When I first started this book I was getting the vibe that it was going to be just like Check & Mate but with violins instead of chess. And while yes, they do share a lot of similarities. Luckily for me, my initial assumptions were not fully accurate. While the overall theme was slightly similar, rivals to lovers, he falls first.. Not Another Love Story just had so much more going on for it, probably because it’s not YA… Anyway, I ended up really enjoying this story! So many of the lines later in the story gave me all the feels and had me kicking my feet in glee. I was pleasantly surprised with how much I ended up enjoying this story and flying through this fun little read!

I absolutely just fell in love with this book. The characters, the story, the tension, and the writing. Julie is a wonderful author and she absolutely crushed this book. I literally did not want to put it down! Gwen and Xander had me hooked from almost the very first page. Who knew playing music together could be so hot? Certainly not me. While I really enjoyed Gwen, Xander had my heart. Seeing how his story revealed itself, getting the cello suite chapters in his POV? Please. I was a goner. This book was perfection and exactly what I needed. I already can’t wait for the next book. Julie has solidified herself as an auto-buy author for me.

This book was absolutely a joy to read. I went in knowing next to nothing about violins or cellos or orchestras but I was immediately so invested in this world.

I’ve been trying to figure out how to describe this story - it feels like there are no “in between” scenes, if that makes sense? I loved following along as each piece of the story unfolded. After finishing it, I considered an immediate reread, and will be reading more of Julie Soto’s work asap (this was my first time reading her writing).

I adored Mabel and the way she conveyed so much but said so little. She deserves to be mentioned 💛.

As someone who lived in NYC, I found the little references to the city to be clever! It felt like I was reading about the actual place, written by someone who had also lived there, and not a fancy movie version of the city.

Never have I felt so irritated at having to do anything other than keep reading a book than when I hit about 20% into this one!! I stayed up late reading multiple nights in a row and could barely put the book down even when my eyes would start to blur from being so tired. There should be some sort of special category because this deserves more than 5 stars ⭐️. In case you couldn’t tell, I would recommend it BUT clear your schedule (so you don’t have to put it down)!

Thank you Netgalley and Julie Soto for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was thrilled to read this new book from Julie Soto after so loving Forget Me Not last year. This one’s got grumpy/sunshine, rivals to lovers and found family tropes and is my favorite romance so far this year!

It opens with a scene that had me laughing. Gwen is playing the music for a wedding where Xander is the best man and she is mortified when he arrogantly critiques her performance. She, shocked, realizes he doesn't recognize her. He is surprised when she tells him they've been sitting across from each other all year, playing for the Manhattan Pops! Then, to top it off, Gwen is offered the role of First Chair of the Pops, a position Xander has secretly coveted for years. Xander thinks they gave it to her because she is beautiful and that will sell tickets but the more he hears her play the more he finds himself fascinated by her. This is Kylo and Ren inspired and is so fun!

Gwen is an orphan who lived with her grandfather until he passed away. She got her training from Maggie, a music shop owner who recognized her natural talent. Gwen stumbled into Maggie’s shop when she was eleven and Maggie started giving her violin lessons. Gwen made extra money playing in the subway and it was there she was discovered, when she was seventeen, by Ava, the first chair of the Pops! Gwen has now been with the Pops for four years and loves it. She adores the sound of the orchestra when all the instruments come together as one and the musicians feel like family to her. 

Xander is a musical prodigy who grew up in a family of musicians and had his first standing ovation when he was three. He dropped out of Julliard to play cello with a popular electric strings rock band called Thorne and Roses. Xander also plays for the Pops because he wants to follow in his uncle’s footsteps and become the conductor. But he shows up late to rehearsals, rolls his eyes at the song choices, and never speaks to anyone except the conductor and now Gwen. He is also a composer and when he is with Gwen, she inspires him. When they run into each other at a taco stand and go back to his place to eat tacos, they end up playing music together in his recording studio (in his apartment) and it gets very spicy! It’s sensual the way they share their passion and love for each other through their music. I will never think of playing instruments the same after reading this book!

