What do you think?
Rate this book
Steele Brothers of Starlight Cove #3
The Mr & Mrs Mistake
Not yet published
Expected 1 Jan 26My best friend’s little sister has been getting under my skin for decades. She’s my lifelong nemesis and now—apparently—my wife.
When Willa Jameson stumbled into my bar drunk, heartbroken, and desperate to save her family farm, I offered to marry her. For “convenience.”
Which is hilarious, because nothing about my attraction to this hurricane with hips has ever been convenient.
Now we’re sharing a roof, a bed, and a potential felony thanks to our fake marriage.
It’s supposed to be a favor between not-quite-friends-but-not-quite-enemies. Then our late-night arguments turn into practice make out sessions.
But according to her, that changes absolutely nothing between us.
No matter how many lines we draw, we keep crossing them—in the kitchen, on the porch, in the tiny bed that’s become both heaven and hell.
And the woman who swears she hates me starts looking at me like I might be exactly what she needs.
She calls me her temporary husband. I call her my daily torture, because every day we play house, it feels less like pretending and more like home.
When this ends, I don’t know how I’m going to forget what it felt like to call her mine. So either I walk away with her, or I don’t walk away at all.
When Willa Jameson stumbled into my bar drunk, heartbroken, and desperate to save her family farm, I offered to marry her. For “convenience.”
Which is hilarious, because nothing about my attraction to this hurricane with hips has ever been convenient.
Now we’re sharing a roof, a bed, and a potential felony thanks to our fake marriage.
It’s supposed to be a favor between not-quite-friends-but-not-quite-enemies. Then our late-night arguments turn into practice make out sessions.
But according to her, that changes absolutely nothing between us.
No matter how many lines we draw, we keep crossing them—in the kitchen, on the porch, in the tiny bed that’s become both heaven and hell.
And the woman who swears she hates me starts looking at me like I might be exactly what she needs.
She calls me her temporary husband. I call her my daily torture, because every day we play house, it feels less like pretending and more like home.
When this ends, I don’t know how I’m going to forget what it felt like to call her mine. So either I walk away with her, or I don’t walk away at all.
330 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication January 1, 2026
839 people want to read
About the author
Brighton Walsh
53 books2,134 followersAward-winning USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Brighton Walsh spent nearly a decade as a professional photographer before taking her storytelling in a different direction and reconnecting with her first love: writing. When she’s not lost in her own made up worlds, she’s probably either reading or shopping—maybe even both at once. She lives in the Midwest with her real life hero of a husband, her two kids—both taller than her—and her dog who thinks she’s a queen. Her boy-filled house is the setting for dirty socks galore, frequent dance parties (okay, so it's mostly her, by herself, while her children look on in horror), and more laughter than she thought possible. Visit her online at brightonwalsh.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews
Review of advance copy
PHEWWWW give me a good marriage of convenience and I’m already seated. But add in a guy who’s secretly been obsessed for years and suddenly has permission to call her his wife???? Yeah… I was sold instantly ✋🏼😌
What starts as a practical, mutually beneficial arrangement quickly turns into something messier, warmer, and way more dangerous to the heart. Living together. Sharing a bed. Playing pretend for so long that the lines blur until no one remembers where they were supposed to stop crossing them… or if they even want to. 🫣🫣
Lincoln absolutely stole the show for me. His care is quiet but relentless. No nonsense, no asking permission, just showing up. 🙌🏼 He sees how Willa carries everything on her own and decides that she doesn’t get to do that alone anymore, even if she fights him on it. I loved how patient he was, how he let her be stubborn and independent while still making sure she was fed, safe, and supported. Watching that slowly break through her exterior was incredibly satisfying.
And Willa, I really admired her. 🫶🏼🫶🏼 Her dedication to keeping the family farm afloat and her refusal to burden anyone else felt painfully real. I loved watching her learn that letting people help doesn’t mean weakness and that trusting someone enough to share the load is its own kind of strength.
Also, the fact that Lincoln had basically been waiting for an excuse to take care of her was the SWEETEST THING EVER. 🤭🤭🤭 He was ready to do anything and everything for her the second the opportunity appeared.
I will say, the endearment “wife” was used a bit too much for me. I started to feel burnt out on it, and it occasionally pulled me out of the moment. It leaned a little cringe and over the top 🥲🥲 BUT to be fair… for a man who’s been pining forever and finally gets to call her his, I get it 🤷🏼♀️
This is the second book I’ve read in this series, and I’ve loved both.👏🏼 I’m officially invested and really hoping for some enemies to lovers energy in what I’m crossing my fingers is the next and final Steele brother story. 🤞🏼🤞🏼
-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-favorite quotes-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-
“I didn't care if this marriage wasn't real to her, or if we'd only entered it with the end already in mind. I was here, and I was hers for now anyway. And I was going to act like it.”
“He looked feral. Desperate. On the brink of losing control. He looked like mine.”
“I knew she didn't believe me...didn't trust in
herself. Luckily, I trusted in her enough for both of us.”
“When he touched me like this—looked at me like
this—he made it so easy to forget about the stretch marks on my hips and the belly pooch that wouldn't go away and the scars all over my skin. Made me forget all the ways my body had changed thanks to years of hard work and pain.
He always made me feel beautiful.”
-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-
things to know about the book ↓
🍯 marriage of convenience
🍯 forced proximity
🍯 best friend’s sister
🍯 one bed
🍯 golden retriever x black cat
🍯 dual POV
A huge thank you to Luna Literary, Brighton Walsh for allowing me to read this arc. These are all my honest opinions in this review.
spice rating:【 🔥🔥🔥 】
swearing: yes
⸻⸻⸻
・❥・⁀➷ pre-read
i read the grump next door earlier this year and loved it so i can’t wait for this one!! 😝🩷 best friend’s sister???? marriage of convenience???? count. me. IN.
What starts as a practical, mutually beneficial arrangement quickly turns into something messier, warmer, and way more dangerous to the heart. Living together. Sharing a bed. Playing pretend for so long that the lines blur until no one remembers where they were supposed to stop crossing them… or if they even want to. 🫣🫣
Lincoln absolutely stole the show for me. His care is quiet but relentless. No nonsense, no asking permission, just showing up. 🙌🏼 He sees how Willa carries everything on her own and decides that she doesn’t get to do that alone anymore, even if she fights him on it. I loved how patient he was, how he let her be stubborn and independent while still making sure she was fed, safe, and supported. Watching that slowly break through her exterior was incredibly satisfying.
And Willa, I really admired her. 🫶🏼🫶🏼 Her dedication to keeping the family farm afloat and her refusal to burden anyone else felt painfully real. I loved watching her learn that letting people help doesn’t mean weakness and that trusting someone enough to share the load is its own kind of strength.
Also, the fact that Lincoln had basically been waiting for an excuse to take care of her was the SWEETEST THING EVER. 🤭🤭🤭 He was ready to do anything and everything for her the second the opportunity appeared.
I will say, the endearment “wife” was used a bit too much for me. I started to feel burnt out on it, and it occasionally pulled me out of the moment. It leaned a little cringe and over the top 🥲🥲 BUT to be fair… for a man who’s been pining forever and finally gets to call her his, I get it 🤷🏼♀️
This is the second book I’ve read in this series, and I’ve loved both.👏🏼 I’m officially invested and really hoping for some enemies to lovers energy in what I’m crossing my fingers is the next and final Steele brother story. 🤞🏼🤞🏼
-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-favorite quotes-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-
“I didn't care if this marriage wasn't real to her, or if we'd only entered it with the end already in mind. I was here, and I was hers for now anyway. And I was going to act like it.”
“He looked feral. Desperate. On the brink of losing control. He looked like mine.”
“I knew she didn't believe me...didn't trust in
herself. Luckily, I trusted in her enough for both of us.”
“When he touched me like this—looked at me like
this—he made it so easy to forget about the stretch marks on my hips and the belly pooch that wouldn't go away and the scars all over my skin. Made me forget all the ways my body had changed thanks to years of hard work and pain.
