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

Thank you to Alcove Press, Netgalley and author Katie Holt for providing me an ARC in exchange of an honest review!


I love the tropes in this book which were rivals to lovers, fake dating. They started off STRONG with their dislike towards each other. I love Rosie so much. She represents the struggle of a girl living far away from home to chase her dream. Aiden was okay for me. He was a bit harsh (?) during the 3rd act breakup. I wish we get to read his pov. It would've been better and understand their rivalry and his thoughts about her as he's falling with love with Rosie. The pacing was good however I felt a lil bored😭

This book was amazing! A new favorite! Loved the tension/slow burn, the eventual spice, and how well their writing blended into their own story! I was so invested in the characters and the enemies to lovers arc, plus the sweet holiday moments and vibrant NYC setting. My only complaint is the typical “third-act breakup.”

My Rating: 4⭐
Spice: 2🌶️

The ultimate bookworm romance!! What a great debut novel for Katie Holt! A rival-to-lovers based on Rosie, a romance writer, and Aiden, a litfic writer who hates romance, forced to collaborate on a book to avoid being kicked out of their grad school creative writing course after too much fighting.

This book had me swooning, giggling, and obsessed with the book-in-a-book concept we see! It was a fast paced read with a wintery New York city backdrop.

I loved the insight into the Peruvian culture with Rosie and her family. and found it refreshing to be introduced to a culture in such a well laid out way. Her love for her family and their support was unmatched and I loved every second we saw of them.

The dialogue between Aiden and Rosie (and their book characters Hunter and Max) was hilarious, though some people probably found some moments unecessarily mean, but as their relationship developed, so did the mean comments into witty banter.

The steamy scenes both in the book and in the book-in-a-book were really well written and had me completely sucked in. And how can we not mention that cover?! SO CUTE.

4 stars

the review: no spoilers here <3
a. the plot: the premise was very very relatable (in terms of academic context, not the romance part *sighs*

the characters, Aiden and Rosie, write different genres. Rosie is a romance girlie (squee) and Aiden, well, let's just put it that he doesn't like romance too much. The professor, tired with their constant bickering in class, puts them as teammates for a group project. and... my goodreads friends, this is how it started (cues internal screaming)

b. characters
okayyy I must admit I have a soft spot for the troupe of academic rivals because not me thinking I can actually have a moment in class and I was invested in rosie's and aiden's budding romance so that was a plus point. And the fact that rosie and aiden were likeable characters, that made the whole book so enjoyable to read! It was worth the hour spent.

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

Thank you NetGalley, Publisher and Author for sending over an arc in exchange for honest review.

Rivals-to-lovers. Slow-burn. — I didn’t really get attached to the characters. I think I would’ve preferred if it talked more about Aiden and his troubled past with his father and how he was coping with that but this was more about Rosie and her love for love.

⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Pub Date: December 10, 2024

A sweet slow-burn, enemies to lovers story. I genuinely enjoyed seeing how Maxine and Hunter tested the waters through text, as someone who also is better at expressing myself through writing it was very relatable.