Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the Arc. Bryony Page is a tenacious inspiring author who finds herself fumbling to make a good first impression, quickly realizing she is way in over her head. Bryony loves hard and is a fierce protector of those she cares about including her first book. Talk about love is blind. There's something about Bryony that leads Jack to make her an offer she can't refuse. She desperately wants to make a name for herself to help her beloved ESL students but is plagued by the shadow of being a ghostwriter. Bryony has some tough decisions to make as she finds herself experiencing one betrayal after another. I found the long distance relationship highlighted just how naive Bryony is though she is passionate and strong-willed which is important later in the story. The banter between Bryony and Jack had some notable Rom Com moments. Their relationship read more of a secondary storyline that developed towards the last 20 percent of the book. I found myself wanting more from them especially after Jack redeems himself. Can Bryony get both happy endings that she desires?
Karissa Vacker nails bringing Bryony to life.

This was really good. I've read some similar styled books, but the characters in this one really pulled on my heart strings and made me so much more interested and invested in the outcome. I loved how the ESL students/teaching was intertwined throughout the story and really made it feel so real. It was also so satisfying how everything turned out in the end.

Fast and cute read. I feel as though this is a fiction book wrapped in a PG rom com movie. The characters were relatable and a bit believable and you definitely find yourself screaming for the FMC and understanding her frustration of being the brains behind the face. However, there were a lot of “oh hunny…”’s throughout this book and some second hand embarrassment. But overall I liked it. The spice level was 0 and I really just wouldn’t consider this a romance book as a whole - it was more character development driven. I did cry once!

“The Perfect Rom-Com” wasn’t so perfect for me. I love a story about someone getting to live their dream. Add in some romance, witty banter and I am typically hooked. It’s a well written witty story with great banter. That aside, I didn’t love it. Bryony, the FMC is determined to find an agent in hopes of getting her novel published. She knows it may need some polishing, but she believes in her heart that with the right agent, it will be a success. She just needs someone to champion her. When she attends a publishing event she is scared and hopeful. Things do not go as planned. Then Jack, world's most condescending and pompous agent of them all makes her an offer. She sees it as a once in a lifetime offer and believes every promise he makes and signs on the dotted one without hesitation. What could possibly go wrong? We do get to the inevitable HEA for Bryony, but by that time I wasn’t terribly interested. I found most of the characters not terribly likable. Additionally, I didn’t find there to be much real chemistry between the two main characters. Love this author, this just wasn’t my favorite.

I went back and forth on the rating for this but I feel like I need to settle on a 4. I feel like this gives Emily Henry vibes without the spice and emotional trauma. I was wondering what the conflict could be when it seemed like things were working out so well and it was early on, but she brought it on in. The all too well known misunderstanding but can’t clear it up plot line but this specific story I haven’t seen before. I loved reading about ghost writers because honestly I forget they’re a thing. Now I’m like wait. I wonder how many of these are out there and have to live with people loving their work but not being able to claim it! Annnnyways. This was a simple book and yes I laughed out loud many a times. I was able to listen to it and the narrator truly does a fantastic job. I’m honestly impressed with her voice for the mmc, usually I cringe the whole time but she did so well! All in all, I think most people would stay in the 3 zone for this book but I just really thought it was cute and an easy read that had me giggling so I’m sticking with rounding up to a 4!

Thank you to HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Thomas Nelson Fiction, & NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Audiobook copy!

This was a super sweet/cute story and I loved a lot of the elements. Unfortunately, I went in expecting the romance to be a major part of the plot. The title is “the Perfect Rom Com” after all. I spent about half the book not sure if it was a romance. Jack didn’t seem to flirt with her at all and their chemistry felt really platonic. All the sudden she’s single and they just get together, but it felt so abrupt. We really only got one or two romantic moments. The focus was a lot more on books and the writing process.

I did enjoy the audiobook, and I love this narrator. I also thought the ending was super satisfying!
I just think the book needs a little tweaking!

