Being a reader is something all of us can relate to. While genres may vary, there are always a few books that just work for you and you can't help but be happy you read. This year, my pick had to be Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto.
If you haven't read it, what are you waiting for? Just joking but if you haven't read the book, it follows two musicians. Xander is a cellist for the Manhattan Pops and Gwen who is a violinist for the same organization. While Xander doesn't seem to notice her at first, the two quickly can't stop seeing each other at different events.
However, things change when Gwen gets first chair which Xander has been working toward. From there, the two end up spending time together and the sparks between them are just too intense to ignore. While it seems like things are going a predictable route, Julie Soto nails this romance from start to finish.
While the plot is a huge part of the story, the main reason why I'm so thankful for this story is just how amazing the romance between Gwen and Xander is.
Julie Soto captured that delicate balance so many authors crave.
Before we get into why I'm so thankful for this book, can we all just admire the cover? The cover designer needs a raise for that one. Somehow, they managed to capture just how intense their feelings are. Plus the tension and chemistry just seeps from that and honestly, I'm here for it.
The reason why I love Not Another Love Song so much is that Gwen and Xander truly feel like soulmates. There are so many little nods and ways these two show they care about each other. It's so refreshing to see. Honestly, I could picture seeing these two walking down the street and thinking how in love they look. That's how much their romance lept off the page.
While the romance was one thing, Julie Soto didn't skimp on the steamy details either. She made sure to let us know just how much Gwen and Xander enjoyed each other. Sometimes, it can feel like too much but she nailed the balance perfectly. Seeing them eventually get be together in that way was so worth the wait.
If that wasn't enough reason to love it, Xander is a rockstar but not in the way you might think. His band covers modern songs and it's just so cool. Gwen is even a fangirl for the band which is such a fun touch. While I've talked a lot about Xander, Gwen is someone most of us can relate to as she's dealing with so much and just trying to survive. There is truly something so magical about Not Another Love Song.
Julie Soto absolutely dazzled us with her debut romance: Forget Me Not and Not Another Love Song continued the trend. She's also publishing her debut romantasy in 2025 as well. If you're not on the hype train for Julie Soto and her books, what are you waiting for?
Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto is out now where books are sold.