Small-town vet falls for her local dog rescuer, who’s been hiding a big secret: he was in her favorite boy band.

Laney had no idea her dog rescuer, Adam, was once a member of the band that ruled her teenage years. As their connection grows, sparks fly in all the right ways.

This book was an absolute delight from start to finish! Laney and Adam are those characters you fall for right away—their chemistry practically leaps off the page. While there were a few characters I wanted to shake (in the best way), the overall story was fun, flirty, and wonderfully enjoyable.

If you love small-town romance, fake engagements, dogs, and a dash of boy band nostalgia, this book is a must-read!

I just finished the most fun romcom. Once Upon a Boyband was such a good book. I definitely recommend it!

📚Book Review📚

🎤🐾🩺Once Upon A Boyband by Jenny Proctor

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (6⭐️ fangirling over this book!)

🎤🐾🩺Favorite Quotes🩺🐾🎤
“If by some miracle , I really do find myself in a position to kiss the Adam Deacon Driscoll, I will never—and I mean never—admit how many times I kissed his poster first.”

🎤🐾🩺My thoughts🎤🐾🩺
Wow! This book was beyond amazing! If you were a girl who grew up in the 90’s with the boy bands like New Kids On The Block, N’sync, and Backstreet Boys then this book is gonna be nostalgia central! I was Laney and she was me as a tween in the mid to late 90’s I had posters of all the boy bands on my walls but N’sync was always my favorite and I’m ashamed to say Justin was my favorite member. I remember just like Laney tells in the book I would kiss my Justin poster (it was even in a poster frame!) everyday and daydream what it would be like to accidentally run into him and he would fall in love with me and we would live happily ever after!

This was so well written by Jenny and you can tell she also loved those boy bands growing up. I swear once you pick this book up you are sucked in and I don’t mean that you can’t put it down although that is also a thing. I mean you are literally sucked in and you feel like Laney and having a crush on Deke Driscoll and fangirling over Midnight Rush! I have to say after reading this book I’m an official Midnighter! This book does with heavier themes of losing a parent to cancer and the way it affects your whole life. The last 10% of the book I was reading on my kindle I was absolutely crying! I just loved Laney and Adam so much! I so hope Jenny turns this into a series so we can get books for each of the guys in Midnight Rush!

3.5 stars rounded up..

I really liked the first half of this book, I found it enjoyable and it flew by. Within 20 pages I knew that this book was something I could read and enjoy and honestly the band vibes has me desperately searing for a book like Daisy Jones & the Six. The last half had some subplots that I’m not sure really belonged there. I found the MMC was annoying and very childish the last half. And there were a few cringy parts.

I didn’t love how it ended especially the epilogue, it was not what I was expecting. While I know it is fiction, I felt that everything happened too fast and was expecting a little more slow paced resolution. I found the MMC too immature and how he was constantly walking off and the FMC was just "fine with it" really bothered me. It seemed that the FMC also uprooted her life for this man and they had only been dating 3 months? I didn't like that and I know, I know it's fiction but still.

This is good for closed-door, low to no spice readers.

The absolute cutest thing I've ever read. Young love? Check. Secret identity? Check. Vulnerable men? Check! 10/10

Thank you NetGalley for giving me this ARC.
"Once Upon a Boyband" by Jenny Proctor is a fun and lighthearted read that captures the excitement of fandom and young love. The premise is entertaining, revolving around the life of a girl who finds herself entangled with a boyband. However, I found that the story sometimes lacked depth, making it feel a bit predictable.The characters are charming but could use more development to make their relationships feel more authentic. While the dialogue has its moments of wit, it occasionally falls flat and doesn't always resonate. Overall, it’s a cute, enjoyable book perfect for fans of contemporary YA, but it could benefit from a bit more substance.

Thank you to NetGalley & Victory Editing for giving me access to an eARC of this book.

This was the cutest thing I’ve ever read. I had a huge smile on my face the whole time and I just could not stop reading it.

This books deals with some heavy topics but it does so in a way where it doesn’t take away other parts of the story. It also feels good to just have a cute couple where they both fall for each other without having an extreme amount of drama following them.

The puppies were adorable and I was so happy that even though this book is about a (retired?)popstar we still got to see the veterinarian side. I LOVED IT!!

Was this a literal masterpiece? No. Did I love it? Yes!!!!! This was a great palate cleanser after reading books I haven’t 100% enjoyed.

Thank you once again to NetGalley and Victory Editing, this was a blast!

A fun read, the story of Adam and Lainey. They meet when she is the vet for his animal rescue. He is well disguised from his past, so what will happen when she finds out who he really is? I liked how it was told from both points of view and can't wait for the next book in this series.

Jenny Proctor is an auto buy author for me. Her style is sweet, adorable and her witty banter makes her books fun to read.. Jenny Proctor’s style of writing is it’s cute, sweet, and lots of funny banter.
For a trip back in time when boybands were everything! This book brings back all the feels of the 90s nostalgia, which adds a layer of humor and charm for readers who remember their favorite boyband crush. The minor characters also shine and add depth and warmth to the story.
If you're looking for a book that provides escapism, romantic tension, and a good laugh, Once Upon a Boyband is an enjoyable read that delivers on all fronts. It’s a refreshing take on the "celebrity crush" trope, filled with heart and humor, making it an excellent choice for fans of clean, sweet romance novels.

This was such a fun, sweet book! I enjoyed it, and I’m looking for more books by Proctor!

The book follows Laney as she goes from taking to her crush to dating a former boyband member and her ultimate crush from her teen years. The couple was well-suited to one another, and I enjoyed the dialogue and music-based banter.

Laney is a little too perfect, but she’s still a fun character to follow, and Adam is so well-written— he’s sweet and sensitive, but we see how that’s been used against him in the past and the work he needs to do to have a healthy relationship now. I like that both characters have to stop to consider what is best for them individually before proceeding to what is best for them as a couple.
I’m also totally a sucker for books about musicians or dogs, this book had plenty of both!
A cute, closed-door romance I really enjoyed. Thanks NetGalley!

This is the perfect book for any boyband fan. I was a huge N'Sync fan (who am I kidding I still am!!). Jenny had me hooked from the beginning until the end. She had me smiling so much through this book. I absolutely loved the relationship between Adam and Laney. I thought their relationship felt more real and relatable. The story and characters are well written and enjoyable. This book will take you on a journey of healing, you will love the friendships and the small town vibes. If you want a swoony, sweet rom com then please grab this book! I would definitely recommend this book!


Thank you NetGalley and Jenny Proctor Creative for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.

A perfectly sweet closed door romance with hallmark vibes yet depth in writing. Another great book and start to a great series by Jenny.

Laney and Adam were perfect together. I was totally hooked and giggling from their first interaction in the car. The book starts like an instant love, and that might be an issue but there is sufficient context that they have been acquaintances for some months. Laney is a vet and Adam runs a dog rescue shelter on his farm. Green flags, swoon moments, cute puppies - perfect! I loved the whole interaction in the car where it turned into flirting and they hit it off.

Adam so happens to be the former boyband superstar Deke, who was Laney’s longtime crush. The secret identity reveal happens so smoothly and Laney’s reaction is done well. How they handle things further was so mature and admirable. Adam/Deke’s reason for leaving the boyband and reluctance to go back to it is written so well. The third act pans out so well. (CW: death of a parent off the page, grief handling)

I loved all the characters and the dogs are absolute sweethearts! Adam is already so special for he is a dog rescuer 💕 I am surely looking forward to the rest of the series that will cover the other boyband members - especially Freddie & Ivy’s story is next!

P.S. I will be posting to my instagram (@booklover_swii) next week.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Growing up as a teenager in the height of Boy Bands, this book hit on all the emotions. Every teenage girl dreams of meeting her favourite boy band member and falling in love. Laney is that girl who gets to live her dream when she meets Adam.

I couldn’t put this book down.

When Jenny first announced the concept of this book, I was fully on board and started counting down for the release date. So when I was given the opportunity to participate in the book tour, you know I jumped at it! I think every woman can admit that there's a boy band that holds a special place in their heart. For me, it's One Direction (#directionerforlife #vashappenin)

Once Upon a Boyband follows local veterinarian Laney as she begins a flirtation with Adam, the handsome owner of the dog rescue nearby. Adam is guarded and keeps to himself in their small mountain town and for good reason: he was a member of the internationally famous boy band Midnight Rush. Despite Laney being a massive fan of the band when she was a teen, she has no idea that the man in front of her is actually Deke, the subject of all of her teenage crush fantasies. When Adam's former bandmates come together to convince him to join in on a reunion concert, Adam reveals his secret identity and Laney is suddenly along for the ride.

