Wow I really enjoyed this one!! A rivals to lovers between a violinist and cellist! This book was fast paced filled with delicious tension. This book read like a beautiful orchestra score! I just loved the dynamic between Gwen and Xander (Alex) and seeing how their relationship grew in so many ways and their story coming together like one beautiful piece! This was such a fun read and I loved every minute of it!

I loved this book so much! It’s such a fun romance read and it was such a good book to read in between the fantasy that I typically read. I will definitely check out more of Sotos books in the future! I’ve already bought a physical copy! As a former violinist this one spoke to my soul!

Thank you to the publisher for a free copy! I was anticipating reading this book because I really enjoyed the authors other works. I just did not connect with this book or the characters and had a hard time finishing.

4/5 Stars ⭐️
What a surprising read for me!

Short summary:
This follows Gwen and Alex who both play musical instruments. They both bond over their love for music and are able to cheer each other on.

My thoughts:
One of the things I loved the most was the way that Alex was truly a supporter of Gwen no matter what, and that despite his character being painted as arrogant he never once acted that way towards her. It was refreshing to see!
I truly enjoyed this one and i loved the musical elements of it a lot. However there was quite a bit of spice and so I wish that had been left out but other than that the story was beautiful!

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

4 stars!
my first musical romance did not disappoint! a fun story with great tension between the characters I was engaged the entire time! knocking a star because he was a lil mean at the beginning and I feel like the attraction was pretty physical at first but overall great read! also LOVED the cello scene!!

Thank you for this arc!!

WOOOOW Obsessed is barely a good way to put how much I loved this.

First musician romance.

Sorry I just really disliked this :( And the author’s other book slapped but this just read as amateurish, with a weak plot, a terrible love interest/relationship, and a lot of nonsense. No!!!

4.5⭐️, rounded up. I really really loved this one! My first Julie Soto book, and I will definitely be reading more.

I was a little hesitant with it being centred around musicians and orchestras etc, because they can end up being very snobby spaces sometimes, but this book has the perfect balance of the elitist nature of that level of performance and the absolute passion the musicians have.

The professional rivals-to-lovers was such a vibe for me, and I really liked how Gwen wasn’t a “not like other girls” character. She worked her butt off to get where she was, and she wasn’t letting anyone take that away from her.

Thank you so much to Forever and NetGalley for the arc.

Julie Soto has crafted an emotionally charged, beautifully developed love story between two passionate musicians. I loved this book so much that I bought a hard copy. A top read of 2024 for me.

4.5 ⭐️

This book was a quick, fun read. It reminded me of Ali Hazelwood’s STEM romances but focused on classical music/music composition instead of STEM. I haven’t really seen a book with this premise so it was something different and new. This will definitely cater to a specific niche of readers but regardless, I absolutely loved it.

The tension and buildup between Alex/Xander and Gwen was so entertaining to read. I couldn’t put it down. Alex/Xander was so obsessed with Gwen. He was a man written by a woman.

This was originally a Reylo fanfic so I really was entertained by the likeness of Adam Driver on the cover art. It was a really nice touch. Also, it was the infamous cello scene….iykyk.

I haven’t read Julie Soto’s other novel, ‘Forget Me Not,’ but I think there was some crossover of the characters from that novel into ‘Not Another Love Song.’ I can’t wait to read her other novel!

If you are wanting an entertaining, spicy read about classical musicians, I highly recommend this one!!!!

Thank you to Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for an E-ARC of ‘Not Another Love Song’ in exchange for my honest review.

Rival musicians
Workplace
Secrets
New York City
Celebrity romance
Slow burn
He falls first

A rom com with a little family mystery thrown in. I loved grumpy Xander and how hard he fell for Gwen. I wish we got to see more of his thoughts and his desires. Gwen was the opposite of a strong FMC for me. Bending and breaking for everyone and everything. I needed the girl to get her head out.ofnthe clouds and stand up for herself some more.

But over all a cute read.


Thank you for this ARC.

Not another love song - Julie Soto

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I absolutely loooooooved this book!! I originally received it as an ARC but life happened and here we are.. hands down one of my top reads of the year! The storyline about musicians from two totally different lifestyles come together and fall in love in a way that warms your heart to the very core. Of course there were some ups and down along the way as any true love story does but it helped build that relationship so much stronger. Right out of the gate the tension and build up between the two main characters was probably my favorite. They each helped each other to grow in their weaknesses to become such this well rounded couple together. And the ending was absolutely my favorite part it was sweet and wholesome and just made you feel good and smile as your read. 100% now one of my favorite feel good romance books of 2024! I am so grateful to have gotten to read this book even if it is pretty late.

ookay. a talented violinist (Gwen) and an equally talented but already famous cellist (Xander) fell into each other's orbit after a wedding that was organized by Ama. yes!! Ama Torres! glad too see her and Elliott even they relationship status hasn't changed (iykyk) i love standalone books that are set in the same universe<3

back to the book. how conventional it was that Xander never noticed Gwen's presence before the wedding and then BOOM they suddenly they constantly bump into each other afterwards??? after a few encounters he started to look like a fucking creep who stalks and follows her everywhere. they were clearly attracted toward each other from the beginning, but Xander's brutal honesty made Gwen will herself to ignore her feelings. of course she folded after all because who were they to fight the alchemy?

whereas the relatively easy romance progression, there's power hungry men in music who only cares about money Xander and Gwen brought. honestly i didn't really rooted for the characters. and although the non-romance plot that's about music and orchestra didn't feel appealing to me. i mean they're cool but i just didn't fully get it. but okay i guess.

