Thank you to Netgalley and Julie Soto for a free e-ARC of this book.

I finished Not Another Love Song in one continuous, wonderful sitting. I read Julie Soto's first book and was so excited to receive an e-ARC of this book because of the premise and the author. WOW, WOW, WOW. This book is even better than the last and it seriously made me a fan of classical music and I could not help but put myself into the scenes she painted in this book. I loved the romance and the interactions between the characters. This was seriously one of my favorite romance reads of the year. Five easy stars and I cannot wait for her next book!

My goodness, I had so much fun with this book. I really enjoyed Julie Soto's first book so when she announced her musician rivals to lovers romance I was immediately in. Gwen and Alex have phenomenal chemistry and there is so much tension! I really don't know a lot about being a musician but really enjoyed everything related to that part of the story. I can't wait to read whatever Julie has in store for us next.

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

Julie Soto is easily emerging as a new autoread author for me. It’s rare that a sophomore title lives up to how much I loved her debut, Forget Me Not, but this one absolutely did. From the beginning I was pulled in by the chemistry between Xander and Gwen and I loved seeing their story develop. The set up of an enemies to lovers, workplace romance taking place in an orchestra was great. And I loved the format with occasional glimpses from Xander’s POV at pivotal moments in the story.

Content flags: Parental death from cancer

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This had me at the words "Reylo". Ever since the Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood, if you tell me something was inspired/was reylo fanfiction, I will probably get my hands on it and devour it.
Not Another Love Song was a fantastic read--in short about, Gwen, a violinist just trying to make a living in NYC, who gets thrown into a dance of back-and-forth banter and tension with Xander Thorne, fellow orchestra member and member of her favorite band.
This book had me right from the very first page, it was so hard to put down. It was an easy and fun read, that had me laughing throughout and had me entranced the entire time. The love for music and the writing had me practically hearing every note the characters played, and the rivals to lovers' story was executed perfectly.

I am absolutely OBSESSED with Julie Soto!! I didn't know if she could put out another book as much as I loved Forget Me Not (because I love that book A LOT!) and she absolutely delivered with this one. I feel the need to learn how to play a musical instrument now or attend an orchestra because wow she really transported me. Loved this romance, loved the writing, loved this story! Absolute 5 stars from me!

4.5 Stars

This book is so much more than a love song. It is a deeply intimate journey into the world of classical music from two different perspectives with the added complexity of an undeniable attraction.

Gwen Jackson is a self-taught violinist in the beginning stages of her professional career with the Manhattan Pops. Xander Thorne is a larger-than-life rockstar cellist who barely notices Gwen while playing in the same orchestra until she is given an opportunity that he thought was his. Xander quickly realizes that Gwen has the skills to surpass him while also realizing that she may be the only person who sees him for who he really is.

Their histories are more intertwined than they realize and soon their competition becomes more of a collaborative endeavor that leads to an intense passion. That cello scene will live rent free in my head for a long time.

The music created an even more intense level of emotion for me. My heart still aches thinking about the scenes where they play together. I will forever associate certain songs with this book from now on.

These two burn so brightly that a crash is inevitable, especially with outside forces at work. The conflict wrapped up a little quickly for me and I think the entire third act would have benefited from more chapters in Xander’s POV, but this was an amazing read.

I really enjoyed seeing Ama and Elliott in this story and hope we see more of all the characters in the next book.

I was excited for the opportunity to read this because I really enjoyed Forget Me Not and love interconnected standalones.

Gwen Jackson is a violinist with the Pops Orchestra, though her path there was unconventional. At 22, she is very naive, despite her mentor, Mabel, trying to encourage her to be careful. To make ends meet, Gwen pairs up with her friend, Jacob, to play music at a wedding. A miscommunication about the instruments requested, Xander Thorne provides his cello for Gwen to use. She had to dig deep into her memory bank to play the cello. While performing, Xander Thorne critiques Gwen and she gets upset because they're both members of the Pops and he didn't even recognize her!

Xander Thorne belongs to a popular band and plays the cello. For all appearances, Xander seems cocky and stuck up. After meeting Gwen and then realizing she is also part of the Pops, Xander can't seem to get the melody out of his head. They start on a journey to get to know one another, but with both of their lives being so different, will they ever end up together or remain apart?

