I had high hopes for this book, the synopsis sounded like I would enjoy it. Sadly I was let down. I found the storielines hard to follow and many of the characters annoyed me.

A little too cutesy for me without enough drama but still enjoyable. I would read more from Kate in the future but would go in with the mindset that this is "cleaner" than the rom-coms I usually enjoy.

I have struggled with exactly how to write this review. This book was extremely well written, but it just wasn't what I was expecting. I felt like it was marketed as a rom-com, but I personally would not put it in that category. Maybe it was, but not one that was all tied up at the end with a happy ending. So, if you are thinking you are picking up a light-hearted Hallmarkesque story this is not the book for you. However, if you are looking for a well-written, emotional, gut-wrenching at times story with well-developed characters experiencing real-life issues, then give it a try.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Net Galley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I received Love and Other Mistakes by Jessica Kate as an ARC from NetGalley. This is a sweet book about love and second chances. Jeremy breaks off his engagement with Natalie and leaves town without an explanation. Natalie has to find a way to move on with her life. Her father is diagnosed with cancer and she puts her dreams on hold. Then Jeremy moves back home with his young son. The story explores what happens with Natalie and Jeremy as their lives become entangled again after 7 years with no contact. This is a Christian fiction novel so religion plays a big part in the story. In addition to the main story, there are several subplots going on about members of Natalie and Jeremy's families so there is a lot to take. It was an enjoyable read.

Before I even start going into my review, I can say that this should not be characterized as a romance. Yes, it has a love story in one of the many stories that are in the plot but in no way does the romance have the main focus. I would classify this more as a Christian fiction.

Now, coming to the characters and the story. I had really liked how the book started as I adore second chance romances. But then there were too many different tangents added to the story which made the novel really complicated. I felt like there was no positive relationship in this novel. I mean I get that some families are more dysfunctional than others but there has to be at least one positive relationship somewhere. It was almost like every single problem in the world My brain just turned to mush with all the drama and the angst. I like angst in my books but I think this novel just took away any hope and positivity. Main characters have split after engagement, friends are lying, terrible relationships with parents, cheating brothers, sick parents and children, my goodness! Please give the characters a break already! I felt like the author tried to throw 10 different plots in one book and instead of so much angst should have just stuck with one plot.

* I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review*

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC for this book in exchange for an honest review.

Natalie was broken-hearted when her fiance Jem broke off their engagement 7 years ago. She has had a series of other disappointments and heartaches since then, including having to quit university after her father was stricken with cancer and working a run of dead-end jobs.

Natalie Groves ends up as a nanny for her ex-fiancee Jeremy. While caring for Jeremy's son, Natalie tries her best not to dwell on the fact that he never explained his reasons for running out on her nor did he send a letter or email in the seven years that he was gone.

Meanwhile, Jeremy is back in his hometown where his brother Mike and his wife Steph are pastors and Mike's father is the town sheriff. This family has some unpleasant history. So Jeremy has unfinished business with Natalie and with his father whom he doesn't really speak to.

My heart broke for Natalie how she was trying so hard to please everyone except herself. Then there is Jem's niece, Lili, who will break your heart even more. Jessica Kate sure can hook up the reader with her writing! I really enjoyed my first book by this author.

This was a book about second chances and how to learn from your past mistakes. Natalie and Jeremy have to figure out a way to forgive so that they can move forward with their lives. Letting go of past mistakes is a challenge for both of them but they both still have feelings for each other despite a broken engagement seven years ago.
The characters of this story were likeable and easy to relate to their personalities, especially Natalie and Jeremy. The story began to get complicated with the additional storylines for the other characters and it slowed me down a bit. Even though there did not seem to be any closer for the subplots I still enjoyed the book. Perhaps there will be additional books to follow the subplots a bit more?
This book is full of emotion and I became more attached to the main characters the more I read. The story left me wanting to know what happens to their families next. I am grateful to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review.

This is a debut novel and really tries to hit its mark but slightly swings to the right. There is a lot going on. There is romance but there is also religious aspects, cheating aspects, and aspects that just overshadow other themes that make it a little hard to read. There were some parts of the book that I really enjoyed. Just some of them, had my blood boiling and I wanted to put it down. If there were maybe just a few less things going on in the book then it would have read really well; but it was literally one thing after another.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review Love and Other Mistakes.
Unfortunately, I didn’t read enough of the blurb to realize this was Christian Fiction. Going by the cover and the title I thought it was more of a rom-com.
I tried a few chapters but I couldn’t tell this wasn’t a genre or subject matter I’m interested in. I gave it three stars for the portion I read because from what I could tell it was decently written (but did have some simplistic sentences and cliché expressions) but there seemed to be a variety of characters in different challenging situations. I thought the humor fell a little flat.
If you enjoy family dramas and Christian Romance this might be the right book for you.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I will confess - when I requested this book from Netgalley and Thomas Nelson, I did not realize that it was Christian Fiction: had I known that, it wouldn't have deterred me from requesting it, but the religious aspect of it wouldn't have surprised me. Because, frankly, religion plays quite a big part in this book (and I don't say any of this negatively - it's just a fact).

