3.5 foodie rock star romance stars

This is Lindsay Hameroff's debut novel, and I enjoyed the characters and premise of this one. If you are a fan of Insta-love, restaurants/food, and songwriting, this one might be appealing to you. The characters are in their twenties, so that might skew to a younger reader, but I still found plenty to enjoy.

Lexi is in her mid-twenties and a culinary student when we meet her. Her dream is to move up in the restaurant world and eventually own her own restaurant. Indeed, no easy path, but she loves to cook for people.

One weekend, she meets Jake Taylor when he’s performing at a bar in New York. They hit it off well, sharing a love of Golden Girl reruns and Broadway show tunes. They spend a magical weekend together before Jake heads off to LA for a recording session. Could this be the love of her life? Sadly, Jake ghosts her, which breaks her heart.

It turns out that Jake has made it big, and his handsome face is soon gracing buses that go by her in New York. And she hears his hit song about her blueberry pancakes. As Lexi finishes school and gets her first restaurant job, she feels she is on her way to achieving her dreams.

And then, drum roll please, Jake shows up on her doorstep. Will Lexi forgive him? Is there any chance they can make their crazy worlds sane enough to have a relationship? How can they both achieve their goals?

This one has a bit of spice, and I enjoyed Lexi’s friendships as well. It was interesting to see the perspective on the culinary world and the not-so-glamorous side of the rock-and-roll world, where you never know who a friend is and who is out to capitalize on your success.

I would definitely read this author again and I look forward to seeing what she cooks up next!

This wasn't my favorite book of the year and it wasn't my favorite romance either. But it was cute and it was a pretty fun read. I feel like the romance between the two main characters was pretty well written, but the characters themselves felt like they were paper deep and I didn't like that because it was hard to connect to either Lexi or Jake. I think that had their been more depth put into the characters it would've been an amazing book that made for a really compelling story.

I was along for the ride until about 2/3 through, then the FMC really got on my nerves — enough that by like 80% I almost DNFed it but made myself keep going because I’d gone too far.

I really did like the relationship between the main characters in the beginning (which is kind of surprising, because their relationship was a little insta-lovey, which is not usually my thing but worked here)… but they just really lost me in the end. The FMC gets mad at the MMC for silly reasons, becomes suddenly super insecure at the end of the book and that’s all her inner thoughts are about, and because of this they have the same fights over and over, so it just got really repetitive. They came off as immature toward the end.

I loved the side characters, especially Ali and Chloe! They were such supportive besties. I’d totally read a book about Chloe… but maybe with fewer real-life celebrities named. I loved Chad — totally COULD have been a real-life bachelor contestant but is still generic. But there were too many other celebrities appearing in this. This is totally a personal taste thing, but it really weirds me out when celebrities appear as fictionalized versions of themselves in books. Like there were interactions with Jimmy Fallon and Ryan Seacrest in this book, plus mentions of what the Backstreet Boys were doing at this party, and that kind of stuff just weirds me out. It feels like crossing some sort of boundary and pulls me out of a book even more than a bunch of made-up people we only see once.

Culinary student Lexi Berman meets Jake Taylor, a singer/songwriter/musician. They share a steamy
weekend together, just before Jake leaves to record a demo in L.A. An executive from a record company
hears Jake sing at a local bar and asks him to audition for the head of the label. Jake is signed and is
on his way. He gets caught up the publicity machine and communication with Lexi ends.
The two reconnect when Lexi likes one of Jake's posts on social media. Will Lexi be able to have her
career in the New York culinary world and have a relationship with Jake and his celebrity status?
#TillThereWasYou #NetGalley

This is a quick second chance romance. Lexi is a culinary student whose dream is to be an executive chef at a Michelin star restaurant. She made a no dating rule to achieve this. When she meets Jake, a musician, at a dive bar, she breaks the rule. They have a steamy weekend together. She doesn’t hear from him after that as he goes to LA becomes a celebrity with his Single that is about her pancakes. When Jake shows up at her home, they fall back into a relationship, but she needs to decide if this is right for her.

I love the characters, the banter, the angst. It was easy to read, and had just enough spice. I just love the second chance romance between Lexi and Jake. It was sweet, emotional, funny at times and very descriptive. You could almost taste those pancakes highly recommend.

thank you so much Netgalley for the ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!

things I loved in this book:
- the cover is obviously gorgeous and drew me in immediately
- the food elements and how they bonded over it!
- the career choices, it was so interesting to see in a book!
- sweet & spicy love story!

