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This was a cute book. There were plenty of funny moments. I'm not really sure what I thought of the characters and their relationship. 

Set in the same world as Alexis Hall's other well-beloved series (Boyfriend Material and its sequel, Husband Material), 10 Things That Never Happened is the endlessly enjoyable story about Sam Becker and his (admittedly) dickish boss, Jonathan Forest. When Sam accidentally implies he has amnesia after an unintentional "workplace incident" (so says corporate speak), he just kind of has to go along with it, because otherwise he has to admit that he remembers Jonathan Forest firing not only him, but his entire team.

Ten Things That Never Happened is the kind of lovely and charming queer holiday romcom every Hallmark movie wishes it could be. Sam is sweet without being saccharine,  sassy without being a stereotype, and the kind of protagonist that, even with all of his struggles (perhaps especially with all of his struggles) you just want to root for and see happy. Jonathan, on the other hand, is a curmudgeon in every sense of the word: a man with a spectacular sense of corporate duty and a desire to do what it takes to succeed, regardless of how unpopular that makes him. In spite of this, there's an endearing, hopeless edge to him that draws sympathy and an urge to understand, rather than dismiss, his continual frustrations and - at times - rudeness to those around him. Jonathan can be an asshole, there's little doubt to that (at one point during the story, when speaking of the strained relationship he has with his father, he comes across as particularly assholic), but there's a complexity to him that really encourages the reader to listen and not be so quick to conclude that he's only an asshole.

While there are a few moments of simple confusion (especially among the scenes with all of the family together and trying to keep it straight who everyone is), there is a delightful sense of chaos that lays itself over the story that makes it feel natural and not at all difficult to handle. Jonathan's family in particular is especially heartwarming, whereas Sam's loneliness and his slow growing affection for Jonathan are so tender that you almost feel annoyed that you can't reach through the pages of the book and give him a massive hug. And, of course, we can't forget the real hero of the story - Sam's cat Gollum (or is it Jonathan's?), who should frankly be the hero of every story for just how perfectly wonderful he is.

10 Things That Never Happened is perhaps a little predictable plot-wise, but doesn't lose that feeling of warmth and love that make it stand out in spite of this. The hysterical quips and well presented humor provide a great balance to the gentle, sometimes aggravating, sometimes intense, occasionally-volatile-because-Jonathan-Fucking-Forest, slow proceeding romance at the center, proving that Alexis Hall knows how to write a good, nicely paced story that makes you neither bored nor in a hurry for more. It's the perfect book for the upcoming holiday season if you want something that makes everything feel warm and fuzzy and emotional and frustrated and happy - or if you just want to buy a Nexa by MERLYN 8mm Sliding Door Shower enclosure.

10 THINGS THAT NEVER HAPPENED follows Sam, a manager of a bed-and-bath retailer whose boss, Jonathan, is a dick. His royal dickishness. Generally a frustrating person to work for, someone who is currently determined to fire a number of people proportional to how much Sam has managed to irritate him during Sam's visit to the main branch. Except, right after Jonathan fires everyone in Sam's branch, Sam trips, hits his head, and accidentally lets Jonathan think he has amnesia. Then he purposefully lets him think he has amnesia. What he definitely has is a head injury/concussion, so Sam needs to spend a few weeks at Jonathan's place so someone is looking after him. Jonathan has an enormous, empty house that he refuses to let be filled with his (loud, often annoying) family for Christmas. 

They key to the success of 10 THINGS as a(n enemies to lovers) romance is that Jonathan has reasons, very understandable ones, for all the frustrating things he does. Sometimes he's probably right, sometimes he's just very wrong and hasn't had anyone willing to endure his ire long enough to show him a different (gentler) way to do things. He lives for his work, barely uses his enormous house, and only contacts his housekeeper via text message. Even when he is right, he doesn't seem willing to take the time to explain his reasons, which makes him look like a petty tyrant. Sam can't live like that, not even for a couple of weeks. As Sam tries to make a good impression so that Jonathan won't fire everyone for real at the end of this, he starts to understand Jonathan and genuinely like him as a person. 

This is the start of a new series, but a few details midway through establish this as occurring in the same universe as BOYFRIEND MATERIAL, some time after the events of HUSBAND MATERIAL. It's not enough to spoil either of those books in any way, but specific enough to be an obvious reference.

This has a lot of genuine sweetness in it, with a melancholy thread which pays off towards the end. The main plot resolves in a way which doesn't specifically indicate what might happen next, I could easily see this series continuing to follow Sam and Jonathan, or following a new couple where at least one person was present in this first book. 

Things I love, in no particular order: Sam's cat, everyone listing exact models of the bed/bath furnishings, Jonathan's family, the way the fake amnesia is handled.

It took me a minute to fall in love with the boss. But once I did I very much enjoyed this love story. They balance each other and the banter is very witty. The smut is minimal!

10 Things That Never Happened by Alexis Hall is the first book in the Material World series. Sam is getting fired by his boss Jonathan, when he trips, hits his head and decides to fake amnesia to get out of the firing. Now Jonathan has to take care of Sam until the concussion and fake amnesia go away. During this time, both grow closer and start to change for the better. But the fake amnesia is still in the room...

After loving the books from the London Calling series, I had to buy his newest publication. Right at the beginning of this review I have to say that I did not love this book as much as I loved Boyfriend Material. However, it was quite a pleasant read. Jonathan is a grumpy boss (and general a*hole) and Sam is quite a sunshine. Jonathan really changed for the better throughout the book and became less a*holey. His family is quite overwhelming, but in a loving way. They radiate love and support. The chemistry between Sam and Jonathan was slow, but I rooted for them. They really needed each other.

This book was a lovely read, but nothing breathtaking. I definitely need to check out Alexis Hall's other books!