This had its moments when it was really good and then wham it brought up a subject that just took me out of the story. I did push through those moments and finished the story.

Ugh, so good. Can't get it out of my head.

I didn't love Julie Soto's debut novel Forget Me Not last summer, so I was hesitant to read this one, but how wrong I was! I devoured this one and a week after finishing, am still thinking about Alex and Gwen.

The chemistry between Alex and Gwen is out of this world and I loved watching their relationship develop. Alex is a complex character and I was fascinated by his story. I wish we could have gotten a little more into that.

I also loved the symphony setting, which I thought was really unique and so different from anything else I've read. Apparently this is fanfiction of Kylo Ren and Rey, which I definitely would never have picked up on if I hadn't read the author's note at the beginning. I know nothing about their story so knowing (or not knowing) that didn't have any effect on my enjoyment.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC. My review is honest and voluntary.

This was my first Julie Soto book and if they’re all as good as this one, she’s going to make my auto-buy list for sure.
I was hooked from the beginning, and the best thing about this book was the off-the-chart tension and pining. The sexual tension between them was delicious and the way Soto uses music to amplify their emotions, the way music and feelings echo each other was incredibly hot and realistic at the same time.
While the heroine’s decisions are sometimes overly naive, she IS young and uncertain about what she wants in life. I liked that they both meet halfway in the end, that if she wants to sulk because she had a fight with a friend, he’s not pushing her to tell him every inner thought she has. Even the third-act break-up was not as annoying as they usually are. Yes, Alex is broody and bossy, but if you don’t like that kind of male character, then I really don’t know why you picked up this book in the first place.

🎵 NYC set—very specifically in the NYC music scene
🥵 Slow burnnnn
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Spice
🌟 Reylo fanfic-vibes
🎵 Tall, dark-haired, broody love interest
🎵 Talented main character
🎶 Lots of music-speak that made sense to me, who knows nothing about music
☀️ Grumpy/sunshine, probably?

I really enjoyed this book. The stakes felt high, the writing was quick, the spice was spicy, and the setting was fun. I flew through it, and absolutely recommend it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Julie Soto for the ARC!

Y'all this book ATE.

I love when an author is able to transport me into the story and Julie absolutely delivered on that end. I loved how unique the premise was and I immediately must go to watch my city's orchestra!!

The tension in this book was immaculate. I felt that the constant tie to music through prose was fantastic. Julie has such a way with words and it perfectly flowed throughout the novel!!! I was SO PUMPED that there were little chapters that gave insight to Alex's character and POV. Julie did that perfectly while still having Gwen's perspective as the main driving point in the book.

I LOVE ALEX!!! Please I NEED HIM. I loved the juxtaposition between his professional aura as Xander vs his little nerdy self as Alex. The spicy scenes were SPICING. There was a scene with a cello and I SCREAMED.

This book truly is just so much fun!!! There's drama, FANTASTIC SPICE, lovely musical moments, and amazing found family.

Just so so GOOD!!! Thank you Forever, Julie Soto, and Netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I like Julie Soto's books a lot but they all suffer from a little too much plot. I'm glad that it's not just vibes but I wouldn't mind dialing back one or two subplots in favor of a little more character development. I have high hopes for her upcoming trilogy, but Xander/Alex of NOT ANOTHER LOVE SONG does suffer from too much Ben Solo-itis (again, not surprising).

Thank you to Forever Publishing and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was quite literally in a chokehold from start to finish. Giggling, clutching my chest, kicking my feet, and squealing every single page. The tension between the two MCs was so magnetic I was unable to do anything else but consume this book.

I feel like I highlighted the entire book, but what’s new? I’ll have more to say tomorrow but today… this is as good of a review as it gets.

This comes out in 11 days (7/16), and read it the moment you’re able to!!!

CW: sexual content, gaslighting, toxic relationship

That. CELLO. Scene.
Overall, this book was fun. It had hot bits, angsty bits, and sweet bits throughout.

Unfortunately, I didn't think the pressure and passion of the music world translate to the relationship between Alex and Gwen. It was surface level, insta love. Maybe we should just believe the music and fate brought them together and that's enough.

