4.25 / 5

10 Things That Never Happened has all the Alexis Hall staples I've come to love: humor, extremely loveable characters, and a unique charm that makes his books hard to put down. I enjoyed this one even more than his London Calling series (Boyfriend Material and Husband Material) - both were great books, but I really fell in love with the side characters (especially Gollum) in 10 Things.

I love how slow burn this romance was, Hall gives the 'grumpy' part of the grumpy/sunshine dynamic his time to de-thaw. I do wish we had more time with Ben and Jonathan as a couple; I know things ran long overall but I felt that was where my .75 star deduction really came in. That, and a particular trope pet peeve coming into play near the end - but I don't think it was as annoying in this book as I've read in others.

This really is the perfect book to tuck into as the holiday season approaches, it gave me all the feels, cozy Christmas vibes, and the laughs that I want from a romance going into this time of year.

Thank you to NetGalley, Alexis Hall, and Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love the way AJH writes characters that are flawed but so loveable and finds way to put them with partners who are also flawed in their own ways but together, they are perfect. I always love reading MCs who are BOTH navigating difficult family relationships, challenging personal traits, or even just general pessimism (looking at you Jonathan). Highly enjoyed this addition to the Boyfriend Material world and hope to read more.

"10 Things That Never Happened" is the first installment in the "Material World" series but in my opinion, is just a continuation of the "London Calling" series with a few tweaks. The story follows Sam, a manager at a bed and bath chain store, and the company's owner/Sam's boss, Jonathan. After a workplace mishap, Sam hits his head and is rushed to the hospital. Through some confusion, Jonathan is under the impression that Sam has amnesia and forgets about the events leading up to his accident as well as the longstanding animosity between them. Due to hospital policy, Jonathan is forced to take care of Sam as he recovers from "amnesia" and a concussion. Meanwhile, Sam is hoping to use this opportunity to win over the affection of the grumpy and money-obsessed Jonathan.

Having read two other Alexis Hall books, I think the author enjoys filling their novels with the standard rom-com tropes. There is witty banter, quirky secondary characters, and the stereotypical tropes of enemies to lovers and forced proximity. For me, "10 Things That Never Happened" fell flat. There was no chemistry between the two main characters. Everything felt a bit over the top and unrealistic that ultimately, I don't think I enjoyed the book.

Thank you to the publisher, NetGalley, and Alexis Hall for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

When Sam Becker, manager of one branch of a chain of a bed and bath stores, is called to London by the big boss, he knows he's not about to have a good time. Jonathan Forest is a number of things but "empathetic human being" does not seem to be on the list. Then Jonathan fires Sam, Sam falls through a shower door on the display floor, and through a quick series of misunderstandings ends up in Jonathan's care while he recovers from a bout of amnesia. Which he doesn't really have. Oops?

The premise is absolutely wild but it somehow actually manages to work. Alexis Hall is an extremely hit or miss author for me, but he managed to pull together what seems like a terrible soap opera into a character-driven journey that seems surprisingly natural. The focus of the story is absolutely on the character development rather than the romance which may be an unexpected downside for some of the author's typical fans, but I found it enjoyable. With strong pacing and exactly the correct amount of stakes, this is was a fun and not-as-ridiculous-as-expected ride.

Anyone past the "new adult" age range looking for a fun queer romance should give this a go. Younger audiences might struggle with character relatability, and readers looking for more explicit scenes will find themselves disappointed.

it would be a 4.5 if it would let me! I really enjoyed this book, I really, really enjoyed this book. The banter, the general humour imbued into almost every interaction, the unlikely redemption of a terrible boss into a damaged, but determined-to-be-better man, a wild, loud family, and a romance that felt possible.

Alexis Hall is an excellent author of funny books, and romcoms (in my opinion as a person who has only read his romcoms) are where he excels. 10 Things That Never Happened is a tour de force, Hall weaves emotional vulnerability, growing intimacy, banter, searing arguments and moments of intense sadness into a cohesive, hilarious, relatable, and (dare I say) moving story of two people finding each other despite the many things in their way.

Sam, Jonathan and Gollum will capture your hearts. This book sits at the intersection of so many romcom greats it's almost impossible to list them off, it feel likes part of a great romcom tradition. If, like me, you sometimes find yourself bemoaning the loss of the romcom, that is, the loss of the Sandra Bullock / Meg Ryan / Tom Hanks / Julia Roberts romcoms of the 80/90s this novel feels like that. It feels like the British, literary answer to those classics, but perhaps with a bit more honesty.

The 0.5 star loss, the one thing that knocks this down just fractionally for me, was that I did find I got a bit lost when the family got involved. I found it hard to keep track of who was who, which maybe was the point, but made it difficult to keep straight which relationships each person had with Jonathan. This was more an issue for the male relatives, the women felt more distinct.

