NOT ANOTHER LOVE SONG by Julie Soto is, I think, even better than her first book.

According to the foreword, it started as a Reylo fic, and now might be a good time to tell you that I have never seen a star war in its entirety. (We watched Phantom Menace over several days my senior year of high school because of a quirk of scheduling with the community college, but that scarcely counts.) So other than knowing that everyone thinks Adam Driver is a dreamboat, I don't really know what to look for in regards to the fan fiction aspect. You might get more mileage there.

What I can also reveal is that I, your girl, played violin for three whole years. I went as far as my natural talent could take me (towards the front of second violins, 7th grade) and then gave it up when it became clear I'd have to...you know...practice if I wanted to keep going. Pair that with the single day I spent in NYC and I am minimally qualified to talk about a book set in a pops orchestra in New York, lol.

We throw around the phrase "enemies to lovers" too freely, I think. There are no enemies here, although there is a bad boy, never-on-time, arrogantly talented rockstar guy with the iconic floppy dark hair and a people-pleasing, rule-following, talented-in-her-own-right woman who butts heads with him, so there is definitely tension between them, even antagonism, but never even approaching enemies. Characters' lives are entwined in interesting ways, often going back decades, in precisely the way that tends to happen in smallish communities, like classical music.

I thought it was a very fun, very compelling read—I didn't want to put it down and flew through it in like a day and a half. It almost makes me want to watch a star war to see what I'm missing.

Never knew that making+playing music could be so sexy 😆 Honestly though I've always wondered about the connections between classical musicians and I love listening to the instrumental covers of married couples like the Brooklyn Duo!⁣
⁣
In NALS, we have Gwen Jackson, a violinist who has been playing with the Manhattan Pops for a few years while also doing some side gigs like playing at weddings. And at one such wedding, she ends up running into Xander Thorne - an accomplished cellist and star of the band Thorne and Roses, who doesn't recognize her though he's also been a part of the Pops in the last few months. But he's spellbound by the way she plays and is able to see her innate talent. Both of them are musical prodigies(I'm jealous guys😆)⁣
And to top it off, Gwen is offered the position of First Chair at the Pops as Ava Fitzgerald is stepping down and that's something that Xander has had his eye on for a few years for personal reasons. So, there's a slight bit of rivalry between them but the desire to collaborate on music - and more 😜 - overtakes that!⁣
⁣
I've got to say that the chemistry and the sexual tension between Gwen and Alex/Xander was off the charts!🔥 The connection between them when it comes to music and everything else kept me spellbound. I loved how Alex was gone for her from the beginning - the way his eyes kept following her everywhere! The emotional connection was amazing too and it felt like a song with highs and lows. The way they came together when they were composing, discussing and playing music was very beautiful! ⁣
There were also many side characters like Jacob and Mei who added so much fun to the story! I loved Gwen's bond with Mabel too! And it was so nice to see Ama and Elliott again!⁣
Anyway, I had so much fun reading this one and I hope that you'll give it a chance too if you're looking for an emotional and steamy romance between two musicians!

I absolutely LOVED this!! As a former band kid, the orchestra setting was so unique and I really enjoyed all the different levels of conflict. The main characters felt multi-dimensional and the side characters added even more fun and depth. (I loved Declan!) The buildup and tension between Gwen and Alex/Xander was simply delicious. He liked her so much and was so mad about it! The plot/conflict developments felt fitting and I was happy with how things wrapped up. (I just wiish their story could go on forever!) The cameos from Ama and Elliot were really fun too. Can't wait to make all my friends read this!

This book was a masterpiece. The tension, the characters, the MUSIC. I devoured this and couldn’t put it down. Every time Alex and Gwen were in a room together I was holding my breath. I’ve said before that Julie Soto writes women who are so competent at something—experts in their field, and I EAT IT UP.
But truly my favorite thing about this book was the music and the sensuality and story telling encased in it…such a powerful thing to convey with only words.

We meet Gwen as she is gearing up to play cello (as a violinist) at a wedding. Xander Thorne, famous recording artist and fellow Manhattan Pops member, critiques her performance. Despite their rocky start, they find themselves drawn to each other through music. Together they have to face outside sources working against them and their success, all the while having some, quite honestly, hot AF chemistry.

I liked Gwen and Alex together. I loved that he was so self assured and untouchable but would blush about things involving Gwen. The intimate scenes were fantastic, though I was hoping for a little more from their connection outside the bedroom. Their story was a little angstier than I was expecting, readers can expect some drama to watch them suffer through and some real POS characters to hate. I was unaware of Julie Soto’s musical background but it is evident in the way she weaved music into every aspect of the story. I’ve never considered string instruments sensual until this book. Very possible I’ll never look at a cello performance the same way again…

🎻 Gruff, cocky MMC
🎻 Horny for music
🎻 Meet disaster
🎻 Detailed spice
🎻 Cameos from Forget Me Not!

