Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

An Accidental Romance

Rate this book
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.

324 pages, Paperback

First published December 6, 2021

48 people are currently reading
986 people want to read

About the author

Karen Tuft

13 books335 followers

Karen Tuft was born with a healthy dose of curiosity about pretty much everything, so as a child she taught herself to read and play the piano. She studied composition at BYU and graduated from the University of Utah in music theory, where she was a member of Phi Kappa Phi and Pi Kappa Lambda honor societies.
In addition to being an author, Karen is a wife, mother, pianist, composer, and arranger. She has spent countless hours backstage and in orchestra pits for theater productions along the Wasatch Front. Among her varied interests, she likes to figure out what makes people tick, wander through museums, and travel whether it's by car, plane, or paperback.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
311 (26%)
4 stars
495 (42%)
3 stars
293 (25%)
2 stars
48 (4%)
1 star
8 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 220 reviews
Profile Image for Jennifer.
1,442 reviews98 followers
April 1, 2022
This was a lovely regency historical romance. Like all things Jane Austen this story was about family, country living and a London season. I fell in love with Ben and Rebecca and they’re slow burn romance. The side characters brought a flowering and fun addition and I found them quite likable. Ben and Rebecca are forced together by a series of unfortunate events and grow an interesting friendships.
This was not a quick read but a comfortable, enjoyable regency. It reminded me that men can be honorable and romance is not dead. I highly recommend it if you love a clean historical romance.
Thanks Covenant Communications via NetGalley.


Profile Image for Andi.
1,684 reviews
September 26, 2021
An Accidental Romance was my first read when it comes to this author.

I thought the summary was cute, it had shades of Venetia (which is one of my favorite Heyer novels) and it had an interesting predicament. However, I feel like the story was not .... quite right. I think it comes with the modern tone and the relationship and how on and off again it was between Ben and Rebecca.

Ben has inherited a title and an estate. He has recently become a widow, his wife dying in childbirth - leaving behind a daughter who is 1 year old. While he is over the mourning period, he feels that he is not fit to love again due to the nature of his marriage. It is upon his first visit to the estate that he comes across Rebecca, using his land as a shortcut to get to her own. He causes alarm to her, she slips and fractures her ankle.

Rebecca is ready to begin her first season. Unfortunately, due to the now broken ankle, she is unable to attend her season and remains at home. While she is not entirely at odds with Ben, she finds the issue his fault and treats him rather cooly at first.

A relationship between Ben and Rebecca begins to blossom, starting out as friends and traveling to something more as he continues to spend time with her. Unfortunately, due to his previous relationship, he is unwilling to jump into the ring again and have his heart used.

The problem I had with the book is that it had a very modern tone to it. Some authors like Georgette Heyer, Emma Darcy, Mimi Matthews are really good at adapting the tone of their writing to make it feel like an added bonus of the time period you're reading in. This author unfortunately does not do that so you're left reading a book that takes place in the 1800s but has the tone of a book that was written in the 21st century.

Another issue I had is that countless times Ben is all 'I don't want to pursue anything' and he gets angry with Rebecca for doing things or wanting to do things that could jeopardize her ankle, and I sit there thinking - you have told her times, multiple times you want to back off, but he continues to toy with her emotions and sometimes acts on them leaving Rebecca feeling confused. I felt his conflict was not handled well.

There is a bit of a issue that comes to a head regarding his daughter which was interesting but kind of came in at the last act (out from the wings more so) and I felt that needed more prominence through the story.

I feel like there was an interesting plot but this story just didn't mesh well in my head. It might work for other readers but for me it didn't quite work.
Profile Image for Heidi Robbins (Heidi Reads...).
1,676 reviews580 followers
December 9, 2021
Slow paced with plenty of day to day life detail, this book explores Rebecca's growth as she copes with disappointment and learns to look outside herself. Ben is a tortured hero in search of respite and anonymity, but discovers an unlikely friend in Rebecca. They each have plenty of angsty moments, but my favorites were their interactions as they gradually become aware of their mutual attraction. It was frustrating for them to believe their romance is impossible, when it seems to be entirely possible if they would sacrifice for it. This story is more of a journey that follows the long healing process of their hearts, both separately and together. Readers of the first two books will be happy with plenty of characters in Rebecca's family and beyond that come together and in turn support and frustrate her during her recovery. I feel like the amount of "filler" details and scenes made my interest wane as well as the chemistry that the author had built between Rebecca and Ben. I was invested enough to read through to the end, and overall it was a pleasant diversion.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.
Profile Image for Melissa’s Bookshelf.
2,545 reviews177 followers
December 6, 2021
Karen Tuft is definitely a favorite author! I’ve loved her Jennings family series and this book is no exception. With her characteristic slow burn romance, sympathetic characters, and a hint of mystery, I was completely hooked.

