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The Accidental Rewrite

A Novel

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Pub Date Sep 30 2025 | Archive Date Oct 31 2025

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Description

From the Sunday Times and internationally acclaimed author Milly Johnson comes her charming US debut--a witty, heartwarming tale that combines the humor and charm of 1980s rom-com Overboard with classic British flavor. Dive into this remarkable women's fiction novel and join heroine Polly on her hilarious, touching journey to rewrite her own story.

What if it was possible to start over again? To leave everything behind, forget all that went before, and live the life you'd always dreamed of?

Polly Potter is losing the plot of her life. At work, her jerk of a boss is making her days unbearable. At home, she's trapped in an unappreciated relationship with a man-child of a partner. She's left completely drained by always putting others first. Amid this chaos, Polly finds solace in one place: the pages of her novel, where she shapes the world of the fearless and triumphant Sabrina Anderson, a character who embodies everything Polly wishes she could be. And thus a plan is born: Polly Potter is going to stop writing the life she wants and start living it.

Just as she makes her move--quitting her job, leaving her partner, and embarking on a road trip to start over--fate turns everything upside down. A wild turn of events leaves her far from home along the Yorkshire coast, in the hospital, waking up from a concussion, believing her name is Sabrina Anderson. She doesn't know where she's come from, but she feels she could heal in that seaside town, with the fresh air, seagulls, and a few kind strangers who take her into their lives. And into the heart of their joyful, boisterous Italian family restaurant--run by Teddy, the warmhearted son of her new landlady. When the restaurant is threatened, she knows she has the skills to help--and as her memory slowly returns, she must choose between Sabrina's life or Polly's. With her identity in question, Polly wonders: what if this new life could truly be hers? What if she could rewrite her story with a happier ending?

Previously published in the UK as The Happiest Ever After.

From the Sunday Times and internationally acclaimed author Milly Johnson comes her charming US debut--a witty, heartwarming tale that combines the humor and charm of 1980s rom-com Overboard with...


Available Editions

EDITION Paperback
ISBN 9781400349357
PRICE $18.99 (USD)
PAGES 400

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Average rating from 13 members


Featured Reviews

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

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Another enjoyable Milly Johnson book, great characters lovely setting what's not to like. Just could not put it down. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy

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Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

NOTE: This is the U.S. version of Johnson's "The Happiest Ever After" published in the U.K. last year.

So full disclosure: I am a total Milly Johnson fan. She is my favorite modern author and each of her new books is an automatic buy for me. I usually buy e-books but with Milly, I buy the hard cover because 99% of the time it is so worth it. Yes, her writing is that good so excuse me while I do a bit of gushing...

This story was SO good! I loved Polly and I loved the twisty-turny plot. I loved Marrielle, Teddy, Flick, and the rest of the supporting cast of characters. I roared with laughter at the "Daily Trumpet" typos as well as Johnson's snarky turn of phrase while describing the self-centered and selfish characters who I enjoyed hating.

There were heartwarming scenes of friends and family supporting each other, a sweet, slow burn love story, and a wonderful, satisfying HEA.

A smattering of f-bombs.

I cannot wait to read this again and also listen to the audio book.

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I was drawn to this title because of the book's cover. It's gorgeous and appealing. The story is just the same. The action is believable, and the setting is perfect. I was hooked from the beginning and enjoyed how Johnson crafted each character and storyline. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

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What a brilliant read! Polly is not happy. She’s undermined at work; her partner Chris takes her for granted and she’s making grand plans to leave. She just needs to get through his sisters marriage renewal wearing the most hideous dress ever. The dress arrives and the renewal isn’t quite what it seems…without spoiling that part of the plot (which was genius!), Polly immediately runs away. This is the sort of life from that point onwards and what happens when she finally returns to Chris and her old life. I loved this book.

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I wasn't sure this book was for me at first - but I slowly warmed up to the characters. The gentle pace, the simple lives, and glimpses of goodness in some of the people in Polly's life made me keep turning the pages well into the night. The howlers by the local newspaper were perfect! A sweet story told with empathy and depth - it's wonderful to read about someone who's so positive, even in adversity. No similarity at all, but reminded me of Harry Potter living under the stairs, convinced this was his lot- till it all changed, and magic entered his life!

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I stayed up way too late last night finishing this book. I couldn't put it down till I knew what would happen to Polly.

Poor Polly. Lives with a man that has no life in him. A job in which at one time she was much appreciated and able to grow in. This all changed with the new ownership. Now it's a not so great job that continues to use her creativity while giving the men the credit. What can a girl do but try to make a fresh start?

This book kept me guessing. I could write so much about it, but it would spoil it for those that haven't read it yet. (Hopefully other reviews don't spoil.) There are some very wow moments that kept me hanging on for more.

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