This was so cute!!! The characters and the development and chemistry was too tier!! I would recommend this one

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This was cute but too dramatic for me. The lack of communication and maturity level of the MC’s was frustrating to read.

Okay I am screaming, shouting, yelling to anyone who will listen to me about Rosie and Aiden!!!! This story has some of the most fun banter I’ve ever read, a plot that jumps off the page with life, and most importantly a LOVE STORY! This story really just blew me away. The pieces of Max and Hunter’s story that was scattered throughout the book was riveting. I was so captivated by this that my husband had to bring me back to the real world to tell me what time it was and remind me that I have to go to work. I am so looking forward to reading more from this author.

Enemies-to-lovers fan, prepare to fall in love with your next obsession! Not in My Book by Katie Holt is sure to steal your heart, make you cry, and leave you laughing (and swooning) simultaneously!

Rosie and Aiden hate each other. As graduate students in NYU’s creative writing program, their bickering during workshops is infamous. Why? Aiden is a pretentious literary fiction writer and doesn’t believe in happy endings. Rosie writes romance and would rather die than see her favorite characters unhappy. The only thing they can agree on is their dislike for each other. When a disastrous argument almost gets them kicked out of the program, their advisor proposes a solution; write a novel together and they can stay. Rosie forces Aiden to write a romance based on their rivalry while Aiden ensures that their novel will have a tragic ending. But as the stakes ramp up on the page, the two are left wondering if their chemistry is anything but fictional. 

Not in My Book has every trope romance readers have come to love done to perfection. One bed? Check. Enemies-to-friends-to-lovers-to-etc? Check. Grand gestures and adorable dates? Check. Sexually charged co-writing? CHECK. But more than that, this novel captures what it means to love writing and to yearn for love. Aiden and Rosie are far from perfect, yet being together makes them both better people. It was so easy to root for them (even when they weren’t) and the vulnerability they constantly exhibited made them feel real. 

Strong female friendships and group dynamics elevated this novel above others in the genre. While Rosie was certainly swept off her feet (sometimes in a violent way and sometimes in a grand romantic gesture sort of way), she was grounded by her friends and her close bond with her sister. Family dynamics were also expertly explored throughout the story, as was Rosie’s Peruvian-Tennessee heritage. The romance was amazing (and certainly the central storyline), and I appreciated how layered the characters were. Rosie would have existed without Aiden and vice versa; their personalities didn’t rely on each other.

Not in My Book is a romance that staunchly defends romance readers and writers. Rosie is the writer in the room fighting for her romance books to be treated with the same literary merit as comedy, fantasy, or contemporary fiction, which I loved. Romance doesn’t get the respect it deserves as an art form. More stories like this one are crucial to redefining what the genre can do. 

If you’re a romance fan (or even if you’re not), you will love Not in My Book. Katie Holst is certainly an author to watch and I look forward to seeing what else she has in store!

"Not in My Book" by Katie Holt is an entertaining enemies-to-lovers romance featuring a fiery dynamic between two aspiring writers. Rosie, a romance novelist obsessed with Taylor Swift, and Aiden, a brooding literary fiction writer, distrupt their graduate writing seminar with their bickering and below-the-belt critiques of each other's work. As punishment, they are forced to co-write a novel to bridge their differences. Rosie is a determined Peruvian-American trying to make it in New York City, while Aiden is a grumpy, handsome rich kid who has a serious disdain for romance. Through the “book within a book” of their co-written story, we see a glimpse into their evolving feelings. However, I did find that sometimes the parallels between the two narratives felt a bit repetitive and had some continuity issues.

That said, Holt delivers a fresh take on familiar romance tropes, and the supporting characters add depth to the story—especially Rosie’s charming family and her tight-knit group of friends. The New York setting and the competitive world of grad school provide an interesting backdrop for their rivalry and eventual connection.

