This Wasn't The Plan

by Laura Ashley Gallagher

By day, Madison Callahan is a crisis manager. She can spin a narrative and bury a scandal without breaking a sweat.

By night, she’s arguing with a treadmill-thudding trauma doctor living in the apartment upstairs.

Beckett Lawson doesn’t do messy. He fixes what’s broken and keeps his emotions locked down tight. But the fiery redhead in apartment 3B is rapidly becoming the most complicated case of his life.

Between midnight stairwell showdowns, political firestorms, and a family history Madison is desperate to outrun, neither of them planned on this.

They definitely didn’t plan on each other.

But they’re about to learn that the best things in life rarely stick to the plan.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

Expected publication April 2, 2026

About the author

Laura Ashley was born and raised in Ireland, where she spent a large part of her childhood and teenage years studying music. Drawn to people’s stories and a lifelong storyteller, she went on to study journalism. Laura Ashley specializes in crafting stories with heaps of romance and maybe even a few tears. When she is not writing, she is spending time and having fun with her husband and young son.

Reviews

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Couldn’t put it down, loved everything about Madison’s & Beckett story. This book had me all in my feelings.

My respect to the author for representing a character with bipolar disorder and how she is able to bring disability awareness!!!

I cannot wait for second book to come out.

A totally relatable quote:

"Mothers hate me. I'm too loud, I'm too blunt, and I have no domestic skills. I'm a mother's worst nightmare.”

Thank you to the author for an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed here are solely my own.

[Amanda Choquette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received this book as an ARC and I can truly say that it was so good, and only took me a day to read. I do not typically read pure romance books, but this one had me hooked and not wanting to put it down. It made me laugh, and it made me cry. There were so many relatable moments, especially for those that may struggle with mental health. I 100% would recommend d that you ready this book.

[Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This ARC was one of the meant I have been doing lately and this one fit me so perfectly. The FMC was so much like me in way I didn’t think it would have ever believe. And the MMC is nearly so close to my own partner in ways. I could not put this down I wish I had more hours in a day with my own work that I’d had it done soon then in 10days..

[Amanda Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The PR Queen and the Doctor Upstairs

I am officially a mess after finishing my first ARC read! This Wasn’t the Plan is a phenomenal 5-star debut that gave me everything I want in a romance: elite banter, deep emotional stakes, and a hero who is absolute perfection.

Why it Works:
• Madi and Beckett: The chemistry between Madison (Madi), our PR queen, and Beckett, the hot doctor upstairs, is magnetic. Their enemies-to-lovers journey started with "the good meds" and some iconic rambling, and it only got better from there.
• The Banter: I was literally loling! Between the inappropriate deliveries, yelling through the ceiling, and the legendary "Dr. Thuddy," their back-and-forth was top-tier. And yes, the grey sweatpants definitely deserve an honorable mention.
• The Emotional Core: Beneath the humor, this book is so raw. Madi’s struggle as the primary caregiver for her mother with Bipolar disorder was portrayed so authentically. It broke me when she finally called Beckett during a manic episode, and seeing how he stepped up for Donna showed exactly who he is deep down.
• Healing Together: Beckett’s own trauma regarding the accident that caused his father’s death was handled with so much care. When he finally opened up to Madi, it was a total "shatter my heart" moment.

This was a perfect read. It balances the "plight of a woman" carrying everyone's shame with the absolute hilarity of a giant "rose" being delivered as a prank. The 10 years later epilogue was the perfect finale piece; I was bawling happy tears by the end!

Iconic Quotes to Share:
• "Mom, he’s in the bad-boy spatula phase of the relationship. I think we’ve crossed the serious threshold and entered the traumatizing-for-the-offspring territory."
• "We’re trained to carry other people’s shame like it belongs to us."
• "I know this isn’t about winning Madison. It’s about standing still long enough that she realizes I’m not moving."

Whether they are yelling through the ceiling or standing still for one another, Madi and Beckett are proof that sometimes the best things in life are the ones we never planned for. Thank you Laura Ashley for this phenomenal read!