I enjoyed this one regardless of any small details that I didn’t absolutely love! the pacing was a bit odd at some points but I was still able to enjoy the story. The characters were lovable and the insta love was done right! This book would definitely be best for the newer adult genre of romance!

Loved this cute rom-com! Jake and Lexi are both ambitious creatives, chasing their dreams. Lexi has no time for romance but accidentally falls for Jake after a whirlwind weekend together.

After becoming an overnight sensation, career pressures make it impossible to stay in touch. They are both devastated, holding onto the hope of rekindling their romance in the future. After a year, it seems like that is not going to happen when Jake is back in town and wants to rekindle their friendship.

But can Lexi forgive him for abandoning her like everyone else?


--------------‐-----------------------------------------------

I was unable to put this one down. I genuinely loved the story, the characters, and I needed to know what was going to happen next. The characters are relatable. The romance and hardships that went with it were believable. Ultimately, everything a reader could want in a fluffy romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and St.
Martins Press for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Twenty Four year old, Lexi Berman, is a culinary student is working hard at her goal of becoming an executive chef in a Michelin-star restaurant.

She doesn’t have time for romance.

But when she meets Jake Taylor, a dive bar musician, she makes a rare exception to her no-dating rule, and ends up spending a steamy weekend with him. When Jake leaves for L.A. to record his demo, Lexi never expects to see him again, which fits with her plans.

She definitely didn’t expect him to become an overnight celebrity, but a breakout single, “ Blueberry “ propels him to stardom. And, it’s a song that’s almost certainly about her famous blueberry pancakes -the meal that she cooked him for breakfast following their first overnight date.

Even though he has been linked to a mega pop star, is it possible that he and Lexi are actually the two who are meant to be together?

This sweet and spicy INSTA LOVE romance, is best suited for readers in their twenties. Unfortunately, since I am not even close to being in that demographic, it read much too YA for me.

The dialogue between Lexi and her two BFFs is quite juvenile, with the author’s word choices, trying too hard to be funny. There was plenty of references to snorting, giggling, and cackling, as they discussed the perils of dating and boning. (their word choice, not mine)

Jake on the other hand, seemed older than a guy in his twenties-and almost as perfect as his dimpled smile.(also referenced quite often).

I missed the more “mature” witty and clever banter that I seek in my Rom-Coms.

It was an enjoyable enough peek into the culinary and pop star worlds, and this debut author shows promise-but the book should definitely be listed in the YA category.

Available February 20, 2024.

Thank You to St. Martin’s Press for the gifted copy provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!

Lindsay Hameroff's debut novel, "Till There Was You," centers around Lexi Berman, a determined culinary student with aspirations of becoming an executive chef in a Michelin-star restaurant. But, her world takes an unexpected turn when she meets Jake Taylor, a charismatic dive bar musician who manages to break down her no-dating rule with his charm and show tunes. What starts as a steamy weekend romance evolves into a complex situation when Jake rises to overnight stardom, with a hit single about Lexi's pancakes.

This was an enjoyable read, but definitely feels like a debut. The story stumbles is in its inconsistency and uneven pacing. Some developments felt rushed, while others dragged, which made it difficult to get into a flow. That being said, the book does have its moments of charm, especially in the witty exchanges between the characters.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

TILL THERE WAS YOU by Lindsay Hameroff started really strong. I was drawn in and loved the chemistry between Lexi and Jake to begin. However, as the story went along, I got more annoyed by their relationship and wasn't as convinced by the end. Overall, I enjoyed the book but didn't love it.

LOVE a musician romance. And a chef, too? Such a fun read. Swoony. Funny. Sweet. I just loved this so much!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for my advance electronic copy via NetGalley.

Lexi Burman is studying and working and living and breathing her goal to make it as a chef. She doesn't have time for dating or pretty much anything else. Which is probably why it hits so hard when she meets, has a steamy weekend with, and is then ghosted by Jake Taylor. But it's not long before she hears of Jake again--as the overnight music superstar...who has used their weekend together as the subject of his hit song. She keeps this to herself and tries to keep her career on track, but when Jake shows up late one night to try to win her back, does she really want to jeopardize her career and step into the limelight for him? She has to decide which is more important--her lifelong dreams or being with Jake.

