I originally was going to not leave feedback on this, however have decided that leaving feedback might be helpful to others who are on the fence. A friend strongly recommended Mistakes Were Made to me. I liked Something to Talk About. The blurb did give me a little pause, but having it come strongly recommended I decided to request the ARC.

The opening chapter is an amazing start, it is so sexy and a promising start to a sapphic romance. Unfortunately, I was unable to get past the uncomfortable feeling Cassie and Erin's relationship gave me. I think it was Cassie still being in college and close friends with Erin's daughter.

I found it hard to read a book about a couple I did not really root for. However, the quality of the writing is great. The dialogue is well written, and the characters are interesting. For those people that really like Erin and Cassie I'm sure this will be a 4 or 5 star read.

Lots of good things. Great sapphic rom-com with lots of funny banter and the spice is perfect. The characters are funny and relatable. The down side is the ago gap, I don’t usually mind age gap romances but with this being one of her daughters best friends it felt different.

Dnf’d at 15%

Thank you Net-galley for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

Y’all weren’t kidding, this is definitely THE milf book lmao. While normally I really rag on age gap queer romances for the ways that they usually make it weird, or are used as a constant negative stereotype, what I read from this so far I honestly just found silly and lighthearted. However, some of the reviews that I read made me feel uncomfortable to continue the book & my own ✨mommy issues✨ were also beginning to feel uncomfortable & I just don’t think I can finish this book. Don’t let me deter you because a lot of people are seemingly having fun with this one, it’s just not for me I think!

I loved the romance and spice in this book. But I felt like the final conflict was very unbelievable and I just couldn’t get past how nonchalantly the characters behaved given the circumstances. Overall though I did have a great time reading this and would recommend it.

I have to start by saying this is one of my first adult, sapphic, lesbian novels, so I absolutely went into this story with no expectations. That being said, I think Wilsner really blew it out of the water!

Mistakes Were Made promised a cute, MILF, taboo romance novel, and it delivered! Erin, a divorced, 38 year-old mother, meets Cassie, a 20 year-old college student at a college bar during Family Weekend and sparks FLY until Cassie goes to meet her best friend Parker's mom the following morning... and it's Erin. What transpires is a taboo, should they/shouldn't they romance (with about 6-8 AMAZINGLY well-written steamy scenes) between Erin and Cassie that ultimately ends positively. (I must say, though, that the positive ending is refreshing in comparison to so many tv shows/movies where wlw relationships end poorly/with death.)

One of the best parts about this novel is the characterization of both Erin and Cassie: both of these characters are very well thought out and their motivations for their lives and romance are practical. However (and this is probably because of the taboo romance) sometimes their decisions and their relationships with others were just BAD. Erin and Cassie were definitely, at times, a bad friend/parent to Parker and this was irksome, as necessary it was for the plot.

The general pacing of the book was good until the last third of the novel - I found it to be unnecessarily dragged on until the ending, which was very underwhelming. Also, while I understand that the whole point was a taboo romance, in what world would this kind of climax and ending/epilogue happen? It seemed completely unrealistic. That being said, I flew through this novel and will absolutely be recommending it to all of my queer friends. A good queer romance novel is few and far between, so thank you to Wilsner for making an exception!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It’s not my usual type read but I loved it none the less. It takes a minute to start getting into it but once you do it’s hard to stop. The timeline this book covers fits well with the story and made me that more invested in it.

This one took me for QUITE the emotional ride. I knew going into it that this was a taboo, secret relationship, but all the lying and secrecy still really bothered me for most of the book. I was so stressed about Cassie putting her friendship with Parker at risk that I missed some of the earlier signs she was clearly already in love with Erin.

There were great parallels between Cassie & Erin, who, although in very different stages of their lives, both needed to realize they had the right to do what makes them happy. And I love how for both of them, it took Rachel & Acacia calling them out on the bs to realize they had feelings for each other. This was a beautiful combination of found family meets romance, and I really enjoyed it in the end. 3.5 stars!

*Thank you NetGalley for the ARC*

5 Stars!!!
I LOVED this book. I definitely thought the idea was a little cringy, just the idea of dating a friend's mom was absurd to me. But after reading this book....
This was a great read! I enjoyed it more than Something to Talk About because it was a good pace and a fast burn. The relationship between Cassie and Erin felt genuine and realistic.
I highly recommend and I can't wait to read the author's next book!

This book started off with a bang (literally!), and I really enjoyed the first 30% or so of the book. Then I felt like it was dragging on and included a bunch of plot lines I didn’t think added to the book experience in my opinion. I’m really glad they got their happy ending, but the conflict and the aftermath fell flat for me. Overall I gave it 5 stars!

This book has such a cute premise, and was full of sexual tension and steamy scenes. The climax was shockingly not cliche, which made this book all the more enjoyable. The only complaint I have is some of the writing felt unedited. Some scenes were clunky and didn’t have great flow towards the beginning.

