This book is so beautifully written, it’s no wonder I couldn’t stop thinking about it! I hadn’t even noticed that it was written by a couple until the ending when I read the “About The Author” but that makes it all the more genuine. Between the secret messages hidden in Kat and Nathan’s writing, the turmoil that still continues to plague both of their thoughts, and the stunning chemistry that sparks between the two of them, I adored this book! This being only the second romance I’ve read, this is perfect for any lover of a suspenseful and ever changing relationship.
Highly recommend and I can’t wait to be able to tell people to pick it up!

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for this eARC!

This was not for me, especially the back half. It felt a little overwrought which grated more and more as the book went on.

However, there were some interesting ideas here about being a writer, so it might be the right book for someone else!

Mostly, it made me want to re-read <i>Beach Read</i>

While I understand why Nathan and Katrina wrote literary fiction (a fake genre), I think I would have enjoyed this book that much more if they wrote a different genre. That said, I'm excited to read Wibbroka's next adult novel.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The YEARNING this book provided was everything to me. There's something special about two characters who are pining for each other and they don't realize the other feels the same way (it's my favorite trope). I loved that the main characters were co-authors and this was written by married co-authors. As someone who writes (but is in no means a writer), there is very much truth in the fact that fiction is reality and reality is fiction. You do pour yourself into writing even when you don't realize you're doing it. These characters were fleshed out, raw, and extremely relatable. Their love story is one I can only hope to feel a fraction of in my story. I cannot wait for this title to come out so I can force everyone I know to read it.

Katrina and Nathan met after college at a writer's workshop. They immediately became friends and decided to write a book together. Their two books became bestsellers and they had a contract to write one more book together but their partnership suddenly ends and they haven't spoken in three years. Due to extenuating circumstances, they come together to write another book together. Stuck in a house together in Florida, their interactions are awkward and I kept wanting to know what pushed them apart. I liked reading about the writing process.

The Roughest Draft is a book about writing a book. If that premise sounds interesting to you-- an up-close, intense look at the work of fiction by a writing team in a house together all day and night-- then this is a 4-Star story. If you think that a book about writing a book sounds like it's a little short on action and plot, then skip this title because not much happens except an emotional arc. The Roughest Draft reads almost like a play, with all the action set in a single location and centered on the two main characters, first at odds and then very much not at odds, Side characters come and go to a single location and backstory is filtered throughout, but for the most part the reader is treated to the emotional journey of two high profile writers trying to recreate the magic of their boffo bestseller after a major falling out. Well-written.

If you're a fan of Emily Henry, you need to read this! Katrina and Nathan used to be in a relationship but things ended on bad terms. The two of them are forced to work together on a new book. Emily and Austin are married in real life. I love that they're writing about characters who write too.I've read What's Not to Love and adored this one too.

What a warm, delightful read! I loved the layers to this book and how naturally the relationship unfolded, especially the way Nathan and Katrina's writing mirrored all the things they were afraid to confess to each other out loud. I also loved the real, insightful look into the publishing and cowriting experience, handled deftly by a real-life cowriting pair! There were so many thoughtful comments about what love means (sometimes it doesn't die, it just doesn't grow!) that I will be thinking about for a long, long time. This is the perfect read for anyone looking for more books like BEACH READ or PEOPLE WE MEET ON VACATION.

I enjoyed the writing, the prose and perspective here are beautiful. The Roughest Draft has an intense and relatively somber ambiance. However, I do have a problem with the infidelity element of the story.

I gave this book 5 stars, because even though it's not perfect, I enjoyed it immensely. I don't believe I've ever read a book like it.

A super fun read of two writers struggling to coauthor. This book was rout with great emotion, intrigue, and unparalleled descriptions of the writing and publishing process. Character development While a main part of this novel felt slow and some what limiting but otherwise the build of the relationship was satisfying and much deserved. Makes me want to take a writing retreat!

