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Love Notes
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25 days and 04:21:22
5 copies available
U.S. only
In this sexy enemies-to-lovers romance set against the vibrant backdrop of Broadway, a pit musician and a conductor with a tense past reunite in the same musical, from the author of Some Kind of Famous and Will They or Won’t They
Sylvia Roth has tirelessly worked to establish herself as an exceptional Broadway pit musician… and bad luck charm, since every show she joins closes almost immediately. When she’s offered the coveted drum chair at Heartless, one of Broadway’s longest-running musicals, she eagerly accepts—only to discover that the current music director is Max Edelman, who’s been her (upsettingly hot) nemesis ever since he fired her mid-show a decade ago. However, hanging onto a steady job is more important than holding onto old grudges, and since they’re the two newest members of a disgruntled orchestra that’s been stuck together for almost thirty years, Syl and Max have no choice but to form an uneasy truce.
The more she gets to know him, the more Syl is distressed to realize that Max might not be as bad as she thought– and that the chemistry sparking between them might be more than just musical. But as one of the few female drummers in an already male-dominated industry, she’s all too aware of the potential consequences of indulging their attraction. Complicating things further, her oldest friend– the anonymous online pen pal she’s been confiding in since middle school– seems dead set on finally taking things to the next level.
When it comes to her career, Syl’s always been fearless about blazing her own trail. But can she be as brave when it comes to her heart?
Sylvia Roth has tirelessly worked to establish herself as an exceptional Broadway pit musician… and bad luck charm, since every show she joins closes almost immediately. When she’s offered the coveted drum chair at Heartless, one of Broadway’s longest-running musicals, she eagerly accepts—only to discover that the current music director is Max Edelman, who’s been her (upsettingly hot) nemesis ever since he fired her mid-show a decade ago. However, hanging onto a steady job is more important than holding onto old grudges, and since they’re the two newest members of a disgruntled orchestra that’s been stuck together for almost thirty years, Syl and Max have no choice but to form an uneasy truce.
The more she gets to know him, the more Syl is distressed to realize that Max might not be as bad as she thought– and that the chemistry sparking between them might be more than just musical. But as one of the few female drummers in an already male-dominated industry, she’s all too aware of the potential consequences of indulging their attraction. Complicating things further, her oldest friend– the anonymous online pen pal she’s been confiding in since middle school– seems dead set on finally taking things to the next level.
When it comes to her career, Syl’s always been fearless about blazing her own trail. But can she be as brave when it comes to her heart?
Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 20, 2027
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October 15, 2026
♫⋆·˚ ༘ *♭♪ Even though Sylvia Roth has worked her butt off to be a great Broadway pit musician, she can’t seem to shake off the bad luck that causes every show she joins to close. But it seems that her luck has turned when she’s offered the drum chair for one of the longest-running shows on Broadway and accepts the position. Everything seems to be turning up until she finds out that the music director is Max Edleman, the very man who rudely fired her ten years ago and became her nemesis from that day forward. Max doesn’t seem to like her very much either, but since both are new to the orchestra, whose members have been together for thirty years, Sylvia and Max are left with no other choice but to work together to make sure the show succeeds. But Sylvia wasn’t expecting the two of them to work so well, and the more time she spends with Max, the more she grows to like the guy. The chemistry between them is undeniable, but her career means more to her than anything in the world, besides her twenty-year-old friendship with her penpal who might want to move things along, complicating her life even more.
