A new chef, a sexy musician, and a second chance at love? Yes, please!

I received a copy of TILL THERE WAS YOU by Lindsay Hammeroff from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, which is that I absolutely loved it!!

I had so much fun reading Lexi and Jake’s journey. Lexi, a stressed out culinary student, spends a mind-blowing weekend with struggling musician, Jake. Afterwards, they lose touch, until he pops up on her radio singing a song clearly inspired by her! When Jake shows up on her doorstep, overwhelmed by fame and seeking the genuine connection they experienced that weekend, Lexi will have to decide what she’s willing to risk in her already high-stress life.

Lindsay does an amazing job building up the love between Lexi and Jake. We get to see their instant connection, which makes it hit harder when he leaves and shows back up. They are equal parts cute, sweet, and seriously sexy! There’s a hilarious supporting cast of characters, especially in Lexi’s best friends and an epically douchey ex-Bachelor star.

Such a great read, and I can’t wait to see more from Lindsay!

I was a little worried this romance book would be insta lovey with the love interests falling hard for each other only after a few pages. I was pleasantly surprised to learn it is about the second chance of love while involving the problems of celebrity drama and the scrutiny of the public, while also showing the sweet and tender moments that always made me smile. Overall I loved Lexi and Jake's story and definitely recommend this romcom.

This book was one of the most impossible-to-put-down books I've read (in any genre) this year. Considering I've read 130+ books in 2023, that's really saying something.

I adored everything about this contemporary romance. Both Lexi and Jake are wonderful characters with real development throughout the story both individually and as a couple. I usually don't go for insta-love but it was done to perfection here and I *bought* it hook, line, and sinker. For my trope lovers out there, the blurb mentions the celebrity bit but the second-chance is done so well and so inventively that I think it's the real star of the show. All of these are tropes I don't usually go for but they are so so good that I can't help but love them here.

I was rooting so hard for these characters and so invested in them that I just couldn't bring myself to stop reading the ENITRE time. It's a really well-written book, the pacing is structured beautifully, and the pay-off at the end is perfection.

I totally recommend this to my other contemporary romance readers out there. This one is an absolute gem and I guarantee you won't be able to set it down once you start.


Note: I received a free electronic edition of this book via NetGalley in exchange for the honest review above. I would like to thank them, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to do so.

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

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

This book was an emotional read for me, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! You’ll love the charm, witty banter, and intrinsic strength of the FMC.

Lexi strives toward becoming a chef, which takes grit and entails dedicating your life to the craft, spending many hours each day in the kitchen. It’s what she’s wanted since she was young, and Lexi is definitely headstrong, focused, and thrives when she’s in control.

But when she meets Georgia-boy Jake at a bar he is performing at, she realizes they have a special connection. Lexi explores that connection by going “off book” and spending the weekend with him. She doesn’t expect much more from Jake after that since he heads across the country to record his demo.

He quickly rises to stardom and reappears in Lexi’s life suddenly, right when she is just establishing herself as a working professional in a new restaurant. Jake is a successful, new artist in the music industry, and a multitude of issues ensue, especially when it comes to being in a relationship with a person not in the public eye.

Get ready for a rollercoaster ride of emotions because there will be angst and anticipation, levity and laughter, and—best of all—humor and a happy ending. This story was well-written, and I certainly look forward to more works by the author.

4.5⭐️
1.5 🌶️

Till There Was You is a debut novel by Lindsay Hameroff. I knew I would love this book when page 1 had a quote from a Harry Styles song 🫶

This story follows Lexi and Jake. A one-night stand turns into a steamy weekend and insta-love vibes. However, Lexi is an aspiring chef and Jake is trying to make his break as a musician. With big goals and career plans, Lexi and Jake run into many obstacles to make their relationship work.

Jake and Lexi are both super lovable characters with their own flaws and baggage. While the heart of the story is in NYC, you still get a bit of southern charm because Jake is a Georgia boy at heart. This story explores what can happen when overnight fame steps in and how an everyday average person manages to date someone in the spotlight.

This was a super enjoyable read for romcom lovers who also like an emotional experience.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the e-ARC. All opinions are my own.

A cute insta-love x second chance romance with two leads who have fascinating careers (a musician and a chef aspiring to work at the Michelin star level).

Lexi and Jake have a meet cute followed by a fantastic weekend followed by Lexi getting essentially ghosted by Jake. As Jake becomes an overnight pop star sensation thanks to a song inspired by Lexi and her amazing culinary skills, Lexi finds herself heartbroken, confused, and trying to move on. It is harder than it sounds given she sees Jake’s face in magazines and in billboards all over NYC. When Jake reappears wanting a relationship with Lexi, they have to figure out if their love is strong enough to overcome the intense pressures of their respective careers.

I really enjoyed reading this and loved the glimpses of the restaurant industry. The food Lexi was making sounded delicious. Till There Was You is a fun, escapist read with likable leads.

Thank you very much to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

Getting an early copy of this book on NetGalley was a fantastic summer bonus!

Till There Was You is full of lighthearted humor and both big and small romantic gestures. It has all the necessary ingredients for a romcom, with a dash of emotional familial baggage. Hameroff takes you on a journey with Lexi and Jake that you are sad to say goodbye to when you turn the last page.

