Best Worst Mistake

Brightwater #3

by Lia Riley

Sometimes the worst mistakes turn out to be the best…

Smoke jumper Wilder Kane once reveled in the rush from putting out dangerous wildfires. But after a tragic accident, he’s cut himself off from the world, refusing to leave his isolated cabin. When a headstrong beauty bursts in, Wilder finds himself craving the fire she ignites in him, but letting anyone near his darkness would be a mistake.

After her Hollywood life went up in smoke, Quinn Higsby decided to leave Tinseltown behind and return to Brightwater to care for her ailing father. She spends her days in a small bookstore, until her peaceful existence is up-ended by a fascinating but damaged man. Quinn is determined not to be scared off by Wilder, not once she’s experienced the heat of his passions.

But when an arsonist targets the community and Wilder is accused, he must confront the ghosts of his past. Will his desire for Quinn burn him up or will he be able to tame the wildness inside and rekindle a hope for their future?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Adult, Fiction, Small Town Romance, Audiobook

235 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 20, 2015

About the author

Lia Riley is a contemporary romance author. USA Today describes her as "refreshing" and RT Book Reviews calls her books "sizzling and heartfelt." She loves the beach, fresh flowers, foggy redwood forests and a perfect pour over coffee. She is 25% sarcastic, 54% optimistic, and 122% bad at math (good thing she writes happy endings for a living). She and her family live mostly in Northern California.

Visit her at www.liariley.com to learn more.

Reviews

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this is a great contemporary romance! Lots of humor, a fair amount of poignancy, and enough steam to fog your glasses. Great characters, compelling plot...I'm going to go back and read the first 2 books ASAP!

An ARC was provided by Avon Books. In appreciation I'm giving them an honest review.

[Danielle (Love at First Page) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have adored every book in the Brghtwater series by Lia Riley, but Best Worst Mistake is by far my favorite. I had no idea going into it that it would be a contemporary spin on Beauty and the Beast, so when all signs pointed that way I couldn't have been more delighted. It's no secret that gruff and grumpy heroes who are afraid they don't deserve love will do it for me every single time, and Wilder fits that bill perfectly. He's damaged within from a tragedy in his past and physically from a near brush with death. He's stubborn and unrelenting and won't let anyone in. That is, until bright and bookish Quinn, whose personality I adored, stepped into his life. These two made such a sweet pair, she bringing him from the brink of loneliness and self-loathing, and he a rock she never knew she needed. Just like in the first two books, the romance is thankfully angst-free and believable. I love that these two were building a future together every step of the way.

This review can also be found at Love at First Page.

If you're looking for a new sweet contemporary romance series to devour, I highly recommend this one. Great for fans of small town humor, too, like those by Jill Shalvis and Candis Terry.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

what can I say? I LOVE my men damaged and feeling as though they aren't deserving of happiness or love.


This was my first Lia Riley read, and it certainly won't be my last :-)

[nick (the infinite limits of love) · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a small-town contemporary romance fan and haven't read any books in the Brightwater series yet, then stop what you're doing and go one-click the heck out of them. I'm beginning to think that Lia Riley is a magical unicorn who spouts out these romantic books that make you want to hug them and never let them go. I absolutely LOVED Right Wrong Guy, so to say that I was impatiently looking forward to Best Worst Mistake would be an understatement. As soon as I snagged a copy, I started reading the book and fell hardcore in love with the writing, the characters and of course, the delightful romance. 

Best Worst Mistake opened up with a heartbreaking scene with Wilder being caught in a terrible fire incident that eventually led to him losing his leg and being emotionally scarred. Fast forward a few months, Wilder is back in hometown of Brightwater, living a loner life. Wilder was such a grouchy, grumpy hero at first. Despite that though, I knew that behind that surly exterior, was a passionate man who was afraid to let anyone in because he hated that he had lost a limb. From the get go, I wanted to comfort Wilder mostly because of my selfish desires, but also because Wilder was the kind of guy who deserved to be showered with love from everyone. When he started to open up about his fears and why he was as grumpy as he was, I wanted to hug the guy. Quinn, the love interest, was the absolute perfect girl for him. She was the complete opposite to his grouchy self with her bubbly, talkative and very loud personality. Most importantly though, Quinn was patient, kind-hearted and knew exactly how to read people. Her intense love for books also made Quinn a very relateable character.

Quinn and Wilder's romance in Best Worst Mistake was so so sweet, you guys! I loved it so much because of how happy it made me feel. These two had chemistry from even before they met and when they did meet, the sparks would fly all over the places. The way their personalities meshed together and the way they communicated with each other made the romantic in me sigh in happiness. Oh and get this, there was no silly misunderstanding that separated the couple in the book. AT ALL. Best Worst Mistake might actually be the first romance book that I've ever read that didn't have the misunderstanding at the 75% mark and this of course made me ridiculously happy. Besides the romance, I really enjoyed watching Wilder reconnect with his family and seeing his brothers' and their lady loves, from the previous books going strongly. And of course, I was more than excited to be reunited with the crazy, but kind-hearted Grandma Kane who still continued to be a  riot. Oh and I have to mention the super sweet ending that completely swept me off my feet! I absolutely loved it!

I'm not certain if this is the last book in the Brightwater series but I'm not ready to be done with it just yet. I hope Kit and Goldie get their own book because they have history together! Best Worst Mistake was a delightful addition to the Brightwater series and has solidified Lia Riley as one of my favorite romance authors.