In one word, CUTE!!!! The story was so sweet and kept me engaged from start to finish. Obviously this was a rom-com but was so different than any of my recent reads. I loved all the publishing/agent/author background information as I always wonder how everything works so I was so happy this was part of the story. I also loved the descriptions of Bryony’s students lives from the bridge. (I also secretly loved that they all hated Jack) 😆
If you love rom-coms, I would would definitely recommend this one!! Spice is 0 out of 5 so if you’re looking for something without spice this is perfect for you!!

I wanted to really like this. It was a nice cozy fictional story if that's what you are looking for it just didn't stick out to me as much as I wanted it to, but this could also be my mood at the time I read it.

The Perfect Rom-Com is Melissa Ferguson at her finest. I absolutely fell in love with the FMC Byrony from the moment I met her. She is tenacious and scrappy. I loved her relationship with her sister and her meeting with potential agent, Jack, was so good. Epic!

There are so many laugh out loud moments and many other subtle moments that had me smiling or giggling. This is a book that I needed to relish every word for fear of missing something.

I loved that this took place in the literary world, it seemed so real, highlighting many of the challenges writers experience in this age of social media.

It concludes with the most fabulous grand gesture, truly unmatched!

So so good! The perfect clean romance and truly the "perfect rom-com" 😉

If you have an opportunity to listen on audio, I highly recommend that format. The narrator, Karissa Vacker, was fantastic!

Although funny and bubbly, I love how Melissa shines light on using your voice, self respect, and self worth. I nearly cried in Bryony's moments of feeling used, or when she felt her own work was not good enough. This gem speaks of perseverance when you see no way out, of sticking with what is important to you (even if you need to cut out 50k words out of you manuscript), and support from those who matter. I loved the sister relationship, the student love, and of course the swoony moment when Javk so cleverly rescues all of them from a contract in his fight to win back Bryony. This novel offers plenty of chuckles and satisfaction sighs you won't want to miss!
The narrator was spot on!

5 stars - A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC audiobook of 'The Perfect Rom-Com'! I absolutely adored this book—everything from the characters, to the tone, to the story was fantastic! Amelia, though... woofta. Girlfriend really needed a reality check! Her audacity, entitlement, and the way she treated others had me rolling my eyes at every turn. That said, the ending had me tearing up, and I’m genuinely sad it’s over. This was a true rom-com in every sense and felt "perfect" in every way!

Oh my stars, I absolutely adored this book! From the very first chapter, I was completely hooked. This book is like a warm hug, a slice of delicious cake, and a night out laughing with your best friend—all rolled into one delightful story.

Melissa Ferguson has created such a charming and witty world, filled with characters that feel so real, I wanted to jump into the audiobook and join them for coffee. The story itself is just so clever and fun. I was constantly smiling, and there were definitely a few moments where I burst out laughing!

Speaking of the audiobook, I have to give a huge shoutout to Karissa Vacker. Her voice brought so much life and personality to the story. She perfectly captured the humor, the heart, and all the little nuances of each character. Honestly, Karissa Vacker's performance elevated the whole experience to another level. I could listen all day long!

If you need a book that will lift your spirits and make you believe in the magic of love, look no further. This one is exactly that. perfect! I highly recommend this book. Your heart will thank you.

Cute and empowering but I was really craving some more context in the beginning before such a big time gap and the MMC’s actions throughout the book regarding the FMC’s manuscript really frustrated me.

Special thanks to NetGalley, author Melissa Ferguson and HarperCollins Christian Publishing for an advance listener copy in exchange for my honest review.

I abosolutly loved The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson. Melissa Ferguson is a new to me author, and I'm so excited to read/listen to more of her novels in the future. I really enjoyed the unique storyline—it offered an inside look into both the publishing world and an ESL (English as a Second Language) school. I could totally picture this book being adapted into a Hallmark movie!

The book was narrated by Karissa Vacker and she did a fantastic job!

Publication date- Feb 11 2025
#ThePerfectRomCom #NetGalley

I absolutely loved this book. The chemistry between Bryony and Jack is flammable! Bryony is such a smart, caring, strong woman who loves her family. She is witty and always has smart comebacks to Jack's comments. Which brings be to the banter in this book. It is so good. I love the friends to lovers trope. This is such a fun read. The only part I didn't like was the whole long distance boyfriend thing. The hints are emotional cheating always feel awkward to me. But otherwise, I would highly recommend this book!

