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Haley Cass
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When You Least Expect It Kindle Edition

by Haley Cass (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 out of 5 stars 5,171 ratings
Caroline Parker knows three things to be true. First, she is going to be Boston's most sought after divorce attorney by thirty-five. Second, given how terrible her romantic track record is, falling in love isn't in the cards for her. And third, Christmas only brings her bad luck - being broken up with not once, not twice, but three times during the holidays is proof enough of that.

When she runs into Hannah Dalton on Christmas Eve, she has no reason to believe her luck will change. After all, though Hannah is probably the most gorgeous woman she’s ever seen, she’s also straight. And married to Caroline’s work rival. While being hired by Hannah throws her for a loop, winning a divorce case and sticking it to her ex-colleague should be enough of a thrill. But as the months slip by, bringing her closer to both Hannah and her adorable daughter Abbie, the lines between attorney and client begin to blur.

And she could have never predicted just how much she wants them to.
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  1. Print length
    244 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    November 20, 2020
  5. File size
    2.6 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Popular Highlights in this book
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  1. “For the record, I’m wearing the Suffolk law shirt you forgot here once. And my underwear. Goodnight.”
    Highlighted by 525 Kindle readers
  2. “That night. At the lake house. I went to the bathroom and I touched myself.”
    Highlighted by 356 Kindle readers
  3. “Caroline may have been my best, though. Definitely up there in my top three.”
    Highlighted by 312 Kindle readers
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lori Prince is a classically trained actor with a BFA from Syracuse University. She has performed Off-Broadway as well as at top regional theaters, including The Denver Center, Alliance Theater Company, and PlayMakers Repertory Company, among others. She has also appeared on television in Law & Order, Law & Order: SVU, and Are We There Yet? Her voice work includes various characters in the feature film Epic, as well as additional dialogue recorded for over fifty feature films and TV shows.

Haley Cass lives in Massachusetts, where she has a love/hate relationship with the weather extremities but would also hate to live somewhere without fall foliage. She spends most of her time watching too much television with her friends and thinking about the future. Her mother likes to talk about the time she wrote her first story while sitting under the kitchen table for privacy. Twenty years later, she still likes to write but is slightly too tall to sit under the kitchen table.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08LBRNPYD
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 20, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.6 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 244 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 5,171 ratings

About the author

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Haley Cass

Haley Cass

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Haley lives in Massachusetts, where she has a love/hate relationship with the weather extremities but would also hate to live somewhere without fall foliage. She spends most of her time watching too much television with her friends and thinking about the future.

Her mother likes to talk about the time she wrote her first story while sitting under the kitchen table for privacy. Twenty years later, she still likes to write but is slightly too tall to sit under the kitchen table.

You can follow her on Twitter (@HaleyCass1) for any updates or to pop by for any conversation!

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
5,171 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book excellently written with strong story arcs, featuring easily likable characters and an emotional roller coaster of elation and disappointment. They appreciate the slow burn romance and consider it a fun holiday read that makes them laugh. The book receives positive feedback for its authentic portrayal of emotions and its adorable, sweet nature.

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Story qualityWriting styleCharacter developmentAdorableAngst levelBurn rateEnjoymentEmotion level
146 customers mention "Story quality"138 positive8 negative

Customers love the story of the book, finding it well-written and real, with strong arcs that keep them engaged.

"A Christmas story that's not a Christmas story. Enjoyed both stories in this adventure of Caroline, Hannah and the Abacado. Thank you" Read more

"I loved every part of this book. From the very beginning, I was hooked. The author built the foundation of their relationship so perfectly...." Read more

"...I felt like this one was believable, relatable. I didn't roll my eyes every other chapter." Read more

"...The chemistry between Hannah and Caroline is absolutely fantastic, and I couldn't wait to see how their relationship progressed...." Read more

121 customers mention "Writing style"113 positive8 negative

Customers praise the writing style of the book, describing it as well-written and an incredible read, with one customer noting they couldn't stop reading it.

