I love Melissa Ferguson’s books. I know I’ve only read two but I’m a forever fan. Not only are they funny (they are hilarious, actually), they are so well done.

This book has all the things I love in a romcom. Humor, heart, a wonderfully snarky MMC, a sweet and caring FMC who’s an ELS teacher turned ghostwriter. Along with moments that had me laughing so hard and smiling so big from the inner thoughts of Bryony.

I adored Bryony and Jack. Jack is so arrogant, it’s enjoyable. I loved how they knew each other. How they would know what the other was thinking. Ferguson’s descriptions are spot on. She even made me crave a tomato pie and I don’t even know what tomato pie is. I haven’t read a book about a ghostwriter before and I really enjoyed this plot line. (And of course the romantic tension between Jack and Bryony was also enjoyable.)

The story has a usual villain and the supporting characters are just as well done as Jack and Bryony. I can’t say my favorite moments for fear of spoilers but there were many.

The narrator does a perfect job expressing Ferguson’s words. Karissa Vacker’s tone was very well done on each character she portrayed. There are variety of accents too that are spot on.

I received a paperback and NetGalley approval for the audio and ebook from the publisher for your purposes. Huge thank you to Thomas Nelson.

The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson is a cute story about Bryony & Jack's relationship. The story starts with them meeting at a writing conference, then it jumps ahead 2 years later. Throughout the story, the readers are informed how their relationship grew into friendship, then more. Add plenty of characters to keep track of in this story, lots of self-reflection through Bryony's viewpoint, a little drama, a sprinkling of romance.
Thank you, #NetGalley & Thomas Nelson, for allowing me to read The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson. I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book on #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, but if you're a romantic at heart & a book lover, then you'll enjoy this sweet story.

This book is all I love about Melissa Ferguson. It's bookish and hilarious and the sweetest relationships with a great friendship character (sister in this case) hyping up FMC in the background. I loved the friendship and the evolution of these characters and while there's a lot of the book that was expected and you could see it coming, the characters, dialogue and a few twists made it totally worth it. The end was chefs kiss fun.

#arc
#netgalley
#theperfectromcom

Audio 🎧

ARC through Net Galley. This was a super easy listen, cute story line (ESL teacher who ghost writes for a famous author).

Narrator was good! Easy and enjoyable listening.

This EAL teach gives it a 4 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Thank you @uplitreads @ourfriendlyfarmhouse @thomasnelson for the #gifted copy/ALC!

𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: The Perfect Rom-Com
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Melissa Ferguson
𝗡𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿: Karissa Vacker
𝗣𝘂𝗯 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: February 11, 2025
4⭐️

💛 𝙈𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 💛
This was a fun story to read - I enjoy reading books about authors and think it’s interesting if they are a ghostwriter! This gave some behind the scenes information on what that looks like and had me wondering who might have a ghostwriter out there! 👻

Bryony wants to get a novel published and gets an opportunity to be a ghostwriter for a popular romcom writer. Bryony agrees to the job as long as her agent Jack works to get her own book published. Meanwhile, Bryony’s romcom books take off in popularity and she’s become indispensable to her writing agency.. and her book agent!

The author Bryony has to work for was a hot mess and it made for some comedic moments with how little she did to learn about the books being written under her name!

The romance in this book is a slow burn, and more of the story focuses on Bryony’s journey and time as a ghostwriter! The ending surprised me at how everything turns out for Bryony, and it was a feel good story to read and cozy up with!

🎧 𝙉𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 🎧
Karissa Vacker did an amazing job narrating Bryony’s story. Vacker knows how to bring vulnerability and emotion to her roles and delivers here! She is easy to understand and made listening enjoyable!

💛 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚:
💛 Books About Authors
🧡 Ghostwriters
🧡 Closed Door Romance
💛 Agent/Writer Romance
💛 ESL Teacher

This book started out with such high hopes! Super cute concept, very likable characters but the further along I got the more it just fell flat for me. Bryony was so hard working and driven and Jack was such a lovely friend but also, held so much too close to the vest. The miscommunications, manipulations just weren't my thing! Cute how it wrapped up but felt implausible.

The audiobook was great though, the narrator did a fabulous job! Thanks for the ALC!

