Unfortunately this book was not for me. After originally DNFing I kept seeing great reviews online and decided to give it another shot. I absolutely loved Julie Sotos Forget Me Not so I was originally so excited for this one, however it fell really flat for me. Just because I didn’t like it though, doesn’t mean it won’t be a book someone else is obsessed with. Overall, nothing was sticking out for me personally and for that I give it a 2 stars.

Forget Me Not was an unexpected five star read for me last year when I read it so I was really excited to read this one.

I loved the cameos from the couple in Forget Me Not and getting to know the friend group and side characters. The romance was really sweet and I love when he falls first and falls harder I think its so so cute! I will be picking up all of this authors romances and could see myself dabbling in her other books as well.

Definitely recommend, just know that it is SPICY. 4.5 stars rounded up!

3.5 ⭐️
What a charming and heartfelt romance. It follows Lila, a woman caught between her dreams and the expectations placed on her. Set in the world of music, the story delves into themes of self-discovery, love, and finding one's voice. Soto’s writing captures the complexities of relationships and personal growth with humor and depth. The chemistry between the characters is real and engaging. It's a refreshing take on love, identity, and following your passion.

This is my second Julie Soto book. I loved Forget Me Not, so I was very excited to jump back into her storytelling. I really enjoyed the flow/ease of her writing, as well as the tension she built between the main characters. Unfortunately, this story fell very flat for me.

There were a lot of misses in the plot. I wished she would have given more in certain places (building the emotional relationship) and less in others (too many plot lines with little connection/development).

I had the privilege of reading an ARC of Julie Soto's debut, Forget Me Not, and it is still one of my favorite contemporary romance to this day. I was so excited to read her next book. While Forget Me Not is still a tiny bit above this one for me, I absolutely enjoyed Not Another Love Song. Musician rivals to lovers? Mysterious and broody MMC? He's obsessed with her in secret? So much tension you could cut it with a knife? Sign me up! I just loved when the two main characters have opposite personalities but complete each other perfectly, and this was the case with Gwen and Xander. The way he helped her get more confident and see how great of a musician she is and how she was able to ground him and help him see what really matters was so beautiful. I don't know that much about music, but Julie Soto wrote about it so lovingly, I couldn't help but care about it too.

I could not wait for the next Julie Soto book. The characters were instant hits for me. If you loved Forget Me Not, you will love this one!

Okay the PINING in this! So much tension. I loved that!

I will say…if you are a music person you will LOOOVVEEE this. I’m not totally a music person so I do think there were things I didn’t fully get. It’s VERY music (specifically orchestra) heavy. But even with my lack of knowledge, I loved it.

I think this would have been a 5 star but the third act breakup felt weird to me. I wasn’t even sure if they were broken up. And Lorenz SUCKS. And then they got back together so easily. I could have used a little more explanation and communication.

Overall though, I enjoyed this! Read it in just a few hours. And I loved the cameos from Forget Me Not!

I absolutely adore Julie Soto and her books always leave me wanting more. The characters are so real and relatable. The stores seem like something that would happen to your own friends, they're not out there making me think, 'yeah right, that didn't happen.' I can't wait for more by Julie in the future.

Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto is everything I needed and more! If you love rivals-to-lovers, grumpy/sunshine dynamics, and dating a celebrity with a side of insane sexual tension, this book is for you. Xander and Gwen had me hooked from the start!

Xander is an arrogant, superstar cellist who’s all confidence and charm, while Gwen is a talented, wallflower violinist who tries to keep her head down. But when these two are forced together, sparks fly, and the tension between them is next level—seriously, the tension had me clutching my book! The slow burn and aching longing were chef’s kiss.

And let’s talk about the pining. Alex’s journey was absolutely delicious, and his fall for Gwen was something I didn’t want to end. Their romance was hot, heavy, and so beautifully romantic—every spicy scene felt earned and reflected their deep connection. The way they needed each other made it all feel so intimate, like a whole different level of love and admiration. It’s one of the best slow-burn, tension-filled stories I’ve ever read!

This book kept my stomach fluttering and my heart pounding, and I loved every second of it. If you're into intense chemistry, complex characters, and a believable, swoon-worthy romance, Not Another Love Song is a MUST-READ!

Re-read "Forget Me Not" and finally cracked open "Not Another Love Song," because I needed more Julie Soto in my life--she has yet to steer me wrong.

"Not Another Love Song" is the story of a woman who struggles with self worth and a man who is confident in his own greatness, but just as confident in hers. I don't know anything about music, but reading this made me feel like I did.

