There’s a formula that guarantees I will love a book: spicy, based in New York City and a career choice I could’ve never imagined but immediately wish I had considered. Not Another Love Song captures all of these things and then expands on them with a beautiful tribute to the art of classical music.

Despite playing in the same orchestra for a year, Xander” Alex” Thorne doesn’t seem to know Gwen Jackson exists until Gwen captures his ears and heart with an impromptu cello performance. On the other hand, Gwen used to have a poster of Xander on her wall and remains underwhelmed by his arrogance and persistent tardiness. Alex and Gwen's rival-to-lovers romance was enchanting to read, and their combined musical talent left me feeling regretful that I cannot play an instrument. The cast of supporting characters was well-rounded and helped keep the plot fresh throughout the novel.

I loved the classical music references, the realness of the starving artist in New York City, and the instant chemistry between Gwen and Alex. While the novel is primarily from Gwen’s point of view, we get snippets of insight from Alex, which enable the reader to connect with both characters. Their tension is taut, and their literal and figurative music-making is electric! Soto has an evident love of the arts, and how she has woven music and the physical labor of creating art into this novel was heavenly.

I had two tiny obstacles while reading: I felt the family drama resolved too quickly, and I would have loved Alex’s POV on the conflict resolution. While the character’s insight wasn’t super deep (what was there worked for the context), both had enough growth to satisfy you with the ending. Overall, this type of romance leaves the reader unable to sleep because you must finish the book immediately. Therefore, I think this is a novel the majority of romance readers are going to love!

the emotion! the yearning! the sexual tension! this book was deeply romantic and with such a satisfying conclusion. at times, i found myself so angry with alex that i didn’t think there could be redemption, but the ending pulled it all together.

"It's about a cello who fell in love with a violin."

3.75 stars

so stinkin cute. i enjoyed forget me not, so i was so excited to start this! a romance between two musical prodigies is so interesting even if i have zero knowledge on any sort of music.

i really was enjoying this at first, i love the mysterious broody mmc who discovers the fmc's talents for the very first time and becomes inexplicably obsessed. their onstage chemistry along with the feelings def made this interesting, and there a good balance between plot and romance.

i do have some issues with this sadly, to keep this spoiler free all ill say is that the mmc does not know how to stand up for himself when it matters most and the fmc cannot stand confrontation, she rather just leave things than fix them! the third-act was so stoopid i don't know why they're still a thing in fiction. it somehow gave me a slight ick with the mmc yikes.

on a positive note i loved the side characters (talking about you jacob and declan) and the ending was saur cute. plus the cover scene had me blushing a lil hehe.

thank you to netgalley and publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I go to an orchestra performance and ask, "So what does the conductor actually do?" Julie Soto watches the orchestra and asks, "But what if first violin & first cello kissed?"

To that point, the romantic tension is some of the best ever written. The attraction between Gwen & Xander may be instant but the burn is deliciously paced. The explicit sex scenes are a dance set to the music they inspire each other to write or play.

Their chemistry as musicians is just as hot. Gwen is disciplined where Xander is uninhibited. Yet, together they balance and harmonize and share the push & pull of duets.

Through the very intense romance there is also healing happening. Xander and Gwen are both musical prodigies with very different beginnings. Born into a musical dynasty, Xander was never given the choice to be anything other than great. As a teenager, Gwen was too busy ensuring she'd be good enough to make a living wage and escape from earlier tragedies. They both put up masks when they play. Seeking validation, acceptance, and love they so dearly lacked in their early life.

Validation comes from their audiences. Acceptance from their peers. Playing music together opens their hearts to love.

I'm going to be thinking of NOT ANOTHER LOVE SONG for a very long time. Xander and Gwen are the soulmate ship of my heart. I'm full on the food of love.

Thank you Netgalley & Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I lovedddd this book! I devoured it in about a day or two. Their banter was so engaging and I really appreciated how often Alex showed up for Gwen. I only wished that we got more POV’s from Alex.

