I enjoyed the premise of the book. Graham and Ali met years ago and actually got matching tattoos from a drunken bet. Then years later, they accidentally meet at a coffee shop and it turns both of their worlds upside down.

Graham is trying to save his grandmother’s hotel and Ali has changed careers and is now a wedding planner…to Graham’s wedding. Needless to say, this puts a big kink in their attraction.

I enjoyed Graham and Ali. However, it does take quite a bit of time for these two to get together. I also felt the story could have been much shorter. Like I said…it was a bit slow getting these two together. But, it is an enjoyable, fun read.

This is three and a half stars rounded up.

Need a cute romcom with fun characters…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

4.25 stars rounded down here! Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press for the eARC! These are my honest thoughts!

I've become such a fan of Lindsay Hameroff's in her two books! Till There Was You was such a surprise favorite of mine in 2024, and I couldn't wait to get my hands on Never Planned on You!

Ali and Graham's origin story is SO FUN. Full of out-of-character moments for Graham where Ali brings her silly/goofy/adventurous self to the table and offers herself to Graham on a platter. They meet on Ali's last night in the UK during her study abroad, have one magical night, and then never see each other again... until they bump into each other in a cafe in Ali's hometown years later. The two go out for drinks, end up at a bookstore, and then almost kiss before Graham pulls away.

The twist? Ali's planning Graham's wedding. Yikes.

I don't want to spoil anything else from the story, so just read it if you want to find out... but these two have so much chemistry, and Graham is so JUST GONE for Ali. She's the only person that's ever made him go a little crazy... and it shows.

Read if you love:
- Forced proximity
- Wedding planner x groom
- Books with lots of FOOD
- Family drama
- MMC who came "home" to rescue his grandparent's hotel
- FMC who came "home" to pursue her dreams
- *memories*
- Matching tattoos
- Dares

Out now!

Ali is an event planner, at least, she is now, after bouncing from career to career for a few years, and she's trying her darnedest to stick with planning, both because she really enjoys it, AND she hates how her family all assumes she's going to flake and start something new any second. But when the next big assignment is planning the wedding of the one-that-got-away, Graham. The guy who she got matching hideous tattoos with that led to an earth-shattering one night stand. The guy she's compared everyone else to for the last decade. The guy she wished she'd stayed in London for... the guy who's marrying someone else.

I loved Ali. She's trying so damn hard to find herself, find where she belongs. She loved culinary school, but hated the stress and the hours. She loves planning, but misses the food creativity. She is trying to get herself together to show her family she's not a mess. She's trying to grow.

Graham is the chink in her armor, though, because she's never stopped thinking about him. And it's clear he's still thinking about her after all these years. I love his "why" and what winds up shaking out at the end

I also keep trying to imagine this ridiculous tattoo. A pig/unicorn that gives Ali jump scares even though she's had it for years? Ha! Too funny.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy via NetGalley in return for sharing my thoughts on this book. Thanks to the author and publisher for this opportunity!

I have such mixed feelings about this book - I spent my Sunday reading it and overall I did really like it! It was the perfect mix of romantic, heartfelt, and funny. BUT I really struggled how they still basically cheated. While the MMC was engaged to his best friend to help her get a green card and they were allowed to date - SPOILER - I was really bothered that they didn't tell his fiancée. It made it feel icky for a bit when I just wanted to bask in the romance building between our two main characters. Who I loved so much! Plus we had such good side characters (I hope Claire gets her happy ever after). And I loved the Jewish representation - it was beautiful. So you see...mixed feelings! Definitely worth picking up!

LOVED THIS ONE. I'm a huge Lindsay Hameroff fan! I hope we get a book about the last friend because I need more of the first two! I thought the characters had wonderful chemistry; I read the opening scene three times because I thought the writing was so good.

This was such a cute rom-com! I loved Ali and Graham, as well as all of their family and friends! I liked the shared tattoo connection, as that was just a lot of fun. Ali and Graham were in a tough situation, so I would not have wanted to be in their shoes. But I loved how things worked out and the end was very satisfying. I will be checking out more of this author’s work!

