This Wasn't The Plan

Apparently It's Love #1

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

350 pages, Paperback

Published 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

[Lottie Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is going to live rent-free in my head for a very long time… the kind that quietly taps you on the shoulder at 2am and says, “remember that emotional damage?” and you just have to sit there and feel things.

It gave me those same lingering, soul-tugging vibes as The Surrender Wall (different author but still)… not in plot, but in that deeply reflective, slightly bruised way where you walk away with life lessons you didn’t consent to but probably needed.

Now listen… I have not laughed this much, been emotionally wrecked, felt actual heat, and experienced full-body suspense in one book for a while. This one said “why choose one emotion when you can have all of them at once?” and honestly… respect.

Madi absolutely stole my heart. As the eldest daughter carrying the weight of caring responsibilities, her struggles felt painfully real. There’s a rawness to her that hits you square in the chest. The portrayal of bipolar disorder was handled with so much care and sensitivity that it genuinely made me pause and wonder about the author’s connection to it. It felt seen, not just written.
But she’s also chaotic in the most lovable way… ordering a mysterious Rose we all now desperately need details on, accidentally sending it to her nemesis neighbour, throwing her back out mid-sneeze, and engaging in elite-level knock-a-door-run with children. Iconic behaviour, honestly.

And then there’s Beckett… sir. A walking hero complex wrapped in emotional damage. You want to hug him, fix him, and then immediately let him ruin your life in the bedroom. When he finally opens up about his dad, you can practically hear the ice cracking. He’s running from his demons… quite literally at times (THUD THUD… if you know, you know), but alongside Madi, you see something softer begin to form.

Their dynamic isn’t about one saving the other… it’s about two people repeatedly saving themselves and slowly, cautiously, letting the other in. It’s messy, human, and painfully beautiful.

The humour? Elite. Because yes, everyone obviously needs a spatula as a housewarming gift.
The spice? Immaculate. No notes.
The emotional damage? Significant.

I genuinely struggled to put this down. It had me in a chokehold from start to finish.

My only gripe… PIPER. I need answers. I need closure. I need emotional stability. But I know it’s coming next and I will be seated, feral and ready.

An unforgettable read that will linger with so many people for a long time.

Thank you Laura Ashley Gallagher for providing this ARC of This Wasn't the Plan in exchange for my review.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the ⭐️’s. I don’t have the words for how much I loved this book. I’m currently just sitting in my feels enjoying my book hangover. ❤️📕.

This book had everything I love:
✔️two mature characters (both in their 30’s)
✔️two equally strong partners
✔️an actual plot w character growth that matches the growth as a couple
✔️a fully devoted MMC who won’t let her walk away when she’s scared and an FMC who listens
✔️two characters who have lived life and have some trauma but are emotionally mature
✔️Full communication and holding each other accountable
✔️Spice that adds to their relationship and story
✔️So much fun banter and humor.
✔️No third act breakup
✔️No OM/OW
✔️Dual POV; HEA. 10 yr later epilogue - No children. I loved that they stayed a true to themselves and their characters. This was handled beautifully.


Madison ❤️ Beckett

Madison first meets Beckett when she throws her back out and he is her attending physician in the ER. It later turns out that he is also her new upstairs neighbor and he makes a racket (he “thumps” on his treadmill. lol). It’s driving her insane. As they get to know each other little by little through these encounters, they allow each other to see more of themselves and open up to each other. We also learn that she is a powerful successful PR woman and is no wilting wallflower. I adore how much mutual respect there is between these two characters. He accepts her as she is and she does the same for him. They are genuinely THERE for each other.

He lost his father tragically at the age of 19 and her mother is struggling with a bipolar disorder. We see the unvarnished truth of these struggles and how they each slowly let each other in and grow closer.

It deals w heavy issues with so much humor and heart that it feels fully balanced and so satisfying. I have no notes.

❤️❤️ i cannot say enough about this story. I hope you read it and enjoy it as much as I did.


