I really enjoyed For One Night Only. I like a good rockstar romance and the second chance romance set up worked well with the story. The getting the band back together plot line was fun to read as well. I think people will like the book and I would recommend it. I did feel a strong wave of second hand embarrassment during the main conflict/climax of the book scene but it didn’t impact my overall enjoyment of the book.

Valerie and Caleb tell this tale of second chances. Second chances at a music career and second chances at romance. They were part of a band but then Valerie went off to do her thing but she's had troubles. Can getting the Glitterbats (what a name!) save her? Well, Caleb is the problem until he isn'.t. I"m not sure what a pop punk band is these days but I was entertained by the various musical references. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A light read.

Valerie Quinn has been a household name since she was a teenager. She and her friends skyrocketed to fame with their band Glitter Bats, and she's spent the last few years starring in a musical TV show. But when Valerie starts making headlines for all the wrong reasons, her show is left on the chopping block. She needs to drum up some good press, and she needs it fast. So, Valerie decides the best thing to do is reunite the band for one last concert. The only problem? Valerie must convince Caleb Sloane, the bassist, and her ex, to agree. Caleb and Valerie haven't seen or spoken to one another since the night their Vegas show broke them and the band up. But Caleb quickly realizes he still can't say no to Valerie, and so what if all their fans and the media think they're back together? This time, instead of hiding from the relationship rumors, the pair decide to play into it. But is it pretend if they both never stopped loving one another?

I love a good fake dating scenario, so I was excited to pick this up. I loved the idea of these two bandmates falling in love and then falling apart, only to come back together years later. But honestly, I didn't like Valerie as a main character, so I found it hard to root for her. She was so selfish and impulsive. She made decisions that impacted those around her without even asking for their input. Caleb and the rest of their bandmates were doing her a favor by coming back together, and I didn't love how she treated them. I warmed up to her by the end, but it felt a little too little too late. Caleb made this story for me. He was such a sweet cinnamon roll, and I just wanted to hug him. As for the plot itself, it was a fun time. There were parts of the writing I found a smidge unimaginative (I mean, the streaming network for Valerie's show being called The Network, and the band's label being called Label Records? Come on), but it was easy to fly through, and I ended up finishing it in one sitting. I'm not sure how memorable it'll be for me, but I'm interested enough to pick up whatever James comes out with next.

I really wanted this to work. All of the tropes say it should. But I never settled in to Valerie and her personality. Thanks for letting me try

Thank you so much to Berkley Romance for the advance copy of this book!

This book will be out Jan 7th, 2025.

"If the media sees me as a thunderstorm, he was always the sunshine streaming through the clouds after the rain, light shining on everyone around him.

This book had everything I could ever want in a contemporary romance. I had heard this book months ago after fellow author Alicia Thompson raved about it. Even though I never had the "look" of a scene kid, I was very into emo/pop punk music of the mid 2000s. So this scratch that itch as I don't believe there has every been a book about an indie pop punk band.

The book is told from two point of views - one from Valerie our fearless lead singer and the other from Caleb our strong and quiet bass player. Valerie is our FMC who is going through a lot. Her tv show is on the brink of cancellation, her reputation isn't the best and she feels in order to get in the good graces of the media she wants to reunite her old band The Glitterbats (sound familiar Justin Timberlake *cough*).

The tension between the group members is felt through the book. Some have stayed in touch more than others. We do learn why the group disbanded seemingly out of nowhere 6 years prior.

Valerie. Oh Valerie. She meant so well but just went about things wrongly. She was under so much pressure being a female entertainer and having everything she does scrutinize by everyone. She needed this reunion to work. She felt like she was out of options to rehab her career. I really loved Valerie as a character. She was complex but also wasn't afraid to let loose. I thought the way Jessica wrote the relationship between the female characters was so well done.

I loved the other band members! Even though we did not get their point of view specifically, we got to know more about them in each of the views. Keely was such a firecracker and told it as it is. I would like to say she was the unofficial spokesperson for the band. She was not afraid of stand up to Valerie. Riker like Caleb was quiet but together they complimented one another. Lastly Jane who was the mediator of the group. She always was the voice of reason whenever disagreements would happen. She had a beautiful soul.

