I absolutely loved this story that started with the most amazing meet cute and kept me laughing and smiling until the very end.

When Ali meets Graham on her last night abroad, she never expects she will see him again. In fact, she’s so sure she won’t, that they get matching tattoos on a bet. Fast forward to today, Ali is planning a wedding that will help save a historic hotel and it turns out that her matching tattoo buddy is the groom!

Read this one if you love:
⭐️ Rom-coms
⭐️ Forced proximity
⭐️ He falls first
⭐️ Arranged marriage / marriage of convenience
⭐️ Workplace romance

Thank you to Net Galley, the author and St Martin’s Press for providing an e-arc in exchange for my honest review!

I really liked this book. I was hooked from the prologue shenanigans.

This had some The Wedding Planner movie vibes but I will say there is way more to the story than meets the eye (don’t want to give any spoilers).

I enjoyed the two main characters and the instant attraction and chemistry between them. They truly had me swooning and routing for them

This book did an amazing job depicting individual struggles that we harbour in daily life and growing up. Whether it was self doubt, past traumas, shouldering responsibilities, figuring out your career path and passions

There was several pop culture reference that had me cracking up

I think the single POV did this book justice but I would have loved a duel POV for a more enriched experience

Lindsay Hameroff has delivered another delightful romcom with a perfect mix of humor, heart, and swoon-worthy romance. This story kicks off with a flashback to the unforgettable night Ali and Graham first meet in a London pub, playing drinking games, making not-so-great decisions, and ending with matching tattoos and a one-night stand. Fast-forward eight years, and fate reunites them in Baltimore when Ali is hired to plan Graham’s wedding.

The setup is brilliant: a “what could have been” love story colliding with a “marriage of convenience” trope, and Hameroff navigates it all with charm and finesse. The chemistry between Ali and Graham is electric, and the tension builds beautifully as they navigate their undeniable connection while staying respectful of Graham’s engagement to his best friend, Claire. The snowed-in scene? Pure romcom gold!

What sets this book apart is how relatable and real the characters feel. Ali is hilarious, messy, and trying to figure out her life while feeling the pressure of living in her older sister’s shadow. Her insecurities and struggles make her easy to root for, and her humor keeps the story light and engaging. Graham, on the other hand, is the perfect blend of honor and vulnerability, trying to balance his family’s needs while falling head over heels for Ali. Together, they’re magic, with a natural chemistry that feels effortless.

The supporting cast also shines, from the familiar faces of Hameroff’s interconnected universe to Ali’s hilarious and heartwarming family. The incorporation of Jewish traditions adds richness to the story, particularly the beautiful grand gesture during a pivotal moment with Ali’s Bubbie, which melted my heart.

This book is laugh-out-loud funny, romantic, and packed with emotional depth. While you can absolutely enjoy it as a standalone, fans of Till There Was You will love the updates on Jake and Lexi. Ali and Graham’s journey is full of humor, tender moments, and an ending that will leave you smiling long after you turn the last page. An amazing romcom and a must-read for fans of the genre!

Never Planned on You is a second-chance romance between Ali and Graham. Ali, finishing up a study-abroad semester in London, had a one night stand with Graham. She sneaks out in the morning and that’s that—until several years later Ali heads out for lunch from her wedding planning job and they run into each other in a sandwich shop in Baltimore. They go out for drinks, feel the same chemistry, and then he pulls back and says good night.

The next day Ali’s team is meeting with a new client for a big-deal wedding. Ali and the bride hit it off while waiting for the groom to arrive. The groom who is, of course, Graham. Ali and Graham agree to pretend not to know each other and the wedding planning continues, but the electricity is still there and they start a “wedding planner with benefits” situation.

I enjoyed Hameroff’s writing. I liked both buttoned-up Graham and messy Ali. I liked Ali’s friends. My problem is that during the bulk of the story, Ali was with Graham while thinking she was cheating with him on a woman that she genuinely liked. WE know that things aren’t what they seem with the couple, but SHE doesn’t and makes the choice to be with Graham. I know that’s a me problem and that most readers will enjoy this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the eARC Opinions are my own.

Thank you so much to SMP Romance for the advance copy!

This book will be out on Feb 18th, 2025.

Last year I was fortunate enough to receive an advance copy of Lindsay's book and we became IG friends bonding over our love of Harry Styles. I was even more fortunate enough to be able to meet Lindsay on a few occasions and she is such a delight! I was super excited to get an advance copy of this and the book delivered!

"I don't know what it is about you. Under normal circumstances, I am a rational, level headed person. Someone who never does anything reckless or without careful consideration. But every time I'm around you, I turn into someone completely different."