Some little bits I loved:
- when she’s drunk/drugged and says how hot and handsome he is
- when she first marches up to his door (not knowing who he is) and she’s is so much pain from her back but she does it anyway bc she’s afraid of elevators and confronts him
- her ridiculous slippers
- when he takes her shopping and buys her shoes bc she’s been told she’s difficult and high maintenance and he’s like “bring it on; I got you”.

[Paige Rothwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Wasn’t The Plan by Laura Ashley Gallagher was such a fun and heartfelt read. It perfectly balances humor, emotional depth, and that addictive romantic tension that keeps you turning pages.

Madison is a crisis manager who spends her life fixing everyone else’s problems, while Beckett is a trauma doctor who keeps his emotions tightly locked away. When their lives collide in a chaotic and unexpected way, neither of them is prepared for how complicated things are about to get.

What I loved most about this book was the banter. Gallagher writes dialogue so naturally that the interactions between Madison and Beckett feel effortless and incredibly entertaining. Their meet-cute alone had me laughing, and the tension that follows between neighbors who clearly get under each other’s skin was so fun to watch unfold.

But beneath the humor is a story about two people carrying heavy emotional baggage. Madison struggles with the pressure of constantly being “the fixer,” while Beckett is still working through guilt from his past. Watching them slowly learn to lean on each other instead of carrying everything alone added a lot of emotional weight to the story.

The chemistry between them is strong from the start, and their connection makes the book incredibly bingeable.

If you enjoy romances with sharp banter, emotional depth, and characters who feel real and flawed, this one is absolutely worth picking up.

[Dallas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so cute and exactly what I needed to get me out of my slump. Romcoms to the rescue every single time. There was some sadness in this but mostly it was funny and cute and I loved Becket and Madison’s love story. No third act breakup just one character trying to pull away out of fear and the other not letting them. I also loved the ending so much! When a character says they don’t want kids from the beginning and they don’t change their mind they don’t have kids and we see them happy and fulfilled in that choice. I’ll definitely read more by this author I am intrigued about the next book about Poppy 👀

[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..

[em :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

i adore a cute quick little romance story with a strong fmc!

[Haleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and cute rom-com. Nice pallet cleanser between fantasy reads.

[Jessica Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute, easy read

[Lotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absoluut hilarische prologue en humor volgt doorheen het verhaal

bad ass business woman in crisis PR and trauma doctor
she always has to be the strong one and he lets her be soft
she has a bipolar mom and he has a dead father so a bit trauma filled as well
tension filled (some spicy scenes)
"enemeis" to lovers
no kids, enkel een hond want hun leven is vol genoeg


Quotes
I don’t have the energy to care.
My spine is gone.
My dignity is gone.
My date is gone.
Everything is gone.
I’m almost thirty.
I’m hot yoga-injured.
I might have farted.

“On the third knock, I finally caught the culprit. I had her. Then the kids came screaming around the corner with Silly String.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “I think I still have blue residue in my ear.”

I should wait. I should let her have a thirty-second head start. Instead, I follow. The choice no longer feels like a choice, which is how I know I’m in trouble.

“You autofilled a vibrating rose to your hot neighbor?” Piper arches a brow.

“Put it on your headstone,” Piper adds. “She came. She saw. She sent it to the wrong address.”
Noah grins. “RIP Madison Rose.”
I’m going to kill them.

“You’re very bossy.”
“You’re very injured,” he counters.

I finish the last few bites at the counter while she’s still eating on the couch. I rinse my plate, wash hers when she’s done, and dry both without thinking about how easily the earlier awkwardness fell away.

She wipes her face and offers a small, genuine smile. “We need to stop doing this, Doc. I’m making a habit of crying in front of you.”

“I don’t mind that you keep your thoughts in one place, but could you do it quietly?”
“Can’t do that.”
She frowns. “Why not?”
“Because I enjoy arguing with you far too much to stop now.”
A faint blush creeps across her cheeks, and her lips spread into a real, devastating smile.

