I was so excited for this book only for it to fall incredibly flat. The characters as a whole are pretty unlikeable, and that was with me trying to find a redeeming quality to all. I really thought the dynamic between the love interests would end up as something similar to the K-dramas I've watched with similar premises, but even when Jonathan has "human" moments, he still comes across as a complete troll. Ultimately I have nothing against the writing style, which was really nice, but the characters really deterred me from rating this book higher. I did not finish this book due to the characters and their personalities, which is a bummer, but I felt I was forcing myself to read this without enjoyment.

Having enjoyed both Boyfriend Material and Husband Material well enough, I was intrigued to learn that Alexis Hall was going to be writing some spin-offs set in the same universe. It was a bit confusing trying to follow announcement details of just how the new books would relate to the original series and it turns out there is less direct crossover between them than it first seemed like they would have. But the first of the spin-offs, 10 Things That Never Happened doesn’t really need its ties to the original series (though it certainly won’t hurt the book’s marketing). While the romantic leads of this rom-com fit similar stereotypes to the original series – one laid back, sometimes to a fault, and the other uptight and socially awkward in ways that are somehow endearing – the larger circle of family relationships and friendships in play strike significantly different notes from the original series even as they resonate on a harmonious wavelength (I apologize to anyone who studies music because that metaphor is almost certainly technically inaccurate in painful ways).

What makes a good boss? Well, it depends on who you ask. Sam, the manager at the Sheffield branch of a bed and bath retailer is of the philosophy that compassion for your employees is the top priority… even when they’re not particularly good at their jobs and your branch is maybe not really up to snuff when it comes to profit margins and quarterly goals and such. But to Jonathan, the owner of the retailer, Sam’s approach is nowhere near good enough and it’s time for some serious discussions about major changes for the branch including firing a few folks. When a heated disagreement between the two leads to an accident and serious concussion for Sam, a misunderstanding might just give Sam an opportunity to prove his point and save his employees’ jobs in the bargain. And if he has to fake amnesia, temporarily living at Jonathan’s house so his boss can monitor his condition (to avoid a possible lawsuit), Sam is willing to take that risk. But as he and Jonathan get to know and understand one another better, tensions rise in other directions and Sam is stuck lying to someone he might respect after all (and maybe even care for in deeper ways).

Because it was the author and the connection to the London Calling series that first made me want to read 10 Things That Never Happened, I only skimmed the description. That meant I originally thought the amnesia was going to be real and that it was going to be a little closer to an Overboard scenario than it actually was (though Sam does reference the movie a few times in passing). But fake amnesia proved to be even funnier than I would have thought, especially given the circumstances under which the concussion that inspired the amnesia. Part of me wishes that instead of following Sam’s perspective so closely that it could have switched back and forth between his and Jonathan’s points of view. Sure, it would have messed with the gradual growth in understanding Jonathan on Sam’s part a little bit… and Jonathan’s point of view might have been grating at times (especially early on), but it’s a side to the story that I now can’t stop wondering about.

I’m always a sucker for tales exploring tense family dynamics (especially when those family members are also delightfully quirky). The way that Jonathan’s family functions (or disfunctions) throughout the novel was fascinating to watch unfold and this is where the story following Sam’s perspective so closely really shines. The history of where tensions began and why, the ripples of quiet (and not-so-quiet) resentments, the desire to support but also the frustration of certain expectations, it all works together beautifully. I don’t know that it’s really necessary to withhold so many of the explicit details of Sam’s own family situation so long. There’s a line about how/why he doesn’t really lay things out to the reader clearly earlier, but since those circumstances seemed pretty predictable, it felt weirder not to have them addressed outright earlier.

Overall a fun and easy read, 10 Things That Never Happened is also set in the weeks leading up to Christmas with the holiday playing into the plot pretty heavily so it’ll be a great read to gear up for the holiday season or as a gift for bookworms who enjoy rom coms.

