Member Reviews

I loved Bea and her kind heart, always trying to do the right thing and make everyone else happy even if it wasn't best for her and so when Dee her twin sister twists her ankle she finds herself taking her place at work so she doesn't lose her job.

But she has to work with grumpy boss Jonah who we soon find isn't actually as grumpy as he seems and to be honest the bond between them was absolutely amazing.

My only gripe is towards the end of the story, what he did to her.... that was not ok and my heart broke for her at his cruel actions and words...I doubt i would take anyone back who used me like that then discarded me, but! Jonah did redeem himself and the epilogue let us see how far they came which was lovely!

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If you're looking for a book that has:
⤿ workplace romance
⤿ grumpy x sunshine
⤿ mistaken identity
⤿ forced proximity
⤿ multiple povs

Then this is the book for you. Cute read. First time reading from this author

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This review is being posted as part of the Best Mistake Ever blog tour hosted by Rachel’s Random Resources.

Best Mistake Ever is the latest sweet and sexy romance from author Christy McKellen. This is a quick and easy read which fans of the mistaken identity trope and a good workplace romance will absolutely love. Add in a grumpy x sunshine dynamic, lovely spring vibes and a sprinkle of spice and you have Best Mistake Ever.

This was my first time reading anything from Christy McKellen but I quickly sank into her easy-to-read writing style and read the book in a single sitting. Our story is told through a dual POV narrative and I loved the way this allowed us to get to know both Bea and Jonah on a deeper level.
The setting of the country hotel was really cute and worked well in the story. I particularly loved the quirky festival and the way it started to really bring Bea and Jonah together.

Bea is our FMC and I warmed to her immediately, she was the type of protagonist I just want to be friends with. Bea really comes into her own over the course of the story, really finding her purpose whilst working at the hotel, which was brilliant to see.

Our MMC is Jonah, a grumpy retired rockstar turned hotelier. I loved the character growth that Jonah had over the course of the story, even if it did require a kick in the right direction from both Bea and Delilah. The way he talked about Bea in his POV chapters made me beam from ear to ear, he was such a sweetheart.

The little hints towards Delilah’s story definitely intrigued me and made me wonder if we can expect to see another book following her in an overlapping timeline to this one. I know I’d definitely like to see it!

This is a very fast burn story, with their relationship blossoming over the course of a matter of weeks, but there was still a good amount of relationship building scenes. Bea and Jonah had great chemistry and brilliant banter. We did have a sprinkling of spice here and there and one full open-door scene which was well written and fitted well within the story.

Overall, this is a really cute feel-good romance which is packed full of charisma and a blend of some much-loved tropes. It’s perfect if you’re looking for an easy read you can devour over a spring weekend.

Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5 (Open Door)

I have posted my review on my blog www.yourschloe.co.uk

*Thank you to NetGalley, Christy McKellen, Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources.

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This novella was enjoyable and easy to get into. Even though it was a novella I found it gave enough information for the story to flow and to get invested in the characters. However some of the MMC’s past personally didn’t make me feel bad for him as he kind of brought it on himself. I could kind of guess where the story was leading too but it still had some mystery elements that you find out later on. This is a workplace romance with a grumpy x sunshine trope with some spice. I give this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars.

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When Dee hurts her ankle, she calls on her sister, Bea, to help her. Needing to keep her job and not being very good at it is a big problem.

But of course, Bea isn't prepared for Jonah's tall, dark and bad boy vibes.

Soon, this double act will spiral, but can Bea keep it going without hurting everyone in the process?

I loved the sisterly relationship between Dee and Bea; they were complete opposites. Bea was always trying to be the problem solver for everyone.

Jonah was a great character, and I hated what he did and how he hurt Bea, but this was also a defence mechanism to try and hurt her in the only way he could think of after feeling so betrayed by her.

This novel was written in alternating chapters allowing the narrative to flow and be a quick easy read.

Another great novel by McKellen and I look forward to hearing Dee's story next.

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I’d give Best Mistake Ever by Christy McKellen 4 stars. It’s a sweet and lighthearted romance about taking chances and finding love in unexpected ways. The chemistry between the characters is fantastic, and their journey feels genuine and heartwarming. While the story follows some familiar romance tropes, it’s written with charm and emotion that keeps it engaging. It’s a quick, feel-good read that’s perfect for fans of uplifting love stories!

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I’m a huge fan of the author but this book wasn’t as great as I had hoped it would be ): The characters felt rushed and the plot was a bit janky as some points.

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Genuinely attempted to find a storyline worth following in the novel. The narrator changes with each chapter from sister to sister in an attempt to keep it interesting. It’s always almost narrated in the first person, but jumps to a different case- third person within the same sentence????

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Hilarious book about a pair of twins who get into trouble pretending to be one another in a work situation that escalates to mayor trouble.
I always enjoy the author’s books, it's always a sure bet that I know I will love.

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Let’s start with what I liked: Bea. Yes, she was a perfectionist, but I have one of those as an older sister, so I could relate to her and Dee. I was a little disappointed about the insta-attraction to Dee’s boss – Johan – as he wasn’t the nicest person to her at first. Sorry, but I’m not going to fancy a guy that’s nasty to me, no matter how “hot” he is.

