Ughhh, so I absolutely hated Forget Me Not. I was very hesitant to try this one, but it was slightly better than Forget Me Not, mostly because I enjoyed the music/orchestra world better than the wedding vendor world of Forget Me Not. Will I try more of Julie’s forthcoming books? Possibly? But I just don’t think I’m a fangirl like so many people I know. I wish I was, because I’ve seen Julie speak at events and she is SO funny and SO sweet. I want to be her friend, but I’m not a lover of her books.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC! I don’t know how Soto does it, but she does it again in Not Another Love Song. Have I ever been in an orchestra? No. Do I play an instrument? No. Do I know how to read music? No. Was I absolutely obsessed with this story? YES. The way she is able to delicately educate the reader on a topic most of us know nothing about without boring us, while simultaneously making us burn and yearn?! It’s magic. I also loved seeing beloved characters for Forget Me Not pop up. So special!

I read this book a couple months ago. I don’t know why I have not sent a review, but I absolutely loved this book. It was one of my favorite reads of last year. I love the musicality incorporation in this book, both the main characters bounced of each other so well. The tension was everything I needed it to be and more. I had a really good time

🎻Not Another Love Song🎻
By Julie Soto

Pages: 375
Rating: 4️⃣.2️⃣5️⃣
Book Goal 2025: 14/130

✨Have you ever played an instrument and if so what kind?✨

This book was so cute! I started it a while ago but I guess I wasn’t in the mood. I finally gave it another chance and it was adorable!

I really liked both of the characters and the development throughout the book. The plot follows both of the main characters as they try to figure out their work relationship together and how to balance the pressure of being leads in the orchestra. I loved the musical setting, the banter, the self discovery.

Overall a cute book for hopeless romantics with musical interests.

Oh my goodness, I loved this book. Julie Soto has had me since her fan-fictions, and she still has me today. Gwen and Xander were everything, and I'll always consume a rivalry dynamic in fiction, whether on screen or on paper. I could feel the chemistry through the page, or rather, my kindle. Nonetheless, even as individuals, I found them to be characters I rooted for. This is how you write a good romance book.

Thanks to Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the arc!

(4.75 stars)

This book was so good and I would recommend it to all my friends. The tension, the angst, the emotion, made everything so good and I loved every bit of it!

4 ⭐️
4 🌶️

Thank you NetGalley and Forever for an ARC on Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto.

Wow, I knew music is powerful but boy, it's POWERFUL when someone is playing an instrument. This power duo is magic and individually, Gwen and Xander or amazing! If I were able to hear their music, it would be divine. Xander was such an asshole in the beginning! Gwen was just trying to get by. I loved how they were able to work together and fall in love. The Cello scene...WOW!

FIVE MASSIVE STARS! i loved this book so much. i thought the musical elements were so creative, unique, and beautiful. the way the music was both real and metaphorical was so cool and made for such an interesting plot. alex and gwen’s love story was everything: two insanely talented people with wildly different backgrounds and a lot of difficulties to overcome falling in the most exquisite partnership of love and collaboration. and it was enemies to lovers so HEYYYY! and he falls hard for her. like- my man was infatuated. also! insanely sexy — these scenes were angsty and HOT! i haven’t really read a book written like this before and i just enjoyed it immensely. i was rooting for gwen and alex on individual levels and as a couple, for their love and their careers and their joy. a great story for romance lovers!

To me, this book is perfect. Julie Soto can do no wrong. And the cello scene was insane. I was committed to their relationship from the beginning and loved the growth that they both showed

Absolutely loved this book! It was so well written! The characters were amazing! I just adore everything from Julie!! I can’t wait to read more from her! Highly recommend!

absolutely loved this! I was instantly hooked and wanted to read in all my spare time! I loved the characters and their chemistry - the tension, angst, and tenderness between them was so so good. ugh the pining!!!

Julie Soto never misses!
Xander is one of my top bookish boyfriends for sure. The way that Soto weaves Gwen and Xander’s love story together makes it so easy to imagine in my head.
This book is really tender and romantic! You want to root for them together but also root for them both individually as well. Their characters are so well written and I wish we got more of their story!

Thank you so much for the arc! This book was so beautiful and unique and I’m really intrigued by this author’s writing. I had heard so many great reviews about this book and I can say this book 100% lives up to its reputation.

