nope, wasn't feeling this one at all. The character development wasn't there and it took forever to get anywhere. Shame as I love the other books from this author a lot.

An interesting twist on workplace romance. I liked the idea of the fake amnesia trope and I do think it was done well. This book was quite slow to start for me as I wasn’t a fan of the MC and love interest. BUT, my thoughts on the book did change the more I read it.
If you want a cheesy Achillean romance, this one is definitely a recommended read.

I have been a big Alexis Hall fan (Husband Material, Spires) and was looking forward to reading this new one--and he did not disappoint. He does an excellent job with the enemies-to-lovers and grumpy/sunshine tropes. Sam is a kind, warmhearted soul who is lost and figuring out who he is and what he wants. Jonathan is an antisocial workaholic and takes "grumpiness" to a whole new level. He is also Sam's boss in a small bed and bath store chain.

There are two sets of wacky but likeable secondary characters--Jonathan's many relatives and Sam's co-workers. I have to say that both sets did wear a bit thin--and we spend alot of time with them, particularly the family--and there were probably a few too many members. Did we need both Aunt Jack and BJ? And why Johnny? I think these sections could have been pared down and the book could lose 50 pages or so.

I liked very much how Sam gradually grew to see the caring side of Jonathan and that Jonathan's slow thaw was believable and not insta and also loved the slow burn and the way the one sex scene was handled. The story is definitely low-steam which as a reader who reads MM romance primarily for the romance could appreciate.

I like the author's assured and witty writing style and often found myself chuckling. He does need to lose the annoying tic: "The worst thing I could do was X. I did X." This was overused.

Overall, it was a warm, romantic story about two very different people who give each other exactly what the other needs. Sweet, sweet ending.

This book was a gosh darn delight!! It took me a bit to sort of switch gears and settle into the very Britishness of this book, but once I got cozy in there I was literally laughing out loud while reading. I honestly want to go back and reread the book to appreciate everything that's in here. It's kind of over the top but in the best way possible. Our main characters are somehow extremely lovable even though they both are quite aware that they are kind of sometimes, more often than not, rather dickish. I love them, I love the family, I love the coworkers. Quirky and ridiculous with just the perfect amount of heart.

I knew when I got this book that I was in for a fun ride, what I didn’t know expect was the amount of lol moments I would have. There were so many cute moments as well, but the banter, my gosh the banter is everything! And I do love me some good banter. Watching the chemistry grow between Jonathan and Sam at time was so vivid and palpable, that I felt like a voyeur. But there was no way I would look away.

Although the synopsis of faked amnesia wasn’t my favorite to begin with because I assumed it wouldn’t be well done, but this was so clever and entertaining that I guess I have one more trope to add to add to my must-read tropes!

A thoroughly entertaining must read!

I'm a sucker for British humour and Hall's Boyfriend Material is one of my all-time favourites. Hall's signature kooky characters are back in a story about Sam who fakes amnesia to avoid getting fired by his boss. It didn't quite live up to the charm of Boyfriend, but it came close.

I really liked the MMC Sam's character- very funny and charming and likeable. He and older boss Jonathan have an enemies to lovers/grumpy sunshine vibe going on that played out very well. As always, the cast of secondary characters were hilarious. Who knew a bed and bath store could be so exciting!

Also Gollum might be the best description of a cat/cat owner I have ever read. He stole the show and I could have read 50 more pages about him.

I definitely read this one with a British accent in my head (what you don't do it too?). Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for an eARC and physical arc in exchange for my honest review.

The plotting is rom-com gold, Hall’s typical wit is on display, and the eclectic supporting cast charms, but the heroes themselves feel ever so slightly underdeveloped. Still, fans of grumpy/sunshine romances will eat this up.

Alexis Hall's "10 Things That Never Happened" takes readers on a captivating journey through the lives of its characters, offering a unique blend of romance, alternate realities, and self-discovery.

The story unfolds with a fascinating premise: What if our choices led us down entirely different paths? Hall weaves an intricate narrative exploring parallel lives and the profound impact of pivotal decisions. Through vivid storytelling, readers are immersed in the intricate web of possibilities, each choice leading to a new set of consequences.

The characters are beautifully crafted, with their struggles, joys, and vulnerabilities laid bare. The emotional depth and authenticity of their journeys make it easy to invest in their stories. Hall's writing style is both lyrical and thought-provoking, making for a compelling and immersive reading experience.

