He's My Next Mistake

by Jahquel J., Joseph Editorial Services (editor)

Imagine matching on a dating app with the guy of your dreams.
Tall – check.
Handsome – check.
Career driven – check.
Financially responsible – check check.
And he happens to have moved to your city.

That’s what happens when Jru Ambers matches with Cre Tims. They both know they’re the perfect match on paper, but both of them are far too busy to see if the connection is real in person.
That is until they both end up on the same flight at the exact same time, going on vacation.

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, African American, Forced Proximity, African American Romance, Music, Fiction

255 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 3, 2024

Reviews

[Rashawnda · Rating 3 out of 5]

“You letting a 🥷 named after a dog treat you like you ain’t fire” well shiiiiii when you put it like that 🤭 Why Dru?!?!

Dru was definitely one of those women that made dumb decisions 🥴. She was first introduced as Wren’s bff in the first book of the series and I saw her in a very different light as we got to know her during her own story. Dru is in a situation with Milo and this man ran circles around her. As her on again off again, she was his option or hell even a last resort when he had nothing else better to do and STAYED playing in Dru’s face. Once she discovered what we already knew she finally decides to drop the 🥷 as if there were any other option. 😒

She soon invests her time into a dating app and it doesn’t take long to match with Crew. This man was……whew 😮‍💨 loved his character!! Crew has recently relocated from NYC to Brookwood and after his on again off again turns him permanently off, he too decided to see what’s going on in these dating app streets. The stars really seemed to align for these two and it was always right place right time for them.

I didn’t enjoy Crew and Dru as much I hoped I would and a large part had to do with Dru’s character. I will never understand why authors will write a MFC that’s straight dumb behind a 🥷 but wanna flip the script with the new man. And I get it proceed with caution but they go from being dumb to stupid doubting every decision and that irks my soul. She should go into the new situation cautions yet optimistic but Dru questioned every motive, intention and decision that was displayed by Crew and it was exhausting.

The book also felt incomplete. We were still getting key parts of the story in the epilogue and I don’t feel like the “ending” of this couple was finished. It felt abrupt and idk if that was intentional so that their story continued in book 3 but it felt like parts of the plot were missing. Even though Wren and Dom’s wedding spilled over into this book, their story still felt complete in book 1.

It’s hard not to compare books especially when they are connected in a series so for me this book wasn’t nearly as successful as the first one. I can say that I’m most excited about book 3 and can’t wait to see what story Maliek and Sade have to tell.

[Dahyana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jru x Crew

Jru is bold, confident, expressive, and the fun, goofy friend. But beneath the surface, she’s insecure and struggles with self-worth. I found her a bit frustrating because she’s too old to be stuck in these toxic situations—especially with a no-good guy who’s repeatedly shown his true colors. However, by the end, she started to win me over. Crew was perfect for her; he matched her energy and was patient with her quirks.

The narrators didn't help either. While Elyce isn’t my favorite, I can tolerate her. But Myles... I just can’t get with him.

Although I enjoyed the read, I can already tell this will be my least favorite of the series. The ending felt rushed and incomplete, but I’m glad Jru got her HEA.
3.3⭐️

[Tonya Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5🌟

[Wind · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jru was a damn mess when it came to her love life but Cre came in and changed it.
This book made me laugh, I throughly enjoyed it.

[Qua'Tesha Ratliff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crew and Jru 😍😍😍!! Absolutely love!

[reading mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my! Where do I start?!

Jru & Kru … wow just wow! This one was amazing from a dating app to a beautiful relationship. These two deserved everything they got. I loved how this relationship bloomed into an amazing flower.

Sade pissed me off a few chapters with her little snobby attitude but I’m happy that was worked out as well!

['The Book Queen' · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second one, yes...

