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 😍

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!