eARC Book Review
Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto
Publish Date: July 16, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
🌶️🌶️ 2/5 [chef kiss - perfect amount 👌]

The cover of this book, adorned with a cello, immediately caught my attention. As a lover of romance novels, I dove in eagerly and was pleasantly surprised. The relationship between Gwen and Xander was captivating, delicately balanced without overwhelming explicit scenes. Gwen's relatability kept me hooked, and I couldn't tear myself away from her story. Told primarily through her perspective, interspersed with Xander's "Cello Suites," the narrative's multidimensionality and lifespan-spanning characters added depth. Alongside the lovable characters, the presence of multiple antagonists heightened the story's complexity. Altogether, "Not Another Love Song" proved to be an addictive and heartwarming read, delivering on its promise of a perfect escape.

Thank you to Julie Soto and NetGallery for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. It is my first Julie Soto book. And I loved it. The romance was perfect and I loved the music references.

Now I really wish I would have continued learning violin. But Alex and Gwen! Their chemistry was so off the freaking charts I felt like I was interrupting - that good!

Like all my reviews, this one is just going to be a chaotic blurt-all of everything I loved and hated. Gwen and Alex were things I loved. As stated above, they had an incredible to-read dynamic. I gobbled up all of their scenes and banter. I also loved how effortless and natural they felt falling for one another. I loved how the author wrote their musical performances. I could almost picture myself in Carnegie Hall, savoring the music.

There were factors, however, that prevented me from loving the book more than I do and rating it higher. Spoiler warning from here on out! You have been warned! I was not the biggest fan of the ending. Unlike their relationship, the conflict and concluding chapter were overdramatic and messy. It truly detracted from the story. And a large part of this chaotic ending was due to the fact of several "villains." There were too many quote-unquote bad guys trying to pull the loving pair apart - to the point where I was not rooting for a single older adult because of their potentially questionable motives. Not Just Another Love Song is a lovely book otherwise crowded by some bad aspects.

As always, thank you sincerely to the publishing company, author, and NetGalley!

This was so delightful. I loved the tension between the main characters and the romance that grew from their shared musical passion. Alex is such an attractive MMC and I loved how he showed love to Gwen through empowering her as a musician, encouraging her and being her number one fan. Gwen is an endearing and lovable character who I wanted all of the best things for. I was so happy with where her career ended up by the end of the book. The characterization in this book was so natural and real. Truly such a satisfying read. 🎻✨💌

*Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for sending an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Not Another Love Song captivates you at the start with tension and competition, and the reader gets immersed into the orchestral world of music. I did not have any expectations or wants from this book, and I was thoroughly impressed with the writing and plot of this book. Yes, some may not think "romance" is a plot, but Soto develops her characters and the music is a plot in itself.

Many romance books have an overall conflict, but then also a conflict towards the end of the book that needs resolution. I am never really a fan of these last minute conflicts or problems, but I believe Soto wrote her conflict well and did not make it too dramatic or unrealistic.

I loved seeing Gwen be highly talented and have Alex be in awe of her. These were two characters I enjoyed reading and seeing how their relationship progressed.

I was lucky enough to read this book early with NetGalley, and I encourage anyone who at least has a little interest in this book to read it!

i had to DNF at 40%. this was my first julie soto book and it just wasn’t for me. i felt like there wasn’t enough happening to hold my interest and i don’t think that orchestra based romances are for me.

Are. You. Kidding. Me.

This book was absolutely everything. I fell in love with Julie Soto’s writing in Forget Me Not, so I was desperately anxious for this one. She did not disappoint! Beautifully written.

As someone who grew up playing both violin and cello, I was beyond excited to read about a romance between two musical prodigies. And the way Julie described every performance, it truly felt like I was physically present and could not just hear the music, but also FEEL it. Oof.
And the tropes? Everything!!!

I can definitely say that Julie Soto became one of my instant pre-order authors for SURE!