♪♫🎵.ılılıll|̲̅̅💿̲̅̅|̲̅̅=̲̅̅|̲̅̅💿̲̅̅|llılılı.🎵♫♪
｛ ᴺᴼᵂ ᴾᴸᴬᵞᴵᴺᴳ: stupid song by Olivia Rodrigo ｝
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺ 2:16 ──────ㅇ─── 3:29
♫⋆·˚ ༘ *♭♪ Well, this was pretty fun! If a book involves music and a trope I enjoy, I want to read it. I’m not an expert on Broadway and musicals, but it was very interesting to learn about everything that goes into the music that makes a musical a musical, and how women had to do SO MUCH work to get the positions they have in the orchestras after it was predominantly male for so long. Misogyny sucks. 😑
But don’t let the blurb mislead you. This enemies aspect of the story only lasted for a couple of chapters before Max and Sylvia came to an agreement and started to tolerate each other. But I wish it had lasted longer. Max was so rude, and I get why he wanted to be the way that he was with his work, but it was still uncalled for. I’m glad he thawed out as the story progressed. I wish Max had a POV, to be honest. Granted, it wasn’t really needed since I could see through Syl’s eyes how much this dude was falling for her (and that takes great writing), but it still would have been nice to have his perspective. It’s just a preference of mine—you can just ignore me at this point. 😂
And Sylvia was fine. She did bug me a time or two, but (and this sounds kinda wrong) I didn’t really care enough for the characters to be invested in their lives. But she was a badass. The drums are one of the coolest instruments in a band or orchestra—I love how epic and powerful they sound. 👏🏼
And the New York setting was fantastic! I absolutely loved how realistic yet awesome the city felt in Sylvia’s eyes. 🤌🏼
Omg, but the tension???? THE TENSION????
It was so freaking good, and it drove me crazy lol!!!! When I tell you that I was literally begging for something to finally happen between them, I mean that I WAS BEGGING. But I’m so glad that this was a slow burn because it made everything that they went through feel like it was earned. The slow burn was so well-done; I absolutely loved it and that in it of itself gets a star because it was perfection.
But the ending? Yeah, that was kind of a disappointment. I mean, it’s not like I’m mad about it. I’m happy for them and all that, but it felt didactic and...underwhelming, especially after all the good stuff we got beforehand. Sylvia was worried that her relationship with Max was too easy? Oh honey, I’m worried that the ending y’all got was too easy after everything. Look, this might be just a me-problem because there’s nothing I love more than when characters sacrifice something for someone else, especially when they’re lovers. It’s usually their life that they end up sacrificing, but we don’t need to get into that right now. 😅 But when one sacrifices something, and the other gets everything they want and then some without giving up anything, I can’t help but think of the idiom, “you can’t have your cake and eat it too.” The journey to get to where we are almost feels pointless, worthless even. As I said, it’s just me. 🤷♀
Overall, this was an okay read! Am I glad I read it? Sure! Will I read it again? Probably not. But I hope you love it if you decide to give this one a try! 🩵
Thank you so so much for buddy reading this with me, my gorgeous bestie cat!! 😘💐❤ I had sooo much fun discussing the book with you and freaking out over the slow burn! 🤭🫶🏼 Be sure to read her amazing review here!
♯ Thank you to Ballantine | Dell for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own. ♯
《 Content Warnings 》
(I honestly don’t remember, but I think homophobia and misogyny were mentioned.)
Swearing: Yes
Spice: Open-door/steamy (🌶🌶🌶/5)
♪♫🎵.ılılıll|̲̅̅💿̲̅̅|̲̅̅=̲̅̅|̲̅̅💿̲̅̅|llılılı.🎵♫♪
｛ ᴺᴼᵂ ᴾᴸᴬᵞᴵᴺᴳ: stupid song by Olivia Rodrigo ｝
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺ 2:16 ──────ㅇ─── 3:29
♫⋆·˚ ༘ *♭♪ Well, this was pretty fun! If a book involves music and a trope I enjoy, I want to read it. I’m not an expert on Broadway and musicals, but it was very interesting to learn about everything that goes into the music that makes a musical a musical, and how women had to do SO MUCH work to get the positions they have in the orchestras after it was predominantly male for so long. Misogyny sucks. 😑
But don’t let the blurb mislead you. This enemies aspect of the story only lasted for a couple of chapters before Max and Sylvia came to an agreement and started to tolerate each other. But I wish it had lasted longer. Max was so rude, and I get why he wanted to be the way that he was with his work, but it was still uncalled for. I’m glad he thawed out as the story progressed. I wish Max had a POV, to be honest. Granted, it wasn’t really needed since I could see through Syl’s eyes how much this dude was falling for her (and that takes great writing), but it still would have been nice to have his perspective. It’s just a preference of mine—you can just ignore me at this point. 😂
And Sylvia was fine. She did bug me a time or two, but (and this sounds kinda wrong) I didn’t really care enough for the characters to be invested in their lives. But she was a badass. The drums are one of the coolest instruments in a band or orchestra—I love how epic and powerful they sound. 👏🏼
And the New York setting was fantastic! I absolutely loved how realistic yet awesome the city felt in Sylvia’s eyes. 🤌🏼
Omg, but the tension???? THE TENSION????