I bought Soto's first book, Forget Me Not, because of the stunning cover but haven't gotten around to reading it yet. Well after reading this one it's now at the top of my TBR pile!! I requested this book because of the gorgeous cover and knowing I had her other book. The was an absolute delight to read, I just felt like I had butterflies in my stomach the whole time! I am not a big fan of music, but the way the music and musical appreciation was woven through made me want to pick up an instrument! Alex and Gwen's chemistry was electric. the scene in his apartment with the cello, literally had me melting!! The way they danced around each other, drawn in but pushing back, unable to stay away, ugh it was so sensual and romantic!! There was a third act break up which I always hate but it doesn't even matter because this whole story is a masterpiece and I will be buying a copy as soon as it's out because this is a book you'll want to revisit time and time again!

Wow. So I have not been pulled into a book like this in some time. Thank you for getting me out of my reading slump. A cello falls in love with a violin. And I fell too. If I had any complaint it’s that I felt the ending was a bit rushed but maybe I just wanted this to last longer. And that cello scene 😮‍💨


Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the early copy!!!

𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢 𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘰 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘯.

Hands down, this is a new favorite romance book of mine! 2 classical musicians in a romance book? Sign me up! I thoroughly enjoyed it and ate the living daylights out of this book.

My only quelm about it is that it felt like the author looked up a few music terms and decided to repeat those terms over and over again, where there is way more terms that could have been used, instead of appregio. But this is coming from me, a classically trained musician for the past 22 years. So I'll be in the minority for that comment.

I still ended up enjoying this book, and I hope others loved it as much as me!

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬.

I ate this book up! As someone who knows nothing about classical music and orchestras, the author did a great job of explaining what needed to be explained without overwhelming me with information. I loved the chemistry between our characters, I felt it instantly and wanted every little morsel of their story I could. I can’t wait for more from this author!

I went into this book expecting to really enjoy it, but wow! Julie Soto was not messing around!

The tension in this book! It was so good. I think Soto’s unique way of presenting dual POV really helped to keep that tension in place. We were getting glimpses of Xander as the book progressed, but the way it was presented just added that little something extra that kept their back and forth alive.

I absolutely loved Gwen. Her complexity was beautiful. She just felt so real. Her life experiences forced her to grow up fast, but she still has moments of naiveté. I feel like sometimes characters who are in their early 20s can read either too young or too old. Gwen read exactly where she needed to be and I loved that. She is making a career for herself, while also figuring out what she wants to be doing with her life. She has a quiet strength that builds as she journeys through the story and I just loved that.

Xander was everything I wanted him to be and more. He has so many layers. I loved getting to know him through Gwen’s eyes, but also through his POV chapters. I loved the way that he was always pushing Gwen, helping her find and recognize her potential. He knows what it is to be the best and he needs her to know that for herself too.

All the side characters were incredible too. I wish all classical musicians were like Gwen and her friends. I wanted more time with each of them. We even saw a few familiar faces which was an unexpected delight!

This story was just so beautiful. I loved Gwen so much. She hit me right in the feels. I just felt so proud of her when everything was said and done. You go girl!


Thank you NetGalley for gifting me a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For the year that they’ve worked together in the string section of the Pops Orchestra, Gwen has quietly admired Xander from afar. He, however, doesn’t take notice of her until she fills in on the cello last minute at his friend’s wedding, where he callously critiques her performance, ignoring the fact she’s trained on the violin, not the cello.

Despite their workplace tension, the two begin playing together because their musical stylings complement each other so well and there’s an attraction they both are helpless to fight. But their budding romance is fragile and outside forces threaten to shatter it for monetary gain.

This was a mess! I wasn’t a fan of the writing and none of the characters had any depth. There was zero chemistry between Gwen and Xander and I did not get the rivals to lovers I was expecting—they both folded so quickly and Xander was so hot and cold. Neither of them knew what they wanted out of their careers or their relationship. Sometimes readers would get glimpses their supposed passion for music, but for the most part their respective illustrious music careers were treated as if they were easily replaceable.

