Not Another Love Song

by Olivia Wildenstein, Eileen Frances Stevens (reader)

An aspiring teenage singer finds herself playing a different tune when she falls for a boy who could jeopardize her future dreams in Olivia Wildenstein's romantic YA novel, Not Another Love Song.

Angie has studied music her entire life, nurturing her talent as a singer. Now a high school senior, she has an opportunity to break into Nashville's music scene via a songwriting competition launched by her idol, Mona Stone. Discouraged by her mother, who wishes Angie would set more realistic life goals, she nonetheless pours her heart and soul into creating a song worthy of Mona.

But Angie's mother is the least of her concerns after she meets Reedwood High’s newest transfer student, Ten. With his endless collection of graphic tees, his infuriating attitude, smoldering good looks, and endearing little sister, Ten toys with the rhythm of Angie’s heart.

She’s never desired anything but success until Ten entered her life. Now she wants to be with him and to be a songwriter for Mona Stone, but she can’t have both.

And picking one means losing the other.

Genres: Romance, Young Adult, Contemporary, Music, Audiobook, Young Adult Contemporary, Contemporary Romance

Audio CD

First published March 1, 2018

About the author

Olivia is a USA Today best-selling author of romantasy. When she’s not swooning over her characters’ steamy escapades, or plotting their demise, you can find her sipping wine and crafting her next twisted, romantic masterpiece, all while trying to convince her children and leading man that she loves them more than her laptop.

Ready to fall in love? Sign up to her Newsletter to claim your FREEBIE: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/hmniv0406r

WEBSITE: http://oliviawildenstein.com
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TWITTER: https://twitter.com/OWildWrites

Reviews

[R ♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not Another Love Song is about a girl who struggles to come to terms with her music and relationships with both her family and a new exchange student named Ten. It is a light, sweet, and fun story that navigates the concept of what we’d do to reach our goals, even if it means leaving everyone and everything behind.

I wanted more substance, more suspense and conflict. Call me heartless, but I like when characters have to struggle to reach their goals, it makes it seem much more real and raw. This was almost too sweet, and everything was resolved much too quickly and without a hassle.

There wasn’t anything terrible about this book, it was alright, and it did captivate my attention as the story developed, but I personally like my novels with more substance and obstacles. As I said before, conflicts can make a story more enticing, and this did not have many, or they were resolved in the blink of an eye. It was also predictable and cliche, so I did not care much about the outcome since I already knew what it would be. I must say though that it also helped ease my stress since it was something light and easy to get through.

For me, this felt like a light summer read, and I reccomend this if you just want to sit down and relax with a book that is light on substance but still manages to be amusing.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a review copy. All opinions are my own.

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[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

17 year old Angie is passionate about music and dreams of a singing career. The daughter of a guitarist who died in a car accident when she was only three years old she idolizes her late father even though she doesn't remember him, and her mom always avoids the subject. When her favorite singer Mona Stone announces a song writing contest where the winner has their song featured on her next album it becomes Angie's biggest goal to win. As she works on her song she makes new friends, overcomes her stage fright and learns more about the business and where she came from.

[Jen (jenslostinthepages) ♥Star-Crossed Book Blog♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why did I have to develop feelings for someone who hates everything I love?

Not Another Love Song made me laugh, smile and fall in love. From just those first few pages, I knew this book was going to be an instant favorite. With an enemies to lovers vibe and music surrounding the story, I was mesmerized. The story flowed so seamlessly and easily wove its way into my heart. The relationships between friends, family and the romance......oh my gosh you guys, I found a new favorite author. I went and added all of Olivia Wildenstein's books to my tbr because she's a beautiful storyteller! If you're a fan of young adult and romance, then you definitely need to add this one to your tbr.

Tennessee strolls by us, his gait even and so damn self-assured. The child in me wants to trip him. Not that I’ve ever tripped anyone. But if I had to trip someone, Ten would be that someone.

Music was such a huge part of Angie Conrad's life. She played the piano, sang songs, wrote music and her idol was a famous musician, Mona Stone. Music ran in her blood and was woven into her life. At seventeen, Angie felt so real to me. Quirks and all. Yes she was naive and insecure at times, and sometimes she saw the world through rose colored glasses. But Angie's heart was huge and I loved how she stood up for others. Even when she was in the middle of an emotional mess in her own life. Plus I loved how Angie' thoughts could crack me up so easily, especially when it came to Tennessee Dylan.

“What about yourself, Tennessee Dylan? What sort of girls do it for you?”
“Hmm…” He lifts his hand, then runs the pad of his thumb over my chin, over the scab I camouflaged with foundation.
I think the band has stopped playing, but I could be wrong. The feel of his thumb, the smell of spice and soap lifting from his neck is confusing the heck out of my senses.
“Spirited ones,” he finally answers, voice so raspy my skin bursts into goose bumps.

The way Angie and Ten met, oh I loved it so much. Fate can be so funny at times, I laughed out loud when they ran into each other the next time! But you have to meet Ten, he had me from the first moment he graced the pages. Ten stole all of my attention and I was enamored with him. He was quiet yet mysterious. He was thoughtful and gave me butterflies. And he could be so swoon worthy, especially when he tried again and again with Angie. He kept pulling me in and I wanted to know every single thing there was about him! Ten was the ultimate book boyfriend who easily went on my favorites list!

I dip my chin and start playing it, wishing that every beat of the day were accompanied by a melody— a soundtrack to life. Music would spill from the sky, curl from the grass, and seep out of the asphalt.
Ten would hate it.
I falter and hit a wrong note.

Ten and Angie could butt heads so easily but at the same point, they meshed so perfectly. Any time they were around each other, there was something there. I melted when they talked, smiled when they were near each other and sighed when they didn't fight what was between them. So I desperately wanted to push them together. The magnetism and connection between them was inspiring and gave me so much hope. But there was a definite line in the sand, and my heart was holding out hope that Ten and Angie could make it work. Somehow.

“I really wish you could make it easier for me to dislike you.”
He stops walking and pulls his shoulders back, pulls his head up.
“Why?”
Oh …
No …
I said that out loud.

Secrets, friendship, lies, love and bullying splashed across the pages. Along with a mother daughter dynamic that was refreshing and true. Friendships that resonated with me. And a romance that I rooted for. I loved this book with my whole heart, and even when I felt like I was going to cry and everything was broken, there were still so many where I couldn't stop smiling. Not Another Love Song was a beautiful love story that pulled at my heart, I can't recommend it enough!

I might have to adjust my aim, shoot for the stars instead of the moon. Stars might not light up the world as brightly as the moon, but it doesn’t make their shine any less dazzling. I’d rather be a fleck of light in the darkness then not burn at all.

PS Nev. Oh she's a ray of sunshine and one of my favorites but I'm keeping my lips zipped about her. Other then be prepared to absolutely love her!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

For more of my reviews, please visit:

[Danielle's · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angie dreams of being like her idol. She wants to be a singer like Mona Stone. She thinks her big break is within grasp when a competition comes to her hometown in Nashville but the new boy may change her goals.

Ten is running away from his past. He doesn’t want the constant reminder that comes with a town like Nashville. When he gets to know Angie he knows she’s different but can the girl so in love with her idol have room for someone like him.

I enjoyed the secrets in this book. It’s a sweet story about distinguishing dreams and reality. I’m a fan of this author and I enjoyed this book.

ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jen Ryland (jenrylandreviews & yaallday)]

Loved this! Really sweet love story with lots of family elements.

Aspiring singer Angie wants to enter a song competition hosted by her favorite singer. Angie's mom is hesitant for her daughter to follow in her father's footsteps, as Angie's dad was a singer whose personal demons got the best of him. Ten, a new kid at Angie's school, has his own reasons for disliking music, but Angie can't figure out what they are. Will she perservere and enter the contest, or sideline her dreams?

This was a very cute story that also had a good amount of depth. I liked the evenhanded portrayal of the pros and cons of balancing fame and family. I figured out the secret in the book pretty fast, but that didn't ruin my enjoyment in the story and I liked how it all played out. Nitpicky spoiler I don't think it Mona's son's girlfriend would or should be allowed to win her contest, and I think I would have liked the ending better if she had not won, but had found some other way to follow her dreams, like making connections through her performance with her music teacher. But that's just me being picky.

Read more of my reviews on JenRyland.com! Let's be friends on Bookstagram!

[The Half-blood Reader]

**Read for Jordan Ford's Summer Reading Challenge 2020. Prompt 6. A book that comes with a playlist**

This is an arc copy.

Sensitive Angie dreams of being a great musician, like her idol Mona Stone, which her mother greatly disapproves of (*insert stigma against musicians, because Angie's dad apparently was more passionate about music than his family* boohoo working class family kid here. Parents were tired, not passionate, their dreams were dried out of them by capitalism, they didn't have much time for me or patience, and you don't hear me complaining cuz that's nonsense, we need food on the table. Let ppl have their dreams, if they can live off them). But the girl is determined, if only she can get the confidence.

Then comes new student Ten. Handsome, loner, sullen, possible mom-friend, overprotective of his little sister. Mr. "I hate music" and her may ignite a spark, despite his attitude.


- Pining & slow burn
- Country music
- Angie's clumsiness level = Bella Swan
- Still not sure if her describing colours she sees with music is poetry or Synesthesia
- Bestie is hot and nerdy
- Mean girls *tired*
- enemies to (idk truce? to) lovers
- Mother needs to learn boundaries
- "flesh colored" Band-Aids is used instead of "beige bandages" or something. *staring at one from Hansaplast right now and wondering if this colour is a beige.*
- The principal is probably a spy
- Cute little sister
- Sapphic married couple, and my favourite adults in the book
- Ten hates his mother but his father is also a busy person. Ten says he raised his sister because of their absentee mother. Unfair much?
- Ten let 12yo Nev wear crop tops, shorts and dresses, it's 2020. Men were wearing super short tight shorts in the 80's. In the 90's crop tops were the rage.
- Most dudes sound gross in here not going to lie
- Angie is Miss "I'm not popular" & "I never had a real boyfriend" & "everyone hates me at school except my bestie Rae", YET has how many guys make a pass at her, not to mention good friends and people who seem to like her easy if nothing else?
- bullying

[Olivia Wildenstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Your backstage pass to Nashville’s music scene is coming soon! Stay tuned for news!

**This is a brand new story, not a different version of HARSHVILLE.

[Celia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Huge thank you to Olivia Wildenstein, who continues to be a source of inspiration to me with her wildly fantastic books!

NALS centers around Angie, an inspiring singer, and songwriter. When her idol, Mona Stone, holds a songwriting contest, Angie itches to enter, but her mother is not on board. As Angie battles her mother, life gets sidetracked with the arrival of a new student at her high school. Tennesee is mysterious and kind of a loner but he intrigues Angie nonetheless. Now faced with a crush, Angie must decide where her dreams lie.

With a blend of romance, family drama, and music, NOT ANOTHER LOVE SONG delivers a YA that is both timeless and unforgettable. There were scenes in there that reminded me of certain moments in my high school life (I'm looking at you sitting in a movie theater with knees touching and feeling SO MANY EMOTIONS). I loved the themes of anti-bullying, coming out from your shell, not taking things at face value, etc But the biggest one for me was the theme of family. Angie is a typical teenager except for the fact that she absolutely loves her mother and shows IT. She doesn't hold grudges. She has her rebellious moments, but you can tell she cherishes her mother more than anything in the world, even if she doesn't agree with everything she says and does. It's refreshing to read a character like Angie.

Ten is basically my new book-boyfriend. He's cute and quiet and he COOKS and loves his little sister and SWOOOOOOON. Thank you, Olivia, for another boyfriend. I was up to my eyeballs in werewolves and sinner and fae so it's nice to have a nice, normal human boy for a change.

I was introduced to Olivia's writing with A Pack of Blood and Lies, some time 2018 I believe and from then, I knew she was one to follow. If you want a sweet romance with a backdrop of music, this is the book for you.

For all the books, find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celiamcmaho...

btw I'd love to hear Angie's song in real life. :D

[Lex’s Library · Rating 2 out of 5]

After a lot of intense, stressful stories, I needed something light and fluffy. This definitely did the trick!

[REVIEW]

DISCLAIMER: When writing a negative review, it’s never my intention to sound like I don’t think ANYONE should read a book I rated one or two stars. If I told you not to, I might be taking away your chance from discovering your newest favorite book. Therefore, if you haven’t read Not Another Love Song, please don’t let my review TOTALLY discourage you from reading it. This review is simply a collection of my thoughts and opinions on the book. This is me saying, “I wasn’t a fan of Not Another Love Song, and here’s why.” I’m not saying, “I didn’t like Not Another Love Song, and here’s why you shouldn’t like it/read it.”

(I am aware some people need to see others’ thoughts and opinions to help them to decide whether or not to buy/read a book. If this review does help you, and that’s what you needed, that’s fine! However, don’t just take my word for it. Look at what others are saying, and decide from there.)

*Trigger/content warning in this book for a Harry Potter reference and parental abandonment*

I debated whether to give this one or two stars. I finally decided to rate this two stars, because a one star means I really didn’t enjoy reading a book AT ALL. With two star reads, there are still a few things that saved the book from a one star. While I had more problems than praise with this book, there were things I enjoyed, like the chapter titles and Angie and Nev’s friendship!

MY THOUGHTS ON:

WHAT I LIKED:

•The chapter titles might be weird to some readers, but I personally enjoyed them! The main reason was that they reminded of the chapter titles in the Percy Jackson series. They’re weird out of context, but they have you wanting to read the chapter to understand what they mean!

•Angie and Nev’s freindship was so sweet to read about! I liked that Angie wasn’t a mentor to Nev, but more like a big sister. When I think of a mentor, I think of someone who’s almost flawless and always gives the best advice. Angie, however, made mistakes and didn’t always know what to do—but even then, she always had Nev’s back. Like a sister.

Additionally, some might say the friendship was uneven, with Angie ALWAYS helping Nev, and Nev not doing much for Angie. But come on, Nev was TWELVE. She didn’t have a motherly figure, her father wasn’t always emotionally present, and her older brother still treated her like she’s seven. She had a lot on her plate for a twelve-year-old! Nev needed someone like Angie—someone who would be there for her and didn’t expect anything in return.

•I really liked learning more about Mona Stone. Wildenstein did a FANTASTIC job writing Mona’s backstory, and her reasons behind some of the hardest choices she’d ever made. Learning more about her made her less of the idol Angie saw her as, and more as a flawed, realistic HUMAN. You don’t have to agree with some of Mona’s choices. But it’s not a black and white situation. And Mona’s reasons do make sense for HER CHARACTER.

The only thing that could’ve made this better was if we’d learned this THROUGHOUT the book—not just condensed into one scene near the end.

•OKAY, so I listened to the audiobook of Not Another Love Song, and I discovered a fun surprise at the end! One of the songs Angie (or the author) wrote, “Made”, actually played at the end of the audiobook! Like, it actually had instruments playing and a singer (Renee Wilkins) singing the lyrics and EVERYTHING! I’ve never seen this in an audiobook, and it was SO COOL!!! The song is on Spotify, Apple Music, and Google Music! I definitely recommend it!

CRITQUES:

•There were a handful of similes in this book, and many of them were ODDLY specific. Angie would say things like, “Her hair was as orange as a traffic cone”, or “My cheeks grew red as the ketchup on my fries.” Okay, these two examples weren’t actually in the book—I just couldn’t find any real examples because I didn’t take notes while listening to the audiobook. And I really don’t have the energy to go back and find some similes. But trust me on this one. The similes were WEIRD.

•There was A LOT of unnecessary information. Angie would be doing anything—LITERALLY ANYTHING—and she’d suddenly bring up something unrelated to the plot, or unrelated to whatever was currently happening in the story. For example, Angie would be talking to her best friend, and then she’d remember a random memory of them as kids. Or, she’d be at a restaurant with her mom, and suddenly she’d think about how they always come here every weekend, and explained to the audience where they normally sat, what they usually ordered, etc. I feel like if a lot of this information had been edited out, it wouldn’t have changed anything about the story.

•In my opinion, the buildup to the romance wasn’t the best. I just didn’t get WHY Angie and Ten were attracted to each other. Sure, they had a lot of page time together, but…something was missing: Them finding common ground. See, Angie and Ten were opposite in a lot of ways: Angie loved Mona Stone, and Ten just wanted to forget her existence. Angie loved music, and Ten had no strong feelings about it. Angie had abstract dreams of the future, and Ten had practical ones. Don’t get me wrong, it’s always good to have differences! Differences are what open our minds and push us to think in a way we probably hadn’t before.

But I just wanted to see Angie and Ten both relate to something and bonded over together. The thing is, there WERE some things that Angie and Ten could’ve bonded over: Living with a single parent. Liking certain foods. Heck, even the two of them being introverts! I just wanted see them bond over similarities, not just argue over the things they disagreed on.

•OKAY…*deep breath* there was one specific thing that got INCREDIBLY repetitive throughout the book. There’s no name for this trope, but there should be. Here’s the best way I can describe it: It’s when a character is going about their day, doing their thing, when SUDDENLY they hear a familiar voice nearby (or they feel someone tapping their shoulder). Then the character turns around, and OH MY GOSH—it’s their love interest (or someone else important to the plot)! I’ve seen this done in books before, especially in romances. Usually, it’s supposed to be an element of surprise. Like the reader is supposed to think, “Who does the voice belong to?” or “Who’s tapping on [insert character’s name’s] shoulder?” It’s supposed to heighten suspense.

