The Perfect Rom-Com is the latest release from bestselling author Melissa Ferguson. It is anticipated to be released on February 11, 2025, taking readers into the publishing world. Bryony Page has written her grandmother’s story and wants to share it with the world to help save her grandmother’s dream. But she struggles to find anyone willing to take a chance until she pushes back at her final appointment during a writing conference. What happens next is anyone’s guess.
I want to thank Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of The Perfect Rom-Com. However, all opinions expressed here are solely mine.
Synopsis from Goodreads
Aspiring author Bryony Page attends her first writers conference bursting with optimism and ready to sell her manuscript with long-shot dreams of raising awareness for The Bridge, her grandmother’s financially-struggling organization where she teaches ESL full-time. But after a disastrous pitching session, she stumbles into correcting another author’s work in a last-ditch attempt to make a good impression with the agent. And she, as it turns out, is spot on.
No one is more surprised than Bryony when the agent offers her the opportunity to be a ghostwriter for Amelia Benedict, a popular rom-com novelist. Bryony agrees on one she’ll write books for this vain, demanding woman just as long as Jack Sterling, literary agent of the legendary Foundry Literary Agency, works to sell her own book too.
What nobody predicted, however, was that Bryony’s books would turn Amelia Benedict into the Amelia Benedict household name and bestselling author with millions of copies sold around the world.
And just like that, the Foundry Agency can’t let her go.
But on a personal note, Jack is realizing he can’t either.
Positives
- It’s a clean romance, with only kissing over halfway through the book.
Negatives
- The chemistry between Jack and Bryony is missing.
- Bryony is whiny and refuses to listen to anyone.
My Opinions
The Perfect Rom-Com is an enigma. It is touted as a romance, but there is very little in the book’s first half. It is more of a contemporary than a romance. Is that weird to say? I would love to know more about Gran’s backstory and what drove her to open The Bridge. What happened with Bryony and Gloria’s parents?
The story of Bryony as a ghostwriter for Amelia Benedict leaves me wondering how many ghostwriters are out there who receive little to no reward for their dedication. The portrayal of Bryony’s struggle in dealing with Amelia’s demanding nature and the lack of recognition for her work is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by many ghostwriters. And if Amelia is such a horrible writer, how did she ever get a contract in the first place?
Bryony was oblivious to the people around her and their feelings. She was too focused on helping everyone to see if they needed or wanted help. Bryony constantly bent over backward to help everyone but not herself. I understand the need to care for those around us and put their needs above mine. I have done this most of my life, but I have also set myself at the forefront now and then.
While this particular book did not strike a pleasurable note, I remain optimistic about Melissa Ferguson’s future books. I have read and enjoyed her other works and look forward to continuing to read them and hopefully enjoy them.
Are you looking for some more books to read? Check out my bookish lists, book reviews, and monthly reading wrap-ups.
Discover more from Read! Bake! Create!
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.