conceptually i am a fan but the pacing was weird and i *really* dislike when jane is a character in a novel

I was so excited to read it — that premise! — but sadly this one didn’t work for me. I liked how it didn't waste a lot of time in throwing the characters to the past, but from that point forward it did not keep my attention well. I think maybe it was the writing style or the story-telling that wasn't a match for me. I ended up skimming a lot to get through it.

My first ARC! How exciting. Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Anyone who knows me knows that I did my undergrad in English Literature, and that I took a class called Jane Austen and her Contemporaries. It was a terrible class, and unfortunately, soured me quite a bit to Austen's catalogue. However, in that class, Northanger Abbey was far and away my favourite of her books, so I was thrilled to see it was the inspiration here.

I find that many Austen inspired books are a bit heavy or lean too far into the historical aspects, but this struck an excellent balance between being modern and readable while still making smart references to the source material. As others have said, the archetypal Austen characters are out in full force, and round out the historical setting.

As always, I find enemies to lovers to switch up into the lovers aspect too quickly, but I enjoyed both main characters' development and understand of each other. I would have liked a bit more information at the end about what happened when they returned to the present, but overall, this was sweet, fun, and made me like Jane Austen just a bit more (especially with her cameo!)

A charming and delightful love letter to Jane Austen!

Quick synopsis: movie co-stars, Tess and Hugh, get off on the wrong foot then are thrown back in time to regency England. Once there, they have to navigate social customs, their own animosity, and the baggage from their personal life that is still haunting them.

The story is well developed and written - both the stars and secondary characters are thought out, the setting well established, and the plot albeit ridiculous (intentionally) is just pure fun. Also, for Austen lovers, there is basically a reference on every page (to books, to movies, to Austen herself, and in Tess/Hugh’s love story).

At times I found Tess’s character frustrating - she’s a bit carelessly selfish and could come across mean (e.g., in her insults to Hugh). It worked well for the character and overall story…so in that regard I think it worked. But I simultaneously just didn’t like what she was doing even if it made sense in the broader story.

Thank you to Madeline Bell, St Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars! Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

Okay wow I did not expect to love this as much as I did! Somehow an unbelievably silly time travel Regency ‘enemy’ costars premise actually ended up grappling with grief, love, legacy, and identity extremely well. It’s a whacky plot, but it’s easy to root for Tess and Hugh as they navigate the 1800s. I’m a sucker for a fun little hijinks, which this story had plenty of. I very much enjoyed the Austen references, but I could have done with fewer modern day pop culture references. There are only so many times you can read “Taylor Swift” or “Dakota Johnson’s iPhone” face before you feel like you’ve somehow left the novel and logged onto twitter

Thank you to St. Martin's Press & NetGalley for this super fun ARC!

4.25 stars⭐ This was SO much fun, I loved it! You give me enemies to lovers/time travel/countless Austen references, I give YOU a big fat kiss. The pacing was well done, the chemistry was MUAH, and once I got into it I never wanted to put this book down!

I really loved Hugh & Tess together (Tess was a LIIIIITTLE bit of a dingo sometimes, but I appreciate that she did at least realize it). I could happily read another 300 pages about them.

Also the cover is GORGE!

My first official arc review :) All of the opinions in this review are my own, and it will be (mostly) spoiler free!

“Oh, my love. Mess is where the good stuff lives.”

This book gave me heavy “Austenland” vibes (a rom-com that I think is HIGHLY underrated). Not only is the story itself heavily inspired by Jane Austen’s works, it also includes Jane Austen as a character! That made me giggle a little bit.

I love me a time-slip story, and this was no exception. A mess of a woman costarring with a prick of a man in a Jane Austen movie adaption = a disaster waiting to happen. They absolutely despised each other at the beginning of the story, and it made it all the better that they got stuck in the Austen time period together. In an effort to get home, they become reluctant allies and create a plan to get back home- all the while using their acting skills to blend in with the time period they’re stuck in. The whole of the execution was relatively well done, especially for a debut novel.
I loved all the modern Austen adaption references (including Austenland, funny enough!), as well as the other modern references. There were traces of some of my favorite romances that I saw scattered through the book, which I got excited about every time :) It truly was a perfect blend of a classic time period and our modern world.

