Ahhhh this was such a good and emotional second chance romance with the pregnancy trope! I really could not put this book down and now I'm hoping for some bonus content of this little family.

Clio and Jack's love story started in high school however due to their parents some miscommunication they broke up. Five years later they reconnect, but unfortunately they did not get their happily ever after this time either. After the night one stan Clio finds out that she is pregnant and she has no way of contacting Jack, thus leaving him clueless that they are having a child. But through the course of the book everything comes into place.

I loved how emotional this book made me feel. The romance and the friendships were written so beautifully. But the thing that got to me the most was how Clio and Jack were with their daughter. Just so adorable! The writing was also good, it did not feel like the plot was dragging on and it was pretty easy to read. Definetely recommend this book!

I enjoyed this book's second chance story. The interference by parents while Clio and Jack are in high school, is believeable and probably hits home to many readers. They each flounder in the intervening years until they find each other years later, and though there are many obstacles to their relationship, they make it work. This was a fun, light read which I enjoyed. However, there were a few plot holes that left me puzzled.

Thank you NetGalley for providing this copy in exchange for an unpaid, honest review.

This is a story about Jack and Clio. It's a second-chance romance. I enjoyed the beginning of the story and how Jack was not ashamed to admit that he loves Clio. So I had many expectations from the story and I would see the potential to achieve those. But sadly halfway through the story, I started to see many plot holes and left scratching my head about certain actions done by the characters.

I did enjoy the scenes with the baby and how h's friends were so supportive of her. Overall it was an okay read.

Thank you NetGalley for providing the ARC of this story! ❤🙏🏾

Overall, I would say this is a good book to read. It is certainly befitting of its genre. Enjoyed the contents. Great book.

This book is a super fast paced, quick read. It’s a second chance rockstar romance.The plot was easy to follow and the characters were likeable for the most part. Some of the events and decisions made by characters seemed a little unrealistic to me but I was able to overlook those things while reading. Some areas may have benefited from a little more depth/detail but otherwise it was a good read!

I was enthralled with this story from the first page and read it through within a few hours, it was that good. The book kept you wanting to know what's happening next. Clio and Jack met in high school but through some parental machinations and lack of communication ,the relationship was doomed. After a few missed connections, they again found each other, but as expected there was no smooth sailing into the sunset. I loved the emotions, the interplay within the different relationships and the way the friendships played out. Adversity and looming uncertainty truly shows what mettle you're made of and who your true friends are. Excellent writing, few typos, great plot that was easy to follow, would highly recommend this read. Appreciate this ARC from Netgalley, can hardly wait for the next in the series in August.

This is a second chance rockstar romance. This one is more on the emotional side.

Jack is living his dream, but a misunderstanding causes him to lose the love of his life. He sets out on a journey to do whatever it takes to get her back.

Jack and Clio's love story is surprisingly good. It's emotional in the right places, it's got a good does of steam and the characters are meant to be together.

This is a great book. The two main characters Clio and Jack have been boyfriend and girlfriend since high school. They have had some terrible times that seem to pull them apart. Every time they get together something happens. They eventually get together and find their love.

2 out of 5 stars.
I am a huge fan of romance, but this one missed the mark for me.
While I enjoyed getting to know Clio, I found Jack boring.
I am also not a huge fan of the ‘oh you have a daughter’ storyline.
This relationship failed in serendipitous fashion over and over basically due to lack of communication.
The sex scenes are well done without being overly graphic, but I think a bit more spice could have helped make up for the poor story.
I want to say I liked it, I wanted to like it, but it didn’t hit the right notes. Pun intended.

This book is the first in The Balefire Series. It is a second chance romance between Balefire drummer Jack Whitehorse, and nursing student Clio Barnes. Jack and Clio were high school sweethearts until her father tore them apart in a very cruel way. And as cruel as that was, her parent's actions later in the book make that action almost look loving! Her parents are awful and I hope she never finds it in her heart to fully forgive them! Clio's character is everything you would want in your female romantic lead, except for how easily she forgives Jack, over and over. Jack, you want to love him and when he is around, you do love him. BUT, when he is not around, well, for him it is out of site out of mind for Clio. No one that is really in LOVE like he says he is would ever, EVER, do some of the things he does (not cheating). (I really want to be more specific, but I don't want to spoil anything.) This book is well written and I did enjoy it, but I am only giving 4 stars because Jack doesn't live up to my expectations of a romantic Hero, even though he did have the potential. That said, I am very much anticipating the next book (blurb at the end of this one). Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy for an honest review.

I like this book but I think I might be in here minority here about my review. I loved Jack I thought he was awesome besides the crap hand he was dealt from Harrison and Clio. Granted he needed to grow up but he didn’t have ten months to make plans that would work for him and his new family. You might say how did Clio deal him a crap hand. Well first she walks out on him and cuts off all ways he could communicate with her. Then she didn’t plan to tell him that she was pregnant despite what she said that was not in any of her thought processes I read because of she had planned to tell him then their daughter would have had his last name. Finally she knows he’s a musician in a successful band but she’s doesn’t meet him halfway to work on their relationship oh no he has to make all the efforts even though she blocks him by wanting to maintain her “independence” and because she doesn’t want to be in the spotlight. Also nowhere in the book did I see where she explained Angel’s last name.my point in my rant his I loved Jack but Clio I didn’t like her at all. I thought she was selfish, whiny, and wouldn’t know how to communicate her way out of a paper bag. My biggest peeve in books is when the girl can and is in the wrong but it’s never addressed and she never called out in it but the guy oh he gets attitude and jump through hopes for her affection

This was a fine rockstar romance. Also a second chance. I didn't like some of the decisions the main character made. It was an interesting backstory and development.

