This was an enjoyable read but there was much more to the story than I originally thought. Each character has SO. MUCH. baggage. However the author brings the flaws into the story and deals with the very realistic problems.
Many thanks to Thomas Nelson and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book is a romance with depth. Unlike a typical romance, there are more character perspectives than simply the hero and heroine, and those added a depth to it. This also leads to a host of supporting characters, and not all issues are cleanly resolved. But this novel is a romance rooted in real issues and real growth. I enjoyed every page.

2.5 stars

Talk about an example of how you should not judge a book by the cover. This cover is deceptively cute when the contents in actuality were much darker and emotional than I anticipated. That isn't a bad thing but know going into this novel, things are going to get deep and things are going to get sad.

One of the biggest things that I feel should be mentioned is that I was under the impression this was mainly a story of romance. Yes, there is romance in the story but that actually is not the main thing to take away from this novel. It has a lot of other issues mainly focused on family but also on adultery, death, illness, grief, and accidental pregnancies (yes....plural). Like I said, a very serious and intense novel.

Also, there is a lot of religious and Christianity involvement and inclusion in the story. Again, if that is what you want in a story, then maybe this will be one for you to pick up. However, I feel with the way this novel is being promoted, a lot of people will unknowingly pick this up and then feel blindsided with the abundance of religious messages included.

With all of that being said, it was still a good and thought provoking story. I think there was a little too much going on though. What I mean by that is there was issue after issue happening, all incredibly impactful. I feel that the novel may have done better through focusing on one or two issues instead of all that were involved.

***Thank you to the publisher for supplying me with a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***

This is a strong debut novel by an author with a unique and fresh voice. I loved the predicament of the main heroine, Natalie. I also adored her sass and resolve as she dealt with very real and heart wrenching issues. There was so much to enjoy in this book with each character (there are three POVs), and watching them overcome the issues each of them had. I especially loved reading Lili’s story and struggles. The author did an amazing job of capturing the voice of the teenagers, which I haven’t seen done so masterfully in a long time. Looking forward to future novels from this author!

*3 1/2 Stars*

Well...I have to admit, I'm not exactly sure how to review this book. For one thing, I don't know whether to start with the good news or...the less-good news. But I think I'm going to start with the less-good news, because the less-good news is all about perception, marketing, and expectations, while the good news is all about a talented debut author and her nuanced storytelling. And that's what I REALLY want to talk about.

But first, the less-good.

In Jessica Kate's <i>Love and Other Mistakes</i>, we meet Natalie Groves--a heroine who captured my heart and my interest from the very beginning. We also meet her ex-fiance, Jeremy Walters--better known as Jem. Jem left Natalie years prior in heartbreaking fashion, and Natalie has been attempting to pick up the pieces of her life ever since. Jem, meanwhile, has moved on in dramatic fashion--at least that's how it appears at first. The reality, of course, is that Jem's years without Natalie have been comprised of wandering and searching, misfires and struggles. And...fatherhood. Baby Oliver is now part of the package, though Oliver's mother is missing in action.

Everything I am about to say is just one reader's opinion, and I have no doubt whatsoever that countless readers could present compelling counterpoint to each of my grievances. But, in my opinion, the synopsis I have just given is a fascinating foundation for a modern-day, relevant Christian romantic comedy. There is plenty of story to tell. Plenty of potential mishaps to ensue. Plenty of wide. open space for romance and comedy--the foundational cornerstones of rom-com--as well as life lessons and enlightening perspective. Oh, sure...you'd want to add a subplot. Maybe two. Engaging supporting characters are a must. My first grievance is that held within these beautifully-written pages are more subplots than I really care to invest in. By pulling me out of Jem and Natalie's central plot in favor of the story of Jem's teenaged niece Lili and her very real, very heartbreaking, VERY well-written drama, as well as that of her parents, Mike and Steph, who are responsible for Lili's heartbreak and angst (More on them in a moment...), not to mention Jem's broken relationship with his father, resentment towards alcohol and the devastating havoc it can wreak, Natalie's attempts to come to terms with her beloved father's impending death, Natalie's search for not only a job but a calling, the chronic illness of a baby... Long story short, I sometimes felt as if I had emotional whiplash.

