it's been a while since I have finished reading a book and wanted to immediately read it again because I loved it so much.

This book was so good! My perfect romantic comedy. I absolutely LOVED the banter, it was top-tier banter. The use of last name *squeals* ahh it is one of my favourite tropes.

This was sort of a friends-to-lovers/workplace romance. Sophie & Max became friends after he stood up an objected to her wedding (saving her from a HUGE mistake). After that they became friends and teamed up to be the objectors at other weddings, all while vowing never to fall in love.

The spicy was so well done and the tension made my heart beat fast. It was one of those books that distracts you all day at work, just thinking about when you can read more of it.

Full 5 stars from me! Thank you so much to Berkley Romance & Netgalley for this arc.

Sophie finds out her fiancé is cheating on her. To get out of the relationship she hires a professional wedding objector, a person who “objects” during the wedding ceremony. The wedding objector is Max and after he objected at Sophie’s wedding, they become friends and join forces to save other people from marrying the wrong person. But the more time they spend together the closer they get.

This was such an entertaining and sweet read! I loved both Sophie and Max and their banter, and I thought being a “objector” was unique. There were some fun side characters, especially Sophie’s geriatric roommates, and it had the perfect amount of steam. I loved every minute of it!

Sophie is hours away from saying “I do” when she finds out her fiance has cheated… again. She wants to call the wedding off, but is nervous because her fiance’s father is her dad’s boss and she’s worried about her dad’s job. Sophie’s best friend tells her she has things handled and not to worry, as she has found The Objector. Who is The Objector? Well, he’s the person who says he has an issue with two people getting married at that point of their ceremony.

This was a super cute book! It’s light and easy to read while giving you enough details that will have you guessing what’s going to happen next without totally giving it away. Both Sophie and Max believe marriage is a waste of time and have no desire to ever get married. However, once Sophie and Max realize they might have a thing going on between them, their chemistry is great together. Sophie’s roommates, Larry and Rose, were a great addition to the story, especially at the end! This is my first Lynn Painter book, and I’m looking forward to checking out her other books.

Shout out to fellow Cubs fan Max!

A big thank you to Berkley Romance and the author for letting me review this advanced copy! All thoughts are my own.

THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU IF: You are looking for an easy read, light on the spicy, and with fun characters.

Thank you to @berkelypub @prhaudio @letstalkbookspromo for the #gifted copy.

Lynn Painter has quickly become an auto buy author of mine. I listened on audio and enjoyed the narration. The author just has a way of making me laugh out loud and this is why I look forward to reading every one of her books. Sophie and Max’s story was no different and I just love the idea of a a job as a wedding objector. Sign me up!!

Lynn Painter is an auto-buy author for me, if she writes it, I’ll read it. But sadly this book was a swing and a miss for me. The blurb is really interesting, it’s like a fun take on wedding crashers.

When I pick up a Lynn Painter book, I can always count on fun banter; the characters are always so quirky and funny. I think where this book lost me was the pacing. Things had to move quickly because this book is on the shorter side. I just didn’t feel a connection to the characters and shockingly I didn’t feel the chemistry between the two love interests.

Sophie and Max meet the night of her would-be wedding night...except her best friend hired Max to be an objector during the ceremony so Sophie doesn't make the terrible mistake of marrying a cheating, lying, partner. They cross paths a few months later when Max reaches out to get Sophie's help at an objection and she's hooked. They have a lucrative side-hustle objecting at weddings to keep them from happening. It is a hilarious premise with a lot of steamy scenes between the two main characters who've decided that they're never going to be in relationships again. A quick, lighthearted romance with a lot of humor.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

“Speak now or forever hold your peace” a moment in every wedding where you can hear a pin drop, but Max is used to seizing these moments. Max is a professional “wedding objector” who steps in to interrupt weddings for people who have no way out and can prove their significant other has wronged them.

Sophie finds out right before her wedding that her fiancé cheated on her yet again, so she gets in touch with Max to interrupt the wedding, and that’s where their story begins…

Pick this one up if you’re looking for:
🤭Fake dating
💘MC doesn’t believe in love
🗣️Witty banter
👫Friends with benefits
🌶️Little bit of spice

For me, HAPPILY NEVER AFTER started off strong in the beginning but lost a little momentum in the middle/end. Overall enjoyed it, but wish there was more tension/more to the plot in the middle and end.

This was a super cute romcom that had me grinning from ear to ear. The story just flowed and I loved the characters and how freaking adorable they were! I’m not one for fake dating but this one sort of had a twist to it so it worked for me. Also, the supporting characters were a hoot.