He always made me feel beautiful.”
-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-
things to know about the book ↓
🍯 marriage of convenience
🍯 forced proximity
🍯 best friend’s sister
🍯 one bed
🍯 golden retriever x black cat
🍯 dual POV
A huge thank you to Luna Literary, Brighton Walsh for allowing me to read this arc. These are all my honest opinions in this review.
spice rating:【 🔥🔥🔥 】
swearing: yes
⸻⸻⸻
・❥・⁀➷ pre-read
i read the grump next door earlier this year and loved it so i can’t wait for this one!! 😝🩷 best friend’s sister???? marriage of convenience???? count. me. IN.
December 17, 2025
I absolutely loved this book. I thought it was hilarious and had so much amazing banter. I also appreciated that Willa’s character really struggles with chronic pain as so many women do and don’t talk about it. I think many will
find her hyper independence and struggle relatable.
I believed in these characters with my whole heart and the narration was perfection. Probably the best I’ve ever heard Savannah Peachwood and JF Harding was an excellent “jackass”. (ALC)
find her hyper independence and struggle relatable.
I believed in these characters with my whole heart and the narration was perfection. Probably the best I’ve ever heard Savannah Peachwood and JF Harding was an excellent “jackass”. (ALC)
December 19, 2025
4.5 stars!!!
ARC/ALC Review
Audio by Savannah Peachwood & JF Harding was perfect for these characters!! I loved these two together!
Book 3 in the Steele Brothers of Starlight Cove & I was obsessed with Lincoln & Willa!!
Black cat/ Golden Retriever, Brother’s Best friend, marriage of convenience 🙌🏻 yes please!!!
The banter/tension between Lincoln & Willa was top tier! Once the fake marriage hits, things definitely heat up!! This one had me laughing, swooning, and absolutely falling in love with these two!! The way Lincoln was ready to do anything for her & the way these two tried so hard to fight the connection, just made this one so much better!!
I absolutely loved the added chronic pain aspect of this one. As someone who can relate to the topic, it definitely made me feel seen & brought added emotion and strength to Willa’s character!! Truly a fantastic read by Brighton!!
ARC/ALC Review
Audio by Savannah Peachwood & JF Harding was perfect for these characters!! I loved these two together!
Book 3 in the Steele Brothers of Starlight Cove & I was obsessed with Lincoln & Willa!!
Black cat/ Golden Retriever, Brother’s Best friend, marriage of convenience 🙌🏻 yes please!!!
The banter/tension between Lincoln & Willa was top tier! Once the fake marriage hits, things definitely heat up!! This one had me laughing, swooning, and absolutely falling in love with these two!! The way Lincoln was ready to do anything for her & the way these two tried so hard to fight the connection, just made this one so much better!!
I absolutely loved the added chronic pain aspect of this one. As someone who can relate to the topic, it definitely made me feel seen & brought added emotion and strength to Willa’s character!! Truly a fantastic read by Brighton!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
✨📚 Y'all... The way I absolutely DEVOURED this ALC/ARC Combo!!!! ✨📚
If you have it & haven't yet...
Oh. My. Goodness.
Drop everything.
Call in sick.
Stay in bed.
Have certain things handy...
If you need to wait until it's release day on January 1st...
You won't be sorry.
5 ⭐
The duet narration is swoon worthy.
The characters are everything.
Thank you @brighton_walsh for providing this Queen B with your incredible masterpiece!!!
#queenb #streetteam #brigtonwalsh #promo #arcreview #alcreview #newrelease #booklover #bookrecs #bookstgram
If you have it & haven't yet...
Oh. My. Goodness.
Drop everything.
Call in sick.
Stay in bed.
Have certain things handy...
If you need to wait until it's release day on January 1st...
You won't be sorry.
5 ⭐
The duet narration is swoon worthy.
The characters are everything.
Thank you @brighton_walsh for providing this Queen B with your incredible masterpiece!!!
#queenb #streetteam #brigtonwalsh #promo #arcreview #alcreview #newrelease #booklover #bookrecs #bookstgram
December 19, 2025
i don’t think it’s a secret how much i love brighton’s books and how im down for anything she writes; however, after the set up for this book at the end of the previous one, i couldn’t wait to get my greedy eyeballs on the story.
i love love love willa and lincoln. she’s all crunchy and grumpy on the outside, total gooey center. he’s all charm, loyalty, and straight pining like a MFer. i adored reading these two with their flirting disguised as button pushing, open conversations, and so much UST you could choke on it. of course, this group of characters is a lot of fun, especially when the brothers are all together.
plot wise, it’s good. there are a few moving parts, but the majority of the story is just willa and lincoln trying to figure out how they caught feelings (on her side) and how to make this fake marriage real (on his side). i could have easily read a million more pages of their chemistry and love. and while i wanted just a bit more from the epilogue, brighton set up the next book with the pairing i’ve been waiting for.
overall, if you’ve been sleeping on reading brighton’s books, i can’t recommend them enough. get your eyeballs on any of her series for characters you can root for and cackle at and a guaranteed hea.
**Huge thanks to Brighton for providing the arc free of charge**
i love love love willa and lincoln. she’s all crunchy and grumpy on the outside, total gooey center. he’s all charm, loyalty, and straight pining like a MFer. i adored reading these two with their flirting disguised as button pushing, open conversations, and so much UST you could choke on it. of course, this group of characters is a lot of fun, especially when the brothers are all together.
plot wise, it’s good. there are a few moving parts, but the majority of the story is just willa and lincoln trying to figure out how they caught feelings (on her side) and how to make this fake marriage real (on his side). i could have easily read a million more pages of their chemistry and love. and while i wanted just a bit more from the epilogue, brighton set up the next book with the pairing i’ve been waiting for.
overall, if you’ve been sleeping on reading brighton’s books, i can’t recommend them enough. get your eyeballs on any of her series for characters you can root for and cackle at and a guaranteed hea.
**Huge thanks to Brighton for providing the arc free of charge**
December 20, 2025
Brighton did it again!!! 5 stars full rtc
December 19, 2025
Brighton, you need to stop putting cr@ck in your books!!! (no, pls never stop)
December 25, 2025
Oh, Lincoln, you sweet, sexy flirt. You’re a new favorite of mine. What a lovely, cozy small town romance!
Willa Jameson has been running the family farm all on her own despite her chronic back pain. Problem is the farm is in trouble. Her only hope is a grant…and she just found out it’s only available to married farm owners. Well shiiiit.
Fortunately for her and the farm, her brother’s best friend, Lincoln, can’t wait to wife her up even if it’s a ruse. Lincoln also wants to take care of Willa. He’s hated watching her be stubbornly independent while hurting herself. Now he’s in a place to help. And lord does he help. In a myriad of ways. 😉
As these two navigate the whole town’s questions, Lincoln’s family, Willa’s brother, and the grant process, they learn to lean on each other particularly Willa who hasn’t felt she’s had anyone to help in years. And if you’re looking for some spicy times, you’ve found them. Lincoln is a big man who loves to eat. A lot.
🎧 The audio is impeccable just as I knew it would be. @savannahpeachwood brings to life Willa’s iron will and forceful nature as well as her tough, painful moments. And @j.f.harding was made to perform a teasing flirt of a man.
Highly recommended for lovers of close families and friends, small towns, farmers market flirting, and all-you-eat buffets!
I was given this ALC by the author. All thoughts are mine alone.
contemporary romance | books | novels | reading | audiobooks | The Mr. and Mrs. Mistake | Brighton Walsh | JF Harding | Savannah Peachwood | book recs | recommendations | book reviews | bookstagram
Willa Jameson has been running the family farm all on her own despite her chronic back pain. Problem is the farm is in trouble. Her only hope is a grant…and she just found out it’s only available to married farm owners. Well shiiiit.
