🎻M/F contemporary romance
🎻rivals to lovers
🎻grump x sunshine
🎻close proximity
🎻slow burn
🎻dual pov (primarily FMC though)
🎻standalone

More like 3.5 stars. The pacing was a little wonky, but I really enjoyed the setup and overall writing/characterization! The plot and conflict was very on par with Ali Hazelwood, so I feel like you’re either going to love or hate it. I thought the romance was a little too convenient at times, but I still thought they were a good pairing.

This definitely has one of my favorite romance covers of 2024 though!!

CWs for loss of a love one, cancer, misogyny, gaslighting/manipulation

Loved, loved, loved this one! I am becoming a huge fan of
Julie Soto’s work. The story was so inviting and I was immediately invested. Will forever recommend her books

This books was lovely. I enjoyed the musical elements a lot and felt they fit beautifully in with the sex scenes.

Not Another Love Song is a delightful blend of music and romance. Soto's characters are relatable and charming, and the world of classical music comes alive on the page. While the plot is predictable at times, the witty banter and sizzling chemistry between Gwen and Xander keep the story engaging. It's a light, enjoyable read perfect for fans of contemporary romance.

This started out SO strong for me. It was deliciously horny and hot. But, by the halfway point I started to sour. I super dislike the "magic peen....er fingers" microtrope, the characters started to grate on me, and there was this lack of consent culture vibe to the world that really bugged me.

Not Another Love Song

I am late to the party on the most recent Julie Soto release. My reading experience was a bit of a roller coaster ride. I was immediately invested, but then took a pause because my interest seriously waned. When I picked it up again, I finished it in a day with tears (happy ones).

My biggest takeaway is that the Rylo fan-fiction element was done expertly. If you are searching for that charged romantic dynamic, but where no one is a murderer, this would be my first recommendation. Soto does the broody, grumpy hero phenomenally well. For anyone who prefers cinnamon roll male main characters, this will not check that box.

The parts that I loved, I adored: hard-won familial relationships, style of spice, and the perspective of the classical music scene.

Thank you Julie Soto, Forever Publishing, and NetGalley for my advanced review copy. My opinions are my own.

Plot - 3
Writing and Editing - 4
Character Development - 3
Personal Bias - 3
Final Score - 3.25

As music lover, I was quite excited to pick this up. I really enjoyed Julie's writing, just like I did in Forget Me Not. I thought the musical aspect was written really well, it added such a different feel to the romance. And probably one I haven't read about before. Their instant connection was solid and you could definitely feel it, but I was hesitant about Xander. I absolutely didn't like how he came off in the beginning and he was just downright mean. And I was waiting for Gwen to send some whatever back his way.

I was hoping their communication would have been a little bit better as it would have helped their relationship more in the beginning. And it didn't really feel like Xander really understood Gwen, just the musical part of her. I wasn't super convinced.

I was hoping for a little bit more with Not Another Love Song, Soto's writing really brings you and keeps you hooked the entire time. Still looking forward to this author's work in the future.

I am a sucker for Julie Soto’s writing. I loved the classical music aspect of this book. I don’t think i’ve ever read anything with classic music in it so it was really fun to explore. The pacing of this book started off really good & i was really enjoying the characters. The best part of this book was the tension, i am a sucker for good tension & this book gave it & more! Also the cello scene! I will need that scenes in my casket with me when i die, just saying😅🥵.

This book was in third pov which after Forget Me Not being in first person, this really through me off. I found it really hard to get into because of the pov, which just had me not wanting to pick up the book even though i was enjoying it. After halfway through i found the pacing getting slower which made it harder for me to finish the book. I also just didn’t connect to the characters relationship

I can’t wait for more Julie Soto’s books in the future Thank you Forever & NetGalley for the arc!

Thank you so much to Forever for the ebook!!!