"I loved every part of this book. From the very beginning, I was hooked. The author built the foundation of their relationship so perfectly...." Read more

"...She is a truly incredible writer, and she perfectly balances tension and comfort, angst and bliss...." Read more

"I enjoyed the pacing. It's very different from what I normally read, but overall, it's a great story. I would definitely re-read" Read more

"This was really a good book...I just loved it...." Read more

66 customers mention "Character development"66 positive0 negative

Customers love the characters in the book, finding them easily likable.

"...The characters are so layered. And Abbie is all kinds of genuinely adorable. I loved this book so much. A 6-star if I could rare it so." Read more

"3.5 stars. love the characters, particularly the young daughter Abbie. Written in present tense, and it’s done very well...." Read more

"One of my favourites. Love the characters and storyline. It felt real. Will definitely recommend. I read it a few times and could not put it down...." Read more

"...There’s some interesting plot twists, nice variety of characters, and definitely some fun spicy sections. Easy read...." Read more

43 customers mention "Adorable"43 positive0 negative

Customers find the book adorable and sweet, with one customer particularly appreciating its Christmas theme.

"I can't say this was really a fave. I mean I like the book. It was cute. The slow burn was definitely slow. But cute. And abbie is adorable...." Read more

"Very, cute. Kind of refreshing...." Read more

"...The characters are so layered. And Abbie is all kinds of genuinely adorable. I loved this book so much. A 6-star if I could rare it so." Read more

"...that but I just absolutely fell in love with little Abby she is so adorable...." Read more

41 customers mention "Angst level"41 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's emotional content, describing it as an emotional roller coaster of elation and disappointment, with great breaks from the nonstop angst.

"...Pining. So much pining. I love it -..." Read more

"Very, cute. Kind of refreshing...." Read more

"...It is warm and cozy, and it makes you believe in the goodness of love. Haley Cass does something very special in her books...." Read more

"I loved this book. The story of Caroline, Hannah and Abbie was extremely personal, heartbreaking and yet a heartwarming story for each of them...." Read more

41 customers mention "Burn rate"37 positive4 negative

Customers enjoy the slow-burning romance in the book, describing it as hot and warm, with one customer noting they read it while snuggled under a blanket on a cold day.

"...It is warm and cozy, and it makes you believe in the goodness of love. Haley Cass does something very special in her books...." Read more

"...This is a friends-to-lovers, toaster oven, slowwww burn romance. Haley Cass does them all so well...." Read more

"...(including Abby) are well written and developed, and easily warmed their way into my heart...." Read more

"...It delivered in a big way with a super slow burn toaster oven romance, gorgeous upstanding main characters, a completely lovable precocious and..." Read more

39 customers mention "Enjoyment"39 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy this book as a fun holiday read that makes them laugh, with one customer noting it's a completely lovable precocious story.

"...I found so many scenes humorous in different ways as well as sad to where I was tearing up for the main character, Caroline Parker but toward the..." Read more

"...Easy read. Delightful array of emotions: worry, anxiety, giddiness, and confusion. Lots of build up and anticipation! Recommend for sure!..." Read more

"...It is a very enjoyable story. This is one of my favorite go-to books. Keep writing Haley and I will always be there to read it...." Read more

"Haley Cass has written a masterpiece so alive it’s like watching an epic movie but so much more...." Read more

21 customers mention "Emotion level"21 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the emotional depth of the book, describing it as a delightful array of feelings that feels real, with one customer noting the gentle portrayal of love and another mentioning the appropriate level of angst.

