This is such a fun enemies to lovers romance novel! Romance writer Rosie and literary fiction writer Aiden are forced to partner up and write a novel together. They end up writing a love story that parallels their own romance relationship. This book is full of fun banter, great characters and descriptions of NYC that make me feel like I'm actually there.

This is one of, if not my top, reads of 2024! What a debut, Ms. Holt!

I’m super impressed with everything about this one - they’re comparing it to two of my other (past years) top faves, Beach Read and The Hating Game, so I’m both not surprised, and very glad she’s lived up to the hype! It’s absolutely amazing and such a gem - and multicultural at that.

If you haven’t yet heard about Not In My Book, look no further - grab your copy by this newbie Peruvian author, and you’ll be hooked. The main character, Rosie, is also Peruvian. She’s in a writing seminar at NYU, and is constantly bickering with another, awful student (there’s the Hating Game element). The professor, who she thought was a friend, is going to throw them both out which means a fail, until they convince her they can be civil. She forces them to write their assignments together (Beach Read, but also elements of The Roughest Draft, written by the married couple) to prove it.

The professor also has Rosie write and submit a novel for an apprenticeship and enemy Aiden encourages it… but that’s another sub plot.

As the pair works together and learns about their lives and how different they are, they discover how compatible their writing is, even though their genres are completely different (he, a literary writer who always scoffed at her romance, but is now writing literary romance)… but he’s still trying to force an ending to the book that she’s against. The story begins to mimic the development of their own friendship and relationship…

I am so in love with this book and will highly encourage everyone else out there to pick it up! It maybe won’t change your life, but you’ll have one of the best reads you can find in a very long time!

Audio is narrated by Frankie Corzo - I’ve been a long-time fan of hers and she does a brilliant job of bringing this story to life. Great performance!

A huge thanks to NetGalley, Alcove Press and Recorded Books for the early reader and listen copies. This is my honest feedback.

Aiden and Rosie, have not liked each other from the very 1st workshop. She writes romance and he is the opposite of romance and has torn her writing apart because its romance from day 1.
The professor has had enough of the back and forth and has now started to REALLY dispute the class. The options are they will be dropped from the class or they have to write a book together with Romance in it...... Will this happen or will they kill each other in the process?

Getting to know them while they wrote the book together helped understand them both and they both started to open up about why (Aiden) feel the way they do about certain books.

This was a fun back and forth read and the narration was very good!

Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange for honest review.

I absolutely loved this audiobook! The story was so relatable and the scenes were HOT! 🥵 I laughed, I cried, I felt the grief and even the tension. The only thing with the audio that I will say caught me off guard sometimes was when there was an excerpt of the book. I couldn’t always tell what was real life and where the excerpt began but the rest was an A++ for me 🥰🥰🥰

This was a really cute enemies-to-lovers storyline with an original twist that kept me hooked. I especially enjoyed the creative communication through the book parts—it added depth and charm to their relationship. The banter between the main characters was sharp and witty, making their transition from adversaries to partners feel natural and heartfelt. Thank you NetGalley and RB Media for the opportunity to listen to and review an advanced copy of this audiobook.

This story was a sweet telling of enemies to lovers. It is a slow burn with banter and frustration that grows to more. I love the ending of the book and how it was wrapped in a nice bow with a romantic twist.

Not in My Book by Katie Holt is the perfect feel good romance that is sure to have you grinning and squealing!! There is something to be said about the kind of "enemies to lovers" that is actually the "it's always been you" trope. I absolutely devour any romance book that has "writer romance vibes", but this one takes the cake of my favorite!!! IT ALSO HAS FAKE DATING!

Frankie Corzo’s narration was absolutely perfection!! I listened to this 10-hour-and-30-minute masterpiece while also reading the e-book and it felt like being immersed into a cozy hug.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the audiobook.
Excellent narration.
As for the book, maybe because it was set in a school setting (even though it’s their masters program) it was very YA for an adult book with mature content. You could change the setting to undergrad and age down the characters and have the exact same book.

This was a fun read! Not incredibly memorable for me, but one that I enjoyed in the moment. It’s a lighthearted enemies to lovers that contains plenty of verbal sparring, spice, and reflective family moments.

Not in My Book follows Rosie and Aiden—two young adults trying to make it as writers of very different genres (romance and literary fiction) in a competitive New York City collegiate writing workshop. When the two can’t stop butting heads during class, the professor decides the only way for the two not to be kicked out is for them to work together to write a book for the workshop.

A delightful added feature is the little snippets of the “book” the characters are writing being included with the larger story!

