This was a cute story and it was fun to read. I liked the characters and the writing style. However it was not very memorable but in my opinion a romcom doesn't really have to be. I just want to have a good time reading.

Short and sweet thoughts on The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson.

In short: I didn't enjoy this one.

I was disoriented the entire story and constantly thought I was missing pivotal information. Since it felt like the book started after the story was already established, I went so far as to re-read the first chapter, confirming that there was nothing that I had missed. There was also this assumption that readers understood that Bryony and Jack liked each other, but there wasn't a lot of on-page lust and tension building to actually feel this attraction.

Speaking of the characters, I simply disliked them. Bryony felt incredibly immature and it was exhausting being in her head; her never-ending internal dialogue was monotonous and tedious to work through. Jack was incredibly slimy, and I never once trusted him.

Okay, onto the sweet!

Karissa Vacker is one of my favourite audiobook narrators, and her talents are again proven with this narration. Honestly, as much as I disliked Bryony, Vacker's voice really worked for her as a character (and just to be clear, I never once disliked the audiobook)!

Although I didn't enjoy this one, I'm hoping to connect with the next book I read from Ferguson, as I have Famous For A Living on my shelf!

Thank you UpLit Reads, NetGalley, Thomas Nelson Fiction, Thomas Nelson and HarperCollins Christian Publishing for the complimentary copies to read and review.

She’s a writer hoping to finally get her book published. In a turn of events she becomes the ghost writer for a famous author. Turns out, she’s really good at writing romcoms. But not so good at not getting any of the credit for them. Can her best friend help her out or will he keep her locked into the contract forever writing books for other people?

This was an absolutely charming audiobook. The voicing was perfect. It made me want to see this book turned into a movie. It really was the perfect romcom.

Bryony Page is an aspiring author and ESL teacher who’s spent years writing romance in the shadows, until a chaotic pitch session at a writers conference turns into an unexpected opportunity. When she's offered a ghostwriting job for the infamously difficult rom-com author Amelia Benedict, Bryony reluctantly accepts on one condition: her dream agent, Jack Sterling, must try to sell her book, too. What follows is a whirlwind of secret success, rising fame (for someone else), and a slow-burning attraction between a quietly brilliant writer and the man who believes in her voice, even if he doesn’t know the whole truth.

Tropes
* Ghostwriter heroine
* Grumpy/sunshine dynamic
* Workplace romance
* Hidden identity / secret success
* Found family
* Aspiring author dream arc
* Slow-burn romance
* Writer + literary agent pairing

The Perfect Rom-Com is a love letter to writers, dreamers, and anyone who’s ever felt like they’re just one break away from making it. Melissa Ferguson brings her signature warmth, humour, and heart to this charming story about an invisible author who suddenly finds herself shaping the voice of a bestselling brand, and slowly, her future. Bryony is earnest, funny, and deeply relatable, while Jack is the kind of quietly supportive love interest who doesn’t just root for your success; he helps you build it. A clean, feel-good romance with surprising depth and plenty of swoon, this is exactly the book you'd want on a cosy night in.

This was such a charming and enjoyable listen. It follows a romance author whose career takes an unexpected turn when she becomes a ghostwriter—and that’s where the fun really begins. The setup was fresh and led to some genuinely funny and heartwarming moments.

It’s a clean, lighthearted romcom with just enough depth to keep you invested. I appreciated how it played with familiar tropes in a fun, thoughtful way. It had that sweet, slightly quirky vibe that’s perfect when you’re in the mood for something feel-good and easy to enjoy.

Thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, and the author for the advance listening copy in exchange for an honest review!

I love this! What a cute book about a woman fighting for herself and achieving her goals.

I don’t know that I would necessarily consider this a rom-com or a romance in general. I would definitely say this is more women’s fiction with an element of a romantic relationship. I appreciate that it’s a clean book in terms of language and is void of anything sexual in nature - the most the characters do is kiss. I can always appreciate a book like that because as a reader myself, I want to keep a log of books I would feel comfortable for my daughter to read in the future, and this is definitely one of them.

I thought this book was unique in that I’ve never read a book with a main character who is an ESL teacher, but I’m glad I’ve been introduced to that. I also loved getting sort of an “inside scoop” to the field of writing (and ghostwriting) and what it’s like to get people to pick up your book to be published.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for a review.

Book Title: The Perfect Rom-Com

Author: Melissa Ferguson

Narrator: Karissa Vacker

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Romance

Publication Date: 21 February 2023

Rating: ★★★☆☆

I received a free audiobook copy from HarperCollins Christian Publishing | Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Introduction

🎧 The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson is a delightful, feel-good listen that’s perfect for when you need a light and easy escape. Narrated by the wonderful Karissa Vacker, this audiobook is less of a traditional romantic comedy and more of a charming story about personal growth, ambition, and the publishing world. It's an ideal "palate cleanser" that’s both fun and unexpectedly impactful.

