I absolutely adored this book! Rivals to lovers, forced proximity, the tension… it was all so good! I found both main characters to be grounded in reality while still making it fun and sweet. The spice was great and there is one particular scene that will live rent free in my mind for a long time. I loved that New York was such a big part of the story as well. Overall, this was a fantastic debut novel and I can’t wait to see what Katie Holt writes next!

Publication: December 10th, 2024

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I loved this book!

"Not In My Book" is a heartwarming novel that blends romance and literary fiction. Rosie, a passionate Peruvian-American aspiring writer, moves from Tennessee to New York to pursue her dreams. Her plans are disrupted when she must co-write a novel with Aiden Huntington.

The dynamic between Rosie and Aiden is electric, filled with witty banter and tension. Their collaboration becomes a metaphor for their evolving relationship—challenging yet rewarding. Rosie's cultural background enriches her character and adds depth to her journey. I love their relationship throughout the whole book

As Rosie and Aiden transition from arch-nemesis and ex-crush to lovers, themes of forgiveness, vulnerability, and dreams are explored. I enjoyed the writing style and setup of the book. I also really enjoyed the side characters and the friends they each had throughout the story.



Thank You Netgalley and Alcove Press

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was everythinggg. Let me start off by saying I'm not of those "simultaneously giggling/kicking your feet while reading" type girls, but that was me with this book. It had me in a chokehold and I was crying by the half way point. The character depth and development, the emotions they felt, the whole storyline of this book... It was all just so perfectly written. 🥰 The main characters hate each other, constantly hurling insults over each other's work, to the point that their professor says they either need to drop her class or learn to appreciate each other's different writing styles by blending them and co-writing a book together. As they begin writing they create book characters who also hate each other, as a way to continue getting their anger and frustration out towards each other. But as they are spending time together writing and getting to know each other, while their book characters are progressing and slowly changing from enemies to lovers, they notice the real life dynamic between them starts changing too. This is the enemies to lovers book that every book lover needs to read!! 🩷📚

Thank you to the author and to the publisher for this ARC of Not in My Book, in exchange for an honest review.

This book was absolutely everything and I will be shouting about it from the rooftops.
I will be honest, I generally shy away from single point of view books because I like to have both sides of the relationship. However, I really enjoyed how the book played out with the chapters of the book being written intertwined with the chapters.

It was sweet and spicy. I loved the peeks into her culture.

"I didn't want my heart ripped out of my chest again. I couldn't give my everything to someone who didn't want it."

Rosie and Aiden, Maxine and Hunter. Where's the line between real and fiction here? This enemies-to-lovers story leaps off the pages in more ways than one.

Between their bickering, this duo has a real talent for writing a love story, picking and choosing parts of their lives to vulnerably share, and writing in details they couldn't include in person.

"Not in My Book" by Katie Holt really pulled me in with its dynamic supporting characters and subplots. I was so here for the Rosie Posie Christmas—and the exciting news we got!

My only gripe was that the big romantic gesture didn't feel big enough, especially since it was easy to see where this was going. Still! It had fantastic banter, an overthinking main character who loved passionately—and I could relate to a little too well—and emotional growth that I always love to see.

...maybe not quite for Logan, but he'll get there I'm sure.

This book was so good! I really felt for each of the character through their ups and downs. The Rivals to lovers, the slow burn, the angst, the tension I was all here for it. How their relationship started to deepen and the sweetness that crept in. I squeeled so much when they first kissed! And you get to see the book they write together as well. The characters felt really fleshed out as well!

Rosie's relationship with others too was amazing. This author did a really great job at secondary relationships and I loved both her friends and family.

I'll go more in depth in another review on my insta!

*Thank you to the publisher, Alcove Press, for providing me with a copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own*

Heartwarming.

I thought this book was amazing. I could write about everything I loved about this book, but it would take all day. I cherished the characters and the storyline. Hearing that this book was about writing made me realize that I had to read it. I adore books about books. Romance is something I love. A part of me wishes I could go back and read the book again. I have no doubt that I will read this book again. As I read <b> Not In My Book</b>, I felt I was right there with Rosie and Aiden because of how well their emotions were expressed and how vividly I could understand them. A lot was going on, and because the descriptions were so detailed, I could visualize it all; I was drawn into the story. Not In My Book is a story you will continue discussing with your friends long after you turn the last page.

I've read many romances and a few book-related books throughout the years. However, I have never read a book with such a powerful influence on me. I still can't get the book off my head. It had inspired me to get back to writing. I loved Rosie's strength, even though I knew she didn't believe it. She was always determined to achieve her goals, and I admired how she never gave up on her writing despite her obstacles. Aiden, I wasn't convinced he'd be the character I wanted. I despised the way he treated her, and it appeared that he was the harshest on her of anyone. I believed there was a reason for it, but that did not mean I had to enjoy it. As the story progressed, so did my impression of Aidan. I was interested in how their collaborative writing might help them bond.

