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Story Lake #2
Mistakes Were Made
He's looking for the perfect wife. She's looking for the perfect one-night stand.
Literary agent Zoey Moody doesn't like small town life, but here she is: exiled from Manhattan's publishing scene and trapped in a tiny Pennsylvania town with her BFF and only remaining client, Hazel. The problem? She's totally broke.
All she needs is for Hazel's next romance novel to become a gigantic hit, and Zoey will be back in New York. Nothing will stand in her way. Nothing except her six-foot-two-inch landlord, Gage Bishop. He's smart, serious, and sexy. Worst of all, he's ready to settle down.
Zoey might be the most beautiful woman Gage has ever met, but it's clear they're all wrong for each other. She's allergic to commitment and can't work a calendar app; he's looking for a wife and has the next five years all planned out. She's afraid of animals. He lives in a literal barn. But when Gage's world is rocked by a devastating family secret, he turns to Zoey for one night to forget everything. That one night just might change everything…or ruin it.
Literary agent Zoey Moody doesn't like small town life, but here she is: exiled from Manhattan's publishing scene and trapped in a tiny Pennsylvania town with her BFF and only remaining client, Hazel. The problem? She's totally broke.
All she needs is for Hazel's next romance novel to become a gigantic hit, and Zoey will be back in New York. Nothing will stand in her way. Nothing except her six-foot-two-inch landlord, Gage Bishop. He's smart, serious, and sexy. Worst of all, he's ready to settle down.
Zoey might be the most beautiful woman Gage has ever met, but it's clear they're all wrong for each other. She's allergic to commitment and can't work a calendar app; he's looking for a wife and has the next five years all planned out. She's afraid of animals. He lives in a literal barn. But when Gage's world is rocked by a devastating family secret, he turns to Zoey for one night to forget everything. That one night just might change everything…or ruin it.
549 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 10, 2026
12731 people are currently reading
74219 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Score
67 books62.1k followersLucy Score is an instant #1 New York Times bestselling author. She grew up in a literary family who insisted that the dinner table was for reading and earned a degree in journalism.
She writes full-time from the Pennsylvania home she shares with Mr. Lucy. When not spending hours crafting heartbreaker heroes and kick-ass heroines, Lucy can be found on the couch, in the kitchen, or at the gym.
She hopes to someday write from a sailboat, oceanfront condo, or tropical island with reliable Wi-Fi.
Sign up for her never annoying newsletter at https://www.lucyscore.net/subscribe-l....
She writes full-time from the Pennsylvania home she shares with Mr. Lucy. When not spending hours crafting heartbreaker heroes and kick-ass heroines, Lucy can be found on the couch, in the kitchen, or at the gym.
She hopes to someday write from a sailboat, oceanfront condo, or tropical island with reliable Wi-Fi.
Sign up for her never annoying newsletter at https://www.lucyscore.net/subscribe-l....
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anticipated-books
October 12, 2025⩥it will be ZOEY and GAGE🤸♀️🤸♀️🤸♀️🤸♀️🤸♀️
⩥I could not wait a whole year for ZOEY and LEVI ,I need the book right now😭.
⩥I could not wait a whole year for
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Mistakes Were Made is another small town romance set in the over the top quirky fictional town of Story Lake. The book picks up with the story of another bishop Brother (Gage) and Zoey (Hazel's agent and BFF) . Gage is the very straight laced, organized, everything done the right way town lawyer who lives near his family in a barn while also working at the family business as a part time contractor. Zoey is presented as a complete opposite, fearful of animals, not near as close of a family, and basically a chaotic unorganized disaster.
Like most Lucy Score books this one is a big ol' book to get through. There are a lot of side characters and cast "extras" in order to lean into the quirky small town vibe in the story or to provide evidence of a backstory, but honestly some of it could have been cut to tighten up the rest of the story and make it a little more readable. Some characters feel like they are just there to meet a word count. On a positive note though, the cast of many is clearly written to be as inclusive as possible.
Zoey's internal thoughts offer a very clear insight into why she is how she is and how she feels about it including the pressure that comes with being the type of person everyone sees as chaotic. However, there is also a lot overdoing on the chaos in order to make a point and it can come really close to the line of being stereotypical. Gage is really a loveable golden retriever who is ultra organized to the point of being darn near perfection kind of leading man, until he isn't. Almost enough to make the reader question themselves if they really want to root for them to work out. For all of the fleshing out of the town characters and Zoey's history, Gage's reactions to things don't quite match up to his characters history. Perhaps if there was more detailed backstory in to his perfection instead of other random places it would have been an easier pill to swallow. However, as the title says Mistakes Were Made, and sometimes you have to move past them because life isn't perfect. One thing is for certain, the Bishop family as a whole makes for an excellent cast of characters and I'm excited to see Levy's story.
Overall, if you like Lucy Score you will like this book as well. If you're looking for the very quirky small town romance, with a heavy emphasis on the town setting, you will love this series.
*This review was given after receipt of an ARC via the publisher through NetGalley.
Like most Lucy Score books this one is a big ol' book to get through. There are a lot of side characters and cast "extras" in order to lean into the quirky small town vibe in the story or to provide evidence of a backstory, but honestly some of it could have been cut to tighten up the rest of the story and make it a little more readable. Some characters feel like they are just there to meet a word count. On a positive note though, the cast of many is clearly written to be as inclusive as possible.
Zoey's internal thoughts offer a very clear insight into why she is how she is and how she feels about it including the pressure that comes with being the type of person everyone sees as chaotic. However, there is also a lot overdoing on the chaos in order to make a point and it can come really close to the line of being stereotypical. Gage is really a loveable golden retriever who is ultra organized to the point of being darn near perfection kind of leading man, until he isn't. Almost enough to make the reader question themselves if they really want to root for them to work out. For all of the fleshing out of the town characters and Zoey's history, Gage's reactions to things don't quite match up to his characters history. Perhaps if there was more detailed backstory in to his perfection instead of other random places it would have been an easier pill to swallow. However, as the title says Mistakes Were Made, and sometimes you have to move past them because life isn't perfect. One thing is for certain, the Bishop family as a whole makes for an excellent cast of characters and I'm excited to see Levy's story.
Overall, if you like Lucy Score you will like this book as well. If you're looking for the very quirky small town romance, with a heavy emphasis on the town setting, you will love this series.
*This review was given after receipt of an ARC via the publisher through NetGalley.
March 15, 2026
I was lucky enough to get an early copy of this book, don’t be too jealous!
Breathless!
Gage Bishop. Sigh. The swooniest hero ever written. A good man, an attorney, a construction contractor, a loyal son and brother. And so taken with the manic pixie Zoey, he falls off a roof the first time he sees her.
Zoey Moody. A big picture kind of woman with a heart as big as the ocean. Now if she could only remember where she put her car keys. Seemingly erratic, absentminded, flighty. Ahhh, but things are not as they appear with our fair literary agent heroine.
Gage has planned and organized every aspect of his life into neat little boxes, Zoey…not so much. And that’s what creates magic. You will be stunned breathless by the way Gage loves Zoey. I’ve never read anything like it and never wanted this book to end!
Story Lake once again takes a leading role in bringing a happily ever after to our new favorite couple, as well as a new side character that you will stand up and cheer for! Our old friend Goose also plays prominently in the Grand Gesture, which is as it should be! This whole book is perfect, and I couldn’t put it down! Big feelings, big belly laughs, maybe a big gulping sob or two.
Lucy Score is a sorceress who can plug directly into your heartstrings.
Breathless!
Gage Bishop. Sigh. The swooniest hero ever written. A good man, an attorney, a construction contractor, a loyal son and brother. And so taken with the manic pixie Zoey, he falls off a roof the first time he sees her.
Zoey Moody. A big picture kind of woman with a heart as big as the ocean. Now if she could only remember where she put her car keys. Seemingly erratic, absentminded, flighty. Ahhh, but things are not as they appear with our fair literary agent heroine.
