The Best Mistake

Dream's Edge #2.5

by Traci Hunter Abramson

Following a knee injury during the final Stanley Cup game, professional hockey player Miles Donnelly finds himself sidelined in the hospital with his career hanging in the balance. His only hope is to work with a doctor to rehab and rebuild the strength in his knee. The catch: he has to remain in New York City for the next two months rather than return home to Montreal.

After her father is incapacitated by a heart attack, Manhattan socialite Linda Bancroft trades house parties in the Hamptons for taking over management of the family’s real estate empire. But her first day on the job, she faces imminent disaster after an unscrupulous employee is fired. She needs a new apartment manager, and fast. The unlikely solution to her problem comes in the form of an injured—and dangerously handsome—hockey player looking for a place to stay. Thrown together by chance, Miles and Linda quickly realize there is something deeper between them than just friendship. But when outside pressures begin to strain their relationship, they must confront an impossible question: Can two people from entirely different worlds truly build a future together?

Genres: Romance, Clean Romance, Novella, Fiction, Historical Romance, Sports, Audiobook

145 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2022

About the author

Traci Hunter Abramson was born in Arizona, where she lived until moving to Venezuela for a study-abroad program. After graduating from Brigham Young University, she worked for the Central Intelligence Agency for several years, eventually resigning in order to raise her family. She credits the CIA with giving her a wealth of ideas as well as the skills needed to survive her children's teenage years. She is a eight-time Whitney Award winner and has written more than forty bestselling novels. For more information about Traci, click here: https://linktr.ee/traciabramson

Reviews

[Tasha (the_clean_read_book_club) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my new favorite from this series!

I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN!

Sports romance is such a favorite genre of mine and this series has been so delightful to read! Traci's writing is always so consistent and enjoyable. I have loved seeing this couple in their older years from the books that have already been published in this series. Right from the meet cute (PS one of my favorite meet-cutes ever written), to the conflicts, to the end, I absolutely LOVED it!

If you haven't been reading this series you are missing out! It's amazing!

Thanks to the author for the copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella is part of one of my favorite series by Traci Hunter Abramson. I love the way she’s letting us see the backgrounds of some of the main characters in this series. This one is so good!

Miles is a hockey player. Only he gets injured pretty early in this novella. Then he’s kind of left to do physical therapy and find something to do while he’s waiting for that to work. I love how he meets Linda and how things just work out for the two of them to find each other again. And to spend more time together. Miles is a great guy!

I love that the reader gets to see the points of view of both Miles and Linda. Linda is a driven young woman. I’m not sure I love the attitudes that her family had, especially in the beginning. But I recognize that it was probably normal for the time. I did like how Linda worked to make things happen the way she wanted them to, even in a man’s world.

This one is a quick read. I read it in an afternoon. I didn’t want to put it down. Make sure to read all of the books and novellas in this series!

I was sent an e-copy of The Best Mistake as a gift from the author. All opinions are my own.

[Jennifer Maxfield · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed hearing the back story to other characters of the series.

[Marilee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet sports novella that takes place in the 1950s! I loved finally getting to read the story of Miles and Linda, two principal side characters in the Dream's Edge series. They were both endearing characters and their story gave me all the happy feels. Can't wait for the third and final book in the series!

I received a complimentary copy of the book but a positive review was not required.

[Julie Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been reading all of the books in this series so far and they're fantastic! If you enjoy sports books then you have to read this one!!! It is a novella and tells the story of Miles and Linda. If you haven't read any of the books yet, this is a great place to start. I know, it's book #2.5 but I promise it's great to start with. Miles and Linda's story starts before all of the other books in the series, so it's a great prequel. One of Mile's hockey teammates is Robert. Robert's daughter is the main character in most of the books of this series.

After reading about Miles and Linda in the previous books, it was so fun to go back and read their story of how they met and fell in love.

They come from different backgrounds but they're just great together. Their first meeting made me giggle. Miles is a charmer and I loved the chemistry that you could feel between these two. Some different circumstances keep putting these two together. I loved watching them come to know each other, build a friendship and then grow to something more. *Happy Sigh*

And as an added bonus, the first chapter up the upcoming novel in the series was at the back of the book!!!! Eeeekkk!!!! I can't wait. There's so much goodness within all of these books. Not only the skating aspect but the connections and family aspects and so much more!

If you haven't started these books, do it!!! I love them and can't put them down once I pick one up! Now I'm on the countdown for Worlds Collide!!! Keep them coming please Traci Hunter Abramson!!!

