Love and Other Mistakes

Written by Jessica Kate

Narrated by Liz Hill

Jessica Kate’s heartfelt and romantic debut proves that love always comes in God’s own time. 

Natalie Groves once had big dreams. But soon after her fiancé, Jeremy Walters, inexplicably broke off their engagement and left town, her father was diagnosed with cancer. Now tasked with keeping her family afloat, Natalie’s grand plans have evaporated . . . and God feels very far away. 

Fast-forward seven years, and Jeremy is back in Charlottesville with an infant son and years of regrets. When his niece, Lili, lands on his doorstep in need of a place to stay, Jeremy needs help—and fast. 

An internship opening finally presents Natalie a chance at her dream job, but she needs a second income to work around it—and the only offer available is Jeremy’s. They could be the solutions to one another’s problems, provided they don’t kill each other in the process. When they join forces, sparks fly. But they both know there’s a thin line between love and hate . . . and that love will turn out to be the best decision—or the biggest mistake—of all.  

This inspirational contemporary read is a standalone novel, though it also features characters from Jessica Kate’s forthcoming novel, A Girl’s Guide to the Outback (coming January 2020). 

Book length: approximately 90,000 words. Includes a reading group guide.  

“A stunning debut . . . This tale of love and redemption will stay with you long after you've closed the book. A must-read.” —Rachel Hauck, New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Dress  

“Witty. Charming. Heartfelt. I could go on and on about Jessica Kate’s debut novel. From its highly relatable characters to its pitch-perfect dialogue, Love and Other Mistakes is a delightful, romantic read filled with just the right amount of sass. I lost count of the number of times I laughed out loud as I watched Natalie and Jem navigate their relationships, careers, and faith. Definitely one of the most enjoyable books I've read lately, and I can't wait to see what’s next from Jessica Kate!” —Melissa Tagg, Carol Award–winning author of Now and Then and Always and the Walker Family series 

 “Love and Other Mistakes wraps a poignant and warm look at relationships within a smart, sly, and knowing comedic voice. Readers of Sally Thorne and Bethany Turner will be immediately at home with Natalie: an all-too-real heroine who balances whip-smart agency with an endearing vulnerability and whose intersection with long-lost Jeremy helps her forge a path to confidence and discover the woman she was always meant to be. Kate’s unputdownable debut recognizes that all human relationships—familial, friendship, romantic—are worth the keen eye and clever insight of her talented pen.” —Rachel McMillan, author of the Van Buren and DeLuca Mysteries  

“If you’re looking for a story with sass on top of style, or a fresh voice pumped full of fun, you need to read Love and Other Mistakes. Then after you’ve enjoyed this—and I’m confident you will—make a date with whatever this exciting new author writes next!” —David Rawlings, author of The Baggage Handler

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Release date: Jul 30, 2019
• ISBN: 9780785229605

Jessica Kate

Australian author Jessica Kate writes inspirational romances with wit, sass, and grit. Jessica is a screenwriting groupie, cohost of the StoryNerds vlog and podcasts, and her favorite place to be—apart from Mum and Dad’s back deck—is a theme park. She has traveled North America and Australia, and samples her favorite pasta wherever she goes—but the best (so far) is still the place around the corner from her corporate day job as a training developer. She loves watching sitcoms with her housemates and being a leader in a new church plant. Visit her online at jessicakatewriting.com; Instagram: jessicakatewriting; Facebook: jessicakatewriting; Twitter: @JessicaKate05.      

Reviews for Love and Other Mistakes

[sarah · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Awful Australian accent by narrator - as an Aussie myself I couldn’t stomach it. Why have a narrator that can’t do accents authentically?

It bothered me how the main character was so focused on ministry as a goal, rather than God. A very superficial book.

[Karla O'Neal · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It’s good but I had a hard time at first getting into the story.

[melissa_o-399736 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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.

[tjsjohanna_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Natalie & Jeremy were engaged once upon a time, but that was years ago. Now Jeremy has come back to town and Natalie winds up working for him while interning at a local ministry in the hope of gaining a full time position. The most interesting part for me was watching Jeremy come to terms with the faith he abandoned and Natalie letting go of her own desires in order to let God show her what He wants for her life. Both characters were driven by their family relationships without thinking much about what they would choose on their own.

[harley0326 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The book was very hard for me to get into at first. I felt like so much was going on that I became confused and couldn't keep up with the story. It centers around several people and the issues in the book are very serious. Looking at the cover of the book, you would think it is going to be a fun romance. Let me warn you now that it is not at all.Natalie has wanted to follow in her father's footsteps mainly so he would be proud of her. The book delves into her relationship with her father and we find out that her father is very ill. Natalie is trying to juggle being a nanny for her ex who has a baby , taking on a job that requires lots of time and trying to keep her faith in check. I could relate a bit to Natalie because she was seeking approval from her parents and basically everyone around her. She is definitely insecure and overwhelmed throughout the story.Jem is trying to raise his baby on his own and makes arrangements with Natalie to become his nanny. I didn't care much for this story line because it was easy to figure out what the outcome was going to me. Another story of a broken relationship where forgiveness is needed was good but almost as an afterthought. I think the author confused me with too many characters all in crisis mode. Lil has her own issues going on in her family. Her parents aren't getting along and she feels left out of everything. I did like how she wanted her parents to reconcile. The author does do a great job of showing how a teenager handles pressure and the need for someone to step in and hep her. If there is any shining star in this book I think Lil was the most realistic character. The book could have been better with less moving from one character to another, more emphasis on faith and less on trying to get Natalie and Jem back together. The author left me hanging with so many unanswered questions and I felt like the story was not complete. I wanted to know more about the baby's mother, what happens to Natalie's father and the consequences of a leader in a church who strays. This was a really hard book for me to read because the author takes on too many issues in the story and doesn't quite explain the outcome of some of the decisions made by characters. I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

