When the description said this book was similar to The Hating Game, I knew I wanted to read it. I was not a fan of Rosie in the first few chapters and was a bit disappointed in how childish some of her behavior was, especially for someone in grad school. As the book progressed and her character developed, she grew on me. Experiencing the uncertainty of what someone else is feeling and not trusting yourself to fully open up is something I think most people can relate to, whether they realize it or not. One of my biggest pet peeves in RomCom books is when the couple finally gets together and the male starts in with pet names- "Baby" and "Sweetheart" make me cringe. There was a lot of build up to the relationship, but it led to a rushed ending. I would have liked to see more of the resolution and their life together after the conflict. The epilogue was the type of ending you knew and hoped was coming- well done.
Overall, it was a quick and enjoyable read and I would check out the author's future books.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

I ate this up!! 5 stars!!

Academic rivals, enemies to lovers, banter galore, slow burn....what more can I ask for?
The pace was great! I love that the main characters were writers. I also loved having hispanic representation.

I ate this up and left no crumbs!

This was fab! Enemies to lovers is my fave trope. Give me all that angsty goodness!

I loved the characters (Rosie's personality kicked ass). I loved the romance (Serious steam). I loved the start (I laughed out loud at their antics).

I saw the end plot twist coming a mile off (How many times can one person say "I didn't think it was that important to you?"). I couldn't tell you what either of them looked liked (apart from the fact that she has curly hair and thigh stretchmarks and he has nice forearms). "Baby." Just ew. Adrian was so not a 'baby,' kinda guy. It didn't fit.

The writing blew my small gripes out of the water and, overall, I was very very very happy with this book.

2.5 stars.

It’s a super short & quick read (240 pages) that reads like a Taylor Swift/Travis Kelcie fanfic, I found the writing and the general story line reeeaally hard to get into. The characters had the potential to have a lot more depth however, it ended up feeling very rushed & the spicy scenes were okay.

The story had a lot of potential but it just didn’t hit the mark!

Thank you to Alcove Press via Netgalley for providing me with this ARC! So happy to read and review this contemporary enemies-to-lovers from a debut Peruvian-Tennessean voice. I loved the writing style of this book and the premise was so captivating. I’ve never read a romance where they cowrite a book together and every time we got to see them co-writing, I couldn’t put the book down. The four (rather than five) star rating comes from two things: (1) their fighting back and fourth in class didn’t seem realistic to me as a current graduate student and quite frankly if I witnessed that I’m not sure I would be rooting for them, and (2) I wish that there was a little more book / plot after the resolution of the main conflict beyond the epilogue. Even with these critiques, I will be recommending this to all of my friends!

A true Enemies to lovers contemporary romance.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC of Not in My Book!

Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Character Development: 💖💖💖💖

Characters that seem to absolutely hate each, rival and war with each other; are then forced to work together to write a love story for the writing workshop masters class they are in.

First I appreciate that months go by in this book. Not weeks but months. While there is instant attraction between the characters, it takes a lot of time and work for them to come together.

The act of writing the book together is so so amazing. They flow themselves in the characters they are writing and learn a lot about themselves along the way. And OH MY GODS when they co write the spicy in their book. Oh it’s is so so so good. I love that parts of the book they write are in this book.

Aiden is such a flawed character and I really appreciate that he slowing becomes more and more open about how and why he struggles with romance and love. While Rosie learns that her expectations may be too perfect for anyone to live up too.

I totally swooned over Aiden planning dates and being all bossy in bed.

This book has a 3rd Act break up but it works here. There is a lot of sadness in the book. But the hope and growth and tenderness is so well done. I had total hearts in my eyes so many times as these two characters grew together.

If this book was a Taylor song it would be: “imgonnagetyouback”

4.75 ⭐️
I absolutely devoured this book! Rosie and Aiden were opposites attract to its core, but they just fit so well together! Their banter and back and forth absolutely had me laughing and squealing! Also the irony of the enemies to lovers writing an enemies to lovers story was so clever, I highly recommend giving this a read!

4 stars!
This was such a great romance book - I'm not sure where to start.
It really reminded me of a lot of popular romance books around on social media by more well known authors (Emily Henry, Elena Armas, Lauren Asher) but in a good way.
The backdrop of the literary world really resonated with me and therefore probably with a lot of other readers as well. The fact that Rosie is just like us and fantasises her relationship as if it's in a romance book creates a really understanding link between the reader and the character.
Additionally the fact that both characters feel more comfortable expressing their opinions in writing rather than in verbal form made me reflect on my own choices.
My favourite thing about this book it the clever "dual POV" that is created through their joint novel. While having only Rosie's main point of view but seeing Aiden's opinions and thoughts through his writing for the novel instantly created more depth and meaning to the relationship while not confusing the reader with dual POV and creating a reliable and familiar voice to settle with.
I would 100% recommend as a romance with depth but that can also be binged in one sitting (as I did) or spread out over time.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

If you're looking for a heartwarming and engaging read, Katie Holt's debut novel is a must. This sweet romantic story follows Rosie and Adien, two post-graduate students in creative writing workshops, who initially clash over their differing views on romance literature. The "rivals to lovers" trope is well executed, with a delightful twist of "love at first sight" adding an extra layer of charm.

