"I’d had to force myself to listen to Taylor Swift and reread my favorite books to find inspiration because I realized I didn’t have anything to draw from in real life."

This book was advertised as The Hating Game meets Beach Read, so I kinda knew what I was getting into.

Rosie and Aiden's been a classmate in their writing workshop for two semesters now, and they always butt heads. ALWAYS. When their professor got fed up, she paired them to write a romance book with no happy ending.

Ngl, I relate to Rosie. She loves romance, a swiftie and a hardworker? Yes to all, but I didn't like her. She's annoying, self-centered and acts high and mighty which made me disappointed of her. The plot/arguments were because of Rosie. TWICE.

I liked Aiden until the second arguments which made him awful in my eyes. I wished they didn't get together because wtf was that.

They both communicate through the book they are writing but can't even communicate irl when they are both adults.

Sadly, this book fell flat for me, though yes I did cried during the end but it still didn't take away that I wasn't liking this book as much.

Not in My Book by Katie Holt is a wonderful story of two rivals in a creative writing program who are forced to write a romance together after their explosive arguments in class cross the line. Aiden hates romance and writes literary fiction. He looks down on Rosie’s romance writing and harshly criticizes whatever she writes. Rosie, however, believes in happily ever after. As they get to know each other, the line between love and hate begins to blur. How will their story end?

I loved this book. I thought the characters were really well written and believable, and I loved the way they played off each other. I also loved the format of the book. It was told from Rosie’s point of view, but you also read portions of the book they were writing together. If it was a real book, I would have loved to read that one too! I would definitely recommend this book to romance readers!

Thank you to the publishers and to NetGalley for access to an advanced copy of this book on exchange for my honest review.

Katie Holt’s debut novel, Not in My Book, presents a captivating tale of rivalry, romance, and self-discovery set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City. Drawing inspiration from popular romantic comedies like The Hating Game and Beach Read, Holt offers readers a delightful enemies-to-lovers narrative that is as witty and heartwarming as it is engaging.

The novel follows Rosie, an idealistic and passionate Peruvian-American who leaves her Tennessee hometown to chase her dream of becoming a successful romance writer in New York. Her plans are complicated by the presence of Aiden Huntington, her archnemesis and former crush. Aiden, a brooding literary fiction writer who disdains happy endings, frequently clashes with Rosie in their writing workshop. Their professor, exasperated by their constant bickering, gives them an ultimatum: they must co-write a novel that blends their genres. This reluctant partnership forces Rosie and Aiden to confront their differences, explore their attraction, and ultimately discover that their seemingly opposite worlds might not be so different after all.

The heart of Not in My Book lies in the chemistry between its protagonists. Rosie’s sunny disposition and unwavering belief in romance starkly contrast Aiden’s cynical outlook and disdain for the genre. This dynamic creates a rich tapestry of tension and banter that drives the narrative forward. Holt expertly captures the essence of their relationship, portraying their initial antagonism and gradual transformation into mutual respect and affection. The interactions between Rosie and Aiden are filled with sharp wit and emotional depth, making their journey from adversaries to lovers both believable and compelling.

One of the novel’s unique features is its dual narrative structure. Holt intersperses the main storyline with excerpts from the novel that Rosie and Aiden are co-writing. These interludes serve multiple purposes: they provide insight into the characters' creative processes, mirror their evolving relationship, and add an extra layer of emotional complexity to the narrative. This technique enriches the reader’s experience, offering a deeper understanding of the characters' inner worlds and the influences shaping their writing.

Not in My Book delves into several significant themes, including the validation of the romance genre, the struggles of pursuing creative dreams, and the transformative power of vulnerability and connection. Rosie’s determination to prove the worth of romance writing in a literary world often dismissive of the genre resonates deeply, highlighting issues of literary elitism and the value of diverse storytelling. Aiden’s character arc, which sees him gradually embracing the merits of romance, underscores the novel’s message about the importance of open-mindedness and growth.