This was a nice palette cleanser between some more intense books. So light hearted and provided a much needed laugh. Lindsay writes sweet(ha) meet cutes that are easy to follow and have unique elements. I love reading these cheesy rom com movies made into book form.

I loved this author's debut and couldn't wait to dive right into this book!

I was sold after the more than perfect meet cute, but then she goes on to compare Graham to Jude Law in The Holiday? I am *here* for it!

A little the wedding planner, a little estranged friends to it was always going to be more, even if they didn't know it yet with a side of forbidden romance.

Ali and Graham connect on the last night of her study abroad, a lost bet turns into matching tattoos, just one night and a lifetime of memories. When the run into each other at a coffee shop 8 years later in Baltimore they hit it off like no time has past. Little do they know Ali had met his fiance earlier that day and signed on the help plan his wedding. While they make a pact to stay friends as the wedding planning progresses, their feelings are almost impossible to ignore.

I spent the whole book rooting for them, as certain factors were revealed it was impossible to ignore the chemistry between Graham and Ali. There were parts that made me laugh out loud and parts that hit me in the feels and while I traditionally want more from an epilogue, I loved every moment of this story!


Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for my review!

Lindsay Hameroff takes the cake! This was very lighthearted and fun! If you like second chances, work romance, meet cute, marriage of convinience and last but not least a lot of spice! I am a sucker for tattoos and the pop culture references! Thank you so much St. Martin's press, the author, and Netgalley!

This book was honestly so cute and heartwarming!! Had a little bit of spice as well.

I love that the main character was on her own path and followed her dreams no matter what, she didn’t always have it together but that’s life. She’s 29, like I am as well and it just got me thinking about what makes me happiest in life.

Definitely a book I’d recommend picking up if you’re looking for something cute, funny, with a little side of life advice ✨

While I’m a little late on this book, I can’t thank St Martin’s Press enough for granting me this ARC!

Ali Rubin, a spontaneous chef-turned-wedding planner, never expected to cross paths with Graham, her British tattoo twin, again—let alone in her hometown of Baltimore. But when fate throws them together, sparks fly, and old chemistry resurfaces, despite Graham being engaged to someone else. With Ali juggling her budding career and feelings for Graham, this laugh-out-loud romance explores the unpredictability of love and how sometimes the best things in life are the ones you never saw coming. A must-read for anyone who believes in fate and second chances.

This was a very cute rom-com. If you liked the movie The Wedding Planner, you will also enjoy this book. It's light, not too deep, and well written. The dialogue flows well. Perfect for summer vacay or a beach read.

Sometimes I read books that are really good, but the tension makes me want to rush through to get to the end. Not in a thriller way, but just in a "I know they're going to get together, so can we just do that now" way. In a second chance romance, a couple is thrown together through a set of circumstances, but also kept apart throughout much of the book. There's not even a bad guy in this novel that keeps them apart! I loved the ending and was glad I read second work. I recommend this to anyone who likes a slooooow burn and delayed romance.

I see a lot of complaints from ARC readers that too many of the reviews are just summaries, so I am going to do my best to review without summarizing too much!
To quickly summarize: Years after spending an adventurous night in Europe, Ali and Graham cross paths again. This story delivers a great trope filled romance, like second chance romance, opposites attract and marriage of convenience.
Ali is our FMC and she is adventurous, impulsive and witty. Graham is a British gentlemen who is engaged when we first meet him (don’t worry, this issue is resolved in the story, so if cheating is an ick, you may be okay!). When they meet, the chemistry is palpable, so you feel as though you are experiencing their night with them.
One catch to this story is that some of the storyline seems rushed. I do understand that we are jumping from one wild night to OMG I haven’t seen you in ages and now we have to see one another a lot, but I think it may have been done a little better if some information gradually got us there.
The banter between our two mains is off the charts. If you are a fan of Emily Henry or Christina Lauren, you may enjoy the banter between our love interests. This read was fast for me and I enjoyed it immensely.
Besides the slightly rushed feel of the story, a minor con is the references that to Taylor Swift, but also One Direction? At my age, 1D was never on my radar, but I think anyone can relate to the reference, even if it skews younger.