Now, to the author's immense credit, all of these plots and subplots were interconnected in a fashion that was natural and intricately engaging. Jessica Kate is not just telling us a story. She's giving us an inside look at a modern, complicated family's life. And I don't have a problem with that in the least. What I do struggle with, however, is attempting to wrap all of this plot and subplot, intricacy and angst, into a romantic comedy package. Sure, there is romance. And yes, some of Ms. Kate's banter, observations, and situations are truly hilarious. But the disillusionment of romance and the very opposite of comedy actually run more prevalent than either of the two words that make up the romantic comedy sub-genre.

Again, my grievance here is not really with the book or the author--only with the expectations laid out with the marketing of the book. My heart simply wasn't prepared for all of the pain and sadness it was about to be subjected to.

But let's pretend for a moment that I hadn't been distracted by the design of the cover--in a style so prevalent in romantic comedy novels these days--and I hadn't been prepared to sit down with a humorous story, focused on the central couple and their up-and-down path to love. In that scenario, what would this review consist of?

Well, my major grievance would have been with just how bothered I was by Lili's parents, Mike and Steph. Humans are flawed. I get that. And honestly, I was thrilled that Ms. Kate chose to tackle some very difficult, very hush-hush problems which do, in fact, occur within the church and in the lives of those chosen to lead the church. But the extremity of Mike and Steph's handling of their problems--from lies and deception to selfishness and coercion...all the way to what amounted to child neglect and abandonment--was a whole lot to deal with. I kept hoping for some serious redemption there. Not just a moment in which they stopped thinking about themselves for two seconds (which we did eventually get), but a moment in which there was repentance and evidence of consequences, even beyond the pain they inflicted on their daughter.

Other than that my alternate reality review, if I had understood what I was getting into, would have consisted of the following:

Jessica Kate is truly talented, and without a doubt she is one to watch. Her writing voice is unique, her ideas are new, her approach is fresh, and she is simply a gifted storyteller. She weaves together fascinating intricacies. Her dialogue feels real. She knows how to make chemistry and affection--romantic and otherwise--between characters leap off the page.

And do you know what else? I really enjoyed reading this book! I was engaged from the very beginning, and I couldn't wait to see what happened next. There wasn't a single moment of reading this book that I consider a waste of time or waste of emotion. Without a doubt, I will be anxiously awaiting the next book by Ms. Kate. She has a bright future, and I believe this book only begins to scrape the surface of the reading delights she is going to deliver to readers through the years.

And all of that good stuff? Well, the fact is that's not just what I would have said in my alternate reality review. It's what I'm happy to say in spite of the misdirected marketing and expectations. And to any readers unsure of whether or not to pick up this book, in light of a "negative" review...do yourself a favor and read it. Now. Go into it prepared for a sometimes-painful, often-funny, deep and moving visit with a flawed group of family and friends who, at the center of it all, believe that love is worth the pain.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, courtesy of Thomas Nelson via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

This story is about love, faith, making mistakes and seeking forgiveness. During the course of the book you will feel all the ranges of emotions. You will feel love a child has for parent, love between partners, love between friends. You will share in their love, loss and victories in finding what truly makes them happy. Sometimes what we think we want, we will feel we need or not what we need or what god has planned for us.

You will go a journey with Natalie Groves as she naviagates the life she thought she was going to have, to the life she actually had, and then to the life she thinks she needs, before looking close at what truly makes are heart happy.

Meanwhile Jem and his family, his father, brother and neice are learning about how their mistakes, lies and withholding importnat information has strongly impacted those they love. In the porcess of learning form their mistakes, they learn what it really means to be a family and to trust that God has had a plan for them, even when they think he is not with us or guiding us.

This was a fun story to read. I liked Natalie and Jeremy and found both of them to be relatable and interesting. They both could be friends of mine. I like that the reader can learn valuable truths such as forgiveness and trust right along with Natalie and Jeremy
It’s a love story of second chances and hope. it’s a perfect blend of serious and funny that will make you smile until the end.

