I feel like this book had all the tropes lol. Slow burn, sexy, cute - gave me all the feels! If you're a romance reader, okay with spice this is a must read!

Wow, what a rollercoaster romance ride! I had no expectations going into this book besides expecting a cute little enemies romance, but was I wrong. An enemies to lovers romance in a book within a book?? SO GOOD!

Rosalinda and Aiden were sworn enemies in their writing workshop, which eventually led them to being forced to write a novel together. As they slowly melted each other’s ice and walls, they figured out they had a lot more in common than they thought and maybe didn’t hate each other as much. The banter and chemistry was written so well for the characters and did not disappoint with spice, in their book or our book.

You see New York through all four seasons, with references to Gilmore Girls and Taylor Swift mixed throughout. This book is perfect for any time of the year and will surely make you swoon!

This book surprisingly surpassed my expectations. I got this book purely for the title and cover art. It’s no surprise that I don’t read descriptions by now and it’s been working for me everytime! It makes my reading experience better when I don’t know the plot before reading.

If opposites attract was people it would be Aidan and Rosie. What stood out the most to me was the fact that Aidan and Rosie had to work together to write a short story. Aidan wrote literally fiction and Rosie was a hopeless romantic. Their professor was at her breaking point and had them fake date as their characters to make their story more realistic because they couldn’t agree on how the story should be written. The book trope was enemies to lovers but their characters was pretty much enemies the whole time. This is why I love fake dating tropes, I knew that when the professor wanted them to go on a date to spark their creative writing process, that their true feelings will come out towards each other.

I love how the author included excerpts from their untitled novel at the end of each chapter. We got a glimpse of what the story would look like as they wrote it and it was sooo freaking cute! Little do they know, they are writing their happily ever after 🥰

I loved this SO MUCH. The Hating Game is one of my holy grail romances and this brings those same vibes of actually have real dislike that isn’t solved by one conversation. I don’t really go so far as to say “enemies” in a contemporary context but rivals for sure. I also really liked the academic setting but with them in graduate school, mid 20s.

That moment when they reflect on those early days and get to explain what they really meant with how it got misinterpreted… always hits.

Also, I normally hate reading spicy dreams in books, anything that isn’t “actually” happening just doesn’t hold enough weight (funny enough as wonderful as I think the hating game is that happens in that book), and at first that kind of happens in this book when they are both trying to write a spicy scene together. But something about the tension and angst of this book that was one of my most favorite parts, I was so riveted. I know this is a debut novel but you can tell this author KNOWS the romance genre and how to write good spice (that does eventually come in their real life even better than their fiction).

I highly recommend this book. It met all the hype. Thank you so much to Alcove Press for the eARC!

A little predictable and a little far-fetched, but I nevertheless gobbled it up. In this NYC rom com, two creative writing graduate students -- one a romance writer, the other a lit fic snob -- are forced to co-write a final project and find themselves saying things through their respective characters that they would never be brave enough to say aloud in real life.

First and foremost, thanks to Netgallery and Alcove Press for the ARC of Not In My Book, in exchange for an honest review.

I haven't had the best of lucks with ARCs recently, BUT oh HOW I LOVED, this one! Such a sweet story with lovable characters and a very interesting premise, because while the whole "academic rivals turned lovers" has been done a million times, I don't think I've read a book like this one, where theres a story within a story, one that is used to not only make the very stubborn main characters communicate, but also to let the reader know what the mmc is thinking and feeling without actually having his POV throughout the book. Am I making sense? maybe not, but what is important is that you give this book a chance ones it is out on December 10, 2024! It's sweet, lighthearted without feeling empty! Characters that are FLAWED, STUBBORN, but with a need to grow and make their happy ever after a reality. I truly enjoyed this one!!!!

inject this book into my literal VEINS!

an academic rivals that’s a c t u a l l y a based rivalry with the most smoldering of slow burns, not in my book delivers a soulfully layered love story set in the bustling city of new york where two nyu students must set aside their literary differences to collaborate on a work of fiction together.