Ali has a reputation for being spontaneous. Like that one time she made a drunken bet in London that led to matching tattoo's with a stranger. She likes to live everyday to fullest and follow her dreams wherever that may seem to take her. Now they are taking her from a career as head chef in New York to back home in Baltimore, where she is now interning as a wedding planner. Despite her occasional fantasy of her tattoo twin, Ali never expected to see Graham again especially not in her hometown of Baltimore at her favourite cafe. They reconnect during one evening together, but Ali can't help wonder if Graham is with someone special.

At the same time though she is desperate to succeed in her new career and prove that she isn't the family flake. When she gets a job planning a high profile wedding at a historic hotel, so it seems like things are falling into place. Until the groom comes into the room and it turns out the high profile wedding is actually for Graham. Graham's family owns the once grand, now struggling hotel called the Black Eyed Susan, the reason for coming to Baltimore is because he wants to help his grandmother get the hotel back on it's feet. He is almost certain that hosting a wedding at the hotel will hopefully give it the publicity boost that it needs. However, Graham and Ali can't ignore their rekindled chemistry, especially when it's revealed that Graham and his fiance are planning marriage of convenience. Still, staying away from each other is probably for the best, because when it comes to love all bets are off.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for sending an reader's advance copy of this book. I truly do appreciate it, and can't wait to read more from you guys.

This is a new author for me and I am always a bit iffy when it comes to new authors because I am nervous to see how good or bad their books are. This author/ book was a good surprise because I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I was honestly unsure of this book, I do have another book by this author but I just haven't had time to read it yet. I enjoyed this one though. I am very excited to read the book that I already have. I liked the characters, especially Ali's family they seem tough but I feel like they are just trying to help her. Ali's family does really love her. I also have a soft spot for her sister Sarah, because it's hard asking for help sometimes, and it just feels easier doing it all by yourself than explaining it to more people for them to help you. The feeling's that these two had for each other were intense, and sometimes that only happens once in your life.

While reading this book I did cackle and laugh a little bit out loud and then I got a couple of weird looks from my parents and my dogs. Now I don't think this is a book you would stay up at night reading and having to finish, this is a book that you could go to bed and finish the next day. It's still a great read with great characters.

The audiobook narrator for this book also did an amazing job, I loved the pacing and the way she read the story. Just like I have favourite author's I do also have favourite audiobook narrators. The women that narrated this book her name is Mia Hutcherson Shaw, she was a fantastic narrator.

Happy Reading!!!!! If you have some reading time on your hands pick up this book and give it a shot, and see if you like it.

"𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘸𝘬𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘱𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘴. 𝘊𝘢𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘺 𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘰𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘵? 𝘐𝘵'𝘭𝘭 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘰𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳 𝘦𝘱𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘧 60 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘪𝘵. 𝘕𝘰𝘸 𝘛𝘏𝘈𝘛 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘥𝘺."



Thank you to @stmartinspress and @netgalley for the early copy of this book in exchange for this review!

This book was like reading all of my favorite rom-com movies rolled into one! LOL

And I can honestly say that going to the book event with Lindsay before reading the book gave it SO MUCH more depth for me. There were several times while reading when I would message her and be like "I see what you did there".

