A beautiful story of two people told through a series of poems. He is a golfer, so there is a sports romance feel to the poetry. She on the other hand is an artist. This one is a lovely clustered tale of two opposites who found love and meaning in one another.

Had a little bit of a hard time with the layout of the ebook, but the story was super cute, and swoon worthy. I really enjoyed the golf aspects, and the lingo at the beginning of the book for those that may not know a lot about golf.

This uses the sports element that I was looking for and enjoyed the overall feel that I was wanting and enjoyed the overall concept that I was looking for and enjoyed in the romance element to this. The characters were so well written and was hooked from the first page and was invested in what was going on. David Aro has a strong writing style and can't wait to read more.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rosen Publishing Group, West 44 Books, and David Aro for the opportunity to read Painting Through the Rough in exchange for an honest review.

Painting Through the Rough is a HiLo novel-in-verse, meaning it is easy to read, drawing the attention of younger readers while also covering more intense concepts. The novel explores how to find different ways to handle anger when things don't quite go out way, and as a teenager, seeing that becoming angry does happen and learning how to work through that anger without breaking or damaging something is relatable.

Dex is a high-achieving student who also enjoys partaking in sports. His favorite is golf, and he is so good at it that his parents have high hopes for him with the possibility of being a professional player. He's young to be trying out for the varsity golf team, but he is good. He makes the most perfect, excellent shots on the green, but one things holds him back: anger. When he gets angry about something, he may throw or break things. this anger shows during tryouts, and that is not the way a varsity player acts.

Dex is given one month to prove himself to his parents and the golf coach when it comes to controlling his anger. when he starts talking to Hazel, a girl in his art class, he starts to see painting in a different light. He finds that both painting and her company offer an outlet for his anger in a more calm and acceptable way. But now he's angry for a whole new reason when his parents don't want him being distracted by a girl!

I really appreciate this novel for teen readers, as I feel that many teens (including when I was a teen many eons ago) are overwhelmed with the expectations of those around them, as well as fluctuating hormones. This causes many teens to lash out in anger. Teens may not yet have the skills to figure out how to work through those emotions in a more mature way just let, but they can learn how to "paint through the rough" times, as it were. The title is meaningful in that way, using painting as just one means of channeling emotion. There are many other options out there, and teens should seek guidance from their trusted school staff, like the counselor or psychologist, if their emotional experiences are interfering with their lives, similar to the experiences Dex goes through.

Another great novel-in-verse from West 44 Books full of relatable lessons for young readers.

Thank you so much to Rosen Publishing/ West 44 Books and Netgalley for the ebook to read and review.

Dex is sporty, it’s his plan to get into college on a scholarship. When trying out for the golf team his anger gets the better of him. His parents enforce a strict contract on him for a month until he can control himself. Whilst on that break he finds solace in the art room, creating, he meets Hazel an artsy girl who changes everything for him, bringing him to a new world.

This was beautiful, I adored the relationship between the two how natural and easy it was for them to combine their styles in their art, and to help each other with the daily struggles and issues they were going through. How simple and delicate their relationship turned out to be was so wonderful.

I really enjoyed seeing that through his usual determination in sports he was able to input that into art, art that he was able to combine with Hazel’s art. It gave him a new outlet, a new passion and it made him a better more honest person through that process.

I did find his parents were a little pushy and came on too strong. I get they wanted the best life for him but they kept placing so much onto him, not even stopping to consider the life he may have wanted for himself.

I’m not a golfer and knew nothing of it, but I loved the way the sport fit in perfectly with his life and everything that he went through. This was an incredible verse book, I really loved it and was so engrossed in the story.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Painting Through the Rough is a charming and creative verse novel that tackles the pressures of high achievement, family expectations, and emotional growth with heart and authenticity. Dex is a relatable protagonist, struggling to balance ambition with his temper, and Hazel brings a colorful, imaginative energy that turns their school projects into moments of magic and self-discovery.

The verse format adds a lyrical, fast-paced quality that makes the story engaging and accessible, though at times the narrative can feel slightly fragmented due to the poetic structure. Still, the emotional depth, humor, and gentle romance make this a delightful read for middle-grade and YA audiences seeking a story about friendship, creativity, and learning to navigate life’s highs and lows.

WOW! This was extremely different from what I'd normally pick up, but the moment I saw golf paired with painting, I knew I needed to check it out. (Although ya girl is an art teacher, I used to play golf pretty religiously!)