Overall, an exceptional novel, and the start to, what I'm sure will be, another wonderful series from Alexis Hall.

Im not usually one for amnesia trope but the fake one?? sign me up! I loved this story and really you cant go wrong reading this book and falling in love with the MCs.

Sam is my millennial icon. He’s working as a manager in a retail store and he’s okay. He gets stuff done. He’s not amazing at the job but he cares for his people. He’s willing to go to bat for them, even when he doesn’t really have the extra spoons to deal with the issue. We’re pretty much the same, except money figures into my life choices more than it seems to fit into his. While Sam isn’t the sunniest creature, he is sunny in comparison to the grumpy Jonathan. Jonathan has a massive extended family, who love him despite his grumpy attitude. They aren’t mooching off him, either, even though he’s a millionaire. They just want to spend time with him and maybe have him host the Christmas party for once. Sam’s family is conspicuously absent. He doesn’t have anyone to care for him while he recovers from his concussion, and so is forced to stay with Jonathan. With all the snark and emotion I’ve come to expect from Alexis Hall, plus a grumpy cat named Gollum, 10 Things that Never Happened is an excellent addition to anyone’s TBR.

The relationships between all the characters are very flawed and full of problems, just like in real life. And like in real life, they ignore the problems until they explode. And then they deal with them like real adults. Something I should probably try to emulate in my real life. The side characters are so well done, too. I could easily imagine a spin off novel of any one of them, their lives and personalities are so appealing.

There is a lot of healing, and not just from a concussion. We don’t learn much about Sam’s past even though he’s the narrator, but we learn a lot about Jonathan and his family, as well as his reasoning for why he is the way he is. Some of Sam’s character development is cut short because it happens before the epilogue and time jump, but not on the page. That is honestly a shame. The reasoning for his way of living is explained very briefly before the time jump, but I wish more of it had happened on the page.

I really hope there’s a sequel exploring Sam and Jonathan’s relationship more, as well as intersecting with our boys from Boyfriend/Husband Material. I could read books in this universe forever and never get bored of the banter. I highly recommend this cozy novel. It made me laugh out loud several times, and it gave me some hope for the future.

Thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for sharing this ARC!

I adore Alexis Hall's writing, particularly in A Lady for a Duke, but I had a really hard time getting into this book. I had to DNF because I didn't enjoy the characters and the premise did not seem believable. To be fair, I have not yet Boyfriend Material or Husband Material, so maybe I need to start there. I may try to revisit this again in the future but for now it's just not hitting for me.

Boyfriend Material is one of my all time favorite books and I was so excited to be approved for this ARC! The first 30% was excellent - the quips between Sam and his coworkers had me in tears from laughing. Truly, Alexis Hall reigns supreme when it comes to delivering witty banter. The Splashes & Snuggles team reminded me of The Office from their nonsensical arguments to their quirks. They were delightfully annoying and the best part of the book.

I liked Sam, he’s the kind of friend you want in your corner, being full of compassion and loyal to a fault - leading him to retain less than stellar employees… looking at you Brian. But Jonathan. I couldn’t muster up any warm fuzzies for him. It wasn’t just that he was the grumpy part of the trope, he was just maddening. Him holding grudges from his past and pushing all friends and family away in an effort to not be like his father was extreme. Because of his overly grumpy demeanor, I didn’t find the chemistry and attraction between him and Sam believable.

Again, the first 30%ish was fantastic. The pace was quick and the banter was hilarious and sharp… but after Sam’s accident when he begins to fake amnesia (not a spoiler!), the pace screeched to a halt and it felt like wading through mud getting through the rest of the book. There were too many parts that didn’t further the story and I felt like Jonathan and Sam had the same argument no less than seventy times.

Overall, the story was fine and I enjoyed the chaotic squabbles from the supporting cast, but the burn was too slow and even though I liked Sam’s character, I wasn’t a fan of Jonathan enough to cheer for their HEA and thought Sam deserved a better partner.

I love Alexis Hall so much. This book is everything I expect from him and more. You have quirky characters who are flawed, but realistic. You have humor, love, romance, discovery, just everything you could wish for in a real romance book. I honestly can not say enough good things about this book. I just loved it all. Sam is fun. He is that person who knows there is something more, but for now okay is good enough. Then you have Jonathan, who is so focused on making a name for himself and making sure his family has everything, that he forgets connection with them is sometimes more important than money. Together they make a hilarious pair, that fits together in all the right ways.
Thank you so much to Sourcebooks Casablanca and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this amazing book.

