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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
fast-paced
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Now this is how you kick off a new series! Kendra Elliot delivers a thrilling and suspenseful ride in Her First Mistake, seamlessly blending the past with present-day investigations. Noelle Marshall is a standout lead—tough, layered, and impossible not to root for. I loved watching her character unfold as her past collided with a chilling new look into her husband’s murder.
Even better? Cameos from other familiar faces in Elliot’s universe made this even more satisfying for longtime fans. I haven't finished the Columbia River series, so this was my first time meeting Noelle—and what an introduction!
The mystery kept me guessing with a cast of unlikeable suspects and a few truly unexpected turns. The audiobook narration was excellent, adding even more depth to an already engaging story. Also, the connection between Noelle and Special Agent Max Rhodes? Yes, please. I'm absolutely hoping we see more of him in Book 2.
Highly recommended for fans of twisty suspense and strong female leads. I’m already counting down to the next one!
Thank you Brilliance Publishing/Brilliance Audio and Montlake for the ARC and ALC! Thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was a good book. Uncovering details from an old murder can sure stir up a lot of things. I had a feeling I knew how it was going to end and I was right, it was still a good read.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
FMC: Noelle Marshall
MMC: Max Rhodes
Pages: 337
Tropes: Suspense, Thriller, Investigation, Murder Mystery
Setting: Bend, Oregon
Thoughts: There was a lot of background to set up in this book. The beginning was slow, laying out the foundation for Noelle’s husband’s murder 13 years ago and setting the scene for all the twists in the later half of the book. I thought it was a great first book for this series and really left no stone unturned in Noelle’s past. I liked the glimpses of Max at the end and the way it set up the two of them for the rest of the series. The second half of the book was suspenseful and mysterious. After the 50% mark I found it hard to put down. I ended up really enjoying this book and can’t wait to see the trouble Max and Noelle find in the future.
reflective
tense
medium-paced
I absolutely adore Noelle and her confidence, intelligence, determination, and strong moral compass are some of the definitive character traits that make her good at her job and a fan favorite. I found it very interesting the way the timeline jumped from current day to past to more distant past (definitely got some LOST vibes from the timeline jumping) that gave little nuggets of information about the events and people that helped to shape Noelle and her interactions within her family and friend groups. cannot wait to see what she does in the next book. I love that we finally get an explanation about the super fancy heels with her pantsuits.