I listened to the audio and as always Karissa Vacker is a queen. Her narration is spot on, and I would listen to anything she reads. Her voice and characterization are perfection.

4.25⭐️ | 1🌶️

If you love books about books, publishing, and all the chaos that comes with them, The Perfect Rom-Com is an absolute treat! It’s heartwarming, funny, and unexpectedly inspiring—kind of like a rom-com with a double shot of ambition and a side of self-discovery.

Bryony’s journey had me completely hooked. She’s determined, hardworking, and occasionally a bit of a mess (relatable, right?). Her moments of overthinking were both hilarious and painfully accurate—I wanted to jump into the story just to give her a hug and tell her to breathe.

Now, let’s talk romance! Bryony and Jack’s dynamic was adorable and filled with the kind of witty banter that keeps you grinning. Their chemistry was there, but I couldn’t help but wish their romance had been given more space to shine. It had all the makings of a swoon-worthy love story, but it felt more like a subplot than the main event. Still, their evolution from colleagues to something more was fun to watch unfold.

The behind-the-scenes look at ghostwriting was a highlight! Seeing Bryony navigate the publishing world, dealing with a larger-than-life (and completely clueless) socialite author, was both eye-opening and wildly entertaining. It had me wondering just how many bestsellers are secretly written by someone else.

As for the narration, Karissa Vacker absolutely nailed it! She brought Bryony to life with just the right mix of vulnerability and determination. Her performance made the book even more engaging—she captured every character’s personality, from Amelia’s over-the-top arrogance to Gloria’s charming Southern warmth.

Overall, The Perfect Rom-Com is a feel-good, slow-burn read with a unique premise and an endearing cast of characters. While it leans more toward chick-lit than romance, it’s still a delightful listen, perfect for cozying up with a cup of tea. If you love stories about writers, second chances, and finding your voice (both on and off the page), this one’s worth checking out!

Very cute and entertaining story. The main character was a strong female lead. She never lost sight of what she set out to do from the beginning of the story until the end. This would be a great read for anyone who loves a romantic comedy/easy, fun read. I loved the narrator too.

The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson is a fun, heartfelt read with lovable characters and witty humor. The unexpected twist at the end made it unforgettable. Highly recommend!

REVIEW: The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson
2.5 stars

The Perfect Rom-Com focuses on Bryony, a writer and ESL teacher, and Jack, the writing agent. Bryony wants to publish her book more than anything, but she starts ghostwriting for a famous romance author from a connection through Jack. I liked the plot around an agent and ghostwriter. Ghostwriters are not typically in books, so it was a nice, unique premise.
There is a lot of focus on rom-coms, which is great for fans of the genre. The grand gesture at the end was also an excellent moment for the characters and satisfied me.

Unfortunately, a lot of The Perfect Rom-Com didn't do it for me. First, I wouldn't call this book a rom-com; it's more of a women's literature book. There were only a few funnier parts, and the romance didn't start until almost halfway through the book. The beginning was very slow, and not much was going on. Some unnecessary characters (Parker) didn't play much into the story. There was also an odd time jump at the beginning, where they went from enemies to friends right after the jump. I would love to hear from them about how they became friends. Lastly, I really wanted to develop a better relationship between Bryony and Jack. Their relationship started super slowly, and they were suddenly profoundly in love. I wanted to know more about how their relationship changed and the little sparks back and forth.

Overall, I enjoyed the premise of a ghostwriter and agent, but The Perfect Rom-Com didn't quite do it for me. I just wanted to focus more on Bryony's and Jack's relationship and how it evolved.

Thank you, Netgalley, Thomas Nelson Fiction, and HarperCollins Christian Publishing, for the free advanced copy for my honest review!

4⭐
And I've been in love for quite some time. I just didn't realize it was with him.

Imagine being an international best-selling author but no one knows who you are or that you've written these best-sellers. That's the reality for Bryany Page. After getting yet another ghost-writing opportunity, she also lands a new literary agent, Jack Sterling, who she may or may not fall for...

Love, love, loved this cute, fluffy romance! Can't wait to read more of Melissa Ferguson's work!

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins Christian Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.