Gage has planned and organized every aspect of his life into neat little boxes, Zoey…not so much. And that’s what creates magic. You will be stunned breathless by the way Gage loves Zoey. I’ve never read anything like it and never wanted this book to end!
Story Lake once again takes a leading role in bringing a happily ever after to our new favorite couple, as well as a new side character that you will stand up and cheer for! Our old friend Goose also plays prominently in the Grand Gesture, which is as it should be! This whole book is perfect, and I couldn’t put it down! Big feelings, big belly laughs, maybe a big gulping sob or two.
Lucy Score is a sorceress who can plug directly into your heartstrings.
March 13, 2026
Do you hear that? That’s me clapping 👏👏👏👏👏. That’s me giving a STANDING OVATION to this masterpiece. Absolute masterpiece. The first book in this series was great! But this? I don’t even know if I can explain to you HOW GOOD THIS BOOK is! You laugh, you get mad (good redemption mad), you get oh so happy and you swoon.
Do you love animals? All the freaking animals? Well I do! 🙋🏼♀️ And this book has them all! They’re funny and cute and omg. I have a donkey 🫏 (name’s Coco) and I looooove him. They are the funniest and sweetest big dogs ever and they will chase you all while heehaawwing their hearts out. I grew up on a farm and can’t imagine having it any other way. Those animals notch a permanent spot in your hearts and the ones in this book will too! You have Goose, the eagle 🦅, Bertha the raccoon 🦝, Nana and Meetcute, omg to DIE for and you have Pepe. The cutest miniature donkey ever written 🫏!
Lucy Score has a way of writing these small towns that make me literally want to live in them. And after reading this book I now want to go find a small town just like Story Lake that has a town eagle that’s actually the town’s best matchmaker 😂!
You also have a major ADHD rep in this book and it’s awesome! I grew up with an ADHD mom and I’m married to an ADHD man and let me tell you, it was actually super entertaining watching Zoey have all the things that used to confuse me growing up. It’s actually why I’m so organized and so good at planning ahead because a mom and husband with ADHD is absolute CHAOS 😂. Never a dull moment. This is the best ADHD rep I’ve ever read in a book.
Zoey and Gage are one helluva couple as well. Their story and the town happenings are all just so interesting and fun. I don’t want to go into too much detail and spoil it but PLEASE. Just read this book. I never implore anyone to read the books I love. I only implore people to read the books that floored me and this one did.
TROPES ✨
🏡 Small Town Romance
🧲 Opposites Attract
🤏🏼 Forced Proximity
🫂 Found Family
🦸🏻♂️ Hero / Rescuer
♾️ Neurodivergent Heroine
THANK YOU to Lucy Score for writing yet another AMAZING series that I want to read again and again and THANK YOU to Hambright PR for gifting me the opportunity of reading this book in exchange for my honest review!
Do you love animals? All the freaking animals? Well I do! 🙋🏼♀️ And this book has them all! They’re funny and cute and omg. I have a donkey 🫏 (name’s Coco) and I looooove him. They are the funniest and sweetest big dogs ever and they will chase you all while heehaawwing their hearts out. I grew up on a farm and can’t imagine having it any other way. Those animals notch a permanent spot in your hearts and the ones in this book will too! You have Goose, the eagle 🦅, Bertha the raccoon 🦝, Nana and Meetcute, omg to DIE for and you have Pepe. The cutest miniature donkey ever written 🫏!
Lucy Score has a way of writing these small towns that make me literally want to live in them. And after reading this book I now want to go find a small town just like Story Lake that has a town eagle that’s actually the town’s best matchmaker 😂!
You also have a major ADHD rep in this book and it’s awesome! I grew up with an ADHD mom and I’m married to an ADHD man and let me tell you, it was actually super entertaining watching Zoey have all the things that used to confuse me growing up. It’s actually why I’m so organized and so good at planning ahead because a mom and husband with ADHD is absolute CHAOS 😂. Never a dull moment. This is the best ADHD rep I’ve ever read in a book.
Zoey and Gage are one helluva couple as well. Their story and the town happenings are all just so interesting and fun. I don’t want to go into too much detail and spoil it but PLEASE. Just read this book. I never implore anyone to read the books I love. I only implore people to read the books that floored me and this one did.
TROPES ✨
🏡 Small Town Romance
🧲 Opposites Attract
🤏🏼 Forced Proximity
🫂 Found Family
🦸🏻♂️ Hero / Rescuer
♾️ Neurodivergent Heroine
THANK YOU to Lucy Score for writing yet another AMAZING series that I want to read again and again and THANK YOU to Hambright PR for gifting me the opportunity of reading this book in exchange for my honest review!
March 14, 2026
4.5⭐️ Rounded up on Goodreads
Let me start by saying I haven’t read book 1 in this series yet, but was thrilled to read the ARC / listen to the ALC of this one- because… Lucy Score- duh! And let me tell you how fast I’m running to go back and read book 1.
Mistakes Were Made was that good. This book is a gift to us rom-com lovers. The literary references, the FMC / MMC chemistry and banter, the small town vibes, the supporting characters, and crazy animals - I loved it all.
Synopsis: Gage is looking for a wife. Zoey is looking for a perfect one night stand. These two opposites definitely attract when they’re thrown together in Story Lake. Can a fun and flirty one night stand turn into something more?
Thank you Hambright PR for the gifted arc and alc.
Let me start by saying I haven’t read book 1 in this series yet, but was thrilled to read the ARC / listen to the ALC of this one- because… Lucy Score- duh! And let me tell you how fast I’m running to go back and read book 1.
Mistakes Were Made was that good. This book is a gift to us rom-com lovers. The literary references, the FMC / MMC chemistry and banter, the small town vibes, the supporting characters, and crazy animals - I loved it all.
Synopsis: Gage is looking for a wife. Zoey is looking for a perfect one night stand. These two opposites definitely attract when they’re thrown together in Story Lake. Can a fun and flirty one night stand turn into something more?
Thank you Hambright PR for the gifted arc and alc.
unreleased
April 24, 2025MARCH TWENTY TWENTY SIX ??????😭
March 15, 2026
Rating: 4,5 ⭐
Tropes: Small town, strong female friendships, ADHD, book about books, grief
I loved it! It was exactly what I needed. A really good rom-com.
Zoey is a total whirlwind, dynamic, funny, talkative, and completely unfiltered.
Gage is the “good” Bishop brother with everyone… except her because she’s the one person who constantly gets on his nerves.
Their flirting was so fun to read, the spice 🔥 was great, and all of their scenes had the perfect mix of humor and tenderness.
This book also highlights the importance of community and the dynamics of a close-knit family. Honestly, I wish I could be sitting in a corner during their family meetings 🤣 and in their group chat (yes, even the parents were in it 🤣). I was even jealous of their bingo group 🤣
A book I didn’t want to end and a heroine who officially made it onto my list of favorites, because she made me laugh so many times and I related to her just as much.
+1 for the audiobook. It was really, really good!
Tropes: Small town, strong female friendships, ADHD, book about books, grief
I loved it! It was exactly what I needed. A really good rom-com.
Zoey is a total whirlwind, dynamic, funny, talkative, and completely unfiltered.
Gage is the “good” Bishop brother with everyone… except her because she’s the one person who constantly gets on his nerves.
Their flirting was so fun to read, the spice 🔥 was great, and all of their scenes had the perfect mix of humor and tenderness.
This book also highlights the importance of community and the dynamics of a close-knit family. Honestly, I wish I could be sitting in a corner during their family meetings 🤣 and in their group chat (yes, even the parents were in it 🤣). I was even jealous of their bingo group 🤣
A book I didn’t want to end and a heroine who officially made it onto my list of favorites, because she made me laugh so many times and I related to her just as much.
+1 for the audiobook. It was really, really good!
