I loved this book - Lindsay writes totally charming rom-coms with really wonderful characters and this is no exception. Couldn't put it down.

I was excited to read this story in the beginning because I love a good musican love interest and whenever food gets incorporated into the storyline; for so many reasons, this book should've been right up my alley. Unfortunately, it just wasn't what I was expecting. I left very underwhelmed in the end because of the writing: the bad pacing, the repetitive scenes and occasional dialogue, the very outdated and in bad taste references that were supposed to be jokes. Somehow it seemed rushed when, at the same time, needed filler scenes and sentences (why were there so many outfit descriptions, especially for the characters that only lasted a page?) There were few good parts of Till There Was You, but the issues I had with it outweighs any romcom esque scene between Lexi and Jake.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC! This just wasn't for me.

4.5 STARS

I loved this book. The characters. The plot. The romance. The blueberries. If you want a book to make your heart sing, this should definitely read this one. I loved it! And I hope that you do too!

I can say that I love Rockstar mmcs. There were parts of this book that I loved, like the first few chapters when they met and got together, but then there were some I disliked. I feel like its very unrealistic? A woman having to revolve her whole life and schedule around a man. I did love the friendship of Ali, Chloe and Lexi. I also loved the reconciliation of Lexi and her dad. All in all it was a good book. Thank you so much Netgalley for this ARC.

This book was pretty solid read. I was surprised to discover that it was a debut!

I liked the growth that Lexi experienced and that Jake was utterly devoted to her! The supporting characters were fun (I'd love an Ali spinoff!!!) and gave the story some levity. Insta-love doesn't always work for me, but I loved it here...it could be that I'm a sucker for musicians though. :)

Thanks to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review. (3.5 rounded up)

I enjoyed it, but had trouble connecting with Jake and Lexi as a couple. There was a lot of small conflicts that they wouldn’t resolve and ended up having sex instead. I felt like their time together lacked a lot of details that would have made me like them as a couple.

I expected the insta-love, but I wasn’t a fan of the pacing of the story. The beginning felt rushed and then we spent a lot of the story being told they did something without actually seeing it happen. It felt like I was being told the story and I would have liked to experience it.

I liked how both Lexi and Jake had their own life and dreams and how they supported each other. Also liked that Lexi worked on mending her relationship with her dad (although a bit late in the story). It was a cute romance and a fun, quick read.

⭐️Chef FMC x Celebrity MMC
👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨Insta-love
💕Second chance
🚪Closed-door

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

An aspiring chef and an on the way up musician, makes for a very sweet story. Had me hooked from the start with how they first meet and the music he plays. How could anyone not fall for Jake - he sings show tunes, loves to hang and watch the Golden Girls, and of course loves his mom and her southern charm. Lexi is a little neurotic at times and could use a little kick in the backside when she starts to overthink but overall love the combination. The friends are what I have to call the extra sprinkles to this delicious book. Chef’s kiss to the author.

Jake and Lexi really were meant for each other. They were at their best when they were together. Sometimes it takes a long time to see that. They eventually find their way to be together. Lexi needed to live her life for herself and not for the past. This is a good romance book.

Till There Was You is exactly what it claims to be - a charming and beautiful take on a second chance at love. When I read a contemporary romance novel, I expect a few things: romance (duh), solid character arcs, and a fun plot. This book had all three in spades!

I loved the romance between Jake and Lexi and felt that their connection and transformations were authentic and nicely paced. Even the side characters had some depth - loved Ali, loved Mia. I also really enjoyed the two professions of a chef vs rockstar and how Hameroff interwove the two.

It was truly delightful reading this book. There was some spice but not overtly described.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Sadly felt like I didn’t connect with this book. I thought Lexi seemed a bit immature and I couldn’t really believe her relationship with Jake.

I’m a sucker for romance and insta love especially when I’m not reading a fantasy, so i decided to check out this arc. Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this arc. I have to say Ali is probably one of my favorite characters. She’s funny and unapologetically herself! That’s my favorite thing about the author, Lindsay, is her humor. I laughed at the jokes, I blushed when Jake and Lexi were being adorable, I was sad when they were sad. It wasn’t a boring story and it was fast paced and an easy read.

