Best Mistake Ever (comes out Jan 16, 2025!) follows Beatrice (Bea for short) switching places with her twin sister Delilah (or Dee) at her workplace after Dee twists her ankle and can’t afford any more setbacks in the fear of getting fired from her grump of a boss, Jonah. Jonah is the son of a famous rockstar and had a brief stint of his own as a member of a rock band but ultimately left the music scene and is committed to opening a boutique hotel. We witness Jonah and Bea (masquerading as her sister) gradually develop feelings for one another.

This was a quick read that kept me entertained. However, I felt the pacing could have been more developed, as I struggled to fully connect with the chemistry between the two main characters.

#BestMistakeEver#NetGalley

(Insert title here) in reading this book.

A one sitting read. Not because wanted to devour it because it was so good but rather because I wanted to see if it got better.

Dee and Bea. They’re the fictional twins trying to pull one over Dee’s boss a la “The Parent Trap” minus the funny and sweet moments. Was more interested in Dee’s relationship with Jen than the two main characters.

This ARC was provided by the publisher , Boldwood books, via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This story had some intriguing elements, but ultimately, it fell short in execution. The sister-swap plot was new to me and I was really interested to see it executed. I would have loved to see more tension-filled moments where Jonah was suspicious, or scenes where Bea might have been almost caught. Overall, I enjoyed the plot.

I enjoyed the inclusion of Delilah’s POV as I haven't really seen a book mention a POV outside the main characters. However, it was disappointing that her perspective only appeared once or twice - ultimately leaving it to be a bit pointless to the story.

The relationship between Bea and Jonah developed far too quickly, with feelings seemingly bubbling out of nowhere - leaning into a bit of a insta-love territory, which is not for me. The timing and pacing of their relationship was very off. Bea has only known Jonah for a few days, but can speak for his character/personality:

"There's always been a brittleness about him that speaks to him being in emotional pain. It makes my heart ache for him."

The sub-plot of Dee and Jem's overseas trip with their father felt unnecessary and added to an already overwhelming amount of information. Especially since the sister-swap, Jay's event planning, and the initial character introductions were still unfolding. The first chunk of the book felt rushed and chaotic.

Jonah’s characterisation felt inconsistent - I didn't really understand his character. He is framed as this brooding bad boy type, yet we hardly see that. I felt as though his eagerness to see the activities and participate in them at Jay's festival didn't really align with the character that was created at the beginning of the story. That said, I appreciated his subplot of trying to find his own path - it was very relatable.

Overall, the book was a quick and easy read, and it was refreshing to read something new.

A quick, easy and funny rom-com with a bit of spice.
Twinsisters shifting place in a Workplace romance. There's chemistry, tension and lot's of cute moments.

Post on IG on release date, 16.jan 2025
3,5 stars and a Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this book!!

What a good book!! This one had me hooked from page one! I could t put it down. I loved the writing style of this book. I lived the characters and they had great chemistry.

Bea is again stepping to help her twin sister keep her job. She has to pretend to be Dee for a few days, what can go wrong? Falling for her handsome boss, Jonah, connecting deeply with him, doing a much better job that her sister, but who is keeping score? But lying to Jonah is getting more difficult by each passing day with their relationship going deeper. How can she revel her true identity without hurting a person already broken in his past? Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book. This is my honest review.

Book Review: Best Mistake Ever by Christy McKellen
Christy McKellen’s Best Mistake Ever delivers a steamy and heartfelt romance that combines classic tropes with fresh twists, creating a thoroughly enjoyable read for fans of workplace tension and forced proximity. With its irresistible blend of humor, spice, and genuine emotion, this grumpy-sunshine workplace romance will charm readers and keep them flipping pages long into the night.

Plot Summary
Beatrice Donovan is a woman on a mission—for her sister. When her identical twin Delilah begs her to temporarily step into her role as a hotel manager at a boutique manor house, Bea reluctantly agrees, convinced it will be a straightforward charade. But Delilah’s “simple” job turns out to be anything but. Not only is the charming old hotel on the brink of closure, but Bea must also contend with Jonah, the brooding, ex-rockstar co-owner whose exacting standards and piercing gaze threaten to unravel her secret.

As Bea scrambles to keep up appearances and save the hotel, Jonah begins to see through her bubbly façade. Their chemistry simmers as Bea discovers Jonah’s hidden vulnerabilities and his surprising talents (cue the dusty guitar), while Jonah can’t help but be drawn to Bea’s unyielding optimism and determination. The more Bea tries to keep things professional, the more she realizes she’s made a mistake—not in pretending to be her sister, but in thinking she could resist falling for Jonah.