Overall, *Not in My Book* is a fun and spicy debut that will satisfy romance lovers looking for a mix of humor and heart. While not without its slow moments, it’s a promising start for Katie Holt, and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for her next release.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

This book was so much fun! We follow Rosie and Aiden who are academic rivals both in a writting college course. They butt heads so much that their professor makes them collaborate and write a book together. Of course the book they write is also an enemies to lovers and they can't help but put their real life thoughts and feelings into the book, even when things become more with them. The first kiss and sex scenes that they have to write together was probably the hottest thing ever. It was a little slow in the middle when they finally get together before the 3rd act breakup. But overall this was such a fun story, especially for fans of romance readers.

Such a good read! A real slow burn rivals to lovers that's is so easy to get into and will keep your attention till the last page.

This novel was very unique in that it you get to experience the unfolding of two stories nested inside one another. I have never read anything similar to this and really enjoyed it. We had two rival novelist competing against each other until they are forced to co-write together and that novel becomes a safe space for them to communicate their feelings for each other. As an enemies-to-lovers romance, the angst was there. The banter was superb. The spicy bits were great. I was here for the dirty talk, lol. I appreciated that both characters were fleshed out and that created a connection between the characters as well as the reader. I wanted to see where this was going. I was unsure if this romance would have a happy ending and the suspense that created for me was great. Just an overall sweet novel. Great job!

This was a fun and entertaining read. Rosie and Aiden had a believable enemies-to-lovers dynamic, especially considering they were academic rivals. There were a few too many Taylor Swift references for my liking, but aside from that, this author's debut novel was a solid 8/10!

4 stars!!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Not in My Book was a heartwarming, witty, and perfectly paced read. Katie Holt masterfully crafted the ultimate feel-good rom-com by incorporating every well-loved trope imaginable (fake dating, grumpy/sunshine, one bed, New York charm, bookish characters, and Christmas cheer) in a way that strikes the sweet spot between realistic and Hallmark movie idealism. You truly want for nothing when reading this book! The dialogue between Rosie and Aiden will have you swooning. Every supporting character was lovable as well. A total slam dunk rivals to lovers story!! I’ll be thinking about this story and these characters for a while. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Grad students Aiden and Rosie come from different backgrounds and while she desperately struggles to survive in NYC as a part-time student and needs all the help she can get, he’s comfortable in his life as a full-time student while also teaching an undergrad class. But when they meet in workshop, all bets are off as Aiden sees romance as the bottom of the writing barrel and only has harsh critiques for Rosie’s work and their verbal encounters lead to having to write together which will soon change the mechanics of their relationship.
Unfortunately, this is another book that interested me by way of a promising blurb that, in my opinion, is highly misleading and doesn’t hold on the delivery. I was eager to read the academic rivals, enemies to lovers, opposites attract story, but good banter is not enough to hold a book together.
I found the characters lacked development and their relationship didn’t deliver even during the sexy times. I also didn’t care about the conflict that breaks them or the MC’s grand gesture and found a lot of holes in the plot and the story they were writing together.
For me, the one redeeming factor is the way the writer uses the characters’ book excerpts to start every chapter and the veiled feelings showed on those lines.

This is one of the best romance books I have read so far this year. I am actually shocked at how much fun I had reading this! This is the kind of book that makes you believe in higher standards and unconditional love all over again and I had the best time reading it - There is a third act break up, which I never enjoy when this happens and this book was no exception, but every other part of this book made it the perfect romance.

Thanks to Katie Holt, NetGalley, and the publishers for this digital arc!

Loved this book and felt that the enemies to lover really worked here. The tension kept me reading throughout the book.. The small parts of their book at the end of each chapter added to their story and their real feelings.

Enemies to lovers that are forced to work together? Absolutely. They also have to write a romance book? Yes, please.

Rosie and Aiden come from very different backgrounds. They are both interested in becoming writers but their taste in literature could not be more different.

Rosie loves romance books and she truly believes in the Happy Ever After. Aiden prefers literary fiction and he is, according to Rosie, obnoxious.

Their professor forces them to work together and so Rosie has to team up with her arch-nemesis but nothing will stop her. Her writing and this class are too important to her and she will not let her ex-crush, Adien, ruin it.

Rosie is in her mid twenties and is a passionate Peruvian-American with a great relationship with his family. I loved the banter between Rosie and Aiden. Their connection was palpable and Aiden is such a cutie. Even I could not help but fall in love with him.