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed. I cried. I finished it in a day.

I discovered author Laura Ashley Gallagher by chance, thanks to the Threads algo, and I have been salivating at the opportunity to ARC-read one of her books.
Aaaaaaaaaand... tadaah!!! 🥳

And boy... She. Did. Not. Disappoint. 🙂‍↔️

My favorite quotes:

I'm sweating out trauma I haven't even lived yet.

She groans as she tries to sit up. "You can stay lying down," I tell her, stepping in instinctively. She shakes her head. "No. I need to move. I'm getting rigor mortis." "That's not exactly how it works."

High maintenance. Right. If this is maintenance, I'll happily sign up for the lifetime warranty.

Beckett: I've seen you in granny slippers, Madi. The penguins don't scare me. Me: They should. They're very judgmental birds.

What it is about:
All you need to know is that:
She handles political scandals by day, and accidentally sends sex toys to her neighbour’s apartment by night.

What I loved:
✍️the dedication "For anyone who grew up too fast. May you find someone who lets you rest."
📝the first sentence "My toxit trait? Thinking I can fix a man. My redeeming quality? I look hot while failing."
🧑‍⚕️their doctor x patient meet cute: where she may or may not have been under the influence of drugs, and where she may or may not have thrown out her back again after sneezing,...
🎈what an amazing fun aunt she is: playing silly games like knock-and-run
🐶how he is such a golden retriever: being offended on her behalf, buying her shoes,...
🔥the slow build-up with aaaaaaaaaaaall the tension
💔her heartbreaking -and realistic- family situation, where she is holding everyone together whilst slowly crumbling herself underneath the pressure ➡️as the only daughter, I felt this in my bones...

What I struggled with:
NOTHING. AT. ALL.

What you need to know:
📚interconnected standalone, part of the Apparently It's Love series
🫂dual POV, 1st person
🤬neighbors/enemies-to-lovers
🏢forced proximity
🐌slow burn
🩺trauma doctor x crisis manager
🧓small age gap (29h x 35H)
🎭banter & bickering
💅caretaking hero
❤️‍🩹emotional healing
👓slutty little glasses
👖slutty gray sweatpants
❤️HEA

For the safety squad:
🌶️spice: explicit sexual content, no condom,...
🦺content warnings: mental illness (bipolar), medical trauma, grief, survivor's guilt, fatal car accident (past),...

[Kerry Bentley · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Spreading her knees wider, I drop to mine because it I'm going to ruin us, I'm going to do it right."

Oh my 🔥 Madison and Hudson might just be my new
favourite couple! I thought @authorlauraashleygallagher Skepitically in Love would be a hard act follow but the first installment in her new series Apparently in Love had me hooked from the first chapter. Madison crawling out of hot yoga had me crying with laughter and there were moments like this throughout the whole book.

The book dealt with some heavy topics but @authorlauraashleygallagher handled them with grace and grit, not shying away from the hard emotions. It had all the tropes you'd want including forced proximity and enemies to lovers and the chemistry was sizzling

"I've been told I'm too much," she whis-pers, her eyes searching mine for the lie.
"By everyone. It's always too much."
I cup her face in both hands, forcing her to see the truth in my eyes.
"Then fuck everyone who said that.
You're not too much. You're the perfect amount."
I'm already looking forward to the next instalment

📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖

By day, Madison Callahan is a crisis manager. She can spin a narrative and bury a scandal without breaking a sweat.

By night, she’s arguing with a treadmill-thudding trauma doctor living in the apartment upstairs.

Beckett Lawson doesn’t do messy. He fixes what’s broken and keeps his emotions locked down tight. But the fiery redhead in apartment 3B is rapidly becoming the most complicated case of his life.

Between midnight stairwell showdowns, political firestorms, and a family history Madison is desperate to outrun, neither of them planned on this.

They definitely didn’t plan on each other.

But they’re about to learn that the best things in life rarely stick to the plan.

