ARC Review: The Accidental Life Swap by Jennifer Joyce

And it’s a lovely bottom; round but firm and full of rhythm.

There is something about chick-lits from the United Kingdom that really makes me happy. They manage to cheer me up even when I am in this current mood of ‘fuck romance, it’s dead and doesn’t matter’. And I can’t help but feel hopeful.

So, yes. Hello. Here I am with yet another romance/chick lit and it’s a really good one folks.

Rebecca Riley is a Personal Assistant at a swanky events management company and is sick to death of her current role. She is also quite tired of sharing a flat with her odious roommate who eats his own toenails for breakfast. Rebecca works hard, is a team player, and has had enough of being shoved to the background when she knows she has the skills to be an Events Manager. The day that she is about to ask for a promotion from her bitchy, overly tanned boss Vanessa is the day that life throws another curve ball at her. Vanessa needs somebody to finish overseeing the construction of her beautiful property in the countryside and Rebecca fearing for her job and also thinking this might be the in for a promotion agrees.

Of course nothing is that easy. Day one and the entire village of Little Heaton have mistaken Rebecca for Vanessa. Rather than clear the air and truthfully reveal who she is, Rebecca decides to go along with the charade because after all, how could she ever get the impossible task done being herself? Rebecca is in for a whirlwind of events, emotions, and getting the renovations done to this house. Can she do it all without being found out?? Find out on the next episode of Dragonball Z!!

Okay, so I’ve read a lot of chick lits and have watched a ton of Korean dramas to know immediately that Rebecca girl…You have fucked up. This book is a known cliche but it works and it works wonderfully. I laughed so much while reading this and grew to love the array of characters.

Rebecca reminds me of me. Strong willed but flusters easily? Check. Not great with conflict? Check. A multitude of daddy issues?

Triple check.

So, while I wanted to yell at Rebecca for not giving up the charade sooner I completely and utterly got it. The romance that flickers between her and a certain bootylicious man is absolutely so sweet and organic. What really got me though was the progression of Rebecca’s character. She does so much for others and rarely receives acknowledgement or thanks and that really hit home for me. Nothing like a cute chick-lit to tell you that you need to better yourself!

“You let her walk all over you, and you’ll always let people walk all over you.”

Overall, this is a fun novel full of laughter and fun and makes me wish I too could live in the country surrounded by animals who like to frolic into my yard. I did feel as though the end was a bit rushed and some loose ends weren’t wrapped as neatly as I hoped (what the hell happened to Nicole exactly?). But at the same time I like that it had a natural progression and this makes me want to read more from Jennifer Joyce in the future. So, if you’re looking for something lighthearted, funny, and sweet this is the perfect book for you!

Thanks very much to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest and fair review.