I’m lonely.

It was a terrible joke, but he’s breaking the ice. He’s reaching through the floorboards to tell me it’s okay that I fell apart.
A genuine smile tugs at my mouth as I type back.

I stare at the last message until the screen dims. He isn’t asking for an explanation. He isn’t demanding a deep-dive into my trauma or an itemized list of why I was crying.
He’s just there.

“Fine.” She steps back, swinging the door wider. I expect her to take the goods and shut me out, but she lingers. “Well? You don’t expect me to have breakfast alone, do you? Your sparkling personality can keep me company while I decide if I forgive you.”

I’ve spent weeks thinking she’s just a shark who likes to win. I didn’t realize she’s a shark who hunts monsters.

That’s it. That’s the end of my restraint. My hand wraps around her throat just before her eyes go dark, and I crash my mouth into hers. The kiss is messy—full of teeth and tongues and fuck-you energy.

“Madison,” I rasp. “This is a bad idea.”
“It’s a terrible idea,” she pants. “Don’t you dare stop.”
Well, fuck me.

I blow gently against her and watch her flinch.
“Don’t play with me,” she pants.
I glance up her body, hands gripping her thighs. “You started this the second you pressed that toy to your pussy, knowing I could hear.”
Her eyes narrow. “And you showed up with a hard-on, so don’t pretend you didn’t want this.”
Challenge accepted.


His thumb strokes my cheek, and his mouth finds my shoulder, leaving soft, lingering kisses instead of the bites I expected.
It’s the contradiction that’s killing me. Rough, but not detached. Hard, but completely present.
He isn’t just taking.
He’s right here with me.

“Okay,” he manages. “So much better than a run.”
There’s a beat of silence, then we both break and start laughing.
∞∞∞
I wake to the gentlest touch of fingers brushing hair from my face.

I’m making excuses for him before he even realizes he needs them, my mouth running on autopilot because if I make it casual, it won’t hurt when it ends.
Beckett doesn’t let me get away with it. He grabs my chin and turns my face back toward him.
“I should get off at eight,” he says. “If I get held up, I’ll tell you. If I don’t, I’ll see you later.”

I straighten my blazer, trying to find my spine. Part of the panic is the location. He’s seen us leave this department, and I’m not ready to unpack that box with him yet. With Beckett, I get to be the girl with the loud music and the sharp tongue. I get to be fun. I don’t have to be the person with the heavy shoulders.

I told her I’d be here, so dammit, I’m here.

When she looks at me, I can almost see the armor sliding into place. She’s already building the wall, brick by brick, preparing to tell me that last night was a fluke or a glitch in the matrix.
Oh no. You’re not disappearing on me now.

I know this: Whatever shape my life takes, I don’t want it dictated by expectations.
And if that shape includes her arguing with me over dog names at midnight?
I think I could live with that.

“So,” she mumbles into my shirt, “I haven’t scared you off yet?”
“Oh, you scare the life out of me,” I say, resting my chin on the top of her head.

But the best part? Talking to him is easy.

“We take turns.” I pause, looking at him. “You’re remarkably calm for a man who just caught a woman snooping in his closet.”
“I’ve dealt with worse traumas.” He reaches out, his thumb tracing the line of my jaw. “Besides, if you’re looking for a reason to run, I’m not going to give you one.”

I scrub at my cheek and realize there’s a tear there.
Traitor.
I let out a laugh that sounds nothing like me. “He makes me feel…” I shake my head once, incredulous. “He makes me feel soft.” I whisper it, as if saying it too loudly might make it true.

You want a fight, baby? Bring it on.
I lean back, crossing my arms. “Bullshit.”
She freezes, her eyes widening. “What?”

“Then what do you want?” she screams. “Why are you still standing in my kitchen?”
“Because I love you, damn it! Why does it have to be a fight for me to love you?”

