Happily Never After is another perfectly written rom-com by Lynn Painter.


Well, Lynn Painter did not disappoint me with this book! It was everything I hoped it would be and so much more. If you are new to Lynn’s writing and storytelling, get ready to fall in love with her stories and characters.

Happily Never After is pure Lynn Painter charm and humour, and I loved every moment of this book. Lynn's books always bring me so much joy and happiness. I always say that if you are looking for a feel-good rom-com with some spice, you should pick up one of her books. Happily Never After is one of those books you can just sink into, and the world around you disappears. It's a nice, easy, quick read.

Let's talk about the plot first. There is a slight Wedding Crashers vibe to this story. However, instead of the MCs crashing weddings to hook up with people, Max and Sophie are crashing weddings to stop them from happening. They are hired by either the groom or bride to object to the wedding. I love this plot; it's fun and unique, and it creates lots of opportunities for crazy shenanigans to occur. It was great getting to crash all these different weddings and watch the drama unfold on the pages. The story has a slightly faster pace, and I loved how everything unfolded. Outside of Max and Sophie crashing weddings, we get to watch this unconventional partnership become a fun friendship, and then finally become something much more. This story is jammed back with fun and romantic moments. There really isn't a dull moment in this story.

Sophie and Max are interesting characters. Neither is looking for a relationship, but it's definitely hard for them to ignore the explosive chemistry between them. Sophie doesn't believe in true love and spends the majority of the book denying that she has any feelings for Max. Max, on the other hand, doesn't want to be in a relationship but realizes pretty quickly that he could easily fall in love with Sophie, but doesn't want to pursue anything with her if she isn't willing to admit that she has feelings for her. Both characters are great together and on their own. I loved Sophie's character; she is a fun spitfire and really keeps Max on his toes. Her growth in this book is around matters of the heart. It's a big challenge for her to believe that romantic love exists in the world. She battles to the bitter end when it comes to accepting that she loves Max. Max's character was everything I wanted him to be. He is dashing, charming, and funny. I just loved watching him interact with everyone around him. He just has one of those personalities that just draws you in. Both characters felt real and relatable and so easy to connect with. You can't help but want good things for them.

The romance was oh-so-nice and full of spice. Lynn really knows how to build up that delicious tension between characters. The banter between Max and Sophie is sharp, witty, and very spicy. It was just so good. The chemistry between these two was off the chart. Everything just clicks. It didn't matter if they were interacting with each other as friends, lovers, or something more you couldn't help but get sucked into what was going on between them. If you are a fan of friends to lovers, fake relationships, and insta lust, then you will devour the romance in this book. It was wonderful watching these two broken-hearted characters fall in love.

Happily Never After is another unputdownable rom-com by Lynn Painter.

I’m late to the Lynn Painter club, but I am thankful to Berkley Romance for the opportunity to read an eARC of Happily Never After!

Sophie desperately wanted to call off her wedding to a cheating fiancé, but doing so would have cost her father his job. Enter Max, a wedding objector for hire to save people from cheating spouse-to-bes and show the cheater’s true colors in front of their friends and family.

Max recruits Sophie to assist him as he breaks up weddings for just causes, and the love cynics are unable to deny their crazy chemistry. But since love doesn’t exist, it’s just physical, right?

When one of the weddings they’re hired to object at strikes too close to home for Max, they both must confront their feelings about love and their feelings for each other.

Read for:
- Cats and a hilarious reason for their names
- Zany, geriatric roommates
- Banter
- “We’re just friends”
- Dual POV

OH MY CUTENESS OVERLOADED HEART!!!!!! Happily Never After written by Lynn Painter was oh so very cute, fluffy, and hilarious. I have never read a book by Lynn Painter before, and I've heard not so many nice things about her books, so i'm glad I started off with this book as my first one by this author because I loved and adored every single minute of it. The banter was top tier hilarious, it had me giggling nonstop, it is a open door romance, the spice was there a little bit, but it didn't go into too much detail, which sometimes we all need a fluffy romance palette cleanser with a little bit of spice. I fell in love with this gorgeous cover, but after reading this book, I fell in love with the entire story and the characters. With every turning page, I was either screaming, laughing, or swooning, but at times my heart was broken. My cheeks literally hurt so much from smiling and laughing too much. The only minor issue I had with this book is when the female main character would shut down the male main character when he would try and confess his feelings for her, but other than that I love and devoured this book. I can't recommend this book enough, if you want to laugh so much, smile, and swoon, then don't let this book slip through your fingers.

THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND BERKLEY PUBLISHING FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!

What would you do if someone came to your wedding, and during your vows they said "I object!" because they knew your significant other was cheating on you?
-I would thank them for the rest of my life and breakout scream singing My Hero by the Foo Fighters because they basically are my hero for saving me from being miserable in a marriage with a dirt bag cheater.

"Fuck love and relationships, I just want to be with you because you are my goddamn favorite person."

"I'm not in love but also kind of in love with you, Soph."
"I'm not in love but also kind of in love with you too, Max."


When Sophie Steinbeck finds out just before her nuptials that her fiancé has cheated yet again, Sophie desperately wants to call the wedding off, but because her future father in law is her dad's cutthroat boss, Sophie doesn't want to be the one who calls off their marriage. Sophie ha caught her fiance cheating before, but she believes in second chances and decided to give her fiance another chance, but yet he goes and cheats again? This man deserves to be thrown into a dumpster. Sophie's savior comes in the form of a professional objector, whose purpose is to show up at weddings and proclaim the words no couple usually wants to hear at their wedding ceremony: "I OBJECT!" During anti wedding festivities that night, Max Parks catches Sophie in her drunken Twinkie throwing tantrum. Sophie and Max start talking and Sophie learns more about Max The Objector's job, it makes perfect sense what Max does, he saves people from wasting their lives, he saves people from hurting each other, so basically Max is a modern day hero and Sophie wants in. The only problem is that after being cheated on, Sophie doesn't believe in relationships and love, and neither does Max after his ex broke his heart. Instead of throwing twinkie's off her hotel balcony, Sophie should have put glitter in her ex fiancé's air vents in his car. Cheating is just NOT okay, it's absolutely heart breaking.

After that night, Sophie and Max part ways, but a few weeks later Max decides to call Sophie and together they have a plan to crash a wedding and says the words I object at someone else's wedding. Sophie and Max hit it off pretty well, so they become love cynics and start working together, going from wedding to wedding to save people from marrying the wrong person, during this time, Sophie is having the most fun she's had in ages. As Sophie and Max start spending more time together, they realize that their physical chemistry is off the charts, leading them to have a little hookup or two, but it's totally fine because they definitely know they do not have feelings for each other because love does not exist at all, but secretly as Sophie and Max keep crashing weddings, Max realizes Sophie is a firecracker who deserves the world, and Sophie realizes that Max is a sweetheart who deserves to be loved. Sophie and Max had the best banter, they were absolutely hilarious, I just couldn't stop laughing at their comebacks they fired off at each other. Max knew that Sophie was a beautiful bride, but he wanted to save her from marrying a lying cheating dirt bag. Max and Sophie are officially my new favorite book couple. I just wanted to reach into my kindle and hug Max and Sophie after they shared their stories of having their hearts broken by someone they thought they would spend the rest of their lives with.

🅑🅞🅞🅚 🅡🅔🅥🅘🅔🅦
💒 𝙃𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙉𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝘼𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧 💒
𝖫𝗒𝗇𝗇 𝖯𝖺𝗂𝗇𝗍𝖾𝗋
#BerkleyPartner

I ADORED this book and since it releases today you can to! Unless of course you got your copy early from Book of the Month! I was also able to read it as an eARC from @berkleyromance so definitely a win-win, but if you love a good rom-com with witty banter, undeniable chemistry and some pretty good steam then you will definitely love this one. Also I think we all need a 77 year old roommate like Larry in our lives!

Sophie Steinbeck, facing a cheating fiancé, stumbles upon Max, a professional objector hired to break off weddings including hers. Intrigued by Max's unconventional job, Sophie joins him in disrupting ceremonies. As they navigate their anti-wedding adventures, the two initially love-resistant individuals discover a growing physical attraction. However, complications arise when Sophie is hired to object at a wedding involving Max's ex-love, forcing them to confront unexpected emotions.

Read if you enjoy:
💞 Strangers to Friends to Lovers
❣️ He Falls First
🗣️ Witty Banter
👫 Partners in Crime
🧪 Hot Chemistry
🌶️ Spice
😹 Hilarious Roommates
🐈 Cats

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.
________________________________________________
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!

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.