Thank you NetGalley, Forever, and Hachette Book Group for sending me this ARC!

I devoured this book! Oh my goodness! Julie Soto is one of my top romance authors now, because both of her books so far have been PHENOMENAL.

I loved Alex and Gwen. They were both sweet characters, and their journey was so addicting to read. I physically couldn’t put the book once the plot started picking up. The beginning was on the slower end during the set up, but once it picked up it was so fast paced.

The tension was amazing. The payoff was even better. The sweetness of him wanting to be with her was so cute, and the coffee on the chair next to her (when you get there you’ll understand)?! The slow built trust with each other was perfect.

The plot was set up phenomenally. It contained perfect rising action and a very well executed climax and resolution. It was all so satisfying.

The only thing is I wished there were more conversations between the two main characters about their pasts. As the reader, I gathered a lot of information about both of their individual life’s and past hardships, but I would have loved to have more intimate conversations between Alex and Gwen where they share with each other and connect about something other than their shared love of music.

Overall, I absolutely LOVED this book, and I need more from Soto ASAP!!

It will be officially published on July 16th, so get your preorders in!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Julie Soto, and Forever Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I devoured this book. There is something about Julie's writing that keeps me wanting more and more. The pacing and structure of the book was impeccable and since I haven't read any books set in the music world before, I found the setting fascinating as well. The tension and the spice were on point as well.

That being said, I found Gwen and Xander/Alex somewhat one-dimensional. These two had literally nothing in their lives besides music. I'm no musician, but it seemed a little unhealthy to me the way they both did music as their jobs and in their limited free time.

The other thing that bothered me was that the supporting cast seemed slightly under-utilised and not particularly fleshed out, especially Ava.

Read this book. You definitely won't regret picking it up, because it was *chef's kiss*. I will never be able to look at a cello the same way as before.

“Entire symphonies had unfurled in his mind when they played together.”

Who knew stringed instruments were so hot? Probably a lot of people honestly, but it never occurred to me. Thank you to Julie for ✨educating me✨. Yes the cello scene is hot. BUT ALSO, this book is packed full of sexual tension and longing that is communicated with music. It’s seriously sooooo good. And this is coming from a person who is a chronic hater of rockstar romances haha. This book is h o r n y. Like, I was panting and giggling and kicking my feet the ENTIRE TIME.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the arc copy in exchange for my honest review*

What an amazing book! I absolutely devoured it, staying up WAY too late to finish the last few pages. Such a fun read, with characters that felt real. I cried my little heart out at the end. For sure my favorite book I’ve read this year!

Julie Soto has just become an instant-buy author for me. I have never read a book and felt so connected to every single character. The chemistry, the angst, the SPICE. This entire book was such a refreshing surprise.

Being a high-school band-geek, this hit me in a way I didn't expect. I felt very connect to the storyline, and found myself feeling very nostalgic to that past version of myself.

I couldn't put this down from the first page.

10/10 would recommend!

I seem to be in the dissenting opinion here, but wow I did not enjoy this. Please there needs to be a warning on books that are just repackaged Reylo fanfic because I am not interested in it and the publishing world seems to be infested with it. Tacky, overtly & unnecessarily sexual, insta lust/love (though I would argue on the love front that it was all physical) and my god what a dumb third act break up. I have nothing here to recommend.

I loved this book. Sitting down and writing the review a few hours after I finished it and I'm still so full of emotions and love for the Gwen and Alex. This isn't just a love story. Its a story of loss, grief and growing yourself up from those things. Alex and Gwen came from completely different lifestyles, but both face a large amount of grief. Gwen grieves for her family and the people she's lost and Alex grieves for the version of himself he was never allowed to be. They both learn to grow from that and love each other along the way. I've never been into classical music, but all of a sudden I'm buying tickets to see my local orchestra
(ps the spice...?? TOP TIER)

(pps coming from ao3 the acknowledgments had me tearing up)

4.5/5 | Okay, first of all can we take a moment to appreciate the cover?! It is absolutely gorgeous and captures the essence of Gwen and Xander perfectly.

Second of all, can a book be cute and sexy at the same time?! Because Not Another Love Song is both. There was a lushness to the writing that made this so enjoyable to read, in part because Julie’s writing embodied the musicality of the setting. The tension between Gwen and Xander was so good, not to mention the side characters who never once felt like an afterthought and added so much depth to the story. And that cello scene…hot.

