Thank you to MacMillan audiobook for the chance to listen to Mistakes Were Made. This is an excellently narrated audiobook that is perfect for sapphic fans/forbidden romance/age gap trope fans. I appreciated a lot of the details and development of characters' backgrounds and identities as that matters and added depth to the main and secondary characters.
3.5 stars, I am rounding up to 4 as I think the narration is great and also the intention of this book, to be a steamy sapphic romance, is well achieved.

Strengths
1. inclusion and depth. I thought Cassie was an interesting character, intelligent, independent but seeking... connection and she comes to realize that isn't a bad thing at all and perhaps she had a lot of amazing relationships in her life already. I appreciated that her childhood was complicated and that she had found families.
2. Erin was thoughtfully executed as well though I struggled more to engage with her despite being her age. I think simply I have not been in her situation and her life at midlife is very different from mine. She too had a full and interesting life
3. I appreciated that the emerging relationship for Erin and Cassie was more than chemistry, there was a genuine interest in each other as complicated, strong individuals. For steam fans there is A LOT of that too.

Limitations
1. I don't mind steam but there is a lot in this book and for me as an audiobook listener it just works less well, at some point I don't want to listen to that much steam. That's me, not all readers
2. The pace/plot was slow at times and despite the richness of characters I did not find the plot engaging at times. Again just me, others won't find the pacing challenging I am sure.
3. I think I struggle with age differences when it becomes close to a child's age, for me that Cassie was Erin's daughter's very good friend just felt uncomfortable to me. The developmental differences between 40 and early 20s is hard to me to think of as a start for an enduring relationship. a lot of romance readers won't mind this at all, I think it is just the nature of my job as a college teacher being around 20somethings all of the time and being a developmental/family science lecturer, some content just didn't click with that part of my identity.

This book felt like such a breathe of fresh air amidst the standard romance plot points you’d expect to see. When it felt like the author could easily rely on a weak miscommunication trope, she pulled through and had the Cassie and Erin communicating their feelings even if it made them uncomfortable.

While it was nice to not have the traditional third act breakup that I was expecting, the story did seem to slow down a bit towards the end. This is the only reason this was a four star read instead of a five star.

The spice was TOP TIER! 🔥

Thank you to Netgalley for the audiobook ARC. The audiobook features duel narration which was very well done!

My favorite quote, "Sometimes we have to do things that make us uncomfortable for people we love." Just a nice reminder that not everything is about us :)

I was absolutely excited to get approved for an ALC of Mistakes Were Made by Meryl Wilsner. It started solid; the romance between Erin and Cassie was a solid 5 stars. However, the relationship felt more maternal than romantic, which was uncomfortable, especially as the book progressed. I was initally willing to look the other way with their 17-year age difference (though I did wish Cassie was at least 25 working on a higher degree as Erin first thought, prefrontal cortex development and all), but their interactions and gap in maturity levels made it all hard to believe any type of relationship between them could be sustained.

Parker was extremely immature, self-centered, and whiny. It seemed like Meryl Wilsner did this intentionally to make Cassie seem more put together, but it didn't work. And how she acted a
toward the end made zero sense. I am flabbergasted by the ending.

Quinn Riley as Cassie was tolerable. Honestly, I felt her tone added to the immaturity of Cassie. I much preferred Stephanie Németh-Parker as Erin.

I rated this 1.5 stars rounded up to 2, only because I reserve 1 star ratings for books I cannot finish or absolutely hate. I am sad because I am choosy with my NetGalley selections just to prevent rating them low.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing me with an ALC.

Dang! I did not expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. In one of the sexiest and funniest starts I’ve read all year this book begins with hooking up. I liked the author’s debut novel with my main complaint being it it was over 50 percent before the main couple realizes they can be interested in each other. That does not happen here.

I listened to the audiobook fully twice because I love it that much. The multiple narrators bring the characters to life. It works for me. I rejoice in Cassies obliviousness to her feelings and am joyful for Erin in asking for and taking what she wants.

