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A review by btwnprintedpgs
Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto
adventurous
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Never thought I'd read such a sexy musical romance, but here we are.
Xander is a black cat with golden retriever energy, while Gwen is a bit more doe-eyed and naive. I loved their chemistry, and how he was absolutely enamoured by her, and how they both respected each other's boundaries and were in absolute awe over one another's talent. It was a fairly wholesome romance, only strife by the toxic people they accidentally surrounded themselves with (read: naive).
I liked getting behind the scenes of music production and the different paths music can take you. I loved that neither of the MCs were classically trained, yet found ways to do what they love in a way that they love. Gwen's unstable childhood led her to seek out stable work, while Xander's childhood forced him into a box he never wanted to be put in so he seeks out ways to be free of it. Their dynamic works, and I liked how they both challenged and supported each other.
Outside of each other though, they have their own relationships and friendships and I enjoyed getting to see the found families they carved out for themselves. I'm a sucker for supportive friends, and I honestly wish we got a bit more interaction between the MCs and their friends outside of their double dates. I feel like we needed a bit more foundation there, but I did enjoy their camaraderie, especially at the end.
As a whole, I loved the musical aspect because it's a world I know and understand. The writing was addictive and easy, but it felt like the characters' goals were always a bit blurred so it was hard to root for any particular direction or win outside of the romance. That being said, the romance was full of tension and super spicy, so if that's your thing, this is the book for you.
TW: gaslighting, manipulation, sexual content; mentions death of a parent, death of a relative
Xander is a black cat with golden retriever energy, while Gwen is a bit more doe-eyed and naive. I loved their chemistry, and how he was absolutely enamoured by her, and how they both respected each other's boundaries and were in absolute awe over one another's talent. It was a fairly wholesome romance, only strife by the toxic people they accidentally surrounded themselves with (read: naive).
I liked getting behind the scenes of music production and the different paths music can take you. I loved that neither of the MCs were classically trained, yet found ways to do what they love in a way that they love. Gwen's unstable childhood led her to seek out stable work, while Xander's childhood forced him into a box he never wanted to be put in so he seeks out ways to be free of it. Their dynamic works, and I liked how they both challenged and supported each other.
Outside of each other though, they have their own relationships and friendships and I enjoyed getting to see the found families they carved out for themselves. I'm a sucker for supportive friends, and I honestly wish we got a bit more interaction between the MCs and their friends outside of their double dates. I feel like we needed a bit more foundation there, but I did enjoy their camaraderie, especially at the end.
As a whole, I loved the musical aspect because it's a world I know and understand. The writing was addictive and easy, but it felt like the characters' goals were always a bit blurred so it was hard to root for any particular direction or win outside of the romance. That being said, the romance was full of tension and super spicy, so if that's your thing, this is the book for you.
TW: gaslighting, manipulation, sexual content; mentions death of a parent, death of a relative
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Gaslighting
Minor: Death and Death of parent