4.5 STARS

Felicity was supposed to celebrate her daughter's graduation party, when she gets a disturbing call and has to rush to the hospital. As a turn of events, she gets to have to care for her ex- husband's toddler. The ex husband who abbandoned her and their kids to marry another woman, younger than her and make a son with her. Things are hard, since he hadn't the best relationship with his children, so to accept the current situation is definitely not an easy thing for Felicity and her kids.

Enter Graham in the picture. An old friend of Felicity and her ex husband. A doctor who lost his wife many years ago and gets to raise his teen daughter who's very troubled and makes his life rather difficult. Things get complicated when he comes close to her once again.

I really enjoyed this book! It was very heartfelt, it warmed my heart and I felt close to these families, in a way I didn't expect. I wanted to help them heal, I wanted to smash some heads and I just wanted the best for them. I enjoyed some of the funny scenes, I teared up in others and I generally enjoyed this second chance romance, even though it's one of my least favorite tropes. This one won me and I definitely recommend it! Now I need to read the next books in this series, because I'm seriously invested in these characters and I need their stories!

Old friends find new love in the midst of familial upheaval. Felicity Buchanan’s husband left her and their two teenage kids to start a new family. When he and his new wife die in a car crash, they leave custody of their one-year-old son to his 18-year-old daughter. Refusing to let their children’s lives be disrupted, Felicity steps in to raise the boy. Meanwhile, Graham Murphy, formerly a close family friend, reaches the end of his rope with his rebellious teen daughter who has been lashing out since her mother’s death. Now Graham and Felicity turn to each other for support.

The book has four points of view. There really wasn't much internal conflict over the romance that keep Felicity and Graham apart, it's their children. While I routed for them at first, the fact that their romance was kept separate for so long by their children, but then the children got over super fast, let me down as a reader. I found the sister's story to be the most fulfilling. She had internal conflict and some external conflict. I would have loved her to have her own story.

I also did enjoy the POV of the daughter, but that felt more YA and I wasn't sure why it was such a big part of the book. Overall, the book was a quick read and was enjoyable. It did deliver on the feel good promise to the reader. It reads more like Women's Fiction rather than romance.

This was such a heartfelt story, Family drama, love, happiness and hardships bring it all together into one great story. This is a must read book .I enjoyed it so much. It drew me in from the beginning with ups and downs and a great storyline with wonderful characters. I read it in one afternoon as I didn't want to put it down.
I was a ARC from NetGalley and its publisher for my honest review. Thank you Sasha for a wonderful story.

Just like people, life is messy and complicated which is why Accidental Family is such a relatable read! It’s a story of family and friendship, love, loss, betrayal and new beginnings. Whilst at times heartbreaking, this title is also full of hope and quite heartbreaking.

Accidental Family is Graham and Felicity’s story, yet it feels like the prologue for several side characters as well. This title is told from multiple points of view.

Graham and Felicity’s story will have you feeling a gamut of emotions, with laughter, tears, sadness and hope.

This was my first time reading Sasha Summers work, but it will not be my last, I was captivated and intrigued by the inhabitants of Pecan Valley and cannot wait for more of their stories. For anyone who enjoys Robyn Carr, this title has a similar feel, that I highly recommend.

Love, loss and family are at the heart of Sasha Summers’ first book in her Pecan Valley series, introducing us the Otto-Buchanan family where life is about to get a little messy for single-mum, Felicity.

“ ...we could be a decent family. Messed up, for sure, but isn’t every family?”

Told in the third person POV, Summers weaves together the story of several characters and whilst there were a couple of moments where the story hit a bit of a lull for me, overall she does an amazing job of keeping the flow as we move from one character to another, setting up future storylines whilst dealing with teenage angst, first loves, second chances and new beginnings.

“I know what I want. More than anything. You.”

