It’s been four years since Katrina and Nathan finished their bestselling novel(which I want to read by the way!) everyone is wondering why the twosome stopped talking, and anxious for another book by them. Nathan is on board to write another, but Katrina won’t give in until their agent/her fiancé essentially guilts her into it. Now she an Nathan are stuck writing together and the tensions are high. An they write another bestseller while halting each others guts?

I kind of loved finding out that the authors of this book were a married writing duo! I had no idea until I read the acknowledgments! This book was so good. You could feel the angry tension as well as the sexual tension from page one, which made me wonder if the two would ever come clean with their feelings. Christ was pretty much the worst ever, I hated him so much and wanted Kat to stick up for herself instead of letting him force her into writing another book. If you liked Beach Read this is a great read!

Katrina Freeling and Nathan Van Huysen met at a writing workshop in upstate New York and the perfect writing partnership is formed. Together they encourage, challenge and push each other to do their best work. Their first book does well and their second is considered a masterpiece. But now they haven’t spoken for four years. Nathan’s book written alone hasn’t sold well. They still have a contract to complete one more book together. Nathan needs this to be a success so he can get another book deal. Katrina hasn’t written a word in four years but her fiancé and agent is over extended and needs the money the book will generate. So Katrina and Nathan return to the house in Florida where they wrote before.

This is a story lovers of writing will love. It is full of moods and tone as it jumps back and forth from present time to four years ago. It celebrates writing and the creative process. Each chapter leads you to the edge building up to a final reveal. Told from both very distinctive POVs you feel Katrina’s anger and Nathan’s desire to just write. But if you are looking for a rom-com or complex story this isn’t going to be your book. When you step back this is story that can be summed up in a few lines. And the reveal isn’t surprising. There are only a couple of side characters so the focus is really the main couple. I really enjoyed reading this book. I was emotionally invested. I was a little disappointed the reveal wasn’t something more after so much build up but I’m not sure what I expected. It didn’t leave me with all my questions answered but I was happy that the two didn’t waste more time apart. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for eARC in exchange for a honest review.

So, I'm really of two minds about this book. On the one hand, I loved the focus on the creative process and the the setup with an estranged writing team getting back together to write a follow up to the best-selling book they wrote years ago. I also liked the structure of the book, the back and forth, with a slow revelation of information about Katrina and Nathan's personal and professional relationship history, going all the way back to when they first met at a writing retreat as young fiction writers. But on the other hand, I felt uncomfortable reading about some elements of their relationship that felt a lot like two people having an unhealthy emotional affair. Even that plotline, which I didn't like, was handled well writing-wise, and I did appreciate that Katrina and Nathan are writers to the core, in everything that they do.

Emily Henry's Beach Read and People We Meet On Vacation are among my favorite romance books, The Roughest Draft reminded me of both of those books but sadly it didn't hook me in as much as they did. I had trouble with the writing. It didn't flow. There were beautiful pieces and quotes here and there but mostly it felt overwritten and long-winded. It made me wonder how these two author's write their books. Did the male author write Nathan's POV while the female author write Katrina's? the other way around? or did they work on it at the same time as Nathan and Katrina did?

I like the mystery behind Nathan and Katrina's fall out four years ago and how it was revealed slowly, bit by bit but when finally everything was out in the open I was disappointed. Because that fall out could have been prevented if they had a proper conversation.

We were told how strong Nathan and Katrina's bond was and how well they knew each other but I just couldn't always feel the chemistry between them. My favorite scenes were when Nathan and Katrina were writing these romantic, intimate scenes between their book characters, Those scenes somehow felt more charged than the interactions between Nathan and Katrina.

loved this book at 2nd chance romance. I liked Kat and Nathan both writing a book together and falling in love. I loved that they came back again to finish the 2nd book . I loved that they put so much of themselves into the book. loved it.