The thing that captivated me about this book is the way it's written -- it's a lovely story about two people told through a series of poems. Our main character, Dex, is a golfer who is encouraged to work collaboratively alongside a fellow student, Hazel, who bonds with him over artistic styles. I found myself really engaged with the poems -- even while there were less words on the page, the vivid imagery was totally still there. Additionally, I LOVED how this book explores more intense concepts, such as finding ways to handle anger and the outlets we turn to in our lives when there might be bigger things going on behind the scenes at home.

This book was sweet as a reminder that two opposites can find meaning within each other. :')

My only feedback is that the e-reader version of this book could use a little work, but otherwise it was a quick read with a wholesome story told in such a refreshingly new view.

Some quotes I loved from this one:

"Maturing in golf is about understanding when not to take unnecessary risks. Too often we let our egos get in the way of the best approach."

"Take the shot that’s best in the long run. If I don’t tame the empty hole inside me, it will consume me. I’ll lose sight of the colors around me."

"Maybe I don’t need to control it all or do it all perfectly. Maybe, like a hot-air balloon on a windy day, success is letting my heart lead me wherever I’m meant to be."

this was such a gorgeous book that came to me in unexpected ways.
this book was so touching and so down to earth. you could both learn a lot from this book, heal a lot, and think a lot. but also more than that just get to know some brilliant characters who do all the above too. you are taken on such a wonderful journey with our pair that feels both young but also deeper and mature too.
im not a golfer at all so i did wonder at first but this book took all those worry away in an instance. and to see it mixed with art is what drew me in and i was so right to do so.
the way its written is so different. it made the whole thing feel much more heart felt and important. it deepened the feelings within and also hit key notes so they hit home more.
Dex is a character who many can relate to if you have suffered from such weight of high expectations, from yourself but from others around you too. when its from those you love and who are meant to love you the most that can feel massive and at times too much. you see that straight away and certainly from a distance with his this character copes or doesn't. his quick to anger issues is something that was explored really well and healthily too. the way art then comes into his life was such a brilliant addition to this book. i appreciated that side of it and it was done so perfectly and not just for clicks or inclusions type of thing. see how the two forms in his life also comes in how he and Hazel work together was a great link. two opposites can work really well and aren't so opposite after all.
Hazel was such a brightness in this book. shes not without her " stuff" but the way she comes in and honours her own truths and style was really great. then how she steps up and works with Dex was such a charming part of this book and made me fall for the pair of them so much! their was such a tender, kind and gentle time to be had with watching their relationship. how they were there and ended up helping each other was just so warming.
seeing their bond come out of this all was a lovely read. i was invested in the pair of them both in their own lives and together.
i think this could also be a really helpful book for younger readers. it has some great little lessons that never feel like lessons if that made sense. it was just more thoughtful in places that i think gives space and lends to thoughts of your own to have.
i loved this book so much. it had a little notch in my heart throughout and long after.

This is a quick read and it's hard to review it without telling the whole story.
There is a boy / girl romance.
The boy has anger management problems.
Both teens are dealing with a lot of pressure from their parents.
Both teens use art to help work through their feelings.
It felt like the main issues never got resolved and everything got glossed over in the end. It felt a bit unsettling.
This might be part of a series of books which would then make sense for the ending.
Overall, the book was a good read - minus the end.
Enjoy!

Dex is a student with a strong work ethic instilled by his parents to strive for the best grades and high athleticism to achieve whatever career he desires in future, if only he can learn to control his temper which gets him into trouble risking his future achievements.

However, whilst being banned from golf due to his temper, he meets artistic Hazel who together, they discover a passion for an art project that can benefit them both and brings two people unexpectedly closer together in a slow burn bond of understanding.

Seeing the characters building up their trust in each other was beautiful and so realistic too especially as teenage life can be a tricky time emotionally to navigate as we see in the characters separate issues throughout the book.

Also, as a girl who grew up playing golf myself as a kid and always drawing or reading I really loved the book for engaging us in thinking and appreciating the sport of golf not regularly used in children's or teen fiction and the book being written in a good flowing verse style too was engaging and more interesting to read as mini poems supplying the storyline to unfold that way too, a fabulous book to review!

It has been a long time since I have come across a book written in verse- although this was an entertaining feel good read. The two main characters being a golfer (as the MC) and an artist (as the FMC); meet up and bond over their love of art with the MC trying to overcome his anger issues whilst striving to be the best in everything in his life.
The story was well written with good banter between the characters however I didn't like the domineering and pushy nature of the
boys parents for him to succeed on the gold course no matter what happens as well as to continually excel in school. This was overall a quick but enjoyable read.
Thankyou to Net galley and Rosen Publishing Group for an arc of this book.