[☕️Kimberly (Caffeinated Reviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coffee dates with Best Worst Mistake

First date: I was anxious to meet Wilder Kane after hints in the earlier book.  A tragic accident has him living as a recluse in an isolated cabin by the lake. Quinn Higsby has recently returned to Brightwater and is dealing with some life changes. She works at the local bookstore and as a lover of books with an unstoppable sweet tooth, she and I are going to get along just fine.  Riley hints at something from his past that causing him guilt and Wilder is grumpy and obviously hurting. However, the man ordered a Nora Roberts book and I plan to stick around to meet the man beneath his rough exterior.  I am anxious for these two to meet. She is all sugar and spice and Wilder is a big old bear..this should be interesting!!
Second date: A snowstorm and a confused man force Quinn and Wilder to spend time together. I love this trope and have snuggled in. Everyone steps lightly around Wilder particularly his family so he does not quite know what to think of Quinn. She never stops talking and is not the least bit intimidated. It is hilarious. I can just see his eyes rolling to the back of his head. Right away, I love the banter between these two as Riley fleshed them out and shares their stories. An unexpected invitation has Quinn joining the Kane's Thanksgiving and we shared several awe moments with these two as the attraction builds. Gads, I love interfering siblings. Don't you? Riley adds in a little suspense to this second date when an arsonist begins setting fires. Quinn is struggling with a secret and things are heating up. The relationship begins with attraction, but it slowly develops into something more. Quinn has a positive effect on Wilder and while I thought his turnaround was a little fast I do believe that some folks shine brightly and that they can draw people to them. Quinn is that type of person. I loved seeing her handle Grandma and Wilder, it was hilarious.
Third date: OMG, who knew Wilder was such a romantic. I loved discovering that beneath that grumpy façade there was this big old teddy bear.  I swooned my friends and when you see Wilder’s idea of a date I am telling you, he will be your next book boyfriend. A little suspense, danger and Quinn’s secret propel us towards our HEA. Riley creates just enough tension and allows her characters to grow without putting her readers through the wringer. If you like a light romance, with a dash of heat and a few twists this read is for you. Our third date ended with an epilogue that had me grinning and I ended this date with a satisfied smile.


Copy provided by publisher. This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted.

There’s just something that I really enjoy about small-town romances. Yes, they are sometimes a little bit too sweet, but sometimes you need that sweetness, that hope and warmth it brings.

I loved gruff and surly Wilder Kane. A man so broken by what happened when he was a child, that he carries a darkness with him, one that he’d been trying to fight his way out of as a teenager, and as an adult jump his way out of as a smoke jumper. But then life throws him a curveball, and he is forced to return to his home town after being injured on the job, one that ended his career and changed his life. He doesn’t want to interact with other people, even though his brothers try their best to include him in their lives. But then he finds an elderly man outside his isolated cabin in the cold, and life takes an unexpected turn again.

Quinn hasn’t had an easy life either. She got fired from her PR job in Hollywood because her celebrity boss was a sleezebag, and she’s returned to Brightwater be near her sick father, who suffers from alzheimer’s. Some days are good, and he remembers her, but other days are difficult. And then she receives a call from the assistant home, informing her that her father is missing. Luckily for her, the sheriff located her father quite quickly, as he was found outside his brother, Wilder’s, cabin who is looking after him. And so she meets the moody Wilder, but instead of being put off by his attitude like everyone else, she’s captivated by him.

I liked the instant attraction between Wilder and Quinn, and I loved how her sweetness and sassiness brought out the real Wilder hiding behind his surly attitude. Their romance was sweet and sexy, and I enjoyed it immensely.

I also loved that the problems Wilder and Quinn faced weren’t superficial with unnecessary drama, but real problems. Wilder with his guilt over what happened when he was such a young child, and having to cope with losing his foot in the fire, and feeling less of man because of this. And Quinn over her worries about her father, and fearing that it could be genetic. Both of them were so closed off in their own ways, but together they learned to trust and to hope for a future they thought they would never have.

I really liked Wilder’s snarky grandmother, who acted like she was the mafia of the town, and preferred to just steamroll over everyone.

This was my first book by this author, and it won’t be my last. A very sweet small-town romance.

[Rhea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have drowned in the sexiness that is Wilder Kane and do not wish to be pulled out. Please move on and find other drownees to help.

I’ve made no secret of the fact that the beauty and the beast trope is my favourite. There’s just something about a (wo)man pulling their partner out of the darkness of their past, and into the bright sunshine of their future. This the trope that gives me hope and actually makes me feel for all the characters involved. Some of my favourite books of all time are based on this trope and I’m a happy girl now that my favourite Brightwater book has a gruff, sort-of beast, and a sassy beauty with more balls than most heroes I’ve read.

Best Worst Mistake started in a very simple, very romantic way—a huge snowstorm and a stay in at Wilder’s for a lack of options. Of course, the situation is far from romantic but we get a first glimpse at Wilder, and his closed-off, Fort Knox type of nature. And of course, our heroine Quinn isn’t one to turn down a challenge :)

One of the first things I noticed about Quinn was how straight-forward she was. No playing games, no making Wilder (or anyone, for that matter) run around in circles. She just straight up said what came to her mind, and that was fantastic. From a girl who was a Hollywood PR agent, very good at cleaning up people’s messes, and brushing elbows with the most high and famous, not being able to play mind games to get what she wanted was what made her so unique to me. She turned out to be a small town girl at heart, and fit in very well as an assistant at a book shop, her love for reading making her life easier in its small way. Another sweet thing about the girl was the way she was with her father. It’s simultaneously heartwarming and heartbreaking to see, and it’s the type of love she showed that would melt your little daughter-heart and be that kind of a girl to your father!

Wilder, you discover pretty early on, prefers to avoid human contact and stay kind of holed up in his house, with the company of his books to keep him from feeling too lonely. But all my thoughts about Wilder being any kind of an asshole were just blasted away by the second chapter in his POV. You’ll see why. Wilder had these painful, almost haunting secrets buried within him, the type to permanently damage a soul, but the fact that he wouldn’t let them said something about the man he was. In many ways I could see the Sawyer in Wilder—the calm exterior, often hiding the tempest within. I could go on and on about how hot I thought Wilder was (hotter even than Sawyer), but really, it was his heart and his vulnerability that drew me to him, marking him down firmly as my FAVOURITE KANE.

