Loved everything about this book! I was hooked from the beginning! I loved the rivals to lovers trope and the character cameos from Forget Me Not!

✨ARC Review✨

⭐⭐⭐ for Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto

I will preface this by saying I loved her first book, Forget Me Not, so much, and I was so excited to receice this arc and had such high expectations...but this one didn't live up to the hype for me.

I found there to be a distinct lack of chemistry between the two MCs; Xander was arrogant and rude, both to others and to the FMC, didn't like her/didn't know she existed really, and suddenly he liked her without any real build-up to his feelings changing for the better.

The descriptions of them playing music together were lovely, and the glimpses into Alex/Xander's head through his few chapters in his POV were interesting, though I wish there'd been more.

Gwen was a bit too naïve for my tastes, as it was clear as day Nathan was manipulating her for his own gain, and it grated on my nerves. I enjoyed it enough to read it through to the end, but I didn't love it unfortunately.

Thank you to Netgalley and Forever for a copy in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

4⭐️

U was kindly provided with the ARC of this book by NetGalley and the publishers in exchange of an honest review so thank you!

This was my first Julie Soto book and now I NEED to read Forget Me Not because I need to read the story of Ama and Elliot 🙊

Oh Gwen and Xander I love you both, I loved their story and how they both grow together as a team/couple and also as individuals, I really enjoyed their dynamics and how the helped es her other to be better ✨

I’m looking forward to keep reading Julie Soto’s books ✨

Julie Soto can do no wrong in my eyes! She came back with her second published book and hit it out of the park...again! This seriously was the book I didn't know I needed.

You have Gwen, a 22 year old violinist with the Manhattan Pops. She's an orphan but has an amazing roommate who's been her friend since middle school, Jacob, and her violin tutor who is like her mother, Mable. Gwen is sweet and young, a little shy but passionate, dreams of being a soloist and loves this rock cello group called Thornes and Roses.

You have Xander Thorne who just happens to be THE Thorne in Thornes and Roses and also plays cello in the Pops with Gwen. He's arrogant, grumpy and doesn't seem to care about anything and certainly has never noticed that he plays with sweet Gwen in the Pops....until he see's her play at his bandmates wedding he's in. And then he can't get her out of his mind.

These two come together and it's got all the emotion of the most intense love song that just takes out to another place. Seriously reading their love story and their lives intertwine with the music they play together was beautiful and I felt like I could almost hear their song while I was reading. I honestly could also imagine this for the screen as well. (Someone please option this book for a movie adaptation!!!)

I loved that we got peeks of the Sacramento crew from Forget Me Not. I was not expecting that but I love that they all exist in the same universe. I loved that the 3rd act breakup was short. I love how Soto creates not only the best MC's but also she creates wonderfully fleshed out side characters that I want more of (Dom and Ama's best friend next?!).

*Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

What a hottie mc hot hottie of a book - I cannot believe that this book was left in the querying graveyard for so long instead of being snatched up immediately. Everyone is talking about the cello scene and for GOOD REASON!! It's literally on the cover of the book and is one of the most sensual love scenes I've read in awhile. Gwen and Alex are at odds from the start - between his apathetic demeanor and their competition for first chair in the Manhattan Pops orchestra, they have every reason to hate each other. But it's hard to hate your first musical crush, especially when they're a mega hot rockstar with mommy issues who performs shirtless to stadiums. The steam, the plot, the descriptions of the music... This book is EVERYTHING.

Julie Soto also does such a good job at writing casual villains - you could blink and miss them in real life. I loved how Xander and Gwen each had their own villains and how they played off one another. Plus of course we love to see them get their just desserts. Now I'm just left wondering who the next book will focus on. Maybe Mar and Dom?? (His puppy dog eyes got me keyed up!!)

A hot cover worthy of a hot book 🔥

I was completely hooked and ENTERTAINED from the very beginning! The plot was engaging seeing as how I kept anxiously wanting to see what was next after each chapter! Safe to say I really enjoyed this rivals to lovers story, with Gwen being a violinist and Alex a cellist. The chemistry and attraction between these two was HOT! ❤️‍🔥

Julie Soto had such a way of writing the musical aspects of this book! I could feel every emotion Gwen and Alex were conveying through their melodies. And I loved how she included the violin and cello in the story and did not just set them aside. It was all beautifully written! 🎻🎶

Ya’ll this book was so steamy and just sensual! I loved how the spice wasn’t added just for the sake of having spice. Rather it was written in a way that connected to the story! Wait until you read the scene associated with the cover because, yes it’s iconic. 🔥

I can’t wait until I have my hands on the physical copy out on July 16th!

Thank you NetGalley, Forever Publishing, and Julie Soto for the e-arc.

I really ate this book up!!! I read it and enjoyed it all too quickly I must say!!! I knew I needed to read this one after loving Forget me not and this one did not disappoint.

