Oh boy. I don't want to say this but I'm think this book suffered the sophomore curse.

It started out great and I was excited for a marriage in trouble romance (my favourite trope).

But then, the pretending to be other people got very old very quickly. It was more of the same thing, over and over again. No real progress was ever made. This resulted in a very slow pace which made the book quite boring.

It became increasingly frustrating that these two would not talk to each other.

We also never got to see why Graham is now so insecure all of a sudden or why Eliza does not let Graham in. We are never actually told how this rift came to be. This was annoying because I felt I was left with this dichotomy of the Graham and Eliza of now and the Graham and Eliza of back then. I mean, they fell in love once upon a time, so why is Graham so insecure in Eliza's love for him now?

We are told snippets of some of their relationship milestones but honestly I could have done with some chapters about their past. It would have provided more insight into who these two are, where their love started and may have given us a clue as to why they are struggling now.

The inclusion of Eliza's family drama was not fitting for this story. These two are at a resort, away from their everyday lives therefore the people in their lives, trying to fix their marriage, so why on earth would you bring external family drama into this? Using it as a device for the third act conflict was not the way to go.

Same for the scene with Graham's parents. Just no, absolutely no.

Then instead of actually sitting down as Eliza and Graham and seriously talking about their insecurities and their issues, they magically resolve all of their problems in the laziest way possible.

I loved this duo's first book but unfortunately this one does not come close to it.

This was a pleasant surprise! I was sucked in straight away and it got me out of a reading slump. I really love second chance/marriage in crisis trope and it was done well here. I loved the concept in that Eliza and Graham are on an anniversary vacation and, due to a mix up, end up pretending to not know each other, in the hopes to save their marriage. It is unfortunate that the second half slowed down a bit and became frustrating as there were many miscommunications that could’ve been avoided. However, the characters were likeable, they are a couple you really want to root for. I’d highly recommend and i’ll definitely be checking out these authors’ previous book!

Full disclosure - I DNF'd 'The Roughest Draft' out of sheer frustration. And whilst I finished this one, I see my issues with this pair's debut have carried over into their sophomore effort.

The concept of this book is its biggest strength. So many romances are about new relationships, but getting to see a couple work through their problems and emerge stronger as a pair, rather than it be the catalyst for a break up was a true breath of fresh air. The book is snappy - we love short chapters - and plenty entertaining, with lots of action to keep the pace up. Though I will admit I skimmed a lot of the inner monologue prose because it made me want to claw my eyes out (we can have some, but come on, save a tree. Once you've said something, I don't need to hear it said five different ways), it remains a very sweet story about a couple trying to relight an old fire and connect with each other.

What I have a real issue with is the lack of narrative cohesion between the two authors. They clearly write different characters and so much of their pages were spent reiterating what the other had just said or speculated. It's what infuriates me about dual-perspective sometimes - we're not getting two perspectives, we're getting two looks at the same idea. I had this problem with their first book. It was like every scene needed to have both characters tell their side of it - they really didn't. The novel just feels like a singular storyline being told from two sides, rather than two storylines working together.

Moreover, I felt the book dragged significantly in the second half. Because the core dramatic premise - they're pretending to be other people to reconnect - kind of solves itself around the 50% mark, there's only one way to go. Conflict. It overused the mis-communication trope - honestly, if these two people just had an honest to god argument, they'd have sorted this out in five minutes - and had at least three natural cutting off points that weren't used - they just added more inner thoughts that added nothing to the story.

I really don't think I'll be picking up any of this pairing's books again. For a concept like this, there's so much depth, so much intrigue to follow - but we only got the very tip of the iceberg.

Do I Know You is the story of Graham and Eliza who go away for a short romantic break for their fifth wedding anniversary. They've grown apart recently but both of them are keen to find that spark again because they still love each other.

I enjoyed this book and found parts of it to be hilarious and endearing, though there were also parts which seem to slow the pace of the book down for me. I would have preferred Graham and Eliza to have more 'real' moments with each other than they did but on the whole, I thought this book was a fun read and made for a nice change in theme where the characters are already in love but want to find their spark again.

This was such a cute concept, but parts just really fell short for me. The parents were super weird and I just don't get who would be like that. It overall just felt too unrealistic to me. Is it really that simple to fix your marriage?! Good writing and I did really like the characters Eliza and Graham though.

I loved this! Do I Know You? delivers a fun twist on the second-chance romance trope. I thought the premise was delightfully refreshing, and I loved seeing Eliza and Graham find their way back to each other and their relationships through their 'vacation' personas. The way the story unfolds felt really real, and the end payoff was very satisfying.

I really enjoyed this book. I thought the concept was different then normal love stories. As it was about a married couple who had just lost their way a little bit and had lost that sparkle they used to have. I liked the way that the book unfolded and I liked the way that it felt very normal and easy to relate to.

wibbroka... spare a thought for little old me and my poor fragile heart. i really loved the roughest draft, giving me beach read meets the civil wars (folk band) but this was just some romcommy realness. genuinely romantic. I'm such a softie

An unflinching, angsty and raw look at a failing marriage, and the lengths a couple will go to in order to fix their relationship.

When a couple get the chance to connect again at a romantic resort, will they manage to rekindle their marriage?

I liked this. I just didn't love it.

It started pretty strongly, and I found it honest and realistic, as Eliza and Graham realised they had become strangers despite being married. They had grown apart, letting insecurities and family issues drive a wedge between them both. Both characters were flawed, and I rooted for them to work it out. Their relationship became flirty, sexy and light, as they avoided their real relationship problems.

