Melody Gallard and Beat Dawkins, whose mothers formed the legendary, raucous rock duo Steel Birds before they were born, are brought together when a reality TV show wants to livestream them reuniting the band for one epic Christmas Eve concert. Shy, retiring Melody lives quietly, avoiding the press that was so hurtful when she was an awkward teenager, while charming, gorgeous Beat runs his mother's charitable foundation. His personal life is less charming, however, and he's in desperate need of the money the reality show will pay. Though Beat and Melody only met once as teens, they've always had a connection. As adults, that small spark has grown into an intense attraction. The protagonists are well-developed, managing to be relatable even as their situations are far removed from the experiences of many readers. Melody's self-esteem and Beat's mistrust are both sensitively explored, and the screwball shenanigans keep the story from descending into melodrama. VERDICT This delightful holiday rom-com from Bailey (Unfortunately Yours) is filled with emotion as well as humor. Highly recommended for general purchase.—Heather Miller Cover

Bestseller Bailey (Unfortunately Yours) pairs the children of celebrities to winning effect in this hot and heartwarming contemporary. Beat Dawkins and Melody Gallard are the respective children of Octavia Dawkins and Trina Gallard, who together made up the rock duo Steel Birds before the band imploded for publicly unknown reasons while the women were pregnant. Thirty years have passed, and Octavia is now the darling of the charity ball set, while Trina's living a freewheeling lifestyle on a commune. Their children have understandably complicated relationships with fame: Beat's determined to stay out of the spotlight as much as possible, while Melody has been treated abominably by the tabloids. Then a TV producer ropes them into a reality show about convincing their mothers to reunite Steel Birds for a Christmas concert, catapulting Beat and Melody to new levels of fame. Viewers are quickly charmed by Melody's self-effacing humor and the intense chemistry between her and Beat—and readers will be too. There's plenty of steam as the couple get together, and the mystery of what split up Steel Birds and whether they'll reunite in time for the concert keeps the pages turning. It's a rollicking good time. Agent: Laura Bradford, Bradford Literary. (Oct.)