I ADORED Not Another Love Song so much. If Julie Soto has one fan, it’s me.

Her ability to write characters with incredible chemistry is UNMATCHED and the fact that this is rivals to lovers should tell you enough of the insane chemistry that Gwen and Alex have

Alex is my favourite type of complex, guarded love interest but he falls so fkn hard for darling Gwen. I mean, he’s down bad. So bad. I mean, just look at what my favourite quote is-
Gwen: “Look I don’t know what you want from me but-.” “Alex: Anything. Everything.” I MEAN COME ONN😭

I will ready anything Julie writes and I can't WAIT to see what she comes up with next.

I AM OBSESSED WITH THIS BOOK. And with Julie. What a stunner!!!

This book had me in a chokehold from the Author’s Note at the beginning of the book, all the way to the end. Even days after, I still feel it’s grasp on me. It doesn’t feel like it will go away soon. I’m already contemplating a reread.

The tension? HOT. When I tell you it was palpable… Trust. It, Is. So. Good. The Reylo vibes are strong with this one! Delicious. Explosive.

The music aspect was another thing I really enjoyed. I’ve always wished I could play an instrument. I’ve always loved the piano, but sadly it did not love me. But that’s okay, I will just listen and appreciate instead. Lol. The level at which the MCs connected with each other through music was epic. I’m going to leave it at that because spoilers. When you get to a certain scene, then you’ll know.

Lastly, the writing. It’s truly some brilliant writing from Julie. The pacing was great, the story was engaging, and I couldn’t put it down.

I cannot thank you enough for an arc of one of my most anticipated reads, Forever!!

Oh my god the chemistry was palpable. I haven’t read a book in such a long time in which the tension between them was THICK enough I could sit it with a knife. I wanted to be between them so bad. Truly Julie knows how to develop a male main character. I think my only notes are that while it was dual pov I felt that Gwen’s view felt like it lost color when Alex was a tangible thing. I think his character, desires, and drives were so clear and I feel as though Gwen’s lack of it reflected how afraid or lost she was to venture into that, but even her background story felt vague after the first two chapters. I loved the conflict, ego is so realllll

Not Another Love Song was a great second novel by Soto. The tone and pacing were much different than Forget Me Not, but it didn’t make it any less entertaining. The main characters had amazing chemistry and a wonderful push and pull that will keep readers engaged throughout the entirety of the read. Gwen is determined and talented, but really reflects that very real feeling of imposter syndrome that many people face in the arts. Alex is sexy, funny and sweet, and Soto does a wonderful job of balancing the jerkiness that is prevalent in talented musicians. I do wish there was slightly more of the dual pov, but this another really great read by Soto!

thank you so much to netgalley & forever publishing for the arc

i was honestly pretty unsure about if i would like this at first, due to me not liking the authors debut book. it was also something i’ve never read about in a romance setting which was classical music and i actually ended up really enjoying that part. the middle of this book was really the shining star, because the first & last 20% kind of fell flat for me. i lovedddd getting to read the scene that inspired the cover, their chemistry was so insane i was blushing!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! Y‘all this book is a must-read for anyone looking for a quick sexy escape. I mean LOOK at that cover!!!

Gwen Jackson is a violinist for the Manhattan Pops, Xander Thorne is a cellist in the same orchestra AND he’s a rock star. Gwen’s got all his band‘s music memorized (and may or may not still have a shirtless poster of Xander hanging in her shoebox apartment) and Xander doesn’t even know she exists. Until a wedding gig and a promotion to first chair suddenly thrusts Gwen into the spotlight and onto Xander‘s radar. After a rocky start, Gwen and Xander‘s chemistry sparks into something more than just making music together.

As a former violinist (I was not any good at it) this book checked all my boxes. I practically squealed when I saw the cover. I really loved how Julie Soto told us she was inspired by attending a concert and she was very up front about it being a former fanfic (if the cover didn’t already give that away for you). The book is obviously connected to Julie Soto‘s previous one, Forget Me Not, but I did not read it and I think this one can still be read as a stand-alone.

I loved the chemistry between Xander and Gwen and how it ties into their musical talent and their love of making music. And I really liked how they learn how they truly want to use that talent and find their way to a happier and healthier place in the end. All the characters felt VERY familiar, but ultimately this book was so well-written and unique enough that it was still well worth the read!!

I cannot even begin to describe how much I ADORE this book. I had never read this author. I went in blind and didn’t know what to really expect. I don’t know a lot about musical terms and instruments. I don’t read a lot of third person writing. But this book was fascinating, heartbreaking, beautiful and I never wanted to put it down or for it to end.

You can read the blurb that accompanies the release but I kind of think you should go in blind. Just know it’s about a violinist and a cellist and it’s unlike anything I’ve ever read. I want to be around people like Alex and Gwen and be moved by their music and emotions. I wish I had a playlist of the songs that are described -I’m sure my mind doesn’t come close to doing them justice.

