It's a little ridiculous that in the end I didn't want them to end up together even though the whole point of romance and of this book specifically is the HEA

A fantastic premise: writers who can't stand each other forced to write together. Vivid main characters who grow on you by the page. A plot that just keeps giving... I just found the start a little flat (or maybe overdone?) and as I mentioned the end wasn't particularly satisfying.

Rosie and Aiden are perfect for each other, and while you can roll your eyes at their antics you end up rooting for them pretty much from the get go. They're so different, with different goals in mind and entirely different back stories holding them back and propelling them forward also. I just wish we'd gotten the chance to get to know them individually (especially Aiden, a few POV chapters wouldn't have gone amiss) rather than always in relation to each other. The same goes for the side characters, they only exist to push them together.

Overall a fun slow burn read, with excellent spicy scenes. A strong debut, I'm curious to see what the author does next!

✨ 𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠 ✨ of 𝙽𝚘𝚝 𝚒𝚗 𝙼𝚢 𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 by Katie Holt (@readinromance)

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: Easy 5 ⭐️
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 12.10.24 🗓️

I’m about to be insufferable about this book!!! The dopamine I got when reading this!!!

“𝙿𝚎𝚘𝚙𝚕𝚎 𝚜𝚊𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚝𝚠𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚑𝚊𝚝𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗. 𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝? 𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚢’𝚛𝚎 𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝.”

When two academic rivals get a little too heated with each other in their NYU writing workshop, their professor forces them to co-write a novel together that blends together their two genres. The issue? Rosie Maxwell writes ROMANCE, and pretentious Aiden Huntington doesn’t respect the genre whatsoever. But as they start their book, reality and fiction start to blur as they start to write themselves into their characters and walls begin to crumble down.

I. Loved. This. So. Much. I don’t think I could overstate that enough. I could not put this down from the very first chapter, it was AMAZING. It gave me the same feels of Beach Read by EmHen and Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood, but this plot was SO unique and FUN and STEAMY omg the chemistry & tension between Rosie and Aiden was absolute perfection. Their banter was so incredible and the way the slow burn unraveled had me kicking my feet and giggling. This is Katie Holt’s debut novel and I. Am. IN LOVE.

Thank you @netgalley + @alcovepress for the ARC 💗

Rating: 4/5 Stars

I thought this book was SO cute. I was intrigued by the initial plot of rivals to lovers as well as a perfect slow burn. This book captivated me from the start and was a super fun time to read!

I was swooning for Rosie & Aiden's relationship and found myself giggling and kicking my feet while reading, I really enjoyed getting to read about the slow progression of their relationship while they wrote a novel together!

I also thought the banter was top tier and it kept me even more engaged into the plot that I didn't want to put the book down. I love when the love interests can poke fun at each other and basically roast one another. Its one of my favorite things to read about!

Overall, I thought this book was a great read and super enjoyable.

Thank you to netgalley for providing me a copy.

This book started out with a lot of potential that it ultimately left behind and ignored. I both liked and disliked the book-in-a-book plotline, because it helped build a scaffold that the A-plot desperately needed. On the other hand, the story these two wrote made me lose any respect not only for them, but also the rest of the class as well as their teacher.

I think this would have been a much better book had the main characters been at least 5 years younger, because then at least I would have overlooked their immaturity much more.

I'll read anything comped to The Hating Game. I really enjoyed these even though I'm not a Swiftie. This is a good romance read!

Ok this was SO cute! Like a rivals to lovers and slow burn???? Sign me up🤭

I had a fun time and enjoyed reading about Rosie and Aiden. They’re cuties🥹. I swooned, giggled, and found myself smiling as I was reading. Loved seeing them get to know one another as they co wrote a novel.

Aiden ily. It’s truly the little things that make a difference. The small details he remembered about Rosie through their conversations and the actions he’d take were just everything. I also liked Rosie’s character. She loves romance books, caring, and strong.

Overall a great and fun read.

Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press for the arc!

I thought this was such an adorable and wholesome read! Rosie and Aiden are both students taking a creative writing workshop at NYU together and from the start, they’ve bickered nonstop with each other. This leads to their mentor pairing them up to co-write a novel in hopes that they learn to get along. rivalry reluctantly transforms into friendship and then blossoms into romance.
Our two protagonists were so cute together. I loved their dynamic and their relationship was so sweet! I adored their banter and I ate it up--it had me giggling and laughing out loud. all their scenes were adorable and had me rooting for them. and the enemies-to-lovers slow burn trope delivered!
Rosie is such a hopeless romantic and I love that because I can relate to her in that way. I loved seeing her internal struggles and doubts she goes through throughout the book.
Aiden was such a great character. I didn’t expect to love him so much but I really did. He cared for Rosie so much and it showed. And I mean, he’s basically my dream guy; he wear sweaters, loves books and writing, and is so thoughtful.
I enjoyed reading the excerpts of the book they’re writing together and how they are a view into their thoughts and feelings as well.
But although I loved hunter and maxine’s scenes, I felt like realistically it would be weird to write basically the real life scene without any changes and also having to read out the kids scenes and stuff in front of their class. That would be my one critique.
I also liked the various messages, especially the one about not being afraid to open up again and how love is worth fighting for. As well as the nod to romance writers and overcoming the stigma towards that genre!