Fortunately for her and the farm, her brother’s best friend, Lincoln, can’t wait to wife her up even if it’s a ruse. Lincoln also wants to take care of Willa. He’s hated watching her be stubbornly independent while hurting herself. Now he’s in a place to help. And lord does he help. In a myriad of ways. 😉
As these two navigate the whole town’s questions, Lincoln’s family, Willa’s brother, and the grant process, they learn to lean on each other particularly Willa who hasn’t felt she’s had anyone to help in years. And if you’re looking for some spicy times, you’ve found them. Lincoln is a big man who loves to eat. A lot.
🎧 The audio is impeccable just as I knew it would be. @savannahpeachwood brings to life Willa’s iron will and forceful nature as well as her tough, painful moments. And @j.f.harding was made to perform a teasing flirt of a man.
Highly recommended for lovers of close families and friends, small towns, farmers market flirting, and all-you-eat buffets!
I was given this ALC by the author. All thoughts are mine alone.
contemporary romance | books | novels | reading | audiobooks | The Mr. and Mrs. Mistake | Brighton Walsh | JF Harding | Savannah Peachwood | book recs | recommendations | book reviews | bookstagram
December 18, 2025
4.5⭐️
I devoured this book!
Thank you to the author for allowing me to read the ARC/ALC for this one! The audio is amazing and the FMC is my favorite narrator!!
This has everything I love in a romance book!
Little bit of enemies to friends to lovers! I absolute loved Lincoln and Willa!!
I devoured this book!
Thank you to the author for allowing me to read the ARC/ALC for this one! The audio is amazing and the FMC is my favorite narrator!!
This has everything I love in a romance book!
Little bit of enemies to friends to lovers! I absolute loved Lincoln and Willa!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Mr. & Mrs. Mistake by Brighton Walsh
I ran a hand along my jaw and smirked at her. "Damn, that was good. You been rehearsing that one?"
"Yeah. I practice insulting you every morning. Helps lower my blood pressure. "
If this quote doesn't sum up Lincoln and Willa, I don't know what would! These two are non-stop banter from start to finish. I knew from the ending of book 2 in the Steele Brother Series that this one was going to be straight 🔥, and it was. The spice was definitely spicing, but their story is more than that. It's about accepting help, learning to trust and lean on others, finding your person and family, and reaching for your dreams. And if all that takes a marriage of convenience to your almost enemy and brother's best friend and some extreme forced proximity in a converted silo? It's well worth it!
It was so good to "catch up" with the Steele family and characters from the other books. Laurel and her snark are still my favorite, but Mabel is truly an icon. I NEED HER SHIRT FROM THE SPICY BOOK SHOWDOWN SO BAD!!! 🤣 I have loved all three books in this series, but this might be my new favorite. At least until book 4 comes out. 😊 They just keep getting better and better! I have high hopes for Declan and Penelope. The scenes between them in this book... 🥵.
I also want to take a moment and talk about the chronic pain representation in this book. So many of us are like Willa. We are suffering in silence and pushing through the pain because we have to. It was nice to have a character I can relate to. It was so well done, and something we need more of!
I received an ARC of this book, but these opinions are my own. I would like to thank the author, Brighton Walsh, for allowing me the privilege of reading her work. ❤️
The Mr. & Mrs. Mistake by Brighton Walsh
I ran a hand along my jaw and smirked at her. "Damn, that was good. You been rehearsing that one?"
"Yeah. I practice insulting you every morning. Helps lower my blood pressure. "
If this quote doesn't sum up Lincoln and Willa, I don't know what would! These two are non-stop banter from start to finish. I knew from the ending of book 2 in the Steele Brother Series that this one was going to be straight 🔥, and it was. The spice was definitely spicing, but their story is more than that. It's about accepting help, learning to trust and lean on others, finding your person and family, and reaching for your dreams. And if all that takes a marriage of convenience to your almost enemy and brother's best friend and some extreme forced proximity in a converted silo? It's well worth it!
It was so good to "catch up" with the Steele family and characters from the other books. Laurel and her snark are still my favorite, but Mabel is truly an icon. I NEED HER SHIRT FROM THE SPICY BOOK SHOWDOWN SO BAD!!! 🤣 I have loved all three books in this series, but this might be my new favorite. At least until book 4 comes out. 😊 They just keep getting better and better! I have high hopes for Declan and Penelope. The scenes between them in this book... 🥵.
I also want to take a moment and talk about the chronic pain representation in this book. So many of us are like Willa. We are suffering in silence and pushing through the pain because we have to. It was nice to have a character I can relate to. It was so well done, and something we need more of!
I received an ARC of this book, but these opinions are my own. I would like to thank the author, Brighton Walsh, for allowing me the privilege of reading her work. ❤️
December 19, 2025
I picked up The Mr & Mrs Mistake planning to read a couple chapters before bed and ended up staying up until 1am because I could not put it down. I listened to the audiobook while reading along at the same time, and it made the entire story feel fully immersive from start to finish.
The duet narration by JF Harding and Savannah Peachwood was phenomenal. They did not just perform the story, they brought real depth and personality to the characters. What impressed me most was how clearly they differentiated every voice, even the side characters. You never had to guess who was speaking because each character had a distinct sound and presence. The banter was sharp and genuinely funny, and every change in tone and emotional moment felt intentional and natural. They made Lincoln and Willa feel real, and I was completely invested in their journey.
Linc completely won me over. He is attentive in a way that feels genuine, not performative. The way he noticed the little things and consistently supported Willa made him so easy to love.
Willa was such a standout character for me. Her independence, the weight she carries, and her experience living with chronic pain felt honest and thoughtfully written. It was refreshing to see that representation handled with care.
The spice was done so well. It was not over the top or constant, and it always made sense where it appeared in the story. It felt natural, earned, and tastefully written, adding to the connection between the characters rather than distracting from it.
This was my first time reading Brighton Walsh, and it definitely will not be my last. I am already looking forward to diving into the rest of the Steele brothers’ stories.
The duet narration by JF Harding and Savannah Peachwood was phenomenal. They did not just perform the story, they brought real depth and personality to the characters. What impressed me most was how clearly they differentiated every voice, even the side characters. You never had to guess who was speaking because each character had a distinct sound and presence. The banter was sharp and genuinely funny, and every change in tone and emotional moment felt intentional and natural. They made Lincoln and Willa feel real, and I was completely invested in their journey.
Linc completely won me over. He is attentive in a way that feels genuine, not performative. The way he noticed the little things and consistently supported Willa made him so easy to love.
Willa was such a standout character for me. Her independence, the weight she carries, and her experience living with chronic pain felt honest and thoughtfully written. It was refreshing to see that representation handled with care.
The spice was done so well. It was not over the top or constant, and it always made sense where it appeared in the story. It felt natural, earned, and tastefully written, adding to the connection between the characters rather than distracting from it.
This was my first time reading Brighton Walsh, and it definitely will not be my last. I am already looking forward to diving into the rest of the Steele brothers’ stories.
December 18, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
2.5 🌶️
Oh my gosh, this series continues to be one of my absolute favorites…the Steele Brothers continue to be top tier! The banter in this book will have you giggling and kicking your feet, so dang good!
Lincoln Steele might be the standard to which all golden retriever MMCs should forever be judged! This. Man. The caretaking. The way he listens and knows Willa. The “my wife.” The filthy mouth. He’s just perfection. 😍 The chemistry between Willa and Lincoln was amazing and I was so happy when Willa cracked and allowed Lincoln into her life.
On top of all the incredible banter between the MCs, the family banter and text threads will have you cackling! I never want to leave Starlight Cove! And the way Penelope and Declan’s book has been set up is *chef’s kiss* I NEED it. 🤤
Do yourself a favor and start your 2026 in Maine with the Steele Brothers!
What to expect:
Marriage of Convenience
Black Cat x Golden Retriever
Brother’s Best Friend
One Bed
“My Wife”
Forced Proximity
It’s Always Been Her
*Thank you to Brighton Walsh and her team for the opportunity to read this arc.