However, Not Another Love Song used this trope in almost EVERY. SINGLE. APTER. Angie would be off doing her thing, in her own thoughts, WHEN SUDDENLY she’d hear a familiar voice or feel a tap on her shoulder. And then she’d turn around to see—SHOCKER—Ten. By the third time this happened, I just got annoyed. A couple of times would’ve been okay, but not ten, fifteen, TWENTY TIMES.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Would I recommend this? Honestly, it depends. If writing style is important to you, you might struggle with Not Another Love Song. But if you need something light and fluffy, or like books that have music, definitely try this out (and definitely check out the song)!

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️ Fangirl Faction · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy at no cost from the publisher/author. All opinions in my review are my own.

I loved this book so much! I could not have chosen a more perfect book to lose myself in for a day. This was a sweet, fun, and completely heartwarming story.

Olivia Wildenstein is a new author for me and I was completely enchanted by her writing. It was so engaging and I was really drawn into the story. The pacing was perfect and the narration was smooth and welcoming. I really loved the plot of the story and all the conflict that surrounded it. I did figure out where the story was going early on while reading but that didn't take away from the enjoyment at all. I love that even though parts of the story may be predictable, the author tells the story in such a way that the reader doesn't even care. The reader can still feel all the feels.

I have so much love for the characters in this book. Angie and Ten were both so relatable and likable. I love that both main characters had a lot of depth. They also had a lot of character growth. I really connected with both of them. I very much adored the complex representation of family in this book. Angie and her mother had such a warm relationship. I liked that it showed that they didn't always agree but loved each other through the good and the bad. We get to see a different side of things with Ten and his estranged parent. There were also wonderful friendships in the book. I thought that the relationship that Angie had with Nev, Ten's little sister, was so heartwarming. The friendships that Angie had with her music teacher and her dance teacher were also beautiful. Plus her girlfriends at school supported her even when they had their own things going on. Just a whole lot of family and friendship in this book. It made me all warm inside.

This was very much a slow-burn romance. Things didn't start off the best between Angie and Ten but there was always this intrigue and interest between them. They had very electric chemistry with one another. They had excellent banter that always had me smiling. They had such a sweet love that you can't help but feel all the feels for.

Overall, this is an adorable and heartwarming story that is so memorable. These characters will win you over in a heartbeat and their story will really make your heart soar. I can't wait to read more from this author!

More reviews on my blog: Novel Nerd Faction

[Miramanee · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You’re like an earworm, Angie. You’re all I can think about."
This was was such an adorable YA book!
About music, family, friends and of course first love! I adored the characters and their relationships and how music, passion and dreams were the main focus of this story.
I can't wait to read more by Olivia Wildenstein!

[thewoollygeek (tea, cake, crochet & books)]

Warning, biased review ! I love Olivia, I haven’t met a book she’s written that I haven’t adored and this is no exception. I am guaranteed when I pick up a book I will leave happy (sure there may be tears, drama, anxious bits but I know I’ll leave smiling and better for the experience) This is a great contemporary romance, but it is also about family, friendship, working at a relationship. It’s just wonderful and I recommend to anyone who has a heart and loves to read, you won’t be disappointed.


Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

[Kalli Kounavong · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was cute and heart-warming. I enjoyed it. It's gripping, emotional, and true to real life in many ways which allows the reader to connect with the characters on a deeper level.

[Katherine Paschal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Visit me at https://smadasbooksmack.blogspot.com/ for more book thoughts!

The romance in the story was an enemies to friends to lovers and I loved this slow burn! While there might have been some repressed romantic feelings, the romance did not even start until about 75% finished with the book. Instead of instalove, we got to meet the characters and get to know them individually as people and I loved both Angie and Ten separately and together and wanted to stand up and cheer when they finally admitted feelings.

The romance (while I loved it!) was not primarily the focus of the story. Instead, it was about Angie leaning about herself, including her talents and hopes. It was also about Angie and her mother's relationship growth, as well as Angie and her friends and the adorable sisterly relationship between Angie and Nev. This was very much a character driven novel, with so many well rounded side characters, I feel like these are my people and I love them all.

