Wonderful story, great character development, great writing! Highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it

Jenny Proctor is a top tier author and I will continue to read everything she writes. One thing I love about her is she is nuanced. She treats the reader like they are smart. Not spoon feeding or babysitting the reader, rather letting the reader come to realize what is happening all on their own. I especially think she is skilled at weaving in Easter eggs from her other books without giving you a paragraph of explanation like some other authors I have read.

Now to this story in particular. Jenny Proctor is an all star at grounded celebrity romance. You don't feel thrown into a fake ritzy world, it all feels so human.

I adore Laney and Adam. Their awkward pre jitters that dissipate when they actually spend time together are so perfect. The way they handle each reveal of their pasts to one another is done with compassion and grace. I loved how tender they are with the truths that are presented to them. That's how a real relationship should be!

This book deals with some heavier topics, but all done with compassion and all serve the story and the romance.

Jenny Proctor is a must read. Trust me!

Content Warning: loss of a parent (cancer, past), grief, regret

Thanks to the author for the gifted title. All opinions are my own.

I want to start by thanking the author and publisher for a chance to read an advanced copy of this book. I thought this book was good. A little cheesy at times, but overall, good.

Such a cute, quick and easy read. Exactly what I needed. Such a fantastic story, great characters and a beautiful love story. I just fell in love with every single aspect of this book. I could not put it down once I started. Absolute delight.

This book is perfect for millennials growing up during the age of the boy bands. We all expected to grow up, meet our favorite member, fall madly in love, and live happily ever after. But what if it could actually happen?? The story was adorable and Proctor gave thought to what the process looks like for former teen idols who just want to move on with their lives. A truly cute story.

4/5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc of this book.

What girl hasn't dreamed of their favorite boyband member professing their undying devotion for them? Surely it wasn't just me! Dr. Laney Lawson knows how I felt. She was one of Midnight Rush's biggest fans— and Deke was her favorite. But when Deke quit the band, he seemed to vanish into thin air. It's been years since the band last performed together.

Laney is a vet in the tiny town of Lawson Cove, and she's got a huge crush on the new guy in town, Adam Driscoll, who runs an animal rescue. And it's mutual. Which would be great, except that Adam has a secret that keeps him from getting close to anyone. He's Deke. Or he was. 

Will he reveal his past to his number one fan? And will he let his former bandmates convince him to come back for a reunion tour? You'll have to read this book to find out!

I love a celebrity romcom, and this was fun! I could totally see it as a movie playing in my head the entire time, so I expect to see it on a streaming service soon.

Laney and Adam are just darling together, and the addition of all the puppies and celebrities made it that much better!!

An okey book. Didn't quite fell for the story, or the characters or anything... I just read it and almost forgot what I read afterwards. Didn't impress me at all...

I have never read anything by this author, but I will definitely be looking out for this author! The pace was great and I was hooked from just a few pages in!

We have hot musicians, a little spice, and some puppies. What more could you want? This is a sweet and easy to read romance that every one who fangirled over a boy band once upon a time must read.

One of the things I like most about reviewing books is discovering authors that are new to me. I discovered Jenny Proctor books through the #sweaterweather series last Fall. So, I was excited to read one of her newest novels, Once Upon a Boy Band.
This story about a former boy band member who sought solitude from screaming fans in a small mountain community spoke to my BSB-loving heart. Following his departure from stardom, Adam has created a new form of normalcy with his own dog rescue facility sheltered in a small town community. He’s harboured a crush on his local vet, Laney who has no idea who he is. What he doesn’t know, is that Laney used to sleep beside his boy band photo for years.
When a former member of his band comes to him for a favour that involves him performing again, Adam has to weigh whether his stardom is worth loosing this new life and new love.
If you’re a boy band fan, you’ll want to pick up this novel!

This was such a great read! Very entertaining, and a lot of fun to lose myself in. the story-line was so unique, I couldn't put it down !

Once Upon a Boyband by Jenny Proctor is a heartwarming, nostalgic romance that captures the allure of second chances and hidden identities. With a charming blend of humor, romance, and a dash of the dramatic tensions of fame, Proctor weaves an engaging story about a former boyband star trying to reinvent himself in quiet obscurity.

Adam Driscoll, formerly known as "Deke," left behind the glitzy life of international fame and screaming fans at a young age. Tired of the intense scrutiny and burdened by his reasons for leaving, he’s traded in the glamour for a simple life in a small mountain town, working with a dog rescue and reconnecting with the joy of normalcy. His quiet life grows even more fulfilling when he meets Laney, the local vet who seems to be everything he could want—brilliant, compassionate, and blissfully unaware of his former life in the spotlight.

