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raquelreads_'s review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ARC Review:
Julie Soto has firmly cemented herself as one of my favorite Romance authors. Before her, I was firmly a Sci-fi/ Fantasy reader. My last purely romance read was....over a decade ago. Now? If Julie's name is on it, I'm reading it.
Not Another Love Song is a lovely balance of humor, romance and steamy scenes. As we follow our rising star Gwen, we are swept right into New York and all its bits. I've never been, but it feels like I have after this book!
Gwen is a character who didn't quite appeal to me at first, but her growth from shyness to confidence finally endeared her to me. Musicians will likely have more to connect to than I, but that's true for much of the book. Most of the characters are musicians after all!
I loved Gwen and Xander's growth throughout the book. Watching them learn to accept love and use their voices to speak up for themselves was lovely, even as I kept wishing for them to hurry up about it already! For those wondering about the spice, fear not, Julie delivers and then some.
My biggest criticism of the book is that Mabel and Ava should have been a cannon pair and no one can change my mind. They felt so perfect for one another that I am dying for Julie to give us a bonus chapter of them finally realizing this too.
Anyone who is a fan of Julie Soto will find themselves loving Not another Love Song. I've already pre-ordered this one for myself and can't wait to see what Julie puts out next!
Julie Soto has firmly cemented herself as one of my favorite Romance authors. Before her, I was firmly a Sci-fi/ Fantasy reader. My last purely romance read was....over a decade ago. Now? If Julie's name is on it, I'm reading it.
Not Another Love Song is a lovely balance of humor, romance and steamy scenes. As we follow our rising star Gwen, we are swept right into New York and all its bits. I've never been, but it feels like I have after this book!
Gwen is a character who didn't quite appeal to me at first, but her growth from shyness to confidence finally endeared her to me. Musicians will likely have more to connect to than I, but that's true for much of the book. Most of the characters are musicians after all!
I loved Gwen and Xander's growth throughout the book. Watching them learn to accept love and use their voices to speak up for themselves was lovely, even as I kept wishing for them to hurry up about it already! For those wondering about the spice, fear not, Julie delivers and then some.
My biggest criticism of the book is that Mabel and Ava should have been a cannon pair and no one can change my mind. They felt so perfect for one another that I am dying for Julie to give us a bonus chapter of them finally realizing this too.
Anyone who is a fan of Julie Soto will find themselves loving Not another Love Song. I've already pre-ordered this one for myself and can't wait to see what Julie puts out next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Cancer, Child abuse, Death of parent, Grief, Terminal illness, Death, and Toxic relationship
chemistryreads's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I devoured this book and am absolutely in love with Gwen and Alex (Xander)! Their chemistry was so absolutely palpable throughout the entire story. Gwen certainly carries past trauma (which is completely fair!) and can really be a people pleaser. Alex also can be a people pleaser which is how Xander came to be. The way their paths intersect is pure magic and the music that flows between them really comes off the page. Their story had the perfect journey and a lovely ending with plenty of spice sprinkled throughout… or on the front cover ;) 5⭐️, 3🌶
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
readwithria's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Not Another Love Song made my heart absolutely sing!
As a musician myself, this book resonated with me so much. How Julie Soto was able to convey what it feels like to perform, to audition, to play with abandon, and to be affected by the music and vice versa was so powerful. I absolutely loved it, and it made me want to grab some sheet music.
This book is for people who settled into a life they’re happy with because it’s safe, not because they love it. It’s for people who are scared to go after what they want. It’s for people who are always scared of letting people down. It’s for people who feel music, or whatever their passion is, deep in their bone marrow.
The romance is amazing, the character growth is beautiful, and I can’t wait to read more from Julie Soto. 5 stars
Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for providing me an eARC and the opportunity to leave an honest, voluntary review
As a musician myself, this book resonated with me so much. How Julie Soto was able to convey what it feels like to perform, to audition, to play with abandon, and to be affected by the music and vice versa was so powerful. I absolutely loved it, and it made me want to grab some sheet music.
This book is for people who settled into a life they’re happy with because it’s safe, not because they love it. It’s for people who are scared to go after what they want. It’s for people who are always scared of letting people down. It’s for people who feel music, or whatever their passion is, deep in their bone marrow.
The romance is amazing, the character growth is beautiful, and I can’t wait to read more from Julie Soto. 5 stars
Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for providing me an eARC and the opportunity to leave an honest, voluntary review
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent
bookscatsandtats's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent and Cancer
nikkijeanreads's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
As a complete stranger to Julie Sotos writing, I received Not Another Love Song unsure of what I could expect. I never would have anticipated placing this book amongst some of my favorite reading experiences.
