An Accidental Romance - Review

An Accidental Romance

By: Karen Tuft

Publication: December 6th 2021 by Covenant Communications

272 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Regency

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

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Goodreads description--Rebecca Jennings’s first London Season has been absolutely ruined, and one person alone is responsible: Mr. Ben Fortescue. If her new neighbor hadn’t startled her, she would never have broken her ankle, leaving her bored and frustrated at home in the country while her sister enjoys the London Season alone. Although, it was rather gallant of him to carry her home.

For his part, Ben feels terrible about the role he played in Miss Rebecca Jennings’s accident. In the days that follow their first disastrous meeting, he finds himself inexorably drawn to the surprising young woman—first out of guilt and then out of a stirring affection. But Ben hides a secret: he has not been completely forthright about his identity or about the dark secrets of his past that would make it impossible for romance to blossom with Miss Jennings. Despite his love for her, he knows he must let her go. With her ankle finally healed but her heart now broken, Rebecca is left with little choice but to throw herself into the Season. With eligible men circling this late addition to the Marriage Mart, it seems that Rebecca will have no shortage of suitors. If only her heart were free to give.

The description of this book sums things up nicely. Rebecca is preparing for her first London Season. She should have had one a few years ago, but it keeps getting put off for one valid reason or other. Rebecca is crossing her neighbor's property when she is startled, trips, and falls, breaking her ankle in the process. She won't be able to walk or dance. And traveling in a carriage to London with a broken ankle is out of the question. So her Season is delayed again. And she is heartbroken. Pretty much everyone can relate to disappointment and hopes deferred. Rebecca begs her older sister to still go to London without her so that she can share the excitement and experiences with her.

Ben feels guilty for causing Rebecca to miss another season. He resolves to visit her every day to appease his guilt and entertain her for a small portion of the day. Sometimes he reads to her. But often, the two find opportunities to talk. Ben shares some of his past and his situation with her. But his past isn't exactly what I would call dark. Full of pain? Sure. But dark implies something else, I think.

An Accidental Romance was surprisingly complex and layered. And I appreciate that for the depth. The main characters, particularly Ben, had much behind their initial stories. The side characters popped off the page, especially given Rebecca's large family. I would like to know more about the side characters, which is almost always a good sign. I have more to say about An Accidental Romance, but I waited too long to write my review. I will tell you that An Accidental Romance gets 4 Stars. Have you read An Accidental Romance? What did you think? Let me know!