10 Things That Never Happened will be available October 17, 2023.

This is totally a comfort book! It’s a Christmas queer comedy, that reminds me the movie While You Were Sleeping with Sandra Bullock, a classic! The story, however, it’s very different from the movie, it’s original and really wholesome.
The characters are well written and I totally love Sam, he’s my favorite (and it’s a first, because I always fell in love with the super grumpy ones, Jonathan is my type of character, however I prefer Sam. I like Jonathan, I love Jonathan, but Sam is my book boyfriend, sorry not sorry).
I love that Sam is not a classic sunshine. He’s complicated, he’s grumpy, he’s sarcastic, and he’s so good for Jonathan! He pushes Jonathan out of his comfort zones towards the things Jonathan really wants but he denies himself.
The fake amnesia plot is a little bit weak, but it’s not an issue, because the important things are the characters’ growth and the development of their relationship. I love that this book is a real slow burn and I love that Sam and Jonathan really lean to know each other. And I love the big and noisy family of Jonathan. I love them all.
In conclusion, I really love this book and it’s a perfect Christmas reading!

Thank you Netgalley, Alexis Hall and Sourcebooks for the ARC!

3.5/5 Stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
This marked my first experience delving into a book that didn't revolve around a heterosexual couple, a shift I'd been eager to embrace for some time. However, I hadn't encountered the right book to begin this journey until I stumbled upon this gem on NetGalley. The moment I laid eyes on it, I knew it was time to dive in, and so I did.

This distinctly British novel, as the author thoughtfully warns at the outset, fully embraced its British identity. The characters effortlessly wielded the vernacular of both the southern and northern dialects of Britain, infusing the story with a rich, authentic charm. It transported me to the heart of London or the far reaches of Great Britain, immersing me in a captivating atmosphere that left a lasting impression.

As a non-native English speaker (it's actually my third language), I initially grappled with the dialect, which posed a unique challenge. However, I gradually acclimated to it, allowing me to immerse myself more deeply in the narrative.

The love story, though endearing, bore a distinctly British aura. It's not meant as a criticism, but rather an observation that it possessed a certain reserved quality. The sweetness of the romance, while present, felt somewhat aloof at times.

Sam, the central character, won me over with his unwavering commitment to the "save everyone" mission, endearing himself to me right from the start. Moreover, the supporting cast of characters—Claire, Wendy, Tiff, and others—enriched the story in their own unique ways, leaving a lasting impression.

I'd like to express my gratitude to NetGalley and the author for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest and impartial review.

Oof, sorry to say this one was just not for me. I really struggled with getting into this book, and found myself more annoyed with the antics of the characters than charmed by them. I think for those who enjoy characters who are a little over the top and unrelatable, then this book will be good for you. I guess I wasn't in a silly, goofy enough mood to really enjoy.

*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the free book!*

If you're reading an Alexis Hall novel, you don't expect realistic scenarios, so this novel where a store manager fakes amnesia after a work accident to prevent his team from being fired but ends up falling in love with his prickish boss should not surprise rom com lovers. While I wasn't very fond of the entire set-up at first, I kinda grew to enjoy it. This might have to do with the fact that I'm in Italy, it's 38° and my brain is half-fried but it was fun. I loved how the prickish boss's family just adopted our protagonist (Samwise btw, I would've liked to see more LOTR jokes apart from his cat Gollum), found family just makes me happy.

So, it was fun, I finished this on the beach of Lake Garda, I don't have any standards at the moment. It's a good summer read. Ciao!

3.5 stars

I got an ARC of this book.

I just couldn't. I have adored other Hall books, but this was just didn't do it for me. Very fast talking, nonsense. Normally I adore that, but it just felt off this time. I didn't like any of the characters. This one just wasn't for me at all.

It very well might be fore you though. It wasn't necessarily a horrible book. I just didn't enjoy.

My first read by Alexis Hall, I was intrigued by the plot for this one. I enjoyed Sam and Jonathan's banter and watching their relationship develop. However, I felt some parts draggggged on. At 432 pages, I found myself getting a bit bored about 75% through. I think some of the dialogue could have been cut down to make this book a more concise 350-380 pages.

