Never Planned on You
A Novel
by Lindsay Hameroff
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Pub Date Feb 18 2025 | Archive Date Mar 04 2025
St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin
Description
A glittering, laugh-out-loud second chance romance that reminds us true love is sometimes the one thing you never planned on.
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. Her joie de vivre is one of her best qualities; she lives every day to the fullest and follows her dreams wherever they take her. And now, they’re taking her from her career as a chef in New York City back home to Baltimore, where she’s interning as a wedding planner.
Despite the occasional fantasy about her British tattoo twin, Ali never expected to see Graham again. So no one is more surprised than she is when he turns up in Baltimore, ordering a latte at her favorite cafe. When they reconnect during an enchanting evening together, Ali can’t help but wonder if Graham might be someone special.
At the same time, she's 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, it seems like things are finally falling into place. That is, until Graham turns out to be the groom.
Graham’s family owns the once-grand, now struggling Black-Eyed Susan, and he’s returned to Baltimore to help his grandmother get it back on its feet. He’s certain that hosting a wedding at the hotel is just the publicity boost it needs. Ali’s boss agrees, and promises Ali a full-time gig if the affair goes off without a hitch. Unfortunately, Ali and Graham can't seem to ignore their rekindled chemistry, especially when it’s revealed that Graham and his fiancée are planning a marriage of convenience. Still, staying away from each other is the best thing they can do, since giving in to their growing feelings might cost them everything.
Because when it comes to love, all bets are off.
Available Editions
EDITION | Other Format |
ISBN | 9781250902948 |
PRICE | $18.00 (USD) |
PAGES | 320 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
I love second chance romances and this one was just what I wanted! The romance was so sweet and the banter was great!
First I would like to thank Lindsay Hameroff and St. Martin’s Publishing Group for the ARC of “Never Planned on You.”
Oh my gosh!! This book! I was addicted. I couldn’t put it down, I wanted more. This is a second chance romance… 8 years in the making.
The main character Ali, is witty, relatable, and a dream chaser. The main male character Graham, is British, handsome, and does everything for everyone but himself. These two are in for one hell of a ride.
Quote that I related to: “Most importantly, it will show my family I am no longer the job-hopping flake who changed careers three times in less than a decade. That, I am, in fact, a functioning adult who can stick with something and succeed.”
Quote that made me scream and kick my feet: “The final prize is me. All of me.”
This book is for those who relate to both The Tortured Poets Department and Lover kind of romance.
Lindsay’s sophomore novel, Never Planned on You, is another home run!
NPoY focuses on Ali Rubin (who was a side character in Hameroff’s debut Till There Was You) who recently moves back home to Baltimore. The story starts some years previous where we find Ali on her semester abroad in England winning a bet and getting a random tattoo with a stranger. Fast forward to today, and Ali randomly runs into her tattoo twin…. And this is where the story begins!
Lindsay’s quick and witty humor, and ability to write indescribable chemistry for Ali and Graham will have you feeling all the feels. Ali and Graham are clearly attracted to each other… can they get their second chance at romance while succeeding in their everyday lives??
I was so happy to see Ali’s besties make a cameo in NPoY, including rock star heartthrob Jake! They are all hilarious and the best side kicks!
I also LOVED Lindsay’s ode to Bartenura wines (the Blue Shabbat wine bottle, IYKYK), Ali’s cooking (we need more recipes, Lindsay!. The line about the Halloween shop was laugh out loud funny! And her sister Sarah’s melt down in the mini-van relatable to anyone who’s ever been there.
I am a fan, and will read anything Lindsay puts out there!
Thank you to the publishers (St Martin’s Griffin) and Lindsay Hameroff for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
There aren’t words for how much I loved this book. I laughed, I cried, I swooned so hard. This is everything I want in a romcom!
Pick this up immediately if you love the following:
***Second chance romance
***The type of longing described that you can feel in your bones
***A FMC that is so witty, and extremely relatable.
***A MMC that is just a perfect hunk
***A great, original storyline
***Steam scenes that are fire!
***The type of novel you can’t put down - I devoured it.
I have already preordered my own copy when this comes out in February! This will definitely be one of those stories I read again and again.
Thank you to Netgalley and Lindsay Hameroff for the ARC of this novel; all opinions are my own.
This might be one of my favorites of the year. Loved it and didn't want it to end. This is my first read by this author but it won't be my last.
Honestly this took me by surprise and I flew through it in 24 hours! It’s sorta like My Big Fat Greek Wedding and The Wedding Planner had a steamy baby! Ali was very relatable mixed with equal parts hilarious and vulnerable, and Graham was sexy nerdy Brit personified. The two of them were a spectacular balance, only marginally surpassing fantastic side characters! Here’s hoping for a hilarious bonus scene of Trudy meeting Bubbie 🤣
The Wedding Planner fans, this one is for you!
Ali is known for her impulsive decisions, like that one time she made a bet in London and ended up with matching tattoos with a stranger. Now, she’s trading her life as a chef in New York City for a shot at becoming a wedding planner in Baltimore.
Just as things are looking up in her new career, she runs into the last person she expected—Graham, her tattoo twin.
Sparks fly again, but there’s one huge problem: Graham is engaged, and Ali's big break is planning his wedding.
This book is the perfect “wrong place, wrong time" romance!
Ali and Graham's chemistry is off the charts from the moment they reconnect, and despite their differences, that spark from years ago hasn’t dimmed.
The whole setup gave me The Wedding Planner vibes, and I was here for it!
If you love a romance where the timing is all wrong, but the connection is oh-so-right, this is for you.
Thank you NetGalley and St Martins Press for this free ARC!
This book was phenomenal! It quickly pulled me in. I enjoyed the plot and the story line. The characters were well developed and likable. It was a perfect slow burn with several twist I didn’t see coming that pulled me into it even more as each one unfolded. It’s a quick warm rom-com read that I would recommend again and again. This was my first book by this author and I’m already adding her other books to my TBR.
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