I loved this, and I think anyone who genuinely appreciates Jane Austen will as well. This was such a fun homage to all of Austen’s works, and to the romance genre in general. I’m sure even I didn’t catch all of the references and quotes, and I’ve read all of the books at least twice and have seen most of the adaptations. Every reference made me smile, and I got just as much enjoyment out of the original storylines and characters as well.

That said, this is clearly intended to be a modern rom-com that just so happens to take partial place in the regency era. In some respects, it walks the line between historical and contemporary romance which can make it feel a little disjointed. It’s also cheesy, and the main characters can slip into a bit of one-dimension sometimes. I ultimately didn’t mind because I loved the characters and story so much, but I can see where this won’t be for everyone.

The Austen Affair is a charming romantic comedy following two actors on the set of a Jane Austen adaptation who are thrust back in time to the Regency era, living out their own Austen-esque story. I enjoyed this novel, it had so much heart and the Austen of it all makes it feel so warm.

I loved Tess, she’s a flawed main character and that’s really what makes her so well-written. Even Hugh too, is just as flawed, but shown for who he is as we (and Tess) get to know him more. These characters work so damn well together. Their romance is tension-filled but also turns out to be incredibly heartwarming and healing in a way I wasn’t expecting. Also, Hugh is a vegetarian? A plus for me. Their romance is paced well, though I do think there could have been even more, especially in the first half of the book to lean into the ‘enemies’ of it all, but this was not a big issue. The supporting characters were lovely too, they all worked well within the plot.

Speaking of!!! The plot!!! It reads like a 2000s romcom at times to me. Not the same, but it reminded me a lot of the feel of Austenland (which is referenced in the book!) and I adore that film. This novel feels made for those who love Austen and appreciate how she still lives in a plot such as this one. There’s so much care put into this story, and the Austen influence/references, and that really makes it what it is. The pacing was good, but the ending came a little quick/was rushed, even though I felt so much by the end of this. It will make you feel a lot no doubt, but I wanted a little more at the end. I think some scene transitions were clunky and I had to reread parts here and there to understand what had happened or who was speaking, but this wasn’t so overriding that I struggled.

Very interested to see what this author does in the future, but The Austen Affair was such a sweet read and I definitely recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC! Book releases Sept. 16th, 2025!

The Austen Affair is a unique and witty romance following two actors that have been casted as the leads for an adaption of Jane Austens Northanger Abbey. The two leads, Tess and Hugh, are different in every way, butting heads and arguing on set. Until an incident occurs which sends them back into Regency times. As they try to make their way back home to the 21st century, they must learn to understand and rely on each other as their feelings ultimately grow for one another.

With fun banter, unique setting/storyline, and the ever-adored enemies to lovers trope, The Austen Affair is a fast-paced enjoyable read. Littered with Jane Austen references that a devoted Austenite like me fully appreciated, laughing to myself when the iconic hand flex scene in Pride and Prejudice (2005) is referenced and smiling when a character says a line directly from one of Austens books. I could definitely tell the author was a true Austen fan with all the care and research put into the references! I enjoyed the growth and love between Tess and Hugh as they learn about each other and get over the preconceived notions they have about one another.

Tess’ journey with her grief after her mother’s passing was well done, her feelings and emotions felt real. The writing style, though clear and simple, wasn’t exactly my personal style preference and I did think the main characters could be a bit childish at times.

But overall it was a fun read and Hugh was definitely swoon-worthy!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for sending this book for review consideration! All opinions are my own.

I found this book to be incredibly refreshing! I loved the time-hopping element, especially how the main character got to revisit the past and uncover more about his family. The characters were beautifully layered and well-developed, which made their journeys even more compelling.

I don’t usually gravitate toward stories set in the past or written in a historical style, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the sections set in Austen’s time. It gave me a newfound appreciation for that era—even down to the way they spoke.

This book definitely made an impression, and I would absolutely recommend it to a friend.

Thank you Net Galley for providing me with an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

I could not put this down, I'm so elated and sad that it's over. I absolutely love Jane Austin, all things British, and period dramas with angst. Can't wait to go back to London in the Winter, hopefully, I can go back in time too!

Hugh Balfour and Tess Bright have so much going on in their personal lives that they've closed themselves off in their own way. Hugh seems arrogant, OCD, and a huge grump, while Tess is the sunshine—except she's also working through the loss of her favorite person in the world, her mother. Following a confrontation on set while filming an adaptation of Northanger Abbey, Hugh and Tess find themselves unexpectedly thrown back 200 years into the Regency era.

I truly enjoyed their relationship and how their love for each other developed so profoundly over time. I only wish it had been longer; the ending felt a bit hurried, and I would have loved to see more of their journey together. Reading this was such a delight, and I can't wait for others to experience it when it releases in September.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the arc—loved it so much!

