One Night Band Stand

Get What You Need #2

by Julia Kent

Who accidentally has a one-night stand with her alumni band director?

Yep. Me.

I know what you’re thinking. Whoops! I slipped on some valve oil and accidentally landed on his baton during a rousing chorus of Stars and Stripes Forever.

That’s not quite how it went.

But the alumni band director is really, really skilled with that baton, if you know what I mean.

So what am I supposed to do now, as I walk into the morning’s rehearsal — three feet from the podium because of course I play piccolo — and find the guy I ghosted on this morning … right there, smiling at me like he remembers exactly what tempo I prefer?

He’s perfect. Too perfect.

He's a widowed dad of two adorable little kids that — oh, by the way — he forgot to mention.

But I also haven’t mentioned the seventeen-year-old I live with, either. He’s not my boyfriend. I’m his guardian. He’s autistic and non-speaking, and he’s been my whole world since I was nineteen.

I want Mr. Band Director. He wants me. Nothing — not the secrecy, not the awkwardness, not the 500 miles between his life and mine — will make this chemistry stop.

Except for three pesky little things: the secrets we're hiding from each other. Three very human secrets.

I’ve never felt so seen before. He gets me. I get him. But we’re buried in responsibilities and loyalties that get in the way. When I’m with him, I can play. Really play.

And not just music.

He can't quit his job and move his kids to be close to me. I can't uproot a fragile teen who needs round-the-clock care and is still mourning his parents. The odds are stacked against us.

But who ever let that get in the way of love?

455 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 30, 2026

About the author

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New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Julia Kent writes romantic comedy with an edge. Since 2013, she has sold more than 2 million books, with 5 New York Times bestsellers and more than 21 appearances on the USA Today bestseller list. Her books have been translated into French, German, and Italian, with more titles releasing in the future.

From billionaires to BBWs to new adult rock stars, Julia finds a sensual, goofy joy in every contemporary romance she writes. Unlike Shannon from Shopping for a Billionaire, she did not meet her husband after dropping her phone in a men's room toilet (and he isn't a billionaire in a rom com).

She also writes romantic suspense as Meli Raine, sexy shifter romances as DJ Jennings, billionaire shifters as half of the author team Diana Seere, and co-authors with Elisa Reed.

She lives in New England with her husband and three children in a household where she is the only person with the gene required to change empty toilet paper rolls.

She loves to hear from her readers by:

Email at jkentauthor@gmail.com

Twitter @jkentauthor

Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/jkentauthor

Instagram @jkentauthor

Visit her at http://jkentauthor.com

FORTHCOMING:


Love You Again (Love You, Maine, #2), July 19, 2022

Ten First Kisses (anthology with my story, Shopping for a Booty Call), August 12, 2022

Love You More (Love You, Maine, #3), October 11, 2022

Love You Now (Love You, Maine, #4), January 3, 2023


Author photo credit: Felix Rust http://www.felixrust.com

Reviews

[Lisa Spofford]

I received a gifted ARC of this novel via the author and I’m voluntarily leaving this review. ONE NIGHT (BAND) STAND is the second book in the GET WHAT YOU NEED series by Julia Kent. Piccolo player, Kelsey, has a one night stand with her alumni band director, Jared. This sparks undeniable chemistry between them, which is complicated by his widowed dad responsibilities and her role as guardian to an autistic teen. This is a spicy, open door, first person, dual POV, connected standalone, contemporary romantic comedy with tropes that include one night stand, widower single dad, cinnamon roll hero, invisible heroine, single guardian heroine, both keep secrets, secret relationship, long distance, uncanny similarities, they both love Pokémon Go, grief and loss, Autism Spectrum Representation, and he falls first. This book was so worth the wait and one of the most emotional books I have read this year, which is quite the statement when referring to the work of an author who wrote some of the funniest romcoms I have ever read. I would give this book 10/5 stars if it was an option! I laughed plenty but also cried hard as there was so much grief to process as Jared and his children deal with the loss of their wife/mother and he struggles with doing a job he never anticipated doing on his own. Kelsey had her own losses as does her ward, Aiden, whose parents were killed in a car crash, leaving her in charge of his emotional well being, education, and developmental needs. Their lives were complicated, they lived hours apart, and blending their families seemed daunting, but the love that grew from their connection made finding a solution imperative. I loved that the author made Jared and his family so open and accepting of Aiden and his needs. I loved even more that the blending of these families helped all three children grow and change in monumental ways. The author put much more of her own family into this book and my heart goes out to them. I highly recommend this for readers who enjoy cryful novels that just happen to be romcoms and are still full of laughs.