I loved Rosie and Aiden's character growth; they were both well-written. I have always enjoyed reading enemies-to-lovers stories, and this was one of the best I've read. I like how we got a sneak peek at Rosie and Aiden's story and saw how their characters matured. Katie Holt's debut novel, Not In My Book, was engaging! I am excited to see what she has in store for us next.

This is the true definition of the rivals-to-lovers trope, and I loved it—even though I was aggravated half the time, haha. Rosie and Aiden really know how to go for each other’s throats when it comes to their writing, so when they’re forced to collaborate, things seriously heat up. And let me tell you, reading about them writing a spicy scene together? That is now my new fantasy. It was H-O-T 🥵. The third-act breakup was super frustrating because it was classic non-communication (ugh, what else is new), but despite that, I still really enjoyed it. Rosie and Aiden’s banter was just top-tier—their sharp barbs at first, and then their funny, teasing moments as they started to really know each other. Also, they’ve officially made me want to spend Christmas Eve in NYC because, honestly, who wouldn’t want to run around the city doing all the Christmassy things??

This was such a light and refreshing romcom! It was so quick and enjoyable. I’m a sucker for rivals to lovers, and forced proximity relationships.

The tension was delicious and since both FMC and MMC are writers forced to write a romance together, the sexual tension….is THERE.

This almost felt like a fun nostalgic 90’s romcom...and your girl was here for it.

I really enjoyed the audiobook. I listened to this last weekend while batching content and the audio had me distracted from my tasks because I was so invested in the story.

I laughed, was frustrated when the characters were, and kicked my feet when THE moment finally happened.

If you love:
💕90’s romcom vibes
🙅🏻‍♀️Rivals to Lovers
🔥Slow Burn
🫂Forced Proximity
🤺Verbal Sparring
😠Surly anti-love MMC
🦋T-Swift romance obsessed FMC
📚Books about books

Read this book!

I would even consider this a semi holiday book since it does have a nice Christmas moment. So if you want to dip your toes into the holiday spirit but don’t want to go full force Christmas tree farm – this is a great one and can be read all year round.

#romcom #bookreview #rivalstolovers #forcedproximity #slowburn #bookreview #bookrecommendations #reader #readmorebooks #advancedreaderscopy #alc #arc #netgalley #notinmybook #katieholt

Thank you Katie Holt and Alcove press for an ARC copy of Not in My Book!

Rating 4/5
Spice 3/5

This was such a fun holiday-adjacent romance book that featured all the best tropes!
-Academic Rivals to Lovers
-Forced Proximity
-Slow Burn
-I Hate Him, Why Is He So Hot
We follow our main characters as they are forced to work together on a novel to avoid being kicked out of their college class, which is only in jeopardy due to their incessant fighting in class. While their bickering can be a bit over done at times, the flip to romance was swoon worthy and SO worth it! My only complaint, if you could call it such, would be how rushed the ending felt. Outside of that, this was a great well rounded romance.

I cannot put into words how adorably heartwarming this was while it also pulled at my heartstrings. This was such a different concept from anything I'd ever read before. I truly enjoyed watching the two main characters communicate through the characters they were writing. And the spicy co-writing spicy scene scene? (Scene-ception, lol) Brain. Chemistry. Altering.

I genuinely loved reading Aiden and his growth towards, its difficult to let go of coping mechanisms and Katie did a fabulous job showing this. How there is a push and pull with wanting to change but being afraid to do so. He was so sweet, a fantastic book boyfriend if you ask me.

To say this book made me cry would be an understatement. I sobbed, it was so beautifully written and I really emulated with both Rosie and Aiden.

Not in my book is a contemporary romance that blends humor and literary charm.
We follow Rosie Maxwell, an aspiring romance writer and Aiden Huntington, her grumpy, literary fiction writer classmate.

Tired of their bickering, their professor force them to co-write a book together and that tests their attraction and brings them closer,

Their animosity against each other, paired with tension and banter that leaves you wanting for more!
The tropes involves: forced proximity, enemies to lovers, banter, slow burn, opposites attract…

Perfect for fans of The hating Game and Beach Read,
this debut book is full of humor and romantic tension and I’m so here for it!

Thank you so much NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC!!

I did not expect to like it as much as I did! And this is a debut?! I loved it, and I honestly had the best time reading it. I can't wait for more from Katie!

The best was obviously Aiden and Rosie's banter. I also really enjoyed having two stories in one; we get to see fragments of the story the two upcoming authors are writing together.

