Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

This is the first book I read from Julie Soto and I was excited about it because a few TikTokers I follow really loved it. The story takes place in NYC and follows Gwen Jackson, a violinist at Pops and Xander Thorne, a cellist in a band who also Plays at Pops. Enemies to lovers, we know how this goes. I felt like their romance was too rushed and felt more like lust. The spicy scenes were spicy! I did enjoy those! It took me a bit to get into this book because of all the musical terms used and the long chapters (I enjoy shorter chapters more). I’m not at all familiar with the musical terms but overall I think it was enjoyable.

This book was amazing! As someone who had orchestra in their life for about four years, I played violin and was obsessed with the band Apocalyptica and still am to this day. This book resonated with me like no one‘s business. My orchestra girly heart was singing!

The story follows Gwen and Alex and how they are in different points of their career as a violinist and cellist and overall seem to be forces against each other, but really it’s a force to push them together and so they can play beautiful music. This book dragged me in and kept me there and I’m obsessed with it and highly recommend.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I devoured this book. If you're looking for a great contemporary romance that delves into the world of classical/instrumental music and the competitive nature of the arts, this book will hit the mark. The main characters, Xander and Gwen, are both gifted musicians who approach music with very different attitudes. While playing in the same pop orchestra, they can't quite keep their distance, but their mutual connections make things complicated in ways they won't foresee.

Soto writes strong supporting characters and situations that will make you feel all the joy and pain of her characters. I think this was even better than Forget Me Not, the companion novel.

4.5⭐️ rounded up

🎻Musicians Romance
🎼Rivals to Lovers
🎻Musical Prodigies
🎼Family Drama
🎻Pining and Angst
🎼Ama and Elliot (Forget Me Not) Cameos
🎻Reylo Fanfiction
🎼Spicy

Why do I have such a hard time writing reviews for Julie’s books?!? Her writing, storytelling, characters, and chemistry make me feel so many emotions that are very hard to describe. The journey I went on so wild; I laughed, I swooned, I panted, I got angry, and I cried (sad and happy tears), and I finished this book just really happy.

I cannot fully describe how much I enjoyed this book! The way I swooned for Xander/Alex! I was feral by his need to be in Gwen’s life in any way. I don’t think he even realized Xander was/is a mask. She was breaking down his walls! She was always what he needed and wanted to be happy and content. And she soothed all his hurt and anger and gave him the peace he’d always searched for.Alex was able to help Gwen free her from her mind and insecurities. He is everything she needed to fully feel her strength and potential.

The spice in this book was freaking hot! The way Julie wrote these scenes, they were not just sexual but so full of emotion and a deeper intimacy. And the way the music was so sexually and emotionally charged! I will never be over the cover/cello scene or the bathroom scene!

I love music and appreciate its beauty. But I’m not at all familiar with music at this level, however the way the music is described in this book, I was completely in those moments and imagining music in my head.

Forget Me Not is still one of my ♾️ star books and I loved the Ama and Elliot cameos. NALS is overall a beautiful story that I hope others will enjoy.

Coming July 16, 2024, this upcoming release is swoony, romantic and spicy. The story follows two classical musicians, who are in vastly different places in life, coming together and writing a most charming love story.

Xander is a cellist and leader of a popular musical group, and he is a guest performer of the local Pops orchestra. Gwen is an up-and-coming violinist, who is on a meteoric rise in the orchestra. Once Xander notices Gwen, he cannot resist wanting to know everything about the talented musician.

I love so much about this book from the tropes to the delightful side characters, to the despicable villains. The camaraderie of the orchestra made me long for the feeling of being a part of something so beautiful. The cross-over appearances from Forget Me Not was also an unexpected joy. I am grateful to the author, Forever Publishing, and NetGalley for the e-ARC.

I mean, what can I say? I inhaled ‘Forget Me Not’ last year and Julie Soto became an automatic must-buy, must-read author.

Gwen has been playing violin ever since she got her hands on one at eleven years old, and is now part of the New York Pops orchestra. She’s also been obsessed with Xander Thorne, whom after playing with for a year, she comes face to face with when playing his friends wedding.

Xander is fascinated by Gwen and her ability to adapt between cello and violin, sight read, and riff. Their relationship develops the more they play together, and they explore what exactly they each want for their careers in this industry.

I love Gwen and her sheer motivation to be the best, even if it means going about it in less conventional ways. She is incredibly aware of her surroundings and she is loyal to a fault which is quite the Achilles heel. Xander is pigeonholed into believing he is stuck in a life based on decisions from years ago when starting out.

This book was delicious and made me kick my feet in the air constantly. I loved that the both of them grew as individuals so that they could better complement each other as a couple. It just solidified for me how talented Julie Soto is, and I loved the cameo’s from her last book showing us that she’s creating her own universe within her works.

Today I’m reviewing Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto. In this contemporary romance, we follow musical prodigy violinist, Gwen Jackson. When an opportunity of a lifetime opens for her, she decides to take it. But Gwen isn’t ready for the all consuming force that is Xander Thorne, also a musical prodigy and fellow celloist, who falls first with the lovely Gwen, and is in it for keeps.