Based on the classification and title of the book, one would expect a *bit* more romance woven into this story. This was the first book I've read from this author and found it to be enjoyable enough to possibly read more in the future. However, I think the romance in this really gets overshadowed by talks of book writing and publishing and growth of the main character. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed the character of Bryony, but it's just not what I was expecting.

I found the start of the book to be interesting in how want-to-be authors have to shop around for the right publisher, but I was thrown when we got shot two years into the future. We then find our main characters have a formed friend/coworking relationship that is innocent enough. They rely on each other throughout the story to do their respective jobs, Bryony writing her novels and Jack to protect her best he can in the publishing process. Otherwise, there isn't a whole lot of romantic development. Now I understand this is a clean romance, but there wasn't much happening at all, and the romance ends up getting thrown onto us pretty close to the end. I mean, I don't even remember the main characters kissing, which could've happened, but was clearly so insignificant that I can't recall it. You definitely don't get to see the pair develop their romance at all, as they really get together right at the very end.

Overall, I would recommend this audiobook if you're looking for a very low-stakes, clean romance that mainly focuses on the female main character navigating her sometimes difficult job and building self confidence. Just don't anticipate a whole lot of romantic elements, as you will not find them here, so manage your expectations accordingly. The narrator did a good job of embodying the characters, and I really did care about Bryony's story, I just wanted more from the main pair's relationship.

*Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and Thomas Nelson Fiction for providing a free copy in exchange for my honest review.*

I received the ARC this audiobook and I am so glad I did. This rom-com was unlike any I have ever read! It uncovered some of the inner workings of the publishing industry (how many books have I read that were written by ghost writers?!?) and demonstrated how challenging it can be to break into the writing industry. Our FMC has a passion for helping the immigrants in her community learn English and make their American Dreams come true. She takes this passion and funnels it into writing a book that will hopefully save the ESL school she works for. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fast paced, fun rom-com with a whole lot of heart!

So cute!!! Ahhh!! I really enjoyed this one! I love Bryony and her determination for her book. I really enjoyed reading a book about the book industry. It's so hard for an author to be published and get the notoriety they deserve. The audiobook was a great listen too! Great, heartwarming read!!

*Thank you partner @uplitreads @ourfriendlyfarmhouse and @tnzfiction for the #gifted e-galley, paperback and audiobook in exchange for an honest review.*

**ARC Review: *The Perfect Rom-Com* by Melissa Ferguson**

If you’re looking for a book that will have you *laughing out loud in public*, swooning over witty banter, and grinning like an absolute fool, *The Perfect Rom-Com* is your next must-read (or must-listen!).

Bryony Page is an ESL teacher with a heart of gold and a big mission—saving The Bridge, a nonprofit that means the world to her. When her attempt at publishing a book to fundraise flops, she finds herself in an unexpected deal: ghostwriting for *the* rom-com queen, Amelia Benedict, in exchange for the help of literary agent Jack Sterling. The catch? Jack is equal parts infuriating and charming, and working together quickly turns into a whirlwind of hilarious bickering, undeniable tension, and just the *slightest* possibility of falling head over heels.

Now, let’s talk about the **audiobook**—because it is *absolutely hilarious*. Between the banter, the snarky inner thoughts, and the chaotic energy of Bryony and Jack’s dynamic, you will be giggling in public *in the best way possible*. The narration brings every scene to life, making the chemistry even more electric and the humor even sharper.

Melissa Ferguson has nailed the perfect balance of humor, heart, and romance. Whether you’re a rom-com fanatic or just love a book that makes you feel *everything*, this one is a winner.

**Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity 💕**

This was so cute! Bryony, our mc, was annoying at times, she was bit over the top. I also didn't totally believe her love for the school. These things didn't diminish my enjoyment overall though. I did find her banter with Jack so cute. It was a fun and clean read.
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

I just love books that are bookish📖

On a real note, I loved every aspect of this book. Bryony is so relatable & says exactly what I think sometimes. She is an undercover hopeless romantic who finds love without even noticing she did. A closed door romance that is lighthearted & fun. Jack is your typical mysterious guy who doesn’t show much emotion but is actually falling in love with Bryony. He’s witty but also romantic which makes his character even more likable. I can’t wait to read more books by Melissa!

This contains an audiobook review.