That said.

This felt a lot like an after-school "made for television" movie: we have broken hearts, illness in the family, loss of employment, redemption, making amends with family members - there was a LOT that was thrown into this story. And it all worked - but it did get to the point were I wasn't surprised by any of the additional twists and turns that were thrown in for good measure.

I rated this 2 stars because I actually found Natalie really hard to like. I know I was meant to like her, but she was so bitter. And for a girl who thought that leading a ministry was her calling - it was hard to swallow that she would be so bitter about life. And so ... it's hard to like a book, when you aren't 100% sold on the main protagonist.

I did like Jeremy - her high school sweetheart who comes back into town and makes Natalie feel all sorts of emotions she'd been suppressing for a while. I felt like he was a pretty believable character -his demons seemed real, and his self awareness was refreshing after constantly reading Natalie's point of view.

I did enjoy the ending - like an after school special - it felt like everything was tied up nicely, but since the entire book felt a little melodramatic, it fit.

Thanks again to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for an advanced copy in return for an honest opinion.

There’s just something to be said about second chances! Jem and Natalie have 7 years of water under the bridge that comes to a boil when he returns to their hometown, but from their hilarious first encounter to the final scene, there is such a theme of great forgiveness that has to play out. I adore the Aussies, the charming cast of supporting characters, the bumps along the road, and the way that dysfunctional or not, they just stick together. I was so disappointed in how Lilli’s parents just don’t seem to be able to pull themselves together until they have committed grave sins against each other, yet it is indicative of the way that God‘s love is always there for us, even when we fall really hard.

Not bad for a debut novel.

It was a bit confusing with the many different points of view. It's labelled as romance, but somehow the story was more about family problems rather than the second chance love story it's hailed as.

There is a lot going on in this story! We know about Natalie and Jeremy and their past being engaged. Both of them clearly are still working through this break-up, especially now that their lives are being intertwined again seven years later. Plus they are both dealing with a lot of other factors affecting their lives with other family members. In a way, these problems almost made the story seem a bit more realistic, because we often get plagued with multiple life events that cause stress and chaos. Life is not pretty; it is messy. I also just think I really related to dealing with a sick, dying father while life is throwing all kinds of other curve balls at you, based on events in my own life.

And then we have Lili's story. She is a pastor's kid who has just found out that her father is cheating on her mother with her teacher. That blows up her entire world and she is trying to deal with that, plus the usual stuff about being a teenager. So she moves in with her uncle Jeremy to get a bit of a break, to help sort out her mind, and also to help him out with his infant son, since the baby's mother isn't exactly in the picture.

The two stories, while quite different, are very closely intertwined because it is part of the same family and each event affects the other. It's interesting to watch these characters cope with their own faith and life understanding as they are navigating the ugly roller coaster of life. I think the intensity of their stories, and the fact that Lili's story plays just as much of a role as the second chance between Natalie and Jeremy, makes this more of a dramatic novel with some romantic elements in it.

I also want to point out that while this is listed as a Christian contemporary romance, you are not going to have Christianity shoved down your throat. To me it was more of a way at looking at how even Christians do not have perfect lives. But these people are, at the same time, using their faith to help them through. And yes, Natalie is interested in becoming a youth leader in a church, so there is also that aspect. So I think readers who are not necessarily interested in Christian romances would also enjoy this one.

I think teenagers and young adults would quite possibly relate to Lili's story as well. So I don't think this is a book just for adults. I would err on the side of saying maybe more mature young adult readers, but I think it could work. And maybe keep a tissue or two by your side, just in case.

It is an interesting debut novel and I will not shy away from trying to read more from Jessica Kate.

I did receive a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

Natalie had big dreams of following in her dad's ministry footsteps and marrying her high school sweetheart, Jem. However, at 19, Jem dumps her weeks before their wedding to move to Chicago, and shortly afterward, her dad is diagnosed with cancer. Natalie had to drop out of school and work any job she could find to help support her family. Now, she has a chance for an internship with a new ministry in town but needs a second job to supplement her income. Jem is back in town with his 9-month-old son and asks Natalie if she would be willing to be Olly's nanny. Natalie doesn't know if she can handle it but doesn't have any other options to work around the internship that could turn into the ministry job she still so desperately wants. Jem's niece Lili is also moving in with him due to troubles at home. The three struggle through the issues in their life, working through issues of trust and forgiveness.

I would have liked to see more of Lili and Nick in this story, as I was as intrigued by their story lines as I was Jem and Natalie. Jessica Kate has written realistic characters each with their own problems and redeeming qualities. I look forward to reading more books by her!