Two actors. One Jane Austen adaptation. And a little oops-we-just-time-traveled situation.
Tess and Hugh go from enemies on set to unlikely allies (and maybe more?) in the actual Regency era. Think corsets, chaos, and chemistry with a side of historical hijinks. It’s witty, romantic, and totally bingeable.

Espresso Martini Rating: 4 out of 5
Because nothing says “accidental time travel love story” like sipping martinis in 19th-century breeches.

This book put me in best mood! It had magical elements. It had banter. It was swoony. It made me cry.It made me laugh! And left me smiling!
Enemies to lovers. Two people thrown together trying work as a team. Learning about each other and growing as people. The way they show up for each other was perfection!
I am glad I got to share their journey.

A very cute palate cleanser of a story, but not too memorable. This would be best read by those who have read Jane Austen's novels, as i struggled to understand sometimes. I liked the MMC and the grumpy misunderstood British guy vibes. What was kind of off-putting was the constant 4th wall break, and the consistant references of todays pop culture. Usually one or two is fine, but for those who read to fully escape all reality-- this probably would be a DNF situation as the references were on-going. The premise of the story was fun, and the writing was easy to follow. overall, a good story- but one I probably wont read again.

This book was a real gem of a book that resonates with my love for Jane Austen's timeless stories. It's always a delight to encounter a novel that not only pays homage to Austen's enduring themes but also successfully captures the essence of her character dynamics and romantic tensions. The compelling characters and their chemistry made the narrative even more engaging, allowing you to immerse yourself fully in the story. Books that evoke such a strong connection often leave a lasting impression, making the reading experience both memorable and satisfying. This modern adaption is sure to bring you joy. Huge thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

The combination of actors filming a movie together and time traveling is truly all I can want in a book. This book was so fun! It was full of shenanigans from characters who stumbled into a time they were only supposed to be playing in a movie, had amazing sizzling banter that turned into such a great romance, and side characters that were just so silly and “Austen” that you couldn’t help but loving them. Honestly, my only complaint when it comes to this book is that the ending felt very abrupt—I would’ve liked to see more of the filming of the movie, and how the characters relationship turned out once they got home.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I got to read The Austen Affair on NetGalley.

Here’s my honest review:
This book was an excellent palete cleanser from the really sad books I’ve read recently. This was a fun, lighthearted read that had romance and time travel!

Spoiler Free Summary - Tess and Hugh are co-stars in an up and coming adaptation of Austen’s Northanger Abbey. Tess and Hugh don’t see eye-to-eye on the best approach to their characters and struggle to cultivate chemistry for the cameras. After a freak accident, the stars are thrown back to Regency Era England and forced to work together to find their way back home.

My thoughts - I enjoyed reading this book, it was very lighthearted and an easy read. I liked that the author added the complexities of family dynamics and the pain of losing someone you love. As it is with all time travel, reading about the characters navigating anachronisms is always fun.
My biggest issue with the book is a personal pet peeve of mine, but not actually a problem. I don’t like when authors reference popular culture in their books, it throws me out of the plot. Some people love this and can connect with the characters, but I prefer full fiction. If someone is winning an award for a movie, make up the movie title. Game of thrones, the 2022 adaptation of Persuasion, and Bridget Jones’ Diary were just a few things mentioned in the book, and it was hard for me to process that a character was in Game of Thrones when I knew they weren’t. Like I said, not a huge issue, just a personal one.

Anywho, The Austen Affair comes out September 16th. You should read it if you love rom-coms because it has all the best parts of a rom-com with the added bonus of time travel!

Reviewed for NetGalley:

Costars, Tess Bright and Hugh Balfour are playing romantic leads in the hottest new Austen movie adaptation. Too bad they hate each other.

While the two argue on set, they undergo an accident that transplants them right into the time of Jane Austen herself.

I always love a good enemies to lovers trope, and this fit the bill. Loved the character development of Tess and Hugh, and the reader learning more about their motivation for behavior as the plot continues.

I just loved this book. As a huge Austen fan, I was excited to read this- two co-stars in an Austen piece are jolted back in time to the Regency era? Sounds spectacular. And it was! I loved how real each character felt. I wish we as readers had a little more resolution with the time travel plot but overall an incredible book. Will be reading again!
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the ARC!

I am absolutely the target audience for this book and it was delightful. I loved the references to Jane Austen's works and how true to the heart of what endures in her works that this story was. I found the characters compelling, their chemistry was lovely, and I tore through this book!

Oh my goodness I love this book so much! Madeline Bell has written such a charming Austen inspired novel following Tess and Hugh, actors in a new adaptation of Northanger Abbey that through a freak accident end up in Austen era England. The enemies to lovers trope really shines when the two actors who don’t get along on set all of a sudden have to lean on each other to figure out regency era England. Also to add the cherry on top of the cake, Hugh is mistaken for his ancestor and they must continue the charade in his family’s home. The way the two characters come together and look out for each other while peeling back the layers of each of their personalties made me absolutely melt and the discussions of grief were incredibly powerful. This novel is definitely my new favorite book of the year.

