This was my first ALC and I really enjoyed it! Loved the relationship growth between Aidan & Rosie. The enemies to lovers trope is one of my favorites and this book perfectly captured it. Loved them writing the book together as well and building the romance through Hunter & Maxine.

Jumping right into the rivalry of to novelist and the tension is real!
They are both struggeling with there written and have to write together!

She's a romance writter and he only writes literary fiction. A hate to lovers kind of troupe and lot's of great heartwarming moments.
I like how you slowly learn more about the maincharcters and how there relasionship evolves.
In the beginning I thought they both were kind of annoying but still funny, and then they got right under my skin 🙂

In other words: a rom-com with forced promixety, great banter and a New York setting. Uh and it's spicy!

Not in My Book is an enemies-to-lovers novel about two aspiring writers who clash over genres. Rosie wants to write romance novels and Aiden prefers to write fiction novels. Their rivalry gets so intense in class that the teacher requires them to work together to write a book in order to remain in the class. As they write their story, they start to learn more about each other and fall in love.

I love that the heroine is Peruvian-American! Her parents, a Peruvian mother and Tennessee-native father, make for amazing supporting characters who give Rosie her passion for writing about true love. You see little bits of Rosie trying to honor her mother's heritage, even though she grew up in the US with a Caucasian father. Aiden's character has his own depth, having grown up in very different conditions, with an abusive, controlling father. The journey they take to discover and understand each others differences is inspiring! I hope to read more by this author soon!

I listened to the audiobook version of Not In My Book. I have a lot of feelings about this book. I will start by saying I am glad I listened to it because by the end of it I was in tears, and a book that makes me cry is a very good book in my opinion. Aiden and Rosie's chemistry was simply delightful. I will admit I was shocked when the age of the main characters was revealed. In all honesty these two 26 year old's acted like they were 17. They were very immature in the beginning. The way they antagonized each other, although understandable due to the "enemies to lovers" trope really felt like these were two kids acting out. That sort of upset me at one point but I stuck with it and once they got past the enemies portion of the story, it definitely got better. They acted more like adults and less like spoiled brats. The romance at the end was very good. The spicy scenes were great and even felt realistic. The third act breakup we all dread and it's resolution made me cry, which doesn't happen often. It was a great emotional moment that tug at my heartstrings. It did leave me with a few questions but overall left me quite satisfied. The narration by
Frankie Corzo was really good, kept me involved and gave me all the feels.

this was such a special, loving story!!! Rosie and Aiden are such fun academic rivals who are forced by their teacher to write a book together to overcome their hostility. it’s like a fun literary twist on forced proximity— instead of physical proximity they are forced to share intellectual and emotional proximity by being cowriters of a romantic tragedy.

Rosie and Aiden have such deep connection with each other, once the haze of their rivalry fades, what’s left is beautiful friendship, respect, and love. I especially loved how this story is in Rosie’s POV except for the excerpts from their cowritten story which are written in their MMC/ Aiden’s POV. it’s a clever and special way to get to know his perspective. Aiden holds his feelings and wants so close to his chest, it makes perfect sense for Rosie, and us as the reader, would only get glimpses of his inner most thoughts through his passionate writing.

overall, this story is filled with so much love, passion, respect, and tenderness. I absolutely loved the narration of the audiobook, it felt like I could fully engage with this story. I loved this book so much, thank you for the alc!!!

First of all thank you net galley and also the author for this book. I loved this book so much I will be buying a physical copy just because that is how much I did love it. I loved the Latino/Hispanic aspects of it. As someone who is mexican i really loved how we got to see some of that through Rosie and I loved everything the banter, the slow burn, and everything about Aiden and Rosie.

Okkk this boook 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻 so cute so adorable a little spicy at times *helloooo the writing scene together* friends to enemies, enemies to lovers boy oh boy this was everything I didn’t know I wanted in a book. The vibes are rom com banter all the way and the audio has me hooked!! Was I a hater at first because the fmc seemed whiney YES but I’m sorry I take it back Rosie

Thank you NetGalley for the audio arc

Loved this book... My favorite troupe! First book by this author and great writing style, easy to read. did the audio book and the narrator did a wondrous job. I enjoyed the Hispanic FMC representation. Like me not fluent but can get by in Spanish especially when don't want other people to understand me.

4 1/2 stars

For a debut novel by Holt, this was fantastic!