Gwen is a talented Violinist with the Manhattan Pops. She meets Cellist Alexander Fitzgerald-who is more famously known as Xander Thorne. Xander fronts an electric strings band called Thorne and Roses. He also happens to have joined the Manhattan Pops newest season. Together they may prove to be more than partners in music as their undeniable chemistry blooms.

Julie Soto does it again! Soto’s ability to create such palpable tension between Gwen and Alex is unlike any author I’ve read. Not Another Love Song is a fun, sexy work of fiction that will have take you on a whirlwind of laughs and even some tears. Can’t wait for Julie Soto’s next work!

Five stars ⭐️!! I am OBSESSED with this book!! I know nothing about instruments and music but this book had me hooked. The characters were wonderful and I loved seeing characters from the author’s previous book. The spice level was great!! I loved how Gwen and Alex’s relationship developed through the story. Alex’s devotion for Gwen was so fun to read!

So nice I had to read it twice... no joke. As soon as I finished this, I immediately re-read it. It's that good! As a former musician, this book spoke to me on so many levels. There were several times I had the urge to go pull out my flute and start playing again. It made me miss playing in a concert band! Goodness.

But the characters are clearly the rockstars in this book (pun intended). Gwen is so utterly relatable in her awkwardness and inability to see how talented she is. She's so cute, I just want to put her in my pocket. For a rockstar, Alex is insanely sweet. There were so many soft moments between them that made me smile like an insane person, giggle, and kick my feet like a school girl. The way the tips of his ears would turn red in embarrassment was so freaking cute, too. Ugh. I just love these two. Being a huge Reylo obviously makes me love them more, but any person who is a fan of romance will adore these two.

I loved the ending and how all of the lose ends were tied up so nearly and in such a lovely way. But I ABSOLUTELY need more! What are they up to now? 5 years down the road? 10? 20? I NEED TO KNOW. That's how obsessed I am. If you read it, you will be, too.

P.S. I also loved the appearances of characters from Julie's other book, Forget Me Not (which I also adored. READ IT!).


Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this wonderful book.

Sighs & Solos

Two musicians vying to advance their career team up for a duet, both on the stage and off.
Gwen wants to be noticed. After years of playing in the middle of a pop orchestra, she finally gets the chance to shine. Xander is already famous, but has his eyes set on a new prize. That's when he can tear his eyes off of Gwen. Can he slide their rivalry aside to make beautiful music together?

I loved this book! It felt like a love letter to music and musicians. Julie has done a wonderful job describing the setting, the stakes, and the drama that goes on in the music world. The tension between Gwen and Xander was absolutely delicious, strung tighter than Gwen's bow. I appreciated the rivals to lovers trope here, it was nicely written. Sometimes this can come across as reaching but not here, I believed in both of their desire for the position, and how it battles with their desire for each other.

I'll never look at a cello the same way again.

•YES•
-the ambition
Our heroine has goals and she's not afraid to fight for them
-the Rivals to lovers
-the setting

•EH•
-mild miscommunication that was frustrating, but worked out quickly

Five stars. Hot heat. Romantic gestures. I'll read anything Julie Soto writes!

**Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review**

Goodness, I absolutely adore this book. Julie outdid herself with this one. As a music lover, I really loved the music aspects of this story. Gwen was the perfect FMC and I loved watching Alex fall hard. It was also fun to listen to the musical compositions that were being mentioned as I was reading. The cherry on top was the perfect NYC setting for the book. I really just loved everything about this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!!

This book is sensual, beautifully written and the characters are all so fleshed out and feel like I could meet them irl.
This had so many things that I loved, a grumpy ML, a headstrong FML and found family. Every character in this book felt fleshed out and real, there were moments where I wanted to grab the characters and force them to speak LOL but I also enjoyed those moments of angst. I know nothing about classical music, but this made me want to pick up an instrument and find the LOML. hahahah
My only complaint is I wish there was more of Xander and Gwen <3

This book was heartbreakingly beautiful. Each page felt as if it was being written and torn from the heart. I absolutely adored the parallels between music and true passion. I cannot put into words enough how much tremendous of an effect this book has had on not only the meaning of love, but the true discovery of it.

