The Roughest Draft was one of my favorite reads of last year and this definitely held up. I love the dynamic of both authors (and married) which clearly comes through on paper. It's swoony, serious, emotional and sexy and I couldn't get enough.

This was a story about a married couple who find themselves celebrating five years together….but feeling like total strangers. Due to a mix up at the hotel, they have two separate rooms and are now acting as strangers picking each other up.

I found this to be predictable in parts and the miscommunication was insane. There were cute parts to the story. David was a lovely character, even if he was a side one. Whenever Graham would flirt with Eliza was fun. You could see they both loved the other but they came across wrong. Graham’s parents will have you yelling at the book! Side characters were the best part for me. If you like second chance love stories, but with a different spin, then this one is for you.

138 days until summer ….

I don’t know about you but the Summer has always been my favorite season. Sun kissed skin, margaritas, and a book in my hand, now that is what dreams are made of .

I absolutely love summer/beach themed books and what better setting than a beachy resort !

This book was put on my radar by the cool kids over in the bookstagram world . So now, I will get you all excited by doing the same ! I can not wait for all of you to read this one!

Fun Fact: this book was written by a husband and wife. This added a realistic spin on the events that transpired

If you aren’t a cute crier (like me) than make sure you read this one alone. This one pulled at my heart strings and had me ugly crying on quite a few occasions .

This is a story of love, loss, and everything in between . The characters are multi-dimensional and lovable . I found myself cheering them on throughout the entire novel . Neither character did anything intentionally awful to one another . They were two people who loved each other immensely but had lost their way .

We have all read stories about falling in love with strangers, friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, etc but have you ever read a book about falling in love with your own husband after 5 years married?

Do you want to know if Graham and Eliza get their happy ending ?

Pick up a copy of Do I Know You, to find out


Teaser :

Eliza and Graham are anticipating an anything-but-sexy, weeklong getaway to celebrate their five-year anniversary. Nestled on the Northern California coastline, the resort prides itself on being a destination for those in love and those looking to find it. For Eliza and Graham, it might as well be a vacation with a roommate. 
 
When a well-meaning guest mistakes Eliza and Graham for being single and introduces them at the hotel bar, they don’t correct him. Suddenly, they’re pretending to be perfect strangers and it’s unexpectedly…fun? Eliza and Graham find themselves flirting like it’s their first date, and waiting with butterflies in their stomach for the other to text back. 

Everyone at the retreat can sense the electric chemistry between Eliza and Graham’s alter egos. But when their scintillating game of roleplaying ends, will they still feel the heat?

I enjoyed the premise around Eliza and Graham's story. After five years of marriage they feel almost like strangers. Things have changed and it takes a week long anniversary trip, role playing as strangers, and the help from family for them to realize what those changes are.

This was so good! It was relatable. Relationships are work and I felt like this book was a wonderful portrayal about the bumps in the road marriages take on. This had the perfect level of spice for my current mood and I enjoyed reading an adult romance from these two authors. I've enjoyed all of the YA romances I've read and they continue to be one of my favorite author duo's!

I definitely recommend this!

This is my first time reading anything by these authors and I enjoyed it. DO I KNOW YOU? is a refreshing twist on the "second chance" trope. I found myself frustrated at how easily solved the marriage conflicts could've been if the couple had simply opened their mouths and communicated, but I guess that was the whole point. I thought the major conflicts were not worthy of either of them being willing to let the marriage go. Anyway, I'd recommend this book.

Do I Know You? 😎😎😎
By: @austins_b and @wibbs_ink

Thank you to @berkleypub @berkleyromance and @berittalksbooks for my gifted ebook!

It’s not often we read romance books of couples that are already married, but there should be more! Do I Know You shows the very real scenario of a married couple who has grown distant with each other, but an anniversary vacation brings fresh air and fresh perspective.

Eliza and Graham are celebrating 5 years of marriage together, but they haven’t been connecting recently. They have a very awkward long car ride and after a mixup with their hotel rooms, they end up staying in separate rooms. They meet up for dinner, but Graham has made a buddy at the bar and he introduces himself to Eliza like he doesn’t know her. Eliza plays along and they both enjoy the flirty banter as they try out these new personas.