Thank you NetGalley & SourceBooks Casablanca for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

As a fan of the author’s ‘Winner Bakes All’ series, I was so excited when approved for an ARC of this one… and I was not disappointed. Honestly, I totally loved this book which had everything I enjoy in a quick rom-com read:

☀️ Grumpy-Sunshine trope
🎄 Christmassy vibes (complete with festive traditions and a truly massive tree)
😺 A cat!!! The cutest, most fickle little man called GOLLUM (how very precious)
🇬🇧 British setting and regional dialects
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 A huge, hilarious meddling family
🔥 Slow burn romance


The story follows Sam, the Liverpudlian manager of a Bed & Bath store in Sheffield, and Johnathan, his boss who runs the national chain of stores in a way that earns him the prestigious title of “His Royal Dickishness”… In the lead up to the festive season, the two men clash over budgets, targets and cut-backs and Johnathan realises his whole team are at risk of being fired.


Desperate times may call for desperate measures, but an incident with a Nexa by MERLYN 8mm Sliding Door Shower Enclosure, a busy doctor and a spot of concussion lead to an unusual opportunity for Sam to reset his adversarial relationship with his boss. A little amnesia-themed white lie won’t hurt anyone, right?


Once you suspend disbelief at the frankly ludicrous situation and accept that OF COURSE it makes sense that the only course of action is for Sam to move into Johnathan’s guest room for monitoring while he recovers, the fun really begins…


I adored the banter between our two leading men, and the copious cast of supporting characters - I really felt like I got to know Sam’s Sheffield team, Johnathan’s sprawling family and his wonderful housekeeper. I was laughing out loud at 1am reading about Gollum’s feline ways, and though I cried a little towards the end, this novel put such a huge silly smile on my face and was a breath of fresh festive air.


I’d 100% recommend this sweet, Christmassy, funny, (mostly) lighthearted romance! Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Out Oct. 17 [Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an eARC for review!]

Rating: 4/5 stars

When Sam hits his head moments after being fired from his job, he winds up part of a plot to keep his job—involving fake amnesia and living with his grump but attractive boss.

I love Alexis Hall, and in particular I find the London Calling books to be absolutely *hilarious.* This one is a spin off set in the same world, and it is every bit as funny as I expected and wanted it to be. I laughed multiple times and thoroughly enjoyed the reading experience.

I did think that this one tended to the slightly long side and I wanted a few more hijinks to really round out the plot. It also felt less focused on the romance and more focused on the individual character arcs in parts, which made it take longer to get invested in Sam-and-Jonathan as a couple (though I did eventually get there). But all of that said, these books are just so fun, and I am always excited for a chance to revisit this world Alexis has created.

Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: fake amnesia; forced proximity; cats

CW: Death of loved ones; injury; mentions of car accident (off page)

E-ARC generously provided by Sourcebooks Casablanca in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much!

4 stars. While I had my initial reservations about the love interest, Alexis Hall’s Ten Things That Never Happened successfully combines typical romcom antics with the author’s trademark gritty-ish storytelling.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Alexis Hall has done it again. 10 Things That Never Happened is another knockout rom-com with equal parts laughter, emotionality, and heart.

Having read both Boyfriend Material and Husband Material and loving both of them immensely, I was beyond excited for this book. Rightfully so, because it was just as good.

During a heated argument with his boss gone wrong, an accident leaves Sam Becker with a concussion -- and mistakenly, leaves his boss with the impression that he has amnesia. Using this to his advantage and hoping it can save his job, Sam takes the opportunity to hopefully change his boss's mind. But as the lie continues, Sam realizes that perhaps his boss isn't as cold-hearted as he comes across.

The book is filled to the brim with Alexis Hall's trademark deadpan and niche humor. (I laughed EVERY time I read "Nexa by Merlyn 8mm Sliding Door Enclosure" and every other hyper-specific product name.) The writing is effortlessly humorous. We get a new spin on a classic "Grumpy / Sunshine" trope. But amidst the absurd humor and the witty banter, there's room for touching emotion. At several points, including near the ending, I found myself in tears. I truly cared about these characters and loved them despite all their flaws.

Alexis Hall has the ability to create characters you can love and put them in situations that will make you so frustrating that you want to scream -- in the best way possible. This was such a comforting read that truly felt like a warm hug when all was said and done. Seeing that it is the first in a series ("Material World") gives me hope that we'll get the chance to meet these characters again, which gives me so much joy.

An easy 5-star rating.

