From USA Today bestselling author J.L. Berg comes an enemies to lovers stand-alone romance.I was waiting for my life to start…After forgoing college to help run the family business, I’d given up on the idea of a different life, and finally made peace with something a bit simpler.That is, until Leilani Hart showed up.There is nothing simple about about the hotel heiress and the minute our eyes … simple about about the hotel heiress and the minute our eyes meet, I know my carefree existence is a thing of the past. She has big ideas for our sleepy town and the motel she plans on transforming into a spa destination for the rich and famous.
She’ll have to go through me first.
From our first meeting, we’re like fire and ice and I can’t help but wonder what it would be like to pin her down and melt some of those frigid layers right off.
But, my town comes first. Or, at least, that’s what I keep telling myself. Unfortunately, my heart and head don’t seem to agree and soon, I don’t know where my loyalties lie. I’ve never believed in love, but for her, I just might be willing to risk it all.
Even if it means falling… for the enemy.
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Taylor and lanis story was beautiful. I felt so many emotions while reading it. I laughed out loud many times. I love books that past characters return and you get to see their story continue and that’s exactly what you get from Jl Berg, along with these new characters. Taylor and Lani overcame so many obstacles together. I love each book in this series more than the next., you’ll definitely want to read all the by the bay books. I have to be honest, I didn’t like these characters in the beginning. I thought Taylor was a selfish whiner because his life didn’t go as planned and Lani was a spoiled heiress but the way their story evolved, You see this is the farthest thing from the truth, that everything happens for a reason, and sometimes the best things in life are unplanned. Another 5 star read, you won’t want to miss
The Mistakes I’ve Made hit me like a hurricane. I was blown away by the main characters, Taylor and Leilani. They have both been damaged by loss as children. Their actions are constantly affected by their pasts.
Taylor fears commitment to the point breakfast is out of the question with any female. His only loves are his family and his small island town of Ocracoke. When he hears that Hart International has purchased the old hotel next door his only thought is to run them out of town.
Leilani buries herself in her work trying to please the parent that ignores her. She is desperate to please her father the CEO of Hart International. She takes over the makeover of an old hotel on the small island town of Ocracoke without her dad’s permission. When her father finds out he gives her outrageous expectations.
The little town that Taylor loves fears what will happen to the hotel and their town. The town leaders have a solution – put the person that keeps crossing paths with Leilani as her in a position to influence her decisions. How can Taylor protect his heart if he has to be in constant contact with Leilani? How will Leilani be able to meet her father’s expectations with the constant distraction know as Taylor?
Taylor and Leilani’s journey to a Happily Ever After has lots of bumps. They have lots of silly rules that are impossible to keep. There are obstacles and surprises that can derail them, destroy them. Every obstacle had me falling harder for the story, devouring every word. I laughed. I cried. I happy danced. I had a few colorful words for a certain individual (okay I had more than a few). I thoroughly enjoyed The Mistakes I’ve Made. Even the tears were cleansing. For me this book has gone on the must read again and again list.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the chemistry between the main characters. There is a push and pull that they both try to hide but eventually they had to admit how much they are affected by one another. It was entertaining seeing them fall for each other.
An enjoyable quick, fun read that is kinda an enemies to lovers romance. It has a lot of heart and a really sweet love story. Both Leilani and Taylor have has hard childhoods. Taylor is determined to stop Leilani from changing the “historical” hotel but having a hard time for his intense attraction and instant chemistry. I enjoyed how they helped the other overcome pain that they have carried for years with new perspectives.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The Mistakes I’ve made is such a good book!
I enjoyed it from beginning to end! Taylor and Lani were so easy to fall in love with. I had so much fun getting to know them, learning about their pasts and their hopes for the future, and how they found in each other what they never expected to have and definitely weren’t looking for.
Their banter is hilarious, and the chemistry between them ignites a passion that pours out of the pages. You get to feel everything they do and as they fall for each other, you do too. And of course, there are quite a few angsty moments here and there that remind them of the difficulties they’ve been avoiding.
Funny and heartwarming.
I can’t begin to express how much I loved this book. I’d encourage you to read others in the series because they are written so well and they are a joy to read. Taylor,Dean’s younger brother, is running the family business and doing a fine job of it. Over the last ten years , after giving up going to college, he’s saved the business from going under numerous times. When the find out the hotel next door has been purchased by a huge hotel conglomerate out of Hawaii it sets the town in an uproar. Lani is tired of being ignored by her father so decides she going to redo their new hotel without her father’s knowledge. When Lani and Taylor first see each other it’s definitely lust at first site! Their banter is funny and sexually charged. A sweet and sexy romance! A must read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Taylor was the son that stayed home and took over the family business yeah he’s a little angry, avoids relationships like the plaque because they don’t hold up, he sees Leilani as an interloper and distrustful. There is an undeniable connection between the two but can Taylor put aside all of his animosity and grab hold of what is in front of him before it’s too late. Leilani has problems of her own and is trying to prove herself to her father. The town Is against her and so is Taylor what does a girl have to do to gain a little respect!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Lani, the daughter of a Hawaiian hotel magnate is an Interior Designer and wants to be promoted but is consistently ignored by her dad both professionally and personally. She gets wind of a small hotel for sale on the tiny island of Ocracoke, North Carolin and wants to buy it but her dad beats her to it. He agrees to give her six weeks to come up with a plan. Taylor, island resident is put in charge as town liaison and proceeds to give her history lessons about the island, introduce her to the locals. They make a pact to keep it professional. But, that doesn’t last. There’s deadlines, a topical storm heading towards the island, and it looks like Taylor pulls a fast one then doesn’t answer her calls. How will this convergence rectify itself?
An outstanding story and one I’m recommending. The characters, Lani and Taylor were perfect for one another in that enemies to lovers sort of way. The other characters on the island were entertaining and fun to get to know, especially Molly and her husband, Taylor’s brother and genius step-daughter, Lizzie. Just reading about the ambiance of the island, I want to spend my vacation there!
I know you will enjoy your time on this island
(Note: I am volunteering to leave a review of this ARC book.)
Mistakes we’ve made!
This is the fourth book in the By the Bay series and a first for me. Taylor and Leilani are oil and water that has a slow easy burn. If you like small town feel with broody and sarcastic men and the antagonizing women who love to frustrate them, this one’s for you.
Really enjoyed this story and look forward to picking up from the beginning to learn about the other characters woven into the story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A good enemies to lovers romance, set on Ocracoke Island. It’s hard to go wrong with a beachside romance anyway. This is about two people wanting to make their own path and stop living in the limelight, serving at the needs of their families.
Leilani was trying to prove herself to an absentee father and make her way up in her father’s hotel business. Taylor was trying to help keep his family’s tour business going and help after his older brothers accident. When an opportunity presents itself, Leilani charges ahead full speed expecting not problems. But then she runs into the bull Taylor and his grand plans to keep a hotel business chain from uprooting his community.
These two were good together after the initial confrontation. They were able to see past their mistakes and overcome past neglect and pain to see things from a totally different perspective.
Absolutely loved everything about this book! Taylor is Dean’s little brother. Leilani is a hotel heiress. When they meet, sparks fly. Taylor is going to stop her from changing the “historical” hotel. But his attraction to her stops him in his tracks. Can they meet in the middle and find their happily ever after?
The thing that I’ve learned about J.L. Berg’s storytelling since I was introduced to her stories is that each and every one has heart, has powerful emotions, and has lessons to be learned through the characters’ experiences and conflicts. There hasn’t been one that hasn’t resonated in some way with me due to the relatability of the story line or the realistic presentation of her characters’ concerns and/or problems, and in Berg’s newest release, The Mistakes I’ve Made, I’m, once again, struck by how her characters’ struggles speak to me and make me hope against hope that the hero and heroine will find a way through the maelstrom and come out of it changed in ways that allow them to move forward instead of focusing on the past.
Despite the fact that Leilani (Lani) Hart, a hotel heiress, and Taylor Sutherland,
a business man in the small island town of Ocracoke, North Carolina, seemed to have lived very different lives and don’t appear to share a common vision about what’s to be done with the renovation of Ocracoke’s only hotel, they do manage to find common ground as the story progresses, proving that attraction and chemistry can easily overshadow first impressions and preconceived notions.
It’s easy to understand what motivates Lani’s actions and what she hopes to gain by overseeing the hotel’s revamping, but what’s also clear is that her father has never truly seen her as anything other than someone beneath him, and I don’t see that changing despite her best efforts. Readers can’t help but feel for this lonely girl who just wants her father’s love and acceptance, and even though that doesn’t seem to be something that will happen, the fact that Lani finds a new path to take during her time in Ocracoke, we’re hopeful that the connection she seeks can be found in people who see her for the amazing woman that she’s always been.
