Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to review this book.
Erin is one of my favorite authors and she’s done it again with this one! Emotions are all over the place right now!

I had high hopes for this book. The synopsis was great. I thought the writing was great. I just couldn’t get into the story. I didn’t feel connected to the characters. I couldn’t finish it, my attention was elsewhere.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for sending me a copy to review.

DNF at 10%. I am not a young adult. I am just an adult. And while I sometimes still really love reading YA - there are also times when it really just reminds me that I am the age of the parents and this isn’t written for me. Unfortunately, I think that’s the case here - in a strong case of “it’s not you book, it’s me” - I’m going to pass on this one. Thank you to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for the free ebook to read and review.

Look, before we get into this, put your phone down and go get your shoes on so you can immediately run out to get a copy of Never Saw You Coming, ok? You’ll thank me for it.

Going into this book, I was a little apprehensive. I have a complicated history with churches. But that’s pretty much central to this story. I loved Meg and Micah and their friends and family. There were so many threads showing characters as complex and compassionate. There were also some moments of true suspense. I’ve been trying to write an eloquent review of this book since May and I think it’s just not possible. It had everything I want in a book and a lot that I didn’t know I needed. I finished and immediately started re-reading. I also have a physical copy on order so I can note all of the very quotable lines. (This may be the first book I recreationally annotate EVER.)

I hate it when I do not enjoy a book, and I hate it even more when I write a disappointing review.

This book was not for me. I did not enjoy it, and I wonder how many Young Adults would. I suppose that those YA's who struggle with reconciling a restrictive religious Christian upbringing in the U.S. with the behavior and attitudes of youths their age from outside of their congregation, might be interested in the story. Both of the MCs, recently graduated from High School, have a parent with a troubling background, one who learns that the father who raised her is not her biological father but someone who stepped up to the plate after her mother's one-night stand with a musician at a Christian youth summer camp ended abruptly when he died in a car accident, and the other whose father was a Pastor who embarrassed his family with his infidelities and went to jail for embezzling from his congregation.....

I squirmed a bit watching the two young adults trying to come to terms with their sexuality and the guilt feelings that accompanied. Now someone less jaded might find it sweet (and I see that some did), but I just found it uncomfortable, unnatural, and immature.

Thank you NegGalley and St. Martin's Press Wednesday Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. The opinions expressed are my own. I wish I could have enjoyed this more and written a more upbeat review.

5 stars - Outstanding!

I loved this! I loved the two main characters, and I was completely caught up in their individual stories/coming of age journeys as well as in their developing romance. And if that was all there was to this, I would have been a happy, satisfied reader. But the wrestling with faith pieces are exceptionally well done. I have read books from Christian publishers that haven't done half as good of a job of presenting a person of faith who feels as real as this book does. This wrestling, this honest conversation about the flaws of faith communities and double standards and broken people trying to do the best they can while leaning on Jesus - these are the things that make this story special. (Language, LGBTQ+, references to sex, references to teen pregnancy TW: abuse in the church)

A very fun summer ready. I have always enjoyed Hahn’s writing. I really enjoyed the characters in this book and the story line

This was a wonderful story and totally relatable as someone who grew up in a conservative town going to a conservative church. I love Erin Hahn's writing and cannot wait to read more from her.

I adored this book! Erin Hahn has quickly become one of my favorite writers in the contemporary YA space. She writes with so much heart and grace and warmth and it's clear that she really loves her characters. NEVER SAW YOU COMING was no different.

This is a tough one for me to review.
Overall, I liked this book, I found the characters enjoyable and the plot was one that held my interest. However, the religious theme throughout was a bit heavy handed for my taste. I was able to overlook it for the most part, but at times it felt like too much. Although the religious theme was throughout, I did appreciate the inclusivity of characters, that you would normally not find in a strong religious themed book.

This is a coming of age, self-discovery story for Meg and Micah. We follow Meg as she discoveries family secrets that send her on her journey to her authentic self. Upon her journey to a new town, she meets Micah. Who is also on his own journey of self-discovery. The two form a friendship and eventual relationship where they question their beliefs and how those fit into their life now.

I gave this book 3 stars, despite the overarching religious theme, I did enjoy reading this book and the character development.