[Janesse Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love the way this book started with Madison having a hot yoga class that didn’t go as expected. I love the way she excused herself from the problem. I could not stop giggling at the crawling and stuff she was saying on the way out of the class. Then we have the code word “Turtle Pancakes” and also silly string madness. This was so great. I so need to try that with my nieces and nephews.

The FMC, Madison, also known as Miss Woot Woot, who lover her granny slippers. She is such a strong character. She has learned from her past that she has to be strong and take command in every situation she deals with. From a very young age, she has had to become the parent and take care of her mother, who is really struggling with a medical condition. Madi has a hard time letting people in, but Beckett does not back down for anything.

Beckett, who is the MMC, is also known as Dr. Thuddy, who does not want spatulas anywhere in his place. He is also called the cardio demon. Beckett is a doctor and is beyond patient when it comes to Madi. From the get-go, he seems like a sweet caring individual who always wants to look out for the well-being of others. He has his own enemies that he deals with, which is why he loves cardio. He is very thoughtful and puts Madi before anyone.

This first book in the “Apparently It’s Love” Series is absolutely amazing. Laura Ashley Gallagher has once again done her thing. I couldn’t put this book down, and was able to read it within a day. You will not regret this one; make sure you go pick it up. I couldn’t stop giggling throughout the entire book as it was very comical.

[Jessica’s Book Nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Another INCREDIBLE story from Laura Ashley Gallagher, filled to the brim with AMAZING characters, hilarious banter and all the feels.💕

One of my favourite things about this author is her ability to write such heart-warming, HILARIOUS rom-coms while adding such emotional depth to her characters and their backstories. This Wasn’t the Plan touches on some heavy load issues, such as grief, mental illness and even PTSD. While these topics are written with the absolute care they deserve, they are woven into a story overflowing with witty banter, friendships so genuine they feel like your own, and SO MUCH FUN that the heavy stuff doesn't weigh the story down. It just adds the perfect depth!

PLOT and CHARACTERS
Madison has a successful career as a crisis manager, learning early in her life that she deals well with stepping up, solving problems and making sure everything is exactly right. She's thrown a curve ball when a handsome doctor, who also craves the ability to fix everything, moves into the apartment upstairs and instantly begins to disrupt her orderly world.

Madison and Beckett are such genuine, green flag characters and though they may have a ton of emotional baggage, they will have you laughing out loud constantly (in public if you’re like me), sighing through all the cute moments and blushing through the 🔥🔥 moments. And ooh that chemistry!!

This book is everything I look for in a feel good rom-com!

[z k · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first discovered Laura’s books during the pandemic, and back then I picked up “If by Chance” and I absolutely loved it. It really touched me on a deeper level. Funny enough, I made the mistake of starting with book three, so I had to go back and read the whole series in reverse order. Not exactly the intended experience, but honestly, it still worked because I was completely hooked.

The series resonated with me so much that I even reached out to Laura on social media. I told her how much I connected with the character and how some of the pain she went through felt very real and relatable to me. She was incredibly kind, she replied and we had such a lovely exchange. Since then, she’s definitely become one of those authors I trust blindly. I just know her books are going to be good.

So when I received an ARC of her latest book, I knew that it was going to be good. A hot shot doctor? Yes, ma’am 😅. And our FMC? Finally, a strong woman lead who isn’t a damsel in distress. She has her own life, she’s tough, independent, and honestly a total girl boss. I loved that.

The only reason this wasn’t a full five stars for me was the beginning. It just didn’t quite match the FMC’s personality. She seemed far too self-assured to go on a date she clearly wasn’t interested in, let alone agree to something like hot yoga with a guy she didn’t even like or want to impress. That part felt a bit off and made the start slightly bumpy.

But once the story found its rhythm, it really took off, in the best way. Overall, I truly enjoyed it and would absolutely recommend it.

[Josie Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madison is a fixer, her job is intense and she doesn't suffer fools but at hot yoga one evening she injures herself and ends up in the emergency room.

Becket is an ER Dr who keeps people at arms length and seems to be running from something but what? He also happens to be the Dr on shift when Madison comes in with her friends for help.

