gah!! i cannot say enough good things about this book. julie has now entered auto-buy territory. i read her debut novel last year and liked it but this one? she blew it outta the water with this one. i mean the cover is gorgeous, the premise is gorgeous, the entire piece is just a gorgeous fervent romance. “Not Another Love Song” was a release i was most looking forward to and gwen and alex did not disappoint. like seriously i went and bought a physical copy on release day because the arc at a measly 35% was /that/ good. thank you to NetGalley, Forever, and Julie Soto for providing this eARC!

What a beautifully emotional book by Julie Soto! Not Another Love Song started a little slow but it was worth it. The musicality described made you feel the music even though you couldn’t hear it. If you like spice, you will enjoy the romance in this book. The character building was a joy to read.

Unfortunately this one wasn't for me. I loved the first book by Juile, but something with this one, didn't work for me.
I was hoping it was my mood reading but the dialog just felt weak between Gwen and Xander and for me, I need banter and excitement.
The idea of two musicians falling in love it great but I'm not sure this was executed in the right way. With unrealistic scenarios and a lack of romantic tension, i was uninterested.

Julie Soto did it again with this one! Lovable characters, a gripping story, and a swoon-worthy romance. I can't wait to read more of her work!

“It’s simple, really. It’s about a cello that fell in love with a violin.”

TLDR: Julie Soto altered my brain chemistry with this one. One of my top reads for the year.

I was completely sucked in from the beginning and did not want to put the book down. I read it in 48 hours which is really rare for me. I felt like I was watching a movie. The visual and emotional elements were so strong which really speaks to Soto’s writing style. I felt like I was there at the concerts watching everything playout. The tension between Gwen and Xander was palpable. I honestly couldn’t get enough. The cello scene is forever seared in my brain. The trip to Boston and the concert they played had me running through so many emotions. I had to remind myself they weren’t real people but if they were I can tell you right now I would be the first in line to get tickets.

I loved the found family and supporting characters in this story. They really warmed my heart, especially the one with the impromptu jam session during the holidays.

Tropes + things
cellist x violinist
enemies to lovers
grumpy x sunshine
workplace
single POV/3rd person

I loved FORGET ME NOT this one blew me away and confirmed that I will read whatever Soto writes.

This book was so fun, it made me forget that it began as a ReyLo fanfic. And you know what? I don't care.

Not Another Love Song is an enemies/rivals-to-lovers contemporary romance. The main characters Gwen and Xander are long-time musical rivals, now further divided because Gwen has been offered First Chair of the orchestra.

Gwen and Xander's emotional journeys are really compelling. The fact that they have a rivalry while also maintaining a deep respect for each other's music made the development of their relationship that much more believable, fresh, and interesting. Their chemistry is also off the charts. Banter? Check. Tension? Check. SPICE? Check. I mean, the cello scene?? Excuse me??

This book had me flipping pages like nobody's business. The writing IS a bit straightforward and simply, but I really don't mind that in a contemporary romance. Were there some cheesy/campy elements to the plot and structure? Yes. But again, they didn't detract from the story too much, so I didn't really care in the end.

Overall, Not Another Love Song is an exceptionally entertaining, all around good time that I highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley, Forever, and Julie Soto for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own!

I guess I'm into cellos? What a wild ride. I devoured this in one sitting. It had me foaming at the mouth and howling at the moon. It wasn't perfect but it was perfect TO ME.

I do not know or care about who reylo is but I LOVED this. One of my fav romances of the year. I loved the music and the moodiness. The characters were vivid and can I say again I loved the music?
The cello scene was hot af. I really enjoyed the angst and while enemies /rivals to lovers isn’t usually my favourite, this was done really well

Absolutely loved this book. Although that’s no surprise as it’s written by the incomparable Julie Soto. The chemistry and tension was off the charts and I loved the music aspect. Speaking of… the cello scene was 🔥. Another 5 star read from JS. I can’t wait for many more.

Not a Love Song by Julie Soto is a captivating, emotionally charged masterpiece that effortlessly blends heartfelt vulnerability with irresistible charm.