March 12, 2026
4.5🌟, 3🌶️
This book gave me laughs, swoons, and all the cozy small town vibes I was hoping for.
The setting and the quirky cast of characters pulled me in right away, and the chaotic town moments made the whole story so much fun to read. I read part of this while listening to the audiobook, and it honestly made the experience even better. I caught myself laughing out loud more than once.
Zoey and Gage are complete opposites, which makes their dynamic so entertaining. Gage is steady, responsible, and very much by the book, while Zoey is witty, chaotic, and determined to keep relationships off the table. Their banter is hilarious, but there is also real emotion beneath it. I especially loved seeing Zoey navigate her ADHD diagnosis and the ways she has always felt misunderstood. Watching Gage truly see her and support her added so much heart to their story.
Between the swoony romance, the over the top small town chaos, and all the animal antics, this book was such a fun ride. The audiobook narration brought so much personality to the characters and really elevated both the humor and the emotional moments.
I had such a great time with this story from beginning to end.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Lucy Score & Hambright PR for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
This book gave me laughs, swoons, and all the cozy small town vibes I was hoping for.
The setting and the quirky cast of characters pulled me in right away, and the chaotic town moments made the whole story so much fun to read. I read part of this while listening to the audiobook, and it honestly made the experience even better. I caught myself laughing out loud more than once.
Zoey and Gage are complete opposites, which makes their dynamic so entertaining. Gage is steady, responsible, and very much by the book, while Zoey is witty, chaotic, and determined to keep relationships off the table. Their banter is hilarious, but there is also real emotion beneath it. I especially loved seeing Zoey navigate her ADHD diagnosis and the ways she has always felt misunderstood. Watching Gage truly see her and support her added so much heart to their story.
Between the swoony romance, the over the top small town chaos, and all the animal antics, this book was such a fun ride. The audiobook narration brought so much personality to the characters and really elevated both the humor and the emotional moments.
I had such a great time with this story from beginning to end.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Lucy Score & Hambright PR for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
March 10, 2026
Mistakes were made is my first book by Lucy Score and I'm already hooked to her game. So much so that I bought two more books by her before I even finished this one.
I was really pacing myself here because I didn't want this book to end, everything just worked for me so much. Small town, cute animals, quirky characters, big loving family, opposites attract. Man, I was lapping this shit up. And I absolutely adored our FMC - Zoey. She was so easy to love and root for, her chaotic energy was just so fun. The MMC though!
Gage Bishop might present as a "good guy with a heart of gold, " but the man fucked like a villain.
I don't know Lucy Score but everything about this book felt like Lucy Score knows me alarmingly well because she crafted a rom-com aimed specifically at me. Bravo!
Thank you Hambright PR and Lucy Score for this early copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Over and out
I was really pacing myself here because I didn't want this book to end, everything just worked for me so much. Small town, cute animals, quirky characters, big loving family, opposites attract. Man, I was lapping this shit up. And I absolutely adored our FMC - Zoey. She was so easy to love and root for, her chaotic energy was just so fun. The MMC though!
Gage Bishop might present as a "good guy with a heart of gold, " but the man fucked like a villain.
I don't know Lucy Score but everything about this book felt like Lucy Score knows me alarmingly well because she crafted a rom-com aimed specifically at me. Bravo!
Thank you Hambright PR and Lucy Score for this early copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Over and out
Did not finish
March 15, 2026dnf @ 65%
i think people who enjoy kdrama will love this book. the characters go on alot of side quests and there is a lot of family drama to the point it got annoying. its safe to say this was not for me
i think people who enjoy kdrama will love this book. the characters go on alot of side quests and there is a lot of family drama to the point it got annoying. its safe to say this was not for me
March 10, 2026
(4.5 stars)
Thank you to Hambright PR for the opportunity to read and listen to an advance copy of Mistakes Were Made by Lucy Score. It’s the second book in the Story Lake series but I feel it can be read as a standalone.
It was so great to be back in Story Lake, Pennsylvania! It’s a town full of quirky characters and I found myself smiling and laughing while I read or listened. It’s on the long side, but somehow it didn’t feel long. The romance is top-notch with two imperfect characters finding their way to each other and a HEA. Opposites Attract fans will love this story.
Zoe is a terrific FMC. She’s totally scatterbrained but very creative and loyal. It turns out that she’s an adult who was never diagnosed with ADHD and that diagnosis made total sense to her - and to this reader. I was rooting for her through the whole book (especially after meeting her awful parents!). She’s a literary agent with only one client at the start of the book, her best friend Hazel, which is why she’s in Story Lake instead of Manhattan in the first place. Gage, the MMC, is both a small town lawyer and contractor (with his brothers). His family is delightful - and I’m hoping for another book in this series to see if Levi can find his HEA, now that Cam and Gage are spoken for. And maybe their sister Laura might find a second chance at happiness? Who knows what Lucy Score may have up her sleeve.
There’s excellent representation of ADHD, adoption and disability, as Laura is now confined to a wheelchair, after being hit by a car while out running.
Animal lovers will get a real kick out of all the animals in this book! And there’s a grumpy but talented senior citizen, Opal, who I also fell in love with.
NOTE: There are quite a few very steamy scenes. Also be aware that there’s a fair amount of cursing, if that bothers you. And some discussion of infertility.
I loved the audio version, which features two narrators, Lila Winters and Sebastian York, both of whom also narrated the first book in the series, Story Of My Life.
Thank you to Hambright PR for the opportunity to read and listen to an advance copy of Mistakes Were Made by Lucy Score. It’s the second book in the Story Lake series but I feel it can be read as a standalone.
It was so great to be back in Story Lake, Pennsylvania! It’s a town full of quirky characters and I found myself smiling and laughing while I read or listened. It’s on the long side, but somehow it didn’t feel long. The romance is top-notch with two imperfect characters finding their way to each other and a HEA. Opposites Attract fans will love this story.
Zoe is a terrific FMC. She’s totally scatterbrained but very creative and loyal. It turns out that she’s an adult who was never diagnosed with ADHD and that diagnosis made total sense to her - and to this reader. I was rooting for her through the whole book (especially after meeting her awful parents!). She’s a literary agent with only one client at the start of the book, her best friend Hazel, which is why she’s in Story Lake instead of Manhattan in the first place. Gage, the MMC, is both a small town lawyer and contractor (with his brothers). His family is delightful - and I’m hoping for another book in this series to see if Levi can find his HEA, now that Cam and Gage are spoken for. And maybe their sister Laura might find a second chance at happiness? Who knows what Lucy Score may have up her sleeve.
There’s excellent representation of ADHD, adoption and disability, as Laura is now confined to a wheelchair, after being hit by a car while out running.
Animal lovers will get a real kick out of all the animals in this book! And there’s a grumpy but talented senior citizen, Opal, who I also fell in love with.
NOTE: There are quite a few very steamy scenes. Also be aware that there’s a fair amount of cursing, if that bothers you. And some discussion of infertility.
I loved the audio version, which features two narrators, Lila Winters and Sebastian York, both of whom also narrated the first book in the series, Story Of My Life.
March 17, 2026
4.5 stars. Many thanks to Bloom Books! {Story Lake series - book 2} A not-to-be-missed hilarious and sexy neurodivergent love story that follows main characters Zoey and Gage.. plus it has the most adorable animals I fell head over heels for!
I really enjoyed the small town vibes.. the setting, Story Lake (home to Gage).. and that Zoey + Gage could not have been more different if they’d tried! It was great to see that this has ADHD rep with Zoey being her own wonderful, chaotic + energetic self that I rooted for throughout the book. And how entertaining between the delightful banter and swoon-worthy chemistry that Zoey + Gage find themselves entangled in not only a new romance, but in a town full of beloved quirky characters.