I wouldn’t say Wilder and Quinn had the type of romance you’d sing songs or write a sonnet about. No, their love was kind of more…subtle, i think is the closest word. It was subdued, and it never overtook their reasoning or changed them fundamentally. It was just two people realising how right they were in a short span of time, with forces outside of just their attraction bonding them. Quinn was, after all, undergoing a tough phase in her life and no one could have handled it better than Wilder and his awkward ways. But beware, if you like a bit of a mystery with your romance, you might be in for a treat—there’s an arsonist in Brightwater, setting fire around town, disrupting lives and pinning Wilder as the suspect. This too is, in fact, an important part of the book and I absolutely enjoyed the break from the heavy romance now and then!

In all honesty, I am not ready for the Brightwater series to end. There are so many characters who deserve to have their stories told (Kit and Goldie, I’m looking at you) and while I doubt the Kane brothers can be beat, I’d love to see Lia Riley try! With Best Worst Kiss, we see Lia doing what she does best—taking two unlikely people and giving them a spectacular future, with great sex and a happily ever after! This was exactly the type of book I’d imagined for the one Kane who was AWOL and I’m so, so glad he got history told. Say your goodbyes to drama-ramas because this one might just be the beginning of a new generation of rom-coms with less drama and more fun between the sheets!

[Kristiej · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 out of 5

I think this one was on for a squeal of a deal and was the first book I started. I didn’t get very far into it before I decided I would enjoy this series and as the price was right, I got the first two and started from there.


Wilder is the oldest of the Kane brothers and the book opens with a bang with him jumping out of a plane and into the middle of a raging fire, as a smoke jumper that’s his job. But things go wrong for Wilder and he ends up back in his hometown of Brightwater where he’s become quite the hermit. There are hints from the beginning that Wilder has dealt with ghosts for most of his life and doesn’t think he deserves happiness.

Wilder is my favourite kind of hero, the gruff teddy bear type who keeps people, including his love interest at a distance. In this case Quinn Higsby is his love interest. Her parents split early in her life and she spent summers in Brightwater; enough time to become somewhat familiar with the town but not enough to make a lot of friends. But she’s back for good now. Her professional life fell apart and her father is suffering from early onset Alzheimer’s and needs her to care for him.
She meets Wilder when her father wanders to his cottage in the wilderness in a snow storm. He’s reluctant to let her in, but underneath his gruffness, he’s a real good guy. She soon realizes he’s the guy who has been ordering quite a few very different books from the bookstore she works at and she has been impressed with his all roundedness in book choices.

It doesn’t take Quinn long at all to realize Wilder is special and she wants him to play a major role in her life, but Wilder, being the gruff teady bear type he is, with his secret pain is very reluctant. But as he’s as attracted to Quinn as she is to him he can’t resist her forever.
I loved Wilder. I’d been wanting to get to his book since I read the little bit from before I started at the beginning and he’s quite worth the wait. And Quinn makes for an equally good heroine. I love a take charge, this is the ‘guy I want and I’m going to get him’ gal. They make a great couple and it’s so good to see Wilder let down his barriers, the walls he’s had for so many years. There is a bit of a mystery as to who is starting fires but not as big as the blurb makes it sound.

As a whole this series was very enjoyable and the stories not similar enough to see a pattern that can sometimes happen when you read all the books in a series in a row. I think fans of small town contemporary book will find these ones right up their alley and I’m going to hunt down more books by Lia Riley. She has impressed me and I’ll read more of her books.

[1-Click Addict Support Group · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, Wilder Kane gave me a certain kind of wild—the kind that comes from a well-written, engaging, sexy and oh, so charming book. Starring a gruff, grumpy, craggy near-hermit, and a sassy, sparky, fun bookworm. *Sigh*

When Wilder Kane’s smoke jumping career ends in tragedy, he ends up back in the one place he never wanted to return…Brightwater, California. He refuses to be anything other than the quiet, taciturn, black sheep of the Kane family though, so he’s not exactly making friends galore in his out-of-the-way cabin.

When circumstance brings ex-Hollywood gofer, and current local bookseller, Quinn Higsby to Wilder’s doorstep, she is determined to find the heart of gold she is sure is hidden underneath his stubborn, brusque exterior. Until an arsonist starts to target the town and both Wilder and Quinn are drawn into the mystery…

Can Quinn break through to Wilder, or will their spark fizzle before it catches ablaze?

I’ve really enjoyed this series from Lia Riley, and this one is my absolute favorite. It gave me ALL THE FEELS, and I found myself close to tears and turned on…kinda at the same time, if I am honest. It’s just THAT good—engaging in a way that makes putting it down an impossibility, and the prospect of reaching the end a little disappointing, because, damn it, you want to stay with this couple forever.

Wilder…I don’t even know where to start with this guy. He’s a grump, a little mean almost, but not really. Because you know—you just know—that beneath the exterior is a truly good man, who has been a little beaten down by life, and what/who he believes he is…even though he’s not. Sorry for that roundabout sentence, but I am confident that if—WHEN—you read this fabulous book, you’ll understand. Wilder is sexy-as-hell despite (because of?) his flaws, and he is perfectly imperfect, a broken and scarred man that made me all swoony inside.

And Quinn—I completely loved her. She was fun and determined, a good person who was working my dream job—a bookstore in a picturesque town. I loved how she pushed at Wilder, knowing what we all knew too, that there was good underneath, and I adored that she saw in him what sometimes even his family did not. She fit into this story, this series and this town perfectly.

