An Accidental Life

A great read. A story about missed opportunities and what “could have been” It was a book to get lost in.

This story chronicles the life of Margaret Wilcox Hill, a woman who has recently found herself feeling trapped by the every day monotony of her life as a homemaker. She was married at a very young age (only 17!) and found that, for the most part, she has been playing her assigned role in her husband’s life as opposed to playing the lead in her own.

I found this story to be a very lighthearted read, which is a welcome distraction these days. The prose was quick and snappy, with memorable quotes scattered throughout. The story itself was a very real take on what it means to be a mother and a housewife all while feeling like you’re fading into the background. I really enjoyed Margaret, I thought she was incredibly interesting and familiar in a way that made me feel like I had known her for years. Admittedly, it was a bit cliché (which is not always a bad thing), but I was very pleased with the ending and the general pace and structure of this book, although I did find a few editing and continuity issues.

The process of reading this story was enjoyable, as it didn’t elicit any exhausting emotions or reactions from me, although I was glued to the metaphorical “pages” these past few days. It was interesting enough to make you want to continue reading, but light enough to really feel like you were taking a break. Very fast read that will be great for summer vacations or long weekends!

Keep an eye on the shelves for when this debuts in mid-August!

Margaret says yes to a proposal based on other alternative being available to her. Fifteen years later, she has an opportunity to partake in her aspirations using a secret identity. She is able to do this and sees no way to escape. So, she has to decide whether to come clean or to continue living the secret identity. I found the struggles of Margaret to be relatable, as many women question the paths their lives have taken once they reach middle age. The author captured the emotional journey of Margaret realistically and beautifully.

This book is definitely a fast read but a very pleasant one. In my opinion, I sometimes felt that the characters were not as strong which makes the reader not as attached to the story. Even tho it is a bit obvious what the ending would be I can say that there is a small part that I did not see coming in the end. I think the ending, literally the last couple of pages, were so strong that it closed the book incredibly good. I was lacking something throughout the whole plot and while I was reading it I keep searching for that something...and let me tell you the ending was great and brought that something. The last couple of pages make the story come alive and feel so personal. I do recommend it because it is a fast read, entertaining, and with a good ending. It might seem slow or that it might be missing something but stick with it and the ending won't let you down.

A lovely easy read in the time of Covid. An Accidental Life is the story of Margaret and the decisions she makes and the secrets she keeps as a younger woman return and change her life in ways she couldn't have imagined.

This wasn't exactly what i expected from it. The blurb undersells it and it does not display the full potential the book has and the deeper meanings. The blurb makes it seem a shallower and lighter read but this had moments of depth and clarity that belong in deeper and more literary texts. I liked Magaret as a character and thought she had an interesting arc overall. I wished that other women had been featured more prominently as it seemed as those they were not present in her life or they were just underdeveloped and could have been done a bit better. This was a highly readable book and it was one i was glad i picked up as it focused on societal issues that are still being discussed and still important today.

Thank you to Netgalley, Matcha Publishing and Chelsea Cannon for this advanced reader's copy in return for my honest review. Definitely a fast read, I read it in three sittings. I found Margaret to be a relatable character that I enjoyed getting to know. Entertaining and light story.

I loved this book. My heart ached for Margaret for not being able to step up and live the life she has always wanted. This debut book is not to be missed. A strong solid plot and characters that just stay with you will have you flipping pages to find out what Margaret does. Happy reading!

This book was super good. It was super original and I flew through it. It didn't feel like anything I've read in the past. Can't wait to read more from the author!! This book was unputdownable.

I loved the characters and the story that leaves us with some reflections on our own life’s decisions.