It’s been a while since a romance novel held my attention for the entirety of the book.
I loved the concept of two authors writing a book together while they kinda hate each other

I wished the miscommunication at the end wasn’t there but it did make sense for them to have a third-act break up like this😅

Absolutely loved this book. Would definitely buy it

Rosie and Aiden don't get along well. Rosie writes romance and Aiden writes lit-fic, and in their thesis workshop, they can't help but get on each other's nerves. To get along, they are forced to write a book together for the course, leading to them spending more and more time getting to know each other through their writing... and the romance ensues.

I have to say that this book was a fun and cute time, and I read it all in a day, in a couple of hours. It was very readable and had a good time!

(oh god there's a "but" isn't there)

....... BUT- there were a couple of things that just did not work for me. Firstly, the book felt a little bit long for what it was. I think shortening it down a bit would have benefited the pacing of the story. Since the book takes place over a couple of months, the pacing felt choppy when the time jumps took place, and when we were particularly in a season for a long period. The spacing out just didn't feel very fluid and took me out of the story a bit.

Now let's talk about Aiden and Rosie. They were a rollercoaster. Aiden was soooo great when he was great, but then he'd suddenly switch up and say the worst things ever. His character was never very consistent in his growth. Every argument that they'd have, he was just so mean that I was finding it hard to forgive him in the end. It just was not my vibe. I also felt that choppiness in Rosie's character, where her actions and thoughts didn't feel consistent with how she was portrayed at the start of the story and how her character was changing throughout. It felt a little off.

Now by saying this I do not mean to say that I didn't enjoy this book at all, in fact, it kept me reading and entertained which is all you'd ever ask for from a book. I did enjoy it overall and there definitely were some cute moments and banter between the characters, and I think with a little brushing up, it could creep its way up to a favourite.

Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

5 stars! Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the arc in exchange for my honest review!

A love letter to romance, writing, and nyc, this book is for every book lover and writer out there. I’m honestly shocked that this is a debut novel. Both of the characters felt so real to me and I really enjoyed their back stories. The academic rivals in this was done so stunningly and I really enjoyed how they begrudgingly agreed to work together. This book was like if beach read took place in nyc and for that I loved it so much. The banter was amazing and the spicy scenes were great. I think the ending was a bit rushed but I overall really enjoyed this book and am excited to read more by this author!

What an incredible debut! I was hooked instantly and devoured every page eagerly. It’s art imitating life and vice versa, It was so romantic, so comforting and I cannot wait to read whatever Katie Holt writes next.

Thank you so much Alcove Press for my ARC, I truly appreciate it ❤️

4.5/5⭐️

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the author for allowing me to read this book in advance!

Rosie and Aiden, both writers but of different genres—romance and fiction—find themselves attending the same courses. From the very beginning, there is tension between them, with sharp replies, criticisms, and continuous bickering, which lasts almost until halfway through the book. (AND I LOVED THAT! I'm a slow burn fan)

They are two academic rivals in the truest sense. Personally, I had never read a story with this setting before, so it felt different and original to me, and I read it with great pleasure. I cried and smiled with them, rooting for their happily ever after from the very start.

However, at times there are some contradictions (for example: at one point, it's said that they are in the dark with no light passing through, but in the next line, she starts describing his lips or "the light in his eyes"). Additionally, there are several writing errors, but overall, it was an enjoyable, light, and fresh book that kept me company, and I would gladly read it again.

Absolutely fantastic plot! Could not put the book down once I began reading it. Cannot wait for it to be released. I will recommend it to everyone I know!

Rosie Maxwell and Aiden Huntington are academic rivals. Stuck in the same creative writing class, and on the same table no less, the two are constantly bickering until they take it too far and now the aspiring romance author and literary fiction writer are forced to cowrite a novel that blends both of their writings styles to stay in the class.

I don’t know what I was expecting when I requested Not in My Book, but I do know that I was left mostly unsatisfied which was quite disappointing. The premise of two rivals having to work together to co-author a book sounded like there was going to be some delicious tension, and there was, there were also great moment, for example when Rosie and Aiden started to speak to each other over they’re shared book document, the anticipation in those few scenes was toe curling, but I had issues with the rest.

