First of all thank you net galley and also the author for this book. I loved this book so much I will be buying a physical copy just because that is how much I did love it. I loved the Latino/Hispanic aspects of it. As someone who is mexican i really loved how we got to see some of that through Rosie and I loved everything the banter, the slow burn, and everything about Aiden and Rosie.

Okkk this boook 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻 so cute so adorable a little spicy at times *helloooo the writing scene together* friends to enemies, enemies to lovers boy oh boy this was everything I didn’t know I wanted in a book. The vibes are rom com banter all the way and the audio has me hooked!! Was I a hater at first because the fmc seemed whiney YES but I’m sorry I take it back Rosie

Thank you NetGalley for the audio arc

Loved this book... My favorite troupe! First book by this author and great writing style, easy to read. did the audio book and the narrator did a wondrous job. I enjoyed the Hispanic FMC representation. Like me not fluent but can get by in Spanish especially when don't want other people to understand me.

4 1/2 stars

For a debut novel by Holt, this was fantastic!

This book had all the classic romance elements: enemies to lovers, forced proximity, he falls first, and a secret crush. It truly delivered the full package. You could feel the slow burn and the tension leading up to their developing romance. Both characters were likable, making the whole book incredibly enjoyable. I loved how they discovered each other’s strengths and vulnerabilities in such an unconventional way, which ultimately helped them realize they might not be so bad for each other after all.

The audiobook was decent as well, though I wish it had been more of a duet. Having a male narrator for Aiden would have made it even better and helped me picture him more vividly throughout the story.

Overall, this was a great read—definitely don’t miss it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC and advanced audio!

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO NETGALLEY and & Penguin Random House for this ARC. I can't say enough good things about this read. It's one of my favorite romances this year. The enemies to lovers? On point. The scene setting? Unmatched. I wrote down so many lines that resonated deep with my heart. Also, from a Tennessee girl to another, this is EVERYTHING.

What to Expect:
📚mf contemporary romance
📚hate to love
📚forced proximity
📚reluctant co-authors
📚opposites attract
📚own voices (author/fmc are Peruvian-Tennessean)
📚New York setting
📚slow burn
📚standalone

CWs for death of a parent, toxic familial relationships (particularly father/son), homesickness, financial insecurity

A big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

3.5 stars (rounded up to 4). I’ve seen this book pitched as Beach Read meets The Hating Game, and I think that’s a fairly accurate comparison. I was initially drawn to this by the cover and luckily I ended up liking the contents just as much!

This story follows Aiden and Rosie, two aspiring authors that can’t stand the sight of each other. Aiden writes literary fiction, and is cynical about all things romance (in addition to his own emotional baggage). Rosie writes romance, and loves love in all its forms (despite feeling like she hasn’t really experienced it herself). They’ve both been dealing with a serious case of writer’s block and have been taking their frustration out on each other during this college seminar class. As a result of their inability to get along, their teacher ends up paring them together to co-author a manuscript.

This book was an ode to romance novels (and books in general), but it also included some heavier themes. The balance of the two worked really well together. I liked how it really felt like they hated each other at the start. Rosie was initially attracted to Aiden when they first met, but that desire was quickly tampered as soon as he opened his mouth. I liked how we got to see so much of the writing process, especially when they were both writing in their shared doc at the same time and bouncing ideas off of each other. I loved the inclusion of Rosie’s culture and the close relationship she has with her family.

While there were some elements I really loved, I still had some major issues that prevented me from getting fully immersed in the story. I found the characters themselves (and the eventual 3rd act conflict) to be a little frustrating. Both main characters were incredibly immature, to the point it was a little hard to believe or root for them. I mean, they were literally yelling insults at each other during a college seminar. I think I could have overlooked that had there been a ton of character development by the end, but I never really felt like we got that. While they did have moments where they were able to express themselves through their shared doc, I never felt like they effectively communicated verbally in a healthy or mature way. Especially given the nature of the 3rd act conflict, I struggle a little to see how these two would last long term (or at least last without some form of couples therapy lol).

Regardless, highly recommend if you’re looking for a good hate to love romance!

Story: 3.5/5
Audiobook: 5/5 (narrated by Frankie Corzo)
Length: 11h30min

I thought it was a cute story line, but was not unputdownable. The characters were likable. It was a little too steamy for me. I don't. mind a little steam but I think a book like this doesn't need a ton. Audio book was a little harder to follow with the Book with in a book bits.

How is this a debut romance? 🤯 Wow! It books is amazing and I loved the enemies to lovers trope! I am a sucker for a book in a book plot and to make it better both MCs write it together!!!! This was such a heartwarming love story that had me near tears towards the end.

While I read my physical copy for most of the book, I did give the audiobook a try near the end. They were both perfection! I highly recommend that you add this great romance debut to your TBR, I don’t think you will be disappointed!

