- My favorite scene is where she writes his name when writing a kiss scene instead of the characters name. that was diabolical is a good way. I did not expect that. HOT
- Grumpy sunshine
- He has a dirty mouth
- Forced proximity
- Enemies (more (academic) rivals than enemies) to lovers
- New York setting
- He falls first
- SHE DEFENDS HIM AGAINST HIS FAMILY

“I love you. In light and dark, in romance and litfic. In this lifetime and the next.”

“I just … wanted to be loved so badly that I thought being hurt was part of the deal.”

" The truth was I liked her no matter what she did, or what she said."

“There hasn’t been a second where I wasn’t wondering what you were thinking and if it was of me.”

“I know you prefer what’s in your books, and I pretend I don’t want to be like them, but I do. I want to be the person you picture when you’re reading and dreaming because you’re who I picture every single time.”

“I’m not yours anymore.”
“Fine. If you’re not mine, then know that I’m yours.”

“I’ll wait for you, Rosie. I swear it. I’m in it for the long haul. I want all your tomorrows. Every single one you’re willing to give me.”

”The entire time we were together all I could think was you were better than any dream, any piece of fiction I could ever write."

God for being a debut this was so good, I absolutely loved and ate this up. The pinning, the push and pull of i-like-you-but-being-mean-might- be- the -only-way-to-show-it. I loved how Aiden was grumpy but also shy and that he yearned for her so much and Rosie finally got the love she wanted.

I had a lot of fun with this one, and it's definitely helped pull me out of a reading slump!

As the description says, there are definitely a lot of shades of both The Hating Game and Beach Read in Not in My Book. But, seeing as how I also thoroughly enjoyed those other two stories, that only drew me in further. Not in My Book is classic rivals-to-lovers, so much so that it can get fairly predictable, but it hits all the classic notes of the trope so well that I enjoyed it all regardless.

I had a great time reading this. I always love a good academic rivals to lovers and this one HIT.

The setting of New York City was perfect for Rosie and Aiden. They feel like city folk even though Rosie is from the south. I thought their classroom arguments were great at creating tension between them and made their romance all the more rewarding. I also liked the format of the book and how it was like reading two books in one.

I loved how they would flirt with each other via their manuscript. This was something I had never seen done in a book before and it was done so well.

Overall, I really enjoyed everything about this. The characters were perfectly flawed and absolutely made for each other. I would definitely recommend!

4.5/5

SO GOOD!!

MY NEW FAVORITE BOOK!!!!

Aiden e Rosie are absolutely the owners of my literary heart now!!

Rosie’s dream of becoming a writer in New York gets complicated when she’s forced to co-write a novel with her ex-crush and longtime rival, Aiden. As their collaboration blurs the lines between competition and something more, they’ll have to figure out if their story ends on the page or in real life.

This book… this book is EXACTLY what a romance novel should be. Early reviews equate this to Beach Read meets The Hating Game, and that is a spot-on summary. The relationship is nuanced and dynamic, the character development is flawless, and each trope is perfectly executed. What made this book exceptionally special was the book within a book aspect - watching Rosie and Aiden fall in love over a Google Doc really did it for me. There was a good amount of spice, but it never took away from the plot. I cannot wait to read Holt’s next book!

5/5 stars

Many thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This one just wasn't for me. The main characters read too immature and I couldn't get on board with the level of pettiness they exhibited. I'm generally a fan of enemies-to-lovers but their antics were too young for me. But this may just be better suited to an audience in their 20s!

This book was a typical cutesy romance, which although I do enjoy, this book left me wanting more.

The plot had the potential to be quite strong, but it never really seemed to get going.

I do think that people would enjoy this book, but it wasn't for me.

I really enjoyed this debut novel from Holt! Some of my favorite tropes in one and I hope she continues writing romance novels.

This book was the cutest romance read. It had all of the tropes and was perfect for if you're looking for a classic comfort romance. So many classic romance books and movies were mentioned throughout the book that just added to the overall cuteness. I was giddy and smiling the whole time I was reading this book. Their banter was so cute, and had me laughing everytime! I also really liked the concept of a book within a book. It was a great way to see how they both felt even though it’s not a double pov which I also really liked!

