⭐⭐⭐⭐

TROPES
🌮 Instalove
🌮 Grumpy/Sunshine
🌮 Forced Proximity
🌮 Workplace Romance
🌮 Rivals to Lovers

I absolutely devoured Forget Me Not, and have been so excited to read Julie Soto’s next book. As someone that spent a huge chunk of her life in the music world, I particularly enjoyed that aspect of it.

In terms of the relationship that forms between Gwen and Alex/Xander, it was rooted in something I love to see in books: feeling passionate about something again. Alex is clearly struggling to have a passion for his work anymore, likely because of the ambiguously not great situation he’s gotten himself in with contracts, and playing with Gwen brings that back for him. It’s difficult to always find something to love about things in life, and I like that a huge chunk of this story for him is going after that, even if it’s difficult.

While it may not have been as obvious, I truly think Gwen’s subtle growth is the best part of the book. She’s young and hasn’t had the life experience to quite understand everything happening around her, but she doesn’t necessarily shy away from that. She takes on a challenge, and when she finally realizes it’s not what she wants, she walks away from it. It takes time, but she gets there, and I think anyone can relate to taking a hot minute to recognize red flags. Like Alex, she seems to refind her passion for music in her connection with him, and I love that for both of them.

If you know what this book originally was, you will pick up on specific dynamics right away, but for me that didn’t take away from the original characters and their journeys.

Not Another Love Song- ARC Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
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PUB DATE: July 16th
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Features:
-Adult Contemporary Romance
-Two Musical Prodigies: A Cellist and a Violinist
-Rivals to Lovers
-Fresh and Unique Writing
-Glimpses into the professional music world
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WHAT I LIKED:
-Both leads go on a journey: Both MCs go through the process of finding their own path and what they want. As young musicians, many have told them who or what to be. In this story, they finally discover what they want for themselves.
-The chemistry: The chemistry and tension between the MCs was OFF THE CHARTS. Even if they are across the room from each other, you can FEEL all the sizzle.
-You can HEAR the music: Soto’s descriptions of the music come alive. Her writing made me feel like I could actually hear and see the performances.
-So Fresh! Soto writes stories that have never been done before. They are not predictable. They are not retellings or mash-ups of other stories. They are completely new and all their own.
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WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE:
-Not Knowing Who To Trust: I enjoy some mystery and twists, but it felt like Gwen didn't know who she could trust for the majority of the book. That level of anxiety was a bit too much for me, but for others that may just add to the thrill.
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Thank you @netgalley for my eARC copy. I was given this eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own

MY HEART!! The cello scene OMG. I love that this story focuses on two string players and touches on their careers. I loved that there was a side of Alex that only Gwen got to see and she fell in love with all sides of him. There is something about the way this is written that had be devouring it. I couldn’t put it down! This is my second book by Julie Soto and it did not disappoint and certainly lived up to the hype. If you want a workplace romance, he falls first, and found family, this book is the one for you!

Goodreads review is live. Instagram post will be live on 12-Jul-2024.

I loved this? Did it really start off as fanfiction? Unbelievable! Five stars and even better than her previous novel.

I am officially obsessed with Julie Soto. After finishing Forget Me Not, I was so excited to receive an ARC of Not Another Love song. It lived up to my expectations & went beyond. This book is currently my whole personality. Five big stars!

First chair violin & cello get freaky & serve fanfic energy.

The first 30-ish% was everything to me I was ready to give it 5 stars and then we just went downhill. I also wouldn't say this book gave rivals/enemies to lovers at all despite what I expected due to the reylo inspo. I think what really ended up losing me was the only time they were intimate was when they played music together or just performed etc., etc. Basically, they only liked each other for their musical prowess? At the root of it, our characters just didn't have an emotionally fulfilling relationship. All they did was boink & fight & boink again. The cello scene was to die for but the spicy got repetitive & boring because I didn't care about their relationship by the end. For me, this one really just gave fanfic & unforch not in a good way). I loved the idea of this one and liked the similar to Ali Hazelwood's work but it just ended up letting me down.

thank you to the publisher & Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this arc and give my honest review!

This book was EVERYTHING!!! Julie’s sophomore release just sings. I loved her first novel and I loved her second novel even more. The angst really got me in this one. I could feel both characters emotions so clearly. I played in band and orchestra in high school and I really enjoyed reading about that environment and reminiscing. I love the way Julie writes about music; I could almost hear what she was describing. A 10/10 read for me.

Genuinely don't know where to start with this review... this was hands down one of my favorite books I've read this year so far!

The relationship between Alex and Gwen is everything. Like my man was down BAD for her basically from the beginning and even if to her, he was the lead of her favorite band, her first impression of him was not great lets be real (man was kind of rude)

I think the thing i loved about this the most was no matter what, the love they shared for music was so beautiful and it made for such a beautiful story. I just absolutely loved everything about this book ( especially since i read the whole thing in a DAY i could not put it down!)

