The Perfect Romcom is adorable. I love that Melissa's stories, while light and fun, also have a depth to them that gives you something to keep thinking about even after the book is done.

I did struggle with connecting to Byrony for about the first half of the book. She read whinny and needy but she did grow on me. However, Jack and several of the side characters were favorites from the beginning.

All in all, I enjoyed this book.

This book has the perfect mix of coziness, humor and romance. I love books about books, writing and publishing so this one was right up my alley. The mcs were really sweet and the banter was perfect!

Thank you Netgalley, Melissa Ferguson and Thomas Nelson fiction for providing me with a copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for allowing me to have a copy of The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson in exchange for an honest review of the book!

I was really excited to read what this book was about. The publishing world is something that interests me and I love books about books! Unfortunately The Perfect Rom-Com fell short for me. The pacing of the book was off and there were times in the book where I felt like I had no clue what was happening even though I was fully comprehending what I was reading. It’s a pretty short book which is nice, but I wish the pacing of the book was better.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book started off very strong and grabbed my attention, but then it skipped 2 years. This would have worked better if it didn’t happen so quickly in the story. It was literary whiplash and negatively affected the character development and believability of the story line. I was also seriously distracted by the plot hole surrounding Bryony’s 2 year, long distance boyfriend. It didn’t make sense and was so unbelievable that it really took away from the story. The author also quotes perceived inner thoughts/expressions of characters and I found this to be distracting considering how often it’s done. I had to double back to check if the character said that, or that’s what the MC thought the character was expressing. I can’t remember noticing this technique in books before and I can’t say that I really like it.

So why 3 stars? I rounded up from 2.5 because I really enjoyed the beginning and the concept. I love books that take place in the world of publishing, and the ghost writing theme was unique and interesting. It kind of reminds me of Singing in the Rain with the voice over for the silent movie star. I also liked the two main characters, but wish we hadn’t missed a little of their backstory when the timeline jumped two years. The ending definitely picked up, although it definitely takes a leap of faith to believe it. You have to remind yourself that it’s just fiction and to go with it.

Overall, quick and entertaining read. I think it’s definitely worthy of some beach/pool time.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Bryony Page writes a book to help save the ESL school her grandmother founded. While Jack doesn't take her on as a client, he does provide her with an opportunity to ghostwrite for a popular romantic comedy author.

I read this book in less than 24 hours - granted I had some kid free time in there. The story had me hooked from the beginning, though.

I loved the banter between Jack and Bryony. I love a good friends to lovers trope, and this was no exception. My heart melted when he finally expressed his feelings for her.

I hated Amelia and how insufferable she was, but that was the whole point. I was cackling at the twist at the end. She definitely got what she deserved.

This was a sweet book with no spice and would be perfect for those who love books about ghostwriters, the friends to lovers and forced proximity tropes, and slow-ish burns.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for this ARC.

After reading How to Plot a Payback earlier this year, I was looking forward to this book. Sadly, I ended up a little bit confused and a lot disappointed. While there are elements of this book that I like, the overall final product falls short.

From the start, it needs to be clarified: This book is Women’s Fiction first, and Rom-Com second. And while many amazing books straddle that line, this feels more like an identity crisis. The romance plot almost feels like an afterthought. I couldn’t tell you whether I like Bryony and Jack as a couple—whether or not they have good chemistry—because so little time is spent developing their relationship. They start at odds then there’s a two-year time jump, after which they are “platonic” best friends, followed by another rapid shift into a relationship.

The writing, at times, feels harried or crowded, like Ferguson knew she needed to get to other plot points, but couldn’t stop writing about the ins and outs of the publishing world and Bryony’s ghostwriting predicament. World-building is great, but not when it’s to the detriment of the overall plot and pacing. It’s kind of funny that, in a book that focuses so much on Bryony editing her work, this book didn’t feel like a final edit.

Maybe the biggest issue is that I didn’t buy into Bryony’s motivation as a character. The idea that her debut novel could somehow generate the millions of dollars of funding that her grandmother’s non-profit needs is beyond far-fetched, and the resolution of this plotline was just as far-fetched.

What I did like: There were some cute “Aha!” moments early on, where Jack’s feelings for Bryony started to peek through. And while the writing, at times, feels harried or crowded, there is a proficiency that shines through. Overall (and again, the irony), this book didn’t feel like a bad idea or a waste of time. It has potential, but this feels like seeing an incarnation not yet meant for public consumption. I still plan to read more from this author, and hope this was just a blip.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the advanced reader copy of this book, provided in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

Melissa Ferguson has done it again! The Perfect Rom-Com is a sweet, entertaining book about a publisher and a ghost writer. I enjoyed the different elements of the book and the tropes that reminded me of one of my favorite 1950s musicals.

I’m honestly in two minds over this book. Yes, I enjoyed it and stayed hooked until the end, but the main characters frustrated me so. much. Especially Jack 🙄 Not to mention the ending felt just a little too fabricated, even for a rom-com…

But like I said, I did enjoy the story, and as a writer, the way being a writer was portrayed was very accurate! I loved the unique cast of characters, and the setting was a lot of fun. The romantic moments between Bryony and Jack were very sweet, and for me, those moments did make up for Jack’s annoyingness 😂

I love when authors give us a glimpse into the publishing world. It’s just such a great peek behind the curtain for bookworms everywhere. This book delivers on the insider view of the publishing industry and follows a main character book lovers can really root for while reading.
Read if you love:
🌸witty banter
🌸heartfelt moments
🌸Books about books, author life, publishing books, all things books!