Oh my goodness, the second installment had me laughing out loud at Jru and Crew. The names also were corny cute. A few times, the story had a lot of filler storyline, and was a bit repetitive. Jru was a free spirit with a gentleness, and I liked her a lot. I did not like the low self esteem side of her. Anyone could see that Milo was cheating. I wish women in the stories would catch a clue faster, its not really fun to listen to this line of dialogue. Thankfully, the fun side and the ancillary characters gave the story life. Sade needs to pull the stick out, and let a real man treat her right. Wendy and Angi kept the right vibe all the time.
Crew and the boys kept me coming back for more. Ill be back for book three for the taming of Sade..3.75 stars.

[sweetconnectionswithtoni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jru & Kru...

Another beautiful love story! Since I’m a hopeless romantic I over the friends to lovers vibe. Love the nickname calling it reminded me of me and husband back in the day.

I saw where my name was mentioned in yet another book, “Toni”. 🙃 and Toni was all for herself!

This story talked about Lupus, emotional abuse, toxic relationships, dating apps, and drug abuse.

Show up everyday for yourself 🩷

Mauve is the color.

You can never be too much for the right person. 👌🏾

You’re the author of your own story!

The narrators, Elyse and Myles were pretty good as well.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Jru and Cre were a cute couple. I really enjoyed their coincidental trip together that allowed them to explore their relationship. However, it fell off for me once they returned to Brookwood. The story lost its spark and was just another HEA.

[Tonya Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up. Both books so far have been good. I'm on to the last book in the series.

[Ebony Essence · Rating 3 out of 5]

“You’re enough for the right man, Jru.”

Even though i liked the book i didn’t love it as much as book one. Jru really had me pissed off with her dumb ways behind a no shit man. She gave off “it’s better to have a piece of man than no man.” When knowing damn well she wanted to be loved and claimed properly. I kept thinking “woman, you have your own business and this is how you act?” Getting treated like a booty call. I will say i love that she was perfectly imperfect but that confidence was swaying. Like girl go to therapy. Being in relationship after relationship is not the answer.

Crew to me was the favorite out of the MCs. I loved everything about his story and the adorable relationship between him and his sister. You can hear his passion about making beats and working with artist helping their vision come to life. Outside of that he wanted to have a love that was all his. Especially after dealing with someone like Toni. Love the way he spoke to and reassured Jru. Speaking life into her while not being afraid to show his flaws. Jru for sure needed someone like him because she started questioning everything this man did and him having to remind her he’s not Milo.

I don’t know if i like the friend group. I loved Wren in book one but something was off with all three of them. I’m excited to see how Sade tight behind will act in book three.

“Does he act right or does he deliver dick that makes you act right?”
“You were a women in love, and good women go above and beyond for the men they loved. Even the shitty ones who don’t deserve it.”
“Love you more than Mac and cheese, Indy. Love you more than brisket, Coo.”
“I think your goal was realistic. You were just fucking around with bums who couldn’t make it a reality.”

[Shaye Mighty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so cute and makes you want love!!!

[T K Vaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Who You Need

This had to be the cutest love story I’ve read in a long time!!!..I loved Jru, with her unapologetic attitude and the way she lived!!!…It’s so easy to live vicariously through a friend like her!!!…Her heart was timid, but her personality was so huge!!!…
Crew was definitely a person that needed Jru in his life!!!…It’s always the the person we need that love us the most and fills the spaces that were left vacant by picking those that looked good to us!!!…
I hope Sade gets what she is looking for and stop hiding behind what she thinks will make her parents happy!!!…
Crew’s mother made me laugh so much & I loved his sister too!!!…

[D'Evolution · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just keeps getting better and better!!

I thought Wren was my girl but I think Jru is my fave at this point!! I felt so connected to Jru in so many ways and I'm sure over readers will too. We all want love but sometimes go about it the worst way. Crew definitely had me swooning because he's a real man in tune with his emotions and thoughts and comfortable and who and what he wants, even if others don't agree or understand. I'm curious about Sade and hoping her story makes me not dislike her snobby self as much as I do right now.

[Judith Sims · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptionally good!!!

I couldn't put it down!!!! I felt like Jru was slow, as far as relationships were concerned!!!! When she kept trying after being humiliated, I was done!!! The Dominican Republic did the trick though. She finally found her forever!!!

