Scan barcode
elenamulligan's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Katherine Center's books always feel like a hug. Emma as a narrator is delightful, she has such a strong sense of self even as a caretaker which I really admire as a nurse. I loved the chemistry between Charlie and Emma. Plus the physical copy of this book is the prettiest novel I've ever seen I may have to go out and buy it myself (I borrowed from the library). Overall, really enjoyed and felt like a fun summery read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cancer
jennergyy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5 ⭐️ rated down
It took me a while to get into this book, but I found it entertaining once I found my groove. I didn’t find Charlie to be a likeable character and I feel like that ruined their love story for me. Definitely not my favorite from Katherine Center.
It took me a while to get into this book, but I found it entertaining once I found my groove. I didn’t find Charlie to be a likeable character and I feel like that ruined their love story for me. Definitely not my favorite from Katherine Center.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer
mishale1's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
My goodness. What a wonderful, wonderful book. My heart is truly warmed.
This book is just the right mix of light and serious.
Emma has been taking care of her dad since he was disabled a decade ago. She was only 18 then. Her whole adult life has been dedicated to his care and her personal life is nonexistent.
Her friend convinces her to come to California and rewrite a screenplay for the very famous screenwriter Charlie Yates. He happens to be Emma’s very favorite screenwriter. His brilliance inspires her own writing.
But his rom com is terrible. He doesn’t really care either.
Emma’s friend Logan pushes from all sides, God love him for it cause no one would have done this without him pushing.
He convinces Emma to let her younger sister care for their dad, and he convinces Emma to come work with Charlie for six weeks.
What happens during that six weeks involved these two lonely individuals spending all day every day together. They write. They talk. They swim (eventually!). They care for Charlie’s sick guinea pig. They cook together. They spend all of their time together.
But while they’re writing a rom com together, Charlie is still insisting he doesn’t believe in love and Emma is trying to make him a believer.
She says it’s for the screenplay but she might be falling for him too.
Really loved this story.
This book is just the right mix of light and serious.
Emma has been taking care of her dad since he was disabled a decade ago. She was only 18 then. Her whole adult life has been dedicated to his care and her personal life is nonexistent.
Her friend convinces her to come to California and rewrite a screenplay for the very famous screenwriter Charlie Yates. He happens to be Emma’s very favorite screenwriter. His brilliance inspires her own writing.
But his rom com is terrible. He doesn’t really care either.
Emma’s friend Logan pushes from all sides, God love him for it cause no one would have done this without him pushing.
He convinces Emma to let her younger sister care for their dad, and he convinces Emma to come work with Charlie for six weeks.
What happens during that six weeks involved these two lonely individuals spending all day every day together. They write. They talk. They swim (eventually!). They care for Charlie’s sick guinea pig. They cook together. They spend all of their time together.
But while they’re writing a rom com together, Charlie is still insisting he doesn’t believe in love and Emma is trying to make him a believer.
She says it’s for the screenplay but she might be falling for him too.
Really loved this story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Car accident, and Death of parent
yannaj's review
dark
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
I'm was thankful for the opportunity to listen to the audiobook ARC of The RomCommers but it just didn't fly for me, personally.
Emma, our struggling screenwriter is given the opportunity of a lifetime to write with her hero, Charlie Yates on his new Roscommon. The twist? It's terrible and so is he! Amidst the hecticness of her own life, Emma take a career leep and swoops in the save the day (and possibly find love along the way).
So, I have to say that the premise is good but dissapointingly it doesn't come together.
** Spoilers ahead**
For starters, as someone who has been both a caregiver and now a disabled person in need of care, Emma's description of her caring for her father plays upon disabled people's worst fears- being an unnecessary burden on the people you love. Not to diminish the work of caregivers at all (seriously, yall are the realest, most loving people on the planet) but making it seem like his accident ruined her life doesn't endear Emma to readers.
That aside, I don't find Charlie's general attitude, disdain for romance, for Emma (women in general) unappealing and unredeemable. I didn't come away feeling like they should've been s couple.
Last but not least- I agree that romance is maligned too much in everyday society. People use it to take cheap shots at hope and romance and anything that women love but the author's rant at the end just leaves me feeling prickly rather than inspired or hopeful.
Sad that this one didn't work out.
Emma, our struggling screenwriter is given the opportunity of a lifetime to write with her hero, Charlie Yates on his new Roscommon. The twist? It's terrible and so is he! Amidst the hecticness of her own life, Emma take a career leep and swoops in the save the day (and possibly find love along the way).
