This is a sweet, chaste, love story. The main characters are grieving and trying to work through their grief in different ways. I don't like the fact that the FMC felt shame for her grieving process and that the family, especially the sister, ridiculed her for it, but every family is different. The story was far more heartwarming than I had expected, and it was definitely a slower, sweet build from strangers to friends to love. ( )

After the death of her mom, Maggie Cooper texts her as a way to vent her feelings using the account that she begged her father to keep active. When a man named Chase starts texting her back, she discovers that her dad closed her mother's account, and now Chase has her mother's telephone number. At first she is embarrassed, but that passes the more time the two of them communicate, and Maggie finds herself beginning to feel a bit better. Things change however, when tragedy strikes and the two of them decide it's time to meet in real life.

The Accidental Text is a very well written story that is much heavier than the cover suggests, but grief and loss are handled expertly in this enjoyable contemporary romance. The dialogue as well as the emotions come across as very authentic, and the characters feel real and likable. The pacing is excellent as the story comes full circle, leaving the reader with a satisfying conclusion. What this story lacks in spice, it makes up for with entertaining banter and a strong connection between characters. Overall, The Accidental Text is an absorbing story that still manages to include moments of fun. ( )

"She gave the best hugs of anyone I've ever known. They were tight and warm and protective. She felt 100 percent present when she hugged, like you were all that mattered in that moment--the most important thing in her life."

"This is my standard answer. I'm hanging in there. Sometimes it's by a thick cord, and sometimes it's by silly string. It just depends on the day. Or sometimes the moment."

"I was wondering how long that awful-feel-like-you-can't-get-a-good-breath part lasts."

"...when we were having a hard time with something, to look outside ourselves for answers."

"Life is short, this I do know. You have to find happiness where you can. That's all we really have in the end."

"The connection isn't gone; she'll always be with me."

The Accidental Text is a romance book on the surface, but at its core, it is all about friendship, family, and the grieving process. It made me laugh, smile, and, yes, cry. Loved the texts, especially those leading up to and just after the family skydiving jump where Maggie, her dad, her brother, and sister released their mum's ashes. I also liked how the author worked in the death of Chase's mum. I had seen another review that mentioned that his mum also died, but the way it was written was really lovely for the development of the story.

This was my pick for The StoryGraph's Onboarding Reading Challenge 2022, prompt one, Read a book which fits all of the criteria from your reading profile. My reading profile is/was: fiction, emotional, lighthearted, and reflective, medium-paced, 300-499 pages. ( )

The Accidental Text is a sweet romantic story about Maggie and Chase who are both dealing with loss. I thought the story was cute and the characters were real and believable.

Trigger warning: grief and loss of parent ( )