"Not in My Book", by Katie Holt, made me want to get my MFA at NYU! The collaboration and mentorship gained from their writing workshop was inspiring and fun to read.

The book follows Rosie and Aiden, true enemies, in the beginning at least. They are both students in a graduate level writing course at NYU. When their increasingly angry critiques become too much, their teacher forces them to work on their final project together. While they found ways to work together, they worked through their anger towards one another, and became friends.

I found the book to be quick and easy to read. I enjoyed the banter, and relationships, once the two became friends. But, the angry bickering in the beginning was really intense. At one point Rosie described herself as someone who "liked to look at the world in rose-colored light," but I hadn't seen that at this point. She actually seemed to be solely focused on anger towards Aiden and I had a hard time understanding why. Once they became friends and kind of talked through their individual issues, it made more sense.

Overall, I really did enjoy this book. I loved the spanish culture and language peppered throughout. All in all it was a cute romantic comedy.

Five million stars for Katie Holt's amazing debut novel, NOT IN MY BOOK! I see so many books being compared to the OG enemies-to-lovers romance, THE HATING GAME, and this is the only book I've read in years that lives up to that comparison. It was witty, steamy, and swoon-worthy. Definitely pick this one up!!

Thank you Alcove Press and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange of an honest review.

I'm not a romance reader, but man, I cried so hard close to the end that I had to leave to room to go in the garden and cry in peace as the book slowly came to and end. About the comments I left on my kindle? will hopefully follow me to the grave.

The number of times I wanted to hug Rosie (even if I did at times want to strangle her for some things she decided to do) nearly every time. Go Rosie, go and do what you're good at - tell Aiden that the happily ever after actually exists and can come down to someone if they really wish for it. I loved the diversity she brought into a city known as cold and unwelcoming.

Aiden - it was a hate-hate relationship with you at first, and then it blossomed into a love-hate (you know why). But I loved how real they both felt, how their personalities so different together actually connected so well. I must say Aiden became one of my fav characters, it felt like I was like Logan witnessing Rosie and Aiden slowly learn to trust each other and to actually act without insulting each other each time they meet.

When the ending came, that 85% -95% killed me, while that 96%-99% slowly mended my heart back together.

What didn't make this book a 5 but a 4.5 rounded up to five was the lack I found on the secondary characters even if they were pretty much present throughout the book. I would have loved if the character of Ida would have had more characterization and more scenes, along with Aiden's dad and Rosie's friends.

Katie Holt knew what she was doing. A romance that will make you think twice for someone's meaning of love.

What to expect here:
-Opposite attract
-Fiction Writer x Romance Writer
-Different cultures crash (Peruvian vs American)
-Enemies to Lovers
-Grumpy x Sunshine
-Detailed 🌶️ scenes

Final rating. 4.5/5 ⭐️ with 2.5/-3 🌶️

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for my review.
This was such a cute contemporary romance with slow burn, enemies to lovers tropes, and a multicultural love interest.
Rosie and Aiden are two enemies that forced to cowrite a romance book together. I loved the concept of them sharing their feelings via the book they were co-writing by using their characters to represent themselves. I could not put this book down and the slow burn was done so well. I did feel like the end was alittle cheesy but felt like the book resolved well. The banter and bickering between these characters was very funny and the tension, both sexual and angry, between them was palpable through the pages. Overall I really enjoyed this book, and I would recommend it!

🩷 NOT IN MY BOOK 🩷
AVAILABLE DECEMBER 10

I flew through this book and was hooked right from the beginning. There is tension and angst and will they or won’t they. I loved everything about the book. Rosie is such a feisty little romantic and Aiden is peacoat wearing grump with a filthy mouth! I loved how they wrote their book together and how it intertwined with their own lives. I can’t wait to buy this when it comes out!

I loved this one. two writers of different genres who hate each other have to write a novel together??? sign me up!!! i love them. i loved this book. I had the best time with it.

