What a treat! TIme travel romances are already a delight. Adding in the forced proximity trope (one of my FAVES!), Jane Austen (the queen) and you've got a recipe for a masterpiece! I think any fan of romances (historical or not!) would delight in this story!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC. It might be one of my favorite reads of the year.
The Austen Affair follows the Tess, a loud, funny, and realistically relatable actress as she gets her dream role in a Jane Austen movie adaptation and her movie partner, Hugh. Tess and Hugh travel back in time to the Austen Era in England, which holds a special meaning for the each of them separately. As they navigate their endeavors of no electricity and minimal plumbing they grow to discover that they might have more in common than they initially thought. Our FMC and MMC feel so real throughout this book that it didn't feel like I was reading a book. Tess and Hugh have their moments like all of us; they have fun, they get mad and fight and are rude to each other, but most importantly they feel real and believable. There are few things worse for me in a book than not being able to understand why characters acted the way they did. And thankfully, I never once felt that way in this book. The Austen Affair doesn’t require you to be a regency snob like some period books I’ve read. Instead it creates a welcoming feel and new appreciation for the original Austen Era. I have a feeling this book would be great for bookclubs that are hesitant to read classics but want to try something new. Overall The Austen Affair is a fast paced, witty, and lovable book that I am eagerly awaiting its release to purchase my own copy and reread it.

much like the book's heroine, the austen affair takes big swings and sometimes makes contact, and other times whiffs. i admire the ambition but in practice, it mostly just gives the reader whiplash. the concept is down-on-her-luck actress and austen aficionado tess bright gets cast as catherine morland opposite hugh balfour, a buttoned-up, acclaimed actor with the personality of a sentient finance ledger, sparks literally fly and they get transported back to regency-era hampshire and (coincidentally) the ancestral seat of said sentient ledger. hijinx, inconvenient feelings, and avoidance of folding the fabric of space-time ensue. i would say the book's main weakness is trying to reconcile the two leads' Big Losses (dead mom, dad with dementia) with a fizzy, overdramatic fish-out-of-water enemies-to-lovers plot. i would have kindly counseled the author to pick a lane, even if the final product isn't bad, but it could have been refined into something better.

I am not a fan of romances and I’ll be completely honest, I have yet to read any of Jane Austen books. With that said, I enjoyed this so much. This book had me kicking my feet and screaming into my pillow. I really enjoyed this and it softened me up to be more open to pick up more romance type novels.

I really loved this book. At first, I wasn't so sure....what with the predictable lightning storm sending them back to Jane Austen's time....but the book just grew on me. Loved the main character, enemies to lovers trope, and the secondary characters all deserve their own books! Great read.

I had a mostly fun time reading this, but I got certainly get nitpicky about how it was actually crafted. My main problems were just some placing issues (especially at the beginning and end) and also I felt that both the main characters were too unlikeable and mean at times to each other. The overall plot though I enjoyed and I think Bell has a fun voice to their writing.

mash-up with The Austen Affair, blending modern Hollywood wit, unexpected time travel, and Regency-era charm into a deliciously escapist read.

What I Loved ❤️
• Playful High-Concept Premise: Two feuding co-stars cast in a Jane Austen adaptation accidentally get whisked back to Regency England—what a clever setup! The comedic tension between them, fueled by modern sensibilities clashing with old-world etiquette, had me smiling from page one. 
• Electrifying Chemistry: Sparks fly as the leads navigate ballroom etiquette, stolen glances across candlelit halls, and the absurdity of their situation. Their banter feels effortlessly witty, and their gradual thawing—from rivalry to something real—plays out with romantic payoff.
• Regency Romance Drama: Bell’s version of early 19th-century society feels vivid and lived-in. From strict social codes to the thrill of the masked ball and conversation over tea, the setting comes alive, making the time-travel aspect feel right at home.

Minor Quibble:
Some plot threads, like the behind-the-scenes Hollywood drama and a few secondary characters, felt slightly rushed as the story prioritized the romance and historical hijinks. Still, the focus on the leads is so satisfying that it rarely felt like a distraction.

Final Verdict:
For lovers of time-travel rom-coms and Austen-adjacent adventures, The Austen Affair is a true delight: equal parts hilarious, heartfelt, and utterly charming. With its witty dialogue, period flair, and irresistible second-chance energy (across time!), this is a must-read for anyone who delights in clever, playful romances.

I thoroughly enjoyed this unique Austen inspired novel! Both leads, Hugh & Tess, had me smiling, tearing up, and laughing throughout my read.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for giving me this ARC to read!

