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

As a bi person into pop punk (don’t hate me, I was pretty much born to be an emo/punk disaster), it became obvious to me that I needed to read this ASAP - what’s better than a Paramore-esque band with a bi-on-the-page chaos monster lead singer? (Nothing)

If you’re into angst, this book gives you a lot to chew on with Valerie, an act first think later singer-turned-actress battling bad press, an evil momager, and intense guilt about how her band, the Glitter Bats (I shan’t spoil you on the origin of the name but it is funny).

Valerie is in hot water again because her ex Theo has made it seem like she was cheating with her costar Roxanne when she’s caught making out with Roxanne during a drunken night out. She needs to do damage control, and what better way to do that than promise a one night only reunion of the Glitter Bats?

First, she has to get her childhood best friend, co-lead of the Glitter Bats and first love Caleb on board after he disappeared without a word to her six years ago after he wanted to go public with their secret relationship and she didn’t. Then, she has to earn the goodwill back from her band mates Riker, Jane and Keeley, harder than it seems! But hey, they’re a go!

Caleb is all messy curls and cut up band tees and tight pants and eyeliner, so what’s not to love? He’s also rough childhood hewn into an anxious mess, a panic disorder than shows itself now in the open. I thought this was an accurate portrayal of panic and anxiety, coming from a person who has tons of experience with both.

The found family aspect of the band is lovely, and difficult. I found myself pulling for Val and Caleb, but also the rest of the band, because show business isn’t easy, especially when you start as teenagers and get screwed by the industry.

This is one of the best rock star romances I’ve read, so you should read it too!

For One Night Only by Jessica James
Narrators: Mx Nicky Endres, Helen Laser, Colton Woods
Rating: 4 stars
Pub date: 1/7

Thank you, Berkley Romance and Netgalley, for my advanced copy and PRH Audio for my complimentary audiobook.

If you love second-chance romances and messy, emotional drama, For One Night Only needs to be on your radar. This book is all about rekindling old flames and healing old wounds, set to the vibes of a pop-punk band reunion.

Valerie Quinn, a former rock star turned actress, is trying to save her tanking TV show—and her reputation. Her big idea? Bring the Glitter Bats, her old band, back together for a one-night reunion concert. The catch? The band hasn’t spoken in six years, and things between Valerie and bassist Caleb Sloane ended in heartbreak.

From the moment Valerie shows up at Caleb’s door, the tension is real. There’s so much history between them—anger, hurt, and maybe just a spark of something more. Watching them work through their issues while pretending to be back together for the cameras is equal parts frustrating and heartwarming. The whole band has a found family vibe that makes you root for all of them, even when they’re being difficult. It’s messy, emotional, and totally worth the read.

The audiobook really takes things to the next level, with Mx Nicky Endres, Helen Laser, and Colton Woods bringing the Glitter Bats’ drama to life. If you love stories about love, friendship, and second chances, you need to check this one out!

A former teenage musician with the iconic indie pop/punk band the Glitter Bats in her early teens, Vanessa is facing becoming a social media pariah for her ex’s claims she is cheating on him with the female co-star of her music-themed television series, which is now in danger of not getting renewed for another season. The other woman backs out of the fledging relationship, and Vanessa, in danger of cancellation, needs money, and an image makeover. She convinces her old bandmates, including her former lover and love of her life, bassist Caleb–now a music teacher–to reunite for one last concert and go out on their terms. All agree, and give an exclusive to a fan/journalist to scoop the story.

General consensus is that it was Vanessa who broke up the band, and she had a reputation as a bit of a diva; fans and members are not necessarily warm to her at first, but soon the band is hitting their stride, and she and Caleb has resumed a friendship of sorts. It’s still precarious when they decide to promote a fake-dating story, slip back into a relationship: they never admitted or disclosed anything when last together, and don’t want to be ashamed of the rekindled relationship now, but everthing seems so fragile.

Excerpts of social media comments, interviews, and articles enhanced and furthered the plot in a clever way, but doid not detract from repetitive wording. I did not particulary like Vanessa’s character, acting in self-interests, immaturity, miscommunications, or manipulations. While I did feel for her and her mother’s embezelling of her money to act in HER best interests, Vanessa’s denouement was too little, too late for me. Caleb was a sympathetic character for both his suffering from anxiety and suffering from Vanessa’s attentions. I found supporting characters are erratic or one-dimensional. And, it did not deliver on the premise of Daisy Jones and the Six (loosely based on Fleetwood Mac), but a love story, as the former is based on a love triangle, and here, there’s no competition for Caleb’s affections, unless the pull of his career counts.

For (better) readalikes, try Wibberley and Austin-Broka’s The Break-Up Tour, about a Taylor swift like superstar who invites her high school accompianist, songwriting collaborater, and former flame to tour with her, or Tessa Bailey’s Wreck the Halls, about the children of former rock stars, now estranged, and a reunion tour.

I received a free advance reader's copy of #ForOneNightOnly via #NetGalley courtesy of #Berkley; review will post to HLBB 2/7/2025.

I am not quite sure what didn't hit the mark for me.

I enjoyed the angst and longing between Caleb and Valerie, however the rest of the relationships didn't necessarily make me feel anything other than a bit confused. They seemed very harsh and unresolved.

