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.

4.5 stars
This is an entertaining, fun read. Graham and Ali are interesting, wounded, complex, intriguing, relatable, complicated, strong, entertaining characters. I enjoyed their romance and the path it took to get to their HEA. These two are fun to spend time with. I love the growth and acceptance we see in these characters. The secondary characters added to the fabric of the story and my enjoyment. The story is easy to read and get into.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was such a fun read. I loved the premise, the one night together, on a bet, and matching odd tattoos to start with. Ali has a reputation for spontaneity, and that sure hit the mark !
Years later, we find Ali back in her home town, after doing the restaurant gig in NYC for a few exhausting years. She is now working at being a wedding / event planner with her sister's best friend as her mentor. Sadly, it's not well-paid as an internship, so she has to be back to living with her parents, back in her old bedroom. She runs into her tattoo twin in line at her favourite coffee shop, and yes, those sparks do fly.
Ali's company gets a chance to bid on a wedding at the most prestigious hotels in Baltimore. When they meet the bride and grandmother of the groom, Ali hits it off immediately with the bride. Unfortunately at the next meeting, it turns out that Graham is the groom !!! There are still sparks flying, regardless of Graham's commitment, both to the bride and his grandmother. They should really stay apart. shouldn't they ? they should !
yeah, sure. easier said than done.

A sweet story about a couple who have one crazy night in college and then a second chance 8 years later. Only to find that he is engaged and she's the wedding planner. Lots of twists, great family and friends dialogue and a loving love story. I really enjoyed the characters and story .

Hameroff's follow up is as filled with charm, softness, sexiness, and comfort as her debut---of which I was a big fan.

This has all my favorite things; a wedding for PR, stakes hanging in the balance, a sunshiney heroine who has a very YOLO attitude, and a BHILF (British Hunk I'd like to......yeah). It was a clever set up, and the payoff was great. I think my favorite thing is the way Hameroff writes the quiet moments, and they stand out amidt the big plot of this one!

I picked this up based on the cover and it did not disappoint. I loved the twist on the marriage of convenience trope. The side characters interested me enough to check for previous books where they are MCs and I’m excited to read those as well.

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of Never Planned on You by Lindsay Hameroff.

Never Planned on You is a delightful rom-com that had me hooked from start to finish. The dynamic between Ali, the lovable but wild child FMC, and Graham, the Mr. Rogers-like MMC, was so fun to read!

Ali and Graham’s history begins eight years prior, during Ali's study abroad in London. The meeting ended with a crazy tattoo and a one-stand. Fast forward to the present day when Ali and Graham unexpectedly run into each other at a coffee shop in Baltimore and the sparks fly again! The catch? Graham is engaged to be married! Even more complicated is the fact the event planning company where Ali works has been hired for Graham’s wedding. But the chemistry between Ali and Graham is undeniable and Ali learns that Graham is entering into a marriage of convenience to help his best friend out.

While humorous, I also appreciated the emotional depth of each character and seeing how the romance unfolded. The only criticism I have is the drama toward the end of the book seemed to drag on and felt a bit repetitive. Regardless, this was such a fun read with lovable characters and laugh-out-loud humor.

Super fun contemporary romance from Lindsay Hameroff! Grab it for:

Second Chance Romance
Opposites Attract
Workplace Romance
Marriage of Convenience
All the Chemistry
Adorable meet cute

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy. Never Planned on You follows Ali as she hopes to succeed in her new career as a wedding/ event planner. Ali has switched between careers, so she is desperate to prove to her family that she is responsible. All Ali has to do is successfully plan and pull off an important wedding with her mentor, but there's a catch. The groom is someone Ali knows from her past, and someone she thought could result in a special connection. I didn't realize that Never Planned on You is the second book in the series. I don't think it's necessary to read the first book, but you will meet a few characters that were introduced in the first book. I enjoyed the storyline, and I liked all of the characters. I enjoyed the aspect of the wedding and the planning behind it.

