Never Planned on You by Lindsay Hameroff is a delightful, second chance rom-com that had me hooked from start to finish. Ali and Graham met eight years before, on Ali’s last night of her study abroad trip in London, thinking they’ll never see each other again. Their meeting ended with a crazy tattoo and a one-stand. Fast forward to the present day when Ali and Graham unexpectedly run into each other at a coffee shop in Baltimore and the sparks fly once again. Ali learns that Graham is engaged to be married and later find out that Ali is the wedding planner for Graham’s wedding. The chemistry between Ali and Graham is as strong as ever and Ali learns that Graham is entering into a marriage of convenience to help his best friend out; not because of love, attraction, or chemistry. They need to suppress their feelings for one another otherwise they might just discover that they were meant to be all along. It’s just complicated.

While I enjoyed the way this story was written, I didn’t like all the secrets Ali and Graham were keeping. However, I think the way the story was told was realistic and relatable. The ending was wonderful and tied the characters together very nicely. This was such a fun read with lovable characters and laugh-out-loud humor.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
#NetGalley #StMatinsPress

🎂Never Planned On You🎂
Pub Date: 2/18/25

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I absolutely loved this book so much!!!🥰 Ali meets Graham one night in London which turns into quite the eventful night after losing a bet.🤭
Years later Ali runs into Graham in her hometown …is it fate??
I adored everything about this book! I laughed out loud, loved the witty banter, the Jewish rep and their undeniable chemistry!
If you love The Wedding Planner you will absolutely love this book! Definitely one of my favorite second chance romances!!!
I love @lindsayhameroff and can’t wait to read whatever she writes next!!!

I DNF'd this novel at 45% so I am not going to give it a rating. I did enjoy the author's writing style, but this one is not for me because I had zero respect for the MMC, Graham. Ali, you deserve so much better than what this (spoiler) cheater is offering.

SPOILER: Graham is, ultimately, a coward. He is engaged to his "best friend" (his words!) who was there for him during all of the hard times of the past decade of his life. He loves her, but he is not "in love" with her. I have no problem with that. My problem is that he won't man up and tell his "best friend" that he doesn't want to marry her, and that she deserves a partner who loves her. The author has made it clear that Graham's fiancee isn't in love with him either, and that he and Ali are fated mates. But here's the thing -- Graham's fiancee hasn't cheated on him in the narrative (at least up to the point that I DNF'd). By 45%, he has made out with Ali TWICE, hasn't confessed to his "best friend" about either encounter, and isn't man enough to do so or call off the wedding. For all I know, the fiancee could be cheating on him too, but as a reader, we're supposed to be rooting for Graham, and there is nothing to root for when it comes to *his* behavior.

Instead of taking accountability for his feelings and proudly taking Ali public, he takes the coward's way out with a ton of excuses as to why he can't tell the truth and "disappoint" everyone (including his mother, of course) by keeping her a secret. Ali, even if he hadn't kissed you (TWICE) he is emotionally cheating on his fiancee. Once a cheater, always a cheater. I wouldn't trust Graham not to do the same thing again in the future, but to you next time.

Both Ali and Graham's fiancee deserve so much better than this pathetic little man. I would have read this book and 5-starred it if both Ali and the fiancee dumped him and then got together themselves.

I enjoyed reading Never Planned on You by Lindsay Hameroff. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

I loved the debut novel by this author and I was really looking forward to this book. But this one was borderline a bit too close to cheating for me and that is a hard pass for me. So while I loved the writing and the FMC, I just couldn't completely get behind this book.

I enjoyed this book! If you liked The Wedding Planner, I think you would enjoy this, because it’s a similar plot with a few distinctions. First things first, I loved Ali and Graham’s meet cute. Their chemistry was popping off the page from the start. It’s clear that 8 years hasn’t done much to quell that spark. I think they complemented each other well with Ali being more carefree and spontaneous while Graham is more cautious and practical.

