Perfect Mistake

4.5 Stars!

I am in complete and utter awe that this is Sophia Karlson’s first book. The only thing missing from this book is an epilogue, otherwise Perfect Mistake is romantic suspense perfection.

Simone Levine was a young, new pilot when she met and fell in love with experienced pilot Carlos. Their brief and extremely intense affair came to a screeching halt when Carlos was called away on family business and was never heard from again. When Simone discovered she was pregnant she went looking for him, but he was nowhere to be found.

Now, four years later, Carlos appears as the head of the company she works for, and not only is she sent into personal turmoil with his reappearance, but there’s evidence the company’s planes are being used to smuggle elephant tusks out of Tanzania, and she’s a suspect.

This story had the perfect balance of romance and suspense. I LOVED Simone and Carlos’s love story. I’m a huge fan of the second chance and secret baby tropes, so to have them put together? Score! I especially love when the couple is separated through life circumstances, instead of someone doing something “noble” like leaving for the other person’s “benefit.” In this case, both tried to find the other after a couple of months, but came up with dead ends. When they were reunited, there was tension between them, but not animosity or anger – any negative feelings they had were dealt with in mature and realistic ways.

And the suspense part of this book was equally as compelling. I was sucked into the mystery of who was poaching elephant tusks, and who was involved in the smuggling operation. The quick pace of the story, which expertly weaved Simone and Carlos’s relationship with the smuggling situation, kept me on the edge of my seat way late into the night, and had me up early to keep reading while I enjoyed my morning cup of tea.

Again, I can’t believe this is this author’s first book. The writing was excellent, with descriptions so well written that I could picture the places where they visited. I loved the characters – Simone was strong and determined, and Carlos…sigh…I loved how he took charge of things, but still felt the weight of responsibility and expectations on his shoulders. I loved how realistic his reaction was to finding out about his daughter, and that after a quick flash of anger, his next feeling was compassion for Simone having to go through everything alone. There was realization that he had an equal amount of culpability in his not knowing about his daughter. Even though there were a few missteps between them, there was no over-the-top or ridiculous drama. The author refrained from extraneous descriptions about the hero’s good looks and the heroine’s quivering body parts, and there was no repetitive internal monologue about how they couldn’t be together or how angry they were about the past.

I rarely tell my blog readers “READ THIS BOOK!” But I’m telling you all…READ THIS BOOK! The subject and characters are unique, the pacing quick, the relationship heartfelt, and the writing fantastic. Perfect Mistake is going on my Best of 2018 list. Very few first-time authors get it so right on the first try. I truly hope this author has more coming – hopefully both Julia and Angelo will get their own books, and we’ll get a glimpse of Simone and Carlos being all happy and settled into married life!

*thank you to NetGalley and The Wild Rose Press, Inc for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Wow, I was surprised by this book. Set in Tanzania it has an unusual background. Simone is a pilot for Carlevaro Air and she is also trying to raise her young daughter in Dar el Salaam. When Carlo Carlevaro arrives to investigate suspicious cargo both Simone and Carlo are reminded of their intense 6 week romance 4 years ago (of which her daughter is a result).

While Simone and Carlo try to reconnect after finding out why they lost contact and Carlo is getting to know his child the trafficking of elephant tusks via Carlevaro Air is investigated and Simone is a suspect. It gave an extra element to the story and a feeling of urgency.

The ending was rather abrupt. I would have wished the story to be a bit longer as not everything was explained completely with regards to the smuggling and such. Maybe there will be a sequel so the story will continue.

My first book by Sophia & it was a wonderful experience , i loved this sweet, cozy no hassles , no nonsense story ... It is a second chance at love story which was heart touching & presented beautifully by the author... Though it was predictable , still held my interest till the end as the love between two people seperated by undue circumstances touches the soul... i loved it ...

This book presents Carlo & Simone's story ...Simone Levin is a pilot for the East African branch of Carlevaro Air and usually transports tourists to various Carlevaro lodges and resorts in Tanzania. Though she loves flying ,being a single mother she is tired of a demanding pilot schedule& awaiting for a promotion which will involve a office job within her company. Carlo is the CEO and is investigating logistics and poaching issues & meets Simone again . Years ago Simone & Carlo had an affair but were seperated ...They come together to work, solve out the sabotage going on in the airlines & falling in love all over gain...

Sophiahas kept the story line simple yet the emotions r very intense ...it was cozy rainy day read for me...I fell in love with the characters , Sophia as a women pilot working with all men team is a very strong , bold ,brave character even wen facing with sexual harrasment...Carlo also is adorable ...

There was a bit of suspense, action , mystery , love, Romance, sizzling chemistry -sex , so overall a through & through entertainment ...I highly Recommend the book ...please do read it ,very relaxing , soothing ,hopefull & full of unconditional love ... Keep it up Sophia ...awaiting to read other books written by the author ...

I both liked and disliked this book. I thought it did a great job in the suspense element, but not as great in the romance. I was disappointed in how Carlo didn't put much effort (IMO) into finding Simone after their 6-week affair ended, I was also disappointed to see that he slept with other women/dated during their separation, yet Simone did not. If you felt this connection and know you love someone, why go out with other people? Maybe I'm being too hard on him, but that was just something I disliked. I also didn't like how the story ended. I don't want to give much away so I'll just say I hope there is a sequel because the ending felt incomplete. This read wasn't bad; it just wasn't my favorite.

This was an interesting and unique story!This story leads you on an adventure and to love.This is Carlo & Simone's story .Simone is a pilot for the East African branch of Carlevaro Air and usually transports tourists to Tanzania. Carlo is the CEO and is investigating logistics and poaching issues & meets Simone . Years ago Simone & Carlo had an affair but were separated .They come together to work, solve out the sabotage going on in the airlines & falling in love all over gain.Which was great with me because I love second chances and this was a great romance!

This is a second chance romance

Simone and Carlo has a 6 week love affair and then didn’t see each other for quite some time.
Simone is a pilot and Carlo is the CEO of that airline.
The suspense in the story was good the romance not so much.

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