It was so freaking good, and it drove me crazy lol!!!! When I tell you that I was literally begging for something to finally happen between them, I mean that I WAS BEGGING. But I’m so glad that this was a slow burn because it made everything that they went through feel like it was earned. The slow burn was so well-done; I absolutely loved it and that in it of itself gets a star because it was perfection.
But the ending? Yeah, that was kind of a disappointment. I mean, it’s not like I’m mad about it. I’m happy for them and all that, but it felt didactic and...underwhelming, especially after all the good stuff we got beforehand. Sylvia was worried that her relationship with Max was too easy? Oh honey, I’m worried that the ending y’all got was too easy after everything. Look, this might be just a me-problem because there’s nothing I love more than when characters sacrifice something for someone else, especially when they’re lovers. It’s usually their life that they end up sacrificing, but we don’t need to get into that right now. 😅 But when one sacrifices something, and the other gets everything they want and then some without giving up anything, I can’t help but think of the idiom, “you can’t have your cake and eat it too.” The journey to get to where we are almost feels pointless, worthless even. As I said, it’s just me. 🤷♀
Overall, this was an okay read! Am I glad I read it? Sure! Will I read it again? Probably not. But I hope you love it if you decide to give this one a try! 🩵
Thank you so so much for buddy reading this with me, my gorgeous bestie cat!! 😘💐❤ I had sooo much fun discussing the book with you and freaking out over the slow burn! 🤭🫶🏼 Be sure to read her amazing review here!
♯ Thank you to Ballantine | Dell for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own. ♯
《 Content Warnings 》
(I honestly don’t remember, but I think homophobia and misogyny were mentioned.)
Swearing: Yes
Spice: Open-door/steamy (🌶🌶🌶/5)
October 26, 2026
i will pretty much always be interested in a book that has anything to do with music, so a Broadway romance with a pit drummer and a conductor had me VERY excited 👀
on repeat 𝄞 ࿐♬ 𓍢ִ🎧ྀི ᯓ ♪ˎˊ˗
“ʟᴏᴠᴇ ɴᴏᴛᴇs” x ᴏʟɪᴠɪᴀ ʙ. ᴍᴏᴏʀᴇ
0:10 ─♥──────── 3:17
╭➤ the premise ────────────────────────────╮
Sylvia and Max have a history that starts off on the WRONG foot (and by wrong foot, i mean she has every reason to dislike this man after what happened between them years ago). Now they’re working together on Broadway, and avoiding each other isn’t exactly an option when the entire orchestra depends on the drummer and conductor being able to work together. Between their unresolved history, unexpected chemistry, and an anonymous pen pal who’s been part of Sylvia’s life for years, there’s a lot more going on here than just music
────────────────────────────╯
First things first, the chemistry between Max and Sylvia was SO GOOD. all heated looks and pent up frustration hehe. However, i do have to say that this was not really enemies to lovers in the way i expected. Yes, there is that initial tension, but the animosity gets cleared up pretty quickly, and we don’t spend much time actually watching them be enemies. i was a little disappointed because i was looking forward to that dynamic, BUT the chemistry was still there, and i can’t pretend i wasn’t enjoying their interactions. AND THEN WE HAVE THE PEN PALS. Anonymous letters or emails will always get me, and this part of the story absolutely delivered. i was so invested in that side of the story!
