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gondorgirl's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Terminal illness, and Alcohol
kitwhelan's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
I very much enjoyed this romance about two people writing a rom-com. There’s a load of medical trauma (perhaps a touch TOO much?) and grief, but it’s the satisfying kind of emotional. And even though Charlie is a sick in the beginning and never adequately apologized for it, I was still rooting for them in the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer and Injury/Injury detail
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
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 injurygreatestheights'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
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
booksalacarte's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Rom-Commers 4⭐️ 2.5🌶️
Contemporary Romance
Hollywood/celebrity romance
Workplace romance
Unwilling allies to lovers
Grumpy sunshine
Grief
Strong family
🏳️🌈Side Character
Injury disability rep
This was a very cute rom-com about a pair of screenplay writers writing a rom-com. It was cliche in the best ways, but also packed a punch when it came to a dressing trauma and serious topics.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The characters were complicated and dynamic. I found my self wishing that there was a little bit more vulnerability from the MMC for the big gesture, but he was also a silent but strong type... so, I don’t know. I’m conflicted. I was absolutely charmed by the epilogue.
The plot was a fun spin on a Hollywood insider’s romance. I appreciated that the boom wasn’t over-run by pop culture and real celebrity references. The pacing was perfect.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
alexwalton's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.75
First of all, thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. This book was so so so good. 4.75 ⭐️, but honestly might bump up to a 5⭐️ the more I sit on it.
This story is of Emma, who is an aspiring screenwriter but also caregiver for her father, who gets the opportunity of a lifetime. She leaves her dad in the hands of her little sister to move in with Charles Yates, legendary screenwriter (and Emma's favorite), to write a rom-com movie remake.
This is light-hearted and silly one moment, then romantic, then sad and reflective. No spice but the romance was so strong I didn't even notice.
(Also Katherine, could we please have a book on TJ Haywood? 🙏)
This story is of Emma, who is an aspiring screenwriter but also caregiver for her father, who gets the opportunity of a lifetime. She leaves her dad in the hands of her little sister to move in with Charles Yates, legendary screenwriter (and Emma's favorite), to write a rom-com movie remake.
This is light-hearted and silly one moment, then romantic, then sad and reflective. No spice but the romance was so strong I didn't even notice.
(Also Katherine, could we please have a book on TJ Haywood? 🙏)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
Nothing is in graphic details, just mentions, but they are integral to the story and often discussedsavvyrosereads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Thank you to the publisher for providing me an eARC to review! This one is out June 11.
Rating: 5/5 stars
Emma is an aspiring screenwriter whose career was derailed by personal tragedy—but things might be about to turn around when she is hired to fix a terrible rom-com script with her favorite writer, Charlie Yates.
This book is, first and foremost, a love letter to the genre of romance and I am HERE FOR IT. Watching Charlie come around to the importance of joyful stories was such a beautiful and meaningful character arc it genuinely made me cry, and the awards show scene was one of my favorite moments I’ve read in a book this year (or maybe ever).
Also, this book is DELIGHTFULLY funny. I found myself literally laughing out loud so many times (even though there are definitely some super sad moments and pretty big CWs as well, see below). The chemistry and banter between Emma and Charlie was SO good, and I was rooting for them SO HARD the whole way through.
Highly HIGHLY recommend this (ideally after THE BODYGUARD because there are some fun Easter eggs/cameos if you care about that sort of thing!)
CW: Cancer; death of parent; chronic illness/disability; medical content; grief; mild sexism
Rating: 5/5 stars
Emma is an aspiring screenwriter whose career was derailed by personal tragedy—but things might be about to turn around when she is hired to fix a terrible rom-com script with her favorite writer, Charlie Yates.
This book is, first and foremost, a love letter to the genre of romance and I am HERE FOR IT. Watching Charlie come around to the importance of joyful stories was such a beautiful and meaningful character arc it genuinely made me cry, and the awards show scene was one of my favorite moments I’ve read in a book this year (or maybe ever).
Also, this book is DELIGHTFULLY funny. I found myself literally laughing out loud so many times (even though there are definitely some super sad moments and pretty big CWs as well, see below). The chemistry and banter between Emma and Charlie was SO good, and I was rooting for them SO HARD the whole way through.
Highly HIGHLY recommend this (ideally after THE BODYGUARD because there are some fun Easter eggs/cameos if you care about that sort of thing!)
CW: Cancer; death of parent; chronic illness/disability; medical content; grief; mild sexism
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death and Sexism
tamsterdam_reads's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Rom-Commers strikes the perfect blend of humour and romance. With its charming but complicated characters, in true Katherine Center fashion, there was depth and lightheartedness that made this story so memorable.
I adored the female main character, Emma, with her emanating light and seeing the world through a positive lens even though she was placed with many difficult obligations. Charlie was almost as equally lovable but in his own unique way. The back and forth dialogue between the two was so good and I loved both of their character arcs.
The narrator, Patti Murin, did a fantastic job with character distinction and the emotional tones.
Thank you St. Martin’s Press for the galley and Macmillan for the alc. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Cancer, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail