This book was such a lovely surprise. It's my first book by Julie Soto and she instantly became an autobuy author. This book has everything I could want in a romance: tons of tension and chemistry, realistic and relatable angst, vivid descriptions, and an original premise about two talented musicians who communicate best through their music. I was transported in Gwen and Alex/Xander's story. It's a book a would definitely re-read.

I am prob going to get a lot of hate for dnfing this one, but I couldn't do it anymore. I got to 64% and never wanted to pick it up. I hated all of the characters. There literally was not one that I liked. They were cringy and seemed very immature to me. Plus xander seems to have mommy issues. I think I am just not a serious romance type of girl. I would rather read a romcom, and this was not funny.

Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto is one of my favorite reads so far of this year! So much romance, pining and sweet moments. Music is the love language between these two artists and is a theme throughout the entire story.

Gwen is a violinist who plays for the Manhattan Pops orchestra… and weddings in her spare time. Xander Thorne is a famous cellist who is the lead band member of Thornes and Roses as well as first cello for the Manhattan Pops.

One impromptu wedding forces Gwen to set down her violin and play the cello in front of the infamous Xander Throne. While out of her comfort zone, Gwen shines and spurs on a set of events that will change her life forever.

Julie Soto is such a fantastic storyteller. I would LOVE to see this as a movie one day. Although this is standalone, I really enjoyed getting glimpses of the characters from Forget Me Not. That was a nice little surprise. 🥰

5 stars for Not Another Love Song!! Highly recommend!!!

Happy reading!!

I really enjoyed the story and the plot, but I wish there has been more vulnerable communication between the two main characters. They seemed to just jump into things without talking about anything. It seemed a little bit unrealistic. I did really enjoy reading the book and absolutely loved the female main character!

ot Another Love song by @juliesotowrites was such a great read! I loved the tension between Xander and Gwen. I have to admit much like with Gwen, it took me a bit to warm up to Xander.But once the arrogance disappears a little he is a pretty good guy. If you like characters who challenge each other and aloof male leads this is for you!

Overall it was just okay. Slow start and then it picked up towards the second half. I appreciated the use of music and the arts, setting and the characters overall. But it just wasn't something memorable or that I'd come back to.

Why did I sleep on this book for so long??

This book needs to be injected into my veins.

The chemistry between Gwen and Alex was off the charts. Especially when the action of playing made their senses so heighten; it was off the charts.

It was sweet how Gwen had had a crush on Xander Thorne as a fan but actually got to fall in love with Alex.

This story was different than most romances I have read. I have never played an instrument and usually I would rather read than listen to music. But that didn't matter, the story was still relatable. An overbearing parent, trying to discover yourself while also falling in love. All of it. And of course I always enjoy a HEA.

This book was such an easy read for me. I ATE this book up! The tension between the two characters at the beginning was no joke. My inner music band kid childhood helped me feel connected. The passion they had about their music was everything!

“Everything” I understood the effect music had on them. Gwen and Xander are truly the definition of soulmates and seeing their relationship unfold through music was breathtaking.

The level of spice was perfect for the book itself. The tension built everything up which made it even better for the characters when they ended getting what they wanted if you know what I mean 🤭 The cello scene 😏😉.

The main characters had to overcome their own flaws and their own problems and problems together to end up happily together.

his is hands down, the very best romance book I have read so far this year. I don’t know what Julie Soto puts in her books, but my brain and heart cannot get enough of it.

Alex is the kind of hero that I am putty for. He is serious and reserved and gruff. He seems genuinely confused by his feelings initially, but he’s straightforward about figuring them out. He doesn’t play games, he says what he means, and he’s not afraid to put himself out there.

Gwen is the sunshine to his grump, a consummate professional who just landed her dream job. She thinks Alex is conceited, entitled, and the very definition of unprofessional.

The chemistry between them is off the charts from the beginning.

This book made me wonder things like, do I have a cello kink? And, should I be spending more time at the orchestra?

Some boxes this one checked

- Found family
- Electric tension
- Chemistry that has them questioning how it’s so good between them
- That scene in Ghost with the erotic pottery but make it erotic cello playing
- Scenes that made me squeal, and grin like an idiot, and kick my feet

Not Another Love Song is the kind of book that makes people fall in love with reading.

I loved everything about this book. The spice and built up was perfect. I have never read a romance book related to playing music and it exceeded my expectations. This is my second Julie Soto book and I will be reading more. I read this in 2 days and could not put it down. Be prepared to forgo all responsibilities while you read this book, because you will not want to stop.

Not Another Love Song is a love story that has two people from two opposite ends that see and feel music in third dimension. Xander as a burnout out child prodigy whom sprouts from a family with a musical legacy, and Gwen a prodigy too that discovers her musical abilities from loss of family. Their attraction fuels them and elevates their music into another level, in which composes and translates their feelings for each other into a living medium whom is completely immersed into not another love song.

3.5
I really enjoyed Not Another Love Song! The musical aspects were a highlight, and it’s clear that Julie Soto either has a deep knowledge of or did extensive research on musical composition and symphony. The way music was woven into the story felt authentic and engaging.

The characters were enjoyable, though I didn’t absolutely love them. I found the romance’s pacing to be a bit off—it almost felt like insta-love, and I would have appreciated more of a build-up. That said, the smut scenes were well-written and added to the chemistry between the characters. I also would have loved to see more from Xander/Alex’s perspective to deepen his character and provide more balance to the story.

The ending was satisfying, and I liked the way the conflict played out. It was an entertaining read overall! Although I didn’t love this book as much as this author’s debut, Julie Soto is quickly becoming a favorite romance author for me. The audiobook was also well done and made for an enjoyable listening experience.

While I had a few minor issues with the pacing, this was still a solid, engaging romance, and I look forward to reading more from Soto in the future!

I grew up surrounded by music, I was a choir kid and I also played piano. I loved this story being centered around music and how it was intertwined in their relationship. Definitely recommend this one and Julie Soto is now an auto buy author for me.

4.75 stars, rounded up.

Reading this felt like a fever dream on ten. This was an incredibly easy, tender read with extremely palpable chemistry between the two main characters. While I loved the characterization of Gwen, I felt like Xander's characterization fell slightly flat; that being said, he was incredibly down bad for despite their initial bad blood and I love that for her. I also like when idiots are in love but refuse to acknowledge it because of all the messiness that ensues.

Also the cello scene imprinted itself into my brain. Julie Soto, we want more!

I am not musically inclined whatsoever. You could say I’m musically declined. BUT I LOVED THIS BOOK.

My first Julie Soto but it will not be my last! I found this story to be very compelling and I very much enjoyed the balance between the plot and the romance development. The character journeys felt realistic for their age and experience. There is a scene with a cello that will not live rent free in my mind! I’d recommend this book to my friends!

I was fully expecting to love this one. I’m sad to report that I was bored for a big chunk of this book.
It also didn’t help that I hated Alex. This man was insufferable.
The insta love and third act break up were what sealed it for me.

I love Julie Soto and her writing is great, this book just didn’t do it for me.

Solid 4 stars! Julie Soto always gives us a book that's going to knock our socks off! I love the way she writes and leaves everything on the paper.

Gwen is a violinist in the Manhattan Pops. She has suddenly been given the 1st chair position in hopes to raise awareness and money for the organization Xander is a cellist and also part of the Pops, but also a part of a band. He is wildly talented but has some baggage in his past. These two are magic together and their creative side sours. As they fall in love and learn who is being real with them and who is manipulating them they grow.