The slow burn also caught me off guard in the BEST way. i wasn’t expecting this much of a buildup based on the blurb, but i actually loved how much room Max and Sylvia had to process their feelings instead of rushing straight into intimacy. the emotional buildup made their connection feel more meaningful, and i was glad the book let them sit with those feelings 🙂↕️
HOWEVER, the pacing was pretty slow at the beginning, and i felt like it took a while for things to really get going. there was also a certain topic that felt very pushy and in-your-face throughout the book. i know that’s a personal preference thing, but the constant emphasis on it started to irritate me 🤷🏼♀️
i did appreciate the message about taking responsibility for your actions, recognizing the ways you’ve been shaped by your upbringing, and understanding that your past doesn’t excuse hurting other people. I’m not gonna lie, though, the ending was a bit disappointing. everything felt a little too neatly wrapped up in a pretty bow, and i wasn’t really a fan of how everything worked out 😂 it took away from the weight of the sacrifices being made for the people they loved when, in the end, everyone got what they wanted anyway 🤷🏼♀️
Overall, this was a sweet read with a lot of things i enjoyed but also quite a few things I didn't. i probably wouldn’t reread it, but i’m glad i gave it a chance!
favorite quotes ↓
“I can’t imagine that being with you would be anything close to a burden.”
“It almost feels like magic, sometimes. The effect music can have on people.”
“Sometimes the biggest gifts come from the greatest hardships.”
things to know about the book ↓
🥁 workplace romance
🥁 pit drummer x conductor
🥁 Broadway show vibes
🥁 anonymous pen pals
🥁 SLOWBURN
🥁 single POV (hers)
swearing: yes
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
→ chapters: 24, 29
Thank you NetGalley, publisher & author for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
& the biggest thanks to my pretty girl, Sarah!! I had the bestest time reading along with you 🫶🏼 it was such a treat!! Hoping our next buddy read is even better! 💞💌🤞🏼
─────────
・❥・⁀➷ 𝕡𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕
october 26th- my first buddy read with my stunning girl sarah💗✨ best of luck to us babes!!!!! 🤞🏼
a pit musician x conductor??? he's her nemesis? pleaseeeee 🙂↕️ say less 🎶
on repeat 𝄞 ࿐♬ 𓍢ִ🎧ྀི ᯓ ♪ˎˊ˗
“ʟᴏᴠᴇ ɴᴏᴛᴇs” x ᴏʟɪᴠɪᴀ ʙ. ᴍᴏᴏʀᴇ
0:10 ─♥──────── 3:17
╭➤ the premise ────────────────────────────╮
Sylvia and Max have a history that starts off on the WRONG foot (and by wrong foot, i mean she has every reason to dislike this man after what happened between them years ago). Now they’re working together on Broadway, and avoiding each other isn’t exactly an option when the entire orchestra depends on the drummer and conductor being able to work together. Between their unresolved history, unexpected chemistry, and an anonymous pen pal who’s been part of Sylvia’s life for years, there’s a lot more going on here than just music
────────────────────────────╯
First things first, the chemistry between Max and Sylvia was SO GOOD. all heated looks and pent up frustration hehe. However, i do have to say that this was not really enemies to lovers in the way i expected. Yes, there is that initial tension, but the animosity gets cleared up pretty quickly, and we don’t spend much time actually watching them be enemies. i was a little disappointed because i was looking forward to that dynamic, BUT the chemistry was still there, and i can’t pretend i wasn’t enjoying their interactions. AND THEN WE HAVE THE PEN PALS. Anonymous letters or emails will always get me, and this part of the story absolutely delivered. i was so invested in that side of the story!
