Amazon.com: Customer reviews: My Favorite Mistake: A Small Town Southern Veteran Romance (Romance in New Orleans: A Small Town Southern Romance Series Book 1)

Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2021

A terrific start to a new series set in the always fabulous New Orleans with the backdrop of the sexy music industry. This second chance romance is full of intense emotion as Connor and Liza try to overcome their past and find a way to love again. He’s a former military hunk with a case of PTSD from his time in the sandbox. She’s a successful career woman making a name for herself and working toward a secure future after a man left her heartbroken. Yup, they have a lot to get past and reach forgiveness. It’s a push pull affair when Connor and Liza work together to catapult a new musical genius to stardom while maintaining a professional relationship. They are a mess of emotions but their chemistry is undeniable and it’s too hot to ignore. Their sizzle is just one of the intriguing facets to this couple’s relationship. Rising star Oscar is featured in the story along with Connor’s friends. Connor and his friends have a fantastic friendship and are supportive of each other but sometimes they seemed a little cliché. This author writes with vivid imagery and gives us a couple with a delicious heat and sex appeal with heartbreaking backstories. There was some slang in the story that was a little off putting to me but overall this was a fabulous read with lots of heartbreak, emotion, sexy love and wonderful friendship.

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Robin Sweeney

So beautiful

Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2021

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This book will put you through some emotions. Connor and Liza get a second chance by fate to be in each other's lives. Ten years after they had a beautiful relationship they get tossed in to each other's lives as co-workers and the fireworks begin...some good, some bad, but all worth it. You will run through a gamut of emotions with Connor, he's hard on himself making him a little hard to like in the beginning, but he will warm your heart. Liza is a strong woman and watching her handle Connor in such a way was so beautiful. I just loved this book!

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Mary Ellen Galvan

A Contemporary Voice for Ancient Truth

Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2021

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KLE spins stories around very credible, lovable characters. These are real personalities clearly shaped by this 21st century and its challenges. What emerges is the ancient wisdom of humanity. What really matters, what is true strength, how do the treasures of faith, hope and love navigate this contemporary landscape? KLE expresses their power in a story that you cannot put down.

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Tearjerker with Serious Heart, and an Amazing HEA

Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2021

Not everything in life can be sunshine and roses. But that doesn’t mean things can’t wind up being beautiful and amazing. And that’s exactly what you’ll get in “My Favorite Mistake” by Katherine L Evans. This book is a journey, and it will absolutely put you through the wringer emotionally, but it’s all worth it for the HEA awaiting the characters and readers at the end. Going through hell and back proves to be exactly what main characters Connor and Liza need for their second chance to become their HEA. “Mistake” has a wonderfully authentic cadence, the dialogue is on-point, and the emotions are solid. Evans’ deep character development is also a huge plus. Not only does the reader get to know Connor & Liza well through their interactions with each other, they also get insight into their lives and personalities, their fears and dreams, through delightfully developed side characters Brennan, Jimmy, Scott, and Ophelia. The secondary plot surrounding musician Oscar Quinn Washington does not take away or overshadow the main story of Connor & Liza, but rather is woven in neatly to advance and accentuate their relationship and its development. Fair warning, Oscar’s story is heartbreaking, but a true example of the soul of New Orleans post Hurricane Katrina.

“Mistake” is a second chance novel, not just for the characters but for the author as well. And it’s absolutely stunning because of it. Evans opted to pull, update, re-edit, and enhance her “Romance in New Orleans” series, relaunching it late in 2021, to give readers a more solid and immersive experience with her characters, plots, and settings. I would call “Mistake” a success in that endeavor. And based on what I read in this book, I am completely enthralled with her characters. After getting to know him in “Mistake,” I’m definitely looking forward to Brennan’s story next.

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Susana M.S.

4.4 stars rating as 4🌟🌟🌟🌟. Intensely felt!

Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2021

My Favourite Mistake is the first installment in the Romance in New Orleans Series (RNOLA #1), a second chance at love for Connor Deneau and Liza Hardin.
Katherine creates a well concocted narrative about connection, friendship, family, a deeply felt infatuation, ensnarement and entanglement, a love at first sight, that happened fast and furious for Connor and Liza. Two inexperienced young adults full of dreams, projects and goals and some demons as well will abruptly cut all ties and sever their relationship by way of tragedy and loss. In addition, ten years of remorse, shame, guilty and the hurt of not knowing and lack of ability to comprehend. Job contigengies, new opportunities and some palpable odds will finally bring Connor and Liza to the same place, their envisioned love nest where magic can very well happen, New Orleans.
It was not easy to Liza and Connor, fights disguised as professional arguments, miscommunication, the will to know and bury the matter once and for all, the self loathing, the want and that tiny lil hope that there's still time to heal their wounds and their hearts.
This was a vivid experience to the reader: the descriptions, the ingenious placement of the secondary characters, the interactions and dynamics of the musical environment, the mysticism, felt like a dare to live vicariously through their battles, feelings, banter, advances and setbacks, ill-timed sentiments, respect, loyalty, support, until the extrenuously conquered HEA.
I would have prefered a 1st person dual pov, because it is the way for me to feel fully connected to the characters and their stories and I think this account would have benefited with it. It took me a little while to read, but that's just my personal opinion. As a book with so many characters being ex-military and all the predicaments of being on tours, I would have expected the mention of therapy to occur earlier in the story, but I understand why the author chose this alignment: a big part of people with war trauma or any trauma for that matter will not comply to others suggesting therapy. The person has to feel an overwhelming, earnest need to finally decide for it and it will mostly happen in a limit situation eventually.
Liza and Connor were true soulmates!