The romance developed nicely. The characters had to learn to trust each other, and their moments of having each others back were beautiful. Not gonna lie…both of them are kind of…red flags…but they somehow balanced out each others? A pleasant surprise to have me start out disliking both just to end the story absolutely adoring both.

I did adore this book, but there were a few clunky and “cringe” moments in the book- particularly the sex scene (The descriptions of “daggering” and “feather-like” were used in the exact same sentence for the same context…which??). However, if you go into this book knowing that she’s a debut author and the story is MEANT to be a little silly, it’s far more enjoyable.

The only thing I would’ve liked to see more of is the effects of everything that occurred in the book. I wanted the epilogue to focus more on how that time skip affected the characters in both the past and present.

I have been hyperfixating on Jane Austen recently and this was fantastic and a great way to continue my fixation. I really really enjoyed this and did not want it to ever end!

I ADORED THIS BOOK! Oh my word - so so fun! I fell in love with our main characters from the start and watch them go from enemies to lovers was just delightful! The pacing, build up, and chemistry between the two was just so well done! Absolutely loved it from start to finish!

The Austen Affair was delightful! With complex characters, an interesting story line and amazing chemistry this hits the spot for a regency romance read.

Tess and Hugh are actors cast in an adaption of Northhanger Abbey when an accident lands them back in time. Now they have to act their way through time until they can figure out how to return home.

If you enjoyed other novels touching on Jane Austen then you will love this book!

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

This book was an absolute treat—equal parts charm, wit, and swoony slow-burn romance. The Austen Affair is what happens when time travel meets tea scandals, brooding men, and a heroine who doesn’t know how to keep her head down (thankfully). Madeline Bell’s debut is a playful, heartfelt twist on Austen-esque fiction with a modern soul, and I devoured it.

Tess is the kind of protagonist I root for from page one: sharp, grounded, and refreshingly real—even when she’s trying to survive a society that thinks flirting is a crime and embroidery is a life skill. And then there’s Hugh. Oh, Hugh. Quiet, guarded, and deeply loyal—he’s got that deliciously restrained emotional depth that sneaks up and steals your heart. I found myself emotionally attached to a fictional man (again), and I have no regrets.

The story balances humor and heartache beautifully. I laughed, I swooned, and I felt the emotional weight of grief and growth handled with such care. Tess and Hugh’s connection unfolds with tension, tenderness, and those glorious stolen glances that make your chest ache. Their dynamic felt natural and deeply earned, making every moment hit just a little harder.

While it dips into familiar romance beats, Bell’s voice is fresh, her dialogue sparkles, and the dual timelines are crafted with intention and heart. It’s not just about falling in love—it’s about finding the courage to be vulnerable and choosing connection across time and circumstance.

Highly recommend this for anyone who loves a smart, emotionally layered romance with a dash of time-travel magic and a whole lot of charm.

Coming your way September 16, 2025! Huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This novel brought to mind "Lost in Austen" - sweet, lighthearted, and plenty of references for an Austen fan. It was comforting that the plot followed the familiar rhythms of the period dramas that the FMC loved. The FMC was also very accessible; despite her being described as an incredibly beautiful actress, she behaved like an everyday person.

4.5⭐️ This was Back to the Future meets Austenland, and I ate it up! It was a true Austen-inspired enemies to lovers that kept me interested and up reading way too late at night. Hugh Balfour was perfectly Darcy-esque, and Tess Bright was an amalgamation of my favorite Austen heroines balanced with her own uniqueness. I can’t wait for this to be released so everyone else can enjoy it too!

If you're into rom-coms with a twist and a little time travel chaos, The Austen Affair should absolutely be on your TBR. It's got that perfect mix of banter, tension, and magical realism that makes the story feel both grounded and totally whimsical. Think The Seven Year Slip energy but set in Jane Austen's world plus Bridgerton vibes.

Tess Bright is trying to revive her career (and maybe her entire reputation) by starring in a period drama. Enter Hugh Balfour: British, broody, and absolutely not impressed by Tess’s Teen Choice Awards. Their chemistry is rocky at best…until an electrical accident zaps them 200 years into the past and suddenly they’re stuck in the actual Regency era. Casual.