Cassie and Erin meet at a bar and share a passionate interlude. Only afterward does Erin realize how much older she is than Cassie. The situation worsens when Erin’s college aged daughter arrives to meet her mom for breakfast with her new best friend Cassie in tow. This is a big age gap romance (38 to 22) which normally would be it in my very icky range but some how author makes it work for me. There is enough humor, great representation (both are bi), and time to develop feelings more than lust. In fact the relationship growth is very sweet with phone calls, texting, and on-line chats spending time cooking and watching movies together.

The side characters and friendships for both Cassie and Erin are well developed and interesting. You even a few sessions with Erin and her therapist. Erin and Cassie are realistic and don’t think the situation can last. Cassie in particular sees it more as friends with benefits and is delightfully clueless of how connected the two are. Of course the situation is going to come to a head and the reaction of Parker is going to be a make or break factor. I wasn’t thrilled with the lies and hiding that play into the story because I felt they MC’s had to own up to it.

This is at the very high end of my spice meter. There are multiple intimate interludes and they are sizzling hot. I appreciate that such a steamy f/f romance novel is getting mainstream release. If the age gap is too taboo for you, then don’t read this novel. Cassie isn’t looking for someone to take care of her or to be mothered. She is smart and has been taking care of herself for a long time. The relationship between Erin and Cassie is a fantasy romance and I am cheering for their HEA. I love the epilogue and finished the book happy and satisfied. I can not wait for what Meryl Wilsner will write next.

A fine read but super repetitive and unnecessary in some places. Didn’t get very interesting until about 60% in

This is a perfect middle of the road romance for me.

Things I liked:
The characters felt really well developed and age appropriate.
The age gap romance that is fast becoming a fave trope was executed well and didn’t feel uncomfortable at all.
There was no third act break up which hallelujah can we have more romances like this.
Chemistry off the charts.
Fantastic audio.

Things that didn’t work for me:
Cassie was often times annoying which I guess is to show her age but she still felt a bit immature at times.
I can’t believe I’m saying this but it was almost too steamy for me and I generally do not mind open door romance I just think there was too much.
The sneaking around was anxiety inducing and I just wanted them to come out with it already.

3.5 stars

Be sure to check this one out October 10.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC, all opinions are my own.

The storyline and characters were solid. Spice factor in the right moments and not unnecessarily added. But the overall book felt to drag on for me. Largely in part to adding time lapses throughout the book. We’re in Fall, not Thanksgiving, then Christmas break, on to Feb. I think the intent was to offer a realistic timeline of their relationship but at each moment I was like oh here’s the climax… ok, still not yet. I do believe this is 100% a personal thing I had but sadly, it just fell flat for me because of it.

I loved these narrators - two narrators for the MCs. Always a bonus for me.
Cassie has an intense hookup with an older woman - with a daughter attending her college.
Next morning - Cassie meets Erin again. As the mother of one of her good friends. Oops.
Lovely romance about two women who fall for each other - with amazing steamy scenes. A very positive and enjoyable romcom.

Mistakes Were Made is a romcom about what happens when you accidentally hook up with your best friend's mom. I was so excited to get my hands on an ARC of what has been dubbed "the MILF book" and it did not disappoint.

While Cassie and Erin's steamy relationship often made me super stressed out it was still really fun to read. Both characters were witty so I was able to forgive them for how reckless they were also being. Their bisexuality was also fully addressed and labeled, which I always appreciate.

I received an ARC in the form of an audiobook from NetGalley. The book is has chapters in both Cassie & Erin's POV and there was a different narrator for each of them. I really enjoyed the listening experience — their voices just seemed to fit each POV perfectly.

Overall I thought it was a really sweet romance and would highly recommend it. It's perfect for the upcoming fall/winter seasons.

This was far too graphic for me; I couldn't continue. I tried to skip through all the sexual descriptions and found the writing poor. The dialogue was cardboard and the characters felt very flat. I was hoping for a funny rom-com and that isn't what I was getting. Sorry! Perhaps this is best marketed to lesbian romance fans.

