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!

Never Planned on You is a second-chance romance full of banter and laughable moments! Lindsay Hammeroff wrote this sweet rom-com that you will swoon over.

For those who enjoy forbidden romance amidst a marriage of convenience this book is for you. It didn't quite work for me. There were times during the "cheating" that I couldn't morally get behind and it just was not for me. The writing is generally good, but some aspects of the situation itself were too off-putting for me to look past, unfortunately. Will definitely try other books by this author, though!

If you love second-chance romance with sizzling chemistry, Jewish culture, and food descriptions that’ll have you reaching for a snack, Never Planned on You delivers all that and more in a charming and heart-tugging package.

Ali Rubin is the kind of FMC you root for from page one—bold, spontaneous, chaotic, and deeply lovable. When she returns to Baltimore to chase a new career in wedding planning, the last thing she expects is to cross paths with her long-lost tattoo twin: Graham, the charming Brit she once shared a wild night and some ink with. Their reunion? Electric. Their chemistry? Undeniable. The complication? He’s engaged. To someone else. In a marriage of convenience. Cue the drama!

This book leans into so many tropes I adore:
* Forced proximity (they’re working together, of course),
* Forbidden love (he’s the groom!),
* Marriage of convenience (with all its delicious complications),
* And yes, nosey bubbe cameos at Friday night Shabbat dinners made me grin from ear to ear.

Graham is the quintessential cinnamon roll hero with a British accent and a heart of gold, trying to save his family's beloved-but-crumbling hotel. Ali’s trying to prove she’s not the flaky family member while building a life on her terms. Their dynamic is messy, emotional, and full of longing, which had me flipping pages late into the night.

What makes this story shine is its warmth, authentic family drama, friends who rally in unexpected ways, and vibrant Jewish cultural thread that adds real depth. And let’s not forget the food. Oh my goodness, the food. From wedding tastings to comfort meals to wine-soaked dinners, every bite is described with love and appetite.

My only minor quibble? Some of the pacing near the middle felt slow, and I wanted more depth in Graham’s fiancée’s storyline. But honestly, that’s a tiny bump in an otherwise swoony, feel-good ride.

Final thoughts: This romance is about timing, risk, and figuring out what you want. If you like stories with heart, heat, humor, and challah, Never Planned on You will win you over.

I love a second chance romance trope! The characters were fun and playful. It definitely felt like a book based on The Wedding Planner with its own twist. The short period of the book when you’re not sure if they’re going to get together while he’s engaged wasn’t for me. I don’t like cheating and for a second I thought about DNFing but I’m glad I didn’t!

This book has a SPEAK NOW wedding moment. I repeat, a speak now wedding moment!!! 💜🙋‍♀️💍

Now that my Swiftie reference is out of the way, this book was a fun, light-hearted second chance romance featuring the grumpy x sunshine trope.

I will admit that this book almost featured a trope that I will not read (cheating), but thankfully, that didn’t end up being the case.

Ali and Graham spent a wild night together over a decade ago while Ali was learning abroad. Fast forward, and the pair bump into each other stateside at a cafe. Could it be their second chance at love? Not quite, as it turns out that Ali is the wedding planner for the Graham’s wedding.

This book features:
•The one-night stand trope
•Matching tattoos ✍️
•Tons of forced proximity (they got locked in a room together) 👩‍❤️‍👨
•A “speak now” wedding moment for my fellow T Swift fans

Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ali and Graham thought they had left their London memories behind when they come together once again, this time in Baltimore. Ali is now a special events planner and is given the opportunity to prove herself to her boss by planning a high profile wedding-Grahams. The two start off by trying to keep things professional and move on from the past. Ali and Graham quickly learn old feelings die hard no matter how hard they try ignore and bury them. When Graham finally admits to a big secret Ali can’t help but give in to the chemistry that still exists between them. But what happens if Graham’s fiancé finds out about his and Ali’s past? Will the wedding still be on after all?

With the charm of The Wedding Planner, you can’t go wrong with this romance!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars

[ thank you to the publisher for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own! ]

I really enjoyed this one. I don’t love the infidelity trope (this spans like the whole book — he’s engaged to someone else. Platonic between them, helping each other out). But it really doesn’t touch on that much until over like halfway or so. But I liked both Ali & Graham. They had instant chemistry. It was clearly palpable between them. I found it an enjoyable read. I was rooting for them to find a way to be together instead of having to sneak around and we got that near the end of the book.

This romance had me hooked from the unforgettable first scene—Ali, who is studying abroad in London, gets matching tattoos with a stranger followed by a steamy one-night stand.