“You’re so annoying,” she sobs into my chest.
“I know,” I murmur, kissing the top of her head. “But I’m your annoying. Get used to it.”

“What are we having?” my mother asks.
Madison leans closer. “Honestly? I have no idea. I can’t cook to save my life. I’m here for moral support and wine.”

Our house has laughter. It has tiny sneakers by the door some weekends and silence on others. It has a dog with a human name and a husband who loves me loudly.

[Tru_lybookish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madison is used to fixing problems. As a crisis manager she puts out fires and can deescalate a situation in a manner of minutes but can't seem to manage her own complications and struggles. When she meets Ben, literally on her back, she certainly can’t seem to contain the annoyance, or is it tension, between the two of them. She may try to have everything lined up, but as the two of them navigate this frenemy situation, they learn some of the best things are not planned.
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
Ok stop. How have I not read this author before? I absolutely loved this story! The writing was just my style - the humour really sucked you in, and then so much emotional depth and trauma is added which balances everything so perfectly.

It's been over a week since release day and I am still thinking about that Meet-cute here, amazing! Once the characters have a second meet, we feel the undeniable tension and pull between them. Plus the banter! I am telling you, the humour is just spot on. When we hit the spice you will not be disappointed. The chemistry is addictive and when they collide - wow - Ben yes please in every way. Plus the way she lures Ben is absolutely phenomenal.

“I don’t want a mold, Madison. I want you. I want the sarcasm and the noise, and the way you look in those stupid slippers”.

FMC is strong and independent with an attitude that just screams boss lady. She is relatable and tries to carry far too much on her shoulders as so many of us do.

“It’s the plight of a woman. We’re trained to carry other people’s shame like it belongs to us”.

The mental health awareness is strong but done so flawlessly it just lifts the story to a whole other level. The representation was honest and compassionate, making you feel the pain for the characters and wanting to reach out and hug them. I truly enjoyed every moment of reading this book!

Absolutely recommend it if you need a laugh out loud romance, with strong character growth, emotional depth, and something to enjoy the whole way through.Thank you so so much to the Author, Laura Ashley Gallagher, for this amazing story and introduction to your books. I seriously cannot wait for more!

ENEMIES TO LOVERS | NEIGHBORS | CLOSE PROXIMITY | SELF LOVE | MENTAL HEALTH | SLOW BURN | ROMANCE WITH HUMOUR | ROMANCE READS | EMOTIONAL DAMAGE | ROM COM | SLUTTY GLASSES | DUAL POV | ARC READER | AVAILABLE NOW

Visit my Bookstagram for photos and more reviews!

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first started this book I had to put it down and away….
Madi’s job is to douse negative publicity to those that are high in power. She puts out the fire. And Madi is very good at her job. A little too good.
Beckett is a Trauma doctor that lives above Madi’s apartment. The whole building is pretty much soundproof EXECPT for Madi’s. When she moved into the building, Roger, the 90 something year old was quiet like a mouse. When Roger left, Beckett moved in. He thudded! (He enjoys running in early morning hours on his treadmill) Madi had enough, went upstairs, knocked on the door reallllllyyyy pissed.
They both have their inner stories. The character building was done really nicely. Because of Madi’s family dynamics and her career, she became a master at not letting others see weakness. Beckett hasn’t come to terms with his father’s death. (When he was 19 he was in a car accident with his dad and he wasn’t able to be saved) which is why he became a doctor.
Madi has siblings where Beckett is an only child. Madi’s mom suffers from BioPolar 1. In the beginning of the story you are introduced to her mom’s struggles but it doesn’t get labeled until later on in the book. I was not expecting the diagnosis. Immediately I started to cry. The detail of manic and depressive episodes that her mom suffers from was so realistic. The toughness of Madi and the way she takes full control reminded me so much of myself. I started crying. Reading how Beckett and Madi slowly realize how they love one another made me cry. How he didn’t run. Madi showed him parts of her that she keeps hidden but he stayed. Beckett gives her space but remains. Madi deserved her happiness. She deserved to be her true loud, successful self and Beckett gave her that. 🥺🥺🥺🥺 I read this as an e-arc and I never booked marked an e-arc as much as I did this book. The reason why I needed to take a pause from reading it is because of how contented I was to the story. It is wild to see in black and white a character that is so similar to yourself.
Madi and Beckett will forever remain in my heart. I absolutely will be reading book two. It is about Madi’s sister and her story. I have a feeling there will be tears in this book too.

