Reviews

Accidentally in Love by Belinda Missen

amiefiremoon's review against another edition

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4.0

When Katherine finds her London life turned upside down, she moves back to Sheffield to invest everything she has in herself. As she tirelessly toils to fulfill her dream of owning an art gallery, a chance meeting (fix up) with cantankerous Kit, broody local artist, spurs her competitive fire to succeed and makes her realize that when she thought she had it all in her London life, it wasn't even close to what she has now. Filled with witty humor, well-crafted dialogue, and tender emotional moments, Accidentally in Love is the perfect bookish escape.

Advanced readers copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

_aileen_'s review

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hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

libraryoftashy's review against another edition

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3.0

This book was cute enough, and I liked the message that if you want something just take control and do it. I also loved Katherine's relationship with Adam, it reminded me a lot of my relationship with my own brother. Even though my art knowledge is next to none I felt myself getting caught up in the excitement of the gallery.
Unfortunately there are a couple of things I didn't love. First I felt there were a lot of references to specific places in Sheffield which mean nothing if you've never been there; at one point I thought she was talking about a pub but it turned out to be some kind of shop, which was a bit jarring.
Second, I didn't really like Kit. This one is a biggie because with a romance book everything falls apart a bit if you're not rooting for the relationship.

friendlydisaster101's review

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4.0

Thank you to Netgalley and HQ Digital for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

(actual rating: 3.5/5)

I really enjoyed reading this book, because even though it's marketed as a romance, it's so much more.

This book follows Katharine, an aspiring art curator, as she upends and takes back control of her life. After quitting her job, dumping her almost-boyfriend, she moves back home to pursue her dreams of opening an art gallery. The story mainly follows Katharine and how she deals with her friends, family, and the work it takes to set-up her gallery. Enter: Kit, the handsome, brooding, and ridiculously stubborn local painter who seems to cross paths with her everywhere. Katharine's given up on boyfriends, but she just might fall in love. Accidentally, of course.

What I really loved about this book was Katharine herself. It's rare that I love the main character as much as I enjoyed reading this book from Katharine's perspective. She was determined and brave in an incredibly refreshing way. It was honestly quite fun reading about her character arc and all she manages to do.

The romance was absolutely adorable and I loved it. That's all I've got to say on that.

On the other hand, however, a really big problem that I had with this book was how rushed the ending was. For all I could rave on and on about the build and the character development, and just how amazing Katharine was in general, the ending just didn't do it for me. I very clearly remember being at the 90% mark in this novel and thinking, this is not going to end well, in that there was no way the resolution would be satisfying for me.

Unfortunately, I was right (but why does this never happen in math class?). I strongly disliked the way the book ended, because even though overall it was really cute, the ending ruined things a bit. It rushed to provide a happily-ever-after without giving me a sense that things were over, that all loose ends had been tied. Mostly, however, it was just plain disappointing, seeing as to how much I loved the story itself.

All in all, I really enjoyed this, if not for the ending. I would definitely recommend it to readers who want a bit more than just another rom-com, leaning almost towards women's fiction, or an all-around funny main character.

antoniarachael28's review

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lighthearted reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

laurat88's review

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4.0

This is a book by a new to me author and it certainly won't be the last.

It was a nice change for me to read about a woman who was close in age to me. It was actually rather refreshing. Katharine was like a breath of fresh air, a businesswoman trying to make her own way in the world who is trying to turn down handouts because she wants to say "I did this." Her actions make me want to make her into one of my heroes because if I did what she did I'd have crippling anxiety.

The pacing of this was great and if it was possible for me I would have read it in one sitting (kids like to bother me as soon as I look comfy).

The character development was on point too. I want someone like Fiona who is willing to cook for me and be an ear.

My real critique of this is I was really hoping for some kind of epilogue as I want to hear more about these characters and how successful Katharine became.

This is definitely a must read for me and I can't wait to read more from this author.

canuckblondie's review

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2.0

2.5/5

Okay, while the book itself was fine and lovely, I did feel like in some places it dragged (the wedding storyline), yet the relationship concluded so quickly I had whiplash. Like, that's it? Seriously?! So I knocked off a half-star for that.

(Honestly had to check to see if my digital download was missing pages.)

blameitonmyshelf's review

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3.0

Thank you to Netgalley and HQ Digital for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Accidentally in Love is a soon to be released rom com novel about an art curator (Katherine) and her troubles with work, friendship, and love. In the first couple chapters of the book, we find out that Katherine has left her job, moved out of London, and broke up with her "boyfriend" of nine months. What happens next? Katherine moves to her hometown to start her own art gallery using the last of her savings, and unexpectedly starts butting heads with a local artist that her father and stepmom tried to set her up with.

Although this book was very cute and a quick read for me, it fell flat on the plot and relationship building. I felt as though I couldn't connect with the MC or her relationships with her family and friends. I felt so uncomfortable when she talked about "shagging" with her stepmom (if my stepmom said anything like that I would crawl into a hole and never come out). Honestly, I think this is the only book where I hated the main character and thought that the exboyfriend deserved better. If you want to discuss let me know! I don't want to accidentally give any spoilers.

I would recommend this book to those who love a quick romcom/hallmark movie type of book!

lauralore's review

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4.0

** Thank you to the publisher an Netgalley for a complementary ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review**

4.25 stars

Accidentally In Love was such a refreshing, sweet rom-com, I thoroughly enjoyed it! We follow Kate, who has been down-trodden in her life as a curator at a London gallery, as she is consistently being passed up for promotions who are instead given to less-qualified male applicants, and is also frustrated with her personal relationships being stuck in a rut. Frustrated, she quits her job, and decides to move back home to Sheffield, to open a gallery of her own. There, her father tries to make a match between her and an acclaimed local artist, Kit, however they instantly rub each other the wrong way (mostly because they are both far too stubborn an similar).

I really, thoroughly enjoyed this. Banter on point - and the relationship seemed very natural and sweet, but the book didn't just focus on that aspect. I feel like a lot of rom-coms fall into the trap of focusing on nothing but the relationship between the two, and neglect all other aspects - this did not do that !

I absolutely loved Kate's family dynamic as well! This book has so many touching moments that I absolutely adored.

The character growth of both Kate and Kit in this is absolutely phenomenal, and really well-executed as well! I was in the mood for a great pick-me-up read and this really hit the spot.

My only niggle is that towards the end, things escalated very quickly! I would have loved to see that development over more pages!

becsbookshelf's review

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4.0

Super cute, relatable modern fairytale.

Katherine gets tired of being second best and when she get passed up again for the promotion she deserves she quits her job. After quitting her job she has a 1/4 life crisis and kicks her commitment phobi non boyfriend too the curb and does some soul searching.

Her brother Adam and father and mother 2.0 Fiona and Kate’s biggest supports. And with that she’s decides to risk everything and open her own art gallery. Kat meets Kit when her father tries to set them up and it goes terribly they hate each other.

Life get more complicated as Kate continues to give everything to the gallery. Her best friends upcoming wedding becomes the priority and Kate finds herself with no one to talk too. Until Kit comes back into the picture and fireworks go off.

Insert a terrible set up, proposal, a punch in the face, a lost job, a break up,a ruined friendship and hitting rock bottom when your card declines. And some how you end up with perfection.

This is exactly what I needed to get my out of my funk! Thank you @netgalley