I have to be honest I did not like this book. The entire first 50% is just miscommunication so much could’ve been solved earlier if they just had an adult conversation and I get there was people’s secrets to protect, but they were creating so many more issues by not talking.. while I’m aware this book had no cheating but the misuse of trust and people’s boundaries was really gross. And honestly, the end just didn’t work for me. like the end, just proved my point that if they had the conversation way further in the beginning, they could’ve gotten to the same resolution.

In this fun, second chance romance, Ali is looking for a fresh start. She has moved back to Baltimore and is starting a new career as an event planner. What she didn’t know is that her past would come walking in during her next work consultation.

Never Planned on You is a second chance romance but it is also about staring over and being ok to try new things. I enjoyed the romance between Ali and Graham. Ali’s grandma is hilarious!

If you are looking for a feel good romance with a touch of spice, then I would pick up Never Planned on You.

Never Planned on You by Lindsay Hameroff
⭐3.75
🌶️ 2
🥵 Spicy Chapters: 16, 17, 19, 21
📚 Tropes/Themes: second chance, right man wrong time, forbidden relationship, wedding planner x hotelier, forced proximity, opposites attract, workplace romance
👀 Single POV 1st person
🩷 ❤️Something I liked: based in Baltimore
🙈 Something I disliked: The FMC seemed underdeveloped and wishy-washy
🛍️ Available: Out Now!
🧠 Triggers:

💬 Review:
This was a super adorable story, and I was definitely rooting for Ali and Graham the whole time. I’m glad they were able to find their way back to each other. The story was a little predictable, but cute and I don’t really mind predictability in stories like this.

Without giving too much away, some of the common tropes were “flipped”, and I thought that was a fun idea. Well, not totally flipped but again, not sure how to say what it really was without spoilers lol.

There were a few things that fell flat for me, like I had a hard time being convinced of Ali’s personality- she seemed to flip-flop so much. In some ways she seemed very self-assured and outgoing, and then suddenly out of nowhere she was insecure and saying “I’m unloveable!”. I wish that either she had been written with a MORE insecure personality (even though I hate insecure FMCs 😂 or she’d been more stubborn/outgoing.

This almost felt like a coming of age story, but not quite- Ali is very young, and while I kind of think that’s the point, it’s also very apparent that she IS young. I’m not saying her sister is completely right with the way she mother’s her, but she’s not totally wrong either. I did appreciate her character growth with her family.

Looking for a solid rom-com with all the humor and hijinks that you'd expect from a late 1990s/early 2000s movie? Then you should PLAN on Never Planned on You!

Ali and Graham had a one night stand eight years ago, never expecting to see each other again. But one day he's back in her life and in her town, and their attraction hasn't fizzled a bit. The problem? She's supposed to be planning his wedding to another person! Can Ali get the promotion she's hoping for AND hold off her feelings for her soon-to-be-wedded dream guy? You'll have to read to find out!

This book is often laugh-out-loud funny! There were so many scenes that seemed to come straight from the rom-com playbook, which is just what the doctor ordered if you're looking for an easy breezy contemporary romance. Another thing I found charming is that we are treated to scenes with Lexi and Jake, who are featured in Hameroff's debut: Till There Was You! Occasionally I had trouble connecting with the heroine, or suspending belief enough to go along with the plot. I still enjoyed the story overall and would recommend this, as I mentioned, to die-hard rom-com fans.

Trigger warnings: cheating (maybe...kind of...?), death of a grandparent, unwanted sexual attention from strangers (very brief), grandparent in the hospital

I'd like to thank St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

I loved absolutely everything about this. The matching tattoo meet cute, the run-in years later, the banter, the pining, the impossible situation they found themselves in, just everything. I wish I could start over and read it again for the first time.

New Year New Author. I really enjoyed this one. The banter, humor and interesting characters made it a fun read. Loved the best friends and overall cast of characters for this story. The 3rd act drama – I’m typically not fond of a third act breakup – but I didn’t mind it at all and was flying through the end of the book before I realized I was caught in some 3rd act breakup drama. Overall, this was a fun one, a 5 star read for me. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I finished the book a few nights ago and I'm still thinking about it. 5 stars. All the stars. I absolutely loved it. I am going to need a physical copy.