This story revolves around Rebecca Jennings, the youngest Jennings sister. She has long awaited her London season which has been put off for several years. While taking a shortcut through the neighboring estate, she’s startled by the new owner causing her to fall off a stile and break her ankle.

Ben Fortescue feels awful about his role in preventing Rebecca from attending her first season. To make it up to her, he visits regularly and soon becomes enchanted with the young woman. He fights against his feelings though because his previous marriage was a disaster ending in his wife’s death in childbirth.

I enjoyed the growth of the characters and themes in the story. Both Ben and Rebecca needed to change. At first, Rebecca was a little immature only worried about missing her season. As the story progresses though, she learns to look outside herself and grows into a more caring, thoughtful, mature person. I loved her musical talents and the way Ben appreciated them.

Hurt by his previous marriage, Ben is still caught up in the past and refuses the opportunities before him. Though he cares for Rebecca, he’s hesitant to give his heart again. He’s willing to let her go so she can fulfill her dreams. I loved watching his attitudes change towards not only Rebecca but others in his sphere.

I loved some of the themes explored in the story: forgiveness, hope, family, loyalty, and second chances. Seeing characters from previous books was also fun and I appreciated the lightheartedness they brought to the story. I loved the ending and romance that blossoms along the way. This book can be read as a stand alone, but is more enjoyable if you’ve read the previous books in the series. Definitely recommend! I received an advanced copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.
Profile Image for Aimee .
3,072 reviews298 followers
December 9, 2021
Well, we're back with the Jennings family and this time Rebecca is in the spotlight. She's the younger sister who has missed her London season for a few years now. I love the play on the title here with a literal accident bringing about an unanticipated romance.

This story is slow and gentle. There isn't anything here that will get your heart pounding in excitement but there are plenty of heartfelt moments as Rebecca and Ben develop a friendship and rapport. I liked the layers to Ben and how he really wanted to do the right things. He was easy to like and I was rooting for his healing and success all along. Rebecca is a bit ornery and sometimes mean. I didn't always like her attitude but as she got nicer, I enjoyed her more. Disappointment and hurt have a way of making the best of us ornery, I guess. All's well that ends well and this one definitely ended well.

It was good to see characters from previous books which added to the feeling of family and love. The Jennings family is full of personality.

Content: kissing

- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Melissa.
2,546 reviews269 followers
October 1, 2021
I so enjoy Tufts writing style. Her books are always good. The story is simple but she tells them in a way I love. This was a sweet story about a very sad man who meets a very happy girl at a sad time in her life. The love story was sweet. I just found myself sad and wishing things would move along. This is a sweet proper romance with a small Christian element.
Profile Image for Dee/ bookworm.
1,400 reviews4 followers
November 4, 2021
I loved this book. In the beginning the main character seems very excitable, but as the book grows and the friendship blossoms, it becomes a rather quaint mystery. I was astounded at the mystery reveal at the end, but enjoyed it immensely. It was fun to revisit some of the characters from previous books, I even re-read a few after this one. :)

I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for a fair review. thank you.
Profile Image for HR-ML.
1,273 reviews55 followers
May 25, 2022
"Clean" Regency w/ spiritual references. Had some humor.
2 stars.

The MC's 'met cute' when Rebecca took a short-cut,
carrying too many packages, through Benjamin's
property to her home. (His great-uncle recently owned
this home). Ben startled her, she fell, and then later
the physician confirmed she had a broken ankle. Reb
was a viscount's dtr. and had 7 sibs. She and older sister
Susan both planned to soon have their 1st London season.
Now postponed for Reb for the 3rd time. Reb encouraged
Susan & bro James to still make the London trip. Ben
visited Reb, and brought crutches, to ease the guilt of
contributing to her injury. Later she discovered he hid
the fact that he was an earl.