A chance meeting at the hospital, you would think nothing of it, but when Madisons new neighbour begins to make a nuisance of themselves and she goes to fight her corner, and that chance meeting becomes a battle of wit, of noise and of silly string. Both scarred by a deep trauma, will they trust each other and let themselves give in.

This book is wonderful. It is funny, fast paced and witty but it is also heart breaking once their individual traumas begin to be revealed. What I really enjoy with Laura and her writing is she brings trauma to the surface, and allows her characters to work through but the trauma is relatable. The trauma of having to keep the family together, of always being the reliable one, the strong one, the one who feels weak if they let someone else see their scars.

Another wonderful thing that adds to these books is that they are always connected by a relationship. It took me a while to twig where the link was but it is definitely there.

A beautiful book about connection with just the right amount of 🌶🌶, this book with have you laughing, crying and everything in between.

[Spice_and_Spine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been on the ARC team for Laura Ashley Gallagher for a while now, and every single book just keeps getting better and better!

This one follows Madison and Beckett. Beckett is a trauma doctor who meets Madison after a hot yoga incident sends her straight to the ER. Madison is a PR whizz who is juggling way more than any one person should have to handle, and she feels like if she isn’t fixing things for everyone else, then what use is she? If I’m honest, I saw so much of myself in her that parts of this were actually a little hard to read.

That said, the meet-cute in this book is absolutely hilarious. One of the things I always love about Gallagher’s books is the banter. She writes those moments between characters so well, and there are always scenes that have you genuinely laughing out loud. Madison crawling out of the hot yoga class was comedy gold.

Both Madison and Beckett have their own shadows haunting them. Madison believes she’s too hard to love, too high maintenance, too loud, while Beckett is still carrying the guilt of his father’s death — something he blames himself for.

Despite all of that emotional weight, the connection between these two is so strong that I devoured this book in less than a day. It was completely binge-worthy and I loved every minute of it.

[Virginie · Rating 5 out of 5]

📖 This Wasn't The Plan – Laura Ashley Gallagher
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5)

EN
Laura Ashley Gallagher has officially become one of my go-to authors. I absolutely loved Madison and Beckett’s story. Madison is a PR queen, used to handling crises and being everyone’s pillar. Beckett, a trauma doctor shaped by his past and his own scars, becomes the steady presence she didn’t even realize she needed.

The characters feel incredibly relatable, and the story is well-balanced with humor, emotional depth, and just the right amount of spice. There are also several completely hilarious moments, the rose scene… if you know, you know. 🌹

Huge thanks to the author for the ARC copy.

FR
Laura Ashley Gallagher est clairement devenue une de mes auteures go-to. J’ai adoré l’histoire de Madison et Beckett. Madison est une reine des relations publiques, habituée à gérer les crises et à être le pilier pour tout le monde. Beckett, médecin en traumatologie marqué par son passé et ses propres blessures, devient la présence stable dont elle ne savait même pas avoir besoin.

Les personnages sont très attachants et réalistes, et l’histoire est bien ficelée et bien équilibrée entre humour, émotions et juste la bonne quantité de spice. Il y a aussi plusieurs moments complètement hilarants, la scène de la rose… if you know, you know. 🌹

Merci à l’auteure pour la copie ARC.

[Jovana M · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Back again with another five star book by Laura Ashley Gallagher. When I tell you this book had me in a chokehold… I honestly cannot stress how much I loved it.

Laura doesn’t simply write characters, she truly breathes life into them. Reading this book actually gave me butterfly’s. Madi and Beckett are so perfect for one another, despite having their own scars and wounds that they battle with throughout the story. Madi was such a relatable FMC for me, which really made me feel more immersed in the story.

This book also has no big third act breakup, which is a breath of fresh air. Watching them work through their issues together, and seeing the way their lives intertwined was beautiful. Beckett was such a steady presence when Madi needed him the most despite her efforts to push him away, and I loved that. I especially adored the ending that they got in the epilogue, it made me very emotional, and yes, I cried 🖤

While her books regularly tend to contain or deal with heavy topics, Laura writes them with so much respect and poise, without shying away from the depth of emotions.

