I’ve been a huge fan of Lynn Painter's books, both YA and adult, but sadly this one didn’t hit the mark for me.

Izzy and Blake had amazing chemistry, and the banter was fun at first, but every single line of dialogue throughout the entire book was a flirty quip, and I honestly found it a bit exhausting by the end. And besides the two MCs, there were hardly any other characters present in the story, so we got a LOT of flirty banter.

The stakes seemed to disappear early on, so there wasn’t much real plot to carry the story forward. We also never got to really dive into anyone’s backstory. Blake had a HUGE issue with Izzy’s lie at the beginning, and basically all we got was “my ex girlfriend lied to me.”

Unfortunately this was a one-star read for me. I would pick up Mr. Wrong Number or Happily Never After, both by Lynn Painter, instead.

3.25 out of 5 stars | Accidentally Amy was a light-hearted and hilarious forbidden workplace romance that kicks off with Izzy "stealing" a Pumpkin Spice Latte (by pretending to be Amy) and then running straight into Blake who turns out to be her boss at her new job.

This story has you hooked from the very beginning and it is so easy to fall in love with Izzy & Blake's personality. The progression of their relationship gives way for natural tension with it being forbidden and the internal conflicts they both go to while falling for each other was swoon worthy.

The writing style in this book did leave me cringing at times which led to my lower rating. I do see how it was necessary to show the personalities of the characters... but that also made me struggle to fall for the characters myself.

This was the first (and maybe only) adult romance I have read by Lynn Painter and honestly I will always read what she writes!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this ARC.

Accidentally Amy has the most perfect coffee shop meet cute imaginable. Then the dreaded coffee truth comes to light and oh no!! 😥

Blake’s reaction to Izzy’s momentary lapse in morals was a bit harsh and unreasonable, but I sort of see where he was coming from. I guess? lol I had a hard time comparing his past relationship issues to snagging a coffee you’ve technically already paid for, but I rolled with it to enjoy the sweet romance.

Izzy and Blake were pretty crazy about each other right away, so it stung for both parties when they had their little falling out. After they work out their differences of opinions, they try to find every loophole and excuse they could think of to see each other. They were so cute together. Izzy has a very playful and carefree spirit, and Blake was nothing like the uptight corporate boss he is at work. I loved the text banter and late night phone calls and there is a certain group game played among friends that is hilarious!! This was such a fun read.

Accidentally Amy by Lynn Painter had a lot of laugh-out-loud moments.

Isabella and Blake should not have hit it off after she accidentally crashed into him at Starbucks, and her coffee exploded all over him. Of course, the cup had Amy written on it, and since she had never expected to see him again, she went with it. There are a few unexpected meet-ups before turning intentional, but only as friends. How does that work out?

The two also have three cats between them. We get to know Izzy and Blake a little at a time as their layers are pulled back. There was some closure and the potential for a happily ever after, but the story ended abruptly, even with the epilogue, which takes place six months later. An excerpt from Maid for Each Other was included, which left me wanting more.

Accidentally Amy is filled with laughter and getting-to-know-you moments. Sit back with your coffee and get to know Izzy and Blake as they also get to know themselves better.

The review is posted on NovelsAlive.

I haven't read the self published version so I can't really compare the two but from what I understand Accidentally Amy started off as a serial in Lynn's newsletter as a way to thank her readers for subscribing, and so all of the separate chapters were eventually put into one file and self published so the fans can access them whenever they want.
Now this revised version has an added POV, extra 10k words aaannddd I guess it's finally put together as an actual book.

Accidentally Amy was really cute and fun as you'd expect from Lynn Painter. I loved the characters and their relationship, the cats were fantastic supporting characters. I laughed, I swooned, I can't really complain.

The reason why it isn't a 5 ⭐️ read is because I just know what Lynn can do and this wasn't her best book. This was super entertaining, and fast paced and fun but considering the book had an instant attraction in the very first chapter, things went from 0 to 100 real fast. There just really wasn't much build-up and that isn't a big issue for me but at times things just felt rushed.

Anyway, this is still a book I'd recommend especially if you are looking for something light, fun and cute and especially if you are in a slump and you want something to get you out of it—Accidentally Amy with its fast-pacing, humor and sexy moments won't disappoint.

eternal gratitude to Netgalley and Berkley for the arc

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing the ARC.

I was fortunate enough to read this when the author was publishing this as a serial. I enjoyed it then and I enjoyed it more now that it's gotten some polish and some fleshing out of the story.

However, I have a hard time with this book specifically because the language that Painter uses sometimes in her texts. She often uses a lot of colloquialisms and slang portmanteaus that I suppose are used to appeal to a broader audience, but really make her characters feel inauthentic. There's a line between good banter and being cringe and I feel like she toes that line very hard, often going over.

I do love the story though. I really enjoy Izzy and Blake's shenanigans, and I love how enthusiastic they become about each other and their relationship together. I just feel like this book in particular could use additional review of the language choices to really make it great.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review. I found this to be very funny and lighthearted and had me smiling so much! I loved the banter and how the book had me hooked from the first page!