Once recovered, Rebecca reunited w/ Sus & had a partial
London season. and met a good man (true?) I found
this story slow & dry in places and dare I say: boring?
I've read plenty of 'clean romances' lacking these elements.

Ben showed moodiness; pleasant vs maker of cutting re-
marks. He regretted an unhappy marriage w/ his late wife.
Surely Ben didn't think only he dealt w/ being subjected to
heartache and/or deceit? His baby dtr.- the circumstances
of her birth weren't her fault Ben! His inner repetitive
ruminations made me want to throw my Kindle @ the wall,
but Kindle stayed safe.

Rebecca's nieces and nephews added cuteness, and Ben
promoted horse master MacKay to land steward. I wanted
a better man for Rebecca. Her bros seemed the main good
men in the story.

Revised.
Profile Image for Brittany .
2,885 reviews209 followers
March 13, 2022
An Accidental Romance was an enjoyable and heartwarming regency romance. It is part of the Jennings Family series yet can easily be read as a stand alone novel. I had read the book that immediately precedes this one, which is titled The Duke Meets His Match, and I was thrilled to see the main characters of that novel overlap with this one. It was a lot of fun to revisit those characters, while investing in this new relationship, as well.

This story was a gentle and slow building romance. I really enjoyed seeing the way Rebecca and Ben were drawn to each other and both began to care for each other. I understood Ben’s reluctance to fully trust, but was happy to see him eventually take hold of life again. I especially enjoyed the second half of the story, as truths were revealed and feelings grew. I hope there will be future books in this series, as well.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
Profile Image for Lisa.
1,091 reviews52 followers
November 15, 2021
Rebecca Jennings has had to delay her London Season for two years and now is her long-awaited opportunity to go! It’s too bad that two days prior to leaving she has an accident and cannot attend once again. Ben Fortesque, the Earl of Winton, feels terrible that he was the cause of Rebecca’s accident and puts aside his self-imposed isolation in order to daily visit Rebecca while she recuperates.

The betrayal that Ben has experienced from his ill-fated marriage leaves him wounded and extremely hesitant to trust another woman. Rebecca’s goodness and kindness shows him that trust and love are possible. Seeing Ben go through the healing process was well done and showed that even though horrible things happened, he became a stronger man. Ben showed his selfless nature as he insists Rebecca go and enjoy her shortened Season. I am glad he did because it brought about circumstances he needed to confront and put behind him.

Seeing Rebecca’s transformation from being an immature young lady and somewhat self absorbed to a more mature, caring woman was wonderful to watch. As Ben becomes vulnerable and reveals details of his marriage and death of his wife, Rebecca responds with compassion and understanding. This endeared her to me and made this a great love story.

I recommend this book for not only the story of love and transformation, but also Rebecca’s loving family. This can be read as a standalone, but it is part of the Jennings Family Series. I thought the rest of Rebecca's family was intriguing and I look forward to finding out more about them.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are my own.
Profile Image for Marilee .
1,459 reviews235 followers
November 30, 2021
I am a huge Karen Tuft fan! I have read and have enjoyed all of her regency romances and An Accidental Romance was no exception.

Rebecca is the youngest Jennings sibling and is excited to finally have her London season. Until, that is, she is startled by her new neighbor and breaks her ankle just a few days before she is to leave. Ben wants nothing more than to hide from society at his new estate but good manners dictate he must help keep Rebecca happy and diverted while her ankle heals since he was the cause of her accident.

Take a handsome, brooding hero with a mysterious past, add in a disappointed but quirky debutante, put them in forced proximity and you have the makings of a sign-worthy, sweet romance! It is always fun when love takes characters by surprise and when Ben makes his grand gesture, my heart seriously went pitter-patter. I love how Karen Tuft makes me feel so connected to the characters!

While this is a standalone and can be enjoyed as such, the dynamics and the side characters references will be better understood if/when you read the other books. Highly recommend this super sweet regency romance!

