Gwen Jackson is a violinist in the POP's Orchestra. Gwen's best friend is her music teacher and roommate Jacob. Xander Thorne is the star Cello player in the same orchestra. Xander is a bit conceited and very full of himself. Jacob and Gwen find themselves playing at a wedding but not everything goes as planned. Gwen ends up ;playing the Cello. The Cello is not hers but Danders. Xander can not play as he is part of the wedding part. Xander has no idea who Gwen is even though they are in the same orchestra for the past year. Xander has also decided to critiques Gwen performance and she loses it. Gwen is then offered first chair . Gwen is an absolute charm at the wedding and because of this Xander is not very nice to Gwen. Slowly as they get to know each other as they keep running into each other outside of POPS. The chemistry
between them develops and it is undeniable, They are falling for each other but is she falling for the persona Xander play or the man he actually it. I love. a rival to lover story. This was another wonder book written by Julie Soto.

Just completed an ARC of this book and boy did it get me out of a reading slump. It was everything I wanted and more. I loved how head over heels Alex was for Gwen. As both of them are trying to navigate their identity, careers, family, and love, they both were each other’s support system and that dynamic was everything. I won’t even get into the first studio scene but I was at the edge of my seat 😏. I’ve never read a book regarding my musicians and it was very interesting getting a sneak peek into that world. The entire book read like a movie in my head and I can’t wait for Julie Soto’s next book. From her debut to now, she has absolutely become one of my must read authors. ❤️❤️

I went into this book thinking nothing could ever compare to Forget Me Not and I wasn't wrong - nothing can, but this book complements it so wonderfully and beautifully that they're gonna have to share the #1 spot in my heart now. I was so beyond stoked when Julie posted the ARC on NetGalley since this has been on my TBR since the minute it was announced and a highly anticipated release for me. Julie has a way of making me not just enjoy but ADORE books I'd typically never pick up. As someone who knows next to nothing about music outside of "hey this sounds nice", I didn't think a book about a violinist and a cellist would appeal to me. Not only did it appeal to me, I devoured it. I laughed at Declan & Jacob's antics, cried along with Gwen (and during the acknowledgements but that's only because she mentioned Rights and Wrongs and I can't be held accountable for those tears!) and found a place in my heart for almost every single character (except Nathan and Lorenz, I said what I said.) I feel like there's an art to writing a disagreement between characters where you don't take one person's side and I feel like I don't see it accomplished very often in a way that makes the reader truly as stuck as the characters feel. I could understand both Gwen and Alex's motivations for how they chose to view their careers and their futures. I could relate to Gwen's people pleasing personality and how torn she felt between Ava & Mabel. But I could also understand Alex's point of view and how his childhood would've shaped his view on Gwen's choices - and his own - in a much different way than Gwen had the perspective to understand. All in all, five fucking stars. I loved this so much and the only bad part about getting an ARC is not being able to have a physical copy for my shelves.

P.S. Also the cameos? jasdk;fja;kdsjfka;ldfl

All I have to say is… THE CELLO SCENE. That’s enough to run out and preorder now. Just one scene & I’m already looking up the closest music store that offers lessons. Lots of passion & that’s in more ways than one.
Also, I appreciate the tie in of Ama & Elliot from Forget Me Not. It made the universe Julie Soto writes in complete.

Julie sotos “Forgot me not” was a 5⭐️ for me. So going into this I was expecting nothing less than that. & let me happily tell you that ALL my expectations were met!!

First, let me start off by saying I do enjoy reading Romance. BUT romance novels can some times be hit or miss for me because they can tend to become repetitive?? which then makes them boring?? I sometimes look at books and think to myself without the romance and spice is there actually still a plot to the story??

BUT let me tell you when I say Julie Soto knows how to deliver a fresh and original story with BEAUTIFUL romance with just the PERFECT amount of spice!! 🔥 (& not cringy spice either!!!!)

Just like the title might allude to, music does play an important part in the story. And when I say it just adds the most poetic, romantic element to the romance AND I AM LIVING FOR IT!!!! 🎶🎶💓💓

And there may or may not be a spice scene involving some type of musical element that I am still thinking about 🙈🔥🎶


Thank you so much for netgalley for this arc<3

i’ve been in the mood for a good romance book lately and let me say that i have NEVER giggled and squealed and laughed and cried as much at a romance than this book. i loved Forget Me Not, but i was worried after reading the disclaimer that i would be on the fence about this one. boy, was i wrong! i loved everything about this book. the plot was great. i loved the cameos. but i think the reason this book will stand out is because of the passion in it. fully developed characters with full lives and personalities and the sweetest connections. i cannot give this book enough praise!

