Lily Parker delivers a compelling second-chance romance that had me hooked from the first page. Abby and Dax's chemistry is electric, reigniting past sparks with a blend of sharp banter and heartfelt moments. Abby's journey from a guarded workaholic to someone open to love is both relatable and inspiring. Dax, ever the patient and understanding counterpart, complements her perfectly.

The narrative structure, unfolding initially over 24 hours before expanding over several months, adds depth to their rekindled relationship. The emotional stakes are high, and the payoff is immensely satisfying. Parker's writing is crisp, witty, and infused with genuine emotion, making this a standout in the genre.

If you're a fan of workplace romances with depth, sizzling tension, and characters you can't help but root for, The Best Worst Mistake is a must-read.

Some of my favorite books come from Emma Chase’s “Legal Briefs” series and Julie James’ “Just the sexist man alive” and “Practice Makes Perfect”. All of these are lawyer romances. So when I saw “The Best Worst Mistake” by Lily Parker I was so excited. I love nothing more when a the FMC and the MMC go at it against each other in the court room with sizzling tension and well placed jabs. This story had the added pleasure of also being a second chance romance as Abby and Dex were in law school together. Then with both presented with a career changing case they have to face off in the board room while their past crackles between them as Abby ghosted Dex and Dex never stop thinking of Abby. If you love lawyer/lawyer romances like I do you’ll enjoy this quick second chance romance.

I'll be honest, I struggled with the first half of this book. I started reading it 10 days ago, stopped and read another book, then came back to finish this one. The last 40% of the book is way better than the first part, so I'm glad I stuck with it til the end. Abby and Dax just seemed so robotic and emotionless in that first half and that made it nearly impossible for me to connect with them or want to see them get a HEA. And a whole lot of nothing happened during that time too, so it was really hard to push myself to keep reading. They worked all the time and that was pretty much their life. Abby seemed to be solely focused on work and nothing else in life and that made her come off as one-dimensional. But we see in the last half of the book that she really is capable of experiencing emotion. Her upbringing is what really made her the driven and work-focused person she was in that first half, but again, we don't see the 'why' behind that one-dimensional focus until that second half.

If you can stick with it, this book turns out to be pretty good. I thoroughly enjoyed the epilogue and the little life they built for themselves.

Second and third chances can change everything as evidenced by the evolution of Abby and Dax's relationship. It is no wonder that Abby pushed Dax away once she let him in and showed him where she grew up as a young child and how only through Miss Candie did she ever find how a mother should love her daughter. It was heartbreaking to see how much she wanted her to be her mother given she made sure she was fed and occupied where her parents if one could call them that neglected to notice that they actually had a daughter. Even when her aunt and uncle took her in, she had to find people like Olivia dud she know what a family felt like. Coming to LA was a turning point for Abby as she let herself be loved and vulnerable. She dud the things she had always dreamed of doing and let herself know that there is life outside of the office. She didn't have to feel alone. Starry cheered her on as she continued to evolve as the best version of herself. Silas' intentions were heartfelt and turned out to be better than her or Dax could have imagined. This book lets the reader remember how great love can be. The epilogue of two years later was simply amazing and I admit that tears were shed out of happiness. Taking a chance really does make anything possible.

I want to thanks NetGalley for the ARC

The Best Worst Mistake is a total delight; funny, flirty, and full of heart. Lily Parker delivers a charming workplace rom-com that had me grinning like a fool and flipping pages way past bedtime. From the witty banter to the sizzling chemistry, this book nails the perfect blend of enemies-to-lovers tension and feel-good romance.

The dynamic between the two leads is electric. I loved how their relationship evolved from professional friction to something so much deeper, with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments (and a few swoon-worthy ones too). The dialogue is sharp, the pacing tight, and the emotional payoff is just chef’s kiss.

This is the kind of book that makes you want to hug it when you’re done. If you love clever heroines, buttoned-up heroes who unravel in the best way, and rom-coms that actually feel romantic, you’ll adore this one.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I devoured this in one sitting and I have absolutely zero regrets.

The Best Worst Mistake is everything I love in a second chance romance—sharp banter, real emotional stakes, and a whole lot of longing. Abby and Dax have history, and you can feel every bit of it in their dynamic. The tension? Immaculate. The chemistry? Off the charts.

I loved that this wasn’t just a fluffy rekindled romance. There’s depth here, especially in Abby’s character. She’s guarded, complicated, and sometimes frustrating—but in the most real, relatable way. Dax is a literal dream. He’s funny, a little bruised from the past, and you can just tell he’s always been hers, even when she wasn’t ready to accept it.

The timeline structure was super unique. The first half unfolds over just 24 hours, and it worked so well to pull me into their emotional world quickly. The second half slows things down and gives us space to really understand Abby and what’s holding her back. Honestly, it made their connection feel earned.