Julie can do no wrong in my eyes and this is no exception!! This is so sweet and spicy and all you want in a romance! And that cello scene 😅. I’ve never loved classical music so much!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3/5

This book was utterly perfect. No notes, whatsoever!

I was immediately lured into this story right from the “Dear Reader” at the start. I mean, anytime the male main character resembles Adam Driver, I 👏 AM 👏 IN.

The tension was absolutely mouth-watering! Every moment Gwen and Alex spent in each other’s presence was electric. I have honestly not read tension THIS GOOD in a long time. Thank you, Ms. Soto! 🙏

This story was just so interesting to me. I enjoyed seeing the dynamics within the orchestra and how Gwen navigated her promotion and her relationships within its ranks. I was so happy for her, but also couldn’t help but urge her to see what Alex could see all along. I won’t go too in depth because this story was so great to experience firsthand.

⚠️ Spoilers maybe: Yes, there is a third-act breakup. I know, I know, but GET OVER IT because MY GOD, it is good! Both characters are being manipulated by those they wish to impress the most and neither is willing to compromise. BUT THE REUNION. Y’aaaaaaalllllllll… 🔥💥🔥

I could spend hours gushing over this book, but for now, I will just say - PLEASE add this to your TBR! You will not be sorry! You’ll also probably wonder why you never read an orchestra romance before!?

I have not yet read this author’s debut and I am honestly kicking myself for having put it off. Forget Me Not will be one of my first reads in June!

Thank you again to Julie Soto (@juliesotowrites) and Forever (@readforeverpub) for the gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.

wow wow wow! 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘨 is a stunning second release from soto. i had high hopes for this after loving soto's debut 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 and boy, did it deliver. featuring two beautifully gifted musicians who are flawed in their own ways, gwen and xander fall deeply in love with the music they compose together while also falling deeply in love with one another as well.

soto really nails building up the tension between the two and creating such a strong connection through their musical backgrounds. each scene that features them playing their respective instruments is dialogue in itself; from each note that is delivered to the way the look at each other as they perform, everything is so intentional. couldn't stop squealing and kicking my feet as i read their scenes, i couldn't get enough.

julie soto is an autobuy author for me and i already am anticipating her next release! 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘱𝘶𝘣 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦-𝘢𝘳𝘤 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸.

A very easy 5 stars! Julie Soto hit it out of the park with "Not Another Love Song." As someone who grew up playing instruments and loves music, it was really awesome to read a book with characters who are professional artists and this is easily in my top 5 books of the year so far! Alex and Gwen are both fantastic characters and I flew through this book in one sitting.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for honest review!

I really enjoyed Soto’s debut, Forget Me Not, so I was very excited to get my hands on her next novel! Unfortunately, this one didn’t quite work for me. I’m not sure if I couldn’t take the very young protagonist seriously at this point in my own life, but I didn’t feel like the love story felt super believable. Their only bond was music so I just struggled to find the connection. I did really love the descriptions of music though and the steamy scenes were great (there’s one in particular that I still think about). This didn’t turn me off from Soto’s future work by any means but wasn’t a hit for me overall.

i think two of the biggest issues for me with this is simply i dont have enough music knowledge to understand everything fully and the plot ended up falling pretty flat for me and by the end i just didnt really care much anymore. combining these things made this a pretty unenjoyable read unfortunately

Overall another good love story from Julie Soto. God I really do love her fanfics so it’s such a joy she is now being published. Excited for whatever she comes with next.

Honestly speaking, I do enjoy classical music but am not too into it but with this book, the author manages to make readers understand emotions from the different musical performances simply by her writing. Both Gwen and Xander are flawed characters and yet have some redeeming features for readers to root for. It is definitely steamy so be prepared for it. They have amazing chemistry constantly that is simply crackling without a doubt. There is a third act breakup which felt really too late. This rivals to lovers story will be a huge fan favorite for sure!