Holt’s writing is characterized by its sharp dialogue, vivid descriptions, and heartfelt moments. The banter between Rosie and Aiden is particularly well-crafted, providing both humor and insight into their characters. The novel’s portrayal of the New York literary scene is vibrant and immersive, adding a rich backdrop to the unfolding romance. However, the novel is not without its flaws. The frequent miscommunications and misunderstandings between Rosie and Aiden, while essential to the plot, can sometimes feel contrived and frustrating. Additionally, the resolution of the central conflict—their competition for a prestigious fellowship—feels somewhat rushed and lacks the depth and resolution seen in other parts of the story.

Despite these minor flaws, Not in My Book remains a compelling and enjoyable read. Holt’s portrayal of the New York literary scene is vibrant and immersive, capturing the excitement and challenges of pursuing a writing career in a bustling metropolis. The novel’s supporting characters, including Rosie and Aiden’s classmates and friends, are well-drawn and add richness to the story. The thematic exploration of love, ambition, and personal growth is handled with nuance and care. Holt delves into the characters’ insecurities and dreams, highlighting the transformative power of vulnerability and connection. Rosie’s journey of asserting the validity and importance of the romance genre, alongside Aiden’s gradual acceptance of its merits, offers a thoughtful commentary on literary elitism and the value of diverse storytelling.

Katie Holt’s Not in My Book is a delightful addition to the enemies-to-lovers genre, offering a charming and heartfelt story that will resonate with fans of contemporary romance. With its engaging characters, witty dialogue, and emotionally rich narrative, the novel is a testament to the power of love and the beauty of unexpected connections. Despite some pacing issues and occasional narrative contrivances, Holt’s debut is a promising start to what will surely be a successful writing career. For readers seeking a blend of humor, romance, and literary insight, Not in My Book is a must-read.

I LOVED it. The first few chapters had me boiling with rage over Aiden. His quarreling with our main character really pulled me in and got me excited for the rest of the book and I must say… it definitely didn’t disappoint! This was a true ‘enemy’s to lovers’ and the story ended up being a cutesy romance.

Not in My Book is a fun enemies to lovers story that utilizes the use of a dual story well. The excerpts of the novel Rosie and Aiden are writing allows the reader to better understand Aiden without writing in dual POV. I loved how their personalities contrasted but also complimented each other so well. Holt's book is great for readers looking for a similar feel to KJ Micciche's A Storybook Wedding. I do wish there had been more communication at times between Rosie and Aiden and I also think his treatment of her during the previous workshops was never fully addressed. However, both Rosie and Aiden do a good job of demonstrating the different ways that love can impact your own journey in positive and negative ways.

**3.5 stars**

AHHHHHH!!! THIS BOOK WAS SO FREAKING FUN!!!

I picked up this book on a whim and it was exactly what I needed. It read like I was watching a modern day romcom. Rosie and Aiden’s chemistry was so strong it was intoxicating.

I loved the premise from the get. Rosie having to prove that romance too is in fact a worthy genre was something to intriguing to me. It was something so realistic that you automatically feel for Rosie. When Aiden and Rosie are paired together it is then so impossible to put this book down. I literally "one more chapter" myself every night I was reading this book. The angst and tension was so perfectly drawn out, I had no complaints at all.

I feel the pacing of the book only fell short at the end after a very much lackluster third act breakup I must add. Other than that I feel when this comes out during the holiday season people are going to love this as it has the perfect winter cozy vibe.

4 stars!!! after finishing the ARC of this book in a DAY, I can say that I loved it!!! Rosie and Aiden, and Hunter and Max, have my heart. I absolutely loved their character development, especially Aiden’s, and watching their relationship progress from enemies to lovers (my fave!!). the new york setting was also very additive to the story, and I loved the holiday vibes for the Christmas part of the book. I also really enjoyed the parallel writing aspect going on and how the story that Aiden and Rosie was writing gave the reader more insight into their relationship and themselves personally.

overall, I really liked this book and would definitely recommend it to my book besties!!!

"Not in My Book" follows Rosie, a passionate Peruvian-American destined to share her love of the romance genre with the world.

She leaves her hometown and moves to New York to further her education, where she is forced to work with her arch-nemesis, Aiden.