[Gina]

Full of innuendos and spice. This story is heart warming and funny. Jared and Kelsey have a one night stand or so they think. Turns out he is the band leader for her alma mater. He asks her out on a real date and things get real. But he is a widower with two children and she is guardian to a 17 year old autistic boy. They don't even live near each other. But falling in love changes things and makes things possible.

[Sharon in SF]

The main characters, Jared and Kelsey, are 34 and almost 30 when they are in town for the same event, but don't know it when they spend a night together. With their respective home situations, Jared and Kelsey rarely have an opportunity to be "single" since he's a widower with two kids, and she's the guardian of a non-speaking autistic teenager. She leaves their one night stand while he's in the shower, only to come face to face with him at the alumni performance that brought them to town. They enjoy the rest of their weekend together and decide to try a long distance relationship since he lives in Boston, and she in New Jersey...while still keeping their home life a secret. Those secrets reveal themselves spectacularly and coincidentally at the same time, that had me laughing out loud!
Julia Kent stories are always filled with emotional and laugh out loud moments. This book definitely carried more emotion than the title and blurb provides. Jared's wife, Stacey, though deceased, is a central character as he and the other adults (Stacey's brother, Case, his parents, and her parents) work to move forward as Jared is ready to start a new chapter with a new love, Kelsey. Kelsey is equally trying to move forward after a tragic accident took the life of Aidan's parents three years ago. She had been on her own for a while before Aidan's parents offered her a room on their large estate when she came to work with him as a personal care attendant nine years prior. Now she manages all aspects of his care, and because of Aidan's parents' generosity, Kelsey no longer has to worry about money. After a few boyfriends tried to take advantage of her financial situation, Kelsey remains guarded about her personal life.
Although they kept their familial responsibilites a secret, I loved how Jared and Kelsey were able to get to know the heart of one another before all the "external factors" came rushing in.
Those who know this author, know of her personal journey with her family's health struggles. I felt the author's struggle as she described the internal battles Kelsey often faced where she had to stay calm on the outside in order to de-escalate Aidan. Be prepared with tissues when you read the bonus epilogue. I felt honored to read this story.

[Sue Ouellet-Cofsky]

I don't even know where to begin on this review. Did it have all the hallmarks of a typical Julia Kent story? Absolutely. So many laughs all throughout. The band analogies throughout were a laugh a minute and had me rolling and roaring with laughter (just ask my husband lol). But holy heck, there was SO MUCH MORE to this story that was unexpected. Anyone who knows or follows this author knows that health issues and family dynamics (with disabled children) are a struggle and I felt like I was reading HER story. Oh I'm sure there were embellishments but I couldn't help but feel that I was hearing her struggles in the voices of the characters and that feeling was certainly empathy. I personally don't know what it is like to have to raises children on my own or have to raise a profoundly disabled child and so many parts of this story brought me to tears. Kelsey's pain with her childhood and her perseverance in raising and taking care of Aiden's every need was so difficult yet completely awe inspiring. Jared's awkwardness was completely endearing and I just wanted to hug him and take care of him. The 'rents were both frustrating and eventually amazing. And don't get me started about Sarah. The waterworks were completely flowing every time a video showed up. All in all, it was a typical Julia book but it was absolutely so full of heart and emotion.

