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.

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This is such a cute romance! I loved the storyline and the mystery and intrigue that went along with it.

I have only come across Karen Tuft’s writings in the past year and I am so happy I did. She writes beautiful, clean, charming, humorous characters and romances — however, in this one we have a rather sad and depressed main gentleman (which is understandable considering his history which we eventually discover). Our main lady in the story is a young woman on the cusp of her previously delayed first season. She is all excitement and anticipation until she unexpectedly breaks her leg on her neighbors property…her new neighbor being the previously mentioned gentleman.

Thus begins the story of Rebecca and Ben. There were a great many aspects of the story that I thoroughly enjoyed, such as Rebecca‘s delightful, if somewhat unusual, family — and the antics and charm of all the children. I also was delighted that her sister Susan (from the Duke Meet His Match) is also a part of this story along with, of course, the Duke of Aylesham. I appreciate how Rebecca‘s musical talents seem to be part of what draws her and Ben together.

However, I have to be honest and say that Ben’s hot and cold attitude toward Rebecca truly frustrated me at times. He really seemed undeserving of her — and she was too willing to be fully concerned for him in the midst of her heartbreak. Ultimately, of course, he does come to his senses and we are fully enlightened on his history of heartbreak and betrayal.

I would definitely recommend this book… In particular if you are reading the stories of the various Jennings family members. They are fun and delightful and, God willing, I intend to make my way through all of them.

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

This was a delightful romance between Rebecca and Ben Fortescue. Both neighbors brought together because of an accident. Rebecca was looking forward to a season. Ben was looking forward to quietly retiring to the countryside for reflection. I enjoyed their courtship.

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.

A sweet addition to this series. It wasn’t my favorite, but I did enjoy it well enough. I am getting a wee bit tired of the hero acting like a jerk and being forgiven. Just once, I’d like to see a heroine say no thanks and happily move on with someone else. 🤷🏻‍♀️ With that though, I do feel like there was a decent (if somewhat rushed) redemption arc for Ben. I’m good with that. I really liked Rebecca from the get go.

*I received a review copy in exchange for my honest opinions. Many thanks to Shadow Mountain

An Accidental Romance by Karen Tuft. Covenant Communications, 2021.

About to head to London for her first season, Rebecca is taking a shortcut home when startled by a shouting stranger, she breaks her ankle. He attempts to make up for some of the harm he has caused with visits and outings. The two get to know each other, and the story flows from there.

Well written, engaging, with well developed, appealing and consistent characters, the easy-to-follow plot in this book has more depth and is better supported by historical details, so richer and more satisfying than most historical romances.

I congratulated myself for finding this book, one of the better Regency Romances that I’ve read. When I finished An Accidental Romance, I learned that this standalone story involves some characters previously introduced in earlier series works. I found and read the first five in the series, and each of these were excellent, a pleasure to read too; I encourage readers to look for, if not already read: The Earl’s Betrothal (2016), The Gentleman's Deception (2017), Wager for a Wife (2018), Kit and Elizabeth (2019), and The Duke Meets His Match (2020).

Disclosure: I received a review copy of An Accidental Romance for free via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. #AnAccidentalRomance #NetGalley.

I love Karen Tufts novels. This one was fun but didn't make my favorites list. The romance came on too fast and seemed a little bit lustful since the characters didn't hardly know each other and Ben didn't even want a relationship since his wife (who was not a good wife) had recently died. It is unclear why Ben keeps visiting Rebecca besides the first visit to check in on her. Rebecca is quite immature and graded on my nerves. I skipped around reading this one cause I just didn't love all of it. It felt went on too long for a short period of time. All in all I will still be looking forward to Tufts next book.

Loved this book. The relationship between the two main protagonists kept me engaged through the whole story. It is a tale is a about letting go of the past and moving forward, I very much recommend it.

If you are interested in Clean Romance Regency Books, this book is for you. The premise had an exciting hook. We usually see Regency books about the heroine spending time on the London Season. This is different. She was left injured, and then she gets to bond with the hero. I think this was an interesting take of a regency romance book. However, I would have wanted more interactions/conversations from the main characters. It already had a good pace initially, but I think it came too fast and wanted more time for the character development. I give this book three stars. It wasn't so bad, but it’s not my favorite.

Thank you to Covenant Communications for allowing me to give an honest review of this arc. Got this from Netgalley. :)

Rebecca and Ben have a beautiful love story. What starts as an accident ends up as happily ever after. It was a joy to read this book.

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.

An Accidental Romance, written by Karen Tuft is a sweet clean regency romance. I was really excited to read this book because I loved the other book in this series “The Duke Meets His Match”. It was a lot of fun to read because this book, rather than taking place after the first book, actually takes place at the same time. It was nice to be reacquainted with past characters and to also get a different perspective of the things happening in these characters lives.

The main characters in this book, Ben and Rebecca are great. Rebecca is sweet and loving but also a little feisty which made for a fun read. Ben is kind and a gentleman but has some trust issues stemming from a previous bad marriage. I liked watching their friendship blossom into a romance.

This is a fun easy read. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good regency romance.

I really enjoyed this Regency romance! Rebecca is young and is preparing for her first season in London. Ben has just become Rebecca's neighbor and the very last thing he is looking for is romance. After meeting, Ben slowly but surely sees that things may not be as hopeless as they seem, and that maybe there is a chance of love in his future after all. I really loved Rebecca's character. I loved seeing how she has an affect on Ben throughout the book, and her honesty. I felt like her youth came through as well authentically in the story. I enjoyed Rebecca's family, and the staff that works with Ben were delightful. I enjoyed reading this one, and would recommend it! I received a review copy of this book. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.