Content: Clean. Some kisses but nothing further.

I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

[Sheila (sheilasbookreviewer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dream's Edge series has really become one of my favorites. Between the novellas and the full-length novels, I can't get enough of these characters and how they are all connected. The Best Mistake once again takes readers into the past, the 1950s, to tell the story of beloved characters Miles and Linda. Up to this point, we've seen them as wonderful family friends to main character Amaliyah from An Unlikely Pair(Book #1), Dreams of Gold(Book #2), and the upcoming Worlds Collide (Book #3).

I loved seeing how Miles and Linda met and fell in love. It is one of those magical love stories where people from two different worlds fight all odds to be together. Miles is an injured professional hockey player who meets high-society Linda, the daughter of a real estate mogul. Once they meet in the hospital their instance attraction can't be denied. This novella wrapped up a full-length novel plotline with many elements of romance and suspense. Corporate espionage keeps things interesting and full of intrigue. I absolutely loved the way that Miles seemed to always be there to defend and support Linda.

Anyone that has been loving this series must read The Best Mistake. If you haven't read any of the books yet, this book would be a great place to start and then jump into the others. Traci Hunter Abramson has another winner in this sports romance series.

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The darling little novella hit the spot! Miles is recovering from a hockey injury in the 1950s and needs to stay in New York City to recover. A chance encounter leads him to a temporary apartment manager position in socialite Linda's family's building.

The sparks sprayed much like a quick stop on the ice and I couldn't get enough of their unlikely romance. Although they're from different socioeconomic different worlds, this just proves that parents shouldn't have a say in a love match--it's between the couple. I loved watching their friendship slowly grow, and that combined with a little business mystery settled me in for a sweet and enjoyable read.

Great characters and a great series!

Content: mild romance

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was pretty cheesy but I needed a good cheesy read. It is part of a series and I have only read one other book in the series so may need to go back and read the others. This one stands on its own without reading the others.

[Angeline · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
This was a short and sweet novella. I loved the character and I was drawn into the story from the beginning. The Best Mistake is a companion novella to Traci Hunter Abramson’s Dream’s Edge series.
Linda was such a strong character. She was trying so hard to prove herself to her family. I liked Linda and I was cheering for her as she tried to do her best to run her dad’s company. It was sweet to read about her interacting with Miles and falling hard for him. He helped her be herself. Linda had to learn to fight for Miles even if her parents wouldn’t understand.
Miles was also a great character. He was likable and I enjoyed reading about him. Miles was healing from a knee injury and never expected to meet a woman who changes everything. Miles had to learn to hope for the best and trust Linda. Miles had to learn to fight for a future with Linda even when things don’t seem to be working out.
Linda and Miles were cute together. Their romance was easy. I liked their interactions. It did feel a little fast but it also fit the story especially because it was a novella. It was also fun to see Robert from a different perspective. The story was engaging and I wanted to see how it would end.
The Best Mistake is a sweet and quick read! I would recommend it to those who enjoy Abramson’s books and those who enjoy stress free, light romances. The Best Mistake is a clean contemporary romance

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.

[Julie Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute and quick story

I loved that there was a quick connection between the characters. The conflicts were well done and believable and the resolutions were believable. Tracy continues to be one of my favorite authors! Great story! -Julie

[the girl who reads a lot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve loved the Dream’s Edge series, and this novella continues the trend. This is the story of how Miles and Linda met and fell in love. It takes place in the 50’s. And although it is part of the series, you could read this one without reading the others and still enjoy it. I loved how strong and confident, while remaining kind, Linda was (at least on the outside) while running things for her dad. I can’t wait to visit this world again when book three is available!

[Krystle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved getting to know Miles and Linda’s story! Just a few minutes into the book and I couldn’t put it down. Abramson really does a great job writing stories that just suck you in. Miles and Linda’s meet cute was fun. Those chance meetings are some of my favorites! I also loved getting to see a young young Robert from the rest of the series.

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abramson Does It Again!

Excellent series and this is one of the best. Abramson tells this story primarily from her lead male character's POV and does it well.

[Melissa’s Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely enjoyed this third novella in the Dream’s Edge series. This book is sandwiched in between books two and three, but could be read as a prequel to the entire series. It’s set in the 1950’s, in a world where wealthy women didn’t work outside the home let alone help run a company. With a funny meet cute, a forbidden, opposites attract romance, and a bit of a mystery, this book completely drew me in.