I'd say this is more of a 3.5 if I had to think. This was a very cute and simple read in my opinion with nothing overtly wrong. I enjoyed the beginning and middle but the end felt a little rushed and thrown out, to me. This is kinda set in between a -- it was good and it was okay moment. I do recommend it because it could hit someone else's spot way more than mine maybe!

I'm rating this a solid 4 star! Really enjoyed it... it made me giggle, it made me laugh, it made me kick my feet in the air
so safe to say I really really enjoyed it
and I really connected to the FMC too

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

A book with a bookish title, count me in! Bookish pals, this is super cute and will speak the language of your book culture! While cute, please know that with that comes a lot of cliches, but that is to be expected with a romcom.

The male main character did take a bit to grow on me, and I was uncertain of whether I vibed with him even at half way through the story. However, the back half of the story is better than the beginning! Things become complicated for the characters. There is good banter. There is spice, on my own personal scale i give it 3/5. Despite those things I didn't feel the chemistry or connection between the main characters in their relationship.

I do recommend because it is cute and I do wonder if this was related to a reading slump.

3.5 stars

4 spicy scenes.
Dirty talk. He falls first. Enemies to lovers.

I liked that even though this book was a single pov from, we got insight from both pov through Aiden and Rosie's book. The words were addressed as Hunter and Max but were often shown as the events based on their lives and the feelings they aren't comfortable expressing.
The class assigned book seemed a little novice and basic writing.

I was given an ebook from Netgalley and publisher in exchange for my unbiased review.

really enjoyed this one!! I felt like the beginning was relying a bit too hard on stereotypical romance tropes to get you into things/entertain you, but I think it ended up finding it's OWN footing from about 25% on. the scenes where they are writing together, especially the steamy scenes, were soso much fun. I did not like the 3rd act conflict - I feel like I didn't have enough time to forgive Aiden even though Rosie may have. will definitely be reading from this author again!

This was the cutest romance I’ve read in a long time- feel good, spicy, kick your feet romance!!!

I cannot write to save my life but I’d sure try for Aiden.

From rivals to lovers. Slow burn. Some spice in the 2nd half of the book.

Not in My Book was ok. It wasn't great, it wasn't horrible. There were things in the plot I wasn't a fan of - lying, some fighting, some predictability.
First half was better than the second half.

Quick read too.

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

f you’re a fan of witty banter and chemistry that leaps off the page, Not in My Book by Katie Holt is a must-read! This romance had me laughing out loud with its sharp, clever dialogue and sighing at all the heartfelt moments in between. The characters are perfectly imperfect, with their hilarious back-and-forths making every chapter an absolute joy.

Katie Holt has crafted a story that’s equal parts funny and swoony, with a romance that feels so real and genuine. If you love quick-witted leads who challenge each other in the best ways, you’ll adore this book!

NOT IN MY BOOK was so much fun!

Aspiring romance novelist and grad student Rosie is forced by her professor to co-write a novel with her nemesis, Aiden, a brooding literary fiction writer.

I loved the tension, banter, and chemistry. Their personal obstacles and romantic hurdles felt real and weren’t annoying. Plus, I’m always a sucker for books about books!

There’s a chapter where they’re writing a sex scene in their book, and who knew a Google Doc could be that hot when the characters aren’t even in the same room?😅

I’ll definitely recommend this book to my romance-loving friends and look forward to more from Katie Holt.

Not in My Book by Katie Holt is a delightful enemies-to-lovers romance that captivates from the first page. The story follows Rosie, a passionate romance writer, and Aiden, a literary fiction author skeptical of happy endings, as they’re forced to collaborate on a novel blending their genres. Their journey from rivalry to romance is both witty and heartfelt, with their manuscript excerpts adding depth to their evolving relationship. Set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City, this novel is a must-read for fans of contemporary romance. 

A slow burn Enemies to lovers done oh so well.
A Romance and yearning marathon and I was here for it .
I enjoyed the exploration of the fmcs Peruvian culture and also what it meant to be multiracial in the south.
The intimacy was done so well it had thought and care.
The conflict towards the end made it lose a star for me though but the ending was beautiful and if love to read from the author again.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for this ARC.