Accidentally Marrying the Professor

Accidentally Marrying

by Alyson Archer

My research trip to do list: study ruins, take notes. Try not to drool over my insanely hot professor.

Then Professor Vale and I stumble on an ancient altar in the forest.
There’s chanting.
There’s glowing.
There’s… accidental marriage. It's magical and apparently legally binding according to local laws.

Yep. We’re bonded. Spiritually, magically, and, um. Very, very intimately.

Now we can’t stop thinking about each other.
Or touching each other. Or sneaking off into the forest to “research” each other under the stars.

It’s fine. Everything’s fine. Except that Rowan wants to break the bond...and I don't.

Accidentally Marrying the Professor is a spicy instalove novella with ancient magic, zero angst, a geek in the streets/freak in the sheets professor, one sweet grad student, and a magical marriage that insists on being consummated, over and over again.

Genres: Novella, Fantasy, Spicy, Romance

78 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 2, 2026

Reviews

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

“We didn’t fall in love because of the magic. The magic happened because we fell in love.”


-Dual pov
-Novella
-Age gap h23, H45
-Professor/student
-Soul mates
-Zero OWD/OMD 🙌🏻
-No virgins or manwhores but no mention of past at all which I don’t mind
-HFN but they’re literally soul mates so I’m sure it’s a HEA really

[Canadianmombooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very unique but fun little novella! I love how they are rolling out this mini series cannot wait to read them all. This was a large age gap, student & professor, one bed with an ancient twist!

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't you just hate it when you find yourself accidentally, magically married to your super hot professor? So darn inconvenient ;)

Ms Archer kicks off the Accidentally Marrying multi-author series with a bang (OK, maybe it's more than one bang) with Accidentally Marrying the Professor. It might be hard to be "accidentally married," you say? Not when there's an ancient spell involved!

Maybe reading an unfamiliar spell while standing at an ancient altar with the student you're low key obsessed with but trying to hide it is a bad idea.

Or maybe it's the best idea ever, given how it all turns out in the end... ;)

Accidentally Marrying the Professor was a fun read--it's mildly slow burn (but not really; it's less than 100 pages total) since they try for a millisecond or two to *not* consummate things in the hopes that the spell can be reversed (but we all know that was never going to happen, right?) but once they give up on that idea things escalate quickly, as we knew they would.

Zero complaints here. I'm always a big fan of the "there's only one bed" trope, and it does its own magic nicely here :)

I enjoyed the archaeology aspect (is it wrong to believe that Norah wrote "love you" on her eyelids at least once before a lecture? It's totally part of my headcanon now) and the hint of magic here--reminiscent of the author's Unhinged Holidays series, which I'm not at mad about. I can't wait to see what Ms Archer brings us next, and I look forward to seeing how her fellow authors also manage to get their MCs "accidentally married."

Rating: 4 stars / A-

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Merissa (Archaeolibrarian) · Rating 5 out of 5]

ACCIDENTALLY MARRYING THE PROFESSOR is part of the multi-author Accidentally Marrying series. This one takes place at an archaeological dig in Ireland, where a team are looking for the remains of a Druid settlement. Norah is a twenty-two-year-old student, and Rowan is the forty-five-year-old Professor. Both of them have feelings for each other, but deny them, refusing to admit to anything out loud. But when the Professor finds an altar and needs Norah's help, they get more than they bargained for, but not more than they hoped.

Told from both their perspectives, you get a lot of story within a few pages. I loved seeing both sides, and the not so much miscommunication, but lack of it. Well, that and thinking that rules are not meant to be broken! Age is just a number, after all.

I have to say, Chapter 3 is my favourite chapter of them all!

Wonderfully hot and steamy, with plenty of love and romance thrown in - not bad when you consider they're digging a pit in the middle of an Irish forest! A great book to enjoy on your coffee break, and absolutely recommended by me. 4.5 rounded up.

** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Feb 1, 2026

[Mimi Dyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally from Canada, Norah Marlowe is currently in the UK pursuing a master’s degree in archaeology at Cambridge University, and Professor Rowan Vale who is supervising her thesis is hot as sin, even if he is about 20 years her senior. When they explore an unusual altar-like tree deep in the forest, Rowan opens a Druidic book and starts ready while their hands are clasped together, after which the magical forest comes alive, leaving them with identical ink marks around their wrists. Coming back to the camp, they call on Maeve, an expert from the local historical society, who confirms that the ritual has sealed their marriage, but it would not be official until the union is consummated, so they await the arrival of Cormac who has a ritual to break the bond. What happens next is nothing short of mystical, electrifting other worldly magic.