The slow burn also caught me off guard in the BEST way. i wasn’t expecting this much of a buildup based on the blurb, but i actually loved how much room Max and Sylvia had to process their feelings instead of rushing straight into intimacy. the emotional buildup made their connection feel more meaningful, and i was glad the book let them sit with those feelings 🙂↕️
HOWEVER, the pacing was pretty slow at the beginning, and i felt like it took a while for things to really get going. there was also a certain topic that felt very pushy and in-your-face throughout the book. i know that’s a personal preference thing, but the constant emphasis on it started to irritate me 🤷🏼♀️
i did appreciate the message about taking responsibility for your actions, recognizing the ways you’ve been shaped by your upbringing, and understanding that your past doesn’t excuse hurting other people. I’m not gonna lie, though, the ending was a bit disappointing. everything felt a little too neatly wrapped up in a pretty bow, and i wasn’t really a fan of how everything worked out 😂 it took away from the weight of the sacrifices being made for the people they loved when, in the end, everyone got what they wanted anyway 🤷🏼♀️
Overall, this was a sweet read with a lot of things i enjoyed but also quite a few things I didn't. i probably wouldn’t reread it, but i’m glad i gave it a chance!
favorite quotes ↓
“I can’t imagine that being with you would be anything close to a burden.”
“It almost feels like magic, sometimes. The effect music can have on people.”
“Sometimes the biggest gifts come from the greatest hardships.”
things to know about the book ↓
🥁 workplace romance
🥁 pit drummer x conductor
🥁 Broadway show vibes
🥁 anonymous pen pals
🥁 SLOWBURN
🥁 single POV (hers)
swearing: yes
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
→ chapters: 24, 29
Thank you NetGalley, publisher & author for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
& the biggest thanks to my pretty girl, Sarah!! I had the bestest time reading along with you 🫶🏼 it was such a treat!! Hoping our next buddy read is even better! 💞💌🤞🏼
─────────
・❥・⁀➷ 𝕡𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕
october 26th- my first buddy read with my stunning girl sarah💗✨ best of luck to us babes!!!!! 🤞🏼
a pit musician x conductor??? he's her nemesis? pleaseeeee 🙂↕️ say less 🎶
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Such a cute book!!! Rtc
Want to Read
August 10, 2026as someone who (1) loves reading, (2) loves musical theatre, and (3) loves a good enemies to lovers—I needed this on my desk yesterday
October 16, 2026
(netgalley arc) woah i loved this!!!!!
Want to Read
October 17, 2026
*Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an E-Arc in exchange for an honest review!*
First of all, can we all take a moment and appreciate how pretty and colorful the cover is?!?!?!
Second of all, I’m such a huge fun of Ava Wilder’s books, and getting approved for this arc is a dream!!
Can’t wait to dive into this book soon!!
First of all, can we all take a moment and appreciate how pretty and colorful the cover is?!?!?!
Second of all, I’m such a huge fun of Ava Wilder’s books, and getting approved for this arc is a dream!!
Can’t wait to dive into this book soon!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First, thank you, NetGalley and Ballantine, for letting me get an e-ARC of this book in exchange for a honest review.
4.75/5 — stars
Such a fun read. I really liked that, unlike most books centered around Broadway, which tend to focus on the stars, this book focused on the orchestra, and I found that so refreshing.
I also really liked that this felt like an enemies to lovers romance, and I loved the notes, too. I will say that I expected Syl to find out earlier, but it was still great. Other than that, everything was wonderful.
I would recommend this book to everyone who loves romance, but especially to anyone who loves Broadway.
- Enemies to lovers
- One POVs
- Force proximity
- Work place romance
4.75/5 — stars
Such a fun read. I really liked that, unlike most books centered around Broadway, which tend to focus on the stars, this book focused on the orchestra, and I found that so refreshing.
I also really liked that this felt like an enemies to lovers romance, and I loved the notes, too. I will say that I expected Syl to find out earlier, but it was still great. Other than that, everything was wonderful.
I would recommend this book to everyone who loves romance, but especially to anyone who loves Broadway.
- Enemies to lovers
- One POVs
- Force proximity
- Work place romance
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Been a fan of Ava Wilder for a while now, but this was her best book yet! I kind of felt like it was a cross between Love Song by Julie Soto and Bad Words by Ríoghnach Robinson (two books I love immensely), and it definitely had those vibes!