Note -- While I did love the premise of the fake amnesia plot, I will acknowledge that the criticisms of it being a tad insensitive to those who DO have that medical condition are completely valid.

10 Things That Never Happened was a joy to read, I loved Sam so much, and Alexis Hall’s humor, and wit is undeniably addictive. This was my first book I have had the pleasure to read by him, and I cannot wait to read more of his work. This book is a continuation of his Boyfriend Material series, but can be read on its own! After the main character, Sam gets fired from his job after an accident at work, he fakes amnesia. As a result of this, he ends up as a house guest to his previous boss, Jonathan. The two men slowly become closer as they open up to each other, and become more vulnerable. This book kept me so interested throughout! Truly such an enjoyable read. I also loved the fact that Sam’s full name is “Samwise”, and his cat’s name is “Gollum.” Just one of the very many cute things about this book. I highly recommend if you love a good dose of grumpy/sunshine. I give this book 4 stars. I wish I had seen more of Jonathan’s personality and a little less abrasiveness from his character, but overall I was very impressed!

Tropes: fake amnesia, grumpy/sunshine/roommates to romance (sort of)

Thank you NetGalley & SourceBooks Casablanca for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of 10 Things That Never Happened to review!
In the newest installment in Alexis Hall's universe, Sam, who is the manager at a bed and bath retailer is trying to get his boss (Jonathan) off his back about making cuts to the slightly unproductive staff on his team. Jonathan invites Sam to his office in London so they can negotiate how the store will meet its objectives when the two men end up having a heated argument during which Jonathan impulsively fires Sam and his entire team and Sam accidentally falls into a display prop in the showroom and gets a concussion. When Sam accidentally implies that he has amnesia when he wakes up in the emergency room after the accident everyone starts believing that he has movie-like amnesia. With no friends or family in the area that he knows of (because of the amnesia), Jonathan is forced to watch over Sam as he recovers from his head injury. Sam decides to fake the amnesia while recovering from his concussion in the hopes that it will make Jonathan drop the fact that he fired Sam and his entire team before the accident occurred. As Sam begins to notice that there is more to Jonathan than just his annoying boss side, he begins to realize that he has found himself wrapped up in one two many lies that he wishes he hadn't started.

3.5 stars
This book cannot be described as anything other than laugh-out-loud funny. Some of the descriptions and similes and dialogue in this book were shockingly funny and something I feel like I see so rarely in books but love so much. At times I felt like the pacing of this book was a bit weird and I often had trouble pushing through those portions. Also, I felt like the first act went on for WAYY too long. To me, it felt like it took AGES for Sam or Jonathan to budge from their positions of strongly disliking one another at the beginning. All I was getting fed for so long was a rare "longing glance" and it simply was not filling enough. The aspects of this book that MADE the book for me were the employees at Sam's store and Jonathan's family. Although I did like Sam and Jonathan I felt that the abundance of side characters really made this story shine. Most of my favorite scenes from this book were the scenes where Jonathan's family members would show up uninvited and start doing who knows what with the best comedic whit. I also wish I knew that this was a very Christmassy book when I started it. This could easily be marketed as a holiday romance and it would work well as one without issue. Also, I have read some queer romance novels in the past where homophobia is simply nonexistent but not many. I was glad that that was the case with this book. Every single character in this book was incredibly accepting and it is nice to see a queer romance novel that isn't centered around coming out or the trials and tribulations of people being unaccepting, it makes the book feel very refreshing in that way. My absolute favorite laugh-out-loud moment in this book was towards the beginning when Sam and Jonathan go to the grocery store together for the first time after the concussion: "Jonathan seems to have got his habits [for grocery shopping] from movies about people escaping from prisoner of war camps in World War II. Plan the whole thing in advance, stay close, don't talk, don't get distracted, and get out as fast as you can." For some reason I found that mental image to be pure gold. I thought the ending of this book was unbelievably predictable but for the most part I did think this was a super cute story. Overall, I did really like this book and I thought that it was definitely worth the read. If you like funny queer romance books that let you escape the real world for a while pick this up. <3

One chapter.

One chapter was all it took to hook me into this story!

Hall has this amazing way of writing quick dialogue, quirky characters, real life stakes, humor, and soft moments that I just LOVE!!