I am the first one surprised to not have enjoyed this book. I am usually a big fan of Karen Tuft's books, especially the most recent ones. This one, however, didn't convince me at all.
I did not appreciate the characters, Rebecca was childish and Ben was not very likeable and his motives were unclear - why does he keep visiting Rebecca when he's not interested in her? It can't just be because of her broken ankle... There wasn't much of a plot, and I'm not sure why the H/h fell in love with each other as they seem neither similar nor complementary in the personalities.
I jumped the middle part of the book to read the last chapter where the secret is revealed and I wasn't surprised as I saw it coming from the beginning - I wish the mystery element was better hidden.
Overall, I sadly didn't enjoy the book, but I am still looking forward to reading other novels from this author as I usually like them much better!

*I was offered an eARC and this is my honest opinion.*

I think I said this in one of my earlier reviews but I'm going to say it again: this book is part of a series and as such should be listed on Goodreads and Amazon as a series! Very annoying when you are trying to find the book order! Not the author's fault but someone should do something about that.

As for the actual book, I thought the story was very good and overall one of the better ones from this series. Ther first half of the book takes place at the same time as the The Duke Meets His Match book (see, we need the series to be ordered by number!!!) Rebecca Jennings, who has to forgo her London season due to an injury, forms a friendship with her new neighbor who is harboring secrets and heartache from his past.

The story resolves all the pieces nicely, the ending was good, and the relationship developed sweetly and believably. A solid four star book for the clean Regency romance genre.

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.

An Accidental Romance by Karen Tuft, 237 pages. Covenant Communications, 2021. $17.
Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: G
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Rebecca has taken the shortcut through Mr. Arnold’s property countless times without mishap, so, of course, this crossing must result in a broken ankle only two days before she should be off to London for her first Season. Ben feels terrible for startling Miss Rebecca and causing her disappointment, and now he feels he must make it up to her when all he really wanted was to be alone. Rebecca and Ben now have to decide if what they thought they wanted is still desirable.
Rebecca and Ben are delightful characters who surprise readers with their contrast of levity and depth. While not all the details of the story comply with purported standards of the time period, Tuft’s book is entertaining. One of the best parts was discovering mid-read that it’s a companion novel to her book The Duke Meets His Match and includes character overlap -- a fact that also explains some of the story’s ridiculousness.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

I honestly enjoyed this book a lot! The setting was greatly described and it seems to be fate for Ben and Rebecca to meet! I love their interactions and the secret he keeps and the scandal it might cause is understandable and so lovely in the end.

The only thing that is slightly coming short is the romance part of her sister, which seems to be a little rushed for the plot which is quite sad.

All in all , I would recommend this book to historical romance lovers and would read more about their family!

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest feedback!

I absolutely adored this book, and will rave more about it in a bit. Rebecca is a lovely, vibrant young woman who lives in the country, surrounded by a large and very loving family. She has missed two London seasons because she wanted to be near her family when they needed her, but just when she is finally about to go to London, she is spooked by Benjamin Fortescue, her new neighbor, while she is walking home, and breaks her ankle.

Ben has moved to Lower Alderwood to recover from a very sad event in his life and has kept his true identity (The Earl of Winton) a secret, because he feels that people see the title, rather than the man. Even his own mother makes him feel that his value stems from his position in society rather than for himself as a person. His failed relationship came about because of his title.

He is sad and wants to be alone, but when he unintentionally causes Rebecca's accident, and then finds out that she will not be able to make her long awaited come out, he feels compelled to visit her to cheer her up.

And so, they fall in love! Rebecca reveals her feelings to Ben, "Rebecca was upright and honest and impulsive in sharing her feelings" but Ben cannot reciprocate. He is an incredibly good and caring person, but he suffered a betrayal that has made him leery of falling in love again.

He would like nothing more than to be a part of Rebecca's fun and boisterous family, as he has always been lonely. He had no siblings; his father died relatively young; and his mother remarried and left their home. He craves a loving family, and is pained when he witnesses the love, laughter, and support that Amelia enjoys surrounded by her family, but he doesn’t think he can ever have that because he cannot trust anyone again with his heart. And since Ben is an honorable man, he distances himself from Amelia so as not to lead her on and hurt her.

“Oh, how I love you!” Her words had haunted him; they still haunted him. He wanted to believe them, but he’d believed Gemma, hadn’t he? And what an utter mess that had turned out to be..."

Ben and Rebecca's interactions are at times funny and romantic, and always absorbing. They seem to be made for each other and there is real chemistry between them.

I just loved this book. The writing is smooth and well paced (except the scene describing the accident, is too long and detailed). All the characters are so lovable, and except for a rake, there were no villains in this book which I found refreshing.

I found the societal observations clever and astute. "Mimi and Sophie [seamstresses] seemed like the sort of young women Rebecca would have enjoyed having as friends had they lived in Lower Alderwood. She couldn’t help but think that but for the circumstances of their births, Rebecca herself might be working in a dress shop and Sophie or Mimi might be getting a new wardrobe."

Rebecca is not a vain person. She realizes why the young men of London are flocking to her during the season she ultimately gets to enjoy: “It is clear their interest in me has to do with my connections and little to do with me as a person.” “That is the way of London Society,” Susan said. “Marriage is meant to be a business, you know."

I loved the ending where Rebecca has grown and changed: "Until a mere few weeks ago, the only titled persons she knew had been her parents. Until a mere few weeks ago, she had imagined such people—the nobility, in particular—as daunting and exciting and to be held in awe. Now she was surrounded by them at an intimate, casual supper being held for her and Ben. Because they were far more than titled people. They were new acquaintances, but they had extended friendship to Rebecca and her family generously, beginning with Susan’s arrival in Town. They were generous and kind, and Rebecca had learned to love them all."
The theme could very well be: Titled people are just people after all.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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