I received an eARC for this book through NetGalley - my review is based on the copy I received.

I'm sorry, I couldn't do it. DNF @60%. This was not good. I will admit that my heart sank a little bit reading the foreword where Julie Soto writes that this is, in fact, a Reylo fanfic. Still I pressed on! I liked the premise! I have enjoyed multiple books that started as Reylo fanfiction!

Well, I did not enjoy this one.

I will simply never understand the "appeal" of love interests that are condescending, uncommunicative, grumpy, rude, and downright mean to the protagonist - especially when those things change at the snap of a finger because said love interest realizes they are hopelessly attracted to the protagonist. Anyways Xander was awful.

There sure was a lot of music terminology in this book, but the way it was used felt more like "Look I swear I know what I'm talking about" rather than the way a musician would use it naturally or casually. And, well, that didn't hide the fact that many of the things that happened in this orchestra or Gwen's career overall were almost laughably unrealistic. Gwen herself was just...not one to think logically about things, that's for sure. 1/5.

Even though I’ve read very little fanfic, let alone Reylo fanfic, who doesn’t love an enemies-to-lovers story? I thoroughly enjoyed Julie Soto’s second-chance romance, Forget Me Not, so I jumped at the chance to read Not Another Love Song, compliments of NetGalley.

At the start of the book, our main characters, Gwen and Xander, both play in the Pops Orchestra, but Xander doesn’t realize this. He seems rude when the two do interact and their relationship doesn’t look like it will get any better.

The first half of the book held my attention well; it read like a slow burn novel. Then, things were a bit boring because everything is hunky-dory. But after that, disaster happens between the main characters. And then, things resolve pretty quickly, and I’m not fully satisfied with the way the book wraps up. I also really hated the villain because he seemed like a caricature.

However, I did like the book overall. Even though I only played violin in middle school and merely dabble in piano, I really enjoyed reading Soto’s descriptions of the music in the book. I didn’t think I would be intrigued as much as I was. Also, I enjoyed how Soto cleverly sneaks snippets of Xander’s backstory into the book. But wait, there’s more! For readers looking for some hot cello scenes, this is for you. If you like cameos, you’ll be excited to see some familiar characters from Forget Me Not. And Gwen’s friends are absolutely wonderful and supportive. I’m especially hoping Mei will get a book of her own because she is a hoot!

I was wavering between giving this book a rating of 3/5 or 4/5, but I’ll give it a 4/5 because there is a great amount of momentum and interest in the main characters throughout the book, I love Gwen’s chosen family (I was crushed by Mabel’s words in chapter 20.), and the book is steamy, which is what many readers want in a romance.

Content warnings:
Death of loved ones, talk of cancer, child/emotional abuse

LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH! This was my first Julie Soto book and I'm obsessed. The tension??? The enemies to lovers???? The boy obsessed???? I loved it all. The way Alex was so gone for Gwen from the beginning (even though he didn't want to be) had me hooked. It was so sweet and I loved how Gwen made him work for her too (yes there was GROVELLING!). She really had this man pining so hard for her before she gave in. He was so head over heals, always wanting to be in her presence and doing all kinds of acts of service. Alex is the definition of if he wanted to, he would. Gwen was really enjoyable, too. She was witty and clever and I loved how strong she was. I will say that I would've loved if she and Alex talked a bit more about her past. But also, I never thought the cello and violin could be so HOT. Gwen and Alex downright FLIRTED through their instruments when they played together. And the spice? It was soooo good and was the perfect amount. I also loved that even though I would consider this book single POV, we got little snippets of Alex's POV which I was satisfied with since I usually would rather read a book with dual POV.

THINGS I LOVED:
- Enemies to lovers
- Forced proximity
- Celebrity romance
- Workplace romance
- He falls first
- Boy obsessed
- Family drama

Not Another Love Song might end up being one of my top reads of 2024! It is a must-read. I cannot wait to see what is next for Julie Soto, as she is officially an auto-buy author for me. Thank you so much to Julie Soto, Forever Books, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Congrats on the upcoming release!

@thelovelibraryy on Insta for more recs and reviews :)

Just amazing. This book made me feel everything across the spectrum and immediately put me in a book slump afterwards. And the music?! I don't even have a background in playing an instrument but I felt every part, every note, every composition. It was personal, revealing, and so captivating. And that was just the music!

Gwen and Xander had this electrifying chemistry that you could feel. I loved the dual POV in which most of the story was told from Gwen's POV but every few chapters we got a POV from Xander and I loved getting those small snippets of his feelings. They really helped each grow personally and professionally and helped one another find what they wanted in life - and their careers.

