Determind to impress her boss and get a promotion at work, Rebecca accepts the challenge of project managing the restoation of Vanessa's holiday home. When she arrives there is a misunderstanding, and everyone thinks that Rebecca is Vanessa. As this seems to give her the confidence to boss the work crew around and hopefully get the project finsihed in time, Rebecca goes along with the mistake.

Soon she is making friends in the village, and falling for Oliver, so what will happen when the real Vanessa shows up and everyone realises who Rebecca really is?

A fun and entertaining read.

(Also posted on my GR account!)


Thank you Jennifer Joyce for restoring my faith in romantic comedy!

The Accidental Life Swap sounds perfect for the genre with cute cover and equally easy to digest blurb. I didn't expect much when I first started to read it and 4 chapters later I was hooked!

TALS had its hiccup in the middle but then picked the pace again until the end. I like the resolution and I like how it ends.

One thing I didn't dig: how Joyce pitted one woman to another. Other than that, a solid 4 stars.

This book was your typical predictable, cliché romance but sometimes that's exactly the type of novel I need. After an awful week it's nice to sit down with an easy and heartwarming read and that's exactly what The Accidental Life Swap is!

We follow Rebecca as she's unexpectedly thrust into the role of project manager. Not only does Rebecca have zero experience to do with renovating an old home, she's mistaken for her strict and scary boss by the builders on her very first day.

Rebecca decides to go with the name change as being called Vanessa gave her the confidence boost she needed to keep the builders on a tight schedule! Pretending to be her boss leads to some very awkward situations and quite a few mishaps for Rebecca.

This novel is most definitely a good old fashioned rom com full of cheesy music references, a swoonworthy crush and a clumsy damsel in distress! It's set in a quaint little town full of vibrant and cheerful characters. If you're looking for your next romcom fix, this might just be it!

It's a light-hearted read with a very serious grass munching garden stealing donkey problem, and we all know how fast those kind of problems can get out of control.

What Rebecca needs to do is start standing up for herself. Stand up and be counted instead of being the doormat for everyone. Her good nature and shy personality is something others use to propel themselves forward, especially professionally.

Rebecca finds herself forced into the reconstruction of a property in the middle of nowhere. Her boss Vanessa piles on the pressure, whilst ignoring the fact Rebecca is a well-qualified event planner she has been using like an inconsequential skivvy. Typical behaviour for this obnoxious and entitled woman.

Both the fun, the problems and the reinvention of Rebecca starts when she inadvertently lets herself be mistaken for her boss Vanessa. Then it only becomes a question of time until her well-laid plans and new relationships implode.

Joyce creates a good story without making the plot too complex. Her characters and readers come away with insight, because introspection plays a part in the character development. She writes the kind of characters readers can identify with.

It's an easy flowing story. A feel good read for any occasion. A contemporary romcom with delightful characters and an entertaining story.

The Accidental Life Swap is a story about Rebecca Riley, a PA who desperately wants a promotion to use her degree, and how she accidentally swaps lives with her boss, Vanessa. Rebecca is unexpectedly thrust into the job of making sure Vanessa's house refurbishment is moving along at the right pace, but people accidentally assume that Rebecca is the boss herself. Should she correct them, or let them go on believing she is the uncompromising Vanessa?

I really enjoyed this book. It was a light-hearted, quick read, and I found myself interested in what was going to happen to Rebecca and the other people in her life. I was, at times, exasperated with Rebecca and how she viewed herself, but I got over that pretty quickly. I was surprised by some of the events that transpired, which made the story all that more enjoyable. If you are looking for a quick, fun read, this is a good choice.

3.75 stars! This book really surprised me (in a good way)! It was a bit slow at first so I thought I wasn’t going to like it but I ended up really enjoying it!! It was light & fun. I loved all the characters and the animals!! The story was a bit predictable but it didn’t make it less enjoyable, I was still looking forward to what happened next.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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 fizzles 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.

A fun and quirky story where timid Rebecca gets mistaken for her forceful boss Vanessa and finds herself unable to correct the mistake - which leads to many comical events and situations.

I enjoyed the development of the characters (human and animal) and the story - a relaxing read for the summer holiday.

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ Digital for a digital ARC in return for an honest review.

