Book Review: Happily Never After

If Lynn Painter writes it, I will love it. Happily Never After is her latest adult romcom and it was so good! It had her signature witty banter, laugh out loud moments, a mmc that I wish was my real life boyfriend, and spicy moments.

This novel follows Sophie Steinbeck and Max Parks. When the novel begins, it is Sophie’s wedding day and while she’s up at the altar she is waiting for one thing. No, not the “I do” part, but for Max, “The Objector” to object to the wedding and save her from marrying her fiancé. What started a few years ago as a favor to a friend, turned into a side gig for Max by word of mouth. If you need to get out of your wedding, but don’t want to be the one to call it off due to whatever reason he will do the objecting for you. Sophie needed Max’s help because her dad works for her fiancé’s father and knew if she called it off it would be hell for her dad. But if Max did it and exposed Stuart for the cheater that he is, then she would be in the clear.

Everything goes according to plan and after Max ends up spending time with her and her best friend Asha that night, drinking and talking, Sophie suggests she team up with him and be a sort of “Objectress”. He turns her down, but weeks later when the need arises for him to have a partner he reaches out to Sophie. The two team up to save brides and/or grooms from going through with their weddings when they don’t want to. Not only do the two of them get along extremely well (and it doesn’t hurt that they’re secretly attracted to one another) but their time together seems to be helping them both out. Everyone thinks they’re dating, which is helping Sophie out at work with a potential promotion (her boss wants to know she has a life outside work) and Max is waiting for his dad to retire so he can take over their company but his parents won’t retire and move to their Florida vacation home until they’re sure he’s ready to settle down and marry.

Even though they tell everyone they’re “just friends” they’re letting people believe they’re dating since it’s benefitting them. But with their growing feelings for one another can they stay just friends? Even when Sophie doesn’t believe in love?

This book was laugh out loud funny like all of Lynn’s books and I loved Sophie and Max so much. This was the perfect he falls first book and at times I did want to shake Sophie because Max is so amazing! But the development of their friendship and feelings for one another was so good and I loved watching it unfold. I want more of them!

Read this if you want a spicy romcom with the fake dating, friends to lovers, and he falls first tropes.

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