I really enjoyed the authors writing style and it writing flowed really well.

I struggled with connecting with the characters and their banter was more of bickering and I just couldn’t get invested in their love story.

I think others are definitely going to love this book even if I struggled with the characters! This is definitely a fun romance. Who doesn’t love a book about romance books!

People say there’s a thin line between love and hate, and you know what? They’re right.

The truth was I liked her no matter what she did, no matter what she said. - Aiden Huntington

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review :)

Wow, that was amazing 😭 This was a true rivals to lovers experience where they DID NOT hold back when hurling insults at each other despite feeling initial attraction towards each other. Now this, I was a bit apprehensive for honestly because I always feel like the trope doesn’t show their initial hatred well enough and dives straight into the romance and also because we got to see Rosie’s pov first, we understood that she still felt some attraction towards him internally (understandable). However, there wasn’t any clear romantic tension between the two for quite awhile so I was worried their romance wouldn’t live up to my expectations (I was wrong 🥳).

The number of times I swooned from Aiden’s lines, or related to Rosie being such a hopeless romantic at heart, or her feeling as if she wasn’t ‘full peruvian’ due to being unable to speak the language fluently and being raised in the states would be immeasurable 😭 I exceptionally LOVED the concept of this book, I’ve never actually seen this ever done before and you best believe I was eating that uppp. The way that they were indirectly confessing their feelings through the perspectives of their characters?? (🥹🥹) THE GROVELLING?? okay the grovelling I did like and felt like it was strong but at the end, I felt like Rosie forgave Aiden too fast? I feel like if that was prolonged justtt a little bit longer or if they had communicated more and established an idea of their relationship being secured if that makes sense? I know Rosie and Aiden are endgame but I would’ve just liked to see more, I felt like the ending was too rushed. All in all, this was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING, especially considering this is a debut!! I really really enjoyed this book, and am so excited to have discovered such an great author! Excited to read more of your work!!

I wasn't so sure what to expect coming into this book and I have to say, I was not disappointed. I was pleasantly surprised with how much I really enjoyed this book. It's a romance but it's not too romance-y if that makes sense. And I just found it very easy to read. I think my patrons at the library will love this book!

“Romance had shaped my world view, molding how I lived with optimism and hope. I wanted to give that to someone else.”

It was cute. Just not as special as i thought it would be. I really liked the concept of a book within a book, but if we are talking about the character’s writing skills… well just writing yourself into the story lacks creativity. So i would have liked if the book within it was more fleshed out too. Also some things the characters in that book within a book said didn’t make sense in their story but just in the main characters.

I did like the main characters. Their development was sometimes good but other times it felt weirdly paced. (needing chapters of chapters for her to realize something just to immediately be really bold about it even though that doesn’t mach her personality)

In general the pacing was really random. I did enjoy the romance of the characters, but the fight in the end wasn’t necessary at all. It was just annoying.

Overall fun little read!

2.5 stars

Thank you NetGalley for the arc!

Honestly, I was expecting to love this book. I mean a book within a book, “meets beach read” and the cover is so cute. However, maybe because of my high expectations, this book did not do it for me.

Though this book is super easy to read, and has some adorable moments between the characters, I just could not connect with them. The mmc specifically was not very likeable. While, I believe, the idea was for him to be grumpy, he ended up just coming off as being mean. And, as for the fmc, a lot of the times it was frustrating to be in her head as she was intolerable.

Not in My Book is pure, unadulterated fun. Rosie and Aiden’s fiery chemistry ignites the page, and their witty banter is like a delicious rollercoaster ride. i love this kind of enemies-to-lovers duo that makes you want to fan yourself and roll your eyes at the same time. Their chemistry is off the charts. It's like the perfect blend of The Hating Game and Beach Read, with a dash of Peruvian spice. Katie Holt has created a world that's as addictive as your favorite guilty pleasure TV show. If you love a good laugh, a swoony romance, and characters you’ll never forget, then Not in My Book is an absolute must-read.

You know when you're reading a book and can almost immediately tell how much you're going to love it, how perfect the story is going to hit, and how connected you'll feel to it?