I agree with the first sentence of the blurb wholeheartedly; Rebecca IS a pushover big time! I know some people dislike confrontation. I also know that some people don't have the confidence to stand up for themselves when they're treated like dirt. Rebecca, on the other hand, is a mixture of the two and then some. She certainly doesn't have any confidence in herself or her abilities, nor does she have the strength to tell her boss where to go. I understand telling your boss to go and choke on a lolly is frowned upon, however so is treating your members of staff like slaves. As far as I was aware, slavery was abolished in 1833 in the UK!

I didn't like Vanessa at all, and I am sure you have already guessed that. However, I really did enjoy 'The Accidental Life Swap'. Mistaken identity aside, I loved getting to know all of the animals in the sanctuary next door to Vanessa's holiday home, and I felt like a proud mum watching Rebecca flourish in the little village she never knew existed. Whilst getting lumbered with overseeing her boss's house renovation wasn't exactly what Rebecca had planned, the way she got stuck into it and became 'one of them' so to speak, was both hilarious and heartwarming. Don't get me wrong, I was silently wishing that she would own up to the case of mistaken identity as I knew fine well that it was going to blow up in her face, but clearly she didn't get my psychic message!!

'The Accidental Life Swap' is full of such colourful characters, both humans AND animals! I snorted at the personalities of the chickens, and I thought Franny, the donkey, was absolutely brilliant. It is clear that the author has put a lot of heart into her storyline and her characters journeys and, whilst I enjoyed finding out what made the builders tick, I thought the game nights were a brilliant addition to the 'finding yourself' type of vibe that the book gave off.

For me, 'The Accidental Life Swap' has a mixture of everything, and it was such a joy to be amongst a group of genuinely funny, relatable, and memorable characters such as the ones you'll get to meet in this book. A job well done Ms.Joyce, a job well done indeed!!

Loved this book. Great characters, easy read, uplifting, funny, romantic and charming. A really nice story that is the perfect sumer read.

Thank you NetGalley and publishing house for this ARC. This book was fresh and fun! The characters were wonderfully complex and relatable. I loved the story. Rebecca finding who she truly was with her backbone while Vanessa discovers you don’t always have to be mean. The love story, the animals, the English country side, it all made me feel like I was there. I highly recommend this book!

Rebecca wants to be a more confident and assertive person, but she isn’t. She’s mouse-like and a bit of a pushover! She has a degree in events management, yet has been working as a PA for the last 3 yrs to the boss of an events planning company, and has never yet managed to do any event management!
Rebecca finds herself drafted in last minute to oversee the renovation work at her glamorous boss, Vanessa’s new country retreat, and when the workmen mistake her for Vanessa, she plays along for a while, obviously just to keep the workers on track...
I enjoyed this read on the whole. The characters were relatable, and some of them likeable and funny. There was some nice romance woven into the story that gives it an overall heartwarming feeling.
The author’s writing style flows well and is easy to read. This would be a great holiday read.
My criticism would be that it was a bit too predictable at times and this is why I didn’t give it 5 stars.
My thanks to NetGalley and HQ Digital for allowing me to read this advance copy in return for an honest review.

When I read the premise it sounded a bit like it was inspired by the film working girl and I had to read this, I was not disappointed at all. It had a wonderful slow burn romance, full of quirky and loveable characters, a thoroughly entertaining read. A light hearted read perfect to curl up with and self indulge.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

The Accidental Life Swap is a lovely light read that allows you to forget your day for a while, after some heavy duty thriller reading and kicks in the feels i was ready to find a beach style read that would take me away for a while.



Rebecca Riley is stuck as a P.A in an events management company despite having an events management degree herself and longing for more. When her glamours boss - who no one ever says no to say asks (or tells her haha) that se will oversee the renovation of her countryside home as project manor, Rebecca thinks this can be the chance she needs to showcase her talents.



Setting off determined to make a strong impression, when a slight error in names arises, it gives Rebecca the chance to become someone knew, someone with power, authority and respect. Channelling her inner Vanessa her life takes on some new challenges.



