A rockstar cellist (yeah that’s a thing) and a professional violinist butt heads constantly… until they don’t.

I thought this book was fantastic! I read Julie Soto’s first novel and thoroughly enjoyed myself. This one was even better. Julie has a wonderful voice that makes reading her books easy and impactful.

Gwen and Alexander were such an entertaining couple to read about. I didn’t hate either of them (a miracle) and actually enjoyed reading their thoughts. I also loved all the side characters.

If you’re a romance reader or someone wanting to get into romance, pick this one up! You won’t regret it.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Netgalley arc 🙂

Before I read this book, I did not realize that I needed an orchestra romance in my life the way I need air to breathe. I read this in one sitting.

Loved the cameos from Ama and Elliot from Forget Me Not. I really liked that book, but this book clearly had me in a chokehold. The tension between Xander and Gwen was juuust right. It's mostly her POV, but I enjoyed the brief glimpses into his thoughts. To be honest, I'm not really sure what these characters have in common besides being musicians, but it absolutely does not matter. No notes.

This book was SO good!! I LOVED their dynamic. The way Julie writes yearning is so good and now I'm gonna listen to all of the violin and cello music I can. This book isn't fully dual POV, but we do get his perspective at various point throughout the book.

I finished the book in one day and could not stop reading. I absolutely loved it! The tension between Alex ‘Xander’ and Gwen spat from the pages. I have not felt this kind of giddiness in a long time. After I fell in love with Julie Soto’s first book, I knew that I would love this book too. It was nice to read that they both made decisions based off what suited them best but ultimately towards each other.

The only minor thing I missed was more of Alex’s POV.

Thank you for providing an E-ARC!

Wow, wow, wow!!!

Gwen is an orphaned 22 year old who loves playing in the Pops orchestra, but has been hesitant to stand out. Xander Thorne is a musical celebrity that is fighting to find what he wants from his career. Xander and Gwen first meet each other at a wedding where Gwen is playing. From there, they find that they have a common history and both want to be leaders in the Manhattan Pops orchestra. Will Gwen be able to trust Xander given that they want the same first chair and they be able to come together despite outside forces trying to pull them apart?

I loved this book! 4.5⭐️ and highly recommend! Gwen and Xanders relationship and their love of music was beautifully written. I am not musically inclined and reading the descriptions of the music they made/played was intricate and captivating. This book is mostly in Gwen's POV, but I enjoyed the Cello Suite chapters that were from Xanders POV. I have not read Forget me Not and now it is on the top of my TBR.

I truly loved this book. Julie has a way of describing the music battles between Alex and Gwen that gave me goosebumps. I can't get enough of these characters. And the spice was perfection

Adorable romance. Loved the orchestra/music rep! Would definitely recommend to my fellow music lovers. :)

I ate this up!!! This was such a fun read and rivals to lovers does it for me every time. The tension and chemistry between Alex and Gwen was SO good. I mean that cello scene omfg???🥵

I don’t know much about being in an orchestra but I still enjoyed that aspect of the book, especially with it being set in NYC! When they played music together it felt so romantic. She did such a beautiful job of setting the scene.

The only reason this wasn’t 5 stars is bc once the third act breakup hit it went kinda downhill for me. I also usually don’t love 3rd person POV but I didn’t mind it in this, and I loved the chapters from Alex’s perspective! Overall I would definitely recommend this to anyone wanting a fun and spicy romance!

Absolutely devoured this new story from Soto. This was my most anticipated story of the summer and it did not disappoint.

This book gave me life. I love Juli’s writing, her characters (Mei needs a book!), and just the general way her books make me feel. I was engrossed in this story from page one and I love how everything tied together at the end.

As a long time violinist, I am pretty sure this book was written for me??? I truly loved it so much, and it made me want to pick up my instrument again!

Music is all about tension and the back and forth between the sections. You can absolutely tell that Julie Soto thought about how an orchestra works together when writing Alex/Xander and Gwen’s relationship because there is so much heat and passion between them, much like the very best symphonies.

There was just so much emotion in this book that I felt really drawn to the characters and I was imagining how the music they composed together could actually sound.

The sex scenes certainly didn’t hurt to read either!!! They were the perfect amount of steamy and romantic, and as an aspiring writer I am definitely taking notes.

5/5, no notes. Thanks to NetGalley for providing the ARC!

I loved Julie Soto's first book, Forget Me Not, so much I preordered Not Another Love Song. The book did not disappoint! Gwen and Alex are both professional strings players in this not quit enemies, more like rivals-ish to lovers romance. It's a rare book where you love both characters equally and the central tension feels compelling and genuine, The author does a lovely job of painting a picture of two very different circumstances in life from how they trained to how they live in NYC. It is an open door romance that doesn't make you wait! Can't wait for Julie's next book.

