Very unique and fun to read!

Swoon-worthy and easily able to sweep me off into the melody this book created. I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. I think the music element was very intriguing, and it helped the book feel more captivating. Gwen was an interesting MC, and I found it easy to follow her journey. Though I did prefer seeing Xander's growth the most. Overall, the thing that captivated me the most was the music, and the idea that music is this freeing and powerful thing. I almost felt like I could hear the music through the text which was mesmerizing to experience.

I wasn't a super huge fan of the weird pop-ups of Xander's POV. I didn't hate it, but it was a little to random and sporadic for my liking. I did feel like the last 75 pages were a little rushed, but overall, I thought the pacing was pretty solid. I'm not sure how I felt about the whole general plot, but I think the romantic plot was quiet beautiful and well-written.

Overall, I very much enjoyed reading this. I thought the musical elements of this book made it very whimsical and made it stand out from other romances I've read. The romance was enjoyable and the spice was also a nice touch without being too overbearing to the plot. Definitely would recommend this one!

Big thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Julie Soto for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts and feelings. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 4.5/5

This was a delicious read! Slow burn meets musicians meets steaming hot tension!

I loved the music side - it was informational but also put simple enough for non-musicians to follow.

The slow burn and tension was done really well. I was rooting for the MCs.

Highly recommend this - a great summer read!!

Whew! This book had a little bit of everything! I am not usually a fan of orchestral music or instruments, but I felt like I learned a lot from this story! The romance between the two characters was amazing and I really enjoyed some of those cello scenes. While the main story was from the FMC POV, having some small glimpses from the MMC was nice. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that likes spicy scenes, youngish adults, and New York.

Review: Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for the opportunity to read this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Not Another Love Song is an angsty, emotional romance between two rising stars in the music scene in NYC. Gwen Jackson and Xander Thorne have followed extremely different pathways that led them to being part of the Manhattan Pops Orchestra at the same time. Despite their differences, Gwen and Xander’s connections to music and the chemistry between them forces them to collide with white hot passion, but can their growing feelings survive the pressure of the buzz they’ve created at the box office?

OH MY GOD I LOVE THIS BOOK! I devoured Not Another Love Song in a single day - I could not put it down! The dynamic of Gwen and Xander is top tier - their musical bond! The intimacy! The pinning! The lust! I need Xander Thorne to teach me how to play the cello! 🥵

Not Another Love Song will be published July 16th 2024 and you can bet I will be running to get a copy so I can have Julie Soto sign it at Steamy Lit Con! Julie Soto is now an instant ‘add to cart’ author!

This was more first read by Julie Soto and I enjoyed it! It was a cute read about two passionate musicians that don't necessarily start off on the right now but eventually fall in love through their passion for the music. Both have always felt as if they were conditioned to play their instruments in unique ways, always being told what they want to do. They both had a love for it but they were feeling drained trying to commit to others expectations in a way. They found each other and despite bumping heads in the beginning they both ignited each others passion reminding them what they love the music to make and perform and eventually bringing them to love each other. I'm excited to read more from Julie Soto in the future.

Not Another Love Song

"Don't worry. It's not a love song."

OH MY HEART THIS BOOK! I absolutely devoured it. The banter, the spice, the high stakes orchestra drama. I loved everything about it.

Gwen is a violinist with the Manhattan Pops, playing a wedding when the bride specifically requests she plays a cello instead. In a whirlwind of a yes, she is suddenly borrowing a cello from Xander Thorne - lead of Thorne and Roses, plays cello across from her in the Pops and potentially her celebrity crush. While Zander was definitely on Gwen's radar, she pops up on his after hearing her play his cello while he stands in his best friend's wedding. Their jobs bring them together and what follows is a beautiful melody of undeniable chemistry and finding yourself in a song... But definitely NOT a love sone.

Y'all, do not sleep on this book, you don't want to miss it!

Check this one out if you're looking for:
- Workplace romance
- Orchestra / musician romance
- Supportive friend groups
- A cello scene that carriage scenes can't touch

Not Another Love Song is on shelves July 16, 2024T Thank you to Netgalley and Forever for this eARC!

An orchestra has never looked or sounded this hot...until now 🤭

🎵 Rivals to Lovers
🎻 Musical Proteges
🎵 The TENSION
🎻 He Falls First

This had a slow start but boy oh boy when I hit chapter 10...all bets were OFF. The sexual tension in the whole book is insane, but in that particular chapter with the Cello 👀, I was sweating bullets! 🥵 Their chemistry was nuclear, and I really like how the majority of this was not overtly sexual. The nuance of it in the story, and how music played such an integral part in the build up and inevitable release of this sexual tension was so good.

I also loved how absolutely down bad the MMC was for the FMC in this. You only really got like 5 little chapters thrown throughout from Xander/Alex's POV but I went feral for them. I love when the FMC thinks the MMC hates her and then you get his perspective and he's like "omg she's perfect I think I'm gonna die" 🥰. It's so silly but it gets me every time.

