This was my first Julie Soto read. While I loved her writing the overall storyline wasn’t for me. I will definitely read more of her books.

How do you take music and two characters that sgoupdnt work together yet make the perfect blend of sizzling hot romance. Julie had me at spice. Music. Chemistry. Did not disappoint!

Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto is an contemporary romance featuring two rival string players in an orchestra.

I myself am part of an orchestra, the link: Washington Metropolitan Gamer Symphony Orchestra. We exclusively perform music from video games! I sit on the Board of Directors, sing in the choir, arrange music, and occasionally play my clarinet. My partner is our music director and conductor, as well as a standout arranger. I knew I needed to pick up this book after I learned the two MCs were part of a pops orchestra together.

Overall, I had a fun time reading this; I ended up inhaling the whole thing in one day (via borrowing the audiobook from my local library). This book is set in NYC, and I generally enjoyed the author's prose, though at times the plot felt a bit meandering.

If you like steam, this may be the book for you. Musicians are often passionate, and that passion really shines in this book. The "cello scene" is the one everyone is talking about, but there are a good number of steamy scenes in this book.

I think my main criticism is that I had to suspend my disbelief a lot. Gwen comes across as very naive, which doesn't track to me if she's also competent enough to be offered concertmaster. Both MCs are noted to be some form of musical prodigy, but cello and violin are very different (they even have different fingerings) so a scene where Gwen mentioned she tried cello once when she was younger and then has to play it for a wedding gig had me side-eyeing a bit. These weren't dealbreakers for me, but I feel like if I was an actual string player it would have been really annoying.

I also think they jumped to the "l" word too quickly. Both note that they've never felt like this for another person before, but since they're both in their mid- to late-20s, some of their actions and reasonings felt a little on the younger side. I also balked a bit at how Xander treated Gwen; some of the things he says to her in relation to her playing are really Not Great, though when we have his POV chapters it's played off like he's jealous of her and thus is biting back.

3.5 stars

I really enjoyed this book however, it written in third person compared to forget me not was written in first person. And it was mainly in Gwen’s point of view. I would have loved more chapters of Alex’s point of view. Just a personal preference.

Alex is smitten with Gwen from the start and I just eat that up every time. Gwen was a little naive and kinda blindly loyal to those who don’t deserve it but she’s young so that is to be expected. I did like the subtle twist at the end.

Of the two books I've read by this author, I liked Forget me Not a bit better but I did *really* enjoy being immersed in the world of music and how much chemistry the two love interests experienced while making music together. I just found certain parts of the story to be a bit difficult to believe or unrealistic and it took me out of the story a bit.

Thank you Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the advance review copy of Not Just Another Love Song. The review contains spoilers.

The storyline had a lot of potential but I found the over reliance on tropes and some of the unrealistic embellishments of character details made it difficult for me to appreciate the characters and the story. It was an “easy” read for this reason, but lacked a fresh take to draw me in and invest in these character’s journeys.

For example, the two leads of Gwen and Xander/Alex leaned too much into “prodigy orphan” and “conflicted gifted child” prototypes. It was so unrealistic that Gwen could be first chair at barely 22 and so prominently publicized for this role with the Pops and additionally that Xander/Alex’s abandonment of a Julliard career led to a dual life of Pops success as well as a strong enough group to open for U2. Aging the characters older or even removing some of the name dropping probably wouldn’t have taken away from their journeys while grounding them into a more relatable way. The roles of Mabel as the wise teacher and multi-faceted talent and board chair Ava also lacked fresh takes, as did Xander/Alex’s publicist. These characters contributions and journeys lacked originality and the storylines wrapped up too cleanly.

I did enjoy that both Alex and Gwen did not fight their attraction nor had many miscommunications about their interest in each other, however, this all fell apart with the very unrealistic miscommunication of Gwen’s attempts to contact Alex while in LA. It seemed incredibly obvious characters would intentionally be blocking them and the obliviousness of Gwen highlighted her youth at best and made her character’s development frustrating.

Wow! I honestly didn't have high hopes for this book and wasn't sure I would even like it but I guess I was wrong. I loved watching the story unfold between Xander and Gwen. I really enjoyed this story and I'm glad I gave it a chance. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ From me!

Julie Soto: you're crazy, you're insane, you're psychotic, but I thank God everyday you watched Star Wars because I don't know where I would be in my life without this book. The angst and lust jumps off of the page and grabs you by your heart like the Venom symbiote. AND THAT SCENE AT HIS APARTMENT????????? Don't get me started..

I was very excited for this one, but it just fell flat for me. I didn't connect with the characters or the story at all. Very well written, just not what I wanted!

Rating: 3⭐️

This is lighthearted romance that brings a bit of charm to the workplace romance genre. The characters are likable, and the storyline is engaging, but it doesn’t quite reach its full potential. The chemistry between the protagonists is enjoyable, but there are moments when the pacing feels uneven, which affects the flow of the story.

While there are several funny and heartwarming scenes, some of the plot points feel predictable, and the character development could have been deeper. Despite these minor issues, Its still enjoyable read for anyone looking for a feel-good romance with a few laughs along the way.

