Lynn Painter is absolutely one of my favorite writers out there! I've been thoroughly obsessed and impressed by her romance books ever since I read The Love Wager last year. Like the books before it, Happily Never After finds a way to combine some well-timed humor with romantic moments that kept me turning the pages as fast as I could.

To start, I loved the concept of the book. Right away from the description I knew this was going to be up my alley. It had a Wedding Crashers vibe to it, but the fact that the opening chapters focused on how Sophie's own wedding had been part of this objector scheme was brilliant. I felt like Sophie was such a unique romance book heroine. More often than not, you get a FMC that is super romantic at heart. Even if they've been hurt and gone through rough relationships, you still tend to read about women who still are looking for that long-lost love. It was refreshing that Sophie is jaded even if it's sometimes hard to read at times. I felt that her conversations with Max early on really set up a lot of the growth we were hoping to see from her character as the story progressed and for the most part I think we got that.

Max, like many of Lynn Painter's book men, was to die for. I absolutely loved how we kind these subtle hints at how sweet he was deep down. This kind and caring man who was trying to help other people by making sure they didn't have to go through an awful wedding... like sir please my heart can't take it!

Overall, I loved this story just like I thought I would. And I will continue to be a Lynn Painter super-stan!

It was cute! The premise had me really interested, but it lost me about 50% in and it was hard to get back into it. I also had a hard time connecting to either of the main characters. It's still a super enjoyable read, just not a highlight or really stellar for me personally. Lynn's writing is always fun and light, so I do recommend for romcom lovers!

Thank you @prhaudio and @berkleyromance for the free audiobook and free finished copy, thank you also to Berkley and NetGalley for the eARC.

Happily Never After had such a fun, romcom premise: a man (Max) and woman (Sophie) meet after Max is hired to object at Sophie’s wedding, a get-out-of-jail free card (or get out of conflict card) after Sophie’s soon to be groom is unfaithful.

Sophie and Max then take on objection jobs together and become closer. The banter was great and the tension between Sophie and Max was divine. I absolutely adored Sophie’s elderly roommates (particularly Larry) as well and felt like they were a fun addition to the story. This was a fast paced read with dual POV and short chapters - one of my favorite format pairings! I absolutely loved this and can’t wait to read more by Lynn Painter!

✨Release Day Review✨

Happily Never After
Lynn Painter

Thank you @librofm @netgalley and @berkleypub for the advanced copies of this book.
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How do you get out of marrying your cheating soon to be husband? You hire an objector that’s how.
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I’m convinced Lynn Painter will never let me down. I thought this was such a fun book!

The way Max and Sophie met was so unique that it immediately drew me in. I couldn’t get enough of their chemistry, even when they were fighting the idea of a relationship.

Sophie’s unfiltered speech had me giggling. If you’re looking for a good book with a fun premise than you should definitely check this one out. Oh and I can’t forget to mention Sophie’s roommates. 🤣

🎧Narration done by Helen Laser and Sean Patrick Hopkins. This dual narration was performed so well and kept me engaged the entire time.

Read if you like:
🍾Strangers to Lovers
🍾He Falls First
🍾Fake Dating
🍾Dual POV

If you are looking for a book that will leave the most goofy smile on your face, you must pick up a copy of Happily Never After. I honestly can’t think of the last time a book made me both giggle and outright laugh this much, repeatedly. The banter between Sophie and Max is top notch, from their flirty texts to their ridiculous adventures. Huge shoutout to Larry and Rose for being hilarious roommates.

The narration by Helen Laser and Sean Patrick Hopkins is so well done. They both bring heart, heat, and hilarity to this swoony and quirky story. I loved it from start to finish- Lynn Painter, you have made a huge fan out of this reader.

What is it about?: Sophie wants out of her wedding, Max is the objector to do the job. After being hired to stop the wedding, Max and Sophie partner up to help others end their nuptials. Could their wedding crashing partnership lead to more?

What worked?: EVERYTHING... The banter between the main characters was the best. I actually laughed out loud multiple times, not something I do often. The chemistry is believable and works. A bit steamy, open door but non x- rated details. Sophie's roommates are the best side characters. I wish I knew this cast of characters in real life.
Full of sass, fun, steam, and heartwarming moments. I also enjoyed the bluntness and maturity of the main characters.

What didn't work?: I really don't have anything to talk about here. The premise of hired wedding objectors was kind of outlandish but easily overlooked. The biggest issue was that the book had to end. 😊

Who I recommend read?: Anyone who loves a fun and fast rom-com novel. If you're looking for a twist to the fake dating trope, this is the book for you. It's a great novel to get yourself out of a reading slump and is hard to put down. I do give it a medium language warning if that is a concern of yours. I don't mind it but some readers prefer clean language books.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher. I was provided an advanced digital copy to read and honestly review. All opinions are my own.

