When Gwen, a professional violinist, runs into a Xander, a professional cellist, at a wedding, she's hurt that he doesn't recognize her--they've sat across from each other in pops orchestra for almost a year. When he tries to give her pointers after her performance, she's even more annoyed. But after Gwen is selected as first chair in the orchestra--a position apparently Xander had coveted--the tension between them escalates. It's a tale of two music prodigies, with two very different paths that seemingly can't help but intersect in romantic and musical crescendo.

I'm not sure why I was surprised at how truly wonderful this book was given how stellar Julie Soto's first mainstream book, Forget Me Not, was. But this book was absolutely amazing. The way Soto described the two playing, the music, and their romance was just fantastic to read. Both the sweet and spicy moments leap of the page in a tangle of beautiful prose. As a former (terrible) cellist myself, it was lovely to see the instrument highlighted and I loved where the characters ended up. No notes.

Thanks for Forever for my ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

5 stars - 10/10

The competitive world of music meets romance in Julie Soto’s newest book and I loved every moment of it!!

The slow burn in this book between Xander and Gwen is AMAZING and the way they bring out of the best music in each other is so sweet!! Seeing them grow and their idea of responsibility change throughout the book was one of the best parts!!

I’d recommend this book to anyone who needs a quick light romance read!!

my god, this was a disaster. I am so sad that I didn't enjoy this. i was so so excited 😭

The characters had absolutely no depth; every single one, main or side, felt like a caricature. The only redeeming aspect of the entire book was Xander/Alex's point of view. That part was well-written and actually elicited some emotion from me.

But for a romance book, it did not feel romantic at all. where was the chemistry? The romance felt so forced. & the spice? UGH I hated how many musical terms were included in the spicy scenes; it completely threw me off and bored me. By the end, I couldn't even understand what brought these two characters together. They barely had any proper conversations. Every time he tried to talk to her after the cello scene, she'd run away like a child. There was no character or relationship development. they decided they wanted to fuck, they fucked, they decided to date after. & just kept fucking. every other chapter was just them getting hot and heavy, i was YAWNING & literally rolling my eyes so hard i developed a headache.

Gwen read like a 13-year-old to me-so juvenile and devoid of personality. The blandest food you can think of has more flavor than her.

As for the side characters, there are Asian and gay side characters, but for what purpose? They felt included just for the sake of diversity without any depth. The Asian character was annoying, grating, and just horny, while the gay character was a walking stereotype. that just rubbed me the wrong way tbh.

this might be vaguely spoilery so proceed with caution: the whole treating Xander and Alex as two different people made me incredibly uncomfortable, and I can't even articulate why. i understand that some people will find depth in the situation and appreciate the complexity & initially i did too but it just made me uncomfortable after a while.

also the third act was not it at all. where was the resolution? it was so messy, they literally just had sex & made up. no real conversation, no addressing of emotions, no sign of maturity absolutely NOTHING.

I genuinely couldn't stand this book, but I'm going to stop now. I need to meditate this book out of my mind and move on.

thank you to forever publishing & netgalley for an e-arc of this book. all thoughts are my own and not influenced in any way.

Let me tell you something, Julie Soto has officially solidified herself as an auto-buy author for me! Listen I loved forget me not but WOW this one really ate down and is my new favorite of hers. I loved the progression of their relationship and how they started off hating one another to slowly becoming something more. You know when people say “oh yeah it’s enemies to lovers” but the MMC is barely even mean? Well this man was MEAN in the beginning, I was gagged I won’t lie. But what I loved is we get little glimpses into his POV and what he is thinking and it starts to make sense little by little. I thought she paced everything so well and I was invested the entire time. Also they’re SO hot holy shit, like the cello scene?!?! Iykyk🤭 definitely recommend picking this one up once it comes out!
Thank you to Netgalley and Foreverpub for the ARC<3

I don't know if it was just my perception but in this book the music was like a third character for me, I don't think I've ever had that happen in a book, but I loved it.

