This book takes place in Baltimore so naturally I had to read it!

This second chance romance features Ali and Graham. Ali hooked up with Graham on her last night of her European study abroad trip. It was also a crazy night, as it involved Ali and Graham getting matching tattoos that were half pig, half unicorn - a terrifying creature. 10 years later Ali runs into Graham in a coffee shop in Baltimore, and the sparks from eight years ago are still present. Now Ali must figure out if the Englishman still feels the same way!

This book gives you insight into the Jewish culture, a second chance romance, a relatable FMC, and character development! Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'm in the middle on this one. Loved parts of it, didn't love others. Much of it is cute with some lough out loud lines, but the undercurrent of deception became problematic for me. I also found some parts of the book to contradict each other. As in--"it's always been you" to "I don't do love, just flings". There were a few too many unbelievable coincidences and forced proximity, but it's a rom-com, so I can let some of that slide. I also felt that the end dragged on a little too long with some perplexing reasoning for not being together.

Overall, it's a cute escape read, but not without a few problems.

To say I'm obsessed with @lindsayhameroff's writing would be a massive understatement!!! 🌼 I ADORED Till There Was You when I read it last year (any other Jake Taylor groupies out there?!) and when I found out that Lindsay's second rom-com, Never Planned On You, had Ali (my favorite TTWY character) as its main character (and her mysterious tattoo twin as the love interest!), it felt like a gift just for me-- and for all of Lindsay's other fans (fine! I'll share!) Ali is a fresh, sassy, hilarious heroine you will root for from start to finish. Thank you @netgalley and @smpromance for the chance to read and review this book early! It is available for preorder now and publishes on February 18, 2025.

This book was a great modern take of the movie The Wedding Planner. It had romance, humor, and holiday flare! I didn't love the miscommunication aspect of the book because all their problems could've been resolved had they just talked it out. Also didn't love how Ali turned down one grand gesture for another? Would definitely recommend as a cute read!!

Who doesn’t love a hilarious second chance romance! Our main character is spontaneous and in the midst of a career change when her once lover comes back into her life and rearranges everything.

DNF 25% this book is reminder of book trope I've read before and didn't enjoy. Boy meets girl they loose touch only to meet again and this time he's engaged but she doesn't know ...



**********I received an ARC for my honest opinion from NetGalley.***********

This was a wonderful romcom. From London to Baltimore I love how Ali and Graham were fated to be together. It was the perfect sweet and funny light read. Now, give me the movie!

This was my first read by Lindsay Hameroff, but won’t be my last (in fact picked up another as soon as finished this one!).

This was a funny, fast paced, second chance romance. This book has “Wedding Planner” vibes, and fans of Abby Jimenez or Ali Hazelwood would enjoy this book.

And thank you to Net Galley for an ARC copy!

Such a feel-good book and one that I can’t stop thinking about. I loved how close the family was and how involved they were in everything. Reminded me of the new show “Nobody Wants This”, especially with the Jewish representation.

I love hearing the names of local places that I know as I am from Baltimore. It really put things in perspective and helped me relate to it more - felt like an automatic sense of “home” with the fall season & Baltimore descriptions.

I loved their banter right off the bat & Ali’s sense of humor - great one-liners.
Graham was such a gentleman and always wanted to stick to his word - honorable, plus we love a man with glasses!
Claire was such a cool gal, I feel like I would be friends with her and Ali, would love to hang with them at PBR or eat gummies with Chloe & Lexi. What an epic friend group they all have.
Love the way that things worked out, especially since grandma Trudy was involved. I could not put this down! My first book by Lindsay Hameroff and I can guarantee it will not be the last.

Notes-
Tattoos 🥹
Second chance ✨
British man 🇬🇧
Tension 🤭

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press & Lindsay Hameroff for the ARC. This opinion is entirely my own.

I could picture the characters, their expressions, and second hand, get their emotions.
I loved the way our main characters met and how they seemed to just click and compliment the other. Soulmates. Paths crossing once again, and no matter the struggle to ignore it, neither can. This is a cute, happy ending romance that I'd recommend!

Lindsay Hameroff is a very talented writer & Never Planned on You is the 2nd book of hers I've had the opportunity to read via ARC, Thank you, #NetGalley!
Never Planned on You is a fun & lovely story of Ali & Graham's relationship. They met in a London bar & had a memorable night together before parting ways. Eight years later, they meet again, but the circumstances are very complicated. I highly recommend you read this story to figure out these complicated circumstances, but also read all the hilarious dialogs that lead to swoon worthy romance between these two.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book, with all thoughts and opinions being my own. If you enjoy witty banter, a bit of family drama, some self reflection, & a little passion, then you'll enjoy this amazing story.

This story was FUN! I really enjoyed following along with the main characters' love story and watching it all unfold with plenty of laughter along the way. I will be recommending this to friends!