I loved the enemies-to-lovers slow burn between Tess and Hugh. The banter is so fun and the dynamic between them really evolves as they’re forced to rely on each other. And the historical setting? Surprisingly immersive without feeling stuffy. It’s playful and clever, with just enough emotional depth to keep it grounded.

Some of the Austen references felt a little on-the-nose, and the pacing dragged a bit but nothing that pulled me out of the story for long. If you liked the soft magical realism and emotional pull of The Seven Year Slip, this totally delivers in a similar way (but with more corsets and carriage rides).

Final verdict: sweet, smart, and full of charm. Definitely recommend if you’re into modern romances with a historical twist and a hint of magic.

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for the ARC

As a fan of Jane Austen and modern romances, I was delighted to read The Austen Affair. I love the enemies to lovers trope and thought Tess and Hugh's path from loathing to love was well done. I enjoyed the secondary characters so much and think the story wouldn't have landed as well without them. All the key "types" from an Austen novel are present and accounted for including the rake and nosy neighbor.

rating — 3.5 out of 5 stars.

upon reading this book, i find myself reminded of keri russell’s masterful work of art austenland: i, as an austen fan, am having a great time. do i think it’s quite as much fun for someone who isn’t as rabid about her works? maybe not. but i still think it holds up decently without the framework of a prior obsession.

i’ve said it before, and i’ll say it again: i love a little magical twist to my romances. i think it’s a fun, easy way to give a work a little extra oomph, and it usually works quite well to make a work stand out a bit from its peers. i think that is the case here as well — overall, i think that hugh and tess had a nice story, but the whole time travel thing definitely bumped them up a notch for me. i love hijinks! i love watching them bumble their way through hugh pretending to be his own great-great-whatever dead uncle! it’s more fun this way. if the two of them weren’t shepherded into a period-appropriate engagement and wedding, i probably would’ve been a little less enthused about their overall journey. but they are, and the stakes provide an appropriate urgency to both their predicament and relationship. this was an easy, breezy read for me — the whipped cream of books. maybe there’s not much substance, but it’s a light and frothy topping for a sweet treat.

Feel like I was thrown into the book abruptly.
Telling not showing

I really enjoyed this book. The story was a cute tale of two people thrown back in time to Regency Hampshire. I loved the originality, the love story, and the personalities of each of the characters. I also loved how the struggle to properly fit in with society two hundred years ago was present, rather than the main characters fitting in with no trouble whatsoever. All in all, there’s a complicated but sweet couple to root for, Austen-esque villains, and a surprise cameo. Also great anxiety rep in the male love interest.

The two hardest parts for me were the entry to the story and the writing itself. I felt as though I was thrown in and didn’t get a proper introduction. As such, it took me a while to get my bearings and buy into the story. As for the writing, it was a lot of telling rather than showing. There was page after page of the main character’s thoughts rather than anything happening. It felt like the story was being explained to me. After a while I found myself skimming the longer sections without any dialogue. It felt like they could’ve cut at least 10%-20% of the book out and we’d have still come to the same conclusion.

Overall, great story, but if an abundance of exposition isn’t your thing, I’d be wary.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun and easy read that I mostly enjoyed. I think that adding a little more backstory to Tess would be beneficial because she was incredibly grating to me most of the book. I think if you are a chronically online Jane Austen fan, you will enjoy this book.

Thanks to the author and published for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

This was the brightest, freshest take on time travel romance that I'd read in a very long time. Focusing on the relationships between the characters, and building those out this would make a great book club or readers advisory pick. It was the right amount of heart and heat (one chapter to skip for your puritanical readers) for the setting that it never felt overwhelming. Our two main characters both act like adults throughout and it was especially refreshing to not have to suffer through a third act break-up. I'm excited to watch Madeline Bell, I think we're going to see great things come from her, including The Austen Affair. Highly recommend.

I enjoyed this book from start to finish, and had a wonderful trip back in time. This was a five-star enemies-to-lovers time travel extravaganza!