I've read a couple of Marissa Clarke's contemporary romance series previously (Anderson Brothers and Animal Attraction) but it's been a while since I've seen anything from her (2018 was her last under this pen name that I read; she does write YA as Mary Lindsey so maybe that's where her time has been focused). Accidentally Perfect is what looks to be the first in a new series (Hideaway Harbor). The major difference in this compared to her previous adult romances is that the heat level is substantially lower (I guess the YA writing has influenced that – maybe it's just easier to write everything with the same heat level so you don't have to worry about putting too much heat in the wrong book!). However her characters and writing style are what I've come to expect and she delivers an entertaining read.

Lillian Mahoney has taken an idea and made it into a mega enterprise, the successful 'Living Sharpe' culinary and lifestyle brand. With a temperamental star whose only purpose is to be eye candy while she does all the work behind the scenes, she gives new meaning to the term workaholic. An on-screen tiff has resulted in her taking a much needed break in a seaside cabin her sister (and right hand woman in the business) recently purchased out in the small village of Blink, Maine. Even though Lillian is supposed to be resting, she keeps finding things in this small town that could use a helping hand, one she's only too happy to give.

But ship builder Caleb Wright isn't going to be taken in by her charm and good looks. He's ready to protect his neighbours if she turns out to be a bad apple. Since his experience with women hasn't been so great (his ex-wife abandoned him with a newborn who's grown into a beautiful teenager), he's not sure what to make of his annoyingly stubborn attraction to her, especially when it's clear she has no intention of staying permanently in Blink. Her home is in New York, and his is here. Can this opposites attract couple overcome the odds and find their way to a happy ending?

As far as small towns go, I think Blink is the smallest I've seen a contemporary romance set in (population of 204). Literally everyone knows everyone so when a stranger comes into town, it makes for good gossip. All of the secondary characters are quite likable without being stereotyped. I enjoyed seeing Lillian develop friendships with a few of the other women who run businesses in the town. Lillian's cabin is set on the hill with a direct view of the town harbor where the main businesses are so they can see her, and she can see them. It gives her a good view of Caleb Wright's houseboat, his two friendly dogs, and him, too.

Once Caleb gets over his initial suspicion of Lillian's motives (she really doesn't have any except for a desire to help Blink attract new life as it's clearly a dying town) he's able to admit to himself that he likes her and her take charge attitude. It's a mutual attraction, and they soon give into those feelings with some kissing and eventually something more (behind closed doors). Figuring out how to make their fling into a lasting relationship requires some compromise. I'm not sure I buy how realistic the ending is (everything falls into place a little too conveniently for me) but it ends up with Caleb and Lillian getting their HEA which is after all the goal. Fans of the author who've been missing her work will enjoy this and though it isn't clear to me who will be in the next book of the series, I'll be keeping an eye out for it.

This review will be posted at All About Romance (and goodreads) and feedback updated with the link.

I loved Lillian and Caleb!

Lillian Mahoney needs to take a break from running Living Sharpe after a cooking demonstration went haywire by staying at her sister’s cabin in Blink, Maine population 204. Lillian gets off on the wrong foot with boatbuilder and single parent Caleb Wright the first day when he offered to help her. But Blink is so small they can’t avoid each other but just maybe Lillian can figure out a relationship with Caleb.

I love small town romances because they remind me of where I grew up and everyone knows everybody else and gets involved with trying to fix their problems, but Lillian and Caleb have Blink and the Living Sharpe team to help them get back together.

You need to read Accidentally Perfect because I’m hoping the next book is about Erin!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A perfect small-town romance! Lillian so needed a change of pace and Blink is definitely a change of pace. I fell in love with the characters in this town. And Caleb is the perfect match for her. The story was full of laugh out loud moments and the characters all tugged at my heart. I really am looking forward to more stories set in Blink with these characters. I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Who wouldn't want to go to Blink, Maine. This was a quick, fun read. Lillian escapes to her sister's cottage in Blink when there is fallout with Niles, the face for HER company. Lillian lets herself become involved in the town and the people in it, something she's never done because she was always busy building her brand. Looking forward to more in Blink, Maine.

The rich-city-girl-goes-to-small-town-and-chaos-ensues trope isn't a new tale, but darn it I do love these tales.

Add in the grumpy single local and you have me hooked.

He acts like he hates her, but we the reader see right through that the the fact he is crushing so hard on her - and the feeling is mutual.

I loved the small town setting, love the nosy locals and adore Mr Grumpy.

It is light, it is fluffy, and it shows that you can't keep a good woman down, no matter how important you think you are (I am looking at you, Niles!)

F you’ve ever felt embarrassed by something that happened at work, or wished you could just run away from life for a while, you’ll really enjoy this book!

Lillian runs to the tiny seaside village of Blink, Maine, and finds that good things come in small packages, and life isn’t always about your address or the stuff you accumulate. Breakfast at the diner, camping on the beach and compromises are worth more than money and not available in NYC.

