This really had me hooked!! Stick with me here: this was contemporary romance Daisy Jones but make it Paramore. Make sense? I’m excited to read more from Jessica James - it was clear she knew what she was talking about musically so I hope she writes more in that space in the future.

I LOVED the second chance romance between Valerie and Caleb, but I did want to shake them both and scream TALK ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS ALREADY!! Their chemistry was great, and I was also a fan of the found-family vibes of the entire band.

This was a fun music industry BTS romance. Between chapters, Jessica James included a mix of social media threads, blog posts, and articles which was great extra context.

Definitely check this one out if you love second chance romance, friends to lovers, and rockstars.

The author is obviously passionate about music. You can absolutely feel it in how she describes the scenes when they’re all playing together, and I love it. My only real problem with the book is, unfortunately, Valerie, the FMC. I know that her self-centeredness is part of her character growth arc, but it takes her way too long to learn the error of her ways. Her mea culpa felt too little, too late for me. Thank you to Berkley for the ARC.

For One Night Only mixes a couple of my favorite tropes to absolutely glittering effect!

Pop punk band Glitter Bats broke up years ago, and now singer Valerie Quinn decides to get the group back together to help save her professional reputation. Fans always loved the are they or aren't they nature of her relationship with bandmate Caleb, and the pair use the interest in the band's reunion to play up the possibility of them as a couple.

This book felt like a backstage pass to the reunion of a beloved band, and it was full of performance highs and anxious lows. Seeing the band members attempt to move past their awful prior experiences to live their wildest dreams had me feeling the nerves with them, and I loved the mental health representation that Caleb brought to those moments.

I didn't love how Valerie was consistently thinking only of herself, putting Caleb in bad positions where he was forced to fight his anxiety to help her out. Her character arc could be frustrating at times, but I was ultimately happy with where things went. Such a fantastic debut romance; Ill be looking forward to more from James in the future!

Read if you enjoy:
💕 Fake dating
💕 Celebrity romance
💕 Articles and chat messages interspersed
💕 Dual POV
💕 Anxiety rep

Interesting premise and mix of characters. I was not awaits enamoured with the Valerie which made it hard to root for her and Caleb. Overall still worth a look as others might enjoy it more.

4.5 stars!

The whole time I was reading this book, I kept picturing it as a movie! I started this one while in a reading slump, but I was quickly pulled out of that slump. I was hooked right away and absolutely flew through this book!

The Glitter Bats are a “pop-punk-inspired rock” band whose name is a Twilight reference! They split up years ago after tension between band members Valerie and Caleb led to them both leaving the band. This story is told in present day, but the reader learns about what happened to cause the split through memories and conversations. The band started while the five members were in high school, so they have this amazing relationship that is somewhere between friends and family. Or they did, before the band broke up. Now they’re reuniting for one last reunion concert and their fans are going crazy! In the past, the fandom speculated that Valerie and Caleb were together (couple name CalErie 😂), and fans are assuming they’re together again. Val and Caleb decide to fake date for publicity, but there is a lot for them to work through to make it believable!

There is so much tension from all of the band members about the past, and I really enjoyed reading about each members’ feelings over what happened. The mental health representation (anxiety and panic attacks) was so well done, and I also loved watching Val work through her complicated relationship with her mom. And the poetry that was the song lyrics…so good!!

Despite some heavy themes, this was such a fun book, and I’m hoping we get books about each of the band members some day!

Thank you Jessica James, Berkley, and NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Read if you like:
💕 Celebrity romance
💕 Second chance romance
💕 Fake dating
💕 Dual POV
💕 Anxiety rep

the premise of this book had me so excited. I love a second chance romance and mix in fake dating?! sign me up!! I loved the pop punk rock band setting and the different media mixed in with the interviews and articles and tweets. it made it easy to stay engaged throughout the book. I also loved the mental health and queer representation in the book.

unfortunately, I think some bigger aspects of the book fell flat. the biggest being the character development. I felt almost immediately annoyed and turned off from valerie with almost no foundation to her character before diving into the band reunion. I thought it would be okay once she started on her growth. instead she remained pretty selfish and self-serving throughout the book and any little growth she may have accomplished was completely dismantled by that third act. I felt like everyone forgave valerie too easily without any meaningful explanation/apologies from her.

overall I think someone who just wants to come in to vibe to a daisy jones and the six-esque romance and who isn’t a grudge holder (which, admittedly, I am) would really enjoy this book.

