Rating: 4/5 stars
triggers: Mentions of suicide, mentions of death

Review:
I don't think I know how to perfectly describe how much I love this book. It was beautifully written, more so in the way that it blends contemporary and Christianity so well. I didn't really feel pressured to want to be honest in my faith while I read this book, but rather I felt what the MCs were going through and their struggle with their relationships with each other, the church, their families, and even God. I used to be Christian, so I knew a lot of what they were going through in relation to the church being, how do I say this, but hypocritical and not what it seems.
I'm not sure how Erin did it, but I was so enraptured in the story. How Micah and Meg didn't necessarily want to "fix" each other, but rather support the other by being there when they themselves are putting together the pieces and I found that incredibly beautiful. I love all of the characters, and you get a bit of backstory on all of them and how they work. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down. It takes a lot for me to read other works by authors, but I honestly loved this book so much that I will definitely be looking into Erin Hahn's other works.

Favorite Quote:
"I'm not interested in perfect, Micah. I can't possibly keep up with perfect."

(A big thank you to NetGalley and publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review!)
Release date: September 7th, 2021

This is a book that the world needs. I highlighted so many passages and was nodding as I read. Not only is the message real and raw, but the characters are real as well. I love that they still have faith but aren't contained to the box that church put them in. I will definitely be recommending this book often
I did not read the first book, Vada and Luke's but do not fell like I had to. I will be picking that one up in the near future. .

"Never Saw You Coming" - Erin Hahn

Publishing date: September 7th, 2021

CW: reference to suicide/self harm, religious guilt, body shaming, violence, strained parental relationships, death, hospitalization

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins Press/Wednesday Books for an advanced electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Meg is a home-schooled, Jesus-loving 18 year old, and when her parents decide to tell her the truth they've been hiding from her for her entire life, she goes on a road trip and finds a new place to find answers to who she is outside of her parents and her church.

If you have grown up in and around the church, you've probably been shamed for your sins, from small to large. That shame seems to weigh heaviest on girls and women, and wow, is it heavy. I never knew that I needed a character like Meg to remind me that God advocates for LOVE above all else. Her journey and all characters along the way were incredible (except Micah's dad, of course). If for no other reason, read this book because it is well written and is a great reminder that you are wonderful as you are.

This is the young adult "alternative Christian fiction" (as Hahn calls it) that I wish I would have had as a teen myself. With how unrelenting purity culture has and continues to be, and seeing church leaders abusing their positions, all over the news and social media, this book gives a story to those who have felt/feel that something's not quite right with the system that was built.
At first I didn't even realize it was Christian fiction and then I got nervous after reading how the main female character, Meg, spoke about herself and youth group. But as the story progresses, you see how she is struggling with a strict raising from parents who lied to her her whole life, and wanting to learn more about herself, her family she's never known, and how she really feels about her faith. Then Meg meets Micah, a (former) preacher's kid who is still reeling from the fallout of his father's church-related scandal. Thus begins both of them reevaluating everything they've grown up knowing.
Honestly I found this book very relatable. The idea that even an impure thought would send me to Hell was ingrained early on in the youth-age setting. And watching Meg struggle with thinking those things and realizing that that isn't true, but then still dealing with those feelings coming back up reminds me of me and so many other girls who I know that are still going through that well into their 20s and 30s.
All that to say, I really enjoyed this book. It was sweet, and nice to read a YA with a romance that didn't have one of the partners messing up in some huge way, and rather them both helping each other through trauma. A very uplifting and realistic book. Recommended if you like YA novels, great character writing, and are interested in characters exploring a less restrictive idea of Christian faith in the midst of their own big life dramas.

Thank you to Netgalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received a free copy of the ebook from Netgalley in exchange for my review. All opinions shared are 100% my own.

“I can’t pretend to understand this compulsion you guys have to hide your humanity at the risk of appearing human.”

I spent 15 years of my youth in the Deep South - the Bible Belt. I grew up in a pretty progressive Catholic church in a family of very strong women so I didn’t personally experience crazy pressure to be the perfect, little church girl growing up. I went to high school with a lot of girls who did though. It was absolutely ludicrous how much pressure was put on the girls to be pure and how boys were just being boys. This book addresses this issue from a Christian author. I would actually recommend reading the Author’s Note first. It came at the end of my ebook copy so I read it last. I had enjoyed the book, but I loved the book even more after reading the author’s raw emotions in her story of how she came to write the book and the trouble she had finding a publisher because of her forthright questioning of how the church treats girls. I thought the author did a brilliant job with her story of the real struggles of youth caught between being human and being “church pure”.