"Not in My Book" had me giggling, squealing, and covering the bottom half of my Kindle, anxious for the next paragraph. The slow burn and the banter between Rosie and Aiden were perfect!

Katie Holt has most definitely restored my love for the romance genre! I would love to continue reading her books as they certainly checked all my boxes.

However, the arguments within their relationship were taken a bit too far. I felt as if they were real low blows! The communication was slightly lacking, but love hurts, so it’s okay…

I would definitely recommend everyone read this in December. I finished it in less than a day!

Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press for providing this eARC! Unfortunately, this was a miss for me - I felt that the characters, romance, and plot were all underdeveloped and I did not like the execution of the book-within-a-book. It also seems like another editing pass might be needed, there seemed to be many instances where multiple variations of the same sentence were left in instead of cleaned up to choose one version.
Character wise, most of my frustrations were with Rosie. She seems intentionally obtuse in the many instances of miscommunication and willful in her "misunderstanding" of what Aiden is saying & doing, almost as if she did not actually pay any attention to what was actually happening. I guess this might have been intentional on the author's part as one of Rosie's main character flaws (that she does not overcome) is that she creates fantasy scenarios instead of living in the real world, but I found it very frustrating and honestly difficult to root for her as a viable partner for Aiden when she is apparently unable to even pay attention to his words/actions.
The romance felt oddly paced, especially in parallel with the book within the book. Rosie and Aiden never learned how to communicate, in the end they just avoided actually dealing with the issues and just moved on. I think the 4th act breakup impacted the pacing of the romance & plot as well, no time or avenue was really provided for them to satisfactorily resolve their issues. Also, especially considering this is an academic rivals-to-lovers, it's unfortunate that we don't get any resolution on if Rosie's able to finish her degree without the scholarship. I guess we're meant to assume that with rent covered through Aiden's mother's dwindling funds and half of the book advance, she's got enough to finish her degree?
The execution of the book-within-a-book here was really frustrating as it was just repeating the exact lines and scenes from the actual book. Their voices were also not really distinct enough to offer anything new in the two POVs and the writing was pretty meh for it be believable that they're these super talented authors.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!

Cute!! Spicy!! Humor! lol moments!! I loved this romcom! Had plenty of spice as. It’s a bookish romance also! Yes please!!

The most cutest rivals to lovers romance book. Genuinely this was such an enjoyable read, especially to pick up for hot girl summer. As a book lover and admant reader this gave exactly what I needed. I laughed, I cried, I BLUSHED. Cause dear got the chemistry was burning HOT. I absolutely enjoyed every aspect of this book - Katie holy for sure became one of my auto buy authors now for sure.

This book is about two Master's degree students pursuing writing at NYU. One specializes in romance novels, while the other focuses on literary fiction. and they are true enemies. Despite their differing styles, they are forced to collaborate on a project, sparking an unexpected friendship that blossoms amidst their initial animosity.

The novel captured my attention and I finished it in one day! Both main characters were endearing, and the central concept was charming and humorous. However, the book they were writing felt repetitive, mirroring the main plot too closely. Additionally, the female lead's persistent insistence on unrequited love became somewhat tiresome, especially given the evident feelings of Aiden.

This book was like if January and Gus got together in college (iykyk!) I honestly really enjoyed this book. The banter was fun and the romance was swoony—though both bordered on the wrong side of cheesy a couple of times. I also really enjoyed the setup of having the characters write a book together while simultaneously getting to know each other better. I LOVE a “he falls first, and harder” enemies to lovers, and this fit the bill perfectly! The addition of having excerpts from the fictional book the characters were writing to give insight into the MMC’s thoughts was perfect and really really sweet. It lost a star for having such an awkward third and final act. I didn’t find it very believable (although it was predictable) and the FMC acted like a brat a little bit. I also think the prose could use a little improvement; like I said, it got a little cheesy at times and sometimes the diction was a bit repetitive. The excerpts were all GORGEOUS though so I have no doubt that this author is only going to get even better from here!

A HUGE thank you to the author, Katie Holt, and the publisher, Alcove Press, for giving me the chance to read an ARC of this wonderful book and provide my honest opinion about it.

