While I was reading this book, a song from the 1970’s kept running through my head: “If There’s a God in Heaven (What’s He Waiting for?)” by Elton John. Most people who believe in God have occasional lapses in faith when they look around and see the poverty, suffering and pain and a Creator who doesn’t seem to be paying attention to any of it.

The main character in this book--Natalie--doesn’t use those words, but is definitely subconsciously asking “Where’s God?” throughout this book. She’s dealing with a pile of problems that just seem to get bigger. Three of her biggest problems: 1) A father who has cancer; 2) mounting medical bills that she can’t pay; 3) Her company just decided to close the local branch of their office and eliminate all of the jobs in it, including hers.

Then in marches problem number four to add more stress to her life. She’s just run into her ex-fiance, who dumped her 10 weeks before their wedding and left town with no explanation. Jeremy “Jem” Walters is back—seven years later—and he’s not alone. He’s holding a nine-month-old baby boy named Oliver who calls him ‘da-da.’

Natalie is angry that he moved out of her life so easily, pursuing his dreams of a college education and becoming a journalist. Her life was shattered when he left. Then, her father fell ill shortly after and she had to forego college and a dream career in youth ministry so she could take any job that would help pay her father’s medical bills.

She heart rips painfully when she realizes that he fulfilled another one of their dreams—to become a father. They had talked about having a family together. Oliver wasn’t her child—but another woman’s child.

Then, to make matters even worse, Jem asks her to take care of his son during the day while he goes to his job at a local newspaper. At first she refuses. But she has no luck finding another job and the medical bills keep coming, so she decides to take the job, provided Jem allows her to also pursue an internship with an Australian minister who is extending his world famous youth ministry program to their town.

Of course, the more time they spend together, the more their attraction and love is rekindled. But there are many problems they need to overcome. Oliver gets very sick, and they discover he has diabetes. So they are forced to work together to ensure that Oliver stays healthy and his blood sugar remains constant.

Then there’s the problem of Jem’s 16 year old niece, Lili. She’s living temporarily with Jem because her parents (Jem’s brother Michael and his wife Stephani) are having marital problems. Lili is devastated when she finds out her father is having an affair with her art teacher. That’s bad enough, but the art teacher is also the aunt of her good friend Nick. Keeping the secret of the affair is tearing Lili up inside. Unable to deal with the lies and deceit, she runs away.

As more and more complicated problems erupt, Natalie fights to keep her faith in what seems like unjust and unfair consequences for leading a life that she believes God asked her to live. Will she overcome the problems? Will they find Lili? Will the affair between Michael and the art teacher be exposed? Will Michael and Stephani be able to reconcile? And will Natalie enjoy her HEA (happily ever after) with Jem and Oliver?

Guess you’ll just have to read the book to find out. (Sorry—I can’t spoil it for you!)

This book makes you realize that no matter how dismal and dark you own life seems at the moment, that there are others in our world who are also facing difficulties and painful situations. And that God works in our lives in unexpected ways to bring out the best possible outcome—often an outcome you and I could never had imagined.

A fast-paced plot with super-busy (often frenetic) characters, “Love and Other Mistakes”, by Jessica Kate, is an enjoyable, cute read about a couple’s second-chance at love, with an adorable baby and a teen girl with an old soul.
Jeremy and Natalie’s present romance is somewhat pushed into the background, but the history and baggage between them compensate for that. And they always seem so synchronized, with that “weird energy” between them; the author smartly shows how they’re both dealing with personal and family crises that often take precedence over the romantic relationship.
There’s lots of family drama – the child’s sickness, a marriage in crisis, terminal illness, a dysfunctional family with an unyielding patriarch - but in the end these people really love and care for each other.
I loved baby Oliver, I don’t remember reading a child who is so well written and real, he's really adorable and sweet. Lili, a teenager key to the plot, is also a great character, as well as Nick and Sam.

Natalie has always intended to take up her father's ministry and carry on his legacy, however, life has gotten in the way, and instead, she finds herself in a dead end job, until the company closes. Now, her ex- fiance is back in town, and needs her help. At the same time, the perfect ministry opportunity presents itself. Can she balance both?

What a surprising book! I didn't expect much going in, either from the cover (sorry! Cover snob here), or the description, but there was so much more to this book than I thought I was going to get. This story was definitely deeper than the outward appearances gave it credit for; these characters struggle with hard things (affairs, alcohol, single-parenting, custody issues, and more), and it does not all work out perfectly in the end. Yet, even in the hardness, there is hope, and there is love, and there is sacrifice for each other. All of which, in the end, points the characters and the reader to the One who sacrificed for all.

I give this book 5 stars. It's unusual to see so many real-life struggles in a Christian fiction book, especially ones that, like real-life, don't magically work out by the last page. I will definitely be looking into other books by this author!

I received a digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.

I don’t usually read Christian fiction but I thought I’d give this one a go. I’m glad I did. I enjoyed the storylines and the flawed characters a lot. The whole story was based around the church and people closely related to the church but you are easily able to read it without having religious beliefs yourself I’d you wish.
I was slightly put off by the jumping of time in the story which I found at times to be confusing - weeks would pass but it wasn’t made clear how fast time was passing!
Also in the same paragraphs it would flip flop between different characters POVs which threw me.
Overall, it’s a good read with some strong albeit incredibly flawed characters and I’d recommend this to anyone who fancies a nice easy read with romance, religious or not!
I received an ARC of this three Netgalley - I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Honestly I love second chance romances, who doesn't? This book had me hooked after the first few chapters as I followed the will they, won't they. Nat and Jem seemed to have a relationship/friendship that just worked. They didn't have unrealistic expectations and were very likeable characters. I loved that the single parent was a Dad instead of a Mom, I feel single Dad's aren't represented enough. I definitely couldn't relate with Chloe because she is not a mother I relate to, but I think the whole point of her situation was to understand it's not your place to judge. This is definitely a Christian Romance, but you don't get a lot of God references until the end (that was nice). Overall I enjoyed this book and will reccomend to anybody who doesn't mind the Christian aspect of the book.

I was dubious about reading a Christian romance, but this was really well done and tackled some pretty weighty church issues and life challenges in a wonderfully non-cheesy way. The story dealt with issues of infidelity (that part of the story was a particular gut punch), illness, forgiveness, self-worth, and regular ole insecurities...so relatable. Plus the characters were flawed and not everyone’s story ended in a neat bow.

A few criticisms: The author often glossed over large swaths of time (weeks) and told rather than showed what was happening. The teenage character fell into a several pitfalls that seems maybe a tech too stereotypical. Also, unless I missed something, all of the characters were white...in a pretty big college town (Charlottesville) where I know for a fact there are Christians who are not white.

I will definitely read more from Jessica Kate though I hope she makes her characters more diverse in the future.