The villians in the story were a bit of a caricature, but there was enough there to still have fun.

There is nothing that cures a slump quite like a book that meets all your comfort read checkboxes. Not Another Love Song is an absolute JOY of a romance novel. There was some addictive quality to this love story that had me waking up & reading at 3 AM.

If there is one thing about me, it’s that if you tell me a leading man is adam driver coded in any way, shape, or form—the credit card is out and ready. ALEX. MY SWEET BLUSHING BABY BOY. WAS PERFECT. LITERALLY HAD ME GIGGLING, BLUSHING, KICKING MY FEET. & Gwen was such a wonderful fmc who was humble & talented & deserving of love. & the music element of it???? The romance of it all???? My heart was PALPITATING. The tension that it created was so unique & executed with such precision, I was ENTHRALLED. I’m so thankful for Julie Soto becoming a published author & getting the love & praise that she 100% deserves.

This is an easy 5 star read for me. I haven’t had a new book that made me this feral in a MINUTE. God bless the reylos 🫡✨

Thank you so much to NetGalley & to Berkley Publishing for the opportunity to read this arc!

This might be the most passionate romance I’ve ever read. The tension built through the music alone was just incredible! The cover speaks volumes.

I loved these characters. Gwen and Xander are both gifted string musicians, but each had a very different path in obtaining a seat at Pops Orchestra. Xander was certainly a mystery at first with his unrelenting criticism towards Gwen, which only escalates when Gwen is offered first chair.

But the rivalry doesn't last long! And I don't mean that as a critique. Xander falls so endearingly, unequivocally hard. I loved the pure respect and sensuality surrounding their performances together. It was so edgy and beautiful.

Beyond the romance, I also enjoyed the details behind their careers as a cellist and violinist. The pressure, the commitment, the competitiveness, the manipulative forces attempting to shape their decisions—it all added some really fun drama to the story!

Gwen is a violin prodigy who is entering her fourth season with the Pops Orchestra. Xander Thorne is a bonafide rockstar cellist, whom Gwen is obsessed with. She's confused when he seemingly randomly joins the Pops Orchestra, but when she's offered first chair when the great Ava Fitzgerald decides to retire, many long hidden secrets emerge. Gwen also learns that she has a magnetic pull with Xander, especially when it comes to making music with him. Will they be able to stay together when secrets are revealed?

I would have rather read this NOT knowing it was yet another Reylo fanfic originally but I was a big fan of Julie Soto's debut novel and I enjoyed this one once I was able to push that bit of knowledge out of my head!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

I adored this book. If I could give it ten stars, I would. Julie Soto did such a great job with the character development through the dual POV. Even though the story was primarily told by Gwen, Xander was sprinkled in throughout the novel. There were also great plot twists throughout the book that I didn't see coming.

Even though I don't have much knowledge about music or instruments, Julie wrote this book so that it was still easy to understand. This was my first book I have read about classical musicians and it makes me wonder why there are not more. Music is a love language in itself, and it makes sense that it would make a book so beautiful.

There was the perfect amount of spice and romance for me and it had a beautiful ending. I finished this book weeks ago and it is still on my mind. I will definitely be pre-ordering this novel and you should too!

Will post on my blog, chapterswithchan.com and Instagram on Pubday!

Gwen is a 22 year old violinist, tutored from the age of 11 at a Queens music shop, and in the running for first chair at a NYC pop orchestra. Alex/Xander has performed since he was 3 and now a cellist in a famous string rock band, and also vying for first chair. They meet at his friend's wedding where Gwen has subbed last minute and requested to play cello, having to translate the violin music on the spot. Alex is drawn to her, recognizing raw talent and becomes fixed on seeing what Gwen can do, how far she can progress if she can just break out of her shell.

