Accidentally Perfect

Marissa Clarke

Mar 2022 · Hideaway Harbor Book 1 · Sold by Entangled: Amara

About this ebook

Workaholic Lillian Mahoney has given everything to her job. The hugely popular lifestyle show she helped create monopolizes her time, energy, creativity, and anything remotely resembling a life. But all it takes is the show’s womanizing, egomaniac star throwing a massive hissy on live TV to utterly implode Lillian’s career in a New York minute.

Now Lillian’s hiding out in the gorgeous and completely unknown seaside village of Blink, Maine. Out of gas. A stolen wallet. A broken heel. And worse, she’s somehow managed to completely piss off the town’s resident hunk, Caleb Wright. She’ll show that hot, grumpy single father exactly what she’s made of.

But Blink isn’t quite what Lillian expects—and neither is Caleb...or his feisty teen daughter she can't help but love. And while her entire life and career are in shreds, Lillian might just discover what happens when she gives her bad first impression a second chance.

Each book in the Hideaway Harbor series is STANDALONE:
* Accidentally Perfect
* Accidentally Famous

Ratings and reviews

Characters: Lillian Mahoney - single workaholic, lifestyle content creator, the brains behind the Sharpe Lifestyle brand based in NYC Caleb Wright - a single parent to a teenager, owns Wright Boat Works in Blink, NY. POV: multiple POVs - Caleb and Lillian's. What I love about the book: 1.) A community saving a dying town. I did not know this premise from the summary. It wasn't an easy problem for the MCs to resolve, and it took a bit more "creative" thinking and motivation to get the rest of the townspeople in on "Reviving and Revitalizing" Blink. 2.) Undeniable sexual chemistry I love the grumpy-sunshine theme with a dose of opposites attract. I came into the book expecting a light-hearted, feel-good read, mainly because it is considered a "clean romance book." Hence, I was pleasantly surprised to see hot sizzling flirting, banter, and chemistry that made the relationship believable with the amount of attraction on paper that worked from hate to love. 3.) Colorful and humorous set of small-town characters that spice up Lillian's uptight city life and see the beauty of a small-town environment. There is no other way to describe the Blink Maine "peanut gallery" aside from nosey, crazy, yet supportive! Being in a small town, everyone's at each other's business, especially in Caleb's love life. People like Amanda, Cassidy, Roger, etc., used everything to ensure that Lillian and Caleb found their way to each other. The group's gentle nudge/manipulation got to me, and although there were many times that either MC sighted the group for their "sly ways," Lillian and Caleb still felt for it and did end up with their HEA. 4.) Story pacing and character development are well done! With the many things happening in the story, it was still great to see the focus on the characters and make them relatable. Many characters will make readers come to love and appreciate, like Amanda's controlling yet ways or Roger's manipulative yet well-thought-out plans. 5.) World-building was beautifully written! Blink is critical in having the MCs succeed for the town AND their relationship! I could see myself standing at the pier by Caleb's boat in Blink, Maine, through the author's vivid descriptions. I also got a few visuals as Lillian explored the town, and each rock/cliff was not left unturned. Lillian mapped out each inch of the place through her hikes and exploration of the town. Nature took center stage and was given much importance. It is why a city folk Lillian: (a) got her inspiration after a slight "burnout," (b) found a way to marry her passion for organization and social media position to help the town, and (c) found inspiration and love with Caleb - all the lovely views and breathtaking scenes. Memorable Scenes: the heart-to-heart talks between Lillian and Bethany AND Caleb and Niles (Sharpe) Conclusion: I enjoyed reading Accidentally Perfect. It was well-written and full of magnetic chemistry on each page! Lillian is the perfect example of a workaholic NY perfectionist that paired well with Caleb's laid-back yet hardworking lifestyle of a small-town business owner. How the author resolved the ending was hilarious, with the small-town AND Sharpe Lifestyle group combining their efforts to save a town from extinction AND ensure two people do not miss out on their second chance this time around. I cannot wait to see what the series will hold for the rest of the people in Hideaway Harbor!

A great representation of that small-town romance can be perfect just as they are, no fireworks, no frills - just a fab story, engaging characters and a town that loves to interfere! Big City, High Powered and well off Lillian needs to escape after a spat with her co-worker but the face of her company goes viral for all the wrong reasons. Blink, Maine is true to its name - Blink and you'd miss the tiny town But fresh from the city, Lillian is setting off alarm bells for on concerned Blink citizen. Caleb was burned before in love and he's determined that no gold-digging, bog city slickerette is going to pull anything on his friends and neighbours. Even once all the misunderstandings are sorted out Caleb is stand-offish with Lillian. This time due to the strong attration he feels towards her. She's made it very clear that she's not sticking around and there is no way in heck he's leaving Blink! Lillian could have been pushy and over the top with her easy access to money and power but she actually comes over as a genuinely nice person who puts up with WAY too much from Niles in my opinion. But she is also her own worst enemy - she hates delegating anything. Caleb was a great mix of crusty, curmudgeon-like grump and handsome hunk. He really loves his neighbours and doesn't want them trodden over by the "big city". I loved meeting the townfolk, interfering to a man the lot of them! Caleb's daughter and a certain handywoman's baby brother were just so sweet! The passion may take place off-page but the chemistry between Caleb and Lillian doesn't really need it to be front and centre. A great relaxing read, plenty of minor drama to keep you interested and there is even redemption for Niles! (I read an Advanced Read Copy via NetGalley and this is my voluntary and honest review)

This was a lively and fresh read, full of keenly honed and snort-worthy small-town characters that kept me highly amused throughout perusal. I don’t know how I missed her but this was my first time reading the prolific Marissa Clarke, shame on me. I adore her sassy humor, colorful descriptions, snarky observations, and crisply written storylines. I have added her to my list of new favorites and hope to pay better attention in the future.

About the author

Marissa Clarke is a multi-award-winning, RITA(R) nominated author of romance for adults and teens. She lives on the Texas Gulf Coast with her ever-patient husband, two cantankerous cairn terriers, and twenty-six bossy chickens.

She writes young adult novels as Mary Lindsey and loves to connect with readers. She can be found at marissaclarke.com and on Twitter @MaryL_MarissaC.