Mistakes Were Made by Meryl Wilsner is a bold, contemporary romance novel that captures the messiness, passion, and complexity of human relationships. The book delves into a taboo romance that is as unconventional as it is compelling, weaving humor, emotional depth, and irresistible chemistry into a narrative that pushes boundaries.

Plot Overview

The story begins with Cassie Klein, a confident college senior, meeting a captivating stranger during a one-night stand. Things take a sharp turn when she realizes the stranger is Erin Bennett, the mother of her best friend Parker. What unfolds is a slow-burn, emotionally charged relationship that forces both Cassie and Erin to navigate their feelings, their personal growth, and the societal judgments surrounding their connection.

While the premise may raise eyebrows, Wilsner approaches it with care and a sense of humor, crafting a nuanced exploration of love, power dynamics, and the complexities of family ties. The book thrives on its daring concept, steering clear of clichés while challenging traditional ideas of what a romance novel can be.

Strengths of Mistakes Were Made

Complex Characters

• Cassie and Erin’s Development: Both protagonists are richly developed, flawed, and multidimensional. Cassie’s confident exterior masks her struggles with vulnerability, while Erin’s polished demeanor conceals her internal conflict as she navigates the complexities of her desires and responsibilities as a mother. Their personal growth is believable and adds depth to their relationship.
• Supporting Characters: The supporting characters, especially Parker (Cassie’s best friend), contribute significantly to the narrative. Parker’s presence creates moments of tension, humor, and emotional resonance, as well as reflecting the complexities of family dynamics and friendship.

Realistic Dialogue

• Authentic Conversations: Wilsner excels at crafting realistic, witty, and emotionally charged dialogue. The exchanges between characters feel natural and grounded in the characters’ personalities.
• Emotional Impact: The dialogue conveys a range of emotions—humor, tension, vulnerability—making it easy for readers to connect with the characters. Even when the protagonists make questionable decisions, the dialogue creates a sense of empathy, making their actions more relatable and understandable.

Taboo Explored with Nuance

• Sensitive Treatment of the Taboo: The central theme of the book—falling for your best friend’s mother—could easily have been sensationalized, but Wilsner handles it with sensitivity and emotional depth.
• Focus on Emotional Complexity: Instead of focusing on shock value, Wilsner explores the emotional intricacies of the relationship, looking at the characters’ motivations, fears, and growth. This nuanced approach makes the relationship more about emotional connection and personal transformation than the taboo aspect itself.

LGBTQ+ Representation

• Unapologetically Queer: As with many of Wilsner’s works, Mistakes Were Made offers strong LGBTQ+ representation. Erin and Cassie’s romantic relationship is portrayed without unnecessary explanations or justifications.
• Empowering Representation: The representation is refreshing, showing queer love in a natural, organic way, which normalizes it without highlighting it as something that needs to be explained. This empowerment offers a new perspective on queer relationships in literature, presenting them simply as part of the broader human experience.

Exploration of Love and Growth

• Personal and Relationship Growth: Throughout the book, Cassie and Erin experience personal transformations. Their relationship is not just about romantic love; it’s also about the challenges of self-acceptance, understanding, and evolving in their respective life stages.
• Real-Life Themes: The story doesn’t shy away from exploring themes of societal judgment, fear of vulnerability, and the complexities of familial relationships. These themes resonate with a broad audience and add depth to the romantic narrative.

Critiques of Mistakes Were Made

Pacing Issues

• Uneven Pacing in the Middle Sections: While the slow-burn romance is one of the book’s strengths, some readers may find the pacing uneven, especially in the middle chapters where the plot meanders slightly before the tension and action ramp up again.
• Slow Progression: There are stretches where the emotional stakes and narrative momentum seem to stall, which may leave some readers feeling impatient. A more consistent pacing throughout could have made the overall reading experience more engaging.

Conflict Resolution

• Rushed Resolution: The resolution of the central conflict, particularly regarding Parker’s reaction to the romantic relationship, may feel rushed or overly convenient for some readers. While it brings closure to the narrative, the quick wrap-up may leave certain aspects feeling underexplored.
• Lack of Emotional Depth in Fallout: The fallout from the central conflict—especially how Parker processes the situation—could have been given more attention. A deeper exploration of the emotional consequences for all involved would have added greater weight and complexity to the conclusion, making it feel more earned and impactful.

Predictable Tropes

• Stereotypical Elements: While the book subverts certain expectations, some readers might find aspects of the narrative to be familiar, relying on predictable romance tropes. For example, the “forbidden love” dynamic could be seen as a common trope in romance fiction.
• Missed Opportunity for Subversion: While it largely handles its themes with nuance, there may have been an opportunity to take more risks with character arcs and plot structure to avoid a few of the more formulaic moments that appear in the genre.