Highly highly HIGHLY recommend!!! I can imagine this is going to be one of my top five for sure!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Julie Soto and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I absolutely loved Forget Me Not and from our first glimpse of Xander in that book, I knew I’d be feral for him. I truly wasn’t prepared for how broody, sexy and downright swoon worthy this man would be. He had me in a death grip from the first scene and I’m down bad for him. AND he’s a musical prodigy?? Signed, sealed and delivered - I’m done for.

Gwen was such a breath of fresh air. She’s a talented individual but she still puts in the grit, determination and hard work that got her to where she was. She never wanted handouts from anyone and I admired that so much about her. I also loved her relationship with Mabel, Jacob and Declan!

All in all, this book was a super cute read and the band nerd in me loved all the musical details hehe. I can’t wait for the next one!

Another banger from Julie Soto. The former orchestra nerd in me was screaming when I saw this cover, and boy did she not disappoint.

So much chemistry, push and pull, “notice me” vibes, I loved it. Both characters had a hard time seeing what the other needed but I really enjoyed how it was resolved without too much pain. Some pain but not earth shattering how can we come back from this pain.

Also dying a little bit at the Taylor’s version reference and the end.

Read if you like:
🎻 Live Music
😠 Rivals to Lovers
🔥 Tension
🥵 Spicyyyy scenes
😤 Grumpy Kings
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Found Family

I ate this book up so quickly and did not want to put it down, to the point I stayed up late two nights in a row to keep reading past my bed time.

The tension between Gwen and Xander was off the freaking charts, and omg the way they came together and played music had me unable to stop reading as I was so immersed in allllllll the vibes. I used to play violin in middle school, so I truly felt like I was able to really immerse myself into the story with all the Orechestra talk, and the tension was just so palpable for me in the way Julie wrote these characters for me.

I loved how Xander truly saw Gwen and that he fed off knowing that she could be better than him, and that he truly wanted that for her- to see her shine as bright as possible. I love a man that wants to let the woman in his life shine bright, and this truly gave that.

Also, the subtle Taylor Swift references towards the end, truly made my swiftie heart so happy!!!

If you want your next romance you won’t want to put down, please do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Not Another Love Song & you won’t regret it!

Thank you Forever Pub for my ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This is a great book, I loved how the two Main characters meet. This book is a quintessential rivals or enemies to lovers story which is one of my favorite tropes.
It opens with Gwen filling in for another player at a wedding.
However, they want a cello player instead of a violinist.
Xander Thorne helps out by loaning his cello for Gwen to play. Only problem-she hasn't played the cello at all. She gets through it and now they are aware of each other's orbits.
It turns out that Xander is Alex-the first Cellist in the Pops.
The conductor, Nathan will do anything for crowds/popularity.
So he decides to make Gwen first chair much to Alex's dismay.
I won't spoil anymore of the book, This book is one of the best books of the year, I love how Julie Soto writes her characters.. A MUST READ!!!

I was super excited to get an ARC of this book especially after loving Forget Me Not so much! As someone who absolutely loves music and played a musical instrument (hello to all my fellow band nerds!), I absolutely adored this story!

I absolutely adored Gwen and I felt like I could relate to her so much. She was such a people pleaser and she was also a tad awkward in the beginning but it added to the charm of her character! I loved her! Alex/Xander was one of those characters that I wasn’t sure about at first.. he came off as super arrogant and was just straight up rude but I honestly just fell in love with him (no surprise there let’s be honest lol.) These two together?? I loved them so much! The tension? The chemistry?? The slow burn? The spicy scenes? Just yes to everything!!

On another note, I feel like music was a whole separate character in this story. Julie did such an amazing job explaining and describing all the musical scenes. Even if you know nothing about the instruments or even music at all, you’d know exactly the message she was trying to get across with the words in this story!

I have to say, I think I may have enjoyed this one more than Forget Me Not. It could be because of all the musical aspects of the story or maybe it’s the characters. I’m not sure, but I absolutely loved it and I can’t wait for her next book!

I knew I was going to love this book and BOY DID I!!!

Forget Me Not was a favorite book for me last year and I absolutely could not wait to get my hands on Not Another Love Song. I’ve also stared at this cover for no less than a collective 6 hours… so far.

This book gives us enemies/rivals to lovers, lots of drama and some peeks into our favorite people from the last book! For someone to write a book that is purely focused on music and compositions, I could almost hear the arrangements coming off the page. I could see the devotion both Gwen and Alex had while playing their instruments. As someone who has played concerts and been in orchestras, this book felt so real and passionate I felt like I was part of the group.

I will say that this book does read like a fan fiction at times where chapters were a tiny bit choppy (as fan fiction is typically released chapter by chapter) but I still felt the flow and growth was executed very seamlessly. I do wish we got a little bit more in the end of what the two MC’s goals were for the future. That felt a tiny bit disjointed for me.

Alex is the biggest simp known to mankind and I really believed the enemies/rivals to lovers plot. I also love when a man knows what he wants and goes after it, so the courting was some of my favorite. Also that tension!!! Anytime they were sitting across from each other at practice or a performance I was breathing heavyyyy 😮‍💨.

