Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book. A gorgeous 4 star read book from me. What an exciting plot, vivid storytelling and relatable, rich characters. I couldn't put this book down – absolutely loved it.

I was honestly so happy I was accepted to read this as I love Kate Golden's previous books and I've highly anticipated 'If Not For My Baby' - I loved this so much!! I fell in love with all the characters and their dynamics with one another, but I definitely felt immersed in Clementine and Tom's blossoming relationship. I want to read more!! I didn't want to put it down. This book was gorgeous.

Clementine Clark no busca el amor. Después de crecer viendo a su madre enamorarse (y desenamorarse) cada semana, ha aprendido a blindar su corazón y a enterrar sus propios sueños, incluyendo su pasión por la música. Pero todo cambia cuando su mejor amiga le ofrece la oportunidad de unirse como corista a la gira estadounidense del enigmático cantante irlandés Thomas Halloran, un artista que combina poesía, introversión y una presencia escénica magnética. Lo que empieza como una decisión puramente económica, pronto se transforma en un torbellino emocional que pondrá a prueba sus creencias y barreras autoimpuestas.


La relación entre Clementine y Tom evoluciona de manera apresurada, bordeando el insta-love, lo que le resta realismo a su vínculo. A pesar de que Tom se presenta como un protagonista masculino sensible, paciente y alejado del estereotipo de rockstar posesivo, Clementine (quien narra toda la novela) resulta una protagonista difícil de conectar. Sus decisiones son contradictorias: rechaza a Tom mientras se obsesiona con él, actúa con celos irracionales y dramatiza escenas por malentendidos mínimos (como cuando huye llorando porque alguien menciona a la ex de Tom, aunque ella ya sabía de su existencia). Este vaivén emocional y su inclinación a esperar que otros adivinen lo que realmente quiere, hacen que su personalidad se sienta inconsistente y, por momentos, agotadora.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest.

What a book. Simply perfection. For any music lover, this book is a must. The way Kate Golden describes the emotions felt in response to music is so vivid and relatable, it gave me shivers.

The chemistry between our characters is *chefs kiss*, the tension building is delicious, it'll leave you swooning and wishing for more. The depth of characters shown in this story is un-matched, the relationship they craft from healing something within each other is so real, its beautiful.

I’m not sure how to rate this book as it was a fun read but it did feel like a Hozier fanfic towards the end, especially the epilogue. I probably would have enjoyed it more if it wasn’t as obvious but maybe that’s just a me thing. I liked the first half best as it grabbed me right away and the found the main character likeable. It just lost me a bit towards the middle as I could see where it was going and her decisions annoyed me. I am more of a fantasy reader so I definitely want to read more of the author’s fantasy work.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read the digital ARC.

I loved this one 🥹 I am someone who loves a romance where music plays a central role, and Kate’s writing about music was beautiful, especially the way she described Halloran’s singing and songwriting. The tour performances were written so well it felt like stepping into the crowd and enjoying it alongside the characters.

Halloran is completely Hozier coded, he’s a famously talented Irish singer with a passion for music, but also someone who’s quietly introverted and struggles with anxiety. It made him feel endearing, and his connection with Clementine was intense and beautiful, full of longing, vulnerability, and genuine care.

Clementine herself was a great FMC and very inspiring. She was the perfect reminder to chase your dreams and live life on your own terms, doing what brings you joy. Her journey was empowering and I loved her relationship with her mum. Their emotional heart to heart toward the end had me tearing up 🥺 I also loved watching Clementine build relationships with the tour crew, and her found family dynamic particularly with Indy and Molly was lovely.

There are a couple of spicy scenes (and they’re great!), but honestly what had me giggling was the flirting and tension 🤭

Thank You so much to NetGalley and Quercus Books for this ARC. This was so good! I've wanted this book for months so was so happy when I got this approved. Clementine Clarke is such a great character, she felt so real with her dating troubles and love spectisim. Tom Halloran may be one of the best book boyfriends I have ever read. He was so supportive and sweet. While this book is a Celebrity X 'Normal' Person, Halloran definitely felt so humble that I forgot that he was a Rockstar. Overall I absolutely adored this book and highly recommend that you give it a look!

https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/04ac4556-f5bb-4ef5-b62e-5d0667ec2641

I have been desperately waiting for this arc, and it did not disappoint! I'm so incredibly in love with Clementine and Tom. They have such an easy nature together that I find comforting. Golden's prose is idyllic and swept me away into their world. I wish to forget this book so I can read it over and over again. I am so excited for a physical copy to annotate and mark up with all my favourite nods to the inspiration. Definietly recommending this for my Romance Bookclub at work! One of my favourite reads of the year so far!

This is the first book in a very long time that has made me stay up most of the night because I couldn’t stop reading!

The way Kate Golden talks about music in the first half felt like therapy for all the times I’ve been completely overcome with emotion and cried my eyes out over song lyrics while the person next to me sings along and doesn’t understand why I’m so emotional. Clementine made me feel seen! The connection between Clementine and Tom felt so genuine and the tension was incredible. If Not for My Baby has easily joined First Time Caller as a favourite contemporary romance of the year so far.

This book is life altering. I was completely blown away by the ability for the author to articulate such complex emotions like how lyrics or a piece of music can make you feel.
The plot was addictive and I am head over heels in love with both main characters. Clem is so warm and kind whilst Tom is the biggest green flag I’ve ever seen.
I need more Botox around my eyes from grinning so much. The tension in the spicier moments was delicious and actually those scenes were beautifully intimate as well as smoking hot.
Perfection.

I just found one of my favourite romance books of all time. I started this story and didn't - COULDN'T - put it down until, suddenly, I realised I'd swooned, giggled and blushed my way through the entire book. I inhaled this story and it really was as easy as breathing. Tom Halloran is one of my all-time favourite MMCs. He's a sexy, patient, emotionally intelligent, Hozier-coded, gentle giant and he is so gone for our FMC, Clementine. And Clem stole a piece of my heart too. I loved her as our FMC, all of her prickly parts and soft heart and how she grew as an individual. The chemistry, tension and tenderness between them felt so real. It's a dreamy, tender, sexy romance between two characters I desperately wanted to get their HEA together and I had the best time reading it. WONDERFUL.