The author beautifully captures the shared love for writing between the characters, especially in the co-writing scenes, which felt authentic and deeply emotional. The pacing of the story is spot on, never feeling rushed and the ending is satisfyingly human and real. Rosie and Adien are relatable and lovable characters, with Rosie’s hopeless romanticism and Adien’s initial coldness creating a dynamic that is both fun and sweet. The dialogue flows naturally, and the inner monologues add depth, making the emotions feel raw and genuine.

Set against the romantic backdrop of New York during Christmas and New Year, this novel is perfect for cozying up with a hot chocolate. The family dynamics and references to book trends and authors add an extra layer of enjoyment for book lovers. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good romance with depth and real emotion.

Hi - Thanks for letting me read this quick and obvious romance story. It felt a bit aggressive from the start, with fairly intense characters and an obvious plot. A quick & fun read if you like New York (who doesn't) & it was fun to get a glimpse of behind the scenes of creative writing.

Thanks to the publisher and @netgalley for the arc! 🫶🏻

The book has a solid “rivals to lovers” trope with a side of “love/attraction at first sight”, “boy obsessed” and “family problems”.

What I loved the most is the love for writing they share and how the author wrote the cowriting scenes — they were well done and an important part of their relationship. It’s like the story they are writing and their relationship progress together.

I didn’t expect it to be THIS spicy so if you’re not comfortable with spice, keep this in mind 🤭

I feel like the third act breakup is a little forced — it wasn’t well developed (though foreshadowed) and how it resolved was rushed and unnecessary. I’d love to get more scenes with Rosie’s family, and the relationship between Rosie and Aiden based too much on physical attraction in a way (after the story developed to the lovers part).

Overall, it’s a nice read and I recommend it to romance lovers 🫶🏻

A book written within a book! This book was such a fun, sweet read!

I really enjoyed Rosie and Aiden’s characters and watching their relationship grow. Somewhat of an enemies to lovers trope that was carried out well.

It wasn’t too complicated of a story but still had some unique aspects that made it stand out in a heavily populated genre.

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc!

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the eARC of this cute story! Rosie and Aiden plainly, are A Lot in both the best and worst ways. Their rivalry, their friendship, their love is A Lot but I appreciate the classic New York rom com callbacks and how they open to each other. The pacing of their hatred to love was a little odd for me, but overall I thought this was an adorable story that I’d love to revisit during the holidays!

This sweet romantic novel following two post-graduate students in creative writing workshops made me feel a lot of emotions in the short amount of time I took reading it. Rosie, a romance writer, is trying to prove that romance isn’t just silly cute stories, and you need to be a skilled writer to make them work, a hopeless romantic at heart. Adien is a cold, mysterious lit-fic writer, who has harsh opinion on romances as well as Rosie’s writings. Both have this hate relationship, fueled by destroying the other’s writing or at least genre. This debut novel is worth every hopeless romantic, every anti-romance reader.

The pacing was perfect, I never felt bored or rushed, the ending was perfectly slowed, it felt human.
The connection, the emotion, the feelings felt human, as the pacing was natural, it wasn’t a in a few weeks romance, it was built in a wonderful manner.
The writing style was perfect, I felt at ease reading, the dialogue was naturally flowing, the inner monologue was there, which really added to the emotions. The structure really gave the story a powerful strength, adding extracts from writings really showed how aware they could be if they could use writing.

The characters were lovable, I related to Rosie a lot, the hopeless maybe slightly unrealistic romantic even though she has been shown time and time again reality can be less romantic. I personally think this influences how I viewed the ending. I felt like the emotions were raw and imperfect in a natural way, which made me feel like I was reading a romance, with lots of more deep thoughts and feelings and you got the chance to connect with both characters.

The book lover vibe made me smile, I also enjoy reading about writers or readers love stories, the references to reading, book trends and authors really made me feel like I was watching it happen in front of me.

The family dynamics were very much appreciated, I really felt for Rosie, as well as Adien. Some of the action felt slightly immature and imperfect but that made it real, I see this happening in relationships, which made it enjoyable. I appreciate how accountable the characters were.

The ending made me think a lot, I think I might have wanted more, maybe a bit more time to process the story (this could be due to the fact I read this in 2 sittings too), but I think it’s because of my own romantic endeavors that affected my experience. I really appreciate how it ended. It made me cry, I wish I could feel loved like Adien loves Rosie and I wish someone could prove me that love and trust exist. I will let you know; the writing can get you crying.