I received a complimentary copy of the book but a positive review was not required.
Profile Image for Cathy.
1,966 reviews71 followers
December 7, 2021
I love Karen Tuft’s books! One thing that was really fun about this one to me was the way it is kind of the back story of her previous novel, The Duke Meets His Match. It was fun to see much loved characters again, in just a different way.

I loved Rebecca. She is the type of young lady to take a short cut. And that is what cost her her Season in this book. She fell on her shortcut and broke her ankle. Giving her time to get to know Ben instead of going to London. I felt like Rebecca didn’t need a lot of growth. She is a well accomplished young lady, who has given up her London season over and over again for the sake of her family.

Ben, on the other hand, needed some growth. He felt like he was the cause of Rebecca’s accident. Leaving him feeling like he needs to entertain her. I really enjoyed watching these two interact. Their love story was really gradual and sweet. It was perfect for the two of them.

I loved seeing Rebecca’s family members again from previous books. They were so fun, and just a little crazy.

This book made me happy! Such a lovely story.

I was sent an e-copy of An Accidental Romance as a gift from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for MK.
469 reviews13 followers
November 5, 2021
An accidental romance by Karen Tuft is part of a series about the Jennings family. While it is a stand alone novel, I feel like the family dynamic is better understood and appreciated if you’ve read the other books.

Rebecca and Ben meet when Rebecca is passing through Ben’s property to her family’s property. When Ben startles her, Rebecca breaks her ankle. Ben feels terrible for the accident and tries to make amends by keeping her company thereafter.

I loved Rebecca’s character growth. She was really disappointed to miss her season, after so many years of circumstances preventing a season. As she comes to get to know Ben and put things in perspective I grew to really like her.

Ben has escaped to the country to find solitude and emotionally heal after the passing of his wife and deal with his complicated feelings towards her. He is not looking for romance. As the two lean on each other and confide in each other, attachment and attraction grow. I loved that Rebecca could truly see him as he was. Unable to fully give himself to Rebecca, Ben encourages her to salvage the rest of the season after her ankle heals. She finally gets all the attention of the season she had wanted.

This book had some great romantic scenes. Their chemistry was believable. I feel like Karen Tuft excels at creating intense emotions with the written word. There’s a bit of mystery woven in as we try to discover more of Ben’s past and that is really fun to read and guess at. Overall a really great addition to the series and one that had me hooked throughout.
Profile Image for Paula.
436 reviews5 followers
November 9, 2021
An Accidental Romance is a great book! Poor Rebecca has always looked forward to her first season in London, but circumstances always seem to prevent her coming out. Preparing for it now is such an exciting time! Until her neighbor calls to her as she is crossing his property, startling her so that she falls and breaks her ankle, which again prevents her from her opening season. Ben never meant to startle the poor girl, and feels horribly about the circumstances. He brings over some crutches for her to use, and also agrees to read to her during her convalescence. During this time, they develop a friendship, and she falls completely in love with him. He still has issues with his late first wife and isn't sure he can trust any woman again. Great book I really liked!
Profile Image for Kaitlin Lanham (Read with Kaitlin).
220 reviews3 followers
October 21, 2021
Oh what a pleasure to read something by Karen Tuft! Her books have been among some of my most beloved reads for some time now. And might I say, she is one of those authors that can write a kissing scene.

I have been looking forward to reading An Accidental Romance since it was announced, and I have to say, it was just as wonderful, if not more, than I had dreamed. I definitely think you need to keep your eyes open for this one.

In Karen's previous book in the Jennings Family series, The Duke Meets His Match, we meet Rebecca very briefly, She is the sister of Susan, the heroine of that book. We know that Rebecca breaks her ankle and what is supposed to be her first season, is dashed. An Accidental Romance follows Rebecca on her journey to healing and an unexpected romance.

Rebecca is set to have her first season after delaying it for a few years, and on her way home is startled by her new neighbor, Mr. Ben Fortescue. She ends up breaking her ankle and now cannot go to London to enjoy the historical ending of the war with France and Napoleon, or flirt and dance with any possible suitors. She is carried home by Ben and has to watch her sister leave to town by herself.