I also loved how supportive they were of each other and how they felt seen. Ali feels misunderstood by her family given that she’s on her 3rd career path in 5 years, while Graham feels the pressure of saving his family’s hotel. His sense of duty and loyalty supersede his own happiness, creating the predicament they’re in.

Now this isn’t a spoiler, because it’s in the synopsis, but Graham’s pending marriage is one of convenience, which would make their budding relationship “acceptable” if only for the issue that Ali doesn’t know that for the first 1/2 of the book. So there are some instances of physical intimacy when Ali thinks Graham is in a real relationship. Usually cheating in books isn’t a dealbreaker for me, but I didn’t love it in this instance and I could see it being an issue for others. I think the forbidden aspect of him needing to marry Claire would have been enough.

Nevertheless, I love Lindsay’s writing and thought this was a sweet story with a great ensemble cast. Ali’s family brought the humor and their love of food, specifically as a part of observing their Jewish holidays. It was also fun to see Lexi, Jake and Chloe from TTWY!

Another cute rom-com from Lindsay Hameroff!

Ali Rubin’s spontaneity has served her well in life so far. She’s studied abroad in London during her college years, trained as a chef in New York City and now has returned back home to work as a wedding planner. While her life isn’t exactly as she planned, she’s happy. Until she meets the groom of the newest couple she’s working with. She’s met him before. She made a drunken bet in London that resulted in her and the groom getting matching tattoos, having a wonderful night together, and then never seeing each other again…until now. And it turns out the chemistry between them is still electric.

In theory, this is the perfect rom-com for me. It has all the tropes I love with lovable, witty, and relatable characters. Unfortunately, I just never felt the connection with Ali and Graham that I had hoped. That doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it, because I did. But Lindsay’s debut last year was one of my top reads of 2024, and this one isn’t going to make my top list.

While you can’t love them all, this is a solid romance story and one I do recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the digital ARC. My review is honest and voluntary.

I wanted to love this book. And I did enjoy the reading experience. I was not a fan of the cheating plot line though, and the main characters waffling back and forth. I know that's a personal issue, and nothing to do with the writing though. Also, I was hoping for more Jewish elements from a Jewish author.

Two strangers meet in England and spend one crazy night together, resulting in matching tattoos and a night neither will ever forget. Years later they meet again. Ali is an event planner hired to plan Graham's wedding! Not exactly the reunion either was hoping for, especially when the flames flare once more.

I'm so glad I got this ARC. I was into this book from the very beginning. It's funny, it's sad, it's hopelessness and then full of hope. Through it all, you never stop hoping that Ali and Graham will end up being able to align their ugly, ugly matching tattoos forever!

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ebook. All thoughts are my own.

Ahh I had a full beautiful review written and something happened to it! So this one is a bit less well put together

I loved the authors debut book, so when I was sent a widget for Never Planned on You I jumped on it and knew I’d enjoy! The writing was spot on and the plot was original feeling.

The only thing I’d advise people sensitivity / trigger wise is that there is some adjacent to cheating in the story. It didn’t entirely feel the same as cheating to me, but it was still some pretty big lying and made me feel sad, even though I enjoyed the story.

I had a rough time with the book for no reason of the authors, because the MMC is my ex-husband’s name, and I don’t have fond thoughts of him. So it was hard reading a romance book with his name. 🫤

Overall, it was a cute romance and I loved the unique trope twist. Thanks so much for the arc!

Did this book have a certain level of rom-com predictability? Yes. Did I care? ABSOLUTELY NOT!! While many of the scenarios the reader could spot coming a mile away, the warmth, heart and humor of this book fueled me forward and crafted a truly enjoyable, heartfelt love story that I would recommend every day of the week ! The characters are charming and real, and by the conclusion, you are rooting for everyone. I loved it. Well done !

