The Accidentals

by Sarina Bowen

[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.