All of Laura’s books have such an amazing mix of depth, emotion, tension, humor, and romance/spice. I will never pass up one of her stories. Thank you so much to Laura for the arc of This Wasn’t The Plan. I can’t wait to see what comes next with Piper’s story ✨

[Alice.thereader · Rating 4 out of 5]

“This Wasn’t the Plan” by Laura Ashley Gallagher ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I adored this book. I absolutely love a good rom-com, and this one was everything I wanted.

The meet cute alone had me hooked-our FMC ends up in the ER with a back injury after a hilariously disastrous hot yoga date (honestly, I was already laughing), only to be treated by the very attractive MMC…who just happens to be her doctor. Talk about not your finest moment 😅

She’s a crisis manager who can handle everyone else’s chaos except her own, while he’s an ER trauma doctor living life on a strict schedule, both in and out of the hospital. Needless to say, their first impression of each other isn’t exactly smooth.

But as their relationship evolves, watching them slowly chip away at each other’s walls was so satisfying. The banter? Top tier. The chemistry? Undeniable. And underneath all the humor, there’s a really heartfelt story about control, vulnerability, and learning that sometimes the best things in life are the ones you never planned for.

This one had me laughing, swooning, and fully invested from start to finish. If you love rom-coms with strong character growth, emotional depth, and a meet cute you won’t forget-definitely pick this up.

[jenswhitenoise · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I know you're in there. I can hear your sanctimony through the door."

"...because if I'm going to ruin us, I'm going to do it right."

If only I could write this review in nothing but quotes...whenever I think this, you know I loved the book beyond measure and the words the author wrote dug into my heart and soul.

Madison & Beckett. My heart. The hurt these two have been through. The fight to come back from all of it is so touching, and so heartbreaking. Why am I sitting here so happy that these two book characters found each other? One thing about Laura Ashley Gallagher is she's going to write a book that makes you laugh and then she's going to infuse it with heart wrenching situations and real life issues that are so relatable.

I loved these characters, the setting, the families, the banter, the spice, their jobs, and the all encompassing chemistry and love that they build together. The epilogue is what dreams are made of - their whole relationship is.

More quotes...
"In my world, kindness is just an invoice in a prettier envelope."

"If you're looking for a reason to run, I'm not going to give you one."

"I've got you baby...you can breathe."

"I know this isn't about winning Madison. It's about standing still long enough that she realizes I'm not moving." (SWOON)

"Because I love you...why does it have to be a fight for me to love you?"


I received a complimentary eARC and my review is my own. Thank you to the author!

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laura Ashley Gallagher has done it again, she's made me fall completely in love with another couple.

When Madison hospitalises herself after a hot yoga class, the last thing she expects is to be treated by hot doctor Beckett, much less having the hot doctor turn out to be her new, noisy upstairs neighbour (who thuds).

Both Madison and Beckett are such strong characters, they've both been through so much and they're used to being the ones others rely on and being the fixers of problems. I loved that they were both quite similar in that regard and it genuinely warmed my heart watching them slowly allow themselves to be supported by one another and letting themselves have a moment to breathe.

Madison is used to being told she's too much, too loud, too high maintenance, but you can immediately tell Beckett is so here for it. He really leans into it and gives as good as he gets when it comes to the banter between them. Beckett was so ready to 'maintain' Madison as well, and I LOVED that whole scene so much! I could gush about it all day but I don't wanna spoil it. 🤫

For me this was definitely one the heavier side compared to some of Laura Ashley Gallagher's other books. With Beckett being a doctor there are quite a few mentions of medical issues and death, and mental health is also quite a big theme throughout as well. So whilst there are lots of really sweet and funny moments, just go into it aware that there are times it does get a little more serious.

I'm always so sucked in by Laura Ashley Gallagher's writing and can't help but finish her books in one sitting. One of my favourite things is the beautiful way she writes friendships. She has a way of making you feel like you're part of the group, being let in on the gossip and struggles her characters are facing, and I think that's one of the things that make her books so easy and enjoyable to read for me and I will absolutely always highly recommend her books!

