This book is a fun, laugh-out-loud second-chance romance that proves love has a way of showing up when you least expect it. The story is so sweet and engaging—I was completely hooked from the start. If you’re looking for a feel-good romance that will make you smile, this one’s a must-read!

OMG I absolutely loved this book!! I laughed, I cried, I couldn't put it down!! I didn't want it to end!!

So much more than a romance, this book
was also about family and friendship, about discovering who you are then being true to yourself and not settling!! Character development was top notch!! I fell in love with Ali and Graham!! I loved his grandmother and his fiancee!! I loved Ali's family and all of their holiday scenes!! My favorite wine is that blue bottle that Ali's mom told her not to buy! lol

"But it turns out the true definition of romance is sticking around to bring someone an egg and cheese sandwich while they're waiting in a hospital lounge."
This book took me by surprise. I don't read blurbs, so other than confirming they are romance, I generally have no clue what I'm in for. I love a messy MC. Doesn't matter how they identify, the messier they are, the more I adore them. And when you match them with their polar opposite, who is just clearly gone for them? I. Eat. It. Up. Needless to say, I feasted on this story.🥰 And such a unique take on the fake relationship trope! Loved it. Go read it.

A big thank you to NetGalley and St Martins Press for sending me an e-copy of this book! I love a good second chance romance and this one did not disappoint. I thought Ali and Graham made the absolute most perfect couple and I loved watching their story unfold. This was such a fun read and I would recommend this to anyone who likes second chance romance, work place romance and a bit of spice 🖤

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc of this book. Really it's a 2.75, but like did any of this story have to happen in the year 2025? Because a lesbian and a lavender green card marriage when she's from Canada? And for some reason she thinks she can't write comedy in America without a green card? Has this character never heard of Dan Aykroyd or Ryan Reynolds?

anyways the characters were moderately likable, but oh boy did it drag even though the story was well written. Probably could've cut it at least 60 pages, and still had a well done book version of a 90 minute romcom. I don't know and the plethora of pop culture references without maybe stating your main female character is ADHD lol because her lifestyle and her constantly changing jobs is definitely a sign of either borderline personality disorder or ADHD 🤣

all of this being said, I am sure this book will be for tons of other people. It just wasn't my cup of tea

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Lindsay Hammerhoff for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

JLo's The Wedding Planner, meets 2025. Add in a kismetic connection/second chance scenario, meddling Jewish family and it is just SO fun.

This book does mention the couple featured in her prior book, Till There Was You, and it absolutely made me want to go back and read it! (Not in an "oops, I read it out of order" way but "please, may I have another?" way.)

This was such a delightful, adorable, sweet romcom. I loved Ali & Graham's second-chance romance. They had a night together in Europe, and then end up working together years later. Ali was sweet, funny, witty, and a fantastic FMC. Graham was SO swoony and charming, the ultimate heartthrob. These two are a bit of opposites attract, it's a bit complicated, and their history lends to some poignant and fun moments. Lindsay wrote some brilliant banter and, overall, I had a great time with this!

First off I want to thank Netgalley and St Martin’s press for an ARC of this novel!

I already had this preordered before I received approval for the arc but I am so excited for you all to read this one!! I loved every second of this novel. It was a little spicy this time 🥵 but placed perfectly and the plot developed beautifully! This one was so wholesome and I just loved it!!

A great second chance romcom!

Ali & Graham were so entertaining. These two were totally opposites attract. They brought out the best in each other which is always going to make me say "aww!". I really enjoyed their banter, plus they had crazy good chemistry. We also get an unforgettable first meet - cute which is always a plus. The spicy scenes were great too.

The book is super fun, funny and the romance is sizzling with chemistry and swoon. Would recommend!

I loved this book so much! I loved Till there was You and was so excited to see that Lindsay had written a second book following Lexi's bff, Ali. Ali and Graham met 10 years ago in London and got drunken tattoos after making a silly bet. Imagine their surprise when they run into each other in Baltimore and Ali's planning Graham's wedding to another women. It's messy. Ali and Graham are both trying to figure out what they want from life. Their attraction is sizzling! All the obstacles are artfully handled making a wonderful and quick read. Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this eARC!

