This book was everything. I love an angsty second chance romance with deep feelings and this was just it. This sorry will grip your heart from the beginning and won’t let go until the end. The authors provided mystery from the beginning that unfolds throughout the book through a past and present timeline and dual POV’s. You can feel the emotions and heartache of the characters (which were on high the whole book) just dripping through the pages.

This was a beautiful story. Kat and Nathan took my breath away. The way they had to come back together to write this second book and all the unsaid words and feelings will have you on edge while also rooting for them.

This book was sexy in its own way. There’s barely any open door scenes and they’re not descriptive but listen, when Kat and Nathan were writing sex scenes together the sexual tension was all consuming.

This book reminded me of a combination of beach read and people you meet on vacation mixed together with a lot of passion.

A love story that will stay with me for a long time after!

Side note: we hate Chris.

I really enjoyed this emotional look at romantic love. Learning the layers of this relationship was interesting and I found myself cheering the couple on. I also really enjoyed that this book about a writing duo was written by a writing duo. It opened my eyes to the co-writing process and I loved learning about this method. I will recommend this book to those who live their romance with a lot of emotion.

A more emotional romance and the ULTIMATE slow burn. Kat and Nathan were such interesting characters to follow, and I love how their true feelings leaked into the story that they were writing. Sometimes I wish it were a little more fun and less heavy, but otherwise I really enjoyed it!

Usually I am able to keep my expectations free from changing the way I feel about this book, but quite honestly I was so excited for this book and it was such a let down. The big secret that tore them apart only made me roll my eyes and having to keep reading about them in the past didn't work for me. The writing is really great, but in the end it just was not enough to save the lack of chemistry and bad story.

I finished this book a week ago and am still not sure how I feel about it. The Roughest Draft is the story of two authors who collaborated on a best selling novel 4 years ago and have not spoken to each other since. They are now in a situation where they have to write another book together. For about the first two thirds of the book it was a slow past/ present day story of their personal and professional relationship. For me there was little substance, it just seemed like the same story repeating over the pages with a tiny bit mor information in each chapter. The final third picked up once we learned why they stopped collaborating those years ago. The ending was predictable. I feel the writing was good but the book just didn’t hold my interest. I will search out the authors and try another one of their books.

This book reminded me a lot of beach read, but with a twist: the authors are writing together. If you enjoyed the behind the scenes of book writing/publishing in Beach Read, you will like this one too. The relationship is told with flashbacks, what they are writing/wrote and present time. It felt like one puzzle piece at a time as their slow burn relationship built I personally loved it, although if you arent expecting that super slow burn you might give up. Don't! The last part of the book is worth it!

Their writing relationship imploded three years ago and now, they are forced to reunite in order to fulfill their contract. Attempting to write a divorce story in that same Florida house where it all fell apart was not only challenging, but forced Nathan and Katrina to face the ghosts of their past.

I am a huge fan of this duo’s young adult books and was eager to read their adult debut. Needless to say, I was quite surprised by what I found. I have grown accustomed to the authors’ brand of rom-coms, so the somber tone of this tale was unexpected. That said, I still found many aspects of The Roughest Draft quite compelling, and I was throughly invested in seeing Katrina and Nathan’s journey to its end.

The story featured two authors in the midst of their writing process. Expect a lot of nods to that process, as well as some eloquent writing. Flipping between then and now, I watched the events unfold, and the results of the schism. I felt the pain and sadness, but what I reveled in, was seeing that spark of friendship reignite and turn into more. It was easy to see how much these two missed and yearned for each other, but it was important for them to stop living their lives on the page and start being real and honest about their feelings for one another.

Not only were Nathan and Katrina at a professional crossroads, but both had experienced some big changes in their romantic lives, too. I actually respected what Nathan did and why, while Katrina’s relationship had me conjuring hell fire. It was so wrong, and therefore, her personal struggle, and its resolution, was of the utmost importance to me.

My advice for reading this book is be patient. There was some groundwork that needed to be set forth, but there was a point where the story hit its stride, and I found myself all in. If you are expecting a rom-com, you may be disappointed, as I found little romance or comedy here. However, this was a deeply emotional and engaging story about two people trying to mend a broken bridge to their other half. The ending was simply beautiful and left me drying the tracks of my happy tears.

This reminded me of People We Meet Vacation which is why I requested an ARC for it upon reading the synopsis of it. People We Meet on Vacation was one of my favourite reads of 2021 and was so excited to find a book with a similar premise and I’m glad I wasn’t disappointed. I love how the book was told through flashbacks which, hooks you in and makes you want to read more. I also love how the book was written in dual POV as you get a taste of both characters and understand both sides of their predicament. It’s has all the tropes that I enjoy: enemies to lovers, second chance romance and office romances all in one. I’m sure many readers will enjoy this, especially those who are searching for a fix after devouring People We Meet on Vacation.

This was such a beautiful missed connection romance. Katrina and Nathan have such an intensity and chemistry that is obvious and palpable from the first page and they completely hook you in. What a great read to end the year.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

I loved the plots focus on the writing process. I also liked the alternate POV and timeline. The characters on the other hand….

Talk about unlikable. I disliked all of them. They took “can’t adult” to a whole new level. The hate between them was so palpable it was hard to believe the enemies to lovers romance that was being conveyed. The end reason just didn’t add up for me. Their behavior was so off putting I wasn’t rooting for them. I really tried. I did. In the end, I just didn’t care if they got together.

I know I’m in the minority on this one, so I truly do encourage others to check it out!

***Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***
From friends to enemies to friends to lovers, this tale of two writers is masterfully written! Co-writers Katrina and Nathan work so well together and yet they ended their partnership 4 years ago and won't say why. When they must come together to write a final book in their contact the line between fiction and reality becomes blurred. Told in alternating points of view with flashbacks, this story is a beautiful love story full of angst and yearning, but also of hope and happiness.

Thank you NetGalley for the Arc! I thought this book was very cute and romantic! Katrina and Nathan are estranged writing partners. They had a major falling out while writing their first book together. 4 years later and they are paired up again to write another book.

The tension and the slow burn in this book was something for sure. Its dual POV (which we all love) and has flashback scenes.

I really enjoyed reading this book and the plot was really cute. I was sitting in my seat waiting to hear what actually happened between the 2 of them all those years ago. Its also really interesting to read a book about writers writing a book, the work and detail put into this book is very noticeable. Both of the characters have major character growth which I appreciated very much. I was really proud of Katrina by the end of the book!

I fucking LOVE this book so much. It’s so good I can’t! We love finishing a book in one sitting because I'd be disappointed in myself if I didn't. I'm really excited to make everyone I know read this book:)

It is an enemies to lovers, co-workers to lovers, and a second chance romance if you think about it hard enough. Plus it’s dual pov!

The Roughest Draft is about Katrina and Nathan, two writers who used to collaborate on books together years ago. Except that they had a falling out four years ago and haven't spoken since. Until they had to finish their contract, which required them to collaborate on one more book. Katrina's fiancée Chris persuaded her to do it, despite her initial reluctance.

Nathan concentrated on his own career and wrote one book during those four years. The news of the contract came to be as he was about to write his second book. Katrina, on the other hand, had completely abandoned writing. Her fiancée, on the other hand, suggests that working on this book with Nathan would help him raise the money he needed. They agreed to write the book despite their refusal to speak to each other.

Which brought them to the same location where the first novel was written. They agreed to collaborate on a divorce book. It was difficult at first, but they eventually made it. There is nothing quite like falling in love while working on a novel. Only the two of them could turn a divorce novel into something romantic.

There was a lot of character and couple growth. They had a lot of talking to do as they tried to work together to make this all work out. And I think that was nicely presented. They had to deal with some of their issues on their own. Katrina is concerned about her fear, while Nathan is concerned about his concealing. They pour their hearts out on the pages together since that's what they do best. Which is great for their manuscript, but not that great for a relationship. They needed to learn their communication skills, which were not disguised in their writings.

Knowing that she wrote his with her husband makes this book feel even more special. I truly love it so much!

As uninteresting as I found the characters, this was a compelling book. I had a hard time putting it down no matter how little I was interested in them ending up together.

Katrina and Nathan were a writing duo dream team, and then they had a falling out that left them not speaking for five years. Being forced to write one more book together, they are forced to confront their past and feelings,

I never fully understood why Katrina and Nathan weren't together. They worked so well together that it seemed ridiculous that they stopped talking for five years.

Review based on an advanced reader copy provided through Netgalley for an honest review.

Is this book already topping my top romance of 2022 list?

Yes.

Hot Takes
- Wowowowowowowow the dual perspective in this book is 10/10! We already know that we love when we get both perspectives and I was super worried about this as it was written by an actual married couple (and have some feelings about how straight men write female characters...) but this was done SO WELL.
- Idk but I'm feeling like any romance where the main characters are authors is MY SHIT. Getting to be in their heads while they're trying to hide their feelings AND writing steamy scenes UGHHHHHHHHH.
- I know I've said this again and again, but I'm loving messy romance and this did it. Love and romance is not perfect and while there's nothing wrong with perfect love stories that fit like a puzzle, it's just not my thing all the time. This was messy, angsty and dealt with real shit. It's such a beautiful portrayal of how love can look.
- As someone who had a messy breakup as a result of meeting my now husband, I felt so much of this book so damn much. Again, not all love stories are perfect and sometimes reaching that love it hard.