Thank you so much for the ARC!

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Laura Ashley Gallagher has done it again! This Wasn't Plan The Plan was such a fun read I found myself kicking my feet, snort-laughing, and giggling throughout the entire thing!

Madison is a fixer. She works at a PR firm fixing other peoples mistakes, fixes problems at home, and for her friends. Beckett is a trauma doctor working to escape his demons. By running. On a treadmill. In the middle of the night. Directly above Madison's bedroom. Needless to say, the two have a strong dislike of each other.

As Beckett runs to escape his demons and Madison works to fix people's crises, the two form an unlikely tolerance of each other that slowly grows to more.

This story was so fun and laugh-out-loud funny. I absolutely loved the witty banter between the two MC's, the growth and development, the quiet moments they were there for each other, and the mental health rep which was done so well in my opinion. I truly will read anything Laura Ashley Gallagher writes and I'm so excited to see where this new series takes us.

Lovers of Rom-Coms and Meghan Quinn - absolutely check this out!"

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Wasn't the Plan is the perfect book for readers who are looking for a quick romcom to read. The relationship between Madison and Beckett was pretty funny as they both dislike each other in the beginning. As they got to know one another, due to being neighbors, the attraction between each other became very apparent in an organic way. I loved how they could be vulnerable with one another regarding past and current traumas. This definitely added more sincerity to how they felt about each other. Madison is a complete badass when it comes to putting men who behave badly in their place. I do think that Beckett helped Madison realize that even though she is a crisis fixer, she CAN depend on people to help her when she needs it.

One character I wish we could have seen more of was Hudson. He seems like a great man who does a lot of good for his friends and patients.

Overall, 4/5 stars. 2/5 for spice. Highly recommend to readers who enjoy the neighbors to lovers, doctor/patient, and forced proximity romance tropes.

Thank you to the author for the review copy. All opinions are my own.

[Farrah Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a romance that will make you laugh, swoon, and feel all the emotions… this one needs to be on your TBR. 💕

Laura Ashley Gallagher is quickly becoming one of my go-to authors. Her books are such a fun escape, and her characters are always so relatable and easy to root for.

The banter and chemistry between Madison and Beckett were so good and I love the way they truly see each other. Madison carries so much on her shoulders and struggles to let anyone help, which really hit close to home for me. Beckett, shaped by his own past, was the steady presence she didn’t think she wanted—or needed—but absolutely deserved. 🥹

And can we talk about the hilarious moments? From the ding-dong ditch antics to the “rose,” I found myself laughing out loud more than once at their chaos.

This story perfectly balances humor, heart, emotional depth, and just the right amount of spice. 🌶️

That Wasn't The Plan will be released on April 2, 2026

Thank you, Laura Ashley Gallagher, for the opportunity to read this ARC — I loved every minute of it. 💛

[Robynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the characters and the tension between the two leads. Madi is my kind of woman—power suit and heels by day, soft and squishy grandma slippers by night. That contrast made her feel so real and relatable.

The dynamic between Beckett and Madi was one of the highlights for me. I could vividly picture their constant bickering and sharp exchanges, and their quick wit had me laughing out loud more than once. Their chemistry felt natural, layered, and entertaining throughout.

What really stood out, though, was how deeply I connected with Madi. The novel does a great job of capturing the invisible weight so many women carry—whether it’s caring for aging or ill parents, supporting younger siblings, or simply holding everything together behind the scenes. That emotional layer added a lot of depth to her character.

My only complaint is that I was left wanting more clarity around her sister’s situation. What led to her showing up so late felt glossed over, and it came across as a bit of a loose end in an otherwise well-developed story.

Overall, a compelling, character-driven read with humor, heart, and just enough tension to keep you hooked.

[Mary Anne Wangen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing book from Laura! I couldn’t get enough of Madison and Beckett, and their back and forth.

What do I love about this book?

