Hannah Brown, the former Bachelorette star, released her debut novel Mistakes We Never Made on May 7. The book follows the story of Emma Townsend, a 28-year-old interior designer, as she embarks on a road trip with Finn Hughes, a childhood crush and former fling. Brown explained that while the story is a work of fiction, it was inspired by her own experiences of feelings, doubts, and miscommunication in relationships.
Brown included some Easter eggs in the novel that Bachelor Nation fans could easily pick out. For example, Emma is a Texas native who attended the University of Texas, reminiscent of Brown’s own introduction on Colton Underwood’s season as an Alabama native who went to the University of Alabama. Additionally, the main character Emma is an interior designer, reflecting Brown’s real-life career before joining reality TV.
One subtle reference to The Bachelorette in the book is Emma’s friend Nikki, who was on a reality dating show called LovedBy and famously declared that she was “not here to make friends.” There are also mentions of Emma being in “Beast Mode,” a nod to Brown’s own nickname during her time on The Bachelor. Brown even incorporated a moment from her reality TV past, where she struggled to give a toast, into the novel.
Another parallel between Brown’s real life and the book is seen in the character of Emma’s friend Sybil, who had multiple engagements that did not work out. This mirrors Brown’s own failed engagement to Jedd Wyatt after her Bachelorette season, when it came to light that Wyatt had been in a relationship before going on the show. The book also touches on themes of anxiety, with Finn supporting Emma through her struggles, similar to how Brown’s fiancé, Adam Woolard, has helped her with her anxiety.
Overall, Mistakes We Never Made showcases Brown’s talent for weaving personal experiences into fiction, creating a relatable story for readers. The book explores themes of relationships, communication, and self-discovery, drawing on Brown’s own journey in the public eye. With its Easter eggs and references to Brown’s reality TV past, the novel is sure to resonate with Bachelor Nation fans and readers looking for a heartfelt and engaging story.
