omg omg omg guys this book was AMAZING!! I was so hooked from the very beginning and it just kept getting better and better. Katie really ate this one up 😩

the banter in this book was some of the best banter I have ever read!! I am being so for real, I was literally laughing at some parts and then full on swooning in others. Literally giggling and kicking my feet 😭 This book did rivals-to-lovers so incredibly well.

Aiden and Rosie did not like each other and the gradual buildup to friends and then lovers was so well done. It was perfectly paced - slow but satisfying and purposeful.

I adored how they were talking to each other through their writing I thought it was so so cute and very different. I loved how what they wrote in their book were based off the interactions between them because then we got the POVs from both sides!!

Aiden omg omg, he is definitely a new favourite book boyfriend. This man does not like romance novels and is even worse at romance in real like BUT MY GOSH did he try to be romantic for her 😭 he even bought romance novels to see what she likes and try to be more romantic for her 😭😭💔

Rosie was perfection. She did annoy me a little towards the end but nothing catastrophic. I loved how perfectly imperfect the two were. Even when they were together, they still shared insults and were very opening about how they weren’t going to stop fighting, but rather just work through it together.

I had such a good time reading this and cannot recommend it enough!! This is definitely something I will be recommending well into the future as well and a very good introduction to Katie’s work 🤭

Read if you like:
💌rivals-to-friends-to-lovers
💌grumpy x sunshine
💌forced proximity
💌fake dating (loosely)
💌slow burn

Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press for this ARC of ‘Not in My Book’ by Katie Holt, out on December 10!!💘

Avete presente quando avete un sogno così grande e importante da essere disposti a rinunciare a tutto pur di realizzarlo? Rosie sa cosa significa ed è proprio per seguire il suo sogno di diventare una scrittrice che si trasferisce a New York

Ma il suo piano va a monte quando si ritrova in classe con niente di meno che il suo arci-nemico (ed ex cotta) Aiden, che come lei vuole diventare uno scrittore, se non fosse che agli occhi di Rosie Aiden è la persona più odiosa e scontrosa che esista

I due non solo dovranno seguire le lezioni insieme ma dovranno anche scrivere un romanzo a due mani, ma i due non potrebbero avere due idee di romanzo più diversi: lei ama tutto ciò che è romantico e lui è tutto narrativa e saggi

Eppure sarà proprio attraverso il romanzo che i due metteranno da parte il loro odio per imparare a conoscersi, rendendo reale il sogno di noi lettori romantici: innamorarsi tra le pagine di un libro🤍

Appena ho letto la trama di questo libro mi sono detta che doveva essere mio: un enemies to lovers in cui i libri sono il motore della storia? Insomma è davvero interessante! Ahimè però ho trovato alcune pecche che non mi hanno fatto apprezzare il libro al 100%

Bellissima l’idea di inserire gli estratti del libro che Rosie ed Aiden stanno scrivendo perché così sembra di leggere un libro dentro un libro. Inoltre gli estratti aiutano a entrare nei pensieri dei protagonisti e rendono la storia più coinvolgente

Ciò che però non ho apprezzato è stata l’eccessiva lentezza della storia d’amore: attenzione io amo gli slow burn, mi piacciono perché vedi l’evoluzione dei sentimenti prima della nascita della relazione vera e propria, eppure in questo libro è stato fin troppo slow, considerando che per più della metà del libro non succede nulla, se non un susseguirsi dei battibecchi tra i due protagonisti

Rosie e Aiden sono testardi e non sono pronti a rinunciare alle loro idee e questo si è fatto sentire molto, rendendo la storia lenta e a tratti noiosa

Nel complesso però la storia è carina, fresca e ha saputo intrattenermi quindi non posso fare altro che consigliarvelo!

Wait. I was not expecting to love this one so much! From the true enemies-to-lovers banter (No, really. They insult each other and everything! Like actual hurtful stuff! 😂😅), to the forced proximity classroom setup, to the glimpse of New York City, to the perfect touch of spice, this book has it all!

Not In My Book is about two aspiring authors, Aiden and Rosie, who constantly fight in their writing workshop. 📚 To get them to bond on a different level and put their feud behind them, their professor gives them an ultimatum: write a novel together as their assignment or leave her classroom. 😮

Before I read this book, I thought the premise was so cute! I thought, “Hey, this will be a nice, light, and fun read.” And I was right! But I also wasn’t expecting to love it as much as I did. 🤗

Although mostly predictable, I found myself wanting to know what happens between their characters in their novel and the main characters themselves as their friendship progresses. (A bit confusing to read aloud or even in your head, but I think you’ll understand if you read the book 😉.)