I have read basically everything from this author, be it werewolf, fae and angel but this was my first contemporary romance from her as well as my first YA by her. I can now say that she can write anything, be it high stakes fantasy with action or this super sweet, swoony feel good read that I never wanted to end. I never wanted to put the book down and ended up reading it in a few days because I was so wrapped up in the story and the plot was perfect paced to get lost in. It is confirmed that I am an official fan girl and I need to force this book on everyone who loves strong spunky girls who know what they want from life, a cute boy who grew up too quick but would do anything for his sister, all things music (especially country), and great relationship dynamics from all directions.

[Jennifer Speas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Swoon Reads! I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Not Another Love Song is not just another contemporary romance to add to the pile. It's a story about family, friendship, first love, and how those relationships don't always come easy. A mature take full of heart, emotion, drama, determination, and yes, swoons (😍). Get ready for another book boyfriend guys and gals! I adored every word of this perfect little standalone. Do not sleep on this one!

[Alex Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I 100% loved this book. Such a fun, sweet, romantic YA novel. Wildenstein wrote a captivating + page-turning story, full of realistic and heartwarming characters with big hearts and even bigger dreams. Despite not being a country music fan, I completely gobbled this book up, thanks to Wildenstein's witty and descriptive prose, and ability to draw the reader in. The main character, Angie, was both relatable and complex -- driven and talented, misunderstood, emotional, but also brought down to earth with funny & poignant thoughts, a bit of klutziness, and adorable hormonal teenage-ness. She was an easy character to route for and sympathize with, throughout, and I had fun experiencing the highs and lows along with each character in each scene. A great example of teen friendships, young love, and going after your dreams.
Fast paced and fun, I highly recommend Not Another Love Song!

[B.R. Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This modern-day romance narrated by a cheeky, musical heroine comes packaged as a perfect balance of heart felt moments and bitter teen drama. NOT ANOTHER LOVE SONG by Olivia Wildenstein is a swift and enjoyable page turner perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen.

[Samantha (WLABB) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angie dreams of becoming a professional musician, and a song writing competition sponsored by her all-time favorite singer seems like a perfect stepping stone. Then Ten enters her life, and she finds herself having to choose between him and her dream.

I love reading about people who have a deep and driving passion, and Angie was one of those people. Her musical aspirations were huge, and she was more than willing to put in the time and effort to achieve her dream. Though Angie knew hard work was required to get anywhere, she learned a tough lesson about the price of fame, which sort of stole some of that shine, but I am glad to say, it did not deter her from her musical ambitions.

The girl and her dream was a big part of this story, but it was also about first love. Angie had always been so focused on honing her musical skills, and therefore, never had much time for boys. But, maybe, it was because the right boy didn't come around until she met Ten. Angie and Ten had an instant attraction. There was a definite spark between them, when they first met, and it was cute watching the two of them trying to unravel the feelings they were feeling.

I wasn't sure what to think of Ten at first, but once Angie was able to cut through some of his armor, I was able to see just how wonderful he was. I won't lie, he had to do an apology tour more than once during this book, but he had reasons for what he did or thought. He made up for it by being a world class big brother and a rather doting and lovely boyfriend.

I found myself fully absorbed in this story, and I have admit, I was happy to find it leaned towards the fluffy side. I sort of just needed a bit of a break from the world, and this book had the perfect amount of humor, drama, and romance to make that happen.

Overall: A sweet and heartwarming story of finding first love and chasing your dreams.

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

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[Rebecca/Bex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia never disappoints- whether it’s Fairies from another world, werewolves raging war in Colorado, an angel falling for her unsaved sinner, or a young girl having to navigate the treacherous path of following your dreams.

In Not Another Love Song, Angie is set on becoming the next great artist. With a chance to write a song for her idol, this is THE opportunity to put herself out into the music scene. If only her mom would agree...

As Angie struggles with rejection from her mother, and her crippling stage fright, things go from confusing to downright complicated when new student (and music-hater) Ten waltzes into her life- and into her heart.

NALS is a love story that set the bar WAY high. Angie may think she knows everything (what teenager doesn’t?) but following her journey is so humbling, while she discovers her true purpose and finds what- and who- makes her happy. The real world is filed with shades of grey, with unfinished stories and unchecked baggage, and Ten and Angie have to explore the possibility that not everything works out in the end.

NALS is undoubtedly a story that captures you by the heartstrings and refuses to let you go. I’ll forever be entangled in the lyrics of Angie and Ten’s story, and I am so happy to have been able to review an ARC! (thank you Olivia!)

