A book within a book? The tropes in this book were done so well and I absolutely loved this cute romance. This was just such a fun read and I read it SO quick! Took be right out of my book slump. This was a debut novel well done- soooo good!!

I loved this story nearly all the way to the end. Aiden and Rosie are so adorable and their banter had me laughing. The only thing I didn't like was the jump at the end. The fact that Aiden didn't offer to help Rosie either by having her move in with him initially after they got back together or help with her costs after winning the money he didn't need? Maybe I'm spoiled by my other book boyfriends, but I was a little disappointed in Aiden!

Katie Holt's "Not In My Book" is an absolute gem that had me hooked from the first page! This enemies-to-lovers romance is everything I crave in a book: witty banter, palpable tension, and characters that leap off the page.
Rosie is a breath of fresh air—a Peruvian American romance writer with dreams bigger than her Tennessee hometown. Her journey to New York City is one we can all relate to, and her passion for her craft is infectious. But the real fireworks start when she's thrown into a class with Aiden Huntington, her ex-crush turned literary nemesis.
Their antagonistic dynamic is electric, and Holt masterfully navigates their transition from verbal sparring to something much, much steamier. And let me tell you, those spicy scenes? Perfection. They're not just gratuitous; they're a natural evolution of Rosie and Aiden's complex relationship, exploring their vulnerabilities and desires through their cowritten novel.
What I loved most was how Holt weaves in themes of cultural identity, the value of different writing genres, and the cutthroat nature of the publishing world. It adds depth to a story that's already rich with emotion and sizzling chemistry.
I literally couldn't put this book down. I stayed up way too late, ignored chores, and may have skipped a meal or two because I HAD to know how Rosie and Aiden's story ended. "Not In My Book" is a triumph, and Katie Holt is officially my new auto-buy author! Copy

This was such a fun read, and super impressed to see that this is from a debut author! I found the beginning a bit slow, but it felt like the author found their stride as the book continued.

The conflict and eventual resolution felt a little rushed for me, but overall I really enjoyed this book! Reminded me a lot of Beach Ready by Emily Henry in all the best ways.

Love love love!!

The shared doc was everything!! When they were forced to write a steamy scene together I about lost my mind. In the best way, obviously.

This was amazing. I can’t wait to recommend it to others. Thank you for allowing me early access! 💙

started out strong (especially for a debut) but ultimately fizzled out for me by the end. the book within a book gimmick got old pretty fast once it just started reflecting exactly what we just saw the characters already doing on their dates in real life.

Rosie moves to New York to pursue her dream of becoming a writer. In her writing workshop, she finds her old crush who doesn't respect Rosie's romance genre and they constantly butt heads. After getting tired of their constant head butting, their instructor forces them to write a novel together. While working together, they begin to explore their attraction to each other. An enemies to lovers romance that fights to prove that romance novels are deserving of respect.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute story! I liked the premise and was so captivated by the MC’s novel reflecting their real life feelings and actions while they were co-writing. That was super unique storytelling to me. I enjoyed reading the scenes where rosie and aiden were together- like during Christmas. I also love a book with some banter, so that was great. The conflict and resolution were a bit weak to me and the FMC acted a little childish at some points for my taste. At times I was a tiny bit bored as well, but overall a solid 3⭐️ book that I enjoyed reading!

Thank you to netgalley and alcove press for letting me read this.

I absolutely adored Not in my Book. It’s a rivals to friends to lovers with a bit of fake dating and all the joys of romance in New York. I adored Aiden and Rosie so much as individuals and as a couple. They both grew together as a couple as well in their writing and their experiences, which I absolutely loved.

The way the author didn’t shy away from the realities of love was a favorite of mine. She highlighted the fears and insecurities that come up in new love in a realistic way. Although this felt like the perfect New York Christmas romcom it was also really realistic and not too frivolous.