I enjoyed the cute and interesting story line. Being a Jane Austen fan myself I enjoyed all of the references.

Thank you to netgalley for an advanced copy. My opinions are my own.

As a long time Austen fan, I was so excited to apply and get this ARC. It was funny, cute, and I liked the idea of being thrown back into the Regency Era. Hugh and Tess are thrown back into time and are working through the shock, the changes in the time and what the past held/future holds. Both actors (Tess and Hugh) are forced to get along, and to act themselves in this time period. This focuses on enemies to lovers from present to past, they work together to find out a way to go home. There were moments of overlap of the works of Austen, and yet still a modern retelling.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Madeline Bell for this lighthearted, wonderful story for an Austen lover like me!

Very cute and cheesy rom com. Liked that the characters actually disliked each other at the beginning hahaha. Only thing is that her personal dialogue sometimes sounds British which can be kind of confusing towards the end of the book. Liked how it was slow burn but very sweet overall

Thank you St Martin’s Press for the ARC! This was wonderful! As a huge Austen fan, I loved everything about this. There were so many pieces and statements from all of her work, some obvious and some not. Tess seemed just perfect and Hugh was dreamy. Being two modern people in a world where you can’t touch someone of the opposite sex without a marriage proposal while slowly falling for one another was quite the feat. I can’t wait for this book to come out, I’m definitely buying a copy to gift my mom.

The following review will be posted on Goodreads on September 9, 2025, one week before the publishing date.

what if we were co-stars in a jane austen movie but we hated each other pride and prejudice style and we end up time traveling 200 years into the past and almost get married in regency england?

The Austen Affair was funny, swoon-worthy, and whimsical in the best Jane Austen way. It follows Tess Bright, an actress struggling to keep her acting career afloat after leaving the cast of her teen soap opera. She is cast as Catherine Morland in a movie adaptation of Northanger Abbey alongside Hugh Balfour, a dour British actor who cannot stand her. After an altercation leads to them being transported to Regency England, Tess and Hugh put their acting skills to the test while trying to find a way back home, finding love along the way.

I devoured this book. Tess and Hugh were a delight to read about. I loved seeing them dismantle their preconceived notions about each other within the context of Regency England and Jane Austen’s own works. Their banter was delicious and their chemistry was off the charts.

I really liked the moments of seriousness and complexity hidden between the humor. The absurdity of going back in time to Regency England is constantly shadowed by Hugh’s anxiety about heading back home to his father. There was also a persistent theme about loss and losing your loved ones prevalent throughout the entire book. At the end, when Tess comes to terms with the loss of her mother and sees Hugh struggling with losing his father, there’s a really important message about grief that made me tear up.

All in all, a fun and light read that I would recommend!

The Austen Affair is a high concept story that is perfectly executed. In it a two co-stars — Tessa and Hugh — in a Jane Austen adaptation get zapped back in time to the Regency era. They happen to end up at Hughes family home where he is mistaken for a relative who actually died at Waterloo.

This becomes a great launching off point for the story as Hugh and Tessa must then fit into society from that time with their modern sensibilities and not do anything to negatively affect the future.

In this setting they’re able to see each other in a new light and romance ensues. The story is funny and romantic but also touches on heavier themes like losing a parent.

So we’re talking time travel escapades but with gravitas. Plus little Georgie is a freaking delight.

My only extremely minor quibble was the name of the TV show Tessa had worked on. It’s called Chuck Brown and referred to frequently throughout. It struck me as a somewhat silly name for the show as it was described and distracted me every time it was mentioned.

3.5 stars. Is it fun? Yes. Is it ground breaking? No. Do I regret reading? No. Will I remember it a year from now? Maybe. I can’t say this was the most compelling pairing of MCs but it was pleasant. Some bits were a bit of a drag or had some frustrating character moments.

This book is for all the Jane Austen fans! More specifically those who have read most of her books. The Austen Affair has lots of little easter eggs and tidbits from Austen’s books that unless you’re a big fan you may not understand or appreciate. I absolutely loved all of the calls to Austen’s books as I’m a huge fan of her books and the movies!

This book is perfect if you’re looking for an Austen inspired regency era drama. It’s full of romance, drama, family, friendships, and humor. Add in a touch of fantasy with our time traveling main characters and I thought this was a unique and very enjoyable read! We follow modern times actors Tess Bright and Hugh Balfour as they go from semi-enemies, while filming a new adaptation of Austen’s Northanger Abbey, to reluctant allies as they most work together to navigate the regency era they have traveled back to. The chaos and shenanigans that ensue were perfection and so funny!

