Shewie! Absolutely LOVED this story of Laney and Adam... I think it's every girls dream to have a chance with their childhood celebrity crush, and for Laney, it comes true in the most unexpected way.

I loved how Laney and Adam connected. I loved how their relationship grew and developed. I appreciated how Jenny portrayed Adam's journey, and how we got to see him grow and learn to accept where he is in life, and figure out how he could have everything in his life he needed, and wanted.

I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

A book for all the fangirls out there who ever fanaticized about meeting their girlhood pop star crushes, catching their eye, and falling in head-over-heels MFEO love with them. This one's for you.

It's just another workday for Laney at her father's veterinary practice, when she and the hunky dog-rescue guy find themselves in a flirty back-and-forth neither one of them expected. When he gets locked out of his car with a full litter of puppies, Laney gives him a ride and they hit it off. Things are going well when she finds out Adam Deacon Driscoll is actually Deke Driscoll, the mega-boyband-popstar she was infatuated with in high school. He's been running away from fame since the band broke up when he was 18, but there's a charity concert coming up, and the guys want to do a reunion gig. Everything in Adam's body is telling him not to do it, except his heart, which still has a soft spot for music.

Okay, it's a little cheesy with a title like Once Upon a Boyband, but this book is actually so good! I really liked the two lead characters - Adam/Deke is very well developed, and Laney is endearing, but really, she's kind of a stand-in for...every girl. You can put yourself in her shoes and live vicariously in the romance - and ooo, what a romance it is.

I'm a sucker for soulmate level attraction. When the connection happens, there's just no going backwards. I'm not talking insta-love, I'm talking meaningful, magnetic, electric energy between two people that is mutual and all consuming. This book has it. The side characters, too, had spirit, and I loved that about them.

It was a really fun story with so many moments of sweet tenderness and care. The conflicts are very realistic and the solutions don't come easy. It's cute, it's nostalgic, it's relatable...it's everything you want in a sweet escape.

Thank you to Jenny Proctor and netgalley for choosing me as an arc reader for this title. It was a pleasure to read!

Once Upon a Boyband is a fun read for all, but for those of us who grew up in the 90s and 00s boy band era, it’ll be a little extra nostalgic!  

Laney Lawson is a veterinarian in small town Lawson Cove. Adam Driscoll runs Hope Acres, a beautiful dog shelter just outside of town. After months of vet clinic visits over shelter puppies, the timing is right and they finally hit it off. Enter Adam’s secret past— as the former member of a world famous boy band, Midnight Rush. The same Midnight Rush that Laney loved as a teenage girl. Any guesses who her favorite guy in the band was??  

The way their relationship unfolds was a fresh take on the celebrity dating trope. Her former (and still current-but-adultified-toned-down) fandom isn’t the conflict. That comes in the form of a reunion concert and all the associated buried feelings Adam has to deal with from his having left the band and then subsequently disappearing from the public 8 years prior. 

I appreciated Jenny Proctor chose to let Laney and Adam have a progressing, committed relationship through the course of the book. These are two characters who definitely had their own issues to work through but didn’t high-tail it away from the relationship whenever things got hard. So appreciated that choice! The book is closed door and featured some classic tropes— celebrity dating, secret identity, fake engagement— but they were all done in a fresh way. I just loved Laney and Adam— their initial awkwardness, their banter, their growth as individuals and in a relationship. The secondary characters were great, too, and I’m hoping Jenny continues the series to with the rest of the guys and Adam’s sister, Sarah. 

This was a perfect read after a few non-fiction and the start of school had my brain needing lighter material! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

A sweet, fun rom-com for all ages but spoke to my millenial heart. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.

The Romance Read that will get you high on puppies and music!

Jenny Proctor's newest book is a delight.

When veterinarian Laney falls for the (rugged, mysterious) new guy in town running a dog rescue on his farm, she cannot possibly imagine how their love for music connects them on a deeper level.

This book is so well plotted, full of whimsy and humour and cute animals (and men). As a protagonist, Laney is very likeable, if a bit young for her behaviour. Adam, too, is both likeable and mysterious and will probably make you swoon.
I think this book would not be suited for readers who do not like fanfiction, boy bands, dogs or rural settings. But if those are your jam, please pick up a copy and enjoy the ride!

I loved Once Upon a Boyband! The main characters chemistry was not rushed and it felt genuine. I really enjoyed the part where Laney finds out more about Adam's past, but doesn't push him away or push him too much to share. She accepts it and they are able to work together on this next part of their relationship. Great character development and funny modern references!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫ARC Review

I mean who hasn’t been a boy band fan at one point or another!! This is such a fun read and the best premise!!
Blurb:
“Once upon a time, she slept with his poster beside her bed. Now he's all grown up, hiding behind a beard & lots of flannel & she doesn't have a clue.”
How does that sound like a total winner! Well let me tell you it is! Very fun and entertaining read. The boy band is named Midnight Rush… what a great name! Truly a heartwarming and entertaining read.

