"Not Another Love Song" by Julie Soto is a captivating read that I absolutely loved. The story is deeply emotional, drawing readers into the complexities of love, loss and self-discovery. Soto excels at character development, crafting rich, multi-dimensional characters that feel incredibly real. The beautiful descriptions throughout the book create a vivid and immersive reading experience. I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone looking for a powerful and moving story. A big thank you to NetGalley for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Absolutely loved this book!! After reading and loving Forget Me Not, I was so excited to find this book and was not disappointed. The music and orchestra aspect was what tied this book together for me so beautfiully and even made me consider pulling out my viola from middle school to see if I could still play. One of my favorite romance novels I’ve read!!

Not Another Love Song is a sexy, heart-tugging, melodic romance that made me wish I hadn't given up the viola in the 6th grade. Julie Soto has a knack for creating fully-realized characters with intense chemistry. Gwen and Xander make for a fiery pair, full of angst and warmth. I found it difficult to put this book down and wound up reading it in a single day.

Gwen Jackson believes she's on the path to a stable career doing what she loves: playing the violin. She has been playing in the Manhattan Pops orchestra for four years with wedding gigs on the side. Then she meets Xander Thorne, the viciously handsome cellist from her favorite rock strings band, Thorne and Roses, by chance at one of her wedding gigs. Or rather, Gwen knew that this was not their first meeting--Xander had strangely and unexpectedly joined the Manhattan Pops as First Cello earlier that season. He hadn't noticed her despite the fact that they sat across from each other during rehearsals. She finds him aloof and unfriendly, but after the wedding the two enter each other's orbits, for better or for worse.

What makes a good romance? Chemistry, chemistry and chemistry. Well, not just chemistry, but without that you might as well be reading non-fiction. Gwen and Xander have loads of chemistry, even when they're at each other's throats. The sexy scenes are sexy and the romantic scenes are romantic. This should be the case with all romances, but alas, it is not.

So why remove one star? Not Another Love Song does contain one of my least favorite tropes--miscommunication. My kingdom for characters that are good communicators. Miscommunication is a simple way to maintain tension before the resolution, but it often does a disservice to the characters themselves by having them act purposefully obtuse. I'm not saying that some people aren't their own worst enemies, but if a character has been established to be at least somewhat reasonable, having that character abandon reason in favor of a plot point rings false.

That said, I thoroughly enjoyed Not Another Love Song. Julie Soto is becoming one of my favorite contemporary romance authors.

*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

Not Another Love Song took me on an exhilarating emotional rollercoaster, weaving tension and passion into every page. The dynamic between the protagonists crackles with intensity, keeping me eagerly turning the pages to see what fiery exchanges or tender moments await. The gradual shift from animosity to attraction is beautifully crafted, allowing me to witness the evolution of complex characters who defy expectations. The book navigates the fine line between love and hate, creating a sizzling chemistry that is impossible to ignore. I’m still thinking about it!

An absolutely delicious book, with tension strung so tight that the first touch between the two main characters brought palpable relief. Julie Soto continues to be incredibly talented at building sexual and romantic chemistry, with two, well-fleshed out main characters. I adored Gwen: her tenacity and her journey towards embracing her gifts and finding her place was so rewarding! And Alex/Xander--what a complex, gruff, interesting lead he was! As good as Forget Me Not, and just as enjoyable. Thank you for making the ARC available!

So many thanks to Forever and Netgalley for the arc and the opportunity to read this wonderful book in advance of it's official release on July 16, 2024!
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4.5! I snagged this while it being read now on April fools but it is no joke that I ATE THIS UPPPPPP! The whole story is so compelling, I mean professional musicians? The angst and emotions are HIGH and the chemistry is next level. I really enjoyed the plot and the backgrounds of the two main characters, it really gave them all a strong presence that you could get invested in. I was giggling and kicking my feet at all those initial moments between Gwen and Alex because it really felt so "fanfiction coded" (in a positive way). Just a dynamic that had you HOOKED from the beginning and even me knowing nothing about anything when it comes to orchestras and things of that nature, I was sooo invested. My only complaint really is that I would have loved to see more on the relationship itself on the domestic side of things like they had this instant connection physically and on the music side of things but I wanted more of them getting to really know each other in the smaller ways. There was like two intimate scenes that I found could have been replaced or coupled with a heart to heart romantic moment and that would have made this book absolutely perfect for me in the end. But that being said I really couldn't put this book down and will definitely be thinking about Gwen and Alex for quite some time.. Their love and care for each other and the growth they both go through!!! MY ENTIRE HEART!!!

P.S the cello scene is worth the hype for sure...

4.5 stars

My first Julie Soto did not disappoint! This rivals to lovers romance had me wanting to stan a musical rock group. The relationship between Gwen, a young violinist trying to make ends meet, and Xander, a wealthy musical prodigy and frontman of a famous music group, was full of tension, pining, and sizzling chemistry.

