What a beautiful, angsty romance! Not Another Love Song is an addicting read. Gwen Jackson is offered the job of a lifetime, to be the youngest first chair in the Manhattan Pops orchestra, much to the criticism of fellow musician Xander Thorne. But the closer these two work together, the more their connection creates breathtaking melodies. First I loved having just small snippets of Xander throughout—I love dual pov, but having just a small handful of chapters be him was so effective and dramatic. And Xander is so broody and just so sexy. And Gwen is so relatable and easy to root for. She’s brave and watching her find herself was so satisfying. And the romance! It is a romantic, organic enemies to lovers and I loved the dialogue and the steam and just the balance of it all. Truly a five star read!

Julie Soto has a magical way of bringing emotion to life on the page. I loved reading Forget Me Not earlier this year, and in Not Another Love Song she does it masterfully again while also bringing us into the world of professional orchestra musicians. We get drawn into following two incredible string musicians as they fight for center stage, go through the emotional journey of finding love and make music together.
This book deserves a standing ovation! 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻

Thank you for an early 20s FMC that wasn't...insufferable? I know poor Gwen went through a lot and maybe that's part of why she seems more mature than many other early 20s FMCs. But I loved her. And her relationships with Mabel and Jacob.

That first time in Alex's studio is officially the modern Ghost pottery equivalent.

Thank you for the opportunity to read Not Another Love Song Early. Time to listen to some cello and violin duets.

From the moment I saw this cover, I knew I would love this book! Gwen is a musical prodigy who has taken the less formal route to pursue her musical passions. Xander is a musical prodigy with a rich history of musicians in his family and a long list of musical accolades, In a not-so-meet-cute moment, Gwen runs into Xander who gives harsh feedback about her performance. While the two struggle to figure out their feelings for one another, chemistry makes it hard for them to stay away. This enemies-to-lovers romance is steamy and fun and will keep the reader locked in until the end. I thoroughly enjoyed the growth of both MCs in the novel. This novel is perfect for fans of enemies to lovers, with contemporary romance, and a bit of spice. One of my favorite reads so far this year!

Wow. I have never cared about orchestral music in any form, but I do now! This is the 2nd book in a row that I have read where the sexual tension for the first half of the book was as taut as a bow string (see what I did there?! 🙌) Honestly, I feel like this sophomore release for Soto knocked it so far out of the park, her next book will likely be infinity stars. This book needs to be on your July TBR, no question. Bravo!!!

This book gets all the stars from me - I loved everything about it. There was great tension, excellent, banter, and a dynamic setting. And oh my goodness this was so sensual and swoony. I was so moved by their experiences that watching these characters fall in love was just perfection. Gwen and Alex are truly soulmates and thinking about them continues to bring a smile to my face. Not Another Love Song was phenomenal from start to finish and I can't wait to see what Julie Soto writes next.

I did not realize playing a violin and cello could be so sensual! I loved that we were able to see Ama and Elliot again. I was blown away by the sensuality and connection between Gwen and Xander. The growth that both of these characters had was awesome and so much fun to watch. Julie Soto caught my attention with Forget Me Not and will continue to hold it with Not Another Love Song. I can't wait to see what she writes next.

Mandy Harris
Angel Wings Bookstore

This book stole my heart more than Forget Me Not. Gwen and Xander give so much angst and longing that when they finally come together it is a masterpiece.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4.75 rounded up! This was such a delight!!!

My expectations for this one were incredibly high after how much I loved Forget Me Not and this did not disappoint! Gwen and Xander's dynamic is electric, with sparks flying every time they clash. Soto nails the tension between their rivalry and attraction. I absolutely devoured this and am already looking forward to the re-read.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and netgalley for the eARC and the opportunity to provide an honest review.

The MMC definitely gave off mean vibes in the beginning, which had me questioning if I’d like him. However, as the story unfolded, I understood his background, realized he was just very guarded, and ended up loving him for how he looked out for our FMC. Overall, Julie Soto made me fall in love with the characters and their story, and she even managed to make the orchestra sexy!