Thank you to Katie Holt, Alcove Press, RBMedia, & NetGalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

Thank you Netgalley for the audiobook. I am grateful for the chance to review this. I was hooked from the first word to the last. This has quickly become a favourite book. I love that this story revolved around writing a story for a class. Both of the main characters are very likeable. I highly recommend this book and will buy a hard copy as soon as I can.

For starters, I wanna say that the first hakf of this book was a solid 5 and the only reason I gave it a 4 was because of the miscommunication that caused the third act break-up, which I thought was completely unecessary.

Anyway, I loved this book so so much! It was so fun to read and it gave the exact feelings of Beach Read but with enemies-to-lovers which actually makes it even better. I was so invested in the book they were writing as well and I think the best part was that it was single POV, which I usually don't like but in this book I think it made it richer and also made the betrayal of the third act even bigger (even though the blurb kinda gave it away). For me, the banter was definitely the best part - the quick comebacks were so fun to read and I could feel the chemistry between the characters.

I'll be waiting patiently and very excitedly for more books from this author.

I saw this book all over TikTok and Instagram and just had to read it. I love a romance with a bit of academic rivals and enemies to lovers with a mysterious guy. The main character loves romance and is a Taylor Swift fan? I actually don't need to know more about this book to want to read it.

After seeing that "Not in My Book" is the first work of Katie Holt, made me even more curious how the writing will be and if I will enjoy the story.

And this book was perfect for me. I loved it so much, that I had to stop myself several times to not finish it in one go. I wanted to have the story of Rosie and Aiden. The story was so sweet and a lot of it was quite cliché but that's probably what made me love the story so much. The plot was a bit predictable for me. I didn't really mind because it really fit into the story. I can also see why other people maybe didn't like the story as much as I did. I'm just a huge fan of a comforting romcom.

I love Rosie as the main character and that she wanted to live a romance, besides knowing that the romance books aren't reality. She was a dreamer and also a realist. Rosie had her flaws and didn't try to hide them. Aiden is the typical love interesting who is a bit grumpy but of course has a soft spot.

It was a pleasure to listen to the story. Frankie Corzo did an amazing job narrating it. Sometimes I don't like it when women try to sound deeper when they're voicing a man but Frankie did it in a really good way that didn't make me cringe. I will definitely look out for more audiobooks narrated by Frankie Corzo.

Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for this Audio-ARC! I can't wait for Katie Holts future projects!

๑⁠˙⁠❥⁠˙⁠๑ I don’t think Happily Ever After is an ‘if’ thing. I think it’s ‘when.’ ๑⁠˙⁠❥⁠˙⁠๑

WHAT A PHENOMENAL DEBUT💕
I missed reading those standard classic romance books and the unmatchable delight the hopeless romantic in me used to get while reading them. And this book certainly filled the void. I agree it wasn’t perfect and has its own flaws but as a debut it was the best. I found myself kicking my feet in the air laughing, blushing, giggling throughout the book. The execution of every plot or sub-plot was to the point and authentic, not forced(which I’m finding more common in nowadays romance books).

๑⁠˙⁠❥⁠˙⁠๑ But what makes romance novels so good is the fact that they’re a complex dive into human emotion. There’s so much more to a romance than just love. ๑⁠˙⁠❥⁠˙⁠๑

I liked the writing style and easy flow pacing. The general vibe of the book was wholesome. Also I loved how perfectly Katie has written single pov, as a dual pov contemporary preferer, i did’t feel the lack of Aiden’s pov. Special mention to the side characters, they were well written and i genuinely enjoyed their interactions with the main characters. I wholeheartedly loved the dynamic of Rosie and Aiden’s emotional and romantic development.

๑⁠˙⁠❥⁠˙⁠๑ Know that every single time I fuck up, I’ll come home to you. We’ll work together to make it better because we won’t abandon each other. We’ll make mistakes, we’ll learn lessons, and we’ll be tested. But we’ll come out so much stronger on the other side. ๑⁠˙⁠❥⁠˙⁠๑

Those public reading scenes gave me second hand embarrassment. And whenever they bicker and roast each other like 5 year olds, I cracked every time. I was internally screaming “Shut up and kiss already” whenever they were in the same room argh. A few times, the fmc gave me ick because of her cringe-ness ugh, also i think the fight in the last was totally unnecessary.

๑⁠˙⁠❥⁠˙⁠๑ No one meets the same way and falls in love the same way. Sometimes you know just after an hour with a person. Or it can span decades. The only thing every love story really has in common is that it’s worth it. Love is always worth fighting for. ๑⁠˙⁠❥⁠˙⁠๑

I am not a big audiobook girlie so had problems following along with the single narration but bit by bit her voice grew on me. I loved how she brought out the emotional side of the monologues to life. The discrimination of the characters was smooth.