I absolutely loved Forget Me Not so I was super excited to see that she had this one up next. And then after seeing the cover - HOLY MOLY! I mean look at that tank top strap and the way his hand is on her neck. My goodness - you had me at the cover alone. And

"You are more than my collaborator. "

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK! From start to finish I was so fascinating how Soto was able to take being a strings musician and make it unbelievably sexy. The way that she wrote the first time they played together - WHEWWWW! If you didn't feel the chemistry between them in that moment, then I'm not sure what book you were reading. Alex was so drawn to Gwen. He came off a little rough around the edges but then he had these soft moments that you couldn't help but fall for. Gwen was equally as drawn to Alex. She had followed his career but then got to know him on a personal level and it made her just fall even more for him. Their attraction was so strong!

I just love how good they were together and even when there would be some bumpy times, they talked it out and tried to come up with a solution. Their big conflict felt believable and did not come out of left field. And the way it was resolved - sigh I just love when a man comes banging on the door out of concern. They just had such an equal amount of love and respect for one another that I think it just made their connection that much stronger.

I had seen such rave reviews for this book and I can tell you that it lived up to the hype. I didn't want to stop reading & I certainly did not want it to end. I need to look to see if there is an extended epilogue because I need to know what Gwen and Alex are up to beyond what was provided.

I will be raving about this book for awhile! If you are looking for a spicy romance set around the orchestra - give this one a read!!

I’ve been kicking my feet and giggling the whole time I was reading this book.

There’s so much passion and depth and vulnerability. I loved every second of it!

Julie Soto knows how to bring characters to life and how to make you invested in their stories! I cannot stress enough how beautiful and inviting her writing style is.

Gwen and Alex made my heart soar. I was rooting for them since day one. This is what I call an enemies to lovers done right!

I adored the Forget Me Not cameos, and how it all just fits so well in this universe. I have a guess to whose book is going to be next but for now 🤐

The spice was everything we could’ve asked for and it definitely had me blushing… a lot! Who knew orchestras could be this horny??

I loved everything about this!

This didn’t hit as hard as Forget Me Not but I still really enjoyed it! Julie has me in a chokehold with the grumpy misunderstood men that she writes - I fall head over heels for them every single time. Also the cameos were absolutely everything! If Julie writes it, I will read it!

I was wavering between a 3 and a 2, and decided to round down. I'm a huge fan of Julie Soto's debut Forget Me Not, and was definitely excited for Xander, so it's definitely an unfortunate thing for me that his story didn't captivate me as much.. I think a major part of is this is knowing that this was an earlier work of Julie's, I could see how she improved as a writer over time. While I've enjoyed other fanfic to book modifications, Xander and Gwen's story kind of suffered a bit from pacing issues. As someone who just spent the last month almost exclusively reading fanfic, I can imagine how the original of this was, and how good it is with the source material of the characters and how it ties to the plot!! The intense chemistry between Xander and Gwenwas so good, and I absolutely love the musical aspect of their love story completely.

But as a standalone, following up Ama and Elliot was hard to begin with. And with how much I loved most of the pacing there of Forget Me Not's pining and building up, it felt things moved a little too fast here. I didn't quite buy into the relationship and I love you's so quickly. The drama was a little frustrating, but not the worst I've seen. The saving grace for me with Not Another Love Song was getting Xander's POV which helped explain some of his actions more. It just felt a little too jarring otherwise. I also absolutely love the very last sentence of the book. 😂

I'm still very excited and hopeful for what Julie Soto comes out with next for her adult book though.

Not Another Love Song follows Gwen Jackson and Xander Thorne, two musical prodigies who are each competing for the spotlight in the Manhattan Pops orchestra. Xander had actually never noticed Gwen though and so they technically meet for the first time at a wedding.

He’s in the wedding party, and Gwen is there to play the violin during the ceremony. Sparks fly between them immediately but then Xander extinguishes them, first by harshly critiquing her performance and then again later when she is awarded the coveted First Chair position in the orchestra.

The more time they spend together, however, the more Xander has to acknowledge that Gwen really does have a gift when it comes to music and he can’t keep his eyes off her. Gwen has a similar respect for Xander’s musical gifts and finds herself attracted to him as well.