This book was so fun! Jenny Proctor writes fantastic closed door romances. I think we all have a secret fantasy that the boy of our pop star dreams will someday fall in love with us, so it was an absolute blast to read along with Laney as she lives that dream. Adam was such a great character: so guarded with his heart and for good reasons. You can really understand his hesitancy about stepping back into the spotlight. Plus, the added bonus of all the great puppy scenes really adds to sweetness of this book.

I absolutely cannot wait for Freddie and Ivy's book and to the rest of the band in their love stories as well.

Once Upon a Boyband is available now in paperback and on Kindle Unlimited. Make sure to pick it up soon!

Once a Upon a Boyband tells the story of what all of us boyband fans dream of; casually meeting a wonderful man, who just happens to be in our favorite boyband from our childhood and falling in love! It was a cute and heartwarming story, recommended to all boyband fans!

Talk about a blast from the past! I was having so many memories flashing through my mind while I read this book! I loved it so much!!! All of those boy band crushes and all of the great music I would dance and sing to! This one just takes the cake for flashbacks and reliving great parts of my childhood!!! I found myself giggling over these characters. Like silly giggling thanks to their antics and just their goodness and cuteness! *Happy Sigh*

Laney is just adorable and I loved her goodness and confidence. She's a great friend and wants to help others. And those traits help her a lot when she and Adam have their first scene together. Honestly, I couldn't help but giggle at Laney's friend and co-worker. He was a hoot! And one of Laney's greatest cheerleaders in her becoming friends with Adam. *Smirks*

I'm sitting here typing this review and giggling, remembering the conversations between these characters and all of the great puns and one liners!

And not only is the humor wonderful, but the chemistry and sweet romance will have you curling your toes and sighing for all of those teenage dreams coming true for Laney! New Kids anyone? *Winks*

I can't wait for more books about Midnight Rush's band members!!! Soooo excited!!!

Content: Clean. Some kisses. Some mild innuendos. The characters share a bedroom but do nothing more than kiss a little and then sleep.

I received a copy from the author via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

"And that’s the whole story of how I accidentally fell in love with a popstar."

Your inner teenage boyband loving girl squealing over her favorite singer, Deke. Your adult woman swooning over the love of a good man, Adam. Put those men together into one? Absolutely swoonworthy and worth a squeal or two - in a mature/not mature womanly way, of course. Lots of heart eyes for sure!
I loved this fun book with a lot of heart and also some embarrassing moments for Laney having to admit her fangirling of the past.
Once I started this book I was immediately hooked by the animal loving vet Laney and the bearded dog rescue owner Adam with a wagon load of puppies. I couldn't put it down!
This is a lesson in the ups and downs of stardom, dealing with the loss of a parent, opening your heart to love, and accepting that you deserve love and good things in your life.
I loved it!!! It's very poptastic!

Is this a romcom about a former boy band member and the girl who fangirled over him throughout her teen years? Yes.

Is this also a surprisingly deep romantic comedy that deals with grief, regret, fear, and self-doubt with grace and compassion? YES.

Jenny Proctor has delivered a story full of her signature wit and heart that will resonate with anyone who has ever dealt with loss and/or regret.

Don't worry, this is still a romcom (and a stellar one at that), but it is also so much more! I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes romcoms full of character growth, wit, humor, friendship, heart, healing, and of course romance!

*Thank you to NetGalley for the arc, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was phenomenal! I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. It’s a testament to the author’s writing prowess that, despite the length of the story, the characters are so incredibly fleshed out and well written it’s as if they could walk right off the page. The story kept me hooked from the very first chapter, and the emotions had me laughing, crying and everything in between! If you’re looking for a cozy, romantic comedy to kick off your feel good fall TBR, then I highly recommend putting this book on your list!

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Working overnight shifts can be pretty tough, especially when you don’t work them often. I am so glad I had this book with me to keep me entertained! Once Upon a Boy Band by Jenny Proctor was such a fun romcom to pass the hours of two pretty long nights. This scratched the itch of my high school fanfiction daydream days, when all you could ever dream of was to have your favorite artist or actor actually fall in love with you in your adult every day life. If you’re looking for a fun, easy reading, low-spice, closed-door romance with no third-act breakup, then this is for you! It was just a good time from start to finish.

Thanks NetGalley and Jenny Proctor for the great read!