This book was a quick, clean enjoyable read well written and edited.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

Escaping the rat race of her high pressure job, Lillian escapes to the sleepy little town of Blink, Maine, where she learns more than she ever expected.

Smart city girl meets grumpy, small town guy and LOVE blossoms in this enemies to lovers novel - literally my favorite trope. Accidentally Perfect provides an amble amount of cozy for a darling romance.

The cast of characters are truly heartwarming. I LOVED that Lillian was a successful entrepreneur who owns a lifestyle conglomerate and knows what she wants. Her sense of style and humor mixed beautifully with Caleb. This small town romance is accidentally perfect. Please tell me this will be a series, as I need more Blink.

Thank Entangled Publishing LLC for the advance reader copy.
Romance | Women's Fiction

Super charming fish out of water story with plenty of wit and banter. Really enjoyed the small town feel. Lillian is a great character, super strong and full of take charge attitude. I found how she floundered after her life imploded to be so relatable. Caleb is so endearing and the relationship between them super sweet. Great chemistry and a wonderful story made this one a lot of fun. *I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Accidentally Perfect is a perfect nice feel good novel. Emphasis on nice. Lillian Mahoney has built a brand and company of a popular lifestyle show and magazine. She has given it her all but she isn't the face for it. That belongs to a handsome man she literally met at a bar. When a clash between them causes an online scandal she heads from NYC to her sisters cabin on the coast of Maine. Blink, Maine is a town that is slowly dying. But once there Lillian uses her energy and exuberance while befriending the locals. I like that she doesn't bull doze them with her ideas but instead thinks of ways that her brand can help the town help itself which in turn helps them.

In Blink she meets grumpy, single dad Caleb who does beautiful woodwork and restores boats. He doesn't trust her at first but they soon win each other over. The only obstacle is she needs to return to NYC and her company. This is filled with kindness and good neighbors like you'd find in a Hallmark movie. Intimacy is behind closed doors and even kissing isn't descriptive. For me, I would have enjoyed seeing a little more passion to connect the MCs together. Also I thought it was a little longer than it needed to be. But it does wind everything up perfectly of course.

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Lillian is the super-organised brain behind a successful lifestyle TV star. After a mistake on-set leads to a scandal, Lillian decides to take time off from her busy New York lifestyle to stay in Blink, Maine. There she meets Caleb, a grumpy single dad who doesn’t trust her intentions - because she reminds him of a face from his past he’d rather forget. As Lillian begins to fall in love with Blink, she also begins to grow closer to Caleb - and begins to wonder if she ever wants to leave.

This was a really cute read. The writing is really good - I got into it really easily, it just trips along nicely and is very well-paced. As main characters go, both Lillian and Caleb are very likable and I thought their dynamic was very fun and entertaining. The romance is sweet and adorable, and I liked that they talked through everything and understood each other’s perspective.

I also liked the wider plot involving the future of Blink, and how Lillian’s skills were suited to helping it. There were some really fun scenes between Lillian and the townspeople. I also liked the subplot involving Niles - it took me by surprise.

Overall I really enjoyed reading it, as it was very light and low on conflict. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to read a light, closed-door romance with a grumpy/sunshine couple set in a small town. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free copy of this book.

Content Notes: Parental abandonment (side character), divorce (in past).

Accidentally Perfect by M. Clarke is a witty and fun rom/com.
Lilian is a workhorse. Her job is her whole life, but then her career crumbles. And now she's hiding out in rural Maine. Followed by laughing karma she needs help.
And then comes Caleb. To the rescue? She manages it to phim off. The single dad is a good guy and she'll show him for sure.
A highly entertaining witty and fun read, stars.

A great representation of that small-town romance can be perfect just as they are, no fireworks, no frills - just a fab story, engaging characters and a town that loves to interfere!

Big City, High Powered and well off Lillian needs to escape after a spat with her co-worker but the face of her company goes viral for all the wrong reasons. Blink, Maine is true to its name - Blink and you'd miss the tiny town But fresh from the city, Lillian is setting off alarm bells for on concerned Blink citizen.

Caleb was burned before in love and he's determined that no gold-digging, bog city slickerette is going to pull anything on his friends and neighbours. Even once all the misunderstandings are sorted out Caleb is stand-offish with Lillian. This time due to the strong attration he feels towards her. She's made it very clear that she's not sticking around and there is no way in heck he's leaving Blink!

Lillian could have been pushy and over the top with her easy access to money and power but she actually comes over as a genuinely nice person who puts up with WAY too much from Niles in my opinion. But she is also her own worst enemy - she hates delegating anything. Caleb was a great mix of crusty, curmudgeon-like grump and handsome hunk. He really loves his neighbours and doesn't want them trodden over by the "big city".