I wouldn’t consider this a slow burn per se, but I also wouldn’t not consider it a slow burn either? There was MAD tension between Aiden and Rosie, and I just HAD to know how and when it would blow up.💥

It feels like I have not been so attached to two characters as much as I am to Rosie and Aiden. At least, not in a long while. 🥰

Their love story blossomed in such an honest and thoughtful way that I ate this book up! Not to mention, the love I have for NYC matches the rose-colored-NYC-glasses Katie Holt has herself in her accurate depictions of the many places and seasons of New York City. 🌉🌆🗽

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 to Not in My Book! 👏🏼❤️

Let me know if this one turns into a movie! 🍿🥰

P.S. Someone please turn this into a movie. 🙏🏼

Overall I enjoyed this book! That is was a true enemies to lovers, and I mean it. It seemed like they really truly hated each other at the beginning, which I actually liked. And this book also seemed like a love letter to romance books, which was really sweet and cute. Where it fell off for me was at the end… I thought the conflict could have been executed better. For that, I’m giving it a solid 3.5 stars. Would recommend if you want a light, funny read.

Thanks NetGalley, Alcove Press and Katie Holt for an advance copy of this book for my honest review!

A very meta enemies to lovers romance novel with nods to favorite tropes. (forced in proximity, slow burn, at one point there's only one bed). Aiden and Rosie are forced to write a novel together for class, Very quickly the plot parallels their actual lives. The heavy meta commentary is something that would normally irritate me in a book, but Katie Holt pulls it off with with and a wink to her romance loving readers. I found myself rooting for the characters and caring that they can make it past their hangups.

This book was a feel-good, light romance with an unexpected depth - and one that I absolutely adored. Rosie was a remarkable, well-rounded character, and Aiden was quite literally another amazing book-boyfriend.

The story was engaging and well-paced, and I loved the differences between the two main characters.

I cannot wait to see what this author creates next!

4/5 stars from me.
Thank you NetGalley for the arc

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4,5)
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

A swoon-worthy, snappy and meta take on the genre of enemies-to-lovers!

Katie Holt's "Not in My Book" is a delightful and meta romance that takes the classic "enemies to lovers" trope and infuses it with layers of wit, creativity, and heart. The story follows Rosie, a bright-eyed writing student at NYU who adores romance novels but is struggling to find her voice in her own writing. Her biggest obstacle? Aiden, her fellow student and sharpest critic, who seems to take pleasure in tearing down both her work and her love for happily-ever-afters. Their rivalry escalates until they’re forced to work together on writing a book—an arrangement that feels doomed from the start, but unfolds with both tension and surprising tenderness.

What sets Not in My Book apart is its metafictional edge. This is a book about writing books, where the snippets from Rosie and Aiden’s collaborative project mirror and deepen their evolving dynamic. Holt impressively manages to create a distinct voice within these snippets; they feel raw, less polished than the main narrative, but also genuine, as if we’re truly reading an unrefined manuscript from two very different writers trying to meld their styles. The layers of storytelling add nuance to the romance without distracting from it.

For fans of enemies-to-lovers, this novel is a treasure trove of tropes done right. Holt checks all the boxes—snarky banter, fiery confrontations, simmering chemistry—and yet nothing feels overly familiar or stale. Rosie and Aiden are richly developed characters who, despite their flaws, are impossible not to root for. Rosie’s frustration and dense misreading of Aiden’s motives add to the tension, but did get frustrating at times. But then...when Aiden falls, he falls *hard*, in a way that is swoon-worthy without being cliché.

The romance builds deliciously, with a payoff that’s both satisfying and heartwarming. If there’s one critique, it’s that the miscommunication between these two stubborn characters occasionally drags out a bit longer than necessary—there were moments I was begging for them to just sit down and talk it out. But in the end, their fiery personalities are what make the resolution so sweet.

Releasing this December, Not In My Book is a must-read for lovers of contemporary romance, especially those who enjoy a bit of meta commentary on the genre itself. This novel is sharp, fun, and utterly captivating, proving that even well-loved tropes can feel fresh when handled with this much care and creativity.

Thanks to NetGalley & Alcove Press for the ARC copy to review!

Thank you to Netgalley and Alcove Press for an early version of this book, so eternally grateful!

Okay now this is how you write a romance! I can’t believe this is a debut novel, Holt did a beautiful job building romantic tension and really giving us characters that you can root for, get frustrated with, but ultimately fall in love with.

