Jamie Beck's latest novel explores what happens when three women (2 sisters + 1 friend) let loose for a night of fun and then experience the consequences. The consequences are different in each case but are all life-altering. Jess has always been the free spirit, and at first, she is the least affected and least concerned; however, in the end, she may very well be the one whose life is most changed.
I loved that there was no sense of condemnation by the author for any of these women - no sense of "they got what they deserved". Each situation is handled with grace. Other characters may try to look down on each of these women, but these mistakes, or "happy accidents" as in the title, are seen as pivotal moments that show the character of each woman and not as some tragedy.
I also liked that there was resolution, but everything was not tied up in a neat little bow - there are still problems to be solved and situations that cannot necessarily be resolved. The ending could have come across as unrealistic, but the author skillfully avoided that temptation.
Interestingly, I finished this novel on Mother's Day, after returning home from church where moms were celebrated and after hearing from my own children. The book does a marvelous job of depicting motherhood in all its stages, its choices, and its regrets.

I love Jamie’s writing and she did not disappoint me with The Happy Accidents! Although the characters are all dealing with different challenges after one “bad” night, they all find the strength to overcome their difficult situations. I found it very easy to relate to each one of the women. Jess never wanted children. She doubts she has what it takes to be a good mother. What woman hasn’t questioned if they will get motherhood right? Chloe struggles with having giving up herself for her family and wants to find a job where she feels she is doing something she would be good at. Can she have what she wants without hurting her family? Liz has done what has been expected of her. She has been good at her job on light hearted tv show, but after the “bad night “, she may be forced to look at changing her career choice. She has always wanted to be in more serious journalism, but the money is so good with what she had been doing. Should she settle or go for what she really wants?

We all have to make to make difficult decisions in our lives. Jamie beautifully illustrated how three can take an accident and have a beautiful ending!

Thank you to the author and #NetGalley for this ARC.

I don't want to start this review out on a sort of sour note, but to me, the first half of the book was a little slow for some reason.

Liz and Jessica are sisters, and Chloe, their friend go to a casino on Jess's almost 37th birthday. Everything changes after that in in their lives, and not for the good. However, good things start to happen and things change for the better for all of them. Big decisions have to be made. Liz was a morning talk show host, who's ranting blew up and there goes her job. Jess, who is a painter, cannot get her groove back and then things really change and then there's Chloe, who's marriage is almost perfect except for her husband who doesn't want her to have a part-time job and does not feel respected.

All in all, an enjoyable book.

Two sisters, Jess and Liz, and their best friend, Chloe, celebrate Jess’ 37th birthday at the Foxwoods Resort Casino with unexpected consequences…ultimately resulting in “the happy accidents.” One night of over-indulging in alcohol leads to dramatic changes that lead each woman to reevaluate her life choices and sense of self. The storyline explores taking risks and redefining relationships for more authentic self-expression – timely topics for many women.

I enjoyed each of the characters who, despite their bond, are radically different in their personalities and their lifestyles – one an artist, one a TV host/journalist and one a stay-at-home mother. The pacing was good and I appreciated the realistic and thoughtful resolution to each woman’s challenge.

My one criticism is that, with one exception, the male characters were portrayed in a negative light – specifically, an overbearing, critical father, an unsupportive husband, a fair-weather boyfriend and an ex-husband who cuts off communication and jumps into a new relationship in record time. While there is some evolution in a few of these characters, the overall tone is that men are self-centered and expect to be accommodated.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read with some thought-provoking themes. I have read several of the author’s books and found this one to be one of her best.

My thanks to the author, Montlake, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing a digital ARC in exchange for an independent, honest review.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

I loved the characters and the storyline development of this book. It was absolutely one of my favorites so far and I can't wait to delve in to the next one that this author writes. The storyline was simple, enjoyable, and entertaining. The characters were complex while being completely entertaining.

Jamie Beck captures the relationship between sisters, friends. Life has ups and downs nothing is as it seems, unpredictable as it may be bonds are tested but not broken.

Really enjoyed this story of sisters and friends. It is amazing how one nights choices can lead to so many changes some good, some bad, but all life changing and in the end all finding happiness in new and somewhat unexpected places.

While I did enjoy this book and the topics that each woman had to handle, I really wish there would have been more of a buildup before the casino weekend. More to make you see the characters as themselves before the huge change occurs.