[Didi Ps]

I absolutely loved the premise of One Night Band Stand, and Julia Kent delivers a romance that is so much more complicated than the title initially suggests.

What starts as a one-night stand quickly becomes Oh no… I have to see this man again when she walks into band rehearsal and discovers that her mystery hookup is her alumni band director. 😂 The chemistry between these two is fantastic, and I loved the fact that their attraction doesn't magically disappear once real life gets involved. If anything, it becomes harder to ignore.

What really worked for me, though, was how much more there was to both characters beneath that initial attraction. They aren't two people with uncomplicated lives who can simply decide to be together. He has his children and the responsibilities that come with being a widowed father, while she is the guardian of a teenager who depends on her completely. Both of them have people they love and responsibilities they can't just walk away from, which makes their situation feel genuinely difficult rather than artificially complicated for the sake of drama.

I also really appreciated the way the story deals with the secrets they're keeping from each other. Neither character is simply being deceptive for some convenient plot twist—they're carrying very real, very personal pieces of their lives that make opening up difficult. And underneath all of that is this wonderful feeling of two people who finally meet someone who gets them.

<3 <3 <3 Case!!! Bunny, too!

The first video? Then the one in the epilogue? Wow… It’s reminiscent of the film P.S. I Love You, but on steroids… Made me love Stacey even more…

There are plenty of funny and awkward moments, great chemistry, and a romance that feels incredibly heartfelt once the bigger picture comes into focus. I especially loved the music/band setting—it gives the story such a fun and distinctive backdrop, and the whole piccolo-versus-band-director setup is just too good. 😂

This is definitely more than a steamy one-night-stand story. It's about finding someone who makes you feel seen, while trying to figure out whether two complicated lives can actually fit together.

A really enjoyable, emotional romance with great chemistry, plenty of humor, and two people who have every reason to believe their relationship shouldn't work… and every reason to keep trying anyway.

I received this free ARC, and this is my honest review.

[Pauline]

Another story that is totally on brand for Ms. Kent! Hilariously written, with real lives and real life complications. Jared and Kelsey have a one night stand at an alumni band reunion, but both know right from the start that this is not going to be only one and done! Both have such difficult home lives that neither were expecting this curveball or the obstacles that these feelings would bring up. For that glorious weekend they were just Kelsey and Jared. Not Jared, widowed dad to two kids or Kelsey, guardian to a wonderful young man with Autism. But real life intrudes and if Jared and Kelsey want this to become something, then they will have to do some serious thinking.

As always, Ms. Kent treats these delicate subjects with both humor and compassion. This emotional roller coaster has it all, love, tragedy, witty banter, sadness, finding your person and making a family. As with real life, there is confusion, indecision and working together to achieve a solution and finally an HEA! Another wonderful story, from this wonderfully accomplished writer.

[Alicia]

Another delightful, witty, and warm read from Julia Kent, as I have come to expect, but this time, the book has more. The storyline involves much more than crazy circumstances and madness. It has the distinct stamp of real life, of life altering events and circumstances. Both Jared and Kelsey are dealing with it all with grace and love while also finding something new and really quite wonderful in each other. This thread of seriousness doesn't weigh down the book in the slightest. It serves to highlight the inherent kindness in both of them and emphasises that life, without any shadow of a doubt, is not always gentle with us, but there is still joy, passion and fun to be had if you are open to it.
Both Kelsey and Jared are fabulous, witty, and highly intelligent people, just like the author whosecskill withnword play is outstanding. . I have loved joining them as they wrestle circumstances, omissions, and distance to find something very worthwhile. I relished every minute of this book. 💖💖💖💖💖

[Alicia McKilligan]