Holy hell this book is hot. Like finger blasting your daughter's best friend in a public alley level hot. I can't believe I'm going to say this but it actually might be <i>too</i> hot. The majority of the time our main characters spend together is consumed by sex, so we don't see their relationship develop beyond physical attraction until the last quarter of the book. Even so, I felt like Cassie & Erin's chemistry was palpable throughout the entire book. I was incredibly impressed with how well the author was able to make Erin seem young and cool enough to be compatible with a 22 year old while still making her a responsible and engaged mother. I loved both mcs so much, even though they were sometimes a really bad friend/mom for lying to Parker. Ultimately I would have loved to learn more about all the characters -- Parker especially -- but this was still by far my favorite romance of 2022.

NetGalley ARC Educator 550974

A steamy, slow building romance between Erin and Cass. Reminiscent of the movie Class. This will become a classic, older woman and a younger female. We need more romances with the age dynamic from a female perspective. Kudos.

I received an eBook copy of Mistakes Were Made by Meryl Wilsner from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Overall, I enjoyed reading this novel. It was just the right combination of a steamy slow burn. I found the first third of the novel to be a bit slow, but it then picked up pace. Additionally, I found some of the characters to be a bit underdeveloped, in comparison to others. Yet, I still enjoyed the novel overall and I do recommend reading this sapphic romance.

I LOVED this, very gay and hot. The strap on scene was particularly great and would love to see more of that in romances. Cassie was SO dense but also 22yos kind of are so that does track. Had a good time, can’t wait for Meryl’s next!

Mistakes Were Made is a F/F spicy romance with lots of steam but lack of character development.

Cassie is a junior in college who dreams of going into aeronautics at Caltech. She’s looking for an escape during Parent’s Weekend and decides to go to the bar… where she meets Erin. What is supposed to be a one night stand turns into breakfast the next morning BECAUSE Erin is Cassie’s friend Parker’s mom. This turns out to be a huge nope in Erin’s mind. Yet, these two cannot keep their hands off each other and try to hookup discreetly. But I I’ll they be able to keep their lips sealed in front of Parker?

I loved Meryl Wilsner’s debut novel, Something to Talk About, and had high hopes for Mistakes Were Made. I feel like this novel focus more on hooking up and giving spicy details instead of letting us know who these characters really were. Every other chapter there was a steamy scene so those who love female female romances may cling to this one. However I wished for more into who Cassie really was and hated how Parker was turned into somebody who seemed very babyish. Parts shown throughout this book such as when they are spending time together over the holidays and Cassie’s college journey. However I wanted more from this book and was disappointed.

4 stars

I read this book in one sitting. I loved almost everything about it. There were a few pacing issues for me and while I'm glad the conflict didn't involve the main characters it kind of bothered me. I love the May-December romance especially as someone in one myself I enjoyed seeing that representation. I love reading this sapphic story. I really liked how fleshed out both Cassie and Erin were and how they were both consistent in their decision-making. I love the focus Erin has on mental health and the fact that therapy isn't an issue in this book.

I wish that the author had put more of what was going on from Parker's point of view in the story especially since she plays such a pivotal role in the book. I thought all the sapphic scenes we fantastic however I wish that there was more actual relationship building instead of just sex. overall it was a good read and I look forward to the next book from this author...

I loved 'Something to Talk About' and the storyline was so great for this day and age. But, this one...not so much. The characters were just too unrealistic, the plot was so far fetched... It made me feel dirty as a mother of a college girl. The whole MILF factor... just no. And I'm all for some steamy sex scenes, but I actually got a little uncomfortable at the amount of scenes- very explicit. As for the relationship aspect ...I felt that it was barely touched on. We heard a lot of sex, but how about feelings? Love? more than just the raw sexual attraction. And hiding the relationship from friends and loved ones? Doesn't sound healthy. I want to teach my girls that sex is healthy, relationships are based on love, trust and honesty.

The spice in this book! The author dialed it up a notch without it being over-the-top! Overall, I really enjoyed Erin and Cassie's story! The book fell a little flat for me between the 50-75% mark. It helped build their feelings and relationship, but it moved a little too slow for me. Otherwise, this was a great read! It was fun, and the age gap was done really well. I give it 3.75 stars!

This book starts fast, like a rollercoaster you weren’t ready for but find exhilarating.

Cassie, a college senior, has a one night stand with a beautiful older woman, Erin. When Cassie shows up to breakfast with her friend Parker the next morning she finds Erin sitting at their table. Also known as Parker’s mom.

I loved the push and pull of Cassie and Erin’s relationship. They are drawn to each other from the first page and their chemistry never wavers. Beyond their natural attraction watching the two learn about each other, even as they fight against or for their relationship, is my favorite part of the book. Particularly the hilarity that ensues as they attempt to keep it under wraps from Erin’s daughter and Cassie’s best friends.

