Loved this book! I was in a reading slumped and this book brought me out of it. Love the emotion that I felt with this book. 10 out of 10 I recommend. It was a super cute superfast book that will make you angry for a second. Lindsey did an amazing job writing this book! I can’t wait to see what else she reads, because I can’t wait to get my hands on it. I HIGHLY recommend this book!

I am so happy this author gave us more from this world. And oh how I loved this book. It was wonderful to see how these two found their happily ever after. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of Lindsay Hameroff’s second novel. Having loved her Til There was You, I also enjoyed the story of Ali and Graham. From their initial meeting to years later running into each other in line at a coffee shop, their strong connection was intense and adorable.

Ali’s family was a perfect blend to add to her character and Graham’s grandmother was just the right mix to his. Recognizing her 2 friends Chloe and Lexi from TTWY was icing on the cake.

Eight years ago, on her last night in London, Ali had an amazing evening with a guy (Graham) that she had just met. It was also a somewhat wild night, as it involved Ali and Graham getting matching thigh tattoos that were half pig, half unicorn. Ali never expects to see Graham again, so imagine her surprise when he turns up in a Baltimore coffee shop, and the sparks from eight years ago are still present. In the intervening eight years, Ali has been trying to find herself. She went to culinary school and worked as a line chef for a few years but ultimately decided it was not for her. She is now back in Baltimore, living with her parents, and interning as an event planner at the company where her sister's best friend, Asha, works. Ali has convinced her boss to let her help Asha plan the wedding for the grandson of Trudy Dyson, the owner of the Black-Eyed Susan, an iconic Baltimore hotel. Ali is excited about the possibilities, and she cannot help but like the bubbly bride-to-be Claire, a comedy writer. However, her world is turned upside down when she finally meets the groom -- who is none other than Graham. If Ali reveals her connection to Graham, she will be taken off the project and lose her big opportunity. However, keeping the connection secret becomes harder as they end up spending more time together as part of the wedding planning, especially when Claire has to head to New York City for four weeks for work, leaving Graham to handle the details. The universe also seems to be conspiring to bring Ali and Graham together in settings outside of the wedding planning.

Adding to the confusion is Ali's meddling Jewish family, as well as her insecurity about her place in the family, as she believes they view her as flighty and unserious; Graham's efforts to revitalize the Black-Eyed Susan, which holds special meaning for him; and the sense that something is not quite right about the engagement (which when revealed, changes everything but also nothing). The story is full of humorous moments, but also tender and heartfelt moments as both Ali and Graham have to figure out what they really want in life, and if there is a way their respective lives can be intertwined.

I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed this book! The main characters felt so real and relatable, and I found myself really invested in their journey. There was plenty of tension that kept me guessing right up until the end! I usually steer clear of stories with an "other woman" angle, but this one had a twist that was refreshingly different.

I was provided this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Griffin, and Lindsay Hameroff for the early access copy of Never Planned on You.

Never Planned on You tells the story of Ali and Graham. Ali is known for her spontaneity, like when she made a bet in London with a stranger that resulted in both of them getting matching tattoos. Years later, Ali is trying to get a new start in a new career in her hometown and trying to break the perception of being the family fake. Ali never expected to see her tattoo twin again, she's thought about him sure, but when she hears his voice again ordering coffee at her favorite cafe, she wonders if it is fate. That is until she realizes Graham is the groom of the wedding she is planning. Graham is planning a marriage of convivence with his best friend, but when Ali appears, everything goes sideways. Ali and Graham need to figure out if they can ignore their chemistry or give in to their growing feelings.

I devoured this book! The tension written between Ali and Graham is palpable. With the impossible situation for the two of them, it was hard not to wonder how their situation could work. As someone who is not a fan of the idea of a groom lusting after someone else, this topic was well covered. The character development and imperfections of both were beautifully written. Absolutely loved this story.

Never Planned on You by Lindsay Hameroff would've made a bajillion dollars as a romcom movie in the 2000's. This story has all the sexiness, low agnst, and hijinks of a classic second chance romance trope. If you're currently a fan of Nobody Wants This on Netflix then you should definitely get ahold of this book. Thoroughly enjoyed.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

I love second chance romances and this one was just what I wanted! The romance was so sweet and the banter was great!

4 stars

A perfect “palate cleanser” between heavier reads. A little bit of 2nd chance romance, a little bit of opposites attract, a little bit of fake relationship.

I liked the Jewish cultural representation and oddly enough, I also want to visit Baltimore. A little bit of spice, but not overwhelmingt. Lots of fun pop culture references that will resonate with millennials as well as boomers.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the digital ARC.

