Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for this Advanced Readers Copy of For One Night Only by Jessica James!

I enjoyed this spin on a love story. I love when stories that you see in real life or have thought about in real life come to fruition. As a huge *N Sync fan, I remember reading about and speculating about the connections that the band members had. Being able to read about it and it all come back to a happy ending made the teenage version of me so happy.

Read If You Like:
- Second-chance romance
- Fake dating tropes
- Behind-the-scenes music industry drama
- Steamy, slow-burn chemistry
- Found family dynamics

For One Night Only is a captivating romance that delves into the complexities of love, fame, and personal growth. The story follows Valerie Quinn, a former pop-punk sensation, and Caleb, her ex-bandmate and former lover. When Valerie's career faces a public scandal, she proposes a fake dating arrangement with Caleb to salvage her reputation and boost her show's ratings. As they navigate this arrangement, old feelings resurface, leading to a passionate and heartfelt reconnection.

The chemistry between Valerie and Caleb is electric, with their slow-burn romance unfolding against the backdrop of the music industry. The narrative skillfully intertwines their personal and professional lives, offering readers an authentic glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of being in the spotlight. The found family aspect adds depth to the story, highlighting the importance of support systems in overcoming obstacles.

Jessica James' debut novel is a testament to her storytelling prowess, blending humor, emotion, and sizzling romance. Fans of music-themed romances and second-chance love stories will find *For One Night Only* a compelling and satisfying read!

Thank you Berkley for my gifted eARC!

LOVED the representation is this book. I feel its difficult to find a romance novel that depicts anxiety in an authentic way that actually gets addressed individually with the character experiencing it AND the love interest. Will definitely be recommending this read to others.

I usually hate celebrity romance and rockstar romances, but this was a phenomenal book. I loved the bisexual rep in our heroine (she's bi ON PAGE not just vaguely hinted at!) and she's messy but well intended. I also felt like this was the rare contemporary romance where the supporting cast of characters are actually interesting and call both the hero and heroine out on their bullshit, like they actually want the couple to grow as individuals and be successful as a couple.

Glitter Bats 5 ever.

I wish this book had gone deeper. I felt we were going through the motions more than anything else. We didn't get to see the ways the two main characters grew together in the past, and so that left a big hole in the center of what we were meant to understand about their relationship in the present. Side characters also felt lacking in grounding. Overall disappointed.

Jessica James delivers a fun, emotional, and wildly addictive rock star romance with For One Night Only. If you love second-chance love stories, fake dating schemes, and all the angst of a band reunion, this book is an absolute must-read!

💖 The Setup:
Valerie Quinn is desperate to save her career, and what better way to revive her public image than by staging a Glitter Bats reunion concert? The only catch? She hasn’t spoken to her ex-bandmate (and ex-situationship partner) Caleb Sloane in six years. Caleb has spent those years trying to leave the past—and the music industry—behind. But when Val knocks on his door, all his old feelings and frustrations come rushing back.

To keep the buzz going, they fake a reunion romance for the press, but as their chemistry reignites on and off the stage, it becomes clear their unfinished business is far from over. Can they survive one last show together without repeating their past mistakes?

🎶 Why You’ll Love It:
✔ Fake Dating & Second Chances – The tension between Valerie and Caleb is deliciously angsty yet electric, making every moment between them pulse with unresolved feelings and buried attraction.
✔ Rock Star Romance Vibes – If you love stories about bands, fame, and the messy reality behind the music industry, this book delivers on all fronts.
✔ Emotional Depth – It’s not just about the music and romance—both Valerie and Caleb are dealing with career struggles, personal demons, and the weight of their past choices.
✔ Explosive Chemistry – Their banter, longing glances, and tension-filled stage performances will have you swooning and screaming at the same time!
✔ Nostalgic Pop Punk Energy – If you ever obsessed over band breakups and reunion tours, you’ll LOVE the way the Glitter Bats’ drama plays out.

With fireworks on and off the stage, For One Night Only is a must-read for fans of rock star romance, second chances, and fake dating tropes. Jessica James captures the chaos of fame, the beauty of music, and the bittersweet nature of love lost and found. If you loved Daisy Jones & The Six but want more romance, more heat, and a happily ever after, this is the book for you!

Thank you to Berkley for the opportunity to ARC read this book!

I really enjoyed this book, it is a second chance, Rockstar romance and after so many fantasy books lately, I needed a book like this! It was fun, easy to read, and didn't require a spreadsheet to follow!

I enjoyed Caleb and Valerie's relationship and the ups and downs they faced, them attempting to let go of the past and move on between the two of them.

I loved that I was able to read about an MMC with anxiety, and I was able to relate with Caleb on that aspect! I did get frustrated a few times with Valerie because her selfishness in this book, but it all worked out in the end!