We meet Ali once again when she moves in with her family and starts a new job as a wedding planner. So no one is more surprised than she is when her one night stand turns up in Baltimore, ordering a latte at her favorite café. Cue the slow burn and all the angsty pining!

Set in Baltimore (a setting that really shines), the story blends heartfelt romance, humor, and great Jewish cultural rep through Ali’s lovable, hilarious family. Her job as a wedding planner ties everything together perfectly; no spoilers, but it works. A fun, emotional read with just the right amount of humor and drama.

Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy of 𝐍𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐎𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮!

Don’t ask me what kind of magic she uses, but Lindsay Hameroff’s books keep getting more and more irresistible! If her previous novel, 𝐓𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐬 𝐘𝐨𝐮 was an enjoyable stack of blueberry pancakes, this standalone sequel is a slice of wedding cake that makes you want to track down the baker! 💕

Read if you enjoy:
• 💞 Second Chance Romance
• ✡️ Jewish Representation
• 💍 Engagement of Convenience
• 🍷 Shabbat Dinners with Nosey Bubbies

This book is packed with so many of my favorite tropes— I can’t believe I waited so long to read it! Graham’s old-soul charm and British accent are seriously swoonworthy, so it’s no surprise Ali hasn’t found anyone better since that unforgettable night in their past. ❤️‍🔥 Their chemistry is off the charts from start to finish, and while their secret relationship is full of tension, I appreciated that Graham and his fiancée’s engagement is purely one of convenience, so there’s no actual cheating involved. (Before anyone comes for me in the comments, this is in the blurb and not a spoiler!)

Maybe it’s because Passover starts tomorrow, but I especially love the scenes with Ali’s family. They remind me a lot of my own: a little nosey when it comes to matchmaking, but good at heart! Her bubbie had me laughing out loud with her comments about Graham. 🤣

If you’re looking for a romance novel that’s a love letter to Baltimore, long distance friendships, and reinventing yourself, be sure to grab a copy of 𝐍𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐎𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮 at your favorite local bookstore! 🌼💖

I love romance and this book made me remember why. The joy of love and finding the one especially when it comes with the ups and downs that only exist in books. So glad I read this.

Ali has a reputation for spontaneity and its one of her best qualities, allowing her to live every day to its fullest and following her dreams wherever they take her. She’s left her NYC career as a chef to return to her home of Baltimore to intern as a wedding planner. Eight years ago, Ali made a drunken bet in London with a British man that led to them getting matching tattoos and then never seeing each other again, until one day she bumps into him at the local café. Graham’s family owns the once-grand hotel, the Black-Eyed Susan, which is now struggling and he has returned to Baltimore to help his grandmother get it back on its feet. Ali’s working on a high-profile wedding at the Black-Eyed Susan and is promised a full-time position if the event goes off without a hitch. Everything seems to be going smoothly, until Ali discovers that Graham is the groom.

This is Hameroff’s sophomore novel, and I was absolutely gripped by the storyline and the characters from the get-go. It’s such a cute and messy second chance romance with a unique twist on a marriage of convenience. The audiobook narration is very well done, bringing the characters and their world to life.

Ali is such a fun protagonist. She’s messy, passionate, and follows her heart and dreams wherever it may lead her. It’s so beautiful to witness her throw herself into her passions unconditionally. Graham is a sweet, thoughtful, and kind man. I loved the flashback to how Ali and Graham met, it was so silly and fun. The relationship that builds between them is beautiful, culminating into an alluring romance with some open-door spice.

I love that Hameroff adds touches of Jewish culture, foods, and celebrations through Ali’s character and her family. I think this was really well done and a very nice addition to the story. Ali’s family is a lot of fun and I loved every scene they were featured in.

<i>I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, for the opportunity to read this advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed are my own.</i>

Ali Rubin has always lived life to the fullest. When a night of drunken fun in London leads to matching tattoos with a stranger, followed by a passionate and memorable one-night stand, Ali has trouble leaving Graham behind. Now, eight years later, Ali’s joie de vivre has taken her from NYC to Baltimore, where she is one wedding away from being a successful wedding planner. Unfortunately for them both, the groom just so happens to be her one-night stand, Graham.

With such a cute cover and an author that’s been on my to-be-read list for more than a minute, I went into this one wanting so badly to love it. And yet, not every book is for every person, and unfortunately, that is the case with me and this book. Although it didn’t work for me, I can definitely appreciate the love others have for Lindsay Hameroff and this story.

