Thank you. Berkley Romance and PRH Audio for the free ARC!

I haven’t read a lot of rockstar romances but I enjoyed this! This was really easy to read and I liked the characters. The relationship between Clementine and her mom was the sweetest! I also found out after finishing that this is heavily inspired by the singer, Hozier.

This story follows Clementine as she joins lead singer. Tom Halloran, on his tour.

Releasing on August 5, 20025

Thank you Netgalley & Berkley Publishing for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review!

This was my first book by Kate Golden and I thoroughly enjoyed it! This was my first rockstar romance, and while I liked the premise and the backdrop of life on tour, the story didn’t quite deliver the emotional depth I was hoping for. The romance between Clem and Halloran felt a bit rushed and focused more on attraction than real connection, and I struggled to fully believe in the characters' bond. That said, there were some sweet moments, like the early banter with the band and supportive female friendships, and I appreciated the inclusion of chronic illness representation. Overall, it was a light, easy read with a few highlights, but it left me wanting more in terms of chemistry and character development.

Caution this book has Critically High levels of yearning. We are approaching Maximum Yearn. I’m going to be fully transparent I went into this almost entirely blind and at one point I went “is this kind of like… Hozier fanfiction?” (yes) and that tracks because this read like if you made a Hozier album into a book. So basically if you were like wow this is so sweet and beautiful and also, I am being hit by a bus or possibly an entire freight train.

Clementine’s hesitancy and self-doubt is so relatable and every time she panicked I was unfortunately faced with my own reflection in a way that I did not like (: but not in an “I don’t like this book” way, in an “I don’t like this!! me!!!” way. She is willing to set everything aside for the people she loves, and she’s willing to let herself be a casualty of their contentment. But she is also SO brave, even when she’s scared, and her passion for her art and the people around her is earnest and all-encompassing.

Tom is so tender and kind and patient, and exactly what Clementine needs. They are so well-matched even as friends - they find a gentle comfort in each other and are able to be emotionally vulnerable with each other almost immediately, even though Clementine would vehemently deny that is the case. They make each other laugh and let each other be exactly who they are without pressure - but with an openness and attentiveness that pulls them both out of their shells.

Ugh the yearning!!!! THE YEARNING.

(Also can someone explain to me why I thought this book was about an alien? Like before I started reading it. I literally cannot fathom why I thought that but I did???)

I think this was an ok read. It took me a bit to get into, but there were parts of the book I did enjoy. There were moments that I thought were cute and fun. I liked the main characters and their banter. I just didn’t feel as invested in their romance/love story.

Thank you Netgalley and Berkley for the arc!

Rating: 3.25

This book is ideal for readers who enjoy stories of opposites attracting amidst personal growth, combining the allure of a secret rockstar romance with heartfelt emotional journeys.

A small-town waitress abruptly finds herself as a last-minute backup singer for a rockstar, and a romance ensues. Clementine goes on a journey to find her voice, both literally and metaphorically. Halloran, the reluctant rock star, appears to be based on Hozier.. This is a new-to-me author, and I enjoyed the story.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

This was my first Kate Golden book and…I loved it! I had such a fun time with this story. I’m a total sucker for a man who yearns and knows exactly how to speak straight to your heart. Add in a swoony rock star, an emotional slow burn, and the chaos of a tour bus crew? I’m sold.

Clementine’s journey was so entertaining to follow. Watching her evolve from someone who kept love at arm’s length to someone learning how to accept it was so emo. And the chemistry between her and the TPH!!! Off the charts. (And yes I a was chanting TPH every time his full government name game up)

Some quotes that I marked:
“Don’t worry, I’m not going to fall in love with you.”
“Clem, that’s just what I’m afraid of.”

“To be loved is to be known—the worst of you, the best of you.”

Some tropes:
✨ Rock star romance
✨ He falls first
✨ Found family
✨ Kind hearted/yearning MMC

The book is also accompanied by a playlist🎧
If those are your vibes, add it to your TBR!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the e-ARC of this wonderful book!

Ok wow this was kind of beautiful? The lyricism was amazing, and I don’t usually like song lyrics in books. This was pretty much hozier fanfic but I will gladly celebrate it. I thought the main characters had great chemistry and I mostly loved the side characters Clementine met along the way. I do wish we got more of her friend from home that got her the job though, she was in it way too little.