The grammatical mistakes kept jarring me out of the story, along with some continuity errors (Rosie gets her bra taken off twice in a steamy scene). I didn’t enjoy most of the experts from the novel they were working on and could have done without them at the end of each chapter, and I saw the catalyst for the third-act breakup as soon as the first hint was dropped.

But, there was some good parts Aswell. Previously mentioned the moments when the two MCs where writing as Max and Hunter but having conversations with each other over their shared document were great, especially the spicier one, my toes were curling, and my stomach was swopping. I also enjoy the bickering they has going on at the start but the further the book continued the less I enjoyed.

Thank you Netgalley and the author for gifting me this book.

4.5/5
This book was so good. An amazing enemies to lovers type book with a broody Mr Darcy like character and an optimistic ray of sunshine. The tension between the two characters throughout the entire book was amazing. I can't wait to see what Katie Holt has in store for her next books.

This book was ridiculously good. I sped through it, only stopping when I was mad at the characters (or was forced to do something). So often in enemies to lovers books, they just seem to forget about the original enemies part far too quickly in my opinion, but I think this book truly was an enemies to lovers book. It was slow burn enough that I really got the enemies part. The author did a great job getting them from enemies to eventually falling for each other in a way that didn’t seem forced or too fast.

Another element that I absolutely loved in this book was with Rosie and Aiden’s book. I’ve read a few books where the characters are writers, but I loved how in depth this book went into that story as well. The passages at the end of each chapter in particular, although those few times when Aiden and Rosie wrote back and forth might’ve been my favorite scenes of the book.

My only reservation with this book is that the ending seemed quite sudden. I think it could’ve used another chapter, or even just a couple more pages so that final conflict could be fully resolved.

All in, I give this book 4.5/5 stars (rounded to five).

Thank you to Alcove Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“If you’re not mine, then know that I’m yours. The minute I saw you, you had me hooked, and I never wanted you to let go.”

Five stars to this debut novel from Katie Holt. This is a rom com enemies to lovers book that makes us all pull for that happily ever after- even when one of the characters is rooting for a fiery plane crash tragic ending.

First off I loved the concept of this book. Rosie and Aiden being forced to write a book together and slowly falling in love like the characters was amazing. I haven't read anything like it and I struggled to put it down. My only issue is that their fight at the end of the book felt so forced and unnatural. The ending also left me wanting more. I felt that they never really resolved the issue. Like why did Aiden not tell her about the award? Why did he suddenly become so hateful during their argument- it seemed to reverse all the character building that was done throughout the book. Other than that I loved Rosie and I loved the concept.

I'm never really sure how I'll feel about a romance book when I start it. I'm very picky on what I want in it, but this book met almost all of my expectations and was genuinely enjoyable to read. The connection between Rosie and Aiden was built up so well in a way that doesn't always happen. There was tension, and it definitely was enemies to lovers but in a way where you really wanted to scream at the two to get together. I'm also a little weary with spicy scenes, but the ones in this book worked and the first one definitely added something to the story instead of it just being there to make it a romance book. I enjoyed the concept and overall I have only good things to say. I think this book will be incredibly popular once it is released and it definitely deserves to be.

Thank you to Katie Holt, Alcove Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review

Not in My
Book by Katie Holt!
Omg this book! Wow! Such a cute romance.
I truly loved the whole premise of this book! It had enemies to lovers, forced proximity, one bed, all the tropes I absolutely love!
The characters were so relatable and likable, and let me just say Aiden
The story follows Aiden and Rosie, two writers in the same workshop, who hate each other. After a blow up in class, the teacher forces them to write a book together.
We get snippets of the book, and it essentially mirrors their life. A book within a book.. I'm sold! (Does this count as reading two books?)
I highly highly recommend this book!

This is one to look out for!
I’ve read so many disappointing romances over the last year. Usually, I don’t request romance ARCs from debut authors anymore, but for some reason, this one spoke to me. I am incredibly glad that I requested it.
I loved it.

A romance novel about romance novels. Authors have realised that us readers like to read about books. By now, there are quite a few stories about authors, book shops, readers. Technically, it’s nothing special anymore. I’m also pretty sure that I’ve read a book with a similar plot before. But I gotta say – I don’t care. I completely ate it up. And it was well done! The co-writing of a novel complementing their relationship was so much fun to read. It could've been boring, but it definitely wasn't. A great way of showing thoughts and emotions in a different way.
As I said - not exactly realistic. At least, I don't think I would've been able to essentially show my (sometimes quite graphic) diary to my friends, collegues and professor.

