3 ⭐️

This book had me in a chokehold at the start. I WAS EATING THIS UP. I have never read a book with music intertwined in this way and as a music nerd, I LOVED IT. I could feel the tension between our characters and was living for it. Then, we break the tension with spice pretty early on and that's when you started losing me. In my opinion, there's too much spice to just have spice in this book. I was skipping over many scenes towards the end of the book because I couldn't take it anymore. It was very obvious from the start which characters to watch out for and what they would do, so when things started going south I wasn't surprised at all. Alex (our MMC) got on my nerves as the book went on and I think I fell out of love with him (lol). Overall, you had me in the beginning and slowly started to lose me as the book went on.

To be fully transparent: I received an e-arc that I soft DNF'd because I was feeling a bit slumpy. I then decided to pick this up on audio around a month later where I completed the book.

thank you netgalley for the arc 💓

I would like to thank the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Xander is my new love, oh my god. Julie Soto, I don't know how you did it, but Xander from the very start was >>>>

I was so excited to see Ama, Elliot and Renee so early on in the book, really wasn't expecting that. A nice surprise, and the book got even better after that.

We follow Gwen, a violinist, and sometimes we get a peek from how Xander is feeling in his POVs. I needed more of his POVs, they were SO GOOD.

This book was kinda rivals-to-lovers, but also not? Regardless, they were pining for each other, and I was living for it.

The almost-ending didn't hit for me, I wasn't too big a fan of the "grand gesture" and the story surrounding it, but the true ending made up for it, adorable!

Some of the side characters felt very fleshed out, like Jacob, Mabel, and Declan, others not so much, like Jeremy, Mei, and Diana. However, that did not take away from my enjoyment of this book.

Thank you to Julie Soto for writing this, and I am very much looking forward to her next work.

I really enjoyed the flow and tension towards the beginning. They had good chemistry with a little slow burn. I did think the end was a little forgettable just in the sense after the 3rd act breakup I couldn't remember where the pieces fell. Good chargers, fun writing

I cannot believe that there is no warning until you open this book that it’s basically fan fiction for Reylo. I don’t really know why this is a thing people keep approving, and I feel tricked for thinking it was something normal , but now I look at the cover and all I see is Adam Driver who has never once exuded sex appeal to me. I know there IS a market for them together. I know people ship them. I know people think Adam Drive did sexy. But for those of us who don’t, could we get some warning somewhere within the summary that it’s just more Kylo Ren and Rey Starwars characters fan fiction.

I really enjoyed these two characters and how they are together when they play. I will say pacing for this started to be a struggle for me at parts of this book. Some things felt slow and others felt rushed. Overall I really loved the characters and the writing style.

This book was adorable! I loved the characters, the story line and the love story. I only have it 4 starts because the conflict at the end felt far too severe for them to bounce back that quickly. But overall I will be recommending this book to friends!

As always, I love Julie’s writing! It’s so easily readable and I adore her snappy dialogue. And this was definitely a quick read.

That being said, I don’t think this book is the best she has to offer by a long shot. I did enjoy it and it overall left me feeling happy, but the second half was harder for me to get through. I wish there had been a bit more build up between them. I think it makes a lot of sense that this was the first thing she tried to publish, but I think she’s going to get better and better from here.

This was a fresh take on 2 of my favorite romance tropes-enemies to lovers and celebrity romance. I really enjoyed the overall story and am excited to read more from Julie Soto. I knocked it down 1 star only because a lot of the musical references were lost on me. I know nothing of that area! But for that same reason I think this would be a 5 star read for a musician or someone more familiar with music and composition. This one is spicy!

I'M TIRED OF TRADITIONALLY PUBLISHED REYLO FANFICTION! THERE - I SAID IT!!

I honestly forget the main girl's name in this book even though it's said about 200 times because I just didn't feel like listening to her (was it Gwen? I think so). And don't get me started on Alex- I mean Xander- Thorne. BOOOOOO!! TOMATO TOMATO!!

This couple was so cringey to watch interact, and they were both incredibly annoying. There is absolutely no way they would work together in real life. Xander is so controlling without realizing it, and he is also so controlled by others that it makes him pathetic to watch when he's telling people what to do. And the fact he is always late just because he knows he can be? Ugly behavior. Gwen needs to be more confident because every single person pushes her over (and I say that as someone who is not super confident).

I've heard Julie Soto's first book is way better than this one, but I'm not sure if I can even give it a try. This one was just so tiring and so bad.

Not Another Love Song is a vibrant, passionate romance centered around two musical prodigies, Gwen Jackson and Xander Thorne, whose tumultuous journey from rivals to lovers is set against the backdrop of the competitive world of classical music. Gwen, a talented violinist from a modest background, and Xander, a cellist born into musical royalty, clash over a coveted role in their orchestra, but their mutual respect for each other’s talent and undeniable chemistry make their romance impossible to resist.

Julie Soto masterfully weaves music into the fabric of the characters’ lives, making it more than a backdrop but a language through which Gwen and Xander communicate their desires and vulnerabilities. The book delves into themes of ambition, self-doubt, and the complex dynamics of relationships, all while maintaining a slow-burn tension that makes the eventual romance feel earned and electrifying.

