Alexis Hall has been writing books of different genres at a seemingly alarming rate. In my head, Boyfriend Material did not come out that long ago, but somehow, it’s already been over three years. And there’s a sequel called Husband Material that I have yet to have the chance to read. Not to mention A Lady For A Duke, which is a trans twist on a Victorian romance and two books in a rom-com series about bakers, among many, many others. Seriously, Hall can do almost anything. Needless to say, when I came across the synopsis for 10 Things That Never Happened, I knew I had to read it.

Fake amnesia. Real feelings? Real problems.

Sam Becker loves―or, okay, likes―his job. Sure, managing a bed and bath retailer isn’t exactly glamorous, but it’s good work and he gets on well with the band of misfits who keep the store running. He could see himself being content here for the long haul. Too bad, then, that the owner is an infuriating git.

Jonathan Forest should never have hired Sam. It was a sentimental decision, and Jonathan didn’t get where he is by following his heart. Determined to set things right, Jonathan orders Sam down to London for a difficult talk…only for a panicking Sam to trip, bump his head, and maybe accidentally imply he doesn’t remember anything?

Faking amnesia seemed like a good idea when Sam was afraid he was getting sacked, but now he has to deal with the reality of Jonathan’s guilt―as well as the unsettling fact that his surly boss might have a softer side to him. There’s an unexpected freedom in getting a second shot at a first impression…but as Sam and Jonathan grow closer, can Sam really bring himself to tell the truth, or will their future be built entirely on one impulsive lie?

I have not read Husband Material yet, so I haven’t been immersed in this world since Boyfriend Material in 2020—but I might actually like 10 Things That Never Happened better? And, if I’m being honest, it reminds me a tiny little bit of a twist on 10 Things I Hate About You, which is never a bad thing! I really liked Sam as a character and all the quirky friends and family, and even though the plot is a little ridiculous (I mean, fake amnesia?), I didn’t even care because I loved every minute of it. Enemies to lovers? Check. Close proximity? Check. One of my favourite reads of the year so far? Giant check! Oh, and did I mention it’s a holiday book? Takes place over Christmas, thank you very much!

What didn’t work for me

The steam level: Look, I had to find something wrong with it, so I’m going to go with the steam level. Though the sexual tension between the two main characters really jumps off the page, their whole relationship really is quite chaste. I would have appreciated a little more steam.

What I liked

The premise: Amnesia is usually something that screams soap opera, but of course, Alexis Hall has to turn it on its head—because the reader is in on the fact that it’s not real. Enemies to lovers and close proximity tropes are also always favourites of mine. Plus, without spoilers, there still ends up being a piece of information that the reader is missing, so there’s still that satisfaction as the book concludes.

The supporting characters: The main characters are awesome, and I’m so drawn to them—but the side characters (Jonathan’s family and Sam’s coworkers) really make the story shine. They are all quirky but believable and loveable all the same. I’m not sure whether there will be a sequel to this particular book, but if there is, I really hope we get more of these relationships!

4.5 STARS

“Somehow I missed the day in school where they taught you want to do when you were living in your boss’s house faking amnesia and his whole family showed up and decided you were his secret boyfriend but didn’t feel comfortable admitting it to them. In the end I figure it’s best not to argue.” —Alexis Hall, 10 Things That Never Happened

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for an advanced book copy in exchange for my honest review.