Cute second chance romance, easy to read and had some pretty funny moments. Biggest issue for me was the maybe cheating aspect, didn't love, and felt like there was a lot of miscommunication that was unnecessary. This was also a standalone in a series about the FMC and her friends which I didn't realize till about halfway through, don't think reading the first book was necessary. Quick entertaining read would recommend. I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Never Planned on You by Lindsay Hameroff is an utterly charming second chance romance that had me laughing, swooning, and thoroughly entertained from start to finish. The story follows Ali Rubin, a spirited and spontaneous woman whose impulsive nature lands her in some memorable situations—like a drunken bet in London that ends with matching tattoos alongside a British stranger, Graham. Years later, back in Baltimore and interning as a wedding planner, Ali unexpectedly runs into Graham, reigniting the spark from their one magical night years ago.

The chemistry between Ali and Graham is electric, and their story is filled with serendipitous moments that fans of second chance romance will adore. I loved Ali’s vivacious personality and how she embraced change, shifting from her career as a New York chef to wedding planning, even while navigating life back at home with her parents. Graham, more reserved but no less charming, was the perfect complement to Ali. Their dynamic was heartfelt, and the angst of their forbidden connection—especially once Ali discovers Graham is the groom in her high-stakes wedding project—was palpable.

Hameroff’s writing brings plenty of humour and warmth to the story, with delightful moments like Ali organising her Bubee’s game-show-themed 90th birthday party. Family relationships and themes of self-discovery add depth, while the light-hearted romance keeps things engaging. For those who prefer closed-door romances, note there are three intimate scenes that can easily be skipped without losing any context.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher, but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

I loved reading this book. These two main characters are sexy, funny and sweet. The romance was so real you could really connect with what was going on in the story. I couldn’t not put this book down.

I loved this book so, so much. Ali and Graham have such amazing chemistry that you feel from their first encounters. I loved their original meet because it was short and sweet, but packed a serious punch, and really set up the rest of their story for an emotional ride. You can feel the almost desperation Ali has to be seen as a responsible and thriving adult, while also falling into a really challenging situation with Graham. The way Graham tries to do right by absolutely everyone around him, except for himself, is so evident in their story. Watching them each navigate their own personal growth is so satisfying. I thought this was so well written and I highly highly recommend it.

Man, was this a fun read! I am partial to quick-witted, sassy main characters in romance books—it’s easy for me to love (or hate) them and become invested in their story. “Never Planned on You” doesn’t disappoint in this area, with quirky Ali and quiet Graham, who have their own ways about them but have chemistry from the beginning of their story. Yes, the premise isn’t exactly the most original (odes to the movie The Wedding Planner popped up a few times through my read), but with it’s own twists, it was fun to see their story unfold, and I really enjoyed every minute I read this story. The side characters bring their own eccentric twists to the story, but I found them all pretty lovable (and realistic to family dynamics) and thought they all added cute color to the story.
My only issue…and it’s a very very minor one…is that there are a few inconsistencies or random things in the book that made me scratch me head for a second. The character of Dev was weirdly introduced out of nowhere and was completely unnecessary. At one point Claire is in town and then she’s not. All of these things do not alter the story in any way or that 90% of people may even notice or think much about, it’s just my feelings. However, none of that should stop you from picking up this lovely novel. “Never Planned on You” was a charming read that I needed to read at this time, and I think any fan of romances wouldn’t be disappointed if they gave it a shot as well.

**Thank you so much to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I appreciate the opportunity!**

4/5⭐️

I was lucky and received an ARC by St-Martin’s press for this book! This was my first ever ARC and I was so excited, and was definitely left not disappointed at all!! 🤩

Let me start by saying that this book was REALLY good, and that I recommend 100% to read it when it’s out in February. It was super cute, really short, and entertaining!

This story starts with Ali, that decides to change career as a cook to go in events planning. She gets a contract thats a wedding, and gets along so well with the future bride. But when she meets her fiancé. Graham, she is left shocked to learn that he’s an old flame she hooked up with in school years earlier (!!!) She obviously gets mad and then they spend more time together, and the rest is history (you’ve gotta read the book to know all the details I won’t tell more 👀).

