Enjoyed this one! As a former violin player/ band kid this definitely had some parts that reminded me of those times! I liked both Alex and Gwen and their slow burn was so good! I love a good broody character who pines for the girl haha

Not Another Love Song is a beautifully crafted story that had me hooked! Let me start with the cover—which is GORGEOUS. I don’t often highlight book covers in my reviews, but this one absolutely deserved the recognition.

As for the story itself, it exceeded my expectations in so many ways. The slow-burn sexual tension building up to the unforgettable "cello scene" was done so well. It was electric, intense, and honestly one of the most perfectly timed build-ups I’ve read in a while.
I thought I was diving into a straightforward romance, but what I got was so much better!

This book took me on a rollercoaster ride through the lives of the two main characters, Gwen and Xander. Watching them fall in love for the first time felt like a delicate dance—hopeful and full of joy, but at the same time, there was an underlying caution, as I-the reader, could feel the uncertainty of how it would all unfold.

I appreciate how much thought went into developing Gwen and Xander’s characters. Their impulsive, sometimes immature decisions were completely believable, and a reflection of the experiences and hardships they’d both faced in their lives. I was invested in both of them, flaws and all, and that emotional connection they were building.

However, there was one part of the book that left me a little unsatisfied: the resolution. The ending felt a bit rushed to me. It ended up leaning into a somewhat cheesy territory that didn't quite match the emotional depth that came before it. I wished it had more room to breathe, more space for the characters to reflect and grow together. Given how well the rest of the story was crafted, the quick wrap-up felt a little abrupt. There was more to unpack between Gwen and Xander, and I was left wanting just a bit more closure, especially in terms of their personal growth and understanding of the mistakes they'd made. I wanted to have more faith they would go the distance.

That being said, despite the resolution not quite living up to the rest of the story, I still thoroughly enjoyed the journey Not Another Love Song took me on. The emotional highs and lows, the characters’ development, and the unexpected twists all made it a compelling read. This book has earned a spot on my list of favorite reads of the year, and I’d wholeheartedly recommend it.

I loved this book so much! Soto's previous novel was a win for me, and this one is too. I really enjoyed the premise of this one. The chemistry is wonderful, and the plot is well done. I loved the music elements.

Not Another Love Song delivers a heartfelt exploration of love, longing, and personal growth. From the moment I began reading, the compelling characters, Xander and Gwen, pulled me into their world, making it impossible to put the book down.

The chemistry between Xander and Gwen is electric. Their connection is beautifully depicted, evolving from a shared understanding of pain to something deeper and more profound. The way their backstories intersect adds layers to their relationship, creating a nuanced exploration of trust, forgiveness, and the healing power of love.

I thought it was a good book. very fast paced for me. enjoyed the spice. his alter ego was a little annoying at times but other than that, I thought it was good. Would recommend.

It is truly unique and beautifully put together. The characters are well-developed, with their own interesting storylines that combine effortlessly, bringing dimension to the story. The reading experience becomes more enjoyable by exploring of themes like friendship, personal development, and the difficulties of following one's passions. I loved this story so much!! Although it's the first book I've read by this author, it won't be my last!

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for the early copy.

INFINITE STARS. THIS BOOK IS PERFECT. I literally could not get enough. Thank you, Julie, for writing the perfect book.

Julie Soto can do absolutely no wrong, these characters complimented each other so well and any story she writes is phenomenal.
the vibes were immaculate

This book was SO GOOD!
The burn was delicious and the spice was just perfect!
I absolutely love Julie's writing and the juxtaposition of the characters and their instruments was perfectly written. The addition of musical knowledge in this book was awesome! As a huge nerd (especially concertos), I felt very seen and loved every second of Gwen's performance.
I'd definitely consider this a slow burn in the scheme of things, especially the fact that Gwen fights her attraction to Alex a majority of the time.
There were times I hated Gwen, but I cried every time Alex spoke with love towards her.
So many good moments in this story, but I try to keep it spoiler free, so I will leave it as it's one of the best stories that includes musical instruments & terms (to make sense to outsiders of the music world).
Thank you to NetGalley & Hachette book group for the opportunity to read this as an arc!
Sorry that it took me so long to read it, I just needed to read book 1 beforehand!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥

Gwen is a self-taught violinist who is offered first chair at the Pops-- a dream come true for her. Little does she know this spot was coveted by none other than Xander Thorne. Also part of the Pops, he has made a name for himself as a famous electric rock cellist.

First and foremost, I don't know ANYTHING about orchestras and still was able to immensely enjoy this book, so if that is a concern for you, worry no more!

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the perceived vibes of enemies to lovers-- Xander is definitely thinking more about it than Gwen who is just trying to go about her life. Also being immediately smitten with her. I just loved their dynamic. The conflict was realistic and not drawn out; there wasn't an instance when reading where I was annoyed about it dragging or just being conflict for the sake of conflict. Soto's writing is engaging and entertaining.

I will say I think this book does have a lot more hinting that this was a reylo fic. It's not a bad thing, and I don't even think anyone besides someone who has read a plethora of reylo would even notice.

