This LGBTQ sapphic romance blends workplace tension with undeniable chemistry. Nic and Lee’s love-hate dynamic is electric, with layers of ambition, rivalry, and vulnerability adding depth. The witty dialogue and relatable characters, paired with a sweet slow-burn romance, makes this a very interesting read. However, I did not feel it was spectacular.

This story is so much more than "enemies to lovers ". First, they aren't enemies. They are both interested in each other...just one is in the closet for fear of losing her job and the other thinks the other is straight. Second, it is about problems within a company, racism and homophobia.
And third, how do these two independent successful women maintain their relationship. You learn a lot about the inner workings of the company....background for each women and some very lengthy and informative arguments between them.
This is the first book I've read by Griffin and I will be curious about what her next book topic may be.
It's an interesting story with a solid ending.
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 ⭐️I was not attentive enough again and didn’t read the blurb properly. I thought this would be a workplace romance, but it wasn’t what I expected. The first part of the book does happen at work, and the enemies-to-lovers trope was definitely there. Most of the book happens outside of the workplace after the initial setup. I loved that the two characters met at every corner. The fact that the book is written in a single POV kept me invested because Lee is such a mystery. The two sides of Lee were a bit hard to reconcile, though, and I admit I had more trouble forgiving her. But I definitely liked “nice” Lee, and I loved the chemistry. The workplace politics added some suspense to the book, even if it was a bit messy. Overall, I had a good time reading the book.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc!! I really really really enjoyed this!! Nic and Lee are adorable. I never once saw this as an enemies to lovers situation. I lived all of the side characters and loved how Flannery and Rachel end up…. They need their own book next!!

This was a quick read that I enjoyed very much. I really liked both MC and felt that the story was realistic. I loved the outcome of the story and read it very quickly

Kimberly Cooper Griffin’s Accidentally in Love delivers a heartfelt romance with endearing moments that shine through its imperfections. The latter half of the book, where Nic and Lee finally engage in honest and meaningful conversations, is especially compelling, making their love story feel very relatable and the steamy moments more enjoyable. The characters definitely had some good chemistry that comes through in fun teasing and a couple of hot open door moments. I liked how the characters fell in love at the same time and worked to overcome their own baggage. Additionally, Melvin’s efforts to help Nic redeem her professional life added warmth to the story.

However, the book has a slightly disjointed start that struggles to establish Nic’s job situation and subsequent firing in an engaging way. Then Nic’s initial attraction to Lee feels awkward as neither has done any romantic gesture to woo the other. They just keep bumping into each other and eventually are nice enough to each other to start talking, although the characters avoid addressing major issues for too long for my taste.

Overall, the story has really strong female characters who set healthy boundaries and are willing to work on self improvement. The supporting cast helps showcase unique and different sides of the characters. In the end, by focusing on being true to themselves, they find what they have is more than just physical attraction.

Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Rating: 3.5/5

This was a really great story - slow burn, ice queen, love - hate? Closets, homophobia, racism, corruption, lies, laughs and love all rolled into one really well written story.
We are taken on a journey from the perspective of one MC but all is not as it seems and as the story unfolds so we uncover hidden emotions, secrets and dreams. The pace of the story was great as well.
For animal lovers there is also a cutely named dog.
Thanks to Bold Strokes Books for the ARC. This was a pleasure to review.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and am sharing my review voluntarily.

This book centers around Nic Gallagher, a talented and driven manager in production who, on the surface, seems to have it all—supportive family, a stable personal life, and a reputation as a genius in her team. But there's one crucial thing missing: happiness in her job. Nic's journey is a relatable one, and as someone who’s also felt the weight of working in a toxic, underappreciated environment, I couldn’t help but connect with her story. Despite her hard work—improving production processes and bringing her company from the red zone to the green—Nic receives little recognition or gratitude for her efforts. When the plot takes a shocking turn and Nic is unceremoniously let go from her position, I was right there with her, feeling the weight of the injustice. The sense of betrayal and the complete lack of appreciation for her contributions left me speechless, just as it did Nic.

What I loved most about Nic’s character is her resilience and her decision to take control of her future. After the shock of being fired, Nic doesn’t crumble; instead, she takes a bold step in creating her own space. She discovers what truly makes her happy and finds the courage to pursue it, which was honestly one of the most empowering parts of the book. Watching Nic evolve from a woman stuck in a soul-crushing job to someone who carves out a life on her own terms was deeply inspiring. It’s a beautiful reminder of how important it is to find your own path. I also loved her relationship with her twin sister, which added an extra layer of warmth and support to the story.

The other main character is Lee. While I understand that stories need conflict and complexity, I found it difficult to connect with her. Her treatment of Nic was downright frustrating, as narrated by Nic (in her thoughts at the beginning). It felt like she was deliberately sabotaging Nic’s efforts, and for me, that crossed a line. Sure, characters are allowed to make mistakes, but Lee's behavior seemed less like a character flaw and more like a deliberate plot device to create tension or reason for Lee to act like the way she did in the beginning. And while I understand that people sometimes act out of self-interest or fear, her actions toward Nic just didn’t sit well with me. It wasn’t the kind of conflict I could easily get behind, and it made me less invested in their relationship. There are situations where one can understand why a character behaves a certain way, but in this case, Lee’s actions felt too harsh, and too unexplained.

