Jenny Proctor never disappoints! She’s one of my go to authors for funny, light hearted romcoms. Add in a former boy band star and puppies? Yes please!

Dr. Laney Lawson is a small-town veterinarian. Laney is a music lover and is sharing her love of music with bearded, handsome dog rescuer, Adam Driscol. Adam “Deke” Driscoll walked away from the boyband Midnight Rush eight years ago after the death of his mother, causing the band to break up. The years have changed Adam's appearance and even though Laney was a fan, she has no idea the Adam was a part of Midnight Rush. When his former bandmates contact him about a one-time reunion concert which will benefit a charity he supports, Adam wonders if it’s worth losing his anonymity.

This book will give you all of the feels! I must admit that I really hope it becomes a series and we get to find out what happens to the rest of the band. I give it a strong 5 stars. Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy!

Once Upon a Boyband is Jenny Proctor‘s newest closed-door romantic comedy. It can be read as a stand-alone but is connected to her Hawthorne Brothers series.

Dr. Laney Lawson is a music-loving, small-town veterinarian. When she was a teenager, she had a huge crush on Deke, a member of the boyband Midnight Rush. Now she has developed a friendship with a handsome dog rescuer, Adam Driscoll, who has a bushy beard and wears flannel.

Adam “Deke” Driscoll walked away from pop phenomenon Midnight Rush eight years ago, causing the band to break up. He much prefers the solitude of the mountains to thousands of screaming female fans. He’s romantically interested in his local vet, and thankful that she has no idea of his former fame and career. When his former bandmates contact him about a one-time reunion concert which will benefit a charity he supports, Adam wonders if it’s worth losing his anonymity.

Readers of closed-door romances will adore Once Upon a Boyband. This original storyline feels like The Backstreet Boys were dropped into a Hallmark movie. The author writes excellent stories with well-developed characters and plotlines, but contain no profanity or sex scenes. Readers will identify with Laney and her teen-age adoration of talented Deke, while also understanding Adam’s decision to live a low-key life. Readers know that the author will give us a happy ending, so we just have to enjoy the journey there. The cameos from characters in her Hawthorne Brothers series added to the enjoyment of this book.

I received an Advance Review Copy (ARC) from NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book had me hooked right from the start. When Laney spoke directly to the audience to set up the story, I was ready to hear it. I loved the entire premise of the book and I absolutely loved the chemistry between Laney and Adam. There was a short time in the middle that I started to get bored, but it didn’t last long before it found it’s way back. The best was the connection to his mom that was formed! This was a great read, and I’m looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.

I am a HUGE fan of Jenny Proctor and I knew I was going to adore this one. Like this made my inner child very happy. I’ll never stop reading Jenny’s books. Can’t wait for more!

Pretty enjoyable read but with a lot of flaws. I understand there were some liberties taken but honestly if Laney was such a huge fan of Deke’s surely she would have recognized him even with a beard. His voice or movements? Just seemed far fetched especially when she remembered every other odd detail about him including his full name. But overall it was an okay read. No spicy parts just lots of kissing and nice sentiments.

Boyband lovers UNITE!!! Oh I love a good reunion, and this was so good. Their meet cute, the confessions, the swoon moments- all done so well! Jenny went above and beyond this time: all the feels, all the swoons, the kisses.

I could do without the rescue because I'm scared of dogs. But I loved everything, especially the Easter eggs from her previous series. I do think Rosie's room reveal was better! 🫣

"Once Upon a Boyband" by Jenny Proctor was the story of every teenage girls dream!! When teenage Laney was a fan of Midnight Rush with a massive crush on boybander Deke. Fast forward to adult vet Laney who happens to meet animal rescue Adam. Little does Laney know she is about to live every teenager with a crush on a boybander. After all if the famous pop star could only get to know you of course he would fall madly in love with you!!!❤
#OnceUponaBoyband
#NetGalley

💫THANK YOU to the Author, Publisher and Netgalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an Honest Review!!

I had never read a book of Jenny's previously and after reading this one, I immediately regret that! I have forever been a boy band girlie so knew this was going to be the perfect read for me and I couldn't have been more correct - I absolutely devoured this book in the space of 24 hours, I consumed every chapter as if I never wanted the book to end and really, I didn't want the book to end! This was a really fun romance with a concept I had never come across before and I just loved it;. I adored Adam's story and it was fun seeing the Midnight Rush reunion develop through the pages (made me crave that 1D one we're all still waiting for) and I loved Laney - it was the perfect small town romance and possible one of, if not my definite favourite book of the year so far!

I usually don’t read closed door romances but I thought the plot of this sounded super cute! Who wouldn’t want a chance to fall in love with their fav teenage pop star?! This was cute and a quick read. A little cheesy but sometimes that’s just what a romance reader needs!

