10 Things That Never Happened

It's one of those books that will sneak up on you and before you know it you are halfway through and still have lots to learn. I found that I knew very little about Sam because he conceals so much... partly because he’s pretending to have amnesia so has to be careful about what he tells Jonathan, and partly because he’s deliberately locked away some very painful things he doesn’t want to think about. Alexis Hall does a great job of throwing around little hints throughout the story so that it’s not difficult to guess what Sam is running away from, but it still hits hard when it’s revealed near the end, and we finally fit together all the pieces and understand what Sam has been going through and why he is the way he is, show more especially concerning his job and the people he works with. I read it and enjoyed it, but it was only when I started to really think about it and go back through the highlights that I realized just how much the author had packed into what seemed, at first, to be a light-hearted story full of snarky talk, an ugly kitty and an oversized Christmas tree. Along with the romance, it's a story about connecting and re-connecting...about being true to yourself... and not being afraid to show that you care. One of the many things Alexis Hall does so well is to let his characters experience growth while remaining essentially the same people, and this was certainly true of Sam and Jonathan. Sam was still the upbeat guy that is so very prone to wearing his heart on his sleeve, and Jonathan is still the gruff, aloft, and anxious one...but they’ve found in one another, that "special someone" who complements them...who understands them...and who accepts them and loves them for who they are. They learn that together, they’re not necessarily different, but they are "better". I thought that the fake amnesia plot was a little shaky, and it went on too long, but it absolutely does NOT spoil the story. The book is a mixture of the "crazy and the meaningful" all wrapped up in a romance that's filled with humor that really works well. I consider this one to be a keeper. show less

I loved the witty, ridiculous way Boyfriend material and A lady for a duke were written and this one was no different. Alexis Hall has a talent for coming up with dumb, silly jokes and puns every few pages and I'm a big fan.

The plot sounds like a screwball comedy. The local manager of a bed and bathroom store gets in an argument with his uptight boss and his entire team is fired, except he trips and bumps his head. When he wakes up people think he’s got amnesia, which kind of means he’s un-fired?
Except he obviously falls in love with the uptight boss.

I had no idea this would be a christmas book? (Which is unfortunate because I generally don't like Christmas, call me the Grinch if you want). And it deals with a lot of common hallmark show more tropes like an overworked, serious businessman falling in love, family drama and a company Christmas party.
I really dislike those, because they imply happiness is so... set in stone? There is either a big family with Christmas magic or a terrible, lonely life that's only for evil people.

And the love interest is pretty evil at the start? He's like a modern Ebenezer Scrooge in a corporate setting. Not a lot happens in the middle part of the book except Sam staying at his bosses house and trying to make the best of it. I didn't love the Christmas tropes, so I'll be honest and say I only kept reading because the writing.

In the end I have to say the author managed to avoid one of my most hated tropes? The love interest doesn't have to change and become a family-loving Christmas saint, he can still be a work-focused businessman, he just has to be less mean about it. Which feels a lot more realistic than the movies.
I also liked that despite lying about the amnesia, Sam was blunt and honest with Jonathan. It made all their interactions feel sincere despite the fact that they're a boss and employee forced to stick together.

I didn't love their romance as much as Luc and Oliver or Viola and Gracewood, but I liked the book overall. show less

I was tempted to give up this audiobook (2023) early on because I didn't take to the lead character Sam Becker or the regional British accent adopted by narrator Will Watt whom I'm pretty sure I've not heard before.

Sam works for Jonathan, managing one of Jonathan's bed and bath shops. They don't get on, and the situation disintegrates to the point that Sam ends up faking amnesia as part of his plan to protect him and his team from being sacked.

Just to get to this point we spent ages in the shop, the author having fun with Sam's commentary on the life of a bed shop manager!

Unfortunately it should have been more funny than it was to warrant this dallying. Maybe I just wasn't attuned to this humour.

I've adored some of Alexis Hall's novels show more - such as Waiting for the Flood (2015), and Pansies (2016), both from the Spires series. Despite some great moments, I took a long time to take to Sam or Jonathan, not to mention that it took forever for anything to happen between them such that the audiobook seemed like 16 hours not 8 hours.

Not enough happens, it's too drawn out, and while the writing is as masterful as I expect of Hall, after Waiting for the Flood my high expectations may have been set up to fail. show less

This story left me spellbound, evoking a rollercoaster of emotions. Sam Becker's story, a mix of workplace struggles and unexpected romance, felt remarkably genuine. His witty, flawed boss, Jonathan Forest, made the narrative rich with depth. Despite initial reservations, I found solace in their unconventional love story, appreciating Hall's knack for crafting imperfect yet relatable characters. The novel delved into complex family dynamics, adding layers of authenticity to the plot. Hall's writing was raw and honest, making me laugh, cry, and reflect deeply. While the romance was unconventional, its genuine portrayal of human connection made it an emotionally resonant read, leaving me profoundly moved by the characters' journey.

It's hilarious, it's Christmas, it's While You Were Sleeping with gays in retail. Who could ask for anything more?! I'm going to reread this one as soon as the holiday lights go up. A perfect gem of a romance novel.

I love Alexis Hall. I think he is one of my favorite contemporary writers. I can't really define the reason I love him so much, but he somehow makes me feel good about the human race. I really needed it these last two weeks. It was like an antidote to all the narrow-minded, hateful, stupid comments I read on the internet. It was like a warm hug and chicken soup to my soul.

Alexis Hall is a master of writing troubled, imperfect characters. His books send this message - none of us is perfect, but that's ok; we are all worthy and able of love. His books are funny, heartfelt and real. I should read all of them, but I am saving them for moments such as this, when I really need them.

Samwise manages a bed and bath retail store, employing a group of lovable misfits. The owner is Jonathan, a very uptight spreadsheet kind of guy who is unhappy with Sam as the store is not showing a profit. After a mishap with a shower stall, Sam ends up at Jonathan's mansion due to a concussion and some fake amnesia. Sam needs to convince Jonathan not to fire him and his entire staff while Jonathan is intent on taking care of Sam so he doesn't sue him.
This story is very much in the mode of Boyfriend Material, another Alexis Hall book that I love (let's be honest, I love all his books and look forward to them eagerly). These two guys are perfect for each other but must navigate their differences and Jonathan's family to find their show more romance.
There are a lot of laugh-out-loud moments, and I reflected on some passages that go a little deeper. I loved the side characters, Jonathan's loud and boisterous family, the store crew in Sheffield, and Gollum the cat. The book is written from Sam's POV, and I enjoyed how his mind changed not only about Jonathan but also his life. It's a lovely romance, and I can't wait for the next in the series. show less