I usually don’t like comparing authors, but for me this definitely had a feel of Sarah Morgan’s more recent offerings and based on the fact she’s a favourite I don’t think that’s an unreasonable comparison to make. So if you’re a fan of hers or simply small town romances centralised around strong women facing the day-to-day challenges of life and love, then Accidentally Family is one I recommend.

Fans of Robyn Carr and RaeAnne Thayne are going to love Sasha Summers’ poignant, tender and captivating new novel, Accidentally Family. A brilliantly written tale of second chances and new beginnings, Accidentally Family is the perfect book to curl up with on a warm summer afternoon.

The bottom had fallen out of Felicity’s world when her husband had announced that he was leaving her and walked out on their marriage and their two teenage children, Nick and Honor. Felicity had thought that she was going to be spending the rest of her life with the man she had sworn to love forever – until he had left her for a younger real estate agent who looked like she had just stepped off a catwalk. Felicity had tried her hardest to rebuild her life and not to be bitter or resentful – which wasn’t always easy. But with Honor graduating high school, it looks like the family have something to celebrate until they receive a phone call that changes all of their lives forever. With her ex and his new wife having died during a tragic accident, Felicity finds herself grieving not just the man she spent nearly two decades with, but the life that is now lost to her forever. With her kids off to college, Felicity never imagined she would be looking after a baby again – but with nobody to look after the orphaned half-brother of her two children, she suddenly finds herself with a baby boy to look after. Luckily, she has her extended family and her best friend, Graham to help her out during this trying and difficult time.

Widowed Graham has his own problems to contend with. Having to juggle a busy medical career with raising his teenage daughter Diana single-handedly, Graham feels as if he is constantly chasing his own tail. Since his wife’s death, his relationship with his daughter has been strained to say the least, but his teenage daughter needs him and he will always be there for her, regardless of how many times she slams the door in his face. Graham can never forget the kindness Felicity had shown him and Diana in their hour of need and now that she has her hands full with a new baby, he is determined to be there for her and to be a shoulder to cry on and a willing hand whenever a crib needs building or a diaper changed. As the two begin to spend more and more time together, the love and respect they’ve always had for one another solidifies. Dare Felicity and Graham take a leap of faith and a chance into the unknown and try to see where this relationship takes them? Or will they let their insecurities and fears cost them this unexpected chance at happiness?

Sasha Summers will steal your heart with Accidentally Family, a tender, witty and compelling tale of hope and healing that is full of warmth and heart. Accidentally Family tugs at the heartstrings and will keep you turning the pages as you fall in love with Felicity and Graham and their journey to a happy ever after.

Dramatic, uplifting, witty and emotional, Accidentally Family is my first Sasha Summers book, but it certainly won’t be my last!

What a rollercoaster of a ride! In a good way! This book gave me all the feels! It was a wonderfully written and beautiful story. You get to see two family’s that suffered great tragedies build there life back up. This book was real. It captures emotions that would be true to the situations at hand. It left me wanting more in a good way! I was drawn in from the very beginning and pretty much read this book in one sitting. I would absolutely recommend this book!

Oh how I loved every part of this book! The family dynamic was so strong. There were many ups and downs, but they stayed together and became stronger. I truly loved all the different character points of view. Being able to see how each person in the story was affected, what went through their minds and their understanding was beautiful. I have not read may books by Ms. Summers, but that will change. I hope there are more stories coming from these characters. The storylines flowed as a perfect family drama I would watch on television. I had a hard time putting the book down as I read, sneaking in a few pages here and there, to be able to find out what would unfold next. I adored all the characters. Felicity had such a giving and compassionate soul. She has a wonderful and open relationship with her kids, they were a very tight knit group. But she was also loving, strong, and tried her best to be what her kids needed. Nick and Honor stole my heart with the hurt they carried around. The cemetery scene broke my heart and brought tears because I could just feel the anguish coming from Nick.

This story encompassed so many emotions from different story plots and set up a continuation of them as well. I have read a lot of books but haven't read one with his many points of view and able to follow it easily and have it affect me the way this one has.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher through Netgalley.