From the very first page, Soto pulls you into a world brimming with authentic emotions and complex characters. The dialogue is sharp and witty, but never at the expense of the deeper, more poignant moments. The pacing is perfect, with each chapter building on the last, keeping you turning the pages late into the night. Every chapter is immersive, and you can’t help but feel deeply connected to the characters' struggles and triumphs.

Not a Love Song is an absolute must-read for fans of contemporary romance!

Gwen Jackson and Xander Thorne are both musical prodigies, but one is classical music royalty, the other has a less than traditional musical education. Despite having worked together for a year at the Pops Orchestra, he has no idea who she is, but when Gwen is offered the role of First Chair of their orchestra, something Xander had secretly coveted for years, their existing hostility goes up a notch. But their respect for each other's music is undeniable, and their onstage chemistry off the scale. Can they handle the crescendo or will they fall flat?

Julie Soto does not know what the sophomore slump is. This book is a 6-star read. The tension and chemistry between our two leads are truly a perfect harmony. God, he was so down bad for her and I think we were all here for it. The cello scene. Do you know what it takes for a contemporary romance novel to have a call to an iconic moment and people just KNOW. The romance and intimacy felt balanced. Of course, our leads had some issues they’d slowly work through BUT they felt relatable enough and came to realizations along the way that allowed them to question their choices. the tension + chemistry was incredibly palpable. I loved in the end they came to know their worth solo and as a duet.

Overall this romance was a beautiful love letter to music and I'm so so so excited for Julie's future works!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for providing me with this AMAZING book's digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest opinions.

This was such an incredible story. Julie Soto is a master at building tension from the very start, so by the time the two characters are interacting more, you are absolutely dying for more of them together. I felt like both characters were really well thought out - and as a former musician, the research Julie must have done really shows. This is a book I continue to recommend to people because it feels so honest and raw and I loved the story so much.

This was the best book of 2024 and I am thoroughly obsessed with anything Julie writes. I need more. The characters were the best. This book was atmospheric in a way, the girlies who grew up in band class get what I'm sayin. I could feel the music (AND NO MUSIC WAS PLAYING, WHAT KIND OF WITCH CRAFT IS THIS) This book was something else. It had me looking up violins and lessons near me, as if i need a new hobby. Julie Soto, the legend that you are. I love you.

This book reminds me of when I played the viola and wanted to swap over to play the cello, I mean playing instruments is just fucking hot! 🥵

Holy f*ckin sh*te! One of the most captivating, beautiful, and invigorating romance I've read in a long time. NOT ANOTHER LOVE SONG takes entertainment to a whole new level. Gwen and Xander's story is a perfect blend of tenderness, emotion, and scorching chemistry. It doesn’t surprised me that Julie wrote another masterpiece. I loved Forget Me Not.

The chemistry and tension of the music and the romance was so beautiful!! I was so amazed by how well it was written!!

I didn’t expect to fall in love with this book, but it hooked me from the start and left a lasting impression. Gwen and Alex captured my heart, and I’ll be thinking about them for a long time.

Julie Soto’s writing is vivid and full of life, with scenes that gave me chills and brought tears to my eyes. Her portrayal of music is breathtaking, making me want to hear Gwen and Alex play their songs. Though I’m not familiar with violins and cellos, the passion they have for music is palpable and added so much depth to the story.

The characters are wonderful, and I loved the mix of Gwen’s POV with the occasional interludes from Alex’s perspective. It was the perfect touch.

Not Another Love Son by Julie Soto was a heartfelt and deeply moving story of two musicians navigating the pressures of their professional lives, the real meaning of being yourself, and how love affects the creation of art. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and plan to check out others by the author.

My first read by Julie Soto and won't be my last! I really enjoyed the musical element to the story and the connection between the characters. A top read of my 2024!

I absolutely love this book—it’s quickly become one of my new favorite romances. It was simply amazing and serves as a perfect example of why fanfic authors are incredibly talented and absolutely deserve to be traditionally published. This book has made the author an instant auto-buy for me, and I’m already looking forward to anything else they write. The chemistry between the characters was off the charts, and it made me wish I played an instrument just so I could immerse myself even deeper in the world they created. From the very first page, I was hooked, and once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. Truly a fantastic read!