Now the development between these characters was my absolute favorite! You have such polar opposites with spontaneous Tess and ‘must have a plan’ Hugh which leads to some amazing banter between them. Their growth through the book was so special as we learn more of Hugh’s life and see Tess slowly work through her grief. They become such a strong pair and I loved how their romance formed and grew!

Even if you haven’t read tons of Jane Austen novels I think anyone could appreciate and enjoy this book as it focuses on family, friendship, personal growth, and romance! You may not understand every comment from Austen’s books but you can always appreciate the meanings behind her books. I would highly recommend this enjoyable read!

Cheesy, but cute. I would recommend The Austen Affair more so if you are a Jane Austen fan. The Regency-era, the outfits, the mention of her characters, and even Janeygirl herself! It is all packed in during this time-travel romance novel. Everyone loves an enemies-to-lovers trope. Myself included! So this was fun, adorable, romantic.

As an avid reader, I have to say, The Austen Affair by Madeline Bell was an absolute treat! I'm always on the lookout for unique romances, and this one truly delivered with its fantastic blend of historical fiction and time travel. From the moment the two feuding co-stars found themselves accidentally flung back to the Regency Era, I was completely hooked. The humor was spot-on, and I absolutely adored all the clever nods and references to Jane Austen's works – it felt like a little easter egg hunt for a fellow Austen fan like myself! But what truly shone for me was the incredible chemistry and top-tier banter between the main characters; their back-and-forth was pure gold and had me smiling constantly.

While I admit there were a couple of moments where the plot felt a tad fast-paced or a little confusing, it certainly didn't detract from my overall enjoyment. This is definitely a closed-door romance, which I appreciated as the focus was entirely on the emotional development and the evolving relationship between the characters, rather than anything explicit. If you're looking for a genuinely fun, witty, and charming escape with a unique premise and characters you can't help but root for, I highly recommend picking up The Austen Affair. It was a delightful read that left me with a warm, fuzzy feeling!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy. While I was excited for this Austen-inspired enemies-to-lovers romance, it ultimately didn’t fully deliver for me. The main character’s upbeat personality often veered into grating, and the romantic pairing felt more mismatched than magnetic. Modern-day references disrupted the historical tone, making it hard to stay immersed, and the slow pacing made it a challenge to stay engaged. I also think a dual POV could have helped deepen the emotional connection. There were charming moments and a fun concept, but overall, it didn’t quite live up to its potential.

4.5 ⭐️

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and statements are my own.

I had so much fun with this book…except for a few minor details (I’ll get to that in a bit). I loved the references to Jane Austen’s books and the setting of Regency era England because-I’m saying it right now-Austen is the queen of romances and I will forever hold her works near and dear to my heart. ❤️ I actually think the first romance book I ever read was Pride and Prejudice, and I adore it. (Question: which is your favorite P&P adaptation? I’d love to hear which ones you like best ☺️) So I completely relate to and understand Tess’s giddiness to the situation she and her co-star, Hugh, find themselves in.

Tess and Hugh were good characters. Flawed, sometimes relatable, and they developed as characters as the book progressed. I enjoyed their banter and, later on, their friendship/romance, which pushed them to be vulnerable and understanding with each other. I also like that the side characters were there for a reason and actually were on the scene when they needed to be. 👍🏼 However, I felt that some of the feelings Hugh felt for Tess were more telling than showing. His dislike for her was evident and I thought it was funny, but I guess I wanted to be convinced that he liked her with some lingering gazes or whatever. It’s really nothing, though, because I liked their eventual romance, which leads to a spice scene, just to let you know. 👍🏼

What took half a star off for me was the plot. How does the electrical accident send them back to the past? Did someone make a wish or something that I missed? Was it just a freak accident? I guess I shouldn’t care because, hello-it’s fiction. But that bit confused me. The other minor issue for me was the amount of things that were happening. It was one thing after another and, gosh, why were they there in the first place? Oh yeah. They got zapped into the past. Duh. I forgot in the midst of side quests and drama. But the plot kept me intrigued and I breezed through the book. 💕

So do I recommend this enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, fake relationship romance book? Heck yeah, I do! Especially if you are a big fan of Jane Austen. This was literally so fun and I’m so glad I’ve stopped taking romance books too seriously because, honey, they were meant to be enjoyed, so just enjoy them! 🫶🏼