However, the second half dragged, and I found myself bored with the role playing antics of vacation planner Eliza and investment banker Graham. I sort of wanted them to ditch the games and be real with each other earlier. There was also way too much inner conflict for me, as the characters both thought things then acted in the opposite way, paving the way for much miscommunication. I even became frustrated with the dual pov, as often there was an overlap and therefore repetition, as we experienced the same scene through both character's eyes.

I kept thinking, why don't you get some couples counselling?! They had a fair amount of issues!

Look, the reviews of this are mostly positive, so take my review with a pinch of salt, I did just read this straight after Happy Place! I also didn't rate this married author duo's first book The Roughest Draft so maybe they're just not a good fit for me🤷🏻‍♀️And 3 stars isn't a bad review or just means I've read better romances lately.

But if you're looking for a married couple working on their issues romance, set in a luxurious hotel, give this one a go! Published 2nd February 2023!

🌴🌴🌴

This was such an enjoyable, genuine, entertaining, and down-to-earth story.

I loved how well-written this book is. The storyline was so well-written. It ran so smoothly, and it felt almost effortless. The characters were perfectly portrayed with their insecurities, hardships and frustrations. It was easy to feel like you were experiencing the same things as the characters.
This is definitely a story that will resonate with many. And it will still be an enjoyable second-chance romance for those who don't relate much to it.

I can't wait to read the next book by this fantastic duo!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A lovely easy read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review.

Second chance romance that was so done so right and brilliantly!! It was such an intense read with the right and perfect blend of emotions, romance and fun moments!! Overall, it’s a full 5 stars read

'Do I Know You?’ by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka is an example of how to do marriage romance right. The real-life couple truly do know how to write romance.
Eliza and Graham are struggling. They have never felt further apart from each other. Even on their 5 year wedding anniversary getaway, the tensions from home have never been more apparent. The trip should be a blissful, romantic week full of couple's activities with plenty of other loved up couples. However, Eliza and Graham find themselves more involved with those in the resort looking for love. After being mistaken for two singles by another guest, Eliza hatches a plan, which may just save the trip, and their marriage. Role-playing two singles, flirting with each other like they did when they first met, and attempting to reignite the flame that once roared between them. Could it really work?
Throughout the book we see both Eliza and Graham's perspectives, which really helped me to understand how they had gotten into such a rough spot. There were times when I was almost screaming at them to just communicate with each other, but that just made me root for them even harder. There was such a lovely feeling throughout the book, and a real sense of love between the two main characters, I was completely invested in their story and just desperate for them to work it out. The book is a light, enjoyable, potential beach read (if it's warm enough where you are), but with some genuinely deep and powerful sentiments that will stick with you through all of your relationships, both romantic and not!
If you loved The Roughest Draft like I did, and you're worried Do I Know You might not live up to it, like I was, then I hope you give it a go and enjoy it as much as I did! This book far exceeded all of my expectations. I am super excited for the release of the physical book and to see what these two have in store for us next, they have quickly made their way onto my auto-buy list!
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for sending me this eArc in exchange for my honest review.

Such a fantastic, sweet book with a wonderful second chance romance.

Graham and Eliza are going on a trip to celebrate their five year wedding anniversary to one of the most romantic hotels ever. But they are both dreading every moment. They aren't the same loved up couple who got together six years before, instead they are both uncertain, unconfident in themselves and their relationship. So when they find out that a system booking mistake has assigned them two rooms, Eliza jumps at the chance to have her own space. Then, in a spontaneous moment in front of another hotel guest, the two pretend they don't know each other and so begins a plan to spend their week as strangers, slowly getting to know each other all over again. Through yoga classes, hikes and boxing sessions, they start to open up to each other and there's slowly a glimmer of hope for their marriage and their joint future…

This was such a heartwarming and romantic book about two people deeply in love but who have lost their way. I enjoyed the dual narration which allowed insight into the characters innermost thoughts, especially Graham who struggles with the belief that he's not good enough for the woman he married.

The setting is perfectly described which helps envisage the hotel and stunning surroundings. I loved David, a guest at the hotel and a fast friend to Graham.

Overall a wonderful book, I'd definitely recommend to fans of You Deserve Each Other.

After reading the Roughest Draft this summmer, I was beyond excited to get an early copy of Do I Know You? The premise of the story was so interesting and I have always loved a second chance romance. The author couple touched on some very important topics on how to stay connected and keep getting to know your significant other after being in a relationship for years. Although I did enjoy the story of Eliza and Graham, there still felt like something was missing from the book.

Graham and Eliza are on a break for their 5th anniversary but they haven't been getting on. So they decide to be strangers and hope this brings the magic back

I absolutely loved The Roughest Draft, so I was so excited to read Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka's latest adult romance: Do I Know You? This book is an incredible and unique second chance romance told in a dual point of view. The story was really fun and entertaining whilst remaining realistic. Eliza and Graham were relatable and loveable characters and I really enjoyed their holiday roleplay. I highly recommend any books by this author duo and I am highly looking forward to their next adult romance!

A quick, easy, uplifting and cute read that I read in one sitting. I liked the wiritng, I liked the storyline nd I liked the characters. A great read.

I really enjoyed this, I loved The Roughest Draft and remembered really enjoying their writing style. I wasn't sure how a second chance romance - but not - type novel would go down, but they've done a really good job with it, it did occasionally feel a bit slow, but it was a feel good, easy read.