The Perfect Rom-Com: A Romance Novel for Book Lovers by Melissa Ferguson

She's written dozens of smash hit romance novels. Too bad no one knows it.

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 pitch 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, 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.

Don't miss the delightful romantic comedy, The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson, a story of two seemingly mismatched hearts brought together by fate, proving that sometimes, the perfect love story is hidden in the pages of a well-loved book.

Kindle Edition, 304 pages

Expected publication February 11, 2025

by Thomas Nelson

4/5

Sometimes after some heavy books, you need something light, laugh out loud funny, and a cute story. Which is exactly what I got with The Perfect Rom-Com. I was sucked in with the opening chapter as Bryony attends her first writing conference. Struggling and nervous she prepares for her pitch sessions. As one who has been to a number of conferences I totally felt for her.

While trying to save her grandmother‘s school for ESL Bryony walks away from said conference with an opportunity that just might save it, even if her manuscript is door stopper in size. While there were times, I found the story dragged a little in terms of the plot I was thoroughly entertained with the witty banter, a look into the publishing world along with some characters that I liked. Well, until there was one that I didn’t.

A lot of the story took place in Bryony’s mind which was fine for me as it made me root for her and understand her way of thinking. She has had an interesting life and always puts others before herself, so it was nice to see her transformation throughout. Jack is her agent who is somewhat mysterious, well charming at the same time. Yes there is romance but this is more about Bryony's journey as she endeavors to follow her dreams.

You can find The Perfect Rom-Com on your book shelves on February 11. My thanks to Thomas Nelson for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review.

Meet Me in the Margins by Melissa Ferguson

You’ve Got Mail meets The Proposal—this romance is one for the books.

Savannah Cade’s dreams are coming true. The Claire Donovan, editor-in-chief of the most successful romance imprint in the country, has requested to see the manuscript Savannah’s been secretly writing while working as editor herself—except at her publishing house, the philosophy is only highbrow works are worth printing and commercial fiction, particularly romance, should be reserved for the lowest level of Dante’s inferno. But when Savannah drops her manuscript during a staff meeting and nearly exposes herself to the whole company—including William Pennington, new publisher and son of the romance-despising CEO herself—she races to hide her manuscript in the secret turret room of the old Victorian office.

When she returns, she’s dismayed to discover that someone has not only been in her hidden nook but has written notes in the margins—quite critical ones. But when Claire’s own reaction turns out to be nearly identical to the scribbled remarks, and worse, Claire announces that Savannah has six weeks to resubmit before she retires, Savannah finds herself forced to seek the help of the shadowy editor after all.

As their notes back and forth start to fill up the pages, however, Savannah finds him not just becoming pivotal to her work but her life. There’s no doubt about it. She’s falling for her mystery editor. If she only knew who he was.

Kindle, 336 pages

Expected publication February 15, 2022

 by Thomas Nelson

3/5 stars

This book grabbed my attention with its setting in the publishing world, when the subject is bookish I am all in.

Meet Me in the Margins is a light romance told from Savannah's POV.  It was fun at times with juvenile behaviour, a few laughs and even a little mystery (who is this mystery person). The inner works of the field was interesting with its while range of characters.

This is my first time reading a Melissa Ferguson book, she incorporated some fun things, a hidden room (though why is an arc room hidden? shouldn't it be in use to get those books into readers hands?), a mysterious new boss and a weird family. While it didn't have the depth that I love it was a nice fit between some heavy WW2 stories.  The ending was somewhat predictable but I was left with a few questions still.

All in all a quick read with a few laughs. 

My thanks to Thomas Nelson (via Netgalley) for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review.