Book Review: Till There Was You by Lindsay Hameroff – A Captivating Contemporary Romance @HameroffLindsay @StMartinsPress #stmartinsgriffin

Till There Was You captivates with its compelling romance and thought-provoking exploration of fame, privacy, and the challenges of the restaurant industry.

Acknowledgments:

Thank you to St.Martin’s Griffin for the DRC of this ebook. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

From The Publisher:

Culinary student Lexi Berman, 24, has one goal: to make her late mother proud by becoming an executive chef in a Michelin-star restaurant. And she isn’t going to let anything–or anyone–get in the way. But when she meets Jake Taylor, a dive bar musician who charms her with show tunes, she makes a rare exception to her no-dating rule. After a steamy weekend together, Jake leaves for L.A. to record his demo, and Lexi never expects to see him again. And she definitely doesn’t expect him to become an overnight celebrity, with a breakout single that’s almost certainly about her famous blueberry pancake recipe.

As Jake’s star rises and the world speculates about the subject of his song, Lexi keeps the affair to herself. After all, she’s finally found her footing at her new restaurant job, and even has a prospective romance with her coworker. But when a distraught Jake turns up on her doorstep late one night, her carefully-laid plans are thrown for a loop. Though she and Jake try to be friends, things between them soon reheat faster than a bowl of Lexi’s matzah ball soup. But a relationship with Jake means risking her face in tabloids, withstanding cruel internet comments, and worst of all, jeopardizing her career. As Jake’s upcoming tour approaches, and rumors swirl about him and another pop star, Lexi has to decide if holding onto her meticulously-planned future is worth walking away from what could be the perfect recipe for love.

Set both in the chaos of fame and the high stakes world of New York City restaurants, this novel sprinkles in a second chance at love and a dollop of celebrity drama to create a romantic romp that will make even the most jaded reader smile.

My Thoughts:

In Lindsay Hameroff’s “Till There Was You,” culinary student Lexi Berman is on a mission to honor her late mother’s memory by achieving her dream of becoming an executive chef. But when she meets Jake Taylor, a charming musician, she finds herself swept up in a passionate affair that threatens to derail her carefully laid plans. As Jake’s fame skyrockets, Lexi must navigate the challenges of maintaining her career, privacy, and budding romance in the spotlight.

I found myself thoroughly engaged in the dynamic between Lexi and Jake, rooting for their love to overcome the obstacles in their path. Despite knowing there would be a happy ending, I was kept guessing until the very end, a testament to the author’s skillful storytelling.

One aspect I particularly appreciated was the insight into the realities of working in the restaurant industry and the toll it can take on relationships, especially when compounded by the pressures of fame and long-distance dating. Hameroff deftly explores themes of privacy, media scrutiny, and sexism, adding depth to the narrative and prompting reflection on larger societal issues.

The characters were well-developed and relatable, and their struggles felt authentic and poignant. I found myself invested in their journey and was satisfied by the resolution of their story. Overall, “Till There Was You” is a compelling contemporary romance that will appeal to readers looking for a heartfelt and thought-provoking read.

A Similar Book I’ve Reviewed:

The Second Chance Year by Melissa Wiesner