The way that this book starts off is a flashback to the first time our FMC Ali meets the MMC Graham. They meet at pub in London while playing a drink game. After some not so wise choice they both end the night with matching tattoos and a one night stand. She comes back to America without ever exchanging any sort of info with Graham that is until 8 years later when their paths cross in Baltimore. I love how we got this set up and the very first meeting between these two.

I kept thinking of the song "The One That Got Away" as the dance between Graham and Ali begins when the company she works for hires her to plan Graham's wedding. I'm sure you are thinking, this is a romance so how do we get a happily ever after? That's where the fun of the book is! We learn the reasoning behind the wedding (marriage of convenience), why he is here in the states and get to see the tension between Ali and Graham grow the more they spend time together. There is a moment where they get snowed in together - wheww!

I did not think that Lindsay could top Jake but Graham might take the cake? For the sake of this being a book, I was able to look past the whole "does it count as cheating if he's not really dating the woman he is supposed to be marrying?" Once I learned the condition of the engagement, I was able to put that aside to really watch the magic between the two. There was this natural chemistry that started that night in London. They just played so well off one another. Even though Graham was trying so hard to resist Ali out of respect for Claire (his best friend turned fiancee), he just couldn't. And even Ali tried so hard to maintain her crush since he was technically a client.

"Ali, when it comes to you, I'll never regret anything."


I absolutely love how incorporated all the Jewish traditions in this! And how Graham just seamlessly fit in with her family during these traditions. It just made my heart melt! Lindsay had a grand gesture in her first book and there was the most heartwarming grand gesture that happens during a very big moment for her Bubbie.

I think one of the many reasons why I love reading Lindsay's books is the way that she makes her characters relatable. Ali feels like she is a mess. She is trying to figure out what she wants to do in life and feels like she is constantly messing up. She feels the weight of pressure to be a certain way especially with being in the shadow of her big sister, Sarah. Even though I am technically a big sister (and I was a little of Sarah) and felt like I could relate to Ali. Even with pushing 40, I still feel like I am constantly making the wrong choices and messing up.

This is an interconnected with Till There Was You but you could totally read this as a stand alone. We do get an update on Jake and Lexi. There is a lovely moment when all the friends come together and are there for Ali.

I apologize that this became such a long review but I just really loved this one so much!

PS: One thing I can always count on is Harry Styles/One Direction references - keep em coming!

Read if you like
✩ Second Chance
✩ Opposites Attract
✩ Slow Burn
✩ some spice 🌶️
✩ Rom-com level angst
✩ Happily ever afters


👏 I. Ate. This. Up. 👏 FMC Ali was funny, caring, and determined. Graham was charming, sweet, and a little lost. Their banter was hilarious. The spice was perfectly timed. 🌶️ Things between them were messy and complicated, so it was interesting to watch their story unfold. The plot sucked me in and kept me turning pages. The ending was unexpectedly funny and fit the characters so well. The epilogue brought things full circle nicely!

Never Planned On You by Lindsay Hameroff

“When something is meant for you, it always finds its way back”

Thank you SMP Romance and NetGalley for the free advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book so much! I thought that it was sweet and funny with just the right amount of angst plus an adorable ending. Second chance romances are almost always my favorites so it’s no surprise that this one touched my heart. Lindsay Hameroff is a new to me author but one that I am so excited to read more from.

Ali meets Graham on her last night in London but after a drunken bet leads to matching tattoos they each go their separate ways never expecting to see each other again. Years later, by chance or by fate, they find themselves at the same cafe in Ali’s hometown of Baltimore and reconnect during a whirlwind evening together. When the next day comes, lo and behold, they run into each other once again only this time things are much more complicated. Ali is a wedding planner tasked with helping a couple plan their high profile wedding at an historic hotel in Baltimore and Graham… is the groom.

The writing and all of the characters are lovely and so well done. Graham is kind and caring and so head over heels in love with Ali. He truly wants to do right by everyone and the way that he approaches the situation is heartfelt and sweet. Ali is spontaneous and so much fun. Her character is a whole vibe and I just love her.

If you are a fan of rom-coms, especially ones with amazing characters and a slow burn then this one is for you!

Read if you like:
Second Chance
Opposites Attract
Slow Burn
Some spice
Rom-com level angst
Happily ever afters

Never Planned On You by Lindsay Hameroff

3.75🌟🌟🌟

Quote “But that’s the thing about life. Sometimes it takes you in unexpected directions.”

Ali is impulsive, always ready to party, and a bit non committal. Graham is a mister rogers stuffy type British guy but completely swoon worthy, his life planned and organized. He lives in London she lives in the states other than the awful matching tattoos they got on a drunken lost best and their one night stand eight years prior, their paths never expected to cross again. Until he is the fiancée of the Wedding her and her firm are event planners for. They don’t tell the others they know each other but they can’t fight their attraction to one another. After a few kisses and inappropriate conversations, Graham finally admits that he is marrying his fiancée for her to gain a green card and help his grandmother’s hotel. Ali is confident that this will just be a “friends” with benefits relationship til he gets married - then she will move on but will she be able to let him go and at what cost - her career, her heart, the hotel?