If being on the verge of adulthood wasn’t scary enough, imagine finding out that your entire childhood has been a lie. So to say that Meg Hennessey is feeling lost and completely off kilter is a complete understatement. Meg decides to take a gap year and head North to reconnect with the family she didn’t even know she had. Thinking this would be her best chance to experience life unrestricted and try learn as much about the other half of herself from her grandmother, the last thing Meg expected was to feel such an intense connection with Micah.

Life hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing for Micah, not only did he lose his best friend, role model and father but he lost a large part of his faith. Even with so much time having past it would seem that the deeds of his fathers past are still haunting Micah, more so now that his fathers parole hearing is coming up. With all of these old feelings of anger and resentment bubbling within Micah he is more than a little surprised that he connects so seamlessly with town newcomer Meg. For the first time in a long time Micah feels like someone truly gets him and understands his pain but can something that started so fast last?

I have been seeing this book everywhere, so I was absolutely thrilled to get a chance to read it. Meg and Micah were both great characters who were trying to find their identity and their connection to their faith. One of the things that I loved most was that even though both Meg & Micah were going through their own personal issues, they helped each other push through.

Family & Church were two major themes in this book that both played off each other and were largely what brought Meg & Micah together. Both characters got to see that family is not only your blood relatives but also the people you chose to make your family. As for the role of the Church and religion in the novel, at times I did feel that it got a bit heavy but ultimately wasn't a deal breaker.

Never Saw You Coming by Erin Hahn is an interesting read that bordered more on YA Christian alternative fiction than your conventional YA romance. I would recommend going into this cute book with an open mind.

Triggers: sexual abuse, toxic masculinity

Sorry, but I couldn’t get past the heavy focus on fundamentalist Christianity. I considered not finishing it but, since I liked her first book, I felt I owed Hahn the favor of reading to the end. In a world in which so-called Christians have their hatred, hypocrisy and misogyny on full display, it’s very triggering to read about shaming girls for “tempting” boys and sexually-abusive, narcissistic pastors ruining lives (including their own families) with no remorse. Having grown up Catholic, much of what Hahn describes is familiar (although not to this extreme). After the Church’s pedophilia debacle and the chauvinism. I always railed against, I turned my back on organized religion. The abhorrent, hateful behavior of white Christians in America over the past five years has led me to reject most of the faith as well. So, I just couldn’t tolerate reading this book. The trauma these parents and church leaders are causing the youth is beyond disturbing. So, in good conscience, I can’t recommend this to my teen students because there are too many triggers.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Wednesday Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

I requested this book because I adored the authors first two books, I had no idea that it was about Christianity and faith, which is not really my jam. However I gave it a chance and I‘m so glad i did. Both Meg and Micah are struggling with their faith and I though Hahn did a fantastic job wading through what it‘s like growing up super religious and then finding a crack in your system.

Never Saw You Coming handled the ultra (and outdated imo) Christian ideals well, and focused on making the point that Jesus loves everyone, full stop. This would be a great book for teens in a very religious household or those struggling with their faith.

I gave this one a shot and it really just wasn’t for me. I think it was a little immature and I just couldn’t get into it. Thank you for my copy Netgalley.

“I only started finding him attractive fifteen minutes ago when I met his dog.” Lines like these are why I read Erin Hahn’s books. She’s funny and she packs the wit, similar to Emma Lord. Never Saw You Coming is quirky and sweet, and drops in those witty one liners from time to time.

This book follows Meg and Micah. Meg is a Christian girl who has grown up as an active member of her church. She basically runs away when she finds out her mom and dad are getting a divorce, and whoops—her dad isn’t actually her dad. Micah is the son of a former pastor who has been sent to jail for assaulting female staff members and stealing from the congregation. Without giving away too much, the two meet and come together to heal.

Christianity plays a BIG part in this book and I have a couple things I want to say about that. First, that was such a unique integration into the story. Religion is often missing in a lot of YA novels, so I love when it’s included. That’s a whole part of life that’s totally unacknowledged most of the time in this genre, so I was excited to see it included.

Secondly, I took a class once that talked about books being windows and mirrors: you can see the world, and/or you can see yourself looking back at you. As a Christian, this book was both a window and a mirror for me. I had the chance to see my religion and faith represented in a book, but also this was an entirely different experience than what I have ever had. In Never Saw You Coming, Micah and Meg both struggle with their views of the church and how that affects their beliefs. I haven’t had that struggle because I have been lucky to be able to form my own opinions in conjunction with my beliefs. It was interesting and eye-opening to see Micah and Meg make their own choices and maintain their faith.