I absolutely adored Xander and watching him go from grumpy and standoffish to passionate and thoughtful. I loved Gwen’s resilience and was rooting for her as she tried to find a balance between following her dreams and doing what she needs to survive. They both had difficult yet very different journeys and watching them grow together was so emotional and heartwarming.

I definitely have a new appreciate for music after reading this and would recommend it to anyone looking for a good romance. Thank you to Forever for the ARC!

If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only take one thing with you what would it be? Fictional men written by Julie Soto.

I wasn't sure anything could live up to Forget Me Not (or lets be real, The Rights and Wrongs Trilogy), but Not Another Love Song exceeded my very high expectations. I was hooked from the first page, and I didn't stop reading until she was finished. This is one of those stay up all night, kicking feet in the air, giggling in the bed, and then throwing the book across the room in the third act kind of reads. The tension was ELECTRIC between these two characters, with Gwen having idolized Thorne from afar and Adam becoming entranced by Gwen after one brief musical encounter at a wedding (an Ama and Elliot wedding! I loved the cameos).

"The rest of his life would be spent chasing her, trying to catch up. Because Alex had traveled the entire world by the age of twenty-six, and Gwen Jackson was the first person he'd found who could actually do what he did. And possibly do it better. Only she didn't know it yet. And that-that-was the terrifying part."

Every time they played music together I was on the edge of my seat. Those scenes were my absolute favorite (and so hot). Literally me every time: "Like, I know nothing about what you just did, but I think it was the best thing I've ever heard in my life."

Do yourself a favor and pre-order this now. You won't be disappointed. All the stars.

"Go put your cello away properly, Mr. Thorne. That thing is worth almost a million dollars."
"I'm taking care of something much more valuable."

I love this trend of fanfic —> published novel and as a consumer of ReyLo fanfic, I was predisposed to like this. While it was engrossing and nearly unputdownable, I didn’t connect with these characters as much as those from Julie’s Forget Me Not. That’s not to say they weren’t compelling but personally I found it frustrating to watch the two MCs act so naively at times, when all the signs were pointing clearly to them being manipulated. But mostly, I wanted to shake the two main manipulators for how grossly they acted. So I guess tldr kudos for getting me invested and cheers for that HEA

Julie Soto is a fantastic romance author, and this book is no exception! In "Not Another Love Song", Gwen and Xander are both incredibly talented musicians who play on the same New York City orchestra. But the two are incredibly different: while Gwen is friendly, cheerful, and outgoing, Xander is sullen, difficult, and anti-social. However, when the two keep crossing paths, they discover that they have much more in common than they previously thought. And the sparks that are flying between them can't be ignored any longer.

I really enjoyed all the musical details Soto put into her writing, and I liked how the two main characters had several big issues that they had to work through. The chemistry between Gwen and Xander are fun to read too. However, I got a little frustrated with the many obstacles between the two, especially when Gwen keeps turning him down for no reason. However the book does have a happy ending and I was rooting for them at the end. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book! Julie Soto is quickly becoming one of my favorite romance authors. This was just as good, if not better than "Forget Me Not."

I thought the characters had great chemistry. I enjoyed Alex's character arc. He starts out very broody and becomes....only slightly less broody over the course of the book, but Soto does a great job shifting the view of him as kind of an asshole into a tortured poet, who we can all root for.

I also enjoyed the side plot regarding the music industry, and I actually wish the book had been a little longer so more of that story could have been fleshed out.

I highly recommend this book, and I'm so grateful to NetGalley for providing me an advanced copy. I look forward to Soto's next book!

Julie Soto is now an auto buy author for me! I got this book on April fools but it’s not a joke how much I adored it! Soto has a way of spinning common tropes into a refreshing experience that it’s not like most romance books.
I loved the composing music scenes between Alex and Gwen and their chemistry is just 🥰🥰 plus the cameos from Forget Me Not was so entertaining, I loved it.
Thank you Julie Soto and NetGalley for the arc!

This book pulled me right out of my reading slump! I am thankful that this Netgalley surprise was not an April Fools joke. I didn't want to put it down and even refused to in some instances. Julie Soto had me sold on the incredible chemistry between Gwen and Alex with such heavy tension. The characters' backstories were intriguing, which added to my pull for wanting to feel the music even more so. I found myself pulling up songs to play in the background while I read to immerse myself even further into the story. I've never done that before. If only I had an amp in my house.
Although I enjoyed the ending and appreciated how everything settled, I was hoping for a little more umph. That being said, Not Another Love Song is still such a wonderful read that captured this reader from the very beginning. I gave it 4.5/5 stars. Now to create a playlist, so it's ready for when I have the physical book in my hands.

I liked this one a lot! Super sexy and I loved the setting I just didn’t really connect to Gwen or Alex that much

If there is one thing Julie Soto knows how to write, it’s TENSION. My god. I was kicking my feet, squealing, and giggling this entire book. Gwen and Alex just BURNED on the page and it was perfection. And the pining omg. Alex gives Rights & Wrongs Draco a run for his money. I was obsessed with how obsessed Alex was with gwen. And the setting. Wow. Rivals to lovers in an orchestra?? It was so unique and such an amazing vehicle for a romance. Julie is a genius.