You can expect:
Grumpy-Sunshine
Rivals to Lovers
Rock Star Romance
Workplace Romance
Music as a Love Language
He Falls First
She is his Muse
Found Family
NYC music scene
Mid-20s MCs
Dual, 3rd Person POV

I love fantasy books that include music as an element of magic, and while this isn't a fantasy, the music is definitely magical. The author's note says she imagined Reylo but with bows instead of light sabers, and I love that take on the prodigy rivals to lovers dynamic So many Reylo fanfics are being published now, and I have to say this is my favorite.

This is written mostly from Gwen's perspective, but we get some chapters sprinkled in from Alex's POV, which was a nice touch.

I read Forget Me Not right before this, and so glad that this ARC finally pushed it to the top. I loved both so much. NALS is a follow up stand alone, and while it is not necessary to read FMN first, Xander does show up and there are some characters cameos here that are fun to see. I hope that there is a third book, and suspect that it will follow the photographer.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever books for providing an eARC for my honest opinion.

I really enjoyed the story and getting little glimpses of Julie’s previous characters. I really enjoyed the different story line of the orchestra/classical music piece but I had to do some refreshers on the terminology.

3.75 ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

Thank you to NetGalley, Forever, and Julie Soto for this ARC! I truly enjoyed this book! It took awhile for me to warm up to Alex, but I actually love him by the end. He was such a sour patch kid. At first, he was so sour and just said rude one-liners. Once he started to open up, it was beautiful. He was so passionate about his love for Gwen and was so in awe of her. It was actually so adorable.

Gwen was so frustrating at some points but she came around in the end. She just always wanted to see the best in people when the red flags were all there. I admired her for being so nice to people when they did not deserve it. I loved reading about her relationship with Mabel and her friendship with Jacob. It was really sweet to see how things turned out in the end for them.

This is spicier than my preference but WOW. I could sense the tension and the passion in those aspects of the book. I will definitely be reading from Julie Soto again. 💙

4.5/5 rounded up

OMG this was exactly the book I needed to get me out of my reading slump. It had everything I look for in a romance. A perfect trope (which enemies to lovers is one of my favorites), spicy scenes, likable MCs and just a storyline that keeps me on the edge of my seat.

I don’t know if this book would be for everyone but I’ve seen the New York Pops perform a couple of times and I just imagined myself sitting in Carnegie Hall, watching this story play out as I read it. I think having had that experience I was like this is such a great idea for a book! I have also read a little fanfiction here and there which I enjoy but I never felt like this read like a fanfic so I appreciated that as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for an ARC of this book in exchange of my honest review.

I absolutely loved this book, and it has many qualities that I specifically look for in a romance novel. We’ve got a rivals to lovers feel with a male main character that is done for right from the jump. I loved Xander! I also love love loved how much music was intertwined into this story. It made the book so rich. As a side note: the first spice scene is one of the hottest things I have ever read. I liked this even more than I liked Forget Me Not, and I didn’t know that was possible.

When I read Forget Me Not last year, and adored it even though it was a second chance romance, I instantly thought: okay, let's keep an eye on that author's future work, because I have a good feeling about this. Which brings us here. And well, I was so right to think that because now this book! THIS BOOK! I had no idea classical music could be so hot…

READ IF YOU LIKE:
Rivals to Lovers
Celebrity musicians
Angst
Banter
Reylo fanfic

"It's simple, really," he said. "It's about a cello who fell in love with a violin."


It is official, Julie Soto made it to my list of auto-buy authors. I am head over heels for this book, I have so many scenes living rent free in my head, my gosh, it was fantastic! Julie Soto's writing is so poetically beautiful, moving and full of humor at the same time, and I just can't get enough. The scenes are easy to picture, like you are there, and you can feel the emotions so well.

Gwen and Alex are two music prodigies that don't even grasp how lost they are until they find each other. Getting into this new relation pushes them to learn more about themselves, what they truly want from life, who they really are, and it is heartwarming. There are ups and downs, there are heartbreaking moments, but they are understandable and that made it all fine for me.