I loved the setting of this book, both in NYU and New York. I loved the way the city was described, every setting felt so real and it felt like someone who had lived there was writing about it, it was very atmospheric. The city felt like a character in the book itself.

I loved that Rosie was Peruvian, it’s wonderful to see such lovely representation integrated into the novel in such a seamless way. There’s Spanish dialogue on the page with no translation and I liked that, it felt more authentic. If you don’t get it, go to Google translate :D I really enjoyed following Rosie’s story, her fight to make romance more respected, her hustle, and her fierce nature to protect those she loved (especially in that restaurant scene with Aiden’s dad).

The romance was obviously the highlight of the book. I thought the tension was built perfectly, genuinely felt excited every time Rosie and Aiden were on the page together. The fact that they had to write a book while also kind of living out the story they were writing was really well done. There’s one particular steamy scene which was absolute perfection, where they were writing a spicy scene it but it wasn’t actually happening but the tension was spot on. I loved the fact that Aiden was an irritating character initially but he secretly had a heart of gold. I was worried he wouldn’t be likeable based on the initial scenes but he grows on you. I like that both Rosie and Aiden were flawed but were both willing to work past their traumas to be together, it was very healthy.

I loved the cast of side characters i.e., all of Rosie‘s friends. I love their dynamic and how cute and supportive they were. I think Tyler and Jess deserve their own spin-off because I really want to watch them get together; Tyler was an absolute sweetheart. The text chains between the friends were so funny and their group felt very real and lived in. It was a really nice addition to this book.

There were a couple of things that missed for me. I thought the ending twist was a little bit predictable. I kind of felt that Aiden was applying to the same scholarship as Rosie from the beginning, and him getting angry at Rosie at the end felt quite uncalled for, even thought he apologised, I don’t think some of the dialogue in the fight was necessary.

I also didn’t feel like the hatred between them was really believable. I think that could’ve stretched on a bit longer, and the rivalry could have gone a bit deeper as the hate between them vanishes very quickly. The ending also felt quite rushed, we could’ve done with maybe one more chapter once they separated to build on emotional drift, it didn’t feel as powerful as they got back together pretty soon after.

I also felt like some of the dialogue exchanged between the characters in the steamy scenes was a bit cringe and off-putting. It took away from the amazing tension of the scenes. Such lines have become a staple in romance books but I do think minimal dialogue like this would makes these scenes so much better (at least for me).

Ultimately, I really enjoyed this book and I really recommend it to anyone who loves enemies to lovers (although the enemies part doesn’t last super long), there is brilliant tension built between the characters. There was a great cast of side characters that you can’t help but love, and although the ending might be a little bit predictable and you might need to skim over some of the lines in the spicy scenes, it’s really cute love story! Very impressive for a debut novel and I’m really excited to see everything else that Katie Holt will write!

First, I wish to thank Katie Holt, Alcove Press and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book.

Not in my book is a slow-burn steamy romance novel where we meet Aiden and Rosie or my favourite fictional, or maybe not so fictional Hunter and Max. The character building was phenomenal, and looking back on it, I liked that it was a slow start. I might also be a little biased but Ida may also be the best person in this group as we share the name and hair color 🥹

When I realised that the kiss had to be at 50% I was so ready. When I hit the mark, it all went upwards in my opinion. I was really able to discover their relationship, traits and personalities. When they kissed at christmas in the dark apartment, I may have been smiling to myself.

All in all, the start was a little slow but it was worth the wait. I wish I tried to push through more, so I would have given time.

I am excited for readers to pick up this piece and fall in love like I did.

Sometimes you need a comfy read with the tropes and storyline that's predictable. But when it's a debut novel I have to comment an author for crafting such lovely characters. Rosie and Aiden are top tier and will leave an impact with readers.

Chapter Eighteen will change your life. My favourite moments have to be the cozy Italian dinner, the Strand, and their banter in class.

Not in My Book was such good read and Katie really has created something special for romance readers. Thank you so much Alcove Press for providing an ARC, you've got something special with this book.

The stories I like best are the ones where I can truly relate to the main character. Not in My Book was a rare book in which I felt *seen*. The events in the book, especially Rosie's previous experiences with love, are believable and that's a big part of what makes it so good. I stayed up late to finish it and absolutely loved it.

Holt's writing is excellent: descriptive and easy to picture events as they unfold, but not needlessly pedantic. I think this is one of the other big reasons why I was able to just immerse myself in reading this. I genuinely enjoyed it and lost track of time while reading because I wasn't overanalyzing it.

One thing I wish Holt had done a little differently was build out the personalities and relationships of the secondary characters. We got to see some very funny exchanges in their group chat, but I felt that the side characters didn't contribute to the plot as much as I would have liked. This is still a minor critique, though.