oh my god, these characters! i adore rosie and aidan so much, i want to be besties with them so badly! this pair was so fun to follow & they truly had some of the best dialogue & banter i’ve read in romance. their romance had my heart literally racing (especially the writing scene at aidan’s house?! HELLOOOOO)

the writing style was so transportive, i felt like i was experiencing every season in new york and reading this after my own trip to the city during the holidays made this read so much more special!

for lovers of emily henry’s beach read, this reads like a peak into january & gus’s college days and i gobbled up every moment 🫶🏻 can’t wait to own a physical copy to annotate bc this book was absolutely perfect & i will be eagerly awaiting katie’s next release! <333

read if you like:
— latinx rep
— banter
— grumpy/sunshine
— academic rivals
— forced proximity
— one bed
— new york setting
— love story to romance

comparable titles/authors:
— beach read by emhen
— clare gilmore
— goodbye again by caitlin moss

This was a true rivals-to-lovers slow-burn with all the feels and angst! I absolutely enjoyed reading this book

*I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review*

I really loved this sweet swoon worthy romance and it was perfect for this time of year. So many times I found myself giggling and kicking my feet. I can't wait to tell everyone to pick this book up when it releases!

Rosie writes romance and believes in Happily Ever Afters, but her writing workshop nemesis Aiden writes what she dubs Fiction for Sad Men and dismisses romance as non serious writing. Can the two of them collaborate on their workshop writing project or will it spell disaster?

The chemistry between Rosie and Aiden was perfect. Their progression from rivals to lovers felt authentic.

The ending felt rushed, but the resolution was sweet and satisfying.

I recommend this to fans of the rivals to lovers trope and those who majored in creative writing.

Thank you, Alcove Press, for an advanced digital copy of this book!

Not in My Book is a delightful and engaging romance that quickly won me with its witty banter, captivating tension, and endearing supporting characters. The story centers on Aiden and Rosie, two aspiring authors who are opposites regarding their beliefs about love. Rosie, a romance writer, believes in the magic of happily-ever-afters, while Aiden, a literary fiction author, dismisses the idea. The dynamic between them is electric, and I found myself completely engrossed, finishing the book in one sitting as I followed their journey from hate to something more.

The author masterfully intertwines the characters' commentary on their romance novel with the story's events, adding a clever layer to the narrative. The "enemies to lovers" trope is executed perfectly, with plenty of witty exchanges and genuine emotional moments. The tension between Rosie and Aiden is palpable, and their evolution from bickering authors to a believable couple is both entertaining and heartwarming. Holt does an excellent job of making their relationship dynamic feel grounded, with plenty of moments of conflict, reconciliation, and growth that make their eventual romance all the more satisfying.

What made this book stand out for me, however, were the characters. Aiden and Rosie are flawed and multi-dimensional, making them feel authentic and relatable. I loved how their passion for writing tied into their personal growth and how their real-life experiences informed the novel they created together. While including Max and Hunter, the characters within their story, provided humor and depth, it occasionally felt like their fictAiden'sounterparts overshadowed Rosie and Aiden's connection. Still, Not in My Book is an irresistibly charming read—slightly cheesy but thoroughly enjoyable, with lovable characters and a romance that's as heartwarming as it is entertaining.

4.5 rounded up!

Loved this one so much!!! A fantastic debut novel!! I feel in love with the characters and read this in under 48 hours because it captivated my attention so quickly!

I am always a fan of any book that is a love letter to the romance genre! Rosie was a sweet character who stood firmly for what she felt strongly about! Aiden’s backstory is going to make you weepy! I loved watching Rosie + Aiden’s relationship flourish and grow as they are forced to be near each other!

Supportive friends, academic rivals to lovers, banter, and forced proximity!

Give me a 10 Things I Hate About You vibe at the end!!!

Thankful to NetGally, Alcove Press, Katie Holt, and Dreamscape Productions for the advanced copy!

This is a slow burn, enemies to lovers troupe because, it is not straight forward in that most predictable way. At first, I found the squabbling between Rosie and Aiden annoying but once I overlooked that I was invested in both of them as their story unfolded. I loved that their story was weaved through the writing of a book. There are some pretty spicy scenes which might not be for everyone. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5. I will definitely read more of Katie Holt's releases when they come!

