The Mistake

The Seaside Saga #21

by Joanne DeMaio

From New York Times bestselling author Joanne DeMaio comes The Mistake, Book 21 of The Seaside Saga.

Mistakes. Everyone in the New England beach town of Stony Point has made one. Some mistakes are as big as the blue depths of Long Island Sound. Others, as small as a speck of sand. Some mistakes make their presence known, like the call of the gulls feeding on the bluff. Then there are the mistakes that whisper like the slightly swaying marsh grasses. More than anyone, Jason Barlow is ready to admit his mistake. But is it too late?

And The Seaside Saga continues.

The Seaside Saga Reading Order:
Book 1 - Blue Jeans and Coffee Beans
Book 2 - The Denim Blue Sea
Book 3 - Beach Blues
Book 4 - Beach Breeze
Book 5 - The Beach Inn
Book 6 - Beach Bliss
Book 7 - Castaway Cottage
Book 8 - Night Beach
Book 9 - Little Beach Bungalow
Book 10 - Every Summer
Book 11 - Salt Air Secrets
Book 12 - Stony Point Summer
Book 13 - The Beachgoers
Book 14 - Shore Road
Book 15 - The Wait
Book 16 - The Goodbye
Book 17 - The Barlows
Book 18 - The Visitor
Book 19 - Stairway to the Sea
Book 20 - The Liars
Book 21 - The Mistake
And more Seaside Saga Books

232 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 13, 2024

About the author

Joanne DeMaio is the prolific New York Times bestselling author of The Seaside Saga and other novels. She lives with her family in Connecticut and is currently at work on upcoming books.

Joanne enjoys hearing from readers at Facebook.com/JoanneDeMaioAuthor.

Reviews

[Kathie Hendrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so love this series
I love the characters and how normal their lives are and how they all look out for each other.
This cliff hanger has me longing for the next installment to come out.

[Susan (The Book Bag) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mistake is full of everyone's mistakes, big and small. No one who lives in Stony Point is perfect and yes, mistakes were made. This episode of the Seaside Saga focuses on Jason and the mistakes he made in his past, and the ones happening in his present.

I really enjoyed The Mistake. It took me back to how it all started with Jason's backstory. I loved reliving how he got to where he is today and all that he had to go through to get there. It took me back to the beginning of this series when I first fell in love with all of these characters.

And as always, the author left me in suspense and wanting more! She always ends the story abruptly with a cliffhanger, making it hard to wait for the next book. But I will and I know I will enjoy just as much as I did the rest.

I highly recommend this series, I've loved every single one of the stories and getting to know all of the characters of this amazing community. If you have not picked up these books yet, you really should. You will come to love this community and these people as much as I do.

[Susan Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

love these characters

The Mistake is the most recent book in the Seaside Saga series, and is just as wonderful as all the rest. This book centers around Jason and Maris and the continuing trials in their marriage. This story felt intimate, and quite somber, as Jason reveals a part of his past to his wife that is sad and uplifting at the same time. I can’t wait to continue reading this series!

[Margie Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mistake is book 21 in Joanne DeMaio’s seaside saga. Along with all the characters who I have come to love, the setting for these stories in Stony Point, Connecticut is both beautiful and breathtaking. The authors descriptive way of writing makes the reader feel as if we are right there experiencing all the sites, sounds and smells. This particular book centered around Jason and how he comes clean to his wife Maris about a time in his past that he’s not proud of. It told of the pain and anguish that he felt from losing his brother Neil and the after effects of the motorcycle accident. It was heartbreaking to read and it brought tears to my eyes. Because of all this pain and guilt, he ended up using and hurting someone that was only there to help him. It was nice to see that his 2 childhood friends, Kyle and Shane, are always there for him, always loyal and looking out for him and willing to keep things under wraps so not to cause conflict in his marriage. As usual, this story ends with a cliffhanger and I’m anxious to see what exactly Maris thinks that Jason is keeping from her. I’m wondering if perhaps what she has found out has actually been kept secret from Jason himself. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series, Miss Moonchild Starbeam which will center around Elsa and her trip to visit her old friend and I’m guessing there will be more surprises in store for us there too. I believe this series just keeps getting better with each new installment and I’m giving this book a much deserved 5 star rating!

