Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publication Date: January 25th, 2022
Reviewed On: September 10th, 2022
BASIC PLOT
Three years ago, Katrina Freeling and Nathan Van Huysen were the brightest literary stars on the horizon, their cowritten books 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.
REVIEW
I found the storyline moved really slowly at first, but it did pick-up as the book went on. I very much enjoyed the switching between past and present so we could see what led the characters to be at their current point.
I immediately disliked Chris, I didn’t understand how someone like Katrina would end up with him, until I learned more about her. She’s not weak, but she also doesn’t value herself – So she goes for the first guy who shows the tiniest amount of attention. Nathan is a different story. I did like him, until I realized he basically cheated on his wife. Emotional cheat is in fact a thing.
But, Nathan did grow on me when I saw how much he actually cared about Katrina. Him pushing her away was the direct result of a stupid thing she did, but I also understood where she was coming from – Having someone admit they feel the same thing you feel for them can be overwhelming and drive you to do stupid things.
I do wish there was more focus on character growth and I would have liked to have seen Nathan see Katrina through a panic attack or with some of her doubts – there wasn’t much focus on that beyond it being mentioned a few times.
The book grew on me as it went on, but I don’t think it’s going to be a book I re-read.
FAVOURITE QUOTES
Working with her would be torture. But the undeniable truth is, there’s a part of me eager for the torture. The woman is brilliant. I’ve loved everything she’s ever written. Just knowing she’s going to write again, it’s inspiring. The writer in me can’t wait.
Sorry to steal your dress, he’s scrawled. But you look nice.
She puts the coffee down. “Is it poisoned?” I ask. Her lips quirk in what couldn’t have been a smile.
I have so much practice wanting and not wanting at once.
I stand, helpless. I want to tell her she’ll be okay, that she’ll feel like her life has fallen apart, but she can choose every piece with which she reassembles it.
His voice is raw, his expression naked. While anger is the fire in him, I recognize pain is the kindling. “The worst part is, I think you love me, too. I think you know we’re soul mates. But we’ll never be together as long as you’re afraid of your own happiness.”
STAR RATING
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