Read if you like:
🌶️ spicy books (3/5 - will never look at a cello the same and I mean that in the best way)
🤩 celebrity romance
🎻 orchestras and classical music
🤝🏼 coworkers to lovers
😤 enemies/rivals to lovers
🎶 being someone’s muse
🥵 passion

To the reviews who are saying these characters are unrealistic because no one can just “switch instruments so easily and sight read like it’s no big deal” has never played an instrument before and it shows.

I fell hard and fast for this one.

Not Another Love Song explores the relationship between two musical prodigies playing for the Manhattan Pops Orchestra who are from two completely different upbringings and live very different lives. Alex/Xander notices Gwen and quickly becomes obsessed with her brilliance and the fact that she doesn't realise it. We see them struggle with the pressures put on them by others and themselves, their strive for perfectionism, and figuring out who they truly are and want to be.

This love story was just so beautiful, and the music really became a main character too - to the point where I could hear and feel it all around.

Whilst I did find Gwen super naive and overly trusting at times, I think it's understandable based on her losing her entire family at a young age and just wanting to latch on and find somewhere she belongs. A lot of the characters are flawed in this book, which made it more real for me too - all I'm saying is that they ALL should have been in therapy at some point.

Thank you Julie Soto, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for this ARC.

✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ 1/2

This was such a fun read! Thank you NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for gifting me an e-arc for this honest review!

Not Another Love Song tells the collision of Gwen, a violinist of the Manhattan Pops Orchestra, and Xander Thorne, cellist of rock band Thorne & Roses and the aforementioned orchestra. Julie Soto hits all the right notes in this quick read romance.

As a classically-trained musician—albeit piano (one can dream about playing the cello) and whose day job is a music therapist—Gwen and Xander’s life and the world- building felt authentic. The character’s descriptions of music was evocative but didn’t come across cheesy or inaccurate. I rather liked how the main duo sometimes expressed themselves using musical terms occasionally. The proper use of music terms and real-life musicians I recognize showcases Soto’s research.

The story had steady pacing for the majority with good chemistry and tension between Gwen and Xander. I wish the ending conflict and resolution was delved into more; it resolved quickly like a rubber band snap-back. I wanted more meat in the impact.

Also I didn’t realize until after finishing that this story started off as a Reylo fanfiction. This read cleanly and understandably as a separate entity.

Not Another Love Song was truly one of the best books I’ve read this year. I was just hooked from the beginning and couldn’t stop smiling while reading. The writing, characters and romance were just beautifully written.

This was mainly in the heroine’s POV, with only a few chapters in the hero’s POV. There were some great tropes, like orchestra rivals, grumpy-sunshine, both music prodigies, he falls first, and a workplace romance.

The overall premise was unique and so enjoyable. The focus on classical music, the orchestra, and just music in general was beautifully describe and explored. I was just enthralled on how the music and romance were interwoven and created such beautiful and steamy moments.

The romance between the main characters was absolutely electric. The tension and angst was truly incredible. I just loved how passionate they both were with their music and how they connected and fell for each other through that. The spice was a literal work of art.

The third act conflict was filled with a bit of heartache and angst. Those last few chapters while a bit rushed was still captivating and kept me entertained. The conclusion was just so heartwarming.

Overall, this book just deserves a standing ovation.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

TOP TIER TENSION! WOW! I am at a loss for words here. This was my first Julie Soto read and it will not be my last (this book made me RUN to the store to buy Forget Me Not). It was such a beautiful love story intertwined with beautiful music I feel like I could hear within the pages.
The banter between the characters was so good. Started off enemies to lovers, all from her POV. But then it’ll randomly surprise you with a chapter from his POV and I just melted, swooned!!! And amazing found family trope, as well. Would 10/10 recommend.

Oh this book just tugged at my heart!

With vivid descriptions, author Julie Soto brings us a Reylo fan fic turned novel that I absolutely adored.

I literally could feel the music of this book, and the pining of Xander/Alex was superb! Gwen and Alex had some amazing chemistry, and you could tell how they had a connection between their emotions and their music. It was just beautiful.

I really appreciated that we got Alex’s POV, it really helped me as a reader understand him more. The author did such an amazing job writing the emotions of these characters.

It was an extra special treat to see some characters from Forget Me Not make an appearance!

Oh my gosh, I absolutely flew through this one - I loved it and was sad to see it end. We follow Gwen, an violinist, as she navigates trying to find herself (and her voice) within the music industry. Through this process, she begins getting closer to a cellist (Xander), despite his grumpy exterior that infuriates her. I loved the banter between the two MC’s, it added to the tension and chemistry between the two. I enjoyed how the two MC’s made each other better, with Xander helping Gwen come into her own and realize she doesn’t have to impress anyone because she is impressive all on her own. He pushed her while she helped him realize the different parts of himself could coexist together. I adored the romance and loved every second I spent reading this book. I love Julie Soto’s writing and romances, and can’t wait for her next book! Thank you to Netgalley and the published for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.