For some reason Julie Soto has a line directly to a part of my brain that is often in a dormant state -and that's the part that apparently likes a slightly predatory seeming hero that still seeks consent? He's an asshole but not quite? He's a little over-the-top obsessed?

It's fanfiction and it's proud which yes thank you. I only want to know.

I enjoyed this premise in particular, rivals in a pop orchestra, are you kidding me? Gold - and the respect that world is built in was also great.

I mean, this very hot cover is from a very hot scene that almost, almost doesn't make sense based on their interactions aside from panting after each other. And yes see here he's touching her neck/throat, in his apartment in their first intimate scene which is frankly "erm no" behavior that would absolutely have me grabbing my shoes and making a break for it... but here, in this book? that is very hot. Is the hero slightly creepy? Yes, but it works. Because so is she.

And so this went. We all know Alex was romantic but sometimes Gwen didn't which is a little off-putting and yet their chemistry still really worked for me and somehow this book was precisely what I needed when I needed it?


In the end though, the characters don't quite convince me they have depth. Never is it more clear than the in the villains and the conflict could've been resolved in 5 min (though I love 3rd act breakups) . Saving it despite these shortcomings is many of the scenes and sexual tension and lust that was palpable.

If this review has not convinced you to read the book, I don't blame you. I don't know what to think either!!

Julie Soto is quickly climbing the charts to become my favorite romance writer! Emily Henry might get dethroned!

Forget me Not was one of my favorite romances of last year and I may like Not Another Love Song even better. I never knew Cello could be so HOT!

Julie strikes the balance between realistic romance tropes/ trajectory of the novel and crafting such beautiful love stories without being trite or sticking to a script. I get annoyed often with “third act break ups” but Julie really seems to get it right every time in a way that makes sense for the novel as a whole!

5 stars again 💕

Julie Soto has firmly cemented herself as one of my favorite Romance authors. Before her, I was firmly a Sci-fi/ Fantasy reader. My last purely romance read was....over a decade ago. Now? If Julie's name is on it, I'm reading it.

Not Another Love Song is a lovely balance of humor, romance and steamy scenes. As we follow our rising star Gwen, we are swept right into New York and all its bits. I've never been, but it feels like I have after this book!

Gwen is a character who didn't quite appeal to me at first, but her growth from shyness to confidence finally endeared her to me. Musicians will likely have more to connect to than I, but that's true for much of the book. Most of the characters are musicians after all!

I loved Gwen and Xander's growth throughout the book. Watching them learn to accept love and use their voices to speak up for themselves was lovely, even as I kept wishing for them to hurry up about it already! For those wondering about the spice, fear not, Julie delivers and then some.

My biggest criticism of the book is that Mabel and Ava should have been a cannon pair and no one can change my mind. They felt so perfect for one another that I am dying for Julie to give us a bonus chapter of them finally realizing this too.

Anyone who is a fan of Julie Soto will find themselves loving Not another Love Song. I've already pre-ordered this one for myself and can't wait to see what Julie puts out next!

Never thought I'd read such a sexy musical romance, but here we are.

Xander is a black cat with golden retriever energy, while Gwen is a bit more doe-eyed and naive. I loved their chemistry, and how he was absolutely enamoured by her, and how they both respected each other's boundaries and were in absolute awe over one another's talent. It was a fairly wholesome romance, only strife by the toxic people they accidentally surrounded themselves with (read: naive).

I liked getting behind the scenes of music production and the different paths music can take you. I loved that neither of the MCs were classically trained, yet found ways to do what they love in a way that they love. Gwen's unstable childhood led her to seek out stable work, while Xander's childhood forced him into a box he never wanted to be put in so he seeks out ways to be free of it. Their dynamic works, and I liked how they both challenged and supported each other.

