Spotlight for FOR OUR NEXT SONG by Jessica James

FOR OUR NEXT SONG by Jessica James

Published:  Berkley Trade Paperback Original; January 13, 2026;

Genre: Rockstars; Contemporary Romance; LGBTQ+ 

The story: The decade-long friendship between two rock goddesses is thrust into the spotlight after their mutual desire strikes a perfect—and very public—chord.

For Glitter Bats keys player Jane Mercer, writing music helps tune out her self-doubt from a strict upbringing. Composing also distracts from her longtime feelings for her bandmate and best friend, Keeley, who Jane can’t pursue if she wants to keep her bisexuality out of the media. But when an incompetent percussionist quits mid–recording session on one of her major solo projects, there’s only one drummer to call to make the deadline.

Keeley Cunningham is determined to do what’s best for the newly-reunited Glitter Bats—including conceal her incurable attraction to Jane by keeping her distance. Still, when Jane asks for her help in the studio, Keeley drops everything to fill in. They collaborate harmoniously… until their repressed feelings crescendo into a massive argument about the band’s future that leaves them barely speaking.

As music forces Jane and Keeley into increasingly close proximity, the lingering tension finally ignites into the romance they’ve both been craving—and it’s hot, emotional, and fundamentally secret. But after an intimate moment is caught on camera, they’ll have to decide if their duet can survive its debut—both on and off stage.

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Meet the Author (taken from her website):  Jessica writes steamy, heartfelt love stories about ambitious women and the people who fall head over heels for them. Her romance obsession began with strong influences from Jane Austen, Meg Cabot, and early 2000’s rom coms. In November 2021, Jessica was selected as a Pitch Wars mentee for adult contemporary romance. Her debut novel, For One Night Only, released on January 7, 2025 from Berkley/Penguin Random House. For Our Next Song, a companion novel, is set to release January 13, 2026.

In addition to writing, Jessica has a passion for music—she’s a mezzo soprano with a BA in Music and a deep love of Broadway, but fortunately has never been a rock star. Her spare time is spent reading everything she can get her hands on, going to concerts, watching Sci-Fi and Fantasy series, trying new cookie recipes, playing cozy video games, and exploring the Pacific Northwest, where she lives with her spouse and their magical reindeer herding dog. She can be found with an iced oat milk latte in hand regardless of the weather.

Representation: Samantha Fabien at Root Literary

Photo Credit: Emily Jones Photography