Taylor may resent the fact that he was never able to leave his small hometown and adventure out on his own, but he’s made the best of it by being a successful businessman and quite the ladies’ man as well, and even though he sees Lani and her father’s company as an enemy of Ocracoke, when he’s chosen to keep an eye on the pretty interloper and be the go between to ensure that Hart International’s intentions meet the wants and needs of the townspeople, these two ‘enemies’ become friends and soon give into the sexual tension that has surrounded them since Lani set foot on the small town island.
The title itself also lends to symbolic meanings, but even after finishing the text, I’m still not quite sure whose mistakes are in question and who deserves the forgiveness that could be obtained…but perhaps that Berg’s intention, which means that all readers are on point in their assessment of who’s to learn and who’s to forgive.
4.5 Poison Apples
Oh my gawd!!! I love Taylor and Lani!!! This couple just made me happy!
Taylor’s plans for life were derailed years ago when he needed to step up, become an adult, and help his family. And he has done just that. When his brother Dean was emotionally absent, Taylor carried on the family business.
His love for his family, friends and their small island town have kept him content. However, when others encourage him to find love he knows that that will never happen as love tends to disappear all too quickly.
In an effort to gain her father’s attention, admiration and acknowledgement, Lani sets out to renovate the small motel his company owns.
Located in the Outer Banks, her plans might include razing the building to the ground and starting over. Unfortunately, the citizens and business owners are not happy about it and the ring leader is none other than the hunky fisherman next door.
This was a wonderfully entertaining enemies to lovers story! Taylor was just so perfect in his attitude toward life despite his own disappointments. When he meets Lani for the first time he moves full force ahead until he learns who she is. Lani knows exactly who all the players are and she’s determined to ignore Taylor at all costs. When her father gives her an ultimatum, she is forced into Taylor’s company where she learns that history can be quite thrilling when accompanied with passionate kisses that break all the rules.
I loved how this couple’s relationship developed with anger, then laughter followed by plenty of steam and chemistry. Taylor and Lani complimented one another even as sparks flew each time they were together. The relationship drama was low angst which helped to showcase the amazing personalities of these characters. I absolutely loved Taylor’s sense of humor and how it brought out the best in Lani, who had lived a lifetime of loneliness. I usually don’t put a lot of weight on the heroine as it’s all about the hero for me. However, Lani was just too wonderful in all her actions and reactions to do anything but fall in love with her. She has definitely made it onto the top of my favorite heroine list, which include only two others.
This is a well-paced book that never bogs down and yet includes so many interesting facts about Ocracoke. The secondary characters are just as amazing as the hero and heroine without consuming the story. I adored Piper, Lani’s best friend, and I’d do almost anything for her story! The heat level is so freaking hot the steam from my kindle may have burned my fingerprints away. I wasn’t setting this little pretty down for anything, third degree burns be danged!
Overall, this is the best book in the series, although I’ve said that about each book. I dare you to find a couple that will make your heart sing more than Lani and Taylor.
Good golly! Y’all I can’t express how much fun I had while reading The Mistakes I’ve Made. It’s my new favorite of this excellent By the Bay series!
Seriously, I enjoyed this book so damn much. From Lani’s antics with her BFF, Piper, her determination to prove herself to her father and to herself, to her crazy, sexy, fun interactions with Taylor, I couldn’t put it down until I read the last word.
At times I found myself cringing, laughing and stupefied all at the same time because I just couldn’t believe what I was reading on the page. Taylor and Lani’s relationship went from zero to 60 and it was such a fun and sexy ride! They’re the perfect balance to each other. I love how their relationship developed—that they both wanted to hold onto what they built in the five weeks Lani was on the island.
The Mistakes I’ve Made is a fun, smart, flirty, sexy, heartwarming read. A classic enemies-to-lovers that’s perfectly balanced and fantastic addition to the series. I loved catching up with Jake and Molly, Dean and Cora and Millie and Aiden too!! And holy crap, the preview for Cam’s story *fans self*–I cannot wait!
This was another great read by J.L. Berg. I can’t get enough of this series. They just keep getting better and better.
Taylor and Lani are supposed to be enemies. But they can’t seem to stay away from each other. And when the town forces them to work together. Things are about to get interesting.
I loved the intensity between Taylor and Lani and the flirty banter. This was also an emotional read and hit a little home for me. I could relate to Lani in a way. And my heart just hurt for her. One of my favorites in the series.
This 4 star story was a nice read and refreshing. Once I started I had to see it through.
Taylor is an island native who along with the others are having a difficult time with changes. The hotel as been sold to a big hotel chain. Leilani is the daughter of the one who owns that chain. Everyday she tries to prove herself to her father but it’s like she’s invisible. She will take matters into her own hands. Taylor as been appointed to watch her.