A title taken from my favorite musical of all time? Bring it on!! And it was worth it--I wanted to keep reading to find out what would happen! These were definitely two imperfect people, both of which could use help improving their communication skills (as is so often the case in rom-coms). My feelings were jerked all over the place. I had trouble with the believability of the motivation for key plot point of the ghosting, but if you can't suspend reality for a rom-com, then when can you? Otherwise, it was a cohesive and engaging story and worth your time. Note: open door scenes for you spice lovers out there!

I thought that this book was okay. I felt like there were cute moments between Jake and Lexi, especially in the beginning and I loved the premise of this one night stand turned huge musical overnight sensation.

However, I wasn't a fan of the multiple conflicts that kept occurring throughout the novel. It felt unnecessary and really hurt the flow of the story. Through that, the pacing suffered greatly and took me out of their relationship multiple times.

I wasn't able to really see the celebrity status in Jake's character's and overall I just wanted so much more from the really engaging premise of this book. It could have been better executed.

Thank you Netgalley and Lindsay Hameroff for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

File under: move over, “marry me chicken.” It’s time for “make me your muse blueberry pancakes.”

Conceptually, this is adorable. The execution was a teensy bit bumpy at times (add in one cliche, slightly misunderstood Hollywood mean girl) but I’d still happily pick up Hameroff’s next book.

(I’m also not mad when a book makes me crave a particular food 🫐🥞)

This had a cool concept, and I really loved the first encounter between the MCs and their subsequent getting to know each other / falling in love period. But beyond that, I could not connect with their second chance attempt? It felt like they were both forcing an extension of their first attempt, instead of viewing the new reality of each other -- and this meant that they spent a majority of the time fighting and feeling insecure, and that was uncomfortable to read

-- got a copy via Netgalley

I really wanted to like this book!
i thought the premise was good but the romance was very insta-love and it felt like the characters had no real depth. So all in all this just wasn't for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and
St. Martin's Press for the Arc

I requested to read and review this book for free from St. Martin Griffin Publishing Company. This story about romance, comedy, drama. Characters in this story are Lexi, Chloe, Ali, and Jake. There some other great Characters to but for me I think these are the main ones. Lexi has been dealt with some difficult blows in life. And she says she is fine but is she ? Jake is an ordinary boy who did an big thing and now is set to be famous. What happens when two people from different worlds collide?? The demanding jobs of singing and being a chef are very hard can true romance play a part in this? Does one person have to sacrifice their career for somebody else's? And is their career choices something they really want to do or do they need to be more creative? The person who you think is right for you might not be the right person after all. True love is a journey it make start as a spark but needs to grow. This book can be read anywhere but it's for a mature audience.

protect this book at all costs !!!! if you’re looking for a sweet, swoony and uplifting story, pick this book up. Lexi + Jake’s story is not without conflict, but is two people trying to make a situation work even through a difficult set of external forces. This was such a stunning debut novel, can’t wait to see what’s next!!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

First… the COVER😍😍😍

Jake & Lexi had a one night stand that turned into insta love but with both of them chasing their dreams their contact to each other diminished. But a year and a half later, Jake walks back into Lexi’s life. They both know they’re meant to be but can they find time to make their relationship work?

This was funny, swoon worthy, comfort, grief & heartwarming all in one💗

I feel like both the worlds for these occupations were depicted really well & thought through. Top notch banter that had me laughing through out👌🏻

The description of grief that Lexi goes through was spot on & had me relating to her character in many ways. On top of that, I loved how they were both rooting for each other and their dreams.

I loved seeing their relationship grow from the beginning and enjoying the small details of their relationship instead of only their big ones- like staying in and binge watching a tv show.

I’m a sucker for a loyal MMC💕 so once Jake realized he messed up I was rooting for him the whole time. He was just what Lexi needed. He didn’t let her push him away & made her communicate with him.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

"Till There Was You" by Lindsay Hameroff is a sweet (pun-intended) and unique romance novel. The story mainly follows Lexi and Jake, who have a whirlwind weekend fling and then reconnect a couple years later, amid stressors and distractions in their personal and professional lives. I had some trouble connecting to Lexi, who often seemed to be getting in her own way or not standing up for herself. However, I really enjoyed the culinary aspects of the novel, since it showcased a passion she had that was completely separate from the romance arc of the story. This was a cute story and I can easily see someone enjoying it on a long plane ride; 3.5 stars.