What do you think?
Rate this book
Hideaway Harbor #1
Accidentally Perfect
Workaholic Lillian Mahoney has given everything to her job. The hugely popular lifestyle show she helped create monopolizes her time, energy, creativity, and anything remotely resembling a life. But all it takes is the show’s womanizing, egomaniac star throwing a massive hissy on live TV to utterly implode Lillian’s career in a New York minute.
Now Lillian’s hiding out in the gorgeous and completely unknown seaside village of Blink, Maine. Out of gas. A stolen wallet. A broken heel. And worse, she’s somehow managed to completely piss off the town’s resident hunk, Caleb Wright. She’ll show that hot, grumpy single father exactly what she’s made of.
But Blink isn’t quite what Lillian expects—and neither is Caleb...or his feisty teen daughter she can't help but love. And while her entire life and career are in shreds, Lillian might just discover what happens when she gives her bad first impression a second chance…
Now Lillian’s hiding out in the gorgeous and completely unknown seaside village of Blink, Maine. Out of gas. A stolen wallet. A broken heel. And worse, she’s somehow managed to completely piss off the town’s resident hunk, Caleb Wright. She’ll show that hot, grumpy single father exactly what she’s made of.
But Blink isn’t quite what Lillian expects—and neither is Caleb...or his feisty teen daughter she can't help but love. And while her entire life and career are in shreds, Lillian might just discover what happens when she gives her bad first impression a second chance…
338 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published March 1, 2022
86 people are currently reading
6544 people want to read
About the author
Marissa Clarke
14 books682 followersMarissa Clarke is a multi-award-winning, RITA nominated author of romance for adults and teens. She lives on the Texas Gulf Coast with her ever-patient husband, two cantankerous Cairn Terriers, and an abundance of bossy chickens.
Marissa also writes YA for Entangled Teen and Penguin/Random House as Mary Lindsey
Marissa also writes YA for Entangled Teen and Penguin/Random House as Mary Lindsey
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 205 reviews
January 2, 2024
You’re standard cozy rom-com, where you knew exactly where you were heading, but strolled along with the story all the same. Some cute moments, but nothing that blew me away or made this book stand out.
April 19, 2022
This was going to be my airplane fallback on my trip to India. Only, I tested positive for Covid right before my flight so it became my quarantine fallback instead. It was a great distraction when I needed one badly, so I'm grateful I had it with me.
Both main characters bothered me a bit in the beginning. Lillian is stressed to the max because she's micromanaging everything and all of her efforts focus down to an unstable foundation in the person of Niles Sharpe (the front for her lifestyle conglomerate). She knows it is an untenable long-term play because he can be erratic and yet I see her doing nothing to prop that up or to make contingency plans for an inevitable fall. It made it hard to connect with her as a supposedly deep-thinking planner as it seemed to me that she'd missed a heckuva big risk that dwarfed everything she was actually trying to handle. I'd have thought she'd have some contingencies in the works and there was nothing.
Caleb was just being irrational up front. I don't know what got up his nose about Lillian, but he kept ascribing motives that we know she doesn't have (being in her head). He's almost not completely unreasonable, but his way of handling someone from outside who might threaten the stability of his community was petty and immature. Also counterproductive because he wasn't even subtle about it.
So both felt a bit like they were dumber than we were expected to believe.
But then we get over the initial hangups and things settle down into a great relationship story with some outstanding characters. Lillian forms some real friendships with people in the town, not least with Caleb's daughter Bethany. And Caleb does some much-needed growing along the way so they match fairly well in their progress towards one another. And I like that his essentially negative motivation* didn't get overplayed so it didn't bog down the plot the way I had anticipated.
And I ended up really liking the surrounding plot with the dying small town and people clinging to a place they loved. I loved seeing Lillian fall for the place along with the people. And I loved how rich and evocative they were presented, with both strengths and weaknesses on full display and nothing twee or cloying about it.
I'm not sure I buy the eventual resolution as it's a bit fantasy world to work out quite so perfectly. But I don't mind giving it the benefit of the doubt on that front. So this comes in at a solid four stars when all is told. And I almost bumped it up for some of those quite-so-perfect details because I love when even the side characters get some depth and we get that in the end of this story.
A note about Chaste: There's sex during the story, but none of it happens on page. They don't refer to it in any but oblique terms and there's no private bits hauled out for review. There are some great kisses, but that's it. I consider this very chaste, as a result, but higher sticklers could well disagree.
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, here's a cache of the original) and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
Both main characters bothered me a bit in the beginning. Lillian is stressed to the max because she's micromanaging everything and all of her efforts focus down to an unstable foundation in the person of Niles Sharpe (the front for her lifestyle conglomerate). She knows it is an untenable long-term play because he can be erratic and yet I see her doing nothing to prop that up or to make contingency plans for an inevitable fall. It made it hard to connect with her as a supposedly deep-thinking planner as it seemed to me that she'd missed a heckuva big risk that dwarfed everything she was actually trying to handle. I'd have thought she'd have some contingencies in the works and there was nothing.