Accidentally family is a book you could read in on sitting. I loved how you were drawn into the characters lives right from the first page. This book had it all, love, loss, family, friendship. I cannot wait to see what this author has in store next.

4.5 Stars
This is not really a romance, more a family drama with some romantic elements.

Felicity Buchanan is a newly-divorced mother of two who lives in Pecan Valley, Texas. She'd married her high school sweetheart, Matt, and supported him through medical school. And about three years ago Matt started having an affair with a pretty, young drug rep. He left his family to move in with his then-pregnant fiance Amber. Felicity and their kids, Honor and Nick, were blindsided and devastated. Matt has moved to Austin with Amber and is raising young Jack; he's has mostly neglected his family, friends and colleagues left behind in Pecan Valley. Only Honor has maintained some limited contact with her father. In fact, the book opens with Felicity and Honor being disappointed that Matt didn't show up for Honor's high school graduation.

And, that's when they get the call to turn up to the emergency room. Matt, Amber, and Jack were in a catastrophic car wreck. Amber is DOA, and Jack has a broken femur and is in a coma due to head trauma; Matt's on death's doorstep. His former practice partner and best friend, Dr. Graham Murphy was at the ER to manage a delivering patient when Matt was rushed in. Graham spent some time with Matt awaiting the arrival of Felicity and the kids, so he knows the story is grim. Before Matt gets wheeled into surgery he tells Felicity that he isn't going to make it, and he begs her to raise his love child. Felicity agrees, reluctantly. Her main focus was trying to clam Matt, and her intention is to find some relation of Amber's to find a permanent guardian. Graham is there to help Felicity when they find out that Matt didn't survive the surgery.

Nick, furious with his dad's betrayal and lingering neglect, is a hot ball of rage when he learns his mother has agreed to care for baby Jack. It's a good thing, almost, that Jack is unconscious for a few days because it gives everyone time to cool down from the high drama. Felicity gets an inside peek at what Matt's life looked like with his replacement family, and it wasn't pretty. All signs point to him being quite unhappy--and that's not as satisfying now that she's saddled with Jack. Because, as it turns out, Amber was a foster kid with no family, and so Jack's next of kin, and legal guardian of record according to Matt's will is...Honor. And there ain't a hell cold enough for Felicity to allow her eighteen year old daughter to forego her college scholarship to care for her half-brother. So, that's that. Jack will be coming home to Felicity's re-vamped sewing room just as soon as he's released from the hospital.

Add to this unexpected house guest, Felicity's younger sister Charity is back to help celebrate Honor's graduation. What no one yet knows is that world-touring travel guide Charity doesn't have a return flight back to Italy. And, she's homeless, jobless...and has bigger secrets she's sure her big sis will help her figure out.

Graham has his own difficulty. His beloved wife Julia died of cancer maybe some years ago. He's been raising their daughter Diana alone ever since, and Di's a hot mess. Rebelling, sneaking out at night to drink and get high, she's just been kicked out of her elite private school. So, she'll be a sophomore at the public school where Nick will be a junior next year. That doesn't stop all the old widows in Pecan Valley from trying to set Graham up with the assistant principal of that private school. That's small-town Texas life, I guess, all the matrons want to make sure folks are properly coupled-up.

In fact, they want to see Felicity happily settled again, now that there's no chance of reconciliation with Matt. As I said, this is a family drama. The blurb tells us that Felicity and Graham will team up, and their rekindled friendship will lead to more. But, "it's complicated" is kind of the whole gist of the story. Felicity is a champ of a woman who takes her constant struggles in stride. She maintains the bravest face in the history of humanity and not only takes in Jack, but makes a home for him--one warmer and more loving than the one Jack was born to. Nick is as hot a mess as Diana, and these two team up on their own to create some havoc. Meanwhile, the earnest boy who's been dogging Honor's steps since freshman year English lit is not willing to leave for his Marines boot camp without trying everything he can to turn her head.

