As a musician and former member of a District Orchestra I enjoyed the setting of this story and the insight into composing. The enemies to lovers trope was well done and I especially liked that the leads challenged each other.

4.5 stars

This review has been posted to my Goodreads account and my Bookstagram.

This book has inspired me to go to Carnegie Hall!

Thank you so much to Net Galley, Forever & @Julie Soto! This is my very first ARC so I am truly grateful for this opportunity.

Release Date: July 16, 2024

Tropes in Not Another Love Song:
* Grumpy Sunshine
* Found Family
* Rivals to Lovers
* Musical Prodigies

Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️
Spice Scale: 2.75/5 🌶️

I am still in awe how this is only Jule’s second book; this story was SO enticing. I don’t think I’ve read anything like this before. Composers and musicians are truly extraordinary within their craft and I think Gwen and Alex’s story was so much fun to read. Alex and Gwen’s genuine love for music then for each other oozed off the page. I think this made them stronger and more confident individually especially with the decisions they made towards the end of the book. Highlights for me were their meet-cute, the concept of found family and I loved seeing cameos from some characters in Forget Me Not. Let’s not forget the cover - it's stunning and it perfectly depicts a specific scene from the book. Once you get to this point you’ll understand what I’m referring to. 🎼🎻

If I wasn’t adulting I could’ve finished it in a day but alas I finished this book in three days. All my opinions are my own. Overall, I would definitely recommend this book for those who are interested in reading this upon its release date.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6395421023?book_show_action=false

So, so good, I couldn’t put it down and was totally obsessed with the characters and story. I absolutely devoured this book in one sitting. Julie Soto is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors, her writing is so beautiful and captivates you from the start.

Both the MFC and MMC were well rounded dynamic characters, and I felt a connection to each of them. I also really enjoyed both their growth individually and as a couple. The sweet moments made me aww, the spice was delicious and there was just the write amount of angst and tension.

Highly, highly recommend!

Julie Soto had me absolutely enthralled with Not Another Love Song. While I had never read the fanfic version, it didn't stop me from caring about her characters and being utterly engaged in their romance. It felt real, with actual stakes without being overly dramatic. (Within reason...the MMC is a famous musician after all.) The antagonist had me curious until the end.

The smut was very on point, the storyline interesting, and the cello scene was as good as everyone said it would be.

I don't typically reread a lot of romance books but this one was one that I definitely will!

Wow, just wow! I was kindly blessed with an Advanced Reader’s Copy from NetGalley and Julie Soto herself and I knew within 30 pages that this would be a 5 star read for me.

The book follows the love story between Xander Thorne and Gwen Jackson, both orchestra players for the Manhattan Pops. The MMC is a cellist and the FMC is a violin player, and this is definitely a case of he falls first. Which, I LOVE. The banter, the tension, the SPICE!! Julie Soto has written a masterpiece, and I can’t wait to pick up a physical copy when it releases later this year.

The spice definitely spices, so keep that in mind if you aren’t a spicy romance reader. With that said, each spice scene was built into the plot beautifully, and it didn’t feel like spice just for the sake of it.

Again, thank you so much NetGalley and Julie Soto for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I devoured this book in one sitting. I do wish I knew more about music specifically in an orchestra setting but I do think that knowing that information is required to throughly enjoy this book. This is the first Julie Soto book I have read but it will not be my last.

The FMC and MMC are very well rounded characters you feel a connection right from the beginning and they are developed individually with their own stories as well as the connection between them.

I don’t even know if I have words to describe how much I loved this book. This book was gorgeous. I couldn’t put it down. I loved the story so much. The characters absolutely captured me right away. But honestly… Julie Soto’s writing is so breathtaking. I don’t know how to describe it. Anytime I read her writing, I’m transported somewhere else and awash in awe. I will not forget Alex and Gwen’s love story for a long time. I think what makes Soto’s love stories so captivating for me is how she captures such small, meaningful moments. The spice is absolutely incredible, but so are the stolen glances and hidden hand brushes.
Gwen is an amazing violinist that doesn’t fully understand her own talent. Alex (or Xander) is a cellist with a snarky attitude. The way they come together is stunning. I will be looking up cello and violin duet videos for the foreseeable future.

