I thought that this book was very cute! The only reason why I rated it very low is because I did not comprehend most of this book as this was an arc for me so I was trying to speed read through this. Also I was in a book challenge while reading this and felt as if I needed to get this done really fast so hopefully my team would win the challenge!

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. The Perfect Rom-Com is available now!

I'm not sure what I expected going into it, but I don't think it was whatever I just finished reading. For a book that's titled The Perfect Rom-Com, the "rom-com" was NOT in the room with us for all 304 pages of the book.

Bryony Page is an aspiring author looking to get anyone to publish her first book. She shows up to her first pitch session trying to get someone to believe in her magic realism-contemporary fiction-literary fiction-romance-semi-biographical mashup of a book that's based on her grandmother's life running The Bridge, an organization Bryony works at teaching ESL. After getting rejected multiple times, her shot in the dark is with Jack Sterling, an agent that works for the prestigious Foundry Literacy Agency. The two strike a deal: Jack takes on Bryony's book while Bryony unexpectedly becomes a ghostwriter for one of Jack's authors: Amelia Benedict, bestselling rom-com author. Years pass as Bryony quietly writes Amelia's novels as Amelia takes credit for all of the success and becomes the top-selling rom-com author in the industry, while Bryony's book she wrote all those years ago for the writers pitch has yet to find a home with anyone.

There honestly isn't much to say about The Perfect Rom-Com. It felt like nothing was happening and nothing was developed. The book is titled the way it is because Amelia makes it Bryony's mission to write her the "perfect rom-com" that will blow all her readers away. Other than that, it didn't feel like I was reading a rom-com. It felt very much like a contemporary fiction novel about the ins and outs of the publishing industry and then it had a single sprinkle of romance. Don't get me wrong, I think learning more about the publishing industry was super cool and interesting to read about. It's not an area I know much about but want to considering I read so many ARCs and just read a lot in general.

I felt like nothing was happening because most of the book was Bryony's drawn out monologues that went on for what felt like forever. The entire book is from her POV and I'm sure she was written as this cutesy, relatable, quirky character you wanted to root for because she struggled to keep The Bridge above the water financially, her long-distance relationship with her boyfriend, Parker, was fading, and wanting someone to believe in her book and take her on as an author, but she was so stubborn and it drove me crazy. She was told time and time again that her manuscript needed major edits and that's why no one wanted to take her on as an author. It was too long, too detailed, and there were way too many moving parts to keep readers entertained. Even after she's written multiple novels under Amelia Benedict's name, she didn't think to take the things she's learned from becoming a best-selling writer--albeit a ghostwriter--and apply it to her own book because she believed there was nothing that could be changed.

Marketing this or pitching this book with the idea that there's a romance between Jack and Bryony is doing readers a disservice. I think something of note is that this is a clean romance. There's not even mention of anything sexual happening behind closed doors, so if this is something that deters you from reading a romance novel, this isn't the book for you. I don't care whether a book is open-door or not to enjoy it. You can make two characters have chemistry and good character development without them having to do the deed all the time. However, what I do care about is if the characters have romantic chemistry at all. If they have tension. If their romance seems realistic and believable. Jack and Bryony, to me, weren't anything more than just really close friends. After the first chapter, there's a two-year time jump where we suddenly find out that Jack and Bryony are best friends and we have to imagine and assume that a lot of their relationship was developed off-page. There's also a scene where Jack is talking to Bryony and this entire scene literally made me scratch my head:

"That for all intents and purposes, up to this point, we have been dating."
"What? No, sir." My ears flame at the boldness of his suggestion. "I think I would know if I am dating someone. And I was dating someone." I clarify with an indignant air, "I was dating Parker, and I was very loyal."
"You were indeed. Maybe I should clarify then," Jack says, and there's a bemused grin on his face as he looks down at me.
He slows the moment down.
Lets silence rest between us, so that only the sounds of humming HVAC systems and cicadas whisper around. He takes a step toward me. "You weren't dating me. But I was dating you."


??????????? Huh??????????? Brother, just say you were in love with her and call it a day.

