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The Accidental Heiress

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A plane crash in the Shannon River spins Jessica’s Irish honeymoon into a wilderness of unexpected emotions. For Robbie, the heroic Irish time-traveler she met and married in Wyoming, it becomes more than a reunion to the homeland he left…in the nineteenth century.

Things have changed since then. The old manor house of his youth has become the honeymooners B & B, run by descendants of his wild boyhood friend and the willful heiress of the estate. Dual era love stories, a hidden diary and the l04-year-old family healer reveal scandalous secrets and consequences that began with Robbie and trickled down through generations. Can he reset history and restore honor without losing Jessica, the soulmate he vowed to love “forever and a day?”

354 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 21, 2020

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About the author

C.J. Fosdick

7 books56 followers
Cj Fosdick, born in Milwaukee, WI., flourishes now in tropical Minnesota with fiction and non-fiction published in local and national publications, anthologies & a time-travel romantic suspense series that grew out of a short story award.

She has also received a London award from the Historical Novel Society & awards from RWA and Rone. This devoted Outlander fan puts out a newsletter 4xs a year & can be followed on fb, instagram, pinterest, twitter, (Falorac13) and her website/blog at cjfosdick.com

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
Profile Image for Lisa Pichner.
233 reviews7 followers
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February 26, 2021
Fantastic read

Cj Fosdick is new to me. I'm really glad The Accidental Heiress was recommended to me.
I've never read a book that takes you back in time and then the present, it was was exciting to feel both times.
Cj Fosdick has a way with capturing you from the beginning and through out the whole book.
I highly recommend this read.
Profile Image for Seraphia.
1,926 reviews27 followers
December 13, 2020
The Accidental Heiress is the third book in C.J. Fosdick’s “The Accidental” series. This is a romance novel that begins in “present” day and then takes readers back in time and then back again. There are some references to previous books in this series, so while this book can be read as a stand-alone to an extent, I think that having read the previous books as well will prove beneficial as it will help lay ground work to be fully connected to everything that the two main characters have experienced throughout their lives/years.
The Accidental Heiress is the first book that I have read by this author and being an avid reader of historical fiction novels, I was eager to see where the author would transport me with this particular story. This book starts off innocently enough, but things quickly take a turn that put me on the edge of my seat. While things have a good resolution for the main characters, there is some tragedy. The author breaks this book into three parts – “present” day, the past, and then “present” day again. I think that my favorite part of this story was the past section of the story. I felt that the characters were more engaging and the scenes and scenarios that played out more captivating than the initial beginning after the first few chapters. I have to say that I really loved that the two main characters – Jess and Robbie take in Digby. He really adds some fun to the storyline with his antics.
The only drawback for me about this book is that I felt that the first section of this book, after the first few chapters becomes a bit dry. We get a lot of history and of Ireland, but there isn’t much to really give it something to keep me truly page-turning to learn what was going to happen next. When the story shifts to the past I’m pulled back in, and when the story shifts again I don’t mind coming back to the “present.” It’s nice experiencing so much with the characters, but I just needed a bit more of something to really bring the story to life for me.
I am choosing to rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. This story wasn’t what I initially anticipated based on the blurb, but I did enjoy the story overall. I think that it would be good for me to read the first couple of books in this series. As I stated above, I do think that this book can be read as a stand-alone, but I also think that having read the previous books will be beneficial as well.
Profile Image for JoAnne.
1,402 reviews88 followers
March 7, 2021
A time traveler tale with an intriguing twist. Kept me captivated throughout the sotyr with all the twists, secrets, and lies that eventually were unfolded. The author certainly knows how to weave a story to keep you totally immersed. An added bonus was getting to see a glimpse of Ireland and its history.
March 12, 2021
The Accidental Heiress

Rich in history and culture. While I don’t usually read this genre for a number of reason I can appreciate the research and history. The story was full of depth and went back and forth from present to past.
Profile Image for Suzette.
2,919 reviews19 followers
December 28, 2020
One adjective to describe this story is warm. The story crosses two centuries and joins Jessica and Robbie in a love for the ages. The author manages to tell two stories without losing any pacing. It is in some ways a tragic tale of what could have been, but also shows resilience and love of a family that survived and thrived despite everything that befell them. The characters are truly “characters” even the dog. This makes it a great feel good book to read for a very happy ending.
Profile Image for Elizabeth Connor.
1,296 reviews26 followers
January 23, 2023
When I first started reading the story, I was pulled into the drama of it and found myself eagerly turning pages. Starting off with an impending plane crash is always a good way to draw the reader into a story. The scene is described very well and the potential heartache is portrayed in frightening shades of realism. I tend to not want to know too much about a story before reading it, so I allowed myself to imagine that Robbie had already died, even though I knew he would be a major character in the rest of the book. After all, I reasoned, maybe the entire thing would be told from the past tense.