When I saw that Julie Soto’s new book was available as an ARC I had to snap it up immediately and I’m so glad I did! I flew through this book in less than a day.

I really did love this book! The tension! The plot! I had no idea how things were going to wrap up while I was reading and I loved the journey that Alex and Gwen went on to find happiness and peace.

While this is a romance novel, there’s a lot of depth in the plot about finding what you want to do with your life, growth, and family. And boy does this book hit hard in those regards. I found myself having to take a minute to breathe while Gwen went through heartbreak and tough decisions because the book doesn’t let up at all!

But when it comes to the romance. Wow, I know people are going to be talking about the cello scene. (I already see a few comments on it!) I loved the relationship between Alex and Gwen. Yes, they’re both a bit of a mess when it comes to healthy relationships at first, but I really appreciate them working through things and coming out of the other side a stronger couple.

Overall, would recommend, and I’m looking forward to Julie’s next book in 2025

I can’t get over this boook!! I loved this and have felt the music in her writing. Ok review time (I’ll stop Drooling). It started out a (touch) slow, but once the note hit, boy did it HIT. It was sensual, and lyrical, loving, demanding and just outright beautiful. I am so happy I had the chance for an early review copy. I can’t wait for more to come by Julie also.

When I saw ARC copies of this were available I actually audibly yelled 🤣 I’ve been so excited about this book since it got announced I absolutely loved forget me not and knew this was going to be just as good! And let me tell you Julie DID 👏🏻 NOT 👏🏻 DISAPPOINT 👏🏻 both of these characters were such a delight to read and having the Xander POV chapters mixed in with Gwen really help give background to everything going on. I loved getting to read their banter and seeing how Gwen opens up and finds her way with what she wants professionally and personally. The the spice?? Is 10/10 ( also the Ama and Elliot cameos?? Were so perfect) at this point I would read anything (and have 🫣) this woman writes I can’t wait to get a physical copy to join my copy of Forget Me Not 💐💐💐 ALSO THIS COVER IS EVERYTHING??? THE SCENE??? PERFECTION

4.75 stars!!!!

i! loved! this! book!

julie soto must have some kind of magic she puts into her books because i seriously could NOT put this down. i was invested!! like i was nauseous & anxious in some scenes. i was crying, i was giggling, i was smiling, i was embarrassed. i truly felt so connected to gwen that i felt every single emotion she experienced. THE TENSION was next level in this book!!! and don't even get me started on my man xander!!! he had it BAD for gwen and was entranced from the beginning. it was honestly so sweet & HOT to see how he pursued her. the cello scene? it is... wow... & very unexpected.

i loved the musical elements and how julie sprinkled in musical descriptions throughout the book. there were times where gwen's feelings where explained in a very musical way, and honestly? i loved that!! it just add another level of beauty and uniqueness.

my one complaint is that i felt like it ended a little abruptly? but maybe that's just because i wanted more!!!

thank you Netgalley & Forever for this eARC! this is my honest review.

Did I just find my favorite book of the year?!

I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars. This book had no business being so darn amazing.

From page one, you just fall in love with Gwen and Alex. Their tension is great but their chemistry is on a whole other level. The best thing in this book though is the authors ability to make the music come alive for the reader. I have never been able to play an instrument but the way she described everything had me seeing the movements and hearing imaginary songs. Absolutely beautiful. My biggest regret is that I read it too fast and wish it wasn’t over.

A huge thank you to Julie Soto, Forever (Grand Central Publishing), and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this as an eARC.

Easy 4.5⭐️
This is the most PERFECT example of how to write music in book form. The way Julie Soto can convey such musicality and feeling and passion in words and make it feel like you’re listening to the actual instrument!?! Like just WOW!!!

I loved this book and couldn’t put it down. I felt every moment and have already been going back to re-read my favourite parts.
Tension 👌🏼
Spice 👌🏼
Emotion 👌🏼

SOOOOO GOOD!!!

Julie is able to write such an eccentric love story in both this book, and her debut book Forget Me Not. While both different, I feel like both have this whimsical feel to the love story that will absolutely blow people away. Can’t wait to see what everyone else thinks!

what a beautiful, beautiful love story. it takes so much skill to balance flawed characters and character development that feels natural and real, and Julie Soto has that talent in spades. I can't say enough good things about this book, I'm contemplating reading it again right now because I want to keep living in Gwen and Alex's world.