This book is a great pallete cleanser and I just know that if the Glitter Bats existed, myself and my daughter would likely be obsessed!

I enjoyed diving into the world of Glitter Bats! I'll be seeking out more musician romances based on how much I enjoyed this one. The past and present timelines were woven together really well and I got to know the characters both as they were and as they had become. Really enjoyed this one!

This was an enjoyable read - it was fast paced and I never felt bored while I was reading it. I

What I liked - the songwriting/band aspects were done really well. The connection the band members had with each other felt so real and I loved the moments when they were in the studio or rehearsing. I also thought the media portrayal of Valerie was done exceptionally well. It was so true to life how women are often villainized based on absolutely nothing real and how there's always a higher standard of how they have to act. The chemistry between Valerie and Caleb was also great - I enjoyed that they had never really gotten over one another.

What I didn't like so much - The conflict with both the record label and Val's mom got to be a bit too much and confusing. Additionally, what happened at the final concert felt like too much of a backslide for Valerie. I know we needed some major conflict but having both Valerie and Caleb react so similarly to what happened when the band originally broke up felt childish and a step too far. That said, I really enjoyed the end and how everything was resolved.

Overall, this was a quick cute read that I'd definitely recommend. Thank you to Berkley Romance for the eARC - all opinions are my own!

3.5 stars.

"For One Night Only" by Jessica James is a second chance, fake dating, rockstar/band romance with a hefty dose of music and found family. The story is told with a mix of present-day happenings and flashbacks as it tells how the main characters, Valerie and Caleb, got together when they were at the top of their music careers in a band called the Glitter Bats, only for things to blow up in their faces right on stage. Years later, a reunion concert might just be what they need to revive their souls and set things right. As readers learn what happened throughout this story in the past and learn what might happen in the future when the Glitter Bats are thrown together once again, we see that all of the characters are imperfect, complex, layered messes. I enjoyed watching Valerie and Caleb rekindle their romance slowly but surely. I also loved the rest of the Glitter Bats band because each character adds an interesting dimension to the story. James takes the time necessary to get us invested in each individual character, as well as the group as a whole. Some of the music written for this book is really good! I like the focus on fame and mental health, especially how and why Caleb stepped away from the limelight and how he never really wanted to come back into it after the Glitter Bats fell apart. All that being said, I found the third act to be a little frustrating and feels in direct conflict with the character growth, Val's in particular. It wasn't enough to ruin my enjoyment of the book as a whole, but it did hinder my enjoyment of the ending slightly, Still, this is a great book, and I cannot wait to read more Glitter Bats books!

Thank you to NetGalley, Jessica James, and Berkley Publishing Group for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

Thanks so much to @berkleyromance for the free book! I am grateful to have received this book through Berkley’s Influencer Hub for Underrepresented Voices.

If you like celebrity romance, fake dating, and second chances, this novel might be for you!

This book ended up not working for me personally though. Valerie is a flawed and complicated character who sometimes hurts the people around her despite her best intentions. Her flaws are understandable – she became famous at a young age and didn’t have supportive parents to guide her. However, I would have liked to see more character growth from her. The part of the story focused on her growing and changing felt rushed to me. That lack of growth made it hard for me to understand why Caleb fell for her or to believe their happily ever after will last. I think it would have been more believable to me if I got see more of her and Caleb making a healthy, long-term relationship work. I disliked like that the book ended so quickly after them getting together at the end.

Despite the book not working for me, I am still thrilled to see a bisexual relationship featured in a book about a man and woman falling in love! Valerie deals with biphobia from the press, but Caleb is super supportive and validating of her identity.

ARC Book Review: For One Night Only by Jessica James
- disaster bisexual
- fake dating
- second chance romance
- anxiety rep
- celebrity romance

For One Night Only by Jessica James is a captivating, swoon-worthy romance that totally swept me off my feet. From the very first chapter, I was hooked by the chemistry between the two main characters and the depth of their connection. It’s a perfect blend of heart, heat, and a bit of emotional vulnerability that kept me turning the pages.

The story follows two people who are clearly meant to be together, but they have their own baggage and insecurities to work through before they can have their happily-ever-after. I loved how real and relatable the characters felt, especially their emotional growth. They’re not just falling in love; they’re learning to open up to each other and face their own fears.

The romance itself is both passionate and tender, with just the right amount of tension. The chemistry between the leads is undeniable, and I found myself rooting for them every step of the way. It’s the kind of love story that feels genuine and earned, and I really appreciated how the author took the time to build the relationship gradually instead of rushing it.

Jessica James’ writing is engaging and full of emotion, making this book a quick yet satisfying read. The pacing is just right, moving between moments of sweet romance and the more intense emotional scenes with ease. There’s also a nice balance of humor and lighthearted moments that keep the story from getting too heavy.

