I've been in a slump - working too much, reading but not feeling like I couldn't wait to get back the story. This book changed that for me. I loved the story and couldn't wait to see how everything unfolded. Ali met Graham on her last night in London while studying abroad. They share an amazing night together and she leaves the next day as planned with no plans of seeing Graham again. She does have a memento of the evening, they both got the same terrible tattoo. Eight years later, Ali is back in Baltimore, working at another new career and she runs into Graham at a coffee shop. Read this book to see what happens.. 4 1/2 stars

Nothing I love more than when a character from a previous book I love gets to be the main character in their own novel and that’s exactly what I got with Ali 🙌🏻🙌🏻

I love Ali and Graham’s chemistry and humor/ there were so many moments that had be truly laughing out loud to their quick wit. The entire prologue of how they met in college and their drunken escapades really grabbed me and I couldn’t wait to see how these crosses passed later in life

As a PA native I loved all the little comments of PA towns like Harrisburg and this taking placing in our rival of Baltimore.
And Lindsay did such a great job tossing in little There were so many little pop culture reference to popular Taylor swift songs or tv shows I love.

I should have know that I would become absolutely obsessed with Lindsay Hameroff’s Never Planned on You when the books opens with the two main characters getting matching tattoos.

Ali is enjoying her last night in London drinking beers and playing Kings with friends in a pub. After a couple of rounds, Alfie, one of Ali’s friends, wrangles his buttoned up, grandfather-like flatmate, Graham, into playing. The game soon goes off the rails with Ali and Graham making a drunken bet—loser gets a tattoo. I couldn’t help but smirk when the game ends in a tie and they both get a hideous half pig, half unicorn (uni-pig, pig-icorn) tattooed on them. Afterwards, Ali and Graham share one night together with Ali leaving in the morning sans saying goodbye.

Fast forward eight years, Ali is back home in Baltimore, interning with a wedding planning company. She’s tasked with ensuring a big wedding goes smoothly in order to secure a permanent place on the team. Easy peasy, right? You’d be so wrong. The groom turns out to be no other than Graham, the guy Ali shared a drunken night with back in London.

Without giving too much away, I loved how Lindsay wrapped up Ali and Graham’s story. This book is full of wit, spice, and happiness. Definitely a book you’ll want to pick up on 2/18.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

okay after seeing nothing but good things about this book floating around social media, i knew i had to read it- guess what, it was so stinking good!!! i loved the antics these fools got up too and the romance was chefs kiss, 10/10, when will it be my turn type shit!!!

I absolutely loved Never Planned On You! It was such a fun read! The humor, the pop culture references, the swoony moments - all of it was so well done.

It's rare that a book has me laughing out loud within the first chapter! "Never Planned on You" is not just a rom-com filled with hilarious moments, it's a swoon worthy read that will have you rooting for Ali and Graham. The humor, the second-chance romance, the lovable (even if one is uptight) characters...."Never Planned on You" had it all. a solid 4 stars from me! Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

Realistic Rating: 4.5 ⭐️

”I came here because I want you. Every part of you. I don’t want to live another day without you. You’re the key to my lock, Ali.” - Graham

“Never Planned on You” is such a cute book filled with heartfelt moments and is such a good and real representation of figuring out what you want in life. I love Ali’s character and how she is relatable of switching careers and being 28 years old, but single. This story is so unique and I have never read a plot like this. The fact that she is planning the wedding of a stranger she met once years ago, but fell for is crazy and I love the plot twists within the book like the fact that Claire and Graham are having a fake wedding, Claire is in love wit a woman and Trudy (Graham’s grandmother disapproved the wedding at the end.

Tropes:
🎂 Opposites Attract
🎂 Second chance romance
🎂 Workplace romance
🎂 Rom-Com
🎂 Jewish Representation

Characters:

Ali Rubin is a spontaneous, carefree girl with her best quality being her “joie de vivre” (exuberant enjoyment of life). On her last day of uni in London, she drunkenly makes a bet with a stranger which leads them to get matching tattoos. Years later, Ali finds herself back in her home city working in event planning and assisting with a wedding..where Graham is the groom. Through this book we get to see Ali contemplate what she’s doing with her career, watch her believe in love and just watch her grow as a person.

Graham Wyler is the grandson of Trudy who owns the Black Eyed Susan (which is a hotel). Graham comes back to save his grandmother’s business, but also is getting married to his best friend Claire. Graham is the one who has a matching tattoo with Ali from university. Graham is an old soul and he’s so sweet and kind.

Pros:
- The chemistry between Ali and Graham are so strong
- Love the “key that fits in my lock” analysis–so cute
- Fast paced, but everything happens in a timely manner
- The references to One Direction and even Twilight and the Beach Boys…I ATE THOSE REFERENCES UP

Cons:
- I kind of wish Ali and her sister Sarah had a heart-to-heart more sooner, but the way it happened works with the pace of the story
- Not a con, but I think a dual POV for this book would have been amazing, but perhaps Lindsay Hameroff could write a sequel in Graham’s POV or a book in between the years where they were not in contact.

