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Writing Mr. Right

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Four romance writers. Four failed marriages. Can they create the perfect man?

Romance writers should be experts on love, but that’s not the case with Libby Day and her friends. Although they can come up with great stories on the page, their relationships in real life are all miserable failures.

While on a writing retreat in the mountains, they decide to try to pen the perfect man—the kind that only exists in a novel. Libby yearns for a rock star. Nicky Knightly wants a motorcycle bad boy. Eliza Penbroke dreams of a Highland warrior (preferably in a kilt). And Jess Harper longs for a hot cop.

The four of them burn their wishes and return home, but then something strange starts to happen. The fantasy men begin appearing in their lives, but there is a problem.

The right men are ending up with the wrong women.

346 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 11, 2023

47 people are currently reading
104 people want to read

About the author

Abigail Drake

42 books418 followers
Abigail Drake is the award-winning author of twenty-one novels, but she didn’t start her career in writing. She majored in Japanese and economics in college, and spent years traveling the world, collecting stories wherever she visited. She collected a husband from Istanbul on her travels, too, and he is her favorite souvenir.

Abigail is a coffee addict, a puppy wrangler, and the mother of three adult sons. She writes contemporary romance, women’s fiction, and young adult fiction, and has taught workshops for many different writing organizations. In her spare time, she blogs about her dog, Capone, and teaches writing classes for children at her local library.

In 2019, Abigail was awarded an honorable mention for her book "Love, Chocolate, and a Dog Named Al Capone" in the Writer's Digest Self-Published E-book Awards. She is the winner of the 2017 Prism Award for her book "Traveller", the International Digital Award for her young adult novel, "Tiger Lily", and the Stiletto Contest for "Love, Chocolate, and a Dog Named Al Capone." In addition, she was named a finalist in the Golden Pen, the Golden Leaf, the Dante Rossetti Book Award, and the Cygnus Award for Science Fiction and Speculative Fiction.

Abigail is represented by Lauren Bieker of FinePrint Literary Management. For more information, visit her website at www.abigaildrake.net.

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5 stars
72 (58%)
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34 (27%)
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14 (11%)
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Courtnee Turner.
Author 13 books225 followers
July 4, 2023
Writing Mr. Right is a romance novel by Abigail Drake. After repeated troupes, writer’s block, and a few scandals in the romance community, Liberty Day’s agent dumps her on the same day her husband commits suicide. Her author friends aren’t having any better luck with their writing or in their marriages, so they write a list of qualities they hope to find in their next romantic partner. They chose characteristics they thought they wanted in a partner, but they fall for men that fit another friend’s description. Even though the men are different than the ones they thought they wanted, everything seems to be going well until their desires conflict with the lives they have built.
Abigail Drake has weaved together characters in a way that shouldn’t work but has threaded the story into a brilliant romance with a hint of mystery! Readers will embrace each of the characters as they relate to at least one of them. The reader feels every emotion, from shock and hurt to desire and happiness as Drake describes unlikely romances that seem to appear almost magically. The sprinklings of book descriptions and titles through the pages could be ideas for more novels by Drake and encourage readers to devour more of her works. Even though it’s fiction, the book serves as a good lesson to move past your mistakes and reach for something good, even though it doesn’t fit into your idea of what you thought you wanted. Writing Mr. Right is a great selection for readers who love to absorb romance novels with multi-layered characters and depth.
Profile Image for Beth Spence.
4 reviews1 follower
July 4, 2023
This novel has four friends with four great stories of finding love all intertwined to lead readers through a fun romantic adventure with a hint of mystery! I really want to know how this author writes characters that make me think I would want to be their friends if they were real. Great descriptions and characters lead to a fun read with an interesting mystery mixed in that kept me turning the page. I definitely recommend this read for those who enjoy romance novels.
Profile Image for Erin Barker.
14 reviews
July 23, 2023
In this wonderfully crafted story four friends find themselves down on their luck with each of their significant others. They then proceed to essentially make a wish and find their Mr. Rights...

While one might expect predictability in the resolutions, the storylines for each character twist and turn until the mysteries are solved. I found the characters to be real and relatable. The details included to develop each personality is what makes it great. Overall it was a fun rom-com cozy that I didn't want to end!
Profile Image for Jenna.
207 reviews1 follower
July 25, 2023

This book had everything! A Scot in a kilt, a (responsible) bad boy on a motorcycle, a famous rock star with a heart of gold, and an undercover (hottie) FBI agent. Tropes galore! And 5, er, 4 romance writer friends whose love lives are tragic-until at a cottage retreat they “write” their dream men. Imagine their surprise when the men turn up-but not quite as they imagined.

