The tension in this book is immaculate. I have never been more invested in string instruments. She thinks he hates her and is critical and instead he is intrigued and wants to know more. Their backgrounds and how they started their instrumental journeys are so different. They make each other better and it’s so beautiful to read.

This was definitely better than Forget Me Not, in my opinion, but I loved seeing familiar characters making cameos! Julie Soto certainly delivered in this one! Her writing style was so lyrical, addicting, and fresh that it drew me in from start to finish, The writing has improved so much from FMN.

If there’s an audiobook for this, they really need to make that into a whole production. I’m not a music nerd, but this book altered my brain chemistry and ingrained itself into my mind. I might have a new appreciation for books with characters being musicians/artists because Julie did this beautifully. Xander was so obsessed with Gwen, my goodness, and their dynamic was mesmerizing. I absolutely adored Gwen and was rooting for her.

There was something so deliciously romantic in the link between the music, their feelings, and the progression of their chemistry. The emotions were communicated and felt so thoroughly in how they each played and composed, which had me reeling during their interactions. The interviews, musical scenes, and tension were all SO satisfying and had me giggling, screeching, wishing this book would never end. Xander’s POVs were my favorite because I loved getting to know him and would’ve appreciated if he had more chapters. I love him so much, this man is so gone for Gwen. I know this is described as rivals to lovers, but it didn’t feel like the rivals dynamic I was initially expecting since were a few moments of friction at the beginning that eventually simmered out.

While the book had very few minor flaws that could be ignored, the third act conflict at the end was a bit unnecessary to the reading experience and the only reason I couldn’t give this book 5 stars. Still, Julie just became a new favorite for me and I’m looking forward to her future works! I REALLY hope we get a book about Mar and a *certain* bandmate as well.

Julie Soto is most def an auto buy author for me! I love her writing style, she hooks you from the beginning of the story and makes you not want to put the book down! I cannot wait until her next book come out to devour it also!

IM SCREAMING

I loved this book so much. If anyone is even thinking about reading this book, the answer is yes. Just fucking do it. Amazing. Xander…amazing. Gwen…..A QUEEN.

I already have this book in my cart so I can have a physical copy of it so I can force everyone I know to read this and love this.

Alexa, play songs by Vitamin String Quartet.

I was so excited to read the ARC of this book (despite having plans to order the paperback once it drops). It took me less than 24 hours to binge it. Well-written, well-paced, excellent spice and such great chemistry between the two main characters. Definitely one of my top reads in 2024!

Julie had me upset my parents didn't shove an instrument in my hands as soon as i had enough fine motor skills. I feel bad giving this book a three star rating because because i did enjoy it! i cried! i laughed! However i feel like i need to do a reread to really understand Gwen and her fears as well as Xanders. i believe i got to the 80% mark and the thing/conflict still hadn't blown up yet. i wouldn't say the way it was resolved was rushed, but not totally satisfying either.

OMG!! 🥰🥰 What a magical story! If you love a feel good love story with some spice to it this is the book for you. Xander & Gwen are the perfect amount of passion, drive, and love! Their connection to each other through music is absolutely mesmerizing.

I’m so glad I was able to read this early through NetGalley! I’ve never read a romance like this, such a unique plot & characters and I absolutely adored. it made me want to start playing violin again and that’s a shocking statement for me to make. I had the total 5 star feeling until the end where I wanted more detail on how some of the drama that caused the third act conflict played out so I bumped down to 4.75 but for the sake of stars and reviews I’m rounding up. such a great book. I have been thinking about the characters since I finished and listened to classical music exclusively for over 10 days. This is my ideal romance novel.

Julie Soto wrote another fantastic novel! In “Not Another Love Song”, we’re introduced to Gwen and Xander… Both are childhood musical prodigies of the violin, but they come from vastly different backgrounds. Xander is born in to a family well-known for their musical talent, but Gwen is blessed with natural talent that is nurtured and developed by a beloved acquaintance. Despite their differences in upbringing, they are united in their love for music, the violin, and ultimately their attraction to each other. I did NOT expect this book to bring the level of heat and SPICE that it did, but I was HERE FOR IT! 🥵🤤🎻🔥 Soto does such a great job of telling their story in such a beautifully romantic way. This one checks ALL the boxes! ✅ Thanks to Net Galley for allowing me to provide my honest review of this book! I LOVED it!

I wish I could give this 10 stars, I loved it so much. So beautiful and also extremely horny.

Thank you Forever and NetGalley for the ARC!

I finally got a chance to read a Julie Soto book! I really liked this one. I really felt the emotions of Alex and Gwen. And I also learned a little about music. I will most definitely read this author again!

Huge thanks to NetGalley for an e-arc of Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto.

I want to say that I’m probably being biased with this review but oh well. I’ve been reading Julie Soto’s work from AO3, to now fully published books; and I have to say I’ve loved everything I’ve read so far.

