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!

A quick and easy read that is sure to have you entertained. This was my first novel by this author and I look forward to more of their books. A great summer beach read.

Overall rated 4.5, but rounded up cause I got so much joy out of it!

It was fun, actually quirky, and challenged some of the standard romance tropes while still being a fluffy romcom. I loved the dynamic between the MC love interests and seeing how careers played a role in their character growths

This one was an utter delight! Lexi and Jake were an adorable couple and I loved watching their instant chemistry turn into actual communication and a relationship.

I was highly concerned that Lexi was going to just give up her career for Jake and no spoilers but I'm so pleased with how her arc ended. This one had lots of emotions and was so fun to read.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I gave it 17% and allowed myself to DNF. I usually love a one-night-stand, but this one didn’t captivate me. And it was just slow/underwhelming after.

I tried this one but I wasn't buying the premise - felt a bit too contrived, and then it was like, insta-love and I wasn't a fan. It was heavier than I expected too.

Till There Was You by Lindsay Hameroff

Published: February 20, 2024
St. Martin’s Griffin
Genre: Romance
KKECReads Rating: 4/5
I received a copy of this book for free and leave my review voluntarily.

This was an easy read. The plot moved along just fine, and the story was told in an engaging manner. For a debut, Lindsay nailed it.

This has all the elements for a Lifetime Romance movie, plus a little spice. While the storyline was a tad predictable, with how things ebbed and flowed, I enjoyed the journey.

The comical bits were well-placed, and the spice was just right. As a debut, this is a strong start for Lindsay, and I think readers will enjoy her writing.

This is a cute and charming read by a debut author. Lexi is focused on her goal of becoming an executive chef in a Michelin-star restaurant. She doesn't let anything or anyone deter her from that goal until she meets Jake, a dive bar musician. She has a very brief romance with him and then he takes off for LA and she never expects to see him again. When he becomes an overnight sensation, she keeps her brief relationship with him a secret. She goes about her life, focused on her goal, and even starts seeing someone. But then Jake reappears one day and her world tilts on its axis and she is no longer certain of her path. The life she would lead being with a celebrity scares her, but she can't deny the bond between them. Lexi has to decide if she wants to continue with her well-planned out life, or take a chance at love.
A cute story that was a very pleasant read. I wouldn't mind reading more of this author's work in the future.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.