This is a fun kind of twist on a romcom because it's a book within a book, almost Meta in a way. Aiden and Rosie write a story as theirs is written, but it's really clearly their own story from the start, just slightly different. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and their dynamic at the start, the banter was funny and quick, and you could tell the trajectory of the story.
Overall, it was clever and doubly satisfying at most times, as we got two versions of the same thing happening. I loved Rosie's friends and family as side characters because they made the story much more full and exciting. I wish Aiden's father was explored a bit more in the end as a climax of previous encounters, but I appreciated each character's complexity.
For me, I wanted more before the ending (based on the resolution of the miscommunication trope). I really got into their relationship and personal growth, so I would have loved to seen more significant conflict, and consecutive resolution.
Not in My Book is a sweet romcom, but also such an important love letter to romance in the literature industry. It explores what romance serves to women and its value as inherent rather than diminished by its content. I loved the references to the industry, the exploration of its value and purpose, and just the quiet and steady appreciation of what it is to so many readers.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

THIS BOOK WAS ADORABLE!!! And so well written, I was SHOCKED to read that this was Katie Holt's debut novel. In this book, the two main characters have a glorious "enemies to lovers" trope; they're both in a creative writing class trying to write their first novels, when their professor (fed up with their fighting), assigns them to co-write a novel. I really enjoyed reading the novel part of this book, and the novelization project they were working on in class. 5 stars, I can't wait to read more from this amazing author!

A love letter to the romance genre and to all of us that believe in the happily-ever-afters.

Rosie and Aiden are academic rivals in their NYC graduate writing program- he writes literary fiction, and her romance, but neither seem to respect one another’s work. When their constant disagreements finally result in an explosive classroom disruption, their professor orders Rosie and Aiden must put their differences aside and write a novel together, or face removal from the course.

I really enjoyed this take on the “enemies-to-lovers” trope, and the inclusion of excerpts from Rosie and Aden’s novel added to the tension in such a unique way. Speaking of romance tropes, this story is an ode to them, and I was impressed by Katie Holt’s ability to weave so many tropes seamlessly into the book. Romance lovers and Swifties alike will enjoy picking up on the many “easter eggs” left for them to discover.

The NYC setting through the seasons is a perfect backdrop, spending just enough time at the holidays to make an impact, but not make it a “Christmas book.” Significant literary locations in the city such as the famous Strand bookstore enforce a literary atmosphere.

I loved the multiplicity of Rosie, part Peruvian, part Southern Belle, both sides adapting to her new life in the city. Her family dynamic is solid, and the second-generation American representation is thoughtful written. As the story progresses, we learn how Adian’s turmoil with his family and tense relationship with his father influence his outlook on life and writing style. If I asked anything of this book, it would be to dive deeper into these rich characters.

My favorite theme in the story is the validation of romance as a genre, the authors who write with vulnerability and champion the happy endings, and the readers who shamelessly enjoy them. Rosie is valiant defender of romance, and Aiden’s initial impressions of the genre represent its frequent dismissal in the literary world.

Not in My Book is a delightful read, a heartfelt story fueled by the kind of tension and banter that only a well-crafted enemies-to-lovers scenario can provide. The addition of Rosie and Aidan’s co-authored novel provides insight into the hearts of the characters, providing a creative and unique way to express their emotions and literary writing styles. A wonderful debut for Katie Holt, who validates contemporary romance by defending it against literary elitism, and embraces all of us who love the genre.

This book had everything you could ever want from a romance book. Slow burn, AMAZING banter, forced proximity and enemies/ rivals to lovers. It was such a great read and had me kicking my feet and giggling the whole time.

Not in My Book takes the slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers, and forced-proximity approach to building a romance, to a new level. Rosie and Aiden are rivals in their writing program at NYU. Both adamant in their respective chosen genres, Rosie refuses to budge on her belief in Romance and Happily-Ever-Afters; Aiden looks down on her choice atop his Literary Fiction high horse.

When their arguments in class become too disruptive, their professor gives them an ultimatum: drop the class, or collaborate on a novel. They were both gifted writers, she explained, but they needed to learn to respect points of view outside of their own. As neither wanted to leave the program, they took the latter option.

As the enemies-to-lovers characters in their book go through their journey, they decide they need to, as well, in order to bring realism and depth to the story. This decision leads them to many awkward planned interactions, made easier only by communicating through the Google doc they share to write and edit the story together, and to talk to each other in ways through their prose, that they cannot manage, face-to-face.

