Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto -> Restarting June 27th, 2024

[Aly]

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...

[Jessica]

I forgot about this one. Ashlyn, if you see this and haven't read it yet, want to get this one reset?

[Aly]

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RESTARTING JUNE 27TH, 2024

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[Ashlyn]

Started this

[Ashlyn]

Chapters 1-5 (view spoiler)[I was really getting bored of this quite honestly. Especially since I don't like Xander/Alex at all and Gwen is only okay. But now that I know Ava is Xander/Alex's mom, it's getting a little more interesting. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashlyn]

Chapters 6-13 (view spoiler)[Im starting to like this a little more. But there is way too much with the music that there isn’t enough personality for Gwen. I think they are going to try to play these two as a couple. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashlyn]

Chapters 14-19 (view spoiler)[So it’s getting slightly better, but not by much. Still too much music and it seems less of their relationship. I liked the dinner with her friends but felt like we didn’t really see her interact with his friends much. Also she wouldn’t have told Ava that he started playing violin again. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashlyn]

Finished (view spoiler)[Okay, this got a little better. I think im going to give it three stars. It wasn’t terrible and I’m glad everyone was happy in the end, but still. Nathan and Lorenzo work g together was awful. And I felt like this was a huge Taylor Swift thing with rewriting the music and whatnot. Not sure how I really feel about that. But the book did have a couple of cute moments. (hide spoiler)]

[Jessica]

I've been dreading starting but I'm going to tomorrow since pub is so close 😂

[Jessica]

Chapters 1-4
Okay Phew I don't mind this. (view spoiler)[ It's but predictable, of course she's a prodigy and is now going to be head of the violins so young. The low expectations are definitely helping because I'm like hey this isn't bad woohoo 😂 (hide spoiler)]

[Ashlyn]

Jessica wrote: "Chapters 1-4
Okay Phew I don't mind this. [spoilers removed]"

Haha glad the low expectations are helping

[Jessica]

Chapters 5-12
I'm actually really enjoying this.
(view spoiler)[ I'm enjoying all of the music stuff and that was definitely one of the most creative sex scenes I've read. The family dynamics and what will happen with the pops is really interesting to me. And I quite like Xander and Gwen together. Hopefully it keeps up and doesn't fizzle out. (hide spoiler)]

[Jessica]

Chapter Twenty
(view spoiler)[ oof that confrontation with Mabel was bad, but much needed. I eyerolled a little at Xander and Gwen's I love yous because please way too soon children you barely know each other 😂. (hide spoiler)]

[Jessica]

Finished
So I actually loved this 😂. What a happy surprise. I was a musical theatre kid so was very into all the music stuff, which helped alot. (view spoiler)[ I liked how everything wrapped up even though as if Ava and Mabel were good just like that. Definitely going to read her other book at some point. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashlyn]

Glad you liked it!