Overall, For One Night Only is a wonderful romance that’ll leave you with a big smile on your face. It’s a perfect read for anyone who loves a sweet, slow-burn love story with plenty of heart and chemistry. I highly recommend it for when you’re in the mood for a feel-good, emotionally satisfying read.

Thanks so much to @berkleypub @berkleyromance for the free book! #BerkleyPartner

3.5 stars

This was a fun almost-fantastical read that I'd recommend to anyone who enjoys dabbling in AU band mate fanfics. There is fame and drama; the stakes felt high for the characters but low to me personally.

What kept me from enjoying the book more was honestly Valerie's character. I understood her motivations and felt for her, but it was difficult to watch her make huge spur of the moment choices that harmed the people around her. I thought it was unrealistic how quickly people forgave each other, given the bad blood that happened in the past and present. I also felt that there was more telling than showing in regards to the bandmates' personalities and relationships.

Overall, there is definitely a demographic that I'd recommend this book to; I'm just not in it.

This angsty second-chance romance, set against the backdrop of a band reunion, was a perfect mix of emotional tension and nostalgic pop-punk energy. The dynamic between Caleb and Valerie, once childhood friends turned lovers, only to have their hearts broken, is compelling and full of drama. Their reunion with the rest of the band is charged with unresolved feelings, making for an electric read as they navigate their way back to each other. The music and band dynamics were one of the standout aspects of the story. The portrayal felt authentic and lively, adding a rich layer to the narrative.

The journey of forgiveness, not just between Caleb and Valerie but also with the band as a whole, was thoughtfully developed. Each character had to earn redemption, which added depth to their arcs. That said, the romance was undeniably the heart of the story, and Caleb's anxiety journey was portrayed with great care. The inclusion of therapy representation was a meaningful touch, and Valerie’s casual bi representation was done very well, providing further depth to her character.

Thank you to Berkley Romance for my free copy and digital arc. As a disabled bi person this story was everything to me.

This was such a romantic, immersive, delightful second chance romance! I loved following this band as they got back together, and the reasons for the estranged leads finding their way back together were believeable, satisfying, and so delicious. Can't wait for James's next novel!

For One Night Only, by Jessica James is a fun book for fans of rock stars, the music industry, second chance romances, and flawed people figuring things out.
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I was the biggest cheerleader throughout the book- cheering on Valerie (the main character), her band, and the relationship between Valerie and her band mate, Caleb. I wanted to be able to actually listen to the songs the Glitter Bats (the band) wrote and preformed.
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You can tell that the author is a concert fan. I am betting she is even a Swiftie, but other than a short paragraph praising TS, I have no proof. I do know she enjoys music and conveyed that in this book.
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This book comes out this Tuesday, so grab it if you want to read and rock at the same time. Thank you, @BerkleyPub for my advanced copy.

This one was not for me, unfortunately. I didn't really care about the characters or their relationship. I'm generally not a fan of second chance romances, so I should have avoided this one. The premise sounded really good and I thought that might counteract my dislike of the trope, but it didn't. If you are a fan of second chance romances, and lots of Taylor Swift references, this one might work for you.

I enjoyed this book a lot. There were moments of anxiety I experienced and needed to take a break from the book but those situations did matter in the story and were usually over within a few minutes. As a huge pop punk fan, I loved seeing the band be pop punk and have the look. Valerie was a complex character that had a lot of things going on and a lot of unresolved moments. I actually enjoyed this second chance romance between Valerie and Caleb. I really liked Caleb’s storyline and his sisters.

I really liked the bandmates and want stories about them too, there were hints for relationships building but nothing shown at the end as happening.

A few things I wish had been resolved a tiny bit more but I still felt satisfied by the ending.

*Thank you Netgalley and Berkley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

🄱🄾🄾🄺 🅁🄴🅅🄸🄴🅆:

ᵁⁿʰⁱⁿᵍᵉᵈ ᵀʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗˢ:
🎸Caleb it’s okay to say I can’t do this
🎸Valerie, girl remember people aren’t going to know your story unless you’re honest and share it.


ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
ꜱᴘɪᴄᴇ: 🌶️🌶️


🆁🅴🆅🅸🅴🆆:

I loved Caleb Stone. His character had some death. The anxiety representation was also beautiful to see. I think this book was a bit slow to start but once it took off it was captivating. I loved seeing all the interpersonal relationships between the band mates and watching them navigate how to be a cohesive unit again with so many past hurts.

Thanks so much to @berkleypub @berkleyromance or @acebookspub for the free book!

#BerkleyPartner #AceBooksPartner #bookreview #newrelease #reading