Lucy Score has enchanted me not only with this unputdownable tale but with my favorite tropes of forced proximity, found family, and opposites attract. I really enjoyed this fun romance, my first by this author and will continue to read more starting with book 1. ❥ Pub. 3/10/26
I really enjoyed the small town vibes.. the setting, Story Lake (home to Gage).. and that Zoey + Gage could not have been more different if they’d tried! It was great to see that this has ADHD rep with Zoey being her own wonderful, chaotic + energetic self that I rooted for throughout the book. And how entertaining between the delightful banter and swoon-worthy chemistry that Zoey + Gage find themselves entangled in not only a new romance, but in a town full of beloved quirky characters.
Lucy Score has enchanted me not only with this unputdownable tale but with my favorite tropes of forced proximity, found family, and opposites attract. I really enjoyed this fun romance, my first by this author and will continue to read more starting with book 1. ❥ Pub. 3/10/26
March 7, 2026
Oh my gosh, I absolutely loved this book! I could not stop reading it! This book is hilarious and heartfelt with amazing banter. My fave book of this series!
Thank you to Hambright PR and the author for the ALC of this book to read/listen to and review.
The FMC, Zoey, is funny, strong, resourceful, and easily distracted. She is best friends/book agent of Hazel, the FMC from book 1, Story of My Life. Zoey is not looking for a relationship, but open to casual hookups. Enter Gage Bishop, gorgeous attorney/contractor/landlord, who is up to the challenge of Zoey, but looking to settle down and find a wife. Their opposites attract/reluctant romance is really well done!
I enjoyed the found family aspect of the town and the Bishop family. Lots of quirky, lovable people who throw baked potatoes when angry and will fight to defend their town.
This book had the same lovable animal companions as book 1 (Goose and Bertha - some of the funniest characters in the book) plus the addition of several new animals including a love struck mini donkey, and a dopey golden retriever named Nana (named after an Arrested Development reference, which was an amazing show!).
The plot was medium paced throughout, and held my attention the entire time.
The world building of the story expanded from book 1 to show more parts of the town, explain some legal aspects, and showed nuances of the book publishing process.
There is spice in this book, 🌶️🌶️🌶️
This book covers themes of grief and loss, the power of forgiveness, emotional child abuse, spousal abuse, and infertility.
I liked the discussion of adult diagnosed ADHD in women. This representation of neurodivergence is refreshing and important.
Overall, I loved this book and series and definitely recommend!
Thank you to Hambright PR and the author for the ALC of this book to read/listen to and review.
The FMC, Zoey, is funny, strong, resourceful, and easily distracted. She is best friends/book agent of Hazel, the FMC from book 1, Story of My Life. Zoey is not looking for a relationship, but open to casual hookups. Enter Gage Bishop, gorgeous attorney/contractor/landlord, who is up to the challenge of Zoey, but looking to settle down and find a wife. Their opposites attract/reluctant romance is really well done!
I enjoyed the found family aspect of the town and the Bishop family. Lots of quirky, lovable people who throw baked potatoes when angry and will fight to defend their town.
This book had the same lovable animal companions as book 1 (Goose and Bertha - some of the funniest characters in the book) plus the addition of several new animals including a love struck mini donkey, and a dopey golden retriever named Nana (named after an Arrested Development reference, which was an amazing show!).
The plot was medium paced throughout, and held my attention the entire time.
The world building of the story expanded from book 1 to show more parts of the town, explain some legal aspects, and showed nuances of the book publishing process.
There is spice in this book, 🌶️🌶️🌶️
This book covers themes of grief and loss, the power of forgiveness, emotional child abuse, spousal abuse, and infertility.
I liked the discussion of adult diagnosed ADHD in women. This representation of neurodivergence is refreshing and important.
Overall, I loved this book and series and definitely recommend!
March 10, 2026
Mistakes Were Made was such a fun return to Story Lake. Zoey and Gage are complete opposites. She’s chaotic, impulsive, and commitment-averse while he’s structured, dependable, and very ready for forever. Their opposites attract dynamic made for some great banter too.
I loved the small-town setting, found-family vibes, and reluctant romance that slowly builds between them. Ps. (the mini donkey alone deserves a fan club).
Zoey’s ADHD representation also felt really authentic, which made her character even more relatable.
Overall this was cozy, funny, and full of heart and is exactly the kind of small-town romance I love picking up when I want something that will make me smile.
Thank you to Hambright PR for the ARC and ALC.
I loved the small-town setting, found-family vibes, and reluctant romance that slowly builds between them. Ps. (the mini donkey alone deserves a fan club).
Zoey’s ADHD representation also felt really authentic, which made her character even more relatable.
Overall this was cozy, funny, and full of heart and is exactly the kind of small-town romance I love picking up when I want something that will make me smile.
Thank you to Hambright PR for the ARC and ALC.
March 19, 2026
3.75🌟
Honestly so much fun! Enjoying this series a surprising amount so far. When Lucy Score gets the quirky vibe right it makes for a great story and that’s exactly what she did with this book and the previous. Zoey and Gage were very cute and all the animal side characters are adorable.
Honestly so much fun! Enjoying this series a surprising amount so far. When Lucy Score gets the quirky vibe right it makes for a great story and that’s exactly what she did with this book and the previous. Zoey and Gage were very cute and all the animal side characters are adorable.
March 12, 2026
Mistakes Were Made was everything you would expect from a Lucy Score book. There is yearning, silly humor, and lovable side characters. The third act break up kinda ruined it for me though. Gage said some really awful things and I don’t think he should have been forgiven.
There were also a few things that took me out of the book:
- when all the brothers are together the cursing is over the top. Like 1-3 “fucks” in each quote. When the brothers aren’t together they talk like normal people. But their interactions read like 13 year old boys
- I don’t think the neurodivergence was portrayed well. It made me feel like the MMC was “saving “ her and that there was something wrong with her.
- the overuse of talking about book tropes - I get the characters are involved in publishing romance books but it was too much
- I kept catching myself skimming because I wasn’t fully invested in the story.
I do understand why people would love this book, but it just isn’t for me.
Thank you to Hambright PR for a copy of this ARC.
There were also a few things that took me out of the book:
- when all the brothers are together the cursing is over the top. Like 1-3 “fucks” in each quote. When the brothers aren’t together they talk like normal people. But their interactions read like 13 year old boys
- I don’t think the neurodivergence was portrayed well. It made me feel like the MMC was “saving “ her and that there was something wrong with her.
- the overuse of talking about book tropes - I get the characters are involved in publishing romance books but it was too much
- I kept catching myself skimming because I wasn’t fully invested in the story.
I do understand why people would love this book, but it just isn’t for me.
Thank you to Hambright PR for a copy of this ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2026
This book!! Gage & Zoey had me hooked. I absolutely loved book one in this series, so I knew I’d love this one. However, it blew my expectations out of the water! This one had me laughing, swooning, and absolutely falling in love with this town, the characters, and all the animals! Oh, goose 😅
Gage was such a do it by the book, straight forward MMC who had his life track planned out. Zoey was chaos in human form & his complete opposite in every way! Together these two made for such a fun, but undeniable connection that had me cracking up and pulling for them all at the same time.
This book was chaotic, hilarious, and full of big feelings that just kept me loving it and I wanting more. I adore this little over the top town of Story Lake. The family, the friends, and all the side characters just made this one such a fun & enjoyable story. Definitely recommend this one if you love a good small town rom com!
Thank you Hambright for this early copy & Lucy Score for always writing such lovable characters and stories that we can lose ourselves in!!
Gage was such a do it by the book, straight forward MMC who had his life track planned out. Zoey was chaos in human form & his complete opposite in every way! Together these two made for such a fun, but undeniable connection that had me cracking up and pulling for them all at the same time.
This book was chaotic, hilarious, and full of big feelings that just kept me loving it and I wanting more. I adore this little over the top town of Story Lake. The family, the friends, and all the side characters just made this one such a fun & enjoyable story. Definitely recommend this one if you love a good small town rom com!
Thank you Hambright for this early copy & Lucy Score for always writing such lovable characters and stories that we can lose ourselves in!!