I wanted to like Dee, but after two chapters of her POV, she gets abandoned by the side of the road. This annoyed me – either fully include a POV or don’t.

Best Mistake Ever is told in first person present… most of the time. There are swathes of backstory in past tense and they feel bulky. Far, far too much tell. I want to be spoon-fed character history, not have it shoved down my throat. It slowed the story down and made it difficult to read. I have to admit to skim-reading these passages.

Finally, Jonah. Look, the whole premise of the story is a twin switch, so readers know that eventually the truth will out and there will be consequences. He had every right to be angry about being lied to. However – and this is a big one – he did not have right to act like he did. It really turned me off his character and I would rather Bea have kicked him to the kerb.

Please note that, as a divorcee, I have very little patience with men behaving badly. Your mileage may vary.

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An overall cute book.
I identified with Bea who gets stuff done, has a plan and is determined to execute those plans.
I disliked Dee because I felt she used Bea and took advantage of her with little or no remorse.
Dee redeemed herself at the end in my eyes, but it was a long time coming.
Jonah had been hurt but after Bea had to come clean his reaction was understandable. But then he should’ve been man enough to pursue what he wanted.
Visit this book and decide for yourself..

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I am sorry to say that I did not finish this book because it didnt keep me entertained enough, I don’t know if this just wasn’t for me or what it was. Still giving it a two star because it hurts my heart to give it a 1.

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This reminds me of all the twin swapping movies I’ve seen except this time the twins are adults.

This follows the story of twins Bee and Dee who swap jobs and all the attendant hilarity that follows.

The multiple POVs made for an interesting read. I love that each character was able to take centre stage and give their own perspective to the ruse.

The writing style was very good and readers were taken along every single step. The epilogue was very funny and satisfying.

I can’t wait to read more from the author especially Dee’s story.

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I always love a good twin swap. This novel just did not have the writing I yearn for in a romance. I did not feel the connection between Jonah and Bea- certainly not the love at first sight. I didn’t feel like the characters were developed well enough to become attached to them. I found myself skimming a lot of the dialogue as it didn’t seem totally necessary or intriguing.

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Beatrice Donovan would do anything for her identical twin sister. Including stepping into her hotel management job temporarily and pretending to be her - she’s desperate. What could go wrong? A lot apparently! Because her sister Delilah has hugely understated her role – the hotel is at risk of closure and she’s promised she can turn it around. Now Bea has to find a way to fly under the radar, get the job done before anyone notices their switch up.

Sounds easy, all Bea has to do is avoid her temporary new boss Jonah. However, that’s a lot harder than she thought. Not only does he have impossibly high standards, he’s also out of this world gorgeous, an ex-rockstar with a chip on his shoulder and he's watching her like a hawk! So Bea uses her charm to keep him focussed on the job and not her. But by trying to put up boundaries and keep things professional, Bea finds herself seeing the real man beneath the grumpy façade . Yet with so much at stake, she knows she shouldn’t fall for her sisters boss…but then again, it may just be the best unintentional mistake she’s ever made!

This one fell a little flat for me. The writing was only mediocre, which stunted a really excellent premise. I had hoped for more. 🙁

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

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Spicy, male female, 1st person multiple point of view, contemporary romance. Quick read and fun premise but I did not enjoy the writing style.

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Best Mistake Ever is such a delightfully funny romantic comedy. The story follows Beatrice Donovan, who steps in for her identical twin sister Delilah to manage a struggling hotel.

The secret identity trope is a lot of fun with all the misunderstandings that twin-swapping creates and I was on tenterhooks waiting for Bea to be rumbled.

Bea quickly finds herself entangled in a winding web of chaos, including a grumpy but undeniably attractive boss, Jonah. Their initial interactions are a hilarious clash of personalities, but as they navigate the challenges of revitalizing the hotel, a surprising connection begins to form. Jonah has a hard shell, but Bea manages to get under his skin and expose his vulnerable and charming side. The slow-burn aspect of their romance made it more endearing to me.
This lighthearted and swoon-worthy romance will leave you all warm and fuzzy.

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The pacing was perfect for a romance: slow enough to savor the buildup but never dragging. The push-and-pull dynamic between the protagonists keeps you emotionally invested, while the inevitable realization of their love is nothing short of heart-stopping. The dialogue sparkles with wit and emotional depth, making the characters’ connection feel real and grounded.

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Best Mistake Ever is an entertaining workplace romance with the added complication of twins. Bea and Dee are twins but opposites in most things. Their younger life was challenging after their parents' acrimonious marriage break up. When Dee begs Bea to help with her new job after an accident, she doesn't hesitate, but helping her sister save her job is life-changing for Bea. The chemistry between Bea and Jonah is immediate and unwelcome, but their forced proximity makes exploring their connection inevitable, with devastating results for them and Dee. I like the main characters. Although Jonah's behaviour sometimes makes him hard to understand, I like the believable conflicts the couple face to be together, which makes the reader invest in them. It's an easy read, and I look forward to exploring Dee's story.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

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An amazing romance that hooked me up for the start.

The spice, and the twin switch was just amazingly perfect.

I will definitely read more books by Christy McKellen in the near future.

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