The Ultimate Spoiler: Does Mistakes Were Made Have a Happy Ending?
For those scouring the internet for immediate closure, here is the short answer: Yes, Mistakes Were Made by Meryl Wilsner concludes with a definitive Happy Ever After (HEA). Despite the high-stakes drama of Cassie Klein sleeping with her best friend Parker’s mother, Erin Bennett, the two main characters remain a committed couple. The secret is eventually exposed, but after a period of intense tension and familial fallout, Parker reconciles with both her mother and her best friend. Cassie moves into her post-graduate life with Erin by her side, proving that while mistakes were certainly made, the relationship itself was no accident.
This resolution is the crown jewel of the story’s structural integrity. In the world of Sapphic romance, the age-gap trope often carries the weight of inevitable tragedy or scandalous shame. However, Wilsner opts for a narrative of emotional maturity. The ending isn't just about the romantic union; it's about the reconstruction of a family unit that had to break before it could heal. If you were worried about a 'Bury Your Gays' trope or a tragic separation, you can breathe a sigh of relief. The stakes were high, but the payoff was higher.
The Family Weekend Disaster: Why We Can’t Look Away
The hook of Mistakes Were Made is the stuff of legendary rom-com nightmares. Cassie Klein, a college senior just trying to survive Family Weekend without the suffocating presence of her own parents, ends up at an off-campus bar. There, she meets a stunning, sophisticated older woman. Their chemistry is immediate, electric, and entirely anonymous—until the next morning. The realization that her hot one-night stand is Erin Bennett, the mother of her best friend Parker, is the 'oh no' moment that fueled the book's viral success on TikTok and Goodreads.
Why does this premise work so well? It’s the ultimate subversion of the 'Mom' archetype. In most media, the mother of a protagonist's friend is a background character, a provider of snacks or advice. By centering Erin’s desire and her own professional and sexual identity, Wilsner forces the reader to confront the reality that 'moms' are people with lives that exist outside of their children’s orbits. This creates a fascinating friction. We root for Cassie and Erin because their connection is genuine, but we dread the moment Parker finds out because it feels like a fundamental violation of the social contract.
Cassie Klein: The Guilt vs. Desire Dilemma
Cassie Klein is a protagonist who has polarized some readers due to what they perceive as a lack of immediate guilt. However, an analytical look at her character reveals a more complex psychological state. Cassie is at a crossroads—graduation is looming, her future is uncertain, and she is finally coming into her own as an adult. Her relationship with Erin isn't just a rebellion; it's the first time she’s been seen as a peer by someone she admires.
The lack of 'performing' guilt for the reader is actually a refreshing take on Sapphic agency. Cassie knows she is in deep trouble, but she refuses to pathologize her attraction to Erin. Instead of the narrative being a lecture on morality, it becomes a study in compartmentalization. She loves Parker, but she also loves the version of herself that Erin brings out. This internal tug-of-war is what drives the middle act of the book, making the eventual revelation not just a plot point, but an emotional necessity for Cassie to live an integrated life.
Erin Bennett: Rediscovering Self in the 'Best Friend's Mom' Archetype
Erin Bennett is perhaps the most compelling figure in Mistakes Were Made. As a professional woman who has spent years defining herself through her career and her role as Parker's mother, her encounter with Cassie is a reclamation of her own body and spirit. Wilsner handles the age gap (approximately 20 years) with a deft hand, ensuring that while there is a clear difference in life experience, the power dynamic is balanced by Cassie's fierce independence and Erin’s vulnerability.
Critics of the 'Best Friend's Mom' trope often point to the potential for grooming or exploitation, but Mistakes Were Made avoids these pitfalls by making Erin the one who is often caught off guard by the depth of her feelings. She is the one with more to lose—social standing, her relationship with her daughter, and her professional dignity. Her journey is about realizing that she doesn't have to martyr her own happiness to be a good mother. By the time we reach the climax, Erin’s choice to stand by Cassie is a radical act of self-love.
The Parker Problem: Was the Betrayal Earned?
One of the biggest points of contention in the Mistakes Were Made fandom is the 'dragging out' of the secret. Some readers felt the tension lasted a few chapters too long, leading to a sense of frustration. However, from a narrative architecture perspective, this delay was essential. The longer the secret stayed buried, the more the relationship between Cassie and Erin solidified. Had they been caught in the first week, it would have been a 'mistake.' By being caught months later, it was a 'relationship.'
When Parker eventually discovers the truth, her reaction is visceral and, frankly, justified. To her, this isn't just about a secret romance; it's a double betrayal from the two people she trusts most. The resolution of this conflict is what separates this book from mere smut. The reconciliation requires actual work. Parker doesn't just forgive them because the plot demands it; she forgives them because she realizes that her mother is a whole person, and Cassie’s love for Erin doesn't diminish Cassie's love for her as a friend. It’s a messy, realistic portrayal of family dynamics that elevates the story.
The Pacing Critique: Why the Secret Polarization Happened
Despite its success, Mistakes Were Made faced criticism for its pacing. On platforms like Reddit, users have debated whether the 'slow burn' of the secret felt more like a 'stalled engine.' This is a common issue in contemporary romance where the 'Big Secret' or 'Big Miscommunication' acts as the primary obstacle. When the characters have such high chemistry, readers often want to see them in 'us against the world' mode rather than 'us hiding in a closet' mode.
However, the tension of the closet is exactly what makes the Sapphic experience so resonant for many. The fear of coming out—not just as queer, but as being in a 'taboo' relationship—is a real-world anxiety. Wilsner uses the tropes of the genre to mirror the anxiety of social displacement. While the pacing might feel slow to those looking for a traditional rom-com beat, it serves the 'forbidden romance' trope perfectly. It forces the reader to sit in the discomfort, making the eventual Happy Ending feel earned rather than gifted.
Beyond the Page: Finding Similar Sapphic Vibes
If you finished Mistakes Were Made and are looking for more, you aren't alone. The 'Age Gap' and 'Best Friend's Mom' tropes are thriving in the indie and traditional publishing scenes. For those looking for more of Meryl Wilsner’s work, Something to Talk About offers a similar focus on professional power dynamics and slow-burn chemistry. While the author's previous work is slightly more 'closed door' than the steamy scenes in Mistakes, it maintains the same emotional depth.
For readers looking for free alternatives or 'fix-it' style narratives, platforms like Inkitt or Wattpad are goldmines for the 'Age Gap' trope. Many Sapphic authors start there before moving to traditional publishing. Additionally, engaging with the discussion on Reddit can help you find curated lists of 'Books Like Mistakes Were Made' that focus on the emotional labor of forbidden love without the retail price tag.
Conclusion: Why Mistakes Were Made is a Calculated Success
Mistakes Were Made is more than just a steamy Sapphic romance; it is a meticulously constructed exploration of the boundaries of friendship, family, and female desire. By leaning into the discomfort of the 'Best Friend's Mom' trope, Meryl Wilsner created a story that demands the reader's attention and sparks necessary conversations about agency and the 'Mom' identity.
Whether you loved the slow burn or found the secret-keeping maddening, the book’s legacy is its refusal to apologize for the messiness of its characters. It reminds us that the best stories aren't the ones where everything goes right, but the ones where everything goes wrong and the characters are brave enough to fix it. If you haven't yet, check out the official author page for more insights into the world of Cassie and Erin.
FAQ
1. Do Cassie and Erin end up together in Mistakes Were Made?
Yes, Cassie and Erin have a Happy Ever After (HEA). Despite the drama following the reveal of their relationship to Parker, they remain a committed couple by the end of the book.
2. Does Parker find out about the affair?
Yes, Parker eventually discovers the relationship between her best friend Cassie and her mother Erin. Her initial reaction is one of shock and betrayal, but she eventually reconciles with both of them.
3. Is Mistakes Were Made a standalone book?
Yes, Mistakes Were Made is a standalone Sapphic romance novel by Meryl Wilsner, though it shares the same sharp, inclusive voice found in their other works like Something to Talk About.
4. What is the age gap in Mistakes Were Made?
The age gap is approximately 20 years. Cassie is a college senior (around 21-22), and Erin is the mother of her peer, placing her in her early-to-mid 40s.
References
goodreads.com — Mistakes Were Made - Goodreads
merylwilsner.com — Meryl Wilsner Official Website
reddit.com — Reddit Discussion: Mistakes Were Made