once upon a boyband by jenny proctor
book review #12
Hey readers,
Today, I am reviewing another fantastic book I read —this one is a 5-star favorite!
Jenny Proctor’s Once Upon a Boyband is an absolute delight that had me smiling, laughing, and swooning from the very first chapter. The banter between the main characters, Laney and Adam, is so effortlessly charming that it literally had me kicking my feet.
You know those moments when you can’t help but grin and maybe even blush a little because the dialogue is just that good? Yeah, that’s what this book did to me, and it doesn’t waste time—this magic happens early on, and spoiler alert: continues throughout the whole book.
As a dog lover, this story made me fall head over heels for Adam’s puppy-raising skills. He cares for his dogs in such a heartwarming, almost too-good-to-be-true way that I wish more people would treat these furry babies with the same tenderness. It's almost hard to imagine someone being that perfect with their pets, but it also fills me with hope that people can be that good-hearted.
Of course, I also have to say that Laney fits every box of being a great vet and puppy lover! She has such care and love and is witty when treating them. It is very wholesome how the puppies are as much in the story as the human characters.
One of the funniest moments comes when Laney gives Adam her phone number, and his response had me laughing out loud. Proctor knows how to balance humor with authenticity, making their playful exchanges feel lighthearted and meaningful. Their chemistry shines through in moments like these.
Speaking of chemistry, their first almost-kiss? Heartbreaking. Adam stops himself from kissing Laney, and the tension is palpable. He can’t do it because he feels he needs to tell her the truth first—that he’s her favorite singer from her teenage obsession, the boyband she loved. It’s such a well-done moment of emotional honesty, and I love how the book takes its time with that reveal.
And then there’s Freddie, who randomly shows up at the barn while Laney is alone and catches her in the middle of Adam’s half-truths. It adds this extra layer of drama, making me anxious but excited to see how things unravel between them.
What I absolutely adore about this book is how maturely Adam and Laney handle their relationship. They talk things through, face the issues head-on, and still manage to make jokes along the way. Laney cracks me up when she jokes that hanging out with half of her favorite boyband is too much to handle, and she needs baby steps. It’s hilarious, and when they finally kiss, it’s so satisfying!
The balance between the serious moments and the lighthearted romance is perfectly well written. You get deep emotional subjects without the story ever feeling too heavy, yet it never loses the fun, popstar-meets-normal-girl romance vibe that I crave. Adam teasing Laney about writing fan fiction about him when she was younger is just the cherry on top—it’s playful, yet there’s something nostalgic about it, too.
This book gives me big The Idea of You vibes, with that irresistible popstar/normal person dynamic. It also has hints of 2000s classics like Another Cinderella Story with Selena Gomez or Stuck in the Suburbs. It feels nostalgic but fresh, and Proctor hits the nail on the head while writing that “dream come true” feeling.
And the climax? Wow. It ties in so well with everything we’ve learned about the characters, making the conflict feel earned and grounded. When the big issue finally happens, it’s not out of nowhere—it’s consistent with the story and hits hard. It’s so heartbreaking because, by that point, I’m completely invested in Adam and Laney.
One of the most emotional parts of the book is the plot twist about Laney being online friends with Adam’s mom. She has scrapbooks of his career and her connection with his mom — that truly made me tear up. The touching detail adds depth to the story and makes their bond feel even more real.
Overall, Once Upon a Boyband is a heartfelt, funny, and thoroughly enjoyable read that blends romance, humor, and emotion perfectly. If you love popstar romances or anything with a 2000s movie vibe, this one’s a must-read!
Did I convince you enough? I sure hope so!
Read you soon,
Bea.
Photo by: Bea Barros.