I adored this book. It dropped as a deal on my BookBub, and despite having virtually no reviews-I was delighted by the premise enough to click “buy”. I adored this book. A perfectly cute (with some spice!) romance.
148 reviews1 follower
July 20, 2023
Good story.

I liked the last part of the book best. The first part was too confusing for me, trying to remember who was who and who went with whom.
Profile Image for Reader Views.
4,761 reviews333 followers
July 27, 2023
Four friends and fellow romance authors get together for their yearly writing retreat. This year the women—Libby, Nicky, Eliza, and Jess—lament their failed marriages. How is it that these seasoned writers have no problem conjuring up steamy love scenes with swoon-worthy males, but the men in their lives have left them hurt and wildly dissatisfied? After copious amounts of wine and bonding over mutual disdain, the women do what they do best—write. Collectively, they each pen their perfect mate, and by some stroke of luck, the words take on a life of their own. These “dream” men begin stumbling into their lives, except it’s not what they expected. The dreamboats seem to be paired with the wrong women.

This has got to be a colossal mix-up, right? Maybe not.

Rom-com enthusiasts rejoice—I’ve got a winner for you! “Writing Mr. Right” by Abigail Drake is the ultimate escape. Rife with steamy love scenes and brimming with giggle-inducing antics, it’s impossible to put down. The immersive read alternates between the four women, offering a juicy look into their failed marriages and (burgeoning) love lives. Readers can expect themes of friendship and love as the friends navigate dating after a divorce while leaning on each other for support.

Alternating character perspectives can be a tricky feat to accomplish as a writer. Still, seasoned author Abigail Drake has done an excellent job. She expertly ended each chapter on a cliffhanger before moving on to another woman, which created excitement and anticipation. This kept me plowing through the story, which was buttressed by a motley crew of personalities—a tattooed leather-wearing pessimist, an eccentric worrier, a prim and proper perfectionist, and a grieving and broke writer who just got dumped by her agent. There’s a reason they say opposites attract.

I couldn’t sing this romance’s praises without gushing over the indulgent love scenes, which are sweet and sometimes spicy with a hint of humor woven in. The book has enough playful banter, stolen glances, and bold proclamations to entice readers. But like any romance, it isn’t all rainbows and lollipops (or toe-curling encounters!); the blissful honeymoon period doesn’t last forever. We all have flaws, and it is only a matter of time before that pedestal they’ve been placed on comes crashing down. The author has done an excellent job highlighting real issues that can make or break relationships, such as a demanding career, geography, lack of trust, and many others.

I don’t know about you, but for me, there’s only one thing that can top the excitement I feel when fully immersed in a book—discovering the talented writer has authored several other novels I can dig my teeth into! I am definitely fangirling over Abigail Drake’s work and cannot wait to read the rest of her books. “Writing Mr. Right” has all the necessary ingredients to whip up a palatable romantic comedy—decadent love interests and a sprinkle of quirkiness, all infused with sweet character development. Grab a copy of this book—you can thank me later.
Profile Image for Maria Thomas.
17 reviews
July 28, 2023
I highly recommend this book! Abigail Drake created a very special story. She draws you into a world revolving around and alternating between all four of her main characters. Real life situations, twists and turns, and the unexpected are all interwoven throughout the book. You won’t want to stop reading this page-turner, and you won’t be able to help reading “just one more chapter” each time you try to put it down.
Profile Image for Piepie | The Napping Bibliophile.
2,170 reviews133 followers
June 26, 2023
If you love reading romances and thinking about romance authors and how they come up with all their ideas, then you'll fall in love with these characters and their love stories!

Four friends in different marriages and situations get together and dream up the perfect man. Both hilarity and drama ensue. It's a heart-touching story with a picture-perfect ending.

Many thanks to the author, Abigail Drake, for my ARC!
56 reviews8 followers
July 31, 2023
This was a fun book. As an avid romance reader, it was an interesting perspective to read a book about romance writers. I was initially worried that it would be a little too cliche, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Writing Mr. Right is full of humor, romance, and suspense.

I adored the bond between Libby, Nicky, Jess, and Eliza. Their support for each other through all seasons of life was the epitome of friendship. While they were all experiencing the ends of their marriages at the same times, they continued to make sure they were all there for each other and ensure their friendships remained a priority.