2.5 🌶️
Oh my gosh, this series continues to be one of my absolute favorites…the Steele Brothers continue to be top tier! The banter in this book will have you giggling and kicking your feet, so dang good!
Lincoln Steele might be the standard to which all golden retriever MMCs should forever be judged! This. Man. The caretaking. The way he listens and knows Willa. The “my wife.” The filthy mouth. He’s just perfection. 😍 The chemistry between Willa and Lincoln was amazing and I was so happy when Willa cracked and allowed Lincoln into her life.
On top of all the incredible banter between the MCs, the family banter and text threads will have you cackling! I never want to leave Starlight Cove! And the way Penelope and Declan’s book has been set up is *chef’s kiss* I NEED it. 🤤
Do yourself a favor and start your 2026 in Maine with the Steele Brothers!
What to expect:
Marriage of Convenience
Black Cat x Golden Retriever
Brother’s Best Friend
One Bed
“My Wife”
Forced Proximity
It’s Always Been Her
*Thank you to Brighton Walsh and her team for the opportunity to read this arc.
December 24, 2025
4.5 stars. I loved this book & audio and couldn’t get enough of the ‘my wife’ moments! That’s always a fave of mine and I ate it up! Willa & Lincoln have been annoying each other for years and that tension is THICK. I could not get enough of the banter between them and that chemistry is insane! But what I love most is how clearly Lincoln sees Willa and wants to help shoulder her burdens. He’s such a golden retriever and I adored him for it!
The audiobook is performed in duet by Savannah Peachwood and J. F. Harding - they both did an amazing job and bringing this to our ears! Every emotion was portrayed so well and I was listening any chance I could!
What to expect:
💍 ᴍᴀʀʀɪᴀɢᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴄᴏɴᴠᴇɴɪᴇɴᴄᴇ
💍 ᴇɴᴇᴍɪᴇꜱ ᴛᴏ ʟᴏᴠᴇʀꜱ
💍 ʙʟᴀᴄᴋ ᴄᴀᴛ x ɢᴏʟᴅᴇɴ ʀᴇᴛʀɪᴇᴠᴇʀ
💍 ʙʀᴏᴛʜᴇʀ’ꜱ ʙᴇꜱᴛ ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅ
💍 ꜰᴏʀᴄᴇᴅ ᴘʀᴏxɪᴍɪᴛʏ
💍 ᴏɴʟʏ ᴏɴᴇ ʙᴇᴅ
💍 ꜱʟᴏᴡ ʙᴜʀɴ
💍 “ᴍʏ ᴡɪꜰᴇ”
💍 ꜱᴍᴀʟʟ ᴛᴏᴡɴ
Thank you, to Brighton Walsh and Luna Literary Management for letting me read and listen to an ALC/ARC. All opinions are my own.
The audiobook is performed in duet by Savannah Peachwood and J. F. Harding - they both did an amazing job and bringing this to our ears! Every emotion was portrayed so well and I was listening any chance I could!
What to expect:
💍 ᴍᴀʀʀɪᴀɢᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴄᴏɴᴠᴇɴɪᴇɴᴄᴇ
💍 ᴇɴᴇᴍɪᴇꜱ ᴛᴏ ʟᴏᴠᴇʀꜱ
💍 ʙʟᴀᴄᴋ ᴄᴀᴛ x ɢᴏʟᴅᴇɴ ʀᴇᴛʀɪᴇᴠᴇʀ
💍 ʙʀᴏᴛʜᴇʀ’ꜱ ʙᴇꜱᴛ ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅ
💍 ꜰᴏʀᴄᴇᴅ ᴘʀᴏxɪᴍɪᴛʏ
💍 ᴏɴʟʏ ᴏɴᴇ ʙᴇᴅ
💍 ꜱʟᴏᴡ ʙᴜʀɴ
💍 “ᴍʏ ᴡɪꜰᴇ”
💍 ꜱᴍᴀʟʟ ᴛᴏᴡɴ
Thank you, to Brighton Walsh and Luna Literary Management for letting me read and listen to an ALC/ARC. All opinions are my own.
December 18, 2025
OK WOW! This is my second Brighton book (both were on audio) and she is a total genius.
This audio was FANTASTIC. Duet narrated perfectly.
This is about the youngest brother, Lincoln and the fiery Willa. Lincoln has been crushing on Willa for as long as he remembers, so when an opportunity arises to marry Willa out of convenience, of course he jumps on it.
The amount of wittiness and banter between the characters was top notch. I giggled numerous times! I also really enjoyed the chronic pain rep that Willa displayed, and how much Lincoln took care of her. *swoon* Lincoln is a master at acts of service.
And the spice?! Chefs kiss! Lincoln and his dirty mouth. It was fun to hear the tension between these two, and Willa finally giving in to her feelings for Lincoln.
Please do yourself a favor and read this book!
TROPES:
-marriage of convenience
-chronic pain rep
-small town
-found family
-best friends sister
-he falls hard
This audio was FANTASTIC. Duet narrated perfectly.
This is about the youngest brother, Lincoln and the fiery Willa. Lincoln has been crushing on Willa for as long as he remembers, so when an opportunity arises to marry Willa out of convenience, of course he jumps on it.
The amount of wittiness and banter between the characters was top notch. I giggled numerous times! I also really enjoyed the chronic pain rep that Willa displayed, and how much Lincoln took care of her. *swoon* Lincoln is a master at acts of service.
And the spice?! Chefs kiss! Lincoln and his dirty mouth. It was fun to hear the tension between these two, and Willa finally giving in to her feelings for Lincoln.
Please do yourself a favor and read this book!
TROPES:
-marriage of convenience
-chronic pain rep
-small town
-found family
-best friends sister
-he falls hard
Review of advance copy received from Author
What is Brighton putting into these Steele men?! Good gracious, this was so hot. But also emotional, stubborn, hilarious and swoony. Lincoln and Willa took a frenemies-to-lovers, added a marriage of convenience, forced proximity, brother's best friend, and nailed every single one.
The way that Lincoln immediately came to Willa's rescue, took care of her when she was hurting, and just constantly showed up for her? That will always be a yes from me. And to see her walls come down with him? Perfection.
As always, the group chats are deliciously unhinged, and I love being back in Starlight Cove with all of these characters! Also, those vibes between Penelope and Declan?! Can I get their book, like yesterday, please?!
The way that Lincoln immediately came to Willa's rescue, took care of her when she was hurting, and just constantly showed up for her? That will always be a yes from me. And to see her walls come down with him? Perfection.
As always, the group chats are deliciously unhinged, and I love being back in Starlight Cove with all of these characters! Also, those vibes between Penelope and Declan?! Can I get their book, like yesterday, please?!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received a copy of this for my honest review
Our MMC runs their family bar, and is the town flirt. Our FMC is his best friend's twin sister, who used to be really close to our MMC now everything he does just drives her crazy. She is also doing her best to try and keep her family farm afloat by herself while dealing with chronic pain. When an opportunity for a grant comes up, but she isn't eligible because it's for family farms - keyword families, not single people. So he does the logical thing and offers to marry her, obviously, and reluctantly she agrees. Now, in a marriage of convenience and living in her refurbished silo small house, he's there to take care of her in a way no one else ever has, and he's ready to prove to his hellcat that she's worth the effort.
Our MMC runs their family bar, and is the town flirt. Our FMC is his best friend's twin sister, who used to be really close to our MMC now everything he does just drives her crazy. She is also doing her best to try and keep her family farm afloat by herself while dealing with chronic pain. When an opportunity for a grant comes up, but she isn't eligible because it's for family farms - keyword families, not single people. So he does the logical thing and offers to marry her, obviously, and reluctantly she agrees. Now, in a marriage of convenience and living in her refurbished silo small house, he's there to take care of her in a way no one else ever has, and he's ready to prove to his hellcat that she's worth the effort.
December 19, 2025
Yes yes yes. I loved this.
Marriage of convenience.
Forced proximity.
