I love a foodie romance, and Till There Was You satisfied my every craving!

Lexi is a culinary student hoping to work in a Michelin star restaurant, when she ends up meeting Jake, after swearing off dating for good. I was interested to see how their relationship that started as a weekend of fun would turn out.

*many thanks to SMP Romance and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

[arc review]
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Till There Was You releases February 20, 2024

3.5

<i>“When I’m with you, I feel like who I am is enough.”</I>

After spending four years getting a college degree, Lexi is now pursuing her dream and attending culinary school.
A night out to drink with her friends at a bar leads to meeting a musician named Jake, and they end up spending the entire weekend together before he heads to LA to record his demo album.

What starts out as an all-in, soulmate connection between two strangers, soon becomes a distant memory once Jake gets his big break, becomes famous, and doesn’t reach out to Lexi again until fifteen months later when he shows up unannounced on her doorstep.

Can Lexi and Jake find the time to balance their demanding careers in order to make a relationship work with the person that makes them feel whole? Or will it be too much for them to handle?

Finally, a culinary romance that actually gets the culinary part right! I could’ve done without the OW drama, but it made sense for the story and the celebrity plotline.

I really hope Chloe and Mia get a book of their own!!

While I did enjoy this for the most part, it ended up feeling very middle of the road for me. In the end, it was all just perfectly fine. It was a quick read, but I often struggled to keep paying attention, because it just felt so average. I thought the romance, which was VERY instalove, lacked depth, even towards the end, and instead there was just a load of drama that I wasn't super interested in. I liked our main character and the way she spoke about her passion for cooking and her career, and the romance was very sweet initially, but in the end I wasn't the hugest fan of the romance.

Lexi and Jake hit it off immediately and once his music career took off, he ghosted her. Now he's back on her doorstep with a wounded puppy expression and wants her (and her pancakes) back.
I was really suckered into reading this by a friend and the adorable cover. Unfortunately, it just really missed the mark for me. I didn't connect with the characters or their problems, despite the fact that I adore a good celebrity romance and am generally such a sucker for books involving a good love of food.
Thank you to St Martin's Press and Netgalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

Lindsay Hameroff wrote a compelling love story between two strangers who quickly become lovers. I loved Lexi and Jake's story and how sometimes love gives you second chances. This is the perfect fall weekend roadtrip book. I am excited to read more by Lindsay in the future.

Till There Was You has an absolutely adorable cover and a premise that reeled me in like catnip, but the plot felt a little flat and the characters read extremely young. Lexi and Jake have a weekend together where they build up this insane chemistry before Jake left to pursue his musical dreams. When they are reunited, it felt like the situation was forced. I was not a fan of their romance or the conflict in this novel.

Till There Was You by Lindsay Hameroff is a heartwarming and emotional novel that delves into love, loss, and the complexities of starting over. The story follows the protagonist as she navigates the aftermath of a broken engagement, embarking on a journey of self-discovery and new beginnings. Hameroff beautifully captures the internal struggles of finding oneself again after heartbreak, weaving in tender moments of hope and personal growth.

The novel stands out for its relatable characters and authentic portrayal of the healing process. The relationships — both romantic and platonic — are well-crafted, and Hameroff’s writing is filled with raw emotion and wit. Till There Was You is a moving exploration of second chances, perfect for readers who enjoy contemporary romance with depth and emotional resonance. It's a touching reminder that love, in all its forms, can be rediscovered when you least expect it.

This was an interesting read. It definitely delivered on the celebrity dating trope with insights into Jake's life as a world famous musician. There's everything from Jake working on new songs and preparing for his upcoming tour to dealing with the overbearing media. Lexi's culinary background and job at her restaurant were interesting to read about. However, I wish we got to see more of this side of her life. Additionally, I enjoyed Lexi's overall character growth and her journey towards prioritizing her dreams. In terms of the romance it was cute but I found it to be a bit too much like insta-love which took away from my enjoyment. Unfortunately, the pacing also felt a bit off in terms of plot points and how fast their relationship progressed. All in all, I enjoyed my time reading this book but would have liked the relationship and plot to be a bit more developed.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book? I know it took me a while to read and review it compared to its release date, but it's one of those books I'm glad I waited because if I were in a different mood my feelings on it would probably shift a decent amount. So read this if you're looking not to think too hard and just have a feel good reading afternoon! And also, make sure you have brunch plans for the next day because it's going to make you hungry! 😂

I started and finished this in one day, and it was a perfect Saturday afternoon easy read. Was it predictable? Sure. Like painfully so at times, but listen sometimes it's nice to read a romance where you know exactly how things will go and how characters will act. Despite this, was it still funny and heartfelt with good characters and a solid storyline? Yes! There was even a part that made me tear up a bit, and that is not an easy thing to make me do!

