Quick Synopsis

She’s rewriting his love story. But can she rewrite her own? The New York Times bestselling author Katherine Center’s next laugh out loud, feel good rom-com about writing your own story.

Publisher’s Synopsis

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. She will convince him that love stories matter―even if she has to kiss him senseless to do it. But . . . what if that kiss is accidentally amazing? What if real life turns out to be so much . . . more real than fiction? What if the love story they’re writing breaks all Emma’s rules―and comes true?

Book Review

Katherine Center is one of the authors who helped change my perception of romance novels as an adult. For quite awhile, I was very anti-romance novel, as the patriarchy has convinced so many of us to be. Center’s novels helped me see that the romance genre has a lot more depth and nuance than I previously understood. So I am always excited to read Center’s latest novel and discover the protagonist’s personal journey she has in store for readers.

The Rom-Commers is an enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity romance about Emma, who dreams of writing for the big screen, but has put her dreams on hold to be her father’s caregiver. When she is given the opportunity to work with her favorite screenwriter, Charlie Yates, Emma finally takes a shot at her dream. But when she arrives at Yates’ doorstep to start working, she discovers her best friend lied, and he has not agreed to work with her.

While I enjoyed reading The Rom-Commers, I thought it lacked the magic of Center’s best books. The plot held my interest despite the fact the book mostly takes place at Charlie Yate’s dining table. I thought the caregiver storyline was well done and easy to relate to as someone currently in that role. However, The Rom-Commers lacks the character growth for the female protagonist typical in Center’s novels. In fact, I wish both protagonists would have been further developed, especially beyond their careers and work.

In addition, I never felt a spark or obvious chemistry between the characters. Perhaps what was missing was simply tension outside the “workplace.” Or maybe it was Charlie’s digs that initially felt quite cruel and malicious towards Emma. While I did not think he crossed my line, it may cross yours.

Overall, The Rom-Commers is an enjoyable romance novel if you enjoy a true enemies-to-lovers where there is clear animosity. I recommend it so long as you are not put off by spiteful comments from the male protagonist.

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