The chemistry going on between our main characters was honestly fascinating. Right from the start, their moments were full of tension and lust, and I was melting already. Their love for music and the way it was all described was perfection. There is just something really enthralling about characters that are so passionate about something, about someone, that it is borderline obsessive and Julie Soto's conveyed that passion magnificently with her words. There is no need to be a music fan to understand the characters' love for that art. I enjoyed seeing the orchestra’s life, I was so in the mood for something in that setup. I don't know if it's because we kept talking about our orchestra days with my dad recently, but these descriptions brought back memories for me, and it was an instant feel-good read.

Julie Soto writes male characters like no other. I always fall for them in seconds. There was just something so raw and wild about Alex and I was obsessed from the start. The way he couldn’t help being fascinated by Gwen, the way he needed her like his life depended on it, I just adore these things so much. And he was quite a cutie once you get through that tough exterior, and I just loved him even more for that. And I adore that Julie Soto always includes small bits from the MMC’s point of view in her books. It is that little something that makes a difference for me. I can survive single POV books, but they are not my favourite. Getting those little peeks inside Alex’s mind is all it takes for me to be 100% happy while reading! I love getting another perspective and learning more about the character through these. No matter how short these parts are, it makes the story so much more complete and I’m thankful for it.

So yeah, as you can see, I loved this book so much and I definitely recommend it! I can't stop thinking about it. (Yes, I already had a huge crush on Kylo Ren so are we surprised I'm obsessed with this? No. But still, you'll be as obsessed, so go read it!)

Huge thanks to HBGCanada and the author for my copy of the book. All opinions are my own

“When Gwen was in high school, she studied a line of Shakespeare that said music was the food of love.

At sixteen, reading this for the first time, Gwen thought maybe her love life was on the right track then. Already five years into her violin studies and halfway through the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto, she would go to Juilliard, fall in love with another musician, and—as they say—make sweet music for the rest of her life.

Now, after eleven years of nothing but violin and exactly zero great love affairs, she realized that Shakespeare might be full of shit.”

LOLOL I laughed out loud at this first page and immediately knew I was in love with this story!

Chapter 1… was all it took… for me to be… absolutely HOOKED.

Xander Thorne is a cellist and a rock star. Not only did it take Xander a year to notice that he and Gwen both play in the Manhattan Pops, but he also always seems to have the perfect cutting criticism about her technique. When Gwen is offered the role of first chair of the orchestra, something Xander has secretly coveted for years, their existing hostility goes up a notch. Yet, despite her best efforts, Gwen can’t ignore the sizzling chemistry between them.
           
I didn’t know how I was going to feel about a romance based on musicians… but Julie took my breath away. This book is beautiful, intelligent, purposeful, and loving.

“If you worry about who’s listening, you’ll never be fully playing”

I love the way Gwen and Xander come together in this story. They both have parts of themselves they’re holding back. I love that there’s always kindness between them even when things are uncomfortable and they’re peeling back each other’s layers.

There is some spice in this book that is so intimate. Like… intimate enough my ears were burning… I was on the floor. I needed to be resuscitated.

Julie made me feel like I could hear the music through her words alone… such a testament to how well this book was written.
“It was a rhythmic dance - swooping low to catch each other, breathing through the rests, and twirling around each other’s melodies.”

I could feel every character’s emotions and I could feel myself floating with the beautiful melodies. This is a book I won’t soon forget… and… probably now my favorite contemporary romance of all time.

THIS BOOK was EVERYTHING. Julie Soto just delivered on the enemies to friends to lovers, the pining and tension, the MUSIC, Alex and Gwen were just so incredible together and I could not get enough. I just loved the way that the music interacted with their story and as someone who loves music and romance, this just scratched my brain the right way- in a way that made me think that this book was written just specially for me.

Everything about this book made me so happy. I loved the relationship between Gwen and Xander. I loved how they shared their music and got to know each other through their music as well. I loved how authentic the characters felt, they just felt so relatable as characters and I just loved it so much.

I really liked the character growth for both Alex and Gwen through this book. I really appreciated the way they learned from each other and grew together- through their music and just being with each other. I really liked the way their music played such an important role in their relationship because it is such a big part of their lives and it makes sense that they’d fall in love sharing such big pieces of themselves.

I could scream about this book forever, I just loved it so damn much.