This story really felt like you were reading a book that could be adapted as a romcom movie in real life; it was adorable, dramatic, funny, cheesy and spicy all at the same time. I talked about this story to my sister actually, and she told me it was really similar to the movie “The Wedding Planner” starring Jennifer Lopez & Matthew McConaughey, so if you want an idea of what the story is in details, you could definitely watch the movie instead ✨

Ali’s character was badass, and sensible at the same time. I reallyyyyy loved her. Graham, however, made me mad a little. He never seemed to stand up for himself, and that made me sad for him, and annoyed me tbh … but Chloe was AMAZING, such a fun character!

Anyway, if you are in a reading slump, this book could easily leave you out of it; it’s cute, short, and easy to read 🤭

4.25 stars! I loved Lindsay Hameroff's debut, so I was especially excited to read this book...and I enjoyed it just as much, if not more! NEVER PLANNED ON YOU follows Ali Rubin, who has a bit of a reputation for spontaneity in her family and friend group. Exhibit A? The matching tattoos she got with a stranger during a drunken night out in London. Eight years later, Ali's risk-taking nature has led her from NYC to her hometown of Baltimore, where's she's left her job as a chef to intern as a wedding planner. And while she still can't get Graham, her "tattoo twin," out of her head, the last thing she expected was to see him in Baltimore, waiting in line at her favorite cafe. Their undeniable chemistry is as strong as it was all those years ago, but there's only one problem: Graham is the groom in the high-profile wedding Ali's just been hired to plan...the wedding that might make or break her brand-new career. Will Ali and Graham get their second chance at true love, or was their connection nothing more than a fun story to tell?

This had everything I love in a romcom—sparkling chemistry, witty banter, pop culture references, Jewish representation...I could go on! The Jewish rep was a definite highlight for me, and especially well-done. I loved hearing about the Rubin family dynamic, their Shabbat dinners and holiday celebrations (Hanukkah may be over, but I'm seriously craving a latke platter now!), and the scenes related to Ali's nephew's bar mitzvah were so much fun too. I also really liked how Graham was so excited to learn about Jewish culture and become a part of Ali's world in that way. The relationship between Ali and Graham in general was wonderful, and Hameroff really nails the opposites-attract dynamic. Ali is such a fun, vibrant character with a true zest for life, but at the same time, her spontaneity and fun-loving ways often lead her to be taken less seriously by the people around her. Graham is quieter, more of a homebody, and very dedicated to his work and family, but struggles with letting loose and showing his adventurous side. It's easy to see how these two balance each other out and bring out the best in each other! They were both such likable characters, and they just had this magnetic draw to each other from the start, which Hameroff conveyed so well.

Like her previous book, this one also has great friendship dynamics—it was so much fun getting to see Lexi and Chloe again, and I enjoyed following Ali's friendships with Asha and Claire, too. The side characters were such a blast to read about in general (Ali's Bubbe was definitely another fave)! I also loved how the city of Baltimore really feels like its own character. I haven't read many romances set there, so it was especially nice to see how vivid and well-developed the setting was, and how Ali grew to love being back in her hometown after spending some time away, realizing that she could make her personal and professional dreams come true right where she was.

The only thing that stopped this book from being an even higher rating for me was the pacing. "Marriage-of-convenience" can often seem like kind of a far-fetched trope, but I thought it made sense here, and Lindsay Hameroff had a good, creative take on it. That being said, I almost felt like Ali should have found out about it earlier? It's pretty clear to the readers early on that something is not quite "right" about Graham and Claire's relationship, but it isn't really explicitly addressed until over halfway into the story. I understand why that choice was made, but I still somewhat wished Ali would have known a little earlier/it would have been addressed before then. Still, that didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story! I would definitely recommend NEVER PLANNED ON YOU for anyone in search of a swoon-worthy romance with wonderful family and friendship dynamics, and plenty of fun pop culture references to spot. I'm off to add Lindsay Hameroff's next book to my TBR! Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.