Finally, there were some really lovely quotes about love that hit close to home. One of my favorites: "The love I had read in romance novels was so epic and monumental. I'd spent a lifetime craving grand gestures and sweeping proclamations. I hadn't known the small moments like this would feel as good." This is absolutely something I've learned and felt in the last few years. Grand gestures can be great and all, but I feel that the real, most telling and most important moments in love are in all of the day-to-day things: in being thoughtful, and in quietly doing little things to support your partner and maybe make their life easier without making a big deal about it. It is so refreshing to see this view reflected in a romance book.

Overall: if you love romance/rom-coms, this book is for you!

I received an advance review copy of this book for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions stated above are my own. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

The first chapter in Not in My Book was one of the best starts to an enemies-to-lovers book I have ever read. I loved the snippets of their book at the end of each chapter. It allowed a needed view inside Adrian's mind. Rosie and Adrian’s relationship felt real to me because everyone struggles to communicate, but I loved that they always worked things out. It was so cute how they would use writing to express their feelings. I loved Not in My Book, and I am recommending it to all my friends!

"Not in My Book" by Katie Holt is a charming debut novel that cleverly explores the age-old adage that opposites attract. The story centers on Aiden and Rosie, two aspiring writers with conflicting views on love and happy endings.

Rosie, an optimistic romance novelist, embodies the very ideals she writes about, holding steadfast to her belief in happily-ever-afters. In contrast, Aiden, a literary fiction writer, approaches life and love with a more cynical perspective. Holt skillfully uses this fundamental difference to create a palpable tension between the characters from the outset.

Despite their initial clash, the chemistry between Aiden and Rosie is undeniable. Holt's writing shines in developing this connection, making their journey from adversaries to lovers both believable and engaging. The addition of well-crafted intimate scenes enhances the romantic elements without overshadowing the emotional core of the story.

One of the novel's strengths lies in its handling of the third-act conflict. Often a pitfall in romance novels, Holt navigates this trope with surprising finesse, avoiding common clichés and maintaining reader interest.

Holt's prose is accessible and flowing, creating an effortless reading experience that compels the reader to keep turning pages. As a debut work, "Not in My Book" showcases Holt's promising talent and leaves readers eager for her future publications.

In essence, this novel delivers a satisfying romance that will appeal to fans of the genre. It's a testament to the enduring appeal of the opposites-attract trope when executed with skill and sincerity.

Thank you so much Katie Holt for writing this beautifully written book. The plot was very unique, characters were extremely relatable, and the slow burn made it 10x better. From the moment I read the first page, I was hooked, which doesn't happen very often for me. Can't wait for future novels from this author. I don't know if she will, but nevertheless I'll be waiting.

Thank you NetGalley, Alcove Press, and Katie Holt for this ARC.

This was true rivals to lovers!!! I quickly became so invested in this story. Aiden had me swooning and blushing so much. I loved their banter, and found myself relating to Rosie often. The ending and epilogue had me teary eyed. Overall this was a very fun and beautiful story.

It gave me I miss you, I’m sorry & I Love You, I’m Sorry by Gracie Abrams vibes!!

A cute rivals-to-lovers (meaning: they totally liked each other in the beginning too) romance with a Peruvian-American fmc.
I enjoyed this overall, but struggled to feel their chemistry - they interactions felt a bit forced, especially in the beginning. The romance-within-the-romance was very cute!

thank you netgalley, alcove press, and katie holt for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

3.5!! For a debut book, this was really good and I'm excited to see what Katie Holt writes next. This really was similar to the Hating Game, and the banter was top tier. I felt that the characters could have been fleshed out a bit more and that the ending was a bit rushed, but other than that, a fun and easy read!

I really liked the element of having excerpts from the joint book they are working on, but overall wish there was more a plot or more focus on some sideline characters other than the friend group who mostly just talked about the two main characters.

4 stars

This one started off super cute and keep my attention the whole way through. It was charming and fun. Nothing too over the top and I enjoyed this read!

This was my first time reading an academic rivals to lovers book and I really liked the dynamic. All the different characters felt so thought out and like they each had their own purpose. I loved all the banter this book had to offer; not only between the FMC and MMC but also between their friends and family. There were m a n y points in this book that had me genuinely laughing out loud. I love the way the main characters book played such an important role. It was so fun getting to see them communicate in a unique way that worked for them. I love a good slow burn and this was exactly that. I think this book just made this author an auto buy for me!

Thank you Netgalley and Alcove Press for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!