The exploration of identity, love, and the roads not taken is a central theme in the book. It delves into the complexity of human relationships, emphasizing the importance of seizing opportunities and embracing one's true self. The narrative challenges us to reflect on our own choices and what might have been.

While "10 Things That Never Happened" may at times require a suspension of disbelief due to its speculative elements, it ultimately offers a thought-provoking and heartwarming tale of love, fate, and the infinite possibilities of life.

In conclusion, Alexis Hall's "10 Things That Never Happened" is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel that invites readers to contemplate the profound impact of choices and the enduring power of love. It's a must-read for those who enjoy thought-provoking romance novels with a touch of speculative fiction.

I genuinely wanted to love this book as it had potential to be everything that I was looking for, however, it just fell short for me. Sam and Jonathan's entire relationship is built on lies upon lies when there were multiple opportunities for Sam to come clean. I just wanted to shake him sometimes because he was being so silly in not telling Jonathan the truth.

I think the reason that I couldn't really love it was because it was only a single person POV. I was dying for Jonathan's POV and think it would have elevated the story that much more.

While I didn't love this book, I would definitely still read more of the authors work in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley for an opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.

10 Things That Never Happened is classic Alexis Hall - it's genuinely funny, clever, a bit zaney, and had me rooting for the characters the whole time! It's entertaining and once I started, I didn't want to put it down. You absolutely need to suspend your disbelief for this one but it is well worth it for a genuinely funny story! It's very evocative of the first book I read of Hall's years ago, Boyfriend Material.

Read this for:
- Grumpy/Snarky
- Fake Amnesia
- M/M Romance
- Workplace Romance
- Single POV
- Holiday Romance that isn't Hallmark-y
- Quirky Supporting Characters

Jonathan is the grumpiest grump to ever grump but seeing his softer moments - with Sam's cat in particular but also with Sam himself - was so cute to see! The scene of Sam and Jonathan in the store shopping for holiday decorations was so stinking funny and had me actually kicking my feet.

Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 10 Things That Never Happened publishes October 17th and was a 4.5 star read for me! Highly recommend checking it out.

Thank you to SourceBooks Casabalanca/NetGalley for a copy of 10 Things That Never Happened in exchange for an honest review. 

OK People Doing Bad Things

Alexis Hall's 10 Things That Never Happened is about very mid people. Not that they're mid in how interesting they are, but by their decency as humans. IRL, faking amnesia is probably not a forgivable trait. In a book, it can seem almost understandable. It likely works because we've all let things get out of control. A misunderstanding can quickly snowball. It's just not usually something as high stakes. If the plot puts you off, try not to let it: it isn't "as bad" as it seems. 

OK People Being Endearing

Of course, these characters, Sam and Jonathan, in particular, are ultimately endearing and move beyond "mid." Once you slowly understand what makes them tick, you start rooting for them. And the larger cast of characters is also endearing in the way only an Alexis Hall cast could be. Cheesy jokes, wordplay, and, frankly, mean people are all present in 10 Things That Never Happened. Hall takes it just to the limit without ever crossing -- another of his specialties. I suppose this humo(u)r could be grating to some, but I have a low tolerance for twee Britishness, and I love Alexis Hall. 

The romance, too, is quite sweet. Later bloomers or people who are generally insecure are in less short supply these days, but they are still not the usual suspects of the romance world. People literally tripping around each other is a nice change of pace. 

Should You Read It?

If you like ridiculous 90s British romcoms, you'll love 10 Things That Never Happened. Though it's part of Alexis Hall's London Calling series, it's only very tangentially related to the characters of Boyfriend Material. If you liked that book and its follow-up, Husband Material, you'll like this one. They're very much cousins with the same vibe. I just really loved this book, and I think most romcom lovers will, too. 

10 Things That Never Happened is out on October 17, 2023. Preorder a copy at your local indie bookstore or put one on hold at your library! 📚🤕🚿

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to receive this book for an honest review.

I was on the fence witht his book. I thought this was going to be more of a love story but I found it lacking in that area. I found it a little far fetched with the amnesia storyline.

I also felt like the story was missing something.

Although I finished this book I found it a struggle.