In the end, I’d recommend this book for Nic. If you’re looking for a story about a woman who learns to reclaim her life, fight for her happiness, and make bold decisions in the face of adversity, this is definitely a book for you.

Kimberly Cooper Griffin’s *Accidentally in Love* delivers a heartfelt exploration of workplace dynamics, personal insecurities, and the unpredictability of love. The novel follows Nic Gallagher, a relatable protagonist with a seemingly perfect life that’s turned upside down after a career shakeup. Lee Stone, her new supervisor, is a formidable yet enigmatic presence—a woman whose ambition and frosty exterior mask layers of complexity. Their tumultuous interactions, fueled by mutual resentment and unspoken attraction, create a compelling tension that drives the story forward. Griffin masterfully weaves humor, vulnerability, and emotional growth into their journey, making readers root for their relationship despite its rocky beginnings.

What makes *Accidentally in Love* stand out is its nuanced portrayal of power dynamics and personal ambition. Griffin dives into themes of professional jealousy and emotional barriers, crafting characters who are flawed yet deeply human. The evolution of Nic and Lee’s relationship from animosity to affection is both believable and satisfying, aided by sharp dialogue and tender moments that reveal their hidden vulnerabilities. Add in the loyal presence of Nic’s sweet dog and the supportive cast of friends and family, and the story strikes a perfect balance of warmth and realism. For fans of slow-burn romance with strong, authentic leads, this novel is a delightful read that lingers long after the final page.

Kimberly Cooper Griffin is a new author to me and I can honestly say that I will be seeking out more of her work in the future.

Nic has been working in her project management role for the past 7 years but for the past couple of years she has increasingly grown to hate the job and the complete lack of recognition that she and her team are given for the successes that they have had. Meanwhile, ice queen Lee has not helped with her frosty demeanour and reputation for being a man-eater who will do whatever it takes to rise to the top. And rise to the top is what she's done in the past 7 years while Nic's career has stagnated despite her great work. When a corporate restructure takes place and shortly thereafter Nic is fired from her job her anger towards Lee begins to simmer, despite the overwhelming sense of relief that she feels being out of the nightmare work situation.

However life has other plans for these two strong but damaged individuals and they find themselves continually running into each other and Nic starts to see another softer side to Lee. However, she initially refuses to see the softer side due to her simmering anger towards the woman she believes is responsible for her termination.

Accidentally in Love is a beautiful story of overcoming ones historical baggage to find a brighter future. Despite a relatively slow start, the story increasingly sucked me in once the two women started bumping into each other during everyday life and I loved watching them build a new relationship outside of the toxic environment of their previously shared work life. I would certainly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of self-discovery, forgiveness and overcoming life's challenges.

Thank you to Kimberly Cooper Griffin, NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book. I am voluntarily providing an honest review and all opinions are my own.

I liked this novel. This was an enjoyable and easy read. I had some mixed feelings, but none of the negative ones were very strong. There were some sections that felt like filler where we followed the protagonist doing mundane things that didn’t seem to add much to the novel, but overall, I thought the writing and characters were very good. I liked how the plot initially seemed very simplistic but gradually unveiled to be more nuanced and layered that it initially appeared. This novel was an (unfortunately) good depiction of some “unfortunate workplace issues”, which I can’t elaborate on without getting dinged for spoilers. I think this was a solid 4-stars; I enjoyed it, and it was good, but it won’t be a top recommendation from me.

I felt like some events of the novel happened “too easily”. The protagonist’s animosity towards to other character disappeared a little too easily for me, through not much more than just time passing and a few surface encounters. That said, the latter half of the novel did a good job of addressing this, so it somewhat balanced out overall. This was somewhat of a trend as I found the front half was lacking in several ways and then the back section retroactively picked up a lot of the slack. I was also a bit thrown by how they happened to run into each other constantly, despite it never happening previously.

There was some delightful payoff at the end of the novel (although almost too perfectly good?) which I enjoyed very much. Some elements felt a bit rushed in the ending sections, but overall the novel was satisfying and a nice read.

Bonus points for strongly demonstrating an argument for proper budgeting and maintaining an emergency fund!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC. This honest review was left voluntarily.

3/5 ⭐️
I have mixed feelings about this book. The whole book was really slow, but especially the beginning. Normally I like slow burns, but this one was a bit too slow for my liking. I also didn’t fully love or related to either of the main characters. Nic was a bit too perfect and Lee was a bit too mean. I would have loved to also have a few chapters in Lee‘s pov to maybe understand her a bit better!

What I did like about this book was the communication between the two main characters. I loved how open and vulnerable they were with each other. The camping scene was also super adorable.

The ending was okay. I kinda had a feeling about the Maggie thing, so that wasn’t too surprising for me. The reveal and the conversation with Melvin felt a bit too long.