The mystery that makes up Best Worst Mistake was interesting, and although I thought I had it figured out early, I did not, which was a very pleasant surprise. I’m absolutely in love with this small-town series and I can’t wait for more—and there has to be more… ~ Beth, 5 stars

~~~

A childhood family tragedy resulted in Wilder Kane putting as much distance between himself and his family as possible. Now a surly, sexy, strong smoke jumper in Montana, it is cruel irony when a horrific parachute accident ends with him back home and under the care of the family he spent so long pushing away. Broken in every way imagineable, Wilder holes up inside his sterile, secluded home—no more willing to engage now than he ever was before. Wilder remains withdrawn and reclusive until the day Quinn Higsby comes barreling into his life.

Quinn has her own reasons for keeping herself on the sidelines of society—a failed career in Hollywood and an ailing father have left her with her own fair share of baggage. She’s intrigued by Wilder, though; drawn to him in a way she can’t quite explain. He’s not friendly, or warm, or particularly handsome, but there’s a kindness underneath the stony surface into which she’s determined to chisel.

Wilder and Quinn are opposites—she’s the light to his dark—but their chemistry is undeniable, and they balance each other out perfectly. He’s surly and prickly and unapproachable, but Quinn is strong and feisty and not afraid of Wilder’s sharp edges. She soothes them down, draws him out, and restores his humanity in a way he never even thought possible. It’s a lovely thing watching these two learn how to let each other in.

I don’t know if it’s just my inexplicable attraction to crabby, wounded heroes, but the heat in this book was kicked up several notches as well. Like, DAMN. Wilder and Quinn steamed up my Kindle—their mixture of tenderness, unexplored intimacy, and raw need was enough for me to issue a panty-soaker warning on this one. They’re intense, sexy, and explosive.

Oh. My. Goodness.

For me this is—hands down—the best of the Brightwater series yet. I am a sucker for a good “Beauty and the Beast” story and this one satisfied on all levels. Steamy, tender, laugh-out-loud funny, and full of the quirky Brightwater secondary characters I’ve come to love; there’s a little bit of fairy tale mixed with a dash of mystery and the end result is pure swoony pleasure. ~ Shelly, 4.5 stars

~~~

After reading about the two other Kane brothers, I knew Lia would pull out all the stops with Wilder and I was absolutely right! This story is a classic fairy tale which could not be more fitting for this dynamic duo.

Wilder is a fierce, alpha male that likes his privacy, while Quinn is a lovable, outgoing book enthusiast. Ring any bells? This Beauty and The Beast couple didn't instantly hit it off but once they did, there was no stopping them!

Their story was full of fireworks, sass and a whole lot of taming the beast...who really wasn't that beastly at all. I can't wait for the next addition in the Brightwater series! ~ Kelly, 4 stars

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review



There is something about small town romance that I always finding charming, sweet, and touching. And in Lia Riley's third installment to The Brightwater Series, Ms. Riley enchants her readers to a fairy-tale love story with a modern twist to the beloved classic, Beauty and the Beast.



Wilder Kane is your grumpy alpha hero who had to leave his career behind after a tragic accident. Now back home in his hometown of Brightwater, California, Wilder is not exactly your friendly neighbor that is until he meets Quinn Higbsy. Slowly, our sweet heroine was able to draw out this stubborn man back into society. Slowly, the walls that have surrounded Wilder Kane soon begins to crumble when he allows Quinn into his life. Can Quinn show this perfectly imperfect man that he is not broken at all?

I adored this sweet, charming and touching small town romance book. The Best Worst Mistake is my favorite of the series. I have always been drawn to flawed broken heroes and Lia Riley did an amazing job showcasing that behind all the facade, Wilder Kane is a good, honest, and beautiful man. So if you are looking for a book that is a great reminder that true love is about loving and accepting all your imperfections then the Best Worst Mistake is the book for you. Also, sometimes the best worst mistakes make the best kind of stories so be prepared to fall in love with Quinn as she tames her own beast, Wilder.




Review can also be found on Four Chicks Flipping Pages: http://fourchicksflippingpages.weebly...Lia Riley

[Talltree]

Zzz
Couldn't get past sample...

[Lia Riley]

Wilder & Quinn's story. This is Brightwater #3 but can be read as a stand alone. This is an adult contemporary romance. Beauty and the Beast ;)

Stay current with my releases/sales by signing up for my Lia Riley Newsletter: http://liariley.us7.list-manage.com/s... and join my Brightwater Reader Group on FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/88687...

Brightwater Reading Order:
Last First Kiss #1
Right Wrong Guy #2
Best Worst Mistake #3

[J]

DNF at 32%. Couldn't pass this one up with a blurb about a scarred and disabled firefighter (missing a leg from a botched parachute jump) living a loner life and this book being a "Beauty and the Beast" take off. Well, at 32% after reading multiple pages about Thanksgiving with a tofu turkey I wished the firefighter and his Beauty well and went on to something else.

[Aila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always forget to review this book and it's always a classic contemporary romance reread for me. Beauty and the Beast retelling!

[Andrea at Reading Lark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review Posted on Reading Lark 11/13/15: http://readinglark.blogspot.com/2015/...

The Kane brothers are back! This time we get to meet the elusive oldest brother, Wilder Kane. Wilder has been harboring a deadly secret since he was six. He hates himself for what happened that fateful night that changed his life and the lives of his brothers forever. To cope, Wilder has always lashed out at those around him and kept his emotions buried so deep he has forgotten the feel of everything except self loathing. He has thrown himself into being a fire jumper in Montana, but everything changes when he has an accident trying to help squelch a raging wildfire and his parachute malfunctions. After the incident, Wilder is forced to move back home to Brightwater, California. He buys a small house near the falls and isolates himself from his family.

In another part of town, Quinn Higsby is dealing with her own problems. She's trying to take care of her father who suffers from early onset Alzheimer's while stressing that she may be a carrier of the disease. Quinn lives each day on the precipice of good health and worries that at any moment she could fall into the same issues as her father. To quell her fears, she undergoes testing to determine her risk. On top of her health concerns, Quinn is trying to dodge the unwelcome advances of local firefighter, Garret, who can't seem to take the hint that she isn't interested.

One fateful evening, Quinn's father slips away from his care facility and is wandering the countryside as a snowstorm bears down on the small town. Quinn is beside herself with worry, but learns that her father has been found by a certain gentleman who has been ordering books from the bookstore where Quinn works. She rushes to the home of Wilder Kane to pick up her father, but when she arrives the storm begins to rage, making it impossible for her to leave. She realizes that she and her dad will just have to hunker down and wait things out - with Wilder, who is less than enthused by his sudden houseguests.

Quinn and Wilder soon realize that the other offers a balm to their wounded soul and romance blossoms. Yes, I admit that instal-love makes my stomach churn, but for some reason I didn't mind it as much with these two. I instantly related to Quinn because of her love of reading and tea. Wilder took a little more time to warm up to due to his grumpiness, but I soon found myself with a new book crush. By the end of this one, he had solidified his spot as my favorite Kane brother. That's saying a lot because I also adored Sawyer and Archer.

