ARC Review : Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto



Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto
Genre : Contemporary Romance
Publisher : Forever
Publication Date : July 16th, 2024
Two string players fight their attraction for each other as they compete for center stage in this spicy and emotional romance.

Gwen Jackson and Xander Thorne are both musical prodigies, but each has had very different paths to success. Xander was born into classical music royalty, while Gwen had a natural ear for music that was nurtured by a kind shop owner.

After Gwen performs at his friend’s wedding, she’s mortified when she realizes Xander has no clue who she is—despite having worked together for a year at the Pops Orchestra. But she’s more furious that he arrogantly critiques her performance.

When Gwen is offered the role of First Chair of the orchestra, something Xander had secretly coveted for years, their existing hostility goes up a notch. But their respect for each other's music is undeniable, and their onstage chemistry off the scale. As they begin to explore their feelings for one another, suddenly they're box office dynamite and the fragile romance that's growing between them is in danger of being crushed beneath a publicity stunt...

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Never knew that making+playing music could be so sexy 😆 Honestly though I've always wondered about the connections between classical musicians and I love listening to the instrumental covers of married couples like the Brooklyn Duo!⁣
In NALS, we have Gwen Jackson, a violinist who has been playing with the Manhattan Pops for a few years while also doing some side gigs like playing at weddings. And at one such wedding, she ends up running into Xander Thorne - an accomplished cellist and star of the band Thorne and Roses, who doesn't recognize her though he's also been a part of the Pops in the last few months. But he's spellbound by the way she plays and is able to see her innate talent. Both of them are musical prodigies(I'm jealous guys😆)⁣
And to top it off, Gwen is offered the position of First Chair at the Pops as Ava Fitzgerald is stepping down and that's something that Xander has had his eye on for a few years for personal reasons. So, there's a slight bit of rivalry between them but the desire to collaborate on music - and more 😜 - overtakes that!⁣
I've got to say that the chemistry and the sexual tension between Gwen and Alex/Xander was off the charts!🔥 The connection between them when it comes to music and everything else kept me spellbound. I loved how Alex was gone for her from the beginning - the way his eyes kept following her everywhere! The emotional connection was amazing too and it felt like a song with highs and lows. The way they came together when they were composing, discussing and playing music was very beautiful! ⁣
There were also many side characters like Jacob and Mei who added so much fun to the story! I loved Gwen's bond with Mabel too! And it was so nice to see Ama and Elliott again!⁣
Anyway, I had so much fun reading this one and I hope that you'll give it a chance too if you're looking for an emotional and steamy romance between two musicians!

You can also find this review on my bookstagram here


You can also find my reviews of the author's other books here


*I was provided with an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Originally from Sacramento, Julie spent many years bouncing between New York and California before eventually settling in coastal Fort Bragg, CA. A theatre and fandom nerd, Julie can tell you the name of any Buffy episode if you pick a number 1-7, and another 1-22.

With her Bichon-Poodle brother Charlie, she spends her days writing Contemporary Romance, Rom-Coms, and Contemporary YA—often with a Jane Austen movie adaptation on in the background.

As a playwright, Julie's musical Generation Me won the 2017 New York Musical Festival's Best Musical award, as well as Best Book for Julie's work on the script.

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