I love that what Painter does best is create a friendship between her two OCs before putting them in a relationship. These two were no different! I really enjoyed how quickly they slipped into being best friends. I also loved the roomates!

I've read a few of Lynn's YA romances and loved them, so I was excited to get this ARC for an adult romance. I really enjoyed the characters and the plot. This book is a romcom, it was very light-hearted for the most part but still had some deeper moments. The whole "objecting" plot was silly but wasnt the main focus which I was happy about because honestly how many people in such a small area really need their weddings objected to? Both characters were very lovable and I think the story was paced well. This was very bingable, I had a hard time putting it down.

Looking for an amazing read with fantastic banter, great characters, and is romantically on fire? HAPPILY NEVER AFTER ticks all the boxes and more! It stars a very pretty lady, Sophie Steinbeck, who is about to marry her cheating fiancé and she is not happy. Then, a strange man stands up at her wedding and objects! Yes, he's saved the day!

Max, a handsome hunk, works as a wedding objector. He had his heart broken, so love is out of the question. This job is perfect for him. Max contacts Sophie months later, asking if she would help him out as an objectress for a friend. Together they set out saving the day at other weddings. Neither of them believes in love. They are friends and nothing more. But, boy are they having fun together! There is fake dating, some lip locks, weekend sprees, and more. However, something is sprouting between them and it's catching steam the more time they spend together. Things heat up when they work at Max's ex's wedding. Will Max and Sophie realize how deep their feelings run?

HAPPILY NEVER AFTER is funny, fast-moving, and delightfully delicious! I devoured this book so fast! Ms. Painter does as excellent job deftly handling a plot that seems plausible. The character buildup is excellent and the story line flows beautifully. The relationship between Max and Sophie slowly builds and it's clear they are meant for each other. I loved their friendship and their realizations as romance sneaks stealthily in. What will they do about it? Definitely put this highly entertaining book on your to-be-read list!

Thanks to NetGalley for my advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Happily Never After opens with an introduction to Sophie on her wedding day and desperate to have an out without her calling it beforehand (long story). The solution? Her best friend hires a professional objector, Max, to show up day of and object of course. Sophie and Max cross paths again, and the cynics decide to team up on the professional objector side hustle - finding a kindred spirit and friendship unexpectedly…

Happily Never After feels like it was written ready to be adapted into a true classic romcom (I know I’d definitely watch this, and it would be perfect with some Taylor Swift songs on the soundtrack 😊). It hits the perfect rhythm and feels for a heartwarming romcom that had you rooting for the MCs. As always her with her books, it delivered banter, some great epistolary elements, humor and heart.

I loved both Sophie and Max - they were so cute together. I loved seeing their slow build from acquaintances to ‘partners’ to more. It was great watching them form this great bond, and become the each others person. The sense of humor and banter they share is very much in line with that of myself and my partner, which made me love it more.

A side note, but a necessary one, I loved Larry and Rose. They may have been side characters but they were so fun.

Lynn Painter is romcom gold in my opinion - after reading one book from her she became an auto-buy author for me and honestly can do no wrong. Romance or YA - if Ms. Painter writes it, I need a copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the opportunity to read an early copy! All thoughts and opinions shared are my own and freely offered.

Happily Never After by Lynn Painter is a delightful romantic comedy that cleverly navigates the unpredictable terrain of love and relationships. The story follows Sophie Steinbeck, who, on the brink of her wedding, decides to call it off after discovering her fiancé's infidelity. The story weaves a humorous and heartwarming tale as the two love cynics explore the complexities of their newfound partnership. This is a charming and witty story that delves into the universal themes of love, friendship, and self-discovery. The characters are endearing, and the chemistry between Sophie and Max keeps you engaged throughout. If you're a fan of romantic comedies with a fresh and unique premise, this book is a must read.

Whew! This book was scorching hot. Sophie and Max are two undeniably attractive, successful, super hot powerhouses. They also happen to have an undeniable attraction to each other. It's not long before these two let the draw pull them together physically in a quasi-fake dating scenario that is professionally beneficial for both of them. But all non-dates are genuine and they are both are pretty good at communicating with each other what's going on between them. Sophie is very direct and up front. She calls it like it is. The only problem is, she refuses to call it L-O-V-E because what she thought was love wasn't really love at all and she got burned. Her "screw it all, I'm just going to be me" attitude is perfect: it attracts the perfect person for her. Enter Max - also burned by someone he saw forever with - but without the revenge/make her life suck attitude Sophie has. He's unreal (let's be honest, they both are) - attractive, intelligent, emotionally mature (if skittish), wealthy, and so capable he's taking the reigns of his families commercial construction company. This book is a page turning, sparks flying, fast burn rom-com. It's a little fluffy but I enjoyed the ride. Lynn Painter gives us what we want - an escape, a love story, and some very hot scenes.
Thanks so much for the ARC!