Happily Never After by Lynn Painter was such a pleasant surprise for me. It was a book that I read with a smile plastered to my face for a good portion of the book. The main source of my plastered smile was the fun banter and the quirky side characters (Larry for the win!).  These two elements are some of my favorites to find in books, so having both in one was an extra treat. 

The premise was a fresh one in that it was anti-romantics partnering up to object to weddings to save one of the spouses to be.  Although I’ve never been to a wedding where they even asked for objections, let alone seen an objection, it was fun to see it played out on the page.  The evolution of the objector and objectresses friendship was also a delight to read.  I recommend this one for a pleasurable light read!

I realized that this is my first ever Lynn Painter. I was happy to learn that she has an equally amazing backlist. I’m hoping to tackle some of the other highly recommended reads from her backlist this spring when I need a good, fun rom-com,

This was such a fun, easy romance to read. I am always down for fake dating!

Sophie meets Max when he is an "objector" at her wedding. He has an interesting side gig where he objects at weddings to stop weddings when people don't know how to get out of them. They end up meeting a time or two and become friends. Sophie decides she wants in on the objecting. They start hanging out and it helps her as far as her job goes, and Max's parents think that he's found someone. So they run with that.

Not surprising, they catch feelings. But Sophie doesn't believe in love. Can Max make her fall?

The audio was so cute and I loved the narration.

Such a fun read!

Many thanks to PRH Audio for an ALC, and NetGalley and Berkley Pub for an ARC all in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book!! I love the characters and the way Painter creates a situation that is both funny and emotional. The banter and chemistry between Sophie and Max are top notch. Also, if you are looking for the funniest first line, look no farther.

Thank you so much for an advanced copy of Happily Never After by Lynn Painter. I enjoyed this book so much!

I found this book to be a breath of fresh air. I have been in such a reading slump this year, and I enjoyed this one so much. It was fun and engaging, and I really enjoyed the characters. I identified with so many elements of their character, and I thought the book was cleverly written. I give this book two thumbs way way up!

Happily Never After is a fun idea - he’s an “Objector”, someone who is paid to object at a wedding by the bride or groom for various reasons (usually infidelity on the other’s part). She’s a bride whose friend arranged for his services for her, as her fiance is a scumbag but she can’t just dump him because her dad works for his. They share a few drinks the night of the canceled wedding, and reconnect months later.
She doesn’t believe in love or marriage, he falls first, and she has absolutely hysterical roommates (Larry is in his 70s and possibly one of the best side characters ever).
Lynn Painter’s banter is next level, I always love the way her main characters talk to each other. The dialogue is snappy, the plot is perfectly paced, and the characters are funny and wonderfully flawed. Such a fun read!

Thank you @berkleyromance & @prhaudio for my complimentary copy. My thoughts are my own.

This was such a fun and engaging read! Romance is not my go-to genre, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one! With an original storyline, well-developed (and lovable) characters, a quirky cast of friends, witty banter, and a touch of spice, this amusing story also has depth!

Sophie first encounters Max on her wedding day when he stands and objects to her nuptials! Soon, they develop a friendship as they are both hired to object at other questionable weddings. But when they are asked to object at the wedding of the woman who broke Max’s heart, Max must decide if he can be a participant to his ex-fiancée getting hurt, and Sophie is forced to examine her true feelings for Max.

I equally enjoyed both the print and audio versions of this book. The story unfolds through the alternating perspectives of Sophie and Max. Audio narrators Helen Laser and Sean Patrick Hopkins do an excellent job bringing the characters to life!

Read (or listen to) this if you enjoy:
*friends to lovers
*hilarious situations
*quirky roommates
*love cynics
*soul-searching moments
*a touch of spice

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing the ARC.

Another sweet rom-com from Lynn Painter.

I thought the premise for this book was cute, if a little farfetched. I don't think I have been to a wedding that asked for objections in a very long time, so for there to be this many of them that Max was able to make it as pocket money seemed a bit out there. But honestly that wasn't even the most unbelievable thing about this book. That would go to Sophie buying a completely original '69 Camaro with less than 8000 miles on it from an old lady who had been holding onto it for decades after her husband died. To quote Indiana Jones, "it belongs in a museum!" Or at least on the auction block.

Other than that, it was a sweet story with plenty of banter and a lot of feeling. Max and Sophie were soft for each other right from the get go, if a little goofy and quirky, but not necessarily in a bad way. If there was one thing that I would have wanted to see more of it would have to be the resolution of the book. It felt very rushed and the reader did not get as big of a payoff as I would have liked. But otherwise, it was a very enjoyable book, and if you like Painter's other books, you'll enjoy this one.