The plot thickens when Adam’s old bandmates propose a reunion concert, reawakening his love for music but forcing him to weigh the cost of returning to the public eye. For Adam, agreeing to the concert means risking his newfound peace and the budding relationship with Laney, who’s bound to find out who he really is.

Proctor expertly navigates the challenges of balancing fame and privacy, love and secrecy, through a relatable lens of a small-town romance. Once Upon a Boyband resonates with anyone who's ever wrestled with past mistakes or tried to find their true self in a world that constantly looks to define them.

With humor, heartfelt moments, and a nostalgic look at boyband culture, the book provides a satisfying escape that is both entertaining and emotionally resonant. Proctor’s writing is light and engaging, making this a delightful read for anyone looking for romance with a fresh twist and a touch of pop culture magic.

OMG i loved this book sooo much! The story, the plot, the characters, just everything was absolutely amazong! I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves, boybands, romance and is a dog lover!

I'd heard quite a bit about this book on social media before the release date, so I was excited to get to read an early copy! What teenage girl hasn't had a crush on a boy band or singer? I'm a grandma of teenagers so it's been awhile, but I remember being just like Laney was about Midnight Rush. Now Laney is all grown up and a respected veterinarian, but she still enjoys listening to her favorite band and remembers how dreamy Deke was.

Adam Driscoll rescues dogs and helps get them adopted. His former life as Deke in the band Midnight Rush seems a lifetime away. No one in the small town of Lawson Cove knows about his time in the spotlight until his former band mates ask him to be in a reunion concert.

Laney and Adam have an adorable "meet-cute" which gets them past the professional part of their relationship. These two had chemistry from the start. Some things I loved about Adam: he gives the dogs musical names, he ordered pasta on his date with Laney so she could have some, and basically, he's a great guy. Laney is a great character, and I loved her reaction when she found out Adam is Deke. I would've been the same way if I found out the guy I was dating was my teenage crush!

This book is everything I love about Jenny Proctor's books: it's fun, the characters aren't perfect, the romance is swoony, and the story is heartwarming. If you love a good romance with depth you'll love this book as it handles themes of identity, forgiveness, and the courage to face one's past. I can't wait to get to know the rest of Midnight Rush!

I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

absolutely LOVED this book! It had everything you need in a great romance. A romantic, touching and funny storyline, interesting and complex characters, and it was beautifully written.

I love a good romance involving musicians, and Once Upon a Boyband did not disappoint.
It was a clean romance, though the chemistry between Adam and Laney was still obvious. It didn't need the spicy scenes, as the story itself was strong enough not to need them.

This is the first book I've read from Jenny Proctor, and it definitely won't be the last. I'm really looking forward to the rest of the series. I'm hoping Freddie's story is next. 🤞

I highly recommend.

5 Stars from me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Netgalley, Victory Editing, and Jenny Proctor for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Once Upon a Boyband by Jenny Proctor is a heartwarming tale about figuring out who you are, love, and growing up, all told through the eyes of Adam Driscoll, a former pop star looking for a chill life away from the spotlight. The book takes a trip down memory lane, exploring Adam's time in the limelight, the stress, and heartbreak that pushed him to leave it all behind. Proctor perfectly captures Adam's need for peace while showing how his bond with Dr. Laney Lawson, a veterinarian clueless about his famous past, starts to bloom.

When Adam gets the opportunity to perform again with his old bandmates for a charity concert, he faces a tough choice between hiding his true self and wanting to be real. The writing is funny and relatable, making it easy for anyone who's dealing with their own relationship struggles or identity crises to connect with. Overall, Once Upon a Boyband is about characters confronting their fears and realizing how important connections are for growth. It's a great read for anyone feeling caught between their past and what lies ahead.

I love Jenny Proctor! Such sweet, fun reads. I enjoyed this boy band twist on the usual romcom. Sweet, uplifting, and happy!

It's a super fun story about falling in love with your boy band crush without knowing it's him. I loved how Jenny handled the conflict and real-life issues Adam deals with. It contains a handful of swears, a few mentions of alcohol consumption, descriptive kissing only.

Tropes: One bed, hidden identity, celebrity.

Contains a funny side character who is gay and death of a parent in the past.

(4.75 stars) Oh my boyband-loving heart!!! This book was phenomenal, and I absolutely love the unique plot. I’m sure those of us who were boyband fanatics growing up all dreamed of meeting and falling in love with our favorite members. The romance in this book was insanely adorable, and I can’t even begin to explain my emotions while reading the bonus epilogue. If you love romance, boybands, and dogs, this is the book for you!!!