Ben is feeling all sorts of guilty for having ruined Rebecca's coming out. He feels it his duty to check on her and give her some companionship in light of Susan's absence. He can't deny that he is drawn to her, but there are secrets he would like to keep to himself. He is not exactly who he says he is, and his very real and recent past still haunts him. He doesn't see a way to allow any attachment to blossom, although it is already there.

Rebecca's ankle is healing, and with Ben keeping his heart closed off, she has no choice but to put an effort into what is left of the season. She has no shortage of men circling about, but she struggles to allow her heart to let the one man she has come to care for, go.

Ben was frustrating at first, but rightfully so when you read about his past, and how it has affected him. There is a definite turning point in my regard for him though, and that does happen pretty early. Rebecca has a genuine care for people. She grew up with love and care in her home and that tenderness and love she has for others shines through.

This book is a definite 5 stars for me. I would go read it again and again, and cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy.
Profile Image for Meg.
34 reviews3 followers
December 14, 2021
After being delayed by two years, Rebecca Jennings is excited to finally experience her first season in London. During her preparation for her season she opts to take a shortcut through her neighbor’s property, and suffers a fall, thus delaying her coming out yet again. Ben Fortescue, Earl of Winton has just inherited the neighboring property of the Jennings Estate and feels responsible for his role in yet another delay of Rebecca’s debut into society. To make amends, he vows to visit her and improve her spirits while she is healing. As Rebecca begins to fall for Ben she comes to find out that Ben is hiding secrets of his own, that may prevent him from fully giving his own heart to her.

This Novel can be enjoyed as a stand alone but it is a companion novel to “The Duke Meets his Match” which follows the same time line but is told from Rebecca’s older sister, Susan’s point of view. This was my first novel from Karen Tuft so I have not read the “The Duke Meets his Match,” but after reading this book I am interested in hearing the events from Susan’s point of view, as well as all of her witty banter between her and the Duke of Aylesham.

Overall this was a lovely romance set in the regency era, that I truly enjoyed. Told from alternating view points of Rebecca and Ben, we can see each of their personal struggles and how their feelings come to develop for each other. Rebecca comes across as brazen and sometimes a bit selfish in the first half of the novel but during her time recovering at home, she does slowly come to mature and think more about how her actions may affect others, and begins to put more intention and care in her actions. Ben’s inner turmoil as he grapples with his betrayal and the healing process afterwards was well written.

I will say the plot was somewhat predictable as far as Ben’s secrets go, but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I think this could be a good comfort read for those who want to pick a light and easy read to enjoy without having to worry about the stress of suspense and/or high levels of angst.
Profile Image for Julie.
Author 47 books590 followers
Read
December 16, 2021
Karen Tuft's new regency romance, An Accidental Romance, is out and is full of details and depth and characters from previous novels. It was fun to see where they are in their lives now!

In An Accidental Romance, Rebecca Jennings is excited that she'll soon be leaving for her first Season in London, but her hopes are dashed when her new neighbor, Mr. Ben Fortescue startles her and causes her to lose her footing and break her ankle. She must miss her long-anticipated season and she is not happy about it. Ben feels terrible and tries to make up for his part in the mishap. As they get to know each other better through Rebecca's recovery, could there be something more than friendship between them?

This is a romance between two people from very different backgrounds. Rebecca has been sheltered and is somewhat young and naive. Ben has seen enough of life to feel jaded and world-weary. He is mourning his wife and his marriage and at times, his seemingly fresh emotions made it hard to see how he could fall in love with Rebecca. The romance between them is a slow-burn, however, and Ben is easy to like in how he treats his servants and those around him. Readers will sympathize with his grief and the ways it manifests throughout the story. Rebecca wasn't very kind or easy to like in the beginning, but the author does a wonderful job of showing her journey as she experiences more of life and the heartaches and joys that it brings. I did enjoy the author's descriptions of Rebecca's recovery and the "foot corset." It made me wonder if that really was a thing! There is enough to the courtship between Rebecca and Ben to hope for a happily-ever-after for them and readers will close the book with a smile. The authors truly shines, however, in her descriptions of Rebecca's musical ability. The reader will be as carried away as the audience in the book with the passionate playing described so beautifully. Those scenes were definitely my favorite!
2,551 reviews46 followers
September 30, 2021
4.5 stars
I enjoyed this story. While I felt like there were probably elements that didn't perfectly fit the time period, such as jumping right into the use of Christian names for example, I liked the story enough to overlook those things and just settle in for the enjoyment of the story.
Ben's background was full of intrigue which the reader only becomes privy to bit by bit as the story progresses. I found that I was able to guess upcoming twists ahead of time but I was really interested to see how it was all going to come to light. I liked Ben but he had a lot of baggage that he needed to come to terms with in order to move forward in life.
And poor Rebecca. Her hearts desire shattered by a broken ankle. She is somewhat melodramatic but who wouldn't be when so disappointed? But her melodramatics perhaps makes her appear younger than she really is. She is pretty blunt with Ben which makes their conversations interesting. And actually, Ben is willing to bear much of his soul early on in their relationship sharing very private things. I enjoyed watching their growth over the course of the book as individuals as well as a couple.