After sustaining a knee injury during the Stanley Cup Finals, Miles Donnelly is ordered to rest and recuperate in hopes of keeping his professional hockey career. Needing a place to stay in New York while undergoing therapy, he just happens to choose the apartment building owned by the father of the woman whom he accidentally met at the hospital.

Linda Bancroft finally has the chance to prove to her father she can run his company. After a heart attack, he’s forced to rely on Linda to manage his real estate empire. But, not everyone is happy about her new position. While she scrambles to put out fires, including finding a new apartment manager, she receives help from a most unlikely source.

The handsome man she met at the hospital needs an apartment and has the necessary plumbing skills and time to be a temporary apartment manager. When he agrees to help her out, she can’t help but be attracted to the roguish charmer. Their chemistry is undeniable, and as their friendship grows, it soon blossoms to more. Will her wealthy parents accept him, or will they continue to push her towards unwanted suitors?

I enjoyed this cute opposites attract romance. At just under 150 pages, this novella really delivered a great story that made me anxious to read the entire series. I loved Miles and Linda. There were some definite obstacles to their relationship including their different backgrounds, but I enjoyed how they were able to work through them. Miles is such a flirt and he really turns on the charm. I loved the way he was always so supportive of Linda. Along with the romance, the mystery of who was trying to sabotage Linda really kept me turning the pages.

The Best Mistake is easily read as a standalone, but is an amazing prequel to the entire Dream’s Edge series. I received a complimentary paperback copy from the author. All opinions are my own and freely given.

[Paty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful novella from a wonderful author!
Miles Donnelly is a professional hockey player who has just scored to make his team win the final Stanley Cup game when he’s injured in the knee. The Doctor suggests he stay in New York City to do rehab and rebuild the strength in his knee for a couple of months. With his career hanging in the balance, Miles needs a place to stay. Looking for an apartment, Miles meets socialite Linda Bancroft, daughter of a wealthy businessman. Linda is facing a double crisis: first, her father has had a heart attack, and needs time of rest to recuperate. She offers herself to land in her father’s shoes as head of a Real Estate Family Empire, but then has to face the resentment of a few of the Board members. And secondly, she needs to find a Building Manager pronto, after they fire the unscrupulous Manager who was stealing from raising the rent. Meeting Miles, she finds the solution: Miles needs a place to stay and she can give him that in exchange for him being the temporary building manager. As life throws them close to each other, they both discover that what they share may be more than a mere attraction. But they both come from very different backgrounds and Linda’s parents would never accept her relationship with a professional athlete. Can they both battle their obstacles that stand in the way of building a future together?
I completely enjoyed this novella! Linda and Miles are relatable characters and I loved how their relationship quickly escalated into something deeper. They had good chemistry. Also, I loved how they both fought for their relationship, even if everything spoke of a possible non-compatibility, starting by their social classes. But love overcomes all, and you’ll have to read this story to see how, through ups and downs, this couple will fight for their happily-ever-after. The romance was sweet and clean, just like I like them. The plot was engaging and easy to read! I almost read the book in one sitting!
I definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a sweet romance! I received a complimentary copy from the author but wasn’t required to post a positive review. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

[The Flipped Page (Susan K) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romance, sweet; Series, but stand alone read, novella
Sweet romance that develops between Miles and Linda, after Linda accidentally meets him after an injury in a hospital, and they meet again when Miles is looking for a furnished apartment to recuperate in. Miles was a competitive, loyal, kind, gentle, compassionate, and determined character. His attraction to Linda, her kindness, her work ethic, and determination to help her father's business, along with her compassion and care for him, was a lovely fall to read.
They had a sweet attraction and fall, as they were kind and caring, and sweet with one another, that was well drawn. Miles was definitely a knight in shining armor for Linda, helping her in unique and practical ways, along with helping her see her own unique value. He was a great foil for her, and loved the business setting for Linda as she struggled to lead her father's company in the late 1950's. Loved the secondary characters, in particular the 'Rookie'. It was a perfect scene at the end of the novel as Miles is dealing with Linda's parents reaction to him, and the fallout with their relationship.
Real, sweet, and hopeful. Loved the resolution and how they worked out their future together. This may have been the most natural story of the series, and I think a favorite of mine. One I may re-read to savor.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review, my opinions are my own.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ya know, I really enjoy Traci Hunter Abramson's books. Especially this series. Hockey meets ballet time and time again and its just lovely. She writes characters worth rooting for and we all know how much I love that.

So, dive into this series. 3 novellas and 2 novels. With a 3rd coming February. The novellas give background on side characters, the novels are about Tyler and Amaliya and it's so good. The novellas are truly my favorite, they add shine to the novels and make me so much more invested in all of it.