I was a boyband girl, Big Time Rush and One Direction were my favorites growing up. BTR won by a LONG shot for me!!

But I also LOVE New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys (saw them in concert a few years ago and it brought me a lot of joy!)

I haven’t read or seen this trope before in a book so when I saw this available on @netgalley a few days ago I knew I had to ask for it.

The boyband in the book is called Midnight Rush, so naturally I compared the four fictional members to real life BTR members and it was seriously everything middle school and high school Sydney needed!

The Midnight Rush boys have since gone their separate ways since being a band in their teens and have gone grown up. One has gone off on a solo career, one is now raising a family, one is now a music producer in Nashville, and Adam (the MMC) is rescuing puppies from puppy mills. Seriously swoon!

Laney is a veterinarian who is a huge fan of Midnight Rush. Little does she know the Deke she used to swoony up at during concerts is the sweet Adam she swoons over while treating his rescuers.

Thank you Jenny Proctor for the eARC.
#secretidentity
#smalltownromance
Every girl dreams about meeting her celebrity crush. Falling in love with them (twice) is a true fantasy.
When veterinarian, Dr. Laney Lawson, meets lumberjack dog rescue owner, Adam Driscoll, she has no idea her crush will take her on a wild ride her 16-year-old heart would envy.
Great start to the series with cameos from Jenny's other books. I am looking forward to reading more about this world.
Overall, great read. 4/5 stars.

Give me more than 20 books like this, please. Saying that I liked it a lot would be an understatement, as a fan of many boy bands, this book felt like a warm hug to my fangirl heart.

Laney is a responsible adult, but like everyone else, she had her past fangirl centered around a boy band specifically, Midnight Rush. She had a particular weakness for one member, Deke, who eventually left the band (yes, this has a lot of similarity to One Direction and tugs at my heartstrings... please come back, I miss you.Well, continuing with the review), she moved on, grew up, and now she is the town veterinarian who is in love with the animal rescuer Adam, who is none other than Deke, only she doesn't realize it (the boy has changed a lot). Adam feels the same way about her, but for obvious reasons, he doesn't act on it until one day when he decides to change that. And let me tell you, their journey was one of the best I've ever read. It's like a well written fanfiction that should be turned into a heartwarming movie. Laney gets the opportunity OF A LIFETIME TO DATE HER CELEBRITY CRUSH FRIEND THATS THE DREAM. Their relationship was beautiful and I liked that when she found out who he was she was obviously surprised but since she already knew Adam well, there wasn't much drama.

I was genuinely happy reading this book. I couldn't find anything wrong with it, except for a tiny bit of drama toward the end but that was only because I wanted them to be happy all the time.

It's an incredibly easy to read book, and I had a blast with it. It also brought back memories of my directioner days (which are still intact), this book felt good and I read it right at the time I needed it most.

📌I received an e-arc through netgalley, and this is my honest opinion/review of it.

The first book in a new series but also has a tie-in to the Hawthornes! Former boy band member, Adam, retired to the county to rescue dogs. He wants no part of his previous life. Laney is the local vet who doesn’t realize Adam is the singer she loved when she was a teenager.

Great chemistry between these characters. Secondary characters were amazing as well. Loved the setting and the animal rescue storyline.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Once Upon a Boy Band is out now so check it out!

This story is every fangirl’s dream!

The sheer joy, delusion and obsession that comes with the nature of being a fangirl is what makes this type of story so much fun to read. As a fangirl, this book was a nostalgic reminder of the enjoyment that comes from reading fanfiction.

The fangirl isn’t a new phenomenon so I believe anyone, any age who can relate will enjoy this novel in their own way.

Did I find myself at times kicking my legs and giggling at Laney and Adam’s relationship? Yes. Am I now fully invested and wishing Midnight Rush was a real band with a reunion tour on the calendar? Also yes!

Whilst certain stronger themes weren’t thoroughly explored, I enjoyed every character and couldn’t put this book down. Small town romance is one of my preferred tropes and this one certainly didn’t disappoint.

ARC via NetGalley

Laney was obsessed with the boy band Midnight Rush when she was a teen. But they broke up when her favorite member, Deke, left the band and seemingly disappeared from the face of the earth. Now she's all grown up and working as a veterinarian in her small, remote town. One of her clients, Adam, runs a dog rescue nearby, he's so handsome, and he loves music as much as Laney does. When they finally spend some time together, it seems meant to be, if not too good to be true. She feels like Adam is hiding something from her, but what? Soon she finds out Adam was Deke Driscoll from Midnight Rush, all grown up! He's being pressured to perform in a reunions concert. But he left his alter ego and that life behind long ago. Can they convince him to give it another try? Can he be both Adam and Deke?