I absolutely adored everything about this story. I feel like I don’t have the words to really convey how beautiful the romance is, but there’s just something magical about having it framed by their mutual passion for music, especially once they finally get past that enemies/rivals phase and actually start to compose music together. The scenes are just so sensual and so beautifully written. I adored both Gwen and Xander too. They’re both such great characters, fully fleshed out and so realistic. I admired their strengths and loved them for their vulnerabilities. Xander in particular is just trying to work through so much and figure out his path forward. As much as I wanted to punch him for being nasty to Gwen in the early pages, I just wanted to give him a hug after learning about everything that has been weighing him down.

Not Another Love Song is an amazing read and one that I’m going to be recommending to everyone.

I INHALED this book in a day! Seems Julie Soto’s beautiful storytelling was exactly what I needed in my reading life. I highly recommend finding a good (electric) cello playlist on Spotify to go along with Not Another Love Song - it certainly elevated my reading experience.

Gwen is an extremely talented violin player looking for a bit of stability by playing for the Pop Orchestra. Xander is a minor celebrity cello player who is also a part of the same orchestra and completely unaware of Gwen…until an almost disastrous musical encounter at a wedding makes their worlds collide!

Gwen and Xander completely stole my heart. I loved getting to know them as characters both separately and together. And the world of orchestras and music was fascinating and Julie Soto made it so easy to understand. And I loved her writing so much! The chemistry was through the roof and there was just enough spice for my taste. If you are looking for your next summer romance read, I wholeheartedly recommend this one!

A huge thank you to Forever, Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Oh my goodnessssssss
I absolutely loved this book!!!! I was completely sucked into their story and did not want to put it down!
Way to go! Five stars!

Also - that one scene IFYKY! HOT!

I loved Forget Me Not and I was so excited for another Julie Soto book an was so happy to get glimpses of characters from there in this one!
Gwen and Alex meet at a wedding she is playing, but he doesn't realize he's been working with her for over a year. She has been kept hidden until she is offered position of First Chair, a position he was told he would get. Alex has two personas, Xander Thorn is who plays with the band and Alex is who plays with the orchestra. Both of Alex's personas fall hard and fast for Gwen. She mesmorizes him and is the exact thing he needs in his life. He has been going through the motions until he actually SAW her. I loved their dynamic and how Gwen really saw exactly who Alex was and just wanted all the best for him and he for her. I thought they were well developed characters that stole my heart.
Thanks to Forever, Netgalley and Julie Soto for an early copy.

It is truly a testament to Julie’s writing that I found myself giggling and flailing through *an entire U2 subplot.*

Two musical prodigies — one born into classical music royalty, the other a former subway musician — have found much different paths to success. After a wedding gig, Gwen realizes Xander has no idea who she is, although they’ve spent a year sitting across from each other at the Pops Orchestra. Things go from bad to worse when Gwen receives the role of First Chair (a position Xander has secretly coveted for years, what he felt was essentially his birthright.)

As the pair continue to find themselves pitted against each other they quickly come to learn their chemistry isn’t just onstage. Together they’re box office gold, until a publicity stunt threatens to destroy everything.

A rivals to lovers orchestra romance. A cellist and violinist angsting over their feelings. JULIE SOTO!! Just a chef’s kiss all around and a perfect summer read!

When I heard that my favorite author, Julie Soto, was releasing a new book this year, I was so excited about reading it, and I'm really glad I did this book was really cute. The story line and character development between the couple was excellent and definitely one of my favorite books on my tbr list this year.

My first time reading Julie Soto… I enjoyed the premise and thought the characters were good. The spice was also good. A nice easy read for the summer.

Julie Soto has done it again!! When I saw in her instagram story all NetGalley requests would be approved on April 1st I thought it had to be a joke. This book was hands down my most anticipated romance release of the year and it did NOT disappoint. I fell in love with Julie’s writing years ago and each novel of hers gets better and better. This story immediately sucks you in and I found myself invested and unable to put it down before the end of the first chapter. She gives her leading ladies such depth and gives so much attention to her characters and their stories. I forced myself to savor this book and really pay attention to the plot. I have absolutely devoured everything she’s written and this one was no different. Buckle up while Gwen and Xander take you on the ride of a life time. That may or may not want to make you sign up for cello lessons immediately!