thank you so much to Berkley and NetGalley for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For One Night Only is a second chance rockstar romance. Debut author Jessica James writes an engaging story that looks at found family, the perils of fame, and of course romance.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Valerie and Caleb were lifelong friends when they formed Glitter Bats as teens. But the band and their romance ended 6 years ago, and Caleb disappeared from the public eye. Now Valerie has a PR mess on her hands, and is trying to get her current TV series renewed. What better way to help her image than to get the beloved band back together? After the rest of the band members are on board, Valerie hunts down Caleb to convince him to join. Just for the summer, and just for one show. But as they are thrown back together in rehearsals and the public eye, can they work out their unresolved feelings? And what happens after the show?

I enjoyed this debut romance. I have a continuing love of rockstar romance, and the behind the scenes drama rang true. Valerie and Caleb and the rest of the Glitter Bats were great characters to spend time with. And while the story acknowledges that the general public has issues with Valerie’s bisexuality, I liked that it wasn’t an issue for any of the characters in the story. I’m also giving bonus points for including a short MMC, and a dog named Sebastian Bark.

This book covered a few important details that I insist on in a second chance romance. Valerie and Caleb’s initial breakup actually makes sense, as does their 6 year separation. The only downside for me was the third act breakup, since it didn’t seem to mesh with the characters’ growth throughout the book.

For One Night Only is an entertaining second chance, rockstar romance with a large helping of forced proximity and a bit of fake dating too. I enjoyed Jessica James’s debut romance, and I can’t wait to read what she writes next.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Yes! This book was so much fun. I’m a sucker for a couple that falls in love doing something creative together and the MCs were just so adorable and earnest and down to earth. They are trying their best and had to grow up way too fast. I am picky about my second chance romances but this one was well done because there wasn’t tons of animosity or resentment, more understanding that they were both under immense pressure and not the best at communication. I had so much fun “getting the band back together” and reading about all the different personalities. I wouldn’t be upset if this became a series with the other members’s love lives (cough cough). And the HEA had me sobbing in my car so this was a win!

Audiobook note: I LOVED the dual narration.

Thanks to the publisher for a free copy and audiobook copy; my thoughts and review are my own.

Why I Chose This Book:
From the second I first heard about For One Night Only, I knew I had to read it! I love any book about music, but that this one is specifically about a pop punk band getting back together? Instantly sold. Paramore vibes confirmed. This book is also a romance—my favorite genre lately—and evidently the first in a series, and I already can’t wait to read more about the Glitter Bats.

What I Liked:
- Pop punk band dynamics!
- So intimately musical; I love how detailed the music depictions are
- Band reuniting and a second chance romance, all rolled into one
- Music business and industry drama (360 deals are the worst, tbh)
- The problems fame can bring
- He’s a short king with anxiety and panic attacks; discussions around mental health
- She’s chaotic and impulsive; reckoning with her actions
- Excerpts of interviews, articles, set lists, and more throughout!

Final Thoughts
I absolutely loved For One Night Only! The music and rock band themes (Paramore vibes!), the bandmate relationships, the romantic relationship, mental health discussions, the strains of fame—plus the excerpts of other material sprinkled throughout—everything was sublime. And I’m thrilled that this is the start to a series, because I can see some possible relationships between the other characters and will gladly read their stories. This is a phenomenal debut that’s perfect for music lovers, readers interested in the dynamics of bands and fame, and a second chance romance between two flawed but lovable people.

Overall, I liked this story but one major point prevented me from rating it higher. But I’ll start with the good, because there was a lot to like! I love a romance and although I don’t always like a second chance romance, where it was so clear they never stopped loving each other, I enjoyed it. I really liked how the book was constructed - a mix of social media, fanfic, and articles that made it feel very grounded in 2025. It made it a more dynamic read. As did the supporting characters - I loved all of them and each made the story better because they were in it. But my favorite was Caleb. I am obsessed with Caleb. Book boyfriend x1000. Absolutely loved him and I adored the way anxiety was represented in this book. It was so true to how anxiety feels and how people with anxiety can overcome. Absolutely LOVED Caleb!! Conversely, I hated Valerie. Absolutely positively hated Valerie. And I hated that she was the bi rep in the story because her entire character played relentlessly into the chaotic/disaster bisexual trope in the worst way. She was self centered, selfish, and proved time and time again that she didn’t care about anyone more than herself. The author tried to make her redeemable and tried to put some fault on Caleb but it didn’t land for me. I’m so incredibly disappointed that Valerie is who bisexuals got; we deserve better. Caleb deserves better. Maybe someone who can look passed this will enjoy it more but Valerie really limited my enjoyment of this book.