Also… the spice? Yeah. It delivers.

If I had one tiny wish, it would’ve been to see a few flashbacks to their law school days—just to feel that old flame even more. But it’s not a dealbreaker. This story hit all the right notes for me: fun, emotional, romantic, and just the right amount of messy.

Thank you so much for the ARC!

A fun and quick read. An easy story to follow and entertaining characters perfect for a quick summer read

Having read the first book in this world, I was excited to finally get my hands on this one too. Seeing a little glimpses of Liv living her best life and adjusting to billionaire life was very funny and relatable.
However this story focuses on her BFF Abby, who deserves all the best things in life too. Lily Parker did a great job at writing another relatable character. Unlike her previous book, this one is a lot more emotional and less humourous, or at least it was for me. While I would easily classify The Best Wrong Move as a RomCom, I don't think The Best Worst Mistake qualifies for the comedy part. It was a lot more cosy and emotional romance.

I would've loved to see Dex and Abby together more and how they function in their new relationship, but this was a very sweet romance of about two people finally getting together on their third try, years later.
The story really focused Abby being honest with herself and opening up to the world, which was very emotional to read about.
In contrast, it felt more like Dex was just a prop for the story, than a fully fleshed out character. We know very little about him, and he seems to just exist for Abby's benefit.

While I hate the 3rd act break up, and love books who don't let that happen. I do think it has to be in a natural way.
SPOILERS ||
Having a big blow up moment, but nothing happening because she decides she doesn't care. Doesn't do it for me. Even if she decides to stay with Dex after what happened, a totally understandable choice since he did nothing wrong, I would've liked to see her go off on Silas. We know she's a strong woman who has no problem arguing with people. It felt wrong for her to have just let this slide with no reaction. Especially having not experienced the scene from her POV, so not understanding her feelings in that moment, it felt wrong. Or at the very least see Dex be mad at Silas in his POV, instead of hearing about it after the fact. ||
I don't think the use of multiple POVs was used to its best ability, and instead used to skip harder descriptions of what one of the characters was feeling, and an excuse not to write certain scenes. (Ok that might be a bit harsh, but idk how else to say it)

Overall, while it felt a bit short in the end, I enjoyed this little romance and I think anyone who wants something easy to read with a little depth, would enjoy it too.

A very sweet and cute second chance romance where you get a lot of feels for the mmc. I thought it was a good spin on the trope. I didn't love the secondary story (a tad boring), but I absolutely loved the romance story and their chemistry. It was unique enough to hold my interest and the spice was also great.

This was a fun very quick read with some spice and a great character arc. I really enjoyed watching Abby and Dax's relationship blossom, although would have loved more of them together and realising their feelings for one another. It was a great airport read, took me less than 2 hours to read and I enjoyed this one.

The Best Worst Mistake” is a quick and easy romance read about Abby and Dax. They were ex situationship/no labels but definitely more than friends who reconnect in New York.
The book focuses on moments in time, with the first half happening mostly over 24 hours. This allows readers to feel the characters’ emotions as they reconnect. This intimacy creates a connection with the reader. The second half happens over the course of a few months. The second half focuses on getting to know Abby as a character and understanding her reluctance to a relationship. I would have enjoyed reading more about their law school romance to feel more connected to the rekindling romance. But it worked.
Overall, it’s a fun and quick read perfect for a holiday or summer.
I received an advance copy the best worst mistake from Choc Lit Contemporary Romance: A Joffe Books Company & NetGalley for a review. All opinions are my own. Thank you to both the publisher, author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

This book is a lighthearted second chance romance that will make you feel warm and fuzzy inside. The chemistry between the characters was palpable and I was rooting for them the whole way through!

Why do I always end up crying?
Dear sweet Abby, everyone’s BFF, who keeps her heart closed to everyone.
Shutting out everyone, all feelings, to keep out memories from her childhood.
There was only ever one guy who could have broken in but he didn’t fight for her, he let her go, she left him go.
The years have passed but when fate has plans that crosses their paths, can they take advantage of a second change? What about a third? Will there be a fourth?

Abby is a workaholic, the girl boss, she goes home to an empty kitchen, a cat that was never hers and hates her, and a million plants she loves to look at but doesn’t even know how to water. Money has given her all the things she thinks she wants but doesn’t know how to have, so like any modern woman, she outsources it.

Dax is the boy how got away, walked away, ok fine, Abby kept him at arm’s length, pushed him away and he let her. Neither of them ever getting over that fact.

I knew this wasn’t going to be a cut and dry second chance with instant love after reading the first in the series. There is depth I these chanters and though the book leans more towards Abby’s past, you get to know a larger cast of side characters too.

I’m looking forward to the third book!
Though I’m still holding out hope for Juju’s book Lily!!!!!

ARC Read - releases July 2025. Thank you NetGalley!
Second Chance Romance with Heart and Humour. Abby is a workaholic lawyer with a difficult past that makes it hard for her to be loved and love in return. Deciding the best way to prove herself is through work, she never leaves the office. One day, while getting coffee, she runs into an old flame - Dax. Abby and Dax were friends with benefits/no strings for years in law school, but when the feelings started to get real, Abby ghosted Dax. Dax has never been able to get over Abby. So when date pulls them back together, it feels like it might be their time. But when Abby runs again, Dax is ready to give up. When they meet again, it's as opposing lawyers fighting for the same deal - a career making deal. Trying to navigate their past, Abby and Dax try to build up their connection as more than just physical, and Abby looks within herself as to why she cannot let herself love and rely on another.
Beautiful, funny story. Great cozy read. Will be going back to read the first in the series -Liv's book - and looking forward to Silas' book.

Best worst mistake by Lily Parker
Release date: July 2nd 2025

⭐️4/5

This was the perfect pick-me-up book, light, warmhearted and gracefully written.
‘Best worst mistake’ is a second-chance workplace romance novel following Dax and Abby who meet 6 years after college. Unravelling their past and present relationships, career aspirations and a career changing M&A deal, the storyline is addictive and a relatively quick read, and ideal accompaniment to a holiday relax by the pool.

Although spicy in places, I found this story to be memorable as the plot line was meaningfully planned, not just a string of spicy scenes, which seems to be the case in a lot of modern romances. Whilst I do wish there was more build up to their first encounter and slightly more backstory to their college relationship, their later development and particularly Abby’s character development made up for it.

Abby’s career journey inspires you to never settle for less and to find something you’re passionate about to dedicate your life to.

This story truly gives you all the feels - I wanted the epilogue to never end and I can’t wait for the next instalment to the series, Parker’s writing is addictive ! Whilst I read this on kindle, I just wish I had it in a physical copy to put on my shelf!!!

Thank you to Lily Parker, Net Galley and Joffe Books for this

Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for this Arc!
This was a fast read, second-chance romance trope with force proximity throughout with moments of you just wanting them to hurry up and be together. Lots of spice of you like a spicy read with plenty of chemistry from the start with Abby and Dax.

For as long as I can remember, I have been a fan of traditional romance. Once I read more, I started to really enjoy both romantic suspense, and romantic comedies (quite the spectrum). I have to admit that I was very nervous reading a book two of an existing series. Lucky for me, I was able to read this as a standalone.


This is one of those books where I started out being EXTREMELY frustrated with the female lead. As I got into the book, I did start to understand where she was coming from. I ultimately wanted both of the characters to “win” but didn’t see how that could happen without a huge amount of sacrifice from one side more than the other. I was glad to say that, although that did happen, it definitely happened in a good way.

Ultimately, I really liked this book. It has a really satisfying epilogue (spoiler alert!). I can’t wait to read book three in the series, and I might read the first book as well!

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

3.5 stars rounded up

Okay sooo The Best Worst Mistake was one of those books that I flew through, even if I had a few moments of “girl what are we doing here??” Abby and Dax have that classic second-chance, right-person-wrong-time vibe, and I was immediately pulled in by their surprise coffee shop reunion.

Their chemistry is definitely still alive, and Lily Parker writes tension really well. There’s one scene (you’ll know it when you get to it) where I literally had to pause and go stare at a wall. It’s giving “I shouldn’t but I absolutely will.” And Dax?? Ugh. Confident, charming, and way too good at showing up at the worst possible time.

That said, some of the back-and-forth dragged a bit for me. There’s only so many “we shouldn’t do this” moments I can handle before I’m like… then don’t??? Or do. Just decide. But the ending wrapped it up in a satisfying way, and I liked that the stakes felt real without getting overly dramatic.

If you’re into second chances, steamy boardroom tension, and a little chaos between two stubborn people who clearly still love each other, you’ll have fun with this one. Not a fave, but definitely glad I read it.

Thanks NetGalley and publishers for this ARC

It's a perfectly pleasant quick read for fans of second-chance romance, since it's a prime and sweet example of that trope.

The dynamics between characters were really nice, both the main ones and the secondary. The spice and the dialogues, too.

At the end of the day, it's one of those books that I liked but won't write home about, because it didn't grab my heart the way some others do. I blame the main trope (really sweet, again, but I'm not that big on second-chance like this one).

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Thanks to Joffe Books and NetGalley for this arc!

If you like second chance romance and forced proximity you will love this book! It has lots of spice, work place drama, a cinnamon roll in a suit, a fiesty fmc and more.

It was a quick and easy read!