✨It made me laugh, cry, yearn so many times. I loved the development of Madi and Beckett’s romance. It didn’t feel forced.
✨Madi was amazing. I appreciate how the author wrote her in such a way that she knew what she wanted. Madi was strong and had conviction.
✨Beckett was respectful. As the MMC, he didn’t try to change Madi. He was very supportive and respected boundaries.
✨Another thing that resonated with me was the choice to be child-free. I was in that scenario for years, until my husband and I decided to have a child. The plot was written in such a way that the couple made and respected the decision together. Getting married or being in a relationship should not always mean having children.

As always, I love how there was no complicated third act problem or love triangle. The book was well-written and enjoyable. I actually can’t wait for the next one! The sneak peek made me so excited!

[Girlzgottaread · Rating 4 out of 5]

She hurt her back doing hot yoga…
Ended up in the ER, and her doctor is a total hottie who also happens to be her next-door neighbor 😏
Then she accidentally sends him a “massager”…
And the very next day, she sneezes too hard and throws her back out again.
To say this book had me cackling is an understatement 😂😂😂
But for as much as it made me laugh, it also hit on some really heavy things. Madison has spent her life taking care of her mom, who struggles with bipolar disorder. She’s always had to be the strong one, and it's beyond obvious that it's taken a toll on her emotoally and physically.
Beckett is dealing with the loss of his father, and is doing his level best to literally outrun his grief.
This book balances humor with real-life struggles so so well. Laura molds and melds those moments in such a wonderful way that I enjoyed every chapter. I will continue to shout it from the rooftops that this author is severely underhyped and is so deserving of all the hype!! Will continue to read her books because I love her storytelling!

[Sarahreadsallthebooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a war between neighbours, one hilarious but highly strung red head and one devilishly handsome doctor wearing slutty grey sweatpants and glasses!

Madison Callahan is a fixer, at work and at home it’s what she does, she never asks for help, her life is one stressful situation after another. Madison needs sleep, she definitely doesn’t need a noisy upstairs neighbour thudding around in the middle of the night. Full time ER doctor and part time thudder Beckett Lawson is that noisy upstairs neighbour and he’s just made an enemy of Madison Callahan!

This book was brilliant, Laura Ashley Gallagher has a way of writing romance with some deeper topics and still managing to make it funny and spicy! I loved Madison when she popped up in Meet Me In The Dark so I was thrilled to see Celeste and Emmy cameo in this book, the three of them are hilarious and Beckett, what a guy! If only more men could be more ‘Beckett’.

If you love a rom com that isn’t cheesy but is real, funny and spicy then I’d add This wasn’t the Plan to your TBR now.

5/5⭐️
3/5🌶️

[BookishRachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC review ✨
Rating 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Where do I even start…. Okay first of all I huge thank you to Laura for letting me ARC this because I knew I was going to be obsessed the moment I got the email..

Madison gives powerful, independent women who holds the world on her shoulders and hates to be dependent on someone. Beckett is the doctor from dreams, if I walked into an A&E and he was the doctor I would never want to leave! He is so kind, and thoughtful (unless he’s “thud thud thud”). Also thank you for making the healthcare system seem so life like and relatable! The shift work is horrendous and it was shown!!

Their whole battle between who could be the loudest had me in bits… and I’m sorry the ROSE delivery - I got second hand embarrassment for Madison but she handled it like a boss!

Also where can I get some of the granny slippers and penguin pants? Madison is a fashion icon !!

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so grateful to have received an ARC of This Wasn’t the Plan by Laura Ashley Gallagher.

In true Laura fashion, this story is laugh-out-loud funny while also carrying some surprisingly heavy emotional undertones. The balance between humor and depth was done so well—it never felt overwhelming, but it definitely made the story hit harder.

I absolutely adored Beckett, and his relationship with Madison was one of my favorite parts of the book. Their dynamic felt genuine, especially in the way they communicated with each other. Even when Madison was spiraling, Beckett met her with patience and calm, which made their connection feel incredibly real and grounded.