I had my reservations about the men that ended up in their lives at first. I wasn’t quite sure where those relationships would end up, and when questions started arising about Jack’s death, I was suspicious of one man in particular. But I loved the thrill of the suspense and the mystery, and I was left guessing until everything was finally exposed.

I did feel that trying to keep up with four main characters, and their husbands, and their new relationships became confusing at times. I spent the first half of the book confusing Eliza and Nicky. So at times I wished there were only one or two main characters to keep up with. But I do realize the book wouldn’t have worked any other way, and the storyline wouldn’t have been able to play out the way that it had.

Overall I really enjoyed this book. I thought making the main characters romance writers was unique and made the plot more interesting. I especially appreciated that the book wasn’t full of cliche romantic gestures, and that there was more to the store than just finding love.
Profile Image for Paula Williams .
952 reviews28 followers
January 1, 2024
This is the first book by #AbigailDrake I’ve read and I’m such a fan! I love the four leads she created and their strong love stories with some mystery/scandal mixed in. Libby, Nicky, Eliza & Jess had me rooting for them the whole way. This is a perfect book to start off the New Year with for a distraction that keeps you glued to every page.

Yu-Li Alice Shen did an exceptional job at narrating the many characters in this gem!

Many thanks to @abigaildrakeauthor for my #gifted signed copy and audiobook!
Profile Image for Amy Malek Concepcion.
1,500 reviews69 followers
December 5, 2023
Writing Mr. Right

This ended up being a bit different than what I was thinking it would be but it was still entertaining . Four authors, all finding themselves at the end of their relationships for various reasons, all wishing for their ideal book boyfriends, and all ending up “inspired” by a new relationship (even if it’s not with the specific “book boyfriend” they wished for). I enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Michelle Bowen.
41 reviews4 followers
October 27, 2023
So good!

What happens when 4 romance authors have horrible marriages? They get together and write about their ideal Mr. Rights. Not everything in real life happens like in a romance novel. But the HEA these ladies get is wonderful. This book was a delight and I read it in two days! So very good.
630 reviews1 follower
July 3, 2023
This was one of those books I couldn't put down. Read to the wee hours of the morning. Four women and their love life and all the unexpected events. This is definitely a feel good book, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Thank you Abigail Drake for the ARC.
Profile Image for Donna.
Author 7 books33 followers
July 11, 2023
Loved this book. The characters are realistic and likable. The plot is engaging and held my interest from beginning to end. I liked the fact that there are four romances intertwined. Abigail Drake is a superb author and all her books are terrific.
3 reviews1 follower
September 27, 2023
Abigail never disappoints!

Loved the humor, suspense and honest friendships portrayed in this lighthearted novel about finding your soulmate. Great read for leaving your cares behind and escaping life's responsibilities, even for a little while!
43 reviews
September 28, 2023
A riveting love story

The characters are so relatable. The story is a roller coaster of love, and loss, hope, grief, intrigue, insecurity, and strength. I was riveted and could not put it down until I had reached the ending.
Profile Image for Christina Callahan.
344 reviews
March 27, 2024
*Trigger warning- Suicide*
DNF 5%
I loved the Capone stories and was looking forward to this light hearted, funny book. Unfortunately, the blase’ treatment of suicide was extremely off-putting. (“…and don’t go into the pool house. It would be best if you didn’t remember like this”.)
Profile Image for Natalie.
359 reviews
April 16, 2024
The romance book for romance readers!

This isn’t a world building, epic romance novel. It’s cute AF, easy to read, and leaves no trope behind story. Exactly the HEA you need sometimes.

The audiobook narration was not my favorite but definitely worth adding to your kindle.
1 review1 follower
July 11, 2023
A wonderful read filled with great friends, excellent lovers, and just the right amount of mystery. I was invested in the characters and their stories, and I couldn’t put the book down.
75 reviews
August 2, 2023
Enjoyable read

I enjoyed this a lot. Lots of details, good plot, couple of twists and great characters. I read it in a weekend.
Profile Image for Gail Bengston.
212 reviews2 followers
August 20, 2023
A fun story about romance writers with a little bit of angst, mystery, drama, finding your strength, everything a good romance has with a lot of humor. Loved it!
1 review
April 24, 2024
wonderful

Total delight, I loved the friendships and unexpected mysteries. The male characters were also good, I couldn’t put it down.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews

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