Ali Rubin is still trying to figure herself out. She’s gone from teaching school, attending culinary school and working in NYC restaurants and now she has returned to her home in Baltimore trying to learn wedding planning. She is back living in her childhood room and comparing herself to her, got it together, older sister. Once years before after a drinking game in London she got matching, hilariously ugly tattoos, with a British stranger and spent the night. She never expects to run into him in Baltimore at her favorite coffee shop. She is even more surprised to realize it is his wedding she is currently planning.

This is a cute cover and the book has some very funny moments. I really wanted to swoon for Graham but his people pleasing tendencies had me frustrated. He would say he would tell his fiancee about he and Ali’s connection but that doesn’t. There were a few scenes where I didn’t like him and then he’d be charming to her family and win me over again. I did like the representation of Ali’s Jewish heritage. I also liked Ali and her sister’s relationship and how they saw each other. I appreciated how that changed over the storyline.

This can absolutely be read as a stand alone but it does tie in with the author's previous book, “Till There Was You” (Feb 2024), which I’ve read. The two female leads are friends. Interestingly both books feature one night stands that come back for a chance of love.

Lindsay Hameroff delivers a delightful, heartwarming second-chance romance with Never Planned on You. Packed with witty banter, sizzling chemistry, and the emotional complexity of forbidden love, this novel is an irresistible read for romance fans.

Ali Rubin’s zest for life is contagious—she’s spontaneous, adventurous, and determined to prove herself in her new career as a wedding planner. But when fate throws her a curveball in the form of Graham—the mysterious British stranger from her past who also happens to be the groom of her career-making wedding—her perfectly laid plans begin to unravel. As their undeniable connection reignites, Ali is forced to choose between professional success and the possibility of true love.

The tension between Ali and Graham crackles on every page, making this an absolute page-turner. Hameroff expertly balances humor, longing, and self-discovery, crafting characters who feel real and relatable. The setting, from Baltimore’s charm to the grandeur of the Black-Eyed Susan hotel, adds an atmospheric richness to the story.

With its perfect mix of slow-burn romance, laugh-out-loud moments, and heartfelt dilemmas, Never Planned on You is a must-read for fans of second chances, fake relationships, and finding love in the most unexpected places.

Lindsay Hameroff is quickly becoming a favorite, auto-buy and auto-read author between this book and Til There Was You, I’m hooked. Never Planned on You is a fun, wedding planner and the groom romance where it’s forbidden and so much fun, but also heartbreaking as these two fall in love.

I love the tattoo connection from the prologue, it was the perfecting way to introduce them and make me fall for them from the start! It was a fun ride and I loved reading their story because Graham and Ali have so much chemistry and love for each other it’s obvious the entire book to everyone but them and Claire.

Graham and Ali are clear opposites attract and they all keep each other on their toes and Ali pushes Graham to feel safe to be spontaneous and fun, while Ali feels more stable and like she’s on the right track when she’s with him, especially as she gets flack with her family from her lifestyle. Ali and Graham are perfect for each other and I loved reading their story from start to finish!

3.5⭐️ This was a cute and fun romance.

As a lover of the movie The Wedding Planner, the synopsis for this book sounded perfect. Ali was a likable main character, and I enjoyed seeing her creativity in her job. I liked the depth that we got with her family and their dynamics, and think it added to the story. I also loved how distinct each of her family member’s personalities were.

The romance between her and Graham was a little insta-loveish (which doesn’t always work for me), and I think it made it a little harder for me to feel the chemistry between them. However, I did like seeing their bond grow in the present day, and as the book went on, I did find myself enjoying their story more.

If you’re in the mood for a lighthearted read, you might like this!

Never Planned on You by Lindsay Hameroff

Rating: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 2/5 🌶️🌶️

Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin, Netgalley, and the author for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Never Planned on You is a super sweet, lighthearted read. It touches on family dynamics, commitment, passion, and following your heart. A wonderfully endearing romcom with great MCs, fantastic supporting characters, and a fun plot!

Ali makes a bet with Graham while she's studying in London and they both end up with matching tattoos and an unforgettable night. Many years later, Ali is in Baltimore working as an event planner and she happens to run into Graham. They have dinner together and Ali hopes they will pursue a relationship. The next day, Ali is shocked to find out that Graham is the groom of a wedding she is planning. She is both devastated and angry but is determined to get a promotion so she stays to plan the wedding. But things aren't as they seem and the more time Ali and Graham spend together, the more that their deep connection and chemistry become evident.

I really enjoyed how the plot kept me guessing and had some very interesting twists and turns! Those who enjoyed watching The Wedding Planner would definitely like this story. Overall, a quick and easy read with lots of fun throughout!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!

