This is one of my favourite romances by Alexis Hall. I know I have said this about many of his books and it is true for all of them.

It’s a Christmas romance that is all about the human relationships – family, friends, boss/employees, colleagues, lovers. It has care and kindness at the heart of it, just what I think Christmas should be about.

It's a kind of understated and quiet romance, not big flashy gestures or love declarations, just tiny, everyday signs of care, kindness, respect and appreciation. It spoke directly to my heart. We see Sam and Jonathan opening up to each other, slowly, gradually seeing the other in a new light. They start with animosity but learn that there is much more to the other person than they initially thought. It's especially true for Jonathan, he really hides himself behind distanced, cold, outright hostile demeanor. Sam is more of a wearing-his-heart-on-his-sleeve kind of person. He is the gentlest, sweetest person. Jonathan is controlling, demanding, workaholic, not the easiest person to love. Seeing him open up a bit, relaxing a bit but not changing himself fundamentally just to please the people around him. I super appreciate that. Sam got to love with him with all his rough edges. And behind it all Jonathan really cared about people and showed it by working hard to provide for them.

This is very much a romcom and AJH’s dry, sarcastic humour really works for me.
My overall take of the story is that relationships are complex, they take work and are built on compromises but they are beautiful and a bit of magic.

It’s a very cozy romance, like a comforting warm hug, and reading it brought me so much joy.

CW: death of parents and grandparents (in the past), grief, concussion


READING PROGRESS

DNF at 22%. Not posting review online. I really liked A Lady for a Duke so I was looking forward to reading this book. But the story was slow, the characters were annoying, and I could not get into the book. I’m disappointed that I didn’t like this book, and hope that I enjoy their other books more than this one.

A funny London based Christmas romance. From the repeated use of the full make/model titles of things in a store to shopping for incredibly overpriced christmas baubles in a fancy store, this story was full of funny moments. So much so that even though I knew the emotional punch would come and its not like it wasn't forshadowed, but it still snuck up on me.

Sam isn’t quite living his dream life as a manager of a bed and bath retailer. But he has a big heart and loves his team of misfits. When the owner, Jonathon, comes to town to tell Sam he must let people go, he’s determined to save their jobs.

Things don’t go as planned when Sam shadows Jonathan for the day and just after he’s fired, he falls and bumps his head. What’s Sam to do? Fake amnesia seems like the perfect plan. Except, Sam can’t go home as he lives alone, so Jonathan offers to let Sam stay with him.

Despite bumping heads, Jonathan slowly shows Sam why he is so off-putting and grumpy all the time. Can Sam’s positive outlook and love for life rub off on Jonathan? And…is Sam starting to fall for him? Is Jonathan falling for him too?

This was my first Alexis Hall book, and it most definitely won’t be my last. This book had so much banter I absolutely loved it. Banter is one thing that I enjoy the most in romcoms, and this one did not disappoint. I also loved that this book was holiday themed, but the holiday wasn’t the focal point. It makes it a perfect book for any time of year. This book had some amazing characters, they were all well developed and helped the plot. The grumpy/sunshine trope is one of my favorites and I loved how it was portrayed with these characters. For me it always makes a swoon worthy story when the characters get to know each other and come to like and love each other despite their differences. This book is just so much fun.

If you are looking for a laugh out loud, slow burn MM romance, then check this one out.

Thank you so much to the publisher Sourcebooks Casablanca, and Netgalley @netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: October 17, 2023

I'm a big Alexis Hall fan and 10 Things That Never Happened didn't disappoint! This was my first amnesia trope romance and I had no idea whether I'd like it or not, but I was pleasantly surprised.

This book is perfect for fans of:
🎄 holiday themes that are a backdrop rather than the focal point
🎁 fake amnesia/miscommunication trope
🎄 slow burn romance with fade to black scenes
🎁 actual major grump v sunshine
🎄 found families

Fans of Hall's notoriously witty dialogue and banter will adore Jonathan and Sam driving each other absolutely bonkers in this book. Jonathan is the hard ass owner of a small chain of bed and bath stores. Sam is one of Jonathan's store managers who is on the verge of being fired for his motley crew of ever-fumbling employees. When Jonathan calls Sam to his home store in London to give the bad news, a nervous Sam ends up with a concussion after tripping and bumping his head. He also, maybe, accidentally, implies that he can't remember that he was in the process of being fired... or anything at all. So an ultra grumpy and annoyed Jonathan offers to let Sam stay with him over the holidays to keep an eye on his recovery.

