An okey book. Didn't quite fell for the story, or the characters or anything... I just read it and almost forgot what I read afterwards. Didn't impress me at all...

I have never read anything by this author, but I will definitely be looking out for this author! The pace was great and I was hooked from just a few pages in!

We have hot musicians, a little spice, and some puppies. What more could you want? This is a sweet and easy to read romance that every one who fangirled over a boy band once upon a time must read.

One of the things I like most about reviewing books is discovering authors that are new to me. I discovered Jenny Proctor books through the #sweaterweather series last Fall. So, I was excited to read one of her newest novels, Once Upon a Boy Band.
This story about a former boy band member who sought solitude from screaming fans in a small mountain community spoke to my BSB-loving heart. Following his departure from stardom, Adam has created a new form of normalcy with his own dog rescue facility sheltered in a small town community. He’s harboured a crush on his local vet, Laney who has no idea who he is. What he doesn’t know, is that Laney used to sleep beside his boy band photo for years.
When a former member of his band comes to him for a favour that involves him performing again, Adam has to weigh whether his stardom is worth loosing this new life and new love.
If you’re a boy band fan, you’ll want to pick up this novel!

This was such a great read! Very entertaining, and a lot of fun to lose myself in. the story-line was so unique, I couldn't put it down !

Once Upon a Boyband by Jenny Proctor is a heartwarming, nostalgic romance that captures the allure of second chances and hidden identities. With a charming blend of humor, romance, and a dash of the dramatic tensions of fame, Proctor weaves an engaging story about a former boyband star trying to reinvent himself in quiet obscurity.

Adam Driscoll, formerly known as "Deke," left behind the glitzy life of international fame and screaming fans at a young age. Tired of the intense scrutiny and burdened by his reasons for leaving, he’s traded in the glamour for a simple life in a small mountain town, working with a dog rescue and reconnecting with the joy of normalcy. His quiet life grows even more fulfilling when he meets Laney, the local vet who seems to be everything he could want—brilliant, compassionate, and blissfully unaware of his former life in the spotlight.

The plot thickens when Adam’s old bandmates propose a reunion concert, reawakening his love for music but forcing him to weigh the cost of returning to the public eye. For Adam, agreeing to the concert means risking his newfound peace and the budding relationship with Laney, who’s bound to find out who he really is.

Proctor expertly navigates the challenges of balancing fame and privacy, love and secrecy, through a relatable lens of a small-town romance. Once Upon a Boyband resonates with anyone who's ever wrestled with past mistakes or tried to find their true self in a world that constantly looks to define them.

With humor, heartfelt moments, and a nostalgic look at boyband culture, the book provides a satisfying escape that is both entertaining and emotionally resonant. Proctor’s writing is light and engaging, making this a delightful read for anyone looking for romance with a fresh twist and a touch of pop culture magic.

OMG i loved this book sooo much! The story, the plot, the characters, just everything was absolutely amazong! I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves, boybands, romance and is a dog lover!

I'd heard quite a bit about this book on social media before the release date, so I was excited to get to read an early copy! What teenage girl hasn't had a crush on a boy band or singer? I'm a grandma of teenagers so it's been awhile, but I remember being just like Laney was about Midnight Rush. Now Laney is all grown up and a respected veterinarian, but she still enjoys listening to her favorite band and remembers how dreamy Deke was.

Adam Driscoll rescues dogs and helps get them adopted. His former life as Deke in the band Midnight Rush seems a lifetime away. No one in the small town of Lawson Cove knows about his time in the spotlight until his former band mates ask him to be in a reunion concert.

Laney and Adam have an adorable "meet-cute" which gets them past the professional part of their relationship. These two had chemistry from the start. Some things I loved about Adam: he gives the dogs musical names, he ordered pasta on his date with Laney so she could have some, and basically, he's a great guy. Laney is a great character, and I loved her reaction when she found out Adam is Deke. I would've been the same way if I found out the guy I was dating was my teenage crush!