The characters were amazing, totally different from each other in terms of musical education and social classes, but their chemistry was palpable from the first moment.
It's an Enemies to Lovers story that made me laugh and sigh a lot, mostly sigh.

The book overflows with love, and I loved it from beginning to end. I devoured it in a matter of hours.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

This is the first book I read from Julie Soto and I was excited about it because a few TikTokers I follow really loved it. The story takes place in NYC and follows Gwen Jackson, a violinist at Pops and Xander Thorne, a cellist in a band who also Plays at Pops. Enemies to lovers, we know how this goes. I felt like their romance was too rushed and felt more like lust. The spicy scenes were spicy! I did enjoy those! It took me a bit to get into this book because of all the musical terms used and the long chapters (I enjoy shorter chapters more). I’m not at all familiar with the musical terms but overall I think it was enjoyable.

This book was amazing! As someone who had orchestra in their life for about four years, I played violin and was obsessed with the band Apocalyptica and still am to this day. This book resonated with me like no one‘s business. My orchestra girly heart was singing!

The story follows Gwen and Alex and how they are in different points of their career as a violinist and cellist and overall seem to be forces against each other, but really it’s a force to push them together and so they can play beautiful music. This book dragged me in and kept me there and I’m obsessed with it and highly recommend.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I devoured this book. If you're looking for a great contemporary romance that delves into the world of classical/instrumental music and the competitive nature of the arts, this book will hit the mark. The main characters, Xander and Gwen, are both gifted musicians who approach music with very different attitudes. While playing in the same pop orchestra, they can't quite keep their distance, but their mutual connections make things complicated in ways they won't foresee.

Soto writes strong supporting characters and situations that will make you feel all the joy and pain of her characters. I think this was even better than Forget Me Not, the companion novel.

4.5⭐️ rounded up

🎻Musicians Romance
🎼Rivals to Lovers
🎻Musical Prodigies
🎼Family Drama
🎻Pining and Angst
🎼Ama and Elliot (Forget Me Not) Cameos
🎻Reylo Fanfiction
🎼Spicy

Why do I have such a hard time writing reviews for Julie’s books?!? Her writing, storytelling, characters, and chemistry make me feel so many emotions that are very hard to describe. The journey I went on so wild; I laughed, I swooned, I panted, I got angry, and I cried (sad and happy tears), and I finished this book just really happy.

I cannot fully describe how much I enjoyed this book! The way I swooned for Xander/Alex! I was feral by his need to be in Gwen’s life in any way. I don’t think he even realized Xander was/is a mask. She was breaking down his walls! She was always what he needed and wanted to be happy and content. And she soothed all his hurt and anger and gave him the peace he’d always searched for.Alex was able to help Gwen free her from her mind and insecurities. He is everything she needed to fully feel her strength and potential.

The spice in this book was freaking hot! The way Julie wrote these scenes, they were not just sexual but so full of emotion and a deeper intimacy. And the way the music was so sexually and emotionally charged! I will never be over the cover/cello scene or the bathroom scene!

I love music and appreciate its beauty. But I’m not at all familiar with music at this level, however the way the music is described in this book, I was completely in those moments and imagining music in my head.

Forget Me Not is still one of my ♾️ star books and I loved the Ama and Elliot cameos. NALS is overall a beautiful story that I hope others will enjoy.

Coming July 16, 2024, this upcoming release is swoony, romantic and spicy. The story follows two classical musicians, who are in vastly different places in life, coming together and writing a most charming love story.

Xander is a cellist and leader of a popular musical group, and he is a guest performer of the local Pops orchestra. Gwen is an up-and-coming violinist, who is on a meteoric rise in the orchestra. Once Xander notices Gwen, he cannot resist wanting to know everything about the talented musician.

I love so much about this book from the tropes to the delightful side characters, to the despicable villains. The camaraderie of the orchestra made me long for the feeling of being a part of something so beautiful. The cross-over appearances from Forget Me Not was also an unexpected joy. I am grateful to the author, Forever Publishing, and NetGalley for the e-ARC.