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions are my own.

2 people found this helpful

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LFH

A powerful read not to be missed

Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2021

This is the first book I've read from this author but it will not be the last.

I had the privilege of working at a VA Medical Center and Connor reminded me of so many of the veterans I met there. It's a wonder that any combat veteran can return home "normal" after the horrors they've been subjected to in war.

This is the story of Connor and Liza who met and fell in love with each other 10 years before this story picks up. That love affair ended with a spectacular crash and burn.

Liza moves to NOLA to work at small record company. She's in charge of the PR for the label and Connor has the knack of finding new talent.

The employees at this label along with Connor's neighbors and friends are a family in every way except by blood ties. Everyone should be blessed with friends like them.

Both Connor and Liza are holding a secret and fear their secret might end their relationship again.
Connor's tortured with thoughts of all his men who he wasn't able to safely return home to their families. He seems to have forgotten how many he did bring home and also what he did for the families of the fallen.

All the characters come to life and you feel involved with their lives. I've never visited NOLA but I felt as if I was there. At times I wondered HOW will they end up together or will they?

I really disliked Connor's father, the Army Captain. He seemed to be so cold and uncaring. "Soldier up and move on" seemed to be his motto. But yet, for me, the most powerful event in this book was towards the end where the Captain tells Connor that he not only loves him but he's proud of him.

I found this to be a powerful book and so much more than the average romance novel. I highly recommend it and I look forward to the rest of the stories.

I received an ARC of this book via BookFunnel and I am voluntarily writing this review. These thoughts and opinions are mine and mine alone.

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Kia B

enjoyable second chance story

Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2021

OVERALL RATING –5 stars

RECOMMENDED FOR: those that like veteran, second chance, HEA

First my usual points:
- I do not do spoilers unless warned.
- Read the summary above; it will tell you what the book is about. I will not reiterate.
- This is a standalone but the first in a series.
- No errors that I caught as far as editing.
- The author was new to me.

BOOK:
- Contemporary romance
- 1st person alternating POV

Star Ratings - 1 (poor) - 5(READ THIS BOOK)
· Writing Quality: 5 stars
· Story ingredient: 5 stars
· Ease of reading/Pace: 5 stars; although it took me longer to connect with the characters (this was personal to me as real life interfered with my reading time)
· Plot strength: 5 stars
· Steam Level: 3-4 stars - No open door graphic scenes but high on the romance

Notes/Opinion (personal):

I had a feeling this would be a bit of a hard read. I have a soft spot for vets, especially ones that have seen active combat. That said, I loved it. I loved the realness of Connor and the portrayal that vets go through when they’re stuck in their head. I loved the struggle, the weakness and the strengths of them and those around them that care. I loved how those gritty and hard times were not shied away from by this author.
Liza took a while to warm up to but I’m not sure why. I felt she was trying to be something she wasn’t in the beginning- maybe? I did warm up to her in the end, though. She was the support and truth that as needed.

Frankly, I’d recommend anything by this author. The quirky that comes through along with the fun of fiction is a great ride.

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Barbara Barber for Sexy Sirens Book Blog

Very emotional second chance storyline.

Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2021

The author has given us a well written storyline with characters you’ll come to know as if they were a part of your inner circle. You come to know their joys, fears, wants and needs. The main characters, Connor and Liza, will take you one an emotional journey as they decide if their past mistakes in life (both together and apart) are worth confronting and going through the pain of possibly fixing. Knowing what they do, are they worth the risk or better off apart? My heart broke in so many places as I tagged along on their journey. Please be advised the storyline could cause triggers for some. This tragic, gut wrenching storyline does have a happy ending but what an emotional journey getting there.

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#IMPOSSIBLETOPUTDOWN

Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2021

There's a lot to love in this story with the realistic feel of a veteran's PTSD, the backdrop of NOLA, and the second chance at love so the book was impossible to put down when push comes to shove. Connor simply exists in life, and he definitely does his best to keep the girl who got (or pushed) away out of his head, but life has an ironic sense of humor when she ends up working at the same place he's been working at. Liza had her heart broken by Connor, and she's never been the same. She feels like she can't catch a break in life, especially after learning that she'll be working with the man who destroyed her heart, so things aren't going well for a cool minute. Connor did grow on me, but I certainly wasn't a fan of his at the beginning to be honest, so I wasn't sure if I wanted Liza to gravitate back towards him, but the heart wants what the heart wants, plus the sparks were flying all over again so it really was only a matter of time. If it had been me though, I would have put him through the ringer for longer but I'm a fierce girl when I haven't forgiven someone LOL! Anyway, just decide for yourselves by hitting those one click buttons since I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

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M18

Emotional and heartbreaking yet perfect

Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2021

What a amazing job Katherine L Evans did !!! I literally just finished reading this phenomenal story about a Half hour ago and I can’t even express how much I adored every single minute of it.( this is the first installment in the ( Romance In New Orleans Series ) and when I say it was worth ever ounce sleep I lost , I sincerely mean that !!! I fell in love with both Connor and Liza’s characters from the moment I met them . Their relationship is far from easy .there are many ups and downs as well as heartbreak, and moments so full of emotion your heart can’t help but break for them both . PTSD is something that many people unfortunately suffer from and Katherine did such a wonderful job integrating they into the story . This truly is one of the best books I’ve read in a very long time . ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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5 star		58%
4 star		32%
3 star		8%
2 star		2%
1 star 0% (0%)		0%

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