This was an odd choice for me to pick up as I’m a Unitarian Universalist now and served as a professional youth advisor in my faith for five years. Let’s just say how UUs treat their youth and how fundamentalist Christians treat their youth are VERY different. (The UU Church offers comprehensive sexuality education, called Our Whole Lives. It is literally life-saving). It breaks my heart to think of all the girls who are made to feel that their god doesn’t love them because of their very humanity. The author states that her book isn’t quite secular but is definitely not inspirational. I would argue it is very inspirational. I wish my friends back in high school all those years ago and every “good little church girl” out there now would have had a voice like Ms. Hahn’s to let them know that their god’s grace covers them no matter what.

Thank you to netgalley and stmartinspress erin Han forthis eARC!

“ 𝕄𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕙’𝕤 𝕝𝕚𝕡𝕤 𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕟 𝕦𝕡 𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕔𝕠𝕣𝕟𝕖𝕣𝕤. 𝕊𝕠𝕣𝕥 𝕠𝕗 𝕤𝕒𝕣𝕕𝕠𝕟𝕚𝕔. 𝕃𝕚𝕜𝕖 𝕒 𝕘𝕣𝕚𝕫𝕫𝕝𝕖𝕕, 𝕕𝕒𝕣𝕜-𝕙𝕒𝕚𝕣𝕖𝕕, 𝕤𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕝𝕪 𝕞𝕠𝕠𝕕𝕪 ℕ𝕚𝕔𝕜 𝕄𝕚𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕣–𝕗𝕣𝕠𝕞–ℕ𝕖𝕨 𝔾𝕚𝕣𝕝 𝕥𝕪𝕡𝕖.”

Wow! I was absolutely in love with Meg and Micah their stories were so beautiful and strong. This is a really beautiful coming of age, figuring out who you are story.

Meg a girl who knew nothing about herself and the world she lived in and the one thing she could count on God. Now everything comes crumbling till she meets Micah someone who is struggling just as much if not more with his beliefs.

Micah helps Meg start to believe in each herself and God but with more modern sense to it. He really helps her shine and become herself while she does the same for him. This book is just so Bold and Beautiful, it tells what really happens in modern religious families and how people really do struggle with such things.

I applaud Erin and her writing this book was beautiful and if you didn’t catch the quote I used, she uses a new girl reference which is just a reason itself to read this.

I've been hearing so many good things about this title, so when I was approved, I had to skip it to the front of the queue. I was in the mood for something light hearted and moving, and I certainly got all of that and more.

Following a life-changing reveal, Meg decides to take a gap year and head out on her own to find out who she is and what she really wants. Her journey takes her to the UP of Michigan where she meets her great grandmother and the uncle she never knew she had. She also meets Micah, a boy who is also on the cusp of some major discoveries of his own, and while she didn't plan for it, Meg's life will never be the same.

I loved this book.

Let me start by saying: this is not normally a book I would pick up for myself based on the summary. The romance meet-cute stuff? All day. But I find that some books that explore religion and faith tend to get preachy or indulgent. This was not like that at all, and I think it's so important to acknowledge that up front. Meg's character has such a refreshing, authentic exploration of faith that it cut to the core of the issues without compromising the end goal. This is a girl who was raised in the church, who has been bound by those rules her entire life, and is coming into her own with just as much love for God and Jesus--if not more so--but maybe with a little less grounding on everything else. While I wasn't a church kid per se, I was raised Catholic, attended bible classes weekly until I graduated high school, and related to Meg's disillusion so much.

I've wanted this character without knowing I wanted her, this examination of what it means to have faith in a modern age, the love you feel in a greater power versus the strict, often archaic views of the church, and how change doesn't have to mean disrespect or a loss of what you used to believe. If anything, Hahn's character development was exceptional in this regard, and I think many readers will love these moments most of all.

Plus, Micah and Meg. Funny, beautiful, caring, and sweet, their relationship had everything I loved about A Walk to Remember but in 2021. So if you still ship Landon and Jamie, I guarantee you will love this.

Overall, Never Saw You Coming is a heart-melting, insightful, beautiful exploration of first love and finding yourself. I one hundred percent recommend this to anyone regardless of genre preferences. Out in September, add this to your TBR now.

Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for honest review consideration.

