I feel like maybe I wasn’t the target audience for this one. I do love music and performing arts, but I don’t have any real connection to string instruments. This book delves heavily into the details of the instruments, the music and the inner workings of the different career types within that sphere. I think if you have played a string instrument or even in an orchestra this might feel like it was written just for you so it will have it’s audience for sure. I just think some of the romance of it all was lost on me.

The level of detail for me personally was too much, I think it took away from developing the romance. I felt like we didn’t connect to the characters as people, only their conflicting feelings about their work. Because of this I didn’t ever feel very attached to either character, or the romance between them. The only thing I can say was evident was they respected one another as professionals and had physical chemistry. The spicy moments were good! I just wanted more. I didn’t feel like I really saw much in the way of personality from either of them.

I finished it and it was fine. It will surely be a win for the right person, it’s just not going to be a stand out for me.

**Thank you to Forever (GCP) and NetGalley for providing me a copy to read and review. All opinions are my own.**

Thank you for allowing me to read this book. It was the first book that I read by Julie Soto and I really enjoyed it. I really love a story with a good, fully developed cast of characters, and this book had those. The main characters were really likable and the pace of the story was good. I will definitely read more books by this author. Thanks again.

Not Another Love Song is Julie’s Soto’s second published novel. I have read both of her books, and I’m very impressed by the creative ways she chooses to write duel perspective. Her unique writing choices make her stories stand out from other contemporary romances. She maintains her fun “fanfic” charm but her romances still feel passionate and intense. And the romance in this one was definitely intense.

The lead characters connect through their love of music, and they have different ideas of what makes a good musician. They unlock each other’s potential. They fall in love when they play together. It makes for a really deep connection. And that made the story sexy.

If you are a trained musician, you may notice some aspects of the story are a little unrealistic, but I don’t think it will detract from enjoying the romance. I think being able to connect with the characters will make this mean a lot to you.

There is kind of a third act breakup, but it wasn’t terrible.

I would say anyone who likes contemporary romance should try Julie Soto!

"Don't let anyone tell you what you're capable of. Even if it sounds like a compliment."

Sorry couldn't get over TWO people being so horny over playing a violin AND why are the villains essentially CARTOON characters?

It's giving wattpad sadly. The best part was the little moments that we got crossovers from the MC's from Forget Me Not.

cw// death of loved ones, cancer, toxic relationship, gaslighting

Thank you to the publisher for sending me this ARC!

I really enjoyed this book. Very lovely story and cute characters.
Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for my copy

Gwen Jackson and Xander Thorne
~Arc from NetGalley

I thought about this book for at least a month after reading it. I was obsessed and I loved every second of it. I didn't think I'd find the musical aspects that exciting but it was amazing. I loved all of it and I was obsessed with Xander's back story.

I will read anything Julie writes cause oh my god it was amazing. I need 100 more. hahahah

I really enjoyed NALS even though Gwen drove me nuts sometimes. Even though the male POV is limited--and I wanted more of it!!--Xander/Alex immediately drew me in. He was an arrogant prick a lot of the time but it felt justified. Gwen was often to self absorbed and self conscious to recognize this. The fact that he saw her potential and greatness and she didn't, really struck me. I've discussed this book with friends and they didn't understand that but I think it's something that you get if you understand music (or any "thing" that requires talent...you just know someone has "it" when you see it) and seeing someone who could equal or rival Alex really drew him to her bc he thought maybe he finally found someone that would get him--the "him" beyond the cello.

That said, I did really like this book and I have no regrets reading it. It probably would have ranked higher for me with more of Alex/Xander's POV. Soto did a great job of showing us what Alex was thinking so it wasn't as necessary to have more of his POV but sometimes I just like getting it directly from the source.

This book is a 3.5 ⭐️ for me rounded up to 4. I thought this book was good but the beginning was kind of boring and harder to get into. The romance in this one was good and equivalent to the first book in the series for me!

