Didn't know much about what to think about this audiobook, but the narrator was perfect Didn't read the book before listening to the audiobook. I do think the story could have been a little more perfect( hehe get it: the perfect rom-com) but it was cute! Bryony doing everything possible to help her Grand was perfect, to be honest. But would I buy this audiobook on my own, probably not.

Overview:
Bryony Page is an aspiring author with big dreams—but they start crumbling before they even begin. At her first-ever writers' conference, she’s eager to pitch her manuscript, hoping to raise awareness (and funds) for The Bridge, her grandmother’s struggling ESL organization. But after a disastrous pitch session, things aren’t looking promising.
Then, in a twist of fate, Bryony inadvertently edits another author’s work on the spot—and she’s right. So right, in fact, that an agent offers her an unexpected opportunity: to ghostwrite for Amelia Benedict, one of the biggest names in rom-com literature.
Bryony agrees—but only under one condition: the agent, Jack Sterling, must also work to get her book published.
What nobody could have predicted was that Bryony’s ghostwritten books would catapult Amelia Benedict to unprecedented fame. Suddenly, Amelia is the Amelia Benedict, a global best-selling sensation and Bryony is… stuck. The Foundry Literary Agency isn’t about to let go of their golden ghostwriter.
But while the agency might refuse to give her credit, Jack Sterling is starting to realize that Bryony isn’t just another client—she’s someone he can’t let go of either.

My Thoughts:
This book is the perfect rom-com—or at least, it almost is.
There was so much to love: the chemistry between Bryony and Jack, the behind-the-scenes peek at the publishing world and the witty, heartfelt writing that made me feel like I was right there alongside Bryony as she navigated her whirlwind career.
And honestly? The title fits.
At times, I felt like Bryony was the actual author of this book, with how meta and self-aware the story felt. It had all the charm of a classic rom-com, filled with the right balance of humor, heart and frustration.
That being said… while I enjoyed it, I can’t say it was perfect for me.
There was a stretch in the early-middle part where the story lost a bit of direction. It wasn’t bad—it just felt like it was drifting, unsure of where it was going next. And maybe, just maybe, that was intentional? Maybe that mirrored exactly what Bryony was going through herself.
If that’s the case—then wow. Poor girl. 😭
This whole arc actually reminded me a lot of You're On Your Own, Kid by Taylor Swift, particularly the line:
"I gave my blood, sweat and tears for this."
Bryony poured everything into her writing, yet it often felt like she was running in circles, being taken advantage of and never getting her moment. It was so painfully real that I could feel my own frustration rising right alongside hers.
And yet… I wanted more.
I can’t quite put my finger on what exactly was missing—but something was.
It’s not like Bryony critiquing Amelia Benedict’s manuscript, where she could pinpoint what needed to change. I’m not an author. I don’t have that trained eye. I’m just a girl who loves books and wants to be swept away. And while I did really enjoy this one, it didn’t quite hit that magic spark that makes a book an all-time favorite.

Narration & Listening Experience:
Karissa Vacker was phenomenal.
Her voice felt so perfectly suited to Bryony’s character—warm, engaging and full of heart. She captured the humor, the exhaustion, the determination and the vulnerability in a way that made the story even better.
The audiobook experience was really good and I felt wrapped up in Bryony’s world from start to finish.

Strengths:
A fun, insightful take on the publishing world & ghostwriting industry
Strong, witty writing with humor and heart
Great chemistry between Bryony and Jack
Karissa Vacker’s narration is a perfect match

Weaknesses:
The early-middle section felt slightly aimless for a while
Something was missing for me to call it truly “perfect”

Final Thoughts:
Despite my minor critiques, I really enjoyed this book.
Melissa Ferguson’s writing style was sweet, sharp and thoroughly enjoyable and I will definitely be checking out more of her books in the future.

Would I recommend it? Yes!
Would I read more from this author? Absolutely!
Would I call it perfect? Not quite. But it's definitely close. 😉

It was a cute, easy read but wasn’t a standout book in my mind. There was minimal character development and growth. It started off super slow then wrapped up very quickly.

I went in looking for a fun rom com and this felt more like a fiction with some romance. The story is told all in Bryony's POV and her inner dialogue, I wished we had Jack's POV.

From her perspective, I don't know why she would want to date him. He seemed arrogant and manipulative.

I did enjoy Bryony's dedication to her grandmother's ESL school and the people that were in the school.

