I'll be thinking about that cello scene for a LONG time. Wow. Julie Soto is becoming and auto read author for me. This is a great story and I loved that it was set in a world I didn't know much about. Orchestra playing is HOT.

my favorite books are enemies to lovers where the guy acts like he hates her and constantly criticizes her but in reality actually loves her

I absolutely loved this book! I legitimately have no notes. Thank you for writing a beautiful book, Julie!

Thanks for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Prepare to be sick of me. I love Julie and everything she touches and this book was no exception. I loved both of these characters for all of their flaws and their obsessions and how interconnected everything was. I felt like I could conduct a symphony after reading this one and also that I need to find me a hot cello player ASAP. Their chemistry, their character development, the tension, the drama. I die. Dead. This book was so good.

Quick intro:
Gwen and Xander, both musical prodigies, fight their attraction for each other as they battle for center stage.

Quick thoughts:
While I have never played professionally, I did grow up playing the viola, so I enjoyed the peak into the world of professional orchestras and symphonies and the business side. Having played an instrument in an orchestra, much of the book felt nostalgic for me in a way. Julie Soto’s writing surrounding the playing and creation of music was really beautiful.

The story is told in third person POV but we get a few chapters, Cello Suites, that peek into Xander’s perspective along the way and I liked that. Surprisingly the third person POV didn’t bother me either. I jived with Soto’s writing style. There’s something about it that felt musical. It flowed. And it was warm.

I really loved the two main characters and their relationship. Their tension and chemistry were palpable and jumped off the page. I found them both to be well-developed and complicated. But guys, this is by far the spiciest book I’ve ever read. I found myself skimming a lot, because truly it was beyond my comfort level. So, just know that before you enter into this book - Julie Soto brings the FIRE. Given my personal preference I probably won’t go back and read Soto’s first book.

Read if you like rivals to lovers, spice, books set in NYC, found family, the music scene, grumpy/sunshine, and men who wear ray-bans.

Thank you to Forever Pub and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Quick details:
PUB Date: July 16, 2024
🔥🔥🔥🔥+

You know when an author writes to your romance preferences? That is now Julie Soto for me.

I can not wait to scream about this book from the rooftops upon release.

Wow the set up for dislike to friendish to lovers was spectacular. I loved Gwen and Alex together. Even the third act worked for me so well. It was another stay up until 1 am to finish kind of read.

No, because I would’ve given anything to read this book and it not only lived up to my expectations but absolutely exceeded them!! Could this possibly be one of my favorite books of the year? MAYBE. The tension between these characters was spectacularly written. I've always known that academic rivals to lovers were one of my favorite tropes to read about but musical rivals to lovers?? the passion, the romance, the connection, and the banter between the characters was *chef's kiss*.

Synopsis: Our story follows Gwen Jackson, a violinist prodigy who’s hired to play at a wedding with her duet partner. After a mix-up of sorts, suddenly Gwen is holding Xavier Thorne’s cello; an instrument she has only played a few times and one that just so happens to belong to the lead musician of one of her favorite bands. Surprising everyone and herself, Gwen picks up the cello quickly and no one is more fascinated than Xavier Thorne, a musical prodigy in his own right. When Xavier realizes he's been working with Gwen for the past year in the same orchestra, he's more determined than ever to learn about the girl who managed to hide her talent. But when Gwen is offered the role Xavier has spent his whole life waiting for, tensions start to rise, and feelings are now more confusing between the two.

Tropes to look forward to:
- grumpy/sunshine
- musical rivals to lovers

Thank you a million to the Forever Romance team for gifting me this arc, you guys are truly the best!

All the stars!

It had my fave things: broody boy, impossibly talented, pining, sexual tension, just chef’s kiss 👌🏼👏🏼

I was literally kicking my legs and giggling whenever they just got near each other. There was a point when they were about to innocently trade instruments and my husband was looking at me like “what??” And I when told him he’s like is that what they’re calling it these days 😏😂🫣 Julie Soto really built up the tension!

I wish there was a bit more to the ending only because I loved them coming back together again.

The way I just DEVOURED this book 😍

It’s 3 am and I literally couldn’t put it down. I wouldn’t have been able to work knowing this was waiting for me anyways! WHO KNEW THE STRINGS HAD SUCH TENSION?!? (See what I did there 😉) Julie did, that’s who! It was perfection. When I tell you I screamed when I got to the cover scene, I am not exaggerating! I ran out of tabs and I don’t even annotate books normally!

This masterpiece comes out July 16th and you should do yourself a favor and go preorder it now. Do not ask questions. Just trust me! This was my most anticipated book of the year and it DELIVERED AND THEN SOME!

The BIGGEST thank you to Julie & Forever Publishing for this ARC 🖤 I adore you endlessly and cannot wait to hoard every edition printed!

Also, shoutout to Nikita Jobson for creating the most delicious cover of all time!

*review will be posted to Amazon & Barnes & Noble once released