If Not for My Baby

Golden (A Reign of Rose) pairs a sensitive Irish superstar with his new backup singer in this irresistible celebrity romance. Waitress Clementine Clark works long shifts at the Happy Tortilla in her tiny hometown of Cherry Grove, Tex., to support herself and her chronically ill mother—but she secretly dreams of being a musician. So she’s thrilled when her best friend, Everly, who works as a backup vocalist, gets Clementine a spot on pop star Thomas Patrick Halloran’s U.S. tour. Clementine drops everything to seize her chance—never expecting to fall in love with her new boss. Golden makes Halloran drop-dead dreamy (“He looks like a handsome, mournful druid. His eyes are endless”) and adds juicy conflict to his budding relationship with Clementine via the machinations of his tour manager, who is determined to sabotage their happiness. A stellar supporting cast—especially Clementine’s new coworkers Molly and Indy—adds to the fun and Golden skillfully captures the whirlwind of the eight-week tour. The result is a smart, sexy rock ’n’ roll tale that delivers both heat and heart. (Aug.)