Caleb was just being irrational up front. I don't know what got up his nose about Lillian, but he kept ascribing motives that we know she doesn't have (being in her head). He's almost not completely unreasonable, but his way of handling someone from outside who might threaten the stability of his community was petty and immature. Also counterproductive because he wasn't even subtle about it.
So both felt a bit like they were dumber than we were expected to believe.
But then we get over the initial hangups and things settle down into a great relationship story with some outstanding characters. Lillian forms some real friendships with people in the town, not least with Caleb's daughter Bethany. And Caleb does some much-needed growing along the way so they match fairly well in their progress towards one another. And I like that his essentially negative motivation* didn't get overplayed so it didn't bog down the plot the way I had anticipated.
And I ended up really liking the surrounding plot with the dying small town and people clinging to a place they loved. I loved seeing Lillian fall for the place along with the people. And I loved how rich and evocative they were presented, with both strengths and weaknesses on full display and nothing twee or cloying about it.
I'm not sure I buy the eventual resolution as it's a bit fantasy world to work out quite so perfectly. But I don't mind giving it the benefit of the doubt on that front. So this comes in at a solid four stars when all is told. And I almost bumped it up for some of those quite-so-perfect details because I love when even the side characters get some depth and we get that in the end of this story.
A note about Chaste: There's sex during the story, but none of it happens on page. They don't refer to it in any but oblique terms and there's no private bits hauled out for review. There are some great kisses, but that's it. I consider this very chaste, as a result, but higher sticklers could well disagree.
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, here's a cache of the original) and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
January 25, 2022
you know I'm a sucker for "rich city girl goes to small town and falls for a grumpy local" trope!!! plus this grumpy local is a single dad and has two dogs omg
she literally goes to this small town wearing her ferragamo pumps, her car breaks down, it starts raining, and then she meets the grumpy hero who doesn't trust this beautiful goddess driving a bmw lmao but really he's crushing hard on her
ps also want to mention this is closed-door, not one sex scene in detail
she literally goes to this small town wearing her ferragamo pumps, her car breaks down, it starts raining, and then she meets the grumpy hero who doesn't trust this beautiful goddess driving a bmw lmao but really he's crushing hard on her
ps also want to mention this is closed-door, not one sex scene in detail
April 3, 2022
Accidentally Perfect is actually perfectly perfect.
Adorable
Sweet
Swoony
I loved every minute of it
Lillian is an uber successful business woman, dedicating her life to her job as the head of a lifestyle series which includes running a magazine, TV show and product line. All is well until she has a run in with the face of the label. Niles, the egomaniac star of the label, has a tantrum in front of a live audience, blaming his error on Lillian. She is cast away to small town Maine to take a break.
The simple life is so annoying at first, no grocery stores, malls or even a USPS. There is however a smoldering hot grumpy man who has caught her eye.
This is an adorable enemies to lovers with all the wonderful small town vibes I adore.
Spice is low, all the doors are closed
Adorable
Sweet
Swoony
I loved every minute of it
Lillian is an uber successful business woman, dedicating her life to her job as the head of a lifestyle series which includes running a magazine, TV show and product line. All is well until she has a run in with the face of the label. Niles, the egomaniac star of the label, has a tantrum in front of a live audience, blaming his error on Lillian. She is cast away to small town Maine to take a break.
The simple life is so annoying at first, no grocery stores, malls or even a USPS. There is however a smoldering hot grumpy man who has caught her eye.
This is an adorable enemies to lovers with all the wonderful small town vibes I adore.
Spice is low, all the doors are closed
August 31, 2022
This was a cute and cozy romance.
March 1, 2022
Favorite Quotes:
Some people had auras, she’d been told. This guy had a full-on storm cloud surrounding him.
She was so outraged, she sputtered sounds like the seagulls at the harbor made.
“I want to put poison ivy in their sleeping bags.” There was a snort, then Bethany giggled. “I want to safety pin their tent flap zipper so they can’t get out,” Bethy said.
My Review:
This was a lively and fresh read, full of keenly honed and snort-worthy small-town characters that kept me highly amused throughout perusal. I don’t know how I missed her but this was my first time reading the prolific Marissa Clarke, shame on me. I adore her sassy humor, colorful descriptions, snarky observations, and crisply written storylines. I have added her to my list of new favorites and hope to pay better attention in the future.
Some people had auras, she’d been told. This guy had a full-on storm cloud surrounding him.
She was so outraged, she sputtered sounds like the seagulls at the harbor made.
“I want to put poison ivy in their sleeping bags.” There was a snort, then Bethany giggled. “I want to safety pin their tent flap zipper so they can’t get out,” Bethy said.
My Review:
This was a lively and fresh read, full of keenly honed and snort-worthy small-town characters that kept me highly amused throughout perusal. I don’t know how I missed her but this was my first time reading the prolific Marissa Clarke, shame on me. I adore her sassy humor, colorful descriptions, snarky observations, and crisply written storylines. I have added her to my list of new favorites and hope to pay better attention in the future.
