The Accidentals

by Sarina Bowen

• ISBN10: 1942444621
• ISBN13: 9781942444626
• Publish Date: 10 July 2018 (first published 2 July 2018)
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Tuxbury Publishing LLC
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 320
• Language: English

Reviews

[Sam@WLABB]

As is always the case with a Sarina Bowen book, I really enjoyed THE ACCIDENTALS. I mean, once I started, I couldn't stop reading, because I was so engrossed and invested in Rachel's story.

My heart went out to Rachel, who not only had to deal with the death of her mother, but also with foster care, a changing long-standing friendship, and a new relationship with the father she had never met. She went through a lot of ups and downs, but she grew tremendously over the course of this book, and I thought it was fantastic, that Frederick, her father, grew right along side her.

Watching their relationship blossom and evolve was probably one of my favorite parts. There were a few times that Frederick really disappointed me, but it was just part of the process, and in the end, it seemed like they were definitely moving in the right direction.

Other things I really adored:

• Jake's correspondence was all sorts of fun and adorable, and I was glad those two exchanged more than the requisite number of letter.

• Jake himself. I loved him and each and every one of his nerdy t-shirts.

• All the talk of astronomy and music was really interesting, and as a science nerd, I really loved hearing Jake wax poetic about the night sky (there was even a high level talk about perturbations, which got me all excited).

• Grandma came out of the gate gunning for my heart. I mean, I love a women, who comes prepared to bake cookies. Grandpa was also pretty fantastic, and I thought Rachel was so lucky to have them welcome her with open arms.

• Bowen's love for New Hampshire is something I always appreciate, and I was happy to be revisiting the state.

• I always enjoy a good boarding school setting, and I even got to attend some classes and events here.

• I was fully on board for this romance, even through the ups and downs.

It was exciting to read a Bowen YA book, and I really hope she will write more for this age group. She delivered a fantastic story of family and friendship, which sucked me in from the very beginning and never let go.

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[Linda]

This review was originally posted on (un)Conventional Bookworms
The Accidentals had everything I love in a romance. There was heartache, there was happiness, there were awkward reunions, and sharp humor. Plus, there was a whole lot of music!

Story:

The Accidentals is a masterpiece of feelings. It was also a different kind of romance, because the main story wasn't about the romance - it was about family and loss. And it was also about finding what had seemed lost forever. Plus, the music made me swoon... Because music was a very important part of The Accidentals, and it added more layers to both the characters and the story itself.

Rachel had been to hell and back, and living in a group home was not her idea of being OK. However, after her mother's death, and even if she was almost 18, she wasn't allowed to live alone. For the first time in her life, she got to meet her famous father. And nothing was what it seemed. The difficulty of navigating a new relationship with a father who didn't act like one made her grief take the back-burner for a while. And moving first from her home-town to LA, then across the country to go to college made her uprooting complete.

The Accidentals also touched on other subjects, most specifically consent. I found that part of the story very well done, too. Even if I would have liked more of a consequence for someone. I loved everything about this story. The characters were so realistic, and I loved how they developed through their experiences. Recommended to everyone!

 

[stacey_is_sassy]

***IT'S ALIVE!!!***

I’d be happy if this book went on forever…

It’s been a bloody long time since I’ve freaked out to look at the bottom of my Kindle and see 4 minutes – 99% left in my book. I really didn’t want this story to end. I was even kind of hoping that Sarina left us a little message hinting at a The Accidentals #2. I’m slightly overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted and so giddily happy that I practically ran to my study to start my review.

BUT HOW THE HELL DO I WRITE A REVIEW TO DO IT JUSTICE????

See, I don’t think I’m the best judge of YA Romance stories. I’m not really a fan…except this story makes me a liar. But, I do think I’m a pretty good judge of a bloody good story and this story is BLOODY AWESOME!!

Next part is a wee bit of a warning, The Accidentals made me cry A LOT. I could blame it on my cold but I was misty-eyed nearly the whole way through. What Rachel has faced in her young life broke my heart. Her strength, courage and ability to carry on with her burden of grief showed how remarkable she was.

Rachel’s parents did wrong by her…from a good…ish place. Rachel’s mum Jenny had Rachel out of wedlock very young. Her mistake was keeping Rachel away from her father. Rachel’s father, Fredrick, is a world-famous musician. His mistake was keeping himself away from Rachel. Together, they gave Rachel a mixed-up twisted view of the reality of her beginning and how she came to be. It’s only when Jenny dies, Richard finally steps up to do more than hand over a monthly cheque.

Geez, I went through highs and lows with Frederick. I’ll never trust the bugger but you can really tell that he doesn’t purposely act like a self-centred, egotistical, douchewaffle, it just comes naturally. When you have millions of adoring fans, people who cater to your every wish and women who throw themselves at you, who could blame him? I just kind of wished, he’d devoted more than a few weeks and days here and there to Rachel. She shouldn't have had to ask the deep and meaningful questions, he should have offered the explanations. Initially, it was almost like he was too gutless to admit to his faults. Luckily, he kinda sorta gets to a point where he becomes a real Dad.

Now, I wouldn’t say this was a story focused on the romance. It almost played a second or third place to Rachel’s growth. Jake, well he was PERFECT!! Kind of nerdy, but the hot kind of nerdy. His patience and thoughtfulness towards Rachel made me a little giddy. Where were these kind of guys while I was growing up?

There are some amazing additional characters we are introduced to. Too many to list here, but I will make special mention of Haze, who doesn’t stay for the whole story, but played an integral part of Rachel’s recovery after her mother’s death. Sure, Haze goes off the rails and I wanted to kick him in the ding-ding. For a time, though, he helped Rachel get through when there was no one else.

Rachel’s roommate, the band guys, Frederick’s driver and parents were all great. I’m not going to mention names, but there’s one person who comes in late that I hated to love. When (no ifs) you read this you’ll know who. But, this person, you just couldn’t hate even when you wanted to. They weren’t in the wrong but they came into Rachel’s life at a really awkward time. Sorry if that was vague but I don’t want to give too much away.

Anyways, I know I was a wee bit mushy gushy fangirling, but this…THIS STORY…THE ACCIDENTALS is one of my best book of 2018. I know, big call, but it was just THAT BLOODY GOOD!! I have read some awesome stories this year and I’m not discounting all the others, it’s just still a shock that I loved a Young Adult story. Will wonders ever cease…?

I was devastated when The Accidentals finished and I would NOT be disappointed if Sarina Bowen decided to treat us to a wee bit more…soon…ish.

Stacey is Sassy, received a complimentary copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.

[Rowena]

Sarina Bowen delivers yet another great book that I could not get enough of. She's one of those writers that can do no wrong. At least, for me. I adored this book. Full review to come.