When Katrina and Nathan met at a workshop, they instantly knew they would be friends. As soon as Nathan heard Katrina read an excerpt she had written, he made it a goal to get her to write with him. This was all well and good, until they holed up in a house to write their best selling book, Only Once.
When the book opens, Nathan is struggling to publish a bestseller on his own, and Katrina has retired. The two of them don't talk after what went down four years ago, but they have one more book under contract to write together. Katrina's agent/fiance wants her to get back out there and write so he can represent another best seller. Nathan's agent told him unless he writes this book with Katrina, the publisher doesn't want anything else from only him.
This book switches back and forth from present to past, weaving a story for us and bringing to light why these two have fallen apart. It was clear to me that it had to do with some sort of relationship drama, but I also loved the banter and tension between them. They are so clearly in tune with one another that you are rooting for them even as they trade jabs.
When they finally let their guards down and admit the truth out loud, and they are able to talk about what happend all those years ago, they can finally understand the other's point of view. They always communicated through the pages of their books, but you can't hide behind a story and have the fairy tale without the messy parts.
I absolutely loved Nathan and Katrina and felt for them. Thank you to Berkley, Netgalley and the authors for an early copy.

The Roughest Draft by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka
This seems like it's marketed as a rom com but there was little comedy or romance. I loved the concept of this book - two former best selling co-writers who hate each other are reuniting to write one more book together. The two don't do press together and there are rumored fights and affairs. This started out so strong and I was loving the beginning but then it took a big nose dive. It became so wordy and melodramatic and I felt like things could have been avoided if they just talked to each other. The problem didn't feel like a problem, it never led to a big reveal, and I just didn't have that feeling where I was excited to pick it up to keep going. It felt like a book that was in the mid 400 pages but it's a hundred pages less.

3.5 stars
* * * 1/2 Spoiler Free-A Quick Review
I will admit the idea of authors having to come together after having a terrible blow-up to complete a contract piqued my interest. They have one last book that must be written and it has been three years since they have been under one roof. There was a history of a relationship and it was torn apart due to something we do not know.

What was stunning was the way these authors put their words together. Each a craftsperson. It is a study of raw feelings expressed and the freedom to actually confront with nothing really to lose.

An interesting read about feelings, the way we, as humans behave, and what makes us tick.

I try my best to finish books, even if they don't resonate with me. I tried really hard with this book but I couldn't do it. The writing felt a bit overdone and I was very challenged to connect with the characters (well, except Chris; I immediately didn't like him). I kept reading hoping I could learn to root for Nathan, or find some common ground with Katrina but I just never clicked with either of them and ultimately, wasn't curious enough to know what happened to tear them apart and what would finally bring them back together. I know some people loved it but it just wasn't the book for me.

It seems like there have been a lot of books out there right now about writers. I'm totally digging it. Each time I read one, it inspires me more to get back out there to do some writing of my own. The Roughest Draft was the latest book that tackled writers' writing, and it was right at the top of my favorites yet.

The book follows Katrina Freeling and Nathan Van Huysen, coauthors of a bestselling book that topped the charts three years ago. Following the completion of the book, they had a falling out and hadn't spoken in years. They are brought back together to compete their contract for one more book and fly to Florida to write, in the same location they wrote their bestseller.

The Roughest Draft is more than two former writing partners coming together to write another book, and truly captures the feelings and emotions of the characters. As I read, I felt as if I was a fly on the wall and watching their relationship redevelop.

A very wonderful read.
4.5/5 stars

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and Netgalley for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Upon the publishing of their book, Only Once, Nathan Van Huysen and Katrina Freeling are no longer talking. They don’t do press together, and Nathan was even quoted as saying Katrina’s genius was not worth working with her. So, what happened between these writing partners? There were rumors of fights and affairs, Nathan was married after all, but they never reveal what happened. Now, four years later, they’re under contract to write another book, so they need to work through their past to work together again.
As this book is part of the romance genre, it was pretty predictable that the characters had feelings for each other and would likely be together by the end. Despite that, the story was creative and well-written. Each chapter changes perspective from Nathan to Katrina, and some chapters include flashbacks from their previous writing experience. The only things I didn’t particularly like about the book were that even with the flashbacks, and the agreement that they would be cordial to each other during the writing process, the characters seem to quickly jump from dislike to adoration for one another. Also, while there was technically no cheating in the book, the situations were a little to close for comfort for my taste.

