The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center
Contemporary Romance
June 11, 2024- St. Martin’s Press
ARC

Review by Angela

I chose this book for review because I liked the idea of two screenwriters, one established in Hollywood and the other looking for a big break, working together to rewrite a romantic comedy. The Rom-Commers is a mix of the grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity tropes and it snagged my attention almost immediately.

Emma Wheeler is many things–the full-time caregiver to her father, her sister’s biggest fan, a teacher at the local community college, and an aspiring screenwriter. Her high school boyfriend is her manager and he’s thrown work her way over the years as a form of penance for breaking up with her in college, so she’s not surprised when he calls with an opportunity. What she doesn’t expect is the offer of working with her favorite writer to rework a romantic comedy.

If you are looking for super sexy smexytimes, let me be the first to tell you that there are no love scenes, closed or otherwise. But there is a sweet, fun romance between two people that have a lot of going on in their lives but kind of fall for each other while being forced into the same space in order to work with each other. Emma is fabulous, I fell in love with her immediately. Charlie Yates, the award-winning screenwriter, is another story. He comes across as rude and douchey at first, and from the way he is described I kept picturing a grouchy, disheveled old man in my head. He did grow on me, but it took a while.

When I say these two have a lot going on in their lives, I mean A LOT. Emma is a full-time caregiver because her dad suffered a traumatic brain injury ten years ago and can’t be left alone. Her mother died in the same accident. Charlie has an ex-wife who he has a complicated relationship with and a history of cancer. I was surprised at how funny this book was despite the somber backstories. The dialogue and scenes where they are studying certain elements for the screenplay are humorous, and despite only getting Emma’s POV, I felt their connection. I kind of wish there was at least one love scene, the kissing scenes are a great build up, but I think I would have enjoyed the two of them connecting on a more physical level before the third act break up.

The HEA is nice, and I liked how everything came together with them and Emma’s family. All in all, this was a delightful read. It made me smile.

Grade- B

Content notes- MMC has cancer in his past, flashback scenes of FMC’s mother’s death and a father with health conditions