How much did I love this book? I’m seriously considering starting it all over after I just finished it. 🩷🩷

This book was so good… I did not want to put it down and I found myself pulling it out even when I just had a minute or two to spare. I love how you used music as another character and I loved how their lives had been connected way before they even realized! I could visualize their love story coming to life through their music. I know these characters went on to do some awesome things in their future together. 5 stars for sure!!

I was ready to read this the second I put down 'Forget Me Not' last year. This book did not disappoint. Rivals to lovers, the pining, THE TENSION, this book, y'all. And can we take a minute to appreciate that the cover is from *THAT* scene whew.

Loved this book so much. The setting, the characters, the tension and angst! Definitely Sotos best book yet. Pick up a copy, you wont regret it.

I was lucky enough to be able to snag this ARC from netgalley. This is the first time I have read a book by this author and it did not disappoint. I am not musically blessed and they way she described how the main characters relate and how they express their love it was perfect. It was a fast paced read and I believe in Gwen all that she stands for. I wouldn't mind reading a novella to learn more about Mabel. Everytime she was on page, I yearned to learn more about her.

Not Another Love Song
Rating: 5/5⭐️
Recommended: Yes!

I honestly could not put this book down. I don’t remember the last time I read a book this quickly but I started and finished this book in less than 24 hours. As a former violin player, I loved the orchestra elements involved in this book. This one reminded me a lot of Check & Mate, which is another one of my favorite books!

LOVE!! Julie can absolutely do no wrong in my eyes! The longing, the pinning, the tension, the CELLO SCENE!! 😍
Julie can always write a simp of a man with perfection. I absolutely LOVED the chapters thrown in from Alex’s POV.
The music aspect adds such depth and romance to the story!
This story made my heart physically hurt then put it back together.
This was a brilliant idea for a fanfic now turned into a published novel and I will always sing Julie Soto’s praises forever and ever! 🖤🎻

I went into this knowing absolutely nothing about this type of music world but I was pleasantly surprised with how much I loved it. It was a slow start for me so I was unsure at first but after the 30% mark I was so invested in this story and I did not want to put it down.

This story follows Gwen Jackson and Xander Throne who are both musical prodigies in their own right. Xander was classically trained from the moment he was able to hold an instrument in his hand. While Gwen did not pick up a Violin until she was 11 and curious about it. Xander was raised from a very famous musician while Gwen just born with natural talent. Both of them had very different paths to success but ultimately end up in the same room.

The tension and chemistry in this book was off the walls. I was holding my breathe waiting for them to get together. I loved loved loved Alex and Gwen. They were a match made in heaven. Both of them brought out a side in each other that they were secretly wanting. They made the best couple in both the romantic and musical way.

Having grown up in New York I loved the setting of this book. It is such an ode to NYC in its truest form. It all felt authentic and factually correct. I could picture every single street and building I was reading. This was another hit from Julie and I can’t wait to see what comes next from her.

Read if you like:
- rivals to lovers
- musical prodigies
- he is obsessed with her

thank you Julie Soto and NetGalley for making the ARC free on April Fool’s this book is in fact NOT A JOKE and I will forever be thinking about how no man will ever measure up to Xander Thorne (he wanted to buy her toiletries to keep at his house 😩🥲🫶 the bar for real men is genuinely in hell)

I loved the cameos from Forget Me Not and I will definitely be buying this when it releases in July just so I can reread the cello scene again ❤️

So grateful to Forever publishing and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!!

I thought this was going to be an enemies to lovers romance with two extremely talented musicians!! But this was so much more!! This was passion and difficult conversations! This was toxic work environments and finding out who you really are!! The romance was so good!!!

Seriously go pick this up on July 16!!

This books had me giggling and kicking my feet, my heart racing and butterflies in my stomach. The characters are so relatable and funny I was laughing outloud at some of the dialogue and interactions. Alex and Gwen? Hello. Chemistry of the charts and the spice WOOF.

This book was such a fun read! Julie Soto is an instant buy author for me now after two amazing books. The tension between Alex and Gwen was great, though the rivals to lovers didn’t feel right as a description with how much they were both obsessed with each other I felt they were barely rivals. Don’t get me wrong I love a man obsessed (if you like Ali Hazelwood you’ll love Julie, promise)

The comparing sex to music was a little odd, but I also read a book where they did the same with science (shoutout Ali Hazelwood again) so I am really not that bothered by it.

I would recommend this if you’re looking for a low stakes read set in NYC and centered around symphonies and the world of music.

Thank you NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the April Fools gift of the digital reviewers copy of this book!

Another winner by Julie Soto. If you’re a band or orchestra geek, you’ll eat this book up. Set in NYC. Cellist + Violinist romance. Great tension and great spice. It does have a third act breakup and makeup that feels a bit rushed/flat, but other than that, it’s a dynamic romcom. I was kicking my feet in the air with giddiness. If you loved Forget Me Not, you’ll likely love this too.

When I tell you that Julie Soto is an insta-buy author I am not joking. The way she paints a picture with her words brings me shockingly close to tears. Seriously, she has such a beautiful way with words. I would have never imagined the sexual tension that an orchestra can bring but now I will think of nothing else. Thank you for blessing us Julie.