I mean, what can I say? I inhaled ‘Forget Me Not’ last year and Julie Soto became an automatic must-buy, must-read author.

Gwen has been playing violin ever since she got her hands on one at eleven years old, and is now part of the New York Pops orchestra. She’s also been obsessed with Xander Thorne, whom after playing with for a year, she comes face to face with when playing his friends wedding.

Xander is fascinated by Gwen and her ability to adapt between cello and violin, sight read, and riff. Their relationship develops the more they play together, and they explore what exactly they each want for their careers in this industry.

I love Gwen and her sheer motivation to be the best, even if it means going about it in less conventional ways. She is incredibly aware of her surroundings and she is loyal to a fault which is quite the Achilles heel. Xander is pigeonholed into believing he is stuck in a life based on decisions from years ago when starting out.

This book was delicious and made me kick my feet in the air constantly. I loved that the both of them grew as individuals so that they could better complement each other as a couple. It just solidified for me how talented Julie Soto is, and I loved the cameo’s from her last book showing us that she’s creating her own universe within her works.

Today I’m reviewing Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto. In this contemporary romance, we follow musical prodigy violinist, Gwen Jackson. When an opportunity of a lifetime opens for her, she decides to take it. But Gwen isn’t ready for the all consuming force that is Xander Thorne, also a musical prodigy and fellow celloist, who falls first with the lovely Gwen, and is in it for keeps.

Soto is back!!!

Okay, firstly, let’s celebrate that characters from Forget Me Not make special appearances in Not Another Love Song!!! It was so fun to see Ama and Elliot in this one as I absolutely LOVED Forget Me Not.

As for Not Another Love Song, I enjoyed it. What stood out was Xander's intensity. He has interspliced chapters from his POV throughout the novel. They aren’t long, but it was nice to have his perspective, which added to understanding why he is so intense. Side note, I am always a fan of dual point of views. As for Xander’s intensity it makes perfect sense for someone who is a musical prodigy. That everything he experiences is at a level that surpasses most. Except for Gwen. She is his missing puzzle piece. And even when they don’t see eye-to-eye, he’s still in it for keeps.

A rivals-to-lovers, musical prodigies, and OMG that cello scene, romance readers get ready for another deliciously romantic ode to New York City and flooded with musical notes by two musical talents who create something more than a love song.

Julie Soto, I'm in love with your mind.

"Because Alex had traveled the entire world by the age of twenty-six, and Gwen Jackson was the first person he'd found who could actually do what he did. And possibly do it better."

Not Another Love Song is so full of life, and really embodies a love of music and the emotions they can invoke. Honestly, music felt like another main character in the book and I loved the attention to detail and the level of care and love that was shown. The characters were beautiful, and I especially felt relatable to Gwen and her downfall of being a people pleaser. I loved seeing her character grow and make choices that were solely for her. I felt slightly unsure about Xander, but quickly fell in love with his confidence. He also becomes obsessed with Gwen which I'm a sucker for. I love them I love them I love them. Their connection had so much chemistry, tension and respect for each other. I will scream about the scene on the cover for the end of time as well (!!!!!!!!)

One single thing that I didn't like was the third act breakup but it wasn't horrible and I still adored this book. 4.5 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever(Grand Central Publishing) for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
Tropes- Enemies to Lovers or Rivals to Lovers

Author Julie Soto is generating a lot of buzz after the 2023 release of Forget Me Not and so I jumped at the chance to read her 2024 publication. A spicy romance, set in New York City and exploring the intense feelings of two musicians-Gwen Jackson and Xander Thorne. I LOVED how they hated each other in the beginning and cheered as a passionate love story grew. A lot of contemporary romances are becoming longer and longer, but Not Another Love Song kept up a reasonable pace.

This novel made me think of high school and me wanting to be with a guy who played the guitar. I realize I should have been looking out for the fellas that played a violin or cello. HOT!