I remain absolutely obsessed with the “he fell first” trope! It was such a sweet touch to have Alex’s perspective sprinkled in between Gwen’s- just to catch up on how head over heels he was. A sweet love story about loving all sides of someone and learning to stick up for yourself, Gwen & Alex’s journeys into owning their own careers/music/passion/lives was really beautiful!

My lack of interest in music held me back a little bit in this, I think, but overall I still really enjoyed this. The way that Alex was SO down bad for Gwen was incredible to read, he was like a little puppy who follows you around even when you tell him he can't have your snack.

The third act breakup in this didn't bother me like a lot of books do, because it was a fairly understandable reason to break up. The one issue is I couldn't tell if they finished having sex or like, stopped mid-coitus because of the argument lol.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 5/5 stars (I would give it 6/5 if I could!!)
Spice: 3-4/5 chili peppers

This book was horny poetry and I DEVOURED every single word of it.

I played violin for 1 year in 4th grade but suddenly feel as though I am a prodigy myself. Did I understand half of the terminology used? Not even close. Did I eat up every second of it? Absofuckinglutely. Truly a masterpiece. I mean, the tension, my god. I was worried that the cello scene would be unbeatable but dear lord I am so glad to report I was wrong. The spice was NEXT LEVEL.

The characters were dynamic and relatable. The story was engaging and unique. The romance was HOT and swoon-worthy. Everything was 5 stars for me.

Julie Soto mentions in her author's note that she had queried this book many times prior to her debut novel, Forget Me Not, but it was never picked up. Well, I guess good things come to those who wait because it allowed her to edit and publish it as her Sophomore novel and I think that it is the perfect second novel to really hook her audience. I really enjoyed Forget Me Not but Not Another Love Song went above and beyond all of my expectations. She is officially and auto-buy author for me now. I think this could easily be my favorite romance of 2024.

I think this book is perfect for anyone that enjoys contemporary romance but if I had to be slightly more niche in my recommendation for it, I think Ali Hazelwood lovers will EAT THIS UP. As a previous Reylo fanfic, it definitely will be a hit with those that loved The Love Hypothesis, You Again, The Dead Romantics, and, of course, Forget Me Not. But it also stands completely on its own. While the Reylo comparisons are obvious, it was in no way in your face or, in my opinion, noticeable unless you thought about it.

Overall, this book was fantastic. I thoroughly enjoyed it from the start but found it simply unputdownable about 25% in. I implore everyone to read it because I'm confident it could become an absolute fan favorite.

Everyone, buckle up. I have a LOT to say about this masterpiece...

What to expect:
- rivals to lovers
- musical prodigies
- insta love
- he FALLS first (and man is that the understatement of the century)
- SPICY CELLO SCENE. I REPEAT. SPICY CELLO SCENE.

Okay, so. It's very hard to even put into words how I feel about the perfection that is this book. Julie Soto KNOWS how to write a complex, moving, romantic story while still giving each individual character their own identities and complexities and it is just so beautiful. You know those books that you CANNOT stop reading but want to put it down because you don't want it to be over? That is exactly how I felt. I wish this book was as long as all of Brandon Sanderson's books combined. Yes, it's that serious.

ALSO THE MULTIPLE SWIFTIE EASTER EGGS BUT ALSO THE TAYLOR'S VERSION REFERENCE. FLAWLESS.

I cried at least three times reading, and every time I was feeling a very different emotion.
I will be thinking of and rooting for Gwen and Xander in literally every single moment of my brain for the foreseeable future.