Tropes and Twists
The story leans into some of the most beloved romance tropes, such as:

Grumpy-Sunshine Dynamic: Jonah’s gruff exterior is perfectly counterbalanced by Bea’s sparkling personality. Their banter is sharp, witty, and laden with sexual tension.
Workplace Romance: The forced collaboration to save the hotel adds stakes and creates countless opportunities for close encounters and heated moments.
Sister Swap/Hidden Identity: Bea’s ruse as Delilah gives the plot an undercurrent of tension and humor, as she juggles her deception with her growing feelings for Jonah.
Celebrity Romance: Jonah’s rockstar past adds depth to his character, introducing themes of reinvention and healing from personal losses.
What Makes It Shine
Vivid Setting: The manor house hotel is practically a character in its own right. From wood-fired hot tubs to secret butler’s pantries, McKellen creates an enchanting backdrop that enhances the story’s cozy yet romantic atmosphere.
Chemistry and Spice: The romance between Bea and Jonah is slow-burn but fiery, with plenty of tender and spicy moments that balance the emotional beats. The scenes are tasteful yet tantalizing, earning the story its 🌶️🌶️🌶️ rating.
Layered Characters: Bea isn’t just a sunshine heroine; she’s resourceful and deeply loyal to her sister. Jonah, meanwhile, is more than his grumpy exterior—his passion for music, lingering grief, and struggles to move forward make him incredibly relatable.
Humor and Heart: Bea’s attempts to keep her charade going are laugh-out-loud funny, while Jonah’s eventual discovery of the truth adds emotional weight to the story. Their journey is as much about personal growth as it is about romance.
Themes
McKellen weaves meaningful themes into the lighthearted romance, including:

Family and Loyalty: Bea’s devotion to her sister drives the plot, but it also forces her to confront the limits of self-sacrifice.
Second Chances: Both Bea and Jonah are grappling with second chances—Bea in her temporary role and Jonah in his post-rockstar life. Their romance mirrors their journey of rediscovery.
Trust and Honesty: The stakes of Bea’s deception heighten the emotional climax, as both characters must learn to trust each other to find happiness.
Minor Critiques
While the story is delightful overall, a few elements might feel slightly predictable for seasoned romance readers:

Predictable Reveal: The “hidden identity” aspect plays out much as expected, though McKellen handles the fallout with grace.
Side Characters: While the supporting cast is fun, a few characters—particularly Delilah—could have used more depth to add complexity to the sister dynamic.
Final Thoughts
Best Mistake Ever is a captivating and swoon-worthy romance that delivers on its promise of humor, spice, and emotional payoff. Christy McKellen balances beloved tropes with fresh twists, creating a story that feels as comforting as it is exciting. Bea and Jonah’s romance is the perfect mix of heat and heart, set against a charming and vividly imagined backdrop.

Rating: 4.5/5
Perfect for fans of Tessa Bailey’s It Happened One Summer and Ali Hazelwood’s The Love Hypothesis, Best Mistake Ever will leave readers grinning, blushing, and eager for McKellen’s next story.

The Best Mistake Ever is a cute and slightly spicy story about how a well-meaning sister steps up to help her twin but f***s up in the process by falling for the one person she shouldn’t.
The spice level was mild and sprinkled in but the romantic tension was palpable throughout.
Overall, it was a fun read that i definitely recommend!

Bea has a twin sister, Dee.
They couldn't be more different in personality. However, they are identical, aside from one having long hair and the other short.
Bea is determined, focused and reliable.
Dee is artistic, scatty and disorganised.
An unfortunate incident causes Dee to ask Bea to swap places with her for a few days at her new job, as she can't go in with an injury, and Bea, being her caring sister, can't say no.
So she's in an industry she knows nothing about, hospitality, with a cranky 'boss' who is also very good-looking...
I really enjoyed this story with the unexpected romantic twists and the grumpy sunshine nature of the romance.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

it was really cute and cozy, if you want to read something fast paced this is perfect for you, there’s not many pages.

i actually love that we get to know a lot about Brea and Jonah past, it makes things easier to connect with the characters and for the whole book i was actually feeling so bad for Jonah and i totally understood why he made this choice when we got to THAT moment 👀 even if what he did later shocked me a LOT but yeah.

