So what if the fanfic became real?

One More Time by Emily S. Morris took me on a heart-pounding journey through love, nostalgia, and the irresistible pull of fate.

Lucy unexpectedly reunites with her past love, rock star Nicky, and the sparks fly like they're teenagers again. Their story clearly transcends time, and the chemistry is everything. There’s something magical about seeing two people who once shared such intense passion reconnect after decades apart.

The backdrop of a glamorous destination wedding adds to the allure, providing a stunning setting that feels almost cinematic. The moments they share are infused with nostalgia, reminding us of the intricacies of young love and the realities of adult life. There is so much heart in this story, and it’s not just about romance; it’s about growth, healing, and coming to terms with the past.

The characters are relatable—minus the whole rockstar thing!—and I can feel their connection even through their struggles. Plus, I love playful banter, and Lucky and Nicky showcase that tension in spades.

The second chance aspect of it was such a beautiful part of this story. Lucy gets to be young again and find what she wants out of life, because it's never too late. Getting to explore this character growth—and the romance of it all—gave me so much hope.

This book is such a must-read for anyone who loves rockstar romances, sweet reunions, and stories that get you teary-eyed. There’s plenty of spice and passion entwined in Lucy and Nicky's reunion, making this an unforgettable summer read.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

I loved this book, Nicky Broome you are a dream. I love when books reference songs, as it gives me new music to go explore. I'd reread this.

One More Time by Emily S. Morris is a heartfelt and addictive rockstar romance that blends second-chance love, sizzling chemistry, and emotional depth.

It’s been twenty-eight years since Nicky Broome, the charismatic lead singer of legendary 90s rock band Super, last saw Lucy Rollins — the girl who inspired the band’s biggest hit and who has never left his mind. When a chance encounter at a Vegas hotel throws them back together ahead of a glamorous destination wedding, old feelings resurface alongside the hurt, guilt, and unfinished business between them.

Their reconnection is fun, sexy, and bittersweet, as both wrestle with the pain of their past and the possibility of a future. Lucy’s character growth was a highlight for me — watching her move from a life lived in “easy mode” to embracing her own boldness was incredibly satisfying.

Beautifully written, with moments that made me smile, swoon, and ache, this is a rockstar romance worth every beat.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Thank you to HQ, Lou Nyuar, and NetGalley for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Usually I am a sucker for second chance romances, but this one left me craving more. I really tried to give it a chance but it being in third person made it really hard for me to connect with the characters. And the insta-love reaction from the MMC really didn't do it for me. Everything felt rushed and underdeveloped.

I really wish my review was different. I was left wishing we could have seen more of a spark and romance between Nicky and Lucy. One thing I did enjoy was seeing a romance with older characters, most of the stuff out there are young adults in their 20's. So I hope to see more of that in the future from Emily Morris and other authors.

Overall, not a favorite read but I am sure others will enjoy it. It does have some cute aspects to it.

I quite enjoyed this book. It was a complete chick lit romance between Nick, a rock star and Lucy, an academic and professor of college students. Nick and Lucy had a dalliance in their teens and haven’t set eyes on each other for over 20 years. They quickly fall back into a “fling” after meeting at a hotel in Vegas where Lucy’s daughter is getting married

The story flits between modern day and flash backs to their first meeting. The book does get fairly raunchy in some parts so isn’t for anyone who may be easily offended.

I won’t say what happens as don’t want to give spoilers will just say it’s an easy read.

I was enjoying this at the beginning, but I was REALLY pulled in when we got to the first set of flashback scenes, which felt very 10 things I hate about you/clueless/90’s teen movie in the best ways. I do wish it had more flashbacks, but I do understand why there weren’t more.

Overall really enjoyed!! It’s a very fast-paced book, but it doesn’t feel like it rushes any of the emotional connections.

This book creates a second-chance romance that thrums with emotion: not just heat, but vulnerability. There’s a pulse of hope beneath the regret, a tenderness that asks: can people change, or do they just find the courage to return?

Lucy and Nicky were teenage lovers. It didn't last, but their feelings did. Serendipity brings them together again, and the heat is still there, but it's nearly thirty years since their moment. Lucy still feels rejected, and Nicky is still guilty. Can the emotional journey they undertake in Las Vegas bring them together, or is it going to be just another moment between them? Nicky is a glamorous rock star, the setting is glitzy Las Vegas, and Lucy is a hardworking academic. However different their lives, the attraction between them burns strong, but emotionally, they are undecided, and it's this conflicted journey that makes this romance compelling. There is humour, poignancy and spice, and complex characters, and they have to confront a world of hurt and misunderstanding to achieve happiness. I like the romantic storytelling, the emotion, passion and the musical references.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Oh how I love me a rockstar romance, I am in awe at how amazing this book was.

Nicky and Lucy’s story was so wonderful and sad at the same time.