While the premise sounds amazing along with all of the tropes, something didn’t work as well for me in the execution, almost right off the bat. To start with, this really isn’t my definition of second-chance romance, as they had only spent one evening together 8 years prior (granted it was an action-filled evening 😉😂) And because their relationship is therefore built on insta-love, I struggled to have any kind of emotional attachment to their relationship in the present. I mean, eight years later and she’s still carrying a torch??!?? I really had to suspend quite a bit of disbelief. There is a fun twist on the marriage-of-convenience trope, and that pulled me back in a little bit; however, ultimately, this just wasn’t a love for me.

Read if you like:
▪️second chance romance
▪️wedding planning
▪️forced proximity
▪️forbidden romance
▪️marriage of convenience

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and You Had Me At HEA for the gifted copy.

**3-Star Review of *Never Planned on You* by Lindsay Hameroff**

*Never Planned on You* by Lindsay Hameroff offers a heartfelt look at love, loss, and unexpected second chances. The story follows Lily, a woman who’s focused on her career and personal goals, only to find her life turned upside down when she reconnects with an old flame. The book touches on themes of fate, timing, and the emotional complexity of relationships.

The writing is engaging, and Hameroff does a good job of capturing the internal struggles of the protagonist as she navigates her feelings. The chemistry between Lily and her love interest is palpable, and their journey together is filled with emotional moments. However, some of the plot points feel a bit predictable, and certain character developments don’t feel as fleshed out as they could be. The pacing also slows down in parts, making the book feel longer than it needs to be.

Overall, *Never Planned on You* is an enjoyable read for those who appreciate a sweet, contemporary romance, but it lacks the depth and surprises that would elevate it from a typical romance novel to something more memorable. It’s a nice, easy read for fans of the genre, but it doesn’t offer much beyond the standard tropes.

lighthearted medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for my honest review.

Honestly, I had trouble getting past the premise of this one. The initial meeting and re-meeting were so cute, but once it started to hint at infidelity — even if not literally the case — it felt off putting. I think the resolution took too long to figure out. I do think the main characters are a good match and I did love seeing how they worked together at the hotel. That was perfect.

OKAY. The fated soulmates/pining/angst in this story got me GOOD.

Ali and Graham meet while Ali is studying abroad in London. They make a drunken bet, which results in the two of them getting matching tattoos (of a design which sounds frankly horrifying, haha), and end up spending the night together. Fast-forward several years later, and Ali and Graham run into each other in Baltimore. After another magical night, Ali thinks her romantic life is looking up. Unfortunately, that comes to an abrupt end when she realizes that Graham is the groom for the high profile wedding she is planning at a historic hotel. Later, we learn that it's a marriage of convenience - Graham and his fiance are platonic best friends, but Ali and Graham still have to overcome a lot to find their happily ever after.

I think this was really well done. The stakes are INCREDIBLY high. Ali is up for a promotion at work, but on top of trying to impress her new boss and make her family friend proud, she's also trying to prove herself to her family. On the other hand, Graham is trying to help his best friend achieve her career goals while also saving his grandmother's business after the devastating loss of his grandfather. On top of that, Graham doesn't want to be like his father, who left his mother and him behind when he was young. He wants to be dependable and reliable for the people he loves.

If Ali and Graham give into their feelings, so much can go wrong and so many people could be disappointed. This results in massive amounts of pining and angst, which made my chest hurt. (THE COOKBOOK?! HELLO!!!!) Fortunately, this is a romance, so you know they're going to find their HEA, but the journey hurt so good.

I realized this story is connected to Lindsay's debut, Till There Was You. I now need to backtrack to read Lexi and Jake's story. I look forward to more from Lindsay Hameroff!

A special thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Lindsay Hameroff for this advance copy of Never Planned on You in exchange for this review. This one is Hameroff's follow-up to her debut and is available now.

I love a good rom com, and the author had me chuckling with Ali and Graham's interactions - what starts off as a hookup when Ali is abroad in England and ends with drunken matching tattoos, Ali is surprised when Graham shows up again in the states as the groom of a wedding she's been tasked to plan. This one was so easy to read, although if you prefer more of a slow burn, this one won't be for you - our leads jump right in, and there's a sense of "is this wrong?" right off the bat. One minor thing that was a bit of a miss for me was how open Claire, Graham's fiance was towards Ali - it was stressed that Ali wants to be friends with her and how much they click, but I'm not sure if that's realistic, fake marriage troupe or not. Overall, I definitely loved this writing, and I'll definitely be reading more of Hameroff's works. I'm not Jewish, but this also has a strong Jewish representation in the book, and I learned a lot! (Hameroff is Jewish, I had the opportunity to meet her at an author signing, and she seemed so sweet!)

Thank you again to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.