"Every time she smiles it hits me, how lucky I am to be in her orbit. But it's never just been an orbit. We collide, again and again, like two stars in an explosion of light and color.

Caleb and Valerie. These two lovebirds. Caleb and Valerie were childhood friends turn bandmates turn lovers into strangers and then lovers again. They had quite a ride throughout the book. But one thing that rang true is the love and respect they had for each other. They would absolutely do anything for one another. So when Valerie shows up at his door and asks him to be apart of the reunion, even if he had hesitation, he knew he could not say no to her. I love the two of them together and knowing their history it just makes you want them to work things out.

I just wanted to squeeze Caleb. He just came off as the sweetest man. He wanted to leave this world behind him and was content with teaching but being back in the scene brought all these complicated feelings back to him. I loved his relationship with the other band members and the glimpses we got to see of him with his family.

One minor trait that Jessica gave Caleb is that he is a short king! I absolutely love that! Most male characters/love interests are tall and muscular but he is short but his confidence makes him appear taller.

"I could live a hundred lifetimes and never deserve Caleb Sloane."

There is some mixed media between the chapters. I normally am not a big fan of them but in this I didn't mind it. I would also have been okay if it wasn't in the book either. I do want to check out the audio of this to see how some of it translate as there are moments where the lyrics are shown.

I just ate this book up and didn't want to stop reading. The book gave me elements from Julie & the Phantoms (which i was so happy the author mentions them in the acknowledgements), Daisy Jones, Tessa Bailey's Wreck My Plans, Laura Hankin's The Daydreams and the style of the 80s Barbie and the Rockers. Other reviews also mentioned Jem (I did not watch this growing up). So if those are your jam - give this one a try! Plus who doesn't love a second chance romance!

FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY by Jessica James is the pop-punk second chance romance book of your rockstar dreams. I loved reading about Valerie and Caleb and diving into their shared past, uncertain present, and hopeful future. Valerie is my girl - a true complicated queen with star power and a heart of gold. Her character arc was so lovely and satisfying and I had the best time watching Caleb soften her edges. And speaking of Caleb - my short king, kind hearted, soft angel - I loved him so much. Together, along with the rest of the Glitter Bats, they make FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY sing! I can't wait to read more from Jessica James and the Glitter Bats!

ɴᴇᴛɢᴀʟʟᴇʏ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ || FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY [thank you to @berkleyromance and @netgalley for my #gifted copy!]

Title: For One Night Only
Author: Jessica James
Genre: Romance
Format: Digital
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Would I Recommend: 👍🏻

ꜱᴜᴍᴍᴀʀʏ:
When a tabloid-scarred pop punk star reunites her band—and her ex-situationship bassist—for one last show, old sparks and new tensions collide, forcing them to decide if their encore is for the fans or their hearts.

ᴍʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ:
This book was a lot of fun! Even if it did make me wish that the Glitter Bats were a real band so that I could listen to their songs. 😂

I really loved seeing the relationship from both POVs. You could see the push-and-pull of these two people who cared deeply for each other but weren’t sure if their goals aligned to be together (miscommunication galore). But ultimately realizing that their puzzle pieces weren’t perfect, but they fit together perfectly. (An odd analogy, but maybe you get it? Haha.)

If you’re looking for a celebrity romance with elements of self-discovery (and some steamy bits), then do yourself a favor and read this one!

ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ:
Fake Dating
Celebrity Romance
Second Chance Romance
Found Family
Open Door
Dual POV

ᴅᴇᴛᴀɪʟꜱ:
GR: 4.33 ⭐️
# of Pages: 368
Pub Date: January 7, 2025

I had so much fun with this book! There’s just something about romances with a musical theme and this one didn’t disappoint. I loved how music was its own kind of love language for Valerie and Caleb. The way the author described how creating and performing music made them feel was so vivid—it gave the story so much heart.

Valerie and Caleb’s chemistry was absolutely electric! From the moment they reconnected, I was hooked on their push-and-pull dynamic. Watching them and the band slowly come back together was such a satisfying journey. I also really enjoyed the little extras—like news articles and fan chats woven throughout the story—they added a fresh, modern layer and made everything feel more real.