Their chemistry onstage is off the charts and people have begun to take notice. There is a talent agent interested in her and both Xander and Mabel encourage her to be watchful that she isn’t taken advantage of. This adds drama to the book but it worked for me. Meanwhile, Xander’s agent for Thorne and Roses is afraid that Gwen is distracting Xander. Gwen worries that even though the Pops love her now, if ticket sales were to fall, would they replace her? They both are trying to make decisions about their careers but the only things they are sure of is their shared passion for each other and their music.

Readers who like spicy romance with musicians won’t want to miss this one. It’s special to see Ama and Elliot from Forget Me Not make appearances throughout the story. The supporting characters are caring, sweet and funny and I hope to see more of their stories in Soto’s future books. I loved this book and odds are good, it will end up being my favorite book of the year.

I really enjoyed the book. It had me INVOLVED. I couldn’t put it down. I stayed up way too late finishing it. The spice was good. There were some issues for me, sometimes the musical descriptions were a bit much for someone that loves music but doesn’t know shit about the technicalities. I liked how Alex was obsessed with Gwen and her music but looking back the relationship seemed surface. All music and sex, no depth. They barely talk to each other, ever. While you’re reading, you’re so engrossed, it doesn’t even matter but after I finished, I felt like I got Twilight’d. Very enjoyable ready though and good vibes. I’d recommend giving it a go.

4.25 stars!
This was so good I want to reread it immediately. Julie Soto has a way with words and characters and everything she touches turns completely bingeable. The way this utilizes music to carry the story is perfect and the characters felt so real and their chemistry was on fire. The only slight criticism I have was this story could’ve used a stronger external plot to carry it forward but even without that I still couldn’t put it down.

First and foremost as a former orchestra kid I loved reading about the orchestra. I wasn’t ever good by any means but we all dreamed about the possibility of playing in a fancy orchestra right?? And my high school teacher even had his own band semi similar to Thorne and Roses! But Julie knows how the write a good book! And this time it was written through the use music which was beautiful. Gwen and Alex were so complicated but their love for music and for each other were simple, it was everything around them that made things so complicated. I would also do anything to hear the music they made together. ANYTHING.

I loved so much about this book. Gwen and Xander first and foremost were magic. How they played together, how easy it was, how they challenged each other. They also had FUN. And that was something that was missing from Gwen’s love of music. I also LOVED Mabel. LOVED. I was also a huge fan of Ava. I was happy to see her story come full circle at the end. The last two chapters made my heart so HAPPY, and the epilogue was perfection.

I’m gonna be honest it KILLS me that this was in third person. And it’s not because it wasn’t written well, because it was! And while I could still FEEL the story through Gwen, I wish it was in first person so I could have felt MORE. I DO like how Julie writes a sneaky dual POV though. She did it with Forget Me Not and I was happy to see it here again! I would have loved more of Xander though. I was DESPERATE to be inside his mind. His little chapters were not nearly enough for me!

I also thought there were too many villains. It all made sense for the story do not get me wrong, but I was frustrated that they had SO MUCH working against them. And of course everyone got what they deserved and I was grateful for that.

And lastly!! I LOVED seeing Ama and Elliot so much 🥹 they are my favorites and I was so happy to see them. And maybe a VERY LITTLE sneaky peek at who is next in the Julie-verse?!

Thank you SO MUCH to Forever for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!!

Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto might be my favorite romance ever. Gwen and Alex both have incredible depth of character and their rivals-to-lovers chemistry sizzles off the page. This book is SEXY. I loved every minute of the story, especially chapter 10. Iykyk. I found Julie Soto after my book club read her first novel, Forget Me Not. And I texted them immediately saying they needed to read this one next. This book has cemented Julie Soto as an autobuy author for me.

"Not Another Love Song" by Julie Soto is a delightful rollercoaster of emotions, weaving a tapestry of love, music, and self-discovery. Soto's writing sparkles with wit and charm, effortlessly drawing readers into the lives of her relatable characters. From the first page, you're swept away on a journey of heartbreak, healing, and ultimately, hope.