I recommend this book to my family and friends

I received this book from the publisher to read and give my honest review.
All thoughts are my own.

The story moves along fast with lots of things happening in the first couple of chapters Unknowingly Natalie, a single twenty something businesswoman, runs to an emergency situation thinking it’s her father who needs her help. When Natalie arrives she finds her x-fiancé Jeremy with an infant baby in his arms. Why was she called to help? Jeremy left her at the alter seven years ago. Now he’s back in town with an infant child and someone called her to help him. This is a bad joke.

The story then turns to Lilliana Walters as she runs into Nick Kent in the hall at school. Seems he’s back at Charlottesville high school. Rumor has it that Nick was the son of an alcoholic and his brother was a drug dealer. Lili’s father pulled some strings to get him into a rehab a year ago.

Lili was headed to see Miss Kent about her art project, and notices she's not alone, someone is in the classroom with her. It’s her Dad. What is he doing here? When her vision sharpens, she can’t believe her eyes….” It’s her Dad his face mushed up against Miss Kent’s, fingers intertwined in her hair.” …” Dad!” “He didn’t respond. He just attacked Miss Kent’s mouth again and pushed her up against her desk…. The sucking noise made Lili gag. She dropped her bag.” “Her dad ripped from Miss Kent and spun around. ..He froze and says, “It’s not what you think it is.”

“What do you think, I think? ”I just saw you jamming your tongue into---”

…”For the love of chocolate gelato, her father was Pastor Mike Walters. Didn’t he care about God? Or Had their whole lives been a lie?”

This is not the story I thought I signed up to read. Other issues talked about in this novel are cancer, terminal illness, infidelity, unforgiveness, job loss, lost love, to name a few. I was surprised how this book described some situations like talking about tongues in mouths and mentions of Natalie’s underwear etc. I read for entertainment and to be encourage by what characters learn along the way as usually their faith is strengthened. There are a few mentions of God because Mike is a pastor but it’s not believable and/or sincere.

I got several chapters into this novel and couldn’t finish. I was surprised at what happened early on I didn’t want to go and/or know where this author was taking her characters who I didn’t connect with and/or care for. This is not what I expected when I read the book blurb. This is not the fun romantic comedy I thought it might be. This book deals with some pretty heavy issues. Yes, I realize all this happens in real life but it’s not what I thought I’d read about.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Baker Publishing Group through Interviews &amp; Reviews. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Catalogue front page www.bookfun.org

3 Stars / 0 Steam Fans

Where do I am even begin with this review. I mistakenly requested this book thinking I was getting a romantic comedy but that is not what I got at all! This book is labeled as a Christian fiction romance and although there is a romance contained I do not think I would list it that way at all. This review is based off the fact that I am not a huge fan of Christian romances or "clean" romances unless they are done in a specific way. This book did not hit those points for me. The only reason I am giving the book three stars is because the author's note brought some understanding to the direction of the story.

With that said the main reason I did not connect with the book was because of the overwhelming religious themes, the setting revolving around the church, and that there was not one main relationship to focus on within the storyline. You have three main characters - Natalie, Jeremy, and Lily - that are all connected as well as a bunch of other characters. Natalie and Jeremy have a history from seven years ago that is overly discussed, Jeremy has family issues that are just down right annoying and handled in a frustrating way, and you also have Lily who is connected to Jeremy and Natalie. There are aspects of cheating, alcoholism, runaways, no communication within families, divorce, secrets, and just a bunch of other issues that didn't really get resolved by the end of the story. I think the ideas within the book were good just poorly executed and not my cup of tea.

This specific video review will be included in the August 2019 wrap-up.

For other video book reviews check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.

