Review: Some Mistakes Were Made, Kristin Dwyer

Some Mistakes Were Made was one of my most anticipated reads of 2022 and, on paper, it sounded like the kind of book I’d adore and would never, ever, ever cease talking about. Check out my full review below to find out if I loved it!

Some Mistakes Were Made by Kristin Dwyer
Published by HarperTeen on May 10, 2022
Genres: contemporary, romance, young adult
Format: ARC
Source: Harper360UK
Buy on Amazon, Book Depository, Bookshop, Blackwell's
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You can’t always go home again.
Ellis and Easton have been inseparable since childhood. But when a rash decision throws Ellis’s life—and her relationship with Easton— into chaos she’s forced to move halfway across the country, far from everything she’s ever known.
Now Ellis hasn’t spoken to Easton in a year, and maybe it’s better that way; maybe eventually the Easton shaped hole in her heart will heal. But when Easton’s mother invites her home for a celebration, Ellis finds herself tangled up in the web of heartache, betrayal, and anger she left behind... and with the boy she never stopped loving.

I received this book for free from Harper360UK in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

☂️ TRIGGER WARNINGS:

underage drinking, mentions of drugs, child neglect.

There are no spoilers in this review.

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I ENJOYED…

☂️

• Some Mistakes Were Made is about Ellis, Easton, a mistake separating them for a year and a new, tentative beginning as Ellis comes back home. It’s a raw, emotional story divided between past and present, leaving us to slowly discover Ellis and Easton’s relationship back then, as they grew closer to each other and now, as they’ve been apart for a year, with so many things left unsaid between them.
• Obviously, one of the best things about this book is the storyline, that’s what drew me to it, first. Childhood friends, a messed-up past, feelings left unsaid and family drama? Sign me up right now!
• I absolutely loved how the story was alternating between past and present, it’s one of my favorite kind of stories and I have to say, it kept me on edge, wondering and wanting to know what had happened in the past, and would happen in the present.
• Some Mistakes Were Made is told through Ellis’ POV. She comes from a struggling family, with an absentee mother, a criminal father, a place where there’s not enough food or money and certainly not love. While I, sometimes, had a hard time following her trail of thoughts, I really liked seeing her grow as the story went on.

• Easton’s big family certainly is one of the best things about this book. You know these loud, messy family you fall for? This is one of them. I loved the gang of brothers, their mother and father, embracing Ellis as one of their own right from the very beginning. Every interaction between the family members was lovely and I loved the banter between brothers, as well as the soft, adorable best friendship between Ellis and Tucker.
• I have to mention the romance part, because yes, it’s a big one. It’s a childhood friends trope, with SO much pining, so many things left unsaid and SO. MUCH. angst. Be warned that there is a lot, if this isn’t your kind of thing! What I enjoyed the most, is the way this book doesn’t shy away from the messiness of a first love. It’s not perfect, it goes up and down and yes, it can be frustrating, but it also feels very real.

I HAD A HARD TIME WITH…

☂️

• I’m keeping this part, but… I don’t know how to explain my feelings. I overall really enjoyed Some Mistakes Were Made, but maybe my expectations for it were a bit different? Maybe that’s why it’s not a perfect 5-star for me.

OVERALL

☂️

If you’re looking for a bittersweet YA book with complex family dynamics and a childhood friends romance full of angst, I definitely recommend Some Mistakes Were Made. I can’t wait to read what Kristin Dwyer writes next!

FINAL RATING : 4 stars!

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📚 Books similar to Some Mistakes Were Made that I’d recommend:

• Try reading these YA books with the childhood friend trope!

Did you read Some Mistakes Were Made, or do you want to? Do you enjoy books with lots of angst? Let me know in comments!

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