And honestly… I didn’t think it was possible, but I might like Beckett even more than Nathan 👀

This book is funny, sweet, and emotional in all the right ways. It’s a beautiful portrayal of love, growth, and showing up for someone when it matters most.

Highly recommend picking this one up.

[Heather Dance · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌶️: 4.5 ⭐️: 5
Once again Laura Ashley created a love story that focuses around emotional healing and self worth. The FMC Madison is the Queen of fixing PR nightmares, but has been told she’s too loud, too much, and high maintenance. That was before the Doctor Thuddy (aka Beckett) comes thud, thud, thudding into her life. Beckett is an ER Doc who uses running on his treadmill at all of the night as his therapy. The two meet during an ER visit for Madison and again in the middle of the night when Madison bangs on her new neighbors door to find out it’s the hot ER Doc. The two bicker and banter back and forth until the tension breaks and ends in bed 🥵🥵🥵 From prank wars, a shoe shopping spree, and actual dates these two go from bickering neighbors to finding it hard tine away from each other.

Go order and read This Wasn’t the Plan to experience the HEA of Madison and Beckett. I promise this story DID NOT DISAPPOINT!!! I’m already counting down until book 2 comes out!

[Kristen Lozano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Laura Ashley Gallagher for sending me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely LOVED this book. I literally could not put it down. What I love about Laura’s writing is that I definitely get attached to her characters. Julian and Celeste were my all time favorite, but Beckett and Madison might be taking that place.

I loved both characters and even though they had their own personal struggles (both of which run deep so I recommend looking at TWs beforehand), they still admitted that they needed each other.

I think there are lessons to be learned about carrying too much weight and being ok with sharing your burdens. That’s probably why I related to them so much.

Overall, I loved the story and the characters. I’m really grateful to be on this ARC team because I really love how Laura writes romance.

[✨ Dawn ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received as an ARC

I was so excited to be accepted for another one of Lauras ARCs 💜

I absolutely love how Laura writes characters, she makes them feel real and relatable. The banter is hilarious from the get go and will have you laughing out loud. I LOVED this book and couldn’t put it down (but was forced to by real life, boo!) I didn’t realise that there is a cross over of characters from ‘Meet me in the dark’, don’t get me wrong Celeste and Julian were fab, but Madi and Beckett are now my favourites 🫶🏻

This story touches on some hard emotional trauma for both main characters so please read the TW list and avoid if it isn’t for you!

I am forever grateful to be on this ARC team and look forward to book 2 in this series! Also we need to see the granny slippers and penguins in some character art please 🐧

[Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so grateful I was able to receive an ARC of this book.
I have loved everything I have read from this author but this book takes the cake. I don’t think I have loved a book like this in a while.
I was laughing, crying, gasping and kicking my feet at some scenes because omg Beckett the man you are 🥵🥵
I’m not usually the biggest fan of some (most) FMC’s but hands down Maddison is one of my all time favourite FMC’s. She is so funny and full of the perfect amount of chaos without the unnecessary drama and miscommunication.
This wasn’t the plan has to be the best book I have read from this author and that’s saying something because I don’t think I have rated any of her books under 4 stars. If I could this book would be getting 10 stars because I can not put into words how perfect and amazing this book is.

[Penner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beckett is the hot doctor who is also the annoying neighbour upstairs to Madison.

Madison is a PR queen! She is the primary caregiver to her mom who has Bipolar.

The banter between the two is spot on,there was many pranks involved which is definitely laugh worthy! The love that these two have each other finally is spot on. They were made for each other. When Madi finally opens up to Beckett was heart wrenching. Beckett also has to work through his own trauma of his dad passing away. The way two worked through it together and separately was well written.

As always Laura Ashley doesn’t disappoint with a perfectly well written book! She delivers humour but also real raw situations! Thank you to Laura for the ARC of This wasn’t the plan.

🩷 enemies to lovers
🩷 mental heath rep
🩷 hot doctor
🩷 caretaking hero
🩷 bantering and bickering
🩷 neighbours to lovers