Building the story together opens them up to each other's respective pasts and lasting wounds. Writing the story together ultimately helps them heal.

Not in My Book is a joy to read, and lands at a level higher than most, with this approach. It would be interesting to read where their journey goes from here.

Cute and quick read. The “hate to love” theme was a tad strong at the beginning. In fact, the hate-game was so strong between these two, it was almost to the point where you couldn’t forgive it. Similar story with the ending… 🙄 Can we normalise adults reacting and having rational conversations?

LOVED the Spanish sprinkled throughout the novel with no translation. More of this please! Also really enjoyed the co-writing of the novel and steamy scenes when they were typing together! Soooooo good. The angst in those scenes was off the charts!!

I couldn't put this book down. I overall loved the story, the plot, the banter between the two main characters, and their relationship with their families.
(spoiler ahead): I wouldn't give 5* because of the break up act which felt a bit unnatural and also the way they got back and the ending itself just didn't finish the book as strongly as the whole story.

Katie Holt’s NOT IN MY BOOK is exactly what I was looking for in a summer romance read. It’s sexy and fun, and the enemies to lovers relationship between Rosie and Aiden is flawlessly developed. All the stars!

Not in my book is an enemies to lovers story about Aiden and Rosie. Two authors who are very different people and write very different genre's but are they really that different? I don't normally read a lot of romance, however I was intrigued by the synopsis of this one and it did not disappoint. I was drawn in from the start and there I stayed. This book is perfect for a cozy day, cup of tea, chocolate and a fuzzy blanket. It was nicely paced and balanced so the reader just glides through it. The character development was nice and even the side characters had just enough description that you could develop your own relationship with them but were not to overpowering in the story to send it off on tangents.

Romance novels can be fairly standard in the way in which events unfold, this one was no different. Even though I was able to predict how things would unfold, i didn't feel like it detracted from the story. My only issue was the use of the term 'Baby', c'mon can't we get creative here? I feel like this word detracted from the book so much, I think I physically cringe when I hear it and it especially did not work in this book, It is the main reason I am giving 4 stars not 5.

Book Review
Book Title-> Not In My Book
Author-> Katie Holt
Release date->December 2024
Tropes-> Rivals to lovers, Grumpy × Sunshine, One bed, Book about Book, Slowburn romance, Small town FMC, Contemporary romance
I'll definitely recommend this book to the ones who love Academic rivals to lovers trope.
Rosie, the FMC who moved to New York from her home town(Tennessee) with dreams of becoming an author (To be precise a romance genre writer) gets accustomed to Newyork's busy life. The only person whose presence she can't stand is her grumpy class mate and her ex-crush who dislike romance genre and doesn't believe in HEA, Aiden. Aiden is a literary fiction author who never fails to get on Rosie's nerves with his feedback every week about her script in class.
Their professor who gets annoyed with their verbal battles she tells them to discontinue her class. After little pleas, she will allow them for her class on a condition: Rosie and Aiden must write a novel together. A romance novel with a sad ending.
They take turns writing each chapter but their banter continues as they place themselves in to the main lead characters. Things take a turn, the tension builds and there comes a situation where they will write a spicy scene together. As manuscript develops, their banters turns in to sweet talks and later in to confessions & promises. Date nights, sweet talks, Aiden is everything Rosie dreamt of. But their academic rivalry revive for a career changing opportunity. Will they find their way back to each other after a rift in their relationship.
Will they complete the manuscript?
Will they find their way back to each other?
You should definitely read the book to know what happens next.
Dear Author,
This book is so good that i enjoyed reading every page. You've done a wonderful job by slowly building the tension and making our hearts beat wild with your writing. This book is amazinggggg. I hope this book will become a huge hit. All the best. (Anddddd i don't want to give spoilers for the readers but chap17 is 🔥)
I loved the book and enjoyed reading it very much. It almost felt like I'm reading a book with dual POV with the way you wrote and i loved it. The rivalry, tension, spicy scenes are all so well written. This is definitely one of the books that i enjoyed and got involved in to the story while reading in recent times.
Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press for the book Arc...

Not in my book by Katie Holt is the feel-good book of the year.