MC Ali's voice is so fresh and fun- she instantly felt like someone I would be friends with. At some points I was like wait, is Ali me?! Of course I also loved the Jewish rep and references. As for the buttoned up, glasses wearing British love interest? Yes please!

On Ali's last night in London, a dare ends with her getting matching tattoos with her friend's flatmate- and a kiss ends up with her in his bed. Eight years later Ali has moved back to her hometown to start her career in the wedding event industry and happens to run into none other than that hottie from across the pond. As for whether the sparks are still there? Ali's pupils are basically cartoon hearts.

I like how the story doesn't mess around. I kinda knew what was going on by chapter 4 but I was excited to see if it unfolded the way I thought it would and reader, it DID! Graham was dreamy and 'the sort of person who listens with his entire body' and 'was over 5 ft 8... to help lift the chairs' at Ali's nephew's bar mitzvah (IYKYK). What is the emoji for 'swoon'?

Between Bubbie, Ali's amazing and supportive friends (Lexi is the star of book one, Till There Was You) and a British man who says 'it's always been you', I wanted to live in this book. I kvelled, I rejoiced and I laughed out loud multiple times. If you loved the JLO/Matthew McConaghy cult classic The Wedding Planner (minus the icky parts), you will love this read.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my earc in exchange for my honest review.

Y’all. I did not like this book.

It started off so great. It’s funny and the FMC remains funny throughout the book. Ali meets Graham on her final night in London. They have a fantastic time getting matching tattoos and having the sex. Then Ali leaves to go back to the US.

That was eight years ago. Now, she’s starting a new career as a wedding planner and her boss has promised a promotion if she pulls off her latest assignment. Oh, but who’s the groom? You got it. Graham.

Here’s the thing: I have read plenty of books where one or the other MC is involved with someone else in the beginning. I wouldn’t even say I have an issue with cheating in romance novels. But this absolutely did not work for me in this one. I don’t want to give away too much in case you do want to read it. I’ll just say the author did have reasons for everything that happens. I just didn’t buy it. At all.

I do not recommend this book.

I was provided an eARC via #netgalley and @stmartinspress. All thoughts are mine alone.

#romancebooks #contemporaryromance #neverplannedonyou #bookreview #bookstagram

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the arc copy of this book. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

When Ali and Graham meet in a London bar, get matching tattoos, and hook up, Ali is under the impression it was just a memorable one night stand. She goes home to New York and carries on with life, trying out different careers over the next 10 years. When Ali moves home to Baltimore and starts interning as a wedding planner, she starts to feel as if maybe this is her career calling. The opportunity to prove herself and land an official event planner position presents itself, and Ali is ecstatic to do just that. The owner of the Black Eyed Susan, a popular historic hotel in Baltimore, is looking for a company to plan her grandson's wedding. Unbeknownst to Ali, Graham is said grandson. Sparks fly immediately between Ali and Graham, as if no time as passed at all, and they must fight their attraction to do the right thing for everyone involved. Obviously, that's easier said than done.

I LOVE this book; it's easily one of my favorite reads of the year. Ali and Graham are both written with such vulnerability, wit, and love. There isn't a single awful character (other than the 3 leering men of course). I love the storyline and how supportive Ali and Grahams friends/family are throughout the book. I love the references to current pop culture, such as Taylor Swift's Eras Tour and King Charles's jimjams. I laughed, I cried, and I didn't want it to end. Also the epilogue is *chef's kiss*.

I will never turn down the chance to read a good second chance romance and this was that with a TWIST.

This one was so good i looked up and I had finished the book in one sitting! I love it when that happens.

The angst, the chemistry, the longing. the steamy spicy scenes. It was so good. I highly recommend.
Thank you to net galley for the arc. all opinions are my own,

I really enjoyed this story! Although it started off a bit slowly, it soon picked up steam. One of the highlights for me was the character of Ali; she felt relatable and her choices were easy to understand. I liked how she portrayed the outcast in her family, living like a nomad but yearning for the stability that those around her seemed to have. It added a layer of depth to her character and made her journey more intriguing.