The only thing I didn't like is that the author tells you in the disclaimer before the book even starts that she wrote this as Reylo fanfiction...I didn't need to know that personally 🫣. I couldn't get it out of my head in the beginning and in my opinion it isn't necessary to tell. The story stands on its own, and all it did for me (until I pushed it out of my mind), was try and make unnecessary connections. I would have never thought Reylo if she hadn't said that personally, and it didn't improve my experience...so unless there is a legal reason she had to state that, maybe just don't? 🤷🏼‍♀️

Overall I'd definitely recommend this! Prepare yourself for a bit of a slow start, but know that the payoff will be worth the wait! These two will steal your heart, and you will be 100% rooting for both of their success.

I will say too I didn't read the first book in the series (Forget Me Not) and I really don't think you need to go in order. The FMC from that one is in this a little, and there is a mention of the MMC but that's it. So you really can go into this one blind and still have such a good time 🤗. BUT I do plan on going back and reading that one too.

I look forward to reading more from Julie Soto in the future 💜

I absolutely adored this so so much.

The tension between the main characters was everything!!!!! I was squealing into my pillow and kicking me feet throughout the whole book.

Idiots in love is one of my fave tropes & I feel like Julie Soto really gave me that in this.

God, I was so excited for this. Forget Me Not was one of my top reads last year, and I wanted so badly for this one to live up to it, but sadly for me it did not.

If felt like this book simply did not know what it wanted to be. I LOVED all the music nerdy, and I am always down for a Reylo romance, but there was just too much going on here and after a pretty strong start it kind of devolved into chaos with too many different threads.

This book was cute, sweet, spicy, and had all the vibes you want out of a romance. As a former string player I appreciate the premise of the tension between violin and hello, looking at each other around the conductor . Was this book realistic? Meh. Could I pick up a cello and figure it out? Yea sure with some massive brain work. Could I do it well enough to switch out for an actual performance?? No. It definitely requires a disconnect from reality if you have musical background. The machinations of the conductor and the agent were effectively evil enough, I loved the scooter reference. The perfectly placed contractual lawyer was a little convenient.
Overall I enjoyed it while reading because I didn’t pick it apart, but will probably instantly forget nearly all of it.

Thank you to netgalley for the earc.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Not Another Love Song is a compelling rivals-to-lovers romance between two string players, Gwen Jackson and Xander Thorne, both musical prodigies who have taken different paths to success. Julie Soto’s writing is descriptive, vivid, and emotionally resonant. Her portrayal of music is particularly captivating. Additionally, the cameo from Ama and Elliot (from Forget Me Not) was a delightful surprise.

While I found the characters engaging, Gwen’s people-pleasing nature was somewhat frustrating, as she often failed to stand up for herself throughout the book. Xander’s arrogance and early criticisms of Gwen were also not particularly endearing. However, I appreciated how both Gwen and Xander experienced significant character growth, overcoming their individual hardships and ultimately coming back together stronger as a couple. The third-act breakup felt somewhat clichéd, though it was mercifully brief.

Overall, I rated this book four stars and look forward to reading more of Julie Soto’s work.

I really enjoyed this one!! It was hard putting it down. I love me a grumpy x sunshine trope and this one nailed it. Julie Soto wrote this story so beautifully. It was super information when describing how an orchestra is structured. I was invested in all the characters. And the spicy scenes were so good! Definitely recommend this one 🎻

This was my first Julie Soto book and it will not be my last. This was emotional and hilarious. Plus the spice was spicing. I loved it so much. And it was about a cellist?! Like damn I didn't expect the spice based off the cover. But phew

5⭐️
Who knew classical musicians could be so freaking sexy?! Because I didn’t, but Julie Soto has convinced me! I read Forget Me Not last year and was simply obsessed with all of the tension and romance that was being served, so I knew that I would 100% be reading her next book. And EXCUSE ME because this was literally show stopping-ly good!!! Like I’m literally sad that it’s over because the tension, the rivalry, and the spice were that freaking fantastic. While I have had zero interest in classic music or musicians, this book had me frothing at the mouth for the chemistry that Xander and Gwen had while playing. Like the Cello scene in Xander’s apartment was one of the hottest things I’ve read. We also have characters that have their own complexities and actual problems that aren’t related to miscommunication or some dumb actions by either of the characters. This one just hit the nail on the head for what a perfect contemporary romance should be. Now I need more Julie Soto books in my life and I will be VERY patiently waiting for her next release in 2025😇 (jk…GIVE IT TO ME NOW).

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC of Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto. This is such a captivating story of rivals turned lovers between a cellist and a violinist, where the tension is palpable! It took me a while to get into it initially because of the musical references that I wasn't very familiar with, but around a quarter of the way through, the story really grabbed my attention. The interactions between Gwen and Xander had me hooked! Julie Soto portrayed the intense sexual tension and longing between the characters so convincingly, especially in the cello scene! It was truly jaw-dropping – she nailed it! So steamy!