I’m so thankful I didn’t have to wait a few more months to read this, thanks NetGalley for the arc! ✨

Not Another Love song was absolutely beautiful. I loved how Julie was able to describe every performance in such a way that I felt like I was there listening to it. The only problem I have now is I really need an album! Gwen and Alex’s story, though frustrating at times, was addictive and I am an absolute sucker for a good love story….song. I also really enjoyed the Alma and Elliot cameos.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I was initially unsure about reading a romance between rival orchestra musicians/musical prodigies but ended up enjoying it! Looking forward to future Julie Soto books!

Thank you NetGalley for this arc!

I would like to thank Julie Soto for getting me out of my reading slump.

This book!. This freaking book! I absolutely LOVED IT! The chemistry between Alex and Gwen was phenomenal. I thought I wouldn’t like it as much because of the way the intimate scenes were described with instruments but it was actually good.

I would like to thank Forever and Netgalley for giving many of us the opportunity to download this book.

I loved this book! Julie Soto is becoming one of my favorite authors I love her work. Gwen and Xander are rivals to lovers that provide the perfect amount of spicy angst! I love the ‘he falls first’ trope as well! I can’t wait to buy the physical book when it is released! I’m excited to see what else Julie releases.

Every promotional bit about this book really delivered and then some. Rivals to lovers where actually he's just down so bad the whole time??? I'm not sure anyone can write a man the way Julie Soto can. It was extremely hard to behave like a normal human when I really wanted to be goblin mode hunched over my phone every second of the day.

This was SO fun to read as someone who spent some time in band and orchestral settings. I loved music growing up and while I never had the passion, skill, or opportunities to take it beyond high school, I connected with this so much. I don't think you need that background to get into it, but it did enhance my experience.

Chances are if you're looking at this book, you're going to love it. The complex family and found family relationships really enriched the story and while a good book always leaves me wanting more pages, I really didn't feel like there was any gaps in the story. Trust the process and happy reading 🥵

4.75 🌟
After loving Forget me Not, I was eagerly awaiting Julie Soto’s next book. Forget me Not left some big shoes to fill and I was pleased to see that Not Another Love Song wore them well.

Gwen and Xander/Alex were amazing and the orchestra and composing scenes were written so viscerally I felt like I was in the audience watching them play. I paused my reading several times to look up the string renditions of the songs mentioned in the book

My only qualm is that I would have loved if this book were written in first person instead of third, but the writing and the story were captivating enough that I didn’t mind it as much as I thought I would initially
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of rivals-to-lovers romances with grumpy but swoony heroes. Bonus points if you are a classical music fan

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC

Julie Soto is now definitely going to be on my auto buy authors list. The fact that she put this book up on netgalley for april fools? I love her! The way she portrays the characters interests and love for music makes me want to learn an instrument myself. Also the chemistry and tension between Gwen and Xander ist top tier. To have someone be that obsessed with you is crazy! I ate this up. I’m glad that both mcs got trough the challenges they both face together but also on their own and that they stood up for themselves and grew individually but also as a couple! I need her next book like right now!

I loved this. It was fun. I loved the banter and the setting of an orchestra. I wish the background characters were filled out more. I feel like you get too much information about the background characters but not enough is done with it— it’s just a filler that doesn’t add too much. Overall though, I loved it. 4 stars

I read Soto's "Forget Me Not" and really enjoyed it, which is what prompted me to request this one. And I enjoyed the cameos from our main characters from "Forget Me Not" in this one.

At first - I loved it -- great premise and great opening scene -- these 2 musicians, instantly at odds, but Gwen shows her incredible musical genius in an under-pressure situation, Alex is low-key obsessed. I was on board!

But, my enthusiasm gradually fizzled throughout, as I think I'm in a generation or more 'older' than this book is aimed at. The love/sex scenes felt very cringey, kind of over the top, immature (making pancakes/throwing the batter at each other, just screamed of some teen photo shoot 'ooh look how beautiful we are and how much fun we are having! kind of thing), and also very repetitive at the same time.... . I also felt like the first intimate scene was perhaps ever so slightly in a bit of a gray area in terms of consent, I'm more saying this viewing the book as YA/New Adult where I think such topics may be better modeled / really clearly portrayed...? Maybe just me.