The whole miscommunication trope is usually not my thing, but it's handled quite well in this story and plays into the slow burn illicit romance that develops between boss and employee. I really loved that Jonathan was a true grump, not just slightly moody on occasion, but genuinely seemed perpetually annoyed with everyone and everything around him.

The cast of side characters was on point, as I've come to expect from Hall's stories. In this case, we have all of Sam's employees who are varying degrees of competent and we also have Jonathan's entire family who have enough issues to have a book all of their own. I like how Sam's whole backstory was slowly revealed to the reader at the same time as it was revealed to Jonathan.

Overall, a really cute holiday-themed book that isn't overly mushy/sweet and uses the theme as more of a backdrop for the characters' story and budding relationship.

Exactly what I have come to expect from Alexis Hall. This book is funny and sweet and full of a cast of memorable characters.
Highly recommend for a holiday romance

Sam and Jonathan’s love story was so👏wholesome👏 Which might be an odd description considering they bickered so much but somehow their bickering gave me the warm fuzzies? Alexis Hall, a magician. The way they needled at each other was endearing in the same way that you see “an old married couple” argue who you know actually adore each other. The balance of tension, angst, and humor was top notch. I legitimately laughed and chuckled throughout the book!
🛁Banter
🛁Slow burn
🛁Forced Proximity
🛁Christmas shenanigans
🛁Opposites attract
🛁F2B/very vague open door (fade to grey?)
🛁A-hole to everyone but him
🛁Found family

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book so much I had to read it twice in a row.

10 Things delivers everything I hope for in an Alexis Hall book—hilarity and reality and humanity all rolled into one package; a delightful cacophony of flesh-and-blood supporting characters; and *feelings* where you’d least expect them, tucked in amongst the witty banter and wry commentary.

Sam and Jonathan are disasters, and I adore them. If their story were a Hallmark Christmas movie, I’d joyfully watch it every year—and I bet it’d make me happy-cry every single time.

Samwise Becker only wants to save his team’s jobs when he is summoned to London by his austere boss, Jonathan Frost. Selling bed and bath sets has never been his dream, but he feels connected to his team and wants to fight for them. A tour of the sales floor goes horribly wrong and Sam ends up with a concussion. When his boss mistakenly assumes he has amnesia, Sam suddenly finds himself living with his boss. Is fake amnesia the best way to save his team from being cut? Is Jonathan Frost as cold as he seems? Sam is about to find out…

Alexis Hall is such a hilarious writer and I find myself highlighting paragraphs of witty banter. Hall’s sense of humor is so detailed and smart, he really incorporates some form of comedy in every line of dialogue. I loved how Hall uses forced proximity to create extremely amusing situations that end up leading to deeper character growth. Sam has the best intentions, which only makes it funnier when things get more and more absurd. I also loved his cat, Gollum! Sam and Jonathan embody the classic grump/sunshine dynamic and I really enjoyed how they got to know each other better. As they learn more about each other, Hall also manages to weave in complicated family dynamics and grief.

Readers who love a grump/sunshine dynamic, LGBTQ+ romance, and hilarious writing will love this book! I can’t wait to read more from Alexis Hall.

Thank you so much to Alexis Hall, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: My review will be posted on Instagram, Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, and Barnes & Noble etc

2.5/5
This was…fine. The premise to me was just not believable enough and that shadowed the entire book. The amnesia plot line was shaky and I found myself not really caring about Jonathan or Sam’s relationship. Just not for me! Than you to NetGalley & the publisher for the ARC.

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would! I absolutely love Jonathon and his grumpiness and I like how that never changed. I love a drives proximity book as well.

Oh, I really liked this book. It’s a bit of an unbelievable premise – main character and bed-and-bath store manager Sam fakes amnesia to save the jobs of his employees and ends up staying with the store owner (Jonathan) to monitor a head injury – but if you roll with it, it’s good fun. I really liked the enemies-to-lovers premise; in this one, you get a loveable guy and an absolute grump. I think that both main characters are good people, so it’s easy to see where each is coming from in their misunderstandings. I loved Jonathan’s family. Remember the family in the movie Love Actually that’s leaving for the school Christmas pageant when the prime minister stops by looking for his former assistant? (The mother who says, “Eight is a lot of legs, David” always cracks me up!) I felt that Jonathan’s family was like that mob of a family and I loved them. They overwhelm you with their love. And there’s a fantastic cat! What more could you want? Delightful book.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy of this book.