[Faina Lacroix Rucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was enjoyable but the audiobook narration left a lot to be desired.

Narration was 1 for me.

[Rochelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whoever recorded and edited this book should be fired. There were a couple of chapters where things were repeated. I was wondering how we jumped straight from NY to the Wren and Dom’s wedding. Well, there is chapter 16, but it comes after the epilogue.

The story was enjoyable for the most part, but I did want to slap some sense into Jru at times, but glad she got her shit together.

[Mia Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes

Jru story was good. She was silly in part one. This one she was just hilarious. Crew was perfect for her. He was the calm to her craziness. Poor Sade, she was working my nerves. She just need to step away from her parents watchful eyes. Great story!

[Booksaholic LLC · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far she was my favorite character, I just see so much of me in her it was unreal to know other women think like me. This series I believe all women should read because I believe you can find yourself and have a new perspective on love and relationships.

[Mikayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one a little more than the first book, mostly because I saw a bit of myself in Jru. She was naive when it came to relationships and didn’t always know when to let go, which made her feel real to me. And Crew was the perfect man for her. Can’t wait to read Sade’s book next!

[Taees_Cozy_Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very cute little read. It gave the vibe on Only for a week but it was nice.

[ShybutRude92 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read the entire series as well as the Welcome To Brookwood book. While I enjoyed them all and gave them high ratings I do have to mention that sometimes I wanted to stop reading them. And it’s all because of the spelling mistakes and errors through the books. The only book I believe did not have many errors in it was book 1 of the series which is From Come Over To Come Home or maybe I skipped over them.

The first book I noticed errors was He’s My Next Mistake which is book 2 of the series. The first error I noticed was actually in the book description. The author calls the main male character “Cre Tims.” So once i started reading the book the author has a page that tells the readers how to pronounce a few of the character’s names. Surprisingly “Cre” was not listed on it and I thought to myself “hmmm maybe she just forgot to add it” and I moved on to start reading the book. *Side note* I went back to this page a week or so later and i noticed that the author spelled another character’s name incorrectly. On the pronounciation page she spells the character “Tulluah” but while reading the actual book it’s spelled “Tullah.”
Anyways back to “Cre.” So the chapters are either in the main female character’s pov or the main male character’s pov so imagine my surprise when I reach chapter 2 and it’s titled “Crew Tim.” I’m like wait what?? I thought his name was “Cre Tims.” But I move on keep reading. Jru (MFC) is calling him Crew so i’m like I guess his name is Crew. Chapter 4 is titled “Crew Times, Chapter 6-Crew Tim, Chapter 9-Crew Tim, 11-Crew Tims. Also noticed that chapter 1 is titled Jru Amber but her name is apparently Jru Ambers. Smh. There was also mention of a character from the Welcome To Brookwood series mentioned in this book. Lara Greene who owns and operates a bakery. When she is mentioned they call her “Laura.” ‘“Laura, I love what you’ve done with the place,” I complimented Laura”’
And literally two sentences later it says “Lara Greene….” A few sentences later it’s still “Lara.” In her book the author misspells her name calling her “Lana.” I still finished these books but I got very frustrated. Also in the Welcome To Brookwood book they go to a restaurant and the owner calls his wife “Ramona” and then when the main characters speak of them they say her name is “Rose Mary.”

Now these are minor mistakes but to me they are very obviously mistakes that can and should have been easily identified especially since some of them are the titles of the chapters. Also in this book the character “Maliek” is mentioned who is the MMC in the 3rd book. In his book the author spelled his name incorrectly on the first chapter title. She spelled it “Malik” which made me think she doesn’t proofread her work thoroughly.


Again I did enjoy the books but I honestly felt like the author gave us the rough drafts. I did go back and look at the release dates of all four books and they were all released from January 2024-April 2024. Some not even a full month in between. I would rather wait a few months to read a book to give the author plenty of time to correct mistakes and errors with their books.

I do think you should give this author a chance but I think these will be the last books I read from her at least for now.

