Is this the perfect rom-com? Not quite, but it is a pretty darn good one. I was wildly annoyed by what kept the main characters apart in the beginning because her long distance relationship made no sense (I simply would not wait 2 years for a person I only dated for 4 months, it makes no sense), but ultimately the story was cute and fun and romantic. I even teared up a little.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the Audio ARC

 

I received this book via NetGalley and HarperCollins Christian Publishing | Thomas Nelson Fiction as an ARC. This review is my own opinion of the book.

This is a wonderful, heartwarming, and fun story. It did not feel as much romance to me as it did coming of age. It is perfect for those who do not like spice in their romances.

I thought I would list the topes, when it comes to contemporary romance books I find them very helpful.

-Workplace romance
- Forced proximity
- Friends to lovers
- He falls first

 

The Perfect Rom-Com truly is the perfect rom-com!

First off, love the narrator! Karissa Vacker brought so much life to the story.

This book was funny, witty, and completely engaging. The chaotic, behind-the-scenes look at the publishing world was such a fun setting, especially as a reader. From the very first chapter, I was hooked, and I devoured the audiobook in just two days.

I knew I was in trouble when I found myself smiling, kicking my feet, and fully swooning. And the betrayal? I felt that in my soul.

I was absolutely engrossed every time the FMC talked about the writing process or the difference between how a reader versus a writer experiences a book. That aspect made this story even more special for me.

As an over-thinker, I have never felt more seen. This book had me crying and not only happy tears, highly recommend.

Thank you Melissa Ferguson, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Karissa Vacker & NetGalley for providing me with an alc, this is my honest review.

⭐️3.5
🩷just kisses

🎧audiobook performance ⭐️4

Bryony desperately wants 2 things; to save her beloved ESL nonprofit school “The Bridge” and to find a literary agent to represent her first novel SO she can use it to promote support for “The Bridge”. After all the rejections of her novel, in a last-ditch effort, she takes a meeting with famed literary agent Jack Sterling. When he asks her to critique another writers work and her comments are spot-on she unintentionally becomes the ghostwriter for famous author, Amelia Benedict. After years of ghostwriting and no published works to her name, will Bryony get to fulfill any of her initial goals and will she find something she didn’t even know she was looking for?

This was a sweet story. It did make me chuckle a few times. I loved the dynamic between Bryony and Jack, I just wish there could have been more banter. I also enjoyed the stories of the ESL students but rarely did they happen in real time as well. It felt like a huge chunk of the story was Bryony’s inner monologue where I wished  it was playing out in the dialogue more. 

Overall, a sweet and fun read. 

✨ghostwriter x agent

✨ESL representation 

✨workplace romance 

✨forced proximity 

✨closed door romance 

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the digital and audio ARCS of this book! 

Overall, the fmc wasn't my cup of tea but I enjoyed the mmc. A few scenes flet too lengthy 

The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson (narrated by Karissa Vacker) is a lighthearted, feel-good read with a charming premise—but as a romance, it didn’t quite land for me.

Bryony Page is an aspiring author struggling to sell her first book when broody literary agent Jack Sterling offers her a ghostwriting gig. While she finds success writing under someone else’s name, her real goal is to get her own novel into the right hands—both to launch her career and to raise the funds needed to keep The Bridge, her grandmother’s financially struggling ESL organization, afloat.

The setup had potential, but the romance between Bryony and Jack never truly takes off. The book leans heavily into the cute side of romantic comedy—very vanilla, very safe—but ultimately, it lacked depth and real romantic tension. Jack’s personality shines early on at a literary conference, but after a time jump, he becomes much more muted.

About a third of the way in, I started wondering why there wasn’t more chemistry between the characters—then I realized this was a Christian romance. I read a mix of closed-door and mildly spicy books, so I have no issue with tamer romances, but this one felt too dialed-down. There’s nothing worth closing a door for. The connection between Bryony and Jack reads more like a close friendship than a love story. While there are a few passionate kisses, the emotional build-up and tension that make a romance compelling just aren’t there. If you prefer a romance that leans more into sweetness than intensity, this might be a great fit, but for me, it fell flat.

That said, the audiobook narration was a highlight. Karissa Vacker brought the characters to life, especially Amelia, the bratty romance author Bryony ghostwrites for. Her performance made the audiobook a more engaging experience than the story itself.

In the end, this wasn’t a perfect rom-com for me. The plot meandered, the characters lacked depth, and the romance felt awkward and unconvincing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.