The Austen Affair

Tess Bright needs her current job, playing Catherine Morland in a new adaptation of Northanger Abbey, to go really well. Her biggest obstacle is her co-star, Hugh Balfour, who is handsome but also snobby and stand-offish. In the wake of an on-set blow out fight between the two actors, they're involved in an electrical accident that somehow causes them to time travel to the Regency era. Suddenly these two feuding co-stars need to rely on each other to make it through the time period and hopefully find a way to travel back to the present. In the process, they might just discover that electricity isn't the only spark they share.

This novel was an utter chef's kiss for this reader. If speculative fiction isn't your jam, worry not, this is show more really just a historical romance novel with contemporary characters and the time travel element is only a precipitating action to throw our couple together as allies. Bell is obviously a fan of all things Jane Austen (both books and films/television) and she has tremendous fun incorporating all of the typical events of an Austen novel, with sly references for many Janeites. The romance is well done with Tess and Hugh realizing through proximity that their initial impressions weren't accurate reflections of their actual characters. The only thing that kept this from being a full five star read for me was a few bits of dialogue from character living in the Regency era that felt a little too modern (not a terrible amount, just a few moments that I found distracting). Highly recommended if you're looking for a fun read to celebrate Jane Austen's 250th birthday. show less

There are many tributes to Jane Austen throughout this time-travel romance which begins, “It is a truth universally acknowledged that women since time immemorial (or at least since 1995) have been obsessed with Colin Firth.” I knew right then I would love this book. It’s so clever and fun, even though you know it will have the familiar outlines of an Austen story - but what good romance doesn’t? I found myself highlighting many more passages than I had expected to, either because they showed very adept writing, or conveyed very appealing ideas I wanted to remember.

Tess Bright, a 26-year-old actress in Southern California, after years of appearing on a television show for teens about Charlie Brown, was tapped to star in a movie show more adaptation of “Northanger Abbey.” It had only been nine months since the death of Tess’s mother - her lifelong best friend - and she had been “catatonic,” as she described it, ever since. But “Northanger Abbey” was her mom’s second-favorite Jane Austen book, and Tess was determined to pay tribute to her mom by doing a great job in the role.

The male lead went to Hugh Balfour, a handsome 28-year-old British actor from a family of famous actors.

Unfortunately the part required chemistry between the two leads, and Tess and Hugh had an immediate dislike for one another. (As the “About the Author” blurb reads, Madeline Bell never met an enemies-to-lovers romance she didn’t like.)

Tess hadn’t had a successful love life; as she confessed, “like Marianne Dashwood, I’ve always been more sensibility than sense.” As if in confirmation of this, she overheard Hugh complaining to someone on the phone: “Attach yourself to someone like Tess Bright, and the mess creeps in.” She confronted Hugh, remarking “You think you’re so smart. But better to be entirely without sense than to misapply it the way you do.”

Hugh was shocked: “Did… you just quote *Emma* to me?” She countered: “I can *read* you know.” He retorted: “Or you can memorize Gwyneth Paltrow’s lines, at the very least.” Tess: “…it’s not Emma’s line at all. It’s Mr. Knightley’s. Maybe you’d know that if you’d read the books as much as I have. You moldy, misogynist, nepo-baby prick.” Clearly they didn’t get along. The whole chemistry thing was going to require exceptional acting.

But then the two, caught in a storm on set, were hit by lightning and transported back some 200 years to the same spot - in Hampshire, England - in 1815. They ended up taking refuge at Hugh’s ancestral home, where his (then) family thought he was his ancestor Hugh Balfour, who had supposedly lost his life fighting Napoleon at Waterloo.