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this story as part of the Seaside Saga series really floored me. I felt sad for Jason as he shared his sad story about what he went through with his injuries after being in the motorcycle accident, how he shared his love story of someone he feel in love with from his past while recovering from his accident, what reactions he received from Maris while she listened to him and so on. Definitely looking forward to reading the next book to find out what happens next between Jason and Maris. Also looking forward to reading about Elsa and Celia’s trip to California.

[Karen Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put this book down

This book was so full of raw emotion as there is a lot of detail about Jason’s accident, his brother’s death, his recovery and how he couldn’t get through it all. Joanne pulls you in so that you feel you are right there with these characters. I couldn’t put this book down and read it in 2 days! As with Joanne’s other books in this series there is a cliffhanger. I can’t wait to read Miss Moonchild Starbeam to see what happens next!

[Shelby Clinard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jason’s story is filled with so much sadness. Telling maris everything about his story breaks my heart for both. But left with the Clift hanger as usual I really want to know what he may have lied about!

[Lynn Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another best seller for sure! I absolutely love this book and it might be my very favorite! I know I say that about every new book but then every new book is has become my brand new favorite. Thank you Joanne for writing us such wonderful books!

[Paulette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joanne DeMaio has once again enthralled her readers in the saga of our Stony Point friends. This time taking us deeper into the story of Jason when he was seriously injured and his brother killed in their motorcycle accident. How he struggled physically and emotionally and who helped to heal. True to her other 20 books in this series, the author leaves us wanting more as the book ends with a cliffhanger that could well end Jason’s marriage.
The narrator, Jason Barnett always delivers an excellent reading in this series with just enough emphasis or nuance in his voice that you can hear the different characters speaking making the audio version very enjoyable. I received an audio arc from the author and this review is my honest opinion.

[Kristen Karter · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow what a shocking heartfelt story

Wow this story as part of the Seaside Saga series really floored me. I felt sad for Jason as he shared his sad story about what he went through with his injuries after being in the motorcycle accident, how he shared his love story of someone he feel in love with from his past while recovering from his accident, what reactions he received from Maris while she listened to him and so on. Definitely looking forward to reading the next book to find out what happens next between Jason and Maris. Also looking forward to reading about Elsa and Celia’s trip to California.

[Cindy Reddick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stony Point is full of emotions. Jason and Maris continue with the marriage woes, but Jason makes you have all the feels. I absolutely loved Jason’s backstory and all the emotions that go along with it. Joanne always has the best cliff hanger and I am already looking forward to the next book in this series.

[Joanne Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh the edge of my seat

Mind is racing trying to figure out what Maris knows that Jason doesn't. His honesty came across as genuine throughout the story. His wanting to talk to Maris first & foremost above all else. The difficulty he had relaying his experience to her & reliving it at the same time.
Once again we'll have to wait & see, won't we!

[Penny Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best Seller!!!!
Although I love all of the Seaside Saga series, this one has truly touched my heart. We all make mistakes, but how we handle them shows our character. I was pulling for Jason to do the right thing - although JoAnne kept us guessing. And true to his amazing character, he handled his long ago mistakes with grace; and sympathetic to how Maris would feel when she heard his confession.
Stony Point, Connecticut is a small, quaint beach town where a group of close friends look out and support each other. Joanne has created a cast of characters that jump out of the book and right into your life. You share their good times and their bad.
Join me in following along with this close-knit group of friends as they navigate their lives.
I can’t wait until the nextbook! The cliffhangers keep you guessing!!

[Christie Marks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was it?

I’m always nervous to turn the pages, anxious that something terrible is going to occur. Of course, as this was book 21, there was the usual cliffhanger ending, so we all have to wait. This was a great opportunity to learn more of Jason’s past, and the healing process that he went through, things he hadn’t shared with anyone. I think it’s up for debate as to what (or whose) the mistake really was. I’m a firm believer that mistakes are life lessons that just make us stronger. Bring on book 22!

[Amy Brinker smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been reading this series for so long and just want to know the ending- however she is dragging this out. 21 books and each one is like one chapter in another book. I keep trying to get myself to stop reading them but want to know the ending- ugh.

[Mom2nadcjcabc · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the early books in the Seaside Saga and all the characters. That being said, it seems that the later in the series I get, the more the author is just milking the plot lines to make more money by stringing the story along. I’d like to see a little more meat of the story in each book like the early books were. But silly me, I keep on with the series because I’m already 20 books deep in it.

