a work in development | book review + giveaway

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about the book

For a woman who has edited hundreds of romance novels, Nellie’s own happy ending feels out of reach. After the death of her first husband, Daniel has offered her a second chance at happiness and love. But just as Nellie begins to hope for a future with him, her in-laws arrive to celebrate her late husband’s memory. Bringing more confusion than comfort, the well-intentioned relatives test Nellie’s determination to be brave.

Problems escalate when an unexpected threat emerges to tear open deep wounds from Daniel’s past and jeopardize everything Nellie has built with him. Nellie never thought she’d find love again. Now that she has, she’ll do anything to protect it. With only a week to keep everything from spinning out of control, keeping her romance from becoming a rom-com cliché is the least of Nellie’s problems.

Nellie must face the fears buried inside herself to save her and Daniel’s story—or risk the next plot twist breaking it apart.

publisher: sweetwater books (a cedar fort imprint)

release date: july 1, 2026

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other books in the series

a work in attraction

a work in progress

review

i wanted to love this...

but unfortunately, it didn't work for me—for a number of reasons.

firstly, it's the second book for nellie and daniel. their story starts in previous books and continues in a work in development. obviously, this is not a fault of the book, but i didn't fully understand the nature of the series before i started reading. (i picked up enough context while i read to understand enough, but it would have been helpful to read the books in order.)

secondly, and more significantly, i struggled to see the purpose of continuing their story. i get that life is still complicated once you fall in love, and grief is always going to provide unique hurdles... but nothing happens. the book spans a week, and everything that's said to be significant feels anticlimactic. there's a bit of character growth at the end, sure, but i don't understand why there needed to be a whole book for that moment.

thirdly, and most annoyingly, so much of this book relies on a lack of communication. maybe this made sense for their character development from the first book, but it just felt like they should have already overcome some hurdles around their grief and romance. nellie and daniel are together for a week and barely talk at all until the end. i just didn't get it.

if you've already started this series and want to spend more time with these characters, a work in development is totally worth reading. however, i can't recommend it.

i received a complimentary copy from the author and/or publisher. i was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions i have expressed are my own.

about the author

K.A. Ross loves stories so much she can’t write in just one genre! Find her fantasy works under “Kay Ross” and her romance under “K.A. Ross.” When she’s not at work, she’s finding new stories, discussing old stories, or writing her own. If she’s ever not thinking about stories, she’s either trying not to be too invested in sports or climbing up a mountain so she can run down it. She may live out West, but she considers any open space with a view home. To be the first to hear about upcoming releases, and receive a free short story, sign up for her newsletter at authorkayross.com!

giveaway

(3) winners will each receive a signed copy of A Work in Development & a $15 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight June 29, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 6, 2026. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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