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About Never Planned on You: A Novel

A glittering, laugh-out-loud second chance romance that reminds us true love is sometimes the one thing you never planned on. 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. Graham’s family owns the once-grand, now struggling Black-Eyed Susan, and he’s returned to Baltimore to help his grandmother get it back on its feet. He’s certain that hosting a wedding at the hotel is just the publicity boost it needs. Ali’s boss agrees, and promises Ali a full-time gig if the affair goes off without a hitch. Unfortunately, Ali and Graham can't seem to ignore their rekindled chemistry, especially when it’s revealed that Graham and his fiancée are planning a marriage of convenience. Still, staying away from each other is the best thing they can do, since giving in to their growing feelings might cost them everything. Because when it comes to love, all bets are off. Praise for NEVER PLANNED ON YOU: [STARRED REVIEW] ★Hameroff, Lindsay. Never Planned on You. Insatiable. Feb. 2025. 10:41 hrs. ISBN 9798890930545. $19.95. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE Hameroff’s (Till There Was You) heartfelt second-chance romance, set in the same Baltimore universe as her debut, follows former chef turned wedding planner, Ali Rubin, as she gets her first big gig planning a career-making high-profile wedding. Ali is shocked to run into Graham Wyler, her unforgettable one-night stand, whom she hasn’t seen since they got matching tattoos while she was studying abroad in London. She is even more shocked to discover that Graham is the groom in the wedding that she is designing. As sparks are rekindled, Ali learns that Graham’s wedding is a marriage of convenience rather than romance. Is this knowledge enough to pave the way for a true happily ever after? Mia Hutchinson-Shaw narrates, voicing the wide-ranging cast of characters with confidence; her portrayal of Graham’s British accent is especially effective. Hutchinson-Shaw sensitively conveys the pining and emotional depth in this forced-proximity story, which is full of family drama and coming-of-age angst. VERDICT Highly recommended for libraries aiming to expand their collections of light-hearted, feel-good, contemporary romances with a touch of heat and enough antics to keep listeners laughing out loud. Perfect for fans of Rachel Lynn Solomon and Amanda Elliot.—Shannon O’Connor [Library Journal]