March 4, 2022
ACCIDENTALLY PERFECT is a slow burn contemporary story that I was pulled in to from the very first page, but the cover really called to me. I loved everything about this beautiful story and I’m excited to recommend it to my reading friends. Marissa Clarke has a way of grabbing her readers and she never lets us go. ACCIDENTALLY PERFECT is the first book in the Hideaway Harbor series and I’m so excited to continue with these small town people who I fell for almost immediately.
ACCIDENTALLY PERFECT really takes a turn that will have you unable to put this beautiful story down. Neither Caleb or Lillian are looking for a relationship, but they can’t seem to ignore the feelings they have when they are together. So here we have these two crossing paths and each time, there is a pull to see more of each other. It was cute watching these two dance around their feelings for each other. I just didn’t want to see Lillian get hurt again like she did in the past. She’s had a very big secret revealed recently and I couldn’t help but cheer her on through out this heart warming story! Marissa Clarke knows how to tell a story that will keep you turning the pages.
ACCIDENTALLY PERFECT is filled with twists and turns and had me flipping the pages like a woman on a mission to finish! I had to know where Marissa Clarke was taking us and what would happen to all the people in Blink, Maine. I really loved how the whole community came to their aid and only wanted Lillian and Caleb to feel loved and for Lillian to realize that she was home. There is so much heart in Marissa’s writing that I was left with a huge smile on my face and my heart very happy. I could totally see ACCIDENTALLY PERFECT becoming a Hallmark movie and I would love to see it. All of the characters are very interesting and believable, so much so that I felt as if I’ve known them for a long time. I would love to hang out with Amanda and Cassidy. I’m sure they could teach me a thing or two and I know they would keep my laughing all day long!
I fell in love with absolutely everything about ACCIDENTALLY PERFECT, from the setting, to the characters and the heartfelt plot. It is great to read a story with this kind of depth and an acknowledgement that the protagonists’ problems can’t always be ‘fixed’ but that they can find a way to move on from loss and pain, just like people in the real world have to. It made the characters so well rounded and real, plus the ending was all the sweeter because of that. I can’t recommend it enough and I am absolutely delighted to discover that ACCIDENTALLY PERFECT will be part of a new series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from TLC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
ACCIDENTALLY PERFECT really takes a turn that will have you unable to put this beautiful story down. Neither Caleb or Lillian are looking for a relationship, but they can’t seem to ignore the feelings they have when they are together. So here we have these two crossing paths and each time, there is a pull to see more of each other. It was cute watching these two dance around their feelings for each other. I just didn’t want to see Lillian get hurt again like she did in the past. She’s had a very big secret revealed recently and I couldn’t help but cheer her on through out this heart warming story! Marissa Clarke knows how to tell a story that will keep you turning the pages.
ACCIDENTALLY PERFECT is filled with twists and turns and had me flipping the pages like a woman on a mission to finish! I had to know where Marissa Clarke was taking us and what would happen to all the people in Blink, Maine. I really loved how the whole community came to their aid and only wanted Lillian and Caleb to feel loved and for Lillian to realize that she was home. There is so much heart in Marissa’s writing that I was left with a huge smile on my face and my heart very happy. I could totally see ACCIDENTALLY PERFECT becoming a Hallmark movie and I would love to see it. All of the characters are very interesting and believable, so much so that I felt as if I’ve known them for a long time. I would love to hang out with Amanda and Cassidy. I’m sure they could teach me a thing or two and I know they would keep my laughing all day long!
I fell in love with absolutely everything about ACCIDENTALLY PERFECT, from the setting, to the characters and the heartfelt plot. It is great to read a story with this kind of depth and an acknowledgement that the protagonists’ problems can’t always be ‘fixed’ but that they can find a way to move on from loss and pain, just like people in the real world have to. It made the characters so well rounded and real, plus the ending was all the sweeter because of that. I can’t recommend it enough and I am absolutely delighted to discover that ACCIDENTALLY PERFECT will be part of a new series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from TLC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
August 31, 2023
A sweet small town romance between a bigshot NYC workaholic and a grumpy single dad. Set in Maine, this was a charming, heartfelt, kissing only romance perfect for summer beach reading. It's been on my tbr for ages and I am glad I finally gave it a chance. Good on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Mary Kay Andrews, Elin Hilderbrand or Jenny Hale.
Read
February 14, 2022Small town romance with lots of lovely characters is my catnip. And this book has it in spades.
Another I read (inhaled) during hibernation, and now I need to catch up with my reviews, giving me an excuse to reread it.
Added bonus, an enemies to lovers romance, without lots of humorless, cruel bickering. Lillian is a workaholic who is the driving spirit behind a show, with an incredibly annoying guy as its face. She goes to Blink, Maine to check out a house, but really to get away for a bit, and ends up stranded. A local boat owner named Caleb thinks she's a con artist on the prowl, and gives her the stink eye. Watching the gradual communication between these two was such a pleasure.