****Many thanks to Alcove Press and RB Media for my gifted copies!

4.5 stars rounding up to 5 stars on Goodreads.

3/5 Stars

Thank you to RBmedia and Penguin for providing me with an arc.

I dnfed this 7% in. I hated both of the characters and they were very annoying to me with their rivalry. It felt forced at times and the insults between the two really put me off from this one. I picked it up 3 times trying to get further into it and it just didn’t work for me sadly. I can see why it does work for a lot but these two were quickly getting on my nerves not in a fun way.

3 stars

This book has a great premise with a book within a book and I love that. What I didn't love was how childish our characters were. Maybe interact like adults? Also I didn't like that as soon as the spice started, the romance started lacking. At that point I was cheering more about the character from the book within the book rather than our own mcs.
The narration was fun and I like that it add to the vibe of the story.
Overall this was good but could have been great if not for the characters miscommunication.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I had previously read an ARC of Not In My Book, and I was so excited to be able to revisit this amazing story with the fantastic audiobook. Frankie Corzo did a great job as the narrator. She found a way to make the story even better.

Rosie and Aiden's story kept my attention from the very beginning, and I couldn't put down this book. Rosie and Aiden are both graduate students at NYU, and they are in the same creative writing course. When it comes time to give feedback about classmates' writing, Rosie and Aiden have negative feedback about each other's work. They have been antagonizing each other for months, and finally, their professor has enough. She gives them an ultimatum- write a book together or they are out of the class.

Aiden writes literary fiction, and Rosie writes romance. Their writing styles clash, but they have to work together. They pore all of their feelings about each other into their writings, and suddenly, they are writing down all the things that they can't say out loud.

The NYC setting is so much fun. They go book shopping at The Strand and experience so many amazing things about the city.

This is a slow burn romance, but then, it gets spicy!

It's like a "meta" book. Because I did the audio - sometimes I wasn't sure if the book was about the actual characters or if it was an excerpt from the characters' book. I'm not saying it was a bad thing! I really enjoyed the characters and their stories. I also loved that it takes place in NYC and the author's places in NYC are real!

If I could give this book 10 stars, I would. This is arguably one of my favorite romances I have read this year. Katie absolutely smashed it out of the park with this romance. I cannot believe this is a debut book. There were multiple parts of this book that I thought to myself, "that's it... this is altering my brain chemistry for future romance books." I wouldn't change a thing. The book isn't perfect and I still wouldn't change a thing. Yes, there's some immaturity to the characters... But I need everyone to remember how that sets up the book and what part of their life they are in. Putting your writing out there is incredibly vulnerable and the level of protective you would be over your own words... That's real. That's how people would act. It isn't perfect, it's so so messy. That's the point. It's so believable. There are so many quotes, so many scenes, that will live rent free in my head for a while.

“I know you prefer what's in your book, and I pretend I don't want to be like them, but I do. I want to be the person you picture when you're reading and dreaming because you're who I picture every single time. I love you. In the light and dark, in romance and litfic. In this lifetime and the next." Like please... I can't.

This has a similar feel to Emily Henry's Beach Read, HOWEVER, it goes a completely different direction. They write the book together in the most delicious enemies to lovers way. The audio. Hold on, we need to talk about the audiobook. The narrator is INCREDIBLE. Absolute knockout of an audiobook narrator. Her voice for Aidan... swoon. It was that good. I am going to push this book on every single person I know until everyone has read it and feels the same way I do. This story was so believable and honestly I think the audiobook is the reason I loved it so much. The narrator really brought this story home. She made the pacing, the conversations... the MOMENTS, all so believable. Even if you are not an audiobook fan, you need to at least give it a shot. This narrator does what Julia Whelan does for Emily Henry, and it's bring to life this incredible story that doesn't let you go till it's over.

I could keep gushing about this book. But honestly, I just need everyone to read it. It took me days to write this review because I wanted to do this book justice. But I don't think I'll even get close. So from the bottom of my heart, thank you NetGalley and RB Media for giving me the privilege of reviewing this before it comes out.

Tropes:
Enemies/Rivals x Lovers
Two Writers
One Bed
He Falls First

I was not only fortunate enough to receive an early copy of the book but when I saw the audiobook for request I knew I had to have one. I love Frankie Corzo and she did a fantastic job with this book. I love this book by Katie Holt and am so excited that this will be her debut.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I think Rosie and Aiden will live in my mind forever ! This book was ridiculously cute! With many moments of just pure laughing, cheesy smiles and all the rest of the emotions. Both characters soooo relatable which captivates you from the start ! I love that they are aspiring writers and just everything about it was amazing. I got to read the book but also listen to the audiobook and I loved it so much! The narrators did an amazing job even captivating the emotions for Rosie and Aiden!!!

