Thanks to #NetGalley for the ARC of #HerFirstMistake. I wasn’t sure what type of book I was expecting, however this book exceeded every pre conceived notion! It’s such a good, solid read that keeps the reader interested and invested, but it isn’t too stressful. I had a small thought about the ending, but way more was involved into the unraveling of the plot at the end of the book than I expected. Can’t wait to read the next book and see where the characters go from here.

I always look forward to this author books, the plot flows, capturing me from the first pages. Questions of was the wife guilty, hiding behind memory lost of that night. I enjoyed this book and recommend this book.
As well as all the other books this author has written.
Given arc by Net Galley and Montlake Publisher

I have no idea why Kendra Elliott named this book Her First Mistake. Nevertheless, I loved it. Noelle Marshall was a bartender and she had two sisters, Eve and Lucia. Eve married a man named Adam. Noelle met Derek Bell at the bar where she worked. He was wealthy and had his heart set on becoming an assemblyman. They fell in love and decided to get married. Derek's mother and brother never accepted Noelle. During the engagement, his mother took over the planning of the wedding right down to what Noelle was going to wear. He had an assistant who planned everything Noelle would wear and how she would present herself in public. Noelle had been a very strong and independent woman but through all of this she was losing herself. She had lost her parents and her grandfather And Aunt Daisy had raised her and her sisters. Her grandfather noticed that Noel was changing And he he was not pleased with it, therefore he was not pleased with her husband. Her best friend Savannah noticed the change in her too. At first she didn't say anything to her, but eventually she had to say something because she couldn't stand what was happening to her.

It wasn't long before Derek won the election. He had wanted Noelle to get pregnant but she didn't want to so she continued to take her birth control pills without telling him. They were married for 6 years and during that time he got progressively more aggressive with her, yelling at her, belittling her even grabbing her and shaking her. His personality changed completely and she found he became more and more irritable. She got to a point where she was afraid of him.

One day, she went to lunch with her sister Eve and then she returned home. The next thing she knew, she was in the hospital. Derek had been killed and Noelle had been severely attacked. She had no memory of what had happened. Even though it wasn't true, Derek's mother and brother were sure Noelle was hiding something, they even thought she had something to do with his death. Because Derek was an assemblyman, the FBI took over the case. Alice was the FBI agent in charge of the investigation. She and Noelle grew close and got to be best friends. In light of all the publicity, Noel decided to get away. She moved to a small town near Bend, Oregon. Her family followed her there, that is her grandfather, her aunt Daisy, her sister Eve and brother-in-law Adam, and her baby sister Lucia Alice had convinced Noelle that she would make a good law enforcement officer so she First, join the police force in Sacramento where she lived, and then the sheriff's department in The small town near Bend where she lived.

Noelle fared well in her small town because no one knew who she was and she had told no one about her past. 13 years after Derek's murder, the FBI reopened the investigation with Max as the lead investigator. He decided to re-interview everyone, the Marshals and the Bells. In 13 years, Noelle still had no memory of what happened. On one occasion, Derek's brother showed up at the sheriff 's station to see Noelle. She knew he hated her and she had no desire to see him but she saw him anyway. He dogged her about Derek's death and told her that she better tell the FBI the truth. She kicked him out of the office. The next day, she and her sisters went to their usual yoga session and after went to the bakery for pastries and tea. When they were outside standing next Noelle's vehicle it exploded. Of course, the first thought was that Derek's brother had rigged it, but the FBI did their due diligence and learned that he was already gone back home.

All three women went home. Lucia lived in an apartment over Eve's garage. Lucia had said she was going to go home and take a nap, and Eve was going to do the same and then afterwards they were going to meet. Eve phoned Lucia and didn't get any answer. That didn't sit well with her because she knew Lucia didn't have a car. So she went outside and found Lucia's purse on the ground dumped out. She also found the door to Lucia's apartment open. She got scared and called the police first, and then Noelle. Noelle phoned Max. They all concluded that Lucia had been kidnapped. In the meantime, Savannah had come to visit Noelle. So the two of them went to Eve's house along with Max. When they got back to Noelle's house Adam was there with Lucia. And he had a gun. He was holding on to Lucia and it was clear he had kidnapped her. He demanded money from Noelle and he wanted her car keys. He knew Derek had been rich and he had worked for him and he assumed that Noelle had a ton of money just laying around. But she only had $200 which she said he could have. Noelle had a state-of-the-art security system but Lucia and Adam knew the code. That's how they got into her house. Adam pointed the gun at Noelle but Lucia screamed at him reminding him that he promised he wouldn't hurt her. So he shot Savannah. After that he took Noelle's money and her SUV and fled. Noel called for an ambulance and went to the hospital with her best friend.

This is where Max comes in. He calls in his FBI buddy and they begin a search. Noelle contacted Eve and told her what Adam was up to and of course Eve is devastated. Max takes Noelle to her friend's house because he doesn't think it's safe for her to return home, after which he sets out on the search. Of course Noelle can't keep still. After all, she's a detective. So she calls into the station and gets the details about where they are and she steals her friend's vehicle and goes there. It turns out, they'd spotted her SUV parked on the side of the road and found Adam hold up in a house nearby. Max has also called in the police and a SWAT team. So they make contact with Adam in the house and he says he knows Noelle is there and he wants to speak with her. She talks to him and he tells her he wants her to come to the house unarmed within 5 minutes. If she doesn't go to the house he will start killing people off. The people in inside is a woman with her two daughters and her son-in-law. There was a daughter who lived in the basement who had escaped from the house and was there with the police. Max and the hostage negotiator were trying to convince Noelle not to go in but she says that she has to. In spite of everything, she wants to see if Lucia is still with him or if he has killed her. When she doesn't respond to Adam immediately a shot is fired in the house. Now Noelle knows she has to go. So she puts on tactical gear and heads out.

When she gets to the house Kristen, one of the daughters opens the door. Adam tells her to come in and leave the shield outside. When she gets inside she sees Lucia but she doesn't look right. It's clear to Noelle that she's on drugs. It turns out, Adam was a drug dealer and had been providing Lucia with drugs for years. He had also been giving methamphetamines to Derek. Anyway, Adam tells Kristin to take Noelle upstairs where she finds the rest of the family tied up and gagged. There's a huge mirror on the wall and all of a sudden Noelle's memory comes back. Adam goes upstairs and within a matter of seconds, there's a loud noise downstairs with shattering glass and the SWAT team has invaded the premises. Adam goes downstairs and he's shot and killed.

I found this book to be addictive. The plot was easy to follow but I really got into all the twists and turns. The author took the reader back and forth between 13 years ago and present and then counting down from Derek's death. At first I didn't like all the bouncing around but then the more I read the more I was able to make sense of it all. I've read more by this author and I really, really like her. I gave this book five stars.

A good introduction to a new series, although I have discovered that Noelle actually isn't a new character, but features in another series by the same author. So for me, it was a standalone/new series and it was a great read overall.

Noelle now works as a detective and the story covers a lot of her past life and experiences, leading to make her the woman she is today. Her husband was murdered several years ago, she was left for dead and the case is still unsolved. Noelle has memory blackouts from that day and not everyone believes she is innocent. In the present day, the FBI are reopening the case and this brings lots of buried emotions to the surface for Noelle and her family.

I didn't like how blatantly rude the FBI were to Noelle and the time lines jumped all over the place constantly, which was hard to keep track of at times. A good plot though and laid good foundations for future books featuring these characters.

4 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Kendra Elliot and Montlake for an ARC in return for an honest review.

13 years earlier Noelle Marshall survived the brutal attack that killed her husband. As a high profile and well connected politician his murder was investigated by the FBI but because Noelle only had patchy memories of the attack the investigation went nowhere.

After the death, one of the investigating agents encouraged Noelle to pursue a career in law enforcement and following that path led her to becoming a detective with the Oregon State Police.

But after 13 years the FBI are taking another look at the murder of her husband to see if anything shakes loose.

And something has. Noelle has said or done something that has made the killer start to suspect her memories are returning but she has no idea what that is. Now with the help of the two FBI Agents she must dig up the truth of her husbands murder before the murderer silences her forever.

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Noelle Marshall has been floating in the background of Kendra Elliot’s Columbia River series for a few books now. She has become a fan favorite and finally she is getting her own series. And she doesn’t disappoint. Her First Mistake is much more cerebral than previous books but it is tight, gripping and an edge of your seat thrill ride.

I absolutely loved this book!
This amazing read starts with such a powerful event and I knew right there, it was going to be great.

Noelle met a handsome assemblyman, got married and was having this beautiful and sophisticated life, but then nothing prepared her for what happens next.
Noelle wakes up in a hospital bed, and her husband was murdered by an intruder at their home. The case goes unsolved.

Between the timelines from present to thirteen years ago, the suspense and mystery builds up nicely and you can’t stop reading. Very twisty and tense, with a shocking ending.

I can’t wait for book #2!

Thank you so much Montlake, Amazon Publishing, MBC Books and Kendra Elliot for inviting me to be part of the Bookstagram Tour, and for sending me this eARC via NetGalley, opinions are my own.

this book is a gripping, suspenseful novel that pulls a detective into the heart of a cold case she thought was buried forever. Thirteen years after the murder of Assemblyman Derrick Bell, Noelle Marshall, now a detective, is forced to confront her darkest secrets when the FBI reopens the case. As long-hidden truths and shocking twists emerge, Noelle must face the terrifying realization that Derrick’s death may be far from the last—and only the truth can stop it.

3/5 Stars – Solid Suspense, But Not Her Strongest

Her First Mistake is a decent, fast-paced thriller with some intriguing twists and a strong lead character. Kendra Elliot knows how to build suspense, and there’s a nice balance of action and emotional tension throughout the story.

However, the plot feels a bit familiar, and a few of the twists are predictable if you’re a regular reader of the genre. Some side characters lack depth, and the ending wraps up a little too neatly for the buildup. That said, the pacing keeps things moving, and the writing is polished as always.

It’s an enjoyable read, especially for fans of Elliot’s previous work, but it doesn’t quite stand out among her best.

I was given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my review.

Noelle is a detective with a past and that past is coming back. Why is the FBI calling her in to go over that terrible night again. She can’t remember what happened. But someone close to her does know and she and her family are in danger.
Is she going to remember in time?

This is a new series by Kendra Elliot so don’t look for Mercy Kilpatrick.

Kendra Elliot’s “Her First Mistake” is the first book in a new series. Set in Oregon, this book tells the back story of Noelle Marshall. Primarily it involves the murder 13 years prior of Assemblyman Derrick Bell and the attack on Noelle, who was married to Derrick. Noelle is now a detective in the local Sheriff’s office when two FBI agents arrive from Sacramento, CA to interview her and her family members again.

The book alternates for most of the book between multiple timelines – the five years leading up to the attack, the investigation after the attack, and present day. The reader learns about how Derrick and Noelle met, as well as how their relationship (and marriage) began vs. what it became.

I had read a couple other books from Kendra Elliot so it was nice to see a couple guest appearances from characters I know are in her other books. For example, Mercy Kilpatrick has a couple interactions with Noelle in this one. This book started a little slow for me, but once I got used to the different timelines, the pace picked up. I was a little underwhelmed by the ending, but I may be in the minority.

Overall, I recommend this book. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my ARC.

I confess I have not read the Columbia Rivers series where Noelle features so to me this is all brand new. This was not a disadvantage as it is Noelle's origin story. Through reading this, I learnt about Noelle and those around her. The plot is electrifying and I could not put this down, I ended up reading this in one sitting. There are plenty of twists and shocking moments in this too. I will definitely read more of these.
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for an advance copy.

What an emotionally charged book. We learn about Noelle’s past and it’s quite surprising. This book is a thrilling roller coaster ride. I found myself holding my breath a few times. Max is a very interesting character. This book is an invigorating read that I thoroughly enjoyed. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Finding out about Noelle's past was so interesting and intriguing. I certianly didn't suspect Adam, but I did think that Noelle was a bit naive to not realise that her own husband was using. I am glad that they managed to get a conclusion and looking forward to the second book and hoping that Noelle gets to go on mnay more motorbike rides.

I had the privilege of reading this as an ARC.
I loved this first book in the new series about Noelle Marshall.
The book captured me from the beginning and held my attention throughout. Quite a few twists and turns, and kept me guessing until the end.

After reading this book till 4 am, the first thing that came to my mind was I want more. Couldn't stop reading and just wanted more.

This new series is Noelle's story along with loved past characters and wonderful new ones. I'm usually not a huge fan of multiple timelines but they worked here. Great book to learn more about past and present Noelle and a great introduction to this wonderful new series. You know it will be a good book when Mercy and Evan join the cast of characters, even if it's in a minor way.

I could hardly wait to read this new book because it was a new series from Kendra Elliot. I knew it would be a winner before I even opened up the book because Kendra is a suspenseful, edge-of-your-seat writer and this book doesn't disappoint.

Looking forward to more of Noelle & Max with hopefully more Daisy.

Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC for my honest review.

I was hooked and couldn’t put it down. “Her First Mistake” is a fast-paced crime thriller. It follows main character Noelle, who 13 years prior had survived an attack in which her Assemblyman husband was murdered. In the present, Noelle is now a police detective. The story itself alternates timelines from the past and now the present. I found it easy to follow along with the plot. You will kept guessing. I have read Author Kendra Elliot’s Mercy Kilpatrick series, of which this is a spinoff of. I would recommend this book and author to those who love a fast paced novel.

Thank you Montlake for providing this book via NetGalley for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed the dual timelines in this book as well as the multiple POV. I was pulled in from the very start and didn’t want to put it down until I had the answers. I kept trying to piece together who committed the crimes, and I was still guessing up until the very end. I would recommend and will read more by the author.

This was a good story. I have read others by this author and was glad to see her new one available. It features a new character, and I believe there will be more for Noelle. The backstory is a little tedious, but as it relates to Noelle's current life and career change, it all comes together. All in all, a good story and I will continue to read any books featuring this character. Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for the ARC.

Very good read and well written!! The storyline was great! I’d definitely recommend reading and I’ll probably end up putting it on my to read again list when I hit a spot of not knowing what to read next!

Kendra Elliot’s new series didn’t disappoint. Her First Mistake tells the story of Noelle Marshall’s husband through a non linear timeline. I could not put the book down and was invested in all the characters. I cannot wait to read the next book!