AHHH THE CHEESE! This adorable story is definitely an insta-love story with some second-chance-romance tied in.

When Lexi and Jake meet the chemistry is instant. And they don't hesitate to act on it, spending an entire weekend together despite having just met. What neither of them realizes is how Jake's career as a musician is going to blow up all because of the song that he wrote about Lexi's blueberry pancakes.

Predictably, as Jake's career escalated, the distance between him and Lexi grows to an extent where they completely lose touch. Until one day, out of nowhere, he shows up at her doorstep.

Now, I typically don't read celebrity romances, mostly because of how unrealistic they end up being, but there have been a few that I've enjoyed, so I decided to give this one a shot. Unfortunately, this, too, ended up feeling quite unrealistic. Now, hear me out. When I say "unrealistic", I'm not talking about the celebrity falling in love with the "regular" girl. I mean the actual progression of their relationship. It definitely didn't make much sense. Then you add in the fact that he started ghosting her all because of a single text that Ali sent, which to be honest should've been interpreted as funny, despite the fact that he claims the last time he was happy was when he was with her. Completely unrealistic for two supposed adults.

While I do love a good HEA, unfortunately this story just wasn't for me.

3 ⭐️

It was a cute read I read it in a few hours though the pacing was really slow in some parts and I disliked the constant miscommunication

Till There was You by Lindsay Hameroff was such a fun and cute read. Lexi is a culinary student when she meets musician Jake Taylor. They share a weekend and a connection neither of them are soon to forget. Jake is off to LA to make it big and Lexi is soon forgotten until Jake shows up at her apartment over a year later.

I loved the chemistry between these two characters even when they were making me mad with their insecurities you couldn't help but want these two to win, These supporting character were quirky and I truly hope that we get to see more of them in the future.

If you're into insta-love, rockstars, chefs, and second chances then this is the book for you.

A culinary student and a struggling musician meet at a bar. They spend the weekend together in a lavender haze. He says he’ll call when he’s in LA. Things happen. He doesn’t. Months later a new hit song is on the radio and everything changes.

This book was a cute, easy, read with just a bit of spice. I didn’t have an amazing time reading it but there was nothing wrong with it.

The characters were likable and fun. This book made me hungry and want to date a rockstar. Lol

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

DNFed at 30%

I want to start off this review with a huge thank you to Net Galley for an ARC of this novel. I've been wanting to read this book for a few months now and I was lucky enough to receive an early copy, however it was not right for me. I really tried to like this book and I thought, after reading the excerpt, that this book was going to be so good. I'm so sad that the story didn't work out the way I envisioned it happening. I think my biggest problem with the book was the timeline. Lexi and Jake's connection was so quick, they barely had a chance to form a believable and likable foundation for a relationship. They met, talked for five minutes at a bar, he sung her a song, and then slept at her apartment for the weekend. Then he just leaves for fifteen months and I am confused by it all. It was just so fast-paced that it was awkward and I didn't think there was anything super special about the romance between Lexi and Jake. I was fighting a cringe the entire time I read this. I'm so sorry. I really tried to enjoy this, I promise, but when he finally came back fifteen months later (AKA two chapters later) and was like "I was trying to remember the last time I was really happy and it was my weekend with you" I just couldn't do it anymore.

Sorry to everyone at Net Galley and the publishers who were kind enough to pick me for an ARC, but this one was just not for me.

Cute and fun! I felt like the beginning of the relationship was rushed, but enjoyed how it developed and evolved later. The insight into the life of a chef was interesting and different!

2.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and St. Martin's Griffith for this advanced copy! You can pick up Till There Was You on February 20, 2024.

This was a cute romance! The beginning really hooked me, as we watched sparks fly between Lexi and Jake for their one whirlwind weekend together. But after they reconnected months later and began navigating their second-chance romance, the story started to lose me a bit.

A lot of that has to do with the writing. Personally, it didn't always capture me and motivate me to keep reading. It felt like I was watching a 2010s romance between a rock star and the "normal girl" who wants to keep her regular job and date the celebrity. I love a good cliche, but this one didn't hit the right beats for me.

If you eat up miscommunication and "realizing you let the other person go too easily," this is definitely the story for you! Lots of sexy scenes, romantic interactions, and small conflicts leading up to the climactic ending. The characters had some dimension, but I just didn't connect with them personally.

