Smart, successful, and sitting pretty at the top of her game, Neera Malik has it all figured out.Save for the small issue of Gustavo Guillmand.The artist with a cult—and Instagram—following has a problem and it’s not his preference for shirtless selfies. No, he has an attitude problem, a minding his own business problem, an infuriatingly sexy problem. They can’t stand each other and they can’t … each other and they can’t stay away from each other.
This steamy enemies-to-lovers office romance originally appeared on the Read Me Romance podcast. This edition includes a seriously extended epilogue beyond the podcast content.
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Rough Sketch was a bit of a surprise. Mostly because I hadn’t realized it was only a novella. It’s a very intense and raunchy story taking place in Canterbary’s Talbot’s Cove universe. It’s very high on the smut-scale (love it!) but it also has a surprisingly serious and contemplative undertone.
I would say that Rough Sketch differs quite a lot from Canterbary’s previous work. It’s a love story sure, but there’s a whole different feel to the writing than her usual full length romances.
First, the story progresses very fast to some very naughty, semi-public, naked acrobatics. Which is awesome, naturally. It may be that I’m a bit of an inexperienced short-story reader, because I was a bit taken aback by the pace and how they jumped right in so to speak.
Then, there’s the tone of the writing. The story is told through dual POVs and mainly through the inner monologue of either Neera or Gus. It’s introspective in the extreme. Which isn’t a bad thing at all, but it also makes the story way more earnest and less of light, fluffy entertainment. It’s actually so very full of weighty and significant contemplation that I feel that I should have read Rough Sketch way, waaaaay slower than I did to really savor the wording and reflect upon the content.
In other words. Not what I expected from Canterbary. But that being said, it’s still so, so good! As short stories goes, this is da bomb! Yes, there is more food for thought but if you can get behind that, you’ll love Rough Sketch.
The thing I miss though, the thing that I’ve always seen as Canterbary’s trademark, is her humour. Her books are usually hilarious. And sure, the splooge sock was priceless, but apart from that Rough Sketch isn’t that kind of story. But it’s still a great read well worth your time.
https://reflectionsofaswedishgirl.blog.se/
This book can be read as a standalone, but it belongs to the Talbot Cove series. As a Kate Canterbary fan, I was more than thrilled to have a bit of Brooke and JJ and a good part of Cole and Owen.
Rough Sketch is a novella, therefore pretty quick to read. Still, KChas managed to give the reader everything needed to get attached to Gus and Neera, the main characters. As in all her books, the heroine is a strong woman, here with a powerful executive job. To my knowledge, it’s the first time that KC turns to life an Asian-American female, and she nailed it. I have to admit that I was a little afraid of the novella format. I usually find that it is quite frustrating. When I saw the epilogue, I felt that I wasn’t ready to leave Gus and Neera yet, but in the end, I got enough material to get closure. By now, I should have known that Kate Canterbary could never disappoint me.
As usual, her characters are different from those usually found in romance novels. Here again, no billionaires, navy seals, or athletes. Sure, they can be considered as alpha males, but yet so different. The women are never whining, always very smart, proactive.
Although it is a novella, all the ingredients of a great story are in it; the amount of feelings, emotions, and descriptions is flawlessly balanced. The talent of Kate Canterbary is how she always uses the perfect word and gives the reader what he needs to be sucked in the story. She also has an incomparable way of writing sexy scenes. She had mentioned that this book was the dirtiest one she’d ever written. Still, Kate Canterbary is so skilled that she avoided to give us the sensation that we are reading porn. Her smut arrives in the story when the reader is eager for it, and her words make it graceful. I always feel the heat between the protagonists and never get bored. It doesn’t need to go on for pages to be satisfactory, just give the perfect mindsets to the reader. She the only author I have read that have women talked about sex in such a witty manner. For instance, I couldn’t help but smirked when I read Neera telling Gus, «I’ve only agreed to riding your dick once. I’ll see how that goes before planning an encore.”
I started reading this book whilst keeping my mum company at her hospital appointment, oh my god did we laugh at some parts. So it ended up I couldn’t finish this book without her so it took a little longer to read. Which made me cherish it more.
Gus is a free Spirited artist goes to work for a live in company but isn’t all for working with the co-ordinator on his art. He’s more of a free Spirit that won’t keep his mouth shut.