The emphasis on reading and books in this one was one of my favorite aspects. I might have even swooned a bit when Wilder read from Jane Austen. What woman wouldn't love that?

In addition, this novel has a holiday air to it as Thanksgiving and Christmas make appearances. I love indulging in stories in the same time frame as the current season. I just wish Edie was around to bring dessert to my Thanksgiving!

Lastly, I love the town of Brightwater. Lia Riley has done a fabulous job of painting such a vivid portrait of this town that I can see Main Street and the inhabitants as they go about their day. It's a place that I will be sure to revisit from time to time.

I've enjoyed my time in Brightwater with the Kane brothers, the women who own their hearts, and their cantankerous grandmother. I'd highly recommend a book vacation to fans of contemporary romance or those looking for some new book boyfriends. Each of the novels got better and better. This one is my favorite of the three.

P.S. - I am really hoping that Kit, the Kane cousin, gets his own book. I'm not quite ready to let this series go.

One Last Gripe: As with the other novels, there were some scenes that were a bit too detailed for me, but typical romance readers will not be bothered.

Favorite Thing About This Book: I loved watching the evolution of Quinn and Wilder.

First Sentence: During the dawn of the twentieth century, an alleged phantom haunted Castle Falls Gulch just beyond the Brightwater city limits.

Favorite Character: It's a tie between Quinn and Wilder.

Least Favorite Character: Garret

[Saly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice small town romance about a hero who is closed off from family and whose circumstances force him to move closer to the family he has been pushing away for years. The heroine comes home to take care of her dad who is sick. I liked how the heroine gradually helped the hero open up and deal with his past and present. While the hero helped her deal with her fears for the future.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Find this review and more at kimberlyfaye reads .

Lia Riley is one of my new favorite adult contemporary authors. If it wasn't official after Last First Kiss and Right Wrong Guy, it definitely is after Best Worst Mistake. I loved her new adult series, but I think I might love the Brightwater series even more. (Shhhhh.) I've been looking for a series to fill that small town sweet romance hole left in my heart when Candis Terry's Sweet, Texas series ended and this is definitely the one. Of course, it's also over now (*wipes tears*) so I guess I have to go back to the drawing board again.

Best Worst Mistake was exactly the book I needed in my life when I read it. It was sweet, sexy, heartwarming and romantic. I fell head over heels for the characters and loved their story. It's a kind of Beauty & the Beast retelling and it just totally made my heart happy. Be prepared for the big cheesy grins – and a fair few feels – when you read this one.

I've been waiting for Wilder Kane's story since I first heard about him earlier on in the series. And, let me tell you, Lia wastes no time jumping into the story this time around. That first chapter? Holy cow. There wasn't a chance in hell I could put this book down once I started. It was definitely of the "read in one sitting" variety for me. Wilder was nothing short of amazing. I do love watching a closed off man let go of the baggage of the past and realize that life can still be good – or even great – even if it's different than he thought it would be. I just wanted to give him a big hug and tell him it would be alright... that it would be BETTER than alright.

Quinn was no slouch herself. She was intelligent, sassy and a little bit awkward. I swear, I fell for her about the first time she started babbling – something she does A LOT. I loved her quirky side and her book-themed tees. I liked how honest she was and my heart ached for the things she was dealing with when it came to her father and his health... and the possible implications on her own health. She was such a realistic character. You couldn't help but love her.

Together Wilder and Quinn were nothing short of magical. There was heat – oh boy was there – but there was also something real and raw, right from the beginning. She helped him realize that he's not a broken man and that he's more than the sum of his injuries. He helped her realize that life is worth living and enjoying to the fullest, even if there might be an expiration date on the memories made. My heart was so full as I watched these two come together, let go and find something real. Add to that appearances by the earlier couples and Grandma and this book was the perfect series-ender.

I'm so sad this series has come to an end, but even more, I'm excited to see what Lia gives us next. She's definitely on my auto-buy author list. I'll read anything she writes and I strongly suspect I'll continue to love each new character, book and series. I can't recommend this one enough!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Now is the time to do what we want. Now is the time to live. Now is our time.”

Best Worst Mistake is the third book in the Brightwater series, but can be read as a standalone. One of the first things that drew me into the story was the cover. The snowy background totally got me and had me wanting to know more about this story.

Best Worst Mistake follows the story of Quinn and Wilder. Wilder loved his life as a smoke jumper. Nothing made him happier. That is until one day, tragedy struck and turned his life upside down. After this accident, Wilder resigned himself to living the life of a hermit. His plan of isolation was going to plan until Quinn blew into his life. Quinn wasn’t at all afraid of Wilder’s bad attitude and need for isolation. She actually is very intrigued by Wilder. For the first time, someone actually wants to get to know Wilder, instead of just giving him pity. Wilder finds himself drawn to Quinn and for the first time, he’s wanting more. What will happen when life decides to throw a few more curve-balls at Quinn and Wilder? Will their relationship be strong enough to handle the burn?

Best Worst Mistake was a such a great read. It was well-written and captivating. It had a sort of Beauty and the Beast quality to it. Wilder’s life was forever changed after the smoke jumping accident. It turned him into a different man; a scarred and damaged man. He cut himself off from everyone and wanted to just be alone. I was so intrigued by him and wanted to see this damaged man find some happiness. Quinn was such a great match for him. She wasn’t looking for love or expecting to find Wilder. But, once the two of them met, she found herself wanting to know more about this damaged, brooding man. She began seeing him for the man that he was; the man that he tried to hide from everyone else. She didn’t pity him or look at him with disgust. And even though it may not have been love at first sight, these two definitely fell in love from the moment they challenged each other.

I really enjoyed Best Worst Mistake. I loved the small-town romance and the damage alpha hero. This story was well paced and had the perfect balance of drama and romance. The characters are very like-able and the story-line is entertaining. This is probably one of my favorite books by Lia Riley to date and this story just goes to show you that sometimes, the things that you think are the worst mistake, turn out to be the very best mistake.