Thank you NetGalley, Katie Holt and Alcove Press for the opportunity to preview this fun title and the opinions shared are my own.

Not in My Book is expected to be released on Dec. 10, 2024 just in time for holiday gift giving!

Thank you Netgalley and Alcove Press for giving me this arc to review.

A sizzling romance I pre-ordered straight away!

Rosie and Aiden can't stand the genres the other person is devoted in writing within as upcoming authors. To Rosie, general fiction is for sad old men. To Aiden, romance is for old cat ladies. But after enough torture, listening to their rants, their workshop mentor sets them to write a romance novel together. However the line between love or hate slowly blurs between the pair, and it's hard to conclude whether what the pair are writing about is really fiction or if it could be fact.

I absolutely loved this novel and pre-ordered this straight away. The plot, in my opinion, was really unique and added depth to the romance. I also fell in love with the characters, particularly Aiden, after quoting several of his thoughts or stream of consciousness as Hunter.

It was a two for one romance, the MCs are forced to write a novel together after getting into one too many arguments class. They write characters slightly based on each other, which we get excerpts in the beginning of each chapter. Gives a lot of fictional life imitates art vibe.
Has everything that makes a great enemies to lovers story, banter, slow burn, witty and very angsty. It was extremely HOT when they individually wrote in the same document at the same time, that very spicy scene while also talking on the phone. Also that third act breakup really hurt deep so be prepared.It reminded me of Julie Soto’s “Forget Me Not”, the writer’s version.

This love story writes itself in Not in my Book. This love story is unique as two nemesis get paired together to right a romance novel - one who believes in love and other a true skeptic. What they don't expect is that it will be there love story, and their fictional characters are become them. The pages give them the outlet to share their feelings and struggles as each has experienced heartbreak.

Not in my Book is my favorite trope, enemies-to-lovers, that builds slowly to a happily ever on and off the paper.

Thank you, Alcove Press

I was super excited to read this one and I absolutely loved it! I love the enemies to lovers trope. I absolutely loved Rosie and Aiden’s story. I can’t recommend this book enough

Thank you to NetGalley and @AlcovePress for this ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

This book was an absolute delight! From start to finish, I was completely captivated by the author’s writing, which was so polished and engaging, it felt like the work of a seasoned pro rather than a debut. The characters were wonderfully crafted, and I found myself rooting for both of them right from the beginning. The “enemies to lovers” dynamic between Rosie and Aiden was executed brilliantly, making it impossible to look away.

Their journey from constant bickering to slowly discovering each other’s strengths and, eventually, developing a deep romantic connection, was portrayed with such authenticity. The tension between them was palpable, and their gradual transformation into a couple felt natural rather than forced. There were bumps along the way, and that made their relationship all the more believable and satisfying.

If you're a fan of heartwarming romance, this one is a must-read. It’s witty, touching, and leaves you with that warm feeling that only a truly great romance can.
4.25 Stars!!!

#NotinMyBook, #NetGalley #AlcovePress

Rosie and Aiden are rivals in a writing class, and that means they tear apart each other’s work whenever they can. Rosie writes romance and is a romantic at heart, believing in happiness and happy endings, whereas Aiden scoffs at this as he believes in more ‘realistic’ endings. Due to this tension and friction constantly disrupting the entire class, the professor assigns them to work together (whatever could happen…).
They decide to try and write a book that combines bith their genres of choice, and to make the relationship between their characters seem realisitc and believable, they have to spend increasing amounts of time together.
I loved the dynamic between our two characters, their wit and banter really played well off each other and just worked. Which meant as their relationship grew i was increasingly invested and really wanted things to click for them.
As ever with romance books i found the side characters just as compelling (if not more so) and honestly wanted to know more about them and their interactions too! Maybe a sequel on the way for them??

Overall, if you like a good rivals/enemies to lovers plot, this is a really good one to pick up. Highly recommend.

I really tried getting into this and I am a huge romance fan but I could not get into this writing style at all.