"...I felt like this one was believable, relatable. I didn't roll my eyes every other chapter." Read more

"...She is a truly incredible writer, and she perfectly balances tension and comfort, angst and bliss...." Read more

"...a ride and you'll want to read it over and over it gives you a really great feeling...." Read more

"One of my favourites. Love the characters and storyline. It felt real. Will definitely recommend. I read it a few times and could not put it down...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Totherboot
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic
    Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    A Christmas story that's not a Christmas story. Enjoyed both stories in this adventure of Caroline, Hannah and the Abacado. Thank you
    Helpful
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  • Katherine
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Book
    Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Stars: 5 Stars
    Format: Audiobook
    Narrator: Lori Prince
    Series: When You Least Expect It Book 1
    Steam Level: Steamy

    I read this as an ebook last year and I jumped at the chance to listen to it when I was able to barrow this title.

    Quick Thoughts:
    - Right from the jump I am annoyed by Caroline’s brother who badmouths her commitment to her clients. Dude, she’s a divorce attorney and her clients are going through the most difficult time of their lives
    - Michael is a world class jerk and I hope he’s miserable for the rest of his life and constantly steps on Legos
    - I like how the whole story from beginning to end takes place over a year. It feels right with Hannah’s situation and gives their developing relationship room to grow
    - I loved how Caroline cares about Abby from even before she got to know Hannah and doesn’t even consider treating her differently because she’s Michael’s daughter
    - Pining. So much pining. I love it
    - There is just something about a single mom who is without family getting adopted into the protagonist’s family that hits harder in a holiday story
    - The fight at the end when Hannah told Caroline she shouldn’t have said anything rubbed me the wrong way the first time and this time too. Hannah was basically telling Caroline to not defend herself and let Michael say anything he wants
    - The sequel to this book is Hannah’s POV of this book but with different scenes and goes beyond the first story
    - Lori Prince is a rockstar

    Overall I enjoyed this so much that even knowing what happens in the book didn’t diminish how fun it is. Last year this was my first Haley Cass book and my only regret is waiting so long to read one of her books. Definitely an author in my “buy first, read the synopsis second” list.
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  • Ali
    4.0 out of 5 stars Just a fun romp to fill the hours enjoyed it
    Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I can't say this was really a fave. I mean I like the book. It was cute. The slow burn was definitely slow. But cute. And abbie is adorable. Still like this author.
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely adorable!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I loved every part of this book. From the very beginning, I was hooked. The author built the foundation of their relationship so perfectly. I can’t wait to read the sequel.
    Helpful
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  • Katie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very cute!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Very, cute. Kind of refreshing. I love romance books, but sometimes there are scenes/story arcs that are SO over-the-top that it distracts me from the whole story. I felt like this one was believable, relatable. I didn't roll my eyes every other chapter.
    Helpful
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  • merle
    5.0 out of 5 stars Book so sweet I had to see a dentist
    Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I have been tearing through Haley Cass' oeuvre since I first discovered her works. She is a truly incredible writer, and she perfectly balances tension and comfort, angst and bliss.

    From Caroline's first (real) conversation with Hannah and Abbie, I knew this book was something special. It is warm and cozy, and it makes you believe in the goodness of love.

    Haley Cass does something very special in her books. A lot of the time, when I'm reading romance, I get anxiety because I know that I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. I can feel the big 3rd act break up coming, and it sets my nerves on fire in a bad way. But Haley Cass doesn't do that here. There is some drama, sure, every story needs some. But Cass writes in such a way that you trust her. By the time I hit page 300, I trust the author with my emotions, and I know that everything is going to be okay, and the characters will have their happily ever after. And that is sort of incredibly rare. Haley Cass is a rare writer.

    When You Least Expect it is an incredible book. The chemistry between Hannah and Caroline is absolutely fantastic, and I couldn't wait to see how their relationship progressed. The characters are so layered. And Abbie is all kinds of genuinely adorable.