Title: Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto
Publication Date- 08/16/24
Publisher- Forever
Overall Rating- 4 out of 5 stars

Review copy given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Review: This is my first book by Julie Soto and I would like to read more. I did really enjoy this.

Right off the bat I can tell you this is a pretty smutty novel. However, it does feel like there is a meaningful relationship built between the characters before those scenes come which is all I ask for in my romance novels. Soto built some strong tension and believable angst. The first half of the book was close to a 5 star and the last half was a 3 star, hence the overall 4 star review.

At the start of the book we really get to know the characters and so much tension is built. During the second half, it becomes very predictable and I began to lose interest. Overall I loved the music in combination with a romance novel. Music and dance are some of my favorite things to watch on tv and read about in books and that aspect was not a disappointment.

I would have given his 5 stars if we would have gotten deeper into the characters and taken more time to talk about the things going on in their lives. That being said, the author did a good job of mixing the high demand of smut and building a meaningful relationship between characters.

If you’re in the mood for a romance that isn’t too heavy, I would recommend picking this up.

I enjoyed this for the most part, but over all I probably won’t re-read it. Xander’s grumpiness was just annoying at the beginning and I never saw Gwen as being as good as everyone made her out to be.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.

Gwen Jackson has finally achieved something she’s always dreamed of, first chair in the Pops Orchestra. Despite her unconventional training and lack of formal education in music, she’s the youngest first chair in their history. But her accomplishment isn’t welcomed by everyone including Xander Thorne, cello player and musical prodigy who also just happens to have his own wildly popular band and an impressive musical lineage he’d rather keep under wraps.

He finds himself intrigued by Gwen after she fills in on cello (which is not her usual instrument) last minute at a wedding he’s at. As much as he wants to resent her he’s endlessly fascinated by her and when music starts flowing from him as a result of her influence he’s determined to convince her to explore their chemistry further.

I have to say I knew less than nothing about orchestras prior to starting this book and I feel like I learned so much. I was enraptured by how politics, pride and composition all shaped this world. Xander and Gwen were definitely a victim of the second one the most. Their chemistry was next level and the scenes with them creating music together had me wishing so much that this book came with a soundtrack.

Gwen’s longing for a family led her astray a few times and Xanders firm rejection of his own did the same. There was so much miscommunication between these two and stubborn refusal to clear the air that I had to set this book aside a few times and take some deep breaths. It was tragically clear where each of their flaws would lead to their collective downfalls but the ending was so worth all the strife to get there.

I would definitely recommend this one to anyone looking for a good rivals to lovers workplace romance where the chemistry is next level and the angst is worth the HEA.

Professional musicians Gwen and Xander get booked to play the same wedding. Gwen is horrified to find though that Xander doesn’t recognize her, even though they’ve been playing for a year in the same orchestra. When Gwen lands the coveted role as first chair violin, the tension between the two escalates, fueling orchestral ticket sales and the start of their relationship.

This was such a fun ride, and I loved all of the musical themes and elements as a former band kid. The tension between Alex/Xander and Gwen was perfection, and I adored the growth in all the characters throughout the story. Even the side characters were so lovable, and I really enjoyed all the subplots. By the end, I wanted to move to New York just to be friends with all these characters.

Thank you to Julie Soto, Forever, and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars.
I really liked the characters and the overall story but I also felt like the climax and resolution happened way too quickly.

I love when I read about unique professions. I can say that I had never read a romance between a rock cellist and a first violin before but it worked so well. I devoured this book in under 24 hours. The hatred to overflowing chemistry was paced perfectly. I had read Julie Soto’s first book Forget Me Not not too long ago so I was very happy when we got cameos of Ama, Elliot, and Hazel. I love Soto’s writing style and have been enjoying it since the ao3 days. I have thoroughly enjoyed what she has published traditionally.

P.S. I want more covers by Nikita Jobson <3

I enjoyed this love story with grumpy/sunshine and opposites attract tropes. Gwen is an orphan with natural talent who doesn’t have formal musical training but joins the New York Pops after she’s seen performing her violin in a subway station.
The Pops play more modern music. Xander is also a member of the Pops but he’s had formal training and performed and recorded with other famous artists growing up.
When the two of them first meet it doesn’t go well but they have more in common than they think.
I was fascinated by the way the music follows the progression of their relationship. It was interesting learn about the inner workings of an orchestra as well. 4 stars.