Sam just got fired. Scratch that. Sam and his entire team just got fired. So naturally he falls into a shower and ends up with a concussion and “amnesia”
🚿
Enter his grumpy, dickish, boss Jonathan, who reluctantly ends up looking after Sam while he recovers. What ensues is a will they won’t they romance. Will Sam find someone who accepts him for who he is, fake amnesia and all, and will Jonathan start to relax and breakdown the walls he’s built
🎄
This is really, essentially, a fun Christmas romance. I enjoyed both main characters and all their flaws. The minor characters in Sam’s team Jonathan’s family made me laugh probably more so than Sam and Jonathan.
🐈‍⬛
For a while there I wasn’t sure any conflict would happen in this book, it got so close to the end before it all came to a head, and even then it was very short lived. Overall this was a very enjoyable, quick read. It would definitely be a welcome addition to anyone’s suitcase when headed to the beach

Alexis Hall's newest romance has enemies to lovers, grumpy sunshine, opposites attract, and forced proximity. Oh, and it's a holiday romance, too! Plus, with lots of banter that I love oh so much. 10 Things That Never Happened, an ode to MC Sam's fake amnesia bout, is full of compelling and witty language that draws me into the story. It is kind of a slow burn, but plenty cute in the end.

"10 Things That Never Happened" by Alexis Hall is a delightful romantic comedy that combines humor, emotion, and a dash of mistaken identity. With witty writing and endearing characters, this novel delivers a charming and heartfelt story that will leave readers smiling.

Sam Becker, the protagonist, finds himself in a predicament after a misstep at work leads to a misunderstanding with his boss, Jonathan Forest. Faking amnesia to navigate the situation, Sam inadvertently opens the door to a new dynamic between him and Jonathan. What follows is a series of hilarious and heartwarming moments as Sam tries to navigate the web of lies he spun, all while discovering new sides to Jonathan he never expected.

Hall's writing is a standout feature of the book, capturing the characters' personalities and quirks with precision. The banter between Sam and Jonathan is a highlight, with their interactions filled with both tension and undeniable chemistry. As their relationship deepens, the novel explores themes of vulnerability, second chances, and the complexity of human emotions.

The characters are well-developed and relatable, with flaws that make them feel authentic and endearing. Sam's internal struggles and Jonathan's evolution from a seemingly cold boss to a multi-dimensional character add depth to the story. The secondary characters, including Sam's co-workers, also contribute to the story's charm and humor.

The plot's blend of humor and heart makes for a captivating read. As the layers of deception begin to unravel, the story delves into more serious moments that give the romance emotional weight. The pacing is well-balanced, keeping readers engaged as they root for Sam and Jonathan to find their way to a genuine connection.

"10 Things That Never Happened" is a refreshing take on the romantic comedy genre, offering a mix of laughter, warmth, and genuine emotion. With its clever premise, well-crafted characters, and a satisfying conclusion, the novel is a delightful addition to any romance reader's bookshelf.

This narrative follows Sam, a manager responsible for a bed & bath store, and Jonathan, the owner of the bed & bath chain who also happens to be Sam's boss. The plot unfolds when Jonathan visits Sam's store to investigate the declining profits of that particular location. Their interaction takes an unexpected turn, resulting in a heated exchange and an accident in which Sam sustains a head injury. This incident leads to a mix-up at the hospital, causing Sam to feign memory loss from the fall. Consequently, Jonathan finds himself reluctantly taking care of Sam during his "recovery" period.

Sam sees this situation as an opportunity to potentially salvage his store and support his employees, but Jonathan's attitude remains sour, driven solely by monetary concerns and facts.

The story's intrigue stems from the apparent gaps in understanding the main characters, Sam and Jonathan, and their respective backgrounds. This curiosity was what initially captivated me as a reader. However, the romantic aspect between them left me puzzled. Their personalities had certain unlikable facets, and the narrative didn't convincingly establish many instances where a romantic connection could have blossomed. The first kiss between them took me by surprise due to this lack of buildup.The tale also featured tender and cozy moments between Sam and Jonathan, yet these moments failed to fully endear me to their relationship or compel me to root for their romantic journey.