✨The Vibe:
A time-travel rom-com that throws two clashing co-stars into the Regency era—with corsets and chaotic chemistry included. Think Enemies to Lovers meets Doctor Who meets Northanger Abbey (kinda).

📖The Plot:
Tess Bright is trying to reboot her acting career—and her self-esteem—by landing the lead role in a new adaptation of Northanger Abbey. Hugh Balfour is her co-star: award-nominated, irritatingly perfect, and very much not a fan of Tess’s “tabloid actress” reputation.

They can barely fake liking each other on set… until a freak electrical accident zaps them back 200 years to actual Regency England.

Now they have to rely on each other to survive the past, not ruin the future, and maybe—just maybe—figure out that their biggest problem isn’t time travel… it’s feelings.


✔️What I Liked:
•The premise is fresh and fun—a mix of rom-com, historical homage, and time-travel chaos.
•Tess and Hugh are opposites in the best way, and their emotional baggage gives them depth beneath the banter.
•Loved the focus on how past relationships (both romantic and familial) shaped who they are.
•It’s a quick, light read—perfect for fans of romantic comedies with a twist.
•The cover? Stunning. One of the reasons I picked it up in the first place.

➖What Didn’t Quite Land:
•Some parts dragged, and I found myself skimming through sections that felt repetitive or a bit flat.
•The ending felt rushed—especially the return to present day and how they adjusted to being a couple outside the Regency fantasy.
•I wanted a bit more substance to balance the style—something that would make the story really stick with me.

💭Final Thoughts:
The Austen Affair is a clever concept with charming leads and plenty of witty dialogue, but it leans more toward rom-com fluff than full emotional depth. Still, if you’re in the mood for something whimsical and low-stakes, it’ll do just fine.

📍Perfect for fans of:
•Bridgerton vibes with a sci-fi twist
•Movie-set drama meets literal time travel
•Light-hearted fiction with just enough Austen flair

⭐️⭐️⭐️

📚Big thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press | St. Martin’s Griffin for the ARC!

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for this E-arc in exchange for honest feedback.

The book’s premise had potential, but the execution tried to cram in too many tropes at once (enemies-to-lovers, reluctant allies, and more) without giving any of them room to breathe. The shifts between these dynamics felt abrupt, leaving the relationships underdeveloped.

While I liked Jane Austen's inspiration, many references came across as more textbook citations than natural tributes. Trust your audience to recognize Austen’s work without over-explaining, as it's one of the reasons why we picked up the book in the first place!

The banter didn’t land for me between the two main characters. It leaned into clichés and lacked the wit or tension needed to sell the romance, but I did like the grumpy x sunshine dynamic they had going on.

As an isekai, the story’s fantastical elements didn’t need to be realistic, but the protagonist’s reaction to time travel (via a bizarre electrocution scene) stretched believability. She showed little concern for her safety or how to return home, while the male lead fixated on problems that felt disproportionate. His Darcy-esque persona also veered into stereotype, and the dialogue often didn’t suit the period, though I’ll admit this is romance, not strict historical fiction, so there was some flexibility.

Rating: 2/5 — A very creative concept, but perhaps needed tighter pacing and more authentic character dynamics.

TLDR: a nice silly romance with a fun plot and actual heart to it.

Tess Bright and Hugh Balfour are costars on a Austen adaptation film and also WORST ENEMIES!! But will that last when they’re blasted to the past? Due to a shock caused by a lightning storm, Tess and Hugh are somehow blasted to the past. This is a wonderful use of metaphor, as Tess is fully caught up in the past regency era, past relationships, and her mother’s death. She also begins to realize that Hugh is not a cold emotionless robot and oops now she loves him. This book is low spice, medium tension and lots of fun! It knows exactly what it is and it’s not trying to be super deep out of nowhere. It’s just effortlessly good.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publishers, and Madeline Bell for this advanced reader copy of her fun new novel. Madeline Bell’s enemies to lovers who fall into Regency times and smack dab into a plot straight out of Jane Austen was a silly, adorable jaunt. I enjoyed Hugh and his adhering to the times, while our spunky lead Miss Bright continues to slip up in the most fun anachronistic ways. My only struggle (and one many might also struggle with) was the sheer amount of Jane Austen that one would really need to know to get every single little quip or reference. I am a Janeite, and I wonder if some who just dabble might struggle with it!

this book can be described in one word and that word is "meh"

there is no chemistry between the two main leads. It started off well but once they went back in time it was all downhill. Just snooze fest after snoozefest.