I really enjoyed this story. It is lush in description and characterization. The hero and heroine are grounded humans with real issues. They have problems with problems. They try their best and get crapped on, and they try even harder. The kids have issues that make sense, and their actions may be destructive but they are also reasonable in context. I didn't hate anyone in the book, really, except Matt who was rendered somewhat sympathetic, in the end. And the choices that the characters make are all so real. The third-person point-of-view shifts between many narrators, but it's always clear who's talking and when. This level of clarity helped even bratty and manipulative Diana seem somewhat justified. There is a lot of comfort to go with all the hurt, especially following the funerals. Poor Felicity is overrun with casseroles, desserts and vittles she has no hope of consuming--so why not share it with Graham and Diana? Diana's in dire need of some women in her life, and the increased visits with Honor, Felicity and Charity do her a world of good. Even Nick is an unexpected help, with both Diana and Jack. Turns out Nick's uncanny resemblance to his despised father becomes the one touchstone confused and hurting Jack can find.

There is a bit of romance and a VERY LITTLE bit of sexytimes. That said, we know that Graham and Felicity make a great and happy couple to help parent this cadre of kids in various stages of hurt and healing. I'm sure we will see another Pecan Valley novel, this time featuring Charity and the sexy but grieving sheriff who's always in the right place at the right time...

4.5 Stars - A beautifully written story full of emotion that touches the heart. Sasha Summers has written a story that weaves together a tale of grief, loss, anger, hope, and love, and how the bonds of family can be tested but hold true through it all.

Felicity and Graham were both strong characters. It was easy to relate to both of them as they tried to be strong and do the right thing for their kids, but also were faced with their own emotions as they began to realize that their hearts wanted each other. I especially felt for Graham as he dealt with his daughter - they have been through so much and neither of them have dealt with their trauma well. It was clear that Felicity has not had to deal with the same things Graham has had to, and she appears to be a super-mom, but…I loved the way she dealt with her kids as their stable world gets turned upside down - and also that it showed she wasn’t always the super-mom that she showed to the world, that she had feelings that extended beyond her children and that she was learning that it was ok to not be ok sometimes.

Although this is Felicity and Graham’s story, this book is so much more. The other storylines added so much dimension to the book and helped define who both Felicity and Graham were as individuals, to their families and friends, and to each other. I enjoyed getting to know the kids and watching the first love bloom between Honor and Owen, seeing Nick struggle as he dealt with his father’s betrayal, and watching Diana’s rebellion were great stories on their own, but I loved how they were interwoven with one another, showcasing the family ties that they all have. I just loved Felicity’s sister Charity, who has her own challenges she is facing - and I can’t wait to see how her story plays out.

This book had multiple points of view which sounds overwhelming but actually helped with understanding the characters and the relationships they had. There was a lot going on in this book and I did find there were a few minor things that felt forced or maybe just needed a little more discovery to understand. Honor and Owen were wonderful together, but I never fully understood her reluctance to get involved with him and felt there was more of a story there. I also felt there was so much more story surrounding Felicity’s ex-husband, his mistress, and their baby. The video from the nanny-cam was kind of left hanging and I wished there was just a bit more closure to that relationship. Not major issues, just a couple things I wanted to know more about - and maybe some of the answers will be discovered in future books!

Sasha Summers has crafted a realistic, emotional, heart-felt book that will bring all the feels. What starts off as a tragedy turns in to a love story that conveys hope and highlights the bonds of family and definitely belongs on any bookshelf!

This is a must read book. I literally couldn't put this book down. I was reading this book well into the night until my eyes no longer could stay open. I loved everything about this book. There is so much raw emotion in here that I was ugly crying a few times.This is a book that you have a tissue handy. Though parts of this book are going to rip your heart it's also such a beautiful story. The title fits this book perfectly. Felicity is such a strong character. What is asked of her not many could take in stride and carry on. Felicity's children go through a lot and you can see the struggle, but there is light at the end. There is a sense of hope for them throughout this book. Plus Graham and his daughter reconnect with each other and Felicity and her brood. There are so set ups for what I hope is future books in the series because I'm invested in Felicity's sister story. I would highly recommend reading this one, but I do say pick a day for uninterrupted reading time because you won't want to stop reading this one. This is my first book read by Sasha Summers and she had gained a new reader!

