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4.72k reviews for:

Happily Never After

Lynn Painter

3.69 AVERAGE


This might be the most unlikely "meet cute" in a romcom. Sophie meets Max during her wedding - when he objects to the marriage exposing her fiance's infidelities. This then turns into a fake dating type situations

I absolutely loved the banter between Sophie and Max. I chuckled often at their quips. The 3rd act conflict was believable and resolved like adults - and quickly - which I appreciated. I honestly forgot the pair were in their 20s because there weren't the typical romcom plot devices that rely on immature characters or a dumb misunderstanding.

You know how I love saucy septuagenarians. This book has two! Larry and Rose are Sophie's roommates and they add just the right amount of kooky comedy.

I listened to the audiobook. The book is told in alternating POV and both narrators were fantastic.

Honestly I think I would have liked this better if the characters were in their early to mid 30s instead of late 20s because all their experiences and maturity lended themselves to that. I really really liked Max, and eventually I came around to Sophie. The 3rd act breakup wasn't unhinged and actually seemed like a realistic miscommunication.

dkdiehm's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH: 31%

The premise of The Objector was fun but the relationship started going to spicy for me and that doesn’t interest me. 
funny lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
yenneke's profile picture

yenneke's review

4.0

‘I knew without a doubt that I could kiss him forever and never lose a single butterfly.’
anotherhalima's profile picture

anotherhalima's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH: 43%

there is diff between not believing in love and deluding yourself. anyway i don’t care for these two tbh. he probably has a reason for not wanting a long term relationship which i think will be an ex. her reasoning is defo an ex. idk i feel getting over heartache is part of life. swearing off love after also makes sense but deluding yourself you don’t like someone when you clearly do to make it about some weird “for yourself” thing is weird and not entertain ling to read about. he is also lying to himself but he’s definitely not kissing her on some bs reasons.

i think this trope of not believing in love has been coming up in the books i’ve been reading but they are all not made equal. at this point i need to understand the characters pov and that’s not happening here.
funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
funny lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
emotional lighthearted
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A

Super cute! Read this in one day after a very long and dark book so this was such a fast and fun read.