This book is in the top ten of my favorite reads this read and I can recommend enough for everyone to go read it!

THANK YOU for the ARC of Not Another Love Song! I fell in love with Forget Me Not and was so excited to get this! I loved this book! The tension between all the characters, romantic or not was amazing. The main characters were amazing but the side characters?! I need their books, (Jacob, Mei, Dom, etc) The music portion of this book was beautiful. I haven’t played a violin since middle school orchestra but I could just imagine myself immersed in their recording sessions and duets and auditions and concerts as I was reading. I do appreciate that I was able to hate all the hate-able characters throughout the book and didn’t bother with redeeming arcs because they didn’t deserve them. The friendships throughout this book and how they healed and flourished by the end made my heart swell. Also the spice level was *chef’s kiss* (the cello scene?!?!) I LOVED this and it was beautifully written and I NEED her next book like RIGHT NOW!

This was one of my favorite romance books EVER. OMG the tension was amazing and I so enjoyed reading the story of Gwen and Xander. I've already been recommending this book to so many of my friends.

I loved this book! This was an easy read, I love a romance book with a lot of tension and boy did we get it! These characters had an amazing connection and the banter was top tier! I would highly recommend this book to others!

"Not Another Love Song" was beautifully written with all of the music mentioned. I loved this unlikely love story full of family drama and growth.

Julie Soto’s “Not Another Love Song” is a symphony of emotions, expertly blending romance and rivalry against the backdrop of the competitive world of classical music. This novel tells the story of two musical prodigies, Gwen Jackson and Xander Thorne, whose journeys to success are as contrasting as their personalities. Xander, born into a family of classical music royalty, has had the violin in his hands since childhood, while Gwen discovered her natural talent later in life, nurtured by a kind shop owner.

Their paths collide at the Pops Orchestra, where their professional rivalry is only intensified by their undeniable onstage chemistry. When Gwen is offered the coveted role of First Chair, a position Xander has long desired, their tension reaches a boiling point. Yet, amidst the hostility, their mutual respect and attraction grow, turning their professional duel into a passionate romance.

Gwen and Xander’s backstories are richly detailed, providing a profound understanding of their similarities and differences. The narrative dives deep into their individual journeys, making their eventual connection all the more compelling. Their contrasting upbringings and approaches to music highlight the complexities of their characters, making their relationship a captivating read.

The romance in “Not Another Love Song” is both spicy and emotional. There are a few steamy moments, including one that reminded me of the iconic scene from the movie “Ghost.” Typically, I might skim through such scenes, but Soto’s writing drew me in, making every word worth savoring. This is a beautiful love story about two individuals who bring out the best in each other.

Moreover, the novel provides an insightful look into the business and politics of an orchestra, adding depth to the romance. Soto captures the pure joy and love for musical instruments, illustrating how they become extensions of the musicians’ emotions.

Final Thoughts:

Julie Soto has fast become an auto-read author for me. Her ability to craft palpable attraction and emotionally connected characters is exceptional. As a reader, I felt as though I was floating above these characters, experiencing their love affair in a deeply immersive way. If you know, you know.

I cannot recommend “Not Another Love Song” enough. It’s a must-read for anyone who enjoys romance, offering a blend of competition, passion, and music that is both unique and captivating. Julie Soto’s latest work is a testament to her talent in creating stories that resonate on an emotional level, making her a standout in the romance genre.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

This book is a love story between two musicians: Gwen (a violinist) and Xander (a violinist/celloist). I really loved Gwen; she's a grounded character you can't help but relate to and root for. And her relationship with Xander goes through so many interesting stages. At the start, he seems dismissive of her and her musical ability. But by the end, he's deeply obsessed with her. The book was absorbing, witty and fast-paced; I'd recommend it to any romance lover.

Years ago, I came across a Reylo fanfic where our two leads were musicians in a Pops orchestra in New York. I loved it. I blew through it in an alarmingly short period of time. And then I…lost track of it. I couldn’t for the life of me remember the title, or the author, just that I had adored it. It was my fanfic Roman Empire, if you’ll forgive the now-dated reference. So imagine my surprise - and outsized reaction - when I was sitting front row at a NYCC publishing panel, with two of my beloved friends that I met through Reylo, only to hear Julie Soto announce her next book: a story of two characters who sit across from each other…at a New York Pops orchestra.

I apologize to all, to Ms. Soto in particular, for the undoubtably ridiculous noise of excitement that came out of my mouth.

