This actually leans more into 3.5 stars for me, because I am CONFLICTED. I really did enjoy this book and the chemistry of the characters was great, but there was something that bothered me about all of the dishonesty that was happening here. While it became obvious that there was no ACTUAL cheating going on here, there was something about how these secrets were being kept from each other and how everything was happening behind people's backs that made this feel a slight bit disingenuous. Again, I picking at a small detail, but it did make me lose some of my excitement for their story.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

dnf at 30%

From the description, I was hoping for a forbidden romance, which this might’ve turned into, but I couldn’t continue reading when Graham could’ve told Ali the truth about his engagement multiple times. At that point, any relationship of theirs would’ve been cheating, and I am not a fan of that. Also, why are these two people so obsessed about a hookup that happened eight years ago?

Thank you Lindsay Hameroff and Netgalley for the e-arc. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all opinions are my own.

This book was funny and sweet and had perfectly imperfect people.

Unfortunately, I just don’t think this author is for me. I DNFed this one - I didn’t like the main characters, the writing wasn’t doing it for me and I just couldn’t get into this one.

Tattooed fate, surprise reunions, and a wedding neither of them expected!! A fun rom-com with heart, heat, and hilarity. Ali is the kind of heroine you want to be best friends with, and her chemistry with Graham practically jumps off the page. Add in a fake wedding, family pressure, and a once-glam hotel needing a glow-up, and you've got a second-chance romance that’s as charming as it is swoony. 💕💕💕

Never Planned On You is Lindsay’s second book, and if I may say so, is better than her first (which I also loved and also gave 5 stars too) 👀 this rom-com had me laughing on the subway and rooting that our main characters could figure it out.

Ali is spontaneous and her friends and family know her as a bit of a wild child. She’s done things like get a matching tattoo with a relative stranger. Now, she’s determined to show her family that she is committed to her career, even though she’s just quit one path for another. As she sets out to become an event planner, she moves back home in with her parents. Ali gets a big break helping plan a high profile wedding, but it turns out she knows the groom…remember that matching tattoo? Graham’s still got it and the pair might have some chemistry that they can’t avoid.

Lindsay did such a wonderful job with this one. I loved the comedy elements and the chemistry between Ali and Graham really came off the page. Ali’s family was wonderful, and I loved how Jewish they were.

Plus, there’s a great twist halfway through the story 🫢

The tropes of this book were not for me, unfortunately. It definitely felt more like cheating and less than a sweet romance. It was still sweet, but the main character definitely needed to figure some stuff out, and the love interest was just infuriating for me.

While I really loved Till There Was You, this book fell a little flat for me.

The FMC felt a bit too “pick me” with her outgoing personality and calling football “sports ball.” I mean….everyone at least knows what it’s called?

For having one night 8 years ago, the spark came off a bit too strong for me. Maybe if it had been one night two years ago, but almost 10 years is a long time to suddenly feel blinding passion again.

I also didn’t love the “he’s about to get married to someone else but they’re consistently caught alone together.” No matter the circumstances, it felt icky to me.

I will say, there were definitely cute moments, romantic moments, and moments that had me giggling, but unfortunately that wasn’t enough to make up for the rest of it. I loved her first book so I’m hoping that this book’s tropes just weren’t for me and I’ll fall in love with the next one!

The ARC has a better cover. The audiobook I got has an atrocious cover that I’m glad changed.

But all that aside, I enjoyed reading this book so much. Graham and Ali had such a fun dynamic and were such interesting characters. I enjoyed each of their backstories and how both their jobs and reputations were at stake in some capacity.

I only wish that the whole marriage of convenience part wasn’t revealed in the summary. However, if it was kept in the summary, it should’ve been mentioned earlier in the book, probably when they first connected.

A dual POV would’ve been cool as well.

Thank you, Netgalley and SMP, for the ARC!

I LOVED the depth of the characters in Never Planned on You. They both had a deep sense of self and self respect. This was SO The Wedding Planner, which is a big guilty pleasure of mine. Our MCs had great chemistry and great growth.

3.5🌟Never Planned On You is a funny, feel-good second-chance romance. Ali is bold and lovable, and Graham is the perfect charming, British grump. Their chemistry is instant but complicated, and I loved watching it all unfold. The game-show-themed birthday party was a standout moment, so fun and sweet! A great read with heart and humor.

I love the covers of all of Lindsay's books! This book was fun to read and I really enjoyed it. I want to read more by her! I really love second chance romance and this had that in it. One thing I didn't like though was how close this was to "cheating" even though it was a marriage of convenience not love.

Truly enjoyed this book! I liked that the main character was a bit of a mess. She stood up for herself and really didn't take much crap from anyone. They will they won't they storyline kept me really intrigued and wondering what would happen next. Loved this one and can't wait to read more by the author! 4.5 stars

This book was too cheating adjacent for me. We, as readers, knew from the blurb that Graham is in a marriage of convenience. However, Ali thinks that he's happily engaged to Claire, and then makes out with him anyway! Everyone makes mistakes but I personally don't care to read for a character who knowingly aids and abets cheating 🤷🏻‍♀️

Oh my gosh, this book was a total joyride! I loved how the story balanced lighthearted romance with more serious themes of growth, career, and the meaning of true love. Ali and Graham’s chemistry is undeniable, but it’s their personal journeys that really made this story hit home for me. This book is a sparkling, heartwarming read, and I’m honestly obsessed with it.

Thanks to St Martins Press and Netgalley for this advance copy!

This was a fun romp of a second chance romance. I loved the Baltimore and Jewish representation and I loved how Ali and Graham played off each other. Meeting during Ali's year abroad, having one great night (with a secret tattoo!) and then meeting up again in Baltimore as Graham gets ready to marry his best friend so she can stay in the country, its a great story in the making. At times I struggled to understand the Graham/Claire relationship and I felt like that author TOLD us how close they were but never really SHOWED us. And I didn't completely understand Ali's motivation towards the end.

But regardless it was fun to watch them fall for each other again and it's always great to see a romance in Baltimore and have great Jewish representation. I am going to go back and read Lexi's story for sure.

Never Planned on You by Lindsay Hameroff is a sweet and cute forced proximity/ second chance romance.

Ali is a party planner who feels like she has everything to prove. Graham is a blast from Ali's past, who adds a complication to her life.

Full of Jewish representation, this is a light, fun rom-com.

this book was so cute and enjoyable. definitely perfect for an 'in between' or palette cleanser

thank you to the publisher and netgalley for an arc <3

I wanted to love this one but I dont think I could get over the amount of cheating - not for me but doesn't mean someone else wouldnt love it. There are other aspects I really enjoyed but that just didnt so it for me.

I really enjoyed Never Planned on You by Lindsay Hameroff. We first meet Ali and Graham in London, years before the book takes place. They make a drunken bet that leads to matching tattoos and a one-night stand right before she's about to move back to the U.S. at the end of her study-abroad. They run into each other almost a decade later at a cafe in Baltimore, which leads to an almost-perfect date that makes you really root for them. But everything changes when Ali discovers that her new high-profile wedding planning client is none other than Graham. An already stressful situation with the future of her career hinging on this wedding being successful, Ali now has to navigate their undeniable connection while trying to remain professional.

This was a fun rom-com with likeable and relatable characters. Sure, the premise isn't the most believable (have you ever actually known a real couple with a marriage of convenience?), but it was enjoyable and a quick read.

Pick up Never Planned on You if you like:
▪️Second chance romance
▪️Forbidden romance
▪️Electric meet-cute
▪️Opposites attract
▪️Forced proximity
▪️Wedding planning
▪️Marriage of convenience

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the e-ARC!