A++++! This is not another love story it’s so much more! I love Julie’s attention to detail with her knowledge of the instruments the characters played and how to perfectly incorporate that into the story. You can tell when authors add things they don’t really research and let them fall at the wayside, but I think Julie committed to this story and it really paid off. The scene where the cover photo takes place literally had me screaming my lungs out. It was so uniquely done and super HOT! Julie has a way of write a man that is down bad for the female lead that make me squeal and kick my feet. Alex’s way of convincing Gwen he could show up for things that matter had me pulling out my hair (in a good way!).

This book was super great and I will be recommending it until the end of time!

As a former musician that used to play piano I absolutely loved reading a romance novel centered around music. I relate to Gwen sooo much with how awkward I am sometimes. I didn’t think I needed a romantic music competition novel until I read this one. Can’t wait to read more from Julie Soto, couldn’t put the book down from the start which is rare for me!

This was my first book by Julie Soto, but unfortunately, it wasn’t my favorite. I struggled to connect with the story and characters, which made it a bit difficult to stay engaged. While the writing was fine, it just didn’t fully click for me. That said, fans of the author may enjoy it more.

This was a fun and quick read. It was a little spicy... who knew the orchestra could be so *romantic*

**late review**

These two had me swooning ! I mean the tension was so strong I felt like I was in the middle of them and disturbing them. I love Gwen ! The way she was so passionate for music made me think “wow that is beautiful” but so did Xander in his own way. The chemistry between was crazy ! I wish I could actually hear what they were playing :(.

Story: 5 ⭐ times forever!
Spice: 2.5 🌶️

It's been a while since I read a contemporary romance and I don't know why I wait so long. It's a perfect palette cleanser for when you read fantasy the majority of the time.

I have no idea why I wait this long to read this. It was fabulous.

Can we talking about the tension.. it's grade A panty wetter and for the romance, it was intense.

If you like reylo fan fics, classical musicians, rivals to lovers, tension, spice integrated with music, just an all around amazing romance of building each other up. Then read this!

I absolutely loved this book!! It gave me everything I needed and more! The characters were so likable and I loved their chemistry and how it felt natural as I read the story. A true enemies to lovers story and one of my favorite reads I’ve read! I’m already debating on how soon I should read this again!

Not Another Love Song is a sweet, charming romance that hits all the right notes. It’s a fun, feel-good story with great chemistry and a perfect mix of humor and heartfelt moments. This book has made Julie Soto an autoread for me, and I am so grateful to have been introduced to her!

Gwen and Xander are prodigies albeit getting there differently.

Enemies to lovers vibes
Feel that music
The tension
Some steamy music time
Shitty handlers who manipulate
That.cello.scene ❤️‍🔥🥵

I really enjoyed this one and finished it off in two days. Off to add purchase this one and add to my collection!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

This book was incredible! The way she writes intimate scenes is too tier! The romance, humor, plot, and everything about it is so well thought out and so wonderfully written.

julie soto can truly do no wrong! i love the way she writes romance books and her characters always feel so real and relatable and this book is no different! pulled at all my heartstrings! at this point, i will read anything julie soto writes!

I loved the characters, their development, and how their story was tied together. The romance was top notch, the tension was believable, and a fresh take on the genre.

Gwen plays the violin and she plays it very well and is part of an orchestra. Her and her roommate are booked to play at wedding only to realize when they get there that she was hired to play the cello not the violin. Needing the money and not wanting to ruin the wedding she tells them that she knows how to play the cello as long as she can get one. Little did she know that there was going to be one available to her and it was none other than Xander Thorne's. She knows how to transpose her violin music however she is afraid of what Xander will think of her ability to play. Doe she recognize her from playing in the same orchestra together?

Gwen was taught at a young age how to play the violin when she walked into Mabel's store after her mom had passed away. Not having any real formal training she ends up playing for the Manhattan pops with hopes of one day obtaining 1st chair.

Xander who is also part of the Manhattan pops and part of a group called Thorne & Roses. He is rude, always late and very arrogant.

After their chance meeting at a wedding they start to develop a relationship and learn to play together, Xander has written his own music and he knows that Gwen is very good at site reading. These to together make some beautiful music. When Gwen is offered first chair in the orchestra the spot that Xander has always wanted she is warned to be careful by both Xander and Mabel.

Not understanding why Mabel and Xander both have issues with Nathan and Ava and the Manhattan Pops her loyalty is tested when she is offered to tour with Thorne & Roses and U2. This is when she starts to see everything that she has been warned about and has a difficult choice to make. Will she choose Xander or the Manhattan Pops????

100 million stars. No notes. I will devour any romance Julie Soto ever writes! I devoured this last summer and cried in Julie's DMs about how amazing it was.

From the title, you already know I'm going into this a little bit biased but what can I say? I absolutely ate this book up. I want to start with the good and there was so much good maybe even too much good. The plot was so intricate that it almost took away from the romance aspect. The characters and the way Julie Soto developed them and their connections with each other were the reason I finished this book in 12 hours. It was just so interesting and in some ways unexpected that I found myself wanting to know more and more.
But because of this GOOD plot I found myself not as interested in the romance. Now let me be clear I was still interested because the tension and longing and connection was off the charts but if they connected over anything other than music then I genuinely missed it. There just wasn't a solid foundation for their relationship and the author didn't seem to interested in building one. And when they go to the inevitable "I love yous" I was like ok that's nice but let's get back to the family drama and don't even get me started on how the third act break up resolved.
It's been awhile since l've left a contemporary romance book wanting to know more about the plot than the actual romance but I'll just chalk it up to it being a great book with superb writing!

I know there was a lot of hype leading up to this book release, so I was excited especially since this was a new-to-me author. But honestly, I didn't love it. What I liked: insight into the music world and the drama involving the characters' backstories and connections. The relationship felt a little forced and I had a really hard time getting emotionally invested with the characters and their love story.

was simple not alot of character development. More of a YA but then not with other adult content. Maybe as she keeps writing books will get better with time

Thoroughly enjoyed but was hoping for a bit more. I found Gwen’s naivety to be distractedly frustrating at times. The love story was sweet if predictable. As always Julie Soto’s side characters are masterful. I loved Jacob, Dylan, Mei, and Mabel. The Forget Me Not character cameos were a delight as well!!!

I absolutely loved the tension between Xander and Gwen throughout the book. Julie Soto crafted a great story between the two of them and I loved the conflict that slowly arose from Xander’s past. I can’t wait to read more from Julie Soto!

Okay, Soto really stepped up her game here!! Something about Not Another Love Song just really worked for me. Two string musicians, who come to hone their craft in different ways, clash together and begin a journey towards partnership that I found both entertaining and so tender.
I had some minor qualms with our two MCs, but also loved their little love story and excused away some issues in my mind given that Gwen is only 22. This book stands out in my mind for sure - the musician aspect felt fresh and enthralling. You should pick this one up if you’re looking for tender found family vibes, musicians but not cringe, and an Obsessed MMC.

✰ ✰ ✰ ✰.25

Lovers of Ali Hazelwood should give this romance a try! I can see how this might not be someone’s cup of tea, but I ate it up. I so look forward to new works Julie Soto publishes!!