I also had the opportunity to meet the author Jenny Proctor right around release day. It was so fun to get a brand new signed copy of the book and hear from the author herself. It only made me love her writing that much more.

Fun tropes:
💙 Fake engagement
🎤 Popstar romance
💙 Animal rescue and a vet
🎤 Hidden identity
💙 Dealing with grief
🎤 Boy band reunion

Quote:
“‘But...you're YOU.’
‘And I'm the girl who attended your concert with a mouth full of metal and bad hair and thought my life had changed forever when you crouched down during the show and squeezed my hand.’”

Thank you to the author Jenny Proctor and NetGalley for the advanced electronic copy of the book!

The first thing I want to tell you is that the bonus epilogue is maybe the most fantastic part after this book. Serious emotions. Jenny did it again, she just has her way to hook, line and sink you right into her books and stories. I cannot wait for the next book. She had so many hard things in this book, but that also made the swoons more frequent. There is a side LGBTQ character, but it's minorly mentioned.

To anyone who has ever loved a boy band, best dedication ever! Whether you had a love for the Jackson 5 or Tears for Fears or Backstreet Boys or One Direction or BTS, you will love this book! Jennie’s books are full of wit, banter, and hilarious moments, this book is no exception.
Adam was the biggest cinnamon roll sweetheart ever, he’s so shy, a little bit awkward, and he loves animals. He owns an animal rescue and did I mention that he is a previous boy band member?

Laney is your small hometown, girl next-door, shy veterinarian, who was in love with Midnight Rush (particularly Deke) as a teenager.
Now in their mid 20s, Adam and Laney connect and their story is amazing. Their shared love of music and animals creates an instant bond. Their story is full of puppies, awkwardness, connections I didn’t see coming, and of course boy band rockstar mischief. I absolutely love how Adam just wants to be honest with Laney no matter what, and even when it blows up in his face, she stands by him and doesn’t freak out. They solidify each other as a safe space and help ground each other. They also have a crazy amount of tension and build-up in this book…. In the best way. I’ll give you a hint, chapter 12, no waiting until chapter 20.

I had 77 highlights in this book people..77. I didn't want to give away the best quotes...there were so many!! You won't regret reading this.

I am very excited to be reading this book! My full review to follow.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this ARC. All thoughts and comments are my own.

I loved this book so much. This gives off the 1990s boy bands vibe. So it you grew up then and loved the boybands this book is definitely one you'll enjoy.
Laney is a vet at her dad's clinic she's been taking care of Adams rescue dogs when he brings them in. She's had a major crush on him for a while but has never let him know. Then one day he starts talking with her while she's checking out one of his dogs and she sees how much they have on common with music and how all of his dogs have music names.
Laney was one of midnight rush's biggest fans so when she realizes Adam was Deke in midnight rush (who she had the biggest crush on) she's stunned.
This is such a cute rom com I can't wait for more from midnight rush.
Thank you netgalley for the arc.

When I tell you I LOVED this book I mean I LOVE LOVED THIS BOOK. The premise is so fun, the characters felt so real and grounded, it’s FUNNY. Like very very funny. The fanfiction stuff absolutely killed me. It’s also emotional and deals with grief and loss. I just had such a great time reading it, especially as a boyband fan myself.

this was cute!! sometimes I struggle with hidden identity tropes but I felt like this one was handled with minimal angst. Laney and Adam were super cute!! As a 1D fan this was kind of everything to me but I did find Adam's reaction to things frustrating and I felt like some band stuff (i.e. things Jace said) was unresolved and I wished we saw them have a talk on page. had a fun time with the book overall

Midnight Rush is the perfect nostalgic love song for elder millennials who remember debating Team N Sync vs. Team BSB (obviously N Sync). Laney Lawson, a small-town vet, has a not-so-secret crush on Adam Driscoll, the rugged dog rescue owner—who also happens to be Deke Driscoll, her former boyband crush from Midnight Crush! When his secret comes out, Laney must decide if she can handle life in the spotlight.

Adam is a cinnamon roll with real struggles, and Laney is the perfect balance for him. Plus, best friend Percy is hilarious, and I can’t wait for the other band members’ stories!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!

Jenny Proctor’s Once Upon a Boyband is an absolute delight that had me smiling, laughing, and swooning from the very first chapter. The banter between the main characters, Laney and Adam, is so effortlessly charming that it literally had me kicking my feet.