Netflix and Amazon - Here is your next hit Rom Com!

Without a doubt this is one of most original romances I have read and the comedy is off the charts. Told with warmth, empathy, and the most amazing nuance for storytelling through dialogue Painter will amaze and astonish you with the power of this book. I literally laughed so hard out loud by the unexpected humor when I started this that My Guy needed to hear what was so funny. And then he was laughing along as we enacted the first meeting between Sophie and Max, we were giggling like teens on a first date as we red through scenes together! He wants to be an Objector! Now, that is a book not to be missed.

This review is my own opinion of an ARC from Netgalley and Berkley

Happily Never After by Lynn Painter is witty, fun loving, and steamy romantic comedy that is more than just a story; taking the reader on a hilarious ride. Suppose you need to call your wedding off, but you can’t do it for any number of reasons. You can call in the objector, and he will interrupt things at just the right moment and save the day. Sophie Steinbeck found herself in this situation, and she’s eternally grateful for the objector who said “I object” at just the right time enabling her to call off the wedding. Sophie has a chance to later meet her savior, Max, and loves that he only takes on cheaters. Sophie decides she would like to help others in the same situation, so she teams up with Max for potential future wedding objections.

The two agree that love and marriage are a waste of time and as they go from wedding to wedding objecting, it becomes harder to deny their growing feelings. Sophie and Max might have been “love skeptics” but their chemistry was undeniable. I enjoyed their openness, especially with regard to their physical attraction, their playful teasing and banter, flirty texts, and fake dating. Sophie has the best roommates, Rose and Larry, and they added an additional depth to this enjoyable and humorous story.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

What I loved:
✨Creative rom-com plot: I love the whole premise! Max successfully saves Sophie from marrying her cheating fiancee by objecting at the wedding when the minister asks if anyone knows why Sophie and her groom shouldn't marry. Afterward, Max proposes to Sophie to work together as "Objectors" at weddings. All this leads to a fun friendship and fake dating, one of my favorite romance tropes.
✨Hilarious: the wedding antics, the witty banter, the side characters: Larry & Rose, Sophie’s senior citizen roommates!
✨Narration: Helen Laser and Sean Patrick Hopkins embody Sophie and Max as they build their friendship, create hot chemistry with their fake dating, and have a refreshing take on open communication. They feel like a real couple.

Lynn Painter is a must-read author for me, and this book did not disappoint! It was a cute and easy read, with a unique plot and likable main characters. I really enjoyed the scenes where Sophie and Max went together to object weddings, and I love how they first met when he saved her during her own wedding. While I enjoyed this book, it wasn’t my favorite compared to some of Painter’s other novels. I’m looking forward to reading whatever she puts out next!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!

**Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley, and Lynn Painter for an ARC of this book!**

Speak now or forever hold your peace...

We all know those words, and many a movie has the long lost love coming out of the woodwork at the last moment to declare their undying love for the bride or groom to be BEFORE they tie the knot with the 'wrong' person.

But what if you could HIRE a certain someone to deliver that protestation...and save someone from marrying a no-good, cheating scoundrel?

It turns out you can...and these folks are known as professional "Objectors." The concept sounds a bit crazy to Sophie Steinbeck...until she has one such Objector shows up at her OWN wedding to stop her from marrying her co-worker and fiance Stuart, whose father ALSO just so happens to be Sophie's father's boss. (Ah, the tangled web of nepotism.) Although Sophie is crushed to learn about Stuart's philandering ways, she is fascinated by Max's Objector job, and after tossing back a couple of tequila shots in the bridal suite, the two have some laughs and commiserate about how love isn't real, etc. etc. The more Sophie learns about the 'job' the more she thinks it might be for her...but is there something about Max's twinkling eyes that is the TRUE reason she's invested?

Their qualms aside, Sophie decides to take the plunge with Max...at least, in business...and the two set out to Break Up Some Weddings. But the more time they spend together, the more they notice their deep attraction to one another...and it starts to become difficult to ignore the connection. With two friends that have sworn off love, though, a kiss here or there couldn't hurt, right? They also add an extra layer to the situationship (of sorts) by playing into the facade by posting photos that look couple-y on Instagram and allowing their parents to get excited about the possibility of the future grandbabies (one that isn't even SUPPOSED to come to fruition, mind you!) But as their physical entanglements continue, the question of whether feelings really ARE involved comes to the forefront when the wedding Sophie is asked to object at next is the wedding of the Max's ex...the one who broke his heart and made him swear off love in the FIRST place...and Max finds himself desperate to stop Sophie from intervening. Does this reluctance PROVE he still have feelings for his ex? Or have Max and Sophie haphazardly stumbled into the relationship they were so DETERMINED to avoid after all?

