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.

Just finished Till There Was You, and it’s a cute, sweet story—even though I’m not usually the biggest fan of celebrity romances.

Lexi, a culinary student with big dreams, meets Jake, a musician who quickly becomes a star. While the romance was enjoyable, I found the characters a bit lackluster, especially compared to the dynamic plot. Still, the combination of foodie vibes and celebrity drama made for a fun, light read.

okay i loved this! such a cute book! i especially appreciate that there was no miscommunication trope! the broadway and golden girls references were super cute!
the only thing that annoyed me was lexi's immaturity at times. especially with her dad. i also wish it was more known that women shouldn't have to choose between a career or healthy relationship. fun and quick read!

I really wanted to like this book and there are definitely parts of it that I enjoyed but overall the plot was not well conceived and I desired so much more from it.

Till There Was You was such a sweet second chance romance, and I'm so glad I finally read it. It's perfect for anyone who is a fan of celebrity romances and chef shows--it's a perfect balance of swoony, spicy, and sweet.

Lexi Berman is in the middle of culinary school when she meets Jake Taylor at a bar--and they share one amazingly hot weekend together before he travels to LA to record his demo. He never calls her back, and she moves on with her life--until one day she hears his hot single on the radio--a song she's 99.9% sure is about her.

She graduates and lands her first job working in a real kitchen...and one day, out of the blue, Jake shows up on her doorstep. She's naturally cautious after the way he ghosted her before--but there's just something about their connection that neither one of them can deny. He's in New York for two months to record his next album, and before long, she's invited him to stay with her. They work on building a friendship but it's obvious they're destined to be more than just friends. But can their genuine love for one another survive the distance and the fame?

I loved all the small Jewish details Lindsay Hameroff included in the book--a reflection of her own Jewish experience. I love seeing representation like this in romance books. Everyone deserves love and happily ever afters. And now I want matzo ball soup!

CW: death of a parent (off page), cancer, grief

Overall, I thought this was a fine debut. It had some cute moments.

That said, I did wish there was a bit more romance and banter. I didn’t really feel the love or sparks between the characters and I felt this teetered a bit between too much backstory drama and not enough character development.

There were some cute moments but I didn’t feel like either character stood on their own, and the FMC especially felt overpowered by her parental drama instead of feeling like she had her own personality. The resolution with her dad was far too quick and simplistic and I didn’t really understand the whole ghosting in the beginning honestly. The ending especially felt very abrupt and unfinished, it definitely would have benefited from an epilogue.

As a debut, I can understand why the spicy scenes went back and forth between fade to black and some more vivid scenes, but the uncertainty showed. It will be interesting to see what the author lands on in terms of comfortability in future books.

The storyline was a typical rockstar romance, and unfortunately, it lacked any originality for me. I enjoyed reading it nonetheless. There was one scene that I felt I had already read in another book. Like a déjà vu. I realized it was almost identical to a scene from the book. The idea of you by Robinne Lee. This missed the mark for me.

An early DNF, I found the characters very cringey and. childish. I did not think it would get better if I continued