- Second Chance
- Fake Dating
- Pop Punk Band Reunion
- Mental Health Rep
- Found Family

I absolutely loved the nostalgic vibes this book and The Glitter Bats gave me. Valerie was a difficult character for me to like, she had a little bit of character growth, but not as much as I wish she would have. While I did feel for her with all she was dealing with in the media she still came across as selfish, impulsive and never took anyone else’s feelings into consideration. I did like her with Caleb though, they had great chemistry and I felt they balanced each other out well.

Thank you to Berkley Romance for the advance reader copy and to PRH Audio for the complimentary audiobook. These opinions are my own.

For One Night Only is a second chance reunion, not just in terms of the romance, but also in terms of the band that Valerie and Caleb headlined as teenagers. Their falling out led to the band falling apart. Now it's a decade later, and Valerie needs good PR for her career and reputation. So she convinces Caleb to return for a one night only reunion tour with the band.

I really enjoyed the focus on the band, the Glitter Bats. Even its name and the story behind it are great. And the book felt as much about the band and their found family dynamics and drama after a painful separation as about a romance.

Also, there was something about reading this at the same time as pop news broke showing just how fast we are to vilify women as a society. It made me really feel for Valerie's character all the more. The book also includes an equally powerful exploration of not just misogyny but biphobia.

I was so incredibly invested in the ending and wanting good things for Valerie, Caleb, and every single band member. But I was not sure what that could look like. It was a tough journey to get there, but I ultimately appreciated the wrap up.

The audiobook featured fabulous narration by Mx. Nicky Endres, Helen Laser, and Colton Woods. At about 10 hours, the audio format really brought the story alive, especially with the pop culture news and social media interludes between the chapters.

I could not put this book down! Between the mesmerizing characters and the drama of the plot, I was hooked right away. The worst part is the fact that Glitter Bats isn’t a real band that I can listen to!

Caleb and Valerie and their undeniable connection were a pleasure to get to know, and I was grateful to have both of their perspectives as I was reading. I also loved the dynamic with the rest of their bandmates and only wish we had seen more of it at times.

There were so many factors, both internal and external, working against the band and especially against Valerie and Caleb’s relationship. Because of those numerous conflicts, the ending did feel a bit rushed to me as they were all wrapped up very quickly in the last couple chapters.

Overall though, the beautiful friendships and romances between the five bandmates kept me engrossed and rooting for their happiness the whole time. Glitter Bats forever!

Thanks so much to @berkleypub @berkleyromance @acebookspub for the free book! All thoughts are my own.

Rockstar romance where ex-bandmates & ex-lovers reunite after 6 years for a one night only concert.

Overall I thought this was super fun! I finished it within a few days because I kept wanting to pick it back up. The writing makes it feel like its happening over a few days but describes a large portion of time, which was kind of tricky to navigate at times. I felt like the characters were a tad immature for having to grow up so fast in the music industry. I loved the mental health rep (ya girl struggles with anxiety too). I'm excited to check out more from this author in the future!

Read if you like:

- second chance
- fake dating
- dual POV
- Plot driven
- LGBTQIA+ rep
- Mental health rep (anxiety)
- Mixed media

I absolutely love how this is a second chance and the rock band vibes. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy Valerie as a character. Her selfishness is off-putting and she seems aware of her actions and continues down her selfish path. Considering this is a dual POV, it just couldn’t bring this together for me. Caleb deserves better for himself and his own mental health.

Thank you Berkley Romance and NetGalley for the ARC.

I love books that revolve around music, so I was really excited for this one. This is Jessica’s debut, and I think she is off to a great start! I loved the plot, the characters, and the dynamics between them. The fanfic was fun, and parts reminded me of the music I fell in love with as a teen.

I thought the representation of anxiety and mental health was well done, and Caleb’s struggles were relatable. He was my favorite character, and I loved his devotion to the people in his life. There was a lot of development and growth, from Valerie especially - she came across as pretty selfish at times, but her self awareness grew, and it was hard not to feel for her knowing all she’d been through. I love a good second chance romance, and this was all of that plus so much more!

Read/listen if you like ⇣
•Second chance
•Childhood friends to lovers to exes to…
•Fake dating
•Found family
•Mental health rep (anxiety)
•Bisexual rep
•Dual POV
•Spice

Thank you to Berkley Romance and NetGalley for the ARC!