FIVE STARS.

I enjoyed every single word of this book. Two characters who have decided that love isn’t for them fall for each other despite their fears about love. Max absolutely stole my heart in this book. He realized he was falling hard & fast for Soph and worked to contain his feelings so he wouldn’t scare her off. Max will undoubtedly go down as one of the internet’s favorite book boyfriends.

Sophie & Max’s chemistry was undeniable and I had a blast watching their story unfold. Lynn’s writing gripped me from the first line and didn’t let up. I simultaneously couldn’t read fast enough and never wanted it to end.

Huge thank you to Berkley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.

Happily Never After" by Lynn Painter presents a unique journey of two main characters navigating an unexpected romance. I thought some spicy scenes felt forced and out of place, and the chemistry between the protagonists could have been better executed. However, the novel does offer moments of levity, getting a few chuckles out of me. Overall, while I think that Painter writes better in the YA genre, "Happily Never After" still provides a lighthearted romantic read with unexpected humor.

Lynn Painter did it again with the rom com books!! I absolutely feel in love with Sophie! She is so hilarious, blunt, direct and is a girl that knows what she wants. I thought the whole story of "The Objector" was such a unique story line that I haven't heard before. I loved the banter between Max and Sophie!! It had me giggling and cackling so many times. I also really enjoyed the relationship between Larry, Rose and Sophie. I thought it was hilarious how dramatic Larry was and went to the hospital for a "heart attack" and then gave Sophie advice about her love life. When Larry said "Listen, I heard your fight last night, and you're acting like a child." I BUSTED out laughing!! His message of "you have to get hurt to get to the good stuff" was something I definitely needed to hear right now. I thought that in the last chapter when they "objected" at their wedding that was so hilarious. I do kind of wish that the smut scenes were a lil more "R" rated and went into detail more but I understand if Lynn Painter was not comfortable with going that far. "FUCKRAH" is going to be a new saying that I will forever think about it. The part where Max was having Sophie open up and let down her walls of how she truly felt about him had me weeping. We love an emotionally intelligent man lol. This book just continues to prove to me that Lynn Painter is one of my fav authors ever!! She is the rom-com queen!!

My true rating is 4.5 ⭐️

I am going to post tiktok reviews on release day. Tiktok @alyvia_elliott_reads

3.75 stars rounded up! Another super cute adult romcom from Lynn Painter. I loved Sophie and especially Max (Rose and Larry of course too!) - seriously this book was funny, had amazing banter & character chemistry plus a really fun plot line. It was light, fluffy, a bit spicy, and a good story. I think The Love Wager is still my favorite adult romance from LP, but this had a mix of both her YA/NA writing which made it enjoyable.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

Lynn Painter, you've done it again! There is not a book that Lynn has written, that I havn't loved! I always find them sweet, fun, endearing, comical and a true joy to read! She creates characters that I can easily root for, love stories that seem genuine and fun plots that keep me turning the pages. She truly never disappoints.

In this one, the main characters Sophie and Max don't really believe in love and together, they object at weddings in order to get people out of situations they no longer want to be in. But of course, real feelings start getting in the way and slowly but surely, things between them begin to change.

The humour and witty banter in this story is top notch - the kind of sarcastic humour that I really enjoy. The secondary characters, Larry and Rose are a delight! There was some sexy scenes and their chemistry was red hot, but be prepared for a bit of a slow burn here. I couldn't wait for them to finally get together - so much anticipation! It was a little bit friends to lovers, a little bit fake dating and a whole lot of fun! Highly recommend!

I absolutely loved the first two third of this book. I inhaled them in one night, snickering constantly, until the spouse was distracted from his endless news, after which I'd read aloud choice bits. (And I have to say he found the book more entertaining than the constant clown-car show of the daily news! But he's an addict.). Anyway, I adored the whip-smart writing, the hilarious situations, the very idea of a wedding objector, and the growing attraction between the two. However, when it came time for the Third Act Big Misunderstanding that sadly seems to be required these days, and the two suddenly lost about fifty emotional IQ points in order to make it happen, I laid the book aside and it was only with its pub date coming that I forced myself back to it.

The epilogue almost makes trudging through that last act worth it, but I gotta say, I hope that trend fades out soon.

After Max objects at her wedding, saving Sophie from marrying her cheating fiancé, she doesn’t expect to see him again, but when he asks her to help him out at another wedding, she gets hooked on the idea of saving people from bad marriages.

