The Austen Affair by Madeline Bell is a book about two actors who travel to the Regency Era and must work together to return to modern times.
If I could sum this book up in three phrases, I would say: Jane Austen, enemies-to-lovers, and swoon-worthy scenes. The Austen Affair features two actors who hate each who are then transported back in time to the Regency Era and must find a way to interact with people there and find a way back to modern times. It’s funny and a book you’ll want to keep reading even after you finish.
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The Austen Affair Overview
Title: The Austen Affair
Author: Madeline Bell
Pages: 336 Pages
Publish Date: September 16th, 2025
Genre: Romance
My Star Rating: 4/5 stars! (I loved this book and would recommend it to most people.)
Grab your copy here: https://amzn.to/4mYl1ce
Synopsis From Amazon
Tess Bright just scored her dream role starring in an adaptation of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey. It’s not just the role of a lifetime, but it’s also her last chance to prove herself as a serious actress (no easy feat after being fired from her last TV gig) and more importantly, it’s her opportunity to honor her mom, who was the biggest fan of Jane Austen ever. But one thing is standing in Tess’s way―well, one very tall, annoyingly handsome person, actually: Hugh Balfour.
A serious British method actor, Hugh wants nothing to do with Tess (whose Teen Choice Awards somehow don’t quite compare to his BAFTA nominations). Hugh is a type-A, no-nonsense, Royal Academy prodigy, whereas Tess is big-hearted, a little reckless, and admittedly, kind of a mess. But the film needs chemistry―and Tess’s career depends on it.
Sparks fly, but not in the way Tess hoped, when an electrical accident sends the two feuding co-stars back in time to Jane Austen’s era. 200 years in the past with only each other to rely on, Tess and Hugh need to ad-lib their way through the Regency period in order to make it back home, and hopefully not screw up history along the way. But if a certain someone looks particularly dashing in those 19th century breeches…well, Tess won’t be complaining.
My Review of The Austen Affair
Thank you to NetGalley, Madeline Bell, and St. Martin’s Press for this advanced reading copy of The Austen Affair. I really enjoyed reading this book.
The Austen Affair features Tess, an actress who’s trying to salvage her career and finally be known as a serious actress, and Hugh, a no-nonsense Brit who takes method acting too seriously. After a huge fight on set, Tess and Hugh somehow travel back to the Regency Era and must work hard to navigate the world while finding a way back to modern times. Will they be able to put aside their differences and finally see eye to eye?
This book features dual POVs, and I love it when I get some insight into both of the main characters in a romance book. It just adds another layer to the story for me.
I loved Madeline Bell’s writing style. You can tell she’s a huge fan of Jane Austen. I loved all the situations she put Tess and Hugh through. The enemies-to-lovers spice was sizzling off the page. There is a little bit of spice, but only in one chapter. Also, I loved the humor and heart in the words she wrote. You can tell she did a lot of research on the Regency Era.
Some tropes featured in this book include time travel, forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, and the Regency Era.
The Austen Affair is a perfect romance book to snuggle up on the couch and enjoy. It gives off rom-com vibes with silly moments and swoon-worthy scenes. Almost like reading a modern Jane Austen novel.
Grab your copy here: https://amzn.to/4mYl1ce
More Romance Book Reviews
- The Romcom Remake by Jen Atkinson Book Review
- Home Safe by Tracy Baack Book Review
- Sunny Side Up by Katie Sturino Book Review
- It’s A Love Story by Annabel Monaghan NetGalley Book Review
Final Thoughts
Reading this book had me smiling from ear to ear, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. The Austen Affair is definitely a sweet and romantic book you’ll love. If you have any questions or thoughts about this book, let me know in the comments below.
Lastly, if you enjoyed this book review, don’t hesitate to share this post on social media. Thanks for all the love and support.
Thanks for reading,
Kel
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