Counterbalancing the growing relationship is Niles, the horrible front man, showing up. Sparks fly all over the place--but Clarke has a humane eye even for Niles, as people get a chance to become their best selves.
Caleb has a teenage daughter, who perplexes him to no end, though father and daughter love each other all the more due to his wife bailing on them--which gives Caleb a reason to be wary of smart, smoothly put together women like Lillian. I loved seeing Lillian and the teen connect, as well as the way she won over the rest of the townspeople.
Just a lovely, relaxing read that left me smiling.
Copy provided by NetGalley
Another I read (inhaled) during hibernation, and now I need to catch up with my reviews, giving me an excuse to reread it.
Added bonus, an enemies to lovers romance, without lots of humorless, cruel bickering. Lillian is a workaholic who is the driving spirit behind a show, with an incredibly annoying guy as its face. She goes to Blink, Maine to check out a house, but really to get away for a bit, and ends up stranded. A local boat owner named Caleb thinks she's a con artist on the prowl, and gives her the stink eye. Watching the gradual communication between these two was such a pleasure.
Counterbalancing the growing relationship is Niles, the horrible front man, showing up. Sparks fly all over the place--but Clarke has a humane eye even for Niles, as people get a chance to become their best selves.
Caleb has a teenage daughter, who perplexes him to no end, though father and daughter love each other all the more due to his wife bailing on them--which gives Caleb a reason to be wary of smart, smoothly put together women like Lillian. I loved seeing Lillian and the teen connect, as well as the way she won over the rest of the townspeople.
Just a lovely, relaxing read that left me smiling.
Copy provided by NetGalley
November 6, 2022
This is kind of a hard book to review, because whilst I doubt I will remember this book (positively or negatively) in a few days time, I don’t really have any complaints or critiques of it that don’t boil down to ‘this book just wasn’t for me’.
I definitely think this was written for an older audience than myself. There’s not anything wrong with that (books are for everyone!), it just meant the book didn’t quite hit for me. I really found every plot point and relationship to be underdeveloped, the ending to be way too cheesy and easily resolved, and although there was romantic tension between the two main characters, I never really felt like this was expanded upon or developed - the book was very tame, and whilst there’s nothing wrong with closed door scenes, this was to the point where even kissing wasn’t described, which made it hard for me to connect to their romance.
Long story short, I found everything about this book just painfully mediocre
I definitely think this was written for an older audience than myself. There’s not anything wrong with that (books are for everyone!), it just meant the book didn’t quite hit for me. I really found every plot point and relationship to be underdeveloped, the ending to be way too cheesy and easily resolved, and although there was romantic tension between the two main characters, I never really felt like this was expanded upon or developed - the book was very tame, and whilst there’s nothing wrong with closed door scenes, this was to the point where even kissing wasn’t described, which made it hard for me to connect to their romance.
Long story short, I found everything about this book just painfully mediocre
January 3, 2022
4 stars
Accidentally Perfect by Marissa Clarke is a sweet and heartwarming read.
I really enjoyed the storyline and getting to know all the characters.
*Thank you to the publisher for the advance copy.*
Accidentally Perfect by Marissa Clarke is a sweet and heartwarming read.
I really enjoyed the storyline and getting to know all the characters.
*Thank you to the publisher for the advance copy.*
February 6, 2023
I give this book 3 1/2 stars.
I really liked the book but the first 42% dragged a lot and I found the main characters a little annoying and that’s why I stopped reading the book in February 2022.
I read the book as an audiobook this time and it was a lot better. Unfortunately I had the same reaction to the book as I had the first time I read it but this time I finished the book and I actually really liked all the characters in the end.
It is a really sweet, small town romance about Lillian Mahoney, who comes to the small town of Blink. She is from New York, but needs to hideaway in Blink for a while because of a faux pas that was made on live television.
She meets the grumpy hero Caleb, who is a single parent to a 16-year-old girl but she also meets a lot of the people in this small town, and she begins to fall in love with Blink and Caleb.
Blink is a dying small-town, and all the young people have fled because there’s no job offerings. But Lillian wants to change that and she starts to help the town flourish again.
I really loved that Lillian was very resilient and strong and wanted to help where ever she could. Unfortunately, in the beginning, I thought that she was a little too controlling and closed off. That’s why I didn’t like her very much. I felt the same about Caleb.
But the further I got into the book I started liking them a lot more and I started to get to know them and that meant a lot for the plot of the book.
I can recommend this book if you’re looking for a small town romance, the single parent trope, a big found family, closed door only kissing, interesting characters and some funny moments!
I got this book from Entangled publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest opinion and my voluntary review.
I really liked the book but the first 42% dragged a lot and I found the main characters a little annoying and that’s why I stopped reading the book in February 2022.
I read the book as an audiobook this time and it was a lot better. Unfortunately I had the same reaction to the book as I had the first time I read it but this time I finished the book and I actually really liked all the characters in the end.
It is a really sweet, small town romance about Lillian Mahoney, who comes to the small town of Blink. She is from New York, but needs to hideaway in Blink for a while because of a faux pas that was made on live television.