-Professional orchestra
-SLOW burn
-Forced prximity

I loved this so much! While I don't feel like it was as strong as story as Forget Me Not, I loved the characters and how they interacted. Not being a music person, some of the Orchestra stuff felt a little far fetched to me, but it was still a fun and entertaining read!

Quick Synopsis: Both musical prodigies with wildly different paths to their current ensemble, down-to-earth Gwen Jackson meets THE Xander Thorne, famous cellist from Thorne and Roses, while playing at a wedding. Despite having worked together in the Manhattan Pops for a year, Xander never knew that Gwen existed before his bandmate’s wedding. And he has a LOT to say about her technique. When Gwen becomes first chair of the orchestra, their tension rises further. As they learn more about each other and find respect for the other’s skills, so grows their chemistry. But forces are at play to keep them apart. Can Gwen and Xander overcome family, work, and life plan conflicts to compose their masterpiece relationship?

Review: As a musician myself, I was very excited to receive this ARC. That was accentuated by the many positive reviews already posted for the novel. I enjoyed the story overall and it was a pretty easy read, but this just wasn’t a big hit for me personally. The writing CONSTANTLY references the name and/or price of Xander’s top-tier cello, which started to grate on me after the first few times. Admittedly, this is a personal annoyance, but it happened throughout the WHOLE story.

I also found Xander’s initial attitude to be unrealistically moody. I love a redemption ARC as much as the next person, but having sat in many ensembles throughout my life, I cannot comprehend someone not even having facial recognition for another member that they see more days than not. Plus, the behavior that he exhibits as an orchestra member would not be tolerated long-term, much less leaving that person still highly revered by the rest of the members simply because they’re famous.

All of this said, I did enjoy seeing their relationship develop once Gwen and Xander truly gave themselves a chance. The family drama was good, though again, Xander’s mom’s lack of awareness about her husband’s actions during her son’s whole life was mind-boggling. Absolutely no one is shocked that the big shot music producer is a sleeze ball, and as we already know, I love a sassy BFF side-character.

This was my first Julie Soto novel, and I would read another to see if me not loving this particularly story was a one-off.

Thank you to NetGalley, Forever Publishing, and the author Julie Soto for access to this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Overall rating: 3.5 / 5
Spice: 3 / 5

I have read this ARC twice now along with Julie’s first book and I love her! The writing is exceptional, the emotions seem real, the characters are people you want to know, and the settings are integral to the story.
Order your copy now!
Thank you Netgalley for this wonderful read.

Thank you Forever and Grand Central Publishing for my copy! All thoughts are my own.

I need to say this in all caps: I LOVE THIS BOOK. I love it, I love it, I love it. It was truly a book that left me breathless. From the writing, to the characters, to the story building and tension, it was a magical read. It is grounded in reality and yet also so swoony and person. It will likely be my favorite romance of the year and i need Julie Soto to release a hundred more books so i can continue to live in her words.

Synopsis:

“When professional—and self-taught—violinist Gwen Jackson plays, she disappears into the peaks and valleys of each song, a quiet passion that never quite explodes into pure emotion. Xander Thorne is the exact opposite. A cellist and a rock star, he’s all about big emotion, but not even his six-foot-four frame can contain his skill, his genius . . . and an attitude that borders on jerkitude. Not only did it take Xander a year to notice that he and Gwen both play in the Manhattan Pops, but he also always seems to have the perfect cutting criticism about her technique. When Gwen is offered the role of first chair of the orchestra, something Xander has secretly coveted for years, their existing hostility goes up a notch. Yet, despite her best efforts, Gwen can’t ignore the sizzling chemistry between them.           Forced to work more closely with each other, they can’t help exploring their attraction. As they begin to compose and play songs together, it’s clear that their powerful connection could make for a performance that would blow everyone’s minds. Suddenly, they’re box office dynamite, and the fragile romance growing between them is in danger of being crushed beneath a publicity stunt.” —NetGalley

What I Liked:

The Writing—The writing of this book was visceral and passionate. It moves across the page like a song, lulling you and relaxing you until the book is finished.

The Tension—EXCELLENT tension and excellent stakes! Everything felt so real, tangible, and honest.

The Pacing—The story moved at a pace that made the tender moments gentle and the emotion filled ones riddled with bumps and turns that kept the reader reading. I am obsessed with these characters and their world.

What Didn’t Work for Me:

Nothing—I loved this book so much and it is in the running for my favorite romance of the year. a truly remarkable feat in the genre.