Overall, a sweet read that I would still recommend if you like slow burns.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the
ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When Nic and Lee first met they got on very well. Looking forward Nic envisioned lunch together, talking, getting to know each other but..what she never expected was the moment they signed the paper Lee act completely different.
Now Nic could barely stand Lee, she turned into a possible friend, maybe even have a little romance but Lee’s path in the company made her Nic’s boss. That didn’t bother Nic; it was the way Lee treated her.
Always ready to jump on Nic for every little problem. Now the time has come for Lee to show her power when she lays off Nic, leaving NIc without employment. Nic was smart with her money and she could last a couple of years without getting a job.
After meeting a few times around the neighborhood they realized they lived quite close to each other. One of the big draws for Lee was the fact that Nic has a dog that Lee wished could be hers.
With many misunderstandings they spent the next while feeling each other out to see if it’s possible to become friends or are they destined to remain neighbors that nod ‘hello’, that’s it.
ARC via NetGalley/ Bold Stroke Books

Kimberly Cooper Griffin delivers a captivating and heartfelt romance in Accidentally in Love, a novel that far exceeded expectations. What starts as an intriguing premise unfolds into a richly layered story, blending emotional depth with moments of irresistible passion. Griffin’s ability to balance heartfelt character development with just the right amount of spice is truly commendable.

The story begins by introducing Lee, a complex character whose guarded demeanor immediately sparks curiosity. The early chapters set the stage beautifully, allowing readers to form their own impressions while planting seeds of intrigue about Lee’s troubled past. As her story unfolds, we learn of the challenges and pain that have shaped her, making her eventual growth and vulnerability even more impactful. Enter Nic, whose warmth and authenticity contrast perfectly with Lee’s defenses. Their connection, initially complicated by the workplace dynamic (yes, Lee fires Nic early on), evolves into something profoundly transformative.

What truly elevates Accidentally in Love is its balance. The chemistry between Lee and Nic is electric, with steamy moments woven seamlessly into a narrative rich with emotional resonance. While the romantic tension keeps the pages turning, the heart of the story lies in the blossoming relationship—a journey of trust, healing, and self-discovery.

Griffin crafts a tale that is as beautiful as it is engaging, and her characters feel authentic and deeply human. Lee’s gradual unmasking and Nic’s unwavering compassion make for a romance that feels earned and deeply satisfying. This is a story not just of love, but of personal redemption and the courage to embrace vulnerability.

If you’re a fan of nuanced characters, genuine emotion, and a dash of spice that complements rather than overwhelms the plot, Accidentally in Love is a must-read. Kimberly Cooper Griffin is an author to watch, and I’ll certainly be on the lookout for her future works. Highly recommended!

A slow burn Romance from enemies to lover. This story started out slow for me but picked up in the middle. The characters had great chemistry and I enjoyed the progression of their relationship. I recommend, 4stars.

This was a slow burn romance. But,, it was nice and spicy once it picked up towards the middle. I really liked the main characters, but, felt bad for one of the characters and what she had to go through at her job because of bad bosses and dealing with very naive people. This was overall a really good read with plenty of drama and angst thrown in. I would definitely recommend this book and I look forward to what's coming next from this author.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

lee stone is the ice queen of the office with a string of broken men left behind her

nic gallagher is openly gay and very good at her job

but lee and nic though they started together at the same company their roles are about to come clashing together

for years nic has been on the receiving end of that icy star from lee and not knowing why..... so when nic is called to hr and lee is there she doesnt understand until she does and demands that lee leaves the room

nic has been let go from her job so suddenly but though she should be upset she is partly relieved.... and takes her time to think her way through her options

what she doesnt expect is to keep seeing lee and this lee is so different from the office lee that nic starts to feel things that she shouldnt ...

its an interesting storyline and one i was invested in reading to see how it would all pan out.... those steamy scenes are worthy of an oscar....

loved that ending

This book started very slow but the wait was worth to see both MC's together and the progression of their relationship along the book. They're very cute together and some of their interactions are refreshing. We can feel the chemistry along the chapters making the reader wish them to be together. The communication was so tender and vulnerable sometimes making it be adorable. A healthy relationship in which they communicate and fix their problems. Not the same can be said about their work, a toxic enviromment.

An enemies-to-lovers slow-burn romance that makes you melt on the way. So glad there isn't a third act break up.

<b>Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for gifting me with a free copy. Opinions are my own and are freely given.</b>

I think that the beginning of the book started off slow for me. I felt like the character weren’t showing much comparability to start off. I think towards the end was when I started to feel more of their chemistry between one another. I think the end was great for what it was but I would have liked to see more chemistry between the in the beginning of the book. I found it a bit hard to like Lee as a character because of her past decisions but I do love the forgiveness and compassion that Nick has for Lee. Overall I think it was a good slow burn book.

I really enjoyed this story and the twists and turns that it took. I liked the character development between the main characters, the building of their relationship going from what appeared to be hatred and tension between the two to a loving relationship. I liked that there was very little angst in their relationship, which is a rarity. It is an enjoyable ice queen melting story.