So to say I was excited for Soto’s newest book, Not Another Love Song, would be a gross oversimplification. Not Another Love Song is easily one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and I am glad to say it doesn’t disappoint. This is a tricky one to review as a “first time read” however, since it’s not strictly the first time I’ve read it. That said, if its any indication of just how much I enjoyed this book, I absolutely flew through it in one sitting.

The story, as I mentioned above, the story follows Gwen and Xander, two musicians at the Manhattan Pops who sit across from one another in the orchestra - her with the violins, him with the cellos - and do not get along. Or rather, he doesn’t get along with her. She’s actually a huge fan of his work with his band Thornes and Roses. But it quickly becomes clear there’s a lot more going on than just simple dislike.

Beyond being a sweet and steamy romance, Not Another Love Song has a deep appreciation for the true hard work that goes into being a professional musician. It also dives into the political side of big orchestras, which I also found fascinating. But because this is a romance novel, and the HEA is a given, I always appreciate when a book makes us work for it, or at least wonder how all the external stuff will resolve in order for the couple at the heart to find their way to their HEA.

Not Another Love Song hits shelves on July 16. Special thank you to Forever Books for the advance copy for review purposes.

I read an ARC from Forever and NetGalley (thank you Dana for keeping me on a list even though my ratio is shit!!)

I genuinely have no notes, and I would read Julie Soto’s grocery list, her notes app, her twitter drafts, and whatever other words she has ever put out into the universe.

The men in these books are DOWN BAD and it does not get old. Throw in a plot that involves a Fan (capital F) and this is a certified banger (pun intended).

Julie’s debut novel Forget Me Not was a (surprise) highlight of my 2023 reads. Not Another Love Song easily became one of my most anticipated reads of 2024.

Unsurprisingly I really loved it!

Gwen and Xander play the violin and cello (respectively) for a Pops Orchestra but it isn’t until their lives begin to intersect outside of the orchestra that Xander begins to take notice of Gwen and her talent and the romance begins to bloom.

One of my favourite lines comes from a side character when she references “gourmet love story shit”. That’s exactly what this romance is!

It’s exquisitely written and the world of these two musicians is compelling and beautiful. You want to root for them (despite having moments of annoyance at some naivety and brash sentiments from our two leads). I was also drawn in by how an ongoing side storyline would conclude.

And one of my favourite parts of this read was experiencing the music as a third lead character within the story. More love stories involving orchestras as a back drop please!

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for an e-arc copy to review.

Gwen Jackson is a young, talented violinist, but she’s barely scraping by as a member of the Manhattan Pops Orchestra and working her side gig playing weddings. She doesn’t have a clear vision of her future, but she dreams of playing solos in front of large audiences. When her idol, the first chair of the orchestra, decides to step down, Gwen is offered the opportunity to replace her as first chair and orchestra leader. Gwen isn’t certain that the job is the direction she wants to take her career, but she jumps at the opportunity for career stability and the honor of being the youngest first chair in orchestra history. Not everyone is thrilled with Gwen’s new job title and Xander Thorne is her most vocal opponent. Child prodigy, cello god, and leader of the popular electric strings band Thorne and Roses, Xander assumed the position would be his. Gwen soon realizes things aren’t quite what they seem and her new job comes with many sticky strings. Now she must navigate the convoluted politics of the orchestra and figure out what she really wants to do with her career all while working closely with mysterious, complicated Xander. But the more time Gwen spends with Xander, the more fascinating she finds him. Will Gwen’s musical aspirations come to fruition or will her career end up in flames?

Holy hotness Batman! Julie Soto’s Not Another Love Song is sexy, sensual, and scorching hot! I will never be able to look at cello without blushing ever again. Soto’s ability to spice things up is unparalleled. The chemistry between Gwen and Xander is explosive. The angst, the longing, the torturous push and pull…it burns oh so good. Soto is able to add excitement and depth to things that others could find boring or mundane. First she did it with flowers and now the orchestra. Strings players around the world should bow at her feet, because she makes the orchestra seductive and alluring. The writing is crisp, the plotting sharp, and the character work phenomenal. These characters are so solid and well written. I didn’t want to let them go when I finished the book. Xander Thorne can live rent free in my head forever! Pure deliciousness!

4.5-5 "orchestra has never been so hot" stars

I knew within 10% of starting this book that it was gonna be oh so satisfying and Julie Soto did not disappoint me!