Expected Publication Date 16/07/24
Goodreads Review 19/05/24

I am trying to be good and respectful to the library and read their books first, but be still my beating heart because when I saw Forever made this available to everyone on NetGalley, I assumed was an April Fool’s joke. Thank all the cellos in the world it was not!

Gwen Jackson has been hustling playing violin (oh, are you confused about the cello on the cover?) in a contemporary orchestra, while taking side gigs at weddings to earn some extra money because – you know, New York is not cheap. And as the story begins, Gwen has arrived to play at a wedding, only to learn the bride requested a cellist, not a violinist. Desperate to keep the job, Gwen says that she can play the cello – which, technically, she has done before… just many years ago and never really learned properly. Enter Alex errrr Xander Thorne who offers his cello for the ceremony. I don’t even want to say anything more because I just want everyone to read it because BAH JULIE SOTO IS AMAZING, and in the way The Queen’s Gambit brought on a slew of chess enthusiasts, perhaps Not Another Love Song will bring on some classical music fans? Anywho, Gwen and Alex/Xander give a v steamy love story, where they fight their feelings, deal with loss and family struggles, and make beautiful music. Does Julie Soto write an unbelievable grump vs sunshine? Yes. Yes she does. And I will read anything she writes for quite possibly as long as I live. I will be an old hunched over granny reading her latest novel because how could I not when she has delivered two of my favourite books! And I love the interconnected universe!

Off to convince my husband to learn how to play cello.

Julie Soto, if I thought I loved Forget Me Not, I didn’t know what was coming with this gorgeous masterpiece. IM SORRY ITS SO SEXY???? and sweet baby Alex just BEGGING for a chance, it’s too much. Thanks Netgalley i loved this thing. Read it ASAP.

I knew the second I finished this book I was not going to be normal about it. Safe to say I was right.

Gwen was a character I felt in my soul. All she wants is some stability and to be able to play her music. Her anxiety and her fears were not only well written but relatable. And her relationship with Alex was amazing. Impeccable. Some of the best romance I've ever seen. I was a band kid in high school (marimba, 4 years) and I 100% felt the emotion behind the music and the way that the playing was described. It's painful at times, always emotional, and feels like a kind of magic. And this book really brought that back for me.

The weaving of plot and romance was flawless. I honestly have no notes for Julie Soto though I am begging on hands and knees for her next book.

Five stars. I cannot wait to buy a copy on release day.

So grateful I was able to get an eARC of this book. The amount of time I was screaming (positive) while reading cannot be overstated. The tension was truly chef’s kiss and every time Gwen and Xander looked across the orchestra at each other I died. Story format wise I found I really enjoyed how Xander’s POV was peppered in throughout the story as the Cello Suites, I certainly won’t say no to chapters with alternating POVs but I thought the amount of his perspective we did get was perfect.

I went into this knowing that I had really enjoyed Forget Me Not and Julie Soto delivered and then some, Not Another Love Song has cemented her as an autobuy author for me.

5+ stars! This book was so so good. There was so much chemistry and tension between Gwen and Alex that I ate this up. As someone who played the violin for 10+ years I could really visualize the music and them playing based on all the descriptions. I truly got lost in the story It felt like Ali Hazelwood (who I also Love) but for music nerds. I so think it may be a little tougher to picture if you don’t have a music background but still 1000% worth the read!

This book follows Gwen and Xander. They both play string instruments and they get off on the wrong foot. When things quickly heat up between them, they quickly embark on a new relationship.

This book was an easy five star for me! I loved both of the main characters and their relationship. The tension was so good and I loved the bickering between the two. There was good chemistry between the characters.

I loved the music throughout the book as well. Is there anything hotter than a musician??

I read this book in one sitting and I couldn’t put it down! I loved the characters and story so much.

I loved this book and would recommend to everyone!

Thank you so much to netgalley and Forever for the arc of this in exchange for an honest review!