I loved everything about this book. I thought the relationship between the two main characters was amazing, so much tension and chemistry! I also loved all of the side characters and I thought they added a lot of humor and comfort to not only the min characters but the readers as well. I will read anything that Julie Soto writes!

Amazing book. The attention to details, especially about music and orchestra was very impressive. I know absolutely nothing about that, but was able to understand everything. Loved the two main characters, their chemistry was explosive. Also loved all of the side characters.

I suddenly wish this book came with a soundtrack.

Yes, this book is super Kylo/Rey coded. I'm not into it personally but it's clear that there is a big audience that ships them. If you are a shipper, don't miss this book! Xavier/Alex has it BAD for Gwen. I mean BAD. Julie Soto's writing style and flow reminded me of Ali Hazelwood's The Love Hypothesis (also Kylo/Rey lol). However, this book is in 3rd POV and I think it worked even better that way! Usually, I like single POV but the 3rd POV helped ease some of the tension and see both of their perspectives.

Fans of Forget Me Not will love to see Ama and Elliot pop up here and there. I personally was disappointed in that book so I went in to this with low-ish expectations. I didn't gel with Forget Me Not and now I realize that a big part of that was because of the flow and the past/present aspect that dragged on for me. Since this book didn't rely on flashbacks, it was a lot smoother to read.

Also, I loved the forward! I always love to read about real-life encounters inspire the author.

What to expect in Not Another Love Song
-grumpy/sunshine
-grumbly/grumpy/alphahole
-they're both in a musical group together
-found family
-🌶🌶

Gwen Jackson loves her job as a violinist in the Pops Orchestra. Ultimately she wants a stable job where she can live comfortably in New York. While at one point Julliard was the dream, it wasn't meant to happen for Gwen financially. Having no family left of her own, Gwen relies on the support of her music teacher and her best friend and roommate Jacob.

When Jacob and Gwen find themselves playing for a wedding theres a bit of a mishap and Gwen finds herself playing the cello instead of the violin. But not just any cello (!!!!), the cello of star Xander Thorne. If Xander wasn't a conceited ass he'd realize that they'd been in Pops together for over a year. The only reason Gwen has to play the cello and not Xander is because he's actually part of the wedding party. Not only does he not remember her, but he also critiques her performance. Gwen has had enough of Xander Thorne and her crush on him and his band go up in flames.

Soon after, Gwen is offered the role of First Chair with the Pops. To say Xander is upset would be an understatement and he conveniently takes his frustrations out on Gwen. But when Gwen and Xander keep bumping into one another and ultimately play some music together they both realize they have chemistry that is undeniable. Gwen is falling and falling hard. But is she falling for the rock star Xander Thorne who is confident and surly or the sweet man who loves making music with her?

I loved both Gwen and Xander's characters. They were both so complicated for different reasons. And yet their attraction was always sizzling on the page. I loved any moment they had together and their dialogue was either giving me butterflies or making me giggle and kick my feet!

I will say that Not Another Love Song did start off a bit slowly for me. But once the story started moving I had a hard time putting it down. There were so many scenes that had me 🫠.

Overall I would give Not Another Love Song 4.5 stars, but rounding up!

I read Forget Me Not last year and immediately fell in love with Julie Soto's writing style. I couldn't wait for Not Another Love Song. I already can't wait to read whatever book Julie decides to write next!

I really enjoyed Forget Me Not and was looking forward to this book. It was nice to have a little cameo from Ama and Elliot but selfishly, I would have liked to hear a little more about what they are up to now.
I felt a little lost with all the orchestra and music composition references - I don't have any background with music. I think one villain would have been enough, we didn't need two. Overall I liked Gwen and Alex/Xander's relationship, they were well-written and I also liked the side characters of Mabel, Jacob, Declan, and Mei. Can we get a Mabel book??

A rockstar cellist (yeah that’s a thing) and a professional violinist butt heads constantly… until they don’t.

I thought this book was fantastic! I read Julie Soto’s first novel and thoroughly enjoyed myself. This one was even better. Julie has a wonderful voice that makes reading her books easy and impactful.

Gwen and Alexander were such an entertaining couple to read about. I didn’t hate either of them (a miracle) and actually enjoyed reading their thoughts. I also loved all the side characters.

If you’re a romance reader or someone wanting to get into romance, pick this one up! You won’t regret it.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Netgalley arc 🙂

Before I read this book, I did not realize that I needed an orchestra romance in my life the way I need air to breathe. I read this in one sitting.

Loved the cameos from Ama and Elliot from Forget Me Not. I really liked that book, but this book clearly had me in a chokehold. The tension between Xander and Gwen was juuust right. It's mostly her POV, but I enjoyed the brief glimpses into his thoughts. To be honest, I'm not really sure what these characters have in common besides being musicians, but it absolutely does not matter. No notes.

This book was SO good!! I LOVED their dynamic. The way Julie writes yearning is so good and now I'm gonna listen to all of the violin and cello music I can. This book isn't fully dual POV, but we do get his perspective at various point throughout the book.

I finished the book in one day and could not stop reading. I absolutely loved it! The tension between Alex ‘Xander’ and Gwen spat from the pages. I have not felt this kind of giddiness in a long time. After I fell in love with Julie Soto’s first book, I knew that I would love this book too. It was nice to read that they both made decisions based off what suited them best but ultimately towards each other.

The only minor thing I missed was more of Alex’s POV.

Thank you for providing an E-ARC!

Wow, wow, wow!!!

Gwen is an orphaned 22 year old who loves playing in the Pops orchestra, but has been hesitant to stand out. Xander Thorne is a musical celebrity that is fighting to find what he wants from his career. Xander and Gwen first meet each other at a wedding where Gwen is playing. From there, they find that they have a common history and both want to be leaders in the Manhattan Pops orchestra. Will Gwen be able to trust Xander given that they want the same first chair and they be able to come together despite outside forces trying to pull them apart?

I loved this book! 4.5⭐️ and highly recommend! Gwen and Xanders relationship and their love of music was beautifully written. I am not musically inclined and reading the descriptions of the music they made/played was intricate and captivating. This book is mostly in Gwen's POV, but I enjoyed the Cello Suite chapters that were from Xanders POV. I have not read Forget me Not and now it is on the top of my TBR.

I truly loved this book. Julie has a way of describing the music battles between Alex and Gwen that gave me goosebumps. I can't get enough of these characters. And the spice was perfection

Adorable romance. Loved the orchestra/music rep! Would definitely recommend to my fellow music lovers. :)

I ate this up!!! This was such a fun read and rivals to lovers does it for me every time. The tension and chemistry between Alex and Gwen was SO good. I mean that cello scene omfg???🥵

I don’t know much about being in an orchestra but I still enjoyed that aspect of the book, especially with it being set in NYC! When they played music together it felt so romantic. She did such a beautiful job of setting the scene.

The only reason this wasn’t 5 stars is bc once the third act breakup hit it went kinda downhill for me. I also usually don’t love 3rd person POV but I didn’t mind it in this, and I loved the chapters from Alex’s perspective! Overall I would definitely recommend this to anyone wanting a fun and spicy romance!

Absolutely devoured this new story from Soto. This was my most anticipated story of the summer and it did not disappoint.

This book gave me life. I love Juli’s writing, her characters (Mei needs a book!), and just the general way her books make me feel. I was engrossed in this story from page one and I love how everything tied together at the end.

As a long time violinist, I am pretty sure this book was written for me??? I truly loved it so much, and it made me want to pick up my instrument again!

Music is all about tension and the back and forth between the sections. You can absolutely tell that Julie Soto thought about how an orchestra works together when writing Alex/Xander and Gwen’s relationship because there is so much heat and passion between them, much like the very best symphonies.

There was just so much emotion in this book that I felt really drawn to the characters and I was imagining how the music they composed together could actually sound.

The sex scenes certainly didn’t hurt to read either!!! They were the perfect amount of steamy and romantic, and as an aspiring writer I am definitely taking notes.

5/5, no notes. Thanks to NetGalley for providing the ARC!

I loved Julie Soto's first book, Forget Me Not, so much I preordered Not Another Love Song. The book did not disappoint! Gwen and Alex are both professional strings players in this not quit enemies, more like rivals-ish to lovers romance. It's a rare book where you love both characters equally and the central tension feels compelling and genuine, The author does a lovely job of painting a picture of two very different circumstances in life from how they trained to how they live in NYC. It is an open door romance that doesn't make you wait! Can't wait for Julie's next book.

When I saw that Julie Soto’s new book was available as an ARC I had to snap it up immediately and I’m so glad I did! I flew through this book in less than a day.

I really did love this book! The tension! The plot! I had no idea how things were going to wrap up while I was reading and I loved the journey that Alex and Gwen went on to find happiness and peace.

While this is a romance novel, there’s a lot of depth in the plot about finding what you want to do with your life, growth, and family. And boy does this book hit hard in those regards. I found myself having to take a minute to breathe while Gwen went through heartbreak and tough decisions because the book doesn’t let up at all!

But when it comes to the romance. Wow, I know people are going to be talking about the cello scene. (I already see a few comments on it!) I loved the relationship between Alex and Gwen. Yes, they’re both a bit of a mess when it comes to healthy relationships at first, but I really appreciate them working through things and coming out of the other side a stronger couple.

Overall, would recommend, and I’m looking forward to Julie’s next book in 2025

I can’t get over this boook!! I loved this and have felt the music in her writing. Ok review time (I’ll stop Drooling). It started out a (touch) slow, but once the note hit, boy did it HIT. It was sensual, and lyrical, loving, demanding and just outright beautiful. I am so happy I had the chance for an early review copy. I can’t wait for more to come by Julie also.

When I saw ARC copies of this were available I actually audibly yelled 🤣 I’ve been so excited about this book since it got announced I absolutely loved forget me not and knew this was going to be just as good! And let me tell you Julie DID 👏🏻 NOT 👏🏻 DISAPPOINT 👏🏻 both of these characters were such a delight to read and having the Xander POV chapters mixed in with Gwen really help give background to everything going on. I loved getting to read their banter and seeing how Gwen opens up and finds her way with what she wants professionally and personally. The the spice?? Is 10/10 ( also the Ama and Elliot cameos?? Were so perfect) at this point I would read anything (and have 🫣) this woman writes I can’t wait to get a physical copy to join my copy of Forget Me Not 💐💐💐 ALSO THIS COVER IS EVERYTHING??? THE SCENE??? PERFECTION