Lynn Painter is one of my must read authors. I have enjoyed all her books. Fake relationships is one of my favorite tropes. This is a very unique and fun fake friendship steamy story. I loved it.

I laughed out loud so many times and truly adored the banter in this book! Absolutely loved this funny, sexy and heartwarming story!

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 stars

Lynn Painter can do no wrong in my opinion. Happily Never After is another adorable romcom with a plot that is begging to be adapted into a movie. When Sophie finds out her fiancé cheated on her again, she needs a way out of her wedding without getting her dad fired (long story). Enter Max the Objector. Max runs a side business where he objects at weddings to get the bride or groom out of the marriage. Sophie and Max bond over their cynical view of love and decide to become objectors together. However, they soon find themselves fake dating and falling in love.

I just love Lynn Painter’s banter. It reads like a film script and I can hear it in my head. Her characters are always lovable and hilarious and swoonworthy. Max and Sophie were no different and I rooted for them immediately. I am already impatiently awaiting Lynn’s next book!

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I immediately pre ordered this after reading the ARC. The chemistry is INSANE and the banter made me fall out from laughing. This is the ultimate romcom and I’m here for it

HAPPILY NEVER AFTER is a saucy, highly entertaining romcom. Lynn Painter’s latest introduces a refreshingly new premise, where a betrayed bride-to-be joins forces with the man she hired to object to her wedding. Painter delivers a compelling story about the unexpected beginnings that come from difficult endings, built around characters that win you over right away. (As well as one-another.)

Sophie and Max are adorable, and their chemistry is just off-the-charts. My only complaint has to do with the point of the plot that is centered around the reemergence of a protagonist’s ex, and the way it was resolved. (But I am also transparently never a fan of that kind of trope.)

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing Group for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions my own.

This is a fun romantic comedy that starts and ends with a wedding (with a few more in between). Max and Sophie have great banter and chemistry, and I liked them both as characters. The author did a great job of creating Sophie as a very smart, competent, as well as fun-loving woman, worthy of respect. Sophie's elderly roommates were also a hoot. The overall premise, professional objectors at weddings, was a bit of a stretch from my perspective. Overall, it was a fun read. I recommend to readers of rom-coms.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book!

Each page has had my heart fluttering and vibrating with so much intensity and love for these two. And, I definitely see myself reaching to it for an another re-reading marathon!! Simply adored it.

Happily Never After" by Lynn Painter is a captivating and witty romance novel with a unique twist on love and relationships. The story introduces us to Sophie Steinbeck, who discovers her fiancé's infidelity just before her wedding. In her moment of crisis, she meets Max the Objector, a professional who intervenes at weddings with the words, "I object."

Lynn Painter's writing is sharp and filled with humor, making Sophie and Max's witty banter a highlight of the book. The characters are well-developed, and their emotional journey is beautifully depicted. The story explores the idea that love can find its way into even the most skeptical hearts, and it keeps you engaged with unexpected twists and heartfelt moments.

"Happily Never After" is a delightful and unconventional love story that offers a fresh perspective on love, heartbreak, and second chances. With clever dialogue and a touch of humor, Lynn Painter delivers a heartwarming and entertaining read that's a must for anyone seeking an unconventional and feel-good romance.

I don’t know any other authors that write contemporaries that I can absolutely trust will hit all the marks like Lynn Painter. It’s original, great characters, banter, steam, romance, the buildingggg the feeelingssss. I just absolutely love her books and this was another one that was just fantastic.

Sophie is about to marry her cheating fiancé and there’s no way out. Until a stranger stands up at her wedding and objects and offers her a lifeline. Max has a side hustle as a wedding objector (because romance reasons) and four months after saving Sophie from hers, needs an objectress to help out a friend of a friend. So Sophie and Max set out together to save the day by crashing some weddings but obviously do not believe in love and cannot and will not have feelings for each other ever and we must stay in the friend zone to guard their bruised up widdle hearts. There’s a smidge of fake dating (but not really?), some “let’s kiss but for science not for feelings,” he falls first 🥰😍😭, weekend getaway goodness, and absolutely zero political commentary anywhere to be found. Really, it’s just amazing.