Source: NetGalley

Plot Summary (Spoiler-Free)

📖 Aspiring author Bryony Page wants to publish her first novel to raise awareness and money for her grandmother’s struggling ESL school, The Bridge. After a disastrous pitch session at a writers conference, she unexpectedly lands a ghostwriting job for a demanding rom-com novelist, Amelia Benedict. Bryony agrees, on the condition that her new literary agent, Jack Sterling, works to sell her original manuscript. The story follows Bryony as she navigates the pressures of writing bestsellers under someone else’s name, all while a unique relationship forms between her and the seemingly gruff Jack.

Narration and Performance

🎤 Karissa Vacker’s narration is the star of this audiobook. Her performance is full of warmth, charm, and a quirky energy that perfectly embodies Bryony's character. The pacing is excellent, and her ability to bring the story's witty and funny moments to life is a major plus. Vacker effectively differentiates between characters, making it easy to follow the dialogue and get invested in the various personalities. Her narration makes this book an absolute pleasure to listen to, and it’s a key reason to choose the audiobook format.

Overall Thoughts

✨ This book offers a fascinating, behind-the-scenes look at the publishing industry and the world of ghostwriting. While the romance is more of a slow-burn subplot, the focus on Bryony's journey of self-realization is heartwarming and empowering. The character of Amelia Benedict serves as a great foil, providing entertaining moments of conflict. The story is a cozy, low-stakes read that is perfect for a lazy afternoon. It may not be the "perfect rom-com" as the title suggests, but it is an enjoyable and easy listen that will leave you with a smile.

Conclusion & Final Rating

✅ The Perfect Rom-Com is a great choice for anyone looking for a sweet and charming story with a focus on personal growth and the book world. Thanks to Karissa Vacker's excellent narration, it's a highly recommended listen for a quick, mood-boosting read.

Final Rating:★★★☆☆

Book Tropes:

Workplace romance

Forced proximity

Literary agent

Friends-to-lovers

Ghostwriter

He falls first

Many thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, and the author for the ALC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A solid 3.5 star listen!! Majorly because of Karissa, she is becoming one of my auto-listen narrators.

Melissa Ferguson has been a hit or miss for me—the last book I read was sort of a miss, but she has redeemed herself with this one imo! In this one, we meet Bryony, an ESL teacher who’s passionate about her grandmother's school and is desperate to save it from closing. Her dream? To publish her novel and use the earnings to keep the school afloat.

But instead of a book deal, she’s handed an unexpected twist, an opportunity to become a ghostwriter for a famous author, Amelia Benedict, who, let’s just say, does not know what she is doing except that she has everyone at her beck and call. All of this is orchestrated by Jack, the stern literary agent who might just have a soft side under that grumpy, no-nonsense exterior.

The first meeting between these 2 MCs was hilarious and so quirky—also I think I am in my era of finding slow burns again. The banter, chemistry, and slow friendship, with loads of awkward moments and even more heart!

There is a third-act breakup because of? You guessed it—mis-frigging-communication—that's where the 0.5 went! Yes, the betrayal was enormous—yet was it? Ughhh, Jack, USE YOUR WORDS, BUDDY!!! Bryony's inner monologues and pep talks were hilarious af, and I had a lot of LOL moments!

The best part of this story was all of the lovable ESL students who brought so much charm and warmth to the story. I feel educated about the behind-the-scenes of writing and publishing ghostwritten books.

The ending was movie style and, imo, quite impossible IRL, and I guess that is the beauty of fiction, hahah.

I always love a book about a writer, and this one did not disappoint cute banter between the main male character and the main female character. The energy was perfect between them and they really had a love hate type of storyline which I’m always a fan of. I’m so glad I Got to listen to this advanced audiobook copy in order to give my honest feedback. I will definitely be reading more by this author in the future, the storyline kept me intrigued and interested all the way till the end bravo on a great beachy read with true romcom vibes.

I definitely did enjoy this one, however it did take a little longer to get into the storyline as I’d usually prefer. I was 54% of the way through and feel like I’d mainly only received backstory. It was definitely an entertaining read though and very cute

In this delightful, quietly powerful novel, we follow aspiring author Bryony Page as she enters the literary world through the back door—and ends up writing her way into bestseller lists without anyone knowing her name.

Bryony arrives at her first writers conference with hope in her heart and a manuscript in hand, dreaming of not just getting published but raising awareness for The Bridge, the underfunded ESL nonprofit her grandmother runs. But after a painfully awkward pitch session, her chances look slim—until she impulsively edits another writer’s work in front of a literary agent. And nails it. One spontaneous moment leads to the opportunity of a lifetime: ghostwriting for Amelia Benedict, a popular but demanding rom-com author whose success has more to do with branding than talent.

