Reviews tagging 'Car accident'

The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center

34 reviews

leslie_overbookedsocialworker's review

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emotional hopeful relaxing 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


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mishale1's review

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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.

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yannaj's review

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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.
 

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kelly_e's review against another edition

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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." 

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hayl's review against another edition

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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


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mamawantsbooks's review

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emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Katherine Center has managed to take every beloved romance trope and combine it with the hopefulness of every 90’s-00’s romcom into the most wonderful book that’s perfect for the summer. 

Emma Wheeler has had a life that wasn’t hers. She’s devoted the last ten years to caring for her father and her little sister while putting off her dreams of becoming a screenwriter. Her agent, who happens to be her old high school friend, sets her up with the opportunity of a lifetime with THE Charlie Yates but Emma doesn’t know if her responsibility will be to herself or to others. And why is Charlie Yates so damn attractive and infuriating? 

I thought this was a well written story with the most amazing use of all tropes for romance books and movies. I loved the callbacks to other characters from Katherine’s other novels. The story did feel like it dragged a bit and could have done a bit of editing to get rid of some extra fluff that wasn’t needed. 

Overall I am extremely glad to have read this book because as a lover of romcoms and romance novels, though maybe not as big as Emma, this filled a void in my heart I didn’t know I was missing. 

Thank you so so so much to St. Martin’s Press and Net Galley for the opportunity for this advanced copy! 

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booksalacarte's review against another edition

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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.

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rachrreads's review against another edition

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medium-paced

4.0

I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this one— it was a ton of fun! I honestly wish this would’ve been a dual POV but overall it was a fun ride.

Emma Wheeler has spent the first part of her adult life taking care of everyone around her. She let her sister go off to college so she could pursue her dreams and stayed back to take care of their father full time. When the opportunity of a life time comes up, her family will not let her turn it down. Charlie Yates, Emma’s favorite screenwriter, is in need of a ghostwriter for one of his upcoming films. He wrote a romantic comedy script and it was… not good. 

We love a rom-com about writing a rom-com!

Read if you like:
• fantastic banter
• workplace romance
• movies
• he falls harder 
• celebrity (famous screenwriter) romance

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anyepagan's review against another edition

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funny reflective fast-paced
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0


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michbrito's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I read The Bodyguard as my first Katherine Center book and thoroughly enjoyed it. When I saw the opportunity to request an ARC of The Rom-Commers I jumped at the opportunity... and I think I am on the minority side of not liking it.

The premise of the book was the perfect plot for the topic of the book: two screenwriters being paired together to write a rom-com. One of them was never successful in getting their career started and the other is a staple name in the film industry. Emma is the unsuccessful writer who is a teacher and does any writing job her manager sends her in order to stay afloat with her father (who was in a terrible access 10 years ago and has led her to become his caretaker). Charlie is the successful one who writes a script and it becomes gold. He's behind many successful films and doesn't believe in love due to his own failed marriage. 

I really wanted to enjoy this but could not get over the main characters, primarily Charlie. Charlie was overly rude towards and behind Emma's back it was concerning. The amount of times that Emma overheard him say she was an unsuccessful screenwriter nobody to literally anyone that would listen was upsetting and yet she never stood up for herself. I get that she's a big fan of his and an admirer but I really wish she would've confronted him about the things he was saying. Also, the third-act breakup was done in such a way that could've been done with communication! These two are well into their late 20s and could've solved everything by simply talking.

With Emma, I felt for her due to the circumstances she was under and the disaster that happened 10 years ago that completely changed the trajectory of her family's lives, however, it was very hot and cold with her. I saw someone pointed out that she witnesses the accident of her parents and then later making a joke about dying on a cliff, and then again with her at the pool and injuring her organs. The incident with her at the pool in the slinky dress was very toxic and I felt like that could've been omitted from the book. And the things she said to her sister were very harsh and I'm kind of glad her sister said what she said.I read The Bodyguard as my first Katherine Center book and thoroughly enjoyed it. When I saw the opportunity to request an ARC of The Rom-Commers I jumped at the opportunity... and I think I am on the minority side of not liking it.

The premise of the book was the perfect plot for the topic of the book: two screenwriters being paired together to write a rom-com. One of them was never successful in getting their career started and the other is a staple name in the film industry. Emma is the unsuccessful writer who is a teacher and does any writing job her manager sends her in order to stay afloat with her father (who was in a terrible access 10 years ago and has led her to become his caretaker). Charlie is the successful one who writes a script and it becomes gold. He's behind many successful films and doesn't believe in love due to his own failed marriage. 

I really wanted to enjoy this but could not get over the main characters, primarily Charlie. Charlie was overly rude towards and behind Emma's back it was concerning. The amount of times that Emma overheard him say she was an unsuccessful screenwriter nobody to literally anyone that would listen was upsetting and yet she never stood up for herself. I get that she's a big fan of his and an admirer but I really wish she would've confronted him about the things he was saying. Also, the third-act breakup was done in such a way that could've been done with communication! These two are well into their late 20s and could've solved everything by simply talking.

With Emma, I felt for her due to the circumstances she was under and the disaster that happened 10 years ago that completely changed the trajectory of her family's lives, however, it was very hot and cold with her. I saw someone pointed out that she witnesses the accident of her parents and then later making a joke about dying on a cliff, and then again with her at the pool and injuring her organs. The incident with her at the pool in the slinky dress was very toxic and I felt like that could've been omitted from the book. And the things she said to her sister were very harsh and I'm kind of glad her sister said what she said. I also wish more was done with her hair instead of constantly being negative about it and keeping in a "pom pom" at the nape of her neck or a top knot.

The ending was not my favorite and wish it was different but again, could be for other people! I can say that there were funny moments as well as sweet moments between her and her father. Thank you to St. Martin's Press and netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The ending was not my favorite and wish it was different but again, could be for other people! I can say that there were funny moments as well as sweet moments between her and her father, and it was a quick read. Thank you to St. Martin's Press and netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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