I love Soto’s first published book “Forget Me Not,” so I expected “Not Another Love Song” to become an instant favorite. I think it will definitely have success with many romance readers, but unfortunately, it is not a new favorite for me.

The biggest issue I had with NALS was the hot and cold factor in the writing. There was very little consistency in character actions and motives which made it seem very forced. I always expect a certain level of cheesiness in romance stories- that doesn’t usually bother me. However, this book walked the line with some parts that were just cringey. (Ex: the MMC asking FMC to spread her legs- and then being inspired enough to compose a song on cello while ogling her naked…. body. I appreciate the idea of people being considered muses for their partners, but this moment gave a different vibe from the romantic spice intended. It was not giving the same appeal as the Titanic scene where he draws her naked.) I also cringed at phrases such as “lapped her neck,” “reedy sigh,” and when “her throat clicked around air.”

The injection of musical lingo and verbiage seemed well researched, but some caused a snag in reading by becoming too repetitive- “pops” and “arpeggios” to name a couple.

The rivals to lovers storyline felt very outlandish in a way that I think might have been intentional, including comical aspects such as the orchestra rock band named “Thorne and Roses.” The villain was also very contrived and overtly evil, predictable and lacking.

I did enjoy a few moments of tenderness between the main characters and the best part was a cameo of characters from the book “Forget Me Not.”

I would highly recommend this to fellow readers who enjoy works by Ali Hazelwood. I know (via social media) that they are close writing companions/friends and the writing influence seems very apparent here. ‘NALS’ is not a new favorite by Julie Soto, but I absolutely look forward to reading her next book since fantasy is another one of my preferred reading genres!

Thank you to NetGalley, Forever Publishing, and author Julie Soto for the opportunity to read and review an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

NOT ANOTHER LOVE SONG was a really interesting book that is going to appeal to those who want a book that is a love letter to musicians, is filled with guy falls first, and is well written. For me, I truly enjoyed the book, but had a couple of problems with pacing.

This book is truly a love letter to those who enjoy music. This book is extremely detailed in music terms and music is the centerpiece of this story. The author in her books, seems to really devote a tremendous amount of time to researching these concepts (like wedding planning in her last novel). While I am not a musician, and, therefore, this didn’t really appeal to me, I found that this was a well written love story that held my attention and kept me turning the pages.

My biggest issue with the book was the pacing at the beginning. To me, it was too slow with characterization and plot. Gwen, the FMC, was just a bit naive and people pleasing, not questioning anything. And this takes up a chunk of the beginning of the novel, along with all the music centered ideas. Together, it creates a slower pace. However, this might appeal to individuals who love music and who might feel a connection with Gwen for that reason.

Overall, this book was good and should be read by those that are music lovers, love some of the usual tropes, and like character growth in the form of coming into themselves and their own confidence!

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

Such a beautiful story, and honestly, how would I imagine anything else from Soto. She is masterful and the longing a romance needs. It’s written so well.

I loved the idea of it being “reylo fanfic” but it was a story all its own with those characters. They made for a phenomenal enemies to lovers story, and their tension was superb. Definitely pick this up if you want a steamy, tense romance!

CW/TW: death of parents off page (cancer); difficult parent/child relationships; long on page sex scenes;

🎻 Grumpy x sunshine
🤍 Workplace romance
🎻 Fanfic (reylo)
🤍 Haters to lovers to haters to lovers



Quotes i loved (could change by pub date)

“Um, no? Gwen, he was looking at you like I’m about to look at the Grubhub delivery guy. Ready. For. A. Meal.”

“They’ve been keeping you hidden,” he said. “Ordinary. When you’re anything but.”


“I want to be clear,” he whispered, as she focused on the rose-colored smudges around her lips. “I want you. In every way.” She swallowed, and he watched her throat move. “I want to see you. And fuck you. And play music with you.”



Gwen is a violinist who plays in the Pops in NYC but on the weekends makes some extra money with her best friend & roommate who is a pianist. The gig they are doing turns out was supposed to be piano & cello not piano & violin. She said she could play the cello to appease them but of course they had someone supposedly on their way to save the day.