As a fan of Alexis Hall's books, this one certainly didn't disappoint. It was such a heartwarming read that I just couldn't put down.

10 Things that Never Happened is the perfect Christmas romcom from the chaotic family, to the final confession scene in the perfectly timed snow. It follows Sam, a manager at a bed and bath store, and his dickish boss Jonathan who, after Sam fakes having amnesia, is cornered into taking him in while he recovers. Typical romcom shenanigans ensue and the pair find themselves falling for each other over their Christmas party planning.

I didn't think I would enjoy the fake amnesia plot but Alexis pulled it off so well. The characters felt real but were still fun enough to keep me engaged. I am an absolute sucker for the sunshine x grumpy trope so I loved Sam and Jonathan's dynamics.

The rest of the characters were so loveable too. Sam had his crew at the bed and breakfast store and I just wished we got to see more of them. They would fit perfectly into a sitcom about running the store. And Jonathan's family is annoying but in the best way possible like a family should be. And of course the goblin of a cat, Gollum is the best character of them all.

I will definitely be reading this book again in December to really experience it during the Christmas season. I fell in love with it and honestly couldn't recommend it enough.

Absolutely delightful holiday themed romcom! In 10 Things, Alexis Hall has created a wonderful enemies-to-lovers, fake amnesia, grumpy/sunshine Christmassy romance featuring an uber grump Jonathan Forest and outwardly sunshine Sam Becker. Sam works for Jonathan in the Sheffield branch of Splashes & Snuggles (a bath and bedroom superstore). With his underperforming branch under threat, Sam travels to London for a very awkward meeting with Jonathan. An accident, concussion, and a false but helpful assumption of amnesia might be the rescue plan Sam needs.

Forced to spend time together, Sam uncovers a sliver of a soft side in Jonathan and begins to develop real feelings for him. Hall always writes well crafted secondary characters and in 10 Things we have Jonathan’s loud, hilarious, overbearing family; and Sam’s messy, endearing, and loyal work colleagues. I absolutely love a grump and Jonathan is honestly terrible. He’s extremely prickly, high-handed, controlling, and workaholic. And described as wolfish. A LOT. And Sam’s outwardly positive and easygoing personality protects his own private sadness that is is revealed very slowly and sensitively.

I’ve really enjoyed Alexis Hall’s work in the past but for me this fell a little flat. As a Scouser, I found some of the dialogue was a little clunky and hard to get past in parts. The enemies to lovers trope is one I’ll always enjoy but here I didn’t feel like I could root for either character and I’m not sure if that’s why I didn’t enjoy the story so much. Despite this not being one of my favourites, I’m looking forward to anything Alexis writes in the future.

If you liked Boyfriend Material you will surely love this book. It has the same kind of humor, an odd couple, and is set in the same universe (Although they are not directly related).
This is the story of Sam who works in a store of beds and baths and due to a series of situations ends up pretending that he has lost his memory and goes to live at the house of his tyrannical boss.
I'm going to be honest, I asked for the book because I really like the stories that Alexis Hall writes, but the plot was seen as something that could go very wrong when applied within the story. However, everything is very well planned and although you know that the protagonist is doing something wrong, you somehow understand it when you meet his boss. Also the book is very self-aware, so it allows you to easily digest everything that happens.
It is a very funny read, it has hilarious situations and at the same time there are several parts in which you want to slap the protagonists. It's a roller coaster of emotions in which you don't know what new idea the author is going to come up with.
The writing is fresh, very witty, I love the talks that the characters have because many of their dialogues are unexpected and in general, although it has a very simple plot, but it is far from the obvious in terms of the way of presenting the situations. .
Something that surprised me is that it is a Christmas book, I would have liked to read it in December to go with the vibe, but even out of season it captures the essence of winter, the trees, the lights and the December holidays very well.
I like that they both have VERY different personalities and when I say that Jonathan is a tyrannical boss I mean it. Both tend to have many disagreements and that keeps you waiting for how their relationship will develop.
The cat was a great detail.
I sincerely hope they bring it to Mexico as well so he can have it in Spanish soon. I'm also sure Alexis Hall is on my list of favorite authors by now.