4.5 ⭐️ round up to 5

This is a fantastic start to a new series. This book will keep you turning the pages wanting to figure out the mystery. What happened to Derrick? Who killed him? Will Noelle ever remember what happened?

The twists and turns in this book! It was a book where everyone was a suspect and I couldn’t figure out who actually did it.

Thank you Montlake and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

4.5 stars

I think I expected a different type of book from the description. Her First Mistake is broken up into three timelines. The death of Noelle’s husband 13 years ago mostly from the original FBI Agent’s perspective, the years before that detailing their relationship and the present as the FBI revisits the case from Noelle’s.

If you read the Mercy Kilpatrick series, Noelle and some of the other officers have appeared in those. Kendra Elliot also mentions in their author’s note that this is a new series so we can expect more from Noelle and Max in the future. Since it is widely advertised as book 1, a little obvious that it was unlikely to be Noelle in jail at the end of the book.

We start with the original FBI agents investigating the murder of Noelle’s husband, a politician, and her attempted murder. They are suspicious of the circumstances, even suggesting that Noelle may have hit her own skull to cover up the murder. Meanwhile, Noelle is suffering from memory loss and her in-laws pushing all the blame on to her. The book then looks at their relationship, starting with meeting at the restaurant she bartended at and their introduction up to the day of the murder. Derrick is emotionally abusive, while charming on the outside, and the chapters are pretty descriptive on his behaviour.

Back in the present, two FBI agents still suspicious of Noelle after speaking to her dead husband’s family, ask her to come in to discuss a case. She thinks it is one of her cases only to find herself questioned for hours about the life she left behind to settle in Bend, Oregon. Things quickly escalate with an attempt on her life before the murderer reveals themselves and the reason behind it all.

The second half of this was stronger than the first, but it makes sense that it was a little slower if setting up a new series as we really get to know Noelle. The relationship part can be a little emotionally hard to read too. I did find a few things a little hard to believe, multiple cops having no clue about people’s drug use despite multiple interviews and the Bell family having private investigators following Noelle etc . The murderer really didn’t need to out themselves at that particular point either, they were barely on the radar but I guess they didn’t know that.

It is hard to say much more without major spoilers but overall this was a really good read and I am looking forward to the next one. Thanks to Montlake and Netgalley for the copy for review.

In Her First Mistake, Kendra Elliot features Sheriff's Detective Noelle Marshall. Thirteen years ago, Noelle's husband was brutally murdered, and she was left for dead with a traumatic head injury. Unable to remember the events of that night, Noelle has tried to move on by moving away and transforming her new life by becoming a Detective. However, the FBI has reopened the case and is back to interview Noelle and her family again, setting up a disturbing chain of events.

Her First Mistake is a fast-paced (I finished it in one sitting) thriller told in two timelines. Noelle has been a character in other books (Hi Mercy Kilpatrick!), but she is now getting her chance as the lead. She is strong and relatable. My only criticism is that I felt the villain wasn't very well-developed.

The next book in this series is scheduled for release in 2026, and I'm eagerly anticipating it!

Advanced reader copy provided by Montlake / Amazon Publishing. All opinions are my own.

3.5 stars

I’ve been a huge fan Kendra Elliot for a while now and have binge-read just about everything she’s written. The Mercy Kilpatrick series remains one of my absolute favorites—Kendra has such a talent for pulling readers right into the story from page one.

This latest book was no exception when it came to her writing style. The story, told in alternating timelines between present-day Noelle and the aftermath of her husband’s death 13 years ago, was beautifully paced and emotionally layered. That said, I have to admit I was a little disappointed by the ending. While everything was wrapped up neatly, it just didn’t land the way I’d hoped.

Still, I’m definitely intrigued to see where things go next—especially with Noelle and Max’s relationship.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for the advance copy! I’m leaving this review voluntarily.

Her First Mistake by Kendra Elliot is a suspenseful and emotional mystery that blends a cold case and a past full of secrets. Thirteen years after the brutal murder of Assemblyman Derrick Bell, his wife Noelle Marshall, now a detective, is pulled back into the trauma she thought she had left behind. As the FBI reopens the case, Noelle must confront painful memories, hidden truths, and a secret she has never told anyone about the night her husband died.

The book starts off slow, and it took a while for me to get truly invested. The early chapters focused heavily on setting the stage, which at times dragged the pace. However, once the story gained momentum, it transformed into a fast-paced, twist-filled ride that kept me turning the pages. The final chapters were intense and incredibly satisfying.

Noelle is a strong and layered character. Her journey from victim to investigator is compelling, and the romantic thread that develops adds a hopeful note to an otherwise dark and gripping story. The ending was especially rewarding and made the slow start worth the wait.

Overall, Her First Mistake is a solid thriller with strong emotional depth. If the first half had been as powerful as the last, this could have been a five-star read. Still, it is a great pick for fans of suspense and romantic crime fiction.

Where do I begin? WOW WOW WOW this was an amazing book!! I couldn’t stopped reading it This was my very first book by the author and I can’t wait to read more from the author. I highly recommend reading it!!

Her First Mistake is a gripping and emotional thriller that kept me hooked from beginning to end. Noelle Marshall, a strong and determined detective, is forced to revisit the trauma of her past when the FBI reopens her husband's cold case murder. As the investigation unfolds, long buried secrets and painful memories come to light.
I loved how the story moved between past and present, slowly revealing the truth. Noelle is a complex and tough character who is easy to root for. Her bond with her family, especially her sisters, added warmth to the dark and suspenseful plot.
There were plenty of twists, and I was guessing until the very end. It was great to see familiar characters from Kendra Elliot’s other books too. This story was both emotional and suspenseful, with just the right mix of action, mystery, and heart.

Noelle moved and rebuilt her life, becoming a law enforcement officer, after the murder of her husband Derrick thirteen years ago but now all that she's done is in peril because the FBI has reopened the case. This is the start of a new series and it's very much a worldbuilding novel as we get to know Noelle and her family as well as Derrick and his. She makes for an interesting character and I'm interested in seeing where Eliot takes this next. Thanks to Netgalley for the Arc. A good read.

I was so happy to finally getting to know Noelle after meeting her in other books! She seemed so classy and interesting and I was blown away by her past and what she went through, I had no idea it was going to be so intense and have us questioning everything we thought we knew!
The story is told from both the present and the past as Detectives take up the search for her husbands killer 15 years later. You get to know the Noelle before her husband, during and the after. Its intense, and thrilling and it will leave you guessing until the very end.
She comes from a unique family, with 2 sisters and raised by her grandfather and great aunt. A loving, supportive family that would do anything for each other. Noelle still deals with the physical aftermath of her attack which has her wondering what is really going on when someone seems to be after her and her family after all these years. She does not remember what happened and fears the worst.
Her story is really intriguing and I am really invested in where her journey will take her in future books! Thank you so much to the author for giving us another incredible female to fall for!

Thus was an excellent read such a page turner I loved it will be reading more from this author thank you for this read I will recommend

Kendra Elliot is a wizard at creating strong, flawed, damaged women who overcome all and get the job done. Nicole is one such woman. The author takes us through the unsolved murder that informs Nicoles past and present. You can’t help but admire her grit and guts. A fascinating tale filled with twists and turns that will leave you spinning. I anxiously await the next installment.

Today Noelle Marshall is a Detective in Bend, Oregon. Thirteen years ago, her husband Sacramento Assemblyman Derrick Bell was murdered and Noelle was badly wounded and left for dead. The FBI is looking back into the case, and after interviewing Derrick's family in Sacramento they are in Bend to interview Noelle and her family members. Noelle has never been able to remember the full events of the night of the murder, but she has remembered some things, but she has only told some of the things she remembers. Some things she cannot tell. Then someone blows up her car evidently afraid she does remember and wanting to finish the job. Then her youngest sister is kidnapped. Can Noelle and the FBI save her sister and finally end this long nightmare...and can Noelle live with the full information of that night, if she can finally remember it all...

5/5 stars: This is the first entry in Elliot's Noelle Marshall series, which is a Police Procedural Mystery that features a sheriff's detective who must face memories of her escape from a traumatic childhood, a seemingly perfect marriage to a politician that had a dark side and a secret she's kept for years about the night her husband died after the FBI reopens her husband's unsolved murder. As she struggles with the memory loss of the event and the past and present and leads and misleads collide, one thing is frighteningly clear. Her husband’s murder wasn’t just unsolved. It’s unfinished. And only the truth – no matter the risk – can save the next victim. With plenty of twists and turns, Elliot writes a gripping fast-paced police procedural investigative tale that will leave you on the edge until the final page. I really love how deftly Elliot unfolds the plot with an intriguing investigation and masterful reveals. Told in multiple timelines and POVs, Elliot's writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. Noelle's a tough lady who's gone through a lot and it's great to learn her backstory. I also look forward to seeing Noelle and Max's relationship grow. Additionally, I love catching up with Elliot's Bend, Oregon “universe”, particularly Mercy Kilpatrick. Elliot touches on some very tough topics; so take care and check the CWs. For more to read: Noelle first appears in book four of the Columbia River series, The First Death and Elliot's interconnected universe starts with A Merciful Death, the first book in the Mercy Kilpatrick series. Elliot's a long-time favorite author and this is an awesome start to a new series; highly recommend!

I received this eARC thanks to Montlake in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

Her First Mistake is a fast paced, suspenseful read that really will keep you guessing!
Thirteen years ago Noelle Bells’ assemblyman husband is brutally murdered and she is left badly injured. The crimes remain unsolved. The FBI decide to take a fresh look at this case, but will old enemies surface? Will they be able to find out who did this and are lives still in danger now?

This book is cleverly written, bringing to together not just the events of thirteen years ago and present day, but also things that happened in the years leading up to the murder.
It leads you in one direction but might your assumptions be incorrect??

As I’ve come to expect from this author, the mystery and suspense build throughout the book, right up until the end, but plenty happens to keep you engaged and wanting to read.

The characters become like old friends as you delve deeper into their lives, but just who can you really trust? Those with authority? Those closest to you? You really can’t be sure!

Definitely one I would recommend picking up!

I have been SO curious about Noelle Marshall for a while now. Having met her in the Columbia River series, often partnering up with Evan Bolton, I have often tried to figure out what her backstory is. Here's this statuesque blonde with a penchant for wearing expensive heels, who is a tough as nails detective. Where did she come from? Why is she single? What does she have against marriage? Well, in this book, we find out all of that.

Noelle's backstory was heartbreaking, in many ways, but it also showed what a tough and resilient woman she was. Family is super important to her, and we get to meet them all, as well as her best friend and extended family.

It was great seeing so much of Evan again, and meeting some new characters that I know will be popping up in books to come, especially one particular FBI agent. I can't wait to get more of them and Noelle together!

Another amazing story from Ms. Elliot!

Can I just say WOW and let that stand as my review because honestly that says it all. The description of the book sounded good but I did not expect I would be completely absorbed in the story and completely unable to step away from it. At first, I was a bit unsure as the author lined up 3 separate time lines bouncing between primarily two. Then it clicked into place and the timelines flowed and meshed together to tell a story of Noelle and her mistakes and her work to rebuild herself after the mistakes. We are pulled along with Noelle as she is swept off her feet by the handsome rich man with a bright political future and we are pulled along as his life ends leaving her to face his high obnoxious family alone. The author takes us up to a point in one timeline before jumping to another and while that did seem jarring at first, it worked. The pacing and the flow suited the story and the way the author told it. I mentioned 3 timelines with 2 filling up the first half of the book. The third or current timeline flipped everything on its head and ratcheted up the tension and excitement with action and a touch of a good relationship for Noelle. She was an amazing character but she was also flawed. She married young and that failed so she picked herself up and started building a new life. She married for love and that unraveled so she picked herself up again and built a new life and it was amazing to see that new life produces some happiness when the veil of Derrick finally lifted. The side characters were perfect from the wild BFF to Noelle's family to the hottie for the future and lastly to the woman who inspired Noelle's life. The Bell's were perfect too as the family you leave to hate complete with the dragon lady MIL.
I read Kendra Elliot a few years back but this book is better than anything from long ago. However, seeing Mercy play a role in this story has me convinced I need to read her story and get a first glimpse at Noelle. In fact I think that might be my best choice right now because the toughest part of reading a good book with a perfect ending is finding one to follow and maybe Mercy is that one. I would highly recommend you settle in when you plan to read this book because it is tough to walk away from even for a short while, you just want to know what happens next and why Noelle made her first mistake.
Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Kendra Elliot never fails me with her books. I always know I’m in for a good read when I pick one up. Noelle is a character I’ve always admired, so I’m thrilled she’s getting her own spinoff series now.

Noelle’s backstory is revealed piece by piece in both present day interviews and past timeline flashback chapters throughout the first half of the book. At least, what she can remember of the event that shaped so much of her life — her husband’s murder — is revealed anyway. There is so much depth to her life that forms the character of the woman she is in the present, and the cold case murder investigation stirs up a lot of history. It forces her to face questions she may not want answers to and may have been better left in the past.

We also meet Max Rhodes as one of the FBI agents investigating the case. From the little glimpses of it we got in this book, I am looking forward to seeing how the connection between Max and Noelle gets to play out throughout the series. I think they’re going to be a really good fit and I can’t wait to get to know Max better.

This was a great start to this spinoff series. I’m ready for more. Thank you to Montlake via NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The first book of Elliot’s new series Noelle Marshall, revolves around a cold case where thirteen years before a young assemblyman was murdered and his wife left for dead. His wife, now using her maiden name Noelle Marshall, is currently a detective for the Deschutes County Sheriff's office in Oregon. No one knows her past or that she was the wife of Assemblyman Derrick Bell. After moving from Sacramento, and bringing along her sisters and grandparents, she started a new life and left the past behind. Now the FBI is taking a fresh look at the cold case and Agents Keaton and Rhodes arrive in town ready to question Noelle and the secrecy about her past begins to unravel. But there’s one problem, she has no memory of the night her husband was killed as she was struck on the head and has amnesia. Her First Mistake moves back and forth between Noelle’s earlier years, her marriage, and husband’s murder to her present day role in the sheriff’s office. The first novel in Elliot’s new series offers suspense, mystery, action, strong family dynamics, a tale of political ambitions, friendships, and more. This is a great start to a new series and Elliot’s fans will enjoy connections to the author’s Columbia River series. A very enjoyable read and I look forward to the next books in the series.

Absolutely amazing!

I am yet to be disappointed by any book released by Kendra Elliot and this book is no different, it delivers on every front.

For anyone who has been reading the Columbia River Series, you will love finally hearing Noelle’s story and will undoubtedly be in anticipation of book two. If you’re new to Kendra Elliot, don’t worry, you don’t need to have read any of the other series to enjoy this one.

Noelle has lived a very private life since moving to Bend, keeping details of her past under wraps. Her friends and colleagues know that she has been married twice before, without and further details about those marriages. She came to the forefront in the last Columbia Rivers Series book, which nicely leads to this new series. It intertwines familiar characters such as Detective Evan Bolton, who Noelle works with at a Detective at the Deschutes Couty Sheriff’s Office, and FBI Agent Mercy Kilpatrick who is based in Bend.

When Noelle is called into the FBI office for a meeting, she initially believes it is about a case she is working on. However, she is blindsided when the meeting is actually to question her again about the murder of her husband 13 years ago, an incident that left her hospitalized with a severe head injury and memory loss. The reinvestigation has someone worried that new facts may finally come to light, putting Noelle and her sisters in danger. What really happened on that day 13 years ago? Who has been keeping secrets all this time? Will Noelle’s memory finally be restored?

Kendra delivers an absolute page-turner that keeps you engaged from start to finish. Even if you manage to piece together what you think happened before it is revealed, it is a totally engaging read. It’s full of great characters and the beginning of a new romance.

Great suspense that kept me guessing until the end. Even when I knew the resolution to the mystery, I still was shocked.
Noelle and Derrick have a storybook marriage, or so it seems on the surface. One day Noelle wakes up in the hospital to find that Derrick has been killed, and she is the main suspect.
Lots of moving parts, great characters, and fast paced plot make this a must read.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.