So, I have to say that the premise is good but dissapointingly it doesn't come together.
** Spoilers ahead**
For starters, as someone who has been both a caregiver and now a disabled person in need of care, Emma's description of her caring for her father plays upon disabled people's worst fears- being an unnecessary burden on the people you love. Not to diminish the work of caregivers at all (seriously, yall are the realest, most loving people on the planet) but making it seem like his accident ruined her life doesn't endear Emma to readers.
That aside, I don't find Charlie's general attitude, disdain for romance, for Emma (women in general) unappealing and unredeemable. I didn't come away feeling like they should've been s couple.
Last but not least- I agree that romance is maligned too much in everyday society. People use it to take cheap shots at hope and romance and anything that women love but the author's rant at the end just leaves me feeling prickly rather than inspired or hopeful.
Sad that this one didn't work out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Medical trauma, Car accident, and Death of parent
kelly_e's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Title: The Rom-Commers
Author: Katherine Center
Genre: Romance
Rating: 3.00
Pub Date: June 11, 2024
I received complimentary eARC and ALC copies from St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted
T H R E E • W O R D S
Brisk • Entertaining • Cliché
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Emma Wheeler desperately longs to be a screenwriter. She’s spent her life studying, obsessing over, and writing romantic comedies—good ones! That win contests! But she’s also been the sole caretaker for her kind-hearted dad, who needs full-time care. Now, when she gets a chance to re-write a script for famous screenwriter Charlie Yates—The Charlie Yates! Her personal writing god!—it’s a break too big to pass up.
Emma’s younger sister steps in for caretaking duties, and Emma moves to L.A. for six weeks for the writing gig of a lifetime. But what is it they say? Don’t meet your heroes? Charlie Yates doesn’t want to write with anyone—much less “a failed, nobody screenwriter.” Worse, the romantic comedy he’s written is so terrible it might actually bring on the apocalypse. Plus! He doesn’t even care about the script—it’s just a means to get a different one green-lit. Oh, and he thinks love is an emotional Ponzi scheme.
But Emma’s not going down without a fight. She will stand up for herself, and for rom-coms, and for love itself.
💭 T H O U G H T S
After not absolutely adoring The Bodyguard and Hello Stranger over the past two summers, I was determined to give Katherine Center one more shot. I was hoping for a return to her earlier writing style, unfortunately that didn't happen.
There is no denying Katherine Center knows how to write banter. However, the banter overtakes the narrative entirely. Neither main character is overly likeable, in fact, Charlie is down right mean at times. I didn't feel any chemistry between them, hence wasn't rooting for them to end up together.
I would have preferred more of a focus on Emma with her family - the caretaking, the grief, their relationship dynamics, the history. It was the scenes that included her father that really hooked my attention. Otherwise, I was overly invested in the story.
My main issue is how the whole cancer aspect was handled. It definitely knocked it down another rung. The book would have been fine without this plotline and I am not even sure what compelled the author to include it here. This whole part left an ick feeling, and was just a solid no from me.
The audiobook narrated by Patti Murin was fine. Nothing really stood out and I would have expected a different tone for Charlie's voice, but it read mostly in the same voice. I didn't necessairly notice as I was also reading with my eyeballs, but I can see how it would be an issue for someone solely listening. The bonus content and the author's note are a nice addition at the end.
There is no doubt in my mind The Rom-Commers will be one of the most popular titles this summer. However, it will not be a favourite of mine. It's evident to me Center has taken a more comedic approach to her writing than focusing on depth and development, which is what originally drew me to her books. This is the third straight release that wasn't for me, and so it's officially time for me to break up Katherine Center as a favourite author. Maybe I will still read more in the future, but they won't be on my most anticipated lists nor will they be a priority.
📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• The Bodyguard and/or Hello Stranger
• banter
• closed door romance
⚠️ CW: death, death of parent, grief, cancer, injury/injury detail, traumatic brain injury, medical content, medical trauma, chronic illness, car accident, cursing, alcohol, panic attacks/disorders
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"You had to maximize joy when it fluttered into your life. You had to honor it. And savor it. And not stomp it to death by reminding everyone of everything you'd lost."
"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."
"Tragedy really is a given. There are endless human stories, but they all end the same way. So it can't be where you're going that matters. It have to be how you get there."