Brother’s best friend.
I absolutely loved how Lincoln took care of Willa. How he shows up for her in so many different ways. He is so down bad for her and has loved her for so long. I really liked that Willa tried to fight her attraction and then finally gave in. I mean, with how Lincoln is described, who would want to resist. It was just so sweet to see how things progressed for them. And how Willa was fully brought into the Steele family’s fold.
This was a duet narration & I really loved both narrators. They did a great job.
Thank you to Brighton for the opportunity to listen early.
Marriage of convenience.
Forced proximity.
Brother’s best friend.
I absolutely loved how Lincoln took care of Willa. How he shows up for her in so many different ways. He is so down bad for her and has loved her for so long. I really liked that Willa tried to fight her attraction and then finally gave in. I mean, with how Lincoln is described, who would want to resist. It was just so sweet to see how things progressed for them. And how Willa was fully brought into the Steele family’s fold.
This was a duet narration & I really loved both narrators. They did a great job.
Thank you to Brighton for the opportunity to listen early.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Willa and Lincon have so much tension together from the very beginning that when the fake marriage takes place, things really ratchet up. They are great together, the banter top notch and laugh out loud funny. They're so enjoyable to read together! The way Lincon treats her from the very beginning is so great warming, and it's a real treat as things progress and Willa's walls come down. This whole series so far has been so good, and this one is no exception! Highly, highly recommend.
I listened to this one on audiobook, and the narrators knocked it out of the park. Their voices were perfect for these characters and brought them to life in the best way.
I listened to this one on audiobook, and the narrators knocked it out of the park. Their voices were perfect for these characters and brought them to life in the best way.
December 26, 2025
Wow! I just can’t deal with this series! Every book is so damn good! The characters, the banter, the brothers!
The tension and the bickering/flirty banter is so damn good!!
I loved the chronic pain rep from Willa and how she takes everything on as an independent woman, but the way Lincoln realises this and steps up and helps 🥹
Ugh this man was perfection!
Thank you Brighton Walsh for a copy of the eARC!! I’m so obsessed with this series!! 🤭🔥
The tension and the bickering/flirty banter is so damn good!!
I loved the chronic pain rep from Willa and how she takes everything on as an independent woman, but the way Lincoln realises this and steps up and helps 🥹
Ugh this man was perfection!
Thank you Brighton Walsh for a copy of the eARC!! I’m so obsessed with this series!! 🤭🔥
December 19, 2025
Willa and Lincoln were the BEST marriage of convenience I’ve ever read.
Lincoln made sure everyone knew who HIS WIFE was and that she was well taken care of. Willa was using Lincoln for her farm, but quickly realized that she wanted more.
The tension. The banter. The SPICE. All of it was a 10/10. I literally could not put this book down.
Thank you to Brighton for the ARC!
Lincoln made sure everyone knew who HIS WIFE was and that she was well taken care of. Willa was using Lincoln for her farm, but quickly realized that she wanted more.
The tension. The banter. The SPICE. All of it was a 10/10. I literally could not put this book down.
Thank you to Brighton for the ARC!
December 18, 2025
They were sooo cute!!!! The banter and spice was on FIRE!
Brother’s best friend, marriage of convenience, small town.
The FMC is in a bind trying to keep her family farm going she’s trying to get a grant and her twin brother’s best friend jumps in to help her.
I really enjoyed this one! The banter was fantastic, the push and pull and growth was great!
Brother’s best friend, marriage of convenience, small town.
The FMC is in a bind trying to keep her family farm going she’s trying to get a grant and her twin brother’s best friend jumps in to help her.
I really enjoyed this one! The banter was fantastic, the push and pull and growth was great!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Oh yeah he was well fed made sure he never went without a meal 😏 as a person who never wants to feel like a burden I could relate and pushing myself even though I for sure need to rest.
Once again there’s something about these brothers that just welp will have you crying all over 🔥🥵
A marriage of convince. We love support man who literally yells at you for oversdoing things knowing you can ask for help even if your stubborn black cat. I loved how he never questioned when they would end things because he just knew it was going to work out. He was there every step of the way supporting her and that is a type of support we need of our partners. Phone is going to put us in our place because we are being stubborn but at the same time I want to know when we need that softer side of things.
Once again there’s something about these brothers that just welp will have you crying all over 🔥🥵
A marriage of convince. We love support man who literally yells at you for oversdoing things knowing you can ask for help even if your stubborn black cat. I loved how he never questioned when they would end things because he just knew it was going to work out. He was there every step of the way supporting her and that is a type of support we need of our partners. Phone is going to put us in our place because we are being stubborn but at the same time I want to know when we need that softer side of things.
December 19, 2025
Aaaaaaa!!!!! Linc is so down bad I’m obsessed!! I love my a black cat golden retriever romance and this was a perfect one!! Linc is just so ready to do absolutely anything Willa needs no questions asked and I’m in love!!
Read
December 24, 2025My review will follow soon. Mijn recensie volgt binnenkort.
December 20, 2025
💍🔥 A fake marriage, decades of tension, and the kind of chemistry that turns pretending into a very real problem. 🔥💍
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Spice-meter: 🌶️🌶️☆☆☆ (2/5)
Audiobook: 🎧 Duet
Series: Steele Brothers of Starlight Cove, Book 3 (can be read as a standalone)
The Mr & Mrs Mistake is sharp, funny, and emotionally smarter than it first lets on. Brighton Walsh takes the classic marriage-of-convenience setup and injects it with razor-sharp banter, real vulnerability, and a slow-burn tension that simmers just beneath every interaction. What starts as a practical solution quickly turns into an emotional minefield where lines are drawn, crossed, redrawn, and crossed again. This book knows exactly how to balance humor with heart, and by the time the pretending stops, the emotional stakes feel very real.
What truly makes this story stand out is how grounded it feels. Beneath the snark and sexual tension, there’s a thoughtful exploration of chronic pain, hyper-independence, and what it means to let someone stay when you’re used to handling everything alone. The romance doesn’t rush, it earns every step forward, making the payoff deeply satisfying.
The Story
Lincoln Steele has known Willa Jameson his entire life. She’s his best friend’s little sister, his longtime nemesis, and now (somehow) his wife. When Willa shows up desperate, heartbroken, and determined to save her family farm, Linc offers her a solution that makes sense on paper: a marriage of convenience. No feelings. No complications. Just a temporary arrangement.
Naturally, nothing about it is simple.
Forced to share a house, a bed, and an increasingly blurry line between fake and real, their long-standing tension ignites fast. Willa is fiercely independent, battling chronic pain while carrying the weight of her family’s legacy. Linc is all sarcasm and sharp edges, but beneath it lies loyalty, softness, and a man who pays attention when it matters. As arguments turn into stolen moments and “my wife” starts sounding a little too natural, both are forced to confront what happens when pretending feels more like home than either expected.
🎧 Narration
Performed in duet narration by Savannah Peachwood and J.F. Harding, and they absolutely nailed the tone. Savannah Peachwood captures Willa’s fire, vulnerability, and sharp wit perfectly, giving depth to her emotional struggle without ever dulling her edge. J.F. Harding brings Linc’s smart-mouthed charm and underlying softness to life with ease. Their chemistry is palpable, their timing impeccable, and the emotional beats land exactly where they should. This audiobook is a standout.