I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
Oh wow! This young adult into adulthood romance was off the charts. I admit I wanted to skip to the end to make sure the outcome I wanted happened.
There were a lot of decisions Jack made that I had problems with but he needed to find his way. Sometimes you wanted to smack him upside the head though.
Great read and to see Blu has a story too is awesome. Can’t wait to read his story.

Play For Me is the first book in The Balefire Series by Tam DeRudder Jackson. This is the first book I've read by the author, but it won't be the last. Thrilling read and looking forward to reading more.

Clio and Jack were forced apart by her meddling father who thought Jack was not good enough for her. Although Jack would have loved to fight for her and their relationship, he could not do this because he had signed on for a chance at chasing his dream not knowing that it also meant he had to give up the girl of his dreams.

I loved that the story was written from the perspective of the two characters as we are able to understand what they were both thinking and feeling at different stages but Jack's character disappointed me in some ways because I feel like he simply did not try hard enough. He had the resources to try harder to connect with Clio, to find her and make things right sooner than he did. Considering how much her absence affects him and how his love for her is portrayed I didn't really feel it in some of his actions.

The story was really easy to read and I breezed through the pages, I loved Clio's strength but was a bit annoyed that she was never really 100% transparent with her best friends (who she also sees as her sisters). They had proven that they had her back and were always there for her so I did not understand her reluctance to share important information with them.

Good romance to read if you enjoy rock star/ music centered romances. Interesting backstory and relationship between characters. Will check out other stuff by this author.

I recieved an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is a fun lighthearted read for those who love rock star romances and second chance love stories.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for giving me access to an e-arc of this book in exchange of my honest opinion !
I really enjoyed this book ! More than I thought I would. There was drama, sexy-time, romance and even more drama. While I like a good romance I hate it when everything is easy and perfect and everyone love each other. When I read romance books I want Drama with a capital D and this book delivered.
I was hooked and read it in one sitting. I will definitely check other books by this author.

3.5 stars--PLAY FOR ME is the first instalment in Tam DeRudder Jackson’s contemporary, new adult BALEFIRE erotic, romance series focusing on the members of the rock band Balefire. This is Balefire drummer Jack Whitehorse, and nursing student Clio Barnes’ story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Clio and Jack) PLAY FOR ME follows the second chance romance between Balefire drummer Jack Whitehorse, and nursing student Clio Barnes. At the age of eighteen, Jack Whitehorse found himself at a crossroads when his signed away his life for a future as a drummer with the bank Rude Awakening but it was Jack who got the rude awakening when he discovered the fine print forced his hand, walking away from the girl that he loved. Fast forward two years wherein Jack, now the drummer for the band Balefire, would come face to face with his past, Clio Barnes, but the possibility of reconciliation and a future together evaporated with a phone call, and the woman he loved, walking away. Another year would pass before Jack would walk back into Clio’s life, a life now changed by the arrival of their daughter, a child he knew nothing about but his attempts at normalcy are destroyed when the band heads out on the road leaving behind the woman he loves. Months would pass without contact until Clio is threatened with the loss of everyone she loves.

The relationship between Clio and Jack is a rekindling romance, a romance destroyed by discrimination and threats, secrets and lies, and a total lack of communication. Months and years would pass before Jack had any contact with the woman he loved, then months would pass again, before he dropped back into her life. Clio, desperate for the affection and approval of the man that she loved would forgive and forget, then find herself alone, once again. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Clio’s friends Annabelle Bailey Saunders, and Stacy Newhouse; the members of the band Balefire: Blu Connolly, Adam Tron, and Dakota Perri, as well as Clio’s parents Harrison and Meredith Barnes. Blu Connolly’s story is next in SING FOR ME.

PLAY FOR ME is a story of family, betrayal, secrets and lies; a story of lack of communication, forgiveness, love and happily ever after. The character driven premise is fast paced, engaging and emotional; the romance is seductive but heart breaking; the characters are stubborn and energetic but I struggled with Jack’s numerous absences in our heroine’s life. Jack never once contacted Clio while out on tour, leaving her to raise their daughter on her own, knowing full well she had no familial or financial support. No phone calls, no emails, no text messages, no help…this is not the epitome of a man in love but a man so consumed by stardom and music, he ‘forgets’ about his child, his woman, and his responsibilities at home-definitely not a hero worthy of a second chance. I love the premise but I disliked the actions of Jack Whitehorse.



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I thoroughly enjoyed reading this second chance romance with a rockstar theme and I'm thrilled that book 2 in the series is due out in the next few months.

Only child Clio has been a disappointment to her controlling parents ever since she was born a girl. When she starts dating and going to the prom with Jack, who according to her parents Meredith and Harrison have got the wrong surname and heritage, they quickly step in to put an end to the relationship. Harrison tricks Jack into signing a contract to go on tour with a rock band which in the small print stipulates that he must immediately sever all ties with Clio or risk the success of Jack's father's construction business.

Clio and Jack are both struggling emotionally during the years that follow; but as in all good romance stories there is a happy ending; after quite a few twists and turns.