At first, I really didn’t like this - their disconnect made me so uncomfortable! But as the book goes on and they rediscover what they liked about each other and they bond over new experiences (that boxing class! 🥊) they get back on the same page. They both realize they don’t have to be the same people they went into this marriage and they vow to work on better communication and being more open with each other. It was really fun to see them date each other all week. I can understand how this would make things fun for them again.

I’ll also throw in that Graham makes a friend the first day named David and he was the best!! I know it’s hard for men to make friends as an adult but these two hit it off immediately. David wants love so badly and he’s a catch. I hope that a book about David is coming soon!

Do I Know You is the first book that Ive read by husband and wife author duo Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka. I was intrigued by the premise of a second-chance romance between an already married couple. I liked that both characters were willing to work on the issues facing their marriage, but the miscommunication trope, or lack of communication in this case,. isn't my favorite and many of their issues could have been resolved if they just talked to one another! Also, I think this one would have worked a bit better for me if the characters were a bit older. Thanks to Berkeley and NetGalley for providing me the opportunity to read an advanced copy.

Rating 4/5
Plot 4/5
Writing 4/5
Character Development 4/5

[I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book]

“Do I Know You?” by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka tells the story of Eliza and Graham. Eliza and Graham feel that their marriage is fading away, however, when they take a trip to a resort in Northern California for their five-year anniversary, a guest mistakes the way as singles and tries to set them up. Eliza and Graham play along with this charade. As much as they enjoy flirting with one another and bringing back the spark that was snuffed before this trip, the two question if these feelings will all go away once the holiday is over.

This was a good book! I love the cover, story, and “second chance” vibe. I found the gameplay of “strangers meeting” cute. It was interesting being inside their heads as they tried to sort out their communication issues. Overall, it was a good contemporary romance!

🌟BOOK REVIEW🌟

Do I Know You? by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

This was a serious, but cute second-chance, marriage-in-trouble story. Have you ever felt so disconnected in your marriage, but want to fix it instead of giving up? This is that story.

Eliza and Graham are gifted a vacation getaway for their 5th wedding anniversary. However, upon check-in, they decide to play stranger and see if they can reconnect. What unfolds is a funny and lovable, but honest story of a couple who just feel lost in their relationship.

Both characters are pretty lovable, although Graham’s lack of self-acceptance is tough to continually see, as is Eliza’s avoidance of issues. However, both characters grow on their vacation as they face their underlying problems. I enjoyed the side story with David and Lindsay and really like how the author’s rounded that out.

If you want a romance that has the old “if it’s broken, fix it” instead of throwing it away, but with a younger couple, read this!

Thanks to Berkley Romance, the author, and NetGalley for the free gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

Do I Know You was a very unique second chance to save your marriage romance with a sprinkle of fake dating on a vacation?

This was a lighthearted romance but I was hooked on the tension of the fake dating trope in order to save their marriage.

I loved how unique this plot line was - I have never read something like this, and I also loved the perfect amount of spice thrown in.

Thank you Berkley for the gifted ecopy.

When I read the synopsis, I figured I would love this book, but sadly, it fell a bit flat for me. I did like the alternating POVs, and the side character, David was great (minus his insta love situation). The biggest issue I had was that the characters are in their 20s and only have been married 5 years. They act like they’ve been married for a longer time. The miscommunications throughout the book were irritating as well. I don't know, maybe because I'm in my 40s and have been married for almost 20 years, I don't find this book to be realistic relationship wise. I kind of feel like if you are having issues like this only 5 years into your relationship, you have bigger issues to deal with.

There are quite a few glowing reviews for this one, so it’s probably just me! If it catches your eye, definitely grab a copy - it’s a great read for Valentine’s!

A husband and wife writing duo write about being a husband and wife. How perfect. I loved this fun story about an imperfect marriage, a marriage that needs a jump start because let's be honest, all marriages have some rocky roads in their lifetime.

I highly recommend this for anyone who has ever been in a relationship that stalled out.
The narration is perfect, with alternating POVs. I thought this was a real look at marriage, how easy it is to become stale, and how wonderful it is to overcome it. This an absolutely beautiful love story. So perfect.

