I was a big fan of Forget Me Not and starting this new trip was only even better.
I love Gwen and Xander, I love the enigmatic way of describing music and it’s so exciting that I spent the whole weekend watching videos to get an idea of what Julie meant in this book.
Absolutely fantastic.
Super recommended, you will love Xander, you will love Gwen and the plot.
Put on your imaginary headphones and enjoy your imaginary and exciting melodies that this couple will create for you.
It would be absolutely delicious to get the Spanish translation, is what we need to read in every language.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for an eARC of this novel is exchange for my honest review.

Just wow. Who knew a cello could be so sexy?

I devoured this book in less than 24 hours. My fav romance I’ve read so far this year. Rivals to lovers, amazing character development, and the spice is spicin’! 🔥

Julie Soto’s writing had me intrigued from the start, and I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us in her next novel!

Omg once I started this book, I could not put it down. Xander and Gwen complement eachother so perfectly. You can tell right away that they have chemistry though Gwen fights it hard. And the cello scene when Gwen first goes to Xanders place - my goodness I had to stop and take a breather. This book made me laugh and cry and yell and shout for joy. It's absolutely perfect!

Another masterclass in storytelling by Julie Soto!!!

Not Another Love Song was one of my most anticipated reads of 2024, and it did not disappoint!!! The love story and journey from enemies to lovers between Gwen and Xander was so captivating that I could not stop reading it, but if I had to stop reading for real-life interruptions, I couldn't stop thinking about the story and how Xander and Gwen were going to navigate their ever-evolving and complicated intertwined lives.

I also loved all of the details and musical jokes in this book (like when Gwen says, "People always thought they wanted cello when really, they wanted a string quartet."), and the random references to things like Pulp Fiction and Cotton Eyed Joe.

This book had me laughing, sobbing, gasping, and kicking my feet through every chapter and I loved every single second of it.

This book takes you on an emotional rollercoaster, reminding us that even the smallest moments and connections in life can lead to something big. But hey, let's not sugarcoat it – some of these characters can really push your buttons! And yeah, I might have formed a bit of a trauma bond with Gwen, but let's not dive into that, shall we? LOL

Let's give credit where it's due though – Gwen's got grit! This story proves that even when life throws us curveballs and leaves us with holes in our hearts, we've still got the strength to keep moving forward and create something truly magical. And music? Oh man, it's like a healing balm throughout these pages. You can practically hear it as you read!

Hats off to Julie Soto for crafting such an immersive experience. Also, as a fellow New Yorker, I totally get the hustle culture and those quirky living spaces. And can we take a moment to appreciate the craving-inducing power? I'm in serious need of Locrio de Salami now!

In short, 'Not Another Love Song' isn't just another love story – it's a testament to resilience, the power of music, and the messy beauty of life.

The cover is perfection! *Chefs Kiss* I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy.

Not another love song caught me so off guard in the best way. I loved Julie’s first book Forget Me Not, and was so excited to get her second book as an ARC. When I read the author’s note saying this was essentially a Reylo fan fiction I didn’t expect it to be SO good! I loved every second. Alex and Gwen’s enemies to lovers story was amazing. You could feel their tension and their energy vibrating off the pages. I love how gentle Julie wrote Alex with Gwen and how hard he fell for her. I will neeeeever be over the cello scene WOW.

Also loved the cameos from Ama and Hazel Renee in this book!!!

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this ARC!

thank you to grand central publishing for the arc in exchange for an honest review

music to my ears.

