I loved so many aspects of NEVER PLANNED ON YOU. Though we didn't get the POV of the MMC, he was thoroughly fleshed out as a character and the author did a fantastic job bringing him to life. I found the writing very smooth and easy to read. The small time jumps were handled well and kept the story moving efficiently and at a great pace. I also loved the family dynamics throughout, including the relationships with both grandmothers, who stole the show. I would have liked to have seen more of the friendship between the MMC and bride-to-be Claire, but she was a very dynamic and likeable character so it was easy to see how they'd become friends. The ending was incredibly sweet and satisfying, and also kept me guessing right up until the end, which is not often the case in a contemporary rom-com!

Overall this was a very successful second-chance romance, and I can't wait to read more from Lindsay Hameroff!

Thank you to NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a super cute, fun, light heartened romance that was also very funny! I loved the characters and could relate more to them based on their age being close to my own. Their story was cute and interesting and a new type of story to me. Really enjoyed!

I have never read a book by Lindsay Hameroff, but will be reading more now. The characters are very well developed. THANK YOU NETGALLEY FOR THE ARC.

Ali studied abroad and one night makes a bet with Graham, after a few drinks. They end up getting matching tattoos and have a special one night stand. Ali comes back to America.

8 years later, Ali runs into Graham at a coffee shop. She still has feelings still for him but does he?

This book was super sweet!! 4 solid stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It was surprisingly funny and witty and I LOVED the fmc. I swear I had a cheesy grin on my face for most of the book and I am NOT a cheesy grin kinda girl.

The mmc was properly hot, funny, and gorgeous, but the fmc really stole the show for me. She was cheeky (in a good way-not a roll your eyes she’s actually a bitch way), charming, and personable. Honestly, the whole book I was just wishing I was her sister or best friend. She was that enjoyable to read.

The only thing stopping this from being a 5 star read for me is my own effed up preferences. A level headed, overly considerate, *gasp* BLONDE, bespectacled, introverted hero is basically a cold shower for me. So THATS how good the banter and character building were to still get 4 stars out of me 😆.

Also, probably important to note is I’m the same age as the fmc and there were a lot of references that may not translate as well to a younger audience, but for me it was 💯. It was also refreshing to find a romance book following a fmc in her late 20s who has not been married or knocked up yet and although it was touched on by family members a few times that’s she’s “running out of time” it was definitely not a main theme in the story and I very much appreciate the author for that. I can’t wait to go back and read the first installment. I’m sure I’ll love Lexi’s story just as much! (And I hear her hero might have dark hair and no glasses 😌)

Thank you to NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for my honest review! 💜

Spicy Level: 4/5
POV: 1st Person POV, FMC Only
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Release Date: February 18, 2025

Ali Rubin, a spontaneous New York City chef turned wedding planner, returns to her hometown of Baltimore for a fresh start. After a surprise reunion with Graham, her British "tattoo twin" from a wild night in London, sparks fly during a magical evening together. However, things take a complicated turn when Ali discovers Graham is the groom of the high-profile wedding she's planning—a marriage of convenience meant to save his family’s struggling hotel. As their chemistry reignites, Ali and Graham must decide whether to resist their feelings or risk everything for love.

Ali Rubin is relatable because she embodies the struggle many of us face when balancing ambition and personal fulfillment. Her impulsiveness, like making a bet in London that leads to matching tattoos with a stranger, reflects her adventurous spirit. Yet, she also deals with the pressure to prove herself to her family, battling the fear of being seen as unreliable or a 'flake as she bounces from job to job, trying to find her place in the world.

Her relationships with her family and friends are portrayed well, and it's easy to understand her love and woes with them as we get to know them through her eyes, and those moments were some of my favorite parts.

While her humor is entertaining, and I definitely laughed at her witty dialogue, the constant stream of zingers started to feel overdone. I get that it’s her way of coping, but after a while, the frequent one-liners became repetitive, making me want to skim through her dialogue to get to the heart of the story.

As far as Graham goes, he is charming, though a bit immature in how he handles Ali's feelings when it comes to their relationship or lack thereof. I suppose he is navigating some difficult things of his own WHILE randomly stumbling upon the love of his life, so there is growth to be had, and shown, but I did find myself getting annoyed with his lack of empathy.

The first half of the book moves quickly, but midway through, the pacing slows and starts to drag. Then, out of nowhere, the story takes a corny turn. It’s odd because the beginning is more charming and whimsical, but by the second half, the corniness feels overdone and takes away from the earlier tone. It completely pulled me out of the story.

I get that romcoms can be dramatic, and declarations of love are expected, but because the genre already leans into the drama when it comes to the plot, I think a more heartfelt and understated ending often works better and to me, this book missed the mark.

Overall, it’s a charming story about second chances and the challenges of finding your way when you don’t follow the typical path in your 30s. If you’re a fan of 90s romcoms, you might enjoy this book’s blend of drama, humor, and cheesy moments.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Almost a decade ago Ali and Graham shared one spontaneous night together in London full of fun, tattoos, and passion. Now, they have run into each other in a coffee shop across the ocean in Baltimore, MD and the sparks are flying. After another magical evening out, Ali thinks that the two of them are on their way to something special until she steps into a meeting for her job as a wedding planner and in walks Graham.

While things are not exactly as they seem in this situation, they are definitely a bit, well very, messy and there are a lot of issues that the characters deal with along the way. I enjoyed the clever shout out to The Proposal in this book as the "marriage of convenience for a green card" trope is not a secret for long. Even though this is mainly a romance, Ali is not only dealing with falling in love with a man who is very clearly taken, but she is struggling with feeling out of place in her career and her family, something that many readers will be able to connect with. That helps flesh out the plot and given a bit of credence to how the last 20% of the book goes as it doesn't really make a ton of sense otherwise.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced digital copy! I'm looking forward to reading the third book in this series!