That was me with Not in my Book. I'm finding words hard to describe how much I adored this story - Aiden and Rosie are everything to me and it's hands down now one of my favorite reads of the year. The vibes are PERFECT - reminiscent of a Nora Ephron movie with Swiftie undertones, a blend of culture and classics.

Fans of Emily Henry, Abby Jimenez, and Ali Hazelwood: please read this book!

“Not in My Book" is a delightful and swift read, blending elements of forced proximity, an enemies-to-lovers storyline, and a touch of fake dating. It was fascinating to observe the protagonists' relationship blossom as they collaborated on their shared writing project. The author excelled at weaving in side characters, who brought their own unique traits and engaging subplots to the story.

Ohh my, this book made me go through soo many moods and feelings! It reminded me a loot about how it was when I was in school. I was a little nostalgic while reading this book and I almost wished I could go back to school. 😅
Now, let’s be more specific on the story. Rosie and Aiden are enemies and they are turning lovers through the book. It’s a slow burn, and I love that! Usually when the enemies are turning to lovers immediately I don’t like it, maybe because irl that doesn’t happen. You need time to accept someone who you once didn’t liked. It doesn’t happen overnight.
They have chemistry, and I loooved their writing together parts. I think this book has almost everything. I just loved it. And I totally recommend it!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🫶🏻❤️

R e v i e w :

I haven’t read romance in a long while and this one positively surprised me and hit all the perfect marks for me. I loved how innovative the writer romance was. The chemistry between the two writers creating a story together was off the charts — topped off with the masterfully executed enemies to lovers trope! Rosie and Aiden just stole my heart completely as the story was fun, easily read (I literally couldn’t put the book down!) and such an amazing reminder that love and romance is all around us and we should all let it into our lives!

An absolutely well-written rom-com that I will remember! 4/5⭐️

I absolutely adored this!
Academic rivals to lovers is such a staple trope in romance books, and Not in My Book proves why. It helped that Aiden and Rosalinda are also such opposites, the tension was palpable from the beginning.
Holt's writing style is fun and submersive, and she is now firmly on my radar!

I loved this!! Such a cute romance book. Always love an enemies to lovers plot and this did not disappoint. It gave me similar vibes to Abby Jimenez’s novels so readers of hers will love this.

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for this ARC.

I want to start this out by saying I wish I could read Rosie and Aiden’s finished book more than anything. While I enjoyed Rosie and Aiden’s love story, I desperately wanted to know more about Max and Hunter.

But enough about that. My only problem with the book came towards the end, when the pacing of the book slowed down compared to the beginning of the book. I felt like we (the readers as well as Aiden and Rosie) came too far and the….downfall? Third act breakup? Felt a bit repetitive (hadn’t they just broken up?) and to forced and made the resolution of the book feel incomplete. Up until that point though, I really enjoyed the book and reading about the characters everyday lives made me wish I could go back to school for my masters in writing!

“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.”

“I ignored the glass of my own shattered heart as I cut myself trying to put hers back together.”

When I read the blurb for *Not in My Book*, I knew I had to dive in, and receiving my ARC only heightened my excitement!

The writing was smooth and engaging, with a natural flow that made it easy to get lost in the story. The witty dialogue and perfect balance of humor and emotional depth really brought the characters to life. I have way too many favourite quotes from this book!

The rival-to-lovers trope was well-executed, with a slow build that made the romance feel special. The spice scenes were hot and original, and the Taylor Swift references were a fun bonus for fans.

While I did predict the ending and plot twist early on, and found the book a bit lengthy, it’s still a fun read with great romance and spice. If you enjoy rivals-to-lovers and slow-burn stories, definitely check it out! 📖💖

Thank you NetGalley, Katie Holt and Alcove Press for the opportunity to read and review this ARC

This book was really good. Needs a few more revisions and edits in places but the story is just too cute! Rosie and Aiden are both writers at NYU and it’s a great enemies to lovers! Reading this book was like getting to read two novels at the same time as we got to read excerpts from their joint novel! I rate it a 4.5⭐️ but couldn’t do the half on the rating. I can’t wait to add this book to my bookshelf once it is released in December. Katie Holt has a new fan right here with me!

