Blog Tour: Happily Never After Review

Hello, all!

I will pick up anything that Lynn Painter writes. Her grocery list? Gimme it. The phone book? I'll read every page twice. Her writing is so fun, and I know whenever I pick up her books, I'm in for a good time. So big thanks to the publisher for the copy of her latest release, Happily Never After!

Pub Date: 3-12-24
Adult - Contemporary

Sophie Steinbeck has a hard time believing in love, especially after finding out right before her wedding that her fiancé was cheating on her. Unable to call off the nuptials thanks to her future father-in-law being her dad's cutthroat boss, Sophie has resigned herself to fake wedded bliss until an appropriate time for an annulment. But Sophie is saved by Max Parks, a professional objector whose sole purpose is to stand up at weddings and shout the two words no one wants to hear amid their vows: "I object!"

After the almost-wedding ceremony, Sophie and Max spend the night talking all about Max's job, which makes perfect sense to a love cynic like Sophie. The pair decide to join forces and work the wedding scene together, stopping couple after couple from making the worst decisions of their lives. But the more time they spend together, the more they can't deny their attraction. Sophie doesn't believe in love, and Max isn't looking for a relationship, so what could go wrong with a little friends-with-benefits situation? The answer: a whole lot more than they bargained for.

My favorite thing about Painter's writing is the characters. They're always so snarky, but in a way that makes them endearing and not assholes. Sophie and Max were smartasses and weren't afraid to push each other's buttons, and I loved it. Their banter was so fun because it felt like I was watching two best friends bicker. The chemistry between them was palpable, and I was alternately kicking my little feet and swooning the whole time. The only thing that stopped me from rating this higher was Sophie. She just rubbed me the wrong way. I found her to be a little too stubborn in her views, making her come across as cold sometimes. Despite that, I still ate this book up and can't wait for whatever Painter comes out with next.

Rating: 3/5