I cannot describe how much I loved this book, I'm not sure words will do it justice. It was too cute, and fun, and I can't wait to re-listen to an audiobook! The banter, the story we got to read. I cried, and I giggled, and it was just so fun!

*Not in My Book* by Katie Holt is a delightful and witty debut that will appeal to fans of enemies-to-lovers romances and anyone who loves a good story about writers finding their way—both in literature and love. The novel brings together Rosie, a hopeful romance writer, and Aiden, a brooding literary fiction author, in a clash of genres and personalities that is as hilarious as it is heartfelt.

Rosie is a passionate Peruvian American who’s left her small Tennessee town behind to chase her dream of becoming a successful author in New York City. But her ambitions take an unexpected turn when she finds herself sharing a class with Aiden Huntington, her former crush and current nemesis. Aiden, with his disdain for romance novels and his general surliness, seems determined to undermine everything Rosie stands for. The tension between them is palpable, and their verbal sparring in workshops makes for some of the most entertaining scenes in the book.

The real magic begins when their professor, fed up with their constant bickering, assigns them the task of co-writing a novel that blends their opposing genres. What starts as a reluctant partnership quickly becomes something more as they pour their hearts into the story, unknowingly weaving their own feelings and desires into the manuscript. Holt does a fantastic job of showing how their collaboration forces them to confront not just their differences, but also their own insecurities and desires.

The chemistry between Rosie and Aiden is electric, with plenty of sharp banter and simmering tension. Holt balances the humor with deeper emotional beats, exploring the fears and vulnerabilities that both characters hide behind their respective genres. As they get closer through their writing, their attraction becomes undeniable, leading to steamy moments that feel organic and well-earned.

Set against the backdrop of New York's literary scene, the novel also offers a thoughtful look at the challenges of being a writer, particularly the struggle to stay true to one’s voice while navigating the pressures of the industry. The competition between Rosie and Aiden for a career-defining opportunity adds an extra layer of conflict, keeping the stakes high as their relationship evolves.

*Not in My Book* is a charming and sexy romance that celebrates the power of storytelling and the ways it can bring people together. Katie Holt's debut is a fresh and engaging take on the enemies-to-lovers trope, filled with humor, heart, and a love story that feels as real as it is romantic. This is the kind of book that will leave readers smiling—and eager for more from this promising new author.

This was a really cute book. Along the vein of Henry's <i>Beach Read</i> the MCs are rivals in their MFA writers workshop. Here, though, their prof has had enough of their nonsense, and forces them to work together or be booted from the class.

There are class dynamics, diverse voices, interesting looks at relationships and how they're built. I really liked this book.

Loved the NYC setting and the enemies-to-lovers/grumpy x sunshine themes were **chefs kiss**. Would highly recommend for fans of Ali Hazelwood and Elena Armas!

Thank you so much for an opportunity to read this book as an ARC reader - I loved this book so much! Rosie was my favorite from the beginning but Aiden became the dreamy hero every book needs. I really loved their backstory and the reason for who they were and how opposites really do attract. As a reader (and potential writer myself), I really enjoyed the plot of them writing together and explaining the terms and writing developments along the way. It really showed how dynamic this book truly is.

The only thing I would say - I wish the reason they broke up wasn’t a miscommunication. I feel like they deserved a better than a third act breakup especially since they were writers themselves. The ending was perfection though. It felt as powerful as holding a stereo over your head and proclaiming your love to your High School crush.

I truly enjoyed this book and now Katie Holt is one of my “auto-buy” authors! Thank you so so much!

absolutely loved this!!!!
not in my book was such an easy read, and i really liked the tropes in this book. i can’t wait for everyone to get too read it :)

Somewhat negative review with spoilers below:

It does feel a LOT like The Hating Game. Which wouldn't be a bad thing but it did feel like she stole that whole plot and made them write a book about it. Lots of similarities both is this book and the fictional book the main characters are writing, to The Hating Game. I loved that book so I didn't necessarily mind but it felt a bit like a cop out. However, on the flip side, it is a romance and they can be a bit cookie cutter in general so this might just be a me issue.