I must warn you that this book is very addictive and you will fly through it. The chapters were really well paced and even though it is a slow burn romance, it has a great payoff. When things start to get steamy…trust me, it is HOT.

The author knew how to integrate romance tropes that inevitably come in an enemies to lovers story and I did enjoy the twists and turns.

The ending was a bit messy when it comes to the way the characters interacted with each other. But then again, relationships are messy. People change after certain experiences and so it is not completely impossible to see the characters make the decisions they made even though it felt a bit out of character at first.

What a great debut novel. I will be seated for her next novel for sure.

I really loved the book. The parallels between the main characters and the book characters were so fun to read. Oh. My. God. The scene where they're writing together on the phone was absolute perfection. I LOVED IT. I devoured this book, and genuinely wasn't sure how it was going to end! But I was satisfied by the ending. Loved it. Highly recommend

SPOILERS || This book was just what I was looking for and then some. I started this book simply expecting a cute romance from a debut author, but it was so much bigger than that Katie holt gave us a story with heart, humor, and HEA! Rosie and Aidan were rivals in class' and just like their characters, Max and Hunter, had to overcome stubborn, guarded hearts to heal and find an unexpected romance. Their friendships were adorable -both their classmates, het roommate, and her sweet, Peruvian family. And l adored getting to know Aidan's mom through the she had on him as influence a writer. I'm a little bummed Rosie didn't get the fellowship, but it all worked in out the end. Loved this book, thank you to Alcove for the ARC!

[NetGalley Read #13]

4 ⭐

The Good:
- The Romantic aspects were pretty much nailed by the author
- The Premise/Story (not anything new but still good, I like that it is spread over a year and divided into four seasons)
- Setting (writer did a good job of making the city a sort of a character of its own)
- Characters (the main characters are well-written with good backstories)
- Dialogue (mostly really good)
- Culture

The Bad:
- (sometimes) dialogue
- Music (to contemporary romance writers:) please have atleast one singer other than Taylor Swift in your story.

Recommended. 👍

For lovers of Beach Read and The Hating Game, you’ll want to pick this one up STAT!

Two graduate school rivals, Rosie and Aiden, must put differences aside when their professor, tired of their bickering in class, forces them to collaborate on a novel.

I loved reading this book. The banter. The spice. The book within a book. The characters. I couldn’t get enough!

Not only does the premise of two very different authors of very different genres writing together pull you in, but Aiden and Rosie’s chemistry alone keeps you turning the page.

I found the characters to be endearing and realistic. Their backgrounds felt fully fleshed out and I rooted for both of them from start to finish. I couldn’t help giggling at their shenanigans but also tearing up in their more serious moments. And the spice between the MCs in their joint novel AND between Aiden and Rosie hit all the right spots 🥵. Strong side characters, a fast paced plot, and a fun New York setting made this a well rounded read I’ll definitely recommend to romance lovers.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my free advanced electronic copy in exchange for my honest review.

READ FOR
- Academic Rivals
- Grumpy/Sunshine
- Writer MCs
- New York City Setting
- Story Within A Story

Mini Description: A swoony romance that’ll make you want to sip hot chocolate while humming love songs in your pjs.

I was a bit skeptical reading the first few chapters. Rosie a romance author and the main character got unnecessarily petty when she’s the one who originally agreed to work with her author nemesis Aiden.

However, not long till I was completely sucked into this book. I giggled, I swooned, I daydreamed, and teared up. It’s been so long since I read a romantic romance book that just lifted me up.

I love how Rosie was not your typical young boss babe, or retired to small town boss babe. She’s nearing her 30s, still trying to feel her footing in this world. It’s refreshing and reflecting to see.

A really lovely debut by Katie Holt, and I’m eager to see more of her stories get published.

I really loved the story of aiden and Rosie. I loved how neither were perfect yet Perfect for each other. Sometimes slow burns can become boring however not in this case, it kept me wanting more and needing more!
I loved the little friendship group that Rosie was in also and how relatable that was!
All round great read