She meets the grumpy hero Caleb, who is a single parent to a 16-year-old girl but she also meets a lot of the people in this small town, and she begins to fall in love with Blink and Caleb.
Blink is a dying small-town, and all the young people have fled because there’s no job offerings. But Lillian wants to change that and she starts to help the town flourish again.
I really loved that Lillian was very resilient and strong and wanted to help where ever she could. Unfortunately, in the beginning, I thought that she was a little too controlling and closed off. That’s why I didn’t like her very much. I felt the same about Caleb.
But the further I got into the book I started liking them a lot more and I started to get to know them and that meant a lot for the plot of the book.
I can recommend this book if you’re looking for a small town romance, the single parent trope, a big found family, closed door only kissing, interesting characters and some funny moments!
I got this book from Entangled publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest opinion and my voluntary review.
March 8, 2022
Accidentally Perfect is a small town romance featuring Lillian and Caleb. Lilian is a big city girl who is on a forced vacation in the small town of Blink, Maine. For me, this was just OK. It was cute and quaint, but almost too much. I kind of felt like there was nothing new here and I've read this before. I didn't really feel any chemistry between Lillian and Caleb. The one thing I did like was the secondary characters in the town. They added a bit of flavor to the book. I think if you are a fan of the Hallmark channel, you will like this one. It just dragged for me.
June 4, 2022
I absolutely love a good small town, grump and sunshine romance! Absolutely adore Blink Maine and the people in this small town! All the characters were lovable and relatable in one way or another. Lillian and Caleb were perfect for each other from the very beginning and she totally belonged in the town with as quickly as she was accepted and taken care of. I loved Caleb's relationship with his daughter Bethany and really liked how Lillian was with her as well. All around a great story and would recommend picking this up and soon!
March 8, 2022
This was way too hallmark for me. Literally, every single conflict was just resolved so simply after minimal effort. It's also completely unrealistic (I know this is fiction but it's also contemporary and I wish they had actual struggles or issues that I actually cared about). It's still pretty cute but also pretty mediocre and never that exciting or upsetting or anything honestly... it's just there? I don't even know how to explain this other than to say that it's just pretty simple and straightforward.
April 30, 2022
A sweet romance set in a small town. Lovely story and a great beach read.
October 24, 2022
I loved the sweet small town love story! Overwhelmed city executive comes to Blink, ME and meets the local boatbuilder as well as all the townspeople. She falling in love with both him and the town, but can’t figure out how to leave her NYC company. Is there a solution to her problem?
Loved the quirky townspeople! 4 stars.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.
Loved the quirky townspeople! 4 stars.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.
December 30, 2021
What do you get when you cross an uber organized executive with a cranky craftsman? Accidentally Perfect, set in Blink, Maine, is what you get. I love how Lillian blows into town and is a force unto herself. I liked curmudgeon Roger and how he was willing to change, after much grumbling. I liked how Caleb was willing to move for love. What I was uncertain is all the buildup in Blink. Small towns are charming, but when it becomes the epicenter of something, part of that charm is stripped. It’s a feel good read, I felt good while reading it and so will you. Thanks to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for the advance read.
March 2, 2022
4.5 stars
When I first started reading Accidentally Perfect, I wasn’t sure where it was going to take me. I surely wasn’t excepting a little town in Maine named Blink. I guess, Blink and you may miss it? But, it was the perfect setting for this story with a back-story that truly made the town and it’s residents come to life.
A cast of characters that will either have you rolling your eyes, laughing or sighing. Lillian and Caleb were either going to kill each other or fall madly in love. It could have gone either way. But the townspeople welcomed her with open arms. Especially when they found out that she worked for (with) Niles Sharpe. Befriending Amanda, Cassidy and Bethany was probably the best and worst thing she did. Then there was the wonderful Mr. McGruffy. The story wouldn’t have been the same without him.
Lillian fitting in just didn’t sit well with Grumpy Caleb. He knew she was up to something and he needed to figure it out. So, he’d keep an eye on her. He didn’t expect to find what he found under the glitz and glitter of the high heels, shiny sports car and attitude. He found a heart of gold and a woman that just may erase all his doubts about women.
Once I truly started getting into this story, I couldn’t stop. It was fun and funny. It was heart-warming and heart-breaking. It was annoying and yet wonderful. It also made me want to find my Blink, Maine and see what magic happens for me.
A wonderful story of letting go of the past, finding where you truly belong and looking forward to the future, Accidentally Perfect was perfect in every sense of the word.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
When I first started reading Accidentally Perfect, I wasn’t sure where it was going to take me. I surely wasn’t excepting a little town in Maine named Blink. I guess, Blink and you may miss it? But, it was the perfect setting for this story with a back-story that truly made the town and it’s residents come to life.