This charming and heartwarming story is a must-read for anyone who believes in second chances and the enduring power of love. With its witty humor, endearing characters, and uplifting message, this book will resonate with readers who enjoy a feel-good romance that leaves them with a sense of hope and optimism. The swoon-worthy romance will sweep readers off their feet, making them believe in the possibility of finding true love, even in the most unexpected circumstances.

The characters are so realistically crafted that readers will find themselves laughing, crying, and cheering them on as they navigate the complexities of relationships and the challenges of life. The author's writing style is engaging and evocative, drawing readers into the story and making them feel as though they are a part of the characters' world. The dialogue is sharp and witty, and the plot is filled with twists and turns that will keep readers guessing until the very end.

Whether you're a fan of contemporary romance, women's fiction, or simply a lover of good stories, this book is sure to capture your heart and leave you with a smile on your face. It's a perfect escape from the stresses of everyday life, and a reminder that love can conquer all.

Lindsay Hameroff does it again! Another great romance story filled with many laugh-out-loud moments.

Many years ago Ali and Graham met in London and had one drunken night that included unique matching tattoos. Fast forward to the present day and Ali is settling in back home in Baltimore, Maryland. She switched careers and moved from New York City to Baltimore to work in wedding planning. She is hoping to get a full-time position. One day she was getting coffee at her local shop when the man in front of her sounded and looked very familiar. Sure enough, it is Graham!

They catch up over drinks and they both realize the chemistry is still there. However, things take a turn the next day when Ali meets her clients whom she will be wedding planning for when Graham walks through the office.

This book gave me The Wedding Planner movie vibes. Which is, of course, a classic! I also enjoyed all the 90s-type references from Titanic to Polly Pocket to the OC!

I loved seeing their chemistry continue to build and I loved Ali’s family.

This is a perfect second-chance romance! You will be rooting for them throughout the entire book!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Ali Rubin is spontaneous, even getting a matching tattoo with a stranger during a trip to London. Graham suddenly appears in her favorite Baltimore cafe, and the two catch up. Ali wants to prove she's not a flake in her new job as a wedding planner and Graham is present to help his family's hotel with a flashy wedding to drum up business. Though the two have chemistry, Graham is engaged in a marriage of convenience. They have to stay apart, or it might ruin everything.

If Ali's best friend Lexi sounds familiar, it's because she had her own romance in Til Thee Was You. Now it's Ali's turn! Ali from the start is tempestuous, with many first dates and impulsive actions in her teens and early twenties. She's determined to settle down and move out of her parents' home once she is taken on as a full-time wedding planner when she runs into Graham again. Now she feels sparks for the first time, so it's an even bigger letdown for her to know he's in a relationship of sorts. The two still feel sparks, and revealing that they are in a marriage of convenience means that they start having a relationship of sorts: dates, time with Ali's family, jobs at the hotel, and planning the wedding. They hide the truth from people and refuse to think about it as cheating. Because there's so much riding on the wedding happening, we get the inevitable breakup to get it done.

I don't normally enjoy stories with cheating in it. I think this is an exception because Graham and his fiancée have no romantic chemistry together and it was a move to give her a visa to stay for her job and a splashy event for his grandmother’s hotel. There's never a moment where the two are interested as anything more than friends, though lying about the dates is still pretty scummy. Ali is ultimately the kind of person who does the right thing, even if it hurts and she disappoints others. We see the changes in her and family members so that she doesn't have to live up to impossible standards, and neither does anyone else. I liked the happily ever after, and how aware everyone was of the romcom formula, but still rolled with it. It was a fun book for the genre.

I really enjoyed reading her previous title Till There Was You.
Never Planned on You by Lindsay Hameroff is a humorous second chance romance that was utterly amazing!
I enjoyed this book from the get-go! I tore this book in one day!
This book is very easy to become absorbed in. I literally could not put this book down.
The romance in this was absolutely adorable, tender, and perfect.
A great concept, good writing and fantastic narration.
I can’t wait to see what Lindsay Hameroff creates next!

