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hillgoodharv's review
emotional
hopeful
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Medical trauma, and Death of parent
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Car accident
schweibertsm's review
emotional
hopeful
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
2.75
This book just didn't hit well with me. I found the characters really hard to like and the story more depressing than loveable. This book touches on some really serious topics and is a very prominent focus of the story. I just didn't buy the romance between the two main characters either, we didn't really get much of a chance to see that relationship even grow to the point that the ending even seemed possible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Medical trauma, Car accident, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer and Grief
Minor: Infertility
maggies'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? No
5.0
A fun and yet also heart-rending story, as usual. I ❤️ Emma and Charlie.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Cancer and Terminal illness
karina_dreamsinwords's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Medical content and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death and Panic attacks/disorders
booklvrkat's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“That’s why fiction,” I said, “is better than real life.”
Charlie Yates, famous screenwriter, does not believe in love & romance. Emma Wheeler desperately believes in both. When Emma is given a shot, by her longtime friend Logan, to help re-write a Charlie Yates *CHARLIEYATESTHESCREENWRITER* romcom she jumps at the chance. Charlie is not impressed and wants nothing to do with her. With a bunch of fumbling about Emma talks him into giving her a shot, and our story moves from there.
“If you wait for other people to light you up, then I guess you're at the mercy of darkness.”
Charlie and Emma had love & stars in their eyes before they realized it. Emma does her outright best to convert Charlie into a lover of the art of the romcom, and ultimately does win this award. There are small moments, there are big screen moments, and there are classic Katherine Center moments. I loved this story, the futility of Charlie’s denials and Emma’s absolute commitment to the power of love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Death of parent
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, and Grief
sunshinekmp's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Medical content and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, and Alcohol
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 injurymeggiemeggie52'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
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 discussedniftyreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-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
5.0
All someone has to say is, “This is a book by Katherine Center,” and I want to read it. Every book she writes makes me so happy, and that is precisely what THE ROM-COMMERS did, too. I laughed. I cried. I laughed some more. And I fell head over heels for Emma Wheeler and Charlie Yates. What an exceptional love story with the bad, the ugly, and all the good!
I love the way Center writes because whoever she uses as the stories narrator grips your heart and doesn’t let go. You can love them. You can get annoyed with them. You can want to hit them upside the head. You can cry with them. But they have such a stronghold on you the entire book that by the end, it feels like you are leaving a friend behind when you close the book. But that’s all the more reason to reread it 😉
For anyone who loves the grumpy/sunshine and forced proximity tropes, Center absolutely nailed them. They are two of my favorites, and I loved seeing Emma and Charlie stuck together! Plus, their banter while being a grump and sunshine is so good!
We can’t forget the fabulous audiobook narration by Patti Murin—one of my all-time favorite narrators! After hearing her as Emma and Charlie, I cannot imagine anyone doing it better. Her voices, cadence, and emotions make THE ROM-COMMERS an exceptional listen!
I’m not sure if you can tell, but I really liked this book and audiobook. Katherine Center writes fantastic books, in my humble opinion. You cannot go wrong reading or listening to THE ROM-COMMERS!
Thanks, Macmillan Audio, for the ALC! Thanks, St. Martin’s Press, for the arc!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail