4 ⭐️
Tropes: second chance romance, friends to lovers, forced proximity, workplace rivals, found family

This is the second book in the Off-Limits series by Lily Parker and after reading this I definitely need to back track and read the first one!

Abby and Dax “dated” on and off through law school but Abby always had Dax at arms length never quite letting things get to serious with him or anyone else after him for that matter; she would only let them have a physical relationship and nothing more. After law school Abby left to New York to start her career and Dax went his way to California both on opposite ends of the country. Abby and Dax were each others “the one that got away” but she was to scared to let things get to serious. Until the universe threw them back together years later putting Dax in NY - “It’s Dax. The one man I’ve never been fully able to forget.”

But old habits are hard to break and Abby did the only thing she knew would keep her heart safe, only allowing them to hookup because that was safest.

“I might want more than is possible when it comes to Abby. But I’ll take whatever I can get when I’m with her. And for tonight, that’ll have to be enough.

The universe threw them back together AGAIN in California giving them another chance. Third times the charm right?! Eventually things got old and Dax gave Abby one last opportunity to take a risk or say goodbye for the last time…this time protecting himself instead of letting Abby make all the choices.

“No matter how much I want her, how much I’ve always wanted her, I’m over her half-baked excuses. This time, it’s all or nothing.”

Lucky for him Abby decided to FINALLY take a leap of faith. I loved how this one choice freed her in more ways than one and I adored her playful personality that she finally let shine. Dax was so perfect and understanding giving Abby a safe place to land. Definitely recommend if you like great banter, and off the charts chemistry!

Thank you to NetGalley and Joffrey Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first Lily Parker book, and I ate this book up!
Loved it. I love Lily's writing, and I enjoyed it so much!
Read this in one sitting.
This is a perfect book for your summer TBR. A great poolside or beach read.
We got a second-chance romance, workplace romance, workplace enemies, and found family in this plot.
The banter was so fun, witty, and funny. I laughed out loud.
The supporting characters were so wonderful! I loved them so much.
I loved Abby, our brilliant, workaholic, girl boss with a traumatic childhood.
Dax is a lawyer who hasn't ever been able to get Abby out of his mind.
The two have so much CHEMISTRY! Guys, so good.
The characters are well-developed. They are relatable and show growth throughout the plot, particularly Abby.
The plot is well structured, and the pace is perfect.
I didn't realize this was book 2 in a series, but I was still able to enjoy it as a standalone. I didn't feel I was missing out on any background or information that integral to the plot of this book. I will, however, be going to read book one, and I will read the whole series.
Thank you to Joffe Books, Lily Parker, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!
Happy Reading!

i could really see the vision here, but unfortunately, i didn’t love the execution.

this book follows two lawyers, abby and dax, who used to be friends with benefits back in law school. now, years later, they’re on opposite sides of a high-stakes deal, while having to maintain a professional front.

let’s start with what i enjoyed.
there were some genuinely funny moments that made me laugh, which i always appreciate. dax, especially in the beginning, was pretty endearing. it was refreshing to see the male lead be the one pushing for something more than just a physical connection. he treated abby with respect and made his intentions clear early on, which flipped the usual dynamic in a nice way.

i also liked the deeper dive into abby’s past and her complicated family situation. while i didn’t connect with her as much as i hoped to, i still found that part of the story important and meaningful.

now for what didn’t work for me.
the premise had me expecting tension and angst. this is supposedly a forbidden love story. unfortunately, i felt no tension between them. there’s a lot of telling us they shouldn’t be doing this, but no real consequences or resistance. everything was just…too easy.

also, the pacing felt off. from the first few pages, they’re already deeply obsessed with each other, and things move too fast for my taste. i get that they had a history, but i would’ve liked a slower burn, especially since it’s meant to be a professional setting. dax is openly drooling over abby by page 10, and while i enjoy an obsessed mmc, i don't like rushed romances.

overall, i just wanted more buildup, both emotionally and romantically, before the story dove into the steamy stuff. with a little more time spent getting to know the characters and exploring their internal conflicts, i would've liked this much more.

I was a little hesitant to read this book because I didn't really like the first book in this series. I found the first book lacking depth, a little blah, and the dialogue was cringe. However, this book in completely opposite! I was drawn in to it because of the strong female character that didn't seem whiny, but still has issues to work through. The male character was so patient with her and was such a sweetheart. I really liked the chemistry between them. I also liked that love story they created together. There wasn't TONS of spice in this one but it was a really great read with no third act breakup. Love this read and cannot wait to read the third book in the series :)

Abby never expected to run into Dax Harper again, especially not in a Manhattan coffee shop. He was the law school fling she never truly got over. Now older, undeniably hotter, and only in town for the night, Dax proposes dinner. Abby agrees, thinking one night together won’t go any further as he lives in L.A., and she’s firmly rooted in New York. Yet fate has other plans. When Abby’s firm sends her to L.A. for the biggest case of her career, she walks into the boardroom only to find Dax on the other side of the boardroom.
I thought Dax was a great character, so sweet and genuine. Whilst it would have been good to know more about his backstory and his past with Abby, the story does reveal more about her as a character. While Abby is at first emotionally distant, I grew to have a greater understanding of her as a character and her vulnerability. There are moments when the story goes into some more intense topics, but the romance element manages to keep it on the lighter side. The secondary characters added depth to this story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is the first book I have read by Lily and was very pleased to receive an advance copy. Abby is an attorney in New York,working long hours and no social life. She is in her local coffee shop collecting her morning coffee when she bumps into Dax also an attorney but working in L.A. They went to law school together and had a relationship(more of a friends with benefits one)but when they started working they didn’t keep in touch. Dax went to work for his parents and she in New York. Dax is only here till the next and they end up hooking up,he leaves her note the next day but she doesn’t get in touch. 6 months pass and she is sent to L.A to try and acquire a new company for her firm. Her best friend Olivia sets her up in the house of her brother in law set up in the Hollywood hills as they are away abroad. She heads in to the building where they are meeting the teams involved in the acquisition and who does she meet but Dax,heading in the same direction as her. He realises quick quickly they could be going to the same meeting room and tries to tell her but the door opens as they are wrestling with each other. Yes,they are up against each other,he is working for his best friend Silas, a billionaire. Abby doesnt want her boss to know that she knows Dax. They all ending up having to work really hard but her and Dax agree to meet up. You have to read the book to find out how things work out for Abby and Dax,I couldn’t put it down.

The Off Limits series is quickly becoming one of my favourites, and The Best Worst Mistake absolutely sealed that for me! After loving Olivia’s story in The Best Wrong Move earlier this year, I couldn’t wait to dive back into this world – and this second book did not disappoint.
While it reads perfectly well as a standalone, I’d highly recommend reading book one first. Olivia’s journey not only gives extra heart and humour, but her relationship with Abby adds so much emotional depth to this book. There’s something special about a series where friendships feel just as important as the romance – and that really shines through here.
This time, we follow Abby – a woman carrying deep heartbreak behind her carefully managed life. Her story is emotional, raw, and incredibly moving… yet Lily Parker tells it with such kindness, care and honesty that it never feels heavy. Instead, it’s empowering. And romantic. And seriously steamy in all the right places! 🔥
The writing flows so effortlessly that I flew through the pages – laughing, tearing up, and nodding along with moments that felt all too real. One of my absolute favourite quotes was Olivia saying to Abby:
“Permission to say something you might not like?”
That line hit home so hard – I have a friend just like that, and the way their friendship was written felt like such a lovely celebration of women lifting each other up.
As for the romance? Let’s just say Lily Parker knows exactly how to balance tension, tenderness, and toe-curling heat. It’s the kind of chemistry that makes you grin into your book and maybe fan yourself a little…
Not all the characters are loveable (yes, Brett, I’m looking at you), but they’re all well-drawn and serve a purpose – even the ones you want to strangle.
I finished this book smiling through tears and immediately messaged a friend to say, “You need to read this!” That, for me, is the sign of a five-star read.
I genuinely cannot wait to see what book three brings – and I’ll be counting down the days until I can spend more time in this world again.

Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for providing the ARC.

So I think that perhaps Lily Parker is not the author for me. I read The Best Wrong Move and just found it alright, so I was hoping that this one would be better. However, this book just felt as messy as the first one, and not just because of the pacing.

So typically in a second chance romance there's always a big moment when the two people see each other again after their period of not being in each other's lives. In this case, that moment lost a lot of its impact when the author rushed through it and then tried to capture the essence again for a similar moment 6 months later in book time. Beyond that, the characters were very surface level and coupled with the pacing, didn't get a chance to develop or become interesting. Everything resolved way too quickly and it left me feeling disappointed.

Overall, it was a pretty okay book, just not the book for me.

The Best Worst Mistake delivered everything I love in a second-chance romance — heart, humour, heat, and that one scene where you’re full-on crying into your laundry while pretending you're fine.

Abby is a brilliant, guarded workaholic who believes success = safety, and love? Absolutely not on the agenda. Dax is the swoony law school hookup who never really got over her — and when fate (and caffeine) throws them back together, the sparks fly like it’s nobody’s business.

Their banter? Sharp.
Their chemistry? Immediate.
Their emotional baggage? Checked and carried on board. ✈️

The pacing was so good — it kept me flipping pages without feeling rushed. From late-night coffee runs to steamy "just one night" moments (spoiler: it’s never just one night), to full-on legal enemies in the boardroom — it gave that delicious balance of flirty and emotional I crave in a romance.

But what really stood out for me was Abby’s arc. Watching her confront her past, her fears, and what it means to actually let someone in… was powerful. And Dax? He’s that rare, patient cinnamon roll hero who knows exactly when to push and when to wait.

✨ Second-chance
✨ Friends with benefits gone feelings
✨ Career rivals to something more
✨ Forced proximity
✨ Banter + baggage + believable growth

If you want something addictive, emotional, and satisfyingly steamy, this one’s your next read.
I devoured it — no regrets. 💘

#SecondChanceRomance #LawyerLove #BookishFeels #EnemiesToLoversLite #SwoonyMenAndStrongWomen #RomanceReads #TheBestWorstMistake

🎡🌅🎡🌅🎡🌅🎡🌅🎡🌅🎡🌅🎡🌅🎡

"Something I’ve never felt when I’m around anyone else in my entire life, because no matter how hard I try to stay away from you, we’re like a pair of bookends with a whole lot of story left to play out"

🎡🌅🎡🌅🎡🌅🎡🌅🎡🌅🎡🌅🎡🌅🎡

Oh my gosh, I absolutely adored this book! I literally flew through this in a couple of hours! The Best Worst Mistake is book 2 of this series, and I will be going back to read the first one to see the story of Liv!

This was such an easy read, and it was like a warm hug at the end with HEA! This 2nd Chance Romance ( I agree with Dex more like 3rd!) Was a perfect read to curl up with on the sofa!

I loved Abby and Dex's dynamic and the connection they had from the get-go. Yes, Abby has walls built through her life experience as a child, but to see her development as the story developed, it was a reminder that yes, we forge our own paths!

Dex was just an absolute sweetheart, although he fell first, learned to break the cycle, but had that understanding, and patience that Abby needed, and was there for her when she finally let him in!

Add in the office drama, of trying to keep it on the down low, the looks, being on opposite sides, and the oops moment ( if you've read it you know) there was giggles a plenty too!

This was my first by this author, and I look forward to reading more!

This is the best second chance romance I’ve read in a long time. I actually couldn’t put it down.

The first half is lighthearted, until the characters actually get to know each other better.
I loved the development of their story without having to jump back in time.
I loved how it reminded me of the show Suits.

-Dual POV
- Second chance
- No cheating
- Some spice
- Found family

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC

Dax and Abby were friends with benefits back when they were together in high school, till after graduation Abby ghosted him. They both never forgot each other so when they run into each other in the coffee shop, it seems like fate. But Abby is not interested in more than a fling. Dax is all ready to give up when fate brings them again together, this time as opposing lawyers fighting for the same deal. Will 3rd time be the charm for them ?
This was a cozy second chance romance. Dax was a total sweetheart, I loved how patient and understanding he is of Abby. Knowing about Abby’s past made her reluctance more understandable and the trip down memory lane brought tears to my eyes.
A sweet, easy to read story.

A second chance romance is definitely one of my fav tropes! And this one is amazing!

It’s funny, heartwarming, witty, with some great banter, what else do you need in your books 🤩 and love the dual POV, it's great to see the story from both perspectives.

Overall, a great read.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

As a lawyer myself, I’m often drawn to stories that reflect the intensity, complexity, and sharp edges of legal life—and The Best Worst Mistake by Lily Parker absolutely delivers. But more than that, it’s a deeply human story about timing, growth, and the courage it takes to let someone back in.

Abby and Dax are two people who once collided during law school, only to drift apart before anything real could begin. Years later, a chance encounter in New York reopens old feelings—and old wounds—with unexpected force. Their reunion isn’t just nostalgic; it’s layered, compelling, and emotionally charged.

Abby is fiercely independent, successful, and guarded in all the ways that feel incredibly familiar to anyone who's worked in high-pressure legal environments. Her internal conflict—between protecting her career and protecting her heart—is portrayed with remarkable nuance. Dax, now more grounded and self-aware, is equally engaging. He’s no longer the idealistic student she once knew, but someone who’s learned what it means to fight for what (and who) matters.

The legal setting isn’t just background noise—it’s skillfully woven into the fabric of the story. From boardroom showdowns to power dynamics across the negotiating table, the professional tension mirrors their personal one in a way that’s sharp, believable, and deeply satisfying.

What I appreciated most was the maturity of their journey. There’s no manufactured drama, no over-the-top miscommunication—just two people slowly navigating the space between past and present, hurt and hope. Their chemistry is undeniable, but it’s their emotional honesty that makes the story shine.

The Best Worst Mistake is equal parts witty, romantic, and thoughtful. Lily Parker has written a love story that respects its characters' intelligence and emotional depth—and in doing so, gives us a couple worth believing in. A must-read for anyone who loves second chances, strong women, and stories that blend heart with ambition. I’ll definitely be recommending this one to my fellow book-loving lawyers.

What if the one that got away came back?

This pulled me in along with the Title... The Best Worst Mistake by Lily Parker.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley after requesting it because the title intrigued me, and Lily Parker was an author I had never read before. I was in the mood for a second-chance romance.

Abby never thought she would see Dax Harper again, but she runs into him in New York City, six years after she fled from him when their law school fling became too intense. The almost relationship she never could forget. Now, Dax is in her town wanting dinner...but Abby wants one night of rekindled heat.

What happens when fate keeps stepping in?

Lilly pulled me into this romance from the first chapter, and it kept up until you learn everything about Abby. She has spent years holding everything about her close to the vest so she would never be hurt again. I couldn't pick a better heroine than Abby; she fought for everything she wanted in life and got it in a world built for men. It was also amazing to read how Dax saw how amazing she was throughout their entire journey, never faulting her even once; he learned what she was hiding.

I gave the book four stars only because I felt that the ending was rushed and would have liked more of them being in a relationship, as well as a little more future in the epilogue. It was a sweet, soft second-chance romance that you could easily sit by a fire and read.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with the opportunity to read this book.

Abby is headed to L.A when her Law firm is called in for a huge deal. Abby didn’t expect to sit across the table from her law school fling, Dax. Can the two keep everything all business or will things get heated?

Rating:3/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was a cute and easy to read second-chance romance. It hit me in a soft spot!

I wish the build up between Abby and Dax was slower. I understand that they knew each other before, but everything happened so quick. It might have been different if I read the first book, but a sequel should also be able to stand on its own.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Lily Park, and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Best Worst Mistake delivers everything you want from a second-chance romance: sharp banter, high heat, and the aching tension of unfinished business. Abby is whip-smart and driven, a woman with everything to prove. Dax is effortlessly charming, a cinnamon roll hero wrapped in a confident, West Coast lawyer package. Together, they’re electric.

Lily Parker writes chemistry like a firestarter, sparking off-page history with every look and line. The workplace setting ups the stakes and keeps the tension deliciously tight, especially when emotions start to blur with ambition. The found-family vibes with supporting characters soften the edges in all the right ways, grounding the story in warmth.

This isn’t just a spicy read—it’s an emotional one. Underneath the heat is vulnerability, growth, and the kind of love story that feels earned. Fans of Emily Henry or Bal Khabra will find themselves swooning and rooting for Abby and Dax long after the final page.

Not realizing this was a sequel, I went back and read the first book before this one and I have to say - neither of the books disappointed me. This was such a quick and easy read and I loved using it as a palette cleanser between some of the heavier books I've been reading. This is absolutely a classic rom com that you can't go wrong with.

Thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books | Choc Lit for the arc! (:

I didnt know this was a series until I read this book, I went back and read the first one and they both are amazing. I like everything about it.

I finish this book in one day, its a lazy day for me so consider the book as a quick read. I really enjoy this book as an easy and quick read, if you taking any break from big world building genre, this one might be one for you.

This is a second chance romance with a cozy and funny story and workplace drama is like watching a romcom drama where 2 people who rejected their feeling (more to the fmc) and they meet again and dare I say the old flame ignite.

this is a quick read and not a slow burn, if you want more banter and yearning this book not for you.
Thankyou