Julie Soto is now an auto buy author for me! I got this book on April fools but it’s not a joke how much I adored it! Soto has a way of spinning common tropes into a refreshing experience that it’s not like most romance books.
I loved the composing music scenes between Alex and Gwen and their chemistry is just 🥰🥰 plus the cameos from Forget Me Not was so entertaining, I loved it.
Thank you Julie Soto and NetGalley for the arc!

This book pulled me right out of my reading slump! I am thankful that this Netgalley surprise was not an April Fools joke. I didn't want to put it down and even refused to in some instances. Julie Soto had me sold on the incredible chemistry between Gwen and Alex with such heavy tension. The characters' backstories were intriguing, which added to my pull for wanting to feel the music even more so. I found myself pulling up songs to play in the background while I read to immerse myself even further into the story. I've never done that before. If only I had an amp in my house.
Although I enjoyed the ending and appreciated how everything settled, I was hoping for a little more umph. That being said, Not Another Love Song is still such a wonderful read that captured this reader from the very beginning. I gave it 4.5/5 stars. Now to create a playlist, so it's ready for when I have the physical book in my hands.

I liked this one a lot! Super sexy and I loved the setting I just didn’t really connect to Gwen or Alex that much

If there is one thing Julie Soto knows how to write, it’s TENSION. My god. I was kicking my feet, squealing, and giggling this entire book. Gwen and Alex just BURNED on the page and it was perfection. And the pining omg. Alex gives Rights & Wrongs Draco a run for his money. I was obsessed with how obsessed Alex was with gwen. And the setting. Wow. Rivals to lovers in an orchestra?? It was so unique and such an amazing vehicle for a romance. Julie is a genius.

I somehow loved this one even more than Forget Me Not, which I didn’t think would be possible. Julie Soto I will forever read anything you ever write, published or not, you are incredible.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Forever for this digital ARC!

Thank you netgalley, forever and julie!! for this ARC!!

One of my most anticipated reads for 2024 and Julie did not disappoint. I loved the vibes and how the story was linear, but also was able to seamlessly transition from past memories to the present. The writing is beautiful and i could feel every feeling and music note written on the page.. the setting of New York and the musical scene is my favorite thing. I felt like I was really there and experiencing the tacos, the subway, the two apartments, and Mabel’s shop.

As a rat (iykyk), this story itself was so amazing and perfect, but the music and the way the plot and the characters were composed was flawless. in her acknowledgments, julie said this book had been rewritten several times. i would like every single draft of this book and everything not included that was there.

These are such well-developed and complex characters.i loved the cast of new ( the cameos of Ama and Elliot were wonderful omg) characters popped in and out of the storyline. None as much as Xander (new book bf dropped!) and Gwen who is just so freaking cool. Similar to Julie's Forget Me Not, this book focused on more than just the love interests. Add in music and the cast just builds itself. I loved how each character had a plot in some form (romantically or professionally).

Not Another Love Song felt like coming home after being lost for a long time. I loved it and cannot wait to have a physical copy in my hands so i can transfer my highlights over.,.

4.5 stars

This rivals to lovers contemporary romance is thrilling, addictive and filled with sexual tension from the get-go. I played the flute in middle school, but I can hardly say that I’m knowledgeable when it comes to music. I didn’t pick up on every reference, but that didn’t take away from my enjoyment.

Gwen has been playing violin since she was 11— she has made her way from playing in the subway for tips to playing in the Pops Orchestra. Xander is a child prodigy & star cellist also playing for the Pops, as well as the lead of one of Gwen’s favorite bands - Thorne & Roses.

I appreciated the identity crisis Xander combats throughout this piece. Gwen gives him fresh perspective on the man he’s becoming and motivates him in more ways than she could ever expect. Through her interactions with Xander she is able to see herself through fresh eyes and has a better sense of her worth as an artist and individual.

I had so much fun reading this Reylo fan fiction - although I can’t stay that I would have picked up on that if the author hadn’t been explicit with her intentions. I would highly recommend this book to romance lovers whether or not they’ve ever picked up an instrument. This story is strong and heart-warming — the spice will not disappoint you and trust me there’s plenty of it.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for making this ARC available. “Not Another Love Song” is the first from Julie Soto that I’ve consumed and I look forward to reading more from her.