Early reviews had me going in thinking this was going to be brimming with sex scenes, but I didn't find that to be the case. The physical intimacy felt like a very natural evolution of the emotional relationship.

Unfortunately, this story was riddled with factual errors. The male main character was absolutely insufferable. I needed more than five or six interlude chapters in order to justify his horrible personality. I didn’t really understand the trajectory of the romance further it is clear to me that this author has very little experience in the classical music world. My husband plays bass in an orchestra. I am a cellist. The inaccuracies were a little appalling. Overall, I really wanted to like this but I think I’m sick of Reylo fan fic.

I received an ARC of Not Another Love Song through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Julie Soto’s “Not Another Love Song” hits all the right notes for a delightful, enemies-to-lovers romance. June, a talented but jaded music producer, is forced to work with her former bandmate and rival, Jonah, on a project that could revitalize her career. The tension is palpable from the start, and the forced proximity trope is executed flawlessly.

Soto's writing is sharp and witty, with well-developed characters who feel authentic. June is wonderfully complex, balancing her ambition with vulnerability, and Jonah's charm and hidden depths make him incredibly endearing. The musical backdrop adds a unique and engaging layer to the story, and the chemistry between June and Jonah sizzles.

The pacing is excellent, and the emotional journey is both satisfying and heartwarming. While some could consider the plot points a bit predictable, the execution is so well done that it doesn’t detract from the enjoyment. If you're a fan of second-chance romances with a strong musical vibe and plenty of witty banter, "Not Another Love Song" is a must-read.

Thank you so much for the chance to read this book.

Rating: 5/5

I really enjoyed this story! The romance and the setting were top-tier and I loved how the story played out. The side characters were just as good as the main characters. Can't wait to read more by Soto!

the artful tension between these characters is chefs kisssss!!! This is my second book by Julie Soto and definitely will not be my last

Not Another Love Song | Julie Soto
Elite classical musicians, NYC, enemies(ish) to lovers

Gwen Jackson has the skill, the talent, and now the chair. First violin at the Manhattan Pops is an esteemed position with a massive responsibility. Unfortunately, this position places her directly across from brilliant cellist Xander Thorne: cocky, irritating, super-famous, and devastatingly attractive. What if everything she’d dreamed of isn’t actually what she wanted? And what if the one person she can’t stand is actually everything she needs? And what happens when she finds out she’s not much more than a talented puppet in someone else’s agenda?

First of all, the tension between these two is off the charts! I love the push and pull between them, even before they get together. This compelling momentum is an absolute essential for any five-star read [that is, according to my personal interpretation of star ratings]. Alex is down SO bad, but he comes to the table accustomed to the double-life and all its inner workings. He’s had practice at playing the game, while she is only exposed to the surface-level.

Julie Soto knows how to crank up the heat and I’m totally here for it. The artful tension is pulled so tight and inevitably crescendos into a masterfully crafted story of not only romantic relationships, but also the discipline and performed execution of skill entwined with ambition, fame, and life at a crossroads.

5/5 stars!
Big thanks to Forever, NetGalley and Julie Soto for the ARC for review!

This was a great book! I loved this one a lot more than Forget Me Not! I loved the musical aspects that were included.
However the spice felt odd and I have no other way of describing it!

DNF'd at 25%

I tried to look past Xander's rudeness towards Gwen, because that's the whole point of the whole 'rivals-to-lovers' trope. However, it got to a point where it became unbearable and I found him to be annoying rather than endearing. The rivals to lovers trope can be sexy, but here, it just did not work for me.

Julie Soto does it again!!

He falls first - A MAN IN HUNGER - need I say more?

Gwen - a natural musical talent - found love and support in her music teacher after she lost her family. She meets Xander Thorne while performing at his friend’s wedding.

Xander - cello prodigy and lead of Thorne and Roses - had no idea that she sat across from him at the Pops orchestra.

Will he ever be able to get her out of his head after he heard her play?

Julie Soto does it again! I love the development of these characters and their passion. It’s tangible and I wanted more, more, more!

Easy 5⭐️ — this is my first Julie Soto book and I am absolutely obsessed. I loved this book from start to finish and I am kicking myself for waiting so long to read this book!

The execution of this storyline was basically flawless and I cannot wait to continue to read her other books!
Gwen and Xander’s (Alex) story was so beautifully written, the chemistry was perfect and they are musicians?! Spice while playing instruments… uhm… The cello scene was SO good! All of the intimacy scenes were to die for and so well done. I truly loved the tension & plot twists this story has as well.

Tropes:
Grumpy/sunshine
Celebrity musician
Tension
3🌶️