A DREAM COME TRUE!!
I swear, I've been waiting for someone to write this book my whole life! It finally happened!! And I'm so glad Katie Holt is the author of this gorgeous masterpiece.

Omg I loved this book so much, it legit had me crying!!! Firstly the way that the excerpts of their book were intwined with the story I loved, the main characters put themselves into their book without realising and used it to say things they could never say.
I think this book is well written and easy to read and I enjoyed reading every part of it!!

This was so cute and clever! I'm a sucker for enemies-to-lovers anyway and the intertwining of book and reality was really fun to read. The only negative I have is that the characters lacked a little depth. At least I personally had a hard time really relate to them, even if their problems ARE relatable. Especially Aiden's backstory and feelings were lacking a bit in my opinion. Still had a lot of fun with the book!

As someone who has Taylor Swift on REPEAT for a long time now I also noticed some (maybe even unintentional?) references to her songs aside from the obvious mentioning. I mean, Aiden standing in the front porch light? Come on! Also words like mad house or the words antithetical and argumentative in the same sentence. There were more, but I can't remember. Felt a bit like finding little Easter Eggs and I loved it!

Thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Side note since this is an eARC: There were a few typos in the book I noticed.

A true rivals-to-lovers book that had me hooked right from the beginning.

I love how at the beginning of this book they are truly rivals. They absolutely hate each other and aren't afraid to voice their thoughts on the matter. The tension is just perfect in every way and had me on the edge of my seat. You can't help but love tall dark and ruthless Aiden even though he filets Rosie's writing in class. It all comes to a head when she really gives it back to him in the next class when its his turn to be critiqued. Then the real fun begins as they are made to pair up in writing a romance novel, which of course Aiden HATES! I love how as this book continues they still continue to bicker even as this are heating up. And let me tell you what when they are truly writing together wow does it get HOT. There is of course tension right towards the end that makes you so mad and sad. I love how the book their writing follows how their love develops. I loved this book and if they book they were writing in this book was real I would read the heck out of that too!

I think the only thing I would have changed about this book is I would have loved a duel POV so we could also see things from Aiden's perspective. I am still giving this book a 5 star rating though. Overall this book was written so well and keeps you enthralled from beginning to end. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes rivals-to-lover and a grumpy-sunshine dynamic.

Review on ARC - Not in My Book by Katie Holt


Review: 4.5 stars

I was surprised (in a good way), I did not think that I was going to like this book as much as I did, it was a wonderful story to read, I read it pretty quickly (5 days). At times I was laughing out loud, kicking my legs in the air and at the end I was crying, because it was beautiful, and I did not want it to be the end of the book. It was written pretty wonderfully, I found it very easy to read, and the tension was just enough and broke at completely the right times, I related to both of the characters at times, and absolutely understand them both.
This was a great book; I would definitely recommend you guys snatch this one, once it’s published on December 10th. You will enjoy it very much and wish to climb into this book to live this great story

Overall, I enjoyed this academic rivals to lovers contemporary romance book about two aspiring authors. I loved the first half of the book and thought the academic rivals component was perfect.

However, I didn’t like the idea of the two main characters competing over the Fellowship. I thought it was too briefly mentioned at the end as if the author had randomly decided to add a climax in the last 50 pages or so. Also, I thought Aiden’s justification for not telling Rosie he had also applied for the Fellowship was highly unrealistic. I wish the overused miscommunication trope had not been used as the main climax.

I did really enjoy the slow-burn romance between the two main characters. Also, I loved all the cute dates they went on.

I also enjoyed getting to know all the side characters and their stories.

Overall, this book was a great academic rivals to lovers contemporary romance, however, it featured the miscommunication trope and the ending was rushed.

This book was adorable! I love the enemies to lovers story line and Rosie and Aiden were the perfect characters to root for and I love that we got more of their story through their book characters Maxine and Hunter. The description of the book stuck out at me but I didn’t anticipate loving it as much as I did! I couldn’t put it down and was sad when it was over. I wasn’t sure if it would have the happily ever after ending the book mocks, but I thought it wrapped up perfectly! Thanks for the ARC!