Isabella “Izzy” Shay swipes a pumpkin spice latte labeled “Amy” (on purpose, but she paid for it—so it’s fine, right?) and collides with a GQ-worthy stranger, Blake Phillips. Sparks fly, and Blake is instantly smitten with “Amy.” Awkwardly, later that morning, Izzy discovers Blake is the VP of her department.

Awkward.

Despite the undeniable chemistry, they agree to keep things platonic to avoid breaking company policy. Easier said than done. Blake is the ultimate thoughtful-yet-arrogant grump, and Izzy? She’s a breath of fresh air—fun, honest, and full of infectious warmth. It’s no wonder Blake can’t help but be drawn to her.

I thorough enjoyed every single scene together - whether they’re having fantastic banter-liciousness, drinking coffee or eating pizza, or snuggling with cats. I simply loved it all:

*friends-to-lovers
*grumpy/sunshine
*my favourite kind of meet-cute

Accidentally Amy by Lynn Painter is a witty, fun loving, humorous romance that is more than just a story; taking the reader on a hilarious ride. From an instant attraction meet cute with a misunderstanding, to a boss-employee situation, the laughs are plentiful. Then there are the cousins. Not only do they all room in a building owned by their grandparents and create hilarious games and dares, they are friends. I never heard of billboard assassin before but I can imagine the creativity the winners will have with the losers. Much of the relationship was built through text messages between Isabella and Blake as they got to know each other better since the company had a no dating policy.

Painter created a magical romance that blends Isabella and Blake’s worlds beautifully. They’re perfect for each other and their insight is amazing. Connecting through everyday life allowed them to grow and handle obstacles placed along their journey.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
#Berkley #NetGalley # HappilyNeverAfter

This was the perfect meet cute rom-com! Lyn Painters books are always a reliable read so I am not suprised that I fell in love with Isabella and Mr. Chest himself. It was the perfect feel-good grumpy sunshine and I'm soe xcited for its release!

I loved this version of Accidentally Amy! I read the story as a serial in Painter's email newsletter and then again when she released it as a self-published ebook. This is definitely my favorite version of the book. It's been polished and a POV from Blake has been added, which felt like it added even more depth to the story. Izzy is hilarious and the chemistry between her and Blake is great. I would read this story again in another format - maybe audiobook! :)

Accidentally Amy is pure Lynn Painter gold.


I’m not always the biggest fan of office workplace romances, but I thought if anyone could get me to love this trope, it would be Lynn. And I am happy to report she did. If you are new to Lynn’s books, then get ready for a rom-com that is funny, witty, and spicy. Lynn is known for her banter that just hits all the right spots, think Gilmore Girls type of banter. There are lots of pop culture references, and sometimes the banter is a bit goofy in the best possible way. Lynn’s books just make you feel happy.

This is a fast and easy read. This book is one of those rom-coms that you can just sit back and enjoy. There isn’t a lot of heaviness to this story, and what I mean by that is there is little to no angst and no real serious topics/issues are woven into the plot. It’s just a fun and light-hearted read, which was what I needed this weekend. The overall story is pretty typical for a rom-com. This plot has no real big surprises, which is not a bad thing in my eyes. Sometimes, you just need to sink into a book that you know you will enjoy without worrying about the direction the author might go.

What makes this story stand out is the banter and the characters that Lynn has created. All the secondary characters are a hoot and are people I would love to have in my life. They add just the right amount of charming chaos to the story to make you smile and laugh out loud. Izzy is a typical Lynn Painter heroine. She is smart, kind, and a ball of chaotic, fun energy. I really get Lorelai Gilmore vibes from her character, which I LOVED. When Izzy interacts with Blake, she just talks nonstop, and when she starts rambling, funny and embarrassing things come out of her mouth. It’s great. I enjoyed her character and connected with her right from the start. Blake is also a typical Lynn hero in the sense that he appears to be button-up and very reserved, but once you get to know him, you realize that he is this sweet, charming, and witty man. Blake’s character is the one who goes through the most growth in this story. He is very rigid in his beliefs, especially when it comes to lying, and he is unwilling to forgive someone if they lie, even if it’s a stupid, small lie. Blake has to learn that life isn’t always black and white and that sometimes you have to operate in that grey zone because life is complicated and messy.

The romance is purrfection. I loved and craved every moment between these two. Like Izzy, I was also swooning when I learned that Blake is a crazy cat man, and the lengths he goes to make sure his cats are taken care of just melted my heart. Everything just worked so well between Izzy and Blake. They have that instant chemistry that just hooks you in. There are some hurdles and challenges that they have to overcome in order to be together. Blake is Izzy’s boss, which means any romantic relationship between them is forbidden. There is also the fact that Blake is super angry with Izzy for lying to him and allowing him to believe her name is Amy. The workplace hurdle was the major challenge that they had to figure out, and I thought Lynn did a good job at working things out in a realistic manner. There is a decent amount of spice in this book, and gosh, that lusty attraction between these two is delicious. Overall, it was a fabulous love story.

Accidentally Amy was everything I hoped it would be, and it was a perfect pick-me-up read.