“10 Things That Never Happened” by Alexis Hall is a delightful mashup of classic storytelling and the author’s signature quirky British humor. This novel combines elements reminiscent of “A Christmas Carol” and “Overboard” to create a unique and engaging narrative and will have you buying a Nexa by MERLYN 8mm Sliding Door Enclosure for your next holiday gift.

In the story, Sam's feigned amnesia serves as a clever plot device, enabling him to navigate not only the complexities of his boss Jonathan but also to embark on a personal journey of self-discovery during the holiday season. This journey is enriched by the inherent humor and stress that accompanies family gatherings during this time of year. Alexis Hall's adept storytelling is evident as he seamlessly weaves this element into the narrative, resulting in a captivating exploration of identity and self-discovery.

As the plot unfolds, the relationship between Sam and Jonathan takes center stage. Initially, Jonathan presents as a grumpy and seemingly prickish character. However, as Sam continues to feign amnesia, Jonathan's emotional defenses gradually erode, making Sam's decision on how to proceed with his selective memory more challenging to address. This transformation in Jonathan's character is a testament to the depth of character development in the novel, which elicits both laughter and tears, characteristic of Alexis Hall's writing style.

Readers are treated to moments of vulnerability, genuine connection, and surprising revelations as Sam and Jonathan's interactions evolve, becoming increasingly authentic and heartfelt. The contrast between Sam's pretense and Jonathan's growing willingness to open up adds depth and poignancy to their developing relationship.

In "10 Things That Never Happened," Alexis Hall masterfully crafts a story that seamlessly blends humor, introspection, and unexpected connections. This skillful integration is a testament to the author's talent, resulting in a holiday tale that is simultaneously entertaining and emotionally resonant. Thank you Alexis Hall, SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca, and NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the Advanced Readers Copy of 10 Things that Never Happened by Alexis Hall!

I will forever be thoroughly charmed by the way Alexis Hall writes dialogue and internal monologues. His characters were a delight as always. Also, as someone who has worked in retail - the discussions of the way management communicates and treats others was honestly wildly accurate and so funny. Loved this one and can’t wait for more titles in the Material World universe (Claire and BJ please!).

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC.

I went into this book with extreme hesitation: I loved Boyfriend Material and Husband Material was the most disappointing book I read in 2022. I also had some mixed experiences with other Alexis Hall books in 2022 and 2023. But, the summary was just too good to pass up, and I really enjoy Hall's writing style. While amnesia is not a trope I go for, *faked* amnesia was very interesting. It was very a very interesting read, though, like all of the Alexis Hall books I've read, has an incredibly rushed ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the eARC!

10 Things That Never Happened is a cute, funny romcom with the wit and banter I’ve come to expect from Alexis Hall! He has somehow written a book with both poop jokes and emotional depth, and I really enjoyed it!

Read if you like
- forced proximity
- slightly dysfunctional families
- grumpy/sunshine
- Christmas setting
- fake amnesia
- antagonists to friends to lovers (closed door, euphemisms only)

I will say, I’m not sure why the book is called 10 Things That Never Happened. There’s fake amnesia, but there aren’t fake events… honestly I don’t care I’m just a little confused.

My only complaint is that the climax and resolution of the book felt a tad bit rushed, and there wasn’t quite as much tension in the will-they-won’t-they as I tend to prefer. Still a great book, and I’d definitely recommend! 4 stars.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for the review copy. All thoughts are my own. I will post my review to IG between Oct 10-17, and on Amazon on publication day.

Sam Becker is on the brink of getting fired when he falls and gets a head injury. Rather than admit he remembers his boss firing him directly before the accident, he fakes amnesia and his boss becomes his temporary care-taker.

10 things that never happened was such a fun time, I really enjoyed the humor and banter between our two love interests. The romantic in my wanted a little more from the romance, but the character’s personalities really didn’t lend to it.

This was a very cute romance that was really not graphic in the spice scenes so if that’s your cup of tea this one would be perfect!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced reader's copy of the book. This is my favorite book by Alexis Hall. This book was hands down fantastic and I think the best one from Hall so far. I lived for everything in this book, Samwise, Gollum, Jonathan, and Jonathan's family were the absolute best. The banter and the fact that it was set at Christmas, just hit all the right buttons for me. I will be recommending this to everyone and I will be buying this when it's released.