This book is amazing. While I didn't grow up in the church culture Erin describes it was prevalent enough in my town growing up that I am very familiar with a lot of what she writes about here and I'm so glad this book now exists for the girls (and boys!) who need to hear this message. Purity culture is such a horrible thing in how it puts it's focus, and blame, so squarely on the girls and women in the church and I applaud Erin for addressing this head on.

Meg and Micah are amazing characters. They're complex, deep, and it's so enjoyable watching them come into their own and learn how to be themselves with and without each other. It's wonderful to see Vada and Luke again and I love the new characters we see in Duke, Dani, James, Betty, and the absolutely perfect Cash. They bring so much to Meg and Micah and help build such a great story. I really loved everything about this book.

I really wanted to love this one, but it just didn't work for me. All of my problems stem from one thing about this: The abundance of religious talk. I opened this expecting a fluffy romance, and instead I got pages upon pages of religious questioning and debates. It's not tbat I dislike having religion in books, it just became too much of a plot point in this one.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review

This is a thoughtful, if somewhat predictable story about relationships, love and second chances. I enjoyed the writing and the characters are well developed. I liked the way Meg and Micah's relationship was described and how it grew and through the story didn't offer many surprises, it was an engaging and moving read!

After her life is turned upside down, believer of Jesus and raised in a strict Christian household, Meg, embarks on the journey to find that missing piece of her that has been kept secret. With just days to go before his father is released from jail, former child of Christ, Micah, tries with everything he has to push the memories and stares to the back of his mind. In the wonderfully captivating work of art, we meet two souls who are just trying to stay on the path that is destined for them. With their unlikely meeting, they soon learn that together, any challenge and bumps that come their way, can easily be overcame.

loved, loved, LOVED this beautiful story! I don’t think I have been so excited to be approved for an ARC before. This book surpassed all of my expectations and then some. Everything was so fluid and so heartwarming. I cried, and laughed, and became angry. Basically, every emotion I could feel, I felt at one point or another at this lovely book. I shall now be getting Erin Hahn’s other books! The character development, the story line, everything was so dreamy and pleasantly placed. I can’t wait to read her other works!

Homeschooled, church group Meg from Ann Arbor has lived a sheltered life with her strict religious life at the center of all she knows. Her devout moral code is steeped in Jesus and the Bible to the point where she has a hard time separating her beliefs from how to best live her life. As Meg is about to take her life in one direction, a gap year before she starts college, she learns a secret that sets her on a different path, questioning everything she holds dear.

Micah's former pastor father is in jail. And he deserves to be there. Since his father's gone to prison, Micah, who lives in Marquette, has turned his back on his church, especially since his father has broken a lot of the strict rules of church life. But now his father is set for parole and all the old hurt is coming back.

And then Meg goes to Marquette to discover who she is. And she meets Micah. Hello, fireworks.

Told in alternating points from Meg and Michah as they get to know each other, they both deal with breaking free of the opinions of others. Especially the church's antiquated approach to dating. Honestly, if a person has never had experience in church life, this story will come as a gigantic shock - the rules are crazy. Offering feminist ideals shaped from the mixed messages women get about their bodies and how they act Never Saw You Coming is a heavy hitter. It belongs on every YA library shelf because it is guaranteed to be the story a lot of young girls need - but it seems it might be a challenge to get it into the right hands. I'd expect it will be banned (which makes it even better).

I thought this was a cute read with a sweet romance. Meg and Micah both have complicated relationships with their parents and are trying to figure out what to do after high school. Meg can be bold and funny and takes Micah by surprise when they meet at an overlook. I enjoyed their banter and how well they clicked.

The reason I rated this lower is because of how much this story pushes God. It addresses the issues with Christian churches, the judgement and hypocrisy, but always comes back to loving God and trusting him. I'm fine with reading books where the characters are religious, this just went overboard. Whether I'm religious or not, I don't want to hear about your faith and how God will get you through and make everything okay constantly. If this had been toned down, this could have been a five star read for me.

I felt really bad for Meg that people in her life kept judging her and making her feel like a bad person. I was really liking her uncle until he told her that appearances are what matter and she was basically coming across as a slut. Wow, that's not okay. It kind of ruined his character for me.

Micah is a great boyfriend and friend and I really adore him. I was happy that he and Meg didn't have much relationship drama and stood together through everything. They're definitely a couple that will stay together long term. Also, shout out to Cash for being a good doggo!

This is an easy read and definitely has it's cute moments. As long as you're okay with the strong Christian presence, give it a try.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the copy.

