I was able to snag an eARC of “For One Night Only” a few weeks ago and I’m glad I got the chance to read it! 💕 This is Jessica James’ debut novel, that comes out in January 2025.

I loved the representation this novel had, it’s what first pulled me in. Valerie is a bi-girl whose reputation has been on blast by the media. Her only hope at saving it is to get the band she started in high school back together after a six year hiatus. It’s a tough journey with lots of ups and downs and plenty of mistakes. Her band mate, and former lover, Caleb, has anxiety and they both struggle to navigate their relationship (both in and out of the public eye).

I loved how the characters were shown and that we got to see their thought process behind actions and how they affected not only themselves but those around them.

The only thing I didn’t like is that there is little character growth and I felt like no one learned from their mistakes and kept making them over and over again. It was really hard for me to keep reading and I struggled with wanting to pick it up again each time I stopped.

Overall I thought this was a cute read and I’d definitely pick it up if you want a cute romance with lots of representation, a behind the scenes look at celebrities lives, and a friend group rediscovering themselves again.

This was music to my ears (eyes?)

I confess, the beautiful artwork on the cover is what initially piqued my interest. The characters were well fleshed out and oh so charming. Valerie and Caleb's romance was raw and honest, and I fell in love with them as a pair almost immediately. Romances with a musical theme just hit so strongly with me; I love how music is its own love language. Using elements of social media was a nice touch in fleshing out the story as well. It made it seem more authentic.

I related so hard to Valerie's struggles with self-worth and a controlling, narcissistic mother. Caleb's anxiety challenges also hit so close to home.

Also, can we talk about the songwriting? I need these songs recorded for real. Glitterbug Nichole reporting for duty!

This debut from Jessica James really made my heart sing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I don't know what I'm more obsessed with: the book or its gorgeous cover. This was SUCH a fun story. The romance is top notch, with characters who leap off the page, but what I especially loved is how fleshed out and engrossing the plot involving the band getting back together was. It was the perfect backdrop for Caleb and Valerie's reunion, and I loved getting to experience it through both of their POVs. This book is fun, flirty, and sure to be a winner.

I honestly did not know what to expect with this book but I absolutely loved it!!
Jessica James did such a fantastic job setting up Valerie and Caleb’s past and current relationship and I felt so invested with the characters. I loved that they changed through time but still kept the bases of their characters intact.
The pacing was strong and both kept me attached to the story and eager to see what was going to come next.
I seriously will be recommending this book to my friends!!

I absolutely adored this book!

I mean, I've always had a thing for books centering around the arts in some regard, but there's something so very special about an author who can make you *feel* the music on the page without your hearing a sound. And Jess is phenomenal at this.

The lyrics. THE LYRICS.

The Glitter Bats (what a clever name, right?) are SO full of charm. I'm not sure how someone could pick up this book and not absolutely adore each and every one of them.

I loved Val so much--I felt so close to her passion--and I love how we could FEEL the history between her and Caleb between the lines of every page, before we even know it in full. There's so much wound up tension and hurt, and of course I was churning through pages SO FAST to see what becomes of them. One thing I especially loved, though, was seeing how they had already grown so much through the years (especially with communication), so that when they reconnect, it really is a different experience. Like, so many books that do this trope do it in such a way that the years have barely changed the main characters. But this? It's excellent. And yet there's still that glorious thread of tension.

Anyway, I never really reveal plot points in my reviews, but I needed to scream about all the beauty that is this book, and believe me when I say you need to own a copy. (And like, come on, that cover? It might be my favorite romance cover in the history of ever.

This story is so much different than any other story I’ve read and I loved it! I’ve wanted a book focused on people in Hollywood and the life they live and show that process and I loved every minute of this book. It took me two days to finish.

The relationship between Valerie and the rest of the Glitter Bats was really believable and felt organic. And the chemistry between Valerie and Caleb keeps you entertained the whole time.

But the whole plot line was is very original and something I haven’t seen in a book but I wish there was more like it! Definitely recommend this book!

Pheewww! I need to take a cold shower because this book is HOT! Spice aside, I absolutely fell in love with Valerie, Caleb and the rest of the Glitterbats crew. Caleb was the ultimate romantic icon and such a beautifully crafted character. Valerie's struggles for validation felt so relatable to me. I thought her arc was handled so well. The entire Glitterbats crew were fun to be with! I loved spending time with them on the page, and as someone who doesn't know much about the music world, this really captured the essence of the process. Gorgeous debut. Devoured this book!

Rock 'n' roll romance at its finest! This book is about two people rekindling their love is a whirlwind of passion and emotion. The writing crackles with intensity, bringing their second chance at love to life in a way that's both exhilarating and deeply moving. A must-read for fans of fiery romances that rock your world.

I’ve been eagerly awaiting this one ever since I first laid eyes on this glorious cover! It just SCREAMS Jem and the Holograms, and since that is actually an entire facet of my personality, I couldn’t get my hands on this fast enough. Throw in some Taylor Swift love AND 10 Things I Hate About You mention?? This book had my name written allllllll over it.

I had a lot of fun with this. Valerie and Caleb’s chemistry was electrifying from the start, and I loved seeing both them and the band come back together! Loved Keeley, Jane, and Riker, too. The dynamic was really thrilling and I was invested throughout.

The only reason I’m not giving this a full five stars is that the last bit was a little shaky for me. Valerie’s impulsive actions disappointed me, and though I understand the reasoning behind it, I can’t help wishing the conflict was something different. I will say that the aftermath was handled pretty well and I did love the actual ending! Also a small nitpick but I really wish we got more details about Val and Caleb’s relationship before the band broke up, like how they got together!

Overall, very very fun. Will definitely look out for more from this author in the future!

📖📖 Book Review 📖📖 If you could see any band, from any era, reunite for one night only, who would it be? After a pretty epic break-up of the band and a relationship between bandmates Valerie and Caleb, the Glitter Bats are back together! Told in dual perspectives and with media coverage interspersed, Jessica James absolutely brings the riveting buzz of this highly anticipated reunion to life in an explosively fun manner! The characters have the perfect balance of naive invincibility and vulnerability that comes with stardom at a young age mixed with a youthful hope. After reading this five star book, I would definitely vote to see the reunion of Glitter Bats as my top band reunion for a night (second choice would be Fleetwood Mac for the Rumors Tour…)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review is on Goodreads and will be posted on instagram closer to publication date and on Amazon when published!