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, via the publisher and Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review*

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy in exchanged for an honest opinion. This does not influence my opinion in any shape or form.


If you read my review for Right Wrong Guy than you know I was dying to read Best Worst Mistake . The little excerpt included in Right Wrong Guy really had me wanting to know more about this mysterious Wilder Kane. I knew this book was going to be my favorite of the Bridgewater series and I was right.

Wilder is darker more mysterious than the other Kane brothers. Not only is darker, more mysterious even dangerous, he also suffered from a horrific accident. He suffered major burns plus lost a leg. You can’t help but feel sorry for him because he is his own worst enemy but you also can’t help but feel this strong attraction to him.

Quinn is a bookworm just like the rest of us and GUESS WHAT Wilder is too. Yes, you ladies and gents he is also a bookworm like us. I also loved how Quinn had her own serious demon and not the petty demons we’re use to reading, you know the whole a guy broke her heart and she’ll never love again. No, Quinn has real issues and that is what I always find so refreshing about Lia’s writing.

Her characters are relatable and not only are they dealing with real issues. The stories are always realistic and she always makes me want to go to California and that says something because I’m Texas girl at heart. The stories are fast paced and a bit of instalove but I can always look past it because the stories feel so believable. I also enjoyed that the story had a beauty and the beast feel to it. Let me tell you, I’m about to make my hubby read this book so he can read me stories, not that I could ever get him to do that but a girl can dream right?

Overall, this book snapped me out of my reading slump. I’ve been a real bad slump for most of October. I’ve been abandoning books left and right and I knew the moment I picked up Best Worst Mistake that I would definitely finish it and I’d really enjoy it. (PSA: WILDER IS MINE) that is all.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the first book, was a bit disappointed with the second, but Best Worst Mistake is right up there with Last First Kiss! After an accident costs him his leg and his career as a smoke jumper, Wilder returns to Brightwater. He's anti-social, grumpy and has given up on finding someone to build a future with. Quinn is his complete opposite. She's sunshine and rainbows even with everything going on in her life and Wilder is instantly attracted to her. She is the only one who doesn't tip toe around him and slowly brings out the softie hiding beneath his tough guy exterior. Their relationship progresses pretty quick and is full of funny, sweet, sexy, romantic and emotional moments. Highly recommended is you like an alpha hero with a marshmallow center! Looking forward to the next book in the series, hopefully it's about Kit and Goldie - can't wait to find out about their history!
4.5 stars

I received an ARC via Edelweiss for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review, all conclusions are my own.

[Fiona Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read anything from this author before, and I was worried as this was the third book in a series. However I didn't feel I had missed out on anything having not read the first two books.

Wilder is someone who just wants to be left alone. Following an accident he is left with quite traumatic injuries, and he shuts himself off from everyone, including his brothers and other family.

Quinn is living a quiet life, working in a job she is extremely happy in, as well as visiting her father at the care home he lives in. She doesn't need the complication of a man in her life. Or so she thinks until she happens upon Wilder during a storm.

I loved both characters throughout the story. Both were written really well and their story built at a steady pace.
The addition of a mystery surrounding local fires also adds a lot to the story.

I will definitely be checking out the other books in this series now, albeit in the wrong order now I have read this one!

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 heartwarming stars

From the moment I started reading I was taken in with the storyline and the characters.
I read it in one sitting, a lovely way to spend my afternoon.

Thank you Avon Impulse for the advance copy.

[Sarah TheAromaofBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I nice conclusion to an overall pleasant-but-not-amazing series.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just cannot even get enough of this series you guys. Seriously, it's WONDERFUL. I absolutely love the Kanes and being in Brightwater with them as they find and fall in love. We had heard about the elusive eldest Kane brother, but haven't officially met him until now. There is a reason for that and it really broke my heart to see Wilder keep his distance because of his guilt. An unfortunate accident brings him back home and while he wants nothing more than to hide away, fate has other plans in store for him.

I absolutely loved how this paralleled Beauty and the Beast! It fit Quinn and Wilder's story SO WELL. She is a book-loving chatterbox who has come back to Brightwater to help care for her ailing father and has caught the interest of the good-looking volunteer firefighter, whom she has no interest in. She isn't looking for love or a relationship, especially with her father and her own worry that she could also inherit the early on-set Alzheimer's gene. However, when her father ends up slipping out of his care facility and ends up at Wilder's, Quinn can't help but be drawn to the gruff, grumpy man who orders books from her store.

I won't even lie. I LOVE gruff, grumpy men who have an ooey gooey center! That is Wilder for sure. He is just as attracted to Quinn, but doesn't see what a broken, damaged man like him who has his own ghosts haunting him can offer someone as vibrant as her. Thankfully, Riley doesn't make him overly angst-filled. He can't fight his feelings for her and he doesn't want to, and slowly lets her in to his life and his heart. It is a beautiful thing to witness and the two just balance each other out so well. Not to mention, they have crazy hot chemistry together. There are so many sexy, tender moments that I just never wanted this one to end.

We get to see another side of Grandma Kane here too, and I loved that. Her and Wilder are quite the headstrong ones in the family and between his grumpiness and her crotchetiness, it was a sight to behold. Yet, Quinn is unfazed and doesn't let either one get the best of her. Grandma Kane loves her grandsons in her own way and while it may not be the traditional grandmotherly one, it's still powerful and the Kane boys really see that tenfold here.

I loved how Wilder and Quinn's story ended and I thought it was perfect. I also like that we got to see Archer and Edie take the next step. I was a little bummed we haven't gotten resolution from Annie and Sawyer yet, but maybe we will in Kit's book? (I'm REALLY hoping Riley won't let us down and give us Kit and Goldie's book next!)

Overall, I really can't recommend this series enough, especially if you love small town romances that just give you ALL THE FEELS.