I was thinking how much I'd like to know the background of what happened in London for Susan to marry so quickly and then I realized that her story is the book The Duke Meets His Match and I've already read her story. Initially I didn't realize that the two books were connected. And The Gentleman's Deception has a connection as well. All stand alone.

No sex, language or violence
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book through NetGalley and voluntarily chose to review it.
48 reviews3 followers
September 28, 2021
An Accidental Romance by Karen Tuft was a light and enjoyable read that I would readily recommend to anyone who likes period romances without a lot of heavy conflict.

Ben had inherited a property near Rebecca's family home, so he travels there to get some space after a trying year in which his wife died in childbirth. Rebecca cuts through his property one afternoon and breaks her ankle after being startled when Ben calls out to ascertain why a stranger in on his property. Feeling guilty, Ben visits her through her convalescence and they develop a sweet friendship. Throughout those weeks, it is revealed Ben's previous marriage was neither happy nor loving.

There were a few times throughout the novel where I felt conflict arose because characters were being overly or needlessly dramatic. There were times I didn't understand why people got so offended over seemingly small things! My other irritation was an overuse of italics when a character was speaking. I understand the author wanted to emphasize certain words, but it again had an overly dramatic feel to it. Other than that, I enjoyed this book as a light read that didn't require much effort to understand or puzzle out. The main characters were likeable, if at times a little silly, and I spent a pleasant Sunday sipping coffee and smiling at a happy-ever-after.

I received an advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for JANELLE.
829 reviews3 followers
September 27, 2021
Rebecca's debut season is ruined....before she even gets a dance! She is bringing home her new dress when she cuts across the neighbor's land to get to her house -- not realizing the new neighbor is in attendance there and he scares her, causing her to fall and fracture her ankle. And all her dreams of a fabulous first season are broken.

Ben is the new neighbor, just moved in to escape the loss of his wife and to re-evaluate his life. He didn't mean to make the neighbor next door fall...or fall for her and her family.

It's a sweet, regent romance. The book cover reads it is a Jennings family series - this is the first I've read, not sure if others are available or this is the initial book -- but it was an easy read alone book.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.
Profile Image for Rachel.
2,354 reviews99 followers
November 23, 2021
An Accidental Romance by Karen Tuft is an excellent historical romance that is sweet, romantic, and a slow, wholesome and relaxing read that I really enjoyed.

I have enjoyed historical romances from Ms. Tuft before, so I was excited to read another. Ms. Tuft truly has a way with words. She is able to conjure up a beautiful scene with complex and realistic characters that are likable, imperfect, relatable, and have strong moral compasses. She is able to weave a tale that is a fabulous slow burn in regards to a blossoming relationship growing out of strangers meeting. It is wonderful to sit back, relax, and watch the emotions unfold.

Rebecca and Ben meet under not ideal circumstances, but a friendship develops afterwords. Both are presented with pasts that they are both dealing with in their own ways. Both are missing something within their lives (which is one another…only they do not realize this yet). The friendship blossoming into romance was just what I needed. The progression of the characters respectively was a great addition as well. I loved how each brought out the best in one another. I loved how it all ended.