Another delightful, witty, and warm read from Julia Kent, as I have come to expect, but this time, the book has more. The storyline involves much more than crazy circumstances and madness. It has the distinct stamp of real life, of life altering events and circumstances. Both Jared and Kelsey are dealing with it all with grace and love while also finding something new and really quite wonderful in each other. This thread of seriousness doesn't weigh down the book in the slightest. It serves to highlight the inherent kindness in both of them and emphasises that life, without any shadow of a doubt, is not always gentle with us, but there is still joy, passion and fun to be had if you are open to it.
Both Kelsey and Jared are fabulous, witty, and highly intelligent people, just like the author whosecskill withnword play is outstanding. . I have loved joining them as they wrestle circumstances, omissions, and distance to find something very worthwhile. I relished every minute of this book. 💖💖💖💖💖

[Judith M. Doyel]

This book, although funny, also deals with a lot of subjects that Julia Kent doesn’t usually cover in her writing. The band director/music teacher/father is a very normal guy but is also a widower who is dealing with the loss of his wife to breast cancer. When Jared meets Kelsey, a lovely carefree young woman who he has a one night stand with after playing Pokemon go, his life changes. Kelsey is the guardian of a special needs teen that she was caring for when his parents died and who she now has guardianship over. His parents took her in when she was sleeping in her car outside their mansion. The rest of the book is Jared and Kelsey developing a relationship, finding their way through their own problems and insecurities as they open up to each other slowly. Other people react. Past secrets come out slowly. It is a very compelling and worthwhile read. Different than Julia’s usual book, but I still could not put it down and I finished sarisfied.

[Wendy Livingstone]

This is the second book in this impressive series, and this is Jared and Kelsey’s story.
Jared and Kelsey meet and share a 1-night stand, and she ghosts him in the morning, only to walk into band practice where she plays the piccolo, to find Jared standing there, as the alumni band director. Both characters have complex lives, as Jared is a widowed single dad to two children, and Kelsey is guardian to a 17-year-old teen, who is autistic and non-speaking, and he became her whole world after his parents passed.
This is a well written emotional roller coaster, with family, friendships, loss, tragedy, chaos, secrets, loyalty, insecurities, responsibilities, healing, humour, witty banter, undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, and heartwarming addictive page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.

[Stephanie Corbett]

This is a wonderful book. It has all the expected hallmark comedy traits we have come to expect, but this book is deeper and more thought provoking, and covers some challenging topics in a heartfelt manner.

Kelsey has had very bad luck with men, and so when she meets Jared, she is slow to trust. She also has large secrets she isn’t yet ready to expose. Jared is a widower and although a wonderful guy, he is also keeping secrets. Having two kids being the most important.

The humour is first rate, and I am now intrigued by Pokémon Go. However the delicate and deeply honest way that grief, terminal illness, autism and its unique challenges is handled was awe inspiring. It felt so natural and yet deeply moving.

This story is entertaining and gripping, and educational all at once. I highly recommend it. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

[Bobbie]

By turns, this book is serious and funny. I am used to Julia Kent writing good, funny romances, but this story goes way beyond that. Serious subjects abound and yet carries the lightheartedness that I love about her books. Jared and Kelsey have .one night when they meet at an alumni band retreat. They know nothing about each other other than they both like Pokémon Go and fun. Even believing it is a one nighter, neither can forget the other, but Jared is a widower with 2 kids and is still mourning his wife. Kelsey is the permanent caretaker of Aiden, a neurodivergent autistic teenager, as his parents had died in a car accident. They live in different states, and it all seems overwhelming, but in the hands of this author, they find a way to their HEA. A wonderful read by turns heavy and funny. I absolutely loved this book and recommend it highly.