Alyson Archer, queen of insta love stories, has another winner with Accidentally Marrying the Professor, filled with magic, delicious, all-consuming passion, and true, undeniable love between two beautiful people. Don’t miss this gem!

I received this book as an ARC reviewer and voluntarily leave my honest opinion.

[Katherine Gisleson · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️s
🌶️🌶️ - medium spice, a couple of explicit scenes
1st person, dual POV

LOVES:
- The set up was perfect. I was interested in their research and invested in seeing the results of their attempts with the magic to succeed
- The caretaking scene was so sweet and sexy and then rolled right into an only one bed scene, what more can you ask for?? Especially, when they’re magically drawn to each other!
- I appreciated that their feelings for each other were already present and the magic helped bring them together in this unconventional way 😄
- As always, if extra spice is desired, Alyson wrote another bonus epilogue 🔥

“We didn’t fall in love because of the magic. The magic happened because we fell in love.”

Thanks to the author for the advance copy 💝 Happy release day!

[Lila Danisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was so good!!!

I went blind reading this book. I didn't read the blurb, the tropes, and anything. I was kinda skeptical on how the story would be since there was no way you accidentally married, especially to your professor. And the author smashed my skepticalism so hard I was stunned by the story. Mind blowing 🤯🤯🤯

The story was magical and so sweet! I loved the storyline so much. Being only 78 pages with solid storyline, this book was perfect for me. The chemistry between Norah, the heroine, and Rowan, the hero, was delicious delivered. Mutual pining with forgivable miscommunication (?)

I ate this book up in one sitting. 100% satisfied with this book.

Thank you to Alyson Archer for the ARC.

[Brittany ⭑ Book lover · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 ⭐️
3/5 🌶️

Do you love…
❥Ancient magic
❥Professor X Student
❥Magical marriage
❥Instant powerful lust
❥Mutual pining
❥One bed
❥22 year age gap
❥Mating marks
❥Irish forest setting

This book was so fun! These two had the mutual pining way before they stepped foot in the forest but after… they just couldn’t help themselves. I loved how perfect they were for each other even before the binding and how amplified their connection was. The way they tried to stay away from each other made their f*ck it moment so much more satisfying. I love a good fated mate (and mate marks) and this definitely had those vibes! Great read!!

[Kari Tidwell (karisbookstodevour) · Rating 4 out of 5]

An archeological dig, an ancient Druid bonding ritual, a professor, his student, and some wild attraction that only gets that much harder to ignore with the bond? Yes, please! This one just worked for me. I was actually really into the fact that it was an ancient dig site, bring on the ancient magic because I was eating it up especially when it was driving both Rowan and Norah insane with how much they wanted to consummate the bond, and of course my heart just tumbled when Norah got hurt and Rowan was all kinds of panicked and possessive. A great really quick read that I think is thoroughly enjoyable and ultra fun!

[Tima · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars. This short story is dual POV, well written and edited, and a sweet and steamy, fast-paced, accidental marriage, contemporary fantasy romance between Norah, the female graduate student lead, and Rowan, her male supervising professor lead. I enjoyed Rowan’s shock at his mistake, and his attempt to maintain self-control. I enjoyed Norah’s acknowledgement of how much she wanted a real relationship. I enjoyed the steamy intimate scenes and the happiness of their accepted bond.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.

[Suzanne Normandeau Legault · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very magical reading indeed. Sometimes, you just need a little push to make you see the reality of what your heart really wants, but mostly being able to admit it to yourself. This is where magic appears into the mix. Norah and Rowan needed this intervention in order to give each other hearts 💞 what it wanted. A very spicy and magically rewarding read that will capture you from the beginning like it did me. I just can’t stay away from magic when love is involved and Alyson Archer knows how to deliver it. All her books are an AMAZING read!

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Rounded up!

Oh Alyson, please add magic to everything!

The way these two were already halfway into obsession with each other before Magic took the reigns! I love how Alyson gives us the understanding that they know and love each other before the moment of bonding…and the tension before they gave in? Feral!

I wanted a bit more angst but I had such a good time reading this I can’t complain. The “hurt/confort” moment was everything and I will probably reread just for that alone.