Some people tend to not like longer romances, but I loooove when we get more scenes with the characters, the slow burn is burning and you can really feel their relationship and feelings develop, which is exactly what happens in this book 👌

Highly recommend if you like
× rivals-to-lovers
× slow burn
× secret crush
× he falls first!
× forced proximity

Thanks to @netgalley for the arc!

Katie Holt’s Not In My Book is an absolute delight from start to finish. Set against the lively backdrop of New York City—my favorite vacation destination—it immerses readers in the charm and vibrancy of the city. The setting added so much personality to the story, making it feel as though the city itself was a key player in Rosie and Aiden’s journey.

The enemies-to-lovers trope is one of my favorites, and Holt executed it flawlessly. The tension between Rosie and Aiden crackled with electricity, and their witty, sometimes biting, exchanges had me grinning ear to ear. As their relationship evolved, the transition from adversaries to lovers felt natural and well-paced. It’s clear Holt put thought into their dynamic, allowing the characters to grow individually and together.

Speaking of character development, both Rosie and Aiden were incredibly well-written. Rosie’s resilience and vulnerability made her relatable and easy to root for, while Aiden’s gruff exterior and hidden depths made him a compelling counterpart. I found myself empathizing with both of them, understanding their motivations, and being fully invested in their story.

And let’s not overlook the spice! Holt knows how to write steamy scenes that are not just spicy but emotionally charged, adding layers of intimacy to Rosie and Aiden’s connection. The balance between passion and heartfelt moments was spot-on, making their romance all the more satisfying.

If you’re a fan of contemporary romance with a well-executed enemies-to-lovers arc, vivid settings, and characters you can’t help but fall in love with, Not In My Book is a must-read. Katie Holt has created a story that’s intriguing, fun, and utterly swoon-worthy. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more of her work!

When I first learned about Katie Holt’s debut, Not in My Book, I was instantly intrigued. Not only do I love books about books, I’m also drawn to anything with Peruvian culture. (My husband is Peruvian and I lived in Lima for a year!) With an enemies-to-lovers romance arc and plenty of discussions around writing, I was sure I’d love this novel.

Rosie Maxwell is an MFA student at New York University, writing the genre she most loves: romance. But the cute, annoying literary fiction guy in her class, Aiden Huntington, always critiques her writing too harshly, and she’s always ready to throw it right back at him. At risk of being kicked out of their class due to the frequent arguments, Rosie and Aiden are assigned to write a novel together. How can they agree on anything, from genre to character names to how it all ends? As Aiden and Rosie spend the school year writing together and getting to know each other, their relationship starts to mirror that of their characters. But can they have their own happily ever after despite their differences?

Tropes & Narrative Devices:
• Enemies to friends to lovers
• Forced proximity
• College romance (grad students)
• Fake dating… for research!
• Book excerpts!
• First-person POV (Rosie)

What I Liked:

• Blurring lines between reality and fiction. As Rosie and Aiden get started on writing a novel together, they quickly find that they need to get better acquainted and learn to work with each other. Their advisor suggests they go on fake dates as their characters. They’re effectively getting to know each other via their characters. But how much is real and how much is their own creativity?

• Writing discussions! Romance vs. literary fiction! Rosie is a romance writer who loves happily ever afters; Aiden is a literary fiction writer who doesn’t believe in happy endings or true love. They butt heads a lot, and even more so when they have to write a book together. I loved getting to hear their different reasons for liking their preferred genres and learning how they draft together. I’d love to be an author someday myself, so these peeks into the writing process are so fascinating for me.

• Playlist for books! I was so giddy to learn that Aiden makes playlists with perfect transitions between songs… and that he makes them for the books he reads, too. I’ve been doing this for years! He went up a few points just by discovering this about him!

• Peruvian culture! One of the biggest reasons I was interested in this book is because the main character is Peruvian American. I have a personal connection to Peru: My husband is from Lima! As such, I always love reading about Peruvian characters. Here, Rosie’s mom is from Peru, and that culture is represented throughout the novel. From various foods (papas a la huancaína, lomo saltado, ceviche, alfajores, chicha morada, and so on) to restaurants (Pio Pio; I’ve eaten there!) to their Christmas traditions, so much here felt familiar and real to me.

• Their rival dynamic. Whether as enemy classmates or a couple in love, these two are argumentative to the end! They have chemistry from the beginning, and I enjoy seeing how they never fully get over their stubborn, slightly quarrelsome ways. They’re so silly.

• Excerpts from their WIP! As Rosie and Aiden work on their novel together, we get to see snippets of what their characters are up to. Those characters’ lives greatly mirror what’s happening with Rosie and Aiden, offering an extra layer through which to view their relationship. I love that it remains untitled… until the end.

