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sl_val15's review against another edition
3.0
*Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an E-Arc in exchange for an honest review!*
3.75 out of 5 stars!
The Perfect Rom-Com was the second book by Melissa Ferguson - my first being How to Plot a Payback and I enjoyed this one just as much!
Rather than centering on the romance, the story takes a refreshing turn by focusing on the protagonist’s personal growth—her journey through life, coming-of-age, and self-realization. So, it might be better described as a chick lit rather than a typical romance.
This read was heartwarming, engaging, and full of charm!
I know including the topes, especially when it comes to contemporary romance books (including myself) find them very helpful.
So here are some of them:
-Workplace romance
- Forced proximity
- Literary agent
- Friends to lovers
- Ghost writer
- He falls first
I will definitely check out this author's other works more regularly!
_________________________
I read my first book by this author very recently and really enjoyed it. Can’t wait to dive into this very soon. ☺️
3.75 out of 5 stars!
The Perfect Rom-Com was the second book by Melissa Ferguson - my first being How to Plot a Payback and I enjoyed this one just as much!
Rather than centering on the romance, the story takes a refreshing turn by focusing on the protagonist’s personal growth—her journey through life, coming-of-age, and self-realization. So, it might be better described as a chick lit rather than a typical romance.
This read was heartwarming, engaging, and full of charm!
I know including the topes, especially when it comes to contemporary romance books (including myself) find them very helpful.
So here are some of them:
-Workplace romance
- Forced proximity
- Literary agent
- Friends to lovers
- Ghost writer
- He falls first
I will definitely check out this author's other works more regularly!
_________________________
I read my first book by this author very recently and really enjoyed it. Can’t wait to dive into this very soon. ☺️
sydneysbookshelves2's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
ARC REVIEW
This was a beautiful plot overall. However, I found the story to be very slow. It did not catch my attention until 50%. The ending was amazing.
This was a beautiful plot overall. However, I found the story to be very slow. It did not catch my attention until 50%. The ending was amazing.
erica_reads_itall's review against another edition
5.0
The Perfect Rom-Com was a fun, engaging read. I rooted for the main character, Bryony, from her first awkward attempts to find an agent through her blossoming into a successful ghostwriter and finally into her stepping into her power in the story's satisfying conclusion.
But some elements gave me pause. First, the book is clearly being marketed as a romance or rom com but it's actually more women's fiction. I didn't have a problem with this, but romance-centered readers might be disappointed.
Second, there is a disconcerting time jump early in the book. The first three chapters show Bryony's initial meeting with a prominent agent, Jack, focusing on her lack of experience and his dismissive attitude. Then the story jumps forward two years, by which point Bryony and Jack have a solid working relationship and friendship - and also, apparently, totally different personalities. We never learn what caused this evolution, so the initial presentation of the characters feels out of place. Readers might get a better first impression - and enjoy The Perfect Rom-Com just as much - by skipping it.
4.5 stars - a great women's fiction novel stuck in a rom com cover.
[I received a complimentary ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. Opinions are my own.]
But some elements gave me pause. First, the book is clearly being marketed as a romance or rom com but it's actually more women's fiction. I didn't have a problem with this, but romance-centered readers might be disappointed.
Second, there is a disconcerting time jump early in the book. The first three chapters show Bryony's initial meeting with a prominent agent, Jack, focusing on her lack of experience and his dismissive attitude. Then the story jumps forward two years, by which point Bryony and Jack have a solid working relationship and friendship - and also, apparently, totally different personalities. We never learn what caused this evolution, so the initial presentation of the characters feels out of place. Readers might get a better first impression - and enjoy The Perfect Rom-Com just as much - by skipping it.
4.5 stars - a great women's fiction novel stuck in a rom com cover.
[I received a complimentary ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. Opinions are my own.]
brimo0206's review against another edition
4.0
This book started out a little rough, in my opinion. It felt like a huge info dump and there was a lot of added details, that I don’t believe needed to be in there. The storyline, itself, was intriguing and is the only thing that kept me interested.
The story was slower than most books I read, which may be why I struggled with all the content. But, about 3/4 in, it picked up and I really enjoyed that last portion of the story.
Bryony was not my favorite character, which I hate to say about the FMC. She was kind of a pushover and let everyone treat her any way they wanted to. Jack, on the other hand, was a great MMC. His starts off as a guy you despise, but he grows on you. He’s definitely the character that carried the whole story.
Overall, I would say this was a 3.5 ⭐️ read for me, but I’m rounding it up, because it had a lot of potential and was still a good read!
This book is also a closed door romance for anyone that is looking for a clean romance
The story was slower than most books I read, which may be why I struggled with all the content. But, about 3/4 in, it picked up and I really enjoyed that last portion of the story.
Bryony was not my favorite character, which I hate to say about the FMC. She was kind of a pushover and let everyone treat her any way they wanted to. Jack, on the other hand, was a great MMC. His starts off as a guy you despise, but he grows on you. He’s definitely the character that carried the whole story.
Overall, I would say this was a 3.5 ⭐️ read for me, but I’m rounding it up, because it had a lot of potential and was still a good read!
This book is also a closed door romance for anyone that is looking for a clean romance
livinthebubble's review against another edition
medium-paced
2.0
The Perfect Rom-Com promised a lighthearted, romantic escape but delivered a story that fell short in several key areas. While the book had moments, it struggled to live up to its title.
