Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute story! I liked the premise and was so captivated by the MC’s novel reflecting their real life feelings and actions while they were co-writing. That was super unique storytelling to me. I enjoyed reading the scenes where rosie and aiden were together- like during Christmas. I also love a book with some banter, so that was great. The conflict and resolution were a bit weak to me and the FMC acted a little childish at some points for my taste. At times I was a tiny bit bored as well, but overall a solid 3⭐️ book that I enjoyed reading!

Thank you to netgalley and alcove press for letting me read this.

I absolutely adored Not in my Book. It’s a rivals to friends to lovers with a bit of fake dating and all the joys of romance in New York. I adored Aiden and Rosie so much as individuals and as a couple. They both grew together as a couple as well in their writing and their experiences, which I absolutely loved.

The way the author didn’t shy away from the realities of love was a favorite of mine. She highlighted the fears and insecurities that come up in new love in a realistic way. Although this felt like the perfect New York Christmas romcom it was also really realistic and not too frivolous.

Such a well written story that had me hooked and desperately needing to know what was going to happen next. I loved that we got to see the characters emotions through the book they were co-writing. This felt like a unique twist on a classic academic rivalry story.

There were so many scenes I absolutely needed more of, but I loved that they wrote a kiss and spicy scene together! I cried a little when Aiden pulled out the locket for Rosie. And the ending had me in tears because it felt so picturesque romantic but also something anyone would want from their person.

"Not in My Book" is a quick, fun read featuring forced proximity, enemies to lovers, and a splash of fake dating. I loved that the female main character is Peruvian, which added a unique cultural dimension to the story. Watching the characters' relationship evolve alongside the book they were writing together was delightful. The author did a great job with side characters, giving them their own personalities and subplots.

However, I struggled to connect with the initial animosity between the main characters, making the start a bit rocky. While their relationship developed throughout the book, it sometimes felt flat, making it hard to root for them through the ups and downs. The final twist came later than expected, and the characters' reactions seemed disproportionate.

Despite these points, it was still an enjoyable read, perfect for a relaxing escape. I'd recommend it to anyone who loves rom-com romances, especially those who appreciate a story with heart, just like the Peruvian heroine.

A very well written story with a simply addictive storyline, Holt’s characters are relatable and loveable, sweet and sexy. I loved it.

Thanks to NetGalley I received an advanced electronic copy of the book to read and provide a review.

3.5 stars rounded up because I’m feeling generous.

This was a cute and easy enemies to lovers set in academia (NYU!) read! There were parts that were incredibly engaging and magical like everything that happened around Christmas and Rosie’s family. However, there were other parts that were predictable and annoying like the reason for the third act break. 🙄

With all that said, I’m excited to see what comes next for Katie Holt. I loved her writing style and spicy scenes.

Not in My Book was an enjoyable enemies-to-lovers romance!

Rosie and Aiden seem like the typical romantic heroine and hero, but they are different. Rosie's character is very relatable, especially with her romantic viewpoint and positive outlook. Aiden is the opposite, basically. But, he is a more realistic book boyfriend, given the way he dislikes romance.

I enjoyed how this book depicted the struggle of reality versus fiction. As readers, we sometimes desire those relationships we read about. But, this book addresses that discrepancy between what we read and what we live. I thought it was unique how the events of their own book mirrored the events and emotions occurring between the characters.

I did struggle a bit to understand the conflict between the characters, especially since it seemed like there was character growth but it wasn't shown during some pivotal moments. However, the book was still a fun and entertaining read!

Thank you to Alcove Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book!

NEW COMFORT BOOK ALERT!!!

In this fun, enemies to lovers romance, we follow Rosie who is a hopeless romantic and has dreams of being a published romance author. Rosie is working on her MFA at NYU where she meets Aiden Huntington, who is a literary fiction writer who hates romance. When Rosie and Aiden are in the same creative writing workshop, all Aiden and Rosie seem to do is bicker and fight over each other's writing styles. When their Professor, Ida, is fed up with them and threatens to kick them out of her class, her only other solution for them is to co-write a book together as their end of year projects. The catch is Aiden has to learn to write romance, and Rosie needs to find a way to not write a HEA. This forces them to change their writing styles while also makes them work together and actually learn about each other.

This book was a book within a book! I can genuinely say I have never read anything like it and it was hard for me to put down at times. Rosie and Aiden at the beginning of the book absolutely despise each other meaning their banter and arguments were so good and so funny. As the story progresses, we actually get to see their growth in them becoming each other's best friends to then falling in love. I hate when romances write their characters attraction to each other as surface level, but Rosie and Aiden genuinely have lots of deep conversations with each other in person and through their writing. They even base their book characters on each other so when they write their own chapters, they are actually pulling from their real interactions throughout the book which was so cute and fun to read.

*THEY EVEN WROTE A SPICY SCENE IN THEIR BOOK TOGETHER AND THE TENSION??!! WAS OFF THE CHARTS*

Thank you Netgalley and Alcove Press for the arc!

UNEXPECTEDLY FUN READ

I got a lot of insight about the process to write a novel in their club (fun!). I enjoy how both characters interact through their story and I can feel the confusion in the middle, and I like how it ended.
The conflict was a bit weak for me. I felt like both characters aren't supposed to be deeply influenced by the event for too long. But in the end I'm happy I got the hea. Love this!

✰ ✰ ✰ ✰

Thank you, Alcove Press and NetGalley for giving me this ARC! 🫶🏼

This was basically a book within a book and I really enjoyed it! You definitely should read it if you love:

𝔼𝕟𝕖𝕞𝕚𝕖𝕤-𝕥𝕠-𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕤
𝕆𝕟𝕖 𝕓𝕖𝕕
𝔾𝕣𝕦𝕞𝕡𝕪/𝕊𝕦𝕟𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕖
𝕊𝕡𝕚𝕔𝕖
𝕊𝕝𝕠𝕨-𝕓𝕦𝕣𝕟

The only thing I disliked about it was that I wish there was more included in either the last chapter or the epilogue because I wanted more of Aiden & Rosie. But don’t let that stop you from reading it because it was definitely a very cute and fun read!

Definitely get your hands on this book when it comes out December 10, 2024!! 🙌🏼

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.