I couldn’t put it down. Enemies to lovers is difficult to write in a romance context, which I never get tired of repeating, but this was very well done. Aiden and Rosie were fantastic. Quite childish, sure, not really realistic, who cares. But the banter? The tension? The pining?
And it’s a romance. It’s allowed to be unrealistic.
I do, however, have to criticise that there is one trope in here, that I really can’t stand. In a way, it suits the book, so I can’t complain too much, but I wish it had been written in a way that worked without it.

The style was wonderful. Light-hearted, funny, full of emotion. A couple of scenes really broke my heart, but it was very easy to enjoy. Even though the characters did annoy me with some of their actions, the writing was good enough to still keep me going.
Even though there are many clichés in this one, there was enough of a twist on them, so it didn’t feel boring. I loved Rosie as a Peruvian-American girl, getting glimpses of her culture, I loved the input of publishing and novel writing.
I read this in summer, but this could be counted as a winter book and I loved the descriptions of a wintery New York. A bit romanticised (which the book acknowledges), but that’s okay.
And what I really liked about this book was how unashamed it was of being a romance. Of course, it’s a romance novel catered towards romance novels – it’s not gonna talk about how useless this genre is. But nowadays, so many readers of this genre argue for its acceptance as proper literature and I loved how the novel actually took this up.

I’m still slightly split about the ending. On one hand, considering all the discussions about romance in this book, it was to be expected. On the other hand, it would’ve been the perfect timing for trying something new. I kind of wish that there had been a twist at the end. But at the same time, while being realistic, it wouldn’t have made sense for the book. So while I’m curious what the book could’ve been like, I can accept the way that it actually is.

Thank you, NetGalley and Alcove Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It was cute. It wasn’t GREAT and there were definitely parts that my eyes were glazing over, so maybe a little long. But cute and I finished it and Aiden is the best.

Me gustó que tanto Rosie como Aiden no son tan jovenes, bueno son jovenes, pero adultos jovenes y no adolescentes, por lo que sus acciones no llegan a ser infantiles. También me gustó que puede leer personas que no están en el rango de edad entre los 18 y 21 en la universidad., siento que puede conectar más.

Ambos (Rosie y Aiden) buscan convertirse en autores, cada uno en un estilo diferente, ella en el romance y el en ficción. Se conocen en una clase de escritura e inmediatamente se llevan mal por culpa de él ya que se la pasa criticando todo lo que ella hace, sobretodo porque escribe romance y él como muchas personas no lo ven como un genero respetable. -Es una tristeza que lo anterior al día de hoy siga siendo cierto, si llegas a decir que lees romance te dicen que lees porno, o que eso no cuenta como lectura/literatura y te hacen menos. Me imagino que a los escritores de romance también los hacen menos.


La enemistad de esos dos llega a tal punto que la maestra los amenaza con expulsarlos de su clase si siguen así, entonces ellos se ponen de acuerdo para demostrarle que pueden comportarse y deciden demostrarlo trabajando juntos en una historia en donde se combinen ambos géneros. Empiezan a pasar tiempo juntos y descubren que ambos estaban equivocados en como era el otro.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you SO much to the author and NetGalley for the arc!

I'm a simple girl who loves enemies to lovers, and writing this trope in contemporary romance can be very tricky sometimes. Usually, their enemy motives can be resolved by sitting down and having a cup of coffee and just communicating. While this book does have a scenario like this, it goes above and beyond to really hook you and get invested in Rosie and Aiden's struggles and triumphs and when the enemies are now loving, you're hooked.

I LOVED this book. I felt like I was in New York at Christmas time, cozy and warm in a bookstore. Everyone needs a little romance and HEA in their lives.

First and foremost, thank you NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this book.

I’m rating it 3.5⭐️ because it was a bit of a rollercoaster. I didn’t love it at first, got obsessed at around 30%, then deflated at around 50%, and later got into it again. In the end, all things considered, it was a cute story with a few swoon worthy moments, and I have to admit I even shed a tear or two.