I was obsessed with this book the entire time I was reading it. I loved The Auction and Forget Me Not, but this book had something different about it. It was witty and brilliant and packed full of tension. I’m pretty sure my heart stopped at one point during the cello scene. My one tiny complaint is that it followed the typical romance book formula so that I always knew when there was about to conflict and when it would be resolved. However, this did not make me love the book any less. At this point, I will read anything that Julie Soto creates. 4.75/5⭐.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Absolutely loved it! The story is set in NYC and the main characters are both vying for the elite position of first chair of a pop orchestra. The author built amazing chemistry and tension between the two leads, and I liked the musical backdrop. Very different from Forget Me Not (which I also loved), but several of the characters made cameos which was fun- I will definitely continue to read this author!

This one is out 7/16/24- add it to your cart!

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗜 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰, 𝗜 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗱.
{𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗪𝗔𝗦 𝗜𝗧}🎶❤️

Not Another Love Song gives us two very passionate people who express themselves with music rather than words. Gwen just wants stability through her job so she doesn't suffer as she did in her past. As soon as Gwen is in a pickle where she has to pick up an instrument that isn't her go-to, all bets are off as soon as Xander hears her for the first time. 🎻✨ AGHHH

Xander is a grumpy musician who is in a band but also in the same orchestra as Gwen, and they couldn't be more different. Gwen needs the job, and Xander appears he doesn't care. Little do they know that once they start playing music together, they don't create just another love song but something even better. 💕🎼

This book is perfect for readers who love tension, have a thing for musicians (even classical ones), and adore a good "don't stop playing" scene (if you know what I mean 😉).

XANDER THORNE IS A MAN, PERIOD. Just had to put it out there. 💯🔥

5⭐️!!!

Tropes:
🎻Rivals to Lovers
🎻Grumpy x Sunshine
🎻He Falls First
🎻Dual POV (3rd person)

Thank you, Julie Soto, Netgalley & Forever Publishing, for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!! AND YES, that Cello Scene did change my life. 💫

. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.post-reading vibes⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.
Julie Soto did it again! made something that i never thought would be sexy into something HOT, EMOTIONAL AND MESMERIZING 💞

4.5 stars

I LOVED this book. Julie Soto writes such unique, fun romances. I'm sure there are a ton of other romances out there between musicians who perform together in an orchestra, but there's something about her writing that made this feel so refreshing and new - I could not put this down.

The musical setting for this book created the perfect backdrop for tension filled moments between our main characters, Gwen and Alex, and also a bunch of creative ways to work out said tension together lmao. The way the spice was done felt like art and like they were legit making music together. It was beautiful.

I was in choir and have never played an instrument, so my background in music only slightly helped me while reading this lol. I'll admit that there were a lot of terms/concepts that kinda went over my head, though I think I got the gist of it with the way the author described it all. Despite not always understanding what they were talking about, I was still glued in.

Gwen and Alex's connection was definitely on soulmate level. I loved how they didn't even need to use words sometimes and yet they knew exactly what the other was asking. This was incredibly impressive when they were playing music together - it's like they were one person just doing the thing they loved the most. I loved how deeply Alex believed in Gwen and challenged her to be the musician that he knew she could be. It was really fun to watch her blossom the way she did.

Also, the cameos from the characters from Forget Me Not were such a fun treat! I liked how it didn't feel fan service-y and how like they were integrated as a real part of the story (although I'm a slut for cameos so I would have loved it even if it was fan service-y lmao).

My only complaint was that I wish we'd gotten more of Alex's POV (I think I had a similar issue when I read Forget Me Not). What we did get was very little and it felt like a tease, but not in a way I like lol. I feel like I didn't really get to know him as much as we got to know Gwen. Don't get me wrong, we got a lot, but he didn't feel as fleshed out as Gwen's character.

Regardless, this was an easy almost 5 star read and I know it's going to be a hit. Can't wait to read what Julie Soto does next.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

i ate this up!! this book was magically beautiful. I found Xander and Gwen's relationship to be funny at first with their banter and then i was completely swooning over them before i knew it. Xander falls SO hard for Gwen, i absolutely loved it. Whenever we have a "he falls first" situation, i'm obsessed. i loved their natural chemistry and how they build each other up too. these two were hottt. Other than the romance in this story, i really loved the way that the author incorporated the music element throughout the book. whether it was giving the reader an understanding of the first chair system, the different instruments, or incorporating them playing with intimate scenes; it just brought this book to another level. You also have a big family dynamc/found family situation that becomes very interesting and has you on the edge of your seat. I was fully invested into these characters, their lives, and their futures in such a short time. round of applause to julie!!! standing ovation!!!