Have you ever thought that orchestra is boring? Never again, my friends - now it's HOT, in the best way.

This is the story of Gwen and Alex (or should I say Xander?). They've each got more beauty and talent in their fingers (heh heh heh) than you have in your whole body. But that's ok - they're both so well-written here that the only thing you'll be jealous of is their undeniable chemistry. This book was much hotter than I expected. The tension, the musical double-entendres, the build-up, the banter, the way they truly cared about each other, etc. etc. The hype about the cello scene is warranted, but can we talk about the Carnegie Hall bathroom??? (I work in a concert hall and we sometimes use the backstage bathrooms as office bathrooms...my workday will never be the same.)

While Forget Me Not was all about the language of flowers, Not Another Love Song is all about the language of music. This is an ode to the world of pops orchestras and groups like Vitamin String Quartet - this helps keep the musical content approachable to the layperson but leaves plenty to appeal to those with more in-depth knowledge of music and the industry. Alex and Gwen are both the type of people who just feel the music through every inch of their soul, and they bring the reader along for that journey.

The only negative for me was the third-act breakup - I just felt that one of them was really in the wrong with that one. But the other 85% of this book is more than worth it.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this arc in exchange for an honest review. This book was the perfect coda to my week.

This book was absolutely beautiful. There is no other word to describe it. I LOVED when they played music together, and one of my favorite scenes was the one that inspired the stunning cover of this book. Highly recommend!

My first Julie Soto and it will not be my last!! I absolutely adored this book! Gwen and Alex (Xander) are spectacular together and the chemistry is off the charts! This is a forced proximity, opposites attract, workplace romance set in the world of classical music. Gwen is a violinist who gets an unexpected opportunity as first chair in the Pops orchestra she’s been with for four years. Alex/Xander is the diva, rock star, cellist who wanted her first chair all his life. Alex has lots of secrets but the biggest is that he’s absolutely gone for Gwen. I tell you our boy fell first and fell so so hard! I love that this was original fanfic and I will 100% be picking up Forget Me Not as soon as possible! I absolutely recommend picking this one up when it comes out July 16th! Thank you to Julie Soto, Forever, and NetGalley for the ARC!

“Look, I don’t know what you want from me, but.” “Anything.” Black eyes looked down on her, and he took a shaking breath. “Everything.”

No one writes a completely-gone-smitten-kitten-man like Julie Soto. Whew 🔥 (I’ll also never be able to look at a string instrument the same).

Not Another Love Song follows quiet, reserved, violinist Gwen, and cellist, rock star Xander, as they vie for first chair - and try to fight their attraction to each other (lucky for us, they don’t try very hard).

The chemistry Julie Soto creates is through the roof. It’s just so so good, and giggly, and feet-kicking-blushy. I did not want it to end.

Thank you Julie Soto, Forever (Grand Central Publishing), and NetGalley for an advanced electronic copy in exchange for an honest review. Not Another Love Song comes out on July 16th.

I loved this tension filled, cello & violin loving romance! It was so swoony. I wish that I could be scrolling and stalking like Gwen did to watch the videos Julie describes in the book.

It was fun to watch the events of the book following Gwen. I wish I could hear Gwen playing, it sounded so whimsical on the page.

I really enjoyed getting some insight into Xander's head. There was so much pressure on Xander. I just want to give him a huge hug.

I wanted to punch characters, I cried with them, cheered for them and I fell in love.

And a cameo of characters from Forget Me Not! Yay!

absolutely loved this book. julie soto can do no wrong, i am still shocked she managed to do better than forget me not. 6/5⭐️

The central premise of two musical prodigies fighting their growing attraction to one another is a great one. It's always a joy to read about talented people and this has a fun plot set in the classical music space.

One drawback for me was how passive and bland the main character Gwen is. Her talent mostly makes up for her lack of personality and I was still invested in her relationship with Alex (who comes off too strong in some moments, because Gwen is often wishy-washy). In any case, an entertaining romance with plenty of tension.

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.

If you love tension ooooweeeee do I have a book for you! Another deliciously fraught hit from Julie Soto. I breezed through this. I loved the drama, the steam, and I also loved the third-person dual POV that centered on Gwen, but was peppered throughout with Xander. It was the perfect mix for me. The cello scene, as expected, was Excellent and I'll be returning to it time and time again lmao

Thank you to Forever and Net Galley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is your classic grumpy x sunshine, rivals to lovers books, but he’s literally been obsessed with her from the start and hates everyone (except her and their friends).