Overall, a super cute book and I definitely would recommend to everyone who loves a good second-chance romance with insane chemistry and banter.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

・₊✧ Quotes ・₊✧

”When he flips on the ignition, a Beach Boys song drifts through the speakers.
“Seriously?” I raise my eyebrows. “Tell me the truth: how old are you? Because if you’re a 150-year-old teenager who was saved by a benevolent vampire during the Spanish Influenza, I can keep a secret.”
“As if I’d confess such a thing to a woman who’s clearly Team Jacob."
This scene was so funny. Also Beach Boys and Twilight references? Yes, please!

”It’s what I love the most about what I do,” I admit. “Cooking and putting on events. Making things. It all comes from the same desire. I feel the happiest when I’m making mother people happy.” - Ali

”Falling for you has made me remember that I want love. Genuine, passionate, all-consuming love. And I’m not willing to settle for whatever this is.” - Ali

”Just promise me you won’t be so hard on yourself. Not every path to happiness is linear. I just hope that when you find the thing that is right for you, you aren’t afraid to accept it.” - Ali’s mom to Ali
This scene was too cute and special between Ali and her mom.

This book was a super fun, quick read and an amazing book setting which kind of gives the vibe of the movie- The Wedding Planner Both main characters had an amazing emotional depth making the connection between the characters more real and authentic. I missed the mmc's perspective at bits and places but overall I enjoyed the book.

Book Review: Never Planned on You

SPOILERS IN REVIEW:
"Never Planned on You" is a charming, lighthearted romance that offers a delightful escape into the lives of two star-crossed lovers. The story follows Graham and Ali, whose paths cross unexpectedly years after a one-night stand and matching tattoos during their time in London. Now back in Baltimore, Ali is shocked to discover that the groom in the wedding she’s planning is none other than Graham.

What follows is a whirlwind of emotions as secrets unravel and sparks reignite. Graham’s engagement turns out to be a sham—a means to help his fiancée secure a visa. As Graham and Ali navigate the complexities of their rekindled feelings, they find themselves sneaking around, culminating in a dramatic revelation on Graham’s wedding day. The story ends on a satisfying note as Graham makes a grand gesture to win Ali back, proving that love can prevail even under the most unconventional circumstances.

This book is a quick, enjoyable read perfect for those who love a dash of romance with a touch of drama. Its breezy tone and relatable characters make it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a palette cleanser after a heavier read or a fun way to spend a cozy afternoon. While the plot leans toward predictability, the engaging writing and heartfelt moments more than make up for it.

If you’re in the mood for a bite of romance, "Never Planned on You" will leave you smiling.

3.25 ⭐️

I really debated on my rating of this. It’s an enjoyable writing style and the story kept me guessing, which is not the case with many romances, but I am really hung up on the aspect that the main characters, Ali & Graham, were essentially cheating the entire book. I know people could argue this because he was not romantically involved with Chloe, but you are left feeling yucky after many romantic scenes because the fact that he is set to be married is referenced.

For this reason, I struggled to be excited for their relationship and felt that the truth came out too little too late.

The pop culture / brand references were fun to me (Delia’s pajamas!), a lot of them would fly under the radar if you didn’t know where they stemmed from. I saw in some reviews that people mentioned 1 Direction, but I never caught that, probably because I am not versed haha. However, I do think there are some that will date this book quickly, such as referencing wearing the same boots as the Eras tour.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and St Martin’s press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Never Planned on You is a love letter to The Wedding Planner. Ali Rubin is a wedding planner with an embarrassing secret...she once got a matching tattoo with a total stranger. This isn’t completely out of character, as Ali is known for her flakiness and spontaneity. When she meets the mysterious stranger again years later, Ali is horrified to realize she is now planning his wedding. As Graham and Ali work closely together, feelings spark between them. Will Ali pull off this wedding or will she give in to her feelings for Graham?

Never Planned on You is a lighthearted second-chance romance. Ali is trying to do her best to be taken seriously and feels a lot of pressure to pull off the responsibilities of the wedding. Graham and Ali share hilarious moments along the way to the ceremony. I enjoyed the dialogue and secret of the matching tattoos. However, I felt the story lacked depth at times and dealt with frustrating miscommunication. With that said, I do think that readers who enjoy second-chance romance and wedding planning chaos should check out this book.

Thank you to Lindsay Hameroff, St. Martin’s Griffin, and NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: My review will be posted on Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, and Barnes & Noble etc.

Graham and Ali spent an unforgettable night together and even ended up getting matching tattoos. You'd think they were a match made in heaven. So imagine my surprise when they end up being a one-night stand that doesn't reunite until many years later. The road to happily ever after is quite a bumpy one for these two, but if you're a fan of the movie, The Wedding Planner, you'll definitely want to check this book out.