It felt a bit odd that they just wrote their book about their own love life with slightly different tropes but the writing their feelings down rather than talking them aloud was so relatable! It is so much easier to type how you feel than to actually look someone in the eyes and say it.

I did really enjoy Aiden's and Rosie's relationship! I was rooting for them the whole time and them writing a book about each other and together was really cute. However, I don't think they would make it long term. They never learned how to communicate and Rosie was so close to never getting back with him even when he showed up at her door.

The side chapters needed a bit more depth, I almost feel like one less character could have given Holt more time to focus on her friends. Alexa felt like she didn't add anything to the story, whereas Rosie's other friends were way more interesting.

The conflict at the end was predictable but this is a romance so that was expected. I wish we got a bit more out of the ending. Aiden's relationship with his Mom is talked about but its never really delved into, especially at the end part and I wish Holt focused a bit more on that aspect. She kind of glossed over the deep issues which is that he lied to her and just was like take me back because I love you. I feel like it missed something that stopped me from feeling fully satisfied.

Overall, it is a cute romance. It is just a bit too much like The Hating Game and almost feels like a rip off. There are also some flow of story issues that need some work. While the main characters had depth and were interesting, most of the side characters just existed and didn't add enough to the story. This made the book feel a bit lopsided and messed with the overall flow and cohesiveness. And a lot of the sex scenes were too cringy for me and didn't have the intended purpose.

I have a very early copy of this book, I think I got it in July and it doesn't release until December so there is some time for final edits to fix some of these deeper issues.

3.25 Stars

Vivan los academic rivals to lovers y como me han hecho vivirlo estos personajes.

La única pega que podré poner es el momento de discusión final que no vi realmente necesario

This was a super cute quick read!

I am such a sucker for enemies to lovers and I thought this story line was so cute, and nothing that I’ve read as of recent! Kind of loved having them pit against each other for it.

Trope after trope, another thing I love is banter! This book had plenty of it. Totally feeds into my ‘roast to romance ratio’ thought LOL. I loved the chemistry between the characters, and really think this book would make anyone easily fall in love with their relationship! There were times when I felt like this book felt a tad juvenile, however I am alllllways looking for books that are good, lighthearted, palette cleansers between other heavier books — and this is just that!!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for letting me read this early

“I ignored the glass of my own shattered heart as I cut myself trying to put hers back together”

To say I absolutely love this book is an understatement. Rivals to lovers that are forced to write a book together, say no more I am hooked!

I will only say the miscommunication in this book is what lowered it by a star 🥹 I just hate miscommunication!
But otherwise the characters constant banter with each other and how they are both truely idiots in love 🫡

Them writing a spice scene together while on the phone to each other 😮‍💨🤌🤌 But just them writing the book together and making something amazing I want to read this book.

Two writing grad students are forced to work together on a novel, and we get our opposites attract, grumpy x sunshine and some spicy open door romance ❤️‍🔥

This book was funny and romantic, a light-hearted read with some sweet moments. Some interactions felt more teen than adult, but overall this was a fun read. Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the e-ARC!

Not in My Book was a pleasant surprise--I went in totally blind, not knowing anything other than it looked like it would be a romcom. As you can see in the synopsis, we learn that Rosie and Aiden are taking a writing workshop and are mortal enemies. They're almost the caricature of enemies--narrowed eyes and sneering words--lots of zingers exchanged between them and you could just tell that all of that animosity was going to add up to some hot stuff later. It totally did. But in order to get there Rosie and Aiden had to be forced together, which happened thanks to their poor behavior and their exasperated professor. They were forced to co-write a novel together, despite the fact that they didn't write the same genres (and he actually detested romance, which is what she wrote). So in order to pass the class, they begrudgingly started writing and that's where the fun really began. As readers we got to see bits and pieces of their novel layered on top of their story--a fun addition--and got to see how much they mirrored each other. We got to see Rosie and Aiden's love story mimicked in their shared writing; they got to know each other through the writing and because of their writing.