This book has me speechless. I have never wanted to devour something so quickly in a long time. But reading this had me doing exactly that. The amount of times that I giggled, swooned, and kicked my feet is enough to prove exactly my thoughts on this book (Note-It was a lot).

Rosie and Aiden are absolute goals. While they started as enemies that constantly bickered about the smallest things, they learned to really connect and care about each other. They went from classroom fights to Aiden calling Rosie to make sure that they spent Christmas Eve together so that none of them were lonely. It was the sweetest and most wholesome relationship-truly one of a kind. Their banter was top-tier, and love even more delicious. I mean, who does not want an Aiden who has the cutest blushes-please sign me up. And their first kiss scene! There were defenitely some squeals from me at that chapter!

The Wholesome friendships-
Honestly, Rosie's friendships with Jess, Tyler, and Logan was one of the funniest and most wholesome aspects of the books. Their continued groupchat where they talked about anything and everything going on about Aiden and Rosie, to their nights and the Peculier club, I loved it all. They had each others backs, and were the funniest side characters one could ask for. Needless to say that I loved them, and would love to have a Logan in my life.

And then there is Rosie's family dynamic. I love her family. They are so adorable-from the way that they wear llama sweaters as a Christmas tradition to their joking mannerisms. I do wish however that we got to see a little bit more about Rosie's family. I loved them completely, and wanted to see more scenes with them in it.

Now to my most favorite part of the book-the story that Rosie and Aiden were writing.
This was by far the best plot-point that happened. It really alleviated the story, and made it even more enjoyable. It built up Rosie and Aiden's relationship, and gave them a comfortable outlet to share their feelings. Especially when writing that steamy scene, oh my. But most of all, it gave both of the characters a unique voice. Since their story is written in a different tone than the overall story, it gives it more chances to develope, and be seperate from everything else. I felt like kI was reading a completely different story, and I loved every second of it. Being able to see Rosie and Aiden's progression through their real life, and character personas was my favorite thing.

Overall, this book was completely amazing. The writing was so compelling, and the slow burn was slow burning. I wish that this story never ended. There are not many books that I see are set in this writing industry setting, and I loved that it made it all the more unique. As someone who loves to write, it felt very relatable and comfortable.

AND the New York winter backdrop-100% YES. This was the perfect place for the story to be placed in, and created this magical wonderland of a world.

Thank you so much to Netgally, Alcove Press, and Katie Holt for a chance to experience this wonderful story!

5+!

"Love could be a ruthless game."

Rosie and Aiden are MFA students in New York, she writes romance and he writes literary fiction. Except he hates romance and she hates literary fiction and as such, they hate each other. When the two of them get into a particularly vicious verbal battle in their class, their professor has had enough. In order to stay in the class, the two of them must write a novel together, no ifs ands or buts about it. When the duo find themselves writing a literary romance, they can't help but lose themselves in parts of it. When they finish the book, they're finished, right?

When I realized this was a debut, I was STUNNED. This was beautiful!! I loved every single thing about this book. I L-O-V-E-D Aiden, the little Taylor Swift easter eggs, the dual narrative (which made up for the lack of dual perspective), the book, the quotes, the New York setting, all the seasons, just every single thing.

This was truly a beautiful romance and I cannot wait to see what else Katie Holt reviews because if this is the beginning? She has an incredible future ahead of her.

"I loved you the whole time, but I love you the most now.'

This was the perfect enemies to lovers! The tension between the two characters were to die for, I loved the little arguments they would get into. I really loved the fmc Rosie. She was just so determined and knew how to hold her own ground. And Aidan, the mmc, OMG he was just so perfect. He listened to everything Rosie said, he was literally such a simp and I loved it. The plot of this book was so unique, and I love how we got a romance book inside of a romance book. The ending really tied everything together and made the book even better. While reading this book, I was smiling and kicking my feet, the banter was just so good! It was the perfect amount of drama and the perfect about of spice. I cannot wait until the physical copy is released, so I can get my hands on it.

I aint a big TS fan but I caught on to the hints for sure. This was a beautifully written rom/com enemies to lovers' book and I'm so here for it!! immediately put it on my Wishlist so I can buy the physical copy as soon as release date hits so I can annotate all the cute notes on it!!