Outside of religion, this book was cute and definitely a quick read, but it still hit heavy issues: abstinence, sexual assault, sexuality, and incarcerated parents among others. I liked that those topics were included, especially since they often aren’t. However! I wanted more on those. They all took a backseat and I would have liked to have seen a bigger focus on them.

With that, I like the direction the end took, but I wanted more. It fell a little flat. I wanted a little more strength behind that.

The romance in this book was cute and it was refreshing that it was simply different. Mainly, there wasn’t that big stupid fight that breaks up the couple before they realize that was dumb and reunite. It was more mature in that way, and I really appreciated being saved from that trope.

Also! I swear the authors actually listen to me sometimes. I’ve been pushing to have more college aged main characters in YA or adult books (18-25 year-olds pretty much don’t exist), and that was something about More Than Maybe that really bothered me as I could have easily seen those characters in college rather than high school (they worked in a bar and went to school like 0 times). As you can imagine, Never Saw You Coming’s 18 and 19 year old main characters gave my little book loving heart some hope!

In the end, Never Saw You Coming took big risks. It tackled tough issues, but could have delved deeper. It is refreshing as it uses new and rare components in the story, so that was fun. That said, I did enjoy More Than
Maybe more so. I would recommend Never Saw You Coming if you’re looking for something different or just want to read a new perspective.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/ Wednesday Books for the ARC!

Meg Hennessey grew up finding comfort in her faith. But her conservative parents also kept her sheltered based on their interpretation of the rules of the church. But at age eighteen, Meg learns her entire life was a lie. Instead of going to work at a church camp for a year, she heads to Marquette, Michigan to learn more about the family she never knew she had. There, she meets Micah Allen. Micah's dad is a former pastor who is now in prison. Micah adored and believed in his father, who let the church, his congregation, and his family down famously--the press still hounds Micah years later. With his father's probation hearing coming up, his mother wants him to forgive him, but Micah isn't sure he can. Meg and Micah meet and find themselves drawn to each other. But each struggle with what they've been taught about love, along with the pasts they may need to leave behind to move forward.

"Because the uncomfortable truth is, while the church loves sinners in their pews, they don't want them in front of a crowd. It's the difference between acceptance and tolerance, and it might catch on. God forbid."

This is a really lovely and moving story. While it includes a lot of religious themes and discussion, it never felt like too much--religion and forgiveness informs the story, rather than detracts from it. Meg is a side character in Hahn's excellent book, MORE THAN MAYBE, and we see glimpses of Vada and Luke from that tale (which is really fun). It's wonderful to see Meg fully explored here--Hahn writes her sections in a snappy and smart way, capturing Meg perfectly. She's so sweet, yet smart and tough. Her entire life has been upended, and Meg truly must rethink her whole faith and foundation. I think a weaker person would crumple at such a situation. Watching her grow is really fun; you cannot help but root for her.

And Micah is a great character, too. He too, has had his faith tested, as his father destroyed his church and Micah's belief in the church. Micah and Meg's romance is cute, honest, and real. Hahn's book explores how shamed these two feel by falling in love and how the church has conditioned them to feel that love, happiness, and romance can be wrong and even sinful. It tackles the pain of loving a Jesus/God who then censures you for loving. It's so adept at this and skilled at portraying their struggles. How can the love of these two sweet, earnest kids be wrong? And as they explore why bad things happen--especially as they believe so fully--the book makes you think and examine deeply. It deftly exposes the church's focus on female purity only, while often ignoring the males. Honestly, whether you're religious or not, this is a must-read, especially in these times, when so much of the control of a women's body seems not be our own.

Overall, I loved this book. It offers a charming romance, along with a timely look at religion and how it can affect young people as they make their way in the world. The side characters are excellent (I'm looking at you, Duke, and Cash the dog!). Hahn's writing is as excellent as ever. 4.5 stars. Please note the author's own note for a trigger warning for self-harm and suicide.

Let’s start with Meg. I loved Meg in More Than Maybe and I was so excited to see her as one of the main characters in this book. Meg is delightful and unique and in Never Saw You Coming, dealing with a lot of shit.

Her mom just let her know that her dad is not actually her biological dad and guess what?? She had sex outside of marriage which is against everything she ever told and taught Meg growing up.

Meg is pissed… to say the least.

With this news, Meg changes her plans for the summer and decides to go up north to the UP (upper peninsula) and visit with the family of her biological dad. He might be dead, but the people he knew and loved are still alive and Meg wants to know them.