I am a big fan of forbidden age-gap romances- so when I saw there was a BEST FRIEND"S MOM story?!
It was an instant NEED.

I loved this story. It was so unique and beautiful and SO spicy. Cassie and Erin had insta-lust seeing each other across a crowded room and it was so hot. When Cassie finds out the next day that Erin is her best friends mom- they are both instantly shocked but the attraction they both feel goes no where! Praise.

I loved the journey from lust to catching feelings and the pace both characters come to terms with this transition and how they deal with their feelings. It was natural and real. The representation of bi-sexual characters made this such an amazing read. This was an absolute 5 star romance.

The Narration was fantastic, I loved the opportunity to listen to this one! Goodness- So spicy!

Advanced Reader's Copy audiobook provided by NetGalley and Macmillan Audio in exchange for an honest review.

Mistakes Were Made by Meryl Wilsner was a thrill to read! This forbidden romance was spicy, well planned and amazingly paced. As I was reading I almost felt like the fly on the wall throughout Erin and Cassie's relationship! I greatly enjoyed how personable both of these characters were written.

My only further wish for this novel to have a bit more of a dramatic reveal, though I was satisfied with how the story ended overall. Maybe Parker is just a better person than me...

I would rate this story 4.5 stars!

I thought the audiobook was very well done and I greatly enjoy when they feature a full cast! Many snaps to Jeremy Carlisle Parker, Quinn Riley and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker!

When an older woman, Erin, hooks up with a younger woman, Cassie, at a bar, they both think it will be a one night stand. Little do they know that they will meet up the next morning as the mother and best friend of Parker. Mistakes were definitely made in this roller coaster of a novel, but smooth out by the end.

This is a spicy read for sure! I think of Shania Twain’s Still The One lyrics when reading this book:

“Looks like we made it
Look how far we've come, my baby
We mighta took the long way
We knew we'd get there someday
They said, "I bet they'll never make it"
But just look at us holding on
We're still together, still going strong!”

I need a male version of Cassie in my life LOL! I enjoyed this book. Read it in one day!

Thanks NetGalley for the read/review for this book!

This was a cute rom-com that I would love to see made into a hallmark movie! The relationship was adorable and I couldn't get enough. And the steam... omg. I loved the age gap.

The audiobook was fantastic!!

This book was great if you are looking for a sexy and funny read. However I kept expecting it to get deeper and it never really happened.

At the end of the story I still felt like their relationship was very surface level and they barley knew each other.

I still really enjoyed it. This was a really good book, but don’t expect it be deep.

It was super steamy. These two could not keep their hands off of each other.

Rating: 4.5/5

I really enjoyed this book- it was fun, cute, and steamy! I enjoyed the narration of the audiobook.
I'm not generally an age-gap romance reader, but after hearing how hyped up this book was as "the milf book" I wanted to give it a chance- and I liked it! The characters were interesting and made me want to keep reading, the romance played out in a fun way, and there was definitely a lot of spice.

I received a copy of this audiobook from netgalley for an honest review.

This book was longer then I expected it to be but that gave it plenty of time to fully develop the characters and relationships beyond the main two. I love Cassie's best friend and Parker Erin's daughter grew with great leaps and bounds. I truly enjoyed this book and will look for more by this author,

I love a good sapphic book, but add in a milf and I’m sold. This was good; middle of the road. It was a bit predictable so I wasn’t completely pulled into the story like I could have been. I just wanted more from this. The narration was fantastic.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the #gifted ALC!

I really enjoyed this book! Meryl Wilsner does an excellent job with character development. Here are the top three things I loved about this book:

1. It was steamy in the best way possible.
2. I loved Cassie and Erin's situation from beginning to end.
3. I has a super sweet ending, so what's not to love?

I enjoyed the narrators of this book. I liked how there were two to play Cassie and Erin's chapters. It made it easy to follow along.