As for Amelia, I swear she was there for ragebait. She did nothing in the story besides make me mad. That's all I have to say about her.

This was nothing more than a quick palate cleansing read. If you're into long, quirky monologues, this might be the story for you, but it's safe to say that this book was NOT the perfect rom-com I was looking for.

2.5 stars

The story starts off slow, so it was hard to keep myself interested. I found the audiobook and decided to have an immersive experience.

We’re introduced to Bryony’s world of publishing very quickly. I expected a lot more to happen in this book, but the characters were slightly uninteresting. I did prefer Amelia over Bryony though. It also didn’t really feel like much of a fun rom-com, despite the title. It was just Bryony complaining throughout the entire the book.

Sadly, this book wasn’t for me.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for this ARC.

This closed door romance will warm your heart and you will be cheering on Bryony and The Bridge.

# The Perfect Rom-Com
# 3/17/2025 ~ 3/18/2025
# 4.5 / 5.0

ARC/ ALC REVIEW:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Melissa Ferguson pens the “perfect rom-com” in her latest novel!!!

Bryony Page has dedicated her adult life to educating a marginalized community (non-English speakers). Working as an ESL teacher has been fulfilling work. After build lasting relationships (beyond the classroom) with many of her students, she has witnessed them successfully reach their goals. But when she learns the school she works for is on the verge of closure, she vows to save it. Will she be able to garner enough exposure and money to keep the school afloat, or will she lose part of herself along the way?

This book is on track to being one of, if not my favorite romcom of 2025. While I have been a fan of Melissa Ferguson since she began writing, this is hands down her best book to date.

The Perfect RomCom appears to be a passion project for Ferguson. Her real life story is infused all throughout Bryony’s backstory. In the past she worked as an ESL teacher eventually leaving the field to pursue her dream of becoming a published author. Ferguson combined those two experiences to produce a love letter to her former students and ESL teachers everywhere.

Read this book for:
-workplace romance
-friends to more
-he falls first
-slow burn
-books about books

Special thanks to Netgalley, Thomas Nelson Fiction, and Melissa Ferguson for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you Net Galley, Melissa Ferguson, and Thomas Nelson for the eARC of this book.

I was really interested in this story especially after seeing a snip it that said "if you're a fan of Katherine Center's book, you will enjoy this book." However, there is no romance at all. I respect that this author writes "clean" romance books but i felt like there was NONE. I wanted to read more about the connections between Jack and Bryony not the set up of her book, being a ghost write and and ESL teacher. To many topics to focus on in this book.

Fun read. Engaging characters. Interesting plot. I felt the heroine’s deep devotion to the school was not explained well enough. Like, why did the school need so much money? Why couldn’t she just teach elsewhere?

Really liked this book. Enjoyed the concept of it
Thank you for allowing me to read this
Rated it 3.75 ⭐️

I really enjoyed this book. I thought that it was funny and heart-warming and had a goodish amount of seriousness with the falling in love part. I wished it was a little more serious because it could have been really eye-opening in terms of what immigrants have to deal with when they come to this country, but that is also not what the main character herself has to deal with, it’s just her job, so I understand. I also found the male main character to be a little off putting at times. I just didn’t agree with the choices Jack made in terms of what Bryony asked him to do. It was for selfish reasons, even though technically it was explained to not be. All in all though another good one from Melissa Ferguson.

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

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ /5
Spice: 0 /5
Genre: Humor & Satire | Romance | Women's Fiction
Theme: slow burn, forced proximity, banter
Author: Melissa Ferguson
Book Publication date: Feb 11, 2025
Page Count: 301 (Paperback)
Book Cover first thoughts: Love the cover, its cute and clean, the peachy coral POPS

One Liner: A cute and fun romance about a ghostwriter and her journey with publishers.

Story Review / Summary: The romance between Bryony and Jack was cute, fun and sweet. This was more of a cute funny banter romance compared to a spicy romance. I enjoyed the banter and storyline about a book and struggles of an author. Interesting view into what I expect is very real in the industry with a fun romantic twist.