Samwise "Sam" Becker works as a manager in a bed and bath retailer. Not a particularly glamorous job but he gets on well with his coworkers...all of which are a bit odd, but charming in their way. He's happy enough at his job but unfortunately the owner is a massive prick. Jonathan Forest regrets hiring Sam; he finds him too soft and ineffective as a manager. Determined to turn around Sam's branch, Jonathan forces Sam to come down to London to have a difficult conversation which culminates in Sam tripping and bringing a shower enclosure down on top of himself. Rushed to the hospital, a wayward "who are you..." when confronted with Jonathan appearing to CARE about Sam (though really he just doesn't want to get sued), leads to a misunderstanding and suddenly Sam is faking amnesia. With no one else stepping up to care for Sam, Jonathan brings him to his, honestly massive, home so he can watch Sam. Suddenly the pair who, originally (and, let's be honest, still do) irritate one another are finding that the other isn't quite so bad and maybe they can even get a long....some times.
Faced with his growing feelings for Jonathan (including how much he loves Jonathan's loud family) and the lie that he keeps telling, Sam is quickly regretting the fake amnesia and is completely unsure how to get out of the lie.

I went into this expecting to have a good time and I was entirely satisfied. Alexis Hall has such a specific comedic whit and it always hits me directly where it's supposed to. The banter between Jonathan and Sam is top notch. And, as always, there is a well meaning bumbling idiot of a side character (Brian, in this case) who just brings such me such joy. I had a really good time getting to know these characters and loved watching the grumpy Jonathan be vulnerable with the overly sunshiney Sam...and, at times, watching the pair reverse their roles. You assume that Sam is teaching Jonathan to be more kind to keep his branch open/fully staffed but sometimes Sam recognizes that the decisions that Jonathan makes are in the best interest of everyone involved. It was a joy to watch the pair grow together throughout the book.
I completely devoured this and am a quite sad that it's over. I know there is at least one more book set in this world that isn't directly connected to Luc and Oliver but I could keep living in this fictionalized London for literally forever. The growing cast of characters are always all charming and I hate to see them go.

Definitely recommend to fans of cute rom coms with floppy white streaked haired grumps.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoy Alexis Hall's books. I've enjoyed the Material world stories and was excited to read this one as well. This was a pretty slowburn and it was hard to get into at first. Eventually, I really got into this found family story and it was so interesting. I definitely reccomend this for any MM romance fans!

Sam Becker loves—or, okay, likes—his job. Sure, managing a bed and bath retailer isn't exactly glamorous, but it's good work and he gets on well with the band of misfits who keep the store running. He could see himself being content here for the long haul. Too bad, then, that the owner is an infuriating git.
Jonathan Forest should never have hired Sam. It was a sentimental decision, and Jonathan didn't get where he is by following his heart. Determined to set things right, Jonathan orders Sam down to London for a difficult talk…only for a panicking Sam to trip, bump his head, and maybe accidentally imply he doesn't remember anything?
Faking amnesia seemed like a good idea when Sam was afraid he was getting sacked, but now he has to deal with the reality of Jonathan's guilt—as well as the unsettling fact that his surly boss might have a softer side to him. There's an unexpected freedom in getting a second shot at a first impression…but as Sam and Jonathan grow closer, can Sam really bring himself to tell the truth, or will their future be built entirely on one impulsive lie?

Alexis Hall can do no wrong in my eyes, but I miss his older MM romance novels because I feel that he now caters to heterosexual women audiences more than queer readers. That being said, I was really excited to read 10 THINGS THAT NEVER HAPPENED. Note: I will read any Alexis Hall novel that comes my way so thank you @sourcebookscasa for this advanced copy. Releasing this October, 10 THINGS THAT NEVER HAPPENED will be a great holiday read for romance readers, and is very reminiscent of a Hallmark movie vibe.

This enemies to lovers story focuses on Sam Becker, a mattress store manager and his boss Jonathan Forest and the development of their relationship. When Jonathan has Sam report to London for a work conversation, specifically about Sam's store's inefficient work practices, Sam ends up getting hurt and getting a concussion. Sam realizes that if he milks this concussion further and pretends to have amnesia (corny romance alert!), he could bide his store some time and manipulate Jonathan to help with Sam's stores woes. What's the worst that could happen?!

This book is a total cornball fest, but it was so much fun. I did roll my eyes at times, but that's because I'm not typically a mainstream romance reader. This book is MAINSTREAM ROMANCE to a T. I am objectively reviewing this book, because I did find it too gimmicky for my particular taste (see above with audience), but I know this will be a hit for romance readers. This book is heavy on the family drama, which I really appreciated because it opened up a second storyline arc that I wasn't expecting, but overall this is your bingeworthy Alexis Hall MM romance novel that you've come to expect. Very little steam, but definitely more steam than Paris Daillencourt is About to Crumble (my last recent read by the author), so gays can rejoice about that. I do hope the author goes back to his old style of MM romance storytelling, but I will also binge this author's books and 10 THINGS THAT NEVER HAPPENED is a total bingeworthy read.