Ali is known for her spontaneity, and the night she comes home from a semester abroad in London, she meets a British stranger named Graham and drunkenly bets on getting a matching tattoo with him. She never thought she’d see him again. Fast forward years later, Ali is living in Baltimore and while interning as a wedding planner, she gets her most challenging assignment yet: planning a high profile wedding at a historic hotel. This is her big chance at a break - until she finds out that Graham is the groom. With her career and rekindled romance with Graham in play, Ali has a lot on the line - and so much could go wrong.

Reading this felt just like watching a rom-com, in all the best ways. While it’s a quick read and follows the second-chance romance trope, there was some surprising depth to the characters. I was impressed with the quick-witted main character who made pop culture references only a fellow millennial could conjure up, and how well some of these quips translated to the page and actually made me laugh out loud. My only criticism is that the ending does feel a bit rushed (much like in a Hunger Games/Harry Potter way where the protagonist passes out and then some wiser person comes into explain how all the loose ends got tied up), but despite this, I still had fun and would recommend!

Reviewed as part of #ARC from #NetGalley. Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review. #NeverPlannedOnYou

Never Planned on You by Lindsay Hameroff is a fun, heartwarming romcom that hits all the right notes. Ali, a determined wedding planner trying to make her mark back in her hometown, finds herself planning a high-profile wedding for one of Baltimore’s biggest hotel families—only to discover the groom’s brother, Graham, is her unforgettable college one-night stand. Cue the sparks and chaos.

Ali is hilarious, relatable, and impossible not to root for, while Graham is the perfect mix of loyal, kind, and swoon-worthy. Their chemistry is electric, and their banter had me laughing out loud. The supporting cast, including Ali’s loud and lovable family, adds even more charm, and fans of Hameroff’s previous novel will enjoy seeing familiar faces.

With its perfect balance of humor, romance, and heartfelt moments, Never Planned on You is a must-read for any romcom lover!

NEVER PLANNED ON YOU is a funny, fast-moving, rom-com filled with smart-alecky banter, quirky characters, genuine laughs and more! I was hooked from the start as Ali Rubin, a cute, spirited, impulsive, girl bumps into her crush from years ago at the local coffee shop. Graham is a studly, smart guy who makes Ali's heart melt. Ali finds out later she is the wedding planner for handsome Graham's wedding! Dash it all and to think she thought he might be the one.

Graham, a dashing, business man whose family owns a struggling hotel, Black-Eyed Susan, is helping his grandmother get the business profitable again. Graham is headed for the altar and holding his wedding at the hotel thinks it's the perfect place to boost publicity. Ali and Graham are majorly attracted to one another, which is very inconvenient at a time like this. Will they risk their true feelings for each other by squelching it? Or is it written in the stars they are meant to be?

Sizzling attractions, complications, deceptions, and temptations perfectly mingle in NEVER PLANNED ON YOU. What happens when Ali, an event wedding planner, meets her newest client, Graham, the groom, who she had an incredible evening with long ago? Graham's attraction to Ali is incredible. Will his upcoming nuptials run smoothly? This story is magically delicious with romantic overtures, comical situations and endearing characters. Absolutely loved this new book from my favorite author! This novel is sassy, funny and a delightful hoot!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my ARC.

3.75 stars rounded up to 4

I was so happy to get the ARC for Lindsay's second novel, Never Planned on You. This is the first book I have read by her, and I have to say, it didn't disappoint! Ali's on her last night of a study abroad semester, and she ends up in a (drunken) situation with a straight-laced but hot Brit named Graham (we're talking matching tattoos after a bet). Fast forward 8 years, and she randomly bumps into him at her favorite coffee shop back in Baltimore. Ali is a free spirit who follows her passions - first, a teacher, second, a chef (in New York), and now an event planner - who is yearning to settle down and find her great love and succeed in her new career. But just when things are looking up, Graham walks in with his fiancée, and Ali’s assigned to help plan their wedding. Cue the drama.