This is a really solid debut, the kind that makes me really excited to see how the author is going to grow in their writing and get better with each book!

Culinary student Lexi Berman wants to make her late mother proud, but she isn’t a hundred percent sure her dreams of working her way up to being executive chef at a Michelin star restaurant are what she wants. One night when she’s out getting drinks, she meets a cute guy at the bar, Jake Taylor, who turns out to be the musical entertainment for the night. They have one steamy weekend together before he goes out of town to record a demo. He’s supposed to be back in a couple of weeks, but when he hits it big, he ghosts Lexi. She doesn’t tell anyone about her time with Jake or that his breakout single is most certainly about her blueberry pancake recipe. And she gets on with her life, graduates, gets a job, and maybe even has a new romance on the horizon. But then Jake shows back up and makes Lexi question everything.

I read a lot of good reviews of this one and I can totally see why people would enjoy it. If you’re looking for a book with a perfect, swoony love interest (outside of the ghosting thing which was never really explained to my liking), some behind-the-scenes in the restaurant industry intel, and love a celebrity/not celebrity romance, this might be the book for you. Lexi is also dealing with the loss of her mom and anger at how quickly her dad moved on after her mom’s death so there are some family dynamics in the story I think people will enjoy.

Sadly, this one just wasn’t a fit for me. I just wasn’t super invested in their relationship. I think I like characters with more flaws.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Insta-love is not my favorite trope but this book was cute and interesting. Always love a celeb/normy angle.

I really enjoyed this book! It's a story about a culinary student with no interest in dating who happens to meet a handsome stranger at a bar and awakens her heart. However it's so much more than a love story that'll make you want blueberry pancakes. I love stories where the characters find themselves or access a more true and authentic version of themselves through their experience with their romantic counterpart and this book absolutely has that. We get to see Lexi (our culinary student) grow so much through this novel and it was really compelling. I cried a bunch of times because it was so cute, and also because it was so real. There are so many authentic feelings to resonate with this book, and it's ultimately a fun story that was a joy to read.

I just finished a contemporary romance set in NYC, and it was such a ride! The story is told by Lexi, a twenty-something chef, which I loved—culinary jobs always add a fun twist. It gets pretty deep with her thoughts about her late mom, adding some real depth to her character.

There are cool nods to her Jewish heritage, like making matzah ball soup and sitting shiva, but it’s not the main focus. The romance is super engaging, especially with her love interest being a rockstar—definitely adds some celebrity flair!

The last few chapters really picked up the pace, and while the resolution was satisfying, I’m left wanting more! Overall, I enjoyed it and would recommend it if you like heartfelt romances with a touch of family dynamics.

Till There Was You, Lindsay Hameroff weaves a delightful tale of passion, ambition, and second chances that resonates with both foodies and music aficionados alike. The story centers around Lexi Berman, a determined twenty-four-year-old aspiring Michelin-starred chef whose life takes an unexpected turn when she meets the charming musician Jake Taylor during a night out. Initially feeling like a whirlwind of a romance, Hameroff skillfully transitions this encounter into a deeper exploration of relationships and personal growth.

The chemistry between Lexi and Jake is palpable and electric. Their initial connection is sweet and fun, providing just the right amount of intimacy without becoming overly explicit. I appreciated how they were portrayed as fiercely supportive of each other, respecting their respective aspirations while navigating the complexities of their budding romance. This mutual respect added depth to their relationship, illustrating that love can flourish alongside ambition.

Lexi's close-knit support system in her two best friends is another highlight of the novel. Their unwavering encouragement and camaraderie paint a picture of genuine friendship that many readers can relate to. I found myself hoping to see these characters embark on their own journeys in future installments, especially since hints of their own romantic entanglements are teased throughout the narrative.

Hameroff's attention to detail when depicting the culinary and musical worlds is commendable. She brings to life the challenges faced by those striving to balance career aspirations with personal connections, illustrating that navigating these waters can be messy and complicated. Through Lexi's growth, we are reminded that sometimes our desires evolve, and true happiness may lie in unexpected places.