Popping in my earbuds and setting my phone to a continuous rotation of the 2 Cellos (I highly recommend reading this book this way), I found myself completely engrossed in one of the most sensual romance reads I have (quite possibly ever) experienced. From settling into a beautiful calm, to experiencing the feeling of my heart racing, I am not sure I will every fully be able to explain the connection I felt and the disappointment I had as I turned the final page. I didn't want it to end.
The most magical moment occurred when, to my utter shock, one of the songs that began playing in my ears was the exact song that was referenced during a pivotal point in the book. I had to rewind and flip my pages backward, just to experience it for a second (and a third) time.
This rivals to lovers romance is filled with beautiful friendships, complex family dynamics, and a unique connection forged between two musical prodigies. Alex and Gwen play off each other's strengths while supporting each other so perfectly through their own individual struggles, and I was cheering for them the entire time. I loved the energy and personalities of the sub characters, and I think they added the perfect amount of support to the storyline.
If you are a lover of instrumental covers particularly those created with strings or an orchestra, a dark and mysterious MMC, and the found family trope, I can almost promise you will quickly get lost within the pages of this love story. ❤️
Thank you to Julie Soto and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Popping in my earbuds and setting my phone to a continuous rotation of the 2 Cellos (I highly recommend reading this book this way), I found myself completely engrossed in one of the most sensual romance reads I have (quite possibly ever) experienced. From settling into a beautiful calm, to experiencing the feeling of my heart racing, I am not sure I will every fully be able to explain the connection I felt and the disappointment I had as I turned the final page. I didn't want it to end.
The most magical moment occurred when, to my utter shock, one of the songs that began playing in my ears was the exact song that was referenced during a pivotal point in the book. I had to rewind and flip my pages backward, just to experience it for a second (and a third) time.
This rivals to lovers romance is filled with beautiful friendships, complex family dynamics, and a unique connection forged between two musical prodigies. Alex and Gwen play off each other's strengths while supporting each other so perfectly through their own individual struggles, and I was cheering for them the entire time. I loved the energy and personalities of the sub characters, and I think they added the perfect amount of support to the storyline.
If you are a lover of instrumental covers particularly those created with strings or an orchestra, a dark and mysterious MMC, and the found family trope, I can almost promise you will quickly get lost within the pages of this love story. ❤️
Thank you to Julie Soto and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer and Death of parent
beaniebookcorner's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief and Death of parent
caphine's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you so much to NetGalley and for the ARC.
This was such a treat to read on vacation.
This was such a treat to read on vacation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Cancer, and Death
abiigrl's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent and Emotional abuse
lauraelovesbooks's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
After loving Forget me Not, I was eagerly awaiting Julie Soto’s next book. Forget me Not left some big shoes to fill and I was pleased to see that Not Another Love Song wore them well.
Gwen and Xander/Alex were amazing and the orchestra and composing scenes were written so viscerally I felt like I was in the audience watching them play. I paused my reading several times to look up the string renditions of the songs mentioned in the book
My only qualm is that I would have loved if this book were written in first person instead of third, but the writing and the story were captivating enough that I didn’t mind it as much as I thought I would initially
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of rivals-to-lovers romances with grumpy but swoony heroes. Bonus points if you are a classical music fan
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC
Gwen and Xander/Alex were amazing and the orchestra and composing scenes were written so viscerally I felt like I was in the audience watching them play. I paused my reading several times to look up the string renditions of the songs mentioned in the book
My only qualm is that I would have loved if this book were written in first person instead of third, but the writing and the story were captivating enough that I didn’t mind it as much as I thought I would initially
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of rivals-to-lovers romances with grumpy but swoony heroes. Bonus points if you are a classical music fan
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
aepompu's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I would give this ♾️ stars if I could. This book is an absolute masterpiece in the romance genre and everyone should read it.
I was immediately captivated. I found Gwen to be so relatable on so many levels. Julie Soto writes real characters with real emotions and conflicts, and it just makes the story feel so tangible.
The prose was gorgeous. The way the connection is written into music was absolutely stunning.
This book was HOT. The Ghost pottery wheel scene but with a cello? SHEESH.
I could not put it down. I stayed up until 3am reading because I just couldn’t stop. I can’t wait to reread and relive everything!
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
I was immediately captivated. I found Gwen to be so relatable on so many levels. Julie Soto writes real characters with real emotions and conflicts, and it just makes the story feel so tangible.
The prose was gorgeous. The way the connection is written into music was absolutely stunning.
This book was HOT. The Ghost pottery wheel scene but with a cello? SHEESH.
I could not put it down. I stayed up until 3am reading because I just couldn’t stop. I can’t wait to reread and relive everything!
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Gaslighting
Minor: Death and Death of parent