Final Thoughts
I absolutely loved Not in My Book. As excited as I was to read it, it exceeded my expectations. This is an enemies-to-lovers romance done perfectly! This is one of my favorite contemporary romances ever and is sure to be a novel I return to again and again. I already bought the paperback and look forward to revisiting these characters. Not in My Book is a fabulous debut and I can’t wait to read Katie Holt’s next novel!

Not in my Book by Katie Holt
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫(4.5)

I want to say thank you to NetGalley, Alcove Press & Katie for the opportunity to read this book before release. I stayed up til 2 am to finish this because I just wanted to keep reading until I was done.
Congratulations Katie on your Debut, it was such a fun and lovely read! I am just in awe because these characters were just so loveable, the storyline was perfection, and I loved so much of this book.

I absolutely loved the whole cowriting a book with the enemy because the tension was TENSIONINGGG and I love a little slow burn moment. I absolutely adored this read so much.

Aiden and Rosie are just MWAH. I love them both individually and together. Their banter was matched and the tension was THEREEE. The forced proximity was just perfection since they had to cowrite for their class in order to stay in it or pass and Katie DELIVERED and gave me what I needed. The whole grumpy x sunshine dynamic was perfect as well. Rosie being a romantic and Aiden just was a shy grump and I loved it. They worked so well together in my opinion.

There was so many quotes and moments that I am so going to eventually buy a physical copy of this book and add it to my reread and annotating list I have planned for next year because this was just MWAH. I was kicking my feet and blushing SO HARD. I just god I enjoyed this one.

My favorite quote that is engraved in my brain:

“I know you prefer what’s in your books, and I pretend I don’t want to be like them, but I do. I want to be the person you picture when you’re reading and dreaming because you’re who I picture every single time. I love you. In light and dark, in romance and Litfic. In this lifetime and the next” 😭😭


Tropes:
📖Grumpy x Sunshine
📖 Slow Burn
📖 enemies to lovers
📖 forced proximity
📖 one bed
📖 dash of fake dating
📖 bookish academia; both are aspiring writers

Incredible, 10/10, no notes! Mark the day...I've found my new favorite contemporary enemies to lovers romance, dethroning The Hating Game after three years.

From the first chapter, I knew this was going to be a five star. Rosie and Aiden's banter was EVERYTHING. Their arguments were iconic, and the chemistry was off the charts. I LOVED how their tension grew more and more palpable and being forced to work together finally made their hate switch to love. This type of slow burn is why I love enemies to lovers so much.

Also let's talk about the NYC vibes? Obsessed. Utterly obsessed. The number of times I've stood in that tiny romance section in The Strand is too many to count. And he buys her books there! Screaming crying throwing up. The emphasis on Christmas and winter in NYC was great too.

This entire book felt like such a fun and fresh take on various tropes and the romance genre as a whole. I liked how it was a college romance but also not a college romance (lol). Rosie and Aiden being MFA novelists at NYU and forced to write a book together is an AMAZING premise. There's a sort of twist on the one bed trope as well. And this got steamy and I loved it...like writing a spicy scene together for their book...I'm unwell. Blushing at at 6AM on the airplane. Also the pacing was excellent. Every romance lover needs to read this one!

Thank you so much to Alcove Press for sending me an ARC of Not in My Book. As always, my reviews are one hundred percent voluntary and all opinions are my own :)

I'M GOING TO THROW UP THIS BOOK HAD ME SOBBING AT WORK LIKE A BABY AND I NEED THE PHYSICAL COPY IN MY HANDS TO RE-READ IT AND ANNOTATE IT. THIS HURT MY HEART AND THEN PUT IT BACK TOGETHER AGAIN

This one was so cute and good! We have our Peruvian-American girl: Rosie, who loves romance. Then we have Aiden, a handsome guy who doesn’t understand romance. Perfect opposites-attracted story, where hate and love are divide by a very tiny line. Basically they are rivals in their writing class, and all the tension, all the emotions are there. I loved the slow burn, I love the story inside of the story, what a great concept and the forced proximity/working together! The relationship development was good, near the end I was having mixed feelings but it got solved fast. I also loved the side characters!! And the Christmas scene was hilarious and so realistic (I’m a latinx and was able to identify myself with the family drama and love). I recommended! It’s more of hate-to-love or rivals-to-lovers.

Thank you @netgalley and @alcovepress for the free copy!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5/5 stars

What an incredible debut novel from Katie! I absolutely love a romance book that takes you for an emotional rollercoaster ride and this definitely does that. Katie does an incredible job at fleshing out the enemies to lovers trope (one of my favorites) and of course finishing out with a HEA. The characters were so real for me and I absolutely loved the plotline of two characters writing a book together.

I cannot wait to see what else Katie does in the future! I would love to see a sequel about Jess and Tyler! :)