What I Loved
✔️ Top-tier banter and enemies-to-lovers tension
✔️ A marriage of convenience that actually feels believable
✔️ Thoughtful representation of chronic pain
✔️ Spice that’s well-paced, intentional, and earned
✔️ Forced proximity done right
✔️ A hero who’s sarcastic but deeply attentive
Tropes & Vibes
✔️ Marriage of Convenience
✔️ Enemies to Lovers
✔️ Brother’s Best Friend
✔️ Black Cat x Golden Retriever
✔️ Forced Proximity
✔️ Only One Bed
✔️ Slow Burn
✔️ “My Wife” Energy
Final Thoughts
The Mr & Mrs Mistake is witty, emotionally grounded, and quietly compelling. Brighton Walsh delivers a romance that’s just as focused on emotional intimacy as it is on chemistry, with characters who feel real, flawed, and easy to root for. Lincoln and Willa’s story is messy in the best way full of sharp edges, soft moments, and a love that sneaks up on them both. This was my first Brighton Walsh book, and it definitely won’t be my last.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Spice-meter: 🌶️🌶️☆☆☆ (2/5)
Audiobook: 🎧 Duet
Series: Steele Brothers of Starlight Cove, Book 3 (can be read as a standalone)
The Mr & Mrs Mistake is sharp, funny, and emotionally smarter than it first lets on. Brighton Walsh takes the classic marriage-of-convenience setup and injects it with razor-sharp banter, real vulnerability, and a slow-burn tension that simmers just beneath every interaction. What starts as a practical solution quickly turns into an emotional minefield where lines are drawn, crossed, redrawn, and crossed again. This book knows exactly how to balance humor with heart, and by the time the pretending stops, the emotional stakes feel very real.
What truly makes this story stand out is how grounded it feels. Beneath the snark and sexual tension, there’s a thoughtful exploration of chronic pain, hyper-independence, and what it means to let someone stay when you’re used to handling everything alone. The romance doesn’t rush, it earns every step forward, making the payoff deeply satisfying.
The Story
Lincoln Steele has known Willa Jameson his entire life. She’s his best friend’s little sister, his longtime nemesis, and now (somehow) his wife. When Willa shows up desperate, heartbroken, and determined to save her family farm, Linc offers her a solution that makes sense on paper: a marriage of convenience. No feelings. No complications. Just a temporary arrangement.
Naturally, nothing about it is simple.
Forced to share a house, a bed, and an increasingly blurry line between fake and real, their long-standing tension ignites fast. Willa is fiercely independent, battling chronic pain while carrying the weight of her family’s legacy. Linc is all sarcasm and sharp edges, but beneath it lies loyalty, softness, and a man who pays attention when it matters. As arguments turn into stolen moments and “my wife” starts sounding a little too natural, both are forced to confront what happens when pretending feels more like home than either expected.
🎧 Narration
Performed in duet narration by Savannah Peachwood and J.F. Harding, and they absolutely nailed the tone. Savannah Peachwood captures Willa’s fire, vulnerability, and sharp wit perfectly, giving depth to her emotional struggle without ever dulling her edge. J.F. Harding brings Linc’s smart-mouthed charm and underlying softness to life with ease. Their chemistry is palpable, their timing impeccable, and the emotional beats land exactly where they should. This audiobook is a standout.
What I Loved
✔️ Top-tier banter and enemies-to-lovers tension
✔️ A marriage of convenience that actually feels believable
✔️ Thoughtful representation of chronic pain
✔️ Spice that’s well-paced, intentional, and earned
✔️ Forced proximity done right
✔️ A hero who’s sarcastic but deeply attentive
Tropes & Vibes
✔️ Marriage of Convenience
✔️ Enemies to Lovers
✔️ Brother’s Best Friend
✔️ Black Cat x Golden Retriever
✔️ Forced Proximity
✔️ Only One Bed
✔️ Slow Burn
✔️ “My Wife” Energy
Final Thoughts
The Mr & Mrs Mistake is witty, emotionally grounded, and quietly compelling. Brighton Walsh delivers a romance that’s just as focused on emotional intimacy as it is on chemistry, with characters who feel real, flawed, and easy to root for. Lincoln and Willa’s story is messy in the best way full of sharp edges, soft moments, and a love that sneaks up on them both. This was my first Brighton Walsh book, and it definitely won’t be my last.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
ARC read, thank you to the author!
Move over Xander, there’s a new Steele brother in town and I think he might just be my new favourite! I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book after the setup in the Live-in Temptation’s epilogue and it did not disappoint!
Tropes:
✨ Marriage of convenience
✨ Only one bed
✨ Best friend’s sister
✨ Black cat x golden retriever
✨ Chronic pain representation
Micro-tropes:
✨ It’s always been her
✨ They read smut together
✨ Will it fit? 🍆
✨ He talks her through it
✨ He mixes a new cocktail and names it after her
I loved getting to know Lincoln, our irreverent bartender, more… intimately… in this book. Behind the flirtatious charm and constant humour lies a deeply sensitive soul, who cares deeply and only wants to help those he loves. He’s secretly loved Willa for years, hidden behind verbal sparring, and has been waiting for an opportunity to help her as he sees her struggling.
Willa is so incredibly relatable, struggling to keep everything together whilst dealing with chronic pain and utterly unwilling to ask for help. As a fellow chronic pain sufferer, I felt seen in this book in a way I haven’t really before.
When, out of sheer desperation to save her family farm, Willa agrees to marry Lincoln to secure a grant, she insists it’s only for show and entirely fake. Linc, however, has other ideas. Having see her struggle from afar, he uses being married and living together as an excuse to help out and a way to look after Willa, even when she tries to push him away. And they obviously need to ‘practise’ so that they can convince those around them that the marriage is real.
Seeing the way Linc continues to show up and care for Willa, in big ways and small, warmed my heart like nothing else. Having known her for so long, he’s paid attention and knows exactly what she needs, even when she resits it. He also believes in her completely, even when she doesn’t believe in herself, and bends over backwards to make her dreams a reality.
This book has some of the best, most realistic and relatable chronic pain representation, including normalising the routine of dealing with flare ups and bad pain days. Seeing Willa learn that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness, and that she doesn’t have to do everything herself, was an incredibly healing journey. And seeing Linc support her, care for her, and believe in her, was one of my favourite relationship dynamics yet.
And the spice was most definitely spicing! 🔥 Linc is utterly ravenous for Willa, and boy does he like to eat! 🥵 This one definitely isn’t a slow burn, and once they start they really can’t stop! Linc’s dirty talk is top shelf, especially when he talks her through it. And he reads smut (that he gets from his mum!) with her. That, combined with the million ways he shows his love, both big and small, and he’s pretty much the perfect man!
As ever, I loved seeing more of our Starlight Cove family in this book, and all the little Easter eggs for the next book. And after that epilogue, I can’t wait for the final Steele brother to take centre stage. He’ll have to do a lot to knock Linc off the top spot though!
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
ARC read, thank you to the author!
Move over Xander, there’s a new Steele brother in town and I think he might just be my new favourite! I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book after the setup in the Live-in Temptation’s epilogue and it did not disappoint!
Tropes:
✨ Marriage of convenience
✨ Only one bed
✨ Best friend’s sister
✨ Black cat x golden retriever
✨ Chronic pain representation
Micro-tropes:
✨ It’s always been her
✨ They read smut together
✨ Will it fit? 🍆
✨ He talks her through it
✨ He mixes a new cocktail and names it after her
I loved getting to know Lincoln, our irreverent bartender, more… intimately… in this book. Behind the flirtatious charm and constant humour lies a deeply sensitive soul, who cares deeply and only wants to help those he loves. He’s secretly loved Willa for years, hidden behind verbal sparring, and has been waiting for an opportunity to help her as he sees her struggling.
Willa is so incredibly relatable, struggling to keep everything together whilst dealing with chronic pain and utterly unwilling to ask for help. As a fellow chronic pain sufferer, I felt seen in this book in a way I haven’t really before.
When, out of sheer desperation to save her family farm, Willa agrees to marry Lincoln to secure a grant, she insists it’s only for show and entirely fake. Linc, however, has other ideas. Having see her struggle from afar, he uses being married and living together as an excuse to help out and a way to look after Willa, even when she tries to push him away. And they obviously need to ‘practise’ so that they can convince those around them that the marriage is real.
Seeing the way Linc continues to show up and care for Willa, in big ways and small, warmed my heart like nothing else. Having known her for so long, he’s paid attention and knows exactly what she needs, even when she resits it. He also believes in her completely, even when she doesn’t believe in herself, and bends over backwards to make her dreams a reality.
