About Books #128: By Mistake

Here’s the thing: I’ve been having a lot of trouble lately, with reading books. The main reason? I’ve just had a hard time connecting with characters, and especially their emotions. By Mistake, though? Probably the best book I could’ve read to get through that!

I was offered an ARC by Book Sirens in exchange for a review. All opinions are strictly my own.

The story

There’s so much going on in Anna’s life. Teaching countless hours at the studio and nurturing the three major relationships of her life – her group of tight-knit friends, all while attempting to not screw up this whole adulthood thing leaves very little time to waste on yet another dating app. At this point, a relationship is off the menu. Being “self-partnered” is more than enough.

A serious relationship has been crossed off Liam Brody’s list of goals, at least for the foreseeable future. Completing his residency and becoming a trauma surgeon is his only priority. Casual relationships, his friends, and books are the only things he’s willing to lose his precious free time to.

When an accidental email starts a deep online connection, both Liam and Anna dive in with zero concern . . . because there’s really no harm in getting close to someone who you’ll never meet in real life, right?

Wrong.

When a turn of events brings their “safe” virtual connection to an unexpected face-to-face, Anna and Liam learn their online chemistry pales in comparison to the real deal. A realization that brings along the bazillion-dollar question – what do you do when you meet The One at the most impossibly wrong time?

The opinion

Here’s the thing – when it comes to romance? Apparently, I’ve adapted standards. The high, difficult to reach ones. And that has basically resulted in me having a really time honestly enjoying romance books. It also doesn’t help that, a lot of the time, there’s fanfictions out there that do most tropes better than many “traditional authors” do, but, you know. That’s more of a me-problem, right?

By Mistake, though, had that perfect mixture of realism and romance. Sure, you knew from the get-go what the result would be, but the build to get there? The way these characters actually got to know each other through emails, and as friends first? I really enjoyed that. More than anything, the author managed to get the dual perspective developed really well, to the point where both characters were relatable, there actions were understandable – and their happy ending seemed really deserved. I mean: “I fell in like with you first”? Yes please!

What’s more – this book made me want more. There is no secondary-character to be found in this book. Each and every character has a reason to be there, and the sneak peeks the reader is given of their potential? Well, let’s just say I’m quite happy that there are, indeed, stand-alone sequels to look forward to!

The rating: 4/5

If you’re in need of a book that has that perfect mixture of being romantic, without going straight for the insta-love or over-the-top dramatic gestures? Then By Mistake is definitely the one for you. And if you just happen to fall in love with these characters as I did? Well, I guess it’s a good thing, then, that there’s more to come, right? (Goodreads, TheStoryGraph)

-Saar