Overall I had so much fun reading this and will 100% be picking up a copy when this book is out in July.

A huge thank you to Netgalley and Forever for this eARC; I feel so lucky that I got to read this prior to its release.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for a digital ARC of Not Another Love Song.

I devoured this in two days, totally enthralled in the story. The characterization was spot on, I felt like I was in the musical world, and the plot was well paced and didnt overshadow the romance. I was rooting for the characters and appreciated the way the story and their romance unfolded. I am a new Julie Soto fan and will read all her books!

This was a 4.5 read for me! I really enjoyed it! It was a lot fun, and sweet, and HOT. I haven’t read Julie’s other book and I’m really excited to pick it up after this! I think the setting was unique, I’ve never read a book about an orchestra before, and having a little hidden identity in there was such a perfect addition. Adding the smallest bits of Alex’s POV really kept me wanting to pick up the book! It took me less than 24 hours to read, and over all the fast paced story and fresh setting with fun characters made this book really hard to put down!

Step into the world of Gwen Jackson, a vivacious violinist lighting up the stage in the bustling Pops Orchestra of New York City. Gwen's all about finding her groove and securing a stable spot in the city that never sleeps. But her journey takes an unexpected turn when a wedding gig throws her into the limelight alongside none other than the enigmatic rock star, Xander Thorne.

Despite their shared musical world, Xander fails to recognize Gwen, leaving her crushed and disillusioned about her former crush. But as fate (and a bit of musical mishap) keeps bringing them together, they can't ignore the undeniable chemistry crackling between them.

Gwen finds herself torn between two versions of Xander: the confident, surly rock star persona and the sweet guy who shares her passion for music. Their banter is electric, alternating between giving her butterflies and sending her into fits of giggles. But amidst the whirlwind of emotions, Gwen can't help but wonder which Xander is the real deal.

While "Not Another Love Song" may start off with a slow tempo, once it hits its stride, you'll find yourself swept away by the rhythm of Gwen and Xander's burgeoning romance. So grab your favorite cozy blanket and prepare to be serenaded by this delightful tale of love, music, and unexpected connections!

When I read a romance, I want it to steal my heart and make me feel all those feelings. And "Not Another Love Song" did all of that and even more! I'm totally obsessed!!

First off, let's talk about Gwen and Xander. Gwen, the self-taught violinist, and Xander, the rock star cellist—could they be any more different? But when they play together, it's like magic. Their chemistry is just off the charts!

And can we talk about the writing? Julie Soto seriously knows how to make music sound sexy. Like, I didn't think playing instruments could be steamier than actual sex scenes, but here we are! But it's not just about the romance and music; it's about love, family, and finding yourself. Gwen and Xander's journey is so beautifully written, it's like you're right there with them, feeling every high and low.

And let's not forget about the pacing—it's perfection! I seriously could not put this book down. Every chapter left me wanting more, and when I finished, I immediately wanted to start all over again just to hang out with Gwen and Xander a little longer.

Julie Soto is a total auto-buy author for me now. I will devour anything she writes, no questions asked. "Not Another Love Song" has stolen my heart, and I am not mad about it one bit. If you love romance, music, and characters you can't help but root for, do yourself a favor and grab this book ASAP!

This book was absolutely delightful and you should read it as soon as you can.

Not Another Love Song features Gwen, a talented violinist and Xander/Alex, an incredible cellist. They’re both musical prodigies and are in the same Pops Orchestra, despite Alex not being aware of Gwen’s existence. Rivalry between Gwen and Alex is fuelled by acerbic comments, musical critiques and vying for the same position in the orchestra.

I was incredibly charmed by Julie Soto’s debut last year with Forget Me Not, which was one of my top books last year. When this ARC popped up for one day only (and wasn’t an April Fool’s Day joke!) I ran to download it. I spent the entire day devouring the book and loving every minute of it.

Gwen, our main character, is a fabulous heroine. She is talented, willing to take risks and is so incredibly relatable. Alex is our more reserved MMC, who hides behind blunt comments that are almost always taken the wrong way. He, however, is so gone for Gwen, it’s incredible. I am not a musician, so I really can’t speak to most of the musical elements, but the emotion communicated with Gwen and Alex’s music was enchanting. At one point, during a concert, I had to run downstairs and read a section aloud to my husband because of how palpable the lust was. Performing in concert!