Welcome to contemporary romance Kate golden I will be reading more from you

Kate Golden’s contemporary romance is fabulous! The yearning! The tension! The build up! So good! Clem’s fears of love and relationships face off against Tom’s romantic artist’s soul. The way their relationship grows against the backdrop of the tour was a perfect. I so wish there was a real soundtrack to go with this book!

“to be loved is to be known” 🌲🎙️☕️🇮🇪🪕🖤

AHHHHHHHH

I may tack on to this later, but right now my head is just screaming happy Hozier loving romance loving nonsense. Kate if you ever read this I love u!!

Also thank u NetGalley and Berkley for this ARC, I screamed in my car when I saw the email come through, I never in a million years thought I would get approved but here we are!!

Okay for the actual review not just me screaming; Tom and Clem are EVERYTHINGGG. The reassurance, the yearning, the MUSIC. This book was SO good! Even if you’re not feral for Hozier (although how could you not be??) this rockstar romance is amazing and will strike a chord (lol) with you!

First off, thank you NetGalley and Berkley for the arc! I’m not really sure where I stand with this one after reading it. The premise alone had me intrigued and I knew very little that the MMC was “inspired” by Hozier but…it feels more than that. I thought the writing was okay and found myself breezing through the story, I don’t think this is a book that will stick with me. But I found myself feeling uncomfortable and icky multiple times knowing that this was basically fanfic of a real person who is insanely private to begin with. I genuinely believe that if the MMC wasn’t based off a real person, this still would have done well and I’m curious how’ll this do come release day.

The use of description and imagery is so imperative to the readers perception of setting I am impressed with how utterly invested I was with Clementine’s character just one chapter in. The specific details about the Clementine really lets you know her and appreciate her personality. The romance was truly believable because of the depth of Clementine’s reluctance to commit. Giving her a character flaw like that really lets the reader feel connected with her.

The book captured my interest from the first page. I found Clementine quite funny from the beginning and had a few snickers. I love music, but I'm not very good at analyzing lyrics and understanding the deeper meaning. So, for me, Halloran's lyrics seemed quite eloquent. I also loved that there was little to no miscommunication, and I felt that the characters expressed their feelings well and were honest with each other. It's always nice to see a male character with feelings. It does read quite like fan fiction, especially in the beginning, but that also makes it fast-paced and addictive to read.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that every girl who has ever obsessed over a musician will gobble this book right up. What a fun premise!
Halloran is a patient and talented and thoughtful giant of a man, it was very easy to be drawn to him. And Clementine, in her desperate need to land punches on herself before anyone else can, was vastly relatable. It was so easy to be proud of her for recognizing and facing her own faults.
It was fun to read this book!

An emotionally-charged rock star romance that hums with longing, healing, and a touch of Hozier.

If you’ve ever fantasized about being swept away from your small-town life and onto a cross-country tour bus with a rock star—much less a poetic Irish rock star with the requisite accent—Kate Golden’s If Not for My Baby delivers that fantasy in lush, romantic detail. And yes, if you're picking up Hozier vibes, you're not wrong. Tom is Awesome! Halloran, the tall, gentle, slow-simmering musician at the heart of this book, feels like a love letter to fans of the Irish troubadour.

Clementine Clark is stuck—emotionally, geographically, and financially. She's abandoned her dreams of singing to take care of her chronically ill mother and is in a dead-end job (and a dead-end situationship). But when she’s offered a spot as a backing vocalist on Halloran’s first U.S. tour, she trades small-town Texas for stadium crowds and finds herself on a journey that’s more than just musical—it’s personal.

What If Not for My Baby does particularly well is emotion. The romance between Clementine and Tom builds slowly, beautifully—full of mutual admiration, late-night vulnerability, and moments that feel like secret verses in an unrecorded ballad. Tom isn’t your typical brooding rock star; he’s kind, steady, and thoughtful—the kind of man who falls first, falls hard, and sings his feelings out loud. Golden handles his accent and charm with restraint, which makes his sweetness even more believable.

Clementine’s emotional arc is the novel’s true heartbeat. Watching her reclaim her voice—both literally and metaphorically—is deeply satisfying. Her complicated relationship with her mother is layered and realistic, offering a grounding counterbalance to the fairy tale of a whirlwind tour romance. The found-family dynamic among the band adds warmth and texture, making the world feel fully lived-in.

