March is turning out to be a very good month for reading! We’re not even 20 days in and I’ve already put away 6 books! Today I want to talk about The Best Mistake by Nina Rey. I found calls for this arc on IG and applied instantly. It’s not my usual genre but I do enjoy the tropes so I applied for it just to see.
Then when I got the email I was so surprised! I’m so excited to introduce you to this novel! It is published on the 20th of March. It’s the first of a new series called, Driscoll U Diaries. It’s a contemporary romance about two college students who absolutely hate each other. Kamila and Cameron. We have a plus size Latina FMC, Enemies to Lovers, Tortured Backstories and the spice is Chef’s Kiss.
One of my favorite things about Enemies to Lovers as a trope is the push or pull. The will they or won’t they? A great indicator of this trope is the banter. How can they truly hate each other if they aren’t so consumed by the other that they spend time crafting responses just to get a rise out of the other? This is rhetorical, all book girlies know enemies to lovers isn’t possible without this. *sage nod*. The Best Mistake has wonderful banter. It was honestly one of my favorite parts.
Kamila is beginning her Junior year and is excited to finally be on top of things. Last year, she had some issues with a friends with benefits situationship that went awry, but that’s in the past. Self-defense classes, a support system and renewed focus on her future goals bolster her feelings about her junior year. All of this is wonderful until she chooses a seat in her business class, and realizes two things simultaneously.
One, she’s stuck in this class, in this seat for the entire semester. Two, Cameron Khalo, the person she hates most is her partner
Cameron Khalo is ready to follow his goals. Driscoll University for his degree, and then off to start the business of his dreams. This spontaneously combusts when he walks into his business class and sees the bane of his existence. Kamila Morales, former best friend, and his former ex-girlfriend’s twin sister.
There was even a bit of a thriller, mystery subplot that I not only enjoyed but was surprised by when the conclusion was revealed. I think its fun sometimes when the romance is just a touch angsty but not world ending. The world is rough enough, I dont need my fictional worlds to be too.
I gave The Best Mistake 🥕🥕🥕🥕.75 and thoroughly enjoyed it. If the tropes call to you; enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and spice, make sure you check it out on release day.
Are you into romance? What are some of your favorites?
Bubblegum Universe 