It was a light on the heart kind of story, for sure there were some heartfelt moments. There was some funny bantering between those two. Beautifully written with a storyline that flowed well. I would have like to see more twist and turns that tend to keep me addicted. Bottomline it’s a great story.
This is book 4 By The Bay series. I think it’s safe to say that it can be read as a standalone . But for better enjoyment they should be read in order. Told in a dual POV with HEA. I recommend this story.
Let me start off by saying that I have not read the first 3 books in the series. Had I read the others in the series I may have been able to understand the relationships and such a bit more. Even having not read the rest of the books, I did enjoy this book very much and plan to go back and read the others.
The story is so well written I could picture the surroundings and understand the emotions that come off each page.
This book to me is more than just about the enemies to lovers relationship between Taylor and Lani. It was about family dynamics and just what each person was willing to do or willing to sacrifice for the family. Emotional and well written. A must have for any true fan of enemies to lovers romance genre.
5 STAR Review by Jodi for Ruby Red Romance Review
I loved everything about this book. J.L. Berg did an amazing job with this story. It can be read as a standalone as I did. I did feel like I was missing parts, but the story was easy to follow and very well written.
Taylor has always followed in his brothers shadow. Needing to be there for his family he steps up when needed and takes over the family business. At his family’s urging, Taylor ventures out to find the one. Lani is trying to prove a point to her father, that she is ready to take over. These two start out hating each other, but once they see that they have the same goals, that turns. It’s amazing to watch the transition. And the chemistry between these two was undeniable.
This book was great and everything I was hoping it would be. Please check it out.
I’ve read every book in this series, and this is one of my highly anticipated reads! I feel so lucky to be given the privilege to read it before it’s release! So, thank you.
Though this is a standalone, its best if you read the first 3 books to know the recurring characters and to understand the series better.
So you’ve read the blurb… This story is about Taylor and Leilani. Taylor is Dean’s younger brother and Leilani is an out-of-towner, tasked to oversee the revamp of the one and only, old and rickety hotel in the island of Ocracoke, NC.
Now I don’t have any idea how it is to live in an island like Ocracoke, but from what I’ve gathered, everybody treats everybody like family—it’s intimate and protective. We couldn’t blame the townsfolk for the resistance and the apprehension they felt towards an outsider who’s looking to overhaul one of the town’s landmark… and so Taylor Sutherland, prominent business owner and perpetual ladies man, was the one who was tasked to be the conduit between Leilani Hart of Hart Hotels and the whole island.
Two opposites… both strong-willed… both have individual unresolved personal issues… But you know what they say about finding love when you least you expect it. It’s definitely a bumpy ride for these two.
This is a story about believing in yourself… about taking risks and trusting not only your gut, but also your heart.
This book is definitely a must-read! Get your copy now!
* A review copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review *
The Mistakes I’ve Made is another great addition to the By the Bay Series by J.L. Berg.
This book wasn’t as emotional for me as the others in the series, but it did still have some of my emotions flared up. I did like how this story flowed seamlessly into this series and kind of took off where the others have finished.
Each of these books are standalone novels, but this is a series that I would recommend reading in order. I think you will get a better feel for this small town and the characters we meet along the way if they are read in order. As with the others, this book is told in Dual POV. I thought the pace and flow of this story worked well for the characters. This is an enemies to lovers story. I did find this story to be quite steamy, angsty and at times kind of funny. I did like the back and forth between Taylor and Leilani (Lani).
In this story we follow Taylor and Leilani. If you have read the other books in this series then you have already met Taylor. He is Dean’s (Book 2) younger brother. He is co-owner and operates his family’s fishing business. Taylor was born and raised in Ocracoke, so he has strong feelings and ties to the small town. So when Leilani Hart comes into town, things get kind of heated. Lani is the daughter to a big hotel mogul, who has recently purchased the run down hotel in Ocracoke. Lani is determined to prove to her father that she is the right person to refurbish this hotel and to take over his company later on. Can these two find a common ground? Will they be able to get their HEA?? What happens when trust is put to the test, will they come out on the right side?? Read this book to find out the answers to these questions and more.
I again enjoyed that we get to see some familiar faces in this story. I loved that Molly and Millie played quite an important role in this story. Each for their own reason.
I would 100% recommend this book to everyone who likes an enemies to lovers romance. If you are a fan of JL Berg’s books then you don’t want to miss out on this series. I look forward to the next book in this series to come out.