Never Planned on You is a laugh-out-loud romantic comedy about finding love in the most unexpected places. Overall, I thought this book was a cute read with a great setting. I found the setting to be refreshing as you don't see too many books set in Maryland. I thought this book had a lot of great humor with fun pop references. I enjoyed the chemistry and banter between Graham and Ali. However, I would have liked to have seen their romance build a little more. They've been separated for so long that I just felt like they needed to get to know one another as the people they were now. Also, I felt like it took a really long time for Graham to tell Ali the truth about his situation.

Overall, I think this book will be a hit for some and a miss for others. This book had a lot of great things going for it, including immersing the reader in the Jewish culture. However, there were a few things that missed the mark. That being said, I'm still glad to have taken a chance on this book.

Ali Rubin likes to make decision on the fly and she likes to leave like spontaneously. One night when she gets drunk in London she makes a silly bet with a stranger to get a matching tattoo which changes her life.

This was such a fun and sweet read! This trope can often be poorly done and make readers made or unable to connect with the characters but I honestly was really rooting for everyone’s happiness here! I love a good event planner MC and appreciated the ties this gave Ali to the plot. The characters were fun and funny, the plot was there, and I actually really liked the pacing and how we skipped ahead in the timeline to keep the story moving. The ending was super sweet and wrapped the story up well. I flew through this book and absolutely loved it.

This book focuses on Ali, who becomes a wedding planner. Turns out she bumps into a fling she had several years back and he is the client now! A recipe for disaster right? You bet!

I felt like Graham was dishonest for so long and that you can't build a relationship without trust. I believe that if their connection was really as strong as they felt it was, that he should have been able to be more up front about the situation that he was in.

As for Ali, I felt like she had no morals as she continued to keep flirting with Graham even though he was her client and knew he was engaged. I am really not a fan of the cheating/flirting while the other person is in a relationship regardless of if that relationship is real or not. While Graham knew that he wasn't really in a relationship, Ali did not, yet she didn't care.

Honestly, I felt like their connection also wasn't that strong. They had a great time several years ago and all of a sudden those feelings all just come flooding back. People change, especially over such a long period of time. There is no way you could go that long without seeing someone and instantly become so emotionally attached in my opinion.

They both got what they wanted in the end however and I things turned out fine for them. They became more open with one another and put each other first which helped them grow as a couple. Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press, and Lindsay Hameroff for an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinon.

A fabulous second chance romance that I could not put down! Ali and Graham's circumstances were one-of-a-kind and how they navigated through that was brilliantly written. It was an easy to follow story, with the perfect amount of spice. They found each other again by coincidence(some might say fate), and they should have been able to pick up where they left off, but life had other things in store for them! I did my HEA, but I wasn't sure for a second how that was all going to play out. Definitely add this title to your TBR list.

(I received a complimentary ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you Netgalley, St. Martins Griffin and Linsday Hameroff.)

I love Ali- she jumps off the page as a full, real person. There is Graham, whose character was not what I expected. These two have chemistry. But then there is the fact that he is engaged. It bothered me that they got more and more connected, but he is engaged. Betrothed to another. Soon wedded. You get the idea. Marriage of Convenience or not, I was a bit uncomfortable slash irritated over it. Yes, yes, I know this helps to build the tension and I understand the reasons for the engagement. But- integrity. It bothered me that they were so secretive and it went on for so long. It felt like cheating to me, and that’s a hard no.

So, while this book turned out to be a better cup of tea for someone not me, it’s a well-written story with life-like characters. I’ll try this author again.

Perfect Rom-com. Set in Baltimore, check! Jewish character, check, Hunky love interest, check! Really enjoyed the rollercoaster ride and (shh!) surprise.

Never Planned on You is a heartwarming small-town romance that masterfully balances emotional depth with feel-good charm. The story centers on a free-spirited heroine who moves to a close-knit community and finds herself at odds with the gruff, guarded hero who’s long since sworn off love.

The grumpy/sunshine dynamic is a standout, as the heroine’s infectious optimism gradually chips away at the hero’s well-built walls. Their opposites-attract journey feels authentic, with a perfect blend of tender, funny, and bittersweet moments that draw readers in.

At its core, this is a story of emotional healing, as both characters confront the pain of their pasts and discover the courage to open their hearts again. The vibrant small-town setting adds extra charm, with its quirky, endearing side characters and a strong sense of community that feels like a warm embrace.

This isn’t just a romance—it’s a celebration of second chances, vulnerability, and the power of connection.

Prolouge? Fun, sexy, charming.

Most of the book could be classified as this, truly, but the constant references to pop music was not for me. I know its a personal thing, so someone else may love them, but they drew me out of the story completely. Every single Taylor Swift quote (no hate intended to TS) made me want to roll my eyes out of my head. I don't know a single person who actually things or talks or references song lyrics intentionally like that.

The good stuff- the tension, the emotional aspect, the way the both of the characters were working towards figuring out their own lives outside of romance (I love it when their lives explored outside the romance of it! It makes it feel more realistic, especially when you care about the characters outside of their romance). It was charming and fun and I had a good time reading it. I could even get past the perceived cheating because it was fairly obvious from the start that all was not what it seemed.