Inhaled. In one go. It's rare for me to do that and I cannot think of any higher praise for this. It was fun, cute, and oh so sweet. Literally could not have been dragged away from this and I loved every second.

Katherine Center is truly the best. The writing? Magnificent. The Ménière’s representation?! ARE YOU KIDDING?! This book was dazzling. I loved it so much 😭

The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center follows aspiring screenwriter Emma Yates, a full-time caregiver who is offered the opportunity to rewrite a not-so-great rom-com screenplay by the famous Charlie Yates. As Emma’s sister steps into the caregiver role, she then flies out to LA to begin her work with Charlie. Overall, I enjoyed this read! This was a new author for me, so I’m not sure if this is typical for this particular author, but there is no steam in this romance novel. That didn’t bother me or negatively impact the story, but may bother some romance readers. It had some real-world problems arise, which made for an impactful story although there are some sad points and discussions.
What I liked: There were a lot of lovable moments between this grumpy x sunshine pair. The pet guinea pig was just SO cute. I liked how a thorough epilogue was included. I also enjoyed reading the author’s love letter to the romance genre that was included at the very end. Some things that didn’t work for me: The two main characters were difficult to connect with at times. And while I see some charming qualities in Charlie, I wanted to know more about the Italian cowboy lol.

4.0/5 stars!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center. My comments are an independent, honest review.

I absolutely love this book. Katherine Center has such a way with stories. Her stories make perfect audio books, her writing style makes it so that it sounds like the narrator is talking to you and not reading a book.

Emma wants nothing more than to be a screenwriter, however due to an accident she is homebound as her sole caregiver to her handicapped father. When she gets a call from her childhood friend to re-write a script with her favorite screenwriter, Charlie Yates, she jumps at the chance. Once she talks her sister into taking care of her father, she is off to L.A..

Charlie only writes a rom-com in order to get his other script filmed. He also does not need nor want any help re-writing it. After a night of reading Emma's work he decides that he will give her a chance.

These two characters had great banter. Emma's exasperation with Charlie was cute. He was grumpy to her sunshine.

Patti Muren did a great job narrating the story. Her voice fit the characters perfectly. I was able to determine when the characters changed. Her voice is very emotional and descriptive, and her pacing was perfect. The book was over before I knew it. I loved the way Emma would pause to give you some of her back story. It felt like she was talking directly to you. The authors writing works so great as an audio book.

I loved everything about this audiobook. If you love grumpy/sunshine, you will love this.

Thank you Macmillan audio and NetGalley for providing this audiobook for my very honest review.

Katherine Center proves once again why she deserves to be at the top of ever romance lover's auto-buy list.

As a reader who naturally gravitates toward spicy romance, there is one author I can count on to make me enjoy a book without spice time and time again.

With an emotionally full character driven story between Emma and Charlie--two screenwriters struggling for very different reasons--and a cast of supporting characters that you can't help but love, The Rom-Commers will punch you right in the feels before wrapping you up in a giant hug of emotion.

If I could give it more than five stars, I absolutely would.

I wasn't ready for The Rom-Commers to end! Love all of Katherine Center's books and this one was no exception. This was the first time I've listened to one of her books on audio and it was great!

his makes me so sad to say, but this wasn't it for me. I LOVED "The Bodyguard" and "Hello Stranger", this one fell flat for me. Kathrine Center is a great writer and I did finish it in pretty much one sitting, but I kept hoping for more and it just didnt come.

Characters: They were lacking. Charlie sucked as the main male character. What did Emma see in him and why were they in love? He was rude, condescending and just meh. Emma was fine, but stop trying to fix broken men! He clearly has issues, is not interested in you and mean - let it go. I kept waiting for the main love interested to show up and could not take Charlie serious. I rooted for mysteryguy&Emma more than for Charlie&Emma... very disappointing.

Plot: I guess there was a plot, but not really. What actually happened in this book.. not sure. I want to see them fall in love and that just did not happen.

So yeah... this was highly anticipated, but disappointed.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced readers copy!

“I had a theory that we gravitate toward the stories we need in life. Whatever we are looking for- adventure, excitement, emotion, connection-we turn to stories that help us find it. Whatever questions we’re struggling with- sometimes ones so deep, we don’t even really know we’re asking them- we look for answers in stories.”