DNF'd at 75%: Oh boy. I don't like to give negative reviews. I'm usually a great judge of knowing what I'm going to like to read! With that said, I gotta say that I wish I had realized this was Christian fiction. I am not big on reading anything with a religious backdrop. I tried to power through it because I was intrigued on the seemingly interesting concept of there being a second chance romance (my latest catnip with romances). However, I found it difficult to keep going with a story that had too many POVs for my taste (for a romance novel...I THOUGHT this was the kind of romance novels I like!). I found the inclusion of the male protagonist's niece's POV to be a bit odd. I actually found myself skimming through her chapters midway through the book. The chemistry between the two leads also kinda disappeared throughout the story (in my opinion). So - even though I tried with the Christian backdrop to keep going - I still felt that the plot and mood of the book were all over the place. Eventually, I just stopped caring about the characters and that is definitely a sign for me to move on.

STUDY OF RELATIONSHIPS!

LOVE AND OTHER MISTAKES is a great study of relationships! It covers several strong friend relationships, parent/child relationships, several marriage relationships, several dating relationships, several hopeful dating relationships AND one old, romantic, formally engaged to be married relationship that ended very badly. (Is there any way to break off an engagement that doesn’t end badly?) Natalie Groves had a calling and a plan. Then she met Jeremy who also seemed to be a part of the call & the plan - until he ditched her after they were engaged! Natalie finds herself scrambling to find her purpose again. An opportunity arises & as she considers taking an internship on the way to her “Dream Job,” her life takes a drastic turn. Guess who’s home & with an infant son in his arms?

New author Jessica Kate does a great job of taking readers on a walk through the mine fields in this plot! Her characters are believable because they are imperfect like the rest of us. They are experiencing many of our struggles and challenges and some we have not faced & hope we will never have to face! She makes you feel as though you’re a fly on the wall, and privy to extra information. The plot is complex as there is a great deal of action going on - health of aging parents, workplace woes, who can you believe or trust, love interests & the list goes on! You won’t be bored while reading! In the end, readers will be blessed to have learned that it it is always important to be surrounded by a strong family group, friend group and work group. Life is too short to not be spent with people who love you and that you love dearly. Working together for a common goal will seem much less like work. It’s interesting to see how the characters grow from their past mistakes. Very enjoyable book! I was provided an ARC of this book by Thomas Nelson Publishing & NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.

This was a solid book. I enjoyed it but didn’t love it. The relationship between Natalie and Jeremy was super cute. However I did not like the church/ religious aspect of the book at all. I’m an atheist and I found it really annoying and boring (no hate I just don’t care about church stuff). 2,5/5

Definitely not the light-hearted romance I thought it would be! Lots going on with focus on other characters as well as the mains. Overall enjoyable.

Natalie Groves is about to give the presentation she hopes will save her job when she gets a phone call. There’s a medical emergency. Her first thought is for her father, who’s got cancer. But when she gets to the scene she finds Jem, her childhood sweetheart and ex-fiance.

With a baby. Now unemployed, Natalie unwillingly accepts a job as Olly’s part-time nanny on the condition she can also take an unpaid internship with a new Christian ministry, Wildfire. It’s the opportunity she’s been waiting for. And the handsome youth pastor in charge has nothing to do with that …

Jem has his own issues. He left town after an argument with his father, and he’s still not ready to mend those bridges. And he’s got his niece, sixteen-year-old Lily, who helps Natalie with Olly, and who moves in following an argument with her own father.

Love and Other Mistakes is a bit of a genre mash-up. There’s Natalie and Jem’s second-chance romance. There’s the faith element—Natalie’s internship is with a Christian ministry, and Lily’s parents are both in full-time paid ministry. Then there is Lily’s story, which is more Young Adult. The overall tone is humorous, with a definite chick-lit vibe.

I found the first quarter packed in a lot of information, and the writing sometimes got in the way of the story. But then I totally got into the story, and finished it in two sittings.

Overall, Love and Other Mistakes is a funny yet poignant lesson in broken relationships that’s occasionally frustrating (Steph, I’m talking about you). It’s also a lesson in mending relationships, and in the power of honesty, love, and God to heal what’s broken.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

Even though the romance wasn't for me I've had a pleasant time reading this beauty!
If you're looking for something fresh and cute then this is your next read.