March 22, 2026
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️
I loved Zoey and Gabe and being back in Story Lake. This book is pure peak Lucy Score antics with heart and k really enjoyed this one.
Also. Zoey. I see you. I am you, and the adhd representation in this is done so well and is so relatable.
✨ Small Town Romance
✨ Publisher x He’s her Landlord
✨ Opposites Attract
✨ ADHD representation
✨ Close Proximity
This one was so good. These two are complete opposites, but they work so well together.
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️
I loved Zoey and Gabe and being back in Story Lake. This book is pure peak Lucy Score antics with heart and k really enjoyed this one.
Also. Zoey. I see you. I am you, and the adhd representation in this is done so well and is so relatable.
✨ Small Town Romance
✨ Publisher x He’s her Landlord
✨ Opposites Attract
✨ ADHD representation
✨ Close Proximity
This one was so good. These two are complete opposites, but they work so well together.
Did not finish
March 17, 2026Dnf @ 8%
March 19, 2026
Ok I actually hated this. Like I hate to say that, but it’s true. I’d be giving it 1 star if I didn’t feel like that was unfair so it’s a 2. But JUST KNOW IF IT WAS BY ENJOYMENT ITD BE A 1! (Update I gave it a 1, i make the rules here LOL)
I don’t think I’ve ever disliked a Lucy Score book this much. I love Lucy Score! Idk what the hell happened! But let’s get into it. First off, ALL THIS WOMAN DOES IS PLAGIARIZE HERSELF!!! Cam was literally Knox. Like fine ok sure. But now the next book in her new series, GAGE IS LITERALLY NASH!!!! LIKE WHY ARE WE PLAGIARIZING OUR OWN CHARACTERS?! In both of the books in this series the men were hollowed out shell versions of the men from knockemout. Even Zoey felt Lina coded in this one, like it was Nash and Lina with a few things changed out to try and make it unnoticeable. And again, A MUCH WORSE VERSION AT THAT! BECAUSE I LOVED NASH AND LINA!!!!
This whole book drove me fucking nuts because why is Gage getting shaded for having his life together?? Like ok he has a routine, a good job, a great family, is super responsible and organized and has life goals?! LIKE THATS THE PERFECT MAN! WHY IS THE WHOLE BOOK CALLING HIM BORING AND LIKE PUSHING HIM INTO CHANGE?! Like yes I guess there’s the whole stuck argument but MAN WAS CONTENT?? Zoey loved to play victim and say she didn’t want to change but I’d argue no one was trying to make HER change but she just had to flip Gage’s structure on its head. And Zoey’s lifestyle didn’t bother me at all! I didn’t even dislike her as a character but it drove me INSANE that she had this “woe is me I’m a mess that no one can clean up” mantra the ENTIRE BOOK! Like ok she had a shit family but girl come onnnnnnnn!!!!!!!!! People are not only showing but TELLING you they love you just the way you are (not even just Hazel and Gage but the whole town) and you’re STILL acting like this. And I know ADHD is different for everyone, but it’s almost like it was trying to be said that ADHD unmedicated correlates to disastrous mess?! Which is just SO untrue???? Like I know medication helps a TON and I know Lucy was trying to speak about it positively but it almost felt negative!!!!
Don’t even get me STARTED ON THE THIRD ACT BREAKUP. BECAUSE WHAT?! THE SCENE ACTUALLY GAVE ME WHIPLASH. ITS LIKE GAGE GOT POSSESSED BY SOME DARK ENTITY AND HAD AN EXORCISM BY THE MORNING. And even STILL his entire family got mad at HIM for having a traumatic response to losing someone he loved when it HAPPENED TO ALL OF THEM?! LIKE COME ONNNNNNN!!!!
The writing was also just not strong whatsoever. I don’t know what happened here but 1) this did NOT need to be over 600 pages AT ALL and 2) the millennial humor in this was HORRIFIC!!!! Normally i love Lucy Score and her humor but in this one I was physically cringing at some points!!!!!
This was just not enjoyable for me at all. I really wanted to give it a 2 because it was publishable and readable but I simply feel like I need to give it a 1 for how much I disliked it. I can’t believe I made it through this book. And I’m SO disappointed!!! I love Lucy’s stuff!!!!!!
I don’t think I’ve ever disliked a Lucy Score book this much. I love Lucy Score! Idk what the hell happened! But let’s get into it. First off, ALL THIS WOMAN DOES IS PLAGIARIZE HERSELF!!! Cam was literally Knox. Like fine ok sure. But now the next book in her new series, GAGE IS LITERALLY NASH!!!! LIKE WHY ARE WE PLAGIARIZING OUR OWN CHARACTERS?! In both of the books in this series the men were hollowed out shell versions of the men from knockemout. Even Zoey felt Lina coded in this one, like it was Nash and Lina with a few things changed out to try and make it unnoticeable. And again, A MUCH WORSE VERSION AT THAT! BECAUSE I LOVED NASH AND LINA!!!!
This whole book drove me fucking nuts because why is Gage getting shaded for having his life together?? Like ok he has a routine, a good job, a great family, is super responsible and organized and has life goals?! LIKE THATS THE PERFECT MAN! WHY IS THE WHOLE BOOK CALLING HIM BORING AND LIKE PUSHING HIM INTO CHANGE?! Like yes I guess there’s the whole stuck argument but MAN WAS CONTENT?? Zoey loved to play victim and say she didn’t want to change but I’d argue no one was trying to make HER change but she just had to flip Gage’s structure on its head. And Zoey’s lifestyle didn’t bother me at all! I didn’t even dislike her as a character but it drove me INSANE that she had this “woe is me I’m a mess that no one can clean up” mantra the ENTIRE BOOK! Like ok she had a shit family but girl come onnnnnnnn!!!!!!!!! People are not only showing but TELLING you they love you just the way you are (not even just Hazel and Gage but the whole town) and you’re STILL acting like this. And I know ADHD is different for everyone, but it’s almost like it was trying to be said that ADHD unmedicated correlates to disastrous mess?! Which is just SO untrue???? Like I know medication helps a TON and I know Lucy was trying to speak about it positively but it almost felt negative!!!!
Don’t even get me STARTED ON THE THIRD ACT BREAKUP. BECAUSE WHAT?! THE SCENE ACTUALLY GAVE ME WHIPLASH. ITS LIKE GAGE GOT POSSESSED BY SOME DARK ENTITY AND HAD AN EXORCISM BY THE MORNING. And even STILL his entire family got mad at HIM for having a traumatic response to losing someone he loved when it HAPPENED TO ALL OF THEM?! LIKE COME ONNNNNNN!!!!
The writing was also just not strong whatsoever. I don’t know what happened here but 1) this did NOT need to be over 600 pages AT ALL and 2) the millennial humor in this was HORRIFIC!!!! Normally i love Lucy Score and her humor but in this one I was physically cringing at some points!!!!!
This was just not enjoyable for me at all. I really wanted to give it a 2 because it was publishable and readable but I simply feel like I need to give it a 1 for how much I disliked it. I can’t believe I made it through this book. And I’m SO disappointed!!! I love Lucy’s stuff!!!!!!
March 11, 2026
Mistakes Were Made by Lucy Score ★★★★★ (5 massive, unapologetic stars)
Okay, listen… I went into this expecting Lucy Score’s signature small-town chaos, grumpy/sunshine vibes, and enough steam to fog up my Kindle. What I got was ALL of that PLUS laugh-out-loud hilarity and pure joy that had me cackling and kicking my feet at 2 a.m.