Underdeveloped Secondary Characters

• Lack of Depth in Some Supporting Roles: While Parker is an important secondary character, other supporting characters, such as Cassie’s college friends or Erin’s family, could have been given more depth. This would have enriched the story by adding additional layers to the emotional dynamics.
• Missed Potential for Broader Exploration: Some secondary characters seem to fade into the background, and readers might feel that their presence could have added more complexity to the narrative if they had been more fully developed.

Themes and Takeaways from Mistakes Were Made

Love Without Labels

• Breaking Conventional Boundaries: The novel emphasizes that love doesn’t always fit into neat categories or societal norms. Erin and Cassie’s relationship defies expectations, yet it is their authenticity and willingness to grow that makes their connection work, regardless of the labels society might try to impose.
• Fluidity of Love: The story reinforces the idea that love is not confined to rigid definitions, but rather, is shaped by individual experiences, emotions, and connections.

The Messiness of Life

• Embracing Imperfections: Wilsner expertly captures the imperfections of human behavior, illustrating that mistakes are an inevitable part of life. The characters’ journey shows that growth often arises from making mistakes and learning from them.
• Real-Life Challenges: The book doesn’t shy away from portraying the difficult, messy side of relationships. Through Cassie and Erin’s evolving connection, the novel acknowledges that love and life are complex, with no easy answers.

Empowerment Through Vulnerability

• Strength in Confronting Fears: Both Cassie and Erin find strength by confronting their deepest fears and embracing their vulnerability. Their emotional growth is empowering, as they learn to open up, trust, and be honest with themselves and each other.
• Resonance with Readers: This theme resonates deeply with readers navigating their own relationships, offering a powerful message that true strength comes from vulnerability, not from perfection or self-reliance.

Personal Growth and Self-Acceptance

• Journey of Self-Discovery: A key theme is the characters’ path to self-acceptance. Both Cassie and Erin undergo significant personal growth throughout the book, learning more about themselves and what they want from love, life, and their identities.
• Breaking Free from Societal Expectations: The characters challenge the roles they are expected to play in society and ultimately find strength in embracing their authentic selves, making the narrative not just about love, but about self-liberation.

A Closer Look: Key Aspects of Mistakes Were Made

Verdict

Mistakes Were Made is not your conventional romance, but that’s precisely what makes it so memorable. With its bold storyline, layered characters, and heartfelt exploration of love, growth, and societal boundaries, it encourages readers to question their assumptions and embrace the complexities of life and relationships. This novel boldly tackles taboo topics while still delivering a heartfelt, slow-burn romance that pulls at the heartstrings.

Key Takeaways:

• Unique Premise: A taboo relationship between a college senior and her best friend’s mother, explored with sensitivity and nuance.
• Character Depth: Both protagonists are richly developed, with flaws and personal growth that feel authentic and relatable.
• LGBTQ+ Representation: A refreshing portrayal of queer love that doesn’t rely on clichés or explanations.
• Emotional Complexity: The book deftly balances humor, emotional tension, and the messiness of relationships.

Whether you’re a fan of contemporary romance, LGBTQ+ fiction, or stories that challenge conventions, Mistakes Were Made deserves a spot on your reading list. While it’s not without its flaws, such as some pacing issues and rushed conflict resolution, its humor, heart, and boldness to address taboo topics make it a standout in the genre.

FAQs About Mistakes Were Made by Meryl Wilsner

What is Mistakes Were Made about?

Mistakes Were Made tells the story of Cassie Klein, a college senior who unexpectedly embarks on a slow-burn romance with Erin Bennett, the mother of her best friend. The book explores the complexities of their taboo relationship while addressing themes of love, vulnerability, and personal growth.

Is Mistakes Were Made a typical romance novel?

No, Mistakes Were Made deviates from conventional romance tropes. It tackles a taboo relationship—between a college student and her best friend’s mother—while weaving in humor, emotional depth, and an exploration of societal boundaries. The novel pushes the envelope on what a romance can be.

What makes this book stand out from other contemporary romance novels?

The book stands out due to its bold premise of a taboo relationship and its well-rounded, complex characters. It doesn’t shy away from exploring difficult topics, such as societal judgment and LGBTQ+ identity, in a sensitive and nuanced manner, offering a fresh perspective on modern romance.

Is Mistakes Were Made suitable for all readers?

Mistakes Were Made is best suited for readers who enjoy unconventional, character-driven stories with a focus on emotional depth. It tackles mature themes and a controversial relationship dynamic, so readers who are open to exploring such subjects will likely appreciate it. If you’re looking for a traditional, straightforward romance, this may not be the book for you.

How does Mistakes Were Made handle LGBTQ+ themes?

The book offers strong LGBTQ+ representation through the romance between Cassie and Erin, portraying their relationship as natural and unapologetic. It doesn’t rely on clichés or need to explain their bond, offering a refreshing and empowering depiction of queer love.