* This review is my own honest opinion- if you have read any of Olivia’s works you’d see 😉

[Rosalynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing book from Olivia!!! I was in love with Not Another Love Song from the second I pressed play!!! Brought me back to my not so fun high school days. But I know if I went to Redwood it would have been a lot better. I loved the chemistry between Angie and Ten. It was strong from the beginning. This is definitely on my favorites list and I will be listening to it many more times in the future.

[Samantha Hastings · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know the love songs that are so good that you can listen to them over and over? I could put this book on repeat and read it over and over again.

Angie wants to be a singer/songwriter more than anything despite her mom’s lack of support. She meets a new guy at school named Ten who hates the music industry even more than her mom. Despite this, she’s drawn to him and the elusive tune of his secrets. Angie is determined to enter a song into Mona Stone’s contest even if she has to forge her mom’s signature.

Like any great love song, there’s heartache, betrayal, secrets, and true love. The music of this story will stay with you long after the song ends.

A must read for YA romance fans!

[Jessica Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for a good music-infused YA romance, and this one did not disappoint! Full review to come, but I loved this and highly recommend!

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

More than 2.5 score years have passed since I was in high school and I would never want to revisit those years again, so YA and Coming of Age stories are not my usual fare, but I won this book from Goodreads and read it in one afternoon. This was the first book that I have read from this author. The story is beautifully written, with engaging characters, a realistic plot and thorough descriptions about the settings and even voice and dance lessons.

Now a senior in high school, Angie was raised by her single mother, Jade, after her father a rock star, died in an auto crash when she was three. Her mother, now a very successful interior designer, has never spoken badly about her father hiding the truth about him and the world of the musicians, but fearing that Angie, who has inherited his musical talent, will follow in his foot steps, encourages her to go to college. Angie only wants to follow her idol, Mona Stone, and puts all her efforts into writing the wining song for a contest that Mona has launched. But she soon has another distraction, Ten, a new transfer student, who all the girls are drooling over, but he only has eyes for Angie. His father is also Jade's client. Everyone has secrets, which of course, are revealed at the worse time.

I really liked the characters and how they interacted with each other. Ten is a wonderful big brother to his sister Nev, and helped raise her after their parents divorced. Angie is very kind to her, treating her like the little sister she never had. And I especially liked, that the author did not add an additional love interest between their parents. It is also nice clean book. I would recommend this book no matter what the age of the reader.

This is my unbiased and voluntary review.

[SheReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed for YA Books Central

Different than I was expecting - and that’s a good thing!

The story:
All Angie ever wanted to do was make it in the music world like her idol Mona Stone. When Mona announces a songwriting contest, Angie gets to work creating the perfect song.
But then she meets Ten and Nev, a brother-sister duo with a hidden secret. Ten is everything she wants but thinks she’ll lose. And Nev is the girl Angie understands, the one who just wants to fit in.
But with Mona’s contest looming and people not wanting her to enter, will Angie have to choose between the beginning of her career and the beginning of her epic love?

What I loved:
Pretty much everything. This book was so well done and Angie is officially my favorite character I’ve read this year. Despite her unwillingness to hear bad things about Mona, she’s incredible empathetic. Her interactions with Nev were my favorite part.
I also loved that not a single person in this book was unreasonable - which isn’t always true in YA. They all see the hidden depths of their own choices and the consequences that could come. There’s no threats to breakup, when people mess up they know they did and apologize quickly. It really made this an easy-to-read book because you can root for just about anyone. For the most part, the characters are flawed but not bad. A hard balance to create.

What was just okay:
The story lagged a bit in the middle. I’d been expecting more music business stuff, but I’m actually glad we didn’t get it.

Final Verdict:
A sweet story with endearing characters, flawless writing, and an intriguing storyline readers will love.

[Kari Valdez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to thank goodreads and and Swoon Reads for providing me with with this amazing book. “Not another love song “was a beautifully written story that will sing to your soul. If you lost hope in finding love it will restore your belief in it again. Because sometimes when we aren’t looking for it. That’s when it slams into us like a comet from the sky. In Angie’s case, a big black “beast” of a truck.⁣
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Angie and Ten are two characters already set on different paths in life. But one moment knocks them both from orbit. Only to discover that sometimes the thing we don’t think we need is what we needed the most.⁣
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I loved watching these characters grow. Loved Angie’s determination to reach her dreams. Even when it seemed like people were against them. While she tries to leave her mark in the Nashville music scene, she battles to gain control over her feelings for Ten. Their love becomes a song that she never thought she would compose. ⁣
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Don’t get me started on Ten. If you thought you were in love with Noah from the Notebook, be prepared to replace him. Ten is the kind of guy that is rough on the edges but has a heart of gold. His protectiveness of his sister made me love him that much more. ⁣
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I highly recommend this sweet love story. Where you will experience all the highs and lows of first love. As Ten says, “Even though you drive me insane sometimes, you also make me insanely happy. So, asking me if I regret letting you in is like asking if I regret breathing. The answer is no.” You can swoon over this book on 7/7/2020. I highly recommend getting it!⁣
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[Elysian Fields · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not Another Love Song is a very sweet and joyous story. It is a coming of age story, one of hope and heartbreak and also one of strength, morals, love and friendship.