-4.5 Stars-
I was so excited to snag this book when it was a Read Now on NetGalley and it didn’t disappoint. Especially because I read it with my favorite @and.a.good.book

Here’s what loved:
• second chance romance
• all the yummy food
• celebrity/chef love story
• soulmates feels
• so unputdownable

I loved the connection between Jake and Lexi. They were just meant to be and watching their connection grow as they fell more in love was utter perfection.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆/5
Steam: open door
Out February 20, 2024
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TW: past death of a parent, sexual harassment in the workplace described in the past

This had such a promising concept. Rock star met chef with a second chance romance? I was totally in! And the characters were pretty funny at first and the banter was cute at the beginning but what really took me out of the book every time was all the pop culture references. Even as a “millennial” this book is aging itself and should’ve been written back in 2010 or even 2015. When you describe the grand hotel lobby as “ something out of Kris Kenner’s wet dreams is when I had to put the book down. I really tried to be fair with this book as it was a debut.

Lindsay Hameroff's debut romance novel, "Till There Was You," packs quite a punch. From the moment I started reading, I couldn't help but be drawn in by the lovable characters and their undeniable connection. While the book falls into the "instant love" category, Hameroff manages to make it believable.

The characters in "Till There Was You" are exceptionally well-developed and relatable. Their chemistry is palpable right from the beginning, and it's easy to root for their love to blossom. Hameroff crafts their interactions with care, making each encounter meaningful and heartfelt. It's a joy to witness their connection deepen as the story progresses.

What sets this book apart is the considerable growth the characters experience throughout the story. They face obstacles and challenges that feel genuine and relatable. Their struggles are portrayed in a way that allows readers to empathize with their journey. Hameroff's ability to create believable character development adds depth and realism to the narrative, making it all the more engaging.

In "Till There Was You," Lindsay Hameroff showcases her talent for crafting a compelling romance. Her writing style is engaging, and she has a knack for capturing emotions in a way that resonates with readers. The pacing of the story keeps you hooked, eagerly turning the pages to see how the characters' relationship unfolds.

Overall, "Till There Was You" is a delightful debut novel that delivers a believable "instant love" story. Lindsay Hameroff's lovable characters, clear connection, and believable struggles make for a captivating read. Fans of romance will find themselves engrossed in this heartfelt tale of love and growth. I eagerly await what Hameroff has in store for us next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lindsay Hammeroff for the ARC.

Well ok than.. I did not expect to be so consumed by this story that I ended up staying up all night to finish it. I thought it was so well done. These characters make you fall in love with them and be invested in their lives. Jakes mom I just wanted to give a big hug to. I also was not expecting such an emotional grief storyline. That was hard but so important.

I loved this book soo much

This debut had me thinking "what if" about a chance celebrity encounter and how it could be possible in a different world... and I loved having that feeling! The characters felt real and I was rooting for the love story throughout the book, and waited impatiently for the moment I could finally cheer them on! Definitely worth the read and I'll be left thinking about these characters and this story for a long time.

Bless his charming southern, sweet tea drinking heart. I have found a new book boyfriend in Jake Taylor. This was such a fun read and I really enjoyed their banter and seeing the relationship develop even though there were so many obstacles for them! I desperately need a sequel! There are so many things I wish I could read about in their future!

For Fans of: Emily Henry
Pacing: fast and engaging
Spice: 🌶️
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Favorite character: Jake

*An ARC was sent to me from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley for an honest review.*

Till There Was You is the best kind of love story, it is charming, sweet, sexy, and laugh-out-loud funny.

Insta love and second chance romance, the love story between Lexi and Jake is incredibly sweet and believable. Also, the supporting characters were so much fun, would love to see more of them in the future.

Till There Was You by Lindsay Hameroff was a joy to read and will recommend it to others.

I stayed up way too late to finish reading this book. It has so many tropes that I absolutely love (Celebrity romance, Second Chance Romance) on top of the banter, mentions of show tunes and golden girls. A fantastic combination that just made me fall in love with these characters.

Lexi was driven. I admired her strength to try to make it in a predominantly male dominated career. I'm glad she found her true calling towards the end of the book.

JAKE. OMG. I wanted to scream at him for not calling her back. Like come on and just pick up the phone. But, that's how these stories go.

Excuse me, now I want blueberry pancakes.

Loved this one!! 🫐🥞🌃💛🎶👩🏼‍🍳
A chef and a musician fall in love over blueberry pancakes in this second-chance romance debut. “Till There Was You” features lots of cooking, Broadway music, New York living, and the journey to achieve your dreams. This was such a fun read, lighthearted with depth - I loved every minute of it!

Thank you Lindsay Hameroff for this story. Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Fabulous romcom that needs to be added to your TBR. Super funny and emotional at times. Add in cooking references and a pop star….perfection.

This book was cute and fun to read. I enjoyed the storyline and the way the characters professions and dreams for themselves brought them together. Some parts were a bit slow, but the banter and interaction between Jake and Lexi made me smile.

Till There Was You is a fast, quirky, contemporary novel. I like that it was set in culinary school. I had a hard time connecting with the characters and ultimately it felt too insta-love for me.

So, this book was good. It was a little disappointing, though, because I fully believe that this book COULD have been really great. The plot was compelling, the characters were interesting, the spice was well spaced. There was just a lot of extra elements and scenes which (for me) didn’t really move the plot forward much but did shift focus away from the main plot. I also thought it was interesting that the big concern was how much time working in a kitchen was going to take away from being in the relationship, so the (spoiler) solution was for Lexi to start her own business?? Because that FAMOUSLY doesn’t take a lot of time, especially in the beginning….