Character Authenticity: 5/5 Spice Rating: 2/5 Overall Rating: 5/5

Content Warnings:

death of a parent, sexual harassment, toxic relationship

After really enjoying Julie Soto’s debut Forget Me Not, I’m sad to say that her new novel Not Another Love Song really didn’t work for me. The author’s note in the beginning explains how she wrote this long before Forget Me Not, and unfortunately I could only think about that throughout reading. The writing of this book feels much weaker, from the characters being much more immature and undeveloped to the plot feeling convoluted and implausible. I really wanted to love this as I so enjoy artistic characters and a creative set-up like musicians, which can lead to great chemistry and romantic scenarios, but this book just felt like a step back for Soto and I wish she’d focused on writing something brand new.

I loved this book so much! Julie Soto can do no wrong. Sexy, funny, emotional. This book has it all! And that cello scene 🔥🔥🔥

I read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Wow.... this book. So intense and beautiful. It was going to be 5 stars the whole way... but the ending let me down a bit. I don't want to get caught up in focusing on the negative, because this story is stunning. I just wished the ending was more in Gwen's favor. Lorenz should've had his comeuppance, and Alex should've been grovelling to Gwen more. On his knees begging. Not seducing her, but unsure of her feelings because he let her down.
Besides that, it was amazing. Loved it, will be recommending it, just like Julie Soto's previous book.
4.5 stars

STUNNING!!! This was perfect from beginning to end. The chemistry between the two main characters who were musical prodigies could be felt off the page. This book was hot and emotional and I didn’t want it to end! Julie Soto is making me want to read fanfiction. The icing on the cake was getting to experience the characters form her first traditionally published book, Forget Me Not.

I am undone. First off? THIS COVER. I loved this even more than Forget Me Not! This is Reylo through and through. The steam is fantastic, and the love Gwen and Alex developed with each other was beautiful. And I loved that Ama and Elliot made multiple appearances!

If I'm going to pick up a Contemporary Romance, it has to have a unique premise. And Not Another Love Song did not disappoint. I loved learning about professional orchestras, and the musical descriptions throughout were beautiful. Music is a language of its own, and seeing it write Alex and Gwen's love story was enchanting. The characters were well developed. I was invested in Gwen and Alex, and I LOVED Mabel and Ava and their shared history. I loved that Julie was intentional in the spicy scenes with showing what consent looks like! I love to see healthy, positive 🌶️ scenes modeled in books!

This was a solid 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ for me. Act 3 was a little predictable and easily resolved. I would have appreciated a bit more conflict so it had more impact.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for a copy of the arc!

4.5 stars

This was SO GOOD. I loved this book so much I will be reading the the first one immediately. The plot was great, I loved the characters, and it had the perfect amount of spice without overdoing it. It was also fun to read about a first chair perspective playing in an orchestra, especially for someone who doesn't have a musical bone in their body.

I liked Forget Me Not, but couldn't what was in the book that was so hyped up online. So I was pleasantly surprised at how much I LOVED Not Another Love Song. Julie builds tension between Gwen and Alex so well that I was captivated from the beginning. If you’re a fan of classical music, NYC, slow burns, and a man who is down baaaaaaaad, I think you’ll really enjoy this too.

Gwen and Alex have so much in common yet having completely different upbringings. Alex was raised with the expectation of being great, and to escape those suffocating expectations, he finds a mentor who tells him what he’s always wanted to hear and takes on the persona Xander Thorne. Gwen’s raw talent is what propelled her into her position in Pops orchestra, but when her mentor and the closest thing to family she has isn’t always supportive of her, she ends up being able to be swayed by the upper leadership in Pops.

Alex is such an interesting main character and I loved the balance of him being a broody grumpy artist yet also being so soft and smitten towards Gwen. This book was also super HOT and I feel like Julie was able to balance the heat of the moment, the emotion between the couple, and tying in musical terms to carefully craft these scenes.

Once again, Julie Soto knocked it out of the park. In Not Another Love Song, we get to meet two talented musicians: Gwen and Xander (Alex). She's a talented violinist who plays with the Pops Orchestra and he's a talented cellist who also plays in the Pops but is also uber famous for the band he's in. She knows who he is because she's crushed on him for a while....he has no clue who she is until they meet at a wedding. He quickly becomes enamored with her, while she's nothing but flustered, and bam! one brief post-wedding meeting where he insults her and she gets her feelings hurt and we're off to the land of romance.

Over the course of months we get to see him fall for her, see her try to reject him, see him continually put his foot in his mouth, see her mistrust and doubt throw them curveballs, and see his mistrust do the same. We get to see him realize how truly talented she is, to see her get to shake him up out of his protective bubble, and see them merge into what could be a musical super couple. Of course nothing is ever that easy. There are bad guys, past histories that mess with their heads, and yet....and yet they have people hoping and rooting for them to figure it out.

I enjoyed Not Another Love Song so much. I loved being in the world of orchestral music and all of the intrigue there could be there. I'm so glad I found Julie Soto and I just am so very eager to see who/what she writes next.