This book had all the classic romance elements: enemies to lovers, forced proximity, he falls first, and a secret crush. It truly delivered the full package. You could feel the slow burn and the tension leading up to their developing romance. Both characters were likable, making the whole book incredibly enjoyable. I loved how they discovered each other’s strengths and vulnerabilities in such an unconventional way, which ultimately helped them realize they might not be so bad for each other after all.

The audiobook was decent as well, though I wish it had been more of a duet. Having a male narrator for Aiden would have made it even better and helped me picture him more vividly throughout the story.

Overall, this was a great read—definitely don’t miss it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC and advanced audio!

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO NETGALLEY and & Penguin Random House for this ARC. I can't say enough good things about this read. It's one of my favorite romances this year. The enemies to lovers? On point. The scene setting? Unmatched. I wrote down so many lines that resonated deep with my heart. Also, from a Tennessee girl to another, this is EVERYTHING.

What to Expect:
📚mf contemporary romance
📚hate to love
📚forced proximity
📚reluctant co-authors
📚opposites attract
📚own voices (author/fmc are Peruvian-Tennessean)
📚New York setting
📚slow burn
📚standalone

CWs for death of a parent, toxic familial relationships (particularly father/son), homesickness, financial insecurity

A big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

3.5 stars (rounded up to 4). I’ve seen this book pitched as Beach Read meets The Hating Game, and I think that’s a fairly accurate comparison. I was initially drawn to this by the cover and luckily I ended up liking the contents just as much!

This story follows Aiden and Rosie, two aspiring authors that can’t stand the sight of each other. Aiden writes literary fiction, and is cynical about all things romance (in addition to his own emotional baggage). Rosie writes romance, and loves love in all its forms (despite feeling like she hasn’t really experienced it herself). They’ve both been dealing with a serious case of writer’s block and have been taking their frustration out on each other during this college seminar class. As a result of their inability to get along, their teacher ends up paring them together to co-author a manuscript.

This book was an ode to romance novels (and books in general), but it also included some heavier themes. The balance of the two worked really well together. I liked how it really felt like they hated each other at the start. Rosie was initially attracted to Aiden when they first met, but that desire was quickly tampered as soon as he opened his mouth. I liked how we got to see so much of the writing process, especially when they were both writing in their shared doc at the same time and bouncing ideas off of each other. I loved the inclusion of Rosie’s culture and the close relationship she has with her family.

While there were some elements I really loved, I still had some major issues that prevented me from getting fully immersed in the story. I found the characters themselves (and the eventual 3rd act conflict) to be a little frustrating. Both main characters were incredibly immature, to the point it was a little hard to believe or root for them. I mean, they were literally yelling insults at each other during a college seminar. I think I could have overlooked that had there been a ton of character development by the end, but I never really felt like we got that. While they did have moments where they were able to express themselves through their shared doc, I never felt like they effectively communicated verbally in a healthy or mature way. Especially given the nature of the 3rd act conflict, I struggle a little to see how these two would last long term (or at least last without some form of couples therapy lol).

Regardless, highly recommend if you’re looking for a good hate to love romance!

Story: 3.5/5
Audiobook: 5/5 (narrated by Frankie Corzo)
Length: 11h30min

I thought it was a cute story line, but was not unputdownable. The characters were likable. It was a little too steamy for me. I don't. mind a little steam but I think a book like this doesn't need a ton. Audio book was a little harder to follow with the Book with in a book bits.

How is this a debut romance? 🤯 Wow! It books is amazing and I loved the enemies to lovers trope! I am a sucker for a book in a book plot and to make it better both MCs write it together!!!! This was such a heartwarming love story that had me near tears towards the end.

While I read my physical copy for most of the book, I did give the audiobook a try near the end. They were both perfection! I highly recommend that you add this great romance debut to your TBR, I don’t think you will be disappointed!

****Many thanks to Alcove Press and RB Media for my gifted copies!

4.5 stars rounding up to 5 stars on Goodreads.

3/5 Stars

Thank you to RBmedia and Penguin for providing me with an arc.

I dnfed this 7% in. I hated both of the characters and they were very annoying to me with their rivalry. It felt forced at times and the insults between the two really put me off from this one. I picked it up 3 times trying to get further into it and it just didn’t work for me sadly. I can see why it does work for a lot but these two were quickly getting on my nerves not in a fun way.