A ton of friends read Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto last year but like a fool, I put it off! And dang am I mad I waited, because it’s so good!

I think what originally had me hesitating to pick this up was the cover and synopsis. I know nothing about musical instruments, so a romance between a violinist and a cellist didn’t immediately grab me. But I should have known better!

I loved Soto’s Forget Me Not in 2023 and I should have known her writing would make any topic amazing. There was a lot that went over my head, but I got sucked in so quickly despite that. And the passion and chemistry definitely didn’t go over my head! Gwen and Xander were 🔥🔥!

If you love a steamy romance, you need to pick this one up and see why I couldn’t stop reading! Once the spice hit, I was ALL IN on this book. The audiobook is definitely the way to go if you want the full effect of Soto’s steamy scenes. 😉 Narrators Savannah Peachwood and Oliver Clarke did great work. 🥵

And of course, I ended up learning a ton about orchestras and what makes a musical prodigy. 😆 And just how much sexual tension can build up while playing music together!

Five stars for this emotional, fun, and steamy romance!! I will definitely not sleep on reading Soto’s next book!!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto!

In *Not Another Love Song*, Julie Soto weaves a captivating tale of passion, rivalry, and unexpected romance set against the backdrop of Manhattan’s vibrant music scene. The story follows Gwen Jackson, a self-taught violinist, and Xander Thorne, a rock star cellist with a sharp edge. Both members of the Manhattan Pops orchestra, they couldn't be more different in their musical backgrounds, yet their undeniable chemistry is impossible to ignore.

When Gwen is offered the coveted first chair role that Xander has long desired, the tension between them escalates. This rivalry soon transforms into a slow-burning romance that keeps readers hooked. The dynamic between the two is electric, and as they collaborate to compose music together, their bond deepens, blending their distinct musical styles into something truly magical.

Soto masterfully explores the complexities of ambition, success, and vulnerability. The tension between professional and personal desires is palpable, and the question of whether their romance can survive the pressures of the competitive world they inhabit adds depth to the story. With its rich emotional layers and well-drawn characters, *Not Another Love Song* is a heartfelt and engaging read for anyone who loves stories about love, music, and the balance between passion and career.

A special thanks to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for providing the opportunity to experience this unforgettable story.

I loved this book in a way that I haven’t loved a contemporary romance in a LONG time. The balance between the romance and the plot was amazing and it’s a high I’ll be looking for something to replicate for a long time to come.

Late review because well I read a bunch of books, and then forgot to review them. WHOOPS.

I have read several of her books by now, and this one while it was good, different, was not my favorite of hers but still worth the read. Her villain's she comes up with makes you think shes experience something similar in real life to make them that displeasing to even read their name, it takes a great author to do that. This story was rivals to lovers, but make it with music. It was addicting, longing, and you do not need to wait a long time for excitement to happen, or drama. If you enjoy Star wars this one is definitely for you. It was cute!

4.5 stars
As someone who used to play the violin (then viola) for many years, dang did I love this book about two musicians down bad for each other. I loved the chemistry between Gwen and Alex, and him being boy obsessed? Oh yeah I was here for that. I was getting a smidge confused with their choices when it came to the conflict. The villains seemed pretty awful to me, and yet somehow they both kinda stood by one of them (even though they could acknowledge that neither bad guy was a good person) I don't know, I was just wondering why. I foresee that if I were to read this in the future, with all the context I got that I'd understand better! But other than that, I had such a good time with this book!

"They've been keeping you hidden," he said. "Ordinary. When you're anything but."

I am not a Star Wars girly nor am I musically knowledgeable in any way, shape or form, but let me tell you I ate this entire book up. From their "first" meeting on page to the CELLO SCENE (iykyk) to Christmas at Mabel's, I loved every second of it. The way Julie Soto used music to describe the scene and the emotions that were unfolding between characters was *chef's kiss*. I loved seeing growth between Gwen and Alex as they struggled with their own insecurities and why they love their respective instruments. Not to mention, that mini-reveal at the end about 'Mabel's brat' ahhhh. "Like all the harmonies had clicked into place." Obsessed.

This is my second book from Julie Soto and I've already marked her as one of my auto-buy authors. I can't wait for all her future releases!