is absolutely worth picking up. The third-act breakup was a little predictable, but the resolution left me smiling anyway. The way this book handled humor and heart was so well done, and it definitely got me out of my book slump! A special thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book got off to a slow start for me, but once it picked up it was an enjoyable, quick read. The love story was darling, and Bryony and her ESL students were so much fun! I wish her students had played a larger role in the story!

The ending was a bit of a stretch for me. I struggled with suspending my disbelief there...but overall, a very fun read!

I received and arc via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

This was my first Melissa Ferguson book. My mom loves all of her books, so when I saw this one, I decided to give it a shot. In "The Perfect Rom-com" we follow Bryony Page, an aspiring author, as she tries to sell her first novel in the hopes of saving the ESL school her grandmother started and where Bryony is also a teacher. While a writing conference, as a last-ditch effort, she pitches her novel to a publishing agent named Jack Sterling who passes on her novel. However, he does offer her the chance to be one of a best-selling author's ghostwriters instead. Upon accepting she embarks on a career where everyone knows and loves her stories but does not know her name.

I liked this book. I adored many moments. It kept me engaged and I loved the characters. The banter between the two romantic leads was very witty and. I highlighted many quotes to come back to later, especially some of the things that Bryony's sister said. I adored that Jack was patiently waiting for Bryony to realize they were basically together by just being around her and spending time with her. The way he confessed that he loved her was so cute I squealed.
It would have been fun if we had gotten Jacks POV. We could have seen more of them together and heard his thoughts about Bryony. Especially when the end was coming, and he was scheming his plan. I unfortunately felt like the ending came and went quickly. I know it was because the ending of the book was a whirlwind for Bryony, so it had to be a whirlwind for the reader. I just wish it was a little slower.

This book is perfect for those who want just a clean and cute little love story about two people who work together, wind up becoming friends, then want something more at the expense of their work relationship. While also following an aspiring author's journey into the publishing world. I feel like I even learned more about the publishing world.

I will be embarking on a quest to read Melissa's backlog, now that I have read this one. She is a fabulous author, and I would love to see what else she has to offer.

I received an advance reader copy of this book from NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction in exchange for an honest review. Publication date: February 11, 2025.
Bryony, an aspiring author clinging to her vision of a perfect debut novel, faces the harsh realities of the publishing world. After a string of rejections, she unexpectedly lands a job as a ghostwriter, a detour that sets the stage for the narrative.
The story then jumps two years ahead, leaving a gap in the timeline that I found a bit jarring. I was curious about the experiences and growth Bryony underwent during those missing months.
While I appreciated the premise of the novel, I found the writing style to be somewhat fragmented, which occasionally disrupted the flow of the narrative. Additionally, while marketed as a romantic comedy, I felt the story leaned more towards women's fiction, focusing on themes of career aspirations, personal growth, and navigating life's unexpected twists.
Despite these minor quibbles, the novel offers some thought-provoking insights into the creative process and the challenges of pursuing one's passions.

This was a nice sweet slowburn Romance about Bryony an aspiring author and Jack a literary agent who offers her to be a ghostwriter! I really loved their bater and I loved how they where friends but acted like they where dating without realizing( on her part) you really root for Bryony all throughout the book and and I was really happy with the ending! Definitely give this book a read! Thank you to melissa and netgalley for this ARC review🩷

Hmmm, this one was not a favorite for me. I love a good closed door romance, but the pacing and characterization was all off. While I love a story about the publishing industry, I do not like a girl vs. girl "catfight" with one girl prettier, mean girl, rich privileged "villain." It is very one dimensional and, I think, a harmful trope to pit women against each other that should be collaborating and partners.

Our prologue begins with our main female character Bryony, meeting her agent Jack and immediately disliking him. Then the story skips two years and they are best friends. I can't help but feel like we skipped over the best part of a rom com, which is the relationship building and connection. Bryony is ghostwriting successfully for Amelia- a Paris Hilton entitled type who wrote one cute book then can't even be bothered to read the ones that Bryony ghost writes for her. I don't love a story set up with one person we root for and one with no redeeming qualities. The ending was a bit too "deus ex machina."

I have liked other books by this author but this one missed the mark.

I was given a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction. Book to be published February 11, 2025.

"The Perfect Rom-Com" by Melissa Ferguson is a delightfully fun book to read. Bryony and Jack are totally those friends that are really a couple but they don't see it themselves. They are so co-dependent in so many ways as Jack keeps Bryony on track to write books for a famous socialite and Bryony brings Jack into her world of adult ESL students that she meets in her day job of teaching ESL. This story stays engaging throughout and you just wonder what's going to happen next.

This book has light-hearted moments and also some really, deep touching times as well. Even some cringy moments - but every good rom-com has those of course! The dialogue is excellent and the writing kept me turning the pages and not wanting to put this one down. I've enjoyed many books by this author and this one might be my new favorite by her.

This is a clean, slow burn romance. Some kissing but nothing else. Content is appropriate for ages 16+. Highly recommend this one for readers of sweet and clean romances. No faith content, just a nice sweet and clean rom com.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Netgalley for an opportunity to read an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was a sweet read about Bryony an aspiring author and Jack a literary agent. I loved the banter between them. It was well written and super cute.
You root for Bryony the whole time.

It was cute just not totally what I expected.