The New York setting gave romantic movie, especially with Christmas and New year being a big part of the book. I would recommend reading this with a hot chocolate on New Year’s Eve.

I am hoping for a second book, maybe following different characters in the same universe. I really enjoyed myself. I really would recommend this book. I am looking forward to keeping an eye on any of Katie Holt's future projects.

[ARC netgally - Alcove Press - comes out on Dec 10 2024 ]

It's a love story within a love story, only they are both the same. It was an interesting premise, two rivals are forced to write a book together and end up writing about themselves as they fall in love.

Lots of tension at the beginning (these two HATE each other). It took a while to actually see any redeeming qualities in Aiden, but when you finally do, he is a great book boyfriend; generous and supportive and he's a fan of dirty talk (but not filthy). Rosie seems a little problematic or maybe just extremely dramatic.

This book seems like a love story between the author and new York. New York is mentioned 69 times.

I was worried that we weren't going to get the HEA (that 3rd act breakup didn’t hit until 93%) but we do!

⭐⭐⭐.5
🌶️🌶️

I really liked the book, it's overall structure and character development. However I did find the conflict and resolutions a bit unbelievable. A lot of the third act breakup and resolution felt forced and not natural. It was a solid and overall enjoyable book; though more time spent on keeping characters consistent in motivations is important.

I loved this story so much both adian and rosie go on their own writing journeys her with romance him with literary fiction and both go on their own healing journeys him with family stuff and her with her narcissistic ex and yet they still find their way together this was so cute and I loved the enemies to lovers

First--- Thank you to Netgalley for a chance to read Not in My Book before publication.

Things I loved: Bookstore scene, acknowledgement of tropes, learning a little about Peruvian culture, reading about aspiring writers. Also loved Rosie's friend group and family.

This was a cute enemies-to-lovers book, and a pretty quick read, but at times I felt that the MMC was unredeemable, and I wanted better for Rosie.

Overall Rating: ⭒ ⭒ ⭒ ⭒ ⭒

Me? Rating a romcom 5 stars? Have pigs begun to fly? No. This book is just that good, and I think all academia and romance fans better run and order her right now.

Holt delivered such a well drawn out plot, beautifully complex and dynamic characters, and a romance that was thrilling in its prose and setting. Not In My Book is what I would like to call romantic academia. Set in NYU, the story begins with Rosie and Aiden at each other's heads in a creative writing critique workshop. The two passionately love the craft of writing, but detest each other’s preferred genre and make it very well known to anyone with eyes and ears. Once their feud reaches its climax, they are presented with a choice: work together on your thesis project or be dropped from the class. Fortunately for the readers, they pick the former.

This book is delicious. I really felt like eating it up. Not in My Book really impressed me with characters so well established and harmonious, they stood entirely on their own. Personalities were not sacrificed for romance, but rather they added fire to it. I was hesitant with the plot…how could two enemies writing an enemies to lovers story pan out? I expected it to be predictable, cliche, repetitive. Instead, I found myself obsessing over how they communicated through writing, how they described the craft, and used the story to begin their own romance. Holt is truly such a talented writer, and I am so happy she dedicated such talents to romance.

The dialogue, arguments, banter, and flirting? Immaculate. The tension? Built up so high I thought I would burst. Slow burn? Delivered. Conflict? Well justified. Every issue I had with romance was expertly addressed and made to be a favorite part in this story. I will be securing a copy ASAP.
If you love writing, romance, reading, slow burn, enemies to lovers, hurry and grab one too.

Thank you to Netgalley, Alcove Press, and Katie Holt for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Overall Rating: ⭒ ⭒ ⭒ ⭒ ⭒

Calling all fans of Never Have I Ever! Not in My Book delivers a sizzling enemies-to-lovers romance with a refreshing academic twist. Rosie, a passionate romance writer, and Aiden, a grumpy literary fiction snob, are forced to co-write a novel blurring the lines between fiction and reality.

The banter between these rivals is pure gold. Fans of Ben and Devi's dynamic will find a similar spark here, with the added bonus of steamy undercurrents and forced proximity. The portrayal of writing workshops feels realistic, with a nod to both supportive critique and the occasional insufferable classmate (though, in my experience, not a hot guy...).

The romance is where Not in My Book truly shines. Aiden's development from aloof know-it-all to swoon-worthy love interest is a particular highlight. While the mirroring of their actions and their fictional counterparts can be repetitive at times, it ultimately emphasizes the vulnerability they pour into their writing, as well as the fact that they were clearly using the project as an outlet for their romantic feelings.

I also thought the portrayal of friends and family relationships in this book were especially endearing and realistic. The inclusion of texts between Rosie and her friend group, as well as the scene with Aiden and his father really gave the characters more substance and depth.

If you're looking for a witty enemies-to-lovers story with a unique academic twist, Not in My Book is definitely worth adding to your TBR!

Thank you to Netgalley, Alcove Press, and Katie Holt for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!