4.5/5*s

Super charming, Very trope-y. Surprisingly Christmasy- kinda surprised that isn't clearer on the cover. Sam was super loveable, which made it easy to forgive him for getting caught up in his amnesia story. Jonathan was a dick with Hidden Depths, and I maybe would have liked if there was more character development there.

A good pick if you like: found family, sunshine/grump, and regional accents. Great for a nice cozy read.

The audiobook (read by Will Watt) was excellent. Love the variety of accents and voices he did, including a goofy but not over the top kitty cat voice. Highly recommend.

Very grateful to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for early access.

Hmmm...not my favorite by the author.
I've come to realize that I have a hate/love relationship with Hall's books. Some like Glitterland hit me so viscerally in the feels that I can't escape the effect they have on me. Others, like Husband Material, I want to burn to the ground.
This book, while having Hall's trademark dry sarcasm, lacked for me in the romance department and in the general...feels? The characters felt a bit flat and I didn't really like their interactions all too much, they seemed almost forced at times. Nevertheless, it was a quick read and if you're a fan of the fake amnesia trope, go for it.

First of all, I’d like to thank the publisher for providing me with a advanced copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.

This is a highly entertaining and enjoyable, if flawed, book. The things that worked for me worked really well: The ‘grumpy sunshine’ dynamic between the two main characters was pulled off brilliantly, the side characters provided good comic relief, the writing sparkled with the author's characteristic charm and wit, and the book went down as easily as a vanilla milkshake. Honestly, there are few authors out there who can make me smile with their writing as much as Alexis Hall. There is true brilliance here! But, as entertaining as the book was, there were also a lot of things that didn't work for me. The ‘fake amnesia’ storyline was, for lack of a better word, just dumb, not only introducing a whole set of implausible lies at the heart of book, but also preventing Sam from taking up the agency he needed to show Jonathan his value. It also made the dynamic between the two characters very one-sided: Sam learns all about Jonathan’s family, life, and background, but Jonathan learns nothing about what makes Sam tick. To make matters worse, this plot element was also completely unnecessary; if the confrontation between them had been even ten percent less intense, the concussion would have been more than enough to drive the plot forward. Also, while the grumpy sunshine vibe worked well, a lot of Jonathan’s behaviour went beyond grumpy and overworked into the domineering and abusive — something that was certainly addressed, but never adequately resolved. So in all, I’d definitely encourage readers to pick this up, but as nothing more than a fun, silly, highly enjoyable romp.

An edited version of this review (going into less detail about what I didn't enjoy about the book) will be posed to my dedicated Instagram account closer to the release date.

I've enjoyed books by this author, and I feel like this book got off to a great start and had genuinely hilarious moments, but the relationship between Jonathan and Sam never really developed for me and I couldn't see any romantic potential. I also struggled with the boss/employee dynamic, particularly with Jonathan being honestly insufferable the majority of the time.
Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.

hmmm... not my favourite Alexis Hall book, but it's good none-the-less. This is the first holiday romance I've seen pop up for the season. It's funny and quirky in keeping with Hall's usual style. Maybe not as much of a "spark" as I've felt from their other projects?

Thank you NetGalley & Sourcebooks for the gifted ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is the first title I've read by Alexis Hall and based on how popular this author is, I was expecting...more.

The premise is definitely intriguing and not one I've seen in a romance novel before, but the execution fell flat. The characters had, like, no sexual chemistry whatsoever. The first intimate interaction they have is about halfway through the book and it was...well, lackluster. I think too much time was spent on Johnathan's family dynamics, which meant less time on developing the romance between Sam and Johnathan. I also don't think this book needed to be 400+ pages, it truly dragged on in some spots which made me keep putting the book down in order to read something with a faster pace.

Ultimately, the book is fine, but it's not something I'd revisit. I'd be interested to see if the author's backlog of titles are more my speed.

Maybe 2.5 stars... I just don't know about this one. It's a little light on the romance. The romance part felt very forced, just unnatural. And, the premise, the whole fake amnesia thing just didn't work for me. It's a quick read, and it's funny. I just wasn't buying any of it. And, Sam is basically Lucien. I did like Jonathan's family and Gollum. But, the rest just fell a little flat.

So much to like about this book. A slightly unlikely premise, but it is so fun to read, it doesn't matter. I really wondered how the author would turn the grumpy MC into a hero I could root for, but they pulled it off! I just wish it wasn't quite as much of a slow burn. I did have a lot of fun with this one!