Please note I don’t know anything about music so anytime they started speaking in terms, I had no idea what they were saying but the story somehow was very easy to follow. I just can’t tell you if there’s any inaccuracies.

I wouldn’t call this an enemies to lovers story; this was more of a misunderstanding between two people who work together and don’t know each other that well going from hostile strangers-to fiends-to lovers.

I adored both Gwen and Alex. Gwen was a character who second guessed herself constantly and the actions of those around her; she was also a bit of a pushover and a people pleaser but not to an extreme. She grew into herself little by little and finally figured out what she wanted to do with her life and music wise.

Alex was my tongue twisted, speak without thinking sweetheart, who’s pinning after Gwen and is willing to take any scraps she’s willing to give him; the man was practically salivating.

“If he admitted that entire symphonies had unfurled in his mind when they played together… It felt like the music wouldn’t be his anymore’l

I loved the dynamic between Alex and Gwen and how their relationship developed. In the beginning it felt a bit rushed and out of nowhere but as they spent more time together things clicked into place.

Only negatives for me was that the “I love yous” came in way too quickly; and the third act conflict was a little far fetched and predictable.

OMG OMG OMG!!! This was the cutest most wonderful romance I’ve read this year!!! I cannot stop thinking about it!!!

The story follows Gwen (a violinist) and Xander (a cellist in a deliciously-paced enemies-to-lovers story that will have you blushing and swooning! Gwen and Xander play together with the Pops orchestra and when Gwen is promoted to first violin chair and Xander’s contract is not renewed, things start changing. Slowly as they start getting to know each other, they’ll find out that there’s more to them than what they share on the surface with others.

Since the first few pages, I was completely hooked. The characters had depth, the romance was top-notch, and the drama had me shaking my book because who dare some characters get in the way of Gwen and Alex!! I devoured this book in less than 24 hours, one of my top reads this year. I need more of Gwen and Alex!

(Also, if you read Forget me Not, get ready for lots of cameos!!). Julie Soto, the mastermind that you are!

Julie Soto, please take a bow! I refused to put this ebook down. Legs kicking in the air good. You simply fall in love with the main characters immediately. Their angst and lust is intriguing from first banter. All the characters flesh out a real New Yorker experience. The family you make is such a strong element and sweetly created. The story wraps up quickly but secretly I wish the villains deserved a bit more punishing.

So if you can’t afford a plane ticket, this book will fill your heart and mind with a city love story.

Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for the early access.

This book makes playing music so sexy, especially in an orchestra. I love the research Julie Soto puts into her books, using musical terms for describing the characters’ connection and how they feel.

I adored the characters and how they interacted. I would have rated this book 5 stars if the ending was stronger. The third act breakup felt more like the characters just needed to talk problem than them rising over something insurmountable. I wish the antagonists were more involved in the third act breakup and the big romantic gesture wasn’t so easily thwarted with no consequences to the villains.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. I loved reading this book!

I couldn’t put this book down and finished it in a day! I played violin and loved reading a romance that focused on musicians. There was so much chemistry and you fall in love with the characters and their struggles so quickly. Such a sweet romance story!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in return for my honest review.

I loved this story - from the first page to the last, this was music to my reader’s soul. This enemies to lovers story takes you into the world of orchestral and popular music as played on the violin and cello. You feel the music as you read the story. So moving, tender and sexy. The characters are deep and rich. A great follow up to Forget Me Not with a few cameos thrown in for fun.

hot musicians. professional aspirations. sexual tension. family history and dynamics. the scene on the cover?!

what worked for me:
- julie soto knows how to write spice!!!
- realistic conflict, and i didn’t hate the third act breakup
- the chapters from alex’s perspective provided the perfect amount of context for his character

what i didn’t love:
- story felt very “new” adult
- i never really understood gwen’s personality…
- it’s reylo fanfic (i haven’t seen star wars, so that may be a *me* thing)

final verdict: 4.25 - i will read whatever julie soto writes (as a sacramento girlie, gotta support my hometown heroes)

thank you to julie soto and netgalley for the eARC <3

This was so cute? I had such a fun time with these characters watching them come into their own. I also loved how they each had a distinct style of playing but eventually came around to see the others reason for their own style.
Can’t wait to read more from this author!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was delightful! I fell in love with Julie Soto after meeting her at an author event and reading Forget Me Not. However, I was curious if my love of the book was tied to living in Sacramento or not. Well, Not Another Love Song was based in New York and honestly, I loved it more.
The romance was top notch, the tension was chefs kiss, the pacing was fantastic. Xander comes across as rude in the beginning but smoothly transitions into grumpy and a tad misunderstood. I loved this couple so much but the character development and growth through the novel was what captured my heart. Gwen develops so much as a character through this book and I couldn’t help but cheer her on. This book made me laugh out loud, cry into my pillow and grin like a cat with a canary.
5 stars all around.