Allison’s Book Report: “Happily Never After” by Lynn Painter

My husband and I are celebrating 18 years of wedded bliss this week. Our wedding was so much fun, but it wasn't without some drama. The best man passed out from the heat during the ceremony, the cake table caught on fire due to a random gust of wind that blew the tablecloth into a candle, and the sheriff’s office showed up when the party was a little too loud late into the night. Honestly, it was the party of the century and we still talk about how fun and crazy it all was. One thing that thankfully did not happen to us was that no one stood up and objected during the ceremony – however, this week's book is a snappy little rom-com about people who weren't so lucky! 

Lynn Painter’s “Happily Never After” is a fun, enemies-to-lovers rom-com that starts with a bang… or, more accurately, an “I object!” The story follows Sophie Steinbeck, who finds out right before her wedding that her fiancé, Stuart, has been cheating. The problem is, she can’t call off the wedding herself because Stuart’s dad is her own father’s boss, and she doesn’t want to jeopardize his job. Enter Max—a professional wedding objector hired to do the dirty work. He saves Sophie from a disastrous marriage, and in the process, she gets a fantastic idea.

Intrigued by Max’s unique career, Sophie decides to join him. Together, they become a dynamic duo, traveling the country to break up doomed weddings. Their work is all about saving people from the pain of unfaithful partners and toxic relationships. While they work, they form a pact: no feelings, just a fun side hustle. After all, they’re both self-proclaimed cynics about love, especially after their own bad experiences.

​As Sophie and Max work together, their undeniable chemistry and witty banter become the heart of the story. They share drinks, laughs, and a growing physical attraction that they both try to pretend is just casual. It’s a classic fake-dating trope but with a twist—they’re just two people who “don’t believe in love” trying to avoid falling for each other.

​Everything changes when they get their next assignment. A groom-to-be hires them to object to his wedding, but the bride-to-be is the woman who broke Max’s heart. This puts them in a tricky spot. Max has to confront his past, while Sophie has to face the unexpected reality that she’s falling hard for her partner in crime. The book hilariously and sweetly navigates their journey as they realize that maybe, just maybe, their happily never after is actually a happily ever after with each other.

I hope you enjoy this week's pick. Don't forget to pop over to my Instagram @allison.the.reader for more book recommendations and bookish fun.