Overall, Once Upon a Boyband is a heartfelt, funny, and thoroughly enjoyable read that blends romance, humor, and emotion perfectly. If you love popstar romances or anything with a 2000s movie vibe, this one’s a must-read!

this was such a fun story and i just loved it! adam and laney were absolutely amazing and i couldnt put this one done once i started! these two were opposites but perfect for each other, i loved their dynamic and i was rooting for them from the start! Adam is a former Midnight Crush member now puppy rescuing lumberjack and Laney is a sweet small town vet who is also secret Midnight Crush super fan. they just fit perfectly together and i am so glad they got their HEA!

4.5 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for sending me this arc!! The book itself is super cute and as a Backstreet Boys and n*sync loving millennial this hit a warm snuggly spot in my heart. Who didn’t imagine a life with a boyband member at one point?? 🤷🏻‍♀️😅 it was a quick and sweet read. The dog rescue was another one to pull at the heartstrings and even though I thought I knew what was going to happen…the whole mom moderator thing was something I wasn’t expecting but was a sweet little or big tidbit that helped connect and push past the conflict.

*I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher; the review is my own.*

I’ve been trying to pull back on the number of books I request through NetGalley because I have so many that I need to read. But after loving Jenny Proctor’s Hawthorne Brothers series, I couldn’t stop myself from requesting this book. It’s not part of the other series, but it does take place only three hours away. And I was not at all sad that a few of the Hawthorne characters make a brief appearance in this book. (Though this book takes place after that series is complete, it’s not necessary to have read it in order to read this book.)

As with the Hawthorne books, this one features characters that are believably written. They struggle, and they face relevant, realistic problems. They’re imperfect, but in the case of Adam (26) and Laney (26), they’re perfect for each other. They have an extremely cute story, and I’m so glad I read it. I love the relationships with family and friends, too.

With a five-for-five book reading record (for me—I haven’t read all her books yet), Jenny Proctor has secured herself on my list of “I’ll read anything you write” authors.

PS: I’m sure someone out there will complain about the timeline of Adam and Laney’s relationship. I am not one of them—I think it was absolutely perfect for the two of them. My husband and I started talking about marriage two weeks after our first date, got engaged less than two months after our first date, and got married 4 1/2 months after that (which was too long!). We’ve been happily married for 19 years . . . so far. Sometimes, you just know.

Note: A little swearing. A gay side character.

A former boy band star who abandoned his fame, Adam finds solace in a quiet mountain town with his dog rescue and a veterinarian named Laney. He’s fallen for her, but his past as a pop star remains a secret. When his former bandmates propose a reunion concert for charity, will reclaiming his music career risk everything he’s built?

This rom com is sweet and a lot of fun. Adam and Laney are swoony, and the book has a warm family feeling.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

This book was everything. Jenny Proctor is my favourite author of 2024 and this book is flippin amazing. I love the connections through this book that tie it into her other series. I don't think I could love Laney anymore, so relatable to my boy band obsessed teen years 😍. Adam was just as enjoyable, I loved reading about his growth throughout the story.

Even though the book was amazing romcom with plenty of giggles, there is some serious grieving /grief moments throughout that make this novel standout from the crowd. It is a must buy must have book, one day I will do a tiny scream of joy when audio is released because oh my goodness it will be amazing.

Can't and won't fault anything, I look forward to the future books in the series like I would the next backstreet boys album in the 1990s 😍 Cannot wait!!

Laney is an introverted, small-town vet with a love of music and a past fangirling over the band Midnight Rush. She's attracted to Adam, who runs a local dog rescue but has never done anything about it. When Laney and Adam bond over their mutual love of music, and Laney gives Adam and his puppies a ride home after he locks his keys in his car, their professional relationship starts becoming personal. What Laney doesn't know is that Adam used to be in her favourite band, and when another band member comes visiting to convince Adam to do a reunion concert, she gets the shock of her life.

Laney is so endearing, right from the start. The book opens with her almost addressing the reader, as an introduction to herself. "I'm so normal. I'm practically boring. Which is why you won't believe that I accidentally fell in love with a popstar." This made the story feel more personal like a friend telling you about their love story. It could take a reader out of the story, but I think it really worked well because it was honest about the fact that an ordinary woman dating her teenage popstar crush sounds like fiction!

I really loved how Laney and Adam both thought about the other's needs above their own. It was beautiful to see their relationship grow. They went from not knowing that they were both interested in each other, to supporting and encouraging each other to be honest with themselves and each other. And Adam particularly needed this. I loved how Laney cared for him so well despite her fangirl past.

But this story is more than just a love story. We get a lot of personal growth and dealing with past grief (death of a parent, gaslighting). I love how lots of things come full circle in this book. I won't say anything more so I avoid spoilers. If you've ever loved a boyband, go read this book!

A big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for me to review. I am leaving this review voluntarily.