This was a solid start to a new series! I adore the side characters, I laughed out loud more than once, and I couldn’t stop flipping the pages of my kindle it was so enjoyable!

*Received as a free ARC*
Probably going to be an unpopular opinion, but I just didn't care for this book. I didn't find Sam or Jonathan to be particularly likeable. The amnesia thing felt extremely sketchy, and didn't have much resolution in terms of the whole "I lied to you for a month and then started a relationship with you" thing. But to each their own, I guess.

3.5 stars for me on 10 Things that Never Happened.
I enjoyed the plot and the family dynamics that were added into the story. There could have been a bit more romance with the story line. I was hoping for more.
The use of yez and some of the dialect threw me off.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

We've all had at least one bad boss in our lives. For Sam Becker, his boss is truly the worst. Jonathan Forest owns a small chain of bed and bath superstores, making his employees' lives miserable. When Sam is summoned to the headquarters to discuss his failing branch, he doesn't expect to leave with a brain injury. A simple accident leads to Sam developing a concussion and forces Jonathan to take care of Sam until he is back on his feet. However, Sam also has "amnesia" - or so Jonathan thinks. As the two cohabitate and get through the following weeks, Sam struggles to keep his lies going. As it becomes harder to keep his "amnesia" under control, Sam finds himself developing a soft spot for Jonathan. Oh, and he also kisses him. With all of these elephants in the room, the situation is sure to implode. How will Sam manage to keep everything straight? How will Jonathan react when, and if, this all comes to light?

This is my first read by Alexis Hall, and it certainly won't be my last. You quickly fall in love with Sam and hope for the best - for him and his branch. Who wants to have a horrible boss and have a concussion (that was caused by said boss)? The story is heartwarming and the perfect read for Fall/early Winter! I enjoyed the tension between Sam and Jonathan without it being too spicy. As the two spend more time together, you feel what it must be like for Sam to battle all these emotions. Ugh! I love them. This is a must-read for anyone who loves LGBTQ+ romances and wants an enemies-to-lovers arc.

I have only read one other Alexis Hall book, and that was Boyfriend Material. While it got a lot of love, post Red White and Royal Blue it just didn't do it for me. But I wanted to try again and I am so glad I did. 10 Things that Never Happened was a fresh and funny, adorably chaotic, cast of characters that I fell in love with from the first chapter. This is a thoroughly charming slow-burn enemies to lovers.

This is a story about finding love in the most unlikely places.  Sam Becker manages the local branch of a bed and bath retailer.  Although it may not have been what he dreamed of doing, it is a solid job and he enjoys working with his somewhat ragtag team at the store.  The only real problem is the store's owner, Jonathan, is demanding, unreasonable, and all around infuriating.  And Jonathan always seems on the verge of firing most — or all — of the team at Sam's store.

When Jonathan calls Sam to London to order him to finally make cuts at his store, the two get into a disagreement near a shower display, and Sam ends up tripping and bumping his head.  After he comes to, it is suggested he may have amnesia and that he requires round-the-clock monitoring.  When Jonathan is pressured to take care of Sam until he gets his memory back, Sam goes along with it, hoping to buy time to somehow convince his terrible boss not to fire all of Sam's staff.

As Sam moves into Jonathan's house and spends more time with him, he soon realizes that there is more to Jonathan underneath his gruff exterior.  Sam finds himself getting enmeshed in Jonathan's life and his relationship with his family, and soon can't help but notice they may actually be friends ... or even more.  But can Sam and Jonathan have a future when their whole relationship is built on a lie that Sam can't bring himself to admit?

I enjoyed this story.  The author did a terrific job of evolving the grumpy-sunshine trope -- Jonathan is certainly grumpy and Sam presents as sunny.  But as the book goes on, we see that Sam's generally positive approach to life is informed by a more complicated past than he lets on.  The book is also a poignant exploration of loneliness, as Sam and Jonathan come to each see the way they have become isolated, even as they are surrounded on a daily basis by their co-workers, and how much they have missed the connection of not just a partner but also of family.   The story is quite funny, particularly as it relates to Sam's cat who takes quite a shine to Jonathan.

Highly recommended!