This book was so good I couldn’t put it down I loved it so much loved the characters and the romance definitely a must read

I loved this book! So excited to read after Julie Soto's first book, and it did not disappoint. Rivals to lovers, grumpy x sunshine, force proximity, I just loved all the tropes and the romance between the main characters. 5 stars from me!

A LOVELY BOOK there is something so sensual about soto’s writing which made for a hot dynamic between our 2 leads. Gwen’s character arc felt realistic and I enjoyed watching her grow into her confidence and how Xander unleashed that from her. This is a couple that brought out the best in each other.

I have been a fan of Julie Soto for a while, and this book further affirmed how much I enjoy her writing. She has a way of writing the yearning a character has for another, that even though it can be considered ‘insta-love’ it never feels rushed. I would also like to say that I’m aware that 3rd act breakups are a popular plot device in romance books (something that I heavily dislike), but this is the one that works the best for me! It was so well done.

I also personally connect to this book on another level as someone who was a musician for many years. I think if you’re someone who has a musical background, of any kind, you’ll find an added level of enjoyment. Highly recommend this book and anything else written by Julie Soto!

Let me just scream from the rooftops that the TENSION has me on the edge of my seat! Genuinely had me foaming at the mouth because I could not get enough of these two! Being able to see the mutual dislike between Gwen and Alex grow and become somewhat friendly to finally giving into their feelings? Absolute perfection! It was something I was obsessed with and couldn't stop reading!

I really enjoyed this. It is such a great read. I love grumpy sunshine, especially when it’s rivals to lovers. I can't get enough of it!!

This book broke my heart and also put it together. This was a couple desperately in love and their whole romance was intoxicating and gorgeous. It was also a bit unhinged (in a fun romance book way!). Julie Soto can realllly write the heck out of pining and make you feel things for characters that do not actually exist. So very sweet. (P. S. these are some horny, horny musicians. my god)

Writing- 4.5 stars
Plot- 4 stars
Characters- 5 stars

I've been trying to write a proper review for days to no avail. Not only is Not Another Love Song a beautifully written romance but it also explores how difficult it is to find purpose in life.

I guarantee that this will become your next obsession. The book that makes you stay up past your bedtime because one more chapter has never hurt anyone (just your sleep schedule). The book that will make you sigh once it ends and wonder, what could be better than this?

I am still trying to find another one like this.

Not Another Love Song is the perfect romance for me. Tall, broody, mysterious, genius man obsessed with equally genius woman who is obsessed with something else. Also as a former violinist, this feels like very much my niche. The characters and their love for music is beautiful and the way they show their love for each other through the music … I felt it in my SOUL. Julie Soto is an auto buy author for me now.

Thank you Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced ready copy.

While this may have been my first Julie Soto book (Forget Me Not is sitting on my shelves BEGGING TO BE READ), it absolutely won’t be my last.

I loved her writing so much that it was hard to put this book down. I loved the tension and chemistry between Gwen and Xander - the spice was top notch). Tension and emotion are my favorite additions to a romance book and Julie did it SO well.

I don’t enjoy classical music and I don’t typically enjoy books that are about a musican (because I’m basically tone deaf and the thought of me playing an instrument is laughable) but I really enjoyed this one.

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was okay. It just seemed unrealistic with the promotion to first chair that the main character received. Then the love interest did not seem believable and rushed.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced review copy of “Not Another Love Song” by Julie Soto. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

I enjoyed the author, Julie Soto’s previous book ‘Forget Me Not’ and was excited to pick this one up. I don’t know how to play any instruments but I still enjoyed this book a lot. It showed an intriguing glimpse of several different musical performance worlds. I liked the NYC setting and sort of getting to see behind the curtain of the orchestra life. This really felt like it could be a movie too!

The romance was intense but in a good way. Alex falls first and he falls hard. He was so completely lost for Gwen and it was so very romantic how their music entertwined with their love story. I also liked how at the beginning Gwen couldn’t see her value and her talent and she had to learn how to recognize when people were taking advantage of her talent.

The ending felt a little rushed but overall I really enjoyed the story. Julie Soto is definitely on my list of must read authors.

4/5 stars

The way this book had me kicking my feet, twirling my hair, squealing and giggling is CRIMINAL!!! I’m not the biggest romance reader, but this book sucked me in almost immediately, and I genuinely mourned it when it was over. It’s a fantastic, realistic, modern enemies-to-lovers romance that had me thinking, “I didn’t know music could BE so sexy!?”

Gwen Jackson and Xander Thorne are brilliant musicians in New York City, but their feelings about success couldn’t be more different. Gwen is a dedicated violinist, climbing the ranks in the Manhattan Pops after being coached by a kind-hearted music teacher. Xander, the child of famous musicians, was bred to play, but turns up his nose at classical performances in favor of the limelight with his orchestral rock band. But when the two find themselves vying for the same First Chair position in the Pops, their musical rivalry—and their chemistry—make sparks fly.

It's not often that I find a contemporary romance that has believable characters with depth, a realistic plot with actual tension, juicy chemistry and non-cringy sex scenes. Usually, something is lacking—but not here. I felt like both Gwen and Xander had robust backgrounds, motivations and personalities that impacted the plot throughout. The story arc was satisfying, with a delightful ending. And some of the spice was positively swoon-worthy.