4.5 🌟 I could not put this down!!!! Rivals to lovers gold. There is something about Julie Soto’s romances that just keep me hooked. The writing is addicting, her mmcs are so broody and swoony, and they’re so fast paced. I started this on audio this morning and listened to about 40% then read the last 60% physically and literally could not stop. The tension between Xander and Gwen was literally coming off the page it was so intense. I absolutely ate up all the drama and the musician lifestyle. And can we talk about how Xander is a man OBSESSED? A man in LOVE? I didn’t expect to love this so much but I am soooo glad I did

I squealed and smiled and swooned too many times to give this less than five stars ✨

I absolutely loved the characters, especially Gwen and Xander, obviously. They were EVERYTHING! Gwen, the talented violinist, is offered First Chair, which infuriates Mr *aloof and arrogant* Xander, who’s been secretly wanting that position himself. The tension between them is palpable. Seriously, the sexual chemistry is off the chartsssss. THE CELLO SCENE? PLS 🥵🫠

Xander's arrogance is a fun contrast to Gwen’s sweet, wallflower nature. Because who doesn't love the grumpy x sunshine trope?!? The way their romance developed felt real and relatable, with misunderstandings that made sense rather than leaving me frustrated. THANK GAWD.

This story and romance is one of my all time favorites!

AND CAN I JUST SAY WE NEED MORE REYLO FANFICS!!!


some of my favorite moments-
“They’ve been keeping you hidden,” he said. “Ordinary. When you’re anything but.”

“Give this a chance. The two of us. I’m not good with words, I’m not good at speaking things. I’m good with notes on a page. I’m good at music— and that’s what I tried to tell you on that stage just now.”

“Go put your cello away properly, Mr. Thorne. That thing is worth almost a million dollars.”He curved his hands under her thighs and encouraged her legs to wrap around his waist. “I’m taking care of something much more valuable,”he murmured into her ear,

She thought it was maybe a second movement of the first song. And maybe it started that way, but as the bow pulled across the strings she knew in her blood that he was writing this, that very moment, staring at her.

I really enjoyed "Not Another Love Song" by Julie Soto! The story follows a young songwriter navigating her dreams and the complexities of first love, and it struck a perfect balance between heartfelt moments and fun, relatable experiences.

Soto’s writing is vibrant and engaging, pulling me into the world of music and the emotional highs and lows that come with it. The protagonist’s passion for her craft is infectious, and the chemistry with her love interest kept me eagerly turning the pages.

Julie Soto is a marvel. Not Another Love Song was an intriguing book set in a musical environment that I have no experience with. I enjoyed learning about violin but also loved the relationships in the book.

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for the early copy. I devoured this book and plan to buy a copy.

It took me forever to write this review cause I had such a hard time getting through this book. Julie Soto's first book “Forget me Not” felt nearly perfect to me. And so I was super excited for this one, especially since Xander was mentioned in the previous book, and he oozed main character energy from the few sentences we got to see of him.
Unfortunately this book just didn't deliver, and I struggled to connect with the characters, and I struggled to take Xander seriously when he seems so willfully obtuse about his work situation, obtuse in a way I have trouble buying. I guess it's a result of emotional manipulation and having been under someone's thumb, but still. I just didn't buy it.
I wished I could love this book, I really wanted to. But I just didn't care that much, it is well written, but didn't engage me in a way a romance should, my heart was not aflutter as they say.
It's too bad cause Julie is an excellent writer, and I'm excited for her next story, but this was apparently a retooled version of her original fan fiction, and I think it probably didn't quite work as well as a standalone book with the serial numbers filed off. As it did as a fanfic.

Wow, Julie Soto. I am so glad I picked this up. This book brought so much warmth to my heart - the romance, the characters, family. Great love story!

This book is spicy, funny and it made me squeal too! I quite enjoyed it all! I love that this began as a wrong instrument showed up, try them out anyway. It is also a classic we've been around each other, but you never noticed me or remembered me... to can't get enough undeniable chemistry!

Love anything by this author! Relatable characters and amazing storyline! I loved the music connection and returning characters.

I rated this a five-star before I even finished the book because it was already so enjoyable that nothing could diminish my experience.

It’s truly unique and beautifully crafted. This book exemplifies an outstanding romance, where the elements outside of the romantic plot are even more captivating than the romance itself. Everything flows together beautifully. The characters are well-developed, each with their own compelling storylines that intertwine seamlessly, adding depth to the narrative. The exploration of themes such as friendship, personal growth, and the challenges of pursuing one's passions enriches the overall reading experience.

Julie Soto's writing is both lyrical and engaging, pulling me into the world she created from the very first page. The witty dialogue and relatable moments made me laugh and reflect, making this book a joy to read. I found myself invested not only in the romance but also in the characters’ journeys, celebrating their victories and empathizing with their struggles.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone who loves a romance that goes beyond the surface. I loved Julie Soto's past work and this one lives up to the hype as well. I can’t wait to see what else Julie Soto has in store!

I liked Forget Me Not, but I love Not Another Love Song. Julie Soto just has a way of describing romance that you experience hiraeth and joy simultaneously.