I enjoyed Gwen & Alex composing music together and these two young musicians facing different challenges etc, but there were some big plot holes as well -- Gwen, who's scrimped and saved her whole life, would not spend her entire savings to date on a plane ticket to LA, and then just let herself be turned around by a slimey agent... i mean, she was messaging Alex's bandmate on instagram, she spent all that money and then we're expected to believe she just gets in a car and goes back to the airport without even trying to contact anyone/fight for it. No.

Also, I think that Nathan's extreme emotional abuse and manipulation needs to be called out more strongly and him labeled for what he is, more so than Ava's "He has a bad habit of taking too much from sensitive situations and vulnerable people..." Umm, it's WAY more than that.

I still mostly enjoyed reading to the end and particularly liked the rival musicians element and the family story lines, but overall this one started hot but ended up tepid for me.

Thank you Forever for this ARC through the Discover Forever program!

Julie Soto has done it again!

It's no secret that I am a sucker for any fiction man that looks like Adam Driver and all books that started as Reylo fanfics, but holy shit did this one knock it out of the park. I am a huge fan of classical music and electric string ensembles so I was imaging the most beautiful performances in my head the whole time while reading. Truly my only grievance about the book is that it isn't accompanied with an album of instrumentals because god I wish I could have heard the music that Alex and Gwen made together.

I started reading late at night which was a mistake because I had work the next day and didn't want to stop. Not Another Love Song is a beautiful romance between to traumatized musicians who grow as individuals and together. I loved seeing how Gwen gained confidence and independence and Alex started to heal from his past. My favorite parts were the cello suites because they strengthened the characters and the emotional responses that I had while reading them.

I genuinely wish this book was 1000 pages because I wanted far more time with Gwen and Alex. And for the lovers of Forget Me Not, the Ama and Elliot cameos are to die for.

(4.5) This is my first ARC and I am thrilled it is one of Julie Soto’s books. I loved the first book of the series, Forget Me Not, but this is no second book slump. This book pulled me on an emotional rollercoaster I didn’t know I needed.

The slow-burn, palpable tension between Gwen, a gifted violinist with pops, and Alex/Xander, a music prodigy/classical star, throughout the book was unmatched. You can feel the detailed descriptions of the music so vividly that you think you are sitting at Carnegie Hall watching the tension between Gwen and Alex/Xander. You don’t have to be a fan of classical music to enjoy this book, but the fine arts lovers of the world finally have a romance book they can fully relate to.

I can’t wait for the physical copy of this book to add with Forget Me Not.

Pros:
Bringing multi-dimensional characters together from different walks of life was perfect.
The dynamics between Gwen’s friends and found family was incredibly relatable.
Cameo intertwining and side-character hints/set ups for future books.
The cover incorporating the cello scene is exceptional (swoon).

Cons:
Some of the FMC and side-character conversations felt abrupt when moving on.
The beginning of the resolution to their third-act breakup in Gwen’s apartment was not my favorite.

Tropes:
Musical rivals to musical lovers
Workplace romance
Found Family

Thank you Julie Soto, Forever/Grand Central Publishing, and NetGalley for this E-ARC in exchange for an honest review! I will post a full review upon publication date. I can’t wait for the next book!

This book was such a refreshing read; it was beautifully written. Honestly, I’m convinced I’ll read anything Julie Soto writes! The spice was spicin just right and I ate it up. I felt a connection with the characters immediately and was hooked from the beginning!

Every time I read something new by Julie Soto, I’m reminded why she’s one of my favorite authors.

Everything about Not Another Love Song was perfection. The characters, A+. The pining, A+. The smut, A+. The Ama, Elliott, Hazel, Jackie, and Mar cameos!!!!!! A+++.

This book follows Gwen and Alex as they question everything they think they know and love, to discover what truly makes them happy.

If you’re a people pleaser, or have ever wondered if your dreams and passions are really your own or what you’ve been told you should pursue, you’ll definitely resonate with these characters.

I loved every second of this read and couldn’t recommend it more! Also, the found family vibes are strong here and I lovedddddd it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever pub for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!