Interestingly, I expected Graham to play a larger role in the story, and I think incorporating his perspective could have enhanced our understanding of his mindset as he navigated his relationship with his fake fiancée. A dual point of view might have allowed readers to better grasp the complexity of their situation, making it feel less awkward and more relatable.

While the passion between Ali and Graham was evident, I found myself longing for a stronger sense of love in their relationship. It seemed that Graham didn’t quite demonstrate his feelings in a way that resonated with Ali, making it feel like there was a missing emotional connection. Overall, the story had great potential, and I believe a deeper exploration of their relationship would have enriched the reading experience.

If I could give this infinite stars I would. The pacing was perfect, the drama was perfect, I did not know how the conflict would be wrapped up, and the banter was perfect. Bubbie? Best grandmother character in my opinion. I laughed, I cried, I fell in love with truly every character. This was written so well and I quite literally could not put my kindle down!

Thank you to NetGalley and SMP for an early copy!

“A glittering, laugh-out-loud second chance romance that reminds us true love is sometimes the one thing you never planned on.”

I went into this book completely blind and I am so glad I did. A bookish friend posted this is our Maryland Group Chat, and I could not wait to pick it up. This story takes place in Baltimore and I fell in love with this book almost immediately when it began talking about so many things that were Baltimore-coded: 36th street, traffic on 83, snowballs, Nacho Mamas (RIP), and so many more.

While these little Baltimore glimpses gave me the warm fuzzies, the real winner is the story. I DEVOURED IT. It was absolutely amazing. Every single moment. Y’all…the MMC is blond and I fell for him so deeply. Ali and Graham are both polar opposites and the best possible match for each other. Plus, the second chance romance vibe totally got me. I can totally see this being a new reread book. I need to get my bookshelf trophy copy soon!

This book is perfect for fans of:
😍Baltimore Representation
😍Second Chance Romance
😍Jewish Representation
😍Matching Tattoos
😍Forced Proximity
😍Wedding Hijinks
😍Trapped in a freezer
😍It’s always been you

In true Cassie fashion I ran the whole range of emotions during the book. I laughed. I cried. I squealed and giggled like a schoolgirl. Lindsay has definitely become an auto-read author.

A special thank you to the author, NetGalley, and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

If I was Ali and had a one night stand and matching tattoos with a charming English man, I would crawl into a hole seeing him again. Ali is back in Baltimore after a career change to wedding planner and has to prove her skills to her boss. Only problem is the wedding she is supposed to be planning is for her one night stand in London many years ago. I loved the push and pull of them recognizing their undeniable connection, but also wanting to do the right thing for her career and his grandmother. There are so many moments where I just wanted to yell at her that he reciprocated her feelings! This book had phenomenal banter and was the ultimate slow burn. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the gifted eARC. All opinions are my own.

Instagram post will be live 20Feb25.

Never Planned on You is a contemporary romance about a couple who had a one-night stand (and got matching tattoos) eight years ago—only to find themselves working together again under awkward circumstances.

When Ali Rubin was studying abroad in London, she had a fun night out with a stranger, Graham, that started with a lost bet and ended with matching tattoos and a night in bed. They never planned on seeing each other again, but fate has other ideas. Eight years later, Ali is assigned to work on Graham’s wedding—except now, he’s the groom. As they navigate the pressures of planning a high-profile wedding, they quickly realize their chemistry never faded. But with each of their personal and career stakes on the line, they’ll have to put their feelings aside to pull off a beautiful wedding.

Never Planned on You features some of the same characters from Lindsay Hameroff’s debut novel, Till There Was You. Like that one, this book is filled with food, friendship, and the career dilemmas of twenty-somethings. I found it enjoyable and romantic, with a really cute ending.

If you love The Wedding Planner you will love this! It was funny and had well rounded characters. Also, great Jewish representation. I can’t wait to read the next book!

Never Planned On You is a fun foodie romance.

This rom-com is set in Baltimore. Ali is a chef turned wedding/event planner.

This book is a companion book to Till There Was You. You don’t have to read that one first. However Ali was a supporting character in that book. And her friends Lexi and Chloe have a small part in this book.