And who is one of the first people she meets? Micah Allen.

Micah is a doubter and he has good reason to be. His father was the pastor of their church and defrauded it and harassed many of the women that worked for him.

He’s in prison (has been for years) and Micah is still dealing with the aftermath of the fallout, how the community treats him (still), and the reasons he no longer feels comfortable going to church.

Meg and Micah meet on a rock near the water. Meg has just arrived in town and decides to chill out and figure out her life sitting on a rock. But Micah has the audacity to be in the exact place she wants to sit. First of all, how dare he and second of all, HOW DARE HE.

He gives up his spot and they don’t expect to see each other again, but fate has other ideas. They meet again at Micah’s work and the connection is solidified.

While Meg visits her great-grandmother and finds a place to stay with her newly-found uncle, she finds herself seeing Micah again and again. And the sparks?? THEY FLY.

The more time she spends with her family and Micah, the more she realizes that maybe she doesn’t want to go back home. Maybe she belongs in this new place.

So she gets a job and starts putting down a few roots.

But this isn’t just a love story. This is also a story about hurt, lies, beliefs, and what believing in God means to each person.

Meg grew up in a church that taught her a lot of shit. Stuff about being modest and not “tempting” boys. Stuff about when sex should happen and when it shouldn’t, Stuff about what girls should wear and what they shouldn’t. And if you break any rules, well…you’re not going to a good place.

Throughout the story, she deals with all these things she/s been told to her over the years. She figures out what works for her and what is toxic bullshit. It’s great to see her unlearn a lot of the sexist shit she’s been taught.

When she bought a two-piece bathing suit, I was like YES, MEG! DO IT! I didn’t get the religious shame thing that she got, but I definitely got the “if you wear that, you’re to blame for whatever people say or do to you” so I TOTALLY got that scene.

Micah is also HIGHLY relatable to me with his angst and anger and feeling towards his father. I really enjoyed diving deep into his story and his feelings. He fit perfectly with Meg and their interactions are delightful, but he’s also just as interesting by himself too.

Also….DUKE!! What a delightful cinnamon roll! I just want him to be happy and accepted and I will punch anyone who tries to hurt him.

Let’s talk a little bit more about church stuff. I really loved the slow development of Micah and Meg’s journey back to church and how it’s done on their own terms.

Micah’s angry drum session?? Yes, please. Meg’s teen girl bible group….I have never wanted to be a part of a bible group before and yet…I would go.

I also LOVED Meg standing her ground when it came to talking about abstinence. She knew how harmful that was for her and she wasn’t spreading that nonsense to more girls.

And I don’t know why but Meg working at a coffee shop/bakery made me smile so hard. Just Meg and baked goods seem to fit perfectly.

Oh and no spoilers, but MEG’S WINGS. FUCK YES.

Obviously, I loved the shit out of this book! While not everyone will get the religious parts (depending on how or where you grew up), the love story and Meg and Micah’s individual struggles will have you staying up way too late to read “just another chapter”. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

Never Saw You Coming by Erin Hahn is available now!

Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the free eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book had me feeling all the feels. It’s been over a week since I’ve read it and I’m still struggling to put my thoughts into words. It is a fantastic YA book.

Why I loved it:
*Meg & Micah’s love story
*Heartfelt coming of age story!
*Duke (Micah’s best friend)
*Meg’s great grandma & uncle
*Meg’s stepdad
*The main characters are wonderful, and the supporting characters make it that much more enjoyable.
*The difference between religion & faith intertwined throughout the book. I know this will be a turn off for some, but for others I think it will be exactly what they need.

Don’t skip over the author’s note at the end!

A cute book that shows how one's views can change and grow as one comes of age. Follow along and find yourself along the way, with two kids in love and learning what is right and wrong.

I'm not sure how I feel about this book and how to write a review on it. On one hand, it was a fun story with likeable characters. The romance is sweet and heartwarming. The coming of age story is done well. But I'm not sure how I feel about the religious aspects. As someone who grew up going to a conservative christian church and has had to reconcile those beliefs with my own as a liberal queer adult, I found it supremely relatable. However, I'm not sure how I feel about where the book takes it. I suppose I've never learned to separate those restricting beliefs that were imparted on me as a child with faith in general. I'm glad that the characters did, but it just didn't feel completely right to me. But I will say, I think I'll be thinking about this book for a long time.