4 out of 5 stars.

Forget Me Not is one of my favorite books of all time and I thought that I would never like any of Julie's books more. This book came damn near closer than I ever thought possible. Like hot musicians with sexual tension that is hotter than fire?? Are you kidding me?? A slay, for sure.

I knew I would love this book and was saving it for the right time. Julie has a way of writing that keeps you engaged the whole time. I read this in one sitting. I loved how Alex and Gwen’s musical training was so different and yet they collaborated and fell in love so beautifully. The subplot with the whole publicity stunt with Nathan and Ava had me tuned in because the tea WAS HOT! In Julie Soto we trust!!

i loved loved loved this book this book. from the music scenes to the arguments, i was ENTERTAINED. i literally wrote in my first goodreads review ‘♾️ ✨
I LOVE THIS BOOK. LIKE SERIOUSLY ITS SO GOOD WHAT THE HECK’

this is my first Julie Soto book and now i know i understand. her writing is so enthralling that i didn’t notice that this book was in 3rd person the entire time.

thank you for making me regret not joining an orchestra (this could have been my story:( )

Gwen is officially part of my top fmcs because the way i was just in awe of her the entire time needs to be studied. she could literally do not wrong to me.

I really enjoyed this! I think Julie Soto may be an auto buy author after these first two books she’s put out. I loved the tension around the dislike for one another but also how much it made sense, them coming together in the end. Great book! 4.5 ⭐️s

4.5 ⭑ so unique + so, so hot!!

this was such a good book!! I love julie soto’s writing, and this felt so inventive for the romance genre. we get the typical boy meets girl, they fall in love, etc., but instead of this being a love story told by sweet nothings, this was a love story told by music.

alex and gwen felt everything and spoke everything through the music they wrote, played, and performed. their love was also described in a musical way that gave this book such an elegance that I don’t think I’ve ever seen before. even the spicy scenes were impacted by music, and it was everything!!! the tension that unfolds in these pages is felt by every character in this book because of how creative and musically gifted these two are.

I highly, highly recommend this book!!! reylo vibes are always hot, but alex makes it even hotter.

4.5 stars
My first NetGalley book! I downloaded this book after I finished my first Julie Soto book, Forget Me Not (fantastic read by the way), and I completely forgot about the book until this last week. I remembered I had the book and devoured it in just a couple of days. I would have finished it in one evening if I didn't have a 9-5. The dedication had me in tears "For mom, who wouldn't let me play violin. Good call."

This book was the perfect amount of enemies to lovers. I loved the banter that Gwen, Alex, and Xander Thorne had, it was well-written and was not cheesy or over the top. There is a balance that you have to maintain that the main characters don't just turn into bitter and annoying a**holes. The storyline follows Gwen as she navigates her time as a musician in New York specifically with the Manhattan Pops orchestra that plays at Carnegie Hall. Xander Thorne is an arrogant and grumpy cello player who has a problem with Gwen becoming the first chair of the orchestra at such a young age.
"But bragging to Alex Fitzgerald about playing the violin was like bragging to Jesus Christ about walking in waves on a beach."

Without giving away too much, I think the end of the book could have been dragged out. The ending felt almost rushed compared to the build-up of the enemies to lovers. The beginning of the book had me kicking my feet and giggling like a schoolgirl. (At the end of the book Julie Soto mentioned that the development of this story started on A03 which makes so much sense LOL.) I loved the story and would 100% read it again. I was a Julie Soto fan after her first book but now I know that I am so convinced.

Julie never disappoints and this was proof!!
I could not explain my excitement when I saw she was releasing a new book. Then to find out it was Xander’s I was over the moon. Not only is the cover amazing, but the entire book is. There is so much depth with both characters it’s hard to not fall in love with them.

This is one of my top reads of the year.

Xander and Gwen’s love story is so poetically written, and genuine. I can’t think of a second in this book where I wasn’t excited to turn to the next page. I highly recommend this and would love to say more, but I’d happily spoil it all.