Quotes:

I'm devouring her. Like I've been starving for her.
Because I have been.

[Petra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Accidentally Marrying the Professor is another steamy short that I couldn’t put down.
Norah has the hots for her professor, Rowan, ever since she started taking his classes. While being on an archeological site, they try out a spell in front of an ancient altar. If attraction between them was strong before that moment, it’s nothing compared to what they experience afterwards.
This is one of the hottest stories written by Alyson Archer I’ve read so far. Enjoy!

Favourite quote:
~~We didn’t fall in love because of the magic. The magic happened because we fell in love.~~

[Carolyn Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I going to call this book a light paranormal romance, that’s the part that makes this a fun read. Not quite an instalove story as they had been around each other for months which soothes my dislike for most of those type of stories. As soon as they are told they can’t do any steaming, you know there is going to be some ooops, steam. Well written with wonderful characters. I enjoyed this book from beginning to end.

[Katie Wiggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this short and spicy novella! I really enjoyed the natural chemistry between our main characters. I also loved that had a secretly been pining for each other since they first met. I loved the magical Elements in this story and definitely recommend!!

“𝘞𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦.”

⛏️ Novella
🖌️ Student/Professor
⛏️ Age Gap
🖌️ Magical Elements
⛏️ Archeology Dig
🖌️ Forced Proximity
⛏️ "Good Girl"
🖌️ Sweet & Spicy

[H S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rowan is Nora’s professor and they are both on an archaeological dig together. She’s been crushing on him since he became her professor and he’s noticed he as well. However when he comes across an ancient area and invites her to come evaluate it, he ends up bonding them for life! While waiting to undo the bond they can’t resist their attraction and the sparks fly along with plenty of steamy times together. Apparently bonds reveal soulmates! A sweet and steamy read with a racy epilogue!! 🔥

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

bound for life

Grabbed me from the first page! It’s got everything—bit of mystery, steam, a touch of magic, and good old fashioned romance. I’ve read every book by Alyson Archer and this ties for my favorite! In each different areas she describes the scenes so perfectly it’s easy to immerse yourself. One of the main things that resonates with me is the genuine care and love Rowan and Norah feels for one another. Love the combination of the Druids and archaeological dig and that made the student/professor trope different than others. The chemistry between the main characters is easy to recognize. This is definitely one that I’ll reread! Thanks for the opportunity to read.

[Melissa Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is part of a multi author series called Accidentally Marrying. Norah and her professor Rowan accidentally do an ancient bonding spell at an archeological site. This bond makes it hard for them to resist their true feelings. Fun magical read. Enjoyed the characters and the concept. Love the whole accidentally Marrying trope.

[Kim B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute story about a professor and his college student (22 year age gap). Both pining for one another.

“For the first time in my adult life, I don’t feel like an educated, civilized man. The way she makes me feel is primal. I want to throw her over my shoulder, carry her to my tent, and bury my aching 🍆inside her until she screams my name for everyone to hear.”

[Vicky Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Druid archeological sight and a bond that brings people together

Hot and crushing on her professor, little does she know he feels the same about her. Things are going to get interesting at an ancient druid dig site. They discover an ancient alter and perform a rite that bonds them together.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A spicy novella by Alyson Archer with longing, spice and a magic bond that Norah and Roman can’t resist.

A instalove, sweet and steamy romance for a quick read and a great story.

As always, the writing is excellent, the story is interesting, and the characters are lovely.

[GoodLittleSmut · Rating 4 out of 5]

M/F
20 year age gap F23/M45
Ireland
Archeology Student/Professor
MMC has British accent, thick boi
Ancient Druid magic

I adore books like these. Short & sweet with a sprinkle of spice. They are easy reads but still hit the spot!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this novella!

I found it to be unique.

So, so romantic with enough steam to wet your whistle!

Rowan and Norah were well written.
I felt the angst both main characters were dealing with.

I'm still swooning!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very short read. It was well written and sucked me right in from the beginning. I found it to be actually quite sweet and magical, I loved the whole ancient bonding ceremony, but with Ms Archer’s trademark spiciness to heat things up.
Don’t skip the bonus epilogue!

[Mandy Robitaille · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 🌟 what a fun start to this series! yhis was a cute, quick read with a perfect dash of magic!

[Ashlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the plot for this story! It was cute and fluffy. I need more ancient rituals in my books going forward.

Overall a decent read.