[Readaholic Running Realtor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 2 - I have to be honest Drew drove me crazy. I don’t know what relationship she was in. I’ve never seen somebody Ignore this many red flags. I’m so glad Crew came along and not only accept her for who she was, but helped her to learn love. The female narrator is not my top pick, but I love Myles Washington.

SIDENOTE (aka “Don’t come for my stars!”):
Just a quick heads-up—my ratings are based on whether I’d reread the book or add it to my personal collection, not the quality of the story itself. So here’s how I roll:

5 🤩 = I’m obsessed with everything—the storyline, the author, and the narrators! I read it yearly and own ALL the copies: physical, digital, and Audible. I can basically recite this book. It lives in my private library.
4 🌟 = Loved the story, the author, and the narrator (if it’s audio). I’d happily reread it when I need a solid comfort read.
3 ✨ = Enjoyed the story, the author, and definitely the narrators. A great addition to my yearly reading challenge—likely to revisit if it’s part of a series I need to refresh.

[Melissa Earle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!!

I'm going to keep repeating myself...Jahquel, you are the G.O.A.T! This new series and the change up in your storyline is nothing short of genius. O honestly believe you could rewrite " Mary had a little lamb" and give readers a new out look1 on it! I've fallen in love with Brookwood and all of the characters ( even before this series). I can't wait for book 3 and hopefully more. Well done Jahquel J, we'll done!

[Quenisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jah you did it again

Jah my girl you did it again. I love Jru and Crew story because in a lot of ways I can relate to them and I get them just wanting to be loved just as much as they give love. I’m so happy they Jru took that chance and found her PMF. But baby I was about to go toe to toe with Sade like WTH. But I can’t wait to read her story

[Helena Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bubbles!

Jru's character is what demanded my attention, and I truly believe not every man can handle a woman with an eccentric personality.

[LeLe Nolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jru and Crew were amazing! Reading this story, I can't lie; Jru is me. I felt seen and heard with Jru's character. Jru has a body full of love and has loved hard. She falls in love and is searching for love. I like Jru's character because it does show the true story of women who are stuck in situationships. Women who just want love but get wrapped up in being in love with the idea of love from a man and being in love with minor gestures. The friendship factor is amazing just like in book 1. I love that we see Wren and Sade. They are beautiful friends and do not play about each other. Sade and Jru's friendship does hit a bumpy road but that's because Sade is protective of Jru and their lives are opposite. But their love for one another is there.
Then there is Drew! He got his heart broken and we see him move and take action on his life. I love his connection with his sister Indie. Drew has a heart of gold and saw Jru and fell in love with her. Both of the characters love hard and finally meet each other and are safe. I love that we got to see Drew with his best friend who is a gay man who is married and working through adoption. I love the friendship between the two and how close they are! It defeats the stereotype of straight men and gay men not being able to be friends.
I love in this book that we explore lupus, friendship, career, drug addiction, redefining your life, new steps, and spiciness!
I am really enjoying the Brookwood Series. The author has great writing skills! These stories are great!
I also love how these books explore depression in men. We need to see more of this and so far both books have explored and shown issues that men go through and not only the woman character being loved but also the man character!

[Reemah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve got a lot of mixed feelings about this book. Jru is such an interesting character. On the outside, she comes off as confident, bold, and always the funny friend, but deep down, she’s really struggling with her self-worth. It's heartbreaking to see someone like her battle that inner insecurity. Then there's Milo… honestly, I don’t know what took her so long to break free from that toxic relationship. I hated the way he treated her, and it felt like Jru was stuck in a loop of allowing it. The way it all ended was a bit of a shock, but in the end, it was the push Jru needed to realize her worth and see what was in front of her: Crew.

Crew, though? I loved him. His confidence was such a perfect balance for Jru’s quirks, and he seemed to give her the space she needed to just be herself. Their chemistry was undeniable, and I was rooting for them the entire time. It was nice to see Jru finally get her happy ending with someone who truly valued her.