The Accidental Life Swap was a great read, a simple concept of mistaken identity makes for a great story. Rebecca was a likeable well meaning character, and you did feel for - been passed over at work, never really finding her potential. The Builders were a funny bunch, you really could imagine them working, or you know - not working and eating bacon sandwiches. Then was Stacey, Oliver and the animals. The range of characters in this were fantastic. I really enjoyed getting to know them.



Whilst i could see exactly what was going to happen in this read, i knew most of the plot line from rather early on, i did really enjoy it, i made me laugh, it was a good book. For me, the main stand out had to be the characters. Fantastic read, one to pick up when you are feeling a little bit low.

The was marketed to readers that love Sophie Kinsella and this did not disappoint.

While some have stated that you have to suspend belief that a person really going swap lives with someone this book does a good job at making it as believable as possible. I liked how the main character grew through out the book. That growth felt very nature and not forced or instant change. The plot was easy to follow and well paced. There are several story lines that are weaved through out keeping me interested in the her entire life and not just the life swap aspect.

I would highly recommend this to those that are Sophie Kinsella fans.

The perfect fun, light read. Slightly predictable at times, but overall heartwarming and entertaining!

This book was a cute, fun read that I devoured quickly.

What I loved about this book:

▪︎I loved the picturesque county side setting and the loveable local animal sanctuary. The variety of animals was eclectic, and it sounded like an absolutely charming place. The names of the animals were hilarious (the chicken named Chow Mein 😂) and the wandering donkey made me laugh a time or two.

▪︎The characters of the small town of Little Heaton were so enjoyable and easy to like, and I especially enjoyed Oliver and Stacey. I also loved how the story shows a bit of Rebecca's whole life so you get to really connect with her character and I found her struggle to stand up for herself relatable. She may have made mistakes along the way, but she tried her best to right her wrongs and be the best version of herself possible.

▪︎The slow burn romance was a nice change of pace after my last instalove romance book. The friends to lovers trope is one I find quite enjoyable and this one definitely didn't disappoint.

What kept me from giving the book 5 stars?

The book was a bit slow to start and a little predictable. While I still really enjoyed this one, it isn't a book I'll find myself thinking about after finishing it.

This is perfect for anybody looking for a light fun book to help you escape reality for a bit and leave you with a smile at the end.

What a light and entertaining read. Something I have been craving recently.

Rebecca is meek and mild but longs to be confident and self-assured like her boss, Vanessa. Desperate for a promotion from Vanessa's PA in the event management company she works for, Rebecca is thrilled when she is chosen for a special project. Not so much when she finds out she will be overseeing the refurbishment of Vanessa's second home.

The builders mistake Rebecca for ballsy Vanessa but immediately begin work, soon making up lost time. They wouldn't have done that if they knew who Rebecca really was! It won't hurt if they are not corrected, will it? What could possibly go wrong?

This cute read spoke volumes to me. Being both a PA and currently refurbishing a house, I was nodding and laughing along enjoying the story.

Yes, the characters didn't have much depth. Yes, there were some predictable moments. But I thoroughly enjoyed this light and easy read.

Perfect for someone looking for an uplifting, fun, cute book. I'd fully recommend.

Accidental life swap was lovely countryside romance that revolved around Rebecca who accidentally got a chance to live her boss’ life. It was about believing in yourself, have confidence, stand up for yourself and don’t let others pushover you, and for that you only need inner strength and talent are always there, not a false identity.

Characters:

Rebecca had degree in event management but worked as PA for Vanessa, at her event management company. She was timid, lacked backbone, and let everybody pushover her. I didn’t appreciate her lies. She could manage the work she was assigned but looking at those builders and previous project manager’s work, Rebecca needed Vanessa’s confidence and intimidating demeanor. In achieving what she wanted, she hurt friends. But she developed into a confident and strong person by the end of the book. I must say she was very talented, she just didn’t get opportunity to prove her worth before (I should say she didn’t have courage to take the opportunity) and when she got her chance she rocked. I actually liked the way she rectified her mistakes.

I’m fiery female fan and she was far from that. But I know there might be some who are like her. Let me tell you her lack of confidence didn’t make her weak, she was just nice and didn’t know how to stand up for herself.

Oliver was nice throughout the book. He didn’t hesitate in speaking his mind. Fake Vanessa’s intimidating demeanor didn’t affect him and I like him for that. I also liked his childish side, his board game obsession and confessions while playing it.