[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!

[Katie Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored Madi and Becketts story🥹

The opening of this book is quite unique where our FMC finds herself on a hot yoga date. Yes hot yoga I mean it’s not my style of date and to say the least neither was it Madi’s, and her date yeah he was not so charming. What is even worse that Madi finds herself in the hospital after the immense pain she has afterwards and it is here that she meets the charming doctor Beckett. As Madi is under quite the bit of medication at the time her mouth has absolutely no filter and she makes her feelings quite known to the doctor🤣.

Now upon returning home to recover Madi’s notices quite a lot of noise coming from the apartment above her as ceiling of the apartment isn’t soundproofed. Madi confronts her new neighbour only to find out that it is the charming doctor who tended to her in the hospital. Beckett has a routine to unwind after his shifts and he makes it clear to Madi that he won’t be deviating from this routine and this is how the battle of the neighbours begins and honestly these chapters were absolutely hilarious.

I related quite a lot to Madi as I saw myself in her. She’s the eldest daughter who is career driven and takes on a lot of responsibility especially when it comes to her siblings. Madi’s mother also has bipolar disorder and she has been shouldering this since she was quite young, only now it is becoming quite taxing and her brave face is starting to slip.

Similar to Madi, Beckett has his own troubles in which he lost his dad while he was quite young and there was nothing he could do to save him. This has stemmed into his work where sometimes some patients would remind him of his departed father.

In the midst of the neighbours being at odds these two seemed to incorporate each other into their routines unknowingly and developed a friendship. Even though the chemistry between two was absolutely off the charts the became each others crutches and supported one another🥹.

Overall I absolutely loved this book and I am so excited for what is next. Thank you to the author who provided this e-arc for my honest thoughts 💭

[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),...

[Bevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

CW: spice, parental mental health/Bipolar, loss of a parent, medical emergency trauma, some others

Thank you to the author for the ARC! “This Wasn’t the Plan” is available now!

Every time I think she can’t do it any better, this author manages to wreck my soul a little harder.

Madison Callahan fixes things, and she’s the best at what she does. But she can’t fix the faulty soundproofing in her apartment, or the new upstairs neighbor who thinks the middle of the night is the best time to do sprints. Beckett Lawson also fixes things. But the ER doctor can’t fix everyone, and the only way to drown out the loss is to run. Or, apparently, to find his new neighbor raging at his door.

Look, it’s absolutely an adorable romcom. This book hits that mark so solidly that I’d argue it sets the bar for the genre. But do you know what else this book (and every other book I’ve ever read by this author) does? It discretely finds those pieces of you that sit in the background of your life and then blasts them across the page in such an unexpectedly compassionate assault that you’re left wondering where all the good feelings went and why this book decided to make you cry. Because these stories are never just sweet, funny romances. They’re a compilation of pages that says, “Look at these characters. They’re just like you. Their damage is like yours. And look at how well they are loved.”

So, yeah, I could spend paragraphs raving about the storyline. I could yell about how delightful the banter is, how delicious the spice is, how absolutely adorable and sweet the relationship is. I could tell you that I spent a large amount of time positively cackling at the MCs’ shenanigans. I could explain that I love every book I’ve ever read by this author, that I’m ecstatic every time a new one is released, that I was completely obsessed and binged this book in two days. And all of that would be true.

But the important part, I think, is that this book makes you feel seen. That there are these moments sprinkled throughout and condensed into just a few perfect lines that carry the heart and soul of the story. And those moments are everything.