I really liked this book a lot . For me this had everything I enjoy in stories. Lots of yearning and tension but just enough little sweet moments to keep me excited for what is going to happen later on. This story was written in a unique way that you got to hear Aidens thoughts on Rosie through their stories characters. There was always something that made you hold your breath that could happen to our lead couple so that also helped keep the story entertaining. I thought we got enough of a background on each character that I did feel like I missed out on anything.

Thank you Netgalley and Alcove Press for this opportunity to read!

I really enjoy romance books about romance books/romance authors, and this was a good one, though I did have to suspend my belief even more than I typically do when reading romance. Female main character Rosie is a Peruvian-Tennessean 20-something who has always wanted to be a writer. She put her dreams on hold for a long-term boyfriend but is now living in New York, working as a bartender and getting her MFA part-time. Things are going pretty well except that she and her classmate/arch-nemesis Aiden cannot keep it together and are always fighting during workshop. Aiden thinks romance writing is dumb, and Rosie hates his boring sad man literary fiction. After a particularly unprofessional exchange during class, their professor gives them one chance to stay in the class and presumably the program - they have to write a novel together. It has to be a romance, like Rosie writes, but with a sad ending, like Aiden does. Their professor also wants them to spend time together while writing, going on fake dates and so forth for the sake of the work. That was the part that I was like "wow this would never happen, what a huge ethical violation." But this is a novel, so it does work, and they of course realize that under their hatred of either other is a different kind of spark. I really liked Rosie, and my biggest qualm with this (other than the stuff with the professor) was that Aiden said some things to her that I thought would be pretty unforgivable if this wasn't a romance novel. Still, I liked it overall, and was really into Katie Holt's writing and voice - I hope this is the first of many!

This story was okay, however it was not my cup of tea and that is okay! This story is an enemy to lovers set in an academic setting. I found the MMC to be rude and anything but likable. The FMC was sweet and definitely deserved a better treatment. This novel also became too much too quickly for me. I wouldn’t say this is a book I would not recommend but the reader should definitely be fully interested in the blurb and tropes before jumping in!

I read this as an ARC from Alcove and NetGalley.

Not in My Book" offers a fresh take on the enemies-to-lovers trope, following Rosie, a Peruvian-American romance writer from Tennessee, and Aiden, a literary fiction writer who scorns happy endings. When their constant classroom bickering pushes their professor to the limit, they're forced to collaborate on a novel that bridges their opposing genres.

The novel's unique structure stands out, featuring a book-within-a-book format that cleverly reveals character development through their joint writing project. Through their characters Max and Hunter (named after their surnames), readers get glimpses into both perspectives, even though the main narrative is from Rosie's point of view.

The story especially shines in its exploration of writing craft and genre prejudices. Through Rosie and Aiden's initial conflicts and eventual understanding, Holt makes a compelling case for the value of both literary fiction and romance, challenging preconceptions about both genres.
While the early antagonism between the protagonists can feel somewhat immature at times, their gradual transition from enemies to lovers is well-paced and believable. The New York setting adds charm to their developing relationship, with scenes at locations like Serendipity and holiday-decorated shops providing a romantic backdrop.

The novel includes several popular tropes - enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, and slow burn romance - but executes them with a fresh perspective. Particularly noteworthy are the domestic scenes between the characters, which feel authentic rather than forced.
Some readers might the personal moments written in their collaborative novel a bit unrealistic, and the third-act conflict could feel contrived to some. However, these minor issues don't significantly detract from the overall enjoyment of the story.

As a debut novel, "Not in My Book" shows remarkable promise, successfully blending humor, romance, and genuine emotional depth while exploring the creative writing process. It's recommended for fans of "The Hating Game" and "Beach Read" who enjoy their romance with a side of literary discourse.

This might be my favorite contemporary romance of the year!!!


I absolutely enjoyed reading this book. It gave me that feeling of giddiness, pure bliss, and unrestrained happiness that only a great romance novel can bring...
I will gladly recommend this book to all of you who are searching for a next romance novel to pick up and fall in love with ... the story, characters, and above anything else escape into a great story.

4.25/5 ⭐️

If you're a fan of Beach Read by Emily Henry and have craved to see what Gus and January would have been like in college, THIS IS YOUR BOOK!!!! If that makes no sense to you, this is the perfect college rivals to lovers story where they both are authors! Not joking, this filled a void in my heart. I LOVED Rosie and Aidan's dynamic so much - there was the perfect balance of angsty banter and tender moments. We got to know both of their characters on such a deep level, while also having a plot line that really kept the story moving. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this book! I just wish we got a little bit more at the end since it felt a tad rushed, but didn't take away too much from the overall experience :) I definitely recommend giving this book a try!