The premise is deliciously messy: two people who should absolutely not be together keep making every “mistake” in the book (hence the title), but the chemistry is so electric you’re rooting for the disaster from page one. The banter? Sharp. The sarcasm? Chef’s kiss perfection. The chapter titles? Hilarious and so clever I had to pause multiple times just to read them out loud to my husband. And the pop culture references scattered throughout? They hit every single time—I legit laughed out loud SO many times I think hubby wished he read in a different room 😂
The tension and steam? Absolutely amazing. Slow-burn deliciousness that builds until you’re begging for release, and when it finally happens… whew. GIRL! Fan yourself. Grab ice water. It’s that good. 🥵
Being from an actual small farm town in southern PA makes this series feel like home—the nosy neighbors, the farm scenes, the “everyone knows your business” energy—it’s all so spot-on. Lucy just gets it. Also as someone who is 38 and recently accepting I have extreme undiagnosed ADHD, all of the comments related to ADHD hit so HARD! 💕
I am beyond honored and freaking thrilled we were given this ARC and ALC. Truly. Getting to experience this early felt like a gift, and I can’t recommend it enough if you love a good rom-com that’s equal parts funny, heartfelt, spicy, and a little bit messy.
5 stars. No notes. Just pure book joy. Go read it. Immediately.
Okay, listen… I went into this expecting Lucy Score’s signature small-town chaos, grumpy/sunshine vibes, and enough steam to fog up my Kindle. What I got was ALL of that PLUS laugh-out-loud hilarity and pure joy that had me cackling and kicking my feet at 2 a.m.
The premise is deliciously messy: two people who should absolutely not be together keep making every “mistake” in the book (hence the title), but the chemistry is so electric you’re rooting for the disaster from page one. The banter? Sharp. The sarcasm? Chef’s kiss perfection. The chapter titles? Hilarious and so clever I had to pause multiple times just to read them out loud to my husband. And the pop culture references scattered throughout? They hit every single time—I legit laughed out loud SO many times I think hubby wished he read in a different room 😂
The tension and steam? Absolutely amazing. Slow-burn deliciousness that builds until you’re begging for release, and when it finally happens… whew. GIRL! Fan yourself. Grab ice water. It’s that good. 🥵
Being from an actual small farm town in southern PA makes this series feel like home—the nosy neighbors, the farm scenes, the “everyone knows your business” energy—it’s all so spot-on. Lucy just gets it. Also as someone who is 38 and recently accepting I have extreme undiagnosed ADHD, all of the comments related to ADHD hit so HARD! 💕
I am beyond honored and freaking thrilled we were given this ARC and ALC. Truly. Getting to experience this early felt like a gift, and I can’t recommend it enough if you love a good rom-com that’s equal parts funny, heartfelt, spicy, and a little bit messy.
5 stars. No notes. Just pure book joy. Go read it. Immediately.
March 12, 2026
If you are in the mood for a laugh out loud, swoon worthy small town romance, you need to pick up Mistakes Were Madeby Lucy Score.
This charming romantic comedy takes readers to the cozy town of Story Lake, where literary agent Zoey Moody finds herself far from her fast paced Manhattan life and stuck in a tiny Pennsylvania town with very little money and a lot riding on her best friend’s next book.
The last thing Zoey needs is a distraction. Unfortunately, her landlord Gage Bishop is exactly that. He is tall, thoughtful, responsible, and completely ready to settle down. Zoey, on the other hand, is anything but. She avoids commitment, struggles with structure, and definitely did not plan on falling for the serious man living in a barn.
When life throws Gage an unexpected challenge, the two agree to one unforgettable night meant to change nothing. But sometimes the biggest mistakes turn into the most life changing moments.
Full of heart, humor, tension, and small town charm, this story is perfect for readers who love emotional romance, lovable characters, and the kind of chemistry that keeps you turning pages late into the night. If you enjoy heartfelt romantic comedies, this one absolutely deserves a spot on your reading list.
This charming romantic comedy takes readers to the cozy town of Story Lake, where literary agent Zoey Moody finds herself far from her fast paced Manhattan life and stuck in a tiny Pennsylvania town with very little money and a lot riding on her best friend’s next book.
The last thing Zoey needs is a distraction. Unfortunately, her landlord Gage Bishop is exactly that. He is tall, thoughtful, responsible, and completely ready to settle down. Zoey, on the other hand, is anything but. She avoids commitment, struggles with structure, and definitely did not plan on falling for the serious man living in a barn.
When life throws Gage an unexpected challenge, the two agree to one unforgettable night meant to change nothing. But sometimes the biggest mistakes turn into the most life changing moments.
Full of heart, humor, tension, and small town charm, this story is perfect for readers who love emotional romance, lovable characters, and the kind of chemistry that keeps you turning pages late into the night. If you enjoy heartfelt romantic comedies, this one absolutely deserves a spot on your reading list.
March 13, 2026
If you are looking for a romantic comedy with a town full of quirky characters and animal sidekicks, then you should definitely read this series! I really enjoyed Story of My Life and Mistakes Were Made was just as great. It was so nice to be back in this town and finally get Gage and Zoey’s story. I listened to the audiobook and the narration was incredible and had me laughing out loud multiple times. I loved how Gage and Zoey are total opposites but their differences are what why they make so much sense as a couple. They had great banter and so much chemistry, but I also loved their more emotional moments. The other characters in this series are great and I do hope both Levi and Laura get their own books!
What to expect:
💛 Romantic Comedy
💛 Opposites Attract
💛 Found Family
💛 Small Town
💛 ADHD Rep.
Thank you to Lucy Score, Bloom Books and Hambright PR for providing this eARC/ALC in exchange for an honest review.
What to expect:
💛 Romantic Comedy
💛 Opposites Attract
💛 Found Family
💛 Small Town
💛 ADHD Rep.
Thank you to Lucy Score, Bloom Books and Hambright PR for providing this eARC/ALC in exchange for an honest review.
March 15, 2026
DNF. Way too long. I also could not get behind the MMC’s hatred of the woman who was involved in his sister’s accident. I understood his grief, but I find a complete lack of empathy and the capacity for forgiveness for an honest (though detrimental) mistake a turn off. There was also nuance in the accident itself, especially considering his sister and brother-in-law were running in the road in what is implied to be an area they weren’t supposed to. (This doesn’t make it their fault, but he acts as if this was a case of intentional recklessness endangerment). He does of course eventually “see her humanity” but only after being essentially forced to. I ultimately disliked him because of his desire to exact revenge on the driver by life/long-time imprisonment, even if he eventually reneged on this.
March 17, 2026
At this point, this author is nothing more than a KU author. That is harsh to say but there is zero reason for her books to be as long as they are so it’s clearly so she can make more money by hitting a word count. Also, the way Gage had zero empathy for Valerie once actually hearing the full story is insane and made me dislike his character. I’m more than halfway through the book and feel like nothing of substance has happened and this is just a book with a bunch of subplots strung together. DNF.
March 13, 2026
Really enjoyed this book!! Seemed a bit long but considering all that happened I know that was why. But I love that Zoey got her own story !! Her and Gage is definitely a good example of opposites attracting and in turn- completing each other in so many ways. Also love a good enemies to lovers ! And the animal antics, family and friends and the whole community of Story Lake are enduring, hilarious and round out the story so well !
March 10, 2026
this was an okay read. idk but i expected more. i love lucy's books but I had a hard time getting into this and be able to follow the characters.
March 10, 2026
✩4
✦What to Expect✦
•Small Town Romance
•Opposites Attract
•Forced Proximity
•Found Family
•Hero / Rescuer
•Neurodivergent Heroine
✦Characters✦
•Zoey Moody
•Gage Bishop
✦Narrated By✦
•Lila Winters
•Sebastian York
✦Fav Quotes✦
“Sweetheart, just because I’m the good guy when my clothes are on doesn’t mean I go to bed that way.”
Gage Bishop might present as a “good guy with a heart of gold,” but the man fucked like a villain.
“Sweetheart, you’re so easy to love, I’ve never been more sure of anything.”
✦Thoughts✦
I will always eat up a Lucy Score book & I was very excited to be back in Story Lake!!