This was a cute little story. I enjoyed how the couple met at the bar, but then it was incomprehensible that Jake disappeared without a word and never even got in touch with Lexi until he showed up again.

Jake, I love you! I really enjoyed how Jake constantly reassured Lexi about their relationship. He always made her felt special even through her insecurities. I did feel like the story was a bit rushed throughout.

This was mostly a light, fun romance. I thought the beginning and end were strong but some parts in the middle didn't quite work for me. It seemed the characters became more naive and less intelligent as the book went on making dumb choices that off course led to problems and miscommunications.

Overall though it was a nice, easy read that I think many people will enjoy.

I got this book for free as an ARC in return for an honest review.

This book is for anyone looking for a feel-good, bit cheesy romance. I do like the chemistry between Jake and Lexi, however I found some of their scenes to be a little cheesy. Their storyline was a bit predictable, no major twists or anything.

The other thing that I didn’t love about this book is the transitions of time. During a portion of the book, Jake and Lexi are apart and it didn’t tell us it had been A YEAR until well into this hiatus… so that could be a little bit confusing.

However, overall a sweet feel-good predicable romance.

Not sure why this book didn't wow me, but it really didn't and that's why I gave it 3 stars instead of 4. Although it came close to bumping up for some of the unique touches and conversations.

The plot was there and had a lot of potential, and the characters were well developed. But neither Jake nor Lexi won over my affections and the peripheral characters didn't emerge as stars either. They made a cute couple in some ways, and sure they did some cute things together, but all in all, I didn't really love them enough to care whether they made it through to the end and came out a couple. Maybe at the start, I was more invested in their story but as things progressed, I felt kind of meh. Especially about Lexi who was almost always surprised when her poor decisions led to well, negative consequences. No spoilers, but if you are in a trade where hours are merciless and you are expected to bleed for your passion, then it's hard to really be upset when, well, you not bleeding for your passion and brushing off the job leads to reprimands and lack of support from your peers.

I think I have said this about a number of romances this year, but I really do hate the contrived (or somewhat contrived) conflict that tears the couple apart. I much prefer a romance where the couple just works together and their HEA does not come because they break up and realize they were better off together. Not a fan of the big dramatic moment even though, when I watch Notting Hill, the car chase at the end is probably my favourite scene. Oh wait, who am I kidding, it's the awkward dinner party that's my favourite scene.

All in all, it was enjoyable. Just not earth shattering for me. And for a debut novel, it's well done. Blueberry pancakes indeed.

The big caveat is that sometimes I need a break from contemporary romances and have a hard time enjoying any of them, and this book did come off a big string of contemporary romances.

I was genuinely surprised with how much I liked this story. Til There Was You was a fast paced romcom that could easily be read in one sitting.
Both Jake and Lexi are chasing their dreams when they cross paths. Since they met they can’t seem to forget each other. Their romance and love for each other developed quickly.
(Small spoiler-ish) While still an amazing read, it definitely could have gone with out the third act breakup. This was the one thing keeping me from giving it five stars.
Now I’m going to be craving blueberry pancakes until I can get my hands on some.
This will definitely be a 2024 must read

This was the most romcom story to ever romcom.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4!

I feel like this had everything in it to make it the perfect romantic comedy! The writing was easy to get into, the characters were easy to love and well rounded, and the story flowed well. I read it all in one sitting, and I think it'll be perfect for the Valentine's Day season coming up next year!

And while I did love it overall, I do have some hesitances with the story. I've seen a couple of reviewers say it was a little too insta-love for them, and while I understand that, I do think it was meant to be written as two people with an instant connection that never got the chance to see it go further. However, I do think having them communicate a little more after Jack leaves for LA would have added to their connection and made it more believeable. It was hard to see their breakup as this huge, devastating, life altering thing when it really was just 1 weekend. But that might just be a personal preference. I also wish the timeframe between Lexi and Jack meeting up again had been stretched out a bit longer. I think it would've made more sense for Jack to be an even bigger star, rather than one that's still upcoming. I wasn't sold on that timeframe as much as I wanted to be, and I think that a longer timeframe could have added to the pining that was between the two characters. I kept waiting for a scene where Lexi has to see Jack as this huge star even as she's trying to avoid him, but I was disappointed we really didn't get to see her reactions to him becoming huge. Them meeting up again wasn't as dramatic as I had hoped, and I expected there to be some more emotional turmoil than we got. I feel like the story still felt low-stakes even in the high-stakes moments, and I wished there had been some more tension added to some specific scenes.

