Uhm who was going to tell me that a stringed instrument could be so hot???? This was delicious. The tension, the banter, the SPICE?? Chefs kiss. I love a man obsessed. I’ve never read any of this author’s fanfic so this was my first time experiencing her writing and I will definitely be reading more from her in the future! However, I really wasn’t a fan of the third act conflict 😵‍💫

**3.5 stars

Thank you to Julie Soto and Forever Publishing for an eARC.

TLDR or didn't want to read spoilers: Overall, I'd probably give this book a lower star rating, but there are some scenes that were just so well written and hit so hard that it bumped the rating up.

I have a lot of thoughts about this book. On one hand, I loved it. The spicy scenes - specifically the one when they're playing the cello together? Good Lord I was smitten. I mean, that is the most sensual scene I've read in a while. And yes, I mean sensual. Not smutty. It just played out like a movie in my head. The music, the attraction. It was phenomenal.

Spoilers beyond this point.

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On the other hand, I needed a little more from Xander. I knew he was attracted to Gwen. I could feel it. And I could tell that he was frustrated that he liked her, and when she got attitude with him, it intrigued him, but I just wanted more details about him falling for her. I also wish there had been more about them making up after the fight. The fact that she loved only one side of him, and said that to him, really irked me. And while, in some ways, she was right about his two personas, there just wasn't enough resolution about him accepting and loving both sides of himself - and her loving and accepting both sides as well. Also the way he just cut her out. He came running back and she just accepted him because he gave everything up.

I still flew through this book, even with that nagging feeling that I wanted more from Xander. And I plan on reading more Julie Soto, especially her new romantasy.

Julie Soto is such a great author! I loved this book and it was really so good. The two main characters had such great chemistry and I really enjoyed the journey that they went on together. Highly recommend!

“Tell me I can see you again,” he whispered, leaning into her. “For music or anything else.”

4.5-
Thank you to Netgalley and the Forever Romance team for gifting me this ARC for an honest review!

I don’t know why it took me so long to finally pick this book up!! Julie Soto hit this one outta the park. I loved this!
Everything about this had me hooked. ESPECIALLY Xander Thorne. I love me a well written grumpy sunshine and thats exactly what this gave me. I will definitely be reading more from Julie Soto going forward.

Title: Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto

Genre: Contemporary Romance/ Workplace Romance

As a Reylo girlie, I was so excited to read Not Another Love Song. And boy, did Julie Soto deliver.

To me, this was near perfection. The angst, the longing, the chemistry. It was out of this world! See what I did there? 😉

Also, there is something about Julie Soto’s writing that I just love. I cannot get enough.

I would describe Not Another Love Song as Reylo AU, but instead of the force, it’s music. And, I have to admit that I read this as if it were still Reylo. My brain could not unsee all of the parallels. Please don’t come at me 😅

But honestly I loved it that way. I was squealing with delight the whole way through. Not Another Love Song has become one of my favorite romances. It was magnificent. Chef’s kiss. 👩🏻‍🍳💋

I love the enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Xander and Gwen. I enjoyed their tension building throughout their story trying to be better than the other only to get to the climax of their romance where their tension leads to their feeling for each other. I loved the music themes, watching more symphony concerts these days has given me more of an appreciation for musicians and the arts and how it really is competitive and it's fun to read about it in a romance setting. All in all, the book was fun to read and a different setting as the characters are musicians. It was hard to like Xander to start because he seems like such a mean dude, but he slowly starts to grow on you. Would definitely recommend to romance readers who are also into music for this one!

Ggaaahhhhh
It was incredible. Beautiful.
Honestly this writing was something else. It took you to another level. As you read, you could hear the songs which in turn helped you feel the emotions. Feel the ghost touches

Easy easy 5 stars
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I have now read and listened to Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto. I used an audible credit on it because I loved it so much. And that truly is saying something
This story is so freaking incredible. It was brilliant, beautiful, witty. It was really everything I could want in a book.

The soul deep, emotionally charged, sarcastic, swoon worthy romance was per.fect.
Zander is such a freaking simp for Gwen and she has no idea. Its not miscommunication, its the aurora of the situation. Everything he says is so dry and misleading (not on purpose) because of that, he has to show her how he feels. Why yes, I would love to wake up to iced coffee and a sexy man practising his cello every morning.

While I wouldn’t say this book is spicy, it does have one of the best spicy scenes in it. My gawd!!! Think ghost pottery, but he is alive and it’s with a cello.

Honestly, this book changed my brain chemistry.