5/5 stars

Thank you to the Author and Covenant Communications for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 12/6/21.
Profile Image for Julie Carpenter.
1,889 reviews240 followers
January 3, 2022
It was delightful to return to the Jennings families' stories. I love when I read about a family and become connected to them and the author continues to write about them in subsequent books. It is so fun to see these characters' lives continue to be happy and their growing families. I know, they're fictional but I just can't help myself and I get attached to them. *shrugs*

Rebecca's story was so fun to dive into. And the title is perfect for her accidental romance. I enjoyed her sweet nature and how kind and loving she was towards her family. Even towards Ben, especially after his part in her accident and keeping her from her chance at a London season. Poor Rebecca. Although I say everything worked out splendidly.

Ben is trying to figure out his life and the hurts from his past. Little does he know that he's going to be drawn to a certain young woman who has the heart to heal his heart. He might fight it and deny it all he wants but us readers know it is inevitable for him. These two were just so wonderful together. I loved every scene with both of them in it.

If you've read the other books in this series you'll enjoy seeing those characters. They are quite delightful. If you haven't read the other books, no worries, this one reads just fine as a stand alone. And I think you'll still enjoy the secondary characters as well!

Content: Clean.

I received a copy from the publisher, Covenant Communications, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!
997 reviews5 followers
January 16, 2022
I reread The Duke Meets His Match before starting this book and I am so glad I did. I wish I would have reread some of the others in this series as they all feed into this story. I loved the first part of the book but got frustrated with Ben in the middle. I get that he had emotional scars but he was way to sulky and selfish. He got better at the end but wading through the middle was a little tough. I was so happy to have past characters show up and add fun to the story. I think every girl should have a fairy godmother like Aunt Margaret. She has been a favorite of mine throughout this series. Definitely worth the read.
Profile Image for Tasha (the_clean_read_book_club).
616 reviews
December 8, 2021
Karen Tuft is an absolute gem of a writer! I loved Susan’s story previous to this one and Rebecca’s story is nothing short of perfection!

Rebecca’s character was fun and it truly felt like she was a Jennings’ child. I loved her spunk and determination. I truly have loved watching this family grow up! My heart went out to Ben and I loved getting to know him and his story. I loved their banter, the conflict felt believable and that ending. Such a sweet ending!

This book can be read as a stand-alone, but if you try this one you’re going to want to read them all. Can we also talk about how gorgeous each cover is in this series? I love them all! Today is your lucky day because this book is NOW available!

Thanks to the author & publisher for the copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Profile Image for Crystal (Books Are Sanity!!!).
795 reviews38 followers
December 10, 2021
This is the next installment in the Jennings family saga and I think each story is better than the last! Side note, you do not need to have read the previous books, this can be read as a standalone. However, I thoroughly enjoyed the fullness of the story by having read the other books.
Rebecca’s story starts off with a bang and doesn’t stop. From the first chapter I was hooked and I couldn’t seem to put the book down. The chemistry between Rebecca and Ben was palpable. I wanted him to see and understand Rebecca for who she was. This slow burning love story had all of the emotions in it. Tuft even throws a few curve balls to keep the reader on their toes. Tuft has a knack of pulling the reader in and keeping them hanging on tight until the very last word is read. I loved this story, I cannot seem to say more than that. From the family ties, the faith element, and learning to overcome and trust, this story has it all. And it is written splendidly. A five star regency romance and I am anticipating whatever Tuft writes next! I received a copy of this book for free; all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Bethany Swafford.
Author 48 books90 followers
October 24, 2021
Rebecca Jennings' dreams for her first season are ru9ined when her new neighbor startles her, and she breaks her ankle. Regretful of the part he played in the accident, Ben Fortescue makes himself available to keep the young woman entertained. Quickly, attraction springs up between them, but will the secrets of Ben's past ruin young love?

This was a sweet read, even if it took me quite a while to finish. Although this is part of a series revolving around the Jenning family, it stands on its own very well. The Jennings' family as a whole was entertaining, and I found their interactions with each other believable. I formed no strong opinion for Rebecca. She came across as an impetuous young lady, and very young.

Opposite her, Ben also left even less of an impression on me. Although I was sympathetic to his situation and his desire to make up for the inconvenience he caused Rebecca, I did not think it appropriate how often he was at her house. Such close companionship encouraged the attraction between them.