For a book marketed as a romantic comedy, the romance was barely there. The relationship between Bryony and Jack felt rushed and all over the place. One moment, Bryony can't stand Jack, and the next, we are expected to believe they are besties. The shift was so abrupt that it was hard to feel anything for their connection—it came off more like a plot device than a believable romance. Also, their romance bordered on emotional cheating for the first half, which left a bad taste in my mouth.
The plot? Super predictable. From the romance setup to the inevitable third-act breakup to the neatly wrapped ending, there wasn’t much to surprise or excite me. I kept hoping for something fresh to make it all worthwhile, but no luck there.
Also, Amelia’s constant dismissiveness and outright rudeness made it so hard to understand why Bryony stuck around for over two years. Why didn’t she quit? Watching her put up with that kind of treatment was frustrating, and her reasons for staying didn’t feel convincing.
Bryony’s desperation to get her book published made sense in theory, but her stubbornness about accepting criticism didn’t. How could someone with years of industry experience not think to reread her manuscript in all that time? The whole storyline about saving her grandmother’s ESL school by publishing a book felt way too simplistic. Book publishing is a slow and uncertain process, and pinning all her hopes on it just made her seem naive (for a 29-year-old).
The book had potential, but the flat romance, overly predictable story, and questionable character choices made it fall short. If you’re looking for a true rom-com, this one might not be the perfect pick.
This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
For a book marketed as a romantic comedy, the romance was barely there. The relationship between Bryony and Jack felt rushed and all over the place. One moment, Bryony can't stand Jack, and the next, we are expected to believe they are besties. The shift was so abrupt that it was hard to feel anything for their connection—it came off more like a plot device than a believable romance. Also, their romance bordered on emotional cheating for the first half, which left a bad taste in my mouth.
The plot? Super predictable. From the romance setup to the inevitable third-act breakup to the neatly wrapped ending, there wasn’t much to surprise or excite me. I kept hoping for something fresh to make it all worthwhile, but no luck there.
Also, Amelia’s constant dismissiveness and outright rudeness made it so hard to understand why Bryony stuck around for over two years. Why didn’t she quit? Watching her put up with that kind of treatment was frustrating, and her reasons for staying didn’t feel convincing.
Bryony’s desperation to get her book published made sense in theory, but her stubbornness about accepting criticism didn’t. How could someone with years of industry experience not think to reread her manuscript in all that time? The whole storyline about saving her grandmother’s ESL school by publishing a book felt way too simplistic. Book publishing is a slow and uncertain process, and pinning all her hopes on it just made her seem naive (for a 29-year-old).
The book had potential, but the flat romance, overly predictable story, and questionable character choices made it fall short. If you’re looking for a true rom-com, this one might not be the perfect pick.
This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
bubsreads's review against another edition
2.0
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for the chance to read this book early in exchange for an honest review!
This book was very...bland. I wasn't particularly invested in Bryony's arc - mainly because it felt like all the development this character would have would be in the prologue - and I wasn't given enough reasons to think Jack was a good enough MMC for me to care whether they stayed together or not. And, to be fair, it didn't even feel like I was supposed to care. They kinda just fell into a relationship where Jack informs Bryony he had been dating her for years, even if she was dating someone else (I do understand where he was coming from, but it just sounded odd to me) and we are told Bryony is suddenly in love with this man and we are given absolutely no romantic scenes, no angsty reveal, nothing to actually remind us that we are, in fact, reading a rom-com.
At this point, I was so uninterested in this book that the whole 3rd act breakup and following reconciliation did absolutely nothing for me.
This book was very...bland. I wasn't particularly invested in Bryony's arc - mainly because it felt like all the development this character would have would be in the prologue - and I wasn't given enough reasons to think Jack was a good enough MMC for me to care whether they stayed together or not. And, to be fair, it didn't even feel like I was supposed to care. They kinda just fell into a relationship where Jack informs Bryony he had been dating her for years, even if she was dating someone else (I do understand where he was coming from, but it just sounded odd to me) and we are told Bryony is suddenly in love with this man and we are given absolutely no romantic scenes, no angsty reveal, nothing to actually remind us that we are, in fact, reading a rom-com.
At this point, I was so uninterested in this book that the whole 3rd act breakup and following reconciliation did absolutely nothing for me.
jaimeleigh318's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
thecrochetreader's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-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
4.75
missy1978's review against another edition
4.0
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Who knew the world of romance writing is so cut throat? In this delightful book we meet ghost writer Bryony and literary agent Jack and we get to experience all the twists and turns involved in making an established author successful…hint it does not involve the established author writing her own books! All Bryony wants to do is keep her grandmother's school in business, the deal she is forced into brings her the money to do it (at least for a while) and right into the life of Jack. I especially loved that they became a couple, but neither they, nor anyone else (except perhaps Bryony's long distance boyfriend) realized it. The catalyst book tour brings the subterfuge and all the feelings to the surface.
The banter in this book is immaculate! Add in a hilarious group of imperfect secondary characters, a feisty grandmother, and a weekly bowling night; this book is a fun, HEA read.
The banter in this book is immaculate! Add in a hilarious group of imperfect secondary characters, a feisty grandmother, and a weekly bowling night; this book is a fun, HEA read.