I feel that this little romance was adorable! I loved the characters and the banter. The story was easy to follow and to fall into.

"Not in My Book" offers a lighthearted romance that's perfect for a quick escape. The pacing is well-balanced, keeping readers engaged without rushing through the plot. The writing style is easy to follow, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a relaxing read.

The budding relationship between the main characters is charming, and the author skillfully incorporates humour and heartwarming moments. The inclusion of snippets from their book-within-a-book is a clever touch, offering additional insight into Aiden's perspective.

However, the character of Rosie can be frustrating at times. Her stubbornness and lack of self-awareness occasionally overshadow her positive qualities. Additionally, the final confrontation between the main characters felt a bit forced and out of character.

Despite these minor flaws, "Not in My Book" is a delightful romance novel that will appeal to fans of the genre. It's a sweet and enjoyable read, perfect for those looking for a lighthearted escape.

Not in My Book by Katie Holt is an adorable romcom that had me rooting for the main characters to give in to the spark between them from the first page they appeared together.

Rosie is a bit of a hothead, a complete romantic, and frankly a bit oblivious. So naturally I loved her as a main character. She is in complete denial over her lust for Aiden, a student in her creative writing class she has butted heads with from the moment the two met. Their sarcastic, witty banter had me smiling constantly and was so natural and real that I couldn't help but love every scene they were together in. Aiden, despite being seen through Rosie's less than flattering perspective, is impossible not to fall for, particularly with the little snippets of their co-written story that allow a little insight into his own thoughts and feelings. I really loved the story snippets for this very reason. They are revenge writing what they intend to be an unflattering perspective of each other, but in reality it just gives a look into their true feelings that they are hiding from each other (in Aiden's case), or from themselves (in Rosie's case). It added a whole new element to the story, and despite not actually being a dual point of view story, it allows the reader into Aiden's head that little bit that only strengthened the story in my view.

This is the kind of romance that gets even better the further along you go. I started out simply intrigued to see where it went, but once I was a few chapters deep I found myself so invested in these two characters that I started flying through it and realized I enjoyed it a lot more than I initially thought. I also really liked how the story they were writing out was true to their reality in more ways than one. Obviously there's the fact that they are writing about each other, and end up writing their own perspectives into their respective characters, but the love story itself plays out like their own as well, as in the same tropes etc. This adds a kind of hilarity to it as they discuss said tropes as far as their story, while ignoring the fact that they are experiencing said tropes in their own love story; enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and slow burn romance to name a few. It also breaks the fourth wall a little bit, but not in a jarring way, more in a self-aware kind of way that allows the reader to get excited about the tropes.

All together, I did thoroughly enjoy this book. I adored Aiden and Rosie, and their romance really had me invested. If anything, I would say perhaps the snippets of their story that were in the book could sometimes be redundant when they mirrored Aiden and Rosie's conversations word for word, but other than that I was deeply emotionally invested and that to me makes a fantastic romance. I highly

recommend and can't wait to see more from this author.

I can always count on a romance book to get me out of a slump after an intense fantasy! I really enjoyed all the little bookish quotes in this as well. Books with books/book talk in the them are always my fav! It is very rare for me to enjoy a romance but this was one was super fun and cute, definitely not perfect but as a debut Katie did so well! Can't wait for her future releases :)

4 stars!!! The plot was SO GOOD! The concept of this book was so interesting!! I loved the aspect of the two characters writing the book together! I’ve never read a book like that and I loved it!!

Not in My Book is a TRUE rivals-to-lovers romance about two upcoming authors who use every spare breath to hurl insults at each other. When I say true rivals, I’m talking, I was thoroughly convinced they hated each other. However, after being stuck together on a project, you slowly get to see their relationship and tension develop. While reading this, I was so invested in their relationship, I did NOT want to put it down! I NEEDED to know what happened next. I was surprised by how emotional this read was, but also tender hearted and sweet. I adored their relationship and how it was paced throughout the novel!

4.5⭐
Tropes: Enemies-to-lovers, college romance, forced romance, grumpyxsunshine, he falls first
Blurb: Rosie, an optimistic budding romance author is always butting heads with a classmate in graduate school, Aiden, who is an angsty literary fiction writer who hates romance and happy endings. As their increasing disdain becomes a bigger problem in their classroom, they are forced in project in writing a book together yet little do they know that they already began writing their own love story.

WOW. I am speechless. It is hard to find a true enemies to lovers because it usually seems like 2 angry people with sexual chemistry but you can feel how the angst between Rosie and Aiden changed to something more. I loved the concept of them writing this book together because even though they have difficulty talking to each other, they communicated through their book, literally writing their love story. It was entertaining to know these characters through their "fake dates" to find more things to write about but they're really getting to know each other more. I mean, that first time they wrote their first chapter together after the Italian restaurant???? SWOON.

Thank you Netgalley and Katie Holt for allowing me to read and review this book. Arguably one of my favorite ARCs of the year!