A cast of characters that will either have you rolling your eyes, laughing or sighing. Lillian and Caleb were either going to kill each other or fall madly in love. It could have gone either way. But the townspeople welcomed her with open arms. Especially when they found out that she worked for (with) Niles Sharpe. Befriending Amanda, Cassidy and Bethany was probably the best and worst thing she did. Then there was the wonderful Mr. McGruffy. The story wouldn’t have been the same without him.
Lillian fitting in just didn’t sit well with Grumpy Caleb. He knew she was up to something and he needed to figure it out. So, he’d keep an eye on her. He didn’t expect to find what he found under the glitz and glitter of the high heels, shiny sports car and attitude. He found a heart of gold and a woman that just may erase all his doubts about women.
Once I truly started getting into this story, I couldn’t stop. It was fun and funny. It was heart-warming and heart-breaking. It was annoying and yet wonderful. It also made me want to find my Blink, Maine and see what magic happens for me.
A wonderful story of letting go of the past, finding where you truly belong and looking forward to the future, Accidentally Perfect was perfect in every sense of the word.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
February 19, 2022
Smart city girl meets grumpy, small town guy and LOVE blossoms in this enemies to lovers novel - literally my favorite trope. Accidentally Perfect provides an amble amount of cozy for a darling romance.
The cast of characters are truly heartwarming. I LOVED that Lillian was a successful entrepreneur who owns a lifestyle conglomerate and knows what she wants. Her sense of style and humor mixed beautifully with Caleb. This small town romance is accidentally perfect. Please tell me this will be a series, as I need more Blink.
Thank Entangled Publishing LLC for the advance reader copy.
Romance | Women's Fiction
The cast of characters are truly heartwarming. I LOVED that Lillian was a successful entrepreneur who owns a lifestyle conglomerate and knows what she wants. Her sense of style and humor mixed beautifully with Caleb. This small town romance is accidentally perfect. Please tell me this will be a series, as I need more Blink.
Thank Entangled Publishing LLC for the advance reader copy.
Romance | Women's Fiction
March 2, 2022
I loved this book! Lillian works constantly, so when her life implodes on live tv, she needs to get away. When she escapes to Blink, Maine, she feels a bit like she entered the twilight zone. When reality crashes back into her life, she is adrift and feels pulled in different directions with no idea what to do....and she always knows what to do. I loved her character - despite her always functioning in hyperdrive - she is caring and engaging.
Caleb is the local hunk with a chip on his shoulder that doesn't trust women - however he is a very likable character with a compelling reason for his behavior. Together, they pulled me into their story and care about them getting a HEA ending.
This book has it all - a romance, humor, drama, and a bit of angst. If you enjoy the genre, you will love this book. The author is on my must read authors' list.
Caleb is the local hunk with a chip on his shoulder that doesn't trust women - however he is a very likable character with a compelling reason for his behavior. Together, they pulled me into their story and care about them getting a HEA ending.
This book has it all - a romance, humor, drama, and a bit of angst. If you enjoy the genre, you will love this book. The author is on my must read authors' list.
December 24, 2021
A five-star read that is absolutely perfect. This is part of A hideaway harbour series, and I am so excited to hear more from Blink, as it just sounds perfect, or at least it will be once Lillian gets done with it. This story will whisk you into it, you will be willing everyone of Blink on, wanting to help with the organisation and really hoping that a certain celebrity will wind it in, but you will have to read to find out. This story is focused on Caleb and Lillian, but there are so many amazing characters in this story that will just keep you hooked, I am so excited to come back to Blink and find out what will happen next. This little town, has such a big heart, and it feels like we have only just touched the surface, but my goodness what a surface this hideaway harbour has.
March 1, 2022
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy. This was a fun book! It makes me want to find a town like Blink and move there. It seems so picturesque and incredible. I love the relationship of Lillian and Caleb. Good book!
February 27, 2022
I started this book thinking that it would be a light fluffy romance and it ended up being way more than that. Yes, there is a romance but it's also a story about a small town and the wonderful people who live there and a look at a big city rich girl versus a small town boat builder.
Lillian is a workaholic. She started and owns a popular lifestyle show that is on television, magazines and specials. Her products are well known and have many followers. Her days are fully scheduled and she spends all of her time working or creating ideas for the program. When the co-host of the show, blows up on TV and accuses her of trying to make him look bad her sister, the co-owner of the brand, asks her to go on vacation for a few weeks until the scandal blows over. Niles is just the talking head of the program but has many fans who follow him on social media and think that he owns the company.
Lillian goes to Blink, Maine - population 204. She starts off wrong with Caleb who is a boat builder in town. He's well thought of by the people in town but was really nasty to Lillian because he thought that she was there for some nefarious reason. The anger and nasty remarks toward each other lessen as the sparks begin to fly between the two of them.
As Lillian spends more time in Blink and gets to know the townspeople better, she wonders if she can ever go back to NYC and her busy lifestyle when her heart wants her to stay with Caleb in Blink.
