I absolutely devoured this book. I never got around to reading Forget Me Not, so I can’t compare but I will say that this book had me in a chokehold the entire time. I’ve loved everything the Julie Soto has written on AO3, so I had a good feeling and boy was I proved right.

Xander and Gwen are such an explosive duo. Not Another Love Song starts with Gwen rushing to get to a last minute wedding gig only to find out there was a miscommunication and the wedding party wants her to play cello. Which is fine and dandy, but the only problem is… she plays violin. Forever a people pleaser, Gwen is determined to make this work. She refuses to be the reason her friend doesn’t get paid for the gig. Fortunately, she briefly learned the basics of playing cello as a child. It’s been 8 years, but Gwen is confident she can pull this off. That is until a famous musician shoves his cello into her hands and questions if she’s about to ruin this wedding.

Despite being a little rusty and not having the right music, she actually doesn’t do a horrible job. Yet Xander is quick to point out all her flaws. She refuses to let the cellist get under her skin. He might think she’s beneath him, but they both play for the Manhattan Pops and she’s not afraid to stand up to him.

The rest of the story unfolds like the most delicious rivals to lovers you’ve ever read. Xander is borderline cruel and a hard person to like, but it’s not without reason. He’s complicated under his grumpy surface. Whereas Gwen is trying to make a name for herself in the music world, but has moments where she’s a little naive. She hasn’t experienced any of the cruelty that comes along with being on top, while Xander has already been there for a long time. Both Xander and Gwen are both incredible musicians, so it’s no surprise that their paths cross in a big way. And when they do, it’s like fireworks exploding.

Xander is so frustrated that someone like Gwen has reached his level. In his mind, he’s worked for years only for a nobody to swoop in. Despite his frustration, he can’t keep his eyes off her. Especially when they keep getting thrown together for publicity. The tension is scrumptious! I was eating up the way he was channeling all his energy into beefing with her. It was so clear to everyone but her that he hates her but it’s only because she’s excellent. These two spend a majority of the book at each others throats, but then one day they play together and he goes a$$ over head (THE CELLO SCENE ON THE COVER, LORD HAVE MERCY). I desperately wish I could listen to the magic they made because the descriptions of their music had me salivating.

There was so much between these pages that made me absolutely fall in love with this book. I’m not musical myself, but Julie made it so easy to completely understand their love for music. For the entirety of this book, music was my passion too. Their wins were my wins, and their losses were my losses. I was fully immersed in their world. This book had the perfect recipe. There’s rivals, opposites attract, family issues, found family, heart, redemption, and obviously a happily ever after. I feel like I haven’t even begun to fully capture how wonderful this book was. It was such a fun ride.

A huge thank you to the Forever team and NetGalley for the eARC of this book. It was such a pleasure to read. I truly hope everyone takes the time to read this book.

WOW. I was hooked, the entire time, beginning to end. I wanted to just absorb myself into this book. What a beautiful story and as a former musician I loved the incorporation of music into the book. I read this in 2 days because the only times I put it down was when I had to do something real life related! Highly recommend you preorder this and read it as soon as it comes out!!

This is Reylo Fanfic that Julie Soto felt inspired at the NY Pops Christmas Concert to turn into a novel. Enemies to lovers, you’ll fall in love with the main characters.

I was able to get this early from NetGalley in return for my honest review of the book.

I loved Gwen & Xander together. The tension & chemistry flew off the page & I loved the way they complemented each other. With their different upbringings they found a way to both support each other & push each other to be the best versions of themselves. I loved the personal growth and watching Gwen learn to stand up for herself.
There is the perfect amount of spice in the book for my liking. And they spicy scenes are so well written. Classical music has never been so sexy. I mean, LOOK AT THE COVER!
There is also a great cast of secondary characters. The friends are so fun and funny, and the family members bring a second level of emotional depth I really loved.
Julie Soto. . . welcome to my auto-buy club!

Oh man, I have a lot of feelings about this book. After reading the author's note (which I never do) I was beyond excited by the premise and inspiration behind the story and was ready to tear into the book. Now that it's done, I feel differently. I'm still debating my rating, but right now It's sitting at 3.5 stars in my heart.

