Did I consume this book or did it consume me!? I absolutely loved it! I adored Gwen and Alex and missed them when I wasn't reading! I was hooked from the first chapter with the tension and it kept me hooked through the whole book! Truly everything about this book was perfect for me -- the music, the spice, the characters. I was even okay with the third act break up! Will definitely be reading more from this author!

Julie Soto can do no wrong when it comes to balancing angsty and soft love. Although I did find this hard to get into at first, I ended up really enjoying Gwen and Alex, but I think the reason that I ended up enjoying them so much was because of how music and the appreciation for music was woven into them and their dynamic. I definitely found some parts of this book to be unrealistic, but I didn't mind it as much as I thought I would because of the tone and writing.

This is another one where I came for the plot and stayed for the spice. I love Julie Soto's writing style and dual POVs. Her writing is engaging, the characters have a lot of emotional depth, and the plots are fun. I got a little bit lost in the process with some of the more technical components of the music/composition, but I think musicians will relate to this story on a much deeper level. Some of that went over my head and I just did not find it as interesting as I was hoping?

The spice was truly delightful. Which I totally expected. Musicians are good with their hands and rhythm - what more could you want? Those scenes were extra hot. I give it a level 3 on the spice scale.

As always with romance books, once the "I love you's" start, I step back a little bit. I thought the conflict between the two main characters was GREAT and helped me get less of an ick than I usually do once they admit their feelings. The conflict resolution was very well done.

I had a hard time with this one… it read a bit more fan fic than published novel in my opinion. I don’t have anything against fan fiction in any way but I don’t want unexpected fan fiction. The pacing was also really weird, like they hated each other and then suddenly loved each other.

I had to get the audiobook from my local library to finally finish this book. Overall, it was bad but I don’t think it was anywhere near my favorite read of the year either.

Finally, a love story for all the hot musicians out there 🥹

Gwen isn’t really sure where she wants music to take her - does she want to be first chair of the Manhattan Pops or a traveling soloist? When the grumpy hotty hot frontman of her favorite rock-and-roll string quartet starts to pay a lot of attention, she might just find herself reevaluating everything in her life.

I just truly will never get over the cello scene. I feel like Julie Soto captured what it’s like to be an artist and a musician, and to be falling for someone for those things and who they are as a person. I really loved this!

4/5 musical stars!

I was so fortunate to be selected last summer to read Julie Soto's ARC Forget Me Not which I absolutely loved! (Check that one out if you haven't yet!) As soon as I saw this one pop up I requested it and I'm so glad to say I liked it even more! When I tell you I DEVOURED this book in one sitting!! I thought l was going to start it before bed last night and read a few chapters... 6 hours later, it's 4:00am and I read the whole thing. it's safe to say Julie Soto is an auto
buy/read author for me. As her book will once again end up being one of my top reads of the year!
Who knew an orchestra could be so freaking hot. It was absolutely sensual, you could feel the tension and the chemistry just jumped right off the page fo
Especially that cello scene!! & I couldn't put it down. AND it's Reylo fanfic?! Are you kidding me?!! I loved learning about the ins and outs of how the orchestra worked, too. The New York City setting was perfect. And I loved seeing appearances from some of my favorite characters from Forget Me Not.

This book was HOT. The way the music was a metaphor for both the emotions but also sex? Incredibly drawn. I also felt like the conflict felt really realistic and not easily solved. That makes for a really strong 3rd act that had me speeding through the end of the book. I can't wait for more books in this world!

Julie Soto's Not Another Love Song is a super engaging romance set in the world of classical music. The story follows Gwen Jackson, a talented violinist with a tough past, and Xander Thorne, a smooth but arrogant cellist. What starts as a rivalry quickly turns into a steamy romance as they work together at the Manhattan Pops orchestra. With both characters’ perspectives and a rich musical backdrop, Soto delivers a story full of electric chemistry and lyrical moments.

The book really shines with its vivid portrayal of the music scene and the sizzling tension between Gwen and Xander. The spicy scenes, especially the one involving the cello, are unforgettable and add a lot of heat to the story. I was surprised to find out it was a fan fic, but I still enjoyed it a lot. While the romance is hot, some might feel the emotional depth is a bit lacking since the focus is more on the steamy moments. Also, if you're not into classical music, the musical details might feel a bit much. Overall, Not Another Love Song is a fun and captivating read that’s sure to delight fans of both romance and music.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars
🔥🔥🔥🔥 4/5 spice
Genre: Romance
Would reread? Probably
📍NYC

You’ll like this one if you love music, NYC, and complex parental relationships. Oh and spice. Lots of spice.

Themes & tropes:
✨hate to love (but also she’s a fan)
✨musicians in an orchestra
✨family drama / generational trauma / legacy / nepotism
✨forced proximity
✨she likes him first, but he falls first
✨Identity
✨he’s obsessive and possessive
✨grand romantic gestures
✨he's rich and famous, but encourages and pushes her to be in the spotlight

Some of my thoughts while reading:
-Author's note about it being originally Reylo fan fiction really pulled it full circle for me and made me appreciate a lot of character details
-Love how OBSESSED he is with her. How he almost can’t function once he figures out his feelings.
-Love love the music. I feel like I can hear it as I’m reading??

Roses:
-cameos with Ama and Elliot from Forget Me Not were cute and well done
-the writing was descriptive and elegant to read
-loved Gwen’s character development. At first she’s really shy and unsure of herself but then grows into her skill, confidence, and it was awesome to see. I was cheering her on by the end.
-I LOVED the details about the music, sight reading, orchestra structure. It was incredible research. I loved picturing all the musicians together on stage. Reading about music was a fun experience as well. I love when books incorporate other forms of art.