[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 ✨

[b cozy book lounge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love Laura Ashley Gallagher’s writing, it’s effortless to read, filled with laugh-out-loud moments, and grounded in real-life struggles that make her characters feel authentic and relatable.

This Wasn’t the Plan introduces us to Beckett, an ER doctor still carrying the emotional weight of losing his father in a car accident at just nineteen, a loss that shaped both his life and career. Then there’s Madison, a fierce and fearless PR rep who isn’t afraid to stand her ground, even against high-powered businessmen. She’s strong, sharp, and unapologetically honest, but she’s also dealing with her own personal struggles, including past relationship wounds and her mother’s illness.

Their worlds collide when Madison ends up in Beckett’s ER with a back spasm after a hot yoga session, only to discover that he’s also her new upstairs neighbor. Unfortunately for Madison, their apartments aren’t exactly soundproof, and Beckett’s early morning treadmill sessions quickly become a source of frustration. What follows is a series of hilarious and tension-filled encounters, starting with an angry confrontation that quickly turns into something much more entertaining.

The banter between these two is absolutely top-tier, witty, sharp, and full of chemistry. What begins as annoyance slowly evolves into a reluctant truce, and from there, a beautifully written slow-burn romance unfolds.

I loved the pacing of their relationship, the tension, the humor, and the emotional depth; all worked so well together. The character development and themes of healing were especially well done, making their journey feel genuine and heartfelt.

This story perfectly balances humor and emotion, and it’s one of those reads that leaves you smiling long after you’ve finished.

[Swiftiequeen420 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was SO good! I truly loved it.🥹😍 I loved ALL the representation for mental health and physical health in this book. The very beginning with the hot yoga was absolutely hysterical! 😅🙈😂😂😂😂 This book made me feel sooo many emotions. Towards the end had me SOBBING! 😅😭😭 Our FMC Madison is a PR shark she knows how to command a room and not settle. She is sharp and refined but she has some deep family trauma that she is dealing with. Her mother has a severe mental illness and Madi has always had to be the strong one and take care of things. Our MMC Beckett is a hot trauma doctor and Madison's new upstairs neighbor. He has his own past trauma he is dealing with that he has PTSD from. Madison and Beckett clash as Beckett's demons chase him and he runs loudly on the treadmill above Madison's apartment. The two get into a funny/fun little neighbor war where slowly over time their walls start to come down and they reveal their pasts and their vulnerabilities. Madison doesn't believe she is worthy of the kind of love Beckett wants to give her always being told she was too much. The spice was fantastic especially that one rose scene. 😅🙈😂😂🥵🥵🥵🥵 The thing I loved the most was the representation of so many important things and the view that what is considered "normal" isn't always right for everyone.

[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.

[Brooke (The_Brookeshelf_) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved every second of this book. I saw so much of myself in the FMC, Madison, as the eldest daughter trying to hold the world together with her strength and resiliency. However, when Madison is challenged to let someone else into her life, she never expected to find unconditional acceptance, or a quiet, soft love that lets those walls come down. Madison never needed a knight in shining armor, she needed someone willing to help her shine her own armor, standing next to her, prepared to weather any storm.

Madison and Beckett are able to explore a connection that fosters a brand new sense of safety. The relationship between them was not only flirty and fun, but also developed into something raw that highlighted both of their strengths not only individually, but as a partnership. This book had me giggling, crying, and falling in love with the characters’ stories coming to life on the pages. One of my absolute favorite part of Laura Ashley Gallagher’s writing is the authentic and natural flow of the dialogue between characters, creating people you would actually want to be your friends, and making side characters stand out just as much as any main character.

Laura also did an incredible job representing the whole family battle that comes with mental illness. The vulnerability shown here was beautifully and respectfully done. This subject is easy to misrepresent but it felt very genuine and accurate in her portrayal.

Thank you to Laura Ashley Gallagher for access to this book. All opinions are my own.

[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!