Never Planned on You by Lindsay Hameroff is a sweet, funny, swoon-worthy second chance romance featuring Ali and Graham.

I adored this cute, fun, lighthearted read and would recommend to those who love rom-coms with sweet moments, quirky characters and a little spice.

This is the second book I’ve read by Lindsay Hameroff and I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was super cute and such a fun, silly read for Valentine’s Day! Was it the most serious or lifechanging? No. But it didn’t take itself too seriously either; it was fun! Ali is a super relatable character, and Graham is a sweetie pie too. I also loved how eccentric all of the characters were. There was a decently large cast of “side” characters, and so many of them were extremely quirky and stood out which really added to the humor. This is definitely a rom com with major emphasis on the comedy side of things. All that said, it still had a lot of cute romance elements and I’m so glad I read it! Thank you Lindsay Hameroff, Macmillan, and Netgalley for this eARC!

Wedding planner romances are always fun for me, and this one was no exception! The love interest is in a marriage of convenience, but not in the way you think - it was a little awkward at times, I won't lie (especially with her being the wedding planner) but it made for a decent conflict. There was also some second chance romance thrown in there for good measure. There were times I was rolling my eyes at some of the typical tropes that happen in a rom-com of this sort, but I had a good time with it overall:)

“Never Planned on You” by Lindsay Hameroff
Get Ready for a FUN romance read.
I loved my time within this story. Sometimes love takes long way round, before actually getting the right two folks together in just the right way.. Yup, sometimes timing is everything. With a little help from the right folks at in the right way at the right time. A story that just may have you sneaking extra reading time!. Happy Reading ! !

Whoever decided to start paying homage to early 2000s romcoms in the romance novel world is my hero. If you’re a fan of The Wedding Planner, but make it even messier, you will LOVE this book just as much as I did! I really enjoyed this second chance romance and how the attraction between Ali and Graham was truly undeniable. It was a unique twist that I think took a lot of courage to put on paper but it paid off in the end. There were some moments where I found both Ali and Graham to be a tad bit annoying, which I would’ve been a lot more ok with if we’d seen a little bit more growth in both MCs. that said, Ali is the most relatable 29 year old I have ever read about in many ways. I felt for her in so many moments, but especially in the struggle to figure out what to do with the rest of her life.

Lindsay Hameroff is becoming an auto-read author for me—I adored her first book, and I think this one might be even better!

Ali is a teacher-turned chef-turned wedding planner, and she’s sick of her family rolling their eyes as she searches for what she really wants to do with her life. She embraces joie de vivre and spontaneity, even if that means getting a tattoo with a stranger after losing a bet on the last day of her study abroad in college. But when she runs into that stranger in her hometown many years later, his presence in her life threatens to complicate her new career and throw her off balance.

This book was so fun. It’s sprinkled with pop culture references, hijinks, and stomach-dropping romantic moments (I mean, the leading man is basically Graham from The Holiday), but like any good romance, there’s more under the surface, as Ali tries to find her way in her family and her career. (As a woman who changed her major seven times, has two bachelor degrees, and now works in a totally different field from either of those degrees, I can relate). I loved how the author portrayed the family—there are some complicated and at times painful dynamics, but also a great deal of love, and I love a too-perfect older sister redemption arc. If you read the author’s first book, you’ll also be happy to see a few of the characters come back for a brief visit. Overall, a fun, satisfying romance with heart (and a couple of chili peppers!).

Never planned on you. Ali and Graham met through Ali's friend Alfie. After a drunken game of poker and a tie breaker of darts, loser has to get a tattoo of the winners choice. Little did they know, that they still tied and they both have to get a tattoo! Years later, the odds of running into each other was close to null, but do you believe in fate? Ali and Graham's story was one to uphold. Full of emotion and tears and life choices and decisions leave everyone on their toes!

To be completely honest, I was about 9% in before realizing I knew how this story was going to play out. At around 13%, I knew exactly what was going to happen. Did I still read the book? Yes. Did I enjoy every minute of it? Yes. Will I recommend this romantic rom-com to everyone I know? Yes.

Thank you to Netgalley for a sneak-peek of this book!

No spoilers, the big thing I disliked is in the book blurb. Yes, that's on me for choosing to read this book. I just thought it could have played out differently.

I wanted to love this one but cheating is a no go for me. Yes, it's a marriage of convenience but Ali, our FMC, doesn't know that right away. And even then she and Graham, our MMC, sneak around.

I love Ali. I found her hilarious. And I loved how she brought out the playful side of Graham.

The night these two met was so fun! And the ending kind of brought me back to that moment. It felt full circle in a fun, grand gesture sort of way.

I would love to read more from this author. I thought the writing was good, the banter was fun. The tropes just weren't for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest opinion.

Who needs a fun rom-com to read for Valentine’s Day? I highly recommend Never Planned on You!