Enjoy this book of hockey, injuries, ballet, Linda, Miles, a little corporate mystery, and romance. How could you not enjoy it!

- I love these novellas
- excited to learn more about Miles
- I don't know a lot about hockey but I sure enjoy it
- I love Canada. I know nothing of Eastern Canada but that's okay. I still smile whenever it is mentioned.
- Winston is a weenie
- they have a sweet and organic relationship. I am concerned about Papa Bancroft though
- the whole class system, you're not good enough thing blows my mind
- oh Robert. So young and so wise
- I like that he is so motivated to help her

Thank you for the ARC. All opinions are my own!

[Leann Arave · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Best Mistake is the story of Miles and Linda Donnelly. Having read the other books in the series, Dreams Edge, I have wanted to know Linda and Miles story. What a sweet and endearing love story. Miles is a hockey player, who had been injured in the final game of the Stanley Cup. While being treated at the hospital, the most gorgeous and alluring woman, walked into his emergency room. Linda was the daughter of a real estate mogul, with a silver spoon in her mouth. Had she not been out of her mind with worry (she had just received word that her father had had a heart attack), she wouldn’t have walked into a room with a man, basically in his underwear. A very athletic and attractive man at that.
Their first meet was so cute, I was hooked right off. The sweet love story that ensues, is up there with the best. I enjoyed every part of this short story. Clean romance, main characters that are intelligent and caring, a little drama and breaking through social barriers.
If you haven’t read the rest of this series, I recommend doing so. Miles and Linda are some of the best loved supporting characters.

[abcici_reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review for The Best Mistake by Traci Hunter Abramson

⛸ sparks fly at first meet

⛸ unsupportive mother & “Yale Grad” lined up to marry Linda

⛸ picnics and sweet kisses

⛸ heart wrenching moment at the ballet (yup… an “oh crap” said out loud moment!)

This sweet novella takes you back to New York in 1956 to tell how two of my favorite characters from the Dream’s Edge Series came to fall in love! Linda is a high class business-minded beauty who is falling fast for the attractive hockey player while trying to keep her father’s company going during his time away. Miles is trying to get back on the ice after an injury that could end his career! Sparks fly between these two from the very first meet! Linda’s mother has other plans for her, to marry the wealthy business partner, Winston (that name fits him perfectly).
This sweet romance lays the foundation for these two and makes you love their story even more! 5 stars for this one and can’t wait for the rest of the Dream’s Edge Series!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm going to start off by saying that I have not read any of the other books from the Dream's Edge series. They have been on my TBR list since the beginning but you know how those can get out of control. #ikyk So this novella was my first one. So I can safely say that this book would be good as a standalone. I've even heard that it would be a good prequel to the actual series.

This novella was so good. Top things I loved about it:
* It had that forbidden love vibe with these two characters that came from different backgrounds. *The way they met was adorable in a rough time for both Miles and Linda. I don't think Traci could have planned it better.
*Miles' is definitely a charmer. Add in his confidence and gentle persistence and I think that is what sealed the deal between these two.
Can't wait to see more of this couple in my future reads. Highly recommend this book. It was a quick read that captured me quickly.
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I was given an ARC for this book for my honest review.

[Mara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Miles (hockey player) and Linda. We've met Miles and Linda in a previous book and I loved seeing how their story began. This novella takes place in the 1950s so it's before some of the other Dream's Edge books. I love this entire series and how these novellas fit in and give us the background stories on some of the older characters.

I loved Miles and Linda's first meeting!! Oh my! I can only imagine how embarrassed Linda must've been. I loved how Linda chose Miles over everything else! I'm a mystery/suspense lover so of course I loved the little bit of intrigue that was in the story. The only problem I found was it's a novella (which I knew going in) and I wanted more Miles and Linda!!

This series is definitely one of my favorites! I received a complimentary copy but also bought an ebook for my personal library. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Leslie Books and Socks Rock · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series has been so fun and such a different read for me. I don’t read much sport romances and I’m thinking I need to add more to my tbr!
🏑
What I love about this series is the extra novellas that are set throughout the decades of characters. It’s been so interesting to read what life was like - for this book - in the ‘50s. Linda helps run her dad’s business while he’s recovering from a heart attack but men aren’t accustomed to/like a women leading them.
🏑
One man, Miles, is happily surprised by meeting Linda. Miles is the best!
🏑
This is a fast read with a sweet story. I encourage you to read the whole Dream’s Edge series as all the characters in the novellas are in the main books. The next novel in the series comes out in 2 weeks!! And maybe it’s puny to say I’m on edge to see how it ends 🙃
🏑
Thank you to the author for an e-arc of this story. These are my own thoughts and opinions.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Linda Bancroft goes to visit her father in the hospital after his heart attack she is very distraught, but not so distraught that she doesn’t notice the beautiful man in the room she was told belonged to her father.
Miles Donnelly injured his knee in the final game of the Stanley Cup playoffs. When he’s shipped off to New York to heal and see if he can come back from this potential career-ending injury he doesn’t expect to fine the perfect girl, but from the moment she walked into his hospital room, he couldn’t stop thinking about her.
The question is - can a socialite from New York (and her parents) ever approve of a hockey player from Canada? Can they even make it work? They’re both on board to find out.

I liked this book but somehow I missed when it was set. It was a little confusing at first talking about long distance calls being so expensive and the generally poor attitude the men employed had of Linda. The epilogue straightened me out. 1950’s. 😅

[Savannah M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh man! I loved this novella so much! Miles and Linda are definitely some of my favorite characters from the Dreams Edge series, and reading about the start of their relationship together was so great!
I really liked the maturity of both Miles and Linda. Linda has a lot on her plate, running her fathers company while he recovers from a heart attack, and trying to handle dealing with employees who don’t want to take orders from a woman. And then there’s Miles. Forced to stay in New York while recovering from a hockey injury. The way they made time for each other was so sweet, and I loved the extra lengths Miles went to for Linda. I also really appreciated the way their misunderstanding was handled-but I won’t say anymore. You’ll just have to read it to find out!

Thank you to the author for e-arc copy. A positive review was not required.

[Jami Pruitt (My.lovely_readingcorner) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved getting to read Miles and Linda's story! I thought how they met was cute, her walking into the wrong hospital room!

I have loved reading about these characters in the previous Dream's Edge series books. It was so fun to read about how they came together.

I loved how Miles is a go getter. After meeting Linda and then happening upon her again he didn't wait, but just asked her out when though they were strangers.

I loved how kind Linda was. She grew up in a family with money, yet she was so kind to everyone she met. She didn't let social status, or money, determine how she treated people.

Miles and Linda are so cute together.

I was given a copy to read and review from the author for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so glad that Traci Hunter Abramson is filling in the backstory of other characters between the published-in-paperback Dream's Edge books with the novellas--although I wish they were also published-on-paper so my shelves of THA books would be complete. This novella tells the story of Miles Connelly and Linda Bancroft in 1956, and it's a good read and a good romance. Abramson excellently creates the 1950s setting, when women were supposed to behave like perfect ladies, obey their parents until they were married, and oh, yes, the all-important get married to a "suitable" young man--and many men weren't willing to take orders from a woman. (I seem to remember that some of this lasted until the 80s, but that's another story.) Loved it.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this novella especially getting a chance to see how Miles and Linda met and fell in love. Connected to the Dream's Edge series, this takes place before the regular trilogy, but has a few characters I have loved in the books and it was so fun to see them in this setting.
I like how this novella played out. It was a creative meet cute and plot and Miles was just so sweet and supportive of Linda.
Definitely a read I enjoyed and recommend. It can be read as a standalone and out of order from the other connected books.
I received an advance reader copy of this novella. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Cindy Davis- Cindy's Book Corner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy the Dream's Edge series by Traci Hunter Abramson. The Best Mistake is a novella that comes between the first two books. It is unnecessary to read it to understand what happens in either book. Nor does it need to be read in order.

The Best Mistake tells how Linda and Miles meet and eventually fall in love. It is a quick read. It is plot-driven and a bit on the cheesy side. While Miles struggles with his recovery, and Linda encounters a few problems, it is a light read.

The Best Mistake is best for those who are already fans of the Dream's Edge series or plan to read it.

[Rorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick read, and gives the reader the back story of Miles and Linda, long-time friends of Amaliyah's family. The first time the two of them met was entertaining, and even though their relationship happened quickly (this is a novella, after all. No time for dawdling.) it didn't feel forced or "insta-love" at all. I enjoyed tagging along as they got to know each other better, and weathered the storms that came from their mismatched relationship. Definitely a must read if you're a fan of the Dream's Edge series.

[Terressa · Rating 5 out of 5]

We know the story of Miles and Linda! Yay. Such a great one. If you’ve read the others, you will want to know this tender tale. Ms Abramson builds real and raw characters that feel like family.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.