Thank you to Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the eARC.

5 bajillion stars. I am obsessed. I've been a fan of Julie Soto's for years because of her fanfic, I was obsessed with Forget Me Not last year, and this was one of my most anticipated books of this year, and OMG it paid off. I have been in a big reading slump, but I DEVOURED this book, and when I wasn't reading, it was all I was thinking about.

I'm also a sucker for a cheeky cameo and seeing Forget Me Not's couple make a cameo was EVERYTHING to me. 15/10 recommending this to everyone ever once it releases, and waiting with bated breath for Julie's next book!

This book hooked me from the very beginning. I read most of it in a day and stayed up late sacrificing my sleep to do so! The writing and tension kept me flipping the pages and needing to see where this relationship was going. I don’t know much about string instruments and really enjoyed delving into this new world. The romance was steamy and sweet. I liked seeing how they were together and apart and their arc through the story made the end that much sweeter. I enjoyed seeing the couple from the previous book and the hints at maybe the next couple?

This was such a cute story! I loved the relationship between the Gwen and Alex. This was such a fun read! I loved the musical setting for this book. While I don’t have any knowledge of classical music, the book was well written in the aspect that I was able to enjoy this book without it. I loved the way she described the music and the feelings it evoked. Overall, this was such a great romance and I would definitely read it again!

Not another love song was a fast easy read!
It follows Gwen and Xander in this grumpy/enemies to lovers story. They are both amazing musicians that are passionate about their career. They are on the journey of self discovery walking different but connected by an invisible string.
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I loved the build up of the fmc and mmc coming together but felt that the relationship was forced at times. I would’ve wanted to see more character development rather than the story ending abruptly . I had so many questions, unless there will be a second book?
I did enjoy some of the angst, him falling for her without noticing; also idk why I imagine him looking like Edward from twilight. With the raybans, being moody and the floppy hair, that was all I could picture whilst reading!
I give it a 3.8/5

Thank you Grand Central/Forever Publishing for providing me an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Let me start by saying I have been in a terrible book slump. Nothing has been interesting to me; I have read 20 books this year and had yet to find a 5 star read that WOWED me. I am so happy to say that I finally found it.

This book genuinely had me in a chokehold and I dreaded having to put it down to go to work and class. This book is a new favorite for sure. I cried when it ended because I NEEDED more.

The way that Julie Soto writes is just so enrapturing like I could imagine every single setting to the T, I could feel every emotions the characters were feeling, I could put myself in their shoes and be in the story. Everything about this book was seamless and just flowed together so perfectly. From the ‘enemies’ aspect to the tension, the buildup, the climax [literally and figuratively], every aspect of this book was just incredible.

I loved Ama and Elliot in Forget Me Not, but Gwen and Alex are so so so personal to me. Gwen is just such a lovable character and you want for her to get everything she has ever wanted and Alex is so misunderstood!! They are just two people who fit together perfectly and I loved them so much.

I never thought that musical speak as foreplay would make me kick my feet up and giggle like a child but here we are!! The tension and chemistry in this book was incredible and I was clutching my pearls because I was so flustered and amazed LOL.

I cannot wait for July so I can buy every single version of this book possible, I need it IMMEDIATELY. Julie Soto, the woman that you are!!! I hope you never misplace your keys and find $100 bills every time you go outside and your pillow is always perfectly cold and your shower water is always the perfect temperature. You deserve everything !!!!

Not to be dramatic but reading this book is what falling in love feels like. Big thank you to Julie Soto, Forever, and NetGalley for the ARC. I devoured this and left no crumbs. The fact that the concept of this was born simply because Julie watched a first violinist and first cellist make eye contact, and then wrote a fanfic about it, is iconic. You had me from the beginning.

If you think the cover is gorgeous, just wait until you read the scene that the cover illustration is based on. That scene especially, and other moments between Gwen and Xander, like their first duet in Carnegie Hall, were written so lyrically. I don’t know how Julie did it and I don’t how to describe it very well, but they flowed like real music. A true masterpiece. It’s like I could feel the rallentandos and crescendos through the words. Maybe I was just hearing the music in my mind. Anyways, this is easily one of my favorite books of the year.