The story was moving along at a decent pace until Jess and Robbie left the first hotel. At that point, I found myself easily distracted and not wanting to pick up my Kindle to continue reading. I was confused whenever Jess referred to the time-travel aspects of their relationship and then when she started going through the family ancestry of the people in Ireland, it became too much. I wanted to skip those parts, but felt they were important. Of course, they were. I took a look at reviews to see if other readers had encountered this kind of problem and most people seemed to like the book, so I endeavored to continue. Unfortunately, it just dragged for me until Part Two, at which point the story shifted to the distant past and Robbie’s family/friends in Ireland. I found this part much more interesting. When the book switched back to Robbie and Jess again, the story was more engrossing to me and I found my desire to figure out the mystery had been piqued. Now, I had to discover whether my suspicions were correct.

Some of the writing was really good, with great imagery. I’m always a sucker for a good metaphor or just a vivid description. I loved this one: “Robbie pointed out the corrugated cliffs to our left as far as the eye could see, each one absorbing flashes of sunset and pounding surf that broke into bubbles of glass and foam slithering down the massive rock.” And this one: “A shower of sunlight from a mullioned window in the library spilled over Treasa, turning her thinning white hair into strands of crystal fiber optic.

There were some funny bits too. Like when Robbie’s boyhood friend Lewy wondered “if the adoption process wasn’t similar to choosing a healthy head of cabbage at the market. Can ye support this cabbage, and raise it Catholic?” And there were a couple of sayings thrown in that made me laugh, like, “Robbie always said fast healing was a gift to a slow runner.” I think this was my favorite: “First babies come anytime, me da always says. The rest take nine months.”

Overall, the book was pretty good, but I just didn’t love it. I would have to say that the pacing was probably the biggest issue, but I found the references to the previous book confusing and that took away from my enjoyment as well. I don’t feel a burning need to read more from the series.
Profile Image for Vikki Vaught.
Author 11 books158 followers
December 18, 2020

Thanks go to the author and Net-Galley for the complimentary copy of The Accidental Heiress by Cj Fosdick. I volunteered to read and review this novel prior to publication. My opinions are my own, and no one has influenced them.

The Accidental Heiress is a lovely tale with compelling characters and an intriguing plot. The pacing is excellent and kept me enmeshed in the story from the beginning to the end. This has a delightful mystery that unfolds throughout the book. The only thing that keeps me from giving this novel 5 Gold Crowns is because, at times, I would lose track of what was happening when the story jumps to the past.

Jessica is the heroine of this novel. She is, at last, on her honeymoon when the plane she’s on plunges into the Shannon River. Her fear when she doesn’t find her husband is visceral and helped me bond with her character right away. After traveling through time to find each other, she can’t lose him. Fortunately, they both survive and are in the same time period.

Robbie is the hero and has many facets to his character that come to light as they visit the home where he grew up–more than one hundred years ago. He’s confused by things he learns happened after he immigrated to America. One thing that never changes is his love for his wife.

While there is a love story in this story, they are already in love and have been married for three years. When he learns he’d left a pregnant Livy when he immigrated from Ireland, it causes a great deal of guilt and confusion he must work through, along with fears he could end up traveling back in time, leaving Jessica and their children. That must be resolved for them to return to the firm foundation of their marriage prior to coming on their honeymoon. I thoroughly enjoyed their emotional journey!

If you enjoy time travel romances with characters that will grab you and not let go, along with an intriguing plot, then you will love The Accidental Heiress as much as I did. This is the first book I’ve read by Ms. Fosdick, and I will be looking at her backlist. Happy reading!
Profile Image for Susie Black.
Author 6 books63 followers
May 22, 2021