It's a different thing, being a pastor's kid. My mom wasn't a PK - she was an MK, missionary kid. I wasn't either, but my parents were ministry directors at our church in various seasons. Everyone expects pastors to have it all together (and everyone sees when they don't!). But the thing is, pastors are normal people. They have normal, broken lives, just like everyone else. They can (and do!) make the same mistakes. They can have the same parenting problems. Sometimes, it can be worse, because it is easy for a pastor, as the spiritual leader, to miss out on accountability and close friendships. And pastors' kids? Everyone knows who you are. Sometimes it can feel like you can't make any mistakes, or can't share what your family is going through. Some parents handle this better than others! Even though I've been surrounded by pastors' kids my whole life, Love and Other Mistakes introduced me to two pastors' kids that will tug on your heart.

Pastors' Kids Are Supposed to Go Into Ministry, Right?

Natalie is the grown pastors' kid that is supposed to go into ministry. It's been her plan so long, it has never occurred to her that that might not be God's plan...even though she's not a fan of the public speaking that seems to go along with the job. She put her life on hold to take care of Dad, and after losing the job she didn't really like anyways, she has the opportunity to get "back on track" with a ministry internship. That doesn't pay enough to cover her expenses. So she reluctantly accepts a job as the nanny for her ex-fiance's infant. Sounds like a great idea.

Pastors' Kids See Everything that the World Isn't Supposed to See

(but maybe should)

My lead pastor? He's the same inside and out. One of the most authentic people I know. He makes mistakes - and he's open about that. But 16-year-old Lili's dad is the pastor, and he makes mistakes, too. Big ones. Church-splitting ones. And Lili seems to be the only one who knows. How do you reconcile that, Daddy?

Love and Other Mistakes is more than Romantic Comedy

Don't get me wrong. The romance is there. (Not obnoxiously so.) The comedy is there. I laugh so hard reading this book. Natalie's life...oh my. It's like my track record of breaking dishes with my superior clumsiness. Except it's not dishes that break in her life. It's her life.

But seriously? These two pastors' kids will tug on your heart. They will make you feel compassion for anyone felt stuck in a lie...or anyone who has been trying to live up to a dream that isn't her own. I just wanted to put my arm around Lili and take her to Starbucks. And maybe introduce her to my Mpact Girls so she won't feel so alone. This book was a little bit like that Mrs. Dash Southwest Chipotle seasoning: the right combination of spicy and sweet. And it might remind you that no matter what you've messed up in your life, be it love or other mistakes, it's not over yet. There's always a new day, a fresh start, and there's nothing broken our God can't redeem.

I received a review copy of this book; all opinions are my own.

Love and Other Mistakes was a hit and miss book for me. I liked the will-they-won't-they dynamic between Nat and Jem - a previously engaged couple. But altogether, there were too many storylines for any to fully develop. There was the failing health of Nat's dad, Jem's rocky relationship with his own dad and his estranged relationship with the mother of his son. On top of that, you have the Lili storyline, who is Jem's niece and her family is going through its own problems. As an Aussie (as is the author), I also thought the Australian factor was unnecessary. There were little bits of Australia added into the book that didn't need to be there. If it just focused on Jem and Nat's relationship, this book could have been amazing!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Ever since I read the premise for this book, I was eager to get my hands on it! This debut romance features witty banter and relatable characters while showcasing the messy things of life with strokes of humor.

First of all, I’m a fan of the love/hate trope because the story begins with a mountain of complications between the two main characters and it’s always interesting to see how things gets untangled. Another element that made the story engaging was the heroine. I found myself rooting for her success from the very first page!

All in all, this was a solid debut from Jessica Kate, and I’m looking forward to her future stories!

I received a copy from the author, all opinions are my own.

I typically do not read christian romances, but this one was a treat. Fast paced beachy read, perfect for the summer and when you are in the mood for something light. Thank you, NetGalley, for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review!

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Short and simple review:

There were about 3-4 different stories taking place and intermingling with each other which made it a little hard to follow. The story felt like it dragged on too long for me. The writing wasn’t the best as there were mistakes.