Thank you to Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to read this ahead of publication!

"You weren't dating me. But I was dating you."

The Perfect Rom-Com felt like sitting in front of a warm fire with the softest blanket and an always hot cup of coffee. The story follows Bryony, a character who feels so real and relatable, it’s like spending time with a friend you can’t help but root for. Ferguson’s writing is full of vibrant descriptions, making Bryony's small-town life and the romantic backdrop of her journey feel fresh and immersive. What stands out is how Bryony navigates the pressures of fitting in both her cozy hometown and the bustling world of rom-coms she’s somehow become entangled in. Her struggle to reconcile these two worlds, each with its own set of expectations, adds a depth to the story that goes beyond just the romance—it's about finding where you truly belong.

But it’s not all serious; the wit and humor in this book are what keep it light and fun, even as Bryony faces some pretty big life dilemmas. Ferguson’s sharp, playful dialogue brings out the best in her characters, and Bryony’s dry humor will keep you chuckling throughout. The combination of a witty narrative, vivid character development, and a relatable, heartfelt journey of self-discovery makes The Perfect Rom-Com a truly charming and enjoyable read. Whether you're a fan of rom-coms or just love a good story with heart, this book has something special to offer. My only wish for this book is that we had been given more pages to fill in the gaps between when Jack and Byrony first met and two years down the road when they find themselves developing a romantic relationship. I loved their friendship, respect for one another, and the banter - I feel like readers are missing out on more of this.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an ARC. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

This was my first Melissa Ferguson book and I look forward to reading more! This book had the perfect amount of cheesy/sappy moments that I love in a Rom Com. Bryony Page was a great character and I feel like I know her after reading this. Definitely recommend!

The name does not lie people!!!! Rarely do books give me butterflies or make me kick my feet and giggle but I was just so obsessed with the romance in this story, it happens multiple times! Thank you so much for the chance to read this advanced copy!

This was a sweet tale of a ghost writing trying to find their place. I liked the style of having a flashback to give the reader context on her own process for writing her novel. I enjoyed the banter between siblings.

I really enjoyed this story. It was quite a clean romance, which isn't my favorite, but the writing was good and the plot was fun. I found myself not wanting to put the book down, which is really the most important measure of what makes a good book, isn't it?

Adored this one! Melissa Ferguson is the queen of feel good rom coms with a great mix of humor and swoon.

I loved this book. I was not expecting to love it at first because so many rom-coms authors write about authors and the whole publishing industry. But this book was so much better than the rest! It was clever, heartfelt, and a little stressful at times. I read it all in one sitting. Thank you for the opportunity to read The Perfect Rom-Com.

I love that this book had more to it than just romance, we love some subplots! Bryony Page, our FMC, is an ESL teacher at a school about to lose funding. She tries to write a book about the school, but is having a difficult time getting it published. She then is the ghost writer for a famous romance author. She developed a friendship with the agent Jack. Obviously, he starts falling for her, which leads to some issues with getting her own book published. Absolutely love when I have major feelings while reading a book, this is a testament to the writer. I felt such strong hatred for Amelia and such a strong love for Both our female and male main characters. This is a quick easy read with some more depth than the regular romcom.

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an early read of this book in exchange for an honest review*

I enjoyed this book, I loved the banter between Jack and Bryony and I loved watching their relationship change and evolve throughout the book. The one big issue I had was the huge time skip, which meant we missed out on a huge plot point of Jack and Bryony going from essentially enemies to friends and I really wish this would’ve been touched on more. I also didn’t love the fact that there were a few plot holes that seemed almost too big to skip over, which took away from the story as a whole. However, I did love reading about these characters and the journey they had throughout the book.

Bryony and Jack were super cute.
This is such an easy cosy and heart warming read and that I did devour this.

Melissa’s writing is lovely and her progression in her characters are beautiful I really enjoyed this.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was such a fun one to read! It had elements of a romance, but at it's heart is the story of a writer determined to use her words to bring awareness to an important cause.

Bryony Page is an ESL teacher at a school about to lose it's funding. She writes a novel based on the school, but can't get published. Instead she stumbles on the job of ghostwriter for romance author Amelia Benedict. Over the course of two years she turns Amelia into a literary sensation, and develops a friendship with her agent, Jack. She still desperately wishes to publish her own book and Jack insists he's working on it. But there's more at play, not the least of which includes Jack realizing he feels more than just friendship for Bryony.

Bryony is a big-hearted person, and her love for her ESL students was truly heartwarming. She's also an exceptional author and it was such a joy to read about her writing process. I absolutely despised the character of Amelia. She was truly awful, and I kept getting angry and upset with her. I always find that being able to evoke such strong feelings is a true indication of an author's talent! As for Jack and Bryony's romance, it was pretty secondary to the rest of the story. I loved their friendship, but I found him to be a bit belittling and manipulative, all under the guise of trying to do what he thought was best for her. He did redeem himself, but I would have liked more conversation about his actions.

All in all, this book was a lovely read, and one that I flew through because I wanted to see how everything fell into place. The ending was a little far-fetched, but I have no problem suspending reality in order to enjoy a book. If you like steam-free romances that read more like contemporary women's fiction, I recommend this one! It publishes on February 11th 2025.

Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.