Such a well written story that had me hooked and desperately needing to know what was going to happen next. I loved that we got to see the characters emotions through the book they were co-writing. This felt like a unique twist on a classic academic rivalry story.

There were so many scenes I absolutely needed more of, but I loved that they wrote a kiss and spicy scene together! I cried a little when Aiden pulled out the locket for Rosie. And the ending had me in tears because it felt so picturesque romantic but also something anyone would want from their person.

"Not in My Book" is a quick, fun read featuring forced proximity, enemies to lovers, and a splash of fake dating. I loved that the female main character is Peruvian, which added a unique cultural dimension to the story. Watching the characters' relationship evolve alongside the book they were writing together was delightful. The author did a great job with side characters, giving them their own personalities and subplots.

However, I struggled to connect with the initial animosity between the main characters, making the start a bit rocky. While their relationship developed throughout the book, it sometimes felt flat, making it hard to root for them through the ups and downs. The final twist came later than expected, and the characters' reactions seemed disproportionate.

Despite these points, it was still an enjoyable read, perfect for a relaxing escape. I'd recommend it to anyone who loves rom-com romances, especially those who appreciate a story with heart, just like the Peruvian heroine.

A very well written story with a simply addictive storyline, Holt’s characters are relatable and loveable, sweet and sexy. I loved it.

Thanks to NetGalley I received an advanced electronic copy of the book to read and provide a review.

3.5 stars rounded up because I’m feeling generous.

This was a cute and easy enemies to lovers set in academia (NYU!) read! There were parts that were incredibly engaging and magical like everything that happened around Christmas and Rosie’s family. However, there were other parts that were predictable and annoying like the reason for the third act break. 🙄

With all that said, I’m excited to see what comes next for Katie Holt. I loved her writing style and spicy scenes.

Not in My Book was an enjoyable enemies-to-lovers romance!

Rosie and Aiden seem like the typical romantic heroine and hero, but they are different. Rosie's character is very relatable, especially with her romantic viewpoint and positive outlook. Aiden is the opposite, basically. But, he is a more realistic book boyfriend, given the way he dislikes romance.

I enjoyed how this book depicted the struggle of reality versus fiction. As readers, we sometimes desire those relationships we read about. But, this book addresses that discrepancy between what we read and what we live. I thought it was unique how the events of their own book mirrored the events and emotions occurring between the characters.

I did struggle a bit to understand the conflict between the characters, especially since it seemed like there was character growth but it wasn't shown during some pivotal moments. However, the book was still a fun and entertaining read!

Thank you to Alcove Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book!

NEW COMFORT BOOK ALERT!!!

In this fun, enemies to lovers romance, we follow Rosie who is a hopeless romantic and has dreams of being a published romance author. Rosie is working on her MFA at NYU where she meets Aiden Huntington, who is a literary fiction writer who hates romance. When Rosie and Aiden are in the same creative writing workshop, all Aiden and Rosie seem to do is bicker and fight over each other's writing styles. When their Professor, Ida, is fed up with them and threatens to kick them out of her class, her only other solution for them is to co-write a book together as their end of year projects. The catch is Aiden has to learn to write romance, and Rosie needs to find a way to not write a HEA. This forces them to change their writing styles while also makes them work together and actually learn about each other.

This book was a book within a book! I can genuinely say I have never read anything like it and it was hard for me to put down at times. Rosie and Aiden at the beginning of the book absolutely despise each other meaning their banter and arguments were so good and so funny. As the story progresses, we actually get to see their growth in them becoming each other's best friends to then falling in love. I hate when romances write their characters attraction to each other as surface level, but Rosie and Aiden genuinely have lots of deep conversations with each other in person and through their writing. They even base their book characters on each other so when they write their own chapters, they are actually pulling from their real interactions throughout the book which was so cute and fun to read.

*THEY EVEN WROTE A SPICY SCENE IN THEIR BOOK TOGETHER AND THE TENSION??!! WAS OFF THE CHARTS*

Thank you Netgalley and Alcove Press for the arc!