However, I had a rough time actually getting into it, and I think the reason was that this book would have benefited from further editing. I’ll list the reasons for saying this:

- The beginning was cool, with all the banter between the MCs but then it became a little slow, with lots of context on Rosie’s past that I, as a reader, didn’t feel like I needed at that time. I felt like this impacted the pace and made me put down the book for a day or two.
- There are a few grammar mistakes/typos that need fixing. An example: “… and I sometimes I felt…” (page 19)
- There are some continuity errors. An example: in one of the spicy scenes, the characters remove their shirts and Rosie’s bra and on the next page, Rosie’s bra is being removed again. Also, in another scene, they just had a fight two minutes ago but he already misses her like they’ve been apart for months? I know these are just small details, but I’m a bit particular about that kind of stuff. I’m sorry 😅

Now for the good parts:
- I absolutely loved how realistic I found the FMC’s struggles with writing to be
- The idea is interesting. I like how they kind of let each other know bits and pieces about themselves through their writing. Things they probably wouldn’t be able to say out loud. I really liked this dynamic.
- Some of the things they said to each other were TRULY, ABSOLUTELY swoon worthy.
- Not sure if this is good or bad, it’s what it is, but I found the book to be very tropey. One bed, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, miscommunication… you name it. I don’t mind tropes at all. My only criticism here would be that miscommunication isn’t really my favorite trope. I feel like there are better ways to create conflict.
- The first spicy scene was surprisingly good to me. 👀

All in all it’s a fun read if you’re looking for a cute romance and are not deterred by miscommunication tropes. Honestly, with better editing, I feel it has good potential.

The only reason it took me so long to finish this is because I have to pay my bills and thus have to work. Banter in an enemies to lovers is keyyy and boy did this one deliver. Rosie and Aiden are both writers in the same class and they compete over everything, but when they’re faced with either working together on a project or dropping out of the class, something Rosie can’t afford, they have to co-write a romance without the HEA together. The story they’re writing just so happens to be the same one they themselves are experiencing. Rosie is a very, head-in-the-clouds kind of girl and Aiden is not. The romance was great, and there were so many moments that had me kind of wish it hadn’t been a boy-is-a-jackass-to-girl-to-make-her-notice-him. The ending felt a bit rushed to me, the fight doesn’t come until like the last 10%! Other than that, that’s my only note, and I am looking forward to reading what else the author writes.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and author for an E-ARC of this book to read in exchange for an honest review.

The cover is beautifully drawn and properly conveys the tension between the book's key characters. The book could benefit from editing because some of the sentences were unclear and fragmented, and the semester timeline was confusing as the book transitioned from Fall to Summer. I believe the author could easily fix this by stating that the characters are taking this specific class for a total of two semesters. The first semester, from fall to spring, consisted of them penning the first half of their co-authored novel. The second semester, from spring to summer, was the second half of their collaborative literary adventure. The book is full of cliches and tropes, making it both endearing and frustrating. The cliches were a nice touch and occasionally hilarious when Aiden and Rosie were co-writing, but the number of them felt a little excessive and detracted from the narrative for me. The greatest drawback for me was Aiden and Rosie's blurring of fiction and reality, as well as the characters they wrote about in their novel, which was obvious and repetitive. The author might improve this by only using scenes from their co-written novel that elaborate on what happened to Aiden and Rosie, rather than repeating it. For example, if Aiden and Rosie kissed in the book and their characters in their novel kissed as well, rather than having it repeat in the same chapter, supply readers with their reflections or anxieties about the kiss without rewriting the kissing sequence that occurred in real life. I enjoyed the interactions Aiden and Rosie had while co-writing their novel, and how it led to strong character development for both. I believe it also led to and contributed a unique perspective to the fact that it is sometimes easier to openly connect with people online first, even if you only see and talk to them twice a week in person, before being able to open up to them on a deeper level in person. I enjoyed how the author wrote and developed two characters that had experienced love and see romance in different lights and must talk and nearly educate one another about those opposing viewpoints to better understand one another as people. I appreciated how much of Rosie's life and family we as readers got to learn and see, but we rarely get to know about Aiden's life. I believe that allowing readers to see and hear more about Aiden's life will help them develop a stronger connection to him as a character and individual.

The author does an excellent job of demonstrating the blurring of truth and fiction that may occur when writing a novel, various perspectives on relationships, and how writing feedback can be stressful and upsetting, but also beneficial and motivating in continuing to grow as a writer and person. Not in My Book by Katie Holt is for those who appreciate romance, cliches, and the challenging skill of creating and balancing fiction and reality.