[Joe Kendall]

Fatburger rules

OMG 😪💖😪
I love love love this book. And that bonus epilogue ending. It has left me an emotional wreck. In all the best ways.
Julia Kent you have done it again. I don't know how you make each book better than the last but you do.
I love Jared and Kelsey. From their very first meeting, Pokémon GO and Star Wars underpants. To Aiden, Corey and Molly.
This story is emotionally, loving and passionate. Dealing with high emotion and grieving. It has an intensity that is overwhelming and perfect for this story.
I love the supporting cast. The depth they add to the plot and interactions that expand this world.
Jared and Kelsey are a brilliant couple. The pain and hardships they have endured set the scene for a beautiful relationship that comes to life on the page.
I highly recommend this book, series, and author.

[Flavs is Mrs David Gandy♥~♥’]

I haven’t read much of this author’s work, but this one I really enjoyed.

Jared and Kelsey have a one night stand, but the next morning she is just ghosts him until to walk into band practice where she plays the piccolo and finds her one night stand, Jared as the band director.

Jared is a widowed single dad to two children and Kelsey is a guardian to a 17-year old teen who is autistic who became her world when his parents died.

I was in heaven as both of these characters have kids and single parents are my weakness 😊

The story was filled with family, friendships, loss, chaos, healing, and witty batter, not to mention the undeniable chemistry, which makes for a story that you wont be able to put down 😊

Read on behalf of
Fay’s Corner

[Barbara]

In true Julia Kent form this story had me laughing out loud at moments and others reaching for a tissue. Two lost souls dealing with grief find each other over Pokémon Go, and then bond over Stars and Stripes. He’s a widower with two young kids. She’s the guardian to a very special young man with autism. The question is, can they overcome their grief and fears and find a way to merge their makeshift families. There’s plenty of heart and soul to this story if loss and hope, and those lost having visions for the future that help pave the way once they’re gone. These characters have found a place in my heart!

[Michele Witt]

Wow! Jared & Kelsey Stole My Heart!

I always know that when I pick up a Julia Kent book, I’m going to be laughing out loud at the crazy antics her characters get themselves into and One Night Band Stand definitely delivers on that!

But this book also has an emotional side that really pulls at your heartstrings. Jared and Kelsey are quirky, lovable, and absolutely impossible not to root for. Their journey to being together comes with plenty of challenges, surprises, and, of course, the hilarious chaos I’ve come to expect from Julia.

I loved watching their story unfold, and these two will definitely steal your heart.

[Judi]

4-1/2 stars, only because I hate to cry…

This story starts off so funny and sexy and I couldn’t stop laughing, then it begins to really hit Kelsey that she is almost as different as her charge Aiden. But Jared is more than your typical “golden retriever” hero, maybe it’s that he is a teacher or that he’s sensitive or that he is musical (which to me is similar to a poet). Then the emotions come into play and so much is felt by all of the characters. Heavy emotions are processed and taken to heart by this family and worked through with us in tow. Keep your tissues handy, but don’t pass up this beautiful joyful book.

[Julie Booklover]

I fell in love with the blurb, but as I got into the story, it is a little more complicated than it seems. The layers, secrets, and lives of Kelsey and Jared.

While a one night stand, quickly becomes a complicated situation. The magic of their one night stand continues to grow, the attraction harder to suppress.

I love the way the characters are written, both have responsibilities tied to their lives adding a touch of drama. How they realize they are better together, than apart.

As they work through the complexity of their lives and weave them into one, I got the humor I was initially looking for.

Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review

[Jennifer Artiles]

This wonderful book had me loudly laughing out loud one minute and in tears the next. The issues both Jared and Kelsey are dealing with are so real-world yet not handled in a maudlin way. I learned so much about Aidan's condition and love how Kelsey was always there for him, no matter what. Jared is the same with his children and Aidan--together they make the best team possible. Ms. Kent is best known for her humor but this novel touched more than my funny bone, it touched my heart with her compassion for difficult subjects, especially with everything going on in her own life. Thanks for sharing all of this wonderfulness with the world! Highly recommended.

[Jessica]

Wow. This one was definitely an emotional roller coaster. There was still some comedy like we expect from Julia, but it was much more emotionally rich. This book deals with loss, being enough, and how you move on and grow.