*Received a copy of this book via Edelweiss and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.*

[Lindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Thoughts:

Out of all of the fairytales that I have read, Beauty and the Beast has always been my favorite. Being a bookworm myself, Belle, has always been a character that I related to, and felt like she could be my identical twin. I loved "The Beast," and that for all of his gruff ways, he had a heart of gold. So to say that I was excited to learn that Best Worst Mistake was a Beauty and the Beast retelling, would be a gross understatement.

This retelling is true to the essence of Beauty and the Beast. Quinn Higsby is our modern day Belle. She has a passion for books the rivals my own. She works in a book store, and loves her job. Quinn is friendly, sweet, modest despite her beauty, and has a great deal of depth to her character.

Next, we have our modern day "Beast," Wilder Kane. Gruff, surly, weary, rough around the edges, and lacking in manners at times, he was the perfect Beast. Kane used to be a 'Smoke Jumper,' and routinely risked his life to put out fires, and save lives. His career was a form of redemption for him. Unfortunately, A horrible and tragic accident, leaves Wilder with horrific scars and complete numbness in his hands, and a prosthetic leg. Wilder returns to Brightwater as a recluse, never leaving his home. However, serendipitous events, lead Quinn to him.

Quinn and Wilder share an immediate chemistry. Wilder thinks she is beautiful, intelligent, and kind-hearted. However, why would such a beauty go for a man like him? Quinn see's the loneliness and despair that Wilder tries to hide. As she gets to know him, she isn't afraid to call him on his poor manners, and challenge him. Wilder loves that Quinn doesn't treat him with fear or pity, like everyone else does. Unfortunately, we have our very own "Gaston," in this story who is an arrogant and pompous fool and continually causes problems. Great challenges arise in both Quinn and Wilder's lives. Will they be able to find happiness among the ashes?

Best Worst Mistake was an emotional read. I empathized with Wilder. The way that he felt unappealing, and like half a man broke my heart. His plight brought me to tears. As I read this story, I savored every page. Time passed quickly, and I became completely enraptured by the breathtaking love that Wilder and Quinn found in each others arms.

My Rating:

I give, Best Worst Mistake, by Lia Riley, 4 Surly, Sweet, and Sexy Filled Stars! Love Heals, and transforms this couple, and gives us a beautiful love story. It can be read as a standalone, as well as part of the series. If you love Beauty and the Beast, you have to read, Best Worst Mistake!!!


*To Read More Book Reviews, Visit http://www.abookishescape.com

[Mel (Reviews In A Pinch) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating is 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Full Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from Edelweiss, as part of the Tasty Book Tours Blog Tour, in exchange for an honest review.

My Thoughts: I have been dying to read this book since August. I read the description and was immediately intrigued. I actually read the other two books in the series first, in preparation for reading Best Worst Mistake. I know I didn’t have to do that because they can each be read as a stand-alone, but I mentioned on Monday that I’ve been pretty OCD lately when it comes to reading a series in the correct order.

The plot sounded so interesting. I find smoke jumpers, firefighters, cops, search & rescue, and EMTs fascinating. To put yourself on the line like that is commendable, so I was excited about one of the Kane brothers being a smoke jumper. The description for Quinn’s background in the overview was kind of misleading. I thought she was some sort of Hollywood starlet; she wasn’t. There’s nothing wrong with that, I just wanted to point it out because I was momentarily confused while reading Best Worst Mistake.

Wilder is definitely my type, so I loved him. The strong, silent, grumpy guy is attractive to me. I’m not really sure why, but everyone has a different opinion. He did have a lot to be angry about and I get why he just kind of gave up on life. I didn’t fully understand the 180 he does because it seemed both out of character and rushed. I do think people can change, but it’s not an overnight thing.

Quinn worked in a bookstore and loved to read. She also had a thing for wearing t-shirts with bookish quotes like, “Reading is sexy.” That alone made me want to love her, but I just couldn’t. I liked her, but she was too worried about the future and what might happen 25 years from now. It started to get on my nerves because the more it was mentioned, the more I felt like it was a pity party thing.

Most of Best Worst Mistake was cute, as you would probably expect from a contemporary romance. However, some parts of Best Worst Mistake were so corny that I was quite literally rolling my eyes. There was so much that I found unbelievable and lacking. It didn’t feel like the characters developed; they just changed. The romance itself was a bit too close to insta-love for my taste.

Overall, I did enjoy Best Worst Mistake. I don’t think it was the best in the series because it was too inconsistent, but I’ll probably keep my eyes peeled for any future books in the Brightwater series. It was a pretty fun read, so I would probably recommend Best Worst Mistake if you really love the contemporary romance genre.

For more reviews, check out Reviews In A Pinch today!

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start by saying this story was a little difficult for me as it hit a little too close to home in some respects. As you are already probably aware I lost my mother to Alzheimers a number of years ago, so place yourself in my position as your reading about Quinn's father having early onset Alzheimers (same as my mother) and then finding out that it could very well be genetic. Apparently there is a test you can take to determine whether you carry the gene or not (not something we are offered in the UK). Add that to the fact that if you do carry the gene then you are dooming any offspring to the same fate (I have three daughters). To say I could put myself in Quinn's shoes is an understatement, however, I don't know if I would be as brave as she was. The way in which Lia captures the conflicting emotions of dealing with someone with such a cruel disease was uncomfortably realistic. Believe me it really does feel as if you lose them twice, the double grief is almost paralyzing.

From the very beginning, Best Worst Mistake captures the attention in a tense thrill fest of imagery and action. Told in alternating dual narrative between the adorably quirky book geek that is Quinn and the veritable grump that is Wilder. Can I just say I really, really, really want Quinn's t-shirts ;)

Wilder has carved a career as a smoke jumper, seeking the adrenaline rush to block out the memories of his parents death's when he was a young boy. From the start, it is obvious that Wilder carries the weight of guilt on his shoulders for the fire that killed his parents. bear in mind he was only six at the time. My heart literally broke for the little boy suffocated by innocent actions leading to tragedy. Exasperated by the lack of correct guidance at the time leading to acting out and alienating himself from the rest of his family as he got older. The revelations come little by little as the story unfolds adding to the tension within the plot.