I honestly had to sit on my thoughts for a bit after finishing this one because I was torn. The writing was great, and I really liked the banter between Ali and Graham. Their chemistry was off-the-charts, but here’s the thing: the cheating trope got a little too much for me. It felt weird at times after so many romantic scenes being reminded he was engaged and the fact that the truth took way too long to come out. There were moments when there was just too much miscommunication and a little too much pleading ("Just five more minutes, Ali"). Drama overload! If the book had a dual POV, I think it would’ve easily hit the 4-star mark for me. That said, I do love a sweet ending, and overall, it was a solid read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

What a fun read. This second-chance romance rom-com pairs Ali, an ex-chef newly minted wedding planner with Graham, a finance guy trying to save his family's hotel. 

I was pretty much team Graham as soon as he appeared on the page. The Wedding Planner of course leaps to mind, but The Holiday movie description lodged in my head from that moment Graham appears and I was all-in for tousled hair and cardigans.

I adored the tattoo setup that lurks throughout the plot all the way to end. Along the way there’s some great family moments, lovely twists, and a hotel that needs saving—with forced prox, bets gone wrong (right?), wrong place/wrong time, and cinnamon roll goodness. Add snappy banter, Jewish food and culture, Baltimore locations and it’s a delight.

The end was shorter than I would have liked but I got my feel-good bow that left me a full-fledged Graham fan.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced reading copy.

I absolutely loved this book! 5 stars! I loved the writing style and the plot to the story. It’s a second chance romance. All of the characters are lovable and it’s an amazing read! Not a lot of spice either, which I personally prefer. This book comes out in stores Feb 18th, 2025. Make sure to add this to your list and grab a copy! I am definitely going to buy a physical copy when it comes out!

After years hustling as a line cook in NYC, Ali returns home to Baltimore for a fresh start as an intern with a prestigious event planning company. She’s determined to focus on her career when she unexpectedly crosses paths with Graham, the man she shares a memorable (and drunken) tattoo with. Sparks fly, and not just the good kind. Especially when Ali discovers her biggest work opportunity yet: planning his wedding. She’s ready to keep things strictly professional but fate has other plans.

Be sure to read the entire publisher synopsis before diving in! There’s the faint whisper of a no-so-favorite trope that will make you want to hate the MMC if you didn’t read every word of the synopsis.

NEVER PLANNED ON YOU is a quirky, cute, fast-paced rom-com. I ate up the descriptions of Baltimore, and it was a joy to watch the fictional romance play out along side very real spots in the city. Each setting sparked memories making the picture that much more vivid.

Thank you St. Martin’s Griffin for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Never Planned on You is a beautifully written and incredibly funny story. Lindsey Hameroff has such a gift for writing witty humor. There are so many moments in this book that will make you smile, laugh, and even cringe (in the best way). It’s a lighthearted and entertaining read that I can see many people enjoying.

That being said, the plot did touch on a sensitive theme involving cheating, which is a personal trigger for me. While the story handled it with nuance and complexity, I found that aspect of the plot challenging. But I understand that for many readers, this element might not be an issue, and it’s an integral part of the character development in the story.

If you're someone who can engage with more complicated relationship dynamics, this book will likely be right up your alley.

Read if you like:
JLo The Wedding Planner movie
Jewish rep
Food centric
Baltimore
2nd chance
Single pov
Matching tattoos
Locked in a freezer forced proximity

A very fun, romcom a la The Wedding Planner vibes!

This was a second chance kind of story but one I couldn’t fully get behind because they only had one night together and you’re telling me 10 years later, they still wanted each other? It just wasn’t believable enough for me.

Let me tell you what I did like. I very much enjoyed the Jewish representation and how family oriented Ali’s family is. The whole grumpy/sunshine aspect of Ali and Graham’s relationship was fun too. The writing was so well done and I very much enjoyed it.

However, I’m not a huge fan when our main characters don’t tell anyone about the issue aka they’ve met and slept together 10 years before. The whole side piece insinuation was also a no go for me.

Some fun moments I enjoyed: Ali’s grandma. That is all I can remember off the top of my head. 🤣

The spice was mild. I give a 2 🌶️ out of 5.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.

This gave such The Wedding Planner vibes and it was such a fun read! I found so many moments laugh out loud funny and just enjoyed my time. I love a second chance romance and this one was done so well.!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.