Oh my gosh!!! I’m so in love with this book! Enemies to lovers is my favorite trope and this came through exponentially!

Rosie loves to write romance and strongly believes in happily ever afters. Aiden prefers writing something a bit more cynical and realistic. Naturally, they’re enemies. When their bickering in their writing class becomes too much, their teacher tries to kick them out. However, both being passionate about writing, Rosie and Aiden would do anything to stay in the workshop. Their teacher has an excellent plan: make them write a book together. With two very different writing styles, can Rosie and Aiden really pull it off? When they clearly start basing their characters off each other, what happens when they start developing irl feelings?

This book was sweet, sexy, alluring and super unique! I loved the idea of them writing a book together, and it really helped tell the story. The way they really explored their vulnerability through the chapters was fantastic! And the flirting?! Omg 🔥 so hot. I also really loved the banter in this. They were just so perfect!

This had me kicking my feet and crying from the utter sweetness of it all. It had rom com down to a T and all the makings of an incredible romance novel and actually came through! I honestly can’t say enough good things about this book! You absolutely have to read it! 🥰

Not in My Book" by Katie Holt is a delightful romp through the world of romance and rivalry! Rosie, our spirited Peruvian-American protagonist, heads to New York with big dreams but finds herself locked in a literary battle with the charming but exasperating Aiden. Their push-and-pull dynamic is a joy to read, filled with sharp wit and irresistible chemistry.

Holt’s debut mixes sassy banter with heartwarming vibes which make watching Rosie and Aiden go from arch-enemies to romantic partners a treat, and their forced collaboration on a novel makes for some great comedic moments.

The book's clever plot and engaging characters make it a standout in contemporary romance. If you’re looking for a book that’s as entertaining as it is endearing, "Not in My Book" is definitely worth a read!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars—fun, fresh, and just the right amount of steamy!

Not In my Book by Katie Holt was very reminiscent of The Hating Game & I am so glad! I loved The Hating Game & very few books compare to it. Holt does an excellent job with enemies to lovers, slow burn, and witty banter. Just enough steam/spice in this one. A definite 4 star read for me.


Thank you NetGalley & Alcove Press for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I have very confusing feelings about this book! Obviously the premise is amazing, but so much of the writing and plotting felt very amateur. The third act conflict was immediately obvious, the characters were both incredibly frustrating and the book within a book didn't really work for me. EXCEPT when they were co writing the smut.

So it was fun and quick, but overall just a meh debut.

Thank you NetGalley and the author for this ARC!

This was a true rivals-to-lovers slow-burn with all the feels and angst!

The story is about two upcoming authors who are both opposites in the type of genre they like to write and spend most of their college workshops hurling insults at each other. They’re genuinely mean and rude towards each other, and do not hold back.
I honestly struggled with this a little bit at first, because aside from her inner monologue acknowledging how handsome he was from the start, I truly could not feel any romantic tension or feelings between them at all. In, fact, I ended up giving up on it in the first 7% but decided to come back for a second try and I'm glad that I did, because once I saw their relationship slowly develop and blossom, I actually appreciated that they started out with so much animosity. They genuinely acted like rivals at first and it was a true slow-burn.

The writing can be a bit tricky at the very beginning of the book since the main characters are extremely petty and vindictive, but they pick up and straighten out pretty quick. It read as an easy romance that doesn’t take itself too serieus, the kind of book you want to pick up after a long day and not use your head too much.

But seriously though, the huge drawback for me for this one and the part that cost the aruthor 2 stars was Rosie as a person... Rosie was kinda annoying sometimes, you know? Being stubborn when she really just could have done the damn task. She also kept getting mad at Aiden when he become distant when she started about his mom and then she goes like “he is so annoying, he can’t be friendly” blah blah like girl, come on, read between the lines. His mom is clearly a sensitive topic, let it go. She also did something that is not okay after the kissing- I’m talking about the way she acted AFTER all that- and then get mad at HIM, girl YOU STARTED IT. She just wasn’t really self aware and it got on my nerves.

I. cannot. stand. petty. childish. adults.

The author has done well as a debut book, She has the makings of a strong rom-com writer, but please, no more childish adults!