@lindsayhameroff has cemented her place in my auto-buy author category. I loved her first book, Till There Was You. Her newest book was equally as funny and sweet. This is a standalone book but there were character tie ins from Till There Was You. I enjoyed spending time with those characters again!

Mini Synopsis:
Ali is back home in Baltimore living with her parents after several career changes. She is currently in the wedding planning industry and about to get a surprise when she meets the next couple they will be planning for.

Ali was an awesome MC, full of adventure, wit and determination. And Graham? I mean who doesn’t like a British accent? Swoon!
Read if you like second chance romance, opposites attract and The Price is Right.

Thank you @stmartinspress and @netgalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for granting access to this arc.

This was a super adorable read, and I found this book to be incredibly addicting. I was hooked from the first page! I loved the relationship between Graham and Ali, I could just eat it up!

Lindsay Hameroff knows how to write a wonderful romance and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!

What a pleasant surprise this book was!! It made me cry, laugh out loud, and fall in love with the characters. During the end of her study abroad impulsive Ali meets strait laced Graham and they instantly connect and spend an unforgettable night together, including getting matching tattoos. Years later Ali is trying to land a job as a wedding planner and her big chance at her dream job is planning the wedding of no other than Graham. This book was such a joy to read. I loved Ali’s character as well as how Ali related to everyone around her. Ali and Grahams relationship was so fun but complicated that it just made me root for them throughout the whole book.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and to the publishers for allowing me to read this amazing book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I absolutely love a second chance romance and one with epic banter? I am hook line and suckered into loving it from start to finish!

thank you so much netgallery for this ARC!!

i was not planning to love this one as much as i did!! but i was so impressed!!
characters - 5/5
plot - 5/5
writing style - 5/5

it was a cute and predictable romance!! ali and graham who had met a few years back, rekindle on less than ideal circumstances. she’s planning his WEDDING!!! but from the beginning, i was getting the vibes that it was a fake marriage - claire was absolutely giving me lgbtq queen.

the little taylor references were warming my swiftie heart thank you <333
but overall i loved it!!

lindsay hameroff does it again! i am officially on the bandwagon and you should be too! i no sooner finished this book and then immediately added to cart for preorder

while studying abroad in london, ali found herself making bets with a rather charming brit and by the end of the night they both had matching uni-pig tattoos. by the next day she was off and running, never to see graham again.

fast forward eight years and ali was living in baltimore working as a wedding planner. she had to impress her boss if she wanted to work her way up in the industry which sounded easy until she met her clients. she would be planning a wedding for none other than graham, the man whom she has matching tattoos with. talk about FATE leading the two back together in this absurd scenario.

graham would be having his wedding at his grandmother’s hotel restaurant “the black eyed susan” in an effort to garner some business for her. the stakes were at an all-time high for this wedding to go off without a hitch. would ali be up for the challenge or would she break under the pressure and guise of the hottie who just reentered her life (need i remind you, THEY HAVE MATCHING TATTOOS).

Advanced Book Review! Thank you @stmartinspress & @netgalley for sending me this book for review. All opinions are mine.
I loved Lindsay Hameroff’s debut novel last year, Till There Was You, so I was really excited to receive an advanced copy of her next book, Never Planned on You, with Ali’s story – Lexi’s friend from Till There Was You.
When Ali moves back to her hometown of Baltimore to follow her new dream of becoming an event planner, she unexpectedly runs into her one-night stand from eight years earlier, Graham, with whom she got a spontaneous matching tattoo. The sparks fly all over again, but Graham is engaged and Ali’s company has been hired to plan the wedding at Graham’s grandmother’s historic hotel. Graham is in Baltimore to help his grandmother save the hotel and he’s certain that hosting a wedding is the publicity boost it needs.
The pressure is on for Ali. Not only does she have to pull off an amazing wedding in order to get a promotion at work, now she has the added pressure of helping Graham save his family’s legacy. When she discovers that Graham’s pending marriage is actually just a marriage of convenience, she wonders what that means for their rekindled chemistry. And what will happen to her promotion and the hotel if this wedding doesn’t happen?
Lindsay’s writing style is so much fun. This book is easy to read, absorbing, and full of pop culture references, which was really fun for this millennial. I’m a sucker for books about weddings and wedding planning so that big wedding cake on the cover drew me in instantly. I also loved the Jewish representation, including Shabbat dinners, a bar mitzvah, and discussion of Jewish customs.
Like Lindsay’s last book, I loved the ending and where Ali eventually ends up – both personally and professionally. I’ll basically read whatever Lindsay writes at this point.