I really enjoy books featuring chefs and event planners. So I really liked Ali’s jobs so much. Also I adore books with Jewish rep. Ali has a wonderful Jewish family. I really enjoyed seeing her Bubbie, the Bar Mitzvah and all of the other Jewish related scenes.

Eight years earlier Ali met Graham in London while she spent a semester studying abroad. Now she is 28 years old trying a new career interning for an event planner.

Graham does come back in her life. Although it’s very complicated. I wish that things had been explained better before halfway into the book. But I still really enjoyed the funny banter. And I liked him with her Bubbie.

Overall I really liked seeing Ali and her friends again. I loved the Jewish parts and I really liked her new career. This was a charming romantic comedy.

Well, this book was messy. I'm debating the rating. I liked the tone and writing, but the relationship goes into some morally gray areas.

Ali and Graham met one night 10 years ago and had an amazing connection. But circumstances and life happened and they never saw each other again, until now when they meet up by chance. He just so happens to be the groom that she is planning a wedding for. His relationship is not all it seems though, and sparks are flying between Ali and Graham once again. Can they figure this out before everything explodes around them?

First, I really enjoyed this writing. I think this author is going to have a bright future and I can't wait to read more. But this book was interesting. The premise was a little sketchy and their relationship started on some iffy footing. Another small issue I had with the writing was how a few items that ended up being integral to Ali's personality got brought up at the end with no prior set up. Ex: an old boyfriend who was never previously mentioned and an out of nowhere obsession with Bob Barker that becomes a huge part of the grand gesture. These could have been way more effective if they were a callback instead of being introduced at the 80% mark. Finally, I thought the grand gesture could have used some work. I loved Ali's realization at the end, and I don't feel like the groveling was sufficient.

I know I'm being picky, but did enjoy this book and flew through it in one day. I think this author has great promise and I'm interested to see what she does next.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the e-book in exchange for my honest review.

I couldn't wait to get my hands on Lindsay Hameroff's sophomore novel, Never Planned on You! I loved her debut, and this one focused on a friend of the female protagonist in book 1. Ali has a one-night stand with a hot British guy, Graham, when she is studying abroad, and then never sees him again. That is, until years later when he shows up in Baltimore as the groom for the wedding she is helping to plan! You can't help but root for Ali the entire book, and Graham. I love their chemistry and the way they navigate her family and career struggles and his wedding and hotel dilemmas. The dialogue is great and romantic, and I loved it! Don't sleep on Hameroff's books!

ＢＯＯＫ• ＲＥＶＩＥＷ

Thank you @smpromance for my #gifted copy of Never Planned On You! #NeverPlannedOnYou #LindsayHameroff #StMartinsPress

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐍𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐎𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐟
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟏𝟖, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

4.5★

Ali Rubin is fun and adventurous. She’s the type of person who is always willing to try new things. She’s also’s the person who got drunk in London once and got matching tattoos with a stranger. Fast forward to the present day and she’s now working as a wedding planner in Baltimore where she’s trying to make a name for herself and prove to her family that she can succeed in this new career. There’s only one problem: her client just so happens to be the same guy with the matching tattoo and his name is Graham. His family owns a historical hotel that has been struggling, and Ali is tasked with not only planning Graham’s wedding (which, is a wedding of convenience) but also revitalizing the struggling Black-Eyed Susan historic hotel. Ali and Graham can’t seem to ignore their feelings for each other, despite the upcoming planned nuptials.

Hameroff is two for two with rom-coms! This book was just so fun and just as good as her first novel! I love when you get to see an author’s personality come out in their books and their characters. Ali was such a fun character, and if you follow Hameroff on social media, you can’t help but smile at some of the things she posts at they relate to her books (book aesthetics, character halloween costumes). It’s hard not to see some of Ali in the author. I loved this book and definitely recommend this second chance romance!

🎂Second Chance Romance
🎂Marriage of Convenience
🎂Wedding Planner x Groom
🎂Opposites Attract
🎂Jewish Representation

Posted on Goodreads on February 19, 2025: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/144922955?ref=nav_profile_l
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**Posted on Amazon on February 19, 2025
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