Soto is back!!!

Okay, firstly, let’s celebrate that characters from Forget Me Not make special appearances in Not Another Love Song!!! It was so fun to see Ama and Elliot in this one as I absolutely LOVED Forget Me Not.

As for Not Another Love Song, I enjoyed it. What stood out was Xander's intensity. He has interspliced chapters from his POV throughout the novel. They aren’t long, but it was nice to have his perspective, which added to understanding why he is so intense. Side note, I am always a fan of dual point of views. As for Xander’s intensity it makes perfect sense for someone who is a musical prodigy. That everything he experiences is at a level that surpasses most. Except for Gwen. She is his missing puzzle piece. And even when they don’t see eye-to-eye, he’s still in it for keeps.

A rivals-to-lovers, musical prodigies, and OMG that cello scene, romance readers get ready for another deliciously romantic ode to New York City and flooded with musical notes by two musical talents who create something more than a love song.

Julie Soto, I'm in love with your mind.

"Because Alex had traveled the entire world by the age of twenty-six, and Gwen Jackson was the first person he'd found who could actually do what he did. And possibly do it better."

Not Another Love Song is so full of life, and really embodies a love of music and the emotions they can invoke. Honestly, music felt like another main character in the book and I loved the attention to detail and the level of care and love that was shown. The characters were beautiful, and I especially felt relatable to Gwen and her downfall of being a people pleaser. I loved seeing her character grow and make choices that were solely for her. I felt slightly unsure about Xander, but quickly fell in love with his confidence. He also becomes obsessed with Gwen which I'm a sucker for. I love them I love them I love them. Their connection had so much chemistry, tension and respect for each other. I will scream about the scene on the cover for the end of time as well (!!!!!!!!)

One single thing that I didn't like was the third act breakup but it wasn't horrible and I still adored this book. 4.5 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever(Grand Central Publishing) for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
Tropes- Enemies to Lovers or Rivals to Lovers

Author Julie Soto is generating a lot of buzz after the 2023 release of Forget Me Not and so I jumped at the chance to read her 2024 publication. A spicy romance, set in New York City and exploring the intense feelings of two musicians-Gwen Jackson and Xander Thorne. I LOVED how they hated each other in the beginning and cheered as a passionate love story grew. A lot of contemporary romances are becoming longer and longer, but Not Another Love Song kept up a reasonable pace.

This novel made me think of high school and me wanting to be with a guy who played the guitar. I realize I should have been looking out for the fellas that played a violin or cello. HOT!





Expected Publication Date 16/07/24
Goodreads Review 19/05/24

I am trying to be good and respectful to the library and read their books first, but be still my beating heart because when I saw Forever made this available to everyone on NetGalley, I assumed was an April Fool’s joke. Thank all the cellos in the world it was not!

Gwen Jackson has been hustling playing violin (oh, are you confused about the cello on the cover?) in a contemporary orchestra, while taking side gigs at weddings to earn some extra money because – you know, New York is not cheap. And as the story begins, Gwen has arrived to play at a wedding, only to learn the bride requested a cellist, not a violinist. Desperate to keep the job, Gwen says that she can play the cello – which, technically, she has done before… just many years ago and never really learned properly. Enter Alex errrr Xander Thorne who offers his cello for the ceremony. I don’t even want to say anything more because I just want everyone to read it because BAH JULIE SOTO IS AMAZING, and in the way The Queen’s Gambit brought on a slew of chess enthusiasts, perhaps Not Another Love Song will bring on some classical music fans? Anywho, Gwen and Alex/Xander give a v steamy love story, where they fight their feelings, deal with loss and family struggles, and make beautiful music. Does Julie Soto write an unbelievable grump vs sunshine? Yes. Yes she does. And I will read anything she writes for quite possibly as long as I live. I will be an old hunched over granny reading her latest novel because how could I not when she has delivered two of my favourite books! And I love the interconnected universe!

Off to convince my husband to learn how to play cello.

Julie Soto, if I thought I loved Forget Me Not, I didn’t know what was coming with this gorgeous masterpiece. IM SORRY ITS SO SEXY???? and sweet baby Alex just BEGGING for a chance, it’s too much. Thanks Netgalley i loved this thing. Read it ASAP.

I knew the second I finished this book I was not going to be normal about it. Safe to say I was right.

Gwen was a character I felt in my soul. All she wants is some stability and to be able to play her music. Her anxiety and her fears were not only well written but relatable. And her relationship with Alex was amazing. Impeccable. Some of the best romance I've ever seen. I was a band kid in high school (marimba, 4 years) and I 100% felt the emotion behind the music and the way that the playing was described. It's painful at times, always emotional, and feels like a kind of magic. And this book really brought that back for me.

The weaving of plot and romance was flawless. I honestly have no notes for Julie Soto though I am begging on hands and knees for her next book.

Five stars. I cannot wait to buy a copy on release day.