Xander is a cellist and not just any old cellist. The best in their generation. Apparently he is in a band but joined the orchestra where Gwen is but never shows up & if he does he’s late and rude. Xander shows up to the wedding bringing his cello for her to borrow. Of course he’s in the wedding party & judging her because he thinks she’s going to ruin the wedding because she is not a cellist.

Gwen & Jacob end up doing a couple quick practice songs then the wedding starts and they make it through. While she is examining the audience she realizes she recognizes Xanders band mates and then feels him staring her down. Throughout the ceremony he continues to stare at her but then disappears after the ceremony so she isn’t sure where to leave the cello. Eventually she makes her way inside to leave it so they can head out with their money.

Of course we run into our main bad boy Xander in the door way looking fine and moody. He tells her she shouldn’t be playing weddings and she comes back with she usually plays across from him at the pops.

Savage girl.

The next morning she pays for a room to practice in and guess who is sitting practicing in her room? Xander. The tension with them already is wild.

Stop this book is so cute. I know nothing about music but i love it. Also Xander is such a grump.

Gwen is an amazing violinist and Xander just has to shove his foot in his mouth. She can site read just like him but she is self taught from an older age whereas he learned at 3.

He is bitter & jealous that she is self made and uneducated. While he is a child prodigy.

Mabel is also jealous. But she also has something against the pops that we don’t know yet and I hate not knowing already. (We learn more very shortly after I wrote this)

Xanders family history is fascinating and definitely adds to the story line.

Alright the tension is so high and I am only 32% in for this review. Mei was in the bathroom with them when Gwen & Xander were arguing. 😝

I can’t even explain how much I love this book. I can’t say much more or I’ll give too much away. I am blown away and I am so happy this book was available to us back on April fools day. It’s a masterpiece.

I started this at 9 pm. That was a mistake as I didn’t put it down until I finished it. At 2:30 am. I also have a 9.5 month old baby who wakes up at 7.. so that was fun!

But seriously if you made it this far please read this book. It’s by far one of the best.

I've rarely, if ever (none comes to mind), read a romance book centered around members of an orchestra, so this was definitely refreshing and fun.
This book will definitely be a fan favorite. The characters, the storyline, the music world, the drama, the tension and yearning between Gwen and Xander, the feels - all of it make for a compelling story. Soto's writing is phenomenal - she grabbed my attention from the first page, and I kept reading until I had finished all of it within a few hours.
Not A Love Song was a completely enchanting experience, like being swept along the music throughout the story. I enjoyed every moment of it, and it goes directly to my favorites shelf.

A cute romance and an interesting look into the world of classical music but it didn’t hit for me like Forget Me Not did, which is one of my favourite romances.

I didn’t feel the chemistry between the two main characters and found myself rooting for Gwen’s friend’s relationship more than hers.

But if you are looking for a music centred romance definitely give it a read.

If your looking for a spicy and emotional romance, then this is the one for you!!

The story revolves around two musical prodigies: Gwen Jackson, a self-taught violinist who disappears into the peaks and valleys of each song, and Xander Thorne, a rock star cellist with an attitude.

The sizzling chemistry and powerful connection creates the perfect romance! The writing is so well done that I was captivated from beginning to end!

As a fan of Julie Soto’s from her fan fiction days I can say that she continues to entertain with her writing in retail!

I am so excited for her to continue creating memorable characters as in this book. Elliot from For Get Me Not is truly Unforgettable (we even get a cameo from him YEAH), and these two new characters Alex and Gwen are just as engaging. PLUS …. Cello’s!!!!! Add in Julie’s gift for poetic verse in her writing and this is a Must Read for this year.

Could I say more…. Yes, BUT really just go read it  it is worth your time and money! In today’s economy that is the highest praise I can give it!

Thank you to netgalley for the arc in return for my unbiased review….I will be adding this to my physical book collection and I look forward to more stories from Julie Soto!

This was my first Julie Soto book and certainly won’t be my last! I love that this was based on Star Wars Reylo FanFiction though I had trouble placing a few of the characters in this. But it was super helpful to picture Alex and Gwen as I was reading. And my musical theater loving heart loved the orchestra setting of the book and learning all the ins and outs behind working in one. What a cool setting for a love story! Tons of fun. Loved Alex and Gwen and all of the side characters too.