Forget me not was one of my favorite reads last year so I was super excited for this book! Overall it was a solid read. The blurb makes it seem like it will be a rivals to lovers but it lacked that a bit so I was a little disappointed in that aspect. I wouldn’t reread this book but I’m glad I gave it a try!

Oh damn this book was crazy. I've read Julie Soto's other books but this one I CANT EXPLAIN IT HAHAHAHA. I've laughed at some point of the book. This book talks about a cellist and a violinist fall for each other. Hot shit right? The book cover is crazy beautiful and I love looking at it. I can low-key stare at it and yeah you know what I mean. At some point of the book,I just think they were thinking of each other naked while playing infront of thousands of people and like... I honestly just laughed. LIKE ACTUAL LAUGHED. AND COME ON. ITS A BOY OBSESSED. I LIVE,LAUGH AND LOVE THAT TROPE. I really enjoyed this book and honestly can't wait for Julie's next book!

First time reading this author and won’t be the last! The cover caught my eye and then once I started reading the story I just wrapped me up. I couldn’t put it down.

There was actually something so captivating about this. I am the lastttt person who has any shred of musical talent or understanding and very little care for classical types of music. When everyone else learned how to play the recorder in third grade, I just copied Eileen’s finger placement and didn’t blow. Howeverrrrr the way Julie Soto used music to make the scenes legitimately charged with tension and emotion was crazyyyy. She would be describing Gwen playing the violin and I would be on the edge of my seat frrr. It was witchcraft. Their relationship was so cute and I just loved it. Alex was panting after this woman!! He was so obsessed with her it was just perfect. The tension and conflicts were really well done. This was just so great and the audiobook narrators were awesome. Loved this!

Julie Soto has done it again! Absolutely love the way she writes and the romance was amazing. That smut was SMUTTINGG!!

I love a good rom com that you can just vibe with and have a great time! Romcoms are a hit or miss for me and this one was perfection!

I love having the infamous scene on the cover. I got SO excited and giddy when the scene came up. Absolutely beautiful chemistry between the main characters.

Julie Soto has written and incredible novel with Not Another Love Song. The story and characters are dynamic and fun and so heartwarming.

The story is so well written, the writing style and plot kept me engaged and a I fell in love with so many of the characters.

3.5
I absolutely loved Julie Soto’s first book Forget Me Not so I had very high expectations for this book.
Story is about musicians Gwen and Xander who play in the same Orchestra and their relationship when Gwen gets the first chair violin position. Despite Gwen being a bit naive about what was going on around her, I enjoyed the the relationship between Gwen and Xander in the beginning/first half of the book. The second half didn’t pull me in as much. The insta love felt a bit rushed. The conflict and even the resolution felt short and unsatisfying conclusion at the end.

I fell in love with this book! It has a lot of music content which I really enjoyed learning a little more about but also the romance story was great. The only downside for me was that it was a little insta-love, whereas I usually prefer more of a slow burn.

Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto is a delightful and steamy romance that follows the story of Gwen and Xander, two musicians who play in the Manhattan Pops orchestra. Despite their initial dislike for each other, the undeniable chemistry between them is electric and impossible to ignore. Soto does an excellent job of capturing the passion and dedication required to be a professional musician, adding depth to the narrative beyond just the romance.

The sexual tension between Gwen and Xander is off the charts, with some seriously memorable spicy scenes that will leave you fanning yourself. Their connection feels genuine, with a shared love of music that ties them together in a unique way. While the story does have a few minor flaws, like a rushed ending and a few plot points that require suspension of disbelief, the overall experience is incredibly engaging and satisfying. If you're a fan of enemies-to-lovers romance with a musical twist, Not Another Love Song is a must-read!

This was my first book by Julie Soto and I wasn’t sure what to think but I was grabbed by the cello. And I loved it!!! So! Much!! If you’re on the fence about this one , just read it!

I love this author. The spice is perfect, and she does such a good job at crafting a love story that I care about. I read this so fast, and Julie Soto is a master at romance.

This enemies-to-lovers orchestra-set romance between two music prodigies hit all the right notes for me.

Thanks to Forever Publishing for the copy to review.