Author: Katherine Center
Genre: Romance
Rating: 3.00
Pub Date: June 11, 2024
I received complimentary eARC and ALC copies from St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted
T H R E E • W O R D S
Brisk • Entertaining • Cliché
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Emma Wheeler desperately longs to be a screenwriter. She’s spent her life studying, obsessing over, and writing romantic comedies—good ones! That win contests! But she’s also been the sole caretaker for her kind-hearted dad, who needs full-time care. Now, when she gets a chance to re-write a script for famous screenwriter Charlie Yates—The Charlie Yates! Her personal writing god!—it’s a break too big to pass up.
Emma’s younger sister steps in for caretaking duties, and Emma moves to L.A. for six weeks for the writing gig of a lifetime. But what is it they say? Don’t meet your heroes? Charlie Yates doesn’t want to write with anyone—much less “a failed, nobody screenwriter.” Worse, the romantic comedy he’s written is so terrible it might actually bring on the apocalypse. Plus! He doesn’t even care about the script—it’s just a means to get a different one green-lit. Oh, and he thinks love is an emotional Ponzi scheme.
But Emma’s not going down without a fight. She will stand up for herself, and for rom-coms, and for love itself.
💭 T H O U G H T S
After not absolutely adoring The Bodyguard and Hello Stranger over the past two summers, I was determined to give Katherine Center one more shot. I was hoping for a return to her earlier writing style, unfortunately that didn't happen.
There is no denying Katherine Center knows how to write banter. However, the banter overtakes the narrative entirely. Neither main character is overly likeable, in fact, Charlie is down right mean at times. I didn't feel any chemistry between them, hence wasn't rooting for them to end up together.
I would have preferred more of a focus on Emma with her family - the caretaking, the grief, their relationship dynamics, the history. It was the scenes that included her father that really hooked my attention. Otherwise, I was overly invested in the story.
My main issue is how the whole cancer aspect was handled. It definitely knocked it down another rung. The book would have been fine without this plotline and I am not even sure what compelled the author to include it here. This whole part left an ick feeling, and was just a solid no from me.
The audiobook narrated by Patti Murin was fine. Nothing really stood out and I would have expected a different tone for Charlie's voice, but it read mostly in the same voice. I didn't necessairly notice as I was also reading with my eyeballs, but I can see how it would be an issue for someone solely listening. The bonus content and the author's note are a nice addition at the end.
There is no doubt in my mind The Rom-Commers will be one of the most popular titles this summer. However, it will not be a favourite of mine. It's evident to me Center has taken a more comedic approach to her writing than focusing on depth and development, which is what originally drew me to her books. This is the third straight release that wasn't for me, and so it's officially time for me to break up Katherine Center as a favourite author. Maybe I will still read more in the future, but they won't be on my most anticipated lists nor will they be a priority.
📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• The Bodyguard and/or Hello Stranger
• banter
• closed door romance
⚠️ CW: death, death of parent, grief, cancer, injury/injury detail, traumatic brain injury, medical content, medical trauma, chronic illness, car accident, cursing, alcohol, panic attacks/disorders
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"You had to maximize joy when it fluttered into your life. You had to honor it. And savor it. And not stomp it to death by reminding everyone of everything you'd lost."
"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."
"Tragedy really is a given. There are endless human stories, but they all end the same way. So it can't be where you're going that matters. It have to be how you get there."
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Car accident, and Alcohol
divorce, traumatic brain injuryhayl's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Car accident, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal death
greatestheights's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
cburleson's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.5
Another cozy read by Katherine Center! This one hit a little harder emotionally than the other books by Katherine Center I’ve read. Maybe it was because it was a little closer to home? Not that it was a bad thing. It was still very happy-fuzzy in that signature KC way.
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer
cmmreads's review
4.0
A (mostly) light hearted and fun summer read. This truly does read like your favorite rom com movie would. Center does break the 4th wall often by talking directly to the reader which only adds to the light and fun tone of the book.
I say “mostly” light hearted because there’s an argument between sisters that feels overly aggressive. The last twist also didn’t totally sit right with me.
Overall this book kept my attention and was a wonderful sweet, joyful summer read.
I say “mostly” light hearted because there’s an argument between sisters that feels overly aggressive. The last twist also didn’t totally sit right with me.
Overall this book kept my attention and was a wonderful sweet, joyful summer read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer
meggiemeggie52's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I read The Rom-Commers front to back in less than 24 hours, so if that doesn't tell you how much I enjoyed it, I don't know what will.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Blood and Medical content
Minor: Cursing and Panic attacks/disorders