Thank you Forever for the ARC!

An enemies to lovers romance with violins and cellos??? My god this was good!!! I think Julie Soto might be an auto-buy romance author after this one.

Gwen and Xander start off on the wrong foot when Xander criticizes Gwen’s performance at her wedding side hustle. They then realize they both play for the Pops orchestra, where Gwen is given an opportunity to audition for first chair violin… and the rest is history.

I loved the little snippets of Xanders POV and how obsessed with her he is. I love an obsessed MMC.

THIS WAS ALSO SO HOT 🥵🔥

4.5 stars!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Not Another Love Song
Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

I am quickly becoming a Julie Soto fan!! She definitely knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat and wanting more. This book had all the tension one could ask for between its main characters, Xander and Gwen, and I was HERE FOR IT! Even with the book written in 3rd person, the interactions of the characters on the page were almost palapable. A quiet, confident, broody man and a girl just trying to find her way in the world. I was so intrigued by these two's dynamic. Rival musician prodigies...I mean, what more could we want? I also felt like the incorporation of the musical aspects were so well done. She weaved them in perfectly, not only in technical terms but also in metaphors. In addition, I felt like she did a great job with the pacing and development of the plot in this novel, I just wanted more!

Thank you @netgalley , @readforeverpub (Grand Central Publishing), and @juliesotowrites for the opportunity to read this book.

⚠️Warning⚠️
Language, medium spice, adult content, death of a parent and grandparent

This took me by surprise I was not expecting to like this as much as I did. The music background was not in my wheelhouse but, it was one of my favorite parts of the story. I have no idea if it’s all true, but I was enthralled at the idea of how a famous orchestra worked. Now the romance was well obvious but, enough surprises thrown in to keep you on your toes to how it would all play out. The author had some very good sub plots that kept things going it was a modern day fairy tale with a happily ever after.
Thank you Net Galley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I absolutely love this book! I was kicking my feet and giggling; just overall enthralled with these characters and their story. 10/10 would highly recommend!

Officially a Julie Soto girlie!

I LOVED Not Another Love Song. I feel like the nerdiest, most vulnerable parts of myself got the biggest hug. Both Alex and Gwen deserve the world, and I loved getting to live in their little corner of New York for a little while. Wishing I could run right back to Carnegie with them right now! Julie writes ~broody, grumpy MMC that is actually the biggest softie with the BIGGEST heart~ so well, and I can't get enough, honestly.

I had high hopes considering I loved Forget Me Not by Julie Soto and Not Another Love Song did not disappoint. NALS is set in NYC and tells the story of an adorable woman named Gwen who has endured too many heart breaks in her life. The story follows the ups and downs of Gwen’s life including her involvement with the very frustrating Xander Thorne. Julie does such a fabulous job at writing the most frustrating yet affable male love interests. I know nothing of the music world and I would like to believe this story is an accurate description of the music world and my only “expert” complaint would be the reference to Gwen’s grandfather being on a respirator in the hospital and I believe Julie meant he was on a ventilator. I can overlook that small silly error, though.

I WANT THIS BOOK INJECTED INTO MY VEINS. Julie does it again, will recommend always and forever. The musical details, their chemistry… no notes. Absolutely fantastic story.

This was my first Julie Soto book and it was incredible! Devoured it in less than 24 hours. As a former violin player, this really hit!

One of 15 picks for the romance section I curated for the Boston Globe summer reading preview.
Striking all the right notes. rival string musicians at the Manhattan Pops fall kicking and screaming into love. A rough hewn prodigy, Gwen Jackson was the first person superstar Alex Thorne ever met who could do what he did with music and maybe do it even better — all without serious formal training. The friction and fascination are mutual: she scares him, he infuriates her. With writing is as sharp and original as their musicianship, this low key, high class Reylo fanfic is a rockstar turn.

ARC Review. 3 stars! I loved the unique premise, city setting, and character depth of this story. It was very atmospheric. Both the plot felt clunky and the smut felt abrupt at times. Overall, an enjoyable read!

Loved it! I could not stop reading this. I loved the dynamic between Alex and Gwen. Such a great story. I loved the development of the relationship between these two! The sensuality between them was good.