‘Love and Other Mistakes’: A Romance That’s more than a Good Time

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ABOUT the BOOK
Author: Jessica Kate
Publication Date: 2019
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Fiction; Contemporary Romance
Source: Author and Publisher Provided –thank you, Jessica and Thomas Nelson!
FIND the BOOK ELSEWHERE: Amazon | Goodreads
FIND the REVIEW ELSEWHERE: Amazon | Goodreads | WordPress
Rating: ★★★½

Love and Other Mistakes by Jessica Kate | Book Review

STORY | Things are rough for Natalie Groves. Years ago, her fiancé left her just as her father became sick. Now, seven years later, Natalie comes face to face with the source of her heartbreak again, and this time his unexpected presence in her life costs her another part of her life, this time it’s an important work commitment!

Jeremy has lived a very different life these past seven years, certainly nothing like what he and Natalie planned. But he’s back and in need of some help, including with the arrival of a teenage niece carrying secrets. A reluctant Natalie agrees to help him so long as it doesn’t interfere with the potential for a new job, a career that just might be a fulfilling dream.

REVIEW | One of 2019’s debut authors, Jessica Kate’s novel promised to be a must-read. At least on my anticipated reads list! I think I’ve learned that I’m a habitual reader, meaning I read what I love and with exception to a few “outside the comfort zone” reads, I’m okay with this. This novel is one I judged by its cover, then read the back cover with a very positive reaction, and then heard about it from the author. Needless to say, it quickly climbed my must-read list.

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Opening the pages of a new book is an interesting experience. Inside the story presents itself to be something we don’t expect of it. The cute, trendy illustrated cover design leads us to believe we’re settling into a romantic-comedy journey that is sure to be bliss. But, contrary to this, what these pages actually hold is a story with emotional backbone.

There’s medical difficulties and the trauma of having to say goodbye; there’s secrets and struggles with forgiveness. That’s not to say there isn’t a sense of joy to the story, too, because there is. It’s just not the lighthearted (or really sassy) romantic comedy I anticipated.

But if you like novels that are more than an easy lighthearted read, then Love and Other Mistakes is sure to be something you’ll enjoy. It’s a reunion romance about two people with emotional upheaval in their lives, and how they find strength and forgiveness, a journey that enables them to move towards a brighter future.

If there’s one thing I know in the aftermath of reading this debut, it’s that I’m already quite excited to read Jessica’s follow up novel.

Sincere thanks to Jessica Kate and Thomas Nelson for providing a review copy of Love and Other Mistakes; all opinions are my own.