I really enjoyed this novel. This is a "new-to-me-author" with lots of promise! There's nothing like a good rom-com to make you smile, laugh, cry, and get all the "feels" while you read. Never Planned on You delivered! This is just the kind of story I was looking for...the banter between characters is fabulous, the hilarity of "family interactions" outstanding, the steamy love and angst througout kept me turning the pages quickly.

Graham and Ali were dynamic characters with all their vulnerabilities and flaws. I couldn't get enough of them, together and apart! I really loved Ali's family and all her reactions to their actions...so relatable!!

The ending was fun too! I couldn't quite figure out exactly what was going to happen, but I had my guesses...most of which came true and made me smile! Never Planned on You was an incredibly enjoyable read for me. If you like a good rom-com, get this one on your TBR list today!

Fun and witty banter. Read like a 2000s rom-com film. I enjoyed it .A delightful second-chance romance with a dash of complication, this story has a bit of *The Wedding Planner* vibe. Our main character is, Ali, a spirited and determined woman with big dreams of becoming an event planner. When she lands a gig planning a wedding, she’s shocked to discover that the groom is none other than Graham, the man she shared a magical night with eight years ago and has never quite gotten over. The chemistry between them is undeniable, but as they reconnect, it becomes clear that Graham’s upcoming marriage may not be all it seems. .

Ali Rubin has a reputation for spontaneity. Like that time she made a drunken bet in London that led to matching tattoos with a stranger. Her joie de vivre is one of her best qualities; she lives every day to the fullest and follows her dreams wherever they take her. And now, they’re taking her from her career as a chef in New York City back home to Baltimore, where she’s interning as a wedding planner.

Despite the occasional fantasy about her British tattoo twin, Ali never expected to see Graham again. So no one is more surprised than she is when he turns up in Baltimore, ordering a latte at her favorite cafe. When they reconnect during an enchanting evening together, Ali can’t help but wonder if Graham might be someone special. At the same time, she's desperate to succeed in her new career and prove that she isn’t the family flake. When she gets a job planning a high profile wedding at a historic hotel, it seems like things are finally falling into place. That is, until Graham turns out to be the groom.

This was a fun little second-chance, low-heat romance. I absolutely adored Ali, and Graham is maybe my newest book boyfriend! I really enjoyed the way their relationship developed throughout the book. Quick, easy read for an enjoyable evening or two. 3.5⭐

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

the perfect cozy holiday romance read. IDK what it is about NYC during the holidays, but I feel like a holiday romance just has to be set in NYC— however, Boston is the next best thing. this book flowed nicely. there was literal LOL moments. the pining. the timing. the pacing was very well done. I loved the nostalgia of the iPod touch reference, the theme of making bets, and the chaotic family nature. loved this book!

Shrek reference as the opening line? Say no more. loved the Greys anatomy and Taylor Swift references.

I absolutely adored Hameroff's former novel but this one was just okay. It started off with holding my interest enough but by the second half, I found myself bored. I really tried to stay invested but just kept reading the dialog in order to finish the novel.

Cute second chance story of a drunken one night stand abroad (that included hideous matching tattoos) that reconnects 8 years later. After bouncing around, Ari is in her hometown working as a wedding planner intern after a few career false starts. She randomly runs into Graham, her British hookup in a coffee shop who’s also in town helping his grandma with her hotel. He also happens to be the groom in the wedding that Ari is working. Sparks reconnect and they fight it given Graham is engaged, but it’s a wedding of convenience. There are definitely blurred lines and grey areas in this story, but meant to be more lighthearted. All the characters are pretty likable and you end up rooting for everyone. This is a little open door. Nice Jewish family and culture representation too.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

📚 Never Planned on You
✍ Lindsay Hameroff
📖 RomCom
⭐3.5/5
🌶️ 🌶️

🙏 Thank you to St. Martin's Press, NetGalley and the author for an advanced copy of Never Planned on You. All opinions are my own.
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🎯 What I loved: I adored Hameroff's debut Till There Was You and immediately requested her second book when it became available on NetGalley. True to form, her sophomore novel had much of what I loved about her first book: witty banter, inspired menus that made my mouth water and the inclusion of a family with relatable Jewish traditions that felt homey. Ali's family and the side characters were a major highlight of the book for me- and Ali's bad date had me rolling with laughter. Expect lots of levity and some heartwarming generational stories thrown into the mix in this one!

🙅‍♀️ What I didn't: I don't mind forbidden romances but really struggled to reconcile Ali and Graham's relationship with the taboo nature of their connection (she was planning his wedding to someone else). Even though there were other factors at play, the 'when are you going to tell her so we can just be together' pining gave me a major ick factor and took a lot of enjoyment out of this book for me. Second chance romance is my favorite trope but the way the relationship in this book was set-up, I didn't get the feels during their initial connection or their second encounter.
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Read if you love:
*slightly flighty main character trying to find her perfect career fit
*taboo romance
*second chance romance
*Jewish representation
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See also: Sadie on a Plate, Perfect Fit, Before You Say I Do

I enjoyed reading this book start to finish. The characters were funny and amazing and the plot was to die for! I would definitely recommend!