I am an absolute sucker for a novel featuring authors or any aspect of the traditional publishing industry, actually. But even with a trope I adore, this novel was beyond good. It's a contemporary romance, not a romcom, although it was definitely not a heavy book. The book follows two former bestselling co-writers drafting a new book after not speaking for four years. I loved the metaphor the real co-authors of this novel made between the process of writing and real love: the rough draft of early love, the ongoing revisions of figuring out what works and what doesn't etc. except unlike in books, the HEA that real couples strive for is the opportunity to keep revising always (or forever - the authors disagree on this term at one point...) For fans of Emily Henry, I very highly recommend this beautiful book.

4.5 stars.

This book sucked me on. The romance, the writing style, the realness of the characters, loved,loved, loved.

When I saw the cover I was thinking more of a lighthearted, fun read, but it definitely had a more serious tone to it, which was a pleasant surprise.

The only thing keeping this from a 5 star for me is that the reason for the split was kept from the reader for so long which almost makes it feel like a miscommunication trope but between the reader and author (it’s not done poorly by any means, just a personal preference)

Overall, I am sooo happy to have been given an arc of this book. I expect this one to blow up. Loved it

Katrina Freeling and Nathan Van Huysen haven’t spoken in four years, since they put the finishing touches on their bestselling novel. Now, to fulfill their contract, they’ve been thrown back together to write one final book. What could go wrong?

Is it just me or does anyone get major Beach Read by Emily Henry vibes? Isn’t it weird how books and movies that are similar tend to come out around the same time? Think Friends with Benefits and No Strings Attached. Regardless, I really enjoyed Beach Read and after reading two are three books in a row that weren’t great, I was excited to pick up something light and romancey. Which spoiler, this one isn’t as light and fluffy as I thought it would be. It’s way more of a contemporary fiction read centered around a romance, than an actual romance read.

Honestly, I liked the way this was setup especially since the story was much more about them overcoming their own fears, growing as individuals, and grasping their internal motivations rather than being just about their budding romance. Though this is a story of two people coming together, it’s way more about how we protect ourselves from pain, while at the same time not letting fear rule our decisions and lives.

I really enjoyed the dual perspectives we get as we get both Katrina and Nathan’s POVs throughout the entire book. We also see not just their present, but the ‘bad thing’ that tore them apart four years ago is presented in flashbacks, from both of their perspectives. It adds an extra level of depth when you can seamlessly transition between these and for me really added to the story.

Our authors Emily and Austin are married, which I actually didn’t know until writing this review, but you can really feel the love and attraction between the main characters. I’m going to credit the fact they were writing from personal experience (ie writing romances with your partner) with truly giving this story such a realistic feeling.

While Katrina did get on my nerve at times, like girl loosen up and just let your heart decide for once, both characters were flawed enough to be relatable and likeable.

Even though this is being categorized as a Romance, I’d put it more into the Contemporary Fiction genre. It has wonderfully lyrical prose, it’s real, it’s raw, and I’d read another from this duo.


The Roughest Draft comes out January 18, 2022. Huge thank you to Berkley Books for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my instagram @speakingof_books.

This dual effort is an amazing read! I enjoyed the alternating perspectives as well as the flashbacks (a personal favorite). Highly recommended!

<b>"Prove it," I half whisper. "Prove to me it's fiction." </b>

"Why did Katrina Freeling and Nathan Van Huysen quit writing together?"

THAT is the question. and THAT is why The Roughest Draft had me turning the pages to find out what happened! I enjoyed the insight of co-writing and the vulnerability of writing. Emily and Austin's prose is always stunning. Heads up: this one is not a perfectly crafted love story. Yes, there is an HEA but Katrina and Nathan are. On. A. Journey. A four year journey. TBH, some of the story didn't sit well with me; however, if romance readers love an imperfect fairytale then check out The Roughest Draft! 28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand (but with an HEA) kept popping in to my head. The Roughest Draft is raw and real and deep. A love to hate romance between two authors and their way back to each other.

READ IF YOU LIKE:
-friends to enemies to friends to lovers
-slooow burn
-past & present timelines
-dual POV
-a second chance at love
-writing partnership
-a lovable kitty named James Joyce
-gorgeous Florida cottage setting
-late night love letter written in someone else's voice
-#IsThisAKissingBook: "...the feeling of a first kiss with someone you've kissed a hundred times."