Still, some readers may find the “Hozier fanfic” feel a little on the nose. The real-life parallels occasionally blur the character’s uniqueness, and the third-act conflict—though brief—hinges on a misunderstanding that might have been resolved with a single honest conversation. A few repetitive tropes (Tall Guy/Smol Girl, insta-chemistry, and an overly perfect MMC) may also wear thin for more critical readers.

But if you’re here for yearning, emotional intimacy, and a love story that sings of hope and healing, If Not for My Baby more than hits the right notes.

Final Verdict
A sweet and soulfully written celebrity romance with a strong emotional core. Kate Golden offers a story full of soft-spoken longing, self-discovery, and music that heals.

Rating: 4/5
✨ Rockstar romance
✨ Found family
✨ Hurt/comfort
✨ He falls first
✨ Emotional healing arc
✨ Tour bus chemistry

Clementine is stuck. Stuck in a small town. Stuck working sad restaurant job. And stuck in a situationship with her longtime friend/boss. She's purposely made herself small, and stuck, in order to help her mother who suffers from debilitating fibromyalgia. Opportunity to get out of her small town and help pay for a clinical trial comes in the form of being a backup singer on Irish rock superstar, Halloran's US tour. Clem is immediately taken with the world of touring with it's late night antics, instant bonding and the high of performing live. Not to mention the absolutely devastatingly handsome knock out that is Halloran.
The way Kate Golden introduces Tom Halloran is subtle, sweet and pitch perfect. The way she wrote the accent made it so easy to hear Tom's voice throughout the whole book. Golden gives readers an adorable meet cute, (knew those ice alcoves in hotels were good for something), yearning by both parties as well as intimate moments that will steal your breath away.

3.5 Stars

I really enjoyed my time reading this book. It's the third one I’ve read in the past two months with a musician as the main character, and I found the touring aspect especially fun and engaging. The MCC being inspired by Hozier didn’t bother me much, since I’m not too familiar with him beyond a few of his songs.

What really stood out to me, though, was the strong sense of found family. I loved how the FMC found comfort and connection with her bandmates on the road. Watching her open up, little by little, after being so closed off to love and romance was really satisfying. Her growth felt earned, and it made the romance even more meaningful.

Overall, this is a sweet, emotional story with great character development and that comforting found-family dynamic I always love.

Read This Book If…Hozier is your favorite musical artist!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
If Not for My Baby by Kate Golden

Genre: romance
Spice Level: 3/5🌶, 1-2 explicit scenes
Setting: small town in Texas and around USA
POV: single, 1st person, present tense
Tropes: celebrity, hurt/comfort, he falls first, “good girl”

My Thoughts:
This was basically Hozier fanfic in the most complimentary way possible!

Our FMC went through a lot of growth, from her familial relationships to her views of love. I loved getting to see the world through her eyes!

I loved having a Gentle Giant as our MMC - no alphahole or cinnamon roll to be seen! He’s tall and quiet and so, SO thoughtful. While there were a few too many Tall Boy/Smol Girl references, the writing was overall gorgeous.

These two had CHEMISTRY! Their tension had me swooning, as did the beautiful lyrics. I loved how gradually they fell in love, singing to each other night after night.

I was hoping to get my heart stomped on a bit more during the third act conflict, but I was satisfied with how everything turned out.

Memorable Quote: “Avoiding everything that could hurt you might just leave you with nothing at all.”

Thank you to the publisher for my advance copy!

If Not for My Baby was entirely enjoyable and happily different from the other rockstar/normie romances that are everywhere these days. The characters- MC's and side- are likeable (except for Grayson who immediately lets his slimeball side show) and engaging. The premise is a departure from the typical meto

Clementine is a talented singer and current small town waitress who doesn’t believe in love and left her musical dreams in the past to take care of her mom. When a life changing opportunity to go on tour as Thomas Patrick Hollaran’s backup vocalist presents itself, Clementine is hesitant to leave everything she knows behind.

Hollaran is a hopeless romantic and reluctant rockstar who recognizes Clementine’s talent from the start. Their chemistry is instantaneous, but they face several obstacles including their complicated working dynamic (he’s technically her boss?) and the fact that Clementine is a love cynic.

If Not for My Baby featured a charmingly romantic Irish musician and a small town girl looking for her big break. It was a fun, easy read that romance readers are sure to devour.