She hit the nail on the head with Kelsey. Her character was so real and strong. Her vulnerable center was difficult to get to, but once she opened up, she world became full

Jared is Superman, albeit a discombobulated one. Keeping life together by the skin of his teeth, but being so open and easy to show love made him a superhero in my eyes.

The supporting characters were of course amazing and Stacey was a badass chick that would’ve been amazing to meet

[Cheryl]

One Night (Band) Stand by Julia Kent is the story of Jared and Kelsey. They meet over Pokemon…and their attraction increases from there. They both have issues from their past…leading to their current situations…that could put a bit of damper on things going anywhere between them. Their family situations are complicated. So, both of them keep secrets from the other. This leads to a lot of confusion, situations, and withholding of facts….on both their parts. This story is emotional, ‘real’, and filled with indecision and second-guessing of everything. Good read!!

[Katherine]

I love just about every Julia Kent book.
Love this one too.
The humour is outstanding, also this book has intense insight to living and coping and getting on with it bring up a boy who is autistic, non speaking and heading into adulthood.
Pokémon is something I know little about and that was a fun insight to experience.
The odds were definitely stacked against Kelsey and Jared and it was brilliant to see how two people can choose to live a full life, to make it the best they can, because they can do that.
I am blessed to receive an ARC from the author and this is my genuine review

[Stephanie Villere]

One Night Band Stand is book two of Julia Kent’s Get What You Need series. Kelsey is a caregiver of an autistic teen and Jared is a widowed band director. These two have so many issues on their own and have an electric night together. They also have lots of chemistry and secrets! Lots of secrets! The medical issues displayed in this book are sometimes very personal to Ms Kent. She writes some hilarious stories filled with laughter and heart and has been one of my top favorite authors for years. I couldn’t put this one down. Tell me if you can!

[Candace]

Cute story, but cringey music references

As a piccolo player like the main character, I was excited about the potential for good musical references. And then there was a Lego stuck in a piccolo. If you have ever held a piccolo, you would know that a minifig is significantly larger, and there is no possibility that incident could happen. The music references continued poorly after that.

[Vic]

This year's must read book. I don't know where to start but it takes you on a total journey full of so much heart and feels that I read it straight through, unable to put it down and my heart still doesn't know whether to continue laughing or crying. It is a truly beautiful story. Be prepared to laugh hard and bring tissues. And enjoy the heck out of it. Total triumph Julia.

[Heather]

This was an emotional read. It's a story of finding love after grief and tragedy. Jared and Kelsey have a fun meeting and slowly fall while navigating their complex lives. The humor is there but there are also some heavy emotions. The storyline was good and I liked the characters. While more serious than I expected, I enjoyed this book.

[Lana-White Hot Reads]

You know you're gonna get a LOL book from Julia but also with heart. Jared and Kelsey have a one-night stand while away at band reunion. Who knew the Pokemon Go game would bring these two together. They start a relationship but soon realize they are both hiding important things. Once they get it out and reveal what it is, then its on.

[Shannon Binegar-Foster]

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
This book was phenomenal. Plain and simple, no other words can describe it. Julia has a way to pulling you completely into the story. She always finds the perfect amount of humor and spice to balance out the hard emotional parts. This one was full to the brim with all of it. Excellent.

[Brenda]

WOW, just wow...I laughed, I cried, I stayed up too late. Jared and Kelsey's story has grief, heartache, love, acceptance and fun. Loved Jared's kids! They made someone who is different feel like part of the family. Aidan, who Kelsey is a legal guardian of, is autistic and relates well to Jared's kids. Great story!!

[Isha Coleman]

If the laughs don't grab you, the emotions will. Kent leads with heart and tempts with humor. From unpredictable to inevitable, the feels keep coming. One Night (Band) Stand is a work of chaos that comes full circle. An entertaining piece of heart.