Thank you Berkley Romance for an advanced copy!

Song: Fire and Rain by Birdy

This dual perspective romance delivers second chances, feelings we can't let go of, and plenty of tension. Told with plenty of flashbacks, The Roughest Draft quickly establishes tension by forcing readers to speculate about what happened. What drove Katrina and Nathan apart? While that mystery hooks us, what ends up keeping us reading are the characters. Katrina and Nathan unfold on the pages leaving their vulnerabilities, and feelings, clear to us.

And that's where they stay. Because what becomes abundantly clear is that the line between fiction and reality is muddied. As a writer, I can only imagine how difficult that line can be. Already in the stories we create, so much of us bleeds through. Our own dreams and demons. Loves and forgotten paths. So what happens when two people can write characters who can convey feelings they cannot? The Roughest Draft continues this tension throughout the whole book asking us, and them, if they can cross that hurdle.

You know those books where from the very first page, it becomes immediately clear that you are reading something special? Yeah, that was definitely the case here. I have two kinds of reading modes when I find myself loving a book: can’t put it down or read it slowly so I can savor it. This was a savor book, and one I know I will be coming back to again and again.

Katrina and Nathan are writing partners with really bad timing. Their connection is undeniable, but it seems like any time they might have a chance to act on their romantic feelings, one of them is involved with someone else. After a rough falling out while they were on a retreat penning their second book, the two spend four years avoiding each other and avoiding writing together–all while said second book is absolutely blowing up and making them literary superstars. Technically they owe their editors another book, but thanks to the success of their preceding title, no one is pushing them to write it. Nathan has continued to write on his own, without Katrina, but he is having trouble selling his solo titles. And Katrina has abandoned writing altogether, and only considers picking it up again because her agent/fiance gets into a bit of financial trouble. Katrina and Nathan agree to reconcile for two short months–just enough time to put together a rough draft and then head their separate ways. But as the two hole up together in the same beach house where they once created literary magic, they’re forced to confront their past, and determine their future.

I don’t even know where to start with this book because the whole thing is brilliant from cover to cover. All I wrote in my reading notes is “This book is unfairly good.” I’ve read some of Austin and Emily’s YA books and so I think I went into this one expecting a lighter tone, but it became clear very early on that this is not a traditional rom com (though it certainly has some funny moments). It’s a reach down in your guts and then rip out your heart and stitch it all back together kind of romance. I felt things, guys. And even though this is definitely a very slow burn, the pacing never dragged, and the tension was on point the entire time. Like I was definitely screaming at my iPad for them to just kiss already. I always love books about writers (for obvious egotistical reasons), but Roughest Draft takes it to a whole other level. I can’t even describe it (yay writing!) but it’s like you the reader are just as wrapped up in the words as the characters are. There were multiple times when I just had to set the book down because a sentence was so perfect it kinda pissed me off a little bit (that’s a compliment). Honestly, it was basically perfect and I can’t wait to read it again and I really can’t wait to see what these two have in store for us next.

In intricate layers, Wibberley and Siegemund-Broka unfurl what went wrong between the protagonists and how their past anger transmutes into desire and soul-binding love, making for a deeply emotional meditation on the psychological perils of success within a passionate romance.

Full Review: https://www.booklistonline.com/The-Roughest-Draft-Austin-SiegemundBroka/pid=9755236

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Pub for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Huh. This one has such great reviews so I appear to be in the minority because for me it was ROUGH. I had an extremely hard time getting into the book. I found it to be overwritten…there were plenty of times I had to go back and re-read a sentence to make sure I fully understood what was going on. The writing just didn’t flow and it felt like work to read Nathan and Katrina’s story.
I typically love a book with flashback scenes but the flashbacks did nothing to make me feel the passion or desire between the two main characters. It was clear they had great chemistry writing together, but I just didn’t feel the romantic chemistry. I did fly through the middle of the book, and I was happy to see Katrina deal with her fiancé the way she did. That was the highlight of the book for me. Otherwise, it was just a mediocre read.