This book has some of the best, most realistic and relatable chronic pain representation, including normalising the routine of dealing with flare ups and bad pain days. Seeing Willa learn that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness, and that she doesn’t have to do everything herself, was an incredibly healing journey. And seeing Linc support her, care for her, and believe in her, was one of my favourite relationship dynamics yet.
And the spice was most definitely spicing! 🔥 Linc is utterly ravenous for Willa, and boy does he like to eat! 🥵 This one definitely isn’t a slow burn, and once they start they really can’t stop! Linc’s dirty talk is top shelf, especially when he talks her through it. And he reads smut (that he gets from his mum!) with her. That, combined with the million ways he shows his love, both big and small, and he’s pretty much the perfect man!
As ever, I loved seeing more of our Starlight Cove family in this book, and all the little Easter eggs for the next book. And after that epilogue, I can’t wait for the final Steele brother to take centre stage. He’ll have to do a lot to knock Linc off the top spot though!
Review of advance copy received from Author
𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝑀𝑅 & 𝑀𝑅𝒮 𝑀𝒾𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓀𝑒
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟏𝐬𝐭
By Brighton Walsh
🍯❤️🔥🍷ARC REVIEW ❤️🔥🍯🍷
Lincoln Steele.
Willa Jameson.
They’ve known each other forever. He’s her brother’s best friend. He calls her “Hellcat.” She rolls her eyes at him regularly and refers to him mostly in 4-letter words. She’s determined to do everything on her own but needing a grant to help save her farm, she and Linc enter into a fake marriage, a temporary solution, that tests the real feelings between them.
Welcome back to Starlight Cove, 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝑀𝑅 & 𝑀𝑅𝒮 𝑀𝒾𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓀𝑒, book #3 in the Steele Brothers of Starlight Cove series. Buckle up. You’re gonna fall hard for Linc and Willa. I LOVED the audiobook! Narrated by JF Harding and Savannah Peachwood, these two narrating this book in duet are simply perfection. I highly recommend the audiobook for the best experience of this story.
Atlas, Xander, and Declan Steele are all back and the Steele brothers group texts are gold as always. I love how they banter back and forth but even more, I continue to love their brotherly bond throughout this series. They all show up for Linc when he’s determined to support his wife. And yes, he calls her WIFE every chance he gets.
Willa suffers from chronic back pain but refuses to let it deter her from saving her family farm by working herself to exhaustion and sometimes even collapse. Enter Linc. He’s not having it any longer. He’s seen this for too long. Now, she’s his wife, fake or not, and let me tell you everything he does for Willa, every time he refuses to let her push him away, refuse his help, he becomes more determined to help and you’ll fall just a bit harder for this Steele brother. And as terrifying as it is for her to rely on anyone, so does Willa. Linc slowly breaks down Willa’s walls and when things get physical? Whew. This book is super steamy. Linc is a charmer but what a filthy mouth to go along with all that charm. He’s simply delicious in every way and Willa finds she just can’t resist him. Who can blame her really.
Brighton gives us a super steamy, fun, fake marriage, found family story as only she can write. I devour every Brighton Walsh book and this one is no different. The Steele family stepping up for Willa and Linc and the women of Starlight Cove being there too, it’s all heart melting. Willa finds a true family at the Steele family dinners.
I absolutely adore the residents of Starlight Cove. Full stop. Oh, and the town’s resident super inappropriate grandmother, Mabel, is back of course, with all her outlandish, but impossible to resist X-rated humor. Mabel becomes obsessed with Willa’s new brand of honey sticks and I’ll just leave that one right there.
𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝑀𝑅 & 𝑀𝑅𝒮 𝑀𝒾𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓀𝑒 can be read as a stand-alone but don’t miss books 1 and 2 to read how grumpy ex football star, Atlas, falls for Sutton, single mom to a mouthy teenager (𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔾𝕣𝕦𝕞𝕡 ℕ𝕖𝕩𝕥 𝔻𝕠𝕠𝕣) and how single dad and Fire Chief, Xander, falls for Chloe, the nanny to his young daughter (𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕃𝕚𝕧𝕖-𝕚𝕟 𝕋𝕖𝕞𝕡𝕥𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟.)
Thank you Brighton for another Steele brother to fall for. Hard. Looking forward to Declan’s story next!
#brightonwalsh #enemiestolovers #brothersbestfriend #steelebrothersofstarlightcove
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟏𝐬𝐭
By Brighton Walsh
🍯❤️🔥🍷ARC REVIEW ❤️🔥🍯🍷
Lincoln Steele.
Willa Jameson.
They’ve known each other forever. He’s her brother’s best friend. He calls her “Hellcat.” She rolls her eyes at him regularly and refers to him mostly in 4-letter words. She’s determined to do everything on her own but needing a grant to help save her farm, she and Linc enter into a fake marriage, a temporary solution, that tests the real feelings between them.
Welcome back to Starlight Cove, 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝑀𝑅 & 𝑀𝑅𝒮 𝑀𝒾𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓀𝑒, book #3 in the Steele Brothers of Starlight Cove series. Buckle up. You’re gonna fall hard for Linc and Willa. I LOVED the audiobook! Narrated by JF Harding and Savannah Peachwood, these two narrating this book in duet are simply perfection. I highly recommend the audiobook for the best experience of this story.
Atlas, Xander, and Declan Steele are all back and the Steele brothers group texts are gold as always. I love how they banter back and forth but even more, I continue to love their brotherly bond throughout this series. They all show up for Linc when he’s determined to support his wife. And yes, he calls her WIFE every chance he gets.
Willa suffers from chronic back pain but refuses to let it deter her from saving her family farm by working herself to exhaustion and sometimes even collapse. Enter Linc. He’s not having it any longer. He’s seen this for too long. Now, she’s his wife, fake or not, and let me tell you everything he does for Willa, every time he refuses to let her push him away, refuse his help, he becomes more determined to help and you’ll fall just a bit harder for this Steele brother. And as terrifying as it is for her to rely on anyone, so does Willa. Linc slowly breaks down Willa’s walls and when things get physical? Whew. This book is super steamy. Linc is a charmer but what a filthy mouth to go along with all that charm. He’s simply delicious in every way and Willa finds she just can’t resist him. Who can blame her really.
Brighton gives us a super steamy, fun, fake marriage, found family story as only she can write. I devour every Brighton Walsh book and this one is no different. The Steele family stepping up for Willa and Linc and the women of Starlight Cove being there too, it’s all heart melting. Willa finds a true family at the Steele family dinners.
I absolutely adore the residents of Starlight Cove. Full stop. Oh, and the town’s resident super inappropriate grandmother, Mabel, is back of course, with all her outlandish, but impossible to resist X-rated humor. Mabel becomes obsessed with Willa’s new brand of honey sticks and I’ll just leave that one right there.
𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝑀𝑅 & 𝑀𝑅𝒮 𝑀𝒾𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓀𝑒 can be read as a stand-alone but don’t miss books 1 and 2 to read how grumpy ex football star, Atlas, falls for Sutton, single mom to a mouthy teenager (𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔾𝕣𝕦𝕞𝕡 ℕ𝕖𝕩𝕥 𝔻𝕠𝕠𝕣) and how single dad and Fire Chief, Xander, falls for Chloe, the nanny to his young daughter (𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕃𝕚𝕧𝕖-𝕚𝕟 𝕋𝕖𝕞𝕡𝕥𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟.)
Thank you Brighton for another Steele brother to fall for. Hard. Looking forward to Declan’s story next!
#brightonwalsh #enemiestolovers #brothersbestfriend #steelebrothersofstarlightcove
Review of advance copy received from Author
I love Lincoln. He is the best boy. The vibes of the Steele Brothers up to this point are so wildly different from what Lincoln puts out, it was so refreshing. Willa needs help, Lincoln JUMPS to do so. Willa's in pain, Lincoln makes sure to ease it in any way he can. He bans her from lifting things, he finds help for her at the farm, he makes her dreams possible. He's the very best boy.