I somehow loved this one even more than Forget Me Not, which I didn’t think would be possible. Julie Soto I will forever read anything you ever write, published or not, you are incredible.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Forever for this digital ARC!

Thank you netgalley, forever and julie!! for this ARC!!

One of my most anticipated reads for 2024 and Julie did not disappoint. I loved the vibes and how the story was linear, but also was able to seamlessly transition from past memories to the present. The writing is beautiful and i could feel every feeling and music note written on the page.. the setting of New York and the musical scene is my favorite thing. I felt like I was really there and experiencing the tacos, the subway, the two apartments, and Mabel’s shop.

As a rat (iykyk), this story itself was so amazing and perfect, but the music and the way the plot and the characters were composed was flawless. in her acknowledgments, julie said this book had been rewritten several times. i would like every single draft of this book and everything not included that was there.

These are such well-developed and complex characters.i loved the cast of new ( the cameos of Ama and Elliot were wonderful omg) characters popped in and out of the storyline. None as much as Xander (new book bf dropped!) and Gwen who is just so freaking cool. Similar to Julie's Forget Me Not, this book focused on more than just the love interests. Add in music and the cast just builds itself. I loved how each character had a plot in some form (romantically or professionally).

Not Another Love Song felt like coming home after being lost for a long time. I loved it and cannot wait to have a physical copy in my hands so i can transfer my highlights over.,.

4.5 stars

This rivals to lovers contemporary romance is thrilling, addictive and filled with sexual tension from the get-go. I played the flute in middle school, but I can hardly say that I’m knowledgeable when it comes to music. I didn’t pick up on every reference, but that didn’t take away from my enjoyment.

Gwen has been playing violin since she was 11— she has made her way from playing in the subway for tips to playing in the Pops Orchestra. Xander is a child prodigy & star cellist also playing for the Pops, as well as the lead of one of Gwen’s favorite bands - Thorne & Roses.

I appreciated the identity crisis Xander combats throughout this piece. Gwen gives him fresh perspective on the man he’s becoming and motivates him in more ways than she could ever expect. Through her interactions with Xander she is able to see herself through fresh eyes and has a better sense of her worth as an artist and individual.

I had so much fun reading this Reylo fan fiction - although I can’t stay that I would have picked up on that if the author hadn’t been explicit with her intentions. I would highly recommend this book to romance lovers whether or not they’ve ever picked up an instrument. This story is strong and heart-warming — the spice will not disappoint you and trust me there’s plenty of it.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for making this ARC available. “Not Another Love Song” is the first from Julie Soto that I’ve consumed and I look forward to reading more from her.

Have you ever thought that orchestra is boring? Never again, my friends - now it's HOT, in the best way.

This is the story of Gwen and Alex (or should I say Xander?). They've each got more beauty and talent in their fingers (heh heh heh) than you have in your whole body. But that's ok - they're both so well-written here that the only thing you'll be jealous of is their undeniable chemistry. This book was much hotter than I expected. The tension, the musical double-entendres, the build-up, the banter, the way they truly cared about each other, etc. etc. The hype about the cello scene is warranted, but can we talk about the Carnegie Hall bathroom??? (I work in a concert hall and we sometimes use the backstage bathrooms as office bathrooms...my workday will never be the same.)

While Forget Me Not was all about the language of flowers, Not Another Love Song is all about the language of music. This is an ode to the world of pops orchestras and groups like Vitamin String Quartet - this helps keep the musical content approachable to the layperson but leaves plenty to appeal to those with more in-depth knowledge of music and the industry. Alex and Gwen are both the type of people who just feel the music through every inch of their soul, and they bring the reader along for that journey.

The only negative for me was the third-act breakup - I just felt that one of them was really in the wrong with that one. But the other 85% of this book is more than worth it.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this arc in exchange for an honest review. This book was the perfect coda to my week.

This book was absolutely beautiful. There is no other word to describe it. I LOVED when they played music together, and one of my favorite scenes was the one that inspired the stunning cover of this book. Highly recommend!

My first Julie Soto and it will not be my last!! I absolutely adored this book! Gwen and Alex (Xander) are spectacular together and the chemistry is off the charts! This is a forced proximity, opposites attract, workplace romance set in the world of classical music. Gwen is a violinist who gets an unexpected opportunity as first chair in the Pops orchestra she’s been with for four years. Alex/Xander is the diva, rock star, cellist who wanted her first chair all his life. Alex has lots of secrets but the biggest is that he’s absolutely gone for Gwen. I tell you our boy fell first and fell so so hard! I love that this was original fanfic and I will 100% be picking up Forget Me Not as soon as possible! I absolutely recommend picking this one up when it comes out July 16th! Thank you to Julie Soto, Forever, and NetGalley for the ARC!