I don’t want to give away any spoilers but I would definitely put this book on your TBR list.

I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Okay, wow. I don’t even know how to review Mistakes Were Made because it makes me feel ten ways at once. To start, I want to say this is a cute read, perfect for the beach (or, tbh, ignoring your family during the holidays since it comes out this fall). But that almost feels like a mistake to call Mistakes Were Made a cute book because it’s so steamy? Several scenes had me falling back on that nonchalant face perfected by years of reading smutty fanfics because the scenes rivaled the Texas heat for hot. But then, while I mostly enjoyed Mistakes Were Made, there were also just so many choices character and world wise that just gave me mild to severe ick. This review is going to have spoilers below because I don’t see how I can discuss why this I gave it 4 stars and not 5 without specifics. So, if you want to remain unspoiled, avoid everything after the emojis.

Mistakes Were Made follows Cassandra “Cassie” Klein, a 21-year-old senior college student, who hooks up with a hot woman at a local bar during her college’s family weekend only to find out the next morning that her one night stand is Dr. Erin Bennett, the 38-year-old mother of her best friend. As the school year progresses, Cassie and Erin try to deny their chemistry only to fail as they find themselves thrown back together by fate. As their feelings deepen and the relationship strengthens, they must figure out how to tell Parker, Erin’s 18 year old daughter and Cassie’s freshman best friend.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶.5/🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 (Several explicit sex scenes, including one in the first chapter; dirty talk; frequent references/mentions to sex)

(FINAL SPOILER WARNING)

Right off the bat, I feel like I should address the age gap between Cassie and Erin. I read Meryl Wilsner’s other sapphic age-gap romance Something to Talk About (2020) and loved it. Yet, what worked in Something To Talk About just feels like it didn’t click for me in Mistakes Were Made? A big factor in that has to do with the characters’ ages, which are importnat. Jo (42) and Emma (27) from Something also have a similar age gap of 14 years but it didn’t seem as strange for them as it did for Cassie and Erin. After all, Emma might be in the early stages of her career, but she had her adult life well established before the start of the book. A medium plot arc for Cassie is that she doesn’t know which grad school she wants to attend or even what type of engineering she wants to specialize in, aeronautics or astronautics. Plus, the scenes where she goes to parties with Parker and Acacia or hangs out with Parker’s hometown friends just reinforces how young she is. Erin, meanwhile, is played as the cool mom, but a mom nonetheless. Even when she’s not trying, she’ll say or do something that shows just how much more adult-ier she seems than Cassie. Plus, add in the fact that Cassie and Erin are constantly worried about how their relationship would appear to the world and the age gap does seem a bit much. Honestly, if I could change one thing about this book, it would be making Cassie just a bit older and a grad student. I won’t deny she has chemistry with Erin and their dynamic is cute— she’s just so young and green that I find it hard to believe no-nonsense Erin would put up with her long enough to get engaged in the epilogue.

Beyond that, the thing that I liked/disliked the most about Mistakes Were Made was its dialogue, especially concerning what Cassie would say. At times, she’s so pithy and clever and FUNNY and I am eagerly looking forward to see what she’ll say next. Then, there’s moments where Cassie will do something like use the phrase “clam jamming” earnestly and I just get such a strong ick. (Do I get that it’s the feminine version of “cockblock”? Yes. Does it still gross me out worse than moist? Yes.) I must give credit where credit is due and Wilsner nailed her 21-year-old voice. Cassie would say such wise things and then follow it up with the stupidest shit you’ve ever heard, like a true college student. There was no overuse of slang and attempts to prove her character’s youth. Wilsner wrote what felt authentic to Cassie and she nailed it. No other character came even close to Cassie in terms of quotability.

That said, the pacing was a close second to the dialogue in terms of things I disliked about the book. I figured that Cassie and Erin would in some way be impacted by the academic year calendar, but this timeframe was used a little too hard? Like, the timeline consisted of several chapters focusing on a specific time range and then the weeks-to-months in between would be squished down to one chapter. I get that the monotony of classes wouldn’t be interesting to read, but I would have appreciated the time devoted to establishing Cassie’s friendships (because those few in-between chapters were always her POV). So much of her ties to Acacia but especially Parker were told to the reader but not shown. Parker herself is such an important character, to both the main couple and to the plot. Her (lack of) knowledge of Cassie and Erin drives like 90% of the will-they-won’t-they plot that drives Mistakes Were Made. And yet, when she does finally find out, it happens off page and her confrontation with Cassie and Erin is rushed. Like, I understand that she was supposed to have had time to work through her feelings but she says maybe 5 sentences to both women when she does admit she knows. It just felt like such a let down and so abrupt, but that seems to be how Mistakes Were Made goes.

**I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**