[kimpotter-309059 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Love and Other Mistakes by Jessica Kate is an okay story. It is fast-paced with lots of family “issues” going on. Seven years ago, Jeremy ran out on Natalie, breaking her heart. Now, he’s back with an infant son and needing a nanny. Natalie has spent all her savings helping her parents and she just lost her job. Working for Jeremy is her only option. Will old feelings re-surface or is Natalie’s hate of Jeremy too strong? This story started out with such promise but it didn’t end so well. The characters just didn’t seem to fit. There were several references Natalie’s underwear that I thought were in poor taste; it didn’t add anything to the story. The family “issues” seemed to drag the story without getting resolved. For a Christian fiction story there was not very much repentance for wrong-doing. It was just assumed that forgiveness was a given without really being sorry for the wrongs committed. More of sorry that they were found out. I wouldn’t recommend this book. I received this book from Celebrate-Lit in exchange for my honest review.

[hes7 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Jessica Kate’s debut, Love and Other Mistakes, has the look of the type of rom-com I love to read—light, fun, ad very swoon-worthy. However, the story that unfolds between Natalie and Jeremy has a lot more going on than great kisses and witty banter.Seven years ago, Jeremy “Jem” Walters left Natalie Groves only weeks before their wedding. Now, he’s returned to town—with a baby in tow—and needs her help. As they deal with the hurts of the past, complications of the present also intrude—plenty of Walters family drama and the arrival of his ex, plus Natalie’s dad’s sickness and her new internship and romantic interest from the boss.The hate-to-love is perfect, and I loved the dynamic as Jem and Natalie figured out their feelings for each other. Yet, with the additional storyline of Lili, Jem’s niece, and her disintegrating family, I felt that, at times, the story tried to handle too much. I would have much preferred to simply focus more of the romance and all that’s needed for a second chance.Still, Love and Other Mistakes is an enjoyable read. I am looking forward to reading more from Jessica Kate, especially since A Girl’s Guide to the Outback involves a couple characters I’ve already met.I received a complimentary copy of this book and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

[bookworm_lisa · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this story of love, forgiveness, loss, and compassion. The characters are complicated and the author does a great job of describing them, how they are feeling, and moving them forward in a positive way. The main characters are Natalie and Jeremy. They have history. Their story is full of pain and good times. They have a lot to overcome in order for forgiveness to happen. While they are experiencing their own drama, there is a ton of it happening to the people they love. I found this story to be believable because life is full of ups and downs. I appreciated how they came back to their faith and trusted God to help see them through.This is the first book that I have read from this author. I will look for more books from her in the future. This book contains infidelity, kissing, and Christian themes.Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

[beautyinthebinding · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Love and Other Mistakes by Jessica Kate is a delightful contemporary romance. Brimming with romantic tension, the story captivated and entertained me as Jem and Natalie find themselves drawn to each other despite their past. I adore second chance love stories and this one did not disappoint. I liked that Love and Other Mistakes didn't shy away from life difficulties. There's family dysfunction, a sick loved one, and the struggles of a single parent. Good themes, including a prominent one about forgiveness, are present and contribute a pleasant level of depth to the story. I felt the ending was slightly rushed. However, I thoroughly enjoyed Love and Other Mistakes by Jessica Kate and look forward to reading her next novel.Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

[arlenadean · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Title: Love and Other MistakesAuthor: Jessica KatePublisher: Thomas Nelson FictionReviewed By: Arlena DeanRating: FourReview:"Love and Other Mistakes" by Jessica KateMy Rationalization: This was quite an interesting story that is mainly about Natalie Groves, Jeremy Walters and several more characters [some flawed] that will tie this story all together giving the reader a good read. It was good in how this author was able to tie this story even into an intriguing Christian read in which we find the main character [heronine] will be forced to reevaluate her life as according to what was true for her in God's plan. The story will deal with some real-life issues as 'infidelity [love triangle], illness, secrets, debts, forgiveness, self -worth, insecurities' that were all intertwined in these families in this good read. With saying that be ready for a story where lots of drama, leaving one to see if this couple [Natalie & Jeremy] will get a second chance at love, also there will be a terminal illness, an ill baby named Oliver and a moody teenage girl Lili [with some dysfunctional parents and an unyielding patriarch] that will add the icing on the cake to this story as these side stories all come together. By the end of "Love and Other Mistakes", the reader will get a good satisfying end where there will be much love and care for one another as we see that Natalie learns about herself and how faith opened her eyes to a wonderful future. I will say the title: "Love and Other Mistakes" tells the whole story. "I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

[jkj94 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I loved the synopsis of this book, and I wanted to like it since I love chick-lit, and women's fiction. But it fell very short of the synopsis. I felt this book was more for the YA genre. I lost interest about 25% into the book, I got bored with it, this was a DNF for me.