First of all, let me tell you what I loved. I loved the chemistry between Alex and Gwen. Those moments they shared when they were playing felt so magical to read, and Julie knows how to write a spicy scene like nobody's business. On that note, I actually really loved how heavily music and musical terminology played a role in the writing. I am decidedly NOT a musician, but this book made me feel like if I picked up a violin maybe I, too, could play first chair across from a sexy cellist and eventually fall in love with them. I was also a very big fan of the complex interpersonal relationships between the main characters and the influential people in their lives. Gwen and Alex had so many people and so many troubling relationships in common, but they played out in completely different ways and it was fascinating to read.

Now one to what I didn't love. Right off the bat, I was not a fan of Gwen's constant self-deprecation and refusal to believe what everyone was telling her; that Alex was smitten. I understand that her background and the way her relationship with Mabel developed gave her a certain level of insecurity, but it was so overplayed that I found it a bit obnoxious. I struggled to believe Alex's original motivation to play for the Pops. I know it is explained to us, but it really just felt like Julie needed to create a reason to bring him in. If he had truly wanted first chair and had wanted to get out of being "Xander Thorne" as he told us, I wish we could've seen him actually fight for it rather than behave like a toddler the whole time. The thing that really killed me, though, was when Thorne and Roses PULLED GWEN ONTO THE STAGE TO PLAY THEIR CONCERT WITH THEM?? Julie has never written something so painfully fanfic-coded, even in her ACTUAL fanfics. I was cringing and rolling my eyes the whole time and it truly brought the whole book down so far for me.

Even despite the horrifically cringey fanfic main character moment, I still left this book feeling good. It was a bit of a fight to push through to the good ending, but it was worth it! Julie is still an auto-buy author for me, but I have to admit that I was let down by the quality of this plot in comparison to her previous works I've read. I still recommend giving it a read, but I also recognize that this is not going to be for everyone, and there are some immature elements to the story that I didn't expect from someone I consider to be a seasoned and balanced author.

I absolutely devoured this book! Loved the characters, loved the plot (made me want to pick up my violin again), and I loved the tension between Gwen & Alex.

If you haven’t read Forget Me Not yet, please do before this is released so you can appreciate the cameos.

Thank you NetGalley, Forever, and Julie Soto for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Julie Soto does it again! A story full of heart, passion and found family.

A cello falls in love with a violin.

I couldn’t put this book down! From the first moment, the story pulls you in and doesn’t let you go. The tension between Gwen and Xander is immediate, though not in a good way but alas, heated looks and barbed words work their way into a sizzling he falls first romance that will have you rethinking what it means to play an instrument.

And dont worry, you don’t need to know anything about playing a violin or a cello to be swept away in the heart pounding, heat filled battle of strings that Gwen and Xander use to flirt!

Couldn’t put it down. Just loved all of it and I didn’t want it to end. Already ready for a reread just so I can get back into the world of Gwen and Alex. I am in need of some bonus chapters. The writing was just easy flowing.

another banger from julie! the pacing, the characters... loved it all! who knew music could be so sexy! it was so romantic and perfect. can't wait to reread it!

Just like you'd expect this book is AMAZING. I am genuinely so sad already that I can't read this for the first time again. If I could say one thing about this book is that I mostly went in blind and I would recommend anyone else to do as well. There are a few layers to this story, minor twists and turns, that I think are best to just experience (totally up to you obviously).

If you enjoyed Forget Me Not this brings all the same vibes. It is written in a mostly straightforward timeline in comparison though but I'm just saying the romance- it is the heart of this one as well. These two love interests of course have their push pull and angst but if I was listing tropes for this book I would pop soulmates in there without a second thought. Even with mostly a single POV this MMC is very developed and nuanced, and basically you just need them to be together. I thought it was very clever to have just a few short chapters essentially from his POV to show some softer sides to him and provide context that may have been missing at just the right times.

The music and orchestra hierarchy of this was so interesting. No matter what level your experience it will take you back to any time you've had under musical direction or experience with an instrument. I only played through high school but it took me right back to the lure of first chair and the social dynamics of a band or orchestra. This of course is on a professional level so there's a bit I never really knew and it is all explained very well and not in a dry way at all. You don't *need* musical experience to understand or enjoy if you really just want to read a romance.