Now all I need is a special edition of it.

Probably my favorite Julie Soto contemporary romance. She never misses. You can tell she really did her research on music and it actually inspired me to try violin. The chemistry was great between the main characters and it was a really sweet story.

Libby took it from me and I just don’t care to finish it. Idk why he’s made out to be some rockstar that she’s internet stalking (which is weird on its own) when that man literally plays the cello. If you grew up in musical spaces I feel like this is such a strange way to act lol. I also think I’m just really over a FMC who just ~*doesn’t know her worth*~ until a random man is like wow do u wanna kiss? I’ll treat you vaguely badly and we’ll have lots of miscommunication. IDK IDK I’m sorry I’m a hater.

I am obsessed with this book. I loved the chemistry between Gwen and Xaden. I felt that there was a little mystery that increased the tension between the two of them. It seemed to me that Soto really leaned into the rivals to lovers trope in this book, and she did it well.

I LOVED THIS BOOK. I liked Forget Me Not a lot, but there was something about Alex and Gwen that I really loved. I loved the music aspect. I loved how Gwen fought it. I loved how Alex became obsessed with her after he heard her play. Loved the build up of their relationship dynamic. Loved it.

The 3rd act break up was frustrating, but understandable in the moment. And I thought it ended a bit too perfectly. But I still really enjoyed it and loved it and had a great time.

Julie can keep writing all the Reylo smut she wants and I'll keep reading it.

Not Another Love Song beautifully captured two high strung musicians finding their muse in each other. Soto's ability to explain the lyrical phenomenon of a cello and a violin falling in love, was very moving! I enjoyed this one, Xander/Alex and Gwen had so much tension that created a fantastic romance!

A wonderful read. Julie Soto has quickly become an auto-buy author in the span of 2 books. Her stories are original and characters well developed. I enjoyed how Gwen and Alex grew together and figured out a life for themselves. The supporting characters were equally engaging. Well done!

I’m definitely late to the party on this one, but Alexander late ;)

Reading this book made me have flashbacks to my brief time playing flute in my middle school orchestra. You can tell Julie really loves music and that showed on the page.

Gwen and Alex are a formidable and talented duo here, but for some reason, I don’t get the feeling they’ll survive in the long run.

I enjoyed their banter and the brief glimpses into Alex’s POV. I think there was a good balance between character moments (Gwen’s found family, her and Alex, etc.). I wasn’t emotionally prepared for this to be so dramatic - was expecting a lighter vibe (maybe that’s on me). But overall, I enjoyed this and I’d definitely read other books from Julie.

Thanks for the copy, Net Galley.

Julie Soto delivers another winner with Not Another Love Song—a slow-burn, rivals-to-lovers romance set in the enchanting world of classical music. Gwen and Xander’s chemistry is electric, the emotional tension is pitch-perfect, and the orchestral setting adds a unique, romantic flair. As a music lover, I was completely swept away by how beautifully this story captures the emotional power of music.

Told mostly from Gwen’s POV, with thoughtful glimpses into Xander’s perspective, the dynamic between them is full of yearning, heat, and heart. The spice is steamy yet meaningful, and the characters are relatable in their struggles with perfectionism and people-pleasing. Bonus points for cameos from Forget Me Not and another swoony Reylo-inspired pairing!

Some plot points wrap up a bit quickly, but overall this is a heartfelt, passionate, and immersive read. Julie Soto continues to be an auto-buy author for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, Forever (Grand Central Publishing), and Julie Soto for the ARC!

If Julie Soto writes it I will read it. I have continually thought about this book months since reading it simply due to the amazing character dynamics and relationships

Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto is a tension-filled, rivals-to-lovers romance set in NYC’s elite music scene. Two prodigy-level musicians from very different worlds clash and spark in all the best ways, full of spice, secrets, and longing.

Told in third person, this story delivers major pining, great music-world detail, and characters in their early 20s grappling with ambition and identity. It drags a bit at times, but the emotional payoff and fiery chemistry make up for it.

I think I still enjoyed Forget Me Not quite a bit more but this one was fun & unique!

Really enjoyed reading this book! I was engaged & eager to see how the characters & this story evolved.

Julie soto can do no wrong! I am so in love with her work my opinion feels bias 🤣because I just enjoy everything she writes. All this to say this book was delicious!

This book was listening to a new song. Beautiful and surprising. I was hooked from the very beginning. It was a beautiful reminder how music brings us together. Julie Soto has a gift of making you feel so deeply for her characters. “Not Another Love Story” is fun, sexy and magical!