I know I said I devoured this, and it is completely true, I finished it in one day. But I kept having to put the book down and do a lap around the house because of all the emotions I had. I read a certain section just bawling my eyes out. I love when books make me do this and right now Julie Soto is two for two on releases that have made me this emotional. I simply cannot wait to reread this (and will try to before my ARC expires) and I will be buying this in both book and audio format as soon as I possibly can.

Thanks to Netgalley and Julie Soto for the ARC!

Man, Julie Soto just gets it.

I admit that I can be a bit side-eye-y (that's definitely a word) about novels that used to be fanfiction. I absolutely love fanfiction, but the nature of it doesn't always require the author to do the proper character development and world building that an original work demands, and ultimately it can end up feeling a bit empty when it's repackaged for traditional publication. Obviously, contemporary romances that started life as AU fanfic doesn't run into this problem quite as much, but I've picked up my fair share that have nonetheless let me down.

Not Another Love Song did not let me down.

Something that fanfic authors understand like nobody else is the absolutely delicacy that is a glacial slow-burn. Give me 10,000 words before the characters even brush hands, I BEG of you. The payoff is absolutely delicious when tension has been allowed to build up for a stupid long amount of time. And while a novel definitely does not have that kind of allowance to torture its reader, Julie Soto somehow managed to marry the feeling of a slow-burn fanfic with the length of a traditionally published romance. I'm honestly amazed at how invested I was in these characters and their chemistry.

Alex and Gwen were on fire in this book. Every stare was loaded with emotion, every duet was dripping with longing. It was incredible. I don't have a muscial bone in my body, but I understood everything Soto was doing with these characters and their relationship to one another through their music. I'll never look at a cello the same way again lol.

Absolutely loved this couple, loved the story, loved everything about this book. I already can't wait to re-read it.

Thank you so much to Forever Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!

This book is for the people who understand that Taylor Swift wrote the musical composition of The Archer to represent her never ending anxiety. Except take that metaphor and turn it into smut. Julie Soto has my whole heart and I will gladly read anything she writes, including her grocery lists.

I’ve loved everything Julie Soto has written since her fanfic days and Not Another Love Song is no exception. Her writing is so beautiful and immersive and this book truly showcases that. You can really feel and “hear” the music alongside the characters. The character development, the yearning, the deep devotion you see build throughout, all make this book so beautiful! I read it in a single day because I couldn’t put it down.

The way Julie Soto wrapped music into every single aspect of this book was INSANE and so impressive.
What made this book for me was that I knew this had to be either insanely well researched or partly true lived while I was reading. Then I found out she’s a playwright and an actress. Yup. There it is. Mind blown.

I’m not usually a consistent smut through the whole back half of the book kinda girly. But. I would’ve read another 100 pages of Ms. Soto’s smut. Excuse me ma’am what crack did you put in this. And how did you write instruments and melodies so sexy.

The ending of this book was very lighthearted compared to the first 75%. I’m not mad about it. The storyline needed to let up somewhere because my heart kept getting ripped out and put back in and I couldn’t take much more. 6 stars. No notes.

I was saving Forget Me Not for a wedding month/honeymoon read but now I’m not going to be able to stop thinking about how good this was and how much I want to read that now. Julie Soto immediately joins the auto buy author group.

I can’t wait for this book to be published. I need it on my shelf immediately.
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Thank you to @kendallsreads for posting that this was an auto approval. This was my first ARC and I’m so thankful I saw her video because I would’ve died without this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and whoever decides to give away ARC’s for giving non-booktokers a chance to grab this one!

Vibes: rivals to lovers, celebrity classical musicians (?), "I wanna fuck you so bad it makes me look stupid"

Gwen Jackson is a naturally gifted violinist, having been taught by shop owner Mabel. Graduating from playing for tips on the subway to being offered first chair in the Manhattan Pops orchestra means fulfilling a dream. Not so happy about it is cello player and musical prodigy Xander Thorne--who happens to be a member of a band Gwen was (is) a fan of. But she's a fan no longer, sensing Xander's resentment... and something else. As the two are inevitably drawn to each other's talent--among other things--they have to figure out whether their blossoming relationship is more important than their long term goals.

OOOOH, this one hit. As someone who doesn't know much about classical music (honestly, a big question of mine was: is the fandom around famous classical musicians this intense? Like, I believe that it is, I've just never experienced it) I was sucked in by the passion in the story and the way Julie Soto seamlessly blended Gwen and Xander's obsession with music into their growing fixation on each other. There's a delicious tension in the first half of the book, flitting between anger and irritation and kinship and desire. And once it bubbles over... whew.