3 stars

This book has a great premise with a book within a book and I love that. What I didn't love was how childish our characters were. Maybe interact like adults? Also I didn't like that as soon as the spice started, the romance started lacking. At that point I was cheering more about the character from the book within the book rather than our own mcs.
The narration was fun and I like that it add to the vibe of the story.
Overall this was good but could have been great if not for the characters miscommunication.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I had previously read an ARC of Not In My Book, and I was so excited to be able to revisit this amazing story with the fantastic audiobook. Frankie Corzo did a great job as the narrator. She found a way to make the story even better.

Rosie and Aiden's story kept my attention from the very beginning, and I couldn't put down this book. Rosie and Aiden are both graduate students at NYU, and they are in the same creative writing course. When it comes time to give feedback about classmates' writing, Rosie and Aiden have negative feedback about each other's work. They have been antagonizing each other for months, and finally, their professor has enough. She gives them an ultimatum- write a book together or they are out of the class.

Aiden writes literary fiction, and Rosie writes romance. Their writing styles clash, but they have to work together. They pore all of their feelings about each other into their writings, and suddenly, they are writing down all the things that they can't say out loud.

The NYC setting is so much fun. They go book shopping at The Strand and experience so many amazing things about the city.

This is a slow burn romance, but then, it gets spicy!

It's like a "meta" book. Because I did the audio - sometimes I wasn't sure if the book was about the actual characters or if it was an excerpt from the characters' book. I'm not saying it was a bad thing! I really enjoyed the characters and their stories. I also loved that it takes place in NYC and the author's places in NYC are real!

If I could give this book 10 stars, I would. This is arguably one of my favorite romances I have read this year. Katie absolutely smashed it out of the park with this romance. I cannot believe this is a debut book. There were multiple parts of this book that I thought to myself, "that's it... this is altering my brain chemistry for future romance books." I wouldn't change a thing. The book isn't perfect and I still wouldn't change a thing. Yes, there's some immaturity to the characters... But I need everyone to remember how that sets up the book and what part of their life they are in. Putting your writing out there is incredibly vulnerable and the level of protective you would be over your own words... That's real. That's how people would act. It isn't perfect, it's so so messy. That's the point. It's so believable. There are so many quotes, so many scenes, that will live rent free in my head for a while.

“I know you prefer what's in your book, and I pretend I don't want to be like them, but I do. 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 the light and dark, in romance and litfic. In this lifetime and the next." Like please... I can't.

This has a similar feel to Emily Henry's Beach Read, HOWEVER, it goes a completely different direction. They write the book together in the most delicious enemies to lovers way. The audio. Hold on, we need to talk about the audiobook. The narrator is INCREDIBLE. Absolute knockout of an audiobook narrator. Her voice for Aidan... swoon. It was that good. I am going to push this book on every single person I know until everyone has read it and feels the same way I do. This story was so believable and honestly I think the audiobook is the reason I loved it so much. The narrator really brought this story home. She made the pacing, the conversations... the MOMENTS, all so believable. Even if you are not an audiobook fan, you need to at least give it a shot. This narrator does what Julia Whelan does for Emily Henry, and it's bring to life this incredible story that doesn't let you go till it's over.

I could keep gushing about this book. But honestly, I just need everyone to read it. It took me days to write this review because I wanted to do this book justice. But I don't think I'll even get close. So from the bottom of my heart, thank you NetGalley and RB Media for giving me the privilege of reviewing this before it comes out.

Tropes:
Enemies/Rivals x Lovers
Two Writers
One Bed
He Falls First

I was not only fortunate enough to receive an early copy of the book but when I saw the audiobook for request I knew I had to have one. I love Frankie Corzo and she did a fantastic job with this book. I love this book by Katie Holt and am so excited that this will be her debut.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I think Rosie and Aiden will live in my mind forever ! This book was ridiculously cute! With many moments of just pure laughing, cheesy smiles and all the rest of the emotions. Both characters soooo relatable which captivates you from the start ! I love that they are aspiring writers and just everything about it was amazing. I got to read the book but also listen to the audiobook and I loved it so much! The narrators did an amazing job even captivating the emotions for Rosie and Aiden!!!

Forced Proximity
HE falls first (hella hard)
So muchhhhh angst!!
Rivals to lovers
Holiday scenes 🥰

“Love fights through dark and light. It’s not always easy, Rosie. The fights, the disagreements can hurt, but at least you know you're fighting for something. It's not the biggest war you'll ever fight, but it can be a battle sometimes."