This is my new favorite Julie Soto book, and I think I need to take music lessons now and find my own Xander Thorne.
Lastly, I had to mention all the Ama cameos (Ama is from Forget Me Not), made me a little emo!! I think it’s time for a reread.

I really enjoyed this book! I feel like the author did a great job of getting the reader invested in the story and relationship regardless of whether or not the reader shares the same passion for cello/violin as the main characters. I would definitely recommend that others pick this book up!

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Loved everything about this book! I was hooked from the beginning! I loved the rivals to lovers trope and the character cameos from Forget Me Not!

✨ARC Review✨

⭐⭐⭐ for Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto

I will preface this by saying I loved her first book, Forget Me Not, so much, and I was so excited to receice this arc and had such high expectations...but this one didn't live up to the hype for me.

I found there to be a distinct lack of chemistry between the two MCs; Xander was arrogant and rude, both to others and to the FMC, didn't like her/didn't know she existed really, and suddenly he liked her without any real build-up to his feelings changing for the better.

The descriptions of them playing music together were lovely, and the glimpses into Alex/Xander's head through his few chapters in his POV were interesting, though I wish there'd been more.

Gwen was a bit too naïve for my tastes, as it was clear as day Nathan was manipulating her for his own gain, and it grated on my nerves. I enjoyed it enough to read it through to the end, but I didn't love it unfortunately.

Thank you to Netgalley and Forever for a copy in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

4⭐️

U was kindly provided with the ARC of this book by NetGalley and the publishers in exchange of an honest review so thank you!

This was my first Julie Soto book and now I NEED to read Forget Me Not because I need to read the story of Ama and Elliot 🙊

Oh Gwen and Xander I love you both, I loved their story and how they both grow together as a team/couple and also as individuals, I really enjoyed their dynamics and how the helped es her other to be better ✨

I’m looking forward to keep reading Julie Soto’s books ✨

Julie Soto can do no wrong in my eyes! She came back with her second published book and hit it out of the park...again! This seriously was the book I didn't know I needed.

You have Gwen, a 22 year old violinist with the Manhattan Pops. She's an orphan but has an amazing roommate who's been her friend since middle school, Jacob, and her violin tutor who is like her mother, Mable. Gwen is sweet and young, a little shy but passionate, dreams of being a soloist and loves this rock cello group called Thornes and Roses.

You have Xander Thorne who just happens to be THE Thorne in Thornes and Roses and also plays cello in the Pops with Gwen. He's arrogant, grumpy and doesn't seem to care about anything and certainly has never noticed that he plays with sweet Gwen in the Pops....until he see's her play at his bandmates wedding he's in. And then he can't get her out of his mind.

These two come together and it's got all the emotion of the most intense love song that just takes out to another place. Seriously reading their love story and their lives intertwine with the music they play together was beautiful and I felt like I could almost hear their song while I was reading. I honestly could also imagine this for the screen as well. (Someone please option this book for a movie adaptation!!!)

I loved that we got peeks of the Sacramento crew from Forget Me Not. I was not expecting that but I love that they all exist in the same universe. I loved that the 3rd act breakup was short. I love how Soto creates not only the best MC's but also she creates wonderfully fleshed out side characters that I want more of (Dom and Ama's best friend next?!).

*Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

What a hottie mc hot hottie of a book - I cannot believe that this book was left in the querying graveyard for so long instead of being snatched up immediately. Everyone is talking about the cello scene and for GOOD REASON!! It's literally on the cover of the book and is one of the most sensual love scenes I've read in awhile. Gwen and Alex are at odds from the start - between his apathetic demeanor and their competition for first chair in the Manhattan Pops orchestra, they have every reason to hate each other. But it's hard to hate your first musical crush, especially when they're a mega hot rockstar with mommy issues who performs shirtless to stadiums. The steam, the plot, the descriptions of the music... This book is EVERYTHING.

Julie Soto also does such a good job at writing casual villains - you could blink and miss them in real life. I loved how Xander and Gwen each had their own villains and how they played off one another. Plus of course we love to see them get their just desserts. Now I'm just left wondering who the next book will focus on. Maybe Mar and Dom?? (His puppy dog eyes got me keyed up!!)