Lynn Painter is one of those authors I've seen mentioned over and over by trusted book friends and reviewers, and I'd heard that her books were witty and fun, with snarky banter and spice, and of COURSE I wanted to give one a try. I also loved the idea of the professional wedding objector being a new 'career' for our female lead (especially because traditionally it seems like MEN are the ones swooping in to break up unions before they even get started) and thought it would be entertaining to see the trajectory of this venture play out, with Sophie using different tactics and maybe having lots of fun stories to tell along the way....all with a side of very-predictable-but-very-fun romance of her own with Max to help complete the tale.

But what I got was something that relied very little on the premise...and a lot more on the two (somewhat annoying) MCs obsession with each others' bodies, their supposed 'done with love' attitude that was hardly present, LOTS of random profanity on every page...and a subpar plot that left me sighing, rolling my eyes, and ready for the wedding to be OVER.

None of these issues were present for the first few chapters: I actually LIKED the beginning, the set up with Max purposely crashing the wedding, even the liquor-fueled hangout between Sophie and Max at the start and hoped that this initial meetup (I don't think in this case I can call it a meetcute!) would over time blossom into something deep, interesting, and REAL. But when these characters met up for a second time, and Max couldn't stop talking about Sophie's red lips mentally OVER and OVER...red FLAGS started popping up for me...and never really let up from then on.

For one thing, it was hard for ANY of these characters (except maybe Sophie's parents?) to go a full page without dropping f bombs and other profanities, usually randomly, during whatever they were discussing. I'm far from a stickler when it comes to profanity (unless my son is around!) but ALL of these people used this type of language the way others casually drop the word 'like' in every sentence, and it just got to be distracting. Perhaps the worst abusers of this (surprisingly enough) were Sophie's elderly roommates, Larry and Rose, who also were not really charming to me in any fashion. Larry seemed pretty hung up (read: obsessed) with how much Max looked like a certain famous movie star, and there was hardly enough about Rose to even make her memorable to me a week after finishing this one...so that says enough right there.

I also ran into another issue that sometimes pops up for me when I'm reading a romance book that ALWAYS takes me out of the experience: Max's chapters didn't sound like they were written by a guy, and felt SO much like Sophie's that I occasionally forgot who was talking. This is always hard for me, because so many authors (two of my faves, Emily Henry and Sarah Hogle come to mind) have such a defined set of characters, I never have this issue, and I'm not sure what the secret sauce is....all I know is that it was missing here. I also felt like we got far too involved with both sets of parents in ways that didn't really benefit the plot, and getting to see more into Sophie and Max's SOULS would have been far more interesting. I feel like things stayed surface level with these two for SO long that it was hard to see anything meaningful develop (other than some forced drama at the end to allow Max to be the rescuer) and I didn't find that enough to endear me to the relationship.

And by the way, let's just call it like it is: this is a friends with benefits situation. I find it funny that these two, as blunt and as 'done with love' as they both claim to be, didn't just have that conversation from the beginning and CALL it out. And OF COURSE that situation will get complicated: it ALWAYS does. Even outside the confines of fiction, when two people who are WILDLY attracted to each other decide to participate in that kind of interaction, things will continue to become more complicated UNLESS the two agree to be only hook up buds until they decide to no longer be hook up buds (and we all know THAT wasn't going to happen!) There was really only one direction this was going to go, and although I'm okay with a predictable romance, it still is more fun or emotionally charged if it isn't a COMPLETELY foregone conclusion...and this one had foregone conclusion written all over it.

The last thing that made this one so difficult for me to truly enjoy was the nature of the situation-ship itself...and the lusty, doe eyed way these two interacted from start to finish. I've already mentioned Max's obsession with Sophie's red lips (which was more than a bit OTT) but with her fascination with his rock hard abs etc., Sophie was hardly better. I'm okay with a certain level of this in a romance novel: played the right way it CAN be spicy and fun. But for me, it was so overdone, the open doors were WAY too open for my liking, and all of the chatter about their Instagram posting had me rolling my eyes too, not to mention hearing all about their nights out drinking, etc. When I was done with this one? Let's just say I felt every BIT of my 37 years!

There's a reason I am somewhat choosy when it comes to romance books, and it has more to do with me as a reader than some of the fantastic authors in the genre: much like I was before I met my husband, I'm ALWAYS looking for the perfect match. But as much as I hate to be the Outlier when it comes to this Painter read?

I think it's safe to say you can put me down as an "Objector."

3 stars