I went through all the emotions with this one. I was cracking up, I was in my feels at times, and I was giddy and squealing!!
These two and their banter wasssss good and funny. Also H-O-T
The Bishop family cracks me up and I can’t wait for Levi’s book!!! Also Laura!!! I love her and love that she’s give them so much shit lol.
Zoey's parents were the WORST!
This town and its cast of characters (and animals) makes me giggle so much!
Cant wait for the next book!
**the only thing was the third act breakup, idk if I would have forgiven him for what he said. I def needed more groveling
Audiobook:
Audio was soooo good, had me cracking up. Narrators were great
✦Micro-Tropes✦
•"Ride me”
•”Good girl”
•Mirror scene
•ARC Read•
✦ Bookish links to follow ✦
Bookstagram • Goodreads • BookBub • Storygraph • Fable
✦What to Expect✦
•Small Town Romance
•Opposites Attract
•Forced Proximity
•Found Family
•Hero / Rescuer
•Neurodivergent Heroine
✦Characters✦
•Zoey Moody
•Gage Bishop
✦Narrated By✦
•Lila Winters
•Sebastian York
✦Fav Quotes✦
“Sweetheart, just because I’m the good guy when my clothes are on doesn’t mean I go to bed that way.”
Gage Bishop might present as a “good guy with a heart of gold,” but the man fucked like a villain.
“Sweetheart, you’re so easy to love, I’ve never been more sure of anything.”
✦Thoughts✦
I will always eat up a Lucy Score book & I was very excited to be back in Story Lake!!
I went through all the emotions with this one. I was cracking up, I was in my feels at times, and I was giddy and squealing!!
These two and their banter wasssss good and funny. Also H-O-T
The Bishop family cracks me up and I can’t wait for Levi’s book!!! Also Laura!!! I love her and love that she’s give them so much shit lol.
Zoey's parents were the WORST!
This town and its cast of characters (and animals) makes me giggle so much!
Cant wait for the next book!
**the only thing was the third act breakup, idk if I would have forgiven him for what he said. I def needed more groveling
Audiobook:
Audio was soooo good, had me cracking up. Narrators were great
✦Micro-Tropes✦
•"Ride me”
•”Good girl”
•Mirror scene
•ARC Read•
✦ Bookish links to follow ✦
Bookstagram • Goodreads • BookBub • Storygraph • Fable
March 10, 2026
Gosh. I will never understand female writers describing their female characters as TSTL with Epsteinian physical attributes for a readership that is predominantly female.
I loved Rock Bottom Girl. Things We Never Got Over. Mr. Fixer Upper. The Christmas Fix. Maggie Moves On. Even the precursor to this book, Story of My Life. All excellent. Books that feature women who are smart and funny and capable and kind are my favorite type of fiction. The books where the characters are deranged aren’t funny. Life is so much funnier and weirder than these writers can conceive, so instead they make their characters into gormless buffoons with boobs.
I loved Rock Bottom Girl. Things We Never Got Over. Mr. Fixer Upper. The Christmas Fix. Maggie Moves On. Even the precursor to this book, Story of My Life. All excellent. Books that feature women who are smart and funny and capable and kind are my favorite type of fiction. The books where the characters are deranged aren’t funny. Life is so much funnier and weirder than these writers can conceive, so instead they make their characters into gormless buffoons with boobs.
March 12, 2026
There's a recurring motif in Mistakes Were Made by Lucy Score that sums up the entire novel in a single glittering image: a disco ball. A shattered thing, fractured into dozens of jagged pieces, that somehow catches the light and turns a whole room into something magical. That's essentially what Lucy Score does with this book. She takes two deeply imperfect people, throws them into close proximity in a tiny Pennsylvania town where even the bald eagle has an attitude problem, and waits for the sparks to fly.
Mistakes Were Made by Lucy Score is the second installment in the Story Lake series, following the wildly popular Story of My Life, which introduced readers to romance novelist Hazel Hart and grumpy contractor Campbell Bishop. This time around, the spotlight shifts to Hazel's best friend and literary agent, Zoey Moody, and Cam's equally handsome but far more buttoned-up brother, Gage Bishop. If Story of My Life was a warm hug of a debut, this sequel is its louder, messier, more emotionally complicated sister who shows up late to the party wearing mismatched shoes and somehow steals the show.
When a Hot Mess Meets Mr. Five-Year Plan
Zoey Moody is an absolute hurricane of a protagonist, and that is meant as the highest compliment. Freshly exiled from Manhattan's publishing world after a professional disaster, she's camped out in Story Lake with exactly one client to her name, a savings account that has flatlined, and an apartment in New York that she's about to lose to a condo conversion. She's impulsive, disorganized, and prone to attracting chaos the way a magnet attracts iron filings. In the opening chapter alone, she takes a live snake to the face courtesy of the town's resident menace, a bald eagle named Goose, and promptly runs headlong into Gage's truck.
Gage, meanwhile, is the Bishop brother everyone calls the "nice one." He's a lawyer, a part-time contractor, and the kind of man who has his next five years mapped out with terrifying precision. Goal number one on that list: find a wife. Zoey Moody, with her allergy to commitment, her inability to operate a calendar app, and her general tendency to leave destruction in her wake, is decidedly not the candidate. And yet, Score makes us root for these two from the very first chapter because beneath the banter and the surface-level incompatibility, there's a magnetic pull that neither of them can fully explain or resist.
The forced proximity setup here is handled with a clever twist. Gage, who owns a renovated barn apartment above his home, becomes Zoey's landlord after her housing situation implodes. It's a rom-com goldmine, and Score mines it expertly.
A Town That Feels Like a Character
One of the greatest strengths of Mistakes Were Made by Lucy Score is Story Lake itself. This isn't a generic small-town backdrop painted in soft watercolors and good intentions. Story Lake is weird, specific, and deeply lovable. There's a free-range pig that wanders through town, a puzzle-and-cat cafe where felines routinely sabotage your Eiffel Tower puzzle, and a community that once voted "Towny McLake Face" as its slogan. The cast of supporting characters adds enormous texture to the story:
Opal, a retired psychologist with a cane and zero patience, who hands Zoey two books on ADHD and essentially changes her life
Laura, Gage's sister, navigating life in a wheelchair after losing her husband Miller, while raising kids and finding the courage to move forward
Levi, the youngest Bishop brother and the town's reluctant police chief, whose own story is already being seeded for a future installment
Goose, the bald eagle with a vindictive streak, who is honestly one of the best non-human characters in recent romance fiction
Nana, Gage's golden retriever, who learned to honk the truck horn when left alone too long
These aren't filler characters. They carry emotional weight, provide comic relief, and make Story Lake feel like a place you'd actually want to visit, even with the eagle problem.
The Heart Beneath the Humor
Where Mistakes Were Made by Lucy Score genuinely surprised me was in its emotional depth. Lucy Score has always been funny, and this book is no exception. The chapter titles alone, ranging from "Needy Anaconda of Lust" to "Routine Butthole Maintenance," had me snorting in public places. But beneath the laugh-out-loud banter and the absolutely scorching chemistry, there are real stakes here.
Zoey's late-in-life ADHD diagnosis is handled with rare sensitivity and authenticity. Score doesn't use it as a quirky personality trait or a punchline. Instead, it becomes a lens through which Zoey reexamines her entire life: every time she was called "flighty," every relationship that fell apart because she forgot something crucial, every time she internalized the belief that she just wasn't enough. The moment Opal drops the diagnosis on her is quietly devastating, and the way Gage responds, with understanding rather than pity, because his own nephew was diagnosed with the same condition, is one of the book's most tender sequences.
Gage's emotional arc is equally compelling, though it unfolds more quietly. The Bishop family carries a grief they don't always talk about: the loss of Laura's husband, Miller, and the way that trauma has shaped each sibling differently. For Gage, it manifests as an almost pathological need to control outcomes, to be the responsible one, to prevent the next terrible thing from happening. When that control shatters in the book's climactic sequence, his reaction is raw, ugly, and entirely human.