Forced Proximity
HE falls first (hella hard)
So muchhhhh angst!!
Rivals to lovers
Holiday scenes 🥰

“Love fights through dark and light. It’s not always easy, Rosie. The fights, the disagreements can hurt, but at least you know you're fighting for something. It's not the biggest war you'll ever fight, but it can be a battle sometimes."

Please take this review with a grain of salt because I, unfortunately, didn’t finish this audiobook nor will I plan to finish it.

After two weeks of struggling to listen to one of my most anticipated novels, Not In My Book, I have to admit that I just couldn’t get into this audiobook, so I dnf 30%.

I don’t know if it was the narration or I simply didn’t like the characters - specifically the MMC, but I couldn’t listen to this book. I think I will read it once it is available in Libby, but I had to tap out from the audiobook.

However, just from the 30% I did listen to, I think the Beach Read comparisons are a bit off putting because I found that this book pales in comparison. I found the MMC too harsh for me to root for. I’m aware that the book will take a turn and I’m sure I will root for him the further I listened but I rather read it.

I think it will be harsh of me to rate this a 1 star when I didn’t even finish it - and I do plan to pick it up again just in paperback format - so I will rate this 3 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for providing the audiobook ARC of Not in My Book by Katie Holt, narrated by Frankie Corzo, in exchange for an honest review.

Not in My Book is a debut contemporary romance that delivers a charming and lighthearted story, filled with classic romance tropes, but with a clever twist. The tropes are playfully embraced, especially since the female main character (FMC) is a romance writer and a hopeless romantic at heart.

The story centers around Rosie and Aiden, two rival writers enrolled in a workshop at NYU. Aiden, a vocal critic of romance, is a literary fiction writer, while Rosie, an unapologetic romance author, can’t help but clash with him at every turn. The tension between them escalates until their professor, frustrated with their constant bickering, assigns them to write a literary fiction piece with a romantic element. Cue the enemies-to-lovers trope. The chemistry between Rosie and Aiden is palpable, and I couldn’t wait for the moment when they finally acknowledged their growing feelings for one another.

Frankie Corzo’s narration was excellent, capturing the voices of both Rosie and Aiden with distinct energy and emotion. Her performance really drew me into their evolving romance. While I found some of the more intimate scenes a bit awkward to listen to (perhaps due to the medium), this didn’t detract from the overall enjoyment of the story.

Overall, Not in My Book is an adorable and refreshing romance, featuring a Peruvian American FMC and offering a unique spin on the enemies-to-lovers trope. It’s a fun exploration of romance book clichés, and a perfect pick for fans of the genre.

rosie is a graduate student at NYU, with big dreams of becoming a romance writer. whereas she knows romance is a wonderful genre, though, not everyone seems to agree, especially when it comes to her archenemy and ex-crush, aiden. she thinks there’s nothing worse than having writing workshop with him…until she and aiden are told by their professor that they have to draft a manuscript together, or else they’ll get kicked out of the class. but as rosie works with aiden, she realizes that maybe he’s not so bad, after all…and that maybe her crush never fully went away.

i was shocked to randomly get the netgalley widget for this one day, but after a friend read and loved it, i was convinced to go ahead and download it. i’m so glad i took her advice, because this was so lovely! although i do enjoy romance, it’s more common for them to get four stars from me, so the fact i gave this one five stars says a lot. i just really loved rosie and aiden🥹 they weren’t perfect by any means, but that’s what made them so real. and although i don’t have the same money problems as rosie, her depiction as a poor graduate student really struck a chord with me. she worked so hard to achieve her dreams, and she had family backing her all along the way (though i would’ve loved to see even more of them).

narration: frankie corzo did a phenomenal job bringing this story to life! there was so much emotion in her voice, which helped me connect with the characters even better. i highly recommend the audiobook!

After constantly arguing in class, Rosie and Aiden get paired to write a book together. However, the book turns into their only personal feelings which I loved! The narrator was great and I really enjoyed the storyline! There was definitely some miscommunication and banter towards each other as well! I do recommend checking this one out!

Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced listener copy! I was so excited to be approved.

GENRE
• Standalone
• Adult
• Contemporary romance

SUMMARY
Rosie is a romantic, in her writing and in real-life. Aiden strictly writes literary fiction, bonus points if the main character dies in the end. Both students in NYU’s MFA Creative Writing program, they’ve become fierce rivals. When they take their verbal sparring too far during a workshop, their professor sets them a challenge: to co-author a manuscript with a romantic plotline and a sad ending. As their characters grow closer, so do they—until a writing competition turns them into rivals once again.

REVIEW
This book was a light and easy listen! It’s fun and silly, with good banter and quirky side characters. That being said, I think sometimes drama was prioritized over character consistency. After Rosie and Aiden put in so much work to grow both independently and within their relationship, it was rather disheartening and unconvincing to see them behave so poorly toward each other in the third-act conflict. Still, the ending did a good job of making up for it.
3/5