The third act conflict was so forced and the subsequent reconciliation haphazardly thrown together. I’m starting to think maybe contemporary romance isn’t the genre for me anymore?!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Julie Soto does it again! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced e-copy of this book. This book is filled with a lot of tension and I loved how the rivals to lovers troup was done in it. I love how Gwen’s and Xander’s relationship progressed and how they composed together. I did feel like this book had a slow start but after that it was fun. This had a lot of music references in it that as a not music person kinda flew over my head, but for someone who knows music I’m sure they will love it.

This book was such a cute one, I really loved it. This story was beautiful and amazing. It was just perfectly written and both characters fit perfectly together. A true masterpiece.

I loved "Not Another Love Song" by Julie Soto so much! The pining and angst were perfection, and I am never going to look at first chairs the same way again. This book had everything: he falls first, found family, and healing from past trauma. We even got a cameo from Ama and Elliot—yes please! Julie Soto can do no wrong, and I need more of her writing ASAP.

Arc Review: Not Another Love Song
Publishes: July 16, 2024

If the goal of the book was to:
- make me want to take music lessons- DONE
- Watch cello and violin duets on YT- accomplished
- Lose my mind over a small t.swift reference- CHECK
- book tickets to the next orchestra- consider it on the calendar
- request this book from my library to make sure everyone else can read this too if they want- YOUR GIRL IS ON IT

I was so happy to receive this on NetGalley and thought “can’t wait to read my first Julie Soto book.” Little did I know I was already familiar with some of Julie’s writing on Ao3 and have her work on my kindle. Iykyk 😏.

Truly enjoyed myself the whole time. This book has top knotch banter and next level tension. I really liked Gwen's character and how she and Xander interacted with each other. The tension between them was off the charts and I could not put the book down. I mean... a violin and cello player sure do make beautiful music together. I will for sure be getting myself a physical copy when it drops. Also a graphic audio of this book would be amazing!

If you do modifications, this one has some spicy scenes (I think maybe 3 but honestly forgot to keep track 😝).

Thank you again to Netgalley, Julie Soto, and Forever Grand Central Publishing for this e-arc! It publishes July 16, 2024 so mark those calendars!!

For romance this book was up there for me. I loved the orchestra world, two musicians and the angst and tension between them. The songs written and performed with each other was everything. This book is on the spicier side if that bothers you.

Thank you NetGalley for this copy in exchange for a honest review!!

I really like this one (although it does remain in second place to Forget Me Not in my heart). The setting is really fun and unique -- I've never read a book set at a professional orchestra and it was interesting to get a sneak peek into the world of professional classical music. The opening meet cute at the wedding is also excellent, it does a great job of establishing Gwen as a character and setting the musical scene so to speak.

The tension between Gwen and Xander is EXCELLENT (even if it is a little insta-love-y). My only complaint with this book is that there's not a TON of plot -- and a lot of the conflict is based on miscommunication which can get pretty annoying. I really loved the reunion scene at the end though (and enjoyed the subplot with Xander's mom and the former music teacher). Basically, if Julie Soto writes it, I'm gonna read it.

I read a lot of Reylo fanfiction for someone who has not watched a Star Wars movie released after the year of our lord, 1999.

This version imagines the pairing as competing musicians. Gwen is a violinist, hiding behind the scenes as the seventh chair for the Manhattan Pops. Xander (née Alex) is a bad boy cellist, who spends part of his time with the Pops and the rest with a band, Thorne and Roses. When Gwen is forced to play cello at a wedding, Xander is immediately smitten. It's insta-love but for her musical talent.

I had mixed feelings about Soto's first, but this is a beautiful book that surpasses that one in both plot and execution. Soto makes what I consider the pretty dry world of professional orchestras incredibly sexy. I'm usually not in love with insta-love, but the turn of making love of her talent and potential as the driver makes it so much more palatable.

I'll admit to being a bit lost with the musical nomenclature of the book, and I suspect it would be even more beautiful for those with a background and understanding of it.

* Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review! *

This was absolutely adorable!! Julie truly is a master of her craft and has a way of making her characters feel like real people; they’re realistically flawed but oh so LOVEABLE. I know absolutely nothing about musical instruments so it did take me a while to get into the book; however, I was never left bored. Although it had a slow start, I felt all of the feels by the time I was finished. Great book overall. I will definitely be reading more from Julie in the future.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this ARC 🎻

4.5 ⭐️

I was never interesting in playing an instrument growing up (I was more of a sports girl), but Julie Soto writes it in a way that doesn’t bore you even if you don’t have any experience.

I enjoyed watching Gwen and Alex grow as individuals, and couples. I thought it was important for them to have that fight with 15% left to help them both realize that dreams are ever changing, and it’s okay if someone you didn’t expect to be by your side, is.

Can’t wait for her next book!