I really enjoyed Forget Me Not. Not Another Love Story has made me a fan. I'm ready for whatever Julie Soto writes next, because this is what I want from a contemporary romance: a sense of reality heightened by drama (and angst), high heat, and FURIOUS passion. This is a good time.

Quick Takes:

--Dude. I may not be very knowledgeable about classical music, but I do know that it should be properly utilized as a Sexy Device in romance novels. (And to be real? In fiction, as a general rule.) This book may utilize classical music in the sexiest way possible. Like, often when I read early reviews going "the X scene!!! omg omg!!" I kind of expect to be let down. Not because the scenes are bad, but because they're so hyped.

The cello scene? In this novel? Lives up to the hype. Like, more on that later, but... It's not just about the physical things that happened when Gwen and Xander play. It's also about their focus one each other when they're supposed to be playing, the way she in particular drives him to distraction. I will say--the rivalry stuff lasts longer than the true resentment. It becomes pretty clear, pretty quickly that Gwen doesn't really hate Xander. And that Xander wants to fuck Gwen's brains out.

But uh, I was not upset about that development. I feel like a lot of authors try to pull off "seething sexual tension" and fail. This was an absolute win. I know in my heart that if I saw these two playing in real life, she would be desperately trying to pretend she didn't notice him; and he would be playing his ass off while ROCK. HARD.

--All that aside, I also think that this actually feels like two people in their early to mid twenties falling in love? Like, the finances are probably off, but you kind of have to handwave some capitalist hellscape stuff to set a contemporary romance novel in a big city in this day and age... But the way they act, the mistakes they make, the exuberance they both have for falling in love, the DUMB HORNY moments... it all read right to me.

I also appreciate that Xander, for all that he is a hot and talented dude by whom Gwen is intimidated at first (until she isn't) and with whom she is infatuated, still strikes me as a dude. Like, he's gifted and he's deep and he has mommy issues like crazy and manipulative entities in his life. But a lot of how he reacts to things--it may not be rational, but it is human, especially for someone who's really still figuring his life out. He's a mess! And that's okay! Sometimes he and Gwen don't make the right decisions in their relationship, but that doesn't mean the relationship is broken beyond repair.

--There's some really juicy familial and professional drama beyond the romance, and one thing I loved is that there isn't a clear "good side" or "bad side". Some people have their shitty moments because to be human is to be intermittently shitty, but not inherently, wholly bad; some people just choose to be shitty all the time, and they aren't on designated sides. There isn't a single perfect option when the choices are presented to our leads.

There's a lot of gray, basically. And I like living in the gray of a book.

--Julie Soto is setting up her own universe, and I'm seeing the places these characters could go. It's not just about setting up future books, though; it's also about creating a community for her leads.

The Sex:

UGH. This book was hot. Like, it's honestly a relief when I read a contemporary romance novel that's this sexy. Yes, there is the cello scene, and much "then I will sit here, consumed with lust until for the rest of the evening". But there is a lot more. I feel like this is one of the hotter tradpub contemporaries I've read in a while. They're all over each other, they're vocal, there is a scene in which things are done while people are on the phone...

I'll definitely be rereading some of those scenes.

In conclusion, Not Another Love Song is fun, swoonworthy, and passionate. It's exactly what you want an author's second novel to be--topping the first, while maintaining all the things you loved about it. I'm so excited to see what Julie does next.

Thanks to Netgalley and Forever for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Ahhh! 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is my first time getting an ARC and I’m so so happy I got to read this!!! Julie Soto is definitely becoming one of my favorite authors because her books have such amazing stories & characters. ❤️Forget Me Not was stunning (I loved Ama & Elliot so much!!) and now after reading Not Another Love Song, I’m convinced that anything she writes will be pure gold ✨ Her MMCs give off the most “acts like they can kill you, but actually a cinnamon roll” vibes. I absolutely LOVED Xander & Gwen. Both are such amazing characters and I loved how much the world of music was a part of this story. I cannot wait to read more from Julie 💖

Really liked it. I just wish the character development was more flushed out. It also felt abrupt at certain times throughout. Aside from that, I really enjoyed. Love Julie Soto! Thank you to Julie Soto and NetGalley for the advanced read!