Release date: August 5, 2025
Publisher: Berkley Romance
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Synopsis:
It’s the duet of a lifetime when a rock star and his backup singer find a new kind of harmony off stage in this sensational contemporary romance.
Clementine Clark isn’t looking for love. Growing up with a single mom who weeps over a new guy each week tends to have that effect on a girl. But Clementine doesn’t mind being the rational one—she’s even buried her musical dreams so deeply within herself that she hardly notices the hole it’s left in her life.
That is until her best friend calls her with a life-changing opportunity: to join Irish megastar Halloran on his first US tour as a backing vocalist. Clementine wants to reject the offer, but the pay is enough to change her and her mom’s life. Overnight, Clementine goes from serving enchiladas at the Happy Tortilla to belting high notes before a cheering crowd.
But the whiplash of trading small-town Texas for sold-out stadiums is nothing compared to the rush of performing with the enigmatic Thomas Patrick Halloran. Poet, introvert, and lyrical genius, Halloran quickly gets under Clementine’s skin. 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?
Review:
Kate Golden delivers a moody, emotionally immersive romance in If Not for My Baby, a story that perfectly blends angst and intimacy with the raw allure of a rockstar romance. Tom, the brooding Irish lead singer of a popular band, is magnetic both onstage and off, but it’s Clem, she’s sharp, grounded, and unexpectedly vulnerable, who steals the spotlight. When Clem gets the chance to join the tour as a backup singer, she’s pulled into a world that’s equal parts glamorous and lonely, and her connection with Tom starts simmering from the very first harmony.
Golden’s writing shines with a lyrical, introspective quality that feels especially poignant in a story centered around music. The song lyrics scattered throughout aren’t just filler, they’re emotional anchors, offering insight into Tom and Clem’s inner lives. Their chemistry is undeniable, especially when they sing together, the kind of electricity that makes your chest ache. The tension is slow burn and packed with longing, Tom falls hard and early, but Clem has her reasons for keeping him at arm’s length. This push and pull creates a beautifully frustrating rhythm that keeps you fully invested.
Despite the emotional weight, the book also feels surprisingly soft at times, (cozy even)with quiet moments of connection that balance the yearning. It’s opposites attract done right, layered with vulnerability and that achey “what if” energy that lingers even after the final page. Whether you’re in it for the rockstar romance, the introspective character arcs, or simply the musical backdrop, this one delivers on all fronts.
Overall rating: 4/5
Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.
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