What follows is a romp through Austen-land, with Tess and Hugh having to cooperate to carry off the acting role of their lives. What they discover about the past, themselves, life and love, and whether they get back to the future, is for you, dear readers, to discover. And what a delightful journey you will have! show less

Tess is an American TV actress cast in a movie adaptation of Northanger Abbey, grieving her late mother and hoping to honor her mother's love of Jane Austen. Cast opposite her is Hugh, a rigid English method actor who seems to feel that Tess is the last person who should be in a Jane Austen movie. Thrown together when they accidentally time travel to the early 1800s, will they be able to overcome their animosity and work together to get back to their own time? I thought this was a fun and sweet read that was surprisingly dense in its layered story-telling. There was a nice amount of tension as Tess and Hugh ponder how they're affecting the past while trying to figure out how they can return to their future. I loved Tess's snark and show more humor, and I even warmed up to Hugh after getting to know him and his reasons for acting the way he did. This book is a single 1st-person POV from Tess's perspective, I very much would have liked Hugh's POV as well. I think it would have made it easier to relate to him earlier on, but I can also see where omitting his POV helped the reader get to know him along with Tess. The enemies-to-lovers journey was really rewarding in its pay-off. I found the characters likable for the most part, but George and his chaotic energy was far and away my favorite. The found family theme was lovely, and a really nice device to help soothe Tess as she continued to work through her grief from her mother's death. If you enjoy opposites-attract time travel romances with open-door scenes and an HEA, this is the book for you! This review is based on a complimentary eARC, all opinions are my own. Publishes September 16, 2025. show less

Tess Bright and Hugh Balfour are set to star in a new adaptation of Northanger Abbey. Unfortunately they don't get along at all. During one of their blowout fights, they get struck by lightning and transported 200 years in the past, as one does. Conveniently enough, they're transported to Hugh's ancestral home, and he's able to pose as his many greats uncle (also named Hugh). Despite this minor bout of luck, Tess and Hugh still have to figure out how to get home, which forces them to actually work together. Regardless of their animosity toward one another, they are their only ally in this. As they work toward a solution, they begin to see parts of each other that weren't readily apparent before, and realize maybe they're not so show more different from one another after all.

Of course with a title like The Austen Affair, you can expect for all things Jane Austen to be sprinkled throughout. I loved that all the nods to Austen were certainly there but done in a way that was in line with the story and not simply to force the call back. Although a Mr. Crawford suggesting they all perform a play came pretty close.

I think what kind of snuck up on me in terms of how well it was handled was the dealing of grief. Tess lost her mother, her best friend and most important person in her life. She has not been dealing well. The role in Northanger Abbey is a dream because Jane Austen was her mother's absolute favorite. Being transported to that time period seems like a miracle to Tess and she's loath to take it for granted because she feels like it's a fresh start from the downward spiral in which she's found her life recently headed. Hugh, on the other hand, is dealing with personal issues himself and needs to return to the correct century. Even though Tess and Hugh clash on a normal day, their need to get back to the present time bonds them together. However, the way Hugh's family has welcomed Tess gives her that comforting familial feeling she's been missing since losing her mother, and it's almost too good to leave.

I liked both Tess and Hugh's characters. I appreciated the way that we learn about why they are acting the way they are. It's more apparent with Tess because the entire book is told from her point of view. So learning more about Hugh in the process was a nice surprise and I liked how his character unfolded in Tess's eyes.

Overall, the book was more interesting than I at first gave it credit when reading the synopsis. It was almost what I would call a historical with modern sensibilities. I did feel like the middle section went on a little long which caused the ending to feel too rushed.

Listening to the audiobook, the narrator did a wonderful job with all the characters, especially Tess who had to go back and forth between English and American accents with ease. It was genuinely one of those audiobooks that I "got lost" listening. Where I was so immersed that the characters felt real. show less

The Austen Affair audiobook by author Madeline Bell is absolutely delightful. It’s an Austen-style story come to life in modern day and by a twist of fate also in Jane Austen’s time. Talented narrator Stephanie Németh-Parker brings each and every character vividly to life with perfect accents, tone, emotion, emphasis, inference and nuance.