Gwen and Xander are both musical prodigies, but in complete opposite ways. She definitely knows who he is, and their paths have intertwined over the years, but never directly. Until Gwen plays at a wedding for one of his friends and he has the nerve to critique her performance...and that's literally all I'm giving you of the plot because Julie writes it SO articulately and I NEED you all to have an organic reading experience that will shatter you into a million pieces and put you back together again over and over until you can't take any more, okay? Because that's what happened to me and I can confidently say that I need this book to be consumed by every single last one of you. Thanks <3

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. Thank you Julie for writing this book. <3

I absolutely loved this book. Julie Soto is an auto buy author for me ever since Forget Me Not. I know next to nothing about orchestras or playing instruments, but it was never a problem. Her descriptions are so gorgeous. It kind of makes me want to pick up a violin, honestly.

My favorites parts were when Gwen and Xander wrote and played music together. And the cello scene was...🔥

There was a conflict at the end that felt like it had a rushed resolution and not very satisfying. But overall, a fantastic read!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Julie Soto for the arc! I will read anything and everything this author writes!

ONE BILLION STARS.

The only bad thing about this book is that I can’t read it for the first time ever again.

Not Another Love Song uses such a great setting with the Manhattan Pops. Brilliant tension between characters. The city and creative life of the main characters really fuels the story. Gwen's world felt real and interesting! The Cello Suite chapters were enjoyable that offered good insight into Alex/Xander's character.

The only time I felt a little thrown out of the story / distracted was during some of the passages where many music words / vocab was used, particularly during the steamier scenes. In those moments, I was left wondering what I might be missing from not knowing those words but those passages still flowed easily enough that it wasn't disruptive.

Highly recommend for fans of contemporary romance, work set in NYC, or those interested in supporting the original fiction of folks who started out in AO3-like communities!

I absolutely adored “Not Another Love Song”.
Obviously it’s a love story, but it also felt like a love letter to music. The way Julie Soto wrote about the act of playing music and the feeling behind it was so beautiful. And the way she included that imagery when describing the love, both physical and emotional, between her characters was fantastic. Every time their relationship shifted and the frequency of the tightening of the string between them was mentioned, I could feel it, like the tuning of an instrument.

Gwen and Alex were an incredible pair. We were really able to grasp how talanted they both were, and I loved how similar their journeys were and the ways they overlapped throughout, without them even realizing; Like the red string of fate. I enjoyed watching them figure out what they really wanted and how to get there, as well as what was okay to leave behind. I think they grew a lot as characters and it was fun to watch.

I loved the cello suite interludes that give us a bit of Alex’s perspective and insight. He was a complicated character so getting glimpses into his past and present really helped understand him. It loved getting to watch him become inspired and compose ‘Not A Love Song’ for Gwen. The way they composed the music together and completed each other’s parts was incredible.

“Not Another Love Song” was so so good. My exact words when I finished the last page were “oh no. I finished it”. I cannot wait to buy a copy in print, and read it again!

I enjoyed every minute of this book and wished I was more musical so I could hear the music. The romance felt authentic and the conflict made sense in the story. I will absolutely read this book again.

Thanks NetGalley for the early access to the ebook.

Julie Soto does it again! I absolutely loved this book. The characters are complicated yet likable. The background characters are interesting as well. I loved that we got a sprinkling of dual POV. If you loved Forget Me Not, you’ll love this story as well.

I was able to read an advanced digital copy through Netgalley. I enjoyed this book SO MUCH! I laughed, kicked my feet, cried, cringed, sighed, and when I had to set it down for a bit to participate in daily life, I found myself thinking about it. I loved the characters so much, and *that* scene...😍😍😍 I've already recommended this to a few friends and will absolutely be reading it again!

I absolutely loved this book! The music, the romance, the tension, the spice 🥵 Julie Soto has done it again! I have always been a music lover and seeing how the characters used music to connect to each other was amazing. It's usually hard for me to get into books in third person but I was so entranced that it was a quick read for me. Highly recommend!

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were well developed and even though I don't play any instruments, I found the musical descriptions engaging. I liked that they had that in common and it was such a source of both joy and tension for them/their story. I would have liked a little more of Alex's POV. What was there felt like it might have been added after the fact and I feel like hearing from him earlier would have made the initial parts of the story more engaging since I didn't really like him in the beginning and therefore wasn't itching to read on.
I loved Forget Me Not and this is a close second to that. I can't wait to read more romances by her.