Title: Not Another Love SongAuthor: Julie Soto
Pages: 384
Publication Date: July 16, 2024
Publisher: Forever
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Contemporary
Synopsis:
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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When I read Soto’s debut book last year, I knew she was going to be an auto-buy author for me. She’s such an amazing storyteller, and Forget Me Not was positively swoon-worthy. I mean, heart-growing, pearl-clutching, swoontastically romantic, and I can’t get enough. So, when I was offered an early copy of her second book, Not Another Love Song, I jumped at the chance to read it. I have to say, it exceeded my expectations!
The chemistry between Gwen and Alex is off the charts, and I want to officially add Alex to my favorite book boyfriends list. Oh my word, get a fan because this man is fire! He falls so hard and so fast for Gwen, who is enthralled but a bit more hesitant than Alex. I feel like I could write pages about their relationship and how it grew and changed over the course of the story because it’s so rich and powerful and ROMANTIC! They literally make beautiful music together, and though I sometimes had no idea what they were talking about when it came to music, the angst, sexual tension, and chemistry were off the charts!
Gwen and Alex are both talented musicians, with very different backgrounds. Alex is a child prodigy who is now the front man in a popular band. He’s also from a musically influential family, whereas Gwen is working her way up in the music industry and struggles to make ends meet. It’s an interesting look, not just at two imperfect people who are perfect for each other but also at the complexities of the industry. The author also delves deep into the beauty and power of music. It’s done exceptionally well, and the music Alex and Gwen create captures their feelings for each other so perfectly. There are definitely some music-making, sexy scenes that will live rent-free in my head for a while. lol
If you liked Forget Me Not, you’ll be thrilled to know that several of the characters (including the MMC and FMC) have minor roles in this book. I LOVED that! Seeing how their relationship has progressed and what’s going on in their lives made me so happy. I also really liked the messages in the book. Like the characters, the plot is unique, well-developed, nuanced, and compelling. It’s the type of read that is fun and romantic but also has some powerful and thought-provoking themes as well as some funny and some touching moments. It’s so much more than a love story, and I adored every second of it!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
Everything! I loved everything – the romance, the characters, the setting, THE ROMANCE!!!!!
He was no stranger to waking up with melodies in his head, but he’d never resisted one like he had in the days after the Brooklyn wedding. Because if he wrote down the melody that swam in his veins every time he remembered her parted lips, her quick gasps as the bow tumbled, her eyes darkening as they sank into his…If he admitted that entire symphonies had unfurled in his mind when they played together…
Just because you’re good at something doesn’t mean you have to do it for the rest of your life.
“Are you seeing someone?” His eyes dragged over her face. “I never…I didn’t ask before.”
Gwen thought of Chelsea’s Instagram filled with selfies of her and him. “Look, I don’t know what you want from me, but-”
“Anything.” Black eyes looked down on her, and he took a shaking breath. “Everything.”
- rivals to lovers
- he falls first
- musical prodigies
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 Rom-Coms and YA Thrillers, and at night, she falls asleep to Pride and Prejudice 2005 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.
Excellent review, Julie. This sounds like a great book with wonderful characters. I haven’t read either of her books, but I have only read great reviews about them.
They’re both fantastic reads, Carla! Loved the characters and romances!