Once upon a time, back in the 1970s, I, like so many young girls, had a crush. It wasn’t anyone at school. It was Donny Osmond, the youngest and cutest of the Osmond Brothers. They were what we’ve now come to know as a boy band.

No, I did not grow up to marry Donny. I did work an evening at Osmond studios, typing the script for their first Miracle Network Telethon. I encountered brother Jay once or twice in other places. But that’s it.

The difference between the Osmonds and Adam—formerly known as Midnight Rush heartthrob Deke—is that they didn’t drop off the face of the earth, start dog rescues, and fade into welcome obscurity.

Laney was a huge, huge fand of Midnight Rush back in the day. And Deke was her favorite. She even has boxes full of Midnight Rush and Deke memorabilia. But even she doesn’t recognize Adam as Deke.

Until she does.

Adam carries a lot of guilt over how his time in the band ended—both because he let his bandmates down, and because he wasn’t with his mother when cancer took her. But when former bandmate Freddie (hang on…we’ll talk about him more in a minute) shows up to propose a reunion concert, Adam has a hard time saying no. He might have even claimed to have a fiancée. Named Laney.

Let the fake-dating trope begin!

Adam and Laney are actually really cute together. They are both crazy about music of all genres and eras, and it’s fun to listen to them discuss it. And of course, the puppies are cute. Even though we readers don’t actually get to see the puppies, they’re cute.

While Adam does eventually agree to do the concert, and finds that he really enjoys being with the band again, his lingering guilt becomes too much when management proposed a series of concerts, rather than the one that was supposed to benefit cancer research. And when Adam’s guilt gets too much for him, he disappears. Cuts contact. Goes for a walk around his extensive property.

This takes the place of a third-act breakup, and the method Laney finds to help him deal with is grief is super sweet and satisfying.

All in all, this is a tender, funny, sweet romance.

I do question whether Laney is actually old enough to be out of vet school, based on the timeline presented. Also, they mention the band being on TikTok before they broke up eight years ago. But TikTok didn’t start until 2018. There are a couple of other time glitches that were hopefully cleared up on final.

There’s also a nod to another Proctor series when Adam wears an Appies hat. This is right and good and as it should be.

Possible objectionable material:
Past parental death. Lying to friends/family. Speculation over whether a man is gay; another male character has a boyfriend. Adults drink alcohol.

Who might like this book:
All of us with a boyband crush in our past. Music lovers. Romance fans.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

#NetGalley #BookReview #Biblioquacious #JennyProctor #RomCom #OnceUponABoyband

This book is also reviewed at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2025/08/introducingmidnight-rush.html

As a fan girl myself, this scratched so many itches! I absolutely loved this! I loved how the reveal of who Adam really was didn’t actually hinder their relationship and they navigated the situations together!

This was so cute! This was a fun, light read, which also had some heavier topics that were addressed well. But as a boyband loving girl, this book was so much fun to read!

This is a good book. The two main characters are Laney and Adam. Laney is a veterinarian.. Adam runs a dog rescue. They meet when Adam brings in some puppies. There is an instant attraction. They bond over their love of music. They start dating. Adam used to be in a band, the band members want to do one more concert. They each have issues but together they work them out and fall in love.

This was so cute. I loved every part of it. The relationship made me cheese hard. Also loved all the animals!

Eight years ago, Laney Lawson was obsessed with the biggest boyband at the time, Midnight Rush, and its gorgeous singer Deke Driscoll. But the band broke up, she grew up and moved on, and now she's a successful vet in her father's practice.
Adam quit his alter ego as Deke when his personal life fell apart. Now all he wants is solitude in the small town he now calls home. He runs a dog rescue and is happy to stay out of the limelight. He's finally caught the attention of his crush, the town vet, and they've just started dating when his band mates contact him about a reunion tour. He feels guilty for how things fell apart, but is he ready to risk his anonymity and his new relationship just for a chance to sing again?
This is a sweet clean romance with all the feels. I think we've all been there as teens, daydreaming about what would happen if a celebrity crush actually noticed is. This is that story with all the drama and fangirling. I like this author's writing and that a few of my favorite characters made cameo appearances in this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

After multiple attempts, I have decided to soft DNF this for the moment. I am unable to really get into the book and relate to the characters. I’m sorry!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5)

This is pure fun—a clever blend of second-chance romance and pop culture nostalgia. Jenny Proctor writes with heart and humour, and the story's energy never flags. It’s ideal for anyone who grew up with boybands and ever wondered, “What if?” It’s playful but also surprisingly sweet, with a romance that feels both fun and emotionally satisfying.

I've been waiting for this book and it did not disappoint! I loved the characters, so easy to read, I just couldn't put it down. I also clocked how Jenny wrote in some Hawthorne characters, which made me smile. Having lost my Mum to Cancer, I felt the heart tugs and it was all written so well, I just LOVED IT! Thank you Jenny Proctor! I will be not so patiently
waiting for your next one

3.5 stars

A cute story about what happens after stardom for a boy band member and the woman who was a huge fan back in the day.

I did like the focus on Adam's emotional healing and how he could reconcile his love of performing and his life now. He and Laney were sweet together, too. It was nice that they highlighted her love of them as a band and referenced how Laney felt like everything happening was fan fiction.

Overall a nice read and I wonder if there will be future books about the rest of the band.

a great fun read, what more do you want from a book… your childhood crush, love and puppies! you will fall in love with the characters and the storyline is so much fun and such an easy read

I love boybands and I adore dogs so I had high hope reading this book and it's fair to say it did not disappoint!
Laney captured my heart from the beginning, she is everything a main character should be, charming, funny, strong and sassy. And a total fangirl when she realises she's dating Adam who used to be in her favourite boyband. I found myself cheering and squealing along as Laney found out who Adam was and fell head over heals for Adam the dog rescuer.
I must also say Percy and Freddie will certainly live in my heart for a very long time! I cannot wait to read more from Jenny, I read this book in pretty much one sitting, and I'm disappointed in myself that I didn't savour it more! One of the best.

While extremely predictable from start to finish, sometimes you just neeed a good book where you know the author writes well and there will be a happy ending. A classic feel good book! Loved the vet dynamic!!! Have recommended this to friends

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!!