Lucy Score has built a reputation for delivering romance novels that blend humor, emotional depth, and lovable small-town chaos. Mistakes Were Made, the second installment in the Story Lake series, continues that tradition with a story that feels both entertaining and surprisingly tender. The novel follows two people who seem completely incompatible on paper but slowly discover that life rarely follows neat plans—or perfect love stories. Below is a detailed review exploring the story, characters, themes, and why this book resonates with romance readers.
Overview of the Story
Set in the quirky fictional town of Story Lake, Pennsylvania, the novel centers on Zoey Moody, a literary agent whose once-promising career in Manhattan has hit a rough patch. Financial trouble and professional setbacks push her to temporarily relocate to Story Lake, where her best friend and only remaining client, romance author Hazel Hart, lives. Zoey’s goal is simple: help Hazel produce a bestselling novel so she can rebuild her career and return to city life.
But Story Lake has other plans.
Soon after arriving, Zoey meets Gage Bishop, her landlord and a member of the well-known Bishop family. Gage is the complete opposite of Zoey. Where she is chaotic and impulsive, he is disciplined and methodical, the type of man who plans his life years in advance. Zoey, meanwhile, treats commitment like a contagious disease.
Their relationship begins with friction, sarcasm, and undeniable attraction. When a painful family revelation shakes Gage’s life, the two share a night meant to be nothing more than a distraction. But that single moment complicates everything. What starts as a mistake becomes the emotional core of the novel—forcing both characters to confront fears, insecurities, and the possibility that love might not follow the rules they expect.
A Classic Opposites-Attract Romance
At its heart, Mistakes Were Made thrives on one of romance fiction’s most beloved tropes: opposites attract.
Zoey and Gage are designed to clash. Zoey is spontaneous, sarcastic, and perpetually disorganized—someone who lives in the moment and avoids long-term attachments. Gage, by contrast, is grounded and structured, the type of person who keeps careful track of responsibilities and expects stability in his life.
This contrast drives much of the novel’s humor and tension. Their banter often feels sharp and witty, with the kind of verbal sparring that makes readers root for them even when they clearly drive each other crazy.
Yet the novel never reduces them to simple archetypes. As the story unfolds, Lucy Score gradually reveals the emotional reasons behind Zoey’s fear of commitment and Gage’s desire for control. What initially looks like personality differences turns out to be the result of deeper personal histories.
The Charm of Story Lake
If Zoey and Gage are the emotional heart of the novel, Story Lake itself is the soul.
Lucy Score excels at creating fictional communities that feel almost tangible, and Story Lake is full of eccentric personalities and lively local traditions. The town is packed with colorful side characters—neighbors, friends, and family members who constantly insert themselves into the protagonists’ lives.
These secondary characters serve several purposes. They provide comic relief, deepen the world-building, and remind readers that romance rarely happens in isolation. Relationships are shaped by families, friendships, and communities.
In many ways, Story Lake feels like the literary equivalent of a cozy TV town. Readers who enjoy the quirky atmosphere of shows like Gilmore Girls will likely feel right at home here.
Zoey Moody: Chaos With a Heart
Zoey stands out as one of Lucy Score’s most memorable heroines. On the surface, she appears to be a walking disaster—someone whose life is constantly on the verge of falling apart.
She is impulsive, disorganized, and deeply skeptical about love. Her career struggles and financial problems only amplify her sense of instability.
Yet beneath the chaos lies a surprisingly thoughtful and loyal character. Zoey cares deeply about her friend Hazel and takes her professional responsibilities seriously, even when her own life is unraveling. Her internal monologue reveals a sharp self-awareness that makes her both relatable and sympathetic.
Readers who have ever felt like they were barely holding things together will likely find Zoey refreshingly authentic.
Gage Bishop: The Perfectly Imperfect Hero
Gage initially appears to be the quintessential romance hero: handsome, responsible, and emotionally steady.
He knows exactly what he wants from life—a stable career, a family, and a partner who shares his values. Compared to Zoey’s chaotic lifestyle, Gage seems almost too perfect.
However, the story gradually dismantles this image. The revelation of a difficult family situation forces Gage to confront vulnerabilities he would rather ignore. His carefully structured life suddenly feels less certain, and Zoey’s unpredictability begins to look less like a problem and more like a refreshing alternative.
This transformation gives Gage depth beyond the typical “perfect hero” archetype.
Humor, Heart, and Emotional Growth
One of Lucy Score’s greatest strengths as a writer is her ability to balance comedy with emotional sincerity.
Mistakes Were Made is filled with laugh-out-loud moments, often arising from Zoey’s chaotic behavior or the eccentricities of the townspeople. The dialogue frequently sparkles with wit, and many scenes feel like playful romantic comedy sequences.
But the book also takes time to explore heavier emotional themes. Both Zoey and Gage carry unresolved fears about relationships and identity. Their romance becomes a catalyst for personal growth, forcing them to confront the ways they protect themselves from disappointment.
The result is a story that feels lighthearted without being shallow.
Themes That Give the Story Depth
While the novel is primarily a romance, it quietly touches on several meaningful themes:
1. The Fear of Vulnerability
Zoey’s reluctance to commit stems from deeper emotional wounds. Her journey involves learning that vulnerability is not weakness.
2. Letting Go of Control
Gage’s structured life reflects a desire to control the future. The story challenges that mindset by showing how love often emerges from unpredictability.
3. The Importance of Community
Story Lake functions almost like a supporting character, demonstrating how friendships and family networks shape personal growth.
4. Accepting Imperfection
Perhaps the novel’s most important message lies in its title: mistakes are inevitable, but they can also lead to unexpected happiness.
Writing Style and Pacing
Lucy Score’s writing style is conversational, energetic, and emotionally engaging. The narrative moves at a steady pace, alternating between humorous exchanges and quieter character moments.
The novel is also relatively long for a contemporary romance, allowing the author to develop the town, side characters, and emotional arcs in detail. Some readers may find the extensive cast slightly overwhelming, but for many, it adds richness to the world.
Score’s ability to blend romantic tension with comedic timing remains one of the book’s biggest strengths.
Strengths of the Novel
Several elements make Mistakes Were Made stand out in the crowded romance genre:
- Memorable characters who feel flawed and human
- Sharp, entertaining dialogue filled with humor
- A vibrant small-town setting that adds personality to the story
- Emotional depth that balances the comedic tone
Together, these elements create a romance that feels both escapist and emotionally grounded.
Minor Weaknesses
No novel is perfect, and this one has a few minor drawbacks.
Because the book is part of an interconnected series, readers who start here may feel they are missing some context about Story Lake and its residents. Additionally, the large cast of characters occasionally slows the pacing.
However, these issues are relatively small compared to the novel’s overall charm.
Final Verdict
Mistakes Were Made is exactly the kind of romance novel that readers turn to when they want both laughter and emotional warmth. Lucy Score delivers a story filled with witty banter, heartfelt moments, and characters who grow in believable ways.
Zoey and Gage’s relationship unfolds with the messy unpredictability that real love often carries. Their journey reminds readers that mistakes do not always ruin a story—sometimes they are the very thing that makes it worth telling.
For fans of small-town romance, opposites-attract relationships, and character-driven storytelling, this novel offers an engaging and deeply satisfying reading experience.