Neera is a smart sassy woman, top of her level. That is until she has to work with Gus.
Opinions conflict and passion grows it must be true opposites do attract, or are they the same in some ways.
Kate has once again wooed me with her words and given me characters that I fall in love with ! Neera and Gus are feisty, sassy, have amazing witty sexually charged banter and are presented to you as reall people! I loved Neera’s own struggle with in herself not to fall for Gus . It was as if she had a constant battle with letting go each time he was near her. Gus was so unique and refreshing an artist and so full of ideas, life and always willing to give Neera what she didn’t even know she needed !
Loved them and also enjoyed taking that trip back to Talbott’s Cove to reconnect with some of my favorite characters that reside there!!!
~~Michele McMullen ~~
Roots and Wings!
Rough Sketch is high on heat and low on angst. It has some very filthy, feisty sexual escapades that will make your whole body quiver. Gus and Neera are two extremely different pieces to an intricate, magnificent puzzle.
The artist and the task master are not as unlikely a pairing as they seem. Gus and Neera have the ability to needle each other with words and glances. That eventually leads to their bodies colliding and collaborating in intense passion. Although they are opposites, they endeavor to SEE each other down to their cores. Theirs is not a relationship that is predictable or likely. However, the ability to encourage and love one another for who they are and who they strive to be is radiant. Rough Sketch moves fluidly from a faint outline into a vibrant masterpiece with the aid of complex characters, majestic scenery, meaningful conversations, and a lovable, supportive cast. This love gives them roots and wings!
Kate Canterbary is one of those authors you just want to one-click and if you haven’t read her before, then you really need to add to your TBR. For those of you who have read her, you may know what I am talking about.
In Fresh Catch, we met Neera, she’s Cole’s right-hand woman, Vice President of his company. I, like many of Ms. Canterbary’s readers loved Neera and quite possibly annoyed the author with Mizz Malik to have her own book. Enter Gus Guillmond, the artsy resident at her Silicon Valley headquarters.
So much sexual chemistry with the antagonistic remarks flying between these two. Instalust and boy was the sexy times quite voyeuristic and hot as hell.
This novella may be the ahem dirtiest this author has written. If you are fans of podcasts, I suggest you go to the Read Me Romance podcast, you get about half hour of deliciousness in your ears. Christian Fox and Samantha Peachwood did an excellent job narrating.
If you read my reviews, you all know I am a big fan of Ms. Canterbary so this quick and sexy novella hit all the things I love about this author. October 29th is tomorrow, so one-click this steamy novella.
Rough Sketch
(Talbott’s Cove, #4)
Written by: Kate Canterbary
Sometimes early Saturday morning wake-ups are meant to be early Saturday catch-ups. Rough Sketch by Kate Canterbary was my catch-up this morning.
It took three and a half chapters for Gus Guillmand to get a rise out of me. It started slowly but the chuckles gave way to giggles then a guffaw to be followed with a wonderful laugh as I was finally able to embrace Gus for who he is.
Neera Malik was even a tougher nut to crack, her character layered with all sorts of mystery but as Gus and Neera worked their way through this story it became obvious they were made for each other.
From the west coast Bay Area to Talbott’s Cove, Maine these two take that slow burn from coast to coast in this steamy enemies to lovers office romance that hits the spot with its 109 pages of Kate Canterbary’s magical writing. Add in fans get a dinner with JJ, Brooke, baby Elliott, Owen and Cole, which just adds to this story.
Gus and Neera make for a great read!
I first listened to the story on the RMR podcast this summer. Then when I found out that a novella would be coming out, I waited patiently as the writer lady never disappoints. This book is filthy but in a good way. The love/hate relationship between these characters are combustible! I warn you, if you are listening to the scenes while driving, you may need to slow down because the story is that good! This is a quick read and worth your consideration.
Best of all, we are taken back to the wonderful world of Talbott’s Cove and get to revisit with some old friends from previous books. I loved the interactions of Gus and Neera with Owen and Cole, it simply made my heart warm to see these couples together. The storytelling from the author always leaves you wanting more, and picking up breadcrumbs of potential new storylines is an addiction her fans cannot kick. Fans will not be disappointed and if you have not read any of the other stories, this can be read as a stand-alone.