Listen, I don't want to exaggerate, but this book was kind of life-changing. The yearning, the tension, their relationship—this book was everything. It had me giggling, screaming, kicking my feet, and being all silly and giddy. Julie Soto, you are a genius. I'll read ANYTHING you write. I'll write a longer review closer to the release date, but thank you so much to Forever and NetGalley for this eARC! Favorite book of the year and probably ever.

“It’s simple really,” he said. “It’s about a cello who fell in love with a violin.”

4.5/5 stars

I was so excited to read this book after devouring Forget Me Not last year so thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the eARC!

Things I loved:
- Gwen & Alex: their passion, their banter, the way they created music together, the tension, and THE ANGST
- all the side characters (wholesome friends, found family, also complicated family relationships + drama)
- the cameo from characters from Forget Me Not

Things I didn't like as much:
- third act Alex
- the ending because it was a little bit lackluster

This was such an enjoyable read & I can't wait to read what Julie Soto writes next!

I could not put down Not Another Love Song! I never knew playing cello could be so hot. Julie Soto is an amazing writer and I can’t wait to read whatever comes next. 🥵 5 stars!

Not A Love Song is possibly my favorite read of 2024 so far— someone’s going to have to try really hard to prove to me it won’t be my fave of the year overall. I could not put this down. Julie Soto is a master of tension, it crackles. Xander/Alex is so broody and intense and immediately obsessed with Gwen, in a way the text telegraphs well even when he’s still a distant looming figure who isn’t quite real to her yet. The intimate scenes are so deliciously spicy I wanted to throw my book across the room; and the merging of Alex and Gwen’s musical passion and passion passion was *chefs kiss,*, A+ craft. I love the friend and found family moments Soto creates- the side characters are so textured and vivid. If I had qualms with this book, they are few. I did notice a pacing issue toward the end with a rather quick “I love you” followed not long after by the abrupt introduction of an external conflict via the shady manager. The sense of abruptness could maybe have been avoided if Soto had made different POV choices (I.e. if Alex’s had been privileged more.) And as much as I truly think the love scenes are exquisite, I also struggled to accept that Gwen’s anxiety about performing didn’t show up in these physically intimate moments given her sexual inexperience. I note these minor issues in the interest of being well rounded, but I cannot emphasize enough that my reading experience with this book was perfect. I anticipate many rereads and I’ll be recommending it fervently to everyone I know.

HOLY GODS THE CELLO SCENE!!

I knew as soon as I started this book that I wouldn't want it to end- I still want more Xander and Gwen so I will be annoyingly making this book my entire personality and rec it to anyone who will listen & I'M NOT SORRY

running to find all julie's fanfic now bc i CANNOT GET ENOUGH


thank you julie & forever for making this arc available to normals for one day 😭🤍

The characters had so much passion for their music that it just spilled over into a whirlwind romance. The chemistry between Alex and Gwen was equal parts swoony and explosive.

I loved that they were rivals to lovers instead of enemies to lovers, it felt much more organic. Their musical talent was so extraordinary but they came from two completely different walks of life so for me their transition into lovers was captivating especially because they shared the same talent but wildly different worldviews and were forced to work it out to work together and be together.

Thank you to NetGalley, Forever, and Grand Central Publishing for this advanced copy! You can pick up Not Another Love Song on July 16, 2024.

Y'all. I can't even express how much I LOVED this book. It was pure perfection from beginning to end. He falls first? Done. Hot musical foreplay? No problem. Complex character development and relationships? Easy. I was sucked in from the beginning, and the way Julie wrote about music literally moved me. I think because music is such an emotional experience, Xander and Gwen's relationship was that much more emotional too.

Plus, the cameos from Forget Me Not made me so happy! I can't stop thinking about this book. I think it'll be the one I rate the rest of this year's romances by because the bar is high as hell. If you're ANY kind of romance reader, I highly recommend picking this one up!

This is my new favorite Julie Soto book! I really liked Forget Me Not, but this one tops it! I couldn't put it down and finished it in less than 24 hours. I loved the musical references and the rivals to lovers trope between a violinist and a cellist. The way the book is written, it reads like a song immersing you in every emotion that the characters feel. It may be a little spicy for some people but overall I loved it!

Spiciness: 3/5 🌶️

Thank you to Netgalley and Forever for the ARC!