I adored seeing the characters from the previous books and following as their relationships developed. The small town feel of everyone knowing your business both good and bad added to the tight-knit community feel within the story. The town itself is steeped in history and folktales, in particular, a specific urban legend that is dramatically brought to life within the narrative :)

Best Worst Mistake will toy with your emotions; I laughed, I cried but most of all I swooned ♥ The use of fate/destiny was a stroke of genius and every aspect of the plot tied together beautifully in more ways than one ;)

If I'm honest I am loath to see this series end, I want more - with epilogues ten years in the future :)

[Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is little I love more than a feel-good contemporary romance. After loving Lia Riley's Right Wrong Guy , I just couldn't pass up the chance to read Best Worst Mistake, the third book in Riley's Brightwater series. Best Worst Mistake was completely adorable, and I loved every minute I spent reading it.

Two things really make me just love Best Worst Mistake. First, it has this Beauty and the Beast feel, and second, the heroine's name is Quinn. Quinn, you guys! I have never, ever, in my whole life (that's 32 years) read a book with the heroine having my name. So that was totally awesome. But even besides the superficial name thing, and the Beauty and the Beast feel, this book was just so good.

The hero of the story is Wilder Kane. He's recovering from a terrible accident from his former job as a Smoke Jumper, and is dealing with some heavy issues. First is the more obvious issue is his Smoke Jumper injury, which resulted in the loss of one his legs. Not an easy thing to overcome, but Wilder is doing well physically. But he has emotional scars. And then there is an issue that's inside his head from long ago. He's struggling be back in his home town, and he's appears grumpy and gruff. It's pretty clear, though, that he is really a softie and a gentleman.

Quinn is awesome, too. Besides her totally awesome name (;)) Quinn is also a major book lover and works at a book store. She's cheerful and nice and personable, and really I couldn't help but love her. She also has some issues. Her father has early onset Alzheimer's and all the work that comes with that has fallen on Quinn's shoulders. And, Quinn fears that early onset Alzheimers will be in her future as well.

Quinn and Wilder together are such a good couple. Seriously, they are so adorable it's nauseating - in the best way. Quinn deals with Wilder's gruffness well, and he can't help but fall for her, either. I love that they communicated with each other. There weren't Big Mistunderstandings, or drama-rama stuff. Seriously, I cannot recommend Lia Riley's Brightwater books enough, and Best Worst Mistake is one of the best.This review was originally posted on Quinn's Book Nook

[Melody May (What I'm Reading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating 4 1/2 Stars

Posted on What I'm Reading

I adore Brightwater books, because they are sweet, heartfelt, and bit magical. Okay, magical might be over doing it, but they are heartwarming stories. Anyway; today we are taking a look at Lia Riley's latest Brightwater book Best Worst Mistake. Let me just say this might sound like a falling off the beaten path, but stay with me. At first Best Worst Mistake kind of reminded me of the Disney version of Beauty and The Beast. Yep, you read that right. I'll explain why, and it's okay to totally disagree with me, I'm okay with that after all these are my thoughts. Here we go:

Wilder Kane: He's pretty beasty and antisocial after the fire accident. Plus, he has shut himself off from the rest of the world, living all alone in a cabin. His family would be like the objects that make his life comfortable.

Quinn Higsby: She's totally like Belle. She's beautiful and smart. Yes, they might find her a little cuckoo. However, she's sweet and tries to take care of her father who has early onset Alzheimers. Plus, she likes reading and heaven forbid a woman should start reading, and getting ideas in her head.

Garret: Oh my goodness, he's so much like Gaston it's not even funny. Totally believes he's like god's gift to women. Seriously, the guy couldn't understand why Quinn didn't like him that way.

Lenny: He's Garret's buddy and would do anything for him, sort of like Lefou.

There you have it the main characters of the story of Beauty and the Beast, I mean Best Worst Mistake. I liked this story and a modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast without the Stockholm Syndrome. Yep, Quinn isn't held captive against her will unless you count being stuck in a cabin with Wilder and her father during a blizzard. Anyway, Best Worst Mistake is a sweet story and heart melting. We have two characters that couldn't be more different. We have Wilder who is living with guilt and remorse for the past and trying to make amends for what happen. So, he puts on his grumpy pants so everyone can give him a wide berth. We have Quinn who is dealing with a lot on her plate and can't give anymore than she can. Yet, she opens up to Wilder.

So, if you are looking for something sweet and heartwarming, you can't go wrong with Best Worst Mistake. It will leave a smile on your face by the end.

Copy provided by Avon via Edelweiss.

[Whispering Chapters · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 3.5 stars review was originally posted on Latte Nights Reviews

Wilder suffered from a fire incident that's immediately shown in the first chapter. To say I was hooked once I started is an understatement. This fire almost cost Wilder his life and he lost his leg in the process. For someone who is always doing things by himself without the help of anyone, this got him irritated and frustrated because now he needed the help of his brothers to help him with a few things. At first, Wilder reminded me of a mean bear but after, he reminded me of a cute and cuddly bear. All he needs is love, all he needs is for someone to show him he can trust and rely on others, that it's okay to do so and it won't make him a lesser man.

Quinn was perfect for Wilder. She is so full of life and extremely talkative. She wouldn't shut up and at times, it was hard to keep up with her but in a good way. I was grinning while reading about her first encounter with Wilder. She was completely taken aback by this scarred man who wouldn't let anyone in. But Quinn wouldn't give up. She kept pestering him and visiting him, showing him love little by little. Her bubbly and quirky personality eventually helped Wilder to start shedding that tough exterior and to start reconnecting with his family. And she mostly wears book-themed t-shirts! I loved each and ever single one that she wore in the story.

The heat between these two characters was off the charts. Anyone from 5 miles away could see that these two had sparks and they were meant to be. Their personalities were perfectly imperfect that worked together and I loved seeing them connect. There was a bit of suspense added to the story that I think gave a very nice touch to it.

Overall, Best Worst Mistake is a quick and easy read with tons of sexy, sweet and romantic scenes that many readers will enjoy.This review was originally posted on Latte Nights Reviews