As a card carrying, boy band loving Millennial, this story spoke to my childhood fantasies. Who among us hadn't dreamed of meeting one of those celebrity crushes and falling in love? Not to mention the embarrassing posters and journal entries.

The story is much like an elevated One Direction Fan Fic meets a Hallmark movie. It's sweet, closed door, with only a few kisses, but it's a cute story. I fell a little in love with the bearded, dog loving, mountain man with intense blue eyes myself!

This book is for people who want a sweet, closed door rom com with no spice and lots of boy band nostalgia (and puppies!)

4⭐ No🌶️

I read an advanced copy of this book, and these are my honest opinions.

⭐ - 4/5 - ⭐

Thank you #netgalley and #jennyproctorcreative for the ARC of this book!

✦ Small town romance
✦ Rockstar romance
✦ Dual POV
✦ Romantic Comedy

⚠️ - Loss, grief
🌶️ - .5/5 (lots of kissing)
💕 - 5/5
👥 - 3/5
🌎 - 3.5/5
🗡️ - N/A
💀 - N/A


𝙾𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠:
Laney is a veterinarian in a small town. One day, Adam, a burly, bearded, flannel wearing dog lover comes in and the sparks fly. However, he's keeping a secret that might ruin what semblance of peace they have both come to love.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐝:
● Small town, cozy vibes
● SO MANY PUPPIES
● Laugh out loud moments

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆𝒅:
● The whole book read super fast. Which is kind of good, but the fact that pacing and plot lines were affected by it, made it a little annoying.


If you're looking for a feel good, laugh out loud, small town turned rockstar romance, this is the book for you. While the spice isn't spicy, the romance is unbelievably sweet. This book made me feel like I was snuggled up in a cozy chair with a cup of hot chocolate. I don't quite understand what that means, but there are also lots and lots of puppies!

Once upon a time she used to sleep with his poster beside her bed. Now they’re all grown up and he’s walking around in her veterinary practice and she doesn’t have a clue. They go on a date, hang out and one day his bandmate shows up out of the blue. Adam blames himself for the band breaking up and has tried to stay out of the limelight ever since. He’s happy now, the nonprofit dog rescue and Laney is his future. He can’t go back to making music right. Not even when his old band mates want to do a reunion show.

This was a more emotional read than I’d expected. Adam went thru a lot at such a young age. As if dealing with the game and all that comes with that he also lost his mother to cancer while being out on a world tour. He still blames himself for not being around which is absolutely heartbreaking. I appreciate the trigger warning in the beginning of the book. The topic is handled with a lot of care but is still devastating. But it’s balanced out with lots of lighter scenes with sizzling kisses, sweet rescue dogs and band practice.

The characters are incredible, so likable and real. I also really enjoyed the recurring characters from previous books, dual pov and spice level. This is what I want when it comes to closed door romance!

I love Jenny Proctor, I’ve read most of her books and hopefully there will be more boyband books coming in the future because they’re an interesting bunch.

Read this if you like
💙Closed door romcoms
💍Fake fiancé
🎤Boybands
🐶Dogs
😭Emotional reads

I was a boyband kid growing up and this book was everything I needed! Boybands, puppies and comedy!

Laney and Adam are perfect, I love the relationship between Percy and Laney too. Mimi is the GOAT of this book though, so I’m hoping she gets her own novella!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book!

Just when I think I’ve read every possible plot, a new one surprises me. Imagine being the world's biggest fangirl for the world’s biggest boyband as a teenager, only to fall in love with your favourite member later on in life.

The Directioners would love this book. Laney is a small town vet who left her fangirl days back in her hometown. However, when the very attractive Adam, owner of the local non-profit dog rescue shows an interest in her, she’s immediately head over heels.

After initially bonding over their love for music, Laney accidentally lets slip that she is a massive Midnight Rush fan, and as Adam, previously known as Deke, a member of the beloved band he left behind in his teenage years, is faced with the decision between telling her the truth or living in ignorant bliss.

However, as the potential for a reunion comes around, Laney finds out the big news and has to navigate her new relationship with Adam, knowing he was her high-school crush.

This small town romance was such a quick and easy read. I read it in one sitting, eager to find out what the result would be. Adam and his complicated feelings for his past become more difficult to juggle once Laney becomes part of the equation. But their story is both beautiful and fast-paced. It’s hard not to fall in love with both of the main characters, and the regular appearance of adorable dogs throughout definitely helps.

Mental health, grief, and the cost of fame are both heavy topics throughout that are done really well by Proctor. Although certain aspects of the plot are not realistic (such as growing up to fall in love with your favourite member of your favourite boyband), the feelings and guilt that are represented are relatable.

I highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a fast-paced romance with heartwarming scenes, adorable dogs and an element of fake dating… Or is it fake engagement?

Thank you NetGalley and Jenny Proctor Creative for the ARC in return for an honest review!