Rating: 3/5

Enjoyed this one! As a former violin player/ band kid this definitely had some parts that reminded me of those times! I liked both Alex and Gwen and their slow burn was so good! I love a good broody character who pines for the girl haha

Not Another Love Song is a beautifully crafted story that had me hooked! Let me start with the cover—which is GORGEOUS. I don’t often highlight book covers in my reviews, but this one absolutely deserved the recognition.

As for the story itself, it exceeded my expectations in so many ways. The slow-burn sexual tension building up to the unforgettable "cello scene" was done so well. It was electric, intense, and honestly one of the most perfectly timed build-ups I’ve read in a while.
I thought I was diving into a straightforward romance, but what I got was so much better!

This book took me on a rollercoaster ride through the lives of the two main characters, Gwen and Xander. Watching them fall in love for the first time felt like a delicate dance—hopeful and full of joy, but at the same time, there was an underlying caution, as I-the reader, could feel the uncertainty of how it would all unfold.

I appreciate how much thought went into developing Gwen and Xander’s characters. Their impulsive, sometimes immature decisions were completely believable, and a reflection of the experiences and hardships they’d both faced in their lives. I was invested in both of them, flaws and all, and that emotional connection they were building.

However, there was one part of the book that left me a little unsatisfied: the resolution. The ending felt a bit rushed to me. It ended up leaning into a somewhat cheesy territory that didn't quite match the emotional depth that came before it. I wished it had more room to breathe, more space for the characters to reflect and grow together. Given how well the rest of the story was crafted, the quick wrap-up felt a little abrupt. There was more to unpack between Gwen and Xander, and I was left wanting just a bit more closure, especially in terms of their personal growth and understanding of the mistakes they'd made. I wanted to have more faith they would go the distance.

That being said, despite the resolution not quite living up to the rest of the story, I still thoroughly enjoyed the journey Not Another Love Song took me on. The emotional highs and lows, the characters’ development, and the unexpected twists all made it a compelling read. This book has earned a spot on my list of favorite reads of the year, and I’d wholeheartedly recommend it.

I loved this book so much! Soto's previous novel was a win for me, and this one is too. I really enjoyed the premise of this one. The chemistry is wonderful, and the plot is well done. I loved the music elements.

Not Another Love Song delivers a heartfelt exploration of love, longing, and personal growth. From the moment I began reading, the compelling characters, Xander and Gwen, pulled me into their world, making it impossible to put the book down.

The chemistry between Xander and Gwen is electric. Their connection is beautifully depicted, evolving from a shared understanding of pain to something deeper and more profound. The way their backstories intersect adds layers to their relationship, creating a nuanced exploration of trust, forgiveness, and the healing power of love.

I thought it was a good book. very fast paced for me. enjoyed the spice. his alter ego was a little annoying at times but other than that, I thought it was good. Would recommend.

It is truly unique and beautifully put together. The characters are well-developed, with their own interesting storylines that combine effortlessly, bringing dimension to the story. The reading experience becomes more enjoyable by exploring of themes like friendship, personal development, and the difficulties of following one's passions. I loved this story so much!! Although it's the first book I've read by this author, it won't be my last!

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for the early copy.

INFINITE STARS. THIS BOOK IS PERFECT. I literally could not get enough. Thank you, Julie, for writing the perfect book.

Julie Soto can do absolutely no wrong, these characters complimented each other so well and any story she writes is phenomenal.
the vibes were immaculate

This book was SO GOOD!
The burn was delicious and the spice was just perfect!
I absolutely love Julie's writing and the juxtaposition of the characters and their instruments was perfectly written. The addition of musical knowledge in this book was awesome! As a huge nerd (especially concertos), I felt very seen and loved every second of Gwen's performance.
I'd definitely consider this a slow burn in the scheme of things, especially the fact that Gwen fights her attraction to Alex a majority of the time.
There were times I hated Gwen, but I cried every time Alex spoke with love towards her.
So many good moments in this story, but I try to keep it spoiler free, so I will leave it as it's one of the best stories that includes musical instruments & terms (to make sense to outsiders of the music world).
Thank you to NetGalley & Hachette book group for the opportunity to read this as an arc!
Sorry that it took me so long to read it, I just needed to read book 1 beforehand!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥

Gwen is a self-taught violinist who is offered first chair at the Pops-- a dream come true for her. Little does she know this spot was coveted by none other than Xander Thorne. Also part of the Pops, he has made a name for himself as a famous electric rock cellist.

First and foremost, I don't know ANYTHING about orchestras and still was able to immensely enjoy this book, so if that is a concern for you, worry no more!

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the perceived vibes of enemies to lovers-- Xander is definitely thinking more about it than Gwen who is just trying to go about her life. Also being immediately smitten with her. I just loved their dynamic. The conflict was realistic and not drawn out; there wasn't an instance when reading where I was annoyed about it dragging or just being conflict for the sake of conflict. Soto's writing is engaging and entertaining.

I will say I think this book does have a lot more hinting that this was a reylo fic. It's not a bad thing, and I don't even think anyone besides someone who has read a plethora of reylo would even notice.