NEVER PLANNED ON YOU is a cute, fun, second-chance romance between Ali, an event planner, and Graham, an accountant who has many nicknames, and is a recent transplant from England to Baltimore. A little bit spicy, but mostly comforting and charming. Speaking of charm, loved the Baltimore setting! Not really a sequel to TILL THERE WAS YOU but it helps to have read that one first.

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

2.5 ⭐️
2 🌶️

As a Baltimore girl myself, I was so excited for a ROM- COM based in my city!! No one romanticizes Baltimore and honestly, they should do it more. Charm City for the win!!! 🦀📚🐦‍⬛⛵️💜

As for the character, I didn’t really believe the chemistry between Ali and Graham. I felt a spark at the beginning of the book but based on the whole premise of Graham being the groom in an upcoming marriage of convenience and Ali being the wedding planner- it just fell flat. Also, the writing felt choppy when the author was trying to move the story along.

Thanks NetGalley and SMP for an ARC!

Hmm, okay. The ending was a bit too much for me. I felt Ali was just being moronic. Really stand up for yourself, woman. Witty banter, some character development, and a decent plotline will keep you engaged.

#netgalley #NeverPlannedOnYou

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin's Press for allowing me access to this ebook! Never Planned on You is a 2025 romcom.
Ali Rubin, known for her spontaneity, moves back to Baltimore to intern as a wedding planner after working as a chef in New York. She unexpectedly reconnects with Graham, a stranger she drunkenly got matching tattoos with in London, only to discover he's now engaged. To complicate things, Ali is tasked with planning Graham's high-profile wedding at his family’s struggling hotel. Despite their growing chemistry, they try to stay away from each other as Graham’s engagement is more of a business arrangement. Their feelings, however, threaten to upend their professional and personal lives.
This book is very funny, full of references and cute moments. I did not like much the sneaking around but overall I'll give a solid 4 stars and I'll definitely read more books by this author!

Although this rom-com is heavy on the rom, the com is the star of the show. It was hilarious from start to finish. Witty dialogue, unapologetic pop culture references, and a humbling yet relatable inner monologue from the FMC kept me from putting it down. It goes in the category of oh-crap-I-stayed-up-all-night-reading-and-now-I-have-to-go-to-work books.
A second-chance meeting happens for our couple when one of them is off the market, but what I really loved about it was that the characters were flawed, and real, and yet very likable. The FMC could be a bestie, the MMC is utterly charming, and I actually talked out loud to the both of them. What’s more is that the “other” woman was likable, too, and I found myself wanting a HEA for everyone and not sure how the author was going to pull it off. There were a few predictable twists, but all in all, 4.5 out of 5 stars. I will definitely be going back for more from this author (hint: there is a stand alone prequel that just hit my TBR).

title: Never Planned on You

author: Lindsay Hameroff

publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

publication date: February 18, 2025

pages: 320

peppers: 3 (on this scale)

warnings: vomit, tattoos, drinking, hospital scare

summary: During her semester abroad, Ali and Graham meet, tie in a bet, and get matching, worlds-worst tattoos. When they run into each other ten years later, Graham is engaged to be married and Ali is hired as his wedding planner.

tropes:

drunken, one-night hookup
fated mates
grand gesture
Jewish family, Jewish mothers
perfect older sister
supportive besties
in love with the wedding planner

save the family business

what I liked: 

fun characters
good family scenes
funny dialogue

what I didn’t like:

sneaking around
betraying a friend

overall rating: 4 (of 5 stars)

Never Planned on You is a delightful contemporary romance that beautifully captures the unpredictability of love. Lindsay Hameroff crafts relatable characters who face their fears and insecurities while navigating their feelings for one another. The chemistry between the leads is palpable, and their journey from strangers to something more is both heartfelt and engaging. The pacing is spot-on, with just the right amount of tension and tender moments that keep you invested. While the plot follows some familiar tropes, Hameroff adds her unique twist, making it feel fresh and authentic. Overall, it’s an enjoyable read that will leave you smiling and reflecting on the unexpected paths love can take.

A cute and at times frustrating second chance romance. Was redeemed by the wealth of pop culture references.

This was cute at times. But I think if you want a fluffy romance, you will like it. I will read more from Lindsay for sure.

I read this book in 12 hours! This was such a cute romance book. A lovely homage to The Wedding Planner. I loved the chemistry and banter between Ali and Graham. I also love a good second chance romance.

I liked this! It was a fun spin on both the second chance and marriage of convenience tropes, which are some of my bread and butter. The writing was good, and I really enjoyed Ali in particular as a character— she really guided the narrative well. Graham… took a little getting used to for me, but their chemistry was palpable on the page, so I can forgive him.

Ali Rubin has a reputation for spontaneity. Like that time she made a drunken bet in London that led to matching tattoos with a stranger. After a wonderful night together, she walks out without leaving her number or saying goodbye because, with her going home to America, they'll never see each other again, right?

I loved Lindsay Hameroff's first book so I had high hopes for this one, as well, and she DID NOT DISAPPOINT! I loved Never Planned on You even more. Ali is likable and hilarious, I love Graham's Bob Barker vibes, and you have a spectacular cast of side characters. The chemistry between Ali and Graham is spot on, and I think the story works well because, while you're rooting for them, it's also easy to understand why they feel like they can't be together.

This was a quick and easy read, and if you love Abby Jimenez, I think you'll love this one too!

Loved this romance novel! Super quick read and with fun witty banter that will definitely put a smile on your face.

loved this romance of a wedding planner and seeing an old friend and helping him plan a wedding. I liked that how they initially met that they both got matching tattoo's. Loved the romance and that she finally figured out what she wanted to do and so did he.