I loved meeting the townfolk, interfering to a man the lot of them! Caleb's daughter and a certain handywoman's baby brother were just so sweet! The passion may take place off-page but the chemistry between Caleb and Lillian doesn't really need it to be front and centre. A great relaxing read, plenty of minor drama to keep you interested and there is even redemption for Niles!

A Manhattan workaholic lands up in rural Maine for a temporary break from a media storm never expecting that her life as she knows it will change. Interesting plot, loved the characters. Recommended read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have not read this author before, but I really enjoyed this book. Lillian is the owner of the Living Sharpe brand and she had created Neil Sharpe , the chef on her cooking show.Lillian and Neil had a blow up and he told them either she goes or I go. Lillian took a leave and went to Erins cottage in Blink Maine. She was hungry and almost out of gas when she got there, and then she started meeting all the town people, helping them with things. She wanted to help do things to make more people come to Blink. See how it all turns out. A GOOD READ.,

*5 star read*
Accidentally Perfect is Obsoletely Perfect!
I loved the main character, Lillian. She is a smart business person who has started up a very successful business. When “things” go a bit out of control, she makes the decision to get away for a little break from everything. She ends up in a very small rundown seaside town in Maine. The name of the town is “Blink.”
All the characters are heartwarming and just seem like so much fun to be around.
What a funny, quirky and entertaining story that i highly recommend you pick up to read.
I’m hoping there is another book coming continuing this story with all the same characters.
Loved this: David says we’re like those trees. Our roots go way down deep. Too deep to even burn.
Many thanks to NetGalley,Entangled Publishing, LLC/Entangled Amara and author, Marissa Clarke, for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

Accidentally Perfect is a small town romance where the city girl heroine takes a break from her high pressure job and finds love and happiness on the Maine coast.
If you are looking for a low-angst, low-heat, fish out of water romance, this book fits the bill.

2.5/5 stars

Workaholic Lillian escapes NYC after the star of her HGTV-like tv show blames her for his on set error. Her sister suggests she escapes to a vacation home she purchased in Blink, Maine. Once there, she meets boat builder Caleb, his teenage daughter and the other tight knit residents of the tiny coastal town. After a few misunderstandings, Lillian and Caleb’s romantic feelings develop as they get to know each other better.

I usually like a small town romance, but this story missed the mark for me. While it was heartwarming, didn’t have a lot of conflict, and Lillian and Caleb didn’t have much visible chemistry. The plot was predictable. While the side characters were nice and pleasantly quirky, they didn’t leave a huge impression.

A bigger issue for me was that this book seems to be populated entirely with a bunch of straight, white people. Now, maybe a small town in Maine is not a hotbed of diversity, but I have a hard time believing that someone who works in the entertainment industry in New York doesn’t know any people of color or any members of the LGBTQ+ community. After reading so many wonderfully diverse stories recently, the lack of it was noticeable, and troubled me throughout the book.

Fans of Hallmark movies will know exactly what to expect when they pick up Accidentally Perfect. It is a quick read with few plot or character surprises. This book missed the mark for me in a lot of ways, but I acknowledge that it probably wasn’t the right fit for my romance tastes.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Small town romance with lots of lovely characters is my catnip. And this book has it in spades.

Another I read (inhaled) during hibernation, and now I need to catch up with my reviews, giving me an excuse to reread it.

Added bonus, an enemies to lovers romance, without lots of humorless, cruel bickering. Lillian is a workaholic who is the driving spirit behind a show, with an incredibly annoying guy as its face. She goes to Blink, Maine to check out a house, but really to get away for a bit, and ends up stranded. A local boat owner named Caleb thinks she's a con artist on the prowl, and gives her the stink eye. Watching the gradual communication between these two was such a pleasure.

Counterbalancing the growing relationship is Niles, the horrible front man, showing up. Sparks fly all over the place--but Clarke has a humane eye even for Niles, as people get a chance to become their best selves.

Caleb has a teenage daughter, who perplexes him to no end, though father and daughter love each other all the more due to his wife bailing on them--which gives Caleb a reason to be wary of smart, smoothly put together women like Lillian. I loved seeing Lillian and the teen connect, as well as the way she won over the rest of the townspeople.

Just a lovely, relaxing read that left me smiling.

Ugh. I truly love feel good books with a great cast of characters. Even more than those Christmas love stories that I constantly binge no matter the time of the year ;) This story is no exception! It is such a sweet read. I love the character interactions, the depth of all of the side characters really bring this little town to life. I could not put it down, walking into various rooms around the house holding my kindle, trying not to run into things. There are plenty of moments that had me laughing out loud and smiling, I treasure those stories that bring a light to your day especially when life can be challenging at times. This brightness needs a space in your life!

This book was very cute! It was such a nice romantic read and I enjoyed it. Small town meets city, grumpy first impressions. Its all very cute and now I feel like I need to go to Maine. Thank you to the publisher for the advanced copy!