It’s been 28 years since Nicky last seen Lucy, the girl that changed his world. The girl that has never been far from his mind even after all these years.

An accidental spillage of bridal shower items in a hotel has these two old friends bumping into each other leaving both of them flabbergasted.

It’s been 28 years and there’s still some strong feelings there, not only lust but a whole lot of sadness and anger.

Nicky and Lucy’s relationship is a strained one. She’s hurt from things that happened in the past and he’s feeling a whole lot of guilt about said things.

Watching them reconnect from their first accidental meeting in vegas until they both part ways has been fun.

We get the fun moments, the sexy moments and the sad moments in between. We find out exactly what hurt Lucy and why it happened.

Lucy’s character growth has been one of my favourite moments. She’s been stuck in easy mode, her ex’s were safe and easy, her job is easy and her house is easy. She cares for everyone around her and is willing to do anything and everything for them no matter what but when it comes to herself she’s timid. That moment when she finally comes to her senses and realises what she’s been doing was fantastic! The new fierce and bold Lucy was beautiful to see.

This was my first read from this author and it’s been a joy reading this. The characters, the story, everything was put together so well.

If you’re a fan of

* Rockstar romance
* Second Chances
* Opposites Attract
* Spicy Romcoms

then you’ll enjoy this one.

I received this as an arc from NetGalley and I’m voluntarily leaving my honest review.

This was an okay second chance romance but it didn’t quite work for me. It was written in the third person and dual point of view which is my least favorite way of writing as I feel like it disconnects me from the characters. Nicky and Lucy had a lot of potential to be great characters but I felt like I never got to know them and therefore I wasn’t that invested in their romance. I liked that it was a later in life romance and I liked the HEA.

I cannot get enough of a second chance romance—especially when it picks up nearly 30 years later. In One More Time, fate throws Lucy and Nicky back together in Vegas, decades after an epic, moving night they once shared. What follows is a reunion packed with emotional depth, sizzling chemistry, and the kind of romantic tension that keeps you glued to the page.

With half a dozen marriages between them, grown-up children, and the not-so-small fact that Nicky is now a famous rockstar, the baggage between them could fill an entire tour bus. And yet, the spark? Still very much alive.

The slow reveal of their past—the night that changed everything, and the reasons they never found their way back to each other—was gripping and heartfelt. I was completely invested in their story. Add in hilarious moments, genuine steam, and two people finally throwing caution to the wind, and I truly couldn’t put this down.

One More Time is a sexy, emotional ride through love lost and found again. A perfect read for anyone who believes that timing is everything—and that some loves never really fade.

One More Time by Emily S. Morris is a fun second-chance, opposites-attract, spicy rom-com that captivated me from the start!
The storyline had me hooked from the beginning, the characters were so likable and I loved Emily’s writing.
The characters were amazing and believable.

One More Time was an easy and fast read, and I really liked the idea behind it—a second-chance romance with a rockstar twist. The Las Vegas setting was fun, and there were some sweet and emotional moments that stood out.

Lucy was a strong and relatable main character. I liked her growth throughout the story and how she started to realize what she really wanted for herself. I was rooting for her. Nicky, though, didn’t fully work for me. I had a harder time connecting with him, which made the romance a bit less exciting overall.

There were some great scenes—fun, sexy, and sad all mixed in—but something about the story didn’t fully click for me. I was hoping for a bit more spark or maybe a deeper connection between the main characters. That said, if you enjoy second-chance love stories, older characters, or music-themed romances, this could still be worth a try.

Thanks to NetGalley and HQ for the ARC.

I was given the opportunity for an ARC of this book and my honest opinion.

While I hoped this would be a rom com, it certainly wasn't. Normally I enjoy rockstar romances but this did not hit the mark for me. Too much spice for me to enjoy a book and unfortunately I could not finish this. A bit disappointing for me, sorry.

Thank you to NetGalley, Emily S. Morris and Harper Collins for this ARC.

This book was so much fun! Our two protagonists bump into each other at a vegas hotel after 20+ years apart and sparks fly. I fell in love with both of them and was rooting for them from the beginning. I liked the side characters too, Chloe in particular was a delight.

The Las Vegas setting was transporting, I felt fully immersed in the glitz and glamour and it took my mind off the real world completely.

The romance felt believable, I appreciated that the characters were older because their life experiences made them more well rounded and authentic. The music element was unique too, it added tension and romance through their shared love of it.

I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a spellbinding, romantic, lighthearted read. 18+ because there are spicy scenes throughout.

Thank you to HQ and NetGalley for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! This book is expected to be released on July 31, 2025.