I really loved reading this book- so much so that I genuinely could not put it down and finished it in a day. I really related to Ali and I was rooting for her to win- in life, in love, just in general.

I’ve read books similar to this before but this was a fresh take on it. I love Lindsay Hameroff’s style of writing, and I’m definitely going to read all of her future books!

Thank you to St. Martins Griffin and NetGalley for my complimentary eARC of Never Planned on You. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this second chance romance. It’s a fresh take on the constant pressure young adults face when choosing a career path. Life is messy ever changing, but you need to do what makes you happy.

I liked all the current event references.

And bonus for the update on the characters Lexi and Jake from Till There Was You. If you want to avoid spoilers I recommend reading that book first. Though this one can be read as a standalone l.

I absolutely LOVED this book from Lindsay Hameroff & could not have been more tickled by this love story. Set in Baltimore (which just climbed my list of romantic cities to visit on the east coast because of this book), this story is so topsy turvy second chance difficult angsty that it feels like it could be the backdrop for my next favorite Taylor Swift album.

This book has it all & I can’t wait to read more from Lindsay in the future!!!! Thank you to the publishing team for the ARC!

Lindsay Hameroffs books are so incredibly bingeable. I read this baby in roughly 24 hours. They are so easy, their plots move along fairly quickly, and her characters are so likable and enjoyable! Over all, I love this premise. Girl who is seen as the mess falls in love with man who carries the weight of pleasing his family on his baccckkk. Ali and Graham were such a fun coupling, and I really loved the cameos from Ali's friends from Hameroff's freshman novel.
Heres what I disliked - through out nearly half of the book, we are led to believe (although it is not convincingly) that Graham is MARRYING another girl. When we find out the truth, Graham is too big of a baby to TALK to his "fiance" to discuss not actually getting married. So then Ali continues to PINE after this man and make moves, and he RECIPROCATES. Sort out your shit, yall!
Despite all of that (that, being a large chunk of this book), I still really liked this. Graham was obvi so in love with Ali, and the beginning of their relationship was such a fun start. Still a fun read, but it didn't quite have the magic Till There Was You had.
Special thanks to St. Martins Press for both the eARC and the physical ARC of NPOY!

This was really fun! I loved the characters and I understood that sense of belonging that our FMC was looking for. I think that’s so relatable. I did enjoy the second chance aspect and the matching tattoos. So funny! I think this topic can be hard to tackle because so many readers don’t want to root for a “cheating” couple, but I feel like this was done well!! Claire was such a fun character and I loved that she was supportive the entire time.

~Thanks to Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of *Never Planned on You* in exchange for an honest review. ~

I fully admit that this DNF is my own fault. I misread the blurb when I first requested this from Netgalley and once I started reading and put together what kind of story this was going to be, I was hopeful that it wouldn’t cross any lines and I’d be able to enjoy it. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.

My biggest hang up was that I thought the hero was connected to the wedding in some way, not, y’know, *the groom*. That’s what really threw me off and so I was really hoping this wouldn’t turn into cheating because I actually was enjoy a lot of this book. The heroine is really funny and I was rooting for her to succeed, even if I did feel she made herself out to be the victim a little too often. Once we met the hero and his fiancee though, I did, pretty immediately, <spoiler> start to notice a few odd things to lean toward this wedding not being everything it appears to be. I wasn’t sure the why, but I was pretty confident it was for convenience sake. </spoiler> Again, I can roll with that.

Of course, expected shenanigans ensue and our two leads continuously end up alone together in planning the wedding with lots of sexual tension. It was silly, but fun. What officially made me put this down, however, was that these two end up making out while our heroine still believes he’s an engaged man. There’s been a few little hints that something’s up between our hero and his fiancee, but our heroine hasn’t put that all together. If the hero would have come clean then and there, I’d have been able to move past this, but instead he doubles down about how wonderful his fiancee is. I just couldn’t anymore. It felt too icky for me.

Bummed, but my own fault in the end.

I had major surgery in the middle of reading this so it didn’t really take me almost 2 weeks to read this. This sophomore entry from Lindsay features Ali who is Lexi’s best friend from Till There Was You. Ali met Graham 10 years prior and they had a one night stand. Fast forward to now and they unexpectedly run into each other in Ali’s hometown of Baltimore where Graham’s family happens to own a hotel.

I don’t really want to get into plot details because too much of it may spoil the story. But this is a really sweet RomCom if you love Hallmark movies. Lindsay’s writing is full of twists and turns that get revealed along the way. I also loved the Jewish rep through Shabbat, Hanukkah, and a Bar Mitzvah. Just like in Never Planned On You, the lead female is a trained chef so this book may make you very hungry. It was great to see Lexi and Jake again though I wish we knew where they ended up during the Epilogue.

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