This book is everything I love about Jenny Proctor's books: it's fun, the characters aren't perfect, the romance is swoony, and the story is heartwarming. If you love a good romance with depth you'll love this book as it handles themes of identity, forgiveness, and the courage to face one's past. I can't wait to get to know the rest of Midnight Rush!

I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

absolutely LOVED this book! It had everything you need in a great romance. A romantic, touching and funny storyline, interesting and complex characters, and it was beautifully written.

I love a good romance involving musicians, and Once Upon a Boyband did not disappoint.
It was a clean romance, though the chemistry between Adam and Laney was still obvious. It didn't need the spicy scenes, as the story itself was strong enough not to need them.

This is the first book I've read from Jenny Proctor, and it definitely won't be the last. I'm really looking forward to the rest of the series. I'm hoping Freddie's story is next. 🤞

I highly recommend.

5 Stars from me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Netgalley, Victory Editing, and Jenny Proctor for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Once Upon a Boyband by Jenny Proctor is a heartwarming tale about figuring out who you are, love, and growing up, all told through the eyes of Adam Driscoll, a former pop star looking for a chill life away from the spotlight. The book takes a trip down memory lane, exploring Adam's time in the limelight, the stress, and heartbreak that pushed him to leave it all behind. Proctor perfectly captures Adam's need for peace while showing how his bond with Dr. Laney Lawson, a veterinarian clueless about his famous past, starts to bloom.

When Adam gets the opportunity to perform again with his old bandmates for a charity concert, he faces a tough choice between hiding his true self and wanting to be real. The writing is funny and relatable, making it easy for anyone who's dealing with their own relationship struggles or identity crises to connect with. Overall, Once Upon a Boyband is about characters confronting their fears and realizing how important connections are for growth. It's a great read for anyone feeling caught between their past and what lies ahead.

I love Jenny Proctor! Such sweet, fun reads. I enjoyed this boy band twist on the usual romcom. Sweet, uplifting, and happy!

It's a super fun story about falling in love with your boy band crush without knowing it's him. I loved how Jenny handled the conflict and real-life issues Adam deals with. It contains a handful of swears, a few mentions of alcohol consumption, descriptive kissing only.

Tropes: One bed, hidden identity, celebrity.

Contains a funny side character who is gay and death of a parent in the past.

(4.75 stars) Oh my boyband-loving heart!!! This book was phenomenal, and I absolutely love the unique plot. I’m sure those of us who were boyband fanatics growing up all dreamed of meeting and falling in love with our favorite members. The romance in this book was insanely adorable, and I can’t even begin to explain my emotions while reading the bonus epilogue. If you love romance, boybands, and dogs, this is the book for you!!!

Oh, man...This book gave me all the feels and boy band nostalgia. I grew up listening to the Backstreet Boys and NSYNC and absolutely thought I was in love with AJ and JT. Just like Laney, I knew tons of random facts about the guys and could sing every lyric with zero mistakes. I love when a book transports you to another time and place and it's so cool when the story has similarities to your very own past. Jenny did such a great job building the Midnight Rush world and characters. I'm so excited to see what else she has in store throughout the series!

Laney...As I said above, I completely understand how Laney felt for Deke, but oh man...I adored seeing her fall in love with Adam so much more. The support and genuine care she showed for him even before she fell so completely was refreshing. I think at the end of the day, Laney truly wanted the best for Adam, no matter what that meant for her. She went through some really frustrating times while Adam was figuring things out, but she was so steadfast not only in her love for him, but in being the most genuine friend on the planet. I also appreciated Laney's relationships with her family and her bestie.

Adam...What a complex and haunted guy. I cannot imagine the heartbreak he endured and the guilt that he carried for years and years. It was a long, hard road, but it was so cool to see Adam gain the courage to truly face his past and fall in love with music again. It's so clear that the music is ingrained in him and is absolutely part of who he is at his core. It was also so sweet to see Adam fall so quickly and completely for Laney. They really are such a precious pair.