She also taught me what a "death binder" is 😂😂😂

But as for the book... absolutely amazing as always. Lindsay can do no wrong in my eyes LOL she's also a pro at Titanic puns. ⛴️

💍 Second Chance Romance
🐷 Matching Tattoos
💍 Jewish FMC
🐷 British MMC
💍 Wedding Planner
🐷 Marriage of Convenience
💍 Secret Romance
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#bookstagram #booksta #books #booksbooksbooks #avidreader #ilovereading #thetwistedlibrarian #professionalbookworm #neverplannedonyou #lindsayhameroff #whatsnikkireading #book5of2025 #secondchanceromance #matchingtattoos #jewishrep #britishmmc #marriageofconvenience #weddingplanner #secretromance #stmartinspress #netgalley

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I got major ick reading this. I did not like Ali at all. Girl, take accountability. I did not find myself invested in Graham and Ali, I wasn't rooting for them and I really really struggled to enjoy this. The writing was fine, and funny at times - but I could not get over the cheating.

Rating: 5/5
I received the eARC for my honest opinion.

Who doesn’t just love sitting down to read a cute romcom, with second chances, workplace romance, Jewish traditions, opposites attract, matching tattoos, great banter and so much more. You will love the plot of the book, along with the characters will make you feel as though you are part of their family.

This book starts off with a flash back on when Ali met Graham for the first time. All due to a drinking game that led to these two crazy colleges getting matching cute unicorn pig tattoos on their hips, and after that they spend a memorable night together. Even years later these two still thought of each other but always thought they would never see each other again, until that one day in Baltimore while standing in line for coffee. When Ali recognizes the voice of the gentlemen in front of her, Graham. How is he here? When did he get here? They promise to get together and catch up but when they run into each other at Ali work... oh did I mention that Ali is a wedding planner?

This book was everything that I wanted in a book; it had all the emotions that I love reading. The hurt, the longing, the I can handle this, the I need you; I can’t have you. I love a good second-chance romance, and this author delivered the best one to the readers. I loved the plot with the flash back to their meetup, then to the future with them running into each other but the worst time possible. The chemistry between the characters was top notch. I enjoyed how the author handled the topic of, he is engaged to someone else, and how they’re acting around each other and in private but the way the author handles this topic with the right amount of you might feel gross at first but Hameroff will come right back and make you understand the situation and you won’t be feeling like that. I never felt icky or wrong or grossed by it and I believe that is all due to how she handled the situation. I enjoyed getting to read all the Jewish Traditions that the Ali's family celebrates and how Graham was able to fit in with her family. I enjoyed all the moments where Bubbie was just swooning over Graham and the gusters that Graham goes through to show Ali and her family that he cares about her.

The characters in this book were flawed, and I loved that I was able to relate to them/connect with them. I loved that I felt as though I knew Ali, and I was there with her during the whole book. With Graham I would love to have a friend like him that would do whatever he could to help me. I loved that this book brought characters from Till There Was You into it and it was great getting to see how they were doing.

I can’t wait to see what Hameroff will bring us readers next.

I want to thank NetGalley and SMP for the opportunity to review this book.

Between Never Planned on You and Bk Borison's First Time Caller, I love that Baltimore is getting a renaissance as a rom com destination. Never Planned on You really puts Baltimore at the heart of the book, exploring the funky and artsy side of a town which is too often considered the one note home of The Wire. I love how our two main characters, Ali and Graham, bond over the local history and culture of the place. The book spends a lot of time at the fictional Baltimore hotel Black-Eyed Susan, and there is clearly an appreciation of Baltimore history in Hameroff's writing. This Delaware girl loves seeing more books set in the mid-Atlantic area and hope this will continue!

I also really appreciate how the character of Claire, Graham's best friend was written. I think in a lot of books, she would be portrayed as a one note villain, instead of a kind and loyal friend who really wants her bestie to be happy. I do wish we'd gotten to spend more time with Claire and Graham interacting, but I enjoyed Claire and sometimes wanted to follow her off screen.

While I was obviously grumpy that Hameroff referred to Niall Horan as British (the worst nightmare of every Irishman), the book had a lot of fun pop culture references, which really made this a laugh out loud read. I'd recommend to fans of Tessa Bailey or Baltimore's own BK Borison.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing company for this Advanced Readers Copy of Never Planned on You by Lindsay Hameroff!