Tess Bright and Hugh Balfour are starring in an adaptation of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey and you would be hard pressed to find two more opposite actors. Everything about them is different: Tess had a run in a successful TV series but her career is now shaky. Hugh is wildly successful and in great demand. Tess is free-wheeling, sometimes reckless but always wanting to collaborate. Hugh is by show more the books; stick-in-the-mud was probably invented to describe him. His process and method are everything to him. He is sure Tess is going to ruin the production with her careless, sloppy ways; she thinks when the show flops it will be Hugh’s fault because he won’t do anything to develop even the slightest chemistry. This film is important to him because he’s dead serious about everything. For Tess, it’s more personal: her late mother loved Jane Austen , they read the books, watched the movies, learned the lines and this is a way for Tess to honor her mother’s memory.

During one of their frequent arguments clumsy Tess trips, gets tangled up in some cords and they are electrocuted back to the Regency era. Back, in fact, to Jane Austen’s time and to the family home – and family – of Hugh’s ancestors.

The Austen Affair is funny and entertaining from the start, but once they are zapped back in time it’s hilarious and you can’t stop listening. It’s charming. And sweet. And tender. And confusing and confounding. Hugh has already memorized everything there is to know about his own family history and the era they are now in, so he blends in fairly well. Tess knows Austen in and out so knows about this time and what is expected but being Tess she also manages to put her foot in her mouth often. And she is gob smacked when she actually meets Jane Austen herself.

The story rolls smoothly along. Every encounter is a potential disaster but there is a lot of fun, too. And something surprising starts to happen between Tess and Hugh beyond teaming up to try and figure out how in the world they are ever going to get back to the future. (Is intentional electrocution and option?) Tess was always more than aware that Hugh was one handsome man, but in those Regency clothes – ummm. And Hugh – his walls are coming down, he’s softening, and as they learn more about each other they start to feel closer, their differences are less and less.

I received an advance audio copy of The Austen Affair from Macmillan Audio via NetGalley. Madeline Bell has written a wonderful, touching, romantic, humorous, totally satisfying story and narrator Stephanie Németh-Parker makes it unforgettable. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own. show less

I have been reading lots of dark, twisty, heavy reads….so I decided to take a break and read a guaranteed HEA, Hallmark-ish book. This one is a new author for me, and I am SO GLAD I gave it a shot.

The premise isn’t new- enemies to lovers, with a dose of time travel. None of this would be considered spoilers, as it is outlined in the book blurb on the back. However, while the premise isn’t new…..everything about this one was great. Witty banter between the main characters, lots of unintended issues to be solved and all the characters (main characters and supporting cast) are loveable. Throw in to that a healthy dose of Jane Austen references (if you have read any of them, you will appreciate these Easter Eggs) and you have a show more book I will happily re-read, multiple times.

I absolutely enjoyed every minute of this one, and was only disappointed when it was over. There is some mild spice, and one very spicy spot. I thought they were done well, however if it isn’t your thing you could skip those few pages and not lose anything. show less

Tess Bright kind of fell apart when her mom died, and her acting career has suffered in consequence. Now she's been cast as the female lead in an adaptation of Northanger Abbey. It's one of her mom's favorite books, and she's determined to do it justice. However, her costar is stuffy Hugh Balfour, who has fully bought in to the idea of "Tess the Mess," as some online hecklers have dubbed her. They have zero chemistry, and he doesn't seem to be willing to even try to work with her. During a squabble in the craft services tent, there's an incident with a loose cord, a space heater, and a puddle of water that zaps the two back to Regency England. There, Hugh is mistaken for his many-greats-great-uncle who died at Waterloo, and he provides show more Tess with a backstory as a war widow of one of his army buddies. When modern behavior is observed and assumed to be a sign of a scandalous closeness between the two, Hugh's family demands an engagement. In the meantime, Hugh and Tess are searching for a way to recreate their electrical shock -- not easy to do in a world of candles and gas lamps. As they are drawn together by circumstance, each begins to see the other in a new light. But can they get back to modernity before vows are said and history gets completely rearranged?

This enemies-to-lovers time travel romance held no real surprises for me. Going in, I didn't feel much affection for Tess, but she grew on me over the course of the book. I enjoyed her forthright appreciation for their miraculous trip back in time. Like Tess, readers will find this a fun jaunt to the Regency. show less