Bryony takes the deal on one condition—that the agent, Jack Sterling of the legendary Foundry Literary Agency, agrees to represent her original work as well. What follows is a whirlwind of publishing deadlines, secret authorship, and unexpected chemistry between Bryony and Jack. As Amelia Benedict becomes a household name based on Bryony’s words, the question looms larger: how long can you let someone else take credit for your voice?

This book is a warm, witty, and emotionally satisfying ride through the highs and lows of creative ambition. Bryony is an easy heroine to root for—self-effacing, quietly brilliant, and guided by an earnest sense of purpose. Her evolving relationship with Jack is both sweet and simmering, layered with real emotional stakes. And the publishing world, with all its glittering facades and backroom deals, is portrayed with just the right mix of satire and sincerity.

Romantic, relatable, and deeply satisfying, this is a story about owning your worth, finding your voice, and refusing to be sidelined—even when the world wants you to stay invisible.

I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

I started this audiobook and I was very excited for the story. I decided to DNF it at 42%! I really like the FMC and how she was working to basically get her book out there, but something was missing. The MMC and FMC were friends and time had already passed and their romance was not really going anywhere, neither her becoming an author of her own. Being that closed to 50% and there’s not really a romantic connection in my opinion, was the main reason why I decided it was better to DNF it!
I appreciate the ARC!

📖 BOOK REVIEW 📖🌸
✨ Title: The Perfect Romcom
💖 Author: [Insert Author Name]
⭐️ Rating: 5/5 (swoony) stars
💫 Genre: Romantic Comedy / Feel-Good Fiction

If I could bottle the feeling this book gave me and wear it like perfume, I would. ☁️💕 From the banter that made me laugh out loud to the slow-burn tension that had me mentally screaming “JUST KISS ALREADY!” — this was romcom perfection.

👩‍❤️‍👨 Our heroine? Relatable, witty, and just the right amount of chaotic.
👨‍🍳 The love interest? Grumpy, golden-hearted, and 100% book boyfriend material.
🌆 The setting? Cozy, cinematic, and practically begging to be turned into a Netflix Original.

This book gave me all the warm fuzzies and reminded me why I adore this genre:
✅ Friends-to-lovers
✅ Forced proximity
✅ One (1) bed trope
✅ A meddling grandma with a matchmaking agenda
✅ And an epilogue that had me SOBBING (happy tears, promise 😭💞)

📚 If you’re a fan of Emily Henry, Ali Hazelwood, or Tessa Bailey, this one deserves a top spot on your TBR!

🛒 Go grab it. Cancel your plans. Fall in love

Tone:

“Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC, the library for my physical copy, libro.fm and NetGalley for my audio copy and to the author for writing such a delightful read — this review is my honest opinion!” Ps the narrator ( a fav) just added to the experience

2 stars
Thank you to Net Galley and Thomas Nelson for accepting my request for this ARC!

Bryony Page is an aspiring author who wants to publish her novel in an attempt to not only get her name out there but to also in hopes to raise money for the ESL school that her Gran runs and she has taught at for years. Her last hope for publishing is Jack Sterling of Sterling publishing, an arrogant, irritating, man.Bryony gets a chance of a lifetime to become a ghostwriter for famous author, Amelia Benedict while Jack tries to get Bryony's own book published.

However, when Jack's "helpful hand" turns out to be nothing but a farce, it only gets worse when later Bryony ends up receiving a letter saying that she has betrayed their contract and that Jack is going to sue her! Ah, the romance. This is not a rom com as advertised, it's more of a chick lit. Don't get me wrong I do love Bryony's story and passion of the ESL school, as well as for writing. It also had its funny moments for sure which I enjoyed.

Sweet, clever, and rom-com perfection 🎧💘. The Perfect Rom-Com is a charming, feel-good listen packed with laughs, lovable characters, and swoon-worthy romance. Melissa Ferguson nails the humour, heart, and happily-ever-after, while the audiobook format brings the story to life brilliantly. I adored the quirky plot and emotional moments. A perfect listen for rom-com fans.

It was okay but it felt slow and flat . I don't read much contemporary romance so wanted that missing thing that will make it interesting.

Sweet, witty, and full of charm—The Perfect Rom-Com delivers laugh-out-loud moments and heart-melting romance in the most delightful way!

Fun rom com romp lighthearted and whimsical with lots of heart and great way to enjoy a break from rarity and the beauty of world and relationships

The Perfect Rom‑Com is a charming slow-burn romance set in the publishing world. Bryony and Jack’s chemistry builds gradually, and the industry insight adds a fun twist. It leans more women’s fiction than pure rom-com, but it’s heartfelt, witty, and perfect for book lovers.

This was a super sweet, cute, quick listen!! The audio was done wonderfully and I really enjoyed the main characters relationship. I enjoyed it a lot and I feel like quite often romances are just fun and quick, and its rare I enjoy one enough to get a 5 star, so when a romance gets a 4 star I feel like that shows it is a good one, especially since I can remember this story, while most romances I tend to forget.