[Diane Jarusiewicz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed. Too much time was spent on Jason reliving his past about his accident. This all happened before Maris entered his life and now she's mad at him about his past. Sounds like a replay of a few books ago. I think it's time to end the series. Each book lately has been about 2 or 3 characters. Not sure I'll continue. 😕

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just read #20 and #21. I used to look forward to the next installment but after reading 2 in a row, I’m conflicted. No one is happy. Elsa was with Cliff but had a dalliance with Mitch. Cliff wants to propose but doesn’t. Elsa finds the ring and breaks up with Mitch to go back to Cliff who is being crushed on by Paisley. Elsa seeing Cliff isn’t rushing to propose decides to take a girls trip to revisit her past. Jason and Maris resolve things in #19 but by #21, they’re at another crossroad because of a woman Jason fell in love with when recovering from his accident. Good lord. Get it together. I think I’ve read my final book.

[Jo Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disappointed a little. Everyone makes mistakes. Maris is making this about her...like he committed murder. So Jason loved someone before her...BEFORE HER. But he is with her, committed to her and loves her. Do I know all of my husbands loves before me? maybe but it don't matter if I do or I don't. I don't stress about it. He loves me, he is married to me ... 43 years...... so who came before me is just that..before me. I think the problem is Maris....insecure Maris. And I think she is about to make a mistake.
First book I have been disappointed in.

[Kristine L. Macchioni · Rating 2 out of 5]

I fell in love when I first started this series. However, my disappointment keeps growing with the last few books. The book is called The Mistake, but you never truly learn what the mistake was. I simply feel there is too much fluff and not a whole lot of meat to the story. It's becoming very much like a dragged out soap opera. Do we really need to hear the fine details of the clothes they are wearing or the food they are eating? Serious overkill! Once is all I need. The restaurant scene is eleven chapters! Mind you, it's the sole purpose of the book, but I felt it dragged on. But, just like a soap opera on TV, I will find myself reading the next. I've become a pro at reading over the fluff to get to the meat of the story that keeps me reading The Seaside Saga.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Mistake, the beach friends' story continues where The Liars left off. Author Joanne DeMaio transports the reader back to the tranquil seashore town of Stony Point, Connecticut. The story takes place in early October, where our beach friends' lives are like the tides, sometimes they keep moving and changing, but they will always have the support of their friends and family.

In The Mistake, Author Joanne DeMaio easily captivates her readers' attention with this beautifully written tale through a seamless and flowing storyline, and with a wonderful description of a tranquil beach setting that wraps itself around the reader like a sun-warmed beach towel. The characters draw you into their lives with a strong emotional pull, their complexities and flaws are true-to-life, it is easy to relate to them with compassion, empathy, and hope.

The Mistake is an intricate story of interweaving friendships and ever-changing life events. It is a wonderful story that continues to demonstrate the power of the magical sweet salt air that will cure what ails you. In this twenty-first installment in The Seaside Saga Series, the author weaves a story that focuses on Jason, and a secret about his past that he did not share with Maris. When he runs into a person from his past unexpectedly, it really threw him for a loop, and it brought back the painful memories of a difficult time in his life. Jason didn't keep this secret to deceive Maris, but he knows that he made a mistake, and it is now time to reveal the truth about his past. After a difficult summer between Jason and Maris and their promise of no more secrets, will the secret Jason revealed be a mistake, and cause their marriage to take a step backwards?

I loved how this installment focused on Jason, and how he dealt with the unexpected visitor from his past, and how he decided to share this traumatic secret with Maris. You can't help but feel the full gamut of emotions as Jason has an internal struggle in his decision to relive a traumatic time in his life, and share it with Maris, it will pull at your heartstrings. You just know that this isn't going to be easy for Jason to relive, or for Maris to absorb, it is the most heart wrenching conversation that had my eyes tearing up as he tells her what happened in the past. The author teases her readers with another cliffhanger ending that keeps the reader waiting to see what effect Jason's revelation will have on his and Maris' marriage. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what is revealed in Miss Moonchild Starbeam, the twenty-second installment of the series ... sigh. Here's a sneak peak, the next book focuses on Elsa's story (Miss Moonchild Starbeam), as well as continuing to share the latest in the beach friends' lives.

In this installment in the series, the reader follows along with the beach friends' lives that are full of friendship, love, secrets, lies, mistakes, regrets, challenges, heartbreak, grief, surprises, and second chances. As you read this installment, the beach friends continue along in their life journey in Stony Point.