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Thank you to #NetGalley , HarperCollins Christian Publishing and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC (Advance Reader Copy) of #ThePerfectRomCom by #MelissaFerguson @ourfriendlyfarmhouse
All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is Feb 11, 2025.
This review is being shared on NetGalley, Goodreads, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

4.25 STARS

Thank you so much to Thomas Nelson for this advanced copy on NetGalley! 🤍

This book was so lovely! I enjoyed my entire time with this book and I was so pleasantly surprised by all of the simple twists and turns that it took. Bryony and Jack’s friendship was both hilarious and sweet, which really made for the best experience as a reader. I thought that the entire concept of Bryony being a ghostwriter for probably one of the most entitled people was such a fun plotline!

The ending was *chefs kiss* and I absolutely devoured this book to find out what the heck was happening. Jack – I thank you for being a man who can APOLOGIZE when being in the wrong. The most humble fictional man I have read in a long while. My stamp of approval is all his. Bryony was a bit oblivious at times, which did frustrate me, however it made her more human so I’ll allow it.

Overall, this book was a great read and I would highly recommend it to anyone who asks!

This book was so cute - firstly, can we just talk about the cover? It's so incredibly perfect! The background being the city just really adds to how much I love this entire book. Secondly; Melissa's writing is truly beautiful - it's charming and the way that she writes tension is just so satisfying. The tension was truly next level and had my heart racing on more than once occasion - the under the table touches? Oh, those will be lingering in my brain for a long time to come as the way that they were written was truly beautiful.

The tender kisses were kept light, and the words full of affection just charmed me so much! This book was such an easy one to just curl up and read in one session. The conflict was written in such a way that it really helped with progressing the plot line, and the pacing was right on point.

This book truly left me feeling all sorts of gooey and gave me serious Emily Henry in Book Lovers vibes!

I can hardly wait to read more of Melissa's writing and will be looking into more of her books VERY soon!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and to Thomas Nelson Fiction for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

This was pretty much an okay book. I did not hate it, but I also did not love it. I really enjoyed some parts of it, while others fell a little bit flat. I did not really care for the characters or their relationship, which is the main reason for this rating.

I would still recommend it, and I will definitely read other works by this author.

I did not get rom com vibes at all from this. The romance between the MMC and FMC didn't really happen until page 160 there was no chemistry between the characters at all until the middle of the book. There may have been about 2 actual scenes with them together that would be considered anything romantic.

some chapters were long some were short, wouldn't say this was a quick easy read. I felt like the story dragged and took a while to get through. The story lacked character and relationship development for me.

This is my 2nd Ferguson book and I loved it just as much. The first person POV into a beginning writer's life is spot on and made me laugh (and cringe) with its accuracy. The plot moved along at a solid clip hence me finishing it in 2 days. The characters' distinct personalities made them stand out from each other and I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this book. I will definitely read this author again and again!

Perfect feel good rom-com.
Felt like it started a little slow but turned out to be great!

The audio book was great with the multiple voices as well.


Thank you so much to NetGalley and the author of this book for the eARC!

The Perfect Rom-Com was legit the perfect romcom and already one of my top 2025 reads. This book has so much heart, so much wit, so much banter, and so much depth! I absolutely devoured it and still seem to be finding myself in a bit of a book hangover 🥰
I could not get enough of Jack and Bryony!

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson fiction for this ARC! Jack and Bryony are a cute enemies to lovers workplace romance story. She just wants to get published and he needs a ghostwriter for a popular social media star. Their dynamic of ‘are they just friends or are they more’ is so sweet and I was happy to read all about their evolution. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thanks NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. This book was fine. I found it really choppy in the beginning. It skipped forward a bunch and I felt there were things brought up that weren't discussed or expanded on. Once I got 60% in it got a bit cohesive but I then it got choppy again. Overall a good story but needed work.

Yep, this was a cute and adorable romance that will make you smile. Bryony Page is trying to save her Grandma's ESL foundation and writes a book about it. She fails spectacularly at selling it but ends up becoming a best selling ghostwriter. The story follows as she travels with her agent and the author she is ghostwriting for. It's lighter than an Emily Henry novel but still gives off those vibes.

Spice: Only kissing (once or twice, think hallmark movie).