Even though "Accidentally Family" by Sasha Summers had its share of sadness and drama, it was still sweet and funny at times, and I loved it. In some ways, it reminded me of Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove series or Emily March's Eternity Springs series because of the way it included the primary couple as well as some of their friends and family. I think this book is especially likely to appeal to fans of those types of ensemble stories, which have characters and plotlines that sometimes carry over from one book to the next, though I highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance because I enjoyed it so much.

This book touches on a lot of big topics: first love, dealing with the death of a parent, teenage rebellion, dating after a divorce and/or the death of a spouse, and unexpected pregnancy, among others. There are a number of different characters and plotlines woven together, but the author does so very skillfully, and I really liked that so many characters were able to provide their perspective on the story's events. It's easy to see how this book could turn into a series set in Pecan Valley given the hints of potential future romances that were seen here.

As for the central romance in this story between Dr. Graham Murphy and Felicity Otto-Buchanan, I found it very easy to root for them to find a way to be together. They were both very likeable characters, and had been shouldering too much responsibility on their own for too long. Each of them deserved a partner to share their burdens and appreciate how truly special they were. The way their kids and Felicity's sister Charity played matchmaker for them was very sweet and led to several of the story's lighter moments, such as when Graham and Felicity were dancing together at a block party and Charity and the kids watched and jokingly critiqued their technique.

I hope that this is not the last we'll see of the inhabitants of Pecan Valley! I look forward to seeing what Sasha Summers writes next.

*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

You all know how much I love small-town romances. So when I saw the cover of this one I had to have it. Then when I saw the series title I was lost, or hungry, it doesn't matter which one only that I knew I had to read it.

Another good point for the author is the fact that within pages of the book she had me crying. I love it when an author can do that.

Sasha Summers is a new author for me. So it was wonderful that I was able to get into the story right away. This one is a heartbreaker for sure. What this family goest through it so sad and horrible. But I really liked how for the most part the kids stuck with her.

Felicity is such a good person. You just can't help by like her. Sometimes I thought she was a little too nice but I got why she always wanted to see the good in life. What she is willing to do for her ex is just special.

I also really enjoyed Graham. He realized that in her grief he almost forgot about his daughter and is working very hard to fix that. I didn't care for how she acted at times, it reminded me of an immature person but I get that. She lost her mom when she was young and still isn't handling it well. I'm an adult and still haven't gotten over the passing of my mom.

Together they work. They are simply good people. I loved all the other characters in the story and I wanted more. I'm thinking I know how the next book is about but since I can't find anything about it I'm not sure.

I think my only issue with the book is that I would have liked to have more romance between Graham and Felicity. I felt they deserved more. As a whole, I love it and can't wait for more. It might have been a little bit of women's fiction but still a good story for those who love just romance.

I loved his emotionally charged story!! My first from this author but most definitely not my last. This is an expertly crafted story that is an amazing mix of family drama, loss, new love, and teenage angst all blended together to form a wonderfully sweet story that will pull you in from the very first page. Put this one on the must read list. I highly recommended

Accidentally Family is filled with drama, love, forgiveness, tragedy and happiness...everything you’d find in a real-life family.
Felicity is practically a saint and should be easy to both love and be annoyed by because of that perfection. Trying to raise two teens alone isn’t easy under the best of circumstances. But add in betrayal, anger and pain and it’s a whole different ballgame. Honor and Nick are her concern always, but more gets added to her load of responsibilities.
Graham is grieving both the loss of his wife as well as the loss of his easy relationship with his daughter Diana. Diana is the most volatile character and the hardest to like, even as I understood why she did the self destructive things she did. Felicity’s sister Charity is a breath of fresh air, with her own secret that she’s isn’t ready to burden the family with yet.
This story pulled at my heartstrings, made me laugh as well as cry, and rejoice in the building and expanding of this flawed but fabulous family.
If everything else that Sasha Summers has written is as good as this book, I’ve discovered a new favorite author!