That said, I wish there had been more flashbacks or details about Valerie and Caleb’s relationship before the band broke up. I wanted to know more about how they fell for each other and what went wrong. And while I’ll admit Valerie frustrated me a lot in the beginning, her growth by the end was worth sticking it out for.

If you’re into books like 'Daisy Jones & The Six', I think you’ll really enjoy this one. It’s a heartfelt, fun read about love, second chances, and the power of music to bring people together. Definitely worth picking up!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

The cover of this book initially caught my eye because it reminded me of one of my favorite dolls growing up, Jem. I'm really glad I requested For One Night Only because I adored this book!

I enjoyed going on the journey with the Glitter Bats as they reunite for a one-night only concert. Valerie, their singer and guitar player is looking to rehaul her image after some bad press and thinks getting the band back together, that broke up abruptly in the middle of their last tour will help. While bandmates Keely, Riker, and Jane are all on board, Caleb, Valerie's ex-boyfriend needs some convincing and he won't agree to doing anything outside of the one concert.

I wanted to dislike Valerie, she seemed so messy and self-absorbed at the beginning of the book, but she quickly won me over and my heart broke for her throughout the story. People in her life used her to further their careers and I loved that she started to speak up for herself to tell the world she wasn't really who the press made her out to be.

I liked the addition of the news articles and chats throughout the book that gave you insight into the characters and the fans as they awaited the return of their favorite band. If you enjoyed Daisy Jones and the Six, I highly recommend reading this one!

Jessica James’s debut, FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY, completely stole my heart! It’s out on January 7th, and there’s no better way to support new authors than to pre-order their work!

When two former bandmates—and bedmates—are thrust back into each other’s lives in a fake dating scheme for publicity, they’ll be forced to face the music.

I am obsessed with Val and Caleb! There was angst over what they’d lost—as there should be in any great second chance romance—but there was also so much joy as they rediscovered a vital part of themselves that had been lost. Their band had been a little family, all of them a bit untethered without each other. Watching Val and Caleb fall back in love was beautiful, and the extra layer of the relationships with the rest of the band (who I LOVE and can’t wait for their books) added another layer that deepened the story. Plus, the only one microphone scenes?!?! Yes, please!

I was blown away by Jessica’s debut and will devour any future words she chooses to grace us with!

I live for reading messy romance books, especially if it’s between actors or musicians. You know that this is what typically happens if actors or musicians decide to have relationships. It’s bound to be messy between them, especially with the pressure of the media speculating. That’s what happens with these two former bandmates, aka former loves, Valerie and Caleb, reunited again after many years.

I have to say it. You may not like Valerie or Caleb because the both of them have flaws that have you wondering why. But not everyone is perfect. People have flaws. They just need to own their issues, which Valerie and Caleb do whenever they make a mistake. It’s definitely growth for them because the younger version of Valerie and Caleb wouldn’t handle it like they can do now.

Now, let’s get back to why Valerie and Caleb reunited again and how they are feeling for each other. Years have may have passed between Valerie and Caleb, but their love for each other doesn’t go away. It has always been there. It’s just Valerie and Caleb's communication with each other that needs work. Personally, Valerie and Caleb alone can handle their flaws and why they do what they do. As couple, Valerie and Caleb struggle with their expectations. They both think that they each want something else when they can honestly communicate what they want. It’s just harder to be vulnerable and honest since it may not align with what you may not want to hear. It’s something that Valerie and Caleb will experience a lot through this book.

Sorry to say that I could not get into this book. It is not a genre that I enjoy reading. DID NOT FINISH. Thanks to Berkley Publishing for te review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I had high expectations going into For One Night Only. Unfortunately, this book didn't live up to its hype. The biggest problem I had with this book was Valerie. I found Valerie's character unlikable. I didn't really care for her character. I had a hard time understanding her motivations. I didn't understand why Valerie was doing so much for her fans. It felt unauthentic to me. Did she really want the things she did? I didn't care for how quick she was to jump into things. I felt bad for those around her who were never consulted beforehand. Valerie and Caleb's relationship was fine. I thought both characters weren't that great at communicating with one another. I could see the author was working hard to create tension and chemistry between them; however, I just didn't feel it. I also wanted more interactions with the other band members. Riker, Jane, and Keeley felt a little underdeveloped. Some of their storylines felt unfinished at the end. Whatever happened with Riker and MK? Jane and Keeley? This book felt really long to me. By the time I hit the 60% mark, I found myself skimming. There were some things I enjoyed! I liked the plot and the interview/social media blurbs sprinkled throughout the story. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁:
✨ Second Chance
✨ Dual POV
✨ Rock star romance
✨ Anxiety Rep
✨ Bi Rep