There's so much I want to say about this book but it really is so spoiler-y! Just know it has a big of angst, it is open door, not overly spicy it's just right, there's a bit of a rivals to lovers but it's kind of one sided? And it's 2 people who really only have eyes for each other.

One of my favorite things about this FMC is how much of a rule follower she is and why. The juxtaposition with that with how she perceives Xander *at first* stirs up a bit of those rival-y feelings. Gwen is a people pleaser but she's not a pushover. Every choice she makes even if you may not agree as a reader with what you can read between the lines you understand why she's making it.

Overall of course I recommend this!! Enjoy the book hangover coming your way, solidarity my friend. Thank you to Forever for the eARC.

I was so excited that this was on auto-approve on NetGalley! After reading Forget Me Not a few months ago I was stoked that Soto had another book coming out soon. This book made me realize that it's been way too long since I've been to a symphony, and I'm hoping that it helps other people remember that as well and more people go to performances. I know the main point of the book is that it's a romance, but the whole time I just kept thinking about appreciation of the arts and how an evening out with the Pops sounds like a really good idea.

Julie Soto is a gem! This was such a refreshing read and the TEA. There was so much tea. SO many red musical flags. That aside, I really appreciated this story, I found Gwen's character so relatable. To get caught up in a dream and a dream man, but also be questioning "does this feel right?" and "what do I want for myself" was so great to read about. I do feel that I myself would need more from Alex (in regards to the 3rd act breakup) but overall this was really refreshing and entertaining to read, I genuinely couldn't put it down!

Thank you so much to the Forever team for my ARC, I appreciate it!

4/5

Not Another Love Song is a beautifully written romance between two artists. It’s a love song in and of itself as Julie Soto flawlessly weaved music in the narrative creating sweeping descriptions that I could practically hear the music.

Honestly, I’ll follow Soto anywhere.

Not Another Love Song follows Gwen and Xander, two musical prodigies looking to find their place in the music world, as they push and pull each other.

I’m musically illiterate, but I absolutely loved Not Another Love Song. Soto’s writing and explanations of the musical component of the story never felt confusing or dense. Instead, they’re weaved so flawlessly into the narrative that one cannot exist without the other. Similar to Gwen and Xander not existing without music. Soto’s writing is sensual, poetic, and rhythmic.

I would describe Not Another Love Song as a mild rivals-to-lovers with he fell first. Xander’s feeling for Gwen are obvious from the beginning, but they push and inspire each other musically.

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️. Sensual spice as opposed to crass spice. If that makes any sense.

Overall Not Another Love Song is a love song in and of itself as Julie Soto flawlessly weaved music in the narrative creating sweeping descriptions that I could practically hear it with delicious tension and sensual spice.

Thank you Julie Soto and Forever for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. It was fantastic read and I loved the characters so much. I could feel the MMC falling hard through the FMC's perspective which is always one of my favorite tropes. The best way to describe their relationship is tender and poetic. And that first time they jam together.. I was done for.

Gwen is an aspiring violinist who has been working hard through challenges in her life to make it as first chair. Book starts off at a wedding that Ama from "Forget Me Not" planned (loved to see this couple again). This is where she meets what felt like an idol, Xander. Meeting does not go well and the kerfuffle that ensues going forward builds nice tension.

I was so sad it was over. I wanted to keep reading about them and their relationship. Just like her other book, this is definitely topping my favorite romance books.

Please read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for a digital ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

"Not Another Love Song" was absolutely marvelous. The chemistry between Gwen and Xander was off the charts, and I loved the background of the orchestra and cello/violin to help illuminate their relationship. There were some actual twists in the story that I didn't see coming, but I loved how Gwen's and Xander's lives had been intertwined for years without them knowing.

In addition to wanting to find myself a sexy classical musician, this book also inspired me to want to learn the cello, so...win win.

The amount of books I've now unintentionally read that were originally Reylo fanfic is actually wild.....