Never Planned On You
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🎂opposites attract
🎂second chance
🎂marriage of convenience
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Ali was a fun character and she definitely brought the laughs and the excitement to the relationship. Graham is one MMC that I will soon forget…😬 I’m not his biggest fan.
I did enjoy Ali’s family and their Jewish traditions, and her grandma was a hoot.
One part that I didn’t love in this book is the cheating trope. It’s just one of those tropes that leaves a bad taste. Even though I knew there was a reason the wedding felt off, it’s just a bit icky to me.
Anyway, it definitely gave me The Wedding Planner vibes and I think romcom readers will enjoy it.
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Thank you to netgalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the connection between Graham and Ali and seeing their relationship grow. The “one that got away” trope was so fun, and I really connected with Ali’s journey to figure out what she wants out of life. However, there was a dark shadow over everything I liked which is the cheating. Spoiler - Now I know that it wasn’t really cheating because Graham and his fiancée were going into a marriage of convenience. BUT Ali did not know that until we were the majority of the way through the book and she still did many romantic things with Graham anyway. The whole marriage of convenience just kind of annoyed me because it just put a damper on all the fun romance and made me slightly dislike Graham and Ali. I did enjoy this story, the writing, and the characters, but I’m not sure if I would recommend because of that shadow.

Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Never Planned on You is a cute second chance rom-com. Overall the concept of the book was very fun and flirty. I loved the idea of matching tattoos that are just completely ridiculous. But besides that, this book wasn't my favorite cup of tea. The cheating trope is always a hard one for me to read, and I end up just feeling bad for everyone involved. I was also frustrated with some of the choices that our main characters kept making. I did like the author's writing style and would be willing to try another book written by her.
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the ARC!

This book was such a fun read!

Ali never expects to run into her tattoo twin, Graham, from London. So when she finds him at a coffee shop in Baltimore, she is surprised and can't help but wonder what could have been. But it turns out that Graham is the groom in the wedding that Ali is helping plan!! The more time Ali and Graham spend together, the harder it becomes for them to deny the chemistry they share. However, things are not as they appear, leading to a complicated situation that led to some icky feelings - but the ending ties everything together nicely.

This book was cute and explored important themes. I enjoyed seeing the family dynamic and personal character growth.

Looks like Lindsay Hameroff can always be counted on to bring the pop culture references! It was also so much fun to see the characters from the author's debut novel, Till There Was You.

If you are looking for a second chance romance that brings all the rom-com feels, along with some British charm, then definitely add this one to your TBR!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I had such a fun time reading this book, it completely drew me in with Ali’s bubbly personality and Graham’s heart!
I felt like I was reading a 2000’s romcom and loved every minute of it!

We are introduced to our love interests right off the bat, showing us the sweetest meet cute in a London pub. Ali and Graham make a bet against each other that ends up with them having matching tattoos and one unforgettable night before they don’t see each other again for 10 years.

Ali is back in Baltimore working as an event planner, unlucky in love after all these years. She’s grabbing lunch when she runs into the last person she was expecting, Graham. He’s recently in town to help his grandmother save her hotel, and the sparks are immediately brought back like no time has passed at all. They share an incredible evening together, only solidifying their connection.

Ali is up for a promotion at her job as long as the wedding that she is now set to help with is a success, only when she’s set up to meet with the couple, Graham walks in, the groom to be. Ali and Graham are thrown in this impossible situation of hiding their feelings for each other with so much at stake with this upcoming wedding.

Don’t worry, there’s no cheating! Graham and Claire, the bride, were in a marriage of convenience! But oh my, was I so anxious to see where the story was going to go. I couldn’t imagine how they were going to resolve everything and the ending was so good! I love a good happily ever after 🥹

Definitely a book for you if you love second chance romance, a bit of forbidden love, marriage of convenience, and grand gestures! Oh and a MMC with a British accent 😍