What I think you should know:
Natalie Groves thought her life was shattered when her fiance Jeremy Walters abruptly cancelled their wedding and left town seven years ago. The last thing she wants to do when he returns to town with his infant son is be his nanny, but a cruel twist of circumstances leave that as her only option.

What you might want to know:
This book tackles some very tough stuff and some secrets that threaten to tear families apart.

What touched me about this book:
Jeremy was a hard character for me to come to like, I felt sorry for him but I didn’t not like many of the choices that he had made. While many of the characters had redeeming qualities this book seemed to highlight the imperfection of Christians or people who proclaim to be so rather than give Christian readers people to aspire to be like. Natalie thought it was her life’s direction to follow her father and continue his ministry, when that wasn’t an option she wanted to continue to serve the Lord, however like many people she didn’t realize that you don’t always have to be on staff of a ministry to make a difference in the lives of others.

Who will enjoy this book ( just to name a few):
Contemporary Fiction Fans
Christian Fiction Fans
Christian Romance Fans


I received a complimentary copy for this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

The premise of the book is so promising. Jessica Kate picked compelling conflicts and did a great job exploring pain, loss, forgiveness, and hope. She wove in a great mix of Aussie characters to reflect what she knows and loves.

That said, this was a really hard one to finish. There was too much random exposition (in the midst of a pipe bursting, we are given a rough description of a friend pushing her to help with a wedding shower?) and too little where it counted (weddings are a theme here, but not explored enough to feel like the ending justified them).

Natalie and Jem were honestly the WOOOOORST people. Natalie had 7 years after the breakup to explore forgiveness with God, make peace with her father's illness...and pursuing ministry...I found her reactions to Jem's return and their spats deeply immature for having had that much space from them.

I'm looking forward to Kate's next book, but probably won't be recommending this one.

Inspirational is another word for religious, and this is a very religion centered book. It has many charming features with a cast of characters with feet of clay and a litany of woes that Job might appreciate. Yet the rocky road to romance succeeds after a bout or two of forgiveness. The characters are well drawn overall, but there is a tiny niggle of unbelievability when the teen acts out by smoking, drinking, running away, and breaking into a church. An entertaining book with lots of personalities driving the story forward.

I loved Love and other Mistakes. I actually read it a few months ago and forgot to share my thoughts. I love this trope though, the lovers who separate over a misunderstanding then find each other a few years down the road, thrown together multiple times. This one was so cute!

This was an interesting story. It was slow to get going and the author took her time building the world. But if you stick with it, you will find that this book was a gem. The writing was smooth and the plot was interesting.

Natalie Groves is looking for a job and ends up as a nanny for her ex-fiancee Jeremy "Jem" who unceremoniously left her a couple of months before they were set to get married seven years ago. While caring for Jeremy's son, Natalie tries her best not to dwell on the fact that he never explained his reasons for running out on her nor did he end a letter or email in the seven years that he was gone.

Meanwhile, Jeremy is back in his hometown where his brother Mike and his wife Steph are pastors and Mike's father is the town sheriff. This family has some unpleasant history and most of the book focuses on their strained relationships. So Jeremy has unfinished business with Natalie and with his father whom he doesn't really speak to.

The reader is taken on a journey which deals with parental failures, marital woes and how it affects children. Ultimately, the characters have to navigate their own feelings of purpose, worth and forgiveness.

What I really liked best was that the reader got an HEA but everything wasn't neatly tied up at the end. There is room for continual growth as the characters are on a life journey. And the writer was subtle with the Christian message. This story was a winner for me.

Title: Love and Other Mistakes

Author: Jessica Kate

Chapters: 44 plus epilogue

Pages: 352

Genre: Christian Contemporary, Christian Contemporary romance, rom-com

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Love and Other Mistakes is the first book by Jessica Kate that I have read. It's basically a rom-com in book form. But a Christian rom-com. It's an enemies to friends trope that is actually well done. Natalie Groves life hasn't gone the way she thought it would, first, her fiancé left then they find out her father has cancer. Now seven years later she has a chance to follow her dreams, but the only job that she can get to work around her internship is as a nanny to her ex-fiancé child. Jeremy needs someone to help with his infant son and his niece he just didn't expect it to be Natalie. Both Natalie and Jeremy have different views of the past and neither one sees it the exact same way. Jeremey was a bit of a bad boy growing up and couldn't seem to measure up to what his father wanted, who just happens to be the chief of police. As the daughter of a law enforcement officer, I know that that can sometimes be hard to do.

From the first chapter of this book I was hooked I kept reading I just had to know what happened. My favorite character in the book I have to say had to be Jeremy's son with Natalie being a close second. The characters grew and changed over the course of the book and that was great to see. Most of the characters were different at the end of the book than they were at the beginning but not all. And just the same with life not everyone changes for the better or even grows.

I look forward to reading Jessica's next book and I would love for this one to become a movie because we need more Christian rom-com.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.