So grateful I was able to get an eARC of this book. The amount of time I was screaming (positive) while reading cannot be overstated. The tension was truly chef’s kiss and every time Gwen and Xander looked across the orchestra at each other I died. Story format wise I found I really enjoyed how Xander’s POV was peppered in throughout the story as the Cello Suites, I certainly won’t say no to chapters with alternating POVs but I thought the amount of his perspective we did get was perfect.

I went into this knowing that I had really enjoyed Forget Me Not and Julie Soto delivered and then some, Not Another Love Song has cemented her as an autobuy author for me.

5+ stars! This book was so so good. There was so much chemistry and tension between Gwen and Alex that I ate this up. As someone who played the violin for 10+ years I could really visualize the music and them playing based on all the descriptions. I truly got lost in the story It felt like Ali Hazelwood (who I also Love) but for music nerds. I so think it may be a little tougher to picture if you don’t have a music background but still 1000% worth the read!

This book follows Gwen and Xander. They both play string instruments and they get off on the wrong foot. When things quickly heat up between them, they quickly embark on a new relationship.

This book was an easy five star for me! I loved both of the main characters and their relationship. The tension was so good and I loved the bickering between the two. There was good chemistry between the characters.

I loved the music throughout the book as well. Is there anything hotter than a musician??

I read this book in one sitting and I couldn’t put it down! I loved the characters and story so much.

I loved this book and would recommend to everyone!

Thank you so much to netgalley and Forever for the arc of this in exchange for an honest review!

Oh my god this was a DELIGHT of a book, 4.5 stars. Don't let the fact that I've waited more than a month since reading this book to finally put down a review for it fool you, this has been my favorite romance of the year so far by a long shot. These characters, their tension, THE CELLO???? The way music and musical appreciation is woven through every bit of this story deeply pleases my inner band kid (6 years of clarinet LET'S GO) and makes me very upset I never pursued that passing thought of man, I'd really like to try violin.

I think I liked this even more than I did Forget Me Not, and that takes place in my own city so I wasn't sure I wanted the NYC book to top the Sacramento book, but here we are.

Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto should be the 2024 read of the summer. It was perfect, 10 out of 10, no notes. It was swoony and fun. I cannot wait for anyone to read this wonderful book.

Julie, Julie, Julie.....what are you doing to us? How is your sophomore book even better than your first? Although, the little cameos were fantastic!

Grumpy Xander and Gwen. Oh how I loved them each.

The steam.
tumultuous family.
The MUSIC.

Damn, this was good. I read it in one sitting DURING my finals week. This is saying a LOT!

Utter perfection.

Julie Soto is an auto-read author for me.

Thank you Forever for the advanced reader's copy. All thoughts and opinions are solely my own.

Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto // 5-Stars ⭐️ // releases on 07/16/24
This book surprised me so much because Julie Soto’s last book wasn’t my cup of tea (stick with me). The writing was beautiful in her first book, as was the overall story, but I didn’t enjoy how severely grumpy the MMC was. In ‘Not Another Long Song,’ however, I LOVED both characters. I didn’t know a violin and cello could be so sexy! 🥵 The relationship was technically rushed (time-wise) and moved very very quickly, but it didn’t FEEL rushed, it felt fated. I love a love story where the man falls first (and he fell so hard, after what I admit is the perfect grumpy timeline). I love a love story with someone REAL, who struggles, who has trauma, and who perseveres through it. I met Julie Soto in STL at her previous book tour and her personality and story is *chef’s kiss.* All of these things combined made this an easy 5-Star read for me!

Not Another Love Song graced me with the full gamut of emotions. I was gasping at the end, the final line sent me into a spiral of emotions. I was obsessed with Xander and Gwen, I was so sad the book was over, the line itself will live rent free in my mind forever, and I was just overwhelmed with how strongly I felt. I am a indie book lover, through and through. Julie Soto somehow appeases the trad book appreciater in me while filling my indie loving heart to its brim.

This book was so easy to read, the story was not overly suspenseful or surprising but did find a way to capture a great deal of intrigue. My attention was locked onto this book from the freaking author's note and had me laughing throughout. Soto mentions in the author's note how uncomfortable it would feel if the first cellist and first violin had tension as they stared at each other across the aisle.. and she delivered this moment. It wasn't how I expected it, but it was better. That moment was PEAK.

Xander's privileged tortured soul was presented so well, it was somehow both easy and difficult to understand him. I anticipated his moves, his motivations and frustrations, but wanted to slap him upside the head sometimes to open his dang eyes. He was not as complex and he thought himself to be, but talented nonetheless. Gwen was a bit meek, but she needed to be to offset his personality and ego. I love how she LOVED his band and we got a glimpse of that here and there which was a lot of fun.

While I don't usually 5 star a 3rd act breakup, the resolution here slapped. I mean, SLAPPED. The whole last 15 minutes of the book was perfect, just enough resolution between characters and plot lines to feel complete with a bit of openness to imagine and interpret where are they now. I was appeased as an American who needs answers now, but also sat and let my mind drift a bit as to where they are now and enjoyed the journey of my thoughts for a bit. Soto did a beautiful job presenting these characters to us to learn, so it was easy to see them off and fade into the sunset.

Beautiful. Hilarious. Captivating. Intriguing. Fun. Perfection!