A sparkling romance between an ex-actress and her contractor, reminding us that it's never too late to rewrite our destiny.
Semi-retired actress Marissa Morgan has played many parts in her life. But these days, her primary role is mother of two. Since hitting pause on her career, she's worked hard to give her kids a normal childhood and shield them from the spotlight. So when her ex-husband announces his high-profile engagement and a media storm ensues, Marissa and her kids flee Los Angeles for a summer at her recently inherited Poconos lake house.
The long-vacant house needs major TLC, so Marissa hires a home renovation company to do repairs. But when the project hits a snag and Marissa finds herself sharing space with the crew, including Jesse, the handsome (and vaguely familiar) foreman, her plans for a drama-free summer hit choppy water.
Jesse doesn't expect Marissa to remember him; they were just kids when they last played together at the lake. But he's never forgotten her; he's spent the last two decades quietly following her career, even as his own dreams fell apart. And now that she's stumbled back into his sleepy hometown, Jesse's predictable life has gotten a lot more complicated.
As the summer days pass, Marissa finds herself centering her own needs for the first time in years-and that includes giving into her mounting attraction to Jesse. Soon, she finds herself wondering if their fling could become something more.
After an unexpected career opportunity falls into Marissa's lap, it feels like the stars have finally aligned. But when new complications arise, the pair wonder how they'll fit into each other's future. Can Marissa and Jesse chart a new course together, or is it too late to rewrite the script for a happily ever after? LINDSAY HAMEROFF is a writer, humorist, and former English teacher raised in Baltimore, MD and based in Harrisburg, PA. Her writing has been featured in McSweeney's Internet Tendency, The Belladonna, Weekly Humorist, and other outlets. She also co-edits Frazzled, a parenting humor site. She is the author of Till There Was You, her debut novel.
Praise for Lindsay Hameroff
"I'm never forgiving Lindsay Hameroff because I stayed up way too late reading Never Planned On You when I absolutely could not put it down." -Ali Rosen, bestselling author of Recipe for Second Chances and Alternate Endings
"A charming, funny, crackling Second Chance Romance full of forced proximity, shenanigans, and second guessing, Never Planned on You is a delight!" -Emma Alban, USA Today bestselling author of Don't Want You Like a Best Friend
"A delicious Baltimore snowball of a novel about juggling family, career, love, and sassy grandmothers, Never Planned on You is the perfect romantic comedy." -Sara Goodman Confino, bestselling author of Don't Forget to Write and Behind Every Good Man
"Falling for a talented musician who writes dreamy songs about you is pure wish fulfillment, and that's exactly what Lindsay Hameroff delivers in Till There Was You! Fans of Holly James and Amanda Elliot won't want to miss this one!" -Alicia Thompson, bestselling author of Love in the Time of Serial Killers
"A pure delight...It's giving '90s chick flick, in the best way." -Glamour on Never Planned on You
"A fun premise and the characters charm. Hameroff shows promise." -Publishers Weekly on Till There Was You
"Sparkles with wit...Fans of romantic comedies and celebrity love stories will enjoy this cute romance." -Library Journal on Till There Was You