Outside of each other though, they have their own relationships and friendships and I enjoyed getting to see the found families they carved out for themselves. I'm a sucker for supportive friends, and I honestly wish we got a bit more interaction between the MCs and their friends outside of their double dates. I feel like we needed a bit more foundation there, but I did enjoy their camaraderie, especially at the end.

As a whole, I loved the musical aspect because it's a world I know and understand. The writing was addictive and easy, but it felt like the characters' goals were always a bit blurred so it was hard to root for any particular direction or win outside of the romance. That being said, the romance was full of tension and super spicy, so if that's your thing, this is the book for you.

TW: gaslighting, manipulation, sexual content; mentions death of a parent, death of a relative

Plot: 4.5/5
Characters: 4.5/5
World Building: 5/5
Writing: 4.5/5
Pacing: 4.5/5
Overall: 4.5/5

eARC gifted via NetGalley by Forever in exchange for an honest review.

After being such a huge fan of Julie’s first book I was so excited to get this when it was read now and dive into more of her writing! I did struggle a little bit to get into it in the very beginning, but once I got into it, I was locked in and then binged it for the rest of the day! I looooove rivals to lovers and this book had a really addicting storyline. The chemistry and tension between the two main characters was electric, the romance was so good, plus he falls first!! I throughly enjoyed this one!!

Thank you to Julie Soto, Netgalley and Forever for an ARC of this fantastic book!

This is Julie Soto’s second book following Forget Me Not and boy it did not disappoint in the slightest. This book was so incredible touching, beautiful and smexy. While Soto has said she is not a musician, her descriptions of the music and the instrument playing inspired me to go looking for classical pieces to listen to while reading this.

This story follows Gwen Jackson, an amazing violinist, whose life collides with that of badass cellist Xander Thorne. This story had me on the edge of my seat as I couldn’t keep straight who was manipulating who and at what point. Was it double manipulation? Triple? Why is everyone in this music business so shady!!

If you loved the steam of Forget Me Not, and Julie’s other works 😉 you’ll love this one. Highly recommend. This one comes out July 16, 2024!

I liked this romance set among young musicians in New York! The female MC was endearing in the way she thought about herself and her future based on her loss of family as a child - the sense that she thought so little of her abilities and felt her options so limited (and she was fine with that). Mabel was a nuanced and interesting character. The male MC was also complex in his inner drive but also being hounded into being driven as a young person. I really got the sense of the vulnerability of young prodigies to jaded, greedy adults taking advantage of them.
I did not love the actual love story but I thought the incorporation of their making music together was really beautiful.
I would recommend this to readers of new adult romance.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!

Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for granting me a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I don’t know how but somehow Julie Soto managed to make Cello… sexy?? Never thought i’d say those words, but here we are!

All jokes aside, while I loved the author’s first book (Forget Me Not), this one was an absolute treasure. I mean?? The yearning?? The PINING, the tension????? Oh and did I mention the sexy cello playing??? I think I kinda did in the beginning but it deserves to be mentioned again.

To me this is what a romance novel is supposed to make you feel. The range of emotions I went through while reading is actually quite concerning. I laughed, I cried, hell I even yearned alongside those two.

Never thought my remark I made to a friend after finishing Forget Me Not would play out in this kind of way but i’m extremely glad it did. To vaguely quote myself it was something along the lines of ‘’hoping she writes a book about the broody cellist’’ and write about the broody cellist she did <3

5/5 stars!

This was such a great, engaging story. I loved Gwen and Alex so much. So much angst and pining. It was delicious. I also appreciated the commentary on the music industry.

Never did I think the violin could lead to such erotic encounters, but lo and behold, Julie Soto has shown me it's possible.

This book was unexpected. I felt it, I cherished it, I loved it. I found the romantic chemistry to be top-notch, the sex scenes to be both erotic and tasteful, and it was just such a delicious love story. I love when I am able to read a book that focuses on a very specific hobby or profession and it makes me fall in love with that world. This was my first Julie Soto book, but it certainly won't be my last.

Thank you NetGalley for the oppportunity to read and review this arc!