The Accidental Heiress is the third book in the time traveler-based series. While I have not read the first two books, the author made references to what happened in them, so I had no trouble catching up. The story was divided into three parts: the present, the past, and back to the present.
The plot is centered around two main characters. Jess and Robbie are time travelers. Jess traveled back in time and Robbie to the future. Fate and circumstances brought them together in the present. They fell in love, and have been married for three years. On a belated honeymoon, the couple travels to Ireland so Robbie can show Jess where he is from. The two travel to Robbie’s ancestral home where he is confronted with the consequences of his past actions.
All the characters are well-developed. The dialog is crisp and the accents and colloquial phrases of the Irish characters add to the veracity of the tale. The descriptions of both the landscape and the ancient buildings are detailed and expansive. I’ve never been to Ireland, but I feel as though I just returned from the Emerald Isle.
The story has lots of twists and turns with the past woven into the present. The time changes made the plot interesting and unpredictable. The ending is a nail-biter and the reader is not sure if Robbie will choose to remain in the land of his past or go home to the life he has made with Jess.
If you love a time-traveler romance, this book should be on your reading list. I enjoyed The Accidental Heiress and give it a five-star review.
Profile Image for Jean Grant.
Author 9 books335 followers
December 20, 2020
I eagerly awaited the third and final book in the "Accidental" trilogy by CJ Fosdick. The first book (The Accidental Wife) was an immersive, enjoyable, time-travel read. The story kept me turning pages in the second book (The Accidental Stranger). And this final one did not leave me disappointed. I enjoyed books 1 and 3 the most of the series. The series is light on the time-travel elements (which I prefer) and more focused on the history and love stories. Though each can be read as a standalone, it helps to read the previous two books to understand the foundation to Jess and Robbie's story. This book started off with a pulse-pounding splash, as Jess and Robbie are on their belated honeymoon. They both become enthralled with the history (and the current descendants) of the manor house of Robbie's boyhood friend and former love. Secrets and lies hide in this vibrant Irish family. The middle of the book transports readers to 19th century Ireland, as we learn the heartbreaking truth of "what really happened" after Robbie's departure from the estate. The book was a delight to read, to learn the secrets and heartache buried deep in the past and present, and a wonderful finishing touch on this series. I love CJ Fosdick's storytelling, rich historical elements, and deeply developed characters. I highly recommend this entire series.

I requested this book from the author, and voluntarily leave a review.
Profile Image for Roxx Tarantini.
554 reviews4 followers
February 28, 2021
The Accidental Heiress is – in part – the story of Jess and Robbie. Time travellers who found each other by chance and married, in the present day; they are finally on their much-delayed honeymoon in Ireland, Robbie’s home of more than a century before.

The Accidental Heiress is also a story of social justice and much-needed change. In its recapping of events of the past – its way of explaining present-day confusions – it addresses the situations that often brought unimaginable results to many who felt helpless to counter their circumstances.

Jess and Robbie have a love that spans centuries, but their story is ageless. From the crash into the Shannon on the last leg of their journey to honeymoon, to the journey home again, I could not bring myself to leave them until I knew all of what happened. I’m sure you’ll feel the same way as well. I highly recommend this author and this series.