I'll admit that I wasn't really impressed with Caleb in the first third of the book -- Yeah, he'd had a tough life after his wife left town and left behind their daughter, now a teenager - but he was really snarky to Lillian and made no secret of his dislike of her. For me the story picked up after they got more friendly. The other plus in the book for me were the townspeople. There's a store owner who loves spreading secrets, a female 'handyman' who befriends Lillian and an entire group who welcomes Lillian to town even before they know who she is. Lillian was a great character and changed over the course of the book as she learned to relax and enjoy life. This was a heartwarming story about love and family and a town full of great people. It's a heartwarming story and everyone gets their happily ever after.
This is the first book in a new series and I look forward to going back to Blink, Maine with another story in the future.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
Lillian is a workaholic. She started and owns a popular lifestyle show that is on television, magazines and specials. Her products are well known and have many followers. Her days are fully scheduled and she spends all of her time working or creating ideas for the program. When the co-host of the show, blows up on TV and accuses her of trying to make him look bad her sister, the co-owner of the brand, asks her to go on vacation for a few weeks until the scandal blows over. Niles is just the talking head of the program but has many fans who follow him on social media and think that he owns the company.
Lillian goes to Blink, Maine - population 204. She starts off wrong with Caleb who is a boat builder in town. He's well thought of by the people in town but was really nasty to Lillian because he thought that she was there for some nefarious reason. The anger and nasty remarks toward each other lessen as the sparks begin to fly between the two of them.
As Lillian spends more time in Blink and gets to know the townspeople better, she wonders if she can ever go back to NYC and her busy lifestyle when her heart wants her to stay with Caleb in Blink.
I'll admit that I wasn't really impressed with Caleb in the first third of the book -- Yeah, he'd had a tough life after his wife left town and left behind their daughter, now a teenager - but he was really snarky to Lillian and made no secret of his dislike of her. For me the story picked up after they got more friendly. The other plus in the book for me were the townspeople. There's a store owner who loves spreading secrets, a female 'handyman' who befriends Lillian and an entire group who welcomes Lillian to town even before they know who she is. Lillian was a great character and changed over the course of the book as she learned to relax and enjoy life. This was a heartwarming story about love and family and a town full of great people. It's a heartwarming story and everyone gets their happily ever after.
This is the first book in a new series and I look forward to going back to Blink, Maine with another story in the future.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
December 26, 2021
Lillian is a Lifestyle mogul. She invented a TV show and whole product line to support it. She's a behind the scenes workaholic. Until everything goes off the rails and she's forced by her sister, Erin, to take some time off. Erin provides her a small cottage in Blink, Maine. Population: Tiny and getting tinier.
The small town of Blink is a tight knit group. Lillian comes to town and immediately, Caleb, the local protector of good people is put on alert. He loves this town and its people and doesn't like Lillian waltzing in. There is heat between them from their first meeting until the end.
This book is as much about Lillian and Caleb figuring things out as well as a big city corporate workaholic loving the feeling of knowing everyone and being helpful.
I don't know why, but this book was not a fast page turner for me. It was a solid book that I enjoyed, but I did not tear through the pages. Maybe I couldn't relate to the characters enough. This book kept getting pushed off for others because I didn't have a burning desire to finish it. I really can't put my finger on why it wasn't a page turner for me. because it wasn't a bad book.
Thank you for the NetGalley eArc
The small town of Blink is a tight knit group. Lillian comes to town and immediately, Caleb, the local protector of good people is put on alert. He loves this town and its people and doesn't like Lillian waltzing in. There is heat between them from their first meeting until the end.
This book is as much about Lillian and Caleb figuring things out as well as a big city corporate workaholic loving the feeling of knowing everyone and being helpful.
I don't know why, but this book was not a fast page turner for me. It was a solid book that I enjoyed, but I did not tear through the pages. Maybe I couldn't relate to the characters enough. This book kept getting pushed off for others because I didn't have a burning desire to finish it. I really can't put my finger on why it wasn't a page turner for me. because it wasn't a bad book.
Thank you for the NetGalley eArc
February 7, 2022
***ARC Provided by the Publisher via NetGalley***
I found this book to be a lot more charming than I was expecting. Yes, I read the blurb and I definitely caught the fish out of water and the fairy tale disaster and setting of the book. So I was expecting that...but I don't think I was expecting this one to feel as light and fun as it did.
Don't get me wrong, Lillian and Caleb aren't perfect at the beginning, in fact he is more than a little suspicious of her. But they work that out and they both find the things about one another that they really like,. and admire.
I thought the ending was a little too easily tied up and I also thought that it went farther than it needed to. With cars, and planes, and the internet (especially the internet over the last couple of years) we have all managed to do our jobs from places we never thought we could...so the way the ending came together so quickly, and the fact that it wasn't necessary, did leave me a little frustrated at the end. But, not enough to say I didn't enjoy the story overall.
I enjoyed and recommend this title.
I found this book to be a lot more charming than I was expecting. Yes, I read the blurb and I definitely caught the fish out of water and the fairy tale disaster and setting of the book. So I was expecting that...but I don't think I was expecting this one to feel as light and fun as it did.