I really enjoyed the set up of the story, as well as the story of Rosie taking a risk and moving to NYC to live her dream. I also appreciated that her move there wasn't easy and yet she was so determined that she pushed through as best as she could. If there was anything that didn't work as well as the other parts, it was the big break up scene-their blow up was so big and Rosie's decisions because of it were so hasty that I found it a smidge unbelievable. That being said, it wasn't a dealbreaker and I am looking forward to all the things Katie Holt writes next.

This romance checked two of my favorite trope boxes: enemies to lovers and forced proximity. Incredibly fun and sexy with a mix of heart melting cuteness and steamy scenes. Great banter between the two main characters when they were enemies and when they were lovers. The first third of the book was a touch slow but keep reading as the last two thirds really pick up. Thank you to Alcove Press and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

"Not in My Book" is a delightful romance that brings together two academic rivals, Rosie and Aiden, who are forced to collaborate on a writing project. Rosie, a romance enthusiast, and Aiden, who despises the genre, clash constantly, but their chemistry is undeniable. Their banter, slow-burn romance, and the charming New York setting add so much depth to the story. The characters are wonderfully likable, and I found myself rooting for their budding relationship (and even some of the cute side relationships too, I'm a romantic like Rosie!).

This book had engaging writing and 100% heartfelt and swoon worthy moments. Highly recommend to anyone who is a enemies to lovers trope lover!

This was such a quick and lovely read! I absolutely loved everything about it!

100% recommend if you’re looking for a cute and spicy romance with a unique touch to your typical enemies to lovers and forced proximity tropes!

The story follows two writers who are sworn enemies stuck together on a project to not only write a novel together but a romance novel at that!

This is a true slow burn romance.

We follow Rosie and Aiden who are in the same writing class. Rosie writes romance while Aiden writes lit fic and of course they hate each other. When the lecturer forces them to write a story together who knows what sparks will fly.

Enemies to lovers is my favourite romance trope and Holt smashes it out of the park with this story. I was screaming at the pages for them to get together. The angst was perfect and felt realistic, i also liked how we got snippets of the book they were writing together. This helped us get an idea of what Aiden was thinking as the main story is in Rosies POV. I loved reading this and think its a brilliant debut. I cant wait to read more from this author.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for a copy in exchange for an honest review

Romantic- Comedy enemies to lovers.
This book will be the perfect winter read.
This is the author’s debut novel and can’t wait to see what she comes out with next.

“The love I had read in romance novels, was so epic and monumental. I’d spend a lifetime craving grand gestures and sweeping proclamations. I hadn’t known the small moments like this would feel as good.”

Rosie is living her dream by working on her Master’s to become a romance author while living in NYC.  The only downside is a fellow student in her writing workshop, Aiden, who seems to have a deep hatred for romance and who doesn’t believe in HEAs.  Leading to the two of them constantly budding heads in class…that is until their professor forces them to write their class novel project together, forcing them to learn to set aside their differing writing styles and coauthor what may be their best story yet.

I loved this one.  I loved the enemies to lovers push and pull.  I loved the forced proximity of them having to write together, leading to great angst and banter.  I loved seeing their class project come together.  I loved how their story allowed them each to slowly be more vulnerable with each other through their words, and then eventually in person.  And I loved how it felt like we basically got two books intertwined into one!  This was such a good story!

And I found out the author is a fellow bookstagrammer, so how fun is that!!

Give her a follow and make sure to pick this one up when it publishes December 10th

Big thank you to NetGalley, Katie Holt (@readinromance), and Alcove Press at Penguin Random House for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you, Netgalley, for this ARC! This read was a roller coaster ride of emotions. So many times, it's easy to get wrapped up in the romance and not what's real. This book brings all of the highs and lows of real relationships. Things are not always easy, and it's work. Katie Holt really hit the mark with this book!

This was a cute and sweetly written book, I adored getting to read this book. The story was beautiful and fun, I enjoyed getting a chance to read this