Also, the fact that the parents and husband were all so unbelievably unsupportive seemed so drastic, more so than believable at times. There were moments that the main characters themselves were unlikable to me.

Overall I liked this book and I think it hit upon very interesting topics of life decisions many women face.

The Happy Accidents by Jamie Beck follows three women and how one choice can have an immense impact on your future. It may not seem like a good thing at the time, but can make your life so much better and more fulfilling. I loved how the story is told from three different perspectives. The story is so very enjoyable and thought provoking too.

Thanks Jamie and NetGalley for the chance to dig into this early :)

This was a very enjoyable read.

Two sisters and a friend headed for a girls weekend and each made a life altering decision “happy accident”,

This “accident’ caused change and major decisions on life altering events.

This showed the strength we all have in making these hard decisions and great family and friends support.

I thank the author, Jamie Beck, for the ARC and the ability to read this great book.

“We’re both facing a blank canvas, Let’s make it count.”


Jess and her sister Liz and their friend Chloe celebrate Jess’ 37 birthday.. casino style...when they awake hungover the next morning, horrified and embarrassed over their drunken behavior, They all return home to help begin to clean up their messes… These mistakes ripple deeper than they think not only to those around them but what they resonate inside each of them. When they awake that next morning they have no idea how the consequences are going to change their lives!

I’d like to think we all have part of each of these women… Chloe with her love of family and always putting your family first, Liz career driven and ready to rise above and turn her situation around, And Liz just wanting to live every day to its fullest.
I loved this book and I was all in from the first chapter.

First, thank you to Jamie Beck for accepting me into her ARC club and providing me with an advanced copy of The Happy Accidents, as well as thanks to Netgalley.

Wow! What an incredible read! When I first read the blurb for The Happy Accidents, it sounded right up my alley. What could have happened to make three women’s lives change so drastically overnight? I had to know! I’ll admit, it felt a bit slow to start, but I really came to love each of these unique and beautiful women.

Chloe felt the most relatable to myself, as a mother to two young boys with a not always great relationship with their father. I’m also a stay at home mom, and sometimes feel trapped in the way that Chloe felt when it comes to financial decisions. I also have her sense of pride when it comes to her home, her family, and loving on everyone around her. Reading the dialogue between her and everyone around her was like looking into my own life. I truly appreciate an author that can make relatable and real characters like that!

Jess and Liz were a bit less relatable for me, but nevertheless, also real in every sense. I also felt their fears with the problems that came from Jess’s birthday disaster, once again, thanks to the author. She really knows how to write characters that you could imagine in everyday life.

While there isn’t a whole lot of action happening in this book, there are several heart to hearts, musings, and lessons learned. There’s a reason it’s called The Happy Accidents. Be prepared to root for these girls as if they were your own friends.

TW for those who might need it - abortion is discussed.

5/5 stars, and I’m greatly looking forward to the next book by Jamie Beck!

The Happy Accidents is a wonderfully crafted tale of friendship and family, an inspiring journey of questioning and courage for Jessie, Liz, and Chloe. One night of (mis)adventure leads to months of challenges for the three women as they each realize what they want and who they are meant to be. A thoughtful story with both ups and downs, heartache and healing, failure and success, The Happy Accidents draws the reader in and holds on even after the last word.

I really enjoyed this book. It was told from the perspective of three different women, and I loved getting to know them and seeing the way they dealt with and grew despite the challenges that came from Jess’s birthday pact. While I enjoyed Liz’s storyline the most, I could often see myself in Chloe and even Jess which made the book feel that much better and more relatable.

This was definitely an easy feel-good read that I read through rather quickly in order to see how each woman’s situation turned out.

The blurb of this book sounded fun and humorous. While I found the book light,it wasn’t funny at all although it was still enjoyable to read. It’s told with alternating 3 points of view of 2 sisters and their best friend. As the title suggests we see how accidents that happen at the start of the book slowly reveal their silver linings. There’s nothing particularly surprising, the characters are mostly likeable if somewhat unrealistic and the story is sweet.3/5 stars for a nice novel with a sweet message about the work-life balance.

Three women wake up to the consequences of one impulsive pact in an insightful novel about friendship, love, and fulfillment!

This was a beautiful book! One I enjoyed alot! Everything was done so well!