Tropes:
☞⁠ ⁠Rivals to lovers
☞ Opposite Attracts
☞⁠ Forced proximity
☞⁠ One bed
☞⁠ Slow-burn
☞⁠ He falls first

Thank You so much NetGalley and RBmedia for the audiobook copy.
#NetGalley #NotInMyBook

This book is a charming blend of classic romance tropes with a fresh, creative twist, set against the backdrop of New York’s magical holiday charm. Rosie, a bold and adventurous aspiring romance author, clashes with Aiden, her brooding literary foil, in a writing class that forces them to team up on a joint project. Their fiery banter, slow-burn connection, and exploration of love through the characters they create—Maxine and Hunter—make for a captivating read. While the opposites-attract formula is familiar, the execution, complete with witty dialogue, genuine family moments, and heartwarming scenes, elevates the story. The New York setting, with its romantic parks, dreamy holiday decor, and iconic spots like Serendipity, adds to the novel’s allure. Though some character stubbornness was frustrating, the blossoming romance and poignant conclusion more than made up for it. A delightful and meaningful read—4 stars! Many thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC.

I bought a physical copy bc I loved this soooo much!!! I got blessed with an audiobook arc and omg my heart!!! It gives big emhen vibes and I’m here for it! Rosie and Aiden are the perfect enemies to lovers, honestly Aiden is a new book boyfriend of mine 😮‍💨 you just gotta read it! If you love emily Henry, or any other contemporary romance books, THIS IS FOR YOU!

➳3.75/5 stars

— "The entire time we were together all I could think was you were better than any dream, any piece of fiction I could ever write."

This book was absolutely adorable, I found myself swooning, obsessing, and completely invested in the characters and their story. However, as much as I loved the buildup, the last part felt a bit off-putting and overly exaggerated. While the grand gesture at the end was beautiful and heartfelt, it still fell short of my expectations, leaving me feeling slightly underwhelmed despite the strong start.

➳ABOUT THE BOOK —

This book centers on Aiden Huntington, the male main character, and Rosie Maxwell the female lead. They are sworn enemies "emphasis on sworn" academic rivals who secretly harbor feelings for each other, because let’s face it, we all know how enemies-to-lovers stories go. The story kicks off with their endless banter, sharp retorts, and constant clashes, but as the pages turn, their dynamic shifts. Slowly, all of their sarcastic remarks, fights and clashes turned into tender kisses, stolen touches, and heartfelt moments that remind us why this trope is so beloved.

Both of our main leads, Aiden and Rosie, are recent graduates taking a writing workshop where they explore different genres. Aiden, with his love for literary fiction, and Rosie, passionate about romcoms, often clash due to their opposing styles and opinions about each other's work. Their arguments are frequent and fiery, yet their undeniable chemistry is obvious to everyone, except them. Seeing their potential, their professor assigns them the challenge of co-writing a novel that blends their distinct genres. This forces them to spend time together outside of class, and what starts as a rivalry slowly transforms into something unexpectedly beautiful and utterly adorable.

➳ABOUT THE CHARACTERS —

╰┈➤ AIDEN HUNTINGTON —

Aiden Huntington is everything you’d want in a male character, grumpy yet sweet, annoying yet undeniably cute. But, oh boy, did he have his moments where I wanted to scream at him. What truly got on my nerves was how he argued with Rosie, not like a man in love but as if he was still holding onto all that "sworn enemy" energy. Like, I get it, you’re a literary fiction genius, Aiden, but was it necessary to be so overly critical just because someone writes a different genre? Some of his comebacks? Straight-up brutal. And not in the "fun banter” way, but in the “wow, you’re crossing boundaries” kind of way.

Now, I get that Aiden had a rough childhood. He’s been through so much, and no kid deserves what he went through. I truly sympathize with him for that, and seeing him try to change for Rosie? That was absolutely adorable. It melted my heart, honestly. But still, there were moments when his fragile male ego popped out, and he’d say things that made me roll my eyes so hard they nearly fell out of my head. Did I like Aiden? Definitely. Did I excuse all his behavior as mere “constructive criticism”? Absolutely not. Let’s call it what it is sometimes the man was just being a jerk. But hey, even with all that, he was cute enough to win me over… eventually.

— "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 lit fic. In this lifetime and the next."


╰┈➤ ROSIE MAXWELL —

Rosie Maxwell is the definition of fiery yet sweet, this girl didn’t just sit back and take Aiden’s nonsense. Nope, she was out there dishing out comebacks like a pro, giving him the competition he didn’t even know he needed. She kept him on his toes, and honestly? Loved that for her. Homegirl wasn’t letting anyone, not even Mr. Literary Fiction Genius, walk all over her.