[I was fortunate to receive a copy of the book from the author through the 2021 Winter Games Reader Challenge, with no obligation to review. The opinions expressed herein are given freely and are entirely my own.]
Profile Image for Laura Strickland.
32 reviews9 followers
March 5, 2021
This is a story within a story, and extremely well told. On the surface, it is the tale of a couple, Jess and Robbie, who travel to Ireland for a belated honeymoon. But this is no ordinary couple. These are two time-travelers who met earlier in this series, and are now living in present-day Wyoming. The husband is originally from Ireland—nineteenth-century Ireland—and after a very exciting beginning to their trip, they travel back to territory he remembers from long ago. There Robbie encounters unknown family members, dark secrets, and a wrong he wishes to right.
My favorite part of this book was the “diary” portion, when we travel back to nineteenth-century Dublin. There we share the experience of Robbie’s past love, a penitent who suffered in a home for unwed mothers. This story within the story has implications and consequences for those living in the present day, and the two tales are woven together with great skill.
It is difficult for me to categorize this book as far as genre is concerned. Part love story, part historical expose, part mystery, it’s the lyrical writing that makes it special.
Profile Image for Dasha.
256 reviews
March 19, 2021
This story has a very interesting concept, we have two time travelers who meet in current day Wyoming. Jess and Robbie were married three years ago and are now going to Ireland for a delayed honeymoon. Tragedy strikes before even landing, well not landing... crashing into the river prior to landing. Both Robbie and Jess survive but not their seat mate, who happened to have a service dog that is now their companion. After getting the situation settled, Robbie and Jess travel around Ireland to an area where Robbie was born over a century ago. They end up staying at a B&B that just so happens to have ties to Robbie's ancestors. While staying at the B&B, they come across Sarah's, Robbie's mom, diary. The diary details information that Robbie, as well as his family, were never aware of occurring. Jess comes up with a theory about the events that happened so long ago and how they all tie together in present day Ireland.
I really enjoyed this story and the way it was written. The book is broken up into three parts: present day, the past regarding Livy (Robbie's first love), and back to the present and tying up the whole book. Such a cool idea.
Profile Image for Florence Osmund.
Author 11 books109 followers
December 22, 2020
Rich in Irish landscape, ancestry, and family history going back to the late nineteenth century, “The Accidental Heiress” takes us on a fascinating journey alongside a time-traveling couple whose initial meeting is a story unto itself. Many plot twists that involve secrets, scandals, and unexpected emotions make this a captivating page-turner. The level of detail the author includes in portraying people, places, and things allows readers to easily visualize what is happening in each and every scene. Relationships are key to this story, and I particularly enjoyed trying to piece together Robbie’s equivocal lineage as he discovers his own familial ties. I thought the author had extremely interesting insight into the entangled relationships that developed through complex personalities and precarious situations. Throw in time travel, and you have one thought-provoking story line. This is the third book in “The Accidental” series, and given the number of interesting characters and subplots, there appears to be ample material for many more.
615 reviews16 followers
March 7, 2021
I really enjoyed this book! It’s the 3rd book in the series and I haven’t read the first 2 but it worked pretty well as a stand-alone. There are some references to the previous books such as the main characters time travelling which would have been more clear if I read the other books, but I was able to get the idea of what was going on. This book is told in 3 parts - present day, then the past, the present again. My favourite part was the past setting which is where the story really hooked me. Robbie and Jessica have both travelled in time, and they go back to Robbie’s homeland, Ireland, for their honeymoon. He was born there in the 1800s but now they live in the present time. I liked how Robbie was able to connect to his past in this story and unravel the mystery of his family tree. I really liked getting to see the perspective of the past and how it all tied in to Robbie and Jessica discovering was happened after he emigrated to America. This book is well written and I definitely recommend it!
Profile Image for Delicia.
28 reviews29 followers
January 19, 2021
Thank you to the Author and NetGalley for the copy of The Accidental Heiress.

The Accidental Heiress is the third book of The Accidental Series and it didn't disappoint me.
A plane crash in the Shannon River spins Jessica’s Irish honeymoon into a wilderness of unexpected emotions. For Robbie, the heroic Irish time-traveler she met and married in Wyoming, it becomes more than a reunion to the homeland he left…in the nineteenth century.

It was funny, light-hearted and so cute. I love the connection between Robbie and Jessica, how they got to know each other during the first two books and work through everything together.
The scenery description is remarkable and I was searching the map for the locations mentioned in the book. Ireland is the perfect destination for a romantic honeymoon even if things didn't happen according to plan.
I was very happy with the historical side of the story too 1 felt like I was having an imaginary guide who showed me all the cool places.
1 review
June 29, 2021
I just finished Carol Cj Fosdick’s final installation in her gripping and dreamy trilogy— The Accidental Heiress! If you’re looking for amazing summer reads I highly recommend this series! Start off with The Accidental Wife then dive into The Accidental Stranger. By the time you get to this final book you will feel like these characters are dear friends of yours. I truly never wanted their story to end!! This series is filled with surprising twists and turns along with accurate history woven into each character’s journey… all making for one fantastic love story! Prepare yourself to be transported through time and to unlock secrets alongside this endearing cast of characters. Who doesn’t want to go on a thrilling adventure after being cooped up during a pandemic?! Treat yourself to these novels!! You can find them on Amazon in paperback or kindle versions. ❤️📚❤️
Profile Image for Isabel Nicholson.
413 reviews7 followers
March 12, 2021
It can be hard to get historical time-travelling premises right but this book really does. The historical element is real, believable and obviously well researched. It is beautifully woven into the story all the way through. I love that even as the book moves through time and stories it never feels jarring to the reader. The characters are great and you want to know more about them. Jess and Robbie are the perfect romantic couple but there is a joy to be found in the characters who complete the family saga throughout time. The book is well paced and I like that there is action, romance, emotion and mystery all pulled together to make the book and excellent read. The book is really engaging and once you start reading you won’t want to stop.
Profile Image for Erica.
82 reviews
October 21, 2021
This amazing novel starts off with a lot of excitement, successfully dragging the reader in and keeping them hooked. There was the perfect blend of current and past events, and the backstory was intricately weaved throughout. I loved how the author gave us a taste of the past and the events that happened there. But most of all, I loved reading Jess and Robbie's parts. They have truly incredible chemistry, and I loved how much they were there for each other. It is helpful to read the other books in the series to understand the references, but there is enough backstory provided that you can get by without. Overall, great read, blending the events of past and present as we follow the characters on their journey.
Profile Image for TXBRITGAL.
1,352 reviews29 followers
December 15, 2020
Plain and simple this book was pure M A G I C!!! Though I suggest you read the previous books in this series as they're phenomenal, you don't necessarily have to read them before diving into this gem. Brought together through time travel, or some may say fate... A married couple finally takes a belated honeymoon trip to ireland. Though a hundred plus years after the fact, it is indeed the land her husband comes from. Upon arriving, the magic of this land takes over. New friends and distant family are found, along with a few surprise revelations. To me, reading this was like snuggling in front of a warm fire... Joyous. Get swept up in the mystery, the characters and also the magic of this wonderful land (as she almost seems a character herself) and the tale revealed 😉
Profile Image for April Hollingworth.
Author 17 books34 followers
December 21, 2020
This book is beautifully written, it continues the story of Jess and Robbie, this time they’re heading off on their belated honeymoon to Ireland. But what unfolds is a story of tragedy, survival, and a dark time in Irish history. The way it’s told touches the reader as it shines a light of hope for a brighter future. The heartache and betrayal, love and compassion written in this book will stay with the reader long after they’ve turned the final page.