Stacey, Oliver’s sister, and her animal sanctuary were amazing. I liked Stacey’s fiery nature. You wouldn’t want to be on her bad side but would definitely love her as your friend.

Vanessa was rich, selfish, horrible, and a tyrant boss. She did all in her power to get what she wanted and even fired her staff unreasonably. But her transformation at the end was biggest surprise.

I liked all builders and people of Little Heaton. All characters were well developed and well described.

What I Liked-

Book was beautifully narrated in meek Rebecca’s voice which was not that refreshing but definitely realistic. Writing was great, easy to read and follow with amazing setting. Picturesque countryside, Little Heaton, Vanessa’s holiday home and animal sanctuary took the center stage here. You cannot not notice quirky animals and their name in this book especially those feathery chickens and wandering donkey. I grew to love them all along with characters. When we are in countryside, how can we forget gossips and close relationship between people… and romance. There was right amount of everything friendship and betrayal, family drama, heartbreak and disappointments.

Plot was equally interesting. Book started with Rebecca’s inner rant on how grimy and disrespectful her flatmate was but all in her head. She never, couldn’t confront him or anyone. You seeing that first paragraph of synopsis? It exactly describes Rebecca. She couldn’t even say no to Vanessa when she asked her to oversee her holiday home renovation in impossibly tight deadline. When she reached countryside and at Vanessa’s home, she met builders who mistaken her and thought she was Vanessa. She couldn’t rectify it quickly, in fact she enjoyed the respect she got, influence she could have on workers, and confidence she channeled through her mistaken identity but then she didn’t plan to fall for one of the builders and thus started all the mess.

I thought this false identity cannot last long, the game will be up pretty soon but I was surprised to see Rebecca managed to keep it secret for so long! She had many occasions to reveal the truth, but she kept the dodging it as she desperately wanted to finish the job within timeline, get a promotion and be in the team of event management-her dream job.

Rebecca and Oliver’s slowly growing friendship and romance was kind of cute. Who would keep playing board games rather than taking their fantasy for each other one level up! But we know them best when they played these board games, we see their other side that they managed to keep hidden from others. Rebecca’s problems with her family and Oliver’s past love life was among those hidden side.

Expanding idea of animal sanctuary, unexpected visits to check the progress of refurbishment, office gossips and some disappointing news made the story interesting. Some twists in the second half, though predictable, were quiet good. I could guess what will happened next most of the time but I must say I couldn’t guess that twist in the end.

Climax was intriguing. I liked Rebecca’s ideas and the way things were set up. That last visit from Vanessa and all events afterwards were wrapped nicely. End was perfect. Epilogue was most interesting.

If you ignore predictability and Rebecca’s lack of confidence, which was tiny lil bit annoying in the beginning, this story is definitely fun and enjoyable.

Overall, it was fun, light-hearted, fast paced and cute countryside romance. This book checked all the boxes I want in Women’s Fiction and Romance. Thumbs up!

The Accidental Life Swap was like diving into a Hallmark Channel movie. It was such a cute read!

Rebecca Riley is an aspiring event planner, but she currently works as a personal assistant for Vanessa Whitely at Vanessa Whitely Events. Rebecca can’t seem to work up the confidence to share her ideas with her boss and land a position on the event planning team.

Vanessa finally gives Rebecca more responsibility, but not with event planning. Vanessa needs a new project manager for the renovation of her vacation home in the country and Rebecca hesitantly takes on the job, especially since the project is behind schedule but she wants to show Vanessa that she can handle more responsibility.

Rebecca heads out to the country to meet with the builders and get the project back on track, but when the builders accidentally assume she is Vanessa, Rebecca goes along with it to be taken seriously. Rebecca continues to impersonate Vanessa until things get too far out of hand.

This story is set in England so the slang used by the characters was hard to get used to, but other than that I loved this story! The characters were very relatable and I couldn’t help cheering for Rebecca the entire time even though she was lying about her true identity. I was very happy with how the book ended also! It provided great closure. This was definitely a fun, cute rom-com and is the perfect light-hearted read!

I appreciate Netgalley and HQ Digital for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review!