Read If You Like
- Emily Henry. This has some similar vibes to both Beach Read and PWMOV but is sooooooo different. So if you like both, dip into this because you will love.
- Seven Days In June for authors writing about each other
- Messy romance

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

CW: Emotional Cheating (MMC is married in past chapters, FMC is engaged in present chapters), one moment of physical cheating (kiss, FMC is still engaged but its clear the relationship is over), anxiety, divorce

This book contains (SPOILERS)

-M/F friends to estranged to lovers
-elements of second chance romance
-roommance/close-proximity
-elements of work place romance
-dual timelines

I honestly have such mixed feelings on this book it's really difficult for me to rate and review. I knew going in that both characters were in relationships during parts of the book, but it's also clear that the MCs have been in love with each other for a long time. The relationship of writing partnerships is something that has been fascinating to me and the insight this book gives into the writing process, how difficult writing is, how much trust you need to put into your writing partners, is so inherent in this book. The writing/prose is gorgeous.

The book that they worked on in the past and their current novel both aren't romance novels and I struggle to consider this a category romance with the clear emotional cheating throughout the entire book as well as that most of their communication is done in writing. I would have loved to see more of their relationship not part of the writing process, and especially more of the relationship once they finished writing the book. I enjoyed it but I was left wanting more to buy into their HFN.

Steam: 2 (very light on the steam, one sex scene you know they are having sex but no descriptive terms, ultimately closed door)

When Katrina and Nathan sign a 3 book contract they never thought that 4 years later they wouldn't have spoken to each other since the release of their last best-selling co-written novel. However, when their publisher finally pushes them to start the last book in their contract resentment and words left unsaid and unwritten linger between them. Living in the house of their haunted past Nathan and Katrina find they must forget their shared history to write the love story on paper.

The beginning of this book hooked me, however by the climax and end of the book I wished that same emotion you felt from both Nathan and Katrina carried through to the end. The concept and knowing that the real authors were able to pull from a personal experience gave the book an edge I think can only be accomplished by having the book co-written by a real-life couple.

Overall, I would give the book 3.75 stars and would recommend the book to anyone that loves books similar to People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry and all new adult fiction readers.

I honestly went into this thinking it would be a rom-com, and while there are many lighthearted and even funny moments, it's definitely not a rom-com. But I LOVED it! Not only is it dual POV, but it has alternating timelines which I'm always a fan of.

I was so desperate to find out what happened between Kat and Nathan after all these years of not speaking and what could've made them hate each other so much. I was terrified it would be cheating (since Nate was married) or something unforgivable. But it was LOVE? I'm so dead. THEY FELL IN LOVE!! It was so surprising, but it worked really well for the characters and the story. Kat may have gone overboard burning the letter (which was a little funny and I love her for it) but she was also so right for it. I 100% understand her frustrations with Nate and why she did it, and honestly, I would've walked out, too.

Since this was written by two authors, I would be really interested to learn how the writing process deviates from that of Kat and Nate or if it's similar. Because I felt like Kat and Nate had two very distinct voices since they were just really similar, but really different characters. Nate had more hard edges than Kat did, but then Kat would just come out of nowhere with an intensity and strength that was admirable. Did these authors take a character or did they switch pages?? Either way, it works so well. I feel like I know both of them so so well after finishing it.

And it was just so freaking romantic towards the end. My heart was BEATING for them. Finally! After all these years, they shared a simple kiss but it felt like so much more. Everything they said and did for each other felt so weighted in the words they wrote together. Their dynamic worked so well for them on and off the page.

I've read a YA title by these co-authors, and I'm certain I'll continue to read more of their books. Each time I do, I'm so pleased and satisfied by the ending that it leaves a weightless feeling in my chest like I just fell in love myself. I adored this book and I can't wait until it hits the shelves so I can have my own physical copy!

Thank you Berkeley and NetGalley for sharing an eArc of THE ROUGHEST DRAFT with me. As a fan of their YA novels, I was so excited to that Wibberly and Siegemund-Broka were writing adult contemporary romance.

THE ROUGHEST DRAFT is a second-chance romance between Katrina and Nathan, two bestselling authors whose partnership imploded after their most recent, extremely successful novel about an affair. I wanted to love this book, but, unfortunately, it just didn’t work for me. It centered so exclusively on our protagonists that we barely got supporting characters, world-building (other than Florida is HOT), or any plot points unrelated to writing or romance. The flashbacks bloated the already excruciatingly lengthy chronicle of every time Nathan and Katrina ever interacted or thought about each other. I actually groaned when the flashbacks jumped from 4 to 6 years back to extensively detail even more Katrina and Nathan moments. I’m here for character-driven contemporaries, but this one just felt belabored and self-indulgent. I think readers who love quiet stories about what it’s like to write a novel may really love THE ROUGHEST DRAFT, but I personally prefer more levity and plotting in my contemporaries. Thank you again!

This book is written beautifully, in such a subtle and effortless manner. It’s romantic and poetic without being overly cheesy or extravagant. The character’s innermost thoughts are so clearly expressed and felt through the pages. It has forced proximity, dual POV, and all the things romance readers love. You just can’t put it down because you need to know what happens next. It represents romantic and platonic relationships so well and the difficulties of navigating them.

I’m not sure what I was expecting from The Roughest Draft, but my expectations were definitely succeeded.