If you haven’t read The Accidental Wife and The Accidental Stranger, I honestly advise that you do so, this is a series that you won’t want to miss out on, and be prepared for the famous last words, just one more chapter.
Profile Image for Lee.
561 reviews9 followers
December 21, 2020
I love this time traveling series! The Accidental Heiress is the third in the series, and it doesn't disappoint. It is quite a journey, as the happy couple goes on a honeymoon trip to Ireland. The book opens up to a plane ride that turns deadly. There are quite a few suspenseful moments in this book, as Jessica wonders whether she and Robbie will ever get their happily ever after. The book is full of revelation after revelation as they spend time in Robbie's homeland. There is much he doesn't know that happened after he disappeared into the future. It's a compelling story that is romantic and thrilling, and I highly recommend it.
1 review
June 26, 2021
The Accidental Heiress is the perfect dessert in the feast of an AMAZING trilogy. This book can stand alone, with the setting of an Irish honeymoon that might put any marriage at risk. As with the two previous “Accidentals” set in Wyoming, the trilogy is a hot mix of romance, time travel history and contemporary suspense with loveable characters, mistaken identities and plot twists you won’t see coming. Get comfy in an easy chair that will transport you to another time and place with can’t-put-down openers in each unforgettable book. I found all three books worthy of five enthusiastic stars!
Profile Image for Susan Hutchinson.
Author 2 books15 followers
October 5, 2023
Loved this book

Robbie and Jessica aren’t your typical couple considering the were born a century apart despite the fact they are close in age. Regardless, when they take a trip to Ireland, where Robbie was born 135 years ago, ghosts will churn up a history he was totally unprepared for.

Cj Fosdick not only weaves a tale of our current couple but also of the people who dotted his landscape before he time travelled to the present. Ripe with Irish culture and familial intrigue, this well written book is a must read. Highly recommend.
February 19, 2021
The Accidental Heiress dramatic introduction immediately catches the reader's interest. From that point following the protagonist Robbie and his wife Jessica back to his former home in Ireland is a trip of discovering his family's surprising and unknown past. The author's excellent research is reflected in the inclusion of Ireland's history, locations, customs and peppered with the Irish dialect which adds interest and authenticity to the story. It is a good read.
148 reviews4 followers
February 19, 2021
An amazing story

i don't usually read romance but this one caught my eye about a time traveling pair thrust together to form a new future. Reading this and seeing two timelines come together was great. I absolutely loved this well written story!
45 reviews1 follower
February 28, 2021
Love story and Irish family

Wow! Time travel and a trip to his homeland with his wife. Robbie ends up at his childhood home still run by descendants of his time there. A diary from his mom changes everything he thought was true. Will it change his future as well?
Profile Image for Don.
9 reviews
April 29, 2021
Realistic time travel and romance

I enjoyed the whole series! The Accidental Heiress was especially good and finished with a sweet ending. It left me with a desire to go back and read all 3 books again and I am sending my sister-in-law this book. I know she will love Digby.
Profile Image for Ellen Simon.
1 review
February 10, 2021
The first chapter grabbed my attention right away. The ending was a bit of a surprise. In between there was greatly researched history, mystery, love and romance. Something for everyone!
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