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Never Saw You Coming had it's preachy moments. Which kind of annoyed me and by kind of - it really truly did. Now I'm catholic but none of these things were particularly forced on me. Abstinence? Laughable in my household. Yeah, I'm sure I would be shamed for having a kid out of wedlock but my parents wouldn't banish me for it. Heck, they would be like it's about damn time you popped out a kid. Since my sister is a plant killer parent, I'm a dog mom, and my brother likes video games.

They should be lucky if we even give them grandchildren at this point. Grandpuppies is always an option in my book. Just saying.

In this, you will meet Micah and Meg. Both have brainwashing moments and dive into wonderful talks about sins and stuff. They also had really cute moments and I liked seeing them get close to one another. Especially since it kind of shocked Meg into the real world and she started to stand up for herself and what she believes in.

Both were okay and likable but I honestly wanted to slap them multiple times throughout this. I'm not even sure I have a favorite character either because once I started to like someone.. they would annoy me instantly. It's like they could sense someone liking them and they were like - oh no, not this.

In the end, not a big fan of preachy books but I did like how realistic the struggles were.

Meg finds out that her dad isn't her biological father and this was kept from her until she turned 18. Her bio father died before she was born and her dad assumed the role. Meg's mother is ultra-protective of her and endowed her with beliefs about sexuality being a sin, homeschooled her, and surrounded her by Christianity as a way to try to prevent what happened to her to happen to Meg. Meg graduates early and planned to take a gap year. Instead of working at a Christian camp, she decided to go to her father's hometown where she meets Micah--a pastor's son whose dad is in jail.

They both have lots of religious trauma and purity programming to work through. Meg is eighteen and has never even been kissed before and worries about being "dirty" and sinful when she wants to explore her sexuality.

It was such a good read especially as someone who grew up enveloped in these types of ideologies and reminded me of my own journey that I hadn't looked back on. I think that if you've never really questioned your faith or overall religious experience, this book might be uncomfortable for you but it's still worth reading to understand how it can be damaging and problematic.

This book is well-written and the characters are personable, warm, and experience some amazing growth.

This was a very cute story. I liked the main characters and the interesting struggles they were having. It's not often these issues are tackled in books and I'm glad that, here, it was handled with grace and respect. I really loved the supporting characters - the best friends on either side, the new family and even the little puppy.

But the message is a little heavy handed and I wasn't expecting it to be quite...so much. It's just not really my cup of tea - the whole Christian Fiction, but I know this story is so good for so many that need to hear it, so I'm glad it's out there.

<i>A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.</i>

Absolutely amazing! I've been hooked on Erin Hahn's writing since the first few chapters of You'd Be Mine. After More Than Maybe, she became a go to author for me. I've been hesitantly excited for Never Saw You Coming since it first started being talked about. Excited because I wanted more from her. But I was hesitant as well. I'm more like Vada in regards to church than how Meg is. While I have my beliefs, I have issue with some things in regards to churches.

I was honestly a little worried about how this topic would be end up going. I was pleasantly surprised with it though!

I don't like to read the synopsis for a book prior to reading it, so I went into the book not knowing much. I honestly even forgot that the Meg in Never Saw You Coming was the same Meg from More Than Maybe.

I adore Meg! I really loved her in More Than Maybe and I was so excited to get her story. Micah is a great new character and I loved that we also get his story.

One thing I love about Erin Hahn's books is the dual POVs. I love getting both perspectives during the story and think she does it so well.

Like her previous two books, she is able to interweave these tough topics into a beautifully written story that has so much love and special connections. I always think she handles these so well and can't wait to see what she write next.

This was a wonderful YA romance and the author's writing was so strong. The characters all grew so much throughout the story and in very believable ways. I really enjoyed the religious aspects of the story and found everything very realistic. I think this book provides a much-needed critical look at purity culture and contemporary Christianity while not tearing it down. It will be very relatable for teens who attend church and youth group.

Book Review for Never Saw You Coming
Full review for this title will be posted at: @cattleboobooks on Instagram!

I loved this book so much! I don't usually go for YA books, but this exceeded my expectations. As a fellow pastors kid/church kid I related to so many aspects of Never Saw You Coming. My story is not as dramatic as either Meg's or Micah's but the concept of purity culture that Erin, the author, addresses is so prevalent. I thought the book related to what growing up in the church is like in the best way! The book didn't put down the church or tell you it was a bad thing to go, but still showed that it is a flawed culture. I applaud her for doing it so well and not being political or preachy either. Seriously could not recommend the book enough! I want to go give it to all the people who I grew up in church with.

Thanks NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the ARC ebook.