Karissa Vacker did a great job with the voices to bring the characters to life.

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of the audiobook.

Cute story. I loved the ghost writer storyline a lot. It was entertaining but slow moving. Great narration felt engrossed in the story.

I love Melissa Ferguson's writing style so when I saw this new one, I knew I had to read it. Bryony is hoping to get her start writing books and meets Jack Sterling at a conference where he absolutely destroys her confidence and her manuscript. We then jump to them being friends which was a little different and I wish we saw that transition a little more, but regardless, I love them as friends. The banter is hysterical and their shared hatred of Amelia is what kept me intrigued till the end. I was not expecting the ending and loved it so much! I loved the focus on The Bridge and the students that she supported. They were so touching and excellent additions to the story. Loved this one and the narrators were great!

Let’s start with the audio, loved it . The voices were amazing and jack voice really good .
Now the story . Is a bit of a slow burn . But so worth it. The FMC was so relatable, I like her personality and how she is such a sunshine. She needs it to step up a bit more for herself but aside from that she was a delight. The MMC it took a bit to grow on me, but once he does uff. Everything he does for her. I loved it , he did a couple of things too that he shouldn’t have, but he made it up for it . Definitely a super cute rom-com, loved every second of it.

4.5
I loved this book!!
It was the perfect book to get into the san valentine spirit, but it also some important matters such as the beauty of teaching english to immigrants in the US not only to give but also to learn about other cultures. At first i wasn't really vibing with the romance but after passing the 50% mark it started hitting hard, however i would have liked it even if the romance wasn't there.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for sending me this arc!

I just finished listening to The Perfect Romcom by Melissa Ferguson. As the title suggests, it is the perfect romcom!😂

The problem with this and other books about books is that once they’ve been consumed and enjoyed I then want to read the story written about In the story, and yet I cannot.
I thoroughly enjoyed Bryony and Jack and would definitely be interested in reading (or listening to) more stories about them.

Thanks so much to NetGalley for giving me access to this delightful audiobook and digital copy! This is a perfect rom-com, especially for book lovers (readers or writers!) it gives you a glimpse into the—albeit, fictional—publishing world. But most importantly, you fall for these characters. Bryony cracks me up. I laughed and smiled and just felt all the things with her. And her enemies to friends to lovers journey with Jack is beyond adorable. And Amelia is the enemy we all love to hate. Grab this newly released book—in any format you can! You’ll absolutely love this (zero spice) rom com!!

"The Perfect Rom-Com" is a sweet and closed-door romantic comedy about a ghostwriter and her literary agent. Forced proximity is one of my favorite tropes, and I really enjoyed Bryony and Jack's playful banter. The plot was fun, and I loved that this was a squeaky clean romance. While I liked this book overall, it just didn't stand out to me. There have been a lot of books about books lately, so I was feeling kind of burnt out on the subject. Overall, though, it was a light and quick read, and I will definitely be reading more from the author.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Karissa Vacker. I was so happy to see that she was the narrator, and, as always, she did an amazing job. She really made the story and characters come to life with her incredible storytelling.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is like a Hallmark movie in print form, a rom-com writer finds herself in living in one. A perfect meet-cute, laugh at loud banter, and ridiculously adorable romance between the main characters. Highly recommend for a feel-good escape.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins/Thomas Nelson & Melissa Ferguson, for the chance to listen to this book in exchange for my honest review.

There is so much to this book: romance, advocacy & controversy.

Romance: lovely slow burn, forced proximity, banter and respect. Melissa knocked the love story out of the park.

Advocacy: I feel like our heroine's day job, of an ESL teacher- and trying to financially help the ESL school survive- brings so much love, empathy and awareness to our immigrant friends and neighbors. I think this is a great time for this book to be published as many need to be reminded of how rich our lives are with these people in our community. And the valuable work advocacy groups (ESL schools and the like) are doing for these marginalized people.

Controversy: IF you are an avid reader that loves fawning over your beloved authors- this book might be a bit ... uncomfortably thought provoking. (Hello, it's me, avid reader that loves fawning over my beloved authors..and I'm questioning everything.) DM me if we need to start a support group to cope with the reality of ghostwriters.

Narration was just as expected from Karissa Vacker- she's a pro that I will always be happy to see narrating!