Overall, I still really enjoyed this story. It was such a good time, like the easiest story to fall into. The characters were so, so easy to love and I felt like I was watching a romcom inside my head. Seriously the sweetest story, and I'm so excited for people to read it next year!

A huge thank you to St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! Will post review on Goodreads closer to publication date!

3.5 stars for this second chance romance.

Dive bar singer Jake Taylor and aspiring chef Lexi Berman have a chance meeting during a night out in New York City that turns into a weekend-long date. Both of them are a little stunned by the insta-chemistry they share, and when Jake leaves Monday morning for LA to meet with a record label, he promises Lexi he will be back in a few days so they can further explore their relationship.

Except --- he is instantly signed and his song "Blueberry" becomes an overnight sensation and despite being the chef behind the inspiring breakfast, Lexi never hears from him again.

Until he shows up on her doorstep nearly a year later, begging for a second chance. Lexi reluctantly agrees, still feeling that magnetic pull towards this man that is now a household name.

Jake Taylor is a heartthrob in every single way. Propelled into stardom by his hit single, he still manages to be incredibly thoughtful, sweet, and loving to those in his life. He quite literally stole the show in this one -- while his character was so endearing, Lexi was constantly second guessing his devotion despite a growing mountain of evidence that he has eyes for only her. I felt for Lexi --- I can't imagine the immense pressure of dating a celebrity as a "regular", but her character just felt immature and afraid for most of this storyline.

The plot started so strong with these two, and started to fizzle out with the growing refrain of Lexi's concerns. We wrapped it up with a sweet ending (no pun intended) but the ultimate taste of this one was just a little too bland.

I really enjoy Lindsay’s writing style. I think this is a great rom com with ALL the swoon worthy vibes and I would definitely read this author again! Also I thought MC and both her friends were hilarious and so relatable. Loved them together.

Months after a weekend fling budding music star Jake shows up on the doorstep of budding chef Lexi. They can’t deny their attraction to one another but for Lexi a relationship with Jake means risking so much of the life she’s worked for. For Jake the loss of a possible relationship might mean the end of his music.
With lots of suspension of disbelief- it is after all a celebrity/real person story- we get to see the highs and lows of them building a relationship. But Lexi has a lot of insecurities that pop up too often and block the path of their relationship. Trying to balance a career as a chef with a career as a rock star also beings tensions in. But the whole thing ends spectacularly one New Years Eve in Times Square. Definitely worth the wait if you love schmaltz (and I do).

Thanks to St Martin's, NetGalley and the author for an eARC of this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I instantly fell in love with both characters, their career journeys., their personal growth and their love story. I thought the commercial kitchen scenes were particularly well done and felt very authentic. The description of the blueberry pancakes made me hungry and prompted me to get out my griddle.

This was well written and didn't "feel" like a debut novel. I look forward to reading more from this author..

WOW! First off thank you to Netgalley and St. Martins Press for letting me read an advanced reader's copy of this marvellous book. The characters just felt so real to me and I love how much depth Lexi and Jake had as our main characters. I found the phrase "deep, dreamless slumber" to be just a tad overused in the writing but nevertheless I enjoyed every second of watching this story unfold. Any time I was doing anything other than reading, this book was on my mind and I just couldn't wait to see what happened next. As a debut novel I thought it was very well done. Congratulations Lindsay Hameroff! I can't wait to see what you'll produce in the future.

A solid freshman effort from Hameroff. Its a fun romance acknowledging the difficulties of balancing work and life, cranked up to 11 and plays out very publicly as the latest generation of young-woman-making-it-in-the-big-city runs after that elusive brass ring of 'having it all'.

I had difficulty with all the hype over Jake Taylor and wasn't rooting for him that hard. Maybe it was the Southern thing, as I don't find Southern Charm charming - I find it insincere and suspicious. Give me a gruff Yankee or Stoic Brit any day. Also, all his mega success came so fast and easily, I couldn't work up any sympathy for his 'boo-hoo I'm so rich and lonely now' routine.

Despite some of the ridiculousness of just how huge Jake's career gets overnight, the plot and relationship played out very organically, the last minute conflict was not at all contrived but building up since the beginning, and very sweet big gestures from both at the end.