This is a kisses only stand alone romcom. I have read/listened to a few other Melissa Ferguson books and this was my favorite so far! I'm not sure I would have enjoyed it as much as I did if I had read it myself. But I thought the audiobook was fabulous! The narrator kept me interested and entertained. I really felt like I was part of the action. It is told from Bryony's point of view, so there is a single female narrator. She does an amazing job with all of the characters and giving them their own voice. I knew who was talking without having to be told via the story. I also appreciated listening because I am not sure that I would have pronounced the main female character's name properly in my head.

I found 2 other things that I think helped me enjoy this book. The first is that the message from the author at the beginning was read. That personal information really helped me connect with the story. And the second thing was that it started in Nashville. I loved that part.

I was given an opportunity to listen to an advanced copy of this audiobook by Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio via Netgalley. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

I didn’t realize I’d already read the digitial version of this book. It wasn’t for me but I would still recommend it, especially to people looking for “clean” romance.

This book was delightful from the beginning! I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the pain of the publishing world came alive through the narrator! She nailed the voices of Bryony and Jack! I loved the warmth the author created between Bryony and her sister from the beginning! Loved the MMC, his character and the development of his hidden love for MFC was so moving and fun to watch! I loved this story!

Bryony is an aspiring author who also wants to save the ESL business that is owned by her grandmother and where she works. So she writes a huge clunky novel. At a conference, she is rejected repeatedly before she is offered an opportunity: become a ghost writer for a very successful romance novelist and the agent will represent her. Of course, the two develop feelings for each other which come to a head when Bryony is forced to come on tour with the rude author. But time is running out to save her school, what will she do?

This is a fun romance novel with some great comedic bits. I LOVED the ESL students. They brought so much to the story! Also, this is a clean romance so there is a small amount of kissing but that is it, nonetheless it is very romantic.

The narration was awesome, although the name Bryony continues to bend my mind and listening to someone say it was distracting for me.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction and Net Galley for the DRC. All opinions are my own.

This was such an enjoyable listen. Karissa Vacker is a great narrator, and I enjoy her style. The book itself was fun and interesting. I wish there weren't a skip of 2 years in the beginning. I think I would have liked the development of Jack and Bryony's friendship more so than diving right into their friendship.

3.5⭐️ I’ve read a couple other Melissa Ferguson books and have found them to be very sweet, fun reads. There’s not a lot of “rom” in her tales, but that’s ok. If you’re looking for spice, this is not the book. But if you’re looking for a cute, cozy story about an aspiring author that ends up ghostwriting for another “author”, then you’ll love this story. Bryony is the true talent and as frustrating as it is that she doesn’t receive the credit she’s due earlier, I think she really needed the time honing her skills to become undeniable. I have mixed feelings about Jack though. I could absolutely tell that he had feelings first, I just wish he could’ve been more transparent with Bryony.

Thank you NetGalley, Thomas Nelson, and Zondervan Fiction Audio for this copy of The Perfect Rom-Com to read and review!

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction for the gifted Audiobook!

I've read almost all of Melissa's books and adore her as a person!

While this book was titled The Perfect Rom-Com and labeled as a romance, it was sadly lacking in the romance department in my opinion. I think this would have been almost better off if I went in expecting women's fiction/general fiction.

The plot was interesting enough and while I didn't necessarily want to DNF at any point, but I just kept anticipating the connection between the two main characters, Byrony and Jack, and when it finally did come at the very end it was dissatisfying to me. I see what she was going for with the whole (overdone IMO) enemies to lovers trope, but all it seemed to accomplish here was turning Jack into a total jerk. You can't just treat someone terribly, call them names (the most annoying author in the world), lie to them constantly, and then have them fall in love with no real change and call it "enemies to lovers" and have it magically fix all the problems.

The other plot, which was really the main plot considering the romance was a secondary plot also didn't end in a satisfying way to me. I think there was an attempt to tie it all up in a nice bow, but it just didn't seem sincere or realistic.

I'm sad this one didn't work for me and hope to enjoy her next book!

2.5 stars

A sweet romcom with rich and multi-faceted characters.

I loved the elements of the story around the ESL students and The Bridge. I also enjoy when stories are set in the world of writing and books.

The narrator has a melodic voice which works wonderfully for the FMC and the side characters. She did a fantastic job but I really struggled with the MMC's voice.

I will say, I found this really slow in places. It was also predictable, but romances always tend to be.

I really liked the end and it was a cute story overall.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.