I waited as long as I could to read Katherine Center’s new book and I just couldn’t wait any longer. I started the book on Tuesday and didn’t want to leave Charlie and Emma while I had to work and do other life things. They immediately had me in a chokehold and I was lucky to get a listening copy. For the rest of the week this book became my personality.

Emma Wheeler might just be my spirit animal. And in true Katherine Center fashion, I was introduced to characters I fell in love with and followed along on a story I will never forget and hugged my heart. I laughed out loud, I highlighted a substantial amount of the story because the things these characters say are just that good, and I LOVED the ending.

This is out June 11th and one you are definitely going to want to read!

I loved the ability to transition back and forth between audio and physical copy and if you can do that I highly recommend it! Patti Murin narrates and I loved the way she differentiated the characters and told this story.

5 stars

Emma is a screenwriter...well, she is aspiring to be one. Now 28 years old and having provided care for her dad for the last 10 years, there hasn't been much of a chance to pursue her own dreams. When an amazing opportunity comes up for her to go to LA to work on a project with THE Charlie Yates, she says yes. Her sister has just graduated from college and is ready to take her turn with their dad. What ensues is a crash course in writing, understanding, and most of all lessons in love.

This book was precious. The feel from early on was that Emma and Charlie would fall for one another, but man, the obstacles in their way make you really question if it will happen or if it is even worth it for them. I really enjoyed their journey! Center has a way with weaving a storty every time!!

The newest novel by Katherine Center follows two screenwriters who are brought together to fix a romcom script in development while one of them hates the genre and the other adores it.

I listened to it on audiobook and like the author’s other books this was compulsively readable and the perfect motivation to get things done while listening. Narrator Patti Muran did a wonderful job once again with creating an engaging voice while making different voices for different characters. She has narrated the author’s last couple books and feels like the perfect fit to bring across the joy and life in Katherine’s voice and characters.

I loved how this story was full of imperfect moments by imperfect people that brought about love and beauty anyway. The characters didn’t say all the right things or do all the right things but they still found themselves falling in love. It has the author’s signature charm with a mix of humor and deeper heartfelt issues and a casual narrative voice. The screenwriter/movie making premise was really fun to read about.

After an excellent author’s note in the back of her last book that garnered a lot of attention Katherine Center is back in this book with another powerful defense of reading romance. This book has small cameos from The Bodyguard but can definitely be fully understood without reading that book first.

Trigger/content warnings: past death of loved one, loved one with chronic health struggles. Some strong language throughout. Steam level is closed door with innuendo and references.

I loved the depth of this story and the depth of the characters! Emma’s family - specifically her dad! The representation of caregiving and caregiving fatigue. I loved Emma’s internal dialogue the first person narrative with a little fourth wall breaking! Emma’s anxiety felt so real and relatable! I also loved the cameo from Jack Stapleton from The Bodyguard!

I was irritated and embarrassed by the main characters in the beginning. Emma was obsessed with Charlie and he was just so so so rude. Some of their early conversations were odd and felt inappropriate for people who had only just met. But ultimately, they grew on me and I fully felt and believed their love story and I couldn’t put the book down!

I wasn’t a fan of the language, the innuendos, or the getting drunk as a way of coping. Or the tiny little dig on marriage near the end.

I appreciate that Katherine Center keeps the door closed and I loved that she made me connect to these flawed characters!

I love the author’s note at the end and Katherine Center’s passion for love stories!!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of the audiobook to honestly read and review.

The Rom-Commers follows Emma, a writer, who idolizes famous screenwriter Charlie Yates. I wanted to like this one so much, but I just didn't care for either of the main characters. I understand that Emma was going through a hard situation with her family, but I felt like she didn't have much of a personality apart from that. Charlie just never became likeable for me. I think Patti Murin did a good job with the audio for this one, but the book itself was a miss for me. I did like that the book gave us a fun peak into the writing process, and I appreciated the family dynamics that Emma had!

Thanks to NetGalley, Katherine Center, and Macmillan Audio for the chance to review! My opinions are my own, and I am obviously in the minority, so give this one a shot!

Katherine Center always writes such feel good books. She manages to make stories that are emotional and lighthearted at the same time. I always find myself unable to put KC’s books down and this one was no different. I think this is my new favorite book of hers!


Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced audiobook.

Emma dreams of being a romantic comedy screenwriter, but has been spending her time taking care of her dad who has significant health issues. Charlie Yates is already a famous screenwriter - and Emma just got the chance to re-write a script with him. Emma’s sister drops everything to take over caring for their dad, and Emma heads to L.A. to meet Charlie. Except Charlie, isn’t what Emma expected. He doesn’t even believe in love! Emma is convinced she can change his mind about love and proceeds to do everything she can to show him he’s wrong.

This was a cute romantic comedy with some heavy topics sprinkled in. Emma’s character was sweet and happy, even though she’s been through a lot in life. Charlie’s character was grumpy and mean at times, with soft spots that occasionally peeked out. I wish there was a little more of a romantic spark between Emma and Charlie earlier in the book. It really took until the end for me to feel like they had a connection. This was a great read and is one of my favorite Katherine Center books.

I listened to the audio and loved Patti Murin’s narration. She gave so much life to the characters and the emotions they were feeling in various situations.

Many thanks to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the advance copy.

I love Katherine's take on rom-coms—that they are more meaningful than are given credit, and that it is perfectly fine, and actually essential that the story be predictable and cozy.

The Rom-Commers has your requisite rom-com factors: enemies to lovers, charming situations that the lead characters find themselves in together, and backstory to each protagonist to give them dimension. Although this book is cute, I found Center's Hello Stranger to be a more entertaining read with its twists and obstacles.

Overall, The Rom-Commers is a fun ride but not memorable.

I do have to mention, though, that Patti Murin's audiobook narration is fantastic. She has expert comedic timing, and lends her very likable voice to a likable character.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

This was a wonderful read. Two screenwriters come together to write a romcom. The problem. Emma, while she lives and breathes romantic comedies, is an amateur. Charlie is well renowned for everything he writes but his romcom is utter trash. Oh, and he refuses to work with anyone. They do slowly start working together of course. As they spend time together, there is more than just a script to work through. Anxiety and other health issues represented. Line dancing. The donut part is my favorite because my dad would make those for me too.
Thank you again for the advanced reader copy!

I never think that Katherine Center’s books can be better than the last but here we are. This book is such an easy read. I looked forward to listening and wanted to know what happens next and laugh. It’s a Rom-com, can we guess what’s going to happen, yep but the journey there that’s so enjoyable. It’s not the typical mindless romcom, it’s deeper with a good life lesson. Loved it!

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Delightful banter and undeniable chemistry, the main characters in this book light up the pages with their witty exchanges.

This was super cute but also FULL of trauma. 🥴 This is only my second Katherine Center book and I enjoy her writing so far. It’s refreshing to have a romance with low-no open door scenes that is still entertaining and draws you in. (I do love me some smut don’t get me wrong, but it’s nice to be reminded it’s not necessary.)

Charlie! What a prick am I right?! lol I hated the way he hurt Emma’s feelings. Heck he hurt MY feelings! 😂 But truthfully, I would have loved more than one bonus chapter of his perspective.

Sweet and salty Emma! What a fun main character. Super sassy and sarcastic. But also feels all the feels. I enjoyed how she wasn’t just telling her story but she was talking TO us, the readers. Great narrator for this audio. Highly recommend!

I have read many books by Katherine Center and this one is probably my most favorite one of all so far! I laughed, I cried, and I experienced many different emotions that were quite relatable throughout. The main female protagonist gives up all of her career aspirations to take care of her father with health issues while the main male character makes many assumptions and statements that end up getting corrected in time. Both struggle with not feeling lovable and fight to overcome their own complex mental issues. I did not really like the way that Charlie put down the main character, Emma, so much throughout the book and tried to deny his feelings and ended up pushing her away. However, that is pretty much true to real life. People will say and do things that they don’t really mean to say and do, and yet somehow this couple finds their way back to each other anyway. The book was a tad bit unrealistic in places such as how the sister and the fiancé just made their lives work out perfectly fine while trying to take care of a father that needed around the clock care. However, the main point of the book is to keep pursuing your lifelong goals and to not give up on love and on the people you care about the most, which is a strong and powerful message. I’m not a huge fan of romance, but this writer has made me want to read more romances.!