Last year I read Wibberly and Siegemund-Broka’s adult fiction debut, The Roughest Draft. I was instantly hooked and have anxiously awaited their next work. Do I Know You? does not disappoint. I was gripped from the first pages and instantly joined Eliza and Graham’s world. I could feel the pressure, the desperation, and the deep struggle they were going through. Rarely have I found an author or Authors who so skillfully capture what it means to be human. This book is vulnerable, it’s raw and challenging. It is also funny, sweet, and certainly steamy. I loved getting to know all the versions of Eliza and Graham. A true triumph of a book.

The first 70% of this book? Pleasantly surprising! I usually don't love romances set between two married people who are rekindling their relationship, but perhaps now that I'm married I can appreciate those in a different way, because I really enjoyed this...until the end, honestly.

I'm still going to give it 3.5 stars because I had a good time for the bulk of the bit, but the introduction of the mother-in-law character who went from really awful to really angelic in a split-second was really jarring, and the third act fallout was a little disappointing, too.

That said, I really like Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka and I'm rooting for them!! I'll happily pick up their next book.

I really enjoyed the idea of this one but it kicked off right from the start awkward and oozing with miscommunication and lack thereof. I was hoping for a bit more substance but it was more of a downer than anything else. Not for me.

What a fun way to relearn about one another after several years of marriage. This book was very insightful and intriguing to read. Really gave me ideas about possibilities of spicing things up. Not only that but it showed a real relationship, with real problems, in the real world. These two everyday people who live with one another for the past five years have been married and everything is just monotonous with no real variety or intensity. They are just surface level at this point, but they still love each other.

This book found that love between them once again and it was an interesting read. I am rooting for Graham and Eliza all the way. I’m also rooting for David! He’s such a sweetheart.

The story flowed with realness and that’s what set this book apart in my eyes.

I loved the cover for this one, but ultimately the story fell flat for me. I’m not sure if there will be a bigger social media push given time.

Thank you @berkleyromance @berkleypub and @netgalley for my free eArc. My thoughts are my own.

When a couple starts to feel like they’re married to a stranger, a flirtatious game of pretend becomes the spark they need to reignite their relationship.

This delightful rom-com was just what I needed this week as I finally found time to relax after my daughter’s wedding!

When Eliza and Graham travel to a romantic resort hotel to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary, they feel more like roommates; and neither one is particularly excited for the week away! To make matters worse, when they arrive at the hotel, they discover they have TWO reservations in their name! Impulsively, Eliza takes the second room, making the excuse that she can use it for her work.

Later that night when they meet for dinner, another guest mistakes them for strangers and introduces them. Suddenly they are involved in a week of outrageous flirting…and longing for each other!

This book was written by married co-authors and that added to the enjoyment of this book! I loved the ‘He Said/She Said’ aspect as the story alternated between Eliza and Graham’s perspectives. It was fun knowing what the other half was thinking! The action moved quickly! The conversation was witty, and the situations the characters found themselves in had me laughing out loud!

Read this if you love humorous marriage-in-trouble, flirty romance stories!

While celebrating their 5 year wedding anniversary, Eliza & Graham acknowledge the fact that their marriage is in a rut. On their first night, someone mistakes the pair as single and they don’t jump to correct him. They decide to use this opportunity to try to rekindle their relationship.

This book 👆🏻 is something special. What I loved about Do I Know You is that we meet Eliza & Graham on the verge of breaking, not broken yet. They BOTH acknowledge their marriage is worth saving & are dedicated to making things right, despite how difficult or occasionally painful it may be. They didn’t have one catastrophic event that trigger this, either. It was more of a “slow leak” kind of break making it all the more relatable.

There is a heavy focus on the beauty of communication here. Miscommunication is one of my least favorite tropes in a romance, but here it’s necessary & handled beautifully. The pair learn the importance of continuing to date your spouse. The joy of choosing your partner over & over, day after day. It’s beautifully poignant & so full of hope, I couldn’t put it down!

I ended up liking this more than I expected, and there may have been a couple of tears at the end. I really loved the dual POVs here, and both of their narratives felt SO honest. It was refreshing to see that level of vulnerability and self-doubt, especially from a masculine character (even though it was frustrating to see). I enjoyed the way that Eliza and Graham's chapters complimented each other's, showing the discrepancies there can be between how two people experience the same things and that you need to put in the work to make sure your partner really knows how you feel, not just expecting them to inherently understand. We all have our own insecurities, and the authors really brought these characters to life by sharing theirs so intimately.

Also, shout-out to David, whom I love.