Loved everything about this book. Lexi and Jake’s chemistry was amazing. I had a hard time putting it down, I wanted to know what was going to happen next in their relationship. I love that Lexi followed her heart in the end and definitely would have made her momma proud.

title: Till There Was You

author: Lindsay Hameroff

publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

publication date: February 20, 2024

pages: 320

peppers: 3 (on this scale)

warnings: dead parent (before the book), cut fingers/blood, burns

summary: New Yorker Lexi doesn't have time for dating while she's in culinary school pursuing her lifelong dream of becoming a chef, but when she goes out one night and meets singer Jake, her no-boys rule goes out the window during the whole weekend they spend together. After their brief affair, he goes to California to make his demo recording and hits it big...and busy. They don't talk with each other for a long time, until he appears back in town to record his second album.

tropes:

love at first sight
famous boyfriend
evil manager
life in the spotlight
she's his muse
great friends who tell the truth
visit home to the parents
dead mother, distant father

what I liked:

they're true to each other
he's a genuinely good guy
great side characters
insider scenes in the restaurant's kitchen
descriptions of food that sounds yummy

what I didn’t like:

She thinks, "We're from different worlds" and "We just don't work together because I'm not a celebrity" too many times despite what he says and how he acts. I didn't buy it over and over.
The other woman seems too evil first then too good second. I didn't buy her transformation (maybe because it's off-page).

overall rating: 4 (of 5 stars)

*ARC Review*

4 stars

Till There Was You was action packed! It had an early meet cute, a second chance romance, a strong female character with determination and drive, a cinnamon roll of a MMC and so much more.

A one night stand (that turns into a long adventure of a weekend) seems to be the end for chef Lexi and up and coming musician Jake. That is until Jake creates a hit song about Lexi's blueberry pancakes. The only issue with this Billboard Hit song is that Jake ghosted Lexi after the weekend together. He tries to make amends a year later when he is a massive celebrity, and thus our story continues.

The reader is taken on a journey of two people trying to make things work, even though their lives are very different. Beyond the awesome chemistry of the two main characters - I like the healing of the familial trauma and the supportive friends.

Really sweet easy read. Recommend for sure.

Calling all rom com lovers! this is the new must read of the year! Till There Was you it has everything you could want in a celebrity romance book- tension build up, sugar & spice, sassy banter and the quintessential romcom moments. I highly recommend for anyone looking for a feel-good warm and fuzzy read. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for granting me the privilege of ereading this book in advance.

This book is a foodie/ Swiftie/ Twihard/ Broadway lover's dream. And I just happen to be all of the above. It's pop star regular person romance but they met before he was famous, so it's sort of second chance. Theres so many good, funny lines (fans of twilight will get big kicks out of things). And its very Taylor Swift coded, they even play her songs in the car.

The pop culture references are poignant without being awkward. The romance is typical but no less swoon worthy.

Thanks @netgalley @lindsayhameroff and @smpromance for the chance to read an early copy of Till There Was You. It’s out on 2/20/2024.

Culinary student Lexi is just blowing off some steam when she meets swoony struggling musician named Jake. Their weekend-long hookup was amazing—until he ghosts her. Months later, she hears a hit song he wrote about her blueberry pancakes, and it’s like she can’t escape her ill-fated hookup. But when he shows up and wants back in her life, can she forgive and forget?

I loved this take on the celebrity-normal person romance where both of their careers are important. It had serious The Happy Ever After Playlist vibes in the best way. Also, it’s basically impossible not to want to try those magical pancakes! 🥞

Steam: 🔥🔥
Tropes: celebrity-normal person, chef, roommance

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you are looking for an adorably funny second-chance romance, seriously look no further than Till There Was You by Lindsay Hameroff!! This book had me giggling and crying with our main characters Lexi and Jake and I adore them so so much.

“This isn’t goodbye. It’s just ‘see you later.’ Besides, I could never, in a million years, forget you, Alexa Berman.”

Lexi is working towards her goal of being a head chef, and she meets Jake in a dive bar he’s performing at. Their whirlwind weekend inspires his hit song that catapults him to fame and Jake disappears from Lexi’s life, only to reappear months later trying to win her back. I loved how real the characters were and how much you’re truly rooting for both of them the whole time. Lexi and her friends are so sweet and hilarious and Jake is just *SWOON*!! I typically don’t go crazy for insta-love, but Hameroff made me love and believe it here. If you like Taylor Swift, grand gestures, a sweet southern man, and good food, I think you’ll love this book!! 4 stars from me! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“I know routine makes you feel safe, but maybe it’s time to go off script for once. Take a risk and see where it leads.”

Celebrity romances are my favorite! Till There Was You by Lindsay Hameroff doesn't disappoint! We have a hard-working female main character and a swoony mail main character. Both of them are just starting their careers with very different expectations and schedules. How will they ever make it work? This is a very cute story. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this eARC!

OMG… I really enjoyed this book! This book was so heartwarming and delightful. It left me with a warm and fuzzy feeling, and I can't help but recommend it to anyone in search of a charming and heartwarming romance. 📖❤️ Also, her relationship with her dad and the way it was so portrayed was so heartbreaking… i’m so glad they became close at the end again.