Two very different musicians, from backgrounds about as opposite as you can get, square off against each other with the Manhattan Pops as the setting.

Gwen the naive, immensely talented young musician, content to blend into the background for now when she really dreams of being a star vs. Xander Thorne, actual star and cello rock God, arrogant, indifferent, effortlessly cool, and seemingly brilliant, and why does a first chair in the Manhattan Pops of all things seem so important to him?

The chemistry between these two leaps off the pages and practically strangles you! Intensely sensual and hot, I don't see how you could possibly not root for them to fall for each other and make beautiful music together 4-eva. They make each other better. Period.

But of course, not everyone is happy about their union, including those trying to use their relationship for publicity and monetary gain. The villains are pretty obvious, but when love is all you see and your optimism clouds your view those pitfalls can sneak up on you.

I loved it and knowing that it was Reylo inspired was just the icing on my little love cake, lol! Great characters, grumpy vs sunshine, tortured artist, found family, and cello love scene to name a few things that stand out.

At this point, I'll read anything Julie Soto writes because she is 2/2 for me.

I genuinely don’t think I have adequate words to encompass my love for this book. There is not a single thing I would change. I loved it from the very first page and couldn’t put it down!

I absolutely adored Gwen’s character and her desire for family and belonging.

Xander, oh my gosh don’t even get me started on Xander. He was such a simp for Gwen and I ATE IT UP!

This was absolutely one of my favorite books of the year and I know this is a comfort book that I will continually reread.

Thank you to Netgalley and Julie’s team for the e-ARC, all thoughts are my own.

I really enjoyed this book overall. The descriptions of the compositions they played together made me actually believe I could almost hear it myself. My only qualm is that Xanders mood swings in the beginning gave me whiplash. Man just couldn’t figure out his mind.

Julie Soto writing gives me the same feelings that the rom-com movies from the aughts did. There is something uniquely special and you gravitate towards it for comfort and familiarity- but it doesn’t feel old or tired either.

I was late to several appointments this weekend because I could. not. stop. once I started reading this book!

This was my first time reading Julie Soto's work and it will definitely not be the last. I was sold on this book the moment I read Julie's letter on how this story came to be and how it was originally fanfiction, because I read a lot of fanfiction and know that there are quite a few that should be published pieces.

I've been in fandom since before the rise of fandom on the internet, but I am not part of the fandom the fic was based on, so I read the story as I would have any other book with characters I'm meeting for the first time.

What I loved the most was the build up and the tension and the explosiveness of Gwen's and Alex's relationship, both personal and as musicians. It is enticing and delicious and leaves you wanting more! (It's part of why the book is so hard to put down, I always wanted to know it would be pushed further, what would happen next!)

Ali Hazelwood and a couple other mentioned the cello scene. I wondered about it because cellos are featured in many scenes, but figured I would know it when I got to it. Boy, oh, boy, the cello scene. I might have screamed.

And that was something else I loved about this book: It had me giggling and kicking my feet, laughing out loud, gasping, and rolling my eyes at Alex, too. I can keep my poker face while reading fanfiction, so I especially love a book that can make me physically react and this one excelled at it.

Other things I liked a lot were how the secondary characters supported the main characters and their shared-yet-hidden history, the chisme between Mabel and Ava (I definitely wanted to know what had happened between them more than Gwen did), everyone needs someone like Mabel and Jacob in their life, and the details of the transportation and places in New York City.

There were only two things I didn't like: Alex's / Xander's habit of repeatedly paying for things on behalf of Gwen when she didn't like it and his running his hands through his hair all. of. the. time.

Overall, I enjoyed this book so much it was hard to put down. If you like enemies-to-lovers, music, romance, or the combination of those three, don't miss out on this book. It's sure to be a good time and a fun read!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐⭐

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁:
✨ Angst Filled
🫶🏻 Rivals to Lovers
☀️ Grumpy x Sunshine
🎶 Romance through Music

Who knew being a cellist or violinist was so hot?

Not Another Love Song gave me everything that I want in a romance. Yearning, angst, a grumpy hero, off the charts chemistry and so much tension with spice.

It’s been years since I was in a music world (yes, I was in band) but the way Julie is able to create such sexy moments out of describing two people playing instruments, is incredible. I was instantly sucked into this story and could not put the book down - not even for sleep.

In reading romance, if I have an issue with a book, it is usually because of pacing and this story’s pacing was perfect. The story was character driven with romance was at the forefront, with complimentary elements of found family and discovering yourself.

If I find myself in a reading slump, this is the book I’m picking up to get me out of it.