Things I loved:

❤️The truly respectful and real way Jenny wrote about grief
❤️All the boy band and music references
❤️Laney's relationship with her dad
❤️Percy's comic relief
❤️Bingo
❤️Laney meeting the rest of the guys
❤️Laney knowing all the band's dance moves
❤️The week at the Hawthorne property
❤️Laney's childhood room covered in Midnight Rush memorabilia
❤️Goldie, Ringo, and Dolly
❤️All those kisses...🥵

⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️

This book was so much fun to read! Of course it was highly predictable, just like a boyband is, and that's why we love them. As a long (long, long) time fan of boybands, this book had everything I wanted and never even knew I needed. Now, please excuse me while I go update my playlist with more boybands.

I thought this book was amazing and it really had me hooked. The author's unique approach allowed the writing to be very captivating. I'd recommend this book to anyone looking for a new read. If you love a boyband this one is for you !

We all know a boyband we were in love with. Hoping to meet one of them and have something between us? Well, Laney is the lucky one, meeting her crush and fighting for their story.
But it is also a deep story with pain, and loss and grief. But also love, affection and lots of kisses.
It gets you laughing and crying.

This was cute, a good read. It was a different take on a boyband story which was interesting.Thank you for allowing me to read and review this ARC

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
3 stars

This is a very enjoyable love letter to all the people who dreamed of a life with a popstar as a teen, while still remember said popstars are human. Also, no miscommunication trope! The people were actually adults about things! Issues did feel like they were solved too easily and in a sorta surface way, but that may have to do with the writing being pretty simple. Still, it was fun and an easy read. I was glad to see Adam being treated like a human despite being a boyband star in the past, and the reason for his emotional difficulty made a lot of sense. Also, all the cute doggies!!! I want Ringo to cuddle and play with.

Overall, a fun time that I think people who like light-hearted celebrity romances would enjoy :D

Once Upon A Boy Band

° Dual POV
° Small Town Romance
° Secret Identity
° Closed Door Romance
° Fake Engagement

The mention of a "boyband" in the title immediately caught my attention as a millennial who grew up with them. Nostalgia hit hard, especially recalling my own infatuation and memorable concert experiences, like seeing the Backstreet Boys in their reunion tour. The story drew me in deeper than expected; it is not just a romantic comedy but it also delves into heavier themes such as parental loss, cancer, regret and grief. The relationship between Laney and Adam feels genuine, marked by sweet moments and hard conversations, particularly as Adam confronts the stigma around seeking counseling. His journey toward forgiveness and healing is courageous.

Working in palliative care, I understand the profound impact of loss and going through the stages of grief and this book reflects that reality.

I also enjoyed the vibrant side characters, especially Percy, Laney's witty best friend, and Freddie from Midnight Rush, whose optimism shines through. The music references added an extra layer of enjoyment. Towards the end, a personal note for one of the main characters truly moved me—readers will want to experience this for themselves by reading the book.  Readers are also rewarded by a bonus epilogue that beautifully ties everything together.

Favorite Quotes:
ᥫ᭡ Dedication:
"To anyone who has ever loved a boyband. (Pretty sure that's all of us.)"

ᥫ᭡ Author's Note:
"..Naturally, I decided to balance the serious by writing more kisses into this book than I ever have before."

ᥫ᭡ "..It gave me something to focus on when life felt too hard or too scary or too overwhelming."

ᥫ᭡ "But I'm beginning to wonder if the person worth the effort has been standing in front of me this whole time."

ᥫ᭡ "..That with the right person, I would never have to try to be seen."

ᥫ᭡ "..He experiences everything with a level of joy and intensity turned a few notches above what most people feel..
..For being so good at simply seeing good."

ᥫ᭡ "Knowing what I know about what he's been through, I feel very protective of him.  I want to be around because I want to make sure he's okay.  I want to be able to hold his hand at the end of the night and listen if any old feelings gets stirred up.  I want to be a safe place for him."

ᥫ᭡  "There's a certain rightness to being here with him.  Like I've found something I didn't know I was looking for.  I'm in a room I've never been in, inside a house I've never visited.  But I still feel like I'm home, because I'm with him."

ᥫ᭡ "..And we're stronger for having worked through the hard and the easy."

Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing Co-op and the author Jenny Proctor for the electronic advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.