Katrina and Nathan are writing partners and have written two books together -- one wildly successful. They still owe their publisher one more book together, but unfortunately have parted on very bad terms. Due to a variety of circumstances, mostly financial, they reluctantly decide to put their differences behind them and write one more book together. This requires them to live in a cozy house in a romantic beach setting and have lots of togetherness. Great romance and an interesting look into the creative writing process.

Thank you NetGalley for an arc in exchange of an honest review.
This is my second book by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka and I don't think I will read another one by them. While they are good writers I'm definitely not their target audience, not in their YA books and not in their Adult books, I couldn't connect with Katrina or Nathan and I am not interested in books with emotional cheating involved. I know there is going to be a lot of people who will enjoy this book, sadly I'm not one of them.

This was a bit over the top for me - felt like a love letter to writing in a way that wasn't accessible to all readers. Very intense, dramatic story compared to the cover.

If you love Emily Henry books, this is a must read!! You can feel the emotions coming off the page. The story and characters are fantastic. I will forever be rereading this book and recommending it to every one that listens.

Nathan and Katrina get back together to write the third novel in their collaboration. They are basically forced together after an acrimonious ending to their writing partnership on the last novel. But their contract - and Katrina’s agent fiancé- pressure them to collaborate. They go to the house in the Key’s, where their last collaboration was held. They begin to write, hating one another but as they continue they gradually come to love each other.
I did not connect with this story. The characters never engaged me, were never relatable.
I would not recommend this book to my patrons.

The Roughest Draft by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka for release January 25

“They were cowriting literary darlings until they hit a plot hole that turned their lives upside down.”

Wow. This book. 🙌🏼 First, the premise of two ex flames forced together in a house to write a book is just ripe for T E N S I O N 🤯 The Roughest Draft gave me some major Beach Read vibes (though this one was written in dual POV with flashbacks interwoven within), while deftly exploring the thin line between fiction and reality.

The transitions between POVs and timelines felt so seamless and truly made for a rich reading experience.

I am always such a fan of books with flashbacks which slowly give the reader insight into the past. Mix this with the slowwwww burn between Katrina and Nathan and it had me on the edge of my seat!

The writing was vivid, lyrical, and packed with emotion. Both characters were so well developed, vulnerable, messy, and complicated (in the best ways).

This book also contains many of my favourite tropes, including second chance and forced proximity, both of which were executed so so well. 😍

Thank you so much to Emily and Austin, as well as Berkley for access to this stunning ARC. Readers, particularly upmarket romance readers, are in for an absolute treat ❤️ Now I’m desperate to read their YA backlist!

Tedious, contrived, meta. This dragged a lot due to flashbacks and generally being overwritten. I found myself wanting to read the fake novels, because they sounded more interesting than this.

This was an enjoyable sort-of-second-chance romance. I was into the slow burn and chemistry between Kat and Nathan. The meta aspect of the book within the book was fun and added to the depth of their relationship.

Three years ago, Katrina and Nathan published a book together that took the world by storm. After a mysterious falling out, they're presented the opportunity to write another book, but have to delve into the past in order to do it.

First, I will say that you've got to be comfortable with reading a storyline involving infidelity in order to read this book. And yes, emotional cheating IS cheating, especially if you express those intentions. Not that cheating in any relationship is okay, but I feel like the MC could have been "in a relationship" instead of "married," and this could bring in more readers. Like I said, not okay in any circumstance, it's just present throughout the entire book, so be forewarned.

This all made me feel a little icky, but I loved the story. It was fun seeing two authors go through the writing process (keep in mind this book is actually written by two authors) and express their feelings on paper, rather than just TELLING each other how they felt. Yes, that can be frustrating, but these are writers you're dealing with - isn't this the best way for them to express emotion?

You'll get angry with a specific man in power not respecting a woman, but don't worry, this is a romance, and you know where it's going - it's exactly why I reached for the book.

All in all, I enjoyed this; it's what I want from a romance, and I'd absolutely read more from this writing duo. Just be aware of the infidelity plotline.

VERDICT: 3.5 Stars