4.5 stars rounded up.

If Not For My Baby follows Clementine Clark, a talented singer who has set her dreams of stardom - and romance - aside to care for her chronically ill mother. After her best friend calls her with a life-changing opportunity, Clementine joins Irish megastar Tom Holloran on his first US tour. Although she wants to reject the offer, Clementine knows the pay would change her and her mom's life. Overnight, Clementine goes from serving enchiladas to belting high notes before a cheering crowd alongside Holloran. The two couldn't see the world more differently. And yet, over the course of the next eight weeks on tour, the romantic rockstar might just strike an unforgettable chord in Clementine. But will it be enough for an encore?

I absolutely love a contemporary romance that incorporates music, and Kate Golden did such a fantastic job with this book. The lyrics, the connection the characters had to music, and the concert atmosphere were all written so well that I felt like I was in the crowd experiencing it for myself.

The characters were layered and complex. Clementine feels stuck in her small town, and gives up on chasing her dreams as she feels a sense of duty to care for her mother, who suffers from fibromyalgia. She’s also terrified of falling in love after seeing her mom get hurt time and time again. Her character development over the course of the book was incredible, and seeing her doing what she loves and opening her heart was so inspiring.

Tom Halloran is a musical genius who adores his fans, but struggles with the expectations of fame. He’s quietly introverted, struggles with anxiety, and would much rather stay on the tour bus with a cup of tea and a poetry book than go partying with his bandmates. He is 100% Hozier coded and I am here for it!

Tom and Clementine’s romance was full of longing, and I loved their flirty banter and simmering tension. They had such a beautiful connection, which only deepened as they allowed themselves to be vulnerable with each other. The spicy scenes were so steamy and very well written.

I also really enjoyed the tour bus and touring antics, as well as seeing Clementine build friendships with the rest of the band and the crew. Her relationship with her mom was so beautiful, and as someone whose mom is also their best friend, I could really relate.

The ending and epilogue were so perfect for the characters. This book had me laughing, swooning, blushing, and crying. I truly had the best time reading it, and I really hope Kate Golden writes more contemporary romances!

Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Arc supplied by NetGalley and Quercus Books

5 stars

This is the kind of book I would like any romantasy author to write when they choose to do an only romancer book bc this book was literally magic. The romance and connection felt so real making the spice scenes feel much more connectable than cringy.

An entertaining read with the MMC closely based of everyone’s favourite Irish bog creature, Hozier!

I liked this but I can’t stand when it’s repeatedly mentioned how tiny the FMC is compared to the gigantic MMC. The author actually used “Tiny Girl ™” at one point in the book and I full body cringed… so that’s why it’s only 3 stars from me.

This can be a bit hit or miss, I think. Some writers can nail any genre they put their talented fingers to; others should not shift lanes. I’m always keen to support writers whose books I love, so when I heard Kate Golden was turning her writing talent to romance, I was excitedly waiting to get my hand on it as soon as I could, as her fantasy series is phenomenal.

Kate Golden’s writing has been engrossing and beautifully descriptive in her fantasy works. I feel, though, that she’s evolved to new heights in her romantic style, especially in terms of emotional impact and expression of musical elements. You can feel the pulsing energy of a massive arena emitting from the page. No spoilers, but one scene was so vivid in its depiction that I felt I was staring up at the stage amidst the roar of the crowd, caught up in the raw rapture of the music and the heartachingly beautiful performance between Clem and Tom in their duet.

With the written word alone, she’s brought to life the complex emotional vibe that a piece of music can stir in your soul. The power and vividness of the description of the music and singing were so realistic I felt I could hear Halloran’s voice in my imagination – a smoky, sensual baritone with a lilting brogue and haunting resonance.

My heart melted so many times with the wonderful characters building at the heart of this story. Tom Halloran was a refreshing representation of a rockstar – famous, poetic, and talented, but humble, introverted, and struggling with anxiety around the pressures of his fame and performing to vast crowds. Clementine is a bit of a prickly pear – hard on herself to be realistic and accepting of her lot in life, working to look after her mum, underneath a dreamer with a sweet soul longing to express her heart in music and song.

The chemistry between Clem and Tom was dreamily delicious, heart-warmingly tender and sexily swoony. Their relationship is a healing balm, supportive. It reveals a vulnerability between them that they struggle to share with the rest of the world. The connection that forms is an emotional whirlwind that tests them both and breaks down their barriers, building them stronger as individuals and as a couple.

Thank you to Quercus Books, Kate Golden, and Netgalley for approving my request for eArc of If Not for My Baby – I devoured this in one very loved-up, heart-full, and soppy sitting.

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.