At its core, "Not Another Love Song" is a celebration of the transformative power of music. Soto beautifully captures the way melodies can mend broken hearts and ignite passions. Through her protagonist's journey as a budding musician, she explores the cathartic nature of creativity and the profound connections it fosters.

With its irresistible blend of romance, humor, and heart, "Not Another Love Song" is a must-read for anyone who believes in the power of love—and the music that accompanies it. Soto's debut is a triumph, leaving us eagerly awaiting her next symphony of words.

I enjoyed this like I knew I would! (But let’s be real this is essentially reylo fanfic confirmed so of course I devoured this in 2 days😅)
Right from their first meeting these two had me in a chokehold!! Seeing Xander (who is also Alex) pine after her and consistently fuck it up bc he doesn’t know how to say “hey You’re amazing and I’m obsessed with you” without being rude and misunderstood made the angst that much better.

THE CELLO SCENE!!!🥵 well technically there are many in this book but once you read YOU’LL KNOW. Oh my god one of the best scenes that had me blushing and definitely one you just can’t forget ever reading!! Anytime these two played together the tension and admiration of each other was so evident and Julie’s words make you feel every moment of it.

Gwen is a talented violinist and so driven who deserves so much more than she’s gotten out of life and seems to be standing in her own way a lot of the times.
Xander is a grumpy cellist, musical prodigy/legacy and so so complicated who seems to be the only one that helps Gwen realize she has so much more potential and is settling based on the fear of one day losing it just as she’s lost a lot in her life already. Though they clash due to different life circumstances they seem understand each other’s musical minds in a way no one ever has.

I loved Julie Soto’s debut Forget Me Not and I’m so glad to have gotten for this one bc the wait was killing me and boy she delivereddd. I loved seeing some of those characters appear a few times in this book making me want to reread again lol

Julie you’ve done it again and I will read anything you write.
This book will pull at your heartstrings,have you not wanting to put it down and listening to Yo-Yo Ma wishing these characters and the music they create together were real 😭

Got an ARC and finished it in one night. Julie Soto is quickly becoming an auto-buy author for me. I loved Forget Me Not but this one did NOT disappoint. A bit more angst and so so good.

Also: the. Cello. Scene. 🥵

5⭐️! I didn’t know the cello and violin could be so HOT 🥵 but hot D A M N! I flew through this book it was SUCH a good read. Beautiful, haunting, intense, hilarious. It was everything! You MUST pick this up when it comes out.

If Julie Soto writes it… I’ll be reading the kindle edition, own the paperback, and will probably purchase any limited editions. That’s how much I trust her writing, especially after this gem of a steamy, gorgeous romance.

Hot dang! Her words, the premise, the setting… This book is a 5-Star read that I will likely re-read before it’s even released.

WHAT I LOVED MOST:
Reylo vibes. Enough said. *purrrrr*

The setting. I can’t listen to orchestral music now without thinking of certain scenes.

The cameo. The SACRAMENTO GAME in the HOUSE!

The banter and burn and SPICE. It’s DELISH! Witty, LOL type funny, sooo sizzly.


FAVORITE QUOTES:
“Made for each other. Pockets in her heart that had been carved out by two different cancers and were still left vacant by Mabel and Jacob. She moved her lips over him again, begging him to fill those voids.”

“I don’t have a cat,” Gwen said glumly, stabbing at her ice with the straw. “You should get one. This aesthetic you’ve got going on is really starting to say Cat Lady.”

“It felt like yearning and hope and decaying dreams all in one piece. She felt as if the tears escaping her eyes were just like the melody pushing past her fingertips, no longer needing her anymore. They told their own story.”


I would absolutely recommend this book and any and all Julie Soto books forever more. If the cover doesn’t convince you, just TRUST. You need this book in your life.

Thank you Julie Soto and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review. I’ve already pre-ordered the paperback 😛

Such a fun romance! Set in NYC in the professional orchestra scene, this has all the dramatic musician vibes, a lot of steam and chemistry, and a fascinating cast of supporting characters.

