Review: The Roughest Draft by Emily Wibberley and Austin Sigmund-Brokka
From the cover to the synopsis, this is a book I was so excited to read. If you remember from my 12 Most Anticipated Releases of 2022 post, I said that I thought this book was going to be what I wanted from Beach Read. Sadly, I was wrong and I think I enjoyed Beach Read more. I LOVE the concept of two writers at odds with each other but I was hoping for a little more enemies to lovers and banter.
I did really enjoy this book though because I felt like the authors gave writers such a gift. I saved so many quotes about writing and what it’s like to bare your heart on the page. It resonated so deeply with me! Unfortunately, the romance and overall emotional tone wasn’t my favorite. But that’s okay!
Synopsis:
“Three years ago, Katrina Freeling and Nathan Van Huysen were the brightest literary stars on the horizon, their cowritten book topping bestseller lists. But on the heels of their greatest success, they ended their partnership on bad terms, for reasons neither would divulge to the public. They haven't spoken since, and never planned to, except they have one final book due on contract.
Facing crossroads in their personal and professional lives, they're forced to reunite. The last thing they ever thought they'd do again is hole up in the tiny Florida town where they wrote their previous book, trying to finish a new manuscript quickly and painlessly. Working through the reasons they've hated each other for the past three years isn't easy, especially not while writing a romantic novel.
While passion and prose push them closer together in the Florida heat, Katrina and Nathan will learn that relationships, like writing, sometimes take a few rough drafts before they get it right.”
What I Liked:
The Concept—I love the idea of two writers competing/collaborating/butting heads. It feels so meta and fun.
The Second Half—The story really picked up for me in the second half and I really enjoyed reading it. The first half felt like a lot of exposition just to get us to the climax and very little new plot/information.
The Messages About Writing—I saved so many quotes. If I wasn’t a writer, I don’t know if I would have enjoyed this book as much because what I really took away from it wasn’t about the character themselves but the lessons the authors left for writers.
What Didn’t Work:
The Overall Tone—It just wasn’t for me. It was a little too emotional and high stakes for something that didn’t feel like it needed to be. But that’s okay! Plenty of people will love it. Not every book is for every reader!
Back and Forth Between Timelines—I needed either more or less. It didn’t feel like enough was given to the Four Years Ago timeline so I wish it was either flushed out or eliminated.
Content Warnings:
Infidelity, Gaslighting