Overall, Till There Was You is a charming introduction to Lindsay Hameroff’s storytelling prowess. It's an engaging read that captures the essence of youthful love and the pursuit of dreams. I look forward to future works from this author and hope to see more of Lexi’s friends in their own stories. A delightful read indeed!

Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press/St. Martin's Griffin for an eARC, and to Libro.fm for an ALC of Till There Was You by Lindsay Hammeroff! These are my honest thoughts.

This was a really fun romance novel! From Lexi and Jake's meet-cute through their separation, reconciliation, friendship, and more, these two kept proving they were meant to be together.

Some highlights for me include:
- Lexi + Jake's meet-cute over cherries at the bar
- Jake writing songs about Lexi
- Lexi not admitting that she was ghosted by the man who became an overnight success who had smash hits that were written about her
- How both main characters chased their dreams, and got what they thought they wanted, but in the end, had to reflect on what they ACTUALLY want out of life and love, friendship and love, family and the future
- Friend dates
- When your friend shows up at the restaurant you work at to support you (Jake), or when your friend comes to the recording studio because he wants you to get to see the process (Lexi)
- When getting to see one relationship makes other relationships stronger (with family and other friends)
- FOOD. I loved all of the different ways that we experienced food in this story, and how meaningful food can be to people, gatherings, relationships.

I thought this audiobook was the easiest thing in the world to listen to. I loved the way the characters and their relationship came to life via audio. Some of the things Lexi had to work through in relation to her own life, her dad moving on after her mom passed away, and some of her challenges making friends were really emotional in this format, and I appreciated those aspects of the story a whole lot!

4 solid stars here!

This was a cute story. Lexi and Jake had great chemistry and their relationship felt natural. Sometimes romantic storylines can feel like 'insta-love' or you just don't feel the connection between the main characters and that definitely wasn't the case here. There was 'insta-lust' and then we watched them build a foundation on top of it. You could feel the bond between Lexi and Jake as it grew, first over their weekend together, then when they were reunited. Lindsay wrote their chemistry so well.
I also enjoyed the chef storyline of Lexi's. It gave us the nitty gritty about the restaurant world, instead of the romanticized version I feel we mostly get. It's long days, weird hours, and lots of scut work, especially for those starting out.

This is a cute rom com! Im an old school Notting hill girl. If you haven’t seen the movie it’s adorable and I just melt. There was a lot about this book that made me swoon! I love a good Celebrity trope. The characters felt real! They were relatable & I was invested!

i’m a big fantasy read so I save romance books for when I’m burnt out. This was perfect I felt refreshed! Id love to read another book by this author and plus the pancakes ha ha ! That will stick with me ha ha.

ɴᴇᴛɢᴀʟʟᴇʏ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ || TILL THERE WAS YOU [thank you to @stmartinspress and @netgalley for my #gifted copy!]

Title: TILL THERE WAS YOU
Author: Lindsay Hameroff
Genre: Romance
Format: Digital
Star Rating: ★★★★☆

ꜱᴜᴍᴍᴀʀʏ:
Culinary student Lexi Berman is laser-focused on becoming an executive chef at a Michelin-star restaurant. Dating isn’t part of the plan—until she meets charming musician Jake Taylor. After a whirlwind weekend together, Jake leaves for L.A., and Lexi never expects to see him again. But when Jake’s new hit song, rumored to be about her famous blueberry pancakes, catapults him to fame, Lexi’s life gets complicated.

With her career on the rise and a new romance brewing at work, Jake’s sudden return throws everything into chaos. As their chemistry reignites, Lexi must decide if she’s willing to risk her future for a second chance at love.

ᴍʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ:
I absolutely love celebrity romance (and it’s even better when one of the MCs is just a regular, nobody and the other is famous)! However, I especially loved that in this novel, the MCs met when they were both just regular people trying to get forward in their careers, and when they meet again one of them is suddenly famous.

Plus the steam & the anticipation (after a one night stand gone right?) really worked for me…oh, and all the food talk! If I have a vice in romance books, it’s food.

This debut is filled with banter, heart, and more than one swoon moment. It was so good! I can’t wait to see what Lindsay writes next!

ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ:
Second Chance Romance
Celebrity Romance
Chef x Singer
Forced Proximity
Blueberry Pancakes

ᴅᴇᴛᴀɪʟꜱ:
GR: 3.73 ⭐️
# of Pages: 320
Pub Date: February 20, 2024

While I was excited about this story, I simply lost interest and didn't have the desire to pick it up. I may try again in the future. Just wasn't for me!