Thorns:
-Alex/Xander was a total ASS to Gwen. He's what, 25? We aren't in middle school on the playground. MEN aren't and shouldn't be mean to anyone, let alone the woman they are in love with. BOO.
-the characters were a little much for me. Some morally gray. However, it felt like some of them were “too evil” to be redeemed, but we were supposed to love them?

I really loved this book! It had amazing chemistry, the best tension, and it read like pure poetry. Julie Soto did a fantastic job with this rivals to lovers romance. I loved the chemistry between the two main characters and the gorgeous description of music and how it moves people!

Gwen and Xander were such a fun couple. The tension between the two of them was incredible and I never thought I would really like a story about two musical prodigies!

Tropes:
Rivals to lovers
Workplace romance
He falls first

Really enjoyed the book however I thought it it was super slow in the beginning and then extremely rushed at the end. Their conflict felt a bit forced and super predictable, but overall great book!

Not me sliding into @juliesotowrites ‘s DMs asking her to be my friend because I’m obsessed with not one but TWO of her novels now 🤣🙈 a lot of authors experience a sophomore slump after their debut, but not Julie. She nailed it a SECOND TIME! I’m all about this book and her romance reads, you have to give her a try if you haven’t already! I can’t wait for more from her! ❤️🎶🎻

Never have I ever wanted so badly to find a cellist…sorry hubby! But truly, Julie has a way of making previously not-hot careers into HAWT AF bad boi jobs. Maybe it’s the characters or maybeeee she just knows something we don’t?? Either way, this book was a 20/10 for me, and already skipped straight up the line for my local romance book club. I cannot wait to discuss Zander’s body er I mean grumpy-cute personality! I loved the hidden connections between everyone’s past/present and to the previous book’s characters. Cello suites are my chill down music so it was really interesting to see the mechanics behind the beautiful notes being played.

After the first book by Julie, was a bit of a miss for me (as I do not prefer situationships), I was pleasantly surprised and glad I picked this one up.

The author herself describes this as a love story where ‘a cello falls in love with a violin’. And by the end of the book, you will agree to it and feel like you went through a sensual and exhilarating evening of classical romantic music. Kudos to Julie for bringing alive crackling chemistry and musical sensuality off the pages of this book.

Gwen and Xander are two musical prodigies in their own right, who happen to be in the same reputed orchestra named ‘Manhattan Pops’. While Xander is first cello, a star cellist who also is a lead of a classical music band on the side, Gwen is a violinist who has been in the shadows too long. Though they are in the same workplace, their meet cute is at a wedding where Gwen has to infact perform a cello piece, and it is Xander’s who lends her his cello, providing her an unwelcome feedback.

When Gwen is offered the prestigious first chair over Xander, things become little complicated at work. Forces like work politics, people with vested interests, past experiences, emotional traumas - all come out to play.

The MC’s chemistry is like I said crackling and it is great to see them connect over the music, how they become each other’s muse, make music (and love) together! Though, Xander is the one who falls first, Gwen soon gives into her feelings too. For spice lovers, you will not be disappointed at all. I believe anyone following on booksta would have heard of a famous cello scene. Things like why he names his cello as ‘female’ or what is he feeling when he writes a ‘not love song’ for Gwen when he first plays with her! The sexual tension is described with the high and low notes of a love song, that you can’t hear but most likely feel.

There were a few sections which felt slow or dragged in the third act, but overall a much better time than the last book for me. Go ahead and experience it for yourself.

P.S. I will be posting review to my IG in the week of 19th August.

did not know i needed orchestra romance in my life but i did!!!!! wow loved this so much, especially with a different meet cute from the norm. julie never misses

Julie Soto is a must-read, always. I loved the setting of this book - a peek behind the curtains of an orchestra was new for me. Gwen andXander were perfect foils for each other - I do love a grumpy-sunshine story!

Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto instantly grabbed my attention with the unique premise following to professional musicians, Xander and Gwen. The two have undeniable chemistry while dealing with rivalry fueled by Gwen earning first chair in the Pop's Orchestra. I really appreciated that this romance novel felt so different than anything I have read before. Major props to Julie Soto for creating such a unique plot and I found the music elements to be so well balanced, I felt like I learned more about the world of classical musicians without feeling overindulged or bored at any moment. I actually think the city setting and music elements were the strong suit of this book.

I did lack an overall connection to this book because it definitely was more physically attraction driven than emotionally driven. Typically, I prefer when romances contain a balance of both emotional and physical connection and while the tension between Gwen and Xander was amazing, I found myself wondering if they really got to know each other on a deeper level enough to where their relationship would last. I do in this case wish we got a little more of Xander's POV, the little glimpses were everything to me.

Not my favorite, but I would still recommend. Thank you so much to Forever Pub for the ARC!

What a beautiful love story. Julie Soto and five star reads seem to be a running theme around here!
What a prefect balance of romance, deep character development, and growth. Also, feeling sad no one put a violin in my hands at age three.

This is my first Julie Soto book and it didn't disappoint, I loved the chemistry between the two main characters and found myself swooning at some of the parts.

I loved the romance! they understood each and could be themselves together. The chemistry between them was amazing! I also loved the slow-burn and the sexual tension between the main characters. There were several scenes that made me blush and smile so much. The writing is beautiful and descriptive. I honestly felt like I was living in the world with the characters. I felt so many emotions while reading this book, I cried, I laughed and I smiled. This book will stay in my heart for a long time.