As someone who knows absolutely nothing about music, I found the writing to be so easily understandable & captivating. Although this story is focused around our two main characters, Julie Soto does an exceptional job with the supporting characters, and it really emphasizes Gwen and Alex as characters, and brings almost a sense of comfort and found family at times. Yes, Gwen and Alex are both flawed in their own ways, but they bring out the best in each other and their dynamic in general, was everything.

The only thing that held this book back for me was the amount of scenes that there were, especially towards the end. Although it really is just personal preference, I found myself struggling to read through the last 70% just because things definitely got heated as there would be a scene in every chapter. Apart from that, I enjoyed this book for what it was, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a fun romance.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I would read Julie’s shopping list if she posted it. Not another love story is absolutely everything you could want in a romance and the music playing such an important role - basically a main character- was such an unexpected surprise!! Preorder this book NOW

Thank you to Forever Pub and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for the honest review!

Not Another Love Song is features Gwen, a violinist trying to find her voice and Alex, a cellist with the determination to unleash the passion within Gwen.

The chemistry between these two main characters was insanely off the characters. The fact that their instruments also fueled their chemistry making it nearly mind-melting made the experience much better.

I loved how Alex pushed Gwen to find her own voice as a violinist and composer. I also love how Gwen was able to teach Alex to love all aspects of his natural talent (for sakes of spoilers: I cannot share exactly what). They really pushed each other to be better, which is what I always enjoy in romance book .

As an ex-violinist player, this book proved to me that we need to have more romance books featuring the string instruments.

Although I did enjoy most of the book, it did have its flaws.

*coughs*

The last 20% of the book loses the original pacing of the book and in fact throws away the character development with your typical "third act break-up". Which just reminded me how much I hate the trope. I also wasn't a fan of how it was "resolved" because it didn't feel as if anything had been resolved, it simply felt brushed aside. Which was unfortunate. (This would have been a 5 star read if it weren't for the last 20%).

I did have a blast reading this though, I am full heartedly an Alex girlie. In another life, if I would have continued to play the violin I would have loved to have him as a partner.

This book should be a reminder to y'all how much the string instruments are superior!!

All the shiny stars to no end! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I freaking loved this book Julie really knocked it out of the auditorium with this one! (Haha get it?!). I enjoyed Forget Me Not, but this I ate it up!

I adored Gwen and the passion she had for her music and commitment she makes. She was a strong FMC. The was she was just a natural at the violin is just phenomenal!

Then there is Alex ( Xander) while he did get on my nerves several times in this story for being a typical stubborn hard headed man he truly shined a lot to me, and his talent was beyond impressive.

I really enjoyed most of the characters.. well excerpt Lorenz and Nathan! Julie did well at writing them as villians in my eyes.

I look so forward to this book coming out. I’m already raving about it!
Thank you to Forever publish and Julie Soto for this wonderful e- arc! Truly a gem!

PUB DATE: 07/16/24
Do not miss getting this book! You won’t regret it! 🥹🫶🏻

Let me just say Gwen is a much stronger person than I because if Alex was that mean to me one single time I would cry every time he made eye contact forever and that would be the end of the story.

But I LOVE how she absolutely refuses to let him get the upper hand even when he gets under her skin. And then he grovels and WE LOVE A GOOD GROVEL. He brings her coffee and says please and blushes and then we realize he’s just a hot mess trying his best.

I also loved the complex family dynamics in this - both found and biological - and how those relationships shape us as people. How blood doesn’t necessarily matter and sometimes the people you choose and find are even more family than you planned for.

(Also: Ama and Elliot 😭 hello old friends)

I don’t know anything about orchestra but I’m gonna make a Spotify playlist tomorrow okay byeee

An addictive romance with dynamic characters with nearly polar opposite life journeys who end up colliding through a shared passion. Julie Soto is a master at developing realistic, relatable characters and worlds with intriguing plot and natural conflict — not to mention the way she can illustrate the emotion behind, tension between, and motives that drive her multifaceted characters. “Not Another Love Song” really is Not Another Romance Novel…plus, it may inspire you to queue up some solo cello or violin next time you open up your favorite music streaming service.