Love, love ,love Kate’s growly men!
Rough Sketch by Kate Canterbary is a Talbott’s Cove story and definitely worth reading if you love HOT enemies to lovers stories.
Neera Malik has everything going for her and her whole life figured out until popular artist guru, Gustavo Guillmand walks into her life and shakes it up on all levels.
He has more attitude than she knows what to do with, but she is more than ready to take him and it on.
I was given an ARC from the author/publisher. All conclusions are mine and mine alone.
Loved this on a Podcast just recently.. AMAZING Gus and Neera are truly sexy and smart mouth.
See more of my review here by clicking here. https://youtu.be/lgk1vBpJVOA
This quick & dirty novella had everything you would expect in a Talbott Cove book, just in a smaller, more intensely erotic package. Gus & Neera have scorching enemies to lovers chemistry and their antagonistic banter & stolen touches are incendiary. It was also great to check in on other favorite residents of the cove. I love Kate Canterbary’s use of language, the flow & rhythm of her words, and to hear them spoken by Christian Fox & Savanah Peachwood in the podcast version was just icing on the cupcake!
I’ve read and thoroughly enjoyed the other stories in this series, and I loved listening to this on on the Read Me Romance podcast. The store was fast and dirty and I loved it!
Update: I read the book with it’s extra chapters and I’m even more in love with the characters than I was before. Love this series!
Great novella. Really loved the characters. Smart and steamy. And what a treat to go back and visit Talbott’s Cove.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really want more of Gus and Neera!!!
Neera is such a hard ass and seems so untouchable. She comes off as a bit of a stick in the mud!!
Gus is having a hard time adjusting to being in Silicon Valley. He doesn’t have the inspiration he needs to put out a spectacular piece of art.
Neera is his inspiration for his birds and it drives her crazy!! Thanks goodness she goes in search of him for answers, otherwise they may have never come together.
Their chemistry is electric. They are a match made in heaven. As unusual as it is for Neera, especially in her friends eyes, their weekend away shows them some of the little things in each other that they needed to see. They don’t know each other very well but they see the possibility and the hope and the connection.
Rough sketch is quick but hot. It also brings in some of the other characters that we always like to hear about. I would definitely recommend Rough Sketch!! I just wish I had more!!
Rough Sketch by Kate Canterbary is a wonderful read. This enemies to lovers story packs a steamy punch. Gus and Neera have a salty start to their relationship, but once they give in to their desires, they just can’t get enough of one another.
This original story was heard on the Read Me Romance podcast and Ms. Canterbary has expanded the story and put in onto the page. The podcast was fantastic (Check it out if you haven’t already!) but the added details and trip to Talbot’s Cove bring the entire story to another level.
Neera and Gus are super hot! The author returns to Talbot’s Cove for this hot novella about Cole’s VP, Neera. Gus is an artist in residence and the two together are truly combustible. They love to spar verbally and as their physical relationship takes off, Neera learns things about herself that Gus sees brewing under the surface. The epilogue is made me swoon.
This was a quick read in true Kate Canterbary style and I loved it.
This was different. I first heard this on the Read Me Romance podcast and needed more. The ebook has more chapters and I welcomed it. Some of the scenes are somewhat confusing but it could be because I haven’t read the other characters’ stories. There is enough of a background though but I will want to read them. I loved Neera and Gus and how they had an interesting start and developing of their relationship. They were more business-like in a way. I liked it though. It kept me on my toes while reading and I enjoyed it.
Gus and Neera are interesting characters added to the mix of Talbot’s Cove and the Walsh’s. Here’s the thing…I felt like I was walking into their story in the middle, which was good and bad. Good because you get to the good stuff sooner…bad because you’re thinking “already” and what just happened. The setting was like walking through the campus of Google before jetting off to Talbot’s Cove. Gus is definitely the calming force to Neera’s chaos and I liked how their differences made them work where there wouldn’t necessarily be any competition. It’s worth the read to get to know the players, but I hope there will be more.
I loved this short, sweet and oh so HOT addition to the Talbot Cove world. The attraction was instant and incendiary. I loved watching as Neera and Gus attempt to fight that attraction. I felt like there was smoke coming out of my ereader from how steamy hot things got between these two!
-4.5 Stars!-