Brea is really relatable, wants to be perfect, people pleaser, … i get why people would love her so much.

But there was still something missing and this is Dee pov we got like 2 chapters in the beginning then nothing, i would have loved to know more about her, in her own perspective and know what was happening to her.

but despite that, i still have a lot of fun reading this book and i totally recommend it to everyone but especially to someone who want something to read fast.

3.5 stars
This is an entertaining read. Jonah and Beatrice are fun, entertaining, intriguing, interesting, complex, wounded, strong characters. I enjoyed spending time with these two. The secondary characters added to the fabric of the story and my enjoyment. The story is easy to read and get into. I found the plot intriguing and enjoyed how it played out, I just wanted more from the ending and the epilogue than what we were given.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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

This feel-good novel is a delightful blend of several beloved tropes, including grumpy sunshine, workplace romance, forced proximity, hidden identity, and a sister swap. It was a quick and easy read that kept me engaged from start to finish.

The story gave off strong "The Parent Trap" vibes, especially when the FMC, Bea, gets a mini makeover and cuts her hair, which is reminiscent of the classic movie and brings back fun memories.

The novel was funny with a touch of angst, balancing humor and emotional moments perfectly. However, I wish it was a little spicier to add more depth to the romantic elements.

The way the plot was set up for a second novel from the POV of the other sister was really nice. I really hope the author will release a second book, I'm lookinging forward to reading about Dee's full journey after getting glimpses from Bea's narration.

Overall, this book was an enjoyable read that I would recommend to anyone looking for a light-hearted and entertaining story.

I enjoyed reading Beatrice's point of view as she pondered whether being the "good" daughter who always met expectations was working for her. It's nice to see a plot around an overachiever taking stock of their life at such an early age.

Watching Jonah fight his feelings for Dee/Bea was well paced and when they finally hook up, yowza!

Thanks to the Publisher and NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Best Mistake Ever is a sweet and enjoyable romance with a solid mix of charm and emotional depth. This book was a short and sweet read I managed to finish in a matter of hours.

McKellen’s writing style is crisp and engaging, making the book quick and pleasant.

The plot can feel somewhat predictable at times, adhering closely to the conventions of the genre. While this isn’t necessarily a drawback, it does mean the story lacks the element of surprise.

Best Mistake Ever is a solid choice for readers seeking a light, feel-good romance. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel but delivers enough heart and sweetness to make it a worthwhile read.

Would I recommend it? Definitely, but perhaps stating that it’s best enjoyed when you’re in the mood for a straightforward, low-drama love story.

beatrice (bea) can not say no to her twin, delliah (dee), and agrees to switch places with her so dee will not lose her job. the job is at a boutique hotel attepting to get off the ground at the hands of the broody owner, jonah.

jonah is a former rockstar, recovering alcoholic, reeling from a break up that went viral. when bea arrives, he can not help but notice a difference from dee, who was all but fired. bea comes on the scene with a festical to be held on the grounds, and comes to find herself with feelings for jonah, which are reciprocated.

this was a quick, easy read. i liked the dual povs, though it was a little add to just have one or two from dee at the beginning and then not again. twin switches are always a good read because you know there will be fallout when the truth is revealed.

It was a good quick read! I did get kind of confusing with the POV at times but over all fun book! Would recommend to friends.

I do not regret reading this book and it really deserved the 4 stars, I hope to read more book from this author as I am in love with her writing style, it was easy to read and so fun to read and simple reading to get out of a reading slum as I was.

I never read a book like this with this kind of trope. But I do not regret once like I said.

I recommend this book for sure and hope that people like it as I like it.

This story is yet beautiful and warming. Go add it to your TBR for 2025.

Cheers,
Cass's Bookshelf
xo

"Best Mistake Ever" was such a cute and fun short read! The characters are wonderful and both the FMC and MMC have a good deal of character growth for such a short novel. I was really able to fall in love with them and was rooting for them the entire time. Overall, I would give this book four stars seeing as it made me smile, laugh, and get a little mad at just the right times. Perfect for a fall season romance read.

I love a good romcom and Best Mistake Ever by Christy McKellen did not disappoint. It was such a sweet book.

This is a cute but kinda weird novel. It's the story of twins switching places or as Amanda Bynes has depicted "She's the man". As the twin switches places she falls in love with someone she is definitely not supposed to.

TROPES:
Grumpy sunshine
Workplace
Forced proximity
Hidden identity
Twin swap
Celebrity romance