UNEXPECTEDLY FUN READ

I got a lot of insight about the process to write a novel in their club (fun!). I enjoy how both characters interact through their story and I can feel the confusion in the middle, and I like how it ended.
The conflict was a bit weak for me. I felt like both characters aren't supposed to be deeply influenced by the event for too long. But in the end I'm happy I got the hea. Love this!

✰ ✰ ✰ ✰

Thank you, Alcove Press and NetGalley for giving me this ARC! 🫶🏼

This was basically a book within a book and I really enjoyed it! You definitely should read it if you love:

𝔼𝕟𝕖𝕞𝕚𝕖𝕤-𝕥𝕠-𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕤
𝕆𝕟𝕖 𝕓𝕖𝕕
𝔾𝕣𝕦𝕞𝕡𝕪/𝕊𝕦𝕟𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕖
𝕊𝕡𝕚𝕔𝕖
𝕊𝕝𝕠𝕨-𝕓𝕦𝕣𝕟

The only thing I disliked about it was that I wish there was more included in either the last chapter or the epilogue because I wanted more of Aiden & Rosie. But don’t let that stop you from reading it because it was definitely a very cute and fun read!

Definitely get your hands on this book when it comes out December 10, 2024!! 🙌🏼

It’s been a while since a romance novel held my attention for the entirety of the book.
I loved the concept of two authors writing a book together while they kinda hate each other

I wished the miscommunication at the end wasn’t there but it did make sense for them to have a third-act break up like this😅

Absolutely loved this book. Would definitely buy it

Rosie and Aiden don't get along well. Rosie writes romance and Aiden writes lit-fic, and in their thesis workshop, they can't help but get on each other's nerves. To get along, they are forced to write a book together for the course, leading to them spending more and more time getting to know each other through their writing... and the romance ensues.

I have to say that this book was a fun and cute time, and I read it all in a day, in a couple of hours. It was very readable and had a good time!

(oh god there's a "but" isn't there)

....... BUT- there were a couple of things that just did not work for me. Firstly, the book felt a little bit long for what it was. I think shortening it down a bit would have benefited the pacing of the story. Since the book takes place over a couple of months, the pacing felt choppy when the time jumps took place, and when we were particularly in a season for a long period. The spacing out just didn't feel very fluid and took me out of the story a bit.

Now let's talk about Aiden and Rosie. They were a rollercoaster. Aiden was soooo great when he was great, but then he'd suddenly switch up and say the worst things ever. His character was never very consistent in his growth. Every argument that they'd have, he was just so mean that I was finding it hard to forgive him in the end. It just was not my vibe. I also felt that choppiness in Rosie's character, where her actions and thoughts didn't feel consistent with how she was portrayed at the start of the story and how her character was changing throughout. It felt a little off.

Now by saying this I do not mean to say that I didn't enjoy this book at all, in fact, it kept me reading and entertained which is all you'd ever ask for from a book. I did enjoy it overall and there definitely were some cute moments and banter between the characters, and I think with a little brushing up, it could creep its way up to a favourite.

Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

5 stars! Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the arc in exchange for my honest review!

A love letter to romance, writing, and nyc, this book is for every book lover and writer out there. I’m honestly shocked that this is a debut novel. Both of the characters felt so real to me and I really enjoyed their back stories. The academic rivals in this was done so stunningly and I really enjoyed how they begrudgingly agreed to work together. This book was like if beach read took place in nyc and for that I loved it so much. The banter was amazing and the spicy scenes were great. I think the ending was a bit rushed but I overall really enjoyed this book and am excited to read more by this author!

What an incredible debut! I was hooked instantly and devoured every page eagerly. It’s art imitating life and vice versa, It was so romantic, so comforting and I cannot wait to read whatever Katie Holt writes next.

Thank you so much Alcove Press for my ARC, I truly appreciate it ❤️

4.5/5⭐️