As they spend more and more time together, they discover that they can help each other out as well. What’s the harm in portraying a friendship with a wink-wink-nudge-nudge factor if it will help further her career and help his relationship with his family?

She doesn’t believe in love. He doesn’t want to be in love. When they partner together to object at weddings as a side gig, they discover that sometimes love happens—whether you want it to or not.

Read this one for the banter and the chemistry.

And for Max. Oh gosh, I really do love Max.

And for a strong, determined, Type A female lead.

And for her roommates.

And the cats.

And her car.

And for some seriously steamy kisses (& more 😏).

I received an advance copy of the book from Berkley and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.

I don’t think I have ever read a fake dating romance quite like this … and it was ~incredible~. Witty, hilarious, and PACKED with chemistry. This was my first time reading anything by Lynn Painter and I definitely was not disappointed!

I love Lynn Painter books! She is one of the author I discovered last year. Her books are funny and steamy. I had high expectations of this one. It has bit of a slow start and but after couple of chapters, it picked up! I loved it! Definite winner!

In Happily Never After by Lynn Painter, Sophie Steinbeck enlists the help of a professional objector, Max, to escape her own doomed wedding, leading them on a series of anti-wedding adventures where they work together to save others from unhappy marriages. As they navigate their unconventional partnership, Sophie and Max confront their own skepticism about love, only to find themselves unexpectedly falling for each other, especially when faced with a job that hits too close to home.

I loved the banter between Sophie and Max; their chemistry was off the charts. The evolution of their relationship from friends to lovers was sweet, yet when they finally came together, it turned spicy. Sophie's roommates were hilarious, adding even more fun to the story! The only aspect I found less appealing were some of the decisions Sophie and Max made individually, which irked me, but this didn't deter my overall enjoyment of the book. Overall, this is a fun, lighthearted romance that's perfect to pick up this spring!

in Happily Never After, Sophie and Max meet at Sophie’s wedding where she paid Max to object in order to get her out of marrying her philandering groom while not putting her father’s job working for Max’s dad at risk. And from there, they decided to be objectors together, helping people get out of almost marriages to the wrong person. This book was just so fun. The banter was hilarious, I guffawed so many times. Sophie and Max were what Romcom dreams are made of. It was romantic, steamy, silly, heartfelt and swoonworthy. And Sophie’s roommates may be my favorite supporting characters ever. All the warm fuzzies.

Holy sexy times, Batman!
Happily Never After is a friends-to-lovers romance with a spritz of fake dating. In this dual POV, Max is hired to "object" at Sophie's wedding so she doesn't have to marry her cheating fiance...cut to maybe a year later and Max reaches out to Sophie to help him with a wedding and become an "Objectress" to his "Objector" and hijinks ensue. It's a very easy read, though it took a few chapters to get into the dual POV because Max and Sophie have very similar vibes.
Normally, I love a fake-dating trope, but this one annoyed me because the only reason they did it was to show they're doing okay in life? Like, Max's parents weren't ready to move to Florida and retire until he was "taken care of" and had someone in his life, and Sophie wasn't going to get a promotion at work because her superiors thought she didn't have a good "work-life balance" and it was hard for me to not see both of those situations as super old-school and hetero. People can be successful and responsible and whole without another person, so that rubbed me the wrong way.
Outside of that, I really enjoyed the book. It was a quick read, and had some very funny moments as well as some incredibly spicy muscles.

I will read anything Lynn Painter writes, this one was no exception. This was a unique rom com storyline between two cynical characters who haven’t been successful in love.
Sophie is a bride to be feeling forced to marry a cheating fiancé to save her family’s job, and we have Max who swoops in and to save her from a loveless marriage.
This was cute and sweet, it had me laughing out loud. I am such a fan of Lynn Painter.

This is a romance you won’t be able to put down.

Am I picking up a copy for myself? Yes, and I’m also buying it for others and scoping out special editions (please exist). That’s how much I love this one!

Max objects at Sophie’s wedding — exactly as she’d asked. Because her ex cheated, and she needed to get out before they said “I do”.

Months later, Max needs a girl to object at a friend’s wedding, and they become objecting partners, getting couples out of what would be doomed marriages.

Sophie doesn’t believe in love, and Max is a cynic, although not quite as much as Sophie.

I love how they become unlikely friends and then start to feel for each other, and that it takes them by such surprise— just perfection.

These two are soulmates, and I couldn’t read enough about how they supported each other while also utterly giving one another crap constantly— they’re snarky and loveable and excellently written characters.

If you want to watch two heartbroken people who don’t want love find it, pick this up. This is the most unexpected, and rewarding, of romances.

And it’ll have you gasping and laughing the entire way!

Prepare to add Sophie and Max to your list of favorite couples - and characters!