Loved these two best friends who fall hard for each other.

Lynn Painter is one of my favorite authors. She tells such a compelling story and I devour her books in a day. This was no different! I could not put this book down and I absolutely love these two idiots. Max is one of my favorite book boys and Soph is such an amazing character. I love Rose and Larry too and all of the character dynamics. This was a really interesting plot and it was executed perfectly.

I have never not liked a book by Lynn Painter, and this one did not disappoint. She just has a way of writing these hilarious books that really make you fall in love with every single character, no matter how significant they are.

Sophie Steinbeck and Max Parks meet at her wedding when he objects. They team up together and start objecting at weddings as their little side gigs. They become best friends and agree to help each other by fake dating (yay). Of course, feelings come into play and they have to navigate through that while claiming that love doesn't exist.

I really enjoyed the plot of this book so much. I didn't know what being an objector team entailed when I read the blurb, but it did not disappoint. Their objecting events made me laugh out loud and her writing just made it play out like a scene from a movie. It was great.

Eventually, Sophie and Max begin to fake date. I won't say too much because of spoilers, but it really was the driving force that sent this book into motion. You could just feel the chemistry emitting from the pages. It really was through the roof. No spoilers, but WOW. It was just so well written that it had me rooting for them since the moment they met. It also didn't have this miscommunication third act crisis that everyone always dreads. It actually made a lot of sense and I could feel for both Sophie and Max.

I really have nothing bad to say about this book. Lynn Painter has always been a instant-buy author for me and I cannot wait for her other books to come out.

This is absolutely charming!!! I love the premise of two people burned by love falling into a friendship based around objecting to weddings while falling in love. Nice bit of spice, too.

Well, well, well. Goodness gracious. I had never read Lynn Painter before and apparently I’d been missing out because $@/%#¥£! she knows how to write romance!

There are some books that are just plain enjoyable from start to finish, and this was one of those books for me. The writing is snappy, breezy, and upbeat, with just the right amount of laugh out loud humor and steaminess to result in pretty much the perfect romcom.

Our main characters Sophie and Max first meet when Max serves as The Objector at Sophie’s wedding. Yes, she’s hired him to stand up and stop her wedding after finding out her fiancée cheated. They strike up a friendship and then strike up a partnership as they object at other weddings. At first I wasn’t sure how that storyline would work, but it actually shows how they really get people out of bad relationships and it ended up being a fun part of the story.

Both Sophie and Max have sworn off love because reasons, but they both need to appear to be dating someone for other family-professional-growing up reasons, so they enter into a little fake dating situationship and ohhhhhhh boy.

The romance in this book is off the charts. That’s all I can say. I’d tell you to leave it to your imagination but Lynn Painter won’t allow it. The doors, they are open. The heat, it’s flaming. The tension, it’s thick. I will say I was disappointed yes that there were, indeed, enough hotel rooms for Sophie and Max to each have their own on a objecting trip. Rude.

I absolutely loved Sophie and Max (or should I call them Soph and Maxxie… or even Steinbeck and Parks??!). They are both successful in their professions, and I really appreciated how they had their own good things going, so their relationship just added to their lives instead of filling a gaping bleak hole.

The third act crisis was blessedly not long, drawn out, or based on a lack of communication. Thank you for that. 🙏

I just really had a fun time reading this and I loved rooting for our couple. They were both nice, funny, smart and always said what was on their minds… practically PERFECT!

Thank you for this ARC… as you can see I loved it!

Lynn Painter’s Happily Never After has a hilarious premise - Max has a side hustle of being a “wedding objector” and meets Sophie because she needs his help as a bride! They strike up an unlikely friendship months later, and there is UNDENIABLE chemistry. Lynn Painter knows how to write smut!!!!! This entire book, in my opinion, is full of insanely palpable chemistry and funny banter. I didn’t love how unnatural the dialogue felt at times, like it was so cheesy my chest hurt lol, but her writing style kept my engaged the entire time. I loved the side characters (shout out to my main man Larry) and how easily you fall into this contemporary romance.

Thanks so much to Berkley and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest opinion.