Overall it was just okay. Slow start and then it picked up towards the second half. I appreciated the use of music and the arts, setting and the characters overall. But it just wasn't something memorable or that I'd come back to.

Why did I sleep on this book for so long??

This book needs to be injected into my veins.

The chemistry between Gwen and Alex was off the charts. Especially when the action of playing made their senses so heighten; it was off the charts.

It was sweet how Gwen had had a crush on Xander Thorne as a fan but actually got to fall in love with Alex.

This story was different than most romances I have read. I have never played an instrument and usually I would rather read than listen to music. But that didn't matter, the story was still relatable. An overbearing parent, trying to discover yourself while also falling in love. All of it. And of course I always enjoy a HEA.

This book was such an easy read for me. I ATE this book up! The tension between the two characters at the beginning was no joke. My inner music band kid childhood helped me feel connected. The passion they had about their music was everything!

“Everything” I understood the effect music had on them. Gwen and Xander are truly the definition of soulmates and seeing their relationship unfold through music was breathtaking.

The level of spice was perfect for the book itself. The tension built everything up which made it even better for the characters when they ended getting what they wanted if you know what I mean 🤭 The cello scene 😏😉.

The main characters had to overcome their own flaws and their own problems and problems together to end up happily together.

his is hands down, the very best romance book I have read so far this year. I don’t know what Julie Soto puts in her books, but my brain and heart cannot get enough of it.

Alex is the kind of hero that I am putty for. He is serious and reserved and gruff. He seems genuinely confused by his feelings initially, but he’s straightforward about figuring them out. He doesn’t play games, he says what he means, and he’s not afraid to put himself out there.

Gwen is the sunshine to his grump, a consummate professional who just landed her dream job. She thinks Alex is conceited, entitled, and the very definition of unprofessional.

The chemistry between them is off the charts from the beginning.

This book made me wonder things like, do I have a cello kink? And, should I be spending more time at the orchestra?

Some boxes this one checked

- Found family
- Electric tension
- Chemistry that has them questioning how it’s so good between them
- That scene in Ghost with the erotic pottery but make it erotic cello playing
- Scenes that made me squeal, and grin like an idiot, and kick my feet

Not Another Love Song is the kind of book that makes people fall in love with reading.

I loved everything about this book. The spice and built up was perfect. I have never read a romance book related to playing music and it exceeded my expectations. This is my second Julie Soto book and I will be reading more. I read this in 2 days and could not put it down. Be prepared to forgo all responsibilities while you read this book, because you will not want to stop.

Not Another Love Song is a love story that has two people from two opposite ends that see and feel music in third dimension. Xander as a burnout out child prodigy whom sprouts from a family with a musical legacy, and Gwen a prodigy too that discovers her musical abilities from loss of family. Their attraction fuels them and elevates their music into another level, in which composes and translates their feelings for each other into a living medium whom is completely immersed into not another love song.

3.5
I really enjoyed Not Another Love Song! The musical aspects were a highlight, and it’s clear that Julie Soto either has a deep knowledge of or did extensive research on musical composition and symphony. The way music was woven into the story felt authentic and engaging.

The characters were enjoyable, though I didn’t absolutely love them. I found the romance’s pacing to be a bit off—it almost felt like insta-love, and I would have appreciated more of a build-up. That said, the smut scenes were well-written and added to the chemistry between the characters. I also would have loved to see more from Xander/Alex’s perspective to deepen his character and provide more balance to the story.

The ending was satisfying, and I liked the way the conflict played out. It was an entertaining read overall! Although I didn’t love this book as much as this author’s debut, Julie Soto is quickly becoming a favorite romance author for me. The audiobook was also well done and made for an enjoyable listening experience.

While I had a few minor issues with the pacing, this was still a solid, engaging romance, and I look forward to reading more from Soto in the future!

I grew up surrounded by music, I was a choir kid and I also played piano. I loved this story being centered around music and how it was intertwined in their relationship. Definitely recommend this one and Julie Soto is now an auto buy author for me.

4.75 stars, rounded up.

Reading this felt like a fever dream on ten. This was an incredibly easy, tender read with extremely palpable chemistry between the two main characters. While I loved the characterization of Gwen, I felt like Xander's characterization fell slightly flat; that being said, he was incredibly down bad for despite their initial bad blood and I love that for her. I also like when idiots are in love but refuse to acknowledge it because of all the messiness that ensues.

Also the cello scene imprinted itself into my brain. Julie Soto, we want more!

I am not musically inclined whatsoever. You could say I’m musically declined. BUT I LOVED THIS BOOK.

I was fully expecting to love this one. I’m sad to report that I was bored for a big chunk of this book.
It also didn’t help that I hated Alex. This man was insufferable.
The insta love and third act break up were what sealed it for me.

I love Julie Soto and her writing is great, this book just didn’t do it for me.

Solid 4 stars! Julie Soto always gives us a book that's going to knock our socks off! I love the way she writes and leaves everything on the paper.

Gwen is a violinist in the Manhattan Pops. She has suddenly been given the 1st chair position in hopes to raise awareness and money for the organization Xander is a cellist and also part of the Pops, but also a part of a band. He is wildly talented but has some baggage in his past. These two are magic together and their creative side sours. As they fall in love and learn who is being real with them and who is manipulating them they grow.

Another amazing story by Julie. Everytime I read something from here I can’t put it down. I can’t wait to devour the next book she writes.

I absolutely adore the way Julie Soto writes chemistry and characters! It’s just so fantastic. Kicking my feet at these cuties fall in love and enjoyed all the seconds of it. I don’t know anything about music specifically but I adored it all

A Reylo fic? Say no more. I volunteer as tribute. This was my first book by Julie Soto and I'm in love. 4.5 ⭐️ It was a delicious and easy read from start to finish. I was obsessed and WOW those steamy scenes - you could feel the passion between Alex and Gwen. They ŵere hot, intimate and did I say hot 🥵 I will definitely be reading more books from Julie. Thank you for the copy ❤️

I absolutely loved this book, the tension between the main characters were delicious. Their companionship developed over the course of the story, was so nice to see and I think they truly became intuned to each other in both a physical and emotional sense.

Hot guy? Check. Written by Julie Soto? Double check. I loved this, if you loved her first book, I think you would love this one even more so. Highly recommend it!

This had the perfect ending thank you for that Julie

- Romance
- M/F
- Classical music
- Celebrity
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Found Family
- Spice

This book just like forget me not I read from Julie is so well written and so easy to read. As someone who often struggles to start a book its really nice to see.

Seeing classical instruments being written about in modern day and showing how they can be cool and modern and interesting is really nice to see, makes me want to hunt out something like they do in real life.

The romance was really nicely done, I liked how they grew and evolved together. I really enjoyed the FMC joy for life even with the tough loss she had faced at a young age, and the MMC fight to be perfect and escape the mould he was expected to in life.

This was such a lovely romance, it was a joy to read.

(Only 3.5 stars as like most romances I am not sure if I see myself re-reading it?)

Thank you so much to netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for a copy of this arc. (sorry it took me so long :D )

While I think the authors first book is still my favorite this was a great follow up. The classical music world was an amazing setting and the connection the two leads have was amazing. I really loved the ins and outs of the orchestra and all the other elements and their growing connection. I docked a star simply because I found the conflict very minor and easily resolved. The stakes of this book just weren’t that high for me. But a very enjoyable and engrossing read. Can’t wait for her next book!