Where the Seams Show
For all its strengths, Mistakes Were Made by Lucy Score isn't without its stumbles. The middle third of the novel occasionally loses momentum as the "will they, won't they extend their one-night stand" dynamic loops through a few too many cycles of attraction, resistance, and rationalization. There are stretches where the reader can feel the page count, particularly during some of the secondary storylines that, while charming, pull focus from the central romance at critical moments.
The third-act conflict, while emotionally motivated, also treads on well-worn ground. Gage's fear-driven rejection of Zoey after she puts herself in danger is understandable, but the speed of both the rupture and the reconciliation feels slightly rushed compared to the deliberate buildup that precedes it. For a book that takes such care in developing its characters, the emotional payoff of the resolution could have used a few more pages to breathe.
Additionally, while Score's humor is one of her greatest assets, there are moments where the comedic tone undercuts scenes that could benefit from sitting in their discomfort a beat longer. Zoey's tendency to deflect pain with jokes is a character trait, yes, but it occasionally prevents the reader from fully feeling the weight of what she's going through.
The Verdict: Imperfect and Irresistible
Despite those uneven patches, Mistakes Were Made by Lucy Score is a deeply satisfying romance that delivers on every promise its premise makes. It's funny, steamy, and far more emotionally layered than the breezy cover might suggest. Readers who loved Story of My Life will find plenty to enjoy here, and newcomers can jump in without feeling lost, though they'd miss the full richness of the Bishop family dynamics.
The Story Lake series, with Story of My Life as its foundation and Mistakes Were Made building on that world, is shaping up to be one of Lucy Score's most memorable creations. For fans of Score's Knockemout series, especially Things We Never Got Over and Things We Left Behind, this has the same DNA: sharp writing, chaotic heroines, and heroes who are better men for loving them.
Mistakes Were Made by Lucy Score is the second installment in the Story Lake series, following the wildly popular Story of My Life, which introduced readers to romance novelist Hazel Hart and grumpy contractor Campbell Bishop. This time around, the spotlight shifts to Hazel's best friend and literary agent, Zoey Moody, and Cam's equally handsome but far more buttoned-up brother, Gage Bishop. If Story of My Life was a warm hug of a debut, this sequel is its louder, messier, more emotionally complicated sister who shows up late to the party wearing mismatched shoes and somehow steals the show.
When a Hot Mess Meets Mr. Five-Year Plan
Zoey Moody is an absolute hurricane of a protagonist, and that is meant as the highest compliment. Freshly exiled from Manhattan's publishing world after a professional disaster, she's camped out in Story Lake with exactly one client to her name, a savings account that has flatlined, and an apartment in New York that she's about to lose to a condo conversion. She's impulsive, disorganized, and prone to attracting chaos the way a magnet attracts iron filings. In the opening chapter alone, she takes a live snake to the face courtesy of the town's resident menace, a bald eagle named Goose, and promptly runs headlong into Gage's truck.
Gage, meanwhile, is the Bishop brother everyone calls the "nice one." He's a lawyer, a part-time contractor, and the kind of man who has his next five years mapped out with terrifying precision. Goal number one on that list: find a wife. Zoey Moody, with her allergy to commitment, her inability to operate a calendar app, and her general tendency to leave destruction in her wake, is decidedly not the candidate. And yet, Score makes us root for these two from the very first chapter because beneath the banter and the surface-level incompatibility, there's a magnetic pull that neither of them can fully explain or resist.
The forced proximity setup here is handled with a clever twist. Gage, who owns a renovated barn apartment above his home, becomes Zoey's landlord after her housing situation implodes. It's a rom-com goldmine, and Score mines it expertly.
A Town That Feels Like a Character
One of the greatest strengths of Mistakes Were Made by Lucy Score is Story Lake itself. This isn't a generic small-town backdrop painted in soft watercolors and good intentions. Story Lake is weird, specific, and deeply lovable. There's a free-range pig that wanders through town, a puzzle-and-cat cafe where felines routinely sabotage your Eiffel Tower puzzle, and a community that once voted "Towny McLake Face" as its slogan. The cast of supporting characters adds enormous texture to the story:
Opal, a retired psychologist with a cane and zero patience, who hands Zoey two books on ADHD and essentially changes her life
Laura, Gage's sister, navigating life in a wheelchair after losing her husband Miller, while raising kids and finding the courage to move forward
Levi, the youngest Bishop brother and the town's reluctant police chief, whose own story is already being seeded for a future installment
Goose, the bald eagle with a vindictive streak, who is honestly one of the best non-human characters in recent romance fiction
Nana, Gage's golden retriever, who learned to honk the truck horn when left alone too long
These aren't filler characters. They carry emotional weight, provide comic relief, and make Story Lake feel like a place you'd actually want to visit, even with the eagle problem.
The Heart Beneath the Humor
Where Mistakes Were Made by Lucy Score genuinely surprised me was in its emotional depth. Lucy Score has always been funny, and this book is no exception. The chapter titles alone, ranging from "Needy Anaconda of Lust" to "Routine Butthole Maintenance," had me snorting in public places. But beneath the laugh-out-loud banter and the absolutely scorching chemistry, there are real stakes here.
Zoey's late-in-life ADHD diagnosis is handled with rare sensitivity and authenticity. Score doesn't use it as a quirky personality trait or a punchline. Instead, it becomes a lens through which Zoey reexamines her entire life: every time she was called "flighty," every relationship that fell apart because she forgot something crucial, every time she internalized the belief that she just wasn't enough. The moment Opal drops the diagnosis on her is quietly devastating, and the way Gage responds, with understanding rather than pity, because his own nephew was diagnosed with the same condition, is one of the book's most tender sequences.
Gage's emotional arc is equally compelling, though it unfolds more quietly. The Bishop family carries a grief they don't always talk about: the loss of Laura's husband, Miller, and the way that trauma has shaped each sibling differently. For Gage, it manifests as an almost pathological need to control outcomes, to be the responsible one, to prevent the next terrible thing from happening. When that control shatters in the book's climactic sequence, his reaction is raw, ugly, and entirely human.
Where the Seams Show
For all its strengths, Mistakes Were Made by Lucy Score isn't without its stumbles. The middle third of the novel occasionally loses momentum as the "will they, won't they extend their one-night stand" dynamic loops through a few too many cycles of attraction, resistance, and rationalization. There are stretches where the reader can feel the page count, particularly during some of the secondary storylines that, while charming, pull focus from the central romance at critical moments.
The third-act conflict, while emotionally motivated, also treads on well-worn ground. Gage's fear-driven rejection of Zoey after she puts herself in danger is understandable, but the speed of both the rupture and the reconciliation feels slightly rushed compared to the deliberate buildup that precedes it. For a book that takes such care in developing its characters, the emotional payoff of the resolution could have used a few more pages to breathe.
Additionally, while Score's humor is one of her greatest assets, there are moments where the comedic tone undercuts scenes that could benefit from sitting in their discomfort a beat longer. Zoey's tendency to deflect pain with jokes is a character trait, yes, but it occasionally prevents the reader from fully feeling the weight of what she's going through.
The Verdict: Imperfect and Irresistible
Despite those uneven patches, Mistakes Were Made by Lucy Score is a deeply satisfying romance that delivers on every promise its premise makes. It's funny, steamy, and far more emotionally layered than the breezy cover might suggest. Readers who loved Story of My Life will find plenty to enjoy here, and newcomers can jump in without feeling lost, though they'd miss the full richness of the Bishop family dynamics.
The Story Lake series, with Story of My Life as its foundation and Mistakes Were Made building on that world, is shaping up to be one of Lucy Score's most memorable creations. For fans of Score's Knockemout series, especially Things We Never Got Over and Things We Left Behind, this has the same DNA: sharp writing, chaotic heroines, and heroes who are better men for loving them.
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