But… and this is a big but, the story felt rushed. It was like the author got to the good part and then suddenly had to wrap everything up quickly. It left me wanting more, and not in a good way. I almost felt like I was missing some chapters like we didn't get to fully see Jru and Crew build their relationship as much as I would’ve liked. Still, it was a solid read and I’m glad Jru got her closure, even if I think the pacing was a little off. Would I recommend it? Yes, especially if you enjoy a messy-but-worth-it romance with a dash of personal growth. Just be prepared for that rushed ending!

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Added this to my audiobook rotation, and so far, the southern accents are horrific. As a southerner, I’m offended. However, I love these stories anyway because they’re setting in my home state of North Carolina. ♥️
As for the story, Dru is a goofy bird. I understand she’s a woman who’s made bad man choices but why make her this stupid? It’s embarrassing. Her “boyfriend” Miles is a fuckboy supreme and POS. He disrespects her treats her like a blowup doll. At one point, Dru it’s so desperate for to be loved that she decides to make him a surprise birthday dinner. He comes with another woman and breaks up with Dru on the spot. She’s all sad that he’s cheating and that he’s an asshole. Like, you idiot, how did you not know? I didn’t even feel sorry for her because she’s ignores red flags.
The story progresses nicely and redeems itself. The guy, Cru is is interesting, sexy, thoughtful and smart. I really liked him and would also like one of my own.

We meet Wren and Sade again and Sade is f🗑️cking her married coworker like a dummy. This is rich though considering Sade is also a judgmental bitch. And I’m actually not sure why they are friends with her. She’s awful.
Dru’s ex planned a trip to DR and kinda invited her as an afterthought. After he dumps her she decides to go without him. Not sure why she went on a trip that her loser fuck boy boyfriend had planned but she ends up getting scammed by him (he canceled the reservations). So she hast to stay with Cru because surprise he’s there too. They hang out vacation together fall in love come back and you know the rest …

At one point Drew being the immature, childish weirdo, she is decides to go to New York b/c saw Cru with his ex on IG but thankfully the confrontation ended up being drama free. This was a plus because it could’ve easily turned into one of those ridiculous misunderstandings drag out the last part of most romances. Next step is Sade and Malik‘s story. Again I love that Blackwood is in North Carolina.

[Bonita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical Black Female/Male Relationship drama. It starts with the soon-to-be ex-boyfriend, Milo, who used her and her ignoring the red flags until the flag was standing in front of her (him and his “real” girlfriend). Milo never treated Dru as his woman, yet she was dumb to it? She acted as though he was the last man on the earth.

But she had a friend on the back burner, who became her leading man. But this happened without much drama between the two new relationships (this was a good thing). Being thrown together in a “wow! You here too” vacation island week. This part of the book was enjoyable, a new love in bloom. To me Crew was too much in love with Dru, too quick, not even knowing her, I guess it was based on her physical traits 99%. Then he kept calling her crazy, you know, that loud, crazy type of girl; I think that’s his type.

The language throughout the book is consistent until the end of the vacation when Crew makes a nickname for Dru—Bubbles. It sounded like an interruption in the story; it didn’t fit. Then Dru gave him a nickname—Pookie. Again, the language did not fit the story. Each time it was used, it messed up the narrative.

The book was a quick listen to. It was an interesting story about BW with interesting and different friends (it's good that we all have friends with different personalities but help each other stay balanced, or not). The storyline was easy to follow and listen to.

But the book felt incomplete; in the growth of Crew and Dru’s relationship, why did he fall in love with her so fast? How did their relationship grow? How did she change her reactionary ways?

The major irk for me was the voice of the character Dru; I described it as -- “girl at the bus stop, sucking on a lollipop” voice. That little girl but I am fkng voice, like the voice of the girl in Belly, who was Tommy’s side chick in training. She would often pause between words, as though it was hard for her to say or unsure how to say her next words. This is not the first audiobook who used that type of voice for the main woman character, I guess younger people find it sexy? Ugh, I almost stopped listening because her voice was annoying; perhaps I need to seek out grown women's romance books. I didn’t know these were from a series of stories, but I won’t be reading the others.