Wow - talk about emotional!

Accidentally Family takes you on an emotional ride. Post-divorce, Felicity finds herself guardian of her ex-husband's injured toddler, while helping her children deal with the death of their father and step-mother. Not a light topic at all. Graham, her ex-husband's friend, is trying to help Felicity and her family though this while also still dealing with the death of his wife and trying to relate to his teenager. But the two if them help each other and their children though these really tough times, and find each other in along the way.

No unnecessary drama, no unnecessary angst. Just a true emotional journey and finding a new normal in the face of tragedy. Well written, with great plot and character development, and just a wonderful read.

Accidentally Family by Sasha Summers is a touching story of rebuilding life after staggering loss. At the beginning Felicity and her teenage children are returning to a new normal more happens to them. This is a realistic look at coping, struggling and recovering. A new beginning is again found.

Graham and his daughter also have suffered loss but recovery has been out of reach. As these two families find the ways to blend is an honest look at life during the difficult times. It is a caring story with heartbreak and hopefulness.

The description said, “Welcome to Pecan Valley, where the town may be small but the townspeople will always lend a helping hand or a shoulder to lean on. Where good times, good humor, and good people will always lead to happily ever after.” It never said anything about achieving this would be easy. Authentic memorable story showing the hard work it takes with notable characters, young and older.

4.5 Stars
An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Sasha Summers is yet another new-to-me author, but that doesn’t really ever stop me from grabbing up a book as long as the blurb draws me in and so does the cover. Accidentally Family checked off those two boxes for me, so I dove right in. And now I’m wondering how I missed this author in the last several years?! Suffice it to say, that won’t be the case any longer.

As I read the blurb, I really expected this book to be somewhat light-hearted and heartwarming. It’s very heartwarming…yet very heartwrenching all the same. But I wouldn’t say this book is light-hearted. Just when you think life can’t possibly throw one more bad thing at you, it usually does. At least for these two families, it seems.

NICUnurse’s Rating: I knew within the first few paragraphs that the feel I got from the blurb of Accidentally Family was not what I was going to get in this book. So, if you are looking for that light-hearted romance, you might want to skip this one. There are most definitely light-hearted moments scattered throughout, but it is very much an emotional roller coaster ride. It’s told from several different points of view, too, and not just from Felicity and Graham’s standpoints. I really liked that because it set the tone and the stage for future books (fingers crossed on that!!). The multiple POVs also helped to develop all of the characters. I think the two most moody teens of all would have been sorely misunderstood had the author not included their POVs. But as most teens do, those two took me to the highest highs and lowest lows. I absolutely devoured this book in just a few short hours. And it’s going on my must reread list because it’s one I know I can totally get lost in, and sometimes, when I’m in a real book funk, I need those kinds of stories in my life to go back to.

I give Accidentally Family by Sasha Summers 5 out of 5 stars!

Accidentally Family is all about love and second chances. This book is emotional, a few pages in and I said out loud to myself “I hate this because it’s already making me cry” and I knew if the beginning was that emotional the whole story would just shatter me and it did. Once I started this book I really couldn’t put it down, I became so invested in the story and the lives of all the characters.
I loved that this story included point of views and inner thoughts of all the characters, there wasn’t just a sole focus on one or the other. Each character was going through something, from the adults to the children. Everyone was struggling with something in their life, a betrayal of some sort. Two families were broken, but found a way to work together, to have a second chance at love.
Accidentally Family is an emotional story that will have you crying, laughing, and falling in love with everyone involved. I completely fell in love with these characters, this blended family and the entire town of Pecan Valley. I’m hoping there is more of this group in the future, because this book was a MUST READ and I’m hooked.