Although billed as an enemies-to-lovers, it doesn’t have any actual anger, feuding, or the back and forth one would expect from that. It has plenty of angst, but the characters are just in a mild miscommunication the first part of the book.

I loved this book and I can’t wait to see what comes next!

"Gwen Jackson and Xander Thorne, two musical prodigies, embark on a captivating journey in 'Not Another love Song.' While Xander was born into classical music royalty, Gwen's talent was nurtured by a kind shop owner. Their paths collide when Gwen, mortified after Xander fails to recognize her despite working together, finds herself both furious at his arrogant critique and drawn to him.

This book masterfully weaves a tale of yearning, with complex characters that evoke deep emotions and garner reader empathy. The tension between Gwen and Xander is palpable, leaving readers holding their breath with every interaction. Soto skillfully navigates this tension, leading to beautifully poetic and spicy scenes, even finding a way to make a cello provocative.

Despite the angst, the book maintains a lightness through banter and levity, offering a perfect balance of depth and joy. Witnessing Xander thaw for Gwen is a heartwarming experience, leaving readers with a sense of fulfillment and love.

In conclusion, 'Not Another Love Song' is a captivating read that will leave readers with a full heart and a newfound appreciation for the power of music and love. Many thanks to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for providing the eARC."

Obsessed is an understatement. This love story was beautifully written. The pacing was perfect. I could not put this down. I loved that we got Gwen’s perspective primarily and then a few chapters in between from Alex’s perspective.

I really related to Gwen & Alex with their constant feeling of needing their work to be “perfect.” The insecurities that Gwen felt were so relatable and real. I loved that their friends and family/found family picked up on their perfectionism and consistently expressed how they were perfect just the way they were.

The music - granted that we cannot hear anything or pull up the exact song they were playing - I could FEEL it. As someone who spent years in a choir & playing instruments, I loved how descriptive the text was, like I could follow along on the page. I didn’t realize quite how sexy music could be again until I read this book. ALL of the feels. Such a beautiful story, I want even more of Alex & Gwen.

I also loved how Ama and Elliot from “Forget Me Not” were included in this. I’m so glad I read FMN first. The crossover of love stories was so cute. I am hoping that the story we are getting in 2025 relates to a particular band member & a particular photographer from the wedding…but I could be wrong and also will devour any love story from Julie Soto!

Thank you NetGalley and Forever Publishing for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

4.5 stars

Is it too late to start learning violin at 32? Asking for a friend.

This was super entertaining. Violinists and cellists are near and dear to my heart, so it was really fun to read a book focused on those two professions. I was much happier this time around with JS's formatting. Forget Me Not was a little jarring with the FMC's POV in the current timeline and the MMC's POV in the past, so this was a much smoother read.

I really liked Alex, though I feel like he was whipped real fast and so they weren't "enemies" for very long. But it was still nice to see somewhat of a progression to his character throughout the book. For the most part, I thought both main characters were a pretty good match but their relationship seemed a little fast?

Wasn't so invested with Gwen; I feel like she was ignoring a lot of red flags once she was first chair, and that's always really frustrating to read, and because of all that, I'm not sure how I feel about the third act breakup, though I guess the way it was done made it easier for them to come back together because it was basically both of them admitting they were idiots for different reasons, so it felt a bit better after that.

So overall really enjoyable because I love the subject matter and then of course my personality for the foreseeable future is going to be Lindsey Stirling/Tina Guo music ❤️

4.5 ⭐️

I am already planning on re reading this book because I LOVED IT. The start was a bit slow and it took a bit of time to get into it but once it grabs your attention it gets so good. I was sweating and salivating over the chemistry and banter between Xander and Gwen. I was also very interested and invested in the musical aspect, even though I usually tend to get bored but that wasn't the case with this one. Highly recommend

As a former band kid, this book really hit home for me. It’s beautifully written, hits all of the romantic comedy marks, and had an amazing ending. Alex is my new favorite book boyfriend.

I could not put this book down! I read the original story Food of Love and I was so happy to see how this beautiful story was rewritten and made to an original novel. Definitely in my top books for 2024. The Spice was excellent! Thank you Julie!