It is rather obvious that I did not find their love believable. Yes, they spent a great deal of time with each other and knew each other. I saw little growth between them and found myself concerned about how they rushed to marriage, given Ben's background.

Overall, it was not a bad read. The author did an excellent job of making me see the scenes and including historical details.

I would recommend this to readers who enjoy a fast-paced historical romance. I received a free copy from NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Angeline.
738 reviews23 followers
October 2, 2021
4.5 stars
This was a sweet book! I was super excited to read this book because I loved The Duke Meets His Match! I was thrilled to read more about the Jennings family! An Accidental Romance is by Karen Tuft. Okay so I adore the Jennings family, they are a lot of fun and I love their relationships. They clearly love each other and yet they still mess with each other, it reminds me of my own siblings. I was excited to get to read Rebecca's book and see this lovely family again.
Rebecca Jennings is ecstatic to finally be able to come out in Society, however a broken ankle leaves her stranded at home. It was the new neighbor’s fault that this happened after all if he hadn’t startled her, she wouldn’t have fallen. Ben Fortescue feels terrible for his part in Miss Rebecca Jennings’ accident and strives to make it up to her by visiting. However he never expected to find himself trhan to the surprising young women. Will Ben be able to let go of his past and find love? Will Rebecca be able to break through Ben’s walls?
Rebecca was a sweetheart, I loved how she cared for her family but she also stood up for herself. Rebecca was a lot of fun and it was cute to read about her interacting with Ben and falling in love. She didn’t plan on falling in love, but as she spent more time with him, she began to see the kind man hidden behind his mask. I loved how Rebecca wasn’t one to be pushed around and how she encouraged Ben to be the best person he could be no matter his past.
Ben was also kind, I liked how he thought of Rebecca and encouraged her when she was down because of her ankle. However Ben had to work through the demons of his past, he had been hurt before and he was a bit weary of others. But Rebecca helped him see the good in people and helped him reconcile with his past. It was sweet to read about Ben interacting with Rebecca's family and reading about them falling in love.
Rebecca and Ben had a cute relationship and it was fun to read about them falling in love because they didn’t plan on it. Rebecca had high hopes to go to the Season, while Ben was just trying to get by. I also adored Rebecca’s family and I hope that there are more books to come about the remaining siblings!
I really enjoyed An Accidental Romance! It had romance, family and lovely characters! I would totally recommend it! An Accidental Romance is a clean historical romance.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.
Profile Image for Lucinda.
Author 22 books1,302 followers
October 30, 2021
3 1/2, elevated to 4.

For one reason or another, Rebecca had her coming-out delayed and, now that the time has come, she's very excitedly looking forward to it.
But when she takes a shortcut between her family's property and the new neighbor's, he accidentally startles her, causing her to fall and break her ankle, which means she can't go to London.

Ben feels responsible for Rebecca's predicament, starts visiting her, and they become friends. As he's just coming out of one-year past his wife's death, he doesn't feel like he's ready for a new relationship, and holds some secrets from Rebecca at first. But reason doesn't stand a chance against the heart...

It was fun to see the characters from former books, and the children were a delightful addition.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Profile Image for Becca (beccas_bibliophilia).
253 reviews9 followers
March 5, 2022
I have read many of Karen Tuft's regency romances and was excited to get my hands on this one. I greatly enjoyed the interactions between Ben and Rebecca, particularly at the beginning of the story. I appreciated their dynamic, as well as the added intrigue around Ben's late wife. There were many sweet and passionate moments that worked very well. Also, because I have read many of the other books by this author, I appreciated cameo's of previous heroes and heroines. I have to say, I was intrigued by Susan's quick marriage, which I believe is the focus of another novel. Though I assumed it was addressed there, I thought it strange that Susan and Rebecca never talked about the circumstance surrounding it.

However, about 3/4 of the way through the book, I began to struggle to stay engaged. It was hard to focus on Rebecca's season when I knew that her happy ending would be with Ben. What's more, I missed the quick wit of the characters and their interactions after Ben confessed his feelings. I love Rebecca's attitude, and I missed it later on in the story. I also felt a little disappointed by the ending plot twist, since there is a very popular film where something very similar takes place.... iykyk. All in all, a sweet and distracting romance, but some readers may be prone to skimming later chapters of the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 220 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.