So now that I have whet your interest in the beach friends' latest comings and goings, drive under the railroad trestle and enter the enchanting beach town of Stony Point ... pull up a beach chair ... and visit with the close-knit longtime friends in author Joanne DeMaio's delightful novel, The Mistake.

The Seaside Saga Series is a heartwarming series of stories of friendship, family, painful secrets, lies, and regrets, new beginnings and second chances. Author Joanne DeMaio weaves a wonderful tale written in the third person narrative, which is set in the present with flashbacks to the past. The reader is transported to the tranquil seashore town of Stony Point, Connecticut, where they follow along with Celia, Maris, Eva, Matt, Jason, Kyle, Lauren, Nick, Elsa, Cliff, Mitch, and Shane as their lives change like the tide's ebb and flow on their little tranquil coastal town.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

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[Lisa Abruzzo · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this is book 21! I love this series and want to live in Stony Point and be friends with this group but this book was a disappointment. I love all the characters but this book really just focused on Jason and Maris. I felt like too much time was spent on the restaurant scene. The issues with Jason happened so many years ago before Maris and now another cliff hanger about their relationship. I am disappointed with that and disappointed with Maris's reaction to everything.

I love so many of the details of these books, the clothing, the scenes, etc. I am totally sucked in and will continue to read as they come out. I just hope they get better and contain more meat. This entire book took place over, I believe, only 2 days. I feel like I am reading a soap opera.

[Julie Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mistake by Joanne DeMaio
In this book there are many who have made mistakes in their lives and some had very close calls to ruining their lives forever.
Love how the community is there for those in need to help them, guide them in the right direction.
Love catching up with all the others in the community as well.
Scenes are so well detailed and descriptive. I can just hear, see, touch and smell what is going on during the meal.
Love hearing more about the green apples-I swear by them also.
Books end too soon for me. Can't wait for the next book as it will involve the west coast. Love finding out what rowboat symbolizes on the cover.

[Mitchy Beach · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mistake details Jason’s recovery from the motorcycle accident ten years earlier. It’s a very emotional book. The story goes into great detail about the feelings and struggles Jason went through after loosing his brother and his leg. We learn of a relationship he had before he married Maris. It's helps to understand Jason's demons more and why he had such a hard time over the summer on the 10th anniversary of the accident. As always, the book ends in a cliff-hanger making me anxiously await the next book the the series. I've mentioned this before in my reviews - Joanne is a very gifted writer and can pour so much emotion into her stories. I truly enjoy this series.

[Phylis Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find myself patiently waiting for her to write the next book and then I tell myself that I will take my time reading it so that it will last longer. Then when i pick up the book and actually start reading it, I just can't put it down and walk away from my beach friends. I usually finish it in less than two days.

This book was really hard to put down. I really enjoy reading about Skye and how Jason took Maris aside and told her before he told anyone else.

Now that I have finished this book, I am patiently waiting on the next one.

[Carol Boyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again back at the seaside, this time with the focus on Jason and Maris. The secret that is building between them has creating tension. Jason knows he has to come clean and tell Maris about something she knew nothing about in his past. He takes her out to dinner as she sits quietly, anxiously and listens to Jason tell his unbelievable story. You will have to read this saga to find out what this mistake is or what it may do to their marriage. I loved this twist and can't wait for the next Seaside Saga!!

[Elyse Mcnulty · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mistake by Joanne DeMaio Is book number 21 in the Seaside Saga series. This series edition focuses on Jason and Maris. The couple is force to delve into Jason‘s past. I’m not sure what else I can say without giving away the storyline. What I can say is, as with all the other books, I enjoyed reading this one and completed in a day. If could give any feedback to our wonderful author, it would be to give Jason and Maris a break not in their relationship but in their life.🤭 Enjoy!

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still in love with all the characters. Makes me feel like they are family, loving and concerned. Being there when you need them. Yet, always hiding something that eventually comes out… BUT HOW?? Could you leave me hanging in the wait of anticipation of the next book and hearing what other secret Maris knows about Jason.. it took me almost 3 months to finally get this one. Love the Seaside Saga family ❤️❤️

[Kathi Rutherford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mistakes Happen

Well,just finished…&am afraid of what is missing in Jason’s story!MEN!!A tale from Jason’s past,does not sit well with his wife,or friends…,but why?Tune in to our next installment,with our beach friends!

[Sharon Schaffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I again loved this story. I kept wanting to get to the end to see what happens and I will now wait for the next book to come out. Such a cliff hanger. It has so much fun and intrigue. Just a really great story.