The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson – Book Review

Synopsis

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 condition: 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.

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💭 My Thoughts 💭

Melissa Ferguson delivers a rom-com with heart, humour, and a fresh take on storytelling. The Perfect Rom-Com is a delightful read with a charming mix of romance, career ambition, and just the right amount of drama to keep you hooked.

Bryony is a fantastic FMC—driven, passionate, and refreshingly level-headed. She’s got a mission and sticks to it, which makes her an easy character to root for. She doesn’t get caught up in unnecessary drama, yet she’s full of spark and determination. Then there’s Jack, the loveable literary agent who had me on his side from the start. I really enjoyed how his career in publishing added depth to the story, and the journey of a ghostwriter unfolding in the background was a unique and interesting layer.

The antagonist is written so well—frustratingly so! I wanted to reach into the book and slap her on Bryony’s behalf more times than I can count. That’s a sign of great writing, though, right?

Now, onto the romance. This is where things were a little hit-and-miss for me. The time jump of two years felt jarring—I wanted to see Jack falling for Bryony rather than just being told it happened off-page. A dual POV would have worked beautifully here, giving us insight into Jack’s feelings and showing his pining firsthand. And while I’m not usually a fan of a third-act breakup, this one was handled better than I expected, so I’ll give it credit where it’s due.

The only real downside? Bryony’s long-distance relationship subplot dragged on longer than necessary. It was obvious where that was headed, and I found myself wishing it would resolve sooner.

Overall, I devoured this book and would absolutely recommend it. It’s a fresh take on contemporary romance with an engaging premise, lovable characters, and a satisfying balance of humour and heart.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for an eArc of this book; my thoughts and opinions are my own.

Have you read The Perfect Rom-Com? Let me know what you think in the comments!

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𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗟𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟: Little to no Spice

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Book Details

• ISBN: 9780840716880
• Author – Melissa Ferguson
• Published – 1st February 2025
• Series –
• Publisher – Thomas Nelson
• Format – Paperback
• Language – English
• Number of Pages – 306
• Audience – Adult
• For Ages – 16+