I’m such a sucker for second chance romance and then add in the fact that they are former bandmates? 🤯

I immediately fell in love with Caleb. Rockstar turned school teacher? Yes please.

It took a little bit for me to warm up to Valerie but as we start to see pieces of her, I related so hard to her struggles.

Once the Glitter Bats are reunited, the dynamics between everyone made this book THAT much more special. The romance between Valerie and Caleb was extremely honest and still raw from how they ended things. It had my heart aching for them.

Although we are with these characters for a short time, Jessica James has done a great job of having everyone be completely fleshed out and as they reference their earlier years, you can feel the growth they’ve already been through and the struggles they still face.

What a stunning debut. I cannot wait to read more from Jessica James!

so much potential and somehow it never paid off. y'all could have ate so badly, but it didn't and no one is sadder about that than me

thoroughly enjoyed this steamy, second chance romance from debut author, Jessica James. Fans of celebrity romance, second chance, mixed-media elements, explorations of mental health, so much on-stage sexual chemistry that it will melt your brain, important conversations about queer rep, and found family, will eat this one up!I loved every second I got to spend with the Glitter Bats and absolutely can't wait to be transported into James' world of pop punk, sexy hookups and media in the next installment.

A fun read, especially if you like concerts/behind the scene band stuff.

I liked how the author wrote about music and thought she did a great job writing about the camaraderie with the bandmates. I thought the characters were fun and kept the story interesting. I enjoyed the romance and thought it was sexy. These two definitely brought the heat!

A fun book.

This debut novel offers an engaging premise with strong representation, focusing on Valerie, a bi-girl trying to revive her high school band to salvage her public image. The exploration of her complex relationship with Caleb, who struggles with anxiety, provides depth, and their journey is filled with relatable ups and downs.

However, the execution leaves something to be desired. While the characters are intriguing, their lack of growth is frustrating; they repeatedly make the same mistakes without learning from them, which made it hard to stay invested. Additionally, the story often feels inconsistent, with adult themes clashing with the immaturity of the characters’ decisions, particularly Valerie’s.

Overall, this is a cute read with a charming romance and a behind-the-scenes look at celebrity life, but it struggles with character development and coherence. It’s worth picking up for those seeking representation and a second chance romance, but it may not satisfy readers looking for deeper character arcs.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for an early review copy.

I would've been a huge Glitter Bats fan if the band was real.

Valerie Quinn's reputation is in shambles, and the best way she can fix it is to reunite her former band. Unfortunately, none of her former bandmates will talk to her as they blame her for their break-up, including Caleb, her former flame/bestfriend/co-writer, who walked away from the industry. Somehow, she convinces Caleb to return for a one night only, reunion show, but each member has a lot of healing to do before the show.

Jessica James' debut will naturally draw comparisons to other novels about fictional musicians, but I think she carves her own in the genre with her pop punk band. The story of the Glitter Bats feels like it draws from the histories' of Taylor Swift and Paramore, but I felt that each band member was their own character.

I’ll admit that what drew me to this book first was the stunning cover. I was a huge Jem and the Holograms fan growing up and so of course it grabbed my attention. Then I read the synopsis and requested it immediately. Thank you so much for the ARC, Berkley!

I enjoyed this read. It did, however, feel like a coming of age story, which isn’t typical when we have almost 30 year old MCs. But that’s okay, because growth has no age/time limit. Remembering that these characters were suddenly thrust into the spotlight at such a young and impressionable age (18/19) helped me understand some of their actions better.

I would recommend this book to fans of Ava Wilder and maybe Elissa Sussman. Looking forward to more from James!