After an electrifying hook-up and promises for a summers worth of more, Lucy doesn't hear from Nicky ever again. That is...directly. Nicky, who left and became a member of the popular rock band Super, wrote their biggest hit after leaving Lucy without a goodbye or any closure. He wrote a love song that took the world by storm and left the public speculating who the mystery girl was -- for nearly three decades. Lucy, keeping her mystery girl status a secret, spends the next twenty eight years being reminded of her spectacular night, and devasting heartbreak, every time she turns on the radio, goes to a party, or is waiting in line at the store. The last thing she expects is to run into Nicky while in Vegas for her daughter's wedding, or for him to want to spend time with her. It's been twenty eight years, and Lucy has to decide if she can move past her hurt and anger to give Nicky a second chance, or if it's time to say goodbye forever.

Normally I love a celebrity x normal person romance, but unfortunately One More Time fell flat for me. Everything felt rushed, and the characters (both main and side) were underdeveloped and surface level. I wish we could have seen more of the romance between Nicky and Lucy, it felt like we were being told they were in love and had this decades long longing for each other, but we never actually see that on the page. Instead, we get lots and lots of sex. I think this resulted in everything between our main characters feeling like lust, not true love. Even with Lucy and Kim, the supposed best friend, we are told (repeatedly) they have been best friends for 40 years but we don't actually see much close friendship between them. However, despite not totally being for me, I did enjoy reading a romance with characters in their mid forties. I don't normally read books where the characters are older, and it was refreshing to see people coming together after failed marriages and having kids. Another positive I enjoyed is that because of their age, Nicky and Lucy first got together in an age without social media. It helps put into perspective how difficult it could be to get a hold of someone if they move unexpectedly, or get married/a new name, etc., which brought a very believable element to how they lost touch for over two decades and how serendipitous their meeting was. Overall, this was not my favorite book, but I enjoyed the redeeming elements mentioned above.

Thank you NetGalley and Emily S. Morris for this ARC!

This was a lovely read! I really enjoyed the story, the chemistry between the main characters and just the vibes. It felt like stranger things vibes but with romcom elements. It was relatable, easy to follow and just overall a great read.

I enjoyed the music elements and you were left working out which era you are in and I found that a lot of fun!

I would honestly rate this book very high and would definitely recommend on to others to read. Its a cosy read with all the right developments.

Definitely read this book!

4.5 stars

What a delightful read. I adored Lucy and Nicky and their smoking chemistry sold me. They’re down for each other, but Lucy is cautious after their romance ended abruptly, albeit in a day before we had mobile phones and internet to remain in contact with people. For her, hearing Nicky’s hit song everywhere was a source of pain. I also loved that while their lives were wildly different – he a rock star and she an academic trying to get tenure at her small mid-west university – they were evenly matched. Both have three divorces, adult kids, and total music nerds making playlists (I loved all the musical references and kept reaching to my phone to start playing some of the bands including Brad who I’ve never ever seen referenced anywhere).

Refreshingly, it features a sex positive heroine who took charge in the bedroom, even as a teenager. The author really presented her characters with the wisdom and maturity that comes being in their late 40s, while still knowing to have fun (Lucy and best friend Kim’s banter during wedding activities was so much fun). Supporting characters were also fantastic. They were well-rounded. I loved Lucy’s best friend Kim who knew to push Lucy, be a voice of reason, but where many authors fail, she doesn’t overtake Lucy’s life and boss her into submission. Lucy’s daughter Chloe was also delightful. Just as spunky as her mum, and thankfully we didn’t see some bride that’s going all bridezilla.

It was well-paced with lots of fun moments (oh boy all Lucy’s ex husbands at one wedding!) that I breezed right through. I also loved that flashbacks were kept to a minimum and not until we had a lot of present day action. It drives me up the wall to read second chance and its constantly going back and forth in time, instead of focusing on whether their romance can realistically work in the present day.

A sexy, fun second chance romance that pulls off the hard feat - convincingly demonstrate that two middle aged adults could swiftly fall in love again nearly thirty years after a brief but memorable encounter after graduating high school.

Thanks to HQ and NetGalley for the ARC.

sooooo, let me just start this out by saying this wasn’t a bad read, it just didn’t deliver for ME. i was expecting a rockstar rom-com but it didn’t quite hit in certain areas.
i liked lucy as an fmc. she was relatable and it was easy to sympathize with her. it was nicky that i didn’t really care for, which is meh especially because it’s a romance.

read if you like
-second chance
-rockstar romance
-relatable fmc
-fast paced and easy to read

thank you netgalley and hq for the opportunity to read this!

Have you ever started reading a book that you didn’t really think you would like based on the description, but by the time you finished reading it you were devastated that you were done with it? That is this book!

Although the characters are a bit older than ones that I typically read, I absolutely loved reading their story. Their story really puts into perspective how difficult it was to keep in touch before cell phones and social media. This is a slight spoiler, but I like how the book never gives the exact years. I feel that it adds a little bit of mystery of trying to figure it out based on the musical context clues!

As a huge music fan, and a fan of traditional romance, this book checked all of the boxes for me. Like I stated before, I am SO SAD that I am done with this book. I loved it just that much!!!

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