But this has major Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood vibes!!! This was so good & I nearly squealed when I saw it was (semi) dual POV. All I have to say it this is one of the most unique romances ever and chapter 10 is the absolute best.

Alex might just be the most romantic man I've ever read about.

Gwen Jackson is a young professional violinist, scraping by in New York City. She plays for the Manhattan Pops, alongside her idol, Ava Fitzgerald, and famous cellist/heartthrob/rockstar Xander Thorne. As an orphan with no professional training, Gwen feels the need to prove herself and impress her beloved tutor, Mabel. For reasons that don't necessarily have only to do with her talent, Gwen is offered Ava's spot as first chair when Ava moves to the board of directors. Xander is less than impressed, and conductor, Nathan Fitzgerald, begins to push marketing campaigns on the duo. Xander has been insulting, broody and arrogant, but has a secret. When Gwen and Xander begin connecting - through music and romantically - their views on the future begin to change.

💭 I'm so thankful to Netgalley and author Julie Soto for this eARC! I loved Forget Me Not and this has been highly anticipated. As someone who played in several orchestras growing up and through college, this story resonated with me. I loved the idea of the concertmaster and first chair cello right in sightline of each other - the tension, pining, trying not to make eye contact. Gwen and Xander both had traumatic pasts and were working through some difficult emotions to be their best selves. As extremely talented musicians, prodigies even, there was a fine line of being showcased and being taken advantage of. They each struggled to even know what they ultimately wanted, and until they had each other, they didn't know what to prioritize. Their friends, family, and their found family, helped them to realize what mattered most. The writing was beautiful, the descriptions of the music were as lyrical as symphonies, and the love story was sweet (if not frustrating at times, ha!). This reminded me a lot of the show Mozart in the Jungle!

₊˚.༄ "... 𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦. 𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘳𝘣𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘺..."

If only I could tell you what follows that. Or the way the scene on the cover unfolds...
Jaws? on the floor.

𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗔𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗻𝗴 is poetry and symphony in book form.

The story encapsulates the beautiful symmetry of two lost souls who burn bright and feverish in each other's presence and the resulting harmony solidifies a sight wondrous to behold.

Gwen is an excellent violinist and has been offered the First Chair for the Manhattan Pops - the very seat fellow colleague and famous heartthrob Xander Thorne has in sight. *Cuts to the rivals to lovers trope.

- ~ -

I AM IN LOVE... again. It keeps happening with Soto's books. They're beautiful. Intimate. And keep you engaged. Some might call it perfection.

I loved the story but all that I have to say for it will in some way or the other lead to spoilers but I cannot emphasize enough the beauty of symphonies that flowed through my mind when reading some of the scenes.

There were little snippets of Ama and Elliot from 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘔𝘦 𝘕𝘰𝘵 which I loved getting to read and I can't wait for her next book which I'm hoping is about a certain 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘙𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘴 member!

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 (𝘎𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨) 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.

This was very easy to follow and a cute story.

A simple Internet search of the cost of a Stradivarius cello would tell you that it's worth well over a million dollars.

Thank you for the advanced copy

3.5.
I think julie Soto’s writing has really improved from forget me not and she succeeded in making a musical band feel sexy/desirable. But I still think this felt a little too fan fictiony and just didn’t land quite as much as I was hoping. Still a fun read and I recommend for the summer!

Wowowow this was so good!!!

Gwen is a violinist from humble beginnings. Xander is a cellist and a rock star. They realize they’ve been part of the same orchestra for a year without noticing each other. This is a rivals to lovers romance, and if you think playing the cello and the violin can’t be romantic or swoony, THINK AGAIN.

I loved it!!! I was giddy and kicking my feet for 95% of this book. The tension and angst between these two was 👌🏼. There is quite a bit of spice, and sometimes unavoidable to get the most plot you can! Speaking of the plot, it was unique and I really enjoyed both of the MCs’ journeys throughout the story. It is mostly single POV with a handful of Xander’s POV chapters scattered throughout. My only “negative” which is just my personal preference is references to Zillow, Grubhub, Instagram, and more…but they were so minor that it didn’t influence my rating. Overall I LOVED it, 5⭐️ read.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!!!