I just finished For One Night Only by Jessica James, and wow, what a ride! The story revolves around two former bandmates who find themselves in a fake dating scheme for publicity. Talk about drama! As they navigate their way through this setup, they’re forced to confront their complicated past and unresolved feelings.

I couldn’t get enough of the Glitter Bats—their performances practically leap off the page. The chemistry between the main characters is off the charts, and their second-chance romance had me hooked from the very beginning. Jessica James has this unique, addictive writing style that pulls you in and doesn’t let go. By the end, I was already craving more. If you’re into intense, swoon-worthy love stories, this one’s for you!

For One Night Only was not my normal type of read but I enjoyed it. Fun at times, intense at times and always interesting.

Valerie really needs a Glitter Bats reunion to save her television show. That's her foremost motivation. She might just miss her old bandmates too. Especially, her former love - Caleb.

As you'd expect, getting any band back together is a monumental task. First, getting the members to agree to a reunion, is hard but easier than Valerie expected. Now that she has their agreement and commitment, there is a lot more to it Past hurts, Caleb's anxiety, Valerie's mom, the record label, are all in the way of a smooth performance. It was interesting to follow all these stressors to see what would come and how the characters deal with it all. The music is sweet though. The band still has their magic.

Every member of the band grows during their time back together,. Old wounds are healed or at least lessened. Valerie experiences the most impressive changes. For the better. Can Caleb and Valerie heal their relationship? And how?

I enjoyed this story and you will too.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Huge thank you to @prha @berkleypub @berittalksbooks @thephdivabooks @dg_reads and @netgalley for an advanced audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review.
.
I am always all in on a book about a fictional band and this was a fun one! The Glitter Bats hit it big when they were just teenagers but they weren’t quite ready to handle fame. Fast forward six years and Valerie needs an image rehab. She somehow convinces her former band mates to reunite for one final concert. Just like any real band there’s drama, chaos, forgives and love. This was fun and side note their new album had the most perfect name!

I was really interested going into this one. The premise gave Daisy Jones & The Six, but make it romance, so I was intrigued. Unfortunately, the story ended up giving Daisy Jones & The Six fanfic vibes & it just didn’t work for me.

Starting off with the positives: I really enjoyed the 80s/90s punk rock band vibes, and would have loved to see this played into more. I also thought diversity in the book was great: race, sexuality, mental health, etc. Though I felt at times it was a little “check list-y” I appreciated this attention to detail.

For the majority of the book, I was enjoying myself. I didn’t love the FMC (or really, any of the characters, if I am being honest), but the writing style was enjoyable and easy to read, so I continued on. I don’t think characters need to always be likeable, so that wasn’t an immediate turn off for me. I think I would have ranked this one a bit higher, but the ending honestly ruined the entire story for me. There was already very little character growth, which is something I really would have expected more of with this type of MC/cast, but the third-act absolutely annihilated any growth that had happened. From then on out I was very uninterested and found myself skimming through the end.

But backing up a bit, Valerie, our FMC, is an ex-member of the Glitter Bats, and current TV-star struggling with her reputation. I did honestly feel bad for Valerie in this regard. The media (and some D-list celebrities) really put her through it, for no reason. But at the same time, Valerie was constantly being selfish and using or being horrible to others for her own gain. She was very one-track minded: she needed her reputation fixed and she didn’t really care how she got there. I wanted to feel bad for her, but her actions (especially at the end) made it so hard.

I also felt like the whole book felt very surface level, which is where I go back to the fanfic feeling. There were a lot of things unfinished, or unexplained. Valerie brings up the idea of a Glitter Bats reunion, and then next chapter the whole band is back at rehearsals. Side relationships and tension is brought up, but no resolve is ever mentioned. And with the second-chance romance/band reunion aspect, I think the story would have really benefited from then/now or flashback scenes. There was so much history that the reader isn’t privy to, that I think would have added a lot more depth.

As a side note, I absolutely loved the backstory for the name Glitter Bats. I had a similar story (based on the same movie) for naming my cat!

Bottom Line: I know this book will find the right audience, and that my feelings on it aren’t in the majority. The FMCs action just made it so hard to root for her and I struggled with how Caleb used his struggled with anxiety as a crutch at times to also not be the best towards others. But the band vibes were fun and I really enjoyed the writing. I would definitely read this author again in the future!