✧ 4.5 stars

at first I must admit, I was irritated by parts of this book, specifically parts of xander's character. at the beginning he comes across as rude, hostile, and arrogant. but then he shows his true self as a complicated soft boi, and the author begins to peal back his layers, showing that he is an incredibly complex, three-dimensional character with only human flaws and experiences. he is unfortunately at the mercy of being very easily misunderstood, and I think the readers who typically indulge in romance novels are neither prepared for nor accepting of this kind of hero.

the prose were strangely beautiful in a way I was not at all expecting. I found myself really enjoying how soto brings something original and fresh to this genre which is typically saturated with recycled tropes and storylines.

also, the scooter braun reference had me literally convulsing on the floor

TW: Parental death, mentions of cancer

I think I might be turning into a Reylo fan...these fanfics just keep getting better and better! Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto was fantastic! Gwen has been playing the violin since she was 11. She never went to school for it much to her mentor's frustration but she's been satisfied with the career she's made so far. She's somewhat shy and it was mentioned several times in the book how she made herself smaller as to not to stand out. Alex "Xander Thorne" Fitzgerald on the other hand was child prodigy with a famous lineage in the world of music. As a child he was eager to please but these days his bad boy persona has taken over and he's in the mood to not care what anyone thinks. When Alex's mother is set to retire Alex is ready to take first chair for the Manhattan Pops like he was told, but instead the job is offered to little nobody, Gwen. What starts as Alex being disgruntled soon turns into an obsession he has with her and how she inspires the music in him.

I found Gwen and Alex's chemistry at the beginning to feel a little whiplash-esque. With the few insults he throws as her at the wedding I was questioning if he even liked her haha but it's quickly cleared up especially when they go to his apartment to "make music" together. Wow that was so hot! It only gets hotter from there, their romance is emotional and you could tell it changed the both of them as people. I loved how much confidence he had in her talent and I thought it was pretty cute how she had crushed on his band in her early years and knew basically every single song of theirs!

There's also a found family aspect of this book that I really enjoyed as well. First with Gwen's roommate Jacob, I'd love to get his love story with Declan as well. They were so cute together. Also Mabel, Dom, and even Mei and Jeremy...I love how they all supported Gwen and Alex unconditionally.

Overall Not Another Love Song was a sweet emotional story filled with loads of love and heartwarming moments and some really hot ones too! I feel the need to read Julie's other work as well, especially if they are as good as this one. Thank you so much to Forever Publishing for providing me with an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

Oh no, not another (formulaic) love story 😒 this book was incredibly predictable at all the % points. I knew going in this was a Reylo fanfic, and this didn’t take much of an original spin from their non existent personalities and temper tantrums. Personally, I prefer my inspiration stories to take a new spin and not be so blatantly obvious from their source material. It’s sad because I truly enjoyed Forget Me Not. On top of all this, it had a third act breakup which is SO overdone and the author put in a Scooter Braun/Taylor Swift storyline which was a cheap shot at a pop culture reference. Thank you to Net Galley for the eARC.
⭐️⭐️.5/💋💋/🌶️🌶️

*4.5 stars
Gwen and Xander had opposite childhoods but are now fighting for the same role in the Manhattan Pops. The two musicians go back and forth numerous times, slowly getting to know each other. Slowly getting to know each other more and more, bringing the music world onto their feet in excitement.
The story that Julie Soto weaves in this book is just so absolutely amazing to me. It was written so well, and I read it so fast in the absolute best way possible. I wish there was more to their story, but then again, I feel like their story ended at the perfect part.
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for an eARC of this book.

First, let me say that I loved Forget Me Not, the author's first release.
I'm also a fan of her fan fiction, which predated her published works.
This book - Not Another Love Song - had a note in the beginning that stated it was the first manuscript she wrote that landed her an agent. I think this knowledge may have tainted my reading of the book, as I then saw the work constructed by the hands of a novice as opposed to an established writer. There was also a clear note that the author wrote this book as a type of Rey/Ben Solo fan fiction, which downgraded the professionalism of the work in my eyes.
I think my best example of this "loved the first, left the second' phenomenon can be paralleled with author Sally Thorne's releases. The Hating Game, her first release, I've read upward of 6 times. 99 Percent Mine, her second release, I could not finish reading.
I could see all the pieces in Not Another Love Song - the characters (likeable lead heroine, aloof mysterious love interest), their motivations (to be the best musicians!), the villains (evil stepdad, evil agent), the interesting plot device (they play the cello and violin in an orchestra!) - but they didn't fit together for me.
I will always read the next Julie Soto book, this one just wasn't my favorite!