I have to say, I liked Rosie a lot, maybe even more than Aiden. Sure, there were moments where her behavior felt a little childish, and I may have rolled my eyes once or twice, but hey, we all have our moments, right? What stood out to me was her incredible talent as a writer and her even more amazing personality. Rosie had this beautiful way of seeing the world, always finding the light in situations others might overlook. Some might call it looking at life through rose-tinted glasses, but in her case, it was Rosie-tinted glasses, a line straight from the book that I couldn’t help but find adorable.

Overall, Rosie was such a refreshing and charming female lead. She had her flaws, sure, but they only made her feel more real. She brought so much heart and warmth to the story, and I absolutely adored her for it. If there’s one character I’d want to be friends with in real life, it’s definitely Rosie.


— "No one meets the same way and falls in love the same way. Sometimes you know just after an hour with a person. Or it can span decades. The only thing every love story really has in common is that it’s worth it. Love is always worth fighting for"


➳ FINAL THOUGHTS —

Now, you might be wondering, if everything about this book was so adorable and heartwarming, why didn’t I rate it five stars? Well, my biggest issue was the smut. Yes, I know, it’s ironic considering I read dark romance religiously, but somehow, the smut in this book felt super cringy and off-putting. I actually had to skip certain chapters because it annoyed me that much. On top of that, I felt the story was a bit exaggerated at times. This could just be a personal preference, but I think I would’ve enjoyed it more if the characters had better communication and if the book had been slightly shorter. These elements made it hard for me to fully love what could have been an incredible read.

°˖➴"Overall, if you’re in the mood for a book that will have you feeling extra single this winter season, this might just be the perfect pick. It’s the kind of story that wraps you in all the warm, fuzzy feelings and leaves you wondering where your Aiden or Rosie is hiding."💌


— Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and RB Media for this ALC.

Frankie Corzo is a great narrator.

I had a slightly difficult time with the first 25% of the story. Then Aidan said something and I had to keep listening!

Rosie and Aiden’s banter crackles like a well-stoked fireplace. Their snarky exchanges and accidental touches create a delightful tension—the kind that keeps readers turning pages late into the night. I love when characters spark off each other, revealing hidden layers beneath their witty repartee.

The idea of blending steamy romance scenes with existential musings is like mixing unexpected ingredients in a recipe. It’s intriguing! As Rosie and Aiden co-write their novel, I was curious to see how their contrasting styles collide and harmonize. It’s like watching a quirky dance—two partners stepping on each other’s toes yet somehow finding rhythm.

Rosie and Aiden’s shared love for mismatched socks is endearing. It’s those little quirks that make characters relatable. Who hasn’t worn a polka-dot sock with a striped one, secretly reveling in the rebellion against symmetry? Their sock drawer becomes a metaphor—a place where oddities find companionship.

In summary, “Not in My Book” promises a blend of romance, humor, and unexpected twists. It’s like sipping a cup of chai—warm, comforting, and just the right amount of spicy.

This was a very cute listen, I enjoyed the characters and the storyline. It was easy to listen to and get lost in. They had some great banter, their relationship evolved in a fun way, their chemistry was palpable. I really enjoyed this one.

Audiobook Review: Not In My Book by Katie Holt - Narrated by Frankie Corzo

As someone fairly new to audiobooks the narrator kept my interest and I was looking for more opportunities to dive back into my book without interruptions. Katie Holt's Not In My Book is a compelling story about a romantic writer and her love interest. This is an enemies-to-lovers story, which is my favourite choice for a book. So if you are an enemies to lovers fan this is your book. Humour ticks yes! Drama ticks yes! Turmoil of emotions ticks yes.

The audiobook, with Frankie's voice in all the roles, is exceptional. I was not bored at all and wanted to know what happens next.

The plot and storytelling are both great. I liked the dialogue and the interaction between the characters. The protagonists' chemistry is on point. They explore and discover themselves through the story with raw and authentic freshness.

This book has a good blend of humour and emotions making the plot memorable. The characters come to life out of the book's pages and you are part of their companions.

Through the audiobook I had an immersive experience. On a side note, I would love to see more of the side stories such as the main female lead's friends and what happens to them throughout the story. I felt the conclusion was a bit rushed. I needed more on a nice wrap-up for this book.

Overall I would recommend reading Not In My Book by Katie Holt. It is a beautiful story with a mix of humour and heart-feeling emotions, from the protagonists' struggles in all their life aspects. The audiobook worked nicely for me and added some extra layers.