I usually love the black cat dynamic, but Willa was so frustrating. She was so used to being self-efficient that accepting help was impossible for her to stomach. Her brother is off to doctors without borders, her father passed away, and her mom f*cked off to Florida. She has the weight of the family farm on her shoulders and is failing miserably. I get where she's coming from. Like, it sucks to be alone, but she doesn't have to be. The only item that fell short with her black cat energy, was the why of it. There wasn't a canon event that made her hate Lincoln. I kept expecting one, but she just decided one day that she didn't like him. I guess that is something that's standard in real life - but we're in a book, GIMME THAT DRAMA.
Anyway, Holly immediately welcomes Willa into the fold - as do the rest of the Steele clan, because they're all wonderful people. Mabel is FANTASTIC, constantly immersing herself into the drama. Lincoln flirts with everyone, but only has eyes for Willa. He does so many sweet acts of service for her that it bothered me with how long it took for her to realize that he's perfect and has zero flaws. Honestly, her brother helped expose her insecurities and caused unnecessary harm to that beautiful man.
I highly recommend that you read this book. It was so much fun and again - Lincoln is perfect. It was spicy once she gives in. They buddy read smut - which is fun. These two are very complimentary and the supporting cast was great. I love the Brothers' Steele. I can't wait to read Declan's story - which we got a preview of at the very end of this one. Pretty soon Holly will have all the daughters she's always wanted. What a saint, that woman is. I didn't cry so no 5th star.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
I usually love the black cat dynamic, but Willa was so frustrating. She was so used to being self-efficient that accepting help was impossible for her to stomach. Her brother is off to doctors without borders, her father passed away, and her mom f*cked off to Florida. She has the weight of the family farm on her shoulders and is failing miserably. I get where she's coming from. Like, it sucks to be alone, but she doesn't have to be. The only item that fell short with her black cat energy, was the why of it. There wasn't a canon event that made her hate Lincoln. I kept expecting one, but she just decided one day that she didn't like him. I guess that is something that's standard in real life - but we're in a book, GIMME THAT DRAMA.
Anyway, Holly immediately welcomes Willa into the fold - as do the rest of the Steele clan, because they're all wonderful people. Mabel is FANTASTIC, constantly immersing herself into the drama. Lincoln flirts with everyone, but only has eyes for Willa. He does so many sweet acts of service for her that it bothered me with how long it took for her to realize that he's perfect and has zero flaws. Honestly, her brother helped expose her insecurities and caused unnecessary harm to that beautiful man.
Tropes/Microtropes:
🍓 One bed (it's very small)
🍺 "It'll fit" (it's not very small, but her house is)
🍓 He pushes 💦 back in (there's a bit of a breeding k!nk here)
🍺 He 💦 in his pants
🍓 Black Cat/ Golden Retriever
🍺 Brother's best friend
🍓 Childhood friends
🍺 Public 💥ing
I highly recommend that you read this book. It was so much fun and again - Lincoln is perfect. It was spicy once she gives in. They buddy read smut - which is fun. These two are very complimentary and the supporting cast was great. I love the Brothers' Steele. I can't wait to read Declan's story - which we got a preview of at the very end of this one. Pretty soon Holly will have all the daughters she's always wanted. What a saint, that woman is. I didn't cry so no 5th star.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
December 26, 2025
BOOK FEATURES:
• Forced Proximity
• Enemies to Lovers
• Marriage of Convenience
• Small Town Romance
• Brother’s Best Friend
• One Bed
• Contemporary Romance
MY THOUGHTS:
When I received this ARC, I hoped I’d like it because the mix of tropes sounded pretty cool. I hate to say this, but shortly after starting, I was really disappointed. Right from the start I felt misled because between the main characters there was no rivalry. They hated each other for no reason, when years ago, as children, they were really good friends, and it was never explained what went wrong between them. If they were true enemies, they wouldn’t have agreed to get married and move in together so easily, especially not on purpose.
Lincoln was clearly in love from the very first page, and basically everyone in the family knew it, even if he didn’t admit it to himself. What shocked me was that when they announced the marriage, no one questioned it or looked at them differently. They didn’t really seem surprised by the news, they just went with it and accepted Willa as family.
I felt the story was missing key scenes, the author didn’t really specify what happened in the first two weeks of them living in the same place, or interacting with each other. I would have wanted to know more what happened during that time. Also, I realized at the 80% mark that Willa was plus-size. The book suddenly referred to it, but I don’t remember that detail being mentioned earlier, which was confusing. ☹
Willa was such an inconsistent person, she changed her mind every single day about how to treat Lincoln, and I just couldn’t keep up with her. Even though she „hated” him, she didn’t seem to mind his actions. The most annoying part was she constantly called Lincoln a „jackass” all the time, while not really meaning it.
Lincoln didn’t seem like Beau’s BEST friend, since he mocked Willa’s brother a lot about the marriage. I don’t know why he wasn’t afraid of him, not even a little bit, that part wasn’t really clear to me.
In the beginning it was mentioned a few times that Willa loved reading, she often hid in the library, but after that the author seemed to forget this plot point until the very end, when Willa suddenly attended a book club meeting. It was so sudden, her book club was never mentioned before, so it felt strange.
The last 30% of the book was pretty great, the storylines were wrapped up good enough and I was satisfied with the conclusion. That part saved this from being a 2-star read. I would recommend this book to spicy romance lovers, as the heat level was definitely there. If you prefer the smut over the actual story, this might be a perfect choice for you.
CONTENT WARNINGS:
• Explicit Sexual Content
• Parental neglect (mentioned, off-page)
• Alcohol Consumption
• Chronic pain rep
• Forced Proximity
• Enemies to Lovers
• Marriage of Convenience
• Small Town Romance
• Brother’s Best Friend
• One Bed
• Contemporary Romance
MY THOUGHTS:
When I received this ARC, I hoped I’d like it because the mix of tropes sounded pretty cool. I hate to say this, but shortly after starting, I was really disappointed. Right from the start I felt misled because between the main characters there was no rivalry. They hated each other for no reason, when years ago, as children, they were really good friends, and it was never explained what went wrong between them. If they were true enemies, they wouldn’t have agreed to get married and move in together so easily, especially not on purpose.
Lincoln was clearly in love from the very first page, and basically everyone in the family knew it, even if he didn’t admit it to himself. What shocked me was that when they announced the marriage, no one questioned it or looked at them differently. They didn’t really seem surprised by the news, they just went with it and accepted Willa as family.
I felt the story was missing key scenes, the author didn’t really specify what happened in the first two weeks of them living in the same place, or interacting with each other. I would have wanted to know more what happened during that time. Also, I realized at the 80% mark that Willa was plus-size. The book suddenly referred to it, but I don’t remember that detail being mentioned earlier, which was confusing. ☹
Willa was such an inconsistent person, she changed her mind every single day about how to treat Lincoln, and I just couldn’t keep up with her. Even though she „hated” him, she didn’t seem to mind his actions. The most annoying part was she constantly called Lincoln a „jackass” all the time, while not really meaning it.
Lincoln didn’t seem like Beau’s BEST friend, since he mocked Willa’s brother a lot about the marriage. I don’t know why he wasn’t afraid of him, not even a little bit, that part wasn’t really clear to me.
In the beginning it was mentioned a few times that Willa loved reading, she often hid in the library, but after that the author seemed to forget this plot point until the very end, when Willa suddenly attended a book club meeting. It was so sudden, her book club was never mentioned before, so it felt strange.
The last 30% of the book was pretty great, the storylines were wrapped up good enough and I was satisfied with the conclusion. That part saved this from being a 2-star read. I would recommend this book to spicy romance lovers, as the heat level was definitely there. If you prefer the smut over the actual story, this might be a perfect choice for you.
CONTENT WARNINGS:
• Explicit Sexual Content
• Parental neglect (mentioned, off-page)
• Alcohol Consumption
• Chronic pain rep
Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews