Hannah Brown, known for her time on reality TV shows such as The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, delved into a new venture with the release of her debut novel Mistakes We Never Made. The book follows the story of Emma Townsend, a 28-year-old interior designer who embarks on a road trip with a childhood crush and former fling, Finn Hughes. Brown drew inspiration from her own experiences with feelings, doubts, and miscommunications in relationships to create the characters of Emma and Finn in the novel.
Bachelor Nation fans were quick to pick out Easter eggs in Mistakes We Never Made that mirrored events from Brown’s own life. From Emma being a Texas native who attended the University of Texas like Brown, to both Brown and Emma working as interior designers, the connections were evident. References to Brown’s time on The Bachelor, her toast mishap, and even her failed engagement after The Bachelorette were incorporated into the storyline of the novel.
One of Emma’s friends in the book, Nikki, appeared on a reality dating show called LovedBy and famously declared that she was “not here to make friends,” a phrase often associated with reality TV contestants. Additionally, Brown’s struggles with anxiety, as well as her eventual engagement to Adam Woolard, were reflected in Emma’s journey in the novel. Finn served as a source of support for Emma in dealing with her anxiety, mirroring Brown’s real-life relationship with her fiancé.
Brown’s experiences with relationships, anxiety, and career choices were interwoven into the fabric of Mistakes We Never Made, adding depth and authenticity to the characters and storyline. Through the parallels between her own life and the fictional world she created, Brown demonstrated the power of writing what you know in various forms. The novel allowed Brown to explore themes of love, friendship, and personal growth, while also giving fans a glimpse into her own journey and struggles.
By incorporating personal anecdotes, inside jokes, and nods to her past experiences, Brown created a relatable and engaging narrative in Mistakes We Never Made. The Easter eggs scattered throughout the book provided a sense of familiarity for fans of Brown’s journey in Bachelor Nation, while also allowing her to showcase her talent as a storyteller in a new medium. Brown’s debut novel showcased her ability to draw inspiration from her own life experiences and translate them into a compelling work of fiction that resonated with readers.