Ahh this book was fun!! I didn’t realize when I picked it up that it was set in Baltimore so it was a fun surprise to read all the local spots in a book. Never planned on you is a witty, rom-com reminiscent of the wedding planner. I LOVED graham and Ali’s back story in London and found their banter throughout the story very charming! Definitely pick this one up for Valentine’s Day

I read and enjoyed Till There Was You, Lindsay Hameroff’s debut novel, and I have to tell you there is no sophomore slump here. Never Planned on You is even better than I expected. Hameroff’s voice is so sharp and funny, and I can immediately picture these characters in my head. The description of Graham as a “millennial Mr. Rogers” and Ali as a “buxom Mia Thermopolis (before her makeover sequence)” are so vivid to me.
The flirty banter is top tier, but where it really shines for me is in the melancholy moments. She nails the tone in a way that made my heart ache for Ali and Graham as they try to navigate the situation they find themselves in. As fun and sexy as a rom-com gets, but still emotionally grounded in a way that feels realistic too? That’s what I’m looking for.
I highly recommend this one to fans of Abby Jimenez and Kennedy Ryan. The emotional heart and realistic and relatable characters will feel right at home to you.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Griffin, and Lindsay Hameroff for the ARC opportunity!

Never Planned on You is a perfect mix of The Wedding Planner 🤝 The Proposal

This was exactly what I expected it to be once I started reading & I was here for it. It was absolutely messy, but also fun and adorable. A well done second chance romance.

The ending was one of my favourites in a long time - who knew we needed more of The Price is Right in romance books??

Huge thanks to NetGalley & St Martin's Press for an advance copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

To put it bluntly, I didn't like this at all.

Let's start off with Graham Wyler, our MMC. He makes me want to bang my head against a wall. Repeatedly. There is a LOT of cheating going on in this story. It probably makes up about 80-90% of the book. If there's one trope I hate, it's the cheating trope. I don't care if Graham is in a marriage of convenience, it doesn't mean you cheat on your fianceé and make people question your motives. Not to mention that Graham doesn't tell Ali ANY of this until wayyyyyyy too late in the book for my liking. I kept reading wondering when he would say something to Ali but it felt like it was never going to come until it was almost too late. If there's another trope I hate as much as the cheating trope, it's the miscommunication trope. Like, everyone here is an adult. Why are you not talking it out and making things transparent from the get-go?

And Ali...girl, STAND UP! Why was she acting like a victim right from the get-go when she thought she and Graham were on a date when they weren't? Why did she continue to flirt and do things with Graham even after she knew he was engaged? She was FULLY aware-we get multple instances throughout the story about this-that she was playing with fire and she was going to get hurt at the end of it all, yet she still continued to do it anyways. Ali had a ton on the line here; she had a formal full-time position as an event planner on the line which would result in a larger paycheck and the ability to move out of her parents' house and get her own place. What does she do instead? She wanted to blow it all away on a fling that she had with someone who was a random stranger she drunkenly got a matching tattoo with and a drunk hook-up with 6-8 years prior.

Her personality was also super grating and annoying to me. I get that she's this little ball of energy and sunshine and it's said in the story that her MBTI personality is an ESFP and she uses humor to cope with hardship, but all of her little one-liners and the constant pop culture references were just annoying to no end. There were references to Joe Goldberg from You, Zendaya, the Baltimore Ravens (to be fair, the story does take place in Baltimore), multiple mentions of Taylor Swift, the COVID-19 PANDEMIC, Lululemon, TikTok, the list goes on. I feel like the author was just trying to throw in as many pop culture references in there as possible to be cool and relatable or whatever the case may be, but I know this is just a personal gripe I have with the book and I'm sure many people wouldn't mind all of this.

(Also just as a side note, as a big NFL/American football fan...Ali calling football "sports ball" when SHE GREW UP IN BALTIMORE where they HAVE A FOOTBALL TEAM is wild to me. That's like going to any sporting event and saying, "Go sports!" Super cringy.)

Oh, and the opening scene after the prologue--no, really, it was literally the first page or two--was an engaged couple Ali was seeing at her job gushing over wanting a Shrek-themed wedding where they dress up as Fiona and Shrek and all of the guests dress like the other characters from the movies. That's where they started to lose me.

Second chance romance? I don't think so. Don't say a book is a second-chance romance if the characters are sneaking around behind people's backs and they're hooking up. Multiple times. AND one of the main characters is cheating on their fianceé. Both Ali and Graham are in the wrong and it was extremely hard to root for them throughout the story.

I adored Lindsay Hameroff's debut novel, and this one is just as magnificent. Ali and Graham's chemistry was incredible initially, and I loved watching their relationship develop. The humor was on point, the pop culture references were incredible, and I loved the Baltimore setting. My family lives in that area, so it was cool to recognize some of the places by name. I also loved how Jewish this book was. From the bar mitzvah scene to the Shabbat dinners and all the advice from Bubbie, I couldn't get enough. I loved all the food descriptions, too; Linsday seriously knows how to make you hungry. Just like the blueberry pancakes in her first book, I was hooked on the shakshuka, the fried PB and J, and all the latke options. This book was so good, and it was exactly what I wanted from a romance. I loved all of it. It's definitely a must-read! Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin for the ARC to read and review!