Thanks Berkley for the arc!

3.5 stars! I mostly enjoyed the banter, it was a fun and quick read. 🥰

This was a cute, fun workplace romance that has everything you would come to expect from Lynn Painter. I loved Izzy and Blake’s meet cute and their banter back and forth!

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for the ALC.

I really enjoyed this updated version of Accidentally Amy by Lynn Painter. This book is super cozy and is sure to give you all the feels. Lynn Painter is quickly becoming one of my favorite writers.

The only comment I really have is that it appears that there is no audiobook being produced for this edition of the book, and that is a little upsetting to me, as a lover of audiobooks, and someone who is involved in the disability community. I know this technically does not have anything to do with reviewing the book, but I thought it was important to point out so that anyone who primarily reads with audiobooks (due to disability 0r otherwise), is aware that this 2025 special edition does not have an audiobook edition as of the pub date 2/14/2024. Hopefully, an audiobook is published for this book soon!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I wish I was able to rate the story more than 5 stars!

Read If You Like:
- Office romances
- Accidental first meetings
- Slow-burn with witty banter
- Grumpy-sunshine
- Fall vibes and pumpkin spice lattes

Accidentally Amy is a fun rom-com that starts with a coffee-spilling meet-cute and takes you on a hilarious, heartwarming journey of unexpected love. Isabella, who accidentally assumes the name "Amy" after a chaotic morning mix-up, doesn’t expect her clumsy run-in with the brooding barista to come back to haunt her at work. But when she realizes her coffee shop crush is none other than her grumpy new coworker, Christopher, the sparks—and the awkwardness—are impossible to ignore.

Isabella is a relatable, chaotic force of nature who radiates sunshine, while Christopher’s gruff, no-nonsense demeanor hides a heart that’s more than ready to fall. Their dynamic shifts as the walls come down, moving from playful bickering to deeply emotional moments that will have you rooting for their happily ever after.

The workplace setting adds an extra layer of tension, especially as their connection grows and secrets (like Isabella’s fake name) threaten to upend everything. The humor is perfectly balanced with heartfelt moments, and the autumnal backdrop—with cozy coffee shops and pumpkin spice everything—gives the story a warm, comforting vibe.

If you’re looking for a feel-good romance filled with laugh-out-loud moments, swoony tension, and a couple you can’t help but adore, Accidentally Amy is the perfect choice. It’s a story that feels like a warm cup of coffee on a crisp fall day—satisfying, sweet, and impossible to put down.

Thank you so much to Berkley for my gifted ARC!

Lynn Painter is one of my favorite writers, her characters are just so realistic and fun to spend time with! Loved this one and can’t wait for more Lynn!

3.5/5 Stars

This was a super fast-paced, easy to digest read. Overall it was cute, with a lot of the classic workplace romance tropes, but started getting a little too cringy for me in the third act. There were a lot of funny aspects, with his cats being stars of the show. I also loved whenever we interacted with Izzy's cousins and wish we got a little more of them! It wasn't my favorite, as there was some miscommunication and power dynamics that I didn't love, but those are very much a me thing and might not bother others!

You can tell Lynn is a YA writer primarily, as many of the things that I like about YA novels was good in this (tension/build up, funny side characters, etc.). However, it started to feel like the adult content wasn't quite there. Some of how they behaved was immature and I struggled with the relationship in the third act.

This was also the case for the romance. I would describe this is an open door romance that leaves the lights off. It technically is on-page spice, but the language is so generic it could have just stayed closed door. Now the lead up to the spice was great though, which again, is something she likely had developed well as a YA writer. The kisses were hot AF but then it just kind of fizzled when it finally came to any more action. The way they discussed sex also felt like teens vs adults, with some of the language being cringey. If you are someone who doesn't like graphic description, you'd be happy with this! But for those who like a little more spice, this will be on the mild side for you.

Overall I think it's a solid read for fans of her novels and those who enjoy a workplace romance. It wasn't my favorite, but it was quick and easy and kept me entertained!

Read If You Like:
Workplace romance
Grumpy x sunshine
Cat dad
Steamy slowish burn

Thank you Berkley and NetGalley for the free copy of the book!

I ADORED this book!!! The banter between Amy and Mr chest (aka Izzy and Blake) was top notch!! I laughed out loud literally multiple times!
I am usually a smut reader but this book didn’t give us the dirty details and that was PERFECT the romance between them the connection and chemistry was stunning!
I love a book full of text threads too and this delivered!
But I can’t say enough about the BANtER!! The characters were well written so the quirkiness of the banter didn’t feel out of place but just so good!

I love Lynn Painter’s banter and text-convos. They’re always so much fun! Izzy and Blake have amazing interactions, I couldn’t get enough. And I loved their arc, going from immediate sparks to having to pull back, then maybe hoping for friendship before taking on romance. The way it laid a foundation for deeper attachment and connection was fantastic.

Mostly, though, it was an adorable romance and easy to binge. Were there some silly moments? Sure. But overall, I think it’s a great rom-com and even worth a reread when I need a pick-me-up.