I started this before bed, thinking I was just going to read a few chapters. I should no better. I have never be able to put a book down that was written by this author. I have always read them in one sitting, lol.

As the story started out I thought it was going to be one of those high school stories that are trending, not quite a bully read but still have all that high school angst. I was pleasantly surprised that this was nothing like those books. This story is about relationships, choosing ones own path, loving those who support you, letting go of those who don't and understanding that people are not perfect. I loved the main characters and really felt their emotions. I felt like I was right there with them the entire story.

I don't want to give anything away, but I do thing it needs to be said that this is a story that will stick with you. It's a sweet read, a YA/NA and it is a safe read; one that all readers will enjoy. I received an ARC via NetGalley and I am leaving an honest review. (I also have this book on pre-order for the hardback.😉) 4.5 stars.

[Jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

NOT ANOTHER LOVE SONG is a YA contemporary romance focusing on a teenage girl’s, Angie’s, pursuit of her dream to become a famous singer. The romance between Angie and Ten is adorable and I'm sure it'll appeal to many YA romance readers. That is, it's a little shame that I don't enjoy the book as much as Olivia's other works, which mainly focus on (new adult) paranormal romance. I guess it's because my taste in books has shifted throughout last year (2020) and now I find it difficult to fully savor a high-school romance. However, just because I didn't like this book as much as most people did doesn't mean it's not worthy of recommending! Thus, please don't hesitate to pick this up if the blurb intrigued you. Or you could always start with Olivia's Angels of Elysium series. :)

P.S. According to Olivia, there’s an actual song, MADE, dedicated to Angie and was performed by Rebel Wilkin! You can find it on Spotify, Apple Music, Google Music, and other music streaming platforms.

[Heidi Lynn’s BookReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I want to thank Olivia Wildenstein, Xpresso Tours and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.

If you love Country Music you must read Olivia Wildenstein’s book Not Another Love Song.

This book is dedicated to all the dreamers who dare to want something out of reach.

This book cover for Not Another Love Song is beautiful. ! It was what originally sparked my interest in reading the book. It was spot on to the theme of the book.

This book had a very important message in that if you are very passionate about something with it and follow your dream. You never know when your dreams may come true.

I am a huge Country Music fan! Not to mention I can be very starstruck for my fave artist. Mix it in with a little bit of romance brewing and you have an amazing read.

Olivia’s book made me smile and at points made me laugh out loud!

There were some revealing moments that I was a little shocked by and didn’t see coming.

[Danielle Nichole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Should be a two star but the song at the end that was actually composed and sung was great haha.

The MC is so self obsessed while also being this naive popular-adjacent girl that doesn't see the new boy wants to date her. His mom is her idol, a famous singer, that abandoned him and the little sister who's got pipes sent from God. There's a contest for singing hosted by the deadbeat mom, and a lot of babysitting. The famous ones are named Tennessee (Ten) and Nevada (Nev) and I hate it so much. Also, there was a weird thing about her virginity that kept being brought up (she lied twice about it and then he deflowers her eventually lol).

I definitely thought this was the one with the same title by Julie Soto, but kept reading when I logged on goodreads and realized my mistake.

Read by Eileen Francis Stevens. #booksin24

[DeAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for a blog tour.

I really enjoyed this story about Angie and Tennessee and their blossoming relationship. The story itself was very sweet and definitely a story that will put a smile on your face, though I would have liked there to be a little more conflict or struggle. Still it was great to see Angie's relationships with not just Ten but with her mom and the fact that though they didn't always agree, she and her mom had a tight relationship and bond.

This is my first exposure to Wildenstein's writing and I found her style easy to read. I really enjoyed the flow to her writing and how seamlessly things moved. I will definitely pick up more from her in the future.