This review is my opinion and my opinion only. I really enjoyed the story. It was well written and kept my attention throughout. I’m glad that I gave Lindsay Hameroff a chance. I will be reading more of her books in the future.
This story is about unintentional love. Ali is spontaneous and free spirited. She first met Graham in London on her last day of college. They are both competitive. Which leads them to do something(not saying must read the book), and having a one night stand.
Eight years later, Ali is back in Baltimore and working as a wedding planner. She unexpectedly runs into Graham at a coffee shop. They agree to have dinner to catch up.
One of Baltimore’s elite, is coming to Ali’s work to have them plan the wedding of her grandson.
What happens next? You need to read the book to find out.
It’s an enjoyable book. You won’t be disappointed.

Thanks so much to Lindsey Hameroff and St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin for the eARC of this title. This book is very well written and definitely look forward reading more from Lindsay. This is a quick and easy weekend read, as well as such a cute rom-com.

Never Planned on You by Lindsay Hameroff

3.5 Stars

Overview: Ali Rubin is carefree, spunky, and spontaneous. One night, forever engraved in her memory, will greet present Ali with a force she cannot resist. Enter Graham, a young, handsome British man who is a major player in Ali's night to remember. Both of them are navigating their lives while now seeing if there is a chance to rekindle their initial spark.

Our Thoughts: Fun, second chance romance that you will probably enjoy while learning a bit about Jewish culture. The two characters make for a surprising couple, which draws you in. The plot line includes some complicated twists that are not my personal preference, but the author ties the knot in the conclusion which had me smiling.
#NodsToJewishCulture

Perfect if you like ...
Different Cultural Engagement
Wedding Planner
Family Loyalty
British Accents ;)

This was a winner in my book. Well-written, great wit and humor that often mad me laugh out loud and likable MCs all made it an enjoyable fast read. It could possibly have moved along a bit more quickly, but I was never tempted to put it down. I’m definitely going to look for the author’s earlier book.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for sending my an ARC of this book! I really enjoyed Lindsay Hameroff 's other book last year and I was excited to read this one! Overall, I really enjoyed it and I felt like the writing was well done and easy to get lost in. That being said there were a few things about the plot that I didn't love and I just wasn't rooting for the main character's relationship very much. I don't want to say more than that because it would be spoilers. The ending pushed it into 4 star range for me because the "The Price is Right" references were super fun and nostalgic. Others may love this book and I will definitely still pick up others by this author in the future! She is definitely an author whose style I enjoy! Thanks for the opportunity to review it!

Never Planned on you is a fun, lighthearted read for those looking for a cute rom-com read.

The romance story centers around unexpected love, but the pacing feels a bit uneven, with moments that either drag or rush through key developments. Our main character Ali is likable and relatable. She's got a sharp tongue and quick-wit. On the other hand, her leading man Graham comes across as underdeveloped, making it hard to fully connect with the romance or his emotional arc. Their chemistry is decent, though it occasionally feels forced or rushed, especially in key moments. The time 'jumps' to get the plot moving feel out of place.

The writing is accessible, making it a quick and easy read, but it sometimes lacks the depth needed to give the characters more complexity. NPY is filled with pop culture references, which may appeal to some readers, but for me, the volume of them pulled me out of the story. The characters' quick-wit relied too heavily on these nods to modern culture.

One of the aspects I really enjoyed in NPY were the thoughtful nods to Jewish culture. These references added a layer of authenticity to our main girl Ali and her family, making it feel more personal and relatable.

This book is a pleasant, breezy read for those looking for something light; a perfect weekend escape.

This was so incredibly cute! Graham and Ali shared a lot of amusing moments. Ali's feisty demeanor and ability to bring out Graham's spontaneity were admirable. Just because I thought her family was so amazing, I would have loved to see them get more involved. I would suggest this to anyone who enjoys short romantic comedies.

This was an absolute joy to read! It's a stay up to finish kind of book, because you are rooting for these two so hard. Ali and Graham couldn't be more different but the cannot deny the spark between them. The conflict is real and handled fairly well, both making poor choices with real consequences. Supporting cast was fun and not too flat. I would read more by this author.

Li actually wore enjoyed this one when second chance romance is usually not my cup of tea. I did really enjoy their chemistry. I love food and weddings so that aspect of the book was great for me. The family dynamics were a little sad, and I am glad she got her happily ever after.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me the opportunity for an ARC review!

This story was cute! I thoroughly enjoyed the chemistry between Ali and Graham. I actually laughed out loud with their banter. The chemistry was off the charts throughout the entire book. I loved all the side characters, but wish we got to experience more of Claire. Claire was super funny and kind. However, each character had their own unique personality and they were fun to interact with.

I felt the beginning and end of the book, I couldn't put it down. The middle though... it felt like it was repetitive in the way it kept saying "I know it won't last." It sort of took me out during those aspects.

I liked the amount of smut, it was just enough for this romance book.

Overall, I'd recommend its worth the read! Fun and happy romance!

I posted this on my Goodreads account as well. "Rainysreadingnook"

Thank you!! This was adorable.

This book was great !
Good storytelling, character growth, and a good love story. The way we are re-introduced to Graham was amusing and was glad to see how the story tied back.