I loved the way music was interwoven in this story. Never before had I thought playing the cello could be so hot. But even the non-spicey parts were rich with musical appreciation, and I loved the glimpse into NYC artistic culture the book offered.

Oh, and did I mention this is Reylo inspired? You can absolutely see where the inspo comes in, but I didn’t feel like I was reading fanfic at any point. The characters were simply launch points for a rich, extremely fun story. What a good time.

4.5! This was so good! The use of music jargon to describe their sexual tension was top tier. The scenes where they made music together was so vivid and hot, I felt like I was there watching them (in a non creepy way i promise). The best way to describe this book is sexy and hot, but in a non graphic way. The storyline itself was interesting and it kept me engaged, despite my not knowing anything about music. Half a star less because i wish the tension was drawn out a littleeeee more but otherwise, no notes!

Do I know anything about music other than I like listening to it? Nope. Did I thoroughly enjoy reading about a violinist and cellist fall in love? Heck yeah I did! It was written beautifully and how the music was woven within their love story was perfection. I love a good slow burn with forced proximity and this delivered. The tension between Alex and Gwen was well done and when the spice hits? Good lord was it good. I don’t think I can look at a cello the same way again.

This was my very first read by Julie Soto and it will not be my last 💕

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for the opportunity to read this book. I enjoyed reading Gwen’s story although the storyline of how she got first chair was a bit unbelievable. It worked for the story but was hard to swallow. I had moments where I loved it and moments where I wanted to DNF. Alex was borderline abuse- yet caring. Weird.

I loved how connected the characters were to their music. I just wished we dug more into Alex's past.

I played violin for 4 years, and I wasn’t particularly good nor did I love it. If I’d known the future of strings was as tender, hot, beautiful as what @juliesotowrites wrote? I may have stuck with it.

✨Rivals to Lovers
✨He Falls First (he’s OBSESSED)
✨Slow Burn & plenty of pining
✨Musical Prodigies

Julie writes grumps with a mild obsession like no one else. Xander was capital-p pining for Gwen from the start. He’s in a band, breaking free from the legacy of his parents - exactly the type of reckless that Gwen doesn’t want. Gwen’s a violinst, trying to break free from her own (different) legacy, doing everything “right”, singular in her focus. They shared a prodigal history, but these two could not be more different. And yet…their tension and their longing was palpable.

Julie’s writing is lyrical. She brought in so much musical knowledge and made it not only approachable, but also sensual. I dare you to read the scene with the cello at and not blush over the word “legatto”. It’s one thing to talk about two characters living and breathing their profession, it’s another to have it infused in everything they do and in how they interact with one another - this wasn’t just about two musicians, it was about two people who are their instruments, who live and breathe and think music. And the way that they both find each other, see their mirror reflection in each other was brilliant.

And the POV - we got only glimpses of Xander’s. Every few chapters, we would get a glimpse into Xander’s brain. This worked - it had me looking forward to when those chapters would come. Gwen was a fantastic heroine and the story could’ve been carried with just her, but there was something so compelling about getting into Xander’s head a bit. Just enough. Just a taste.

There was so much character growth and insight into what it means to be a child prodigy and the potential downfalls. Gwen and Xander had different experiences with their gifts, and it delivered on gorgeous tension between the two but also within the orchestra. My heart broke for both of them at various points, and was stitched back together when they were able to push past it all and be each other’s anchor.

“I want to be clear; I want you. In every way.”
Xander’s desperation to be near her, bites fist

I am a former violin player and probably would have enjoyed my time more in Orchestra if there was anyone as remotely attractive as Xander Throne 😉

Julie Soto is 2/2 with HOT and engaging reads. This book has so much tension and yearning; the chemistry is exquisite on and off the stage. The music component is weaved seamlessly into the story to create something unique. This is the first romance I can remember reading with a classical musician vs. rock/ pop stars and I am here for it.

Things & Tropes
•Dual POV (mostly FMC)
•Violin FMC & Cello MMC
•Grumpy/ sunshine
•A recovering perfectionist
•Complicated family dynamics
•A reappearance from Ama Torres and Hazel Renee
•Wide open door
•NYC setting

I rated this book 4 stars. It wasn’t a perfect read for me due to the large number of characters between (orchestra members, band members, friends and family) and all the drama at the end of the book. However, I did still enjoy my time reading it. My favorite parts were the NYC setting, the music component and watching Gwen and Xander find found family and each other.

THIS BOOK IS ITTTTTT

She is the moment, she is hot, she is new, she is iconic. This book was SO fun to read. It was so refreshing to read a book that was a romance book format but so different and unique. This book was made for music nerds i'm telling you. But as someone who quit the honors band in eighth grade this book was still SO fun and interesting. I eat up a book that slips in education about a topic without it feeling like I'm being lectured. Julie Soto did a phenomenal job of educating readers on the way orchestras operate and the ins and outs while keeping it fascinating. I would recommend this book to any romance reader, it was such a delight!

Thank you netgalley for the book in exchange for an honest review!