I was very excited to receive a copy of For One Night Only by Jessica James from Berkley publishing! I recently read and loved Darkhearts, which was a YA band romance and so I thought this might be kind of similar. Unfortunately, I just did not vibe with any of the non-main characters and I had a difficult time connecting with our FMC. I think she was supposed to be flawed and thus relatable, but she did not feel relatable to me. I found the plot to be interesting and engaging that the pacing over overall was pretty good, but this just wasn’t for me.

A second-chance contemporary romance, "For One Night Only" is full of emotional depth, extremely important mental health and LGBTQ+ representations, music, powerful and poignant messages, and so much more. The author does a beautiful job of storytelling, world-building, and writing characters with such depth. I love books surrounding music, and as soon as I heard about this book, I just knew I needed to read it, and I truly did not want to put this book down!

When Valerie convinces her former bandmates of Glitter Bats to do one more show, rumors begin to circulate once again surrounding her relationship with Caleb. Though they used to be together, the two have not been so in years. However, due to the rumors that they are once again dating, they decide to fake date for publicity. Soon, old feelings begin to resurface in many different ways and forms. Will the connection between them bring them together? Full of romance, tension, rebuilding of various relationships, and character development, this book truly has so much honesty and heart, and I hope this is the start of a series.

If you like Contemporary Romance, I highly recommend this book!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the e-ARC of this book, and to Berkley Publishing Group for having me on the Blog Tour for the novel! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I normally enjoy second chance romances but this one was lackluster for me. The main couple didn’t have any chemistry and there was a lot of telling not showing. Plus it didn’t really feel like there was much character development.

Thank you for the ARC, Berkley!

an angsty second chance romance set to the backdrop of a band reunion? and the two lead singers were childhood friends to lovers until they broke each other’s hearts??? and they’re in a pop punk band????

truly this book felt like it was made for me in some aspects. caleb, our short king, was down bad for valerie but she really blew it. when they finally reunite with the rest of the band, the tension was through the ROOF. each harboring what they thought was unrequited feelings for each other exploded as they found their way back to each other.

I loved the music and band dynamics in this! it really felt authentic and fun and I loved the addition of mixed media (fanfic, blog and news posts, and the interviews). at points it was reminding me a bit of daisy jones and the six but heavier on the romance.

the forgiveness journey between not only caleb and valerie but also between the rest of the band was really well done. each character had to really work for it.

the romance stole the show and caleb’s anxiety journey was really well done. I loved the therapy rep in this. valerie is casually bi too and that rep was really well done.

thank you so much berkley romance & netgalley for the arc!

what to expect
⟢ childhood friends to lovers to strangers to lovers 🤭
⟢ second chance
⟢ rockstar romance
⟢ found family
⟢ anxiety and therapy rep
⟢ bi rep

The Glitter Bats are back for One Night Only! After a long hiatus, the band is back to play their hits. Their fans are excited and want to know why the band broke up, but only the two band members involved, Valerie and Caleb, know the real reason. After the breakup, the band members go off to different careers. Valerie is on a TV show, and she’s trying to keep her show from being cancelled. Caleb has become a teacher, but as soon as he and Valerie make music together, their romantic feelings come back stronger than ever.
This book is a fun second chance romance set against a rock and roll backdrop, 4 stars

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

This book. Sigh. I loved it! I loved how queer everyone was. I loved getting to know Valerie and Caleb and the rest of the Glitter Bats. I felt like I was living through a gay One Direction reunion. But with a mix of sexes. This was fun, flirty, and such an interesting look into a fictional world of music and bands.

I thought the story was believable and I really enjoyed it. I think the ending was a little rushed, but I really loved this second chance romance and how it developed.

If you’re looking for something fun and exciting, definitely check this one out!

Man, I am SO BUMMED. This was a highly anticipated 2025 release for me and it was lowkey such a let down.

There were aspects of this that I loved: the pop punk representation was so fun and I loved the bits and pieces about the band’s past when they were on top of the world.

However, I really struggled to connect with these characters in any sort of way. I didn’t understand their motivations for starting the band in the first place and there were so many missed opportunities for flashbacks so we could build a history; instead we were just told about these moments in time. Valerie was a hard character to like and I felt like her development was all in waste at the end. Caleb deserved better and I still don’t understand what he was getting out of this reunion other than stress and anxiety. I really really wanted to like this but it was a struggle.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for giving me access to this e-ARC. All thoughts are my own.
I'm a sucker for a book involving music, and I gotta say, this one nailed it for me. I mean, who doesn't love a chiastic bisexual paired with a cinnamon roll? The chemistry had me blushing from their first interaction. I also loved the band members and each of their individual personalities. I think they really added to the book and brought an amazing found family to the main characters. The anxiety representation was (in my opinion as a person with anxiety and also a licensed therapist) was realistic without going anywhere near romantasizing the disorder. Anxiety attacks are real and can happen to anyone, and I like that the book showed this. I honestly kind of want their to be a follow-up book about the band members (read this if you want to know about who I'm specifically talking about). But overall, I'm glad I chose to read this book and highly recommend it to romance and music lovers alike.