Don't get me wrong, Lillian and Caleb aren't perfect at the beginning, in fact he is more than a little suspicious of her. But they work that out and they both find the things about one another that they really like,. and admire.
I thought the ending was a little too easily tied up and I also thought that it went farther than it needed to. With cars, and planes, and the internet (especially the internet over the last couple of years) we have all managed to do our jobs from places we never thought we could...so the way the ending came together so quickly, and the fact that it wasn't necessary, did leave me a little frustrated at the end. But, not enough to say I didn't enjoy the story overall.
I enjoyed and recommend this title.
February 14, 2022
*5 star read*
Accidentally Perfect is Obsoletely Perfect!
I loved the main character, Lillian. She is a smart business person who has started up a very successful business. When “things” go a bit out of control, she makes the decision to get away for a little break from everything. She ends up in a very small rundown seaside town in Maine. The name of the town is “Blink.”
All the characters are heartwarming and just seem like so much fun to be around.
What a funny, quirky and entertaining story that i highly recommend you pick up to read.
I’m hoping there is another book coming continuing this story with all the same characters.
Loved this: David says we’re like those trees. Our roots go way down deep. Too deep to even burn.
Many thanks to NetGalley,Entangled Publishing, LLC/Entangled Amara and author, Marissa Clarke, for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
Accidentally Perfect is Obsoletely Perfect!
I loved the main character, Lillian. She is a smart business person who has started up a very successful business. When “things” go a bit out of control, she makes the decision to get away for a little break from everything. She ends up in a very small rundown seaside town in Maine. The name of the town is “Blink.”
All the characters are heartwarming and just seem like so much fun to be around.
What a funny, quirky and entertaining story that i highly recommend you pick up to read.
I’m hoping there is another book coming continuing this story with all the same characters.
Loved this: David says we’re like those trees. Our roots go way down deep. Too deep to even burn.
Many thanks to NetGalley,Entangled Publishing, LLC/Entangled Amara and author, Marissa Clarke, for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
February 7, 2022
Accidently Perfect is a wonderful read. I enjoyed this one so much. Lillian is lovely and never realized she needed a break and step back from her job. Caleb is a single father in a small dying town. He is a talented builder who is a little grumpy. You feel Lillian slowly falling in love with this small the more time she spends there and gets to know the town people. There is such a wonderful pull between Caleb and Lillian. You get why Caleb doesn't want to leave his town. You get why Lillian falls for it so. I love how everything comes together. This is such a sweet and heartwarming small town read that will make you fall in love with Caleb and Lillian hard. I could not get enough of this. If you love small town romances and finding love when you least expect it then go one click this one today.
February 21, 2022
This is a sweet and charming read. Everyone in Blink, Maine are people that I would want to hang out with and be friends. This does include Caleb and Roger. They both were grouchy men but by the end they had changes of heart and were very likable.
It was nice to see Lillian let loose. She too was a bit uptight in the beginning. Yet, I loved how she tasted the various pies for the pie contest. Next time I eat a slice of pie, I will be trying it from the side first.
There were many humorous moments that I found myself smiling and laughing. Accidentally Perfect is the perfect book to add to your spring reading list.
It was nice to see Lillian let loose. She too was a bit uptight in the beginning. Yet, I loved how she tasted the various pies for the pie contest. Next time I eat a slice of pie, I will be trying it from the side first.
There were many humorous moments that I found myself smiling and laughing. Accidentally Perfect is the perfect book to add to your spring reading list.
February 11, 2022
Accidentally Perfect is a charming small-town romance between a city girl and a local grumpy hero.
Lillian is a workaholic. She has helped create one of the most popular lifestyle TV shows. After the face and star of the show throws a tantrum, she is forced to take some time off. Her sister, Erin, tells her she knows the perfect place for her to visit; Blink, Maine.
When she arrives in town, things are complicated from the jump. She has car troubles and has already gotten on the bad side of the local protector of the town, Caleb. She is an outsider and Caleb wants to keep an eye on her to make sure she doesn't have any ill intentions for the town he loves.
It takes some time but Caleb and Lillian start to connect and get along really well. It's not hard to be charmed by Caleb. Sure he can be grumpy but he is a great single father, funny, and has a big heart.
I give Accidentally Perfect 4 stars. I love a good small-town romance and this one was so charming.
Lillian is a workaholic. She has helped create one of the most popular lifestyle TV shows. After the face and star of the show throws a tantrum, she is forced to take some time off. Her sister, Erin, tells her she knows the perfect place for her to visit; Blink, Maine.
When she arrives in town, things are complicated from the jump. She has car troubles and has already gotten on the bad side of the local protector of the town, Caleb. She is an outsider and Caleb wants to keep an eye on her to make sure she doesn't have any ill intentions for the town he loves.
It takes some time but Caleb and Lillian start to connect and get along really well. It's not hard to be charmed by Caleb. Sure he can be grumpy but he is a great single father, funny, and has a big heart.
I give Accidentally Perfect 4 stars. I love a good small-town romance and this one was so charming.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 205 reviews