    I loved this book so much. A 6-star if I could rare it so.
    13 people found this helpful
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  • Olivia
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fun read
    Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I enjoyed the pacing. It's very different from what I normally read, but overall, it's a great story. I would definitely re-read
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  • Shirley Hudson
    5.0 out of 5 stars What a ride....so worth it!!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This was really a good book...I just loved it. It's at the end when Hannah's describing her drawings and exactly how she felt and what she was going through your heart completely falls in love with her because you realize you had no idea what was going on because this was told in first person and you had no idea what she was thinking. Poor Caroline flirting with a girl at her company's party only to learn it's her nemesis wife....then for the same woman to hire her as her lawyer. You already know sparks are gonna fly. Put a lil rock in the cogwheel when a sneaky little thing has plans of her own... It was absolutely primo I could never have imagined that it would happen like that but I just absolutely fell in love with little Abby she is so adorable. Carolyn felt Abby was her little girl from the jump she completely fell in love with her and she was never going to let her go she would always be her little girl whether she was able to get with Hannah...awww no worries HEA!!!! This book is definitely worth a ride and you'll want to read it over and over it gives you a really great feeling. There are a lot of moments in this book after the fact and you're like oh oh my God seriously we will have no idea that was going on until the end of the book and then you'll just completely be floored. You will love this book as much as I have.
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • rati bhargava
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful
    Reviewed in India on March 13, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Love this so so much! Caroline and Hannah are so brilliant together. Abbie is just wonderful. And god is Michael a complete twat
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute Gem.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 14, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I adored this story. Flew through it in a few short hours, as I couldn't put it down but also didn't want it to end.
    Even though I knew exactly how this story was going to end, it doesn't take away any of the joy and anticipation that I felt as the slow burning relationship unfolded.
    The two main characters felt so real, and are both completely adorable, together and as individuals. The development of their mutual feelings seemed natural and in no way rushed ( as you get in other books of this genre). I felt like it was me who wanted to rush things, I was so eager for things to get going with these two!

    It's just a really sweet, wonderfully written story and I'm really glad I found it. I don't believe I have read anything by the author previous to this one, but im about to go and have a look at her other work, for sure!
    Report
  • Thayná Pompeu
    5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING
    Reviewed in Brazil on May 5, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I don’t know if the book is inspired by SwanQueen but the story reminds me them so much!!!!! OMG!!!!!! Kudos to the writer!!!!!
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  • Hélène Cerise
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent slow burn
    Reviewed in France on February 12, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    J’ai adoré ce slow burn, en anglais, vivement que les traductions françaises pour cette autrice arrivent car elle est extraordinaire
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  • Snowflake
    5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely delightful
    Reviewed in Germany on December 30, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    5 stars. This was absolutely delightful. It also reminds me a bit of Susan X Meagher's All that matters with the friendship and the overall slowburn.

    The whole story of Caroline and Hannah takes place over the span of a year. Top notch divorce attorney Caroline Parker meets the wife of her arch nemesis in the coffee shop Hannah works in, only to learn that Hannah wants a divorce after years of suffering. She asks Caroline to represent her and Caroline takes on the case pro bono because Hannah's husband does keep her on a tight leash.

    That's the beginning of a wonderful friendship, and their chemistry is insane.

    I like this story for a million reasons.

    I love how their friendship starts with a phone number on a coffee cup. Very funny.

    I love how perceptive and smart Hannah is (Michael wouldn't hate you so much if you weren't as good as he is. - I'm actually better.) and how she makes her boundaries very clear.

    I love Caroline with her family and how engaged she is with her nephews and nieces. She practically devotes all her spare time to the children and to her family despite all the hard work. It was such a super nice setting!

    I also love how Hannah's and Caroline's lives gradually merge. Abbie is such a great child (albeit a very well behaved one).

    I think what I like best is that this book feels more like some AU fanfics that I love than a published novella. I mean that in the very best way. I'm so glad there's no forced drama. Plus, there is one reference to Dana Scully and I love the nerdiness of it.

    If there's one little thing that irked me, it's that it wasn't super thouroughly edited and I was actually a little puzzled this is written in present tense. No big deal really. I would love to have this as an audiobook.

    I'm so much looking forward to reading/listening to a full length novel. Thanks Haley Cass!
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