The characters, while flawed, are relatable. Gwen’s insecurities and Xander’s arrogance create friction that makes their romantic development feel authentic. Though some elements, like the depiction of the music industry, may stretch believability, the emotional resonance and sizzling chemistry between the leads more than compensate.

Overall, Not Another Love Song delivers a beautifully told romance that blends heart, heat, and harmony, making it an engaging read for fans of contemporary romance with a musical twist.

Not Another Love Song is a grumpy sunshine romance that introduces the reader to the world of professional music.

"When professional—and self-taught—violinist Gwen Jackson plays, she disappears into the peaks and valleys of each song, a quiet passion that never quite explodes into pure emotion. Xander Thorne is the exact opposite. A cellist and a rock star, he’s all about big emotion, but not even his six-foot-four frame can contain his skill, his genius . . . and an attitude that borders on jerkitude."

The reader goes from their first meeting into the relationship of Gwen and Xander as it ebbs and flows. Some of the turns seem a bit melodramatic, but it's an enjoyable romance.

Oh my gosh I love this book with my whole heart!!

The writing is so lyrical and I felt so connected to the characters. I felt every bit of tension and the romance was so beautiful and believable. The main characters had incredible chemistry.

I cannot recommend this book enough! I want to read every single word this author writes.

Another Julie Soto banger! I loved this book. She does such a good job making you feel so deeply for all of her characters. There were some aspects of the orchestra that didn't feel very realistic, but I think it's fairly easy to look past. Would absolutely recommend! Can't wait to see what she does next.

I love a man that falls first and would do anything for her. This gives me the same vibes that Ali Hazelwood gives me. Just makes me feels so warm and fuzzy inside. This was already on my list of must reads for the year and it did not disappoint.

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Book Boyfriend: 🩷🩷🩷🩷
Tropes : He falls first - Coworker/Workplace - Musician/Rockstar

Thank you Forever Publishing and Julie Soto for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

BIG THANK YOU TO NetGalley, Forever and Miss Julie Soto for this ARC.
I´m very abashed because I didn´t send you this review on time, but believe me I wrote it on my Goodreads and I haven´t stop talking about this book. Last year Forget me not was my number 1 book of 2023, and this year, Julie Soto´s second novel is my number 1 of 2024.
I have no words to describe how much I enjoyed this book. Xander and Gwen live rent free in my heart.
Rating: FIVE STARS (a constellation)
FLAWLESS!!!
Only two books published (so far) but I can tell I love EVERYTHING Julie Soto writes.
I loved:
-The characters and their development.
-The plot
-The cameos
-The chemistry between Gwen and Alex
-The angst
-The banter
-EVERITHING
Seriously, I felt butterflies in my stomach all the time, and the cello scene!!!!!!!!!
Never going to stop recomending Miss Julie´s work <3
Thank You again Netgalley for the ARC.

I really liked this but not as much as her first book. Julie Soto really has a very of making me interested in things I never saw myself wanting to read about. In general this was very enjoyable, maybe a bit heavier on the smut than I would prefer, but overall very good!

Not Another Love Song follows Gwen and Xander, two rival strings musicians (cello and violin), as they battle for their places in the orchestra they both play in and their growing attraction for one another.

This book has stuck with me!! It’s honestly all I’ve thought about for days!

The way Xander falls first and hard.
The way Julie Soto created this beautiful universe with the side characters.
The way this books subtly but wonderfully captures class differences.
And the SEXUAL TENSION 🥵 Who knew cello could be so erotic!

This was a 5 star read for me!

This was everything I wanted and more. This was a highly anticipated read for me and good golly I read it in almost one sitting.

- MUSICIANS
- the CELLO SCENE. nuff said.
- Gwen and Alex are two strong characters who pull their strength from very different places but it WORKS.
- The detail in the writing of the scenes involving the orchestra, handling of instruments, and the overall allure of music in its many beautiful forms. MY HEART ♥️
- Alex was down so bad for Gwen and the way he showed it was beautiful. (Although, to be real, I was not a fan of Alex’s introduction and the way he talked about Gwen even understanding the context/reasoning)
- Okay, yeah there were a few times that had me wanting to yell at my book because of the way Gwen and Alex handled conflict. Running away is NOT the answer.
- But like the way my whole heart was invested in things turning out well, truly I had the greatest time.

Oh my goodness!
Talking about hot and steamy!
First, special thank you to Forever Books-Grand Central Publishing via Netgalley for the ARC provided in exchange of my honest review.
I will never look at a violin or a cello the same way again. Music prodigies Gwen Jackson and Xander have just the right amount magic to make this romance book one of a kind. I love the banter, the witty exchange and the sharp humor between the two. The chemistry was quite irresistible, and I am all here for it!
It literally took me a total of 6 hours to finish this book from start to finish and I was wanting more! I am searching for more Julie Soto after this book and I know I will be entertained! I highly recommend this read!

I loved the world of professional violinist/celloists and the orchestra/POPs/band dynamics. I really enjoyed this book and the characters although maybe not as much as the first one. I found the third act breakup really frustrating and devoid of personal choice with the interference of the director and agent. The rest of the love story was top notch!