I started “Not Another Love Song” today and couldn’t do anything until I finished it. When Gwen plays for Alex in his apartment for the first time, it was one of the steamiest scenes and the author decides it so well that I felt like I was there and could feel everything through the music.

I'M BLUSHING!!!!!!!! (and have the urge to learn a sting instrument :D)

The tension and longing between Julie Soto's characters makes me never want to put down a book by her, and she very much did it again! The relationship between Xander and Gwen is lyrical and beautiful.

ALSO I will never be able to look at the cover of this book without blushing.

As. former violinist (*cough cough* in fourth grade), it was really fun to relive orchestra through Gwen’s experience. Of course who wouldn’t want to be first chair and fall for the hot super star cellist? The dynamic between the two of them was quite familiar, and I am a fan. It wasn’t my favorite rendition but I did enjoy it. If you are also a former orchestra kid and love a tall dark sexy guy with a rough relationship with his mom, definitely give this a read.

Julie Soto did it again! This book was fantastic start to finish. I know nothing about music or musical instruments but that was fine. It wasn’t so much of the story that I couldn’t follow along. I loved the main characters and their love story. Loved that he wanted her from the beginning. Loved that she was strong and held to her beliefs and confidence. The spice level was perfect too! It’s also always fun when characters from a previous novel are mentioned so I really enjoyed our friends from Forget Me Not being included. Can’t wait for what book comes next from Julie Soto!

Romantic, stirring, and perfect for the music nerd in me. This hit all the right notes (haha) and I would pick up anything Soto writes. She is a masterclass on mixing feelings with propulsive plot and overall tenderness.

Thank you so much for letting me read this book! I adore Julie Soto! Her characters are fantastic and funny, and the story is beautiful. I love that Julie grabs you in the first chapter, and makes you love everyone. This is a recommend read for my friends!

First, thank you to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

I adored Soto’s book “Forget Me Not” and “Not Another Love Song” was one of my most anticipated books of 2024. The premise is so interesting, especially as a former musician myself. The tension and spice between Gwen and Xander were well done. I loved how they challenged each other and became each other’s muse.

Overall, though, the book was disappointing. The main characters lacked depth, especially Gwen. We never truly understood who she was outside of playing violin. She didn’t seem sure of herself or confident in anything either. I have no idea what her motivations were other than essentially people pleasing. She lacked the depth we saw in Ama in “Forget Me Not.” Xander also seemed one not as solely a famous musician without any other hobbies or traits. I would have liked to explore their other interests or friends or for them to have one conversation that didn’t revolve around music.

Even though this book had flaws in my mind, I’ll absolutely read what Soto puts out next. The book seemed to set up our next couple, but we’ll see!

This is in my top 3 favorite contemporary romances I've ever read.

I don't read much contemporary romance, because I usually need more worldbuilding detail to experience kind of escape that I seek when I read. I am in no way musical, so the world of this book feels far enough removed from my daily life that it provided the perfect level of escapism.

I love everything about this story - the meet cute, the crackling tension, the slow burn build up to the relationship, the conflict and the intimate scenes were all amazing. I loved it.

I highly recommend this book for lovers of spicy romance, Reylo fanfiction, and/or those looking for a bingeable romance to escape into.

Thank you Forever Publishing and NetGalley for providing a digital galley for me to review.

I love Julie Soto! Having been a fan of this author's fan fiction, I was really excited when Soto's first book, Forget Me Not, was published. It was a 5 star read, as was Not Another Love Song. I liked both of the main characters. I loved the fact that Ama and Elliot showed up. I hope Soto keeps writing: both her fanfiction and new books.