Man I loved the tropes so I really wanted to like this book but it just didn't work for me. The professional rivals part was very compelling but unfortunately the emotional pacing was all off. They don't trust each other for a good chunk of the book and then suddenly they start sleeping together with no provocation? I could have looked past that if our hero wasn't continually telling the heroine who she was supposed to be. I get that he thinks she's talented but when everyone else in the story also has strong ideas about what she should do with her career it didn't read like support it read more like control. I've seen some other really positive early reviews so it seems like this book has found its crowd. If a high heat, rivals to lovers story sounds like your jam this might be a great book for you. It's just not for me.

I loved Julie Soto’s previous release, Forget Me Not, and was very excited for the opportunity to read this book. It did not disappoint! I was very interested in the characters and loved the backdrop of the symphony. Already looking forward to the next release from this author!

I devoured this book in one sitting. The tension, the longing....I couldn't put it down. As someone who use to play the violin, this book was especially wonderful! Julie Soto made me the feel the music our main characters Gwen and Alex were making. A truly swoonworthy delight!

Thank you Netgalley and Forever Publishing for the ARC!

Being that this was my first book by Julie Soto and my first time reading about a violinist and cellist, i’d have to say it was pretty interesting!

I found Gwen and Alex to be enjoyable main characters. Gwen was a cute character. She was a bit awkward at times but gave me very sunshine vibes. She was also a people please which can sometimes get irritating when reading but I can also sympathize and relate to her. Alex was also great, I liked how we got to see him learn that he doesn’t need to prove anything to anyone other than himself.

Gwen and Alex’s relationship was done so well. Their chemistry was great and while I felt like the rivals to lovers aspect was a bit quick it was still good.

Sometimes the music conversation in this story could get a bit boring and confusing but overall Gwen and Alex had a beautiful story and I am very grateful that I got to receive this ARC!

Thank you to Netgalley and Forever for a free copy in exchange for an honest review. I can’t believe I just finished what has to be the best book of 2024. I’m absolutely shocked by how good this book was. I just finished it and I’m ready to pick it up again. Only Julie Soto could make the orchestra sexy.

Gwen Jackson is a violinist in the Pops Orchestra and on the weekends to make ends meet she plays weddings with her best friend Jacob. Due to a scheduling mix up she’s asked to play the Cello instead of the violin and catches the eye of Xander Thorne, member of rock band Roses and Thorne and fellow member of the Pops Orchestra. She’s embarrassed when he doesn’t recognize her and critiques her playing. When she’s offered the first chair, a seat Xander has been chasing, the tension between them grows but they can’t stay away from each other. When Pops Orchestra is in need of PR to increase sales Gwen and Xander end up spending more time together where they bond over their love of music. As they begin to explore their connection, their different upbringings and futures they see for themselves threaten to tear them apart.

The slow burn was SO REAL with this book. I was unable to put it down until some of the tension was relieved, I was hooked waiting for some sort of relief and BOY did it exceed my expectations. I loved seeing Gwen grow as she became more confident in herself and her abilities and open herself up to Xander. Although Xander only had a couple of chapters throughout, they were expertly executed and gave us a glimpse into who he is and his motivations. Now when I tell you that man was down bad, he was DOWN BAD. He fell first and harder and never got up.

I don’t know anything about reading, writing or playing music but it seems Julie did extensive research, I was so enthralled I found myself googling terms and researching the techniques and songs she mentioned. I loved that aspect and it allowed me to learn something new! I also just love any story set in New York, I feel like it somehow makes it more romantic. Julie Soto has solidified herself as an auto buy author!

Thank you NetGalley and Forever for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I need to start by saying a book has not made me scream, cry, throw up, giggle, kick my feet, and drool like this in so long. Maybe never? All I know is this book is next level. The angst between Xander and Gwen from their first official meeting made me tingly and my roommate ask me why I was consistently blushing. One word: YEARNING. Oh sweet baby jesus did Xander BURN for Gwen and make it plenty clear. The cello scene in his recording studio? The creation of Fugue No. 1, Unaccompanied and then the progression to Accompanied? Nobody speak to me for 10-20 business days while my heartbeat returns to normal. And yet it was so gentle and sweet; their love was so pure.

I loved Forget Me Not (Julie's first book) but Not Another Love Song has joined the ranks of god-tier romance. Will be buying the tangible copy as soon as I physically can.

“If he admitted that entire symphonies had unfurled in his mind when they played together. . . It felt like the music wouldn’t be his anymore.”

Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 / 5

Another great book by Julie Soto!! This book is electrifying, with good chemistry with the main characters and good plot development. I also loved the cameos from Ama and Elliot! The attention to detail, specifically with all the components of an orchestra, musicians, music itself was amazing.

The only critiques I would have is that I feel the last 15% of the book was slightly rushed in terms of tying up plot points, as well as the ending not being as satisfying as I would have liked it to be. However, the ending does give room for more possible development of Gwen and Alex’s story in a future book.

I have a prediction that the next book will be about Mar and Dominic, but only time will tell:

“Gwen watched as Dominic shook hands with Elliot, and then tried to say hi to the photographer, with little luck. She introduced herself to Gwen as Mar, Ama’s best friend, and pointedly ignored Dominic as he stood directly next to her with puppy-dog eyes for the next forty-five minutes.”

Thank you NetGalley and Forever Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love Julie Soto. Her writing always makes me FEEL.

This book had me giggling and gasping and kicking my feet and angry and so so happy. It’s insane how beautifully she wrote not just the story itself, but the intimacy. The way Julie Soto is able to capture non-sexual intimate moments is just so fucking powerful.

Every scene that included Xander and Gwen simply playing music were some of the most sensual scenes I’ve ever read.

I will talk about Julie Soto until I die. FMN was my favorite romance of 2023 and NALS is so far my favorite of 2024.

3.5/5 ⭐️
2.5/5 🌶️

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I was so excited for this book and I really do love Julie Soto's writing style! I do not personally have any type of background in music and I believe that made it a little bit difficult for me to connect to this story at times. I think this book will be loved by many, if you're a fan of Emily Henry this one is 100% going to be right up your alley!!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
2.5 stars
I enjoyed the first 40% of this book, but the rest was disappointing.

Who knew that a cello and violin could be so...emotive..

The tension between Xander and Gwen was exquisite, and pure torment until that particular sequence. Julie tells a beautiful tale of childhood loss and sacrifice culminating in adult dreams, desires and determination. I love the relationship that Gwen develops with Mabel and then the history that emerges later in the story that ties everything together even more perfectly. The relationship development between Xander and Gwen is handled so well, and more importantly realistically which obviously does not happen in many romances. This has prompted me to move Forget Me Not up my TBR.

A great and quick read for fans of romance. Pick it up if you're a fan of
- the perfect amount of tension
- rivals to lovers
- well fleshed out side characters and relationships

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Netgalley for an opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review

I was so excited to obtain an ARC of this book through Netgalley. Julie Soto’s eagerly anticipated follow-up to “Forget Me Not,” does not disappoint! “Not Another Love Song” is beautifully written and an immersive experience as the author shines light on playing instruments, creating music, and some of the highs and lows of the music industry. A romance featuring another strong female lead, the story is full of heart, passion, conflict, and redemption. A must read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"But, Gwen, please make music with me. I need to be in your orbit in some way, and if you don't want me to touch you and kiss you and fuck you, then let me make love to you onstage every night..."

I LOVED Not Another Love Song! Julie Soto's debut, Forget Me Not, reignited my love for romance books last year, and I was ecstatic to get a hold of her latest book. I played violin for about seven years so I was very interested to see how she would incorporate music into her newest romance. Gwen is your average, people pleasing, late starter violinist content to stay in seventh seat at the Manhattan Pops Orchestra. Xander Thorne is just the opposite; a rock star cellist who was a child prodigy. Their love story is full of sensuality, musicality and originality! Their tension builds wonderfully and I was so excited to keep turning the page. I felt like this book captures the essence of what it is to crave, to be addicted to the emotions that music evicts within all of us. I couldn't put it down!

NOT ANOTHER LOVE SONG from Julie Soto is wrought with tension, taut strings that get pulled and stretched from the moment Gwen and Alex interact. The slow burn is intense, and the scenes where these two play are enthralling. While the cello scene (iykyk) definitely deserves attention, my breath caught when these two played across from each other on stage. I’m not sure how Soto did it, but I felt the music then, heard the emotion that flowed from each bow stroke. This was incredibly moving and fun to read, with fantastic characters and vivid detail that will make you alternately laugh and blush.

Julie Soto has cemented herself as a must-read author for me. I'm still thinking about Gwen and Alex (Xander). Their passion for each other is only matched by their passion for music. I loved the interwoven music industry storyline, and both Gwen and Alex were affected by it in such different ways. I was actually sad when I got to the end of the book because it was such a joy to read.

Seriously, I just loved it. A solid 4.5 stars with lots of spice.

*Did my best to make this a mostly spoiler-free review at the top, but some spoilers may be in the last paragraph & have a break before them.*

I was so excited to get this story in my hands and I feel like it didn’t disappoint. I do recommend reading Forget Me Not before reading this because it’ll make the cameos so much sweeter. If you don’t have the desire or the time to read that first, I don’t think it’ll affect the substance of this story too greatly.

Gwen and Xander’s story isn’t a pretty, linear road, and I loved the angst and tension they had together while trying to figure each other out. I’m not musically inclined and I don’t think the story suffered for it because of how Julie explains it and lays it out.

Julie does a good job of weaving the story and tension around the music in a way that makes you almost physically feel the music. There is so much communicated to between Xander and Gwen through their music and it’s so poetic to see their understanding of each other unfold throughout the story.

I really enjoyed the peeks into Xander’s POV that were infrequent but placed perfectly in the story.

The vibes:
* The tension & build up
* Enemies to lovers
* The spice was fantastic
* Expression & understanding through music
* The cover is 🔥🔥🔥 and you’ll appreciate it more when you get to that scene!

**Some spoilers below, proceed with caution!**

While the vibes were off the charts for me, there were a few things that struck me about their story that may be triggering for some. I still think about the fact that Xander acted like Gwen wasn’t playing to the max of her potential unless she was sight reading a piece for the first time. She had to be better than that to get where she was. This aspect of his critical view may have been a byproduct of how Xander is taken advantage of by multiple people he respects, people who are in positions of power in his life, due to his talent and how these people decided they would profit from it. This makes me so sad, but it’s something that happens all too often in real life. It was great watching him find the strength and support to break free of those chains.

I flew through this book and will probably keep reading whatever Julie Soto writes. Thank you NetGalley for the eARC.

Julie. This book is literal perfection. The chemistry is raw, the characters have such a deep complexity behind them that's so relatable, and the way it ties into and enhances "Forget Me Not".... *chefs kiss!
Don't get me started on the spice. From the moment I started this book, I could practically hear the music just from reading the words on each page, that's how vivid the scenes were. As a music and romance lover, this book could not have been more perfect for me since I could really understand both Xander's and Gwen's perspectives. I even found myself learning new musical terms as a bonus! I want to mention that I would have loved to hear more from Alex's perspective, but I still so enjoyed their story. 🫶

This is officially being added to my favorites list.

I had such a fun time reading this one and I can't wait for it to officially come out so I can listen to the audiobook when I need a pick me up. I became a fan of Julie Soto when her debut was released and had impatiently been waiting for her next one. She has officially been added to my favorite authors list as well and I will read anything she writes from here on.

Not another love song is a kylo Ren X Ray fanfic turned novel and you can definitely see its influence from the characters and supporting characters. I have read a fair number of Reylo inspired novels at this point with the increase of popularity of the ship and their dynamic inspiring more and more traditional novels. Julie Soto however took a fresh take on the two characters and their relationship that was a breath of fresh air. You can definitely tell the characters were inspired, but she gave new light to them and showcased their trauma and internal struggles till we have a full circle healing moment. We also got the HEA that we never got from the characters in the movie (rip). Going into this story I didn't know much about the highly competitive world of classical music (besides it being really hard to get a footfall for yourself) so I had a great time learning and seeing behind the curtain on how everything works. I also loved the idea of a bad boy electric orchestra group and desperately wish their band was real so we could see them jam and listen to their work. Hopefully this gets picked up for a movie adaptation *HINT* *HINT*.

I Highly Highly reccomend this one and can't wait to force this on all my Kylo Ren fangirl friends.

Thank you for this ARC. Wow. I really enjoyed this story. My heart hurt for Gwen losing her mom so young, but also grateful that her path crossed with Mabel’s and she had someone to look out for her. I can see why Alex went off and left his name behind and took on a new one. He needed to make his own way without a legacy for a name giving him things he know he didn’t rightfully earn. He needed to accomplish things his way on his terms so he could be proud of what he alone achieved and earned.
Together, Alex and Gwen are pure magic. While I personally don’t have music knowledge or background, Julie made it so simple to follow. I was so intrigued by the musical moments and really wish I could hear Gwen and Alex’s pieces.
I look forward to more novels by Julie. She’s forever an auto buy/read author for me.

I’m so lucky to have received an ARC of this book from Netgalley. Not Another Love Song is my new favorite book. It’s a combination of everything you’d want in a book: grumpy cello prodigy, SO MUCH PINING, found family, spicy scenes (feat. cellos!!). More than anything, it’s a love story told through music. I don’t know if I should be admitting this, but I never buy the books I receive as ARCs-even the ones I really like. I will be buying this book, maybe even in multiple editions. That’s how much I love this book.