While this was an entertaining story with a catchy title, I wouldn’t actually consider it a rom-com but more of a glimpse into what it’s like to be a ghostwriter. The first half of the book follows Bryony as she tries to get a foothold on the writing world for herself as she quickly boosts someone else’s career. The romance between her and Jack seemed to be over as quickly as it started and there wasn’t really any lead up to the romance. The ending fit the story well and I enjoyed this story; I just wanted more of the romance.

I am a big fan of Karissa Vacker as an narrator and she did a fantastic job, as usual.

Melissa Ferguson delivers exactly what the title promises in The Perfect Rom-Com—a witty, heartwarming, and utterly charming love story that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. With engaging characters, sparkling chemistry, and a twist that adds depth to the narrative, this novel is a standout in the rom-com genre.

From the very first pages, Ferguson crafts a world filled with humor, heart, and just the right amount of emotional depth. The central couple’s connection is undeniable, with a natural chemistry that leaps off the page. Their interactions are filled with sharp banter, tender moments, and a sense of authenticity that makes their romance both believable and compelling.

What truly sets this book apart is its unexpected twist near the end. Just when the reader thinks they have the story figured out, Ferguson masterfully introduces a surprise that ties everything together, leaving a lasting impression and elevating the novel beyond the standard rom-com formula.

Lighthearted yet meaningful, The Perfect Rom-Com is a joy to read—a feel-good romance that delivers both laughter and heartfelt emotion. With its well-developed characters, engaging plot, and a perfect balance of humor and heart, this book is a must-read for rom-com lovers.

4.5⭐️s There are so many good moments in this book! Bryony is a mess and I loved every minute of her. Jack is so good!! If you love a man who subtly wins over a woman’s heart through hidden gestures, you’ll love him too.

5⭐️ narration. @karissavacker is amazing. She is very talented to give each character their own voice. I never felt lost in the characters. Truly, every one was given life.

Brief synopsis:
Bryony is a struggling writer. Rejected by countless publishers, she just needs one. One to see the potential in her manuscript. But the more rejection, the more she sees that maybe her work isn’t as polished as it could be. That takes time for her to truly see however. One day, she’s given an opportunity to become a ghost writer. This helps her find great success with selling her books. The only problem, they’re not in her name. It’s hard to keep going when your work is being attributed to someone else. So one day she tries to leave the publishing company, but one particular person can’t let her go.

This book is available now!! Highly recommend it!
Thank you to @netgalley @ourfriendlyfarmhouse @thomasnelson and @harpercollinschristian for the e-arc and advanced listener copy. They are both beautiful works. So happy to have been a part of this books journey. #netgalley #theperfectromcom #melissafergusonauthor #advancedlistenercopy #advancedreadercopy #alcreview #arcreader

I really wanted to like this book. The audiobook narration is fantastic. I love Jack, and the dialogue between him and Bryony is delightful. But Bryony is possibly the most annoying heroine in all of literature. She’s so naive, I don’t know how she manages to cross the street without getting flattened by a truck. Her big plan to save the community center is to write a literary novel? How does she not know that literary novels make no money? Has anyone introduced her to the internet? She’s so out of touch with reality that I can’t help wondering if she’s got some sort of brain injury. DNF ~50%.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

The Perfect Rom-Com was perfectly hilarious and FUN! Romance, dramatics and stellar characters come together to form this amazing romance!

This story has everything that is wildly attractive about romantic comedies. It was even better than any Hallmark romance because the characters were so well-developed and lovable. There was drama and comedy and swoon, but all at just the right amount.

The audio version of this is one of my favorite audiobooks so far this year. The narrator really brings the characters to life and hilariously acted out the scenes. I would suggest listening to this book, rather then eye-balling it.

The only thing that I didn't love about this book was Bryony's long-distance boyfriend. He felt underdeveloped and like his part in the plot was just thrown in last minute to explain why the two MCs were not together from the beginning. I never understood why Bryony was with him, it was just a bit odd.

This really was exactly the romance I needed and you need it too, even if you don't realize it. I love a book that can balance hilarity with serious, and cozy with romantic. I have loved all of the books I have read by Melissa Ferguson because her writing and storytelling is so great, and this book was no different. All romance lovers need to pick this up as their next read.

📚 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎧 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Perfect Rom-Com is a sweet, cheesy story with a snarky FMC. The banter was great with a heartwarming storyline. I enjoyed seeing more of the writing world throughout the book. The story is more about Bryony's journey with a romance subplot. If you need a short palette cleanser, then I would recommend this!

* I was honored to receive an ARC of this audiobook. This review is voluntary, and all opinions are my own.