This book was also a bit of a gut punch because my local symphony just closed due to budget cuts and everyone was basically laid off, so the struggles Sylvia and Max go through as a pit musician and a conductor hit pretty close to home right now. I really loved the twist involving Sylvia's anonymous online pen pal from when she was a teen. Even though it was predictable in the end, it definitely kept me on the edge of my seat wanting to know how everything would play out.
Also, this book is incredibly well researched, and the detail is otherworldly. I don't know if Ava works or has worked in this industry but if she hasn't, she could have fooled me! The accuracy and detail were amazing and made me love this book even more.
I LOVED the chemistry between Sylvia and Max. The tension, longing, yearning, and enemies to lovers vibes as they figure out they're not so different and actually have deep rooted history and feelings were so good. I also really appreciated the representation in this, particularly LGBTQ+ representation and the struggles of women in male-dominated fields.
The cover is stunning, the writing is gorgeous, and I was living my best life as a musical theatre nerd who loves the enemies to lovers trope. There's so much to love about this book, even if you aren't a Broadway baby. Highly recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley, Ava Wilder, and Ballantine/Dell for the eARC of this book.
This book was also a bit of a gut punch because my local symphony just closed due to budget cuts and everyone was basically laid off, so the struggles Sylvia and Max go through as a pit musician and a conductor hit pretty close to home right now. I really loved the twist involving Sylvia's anonymous online pen pal from when she was a teen. Even though it was predictable in the end, it definitely kept me on the edge of my seat wanting to know how everything would play out.
Also, this book is incredibly well researched, and the detail is otherworldly. I don't know if Ava works or has worked in this industry but if she hasn't, she could have fooled me! The accuracy and detail were amazing and made me love this book even more.
I LOVED the chemistry between Sylvia and Max. The tension, longing, yearning, and enemies to lovers vibes as they figure out they're not so different and actually have deep rooted history and feelings were so good. I also really appreciated the representation in this, particularly LGBTQ+ representation and the struggles of women in male-dominated fields.
The cover is stunning, the writing is gorgeous, and I was living my best life as a musical theatre nerd who loves the enemies to lovers trope. There's so much to love about this book, even if you aren't a Broadway baby. Highly recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley, Ava Wilder, and Ballantine/Dell for the eARC of this book.
October 25, 2026
A triumph.
Characters in their thirties!
Penpal / You Got Mail setup
Banter galore
Forced proximity
Slow burn
If I read the synopsis I’d think this book isn’t for me. I’m not particularly interested in Broadway, nor am I fond of the penal dynamic, but then I’d have missed out on such a wonderful story that explores romance, feeling unseen by family, women in male dominated fields, and much more. I’m glad that I dove in, trusting that if Ava Wilder wrote it I knew I’d enjoy it. Wilder’s characters always have such depth and Sylvia and Max were no exception.
Avoidants unite for this absolute pleasure of a book that will throw a brick directly at your face. But seriously, it’s special, seeing a character who you relate to find their happiness; and in the end, reflecting that (though fictional) it could happen to you too.
“Sometimes it seems like everyone else is walking around with this big secret – what it feels like to be loved – and I feel so fucking lonely that I think I might die from it. And the older I get, the more alien it feels to imagine I might ever live any other way.” Hi, yes, a knife to the heart would hurt less. Joking aside, it makes me feel less alienated—comforted even—to know that surely someone else out there has felt this way.
I’m not used to Ava Wilder writing in first person present, but I think it was the right call for this story in particular. As always I love her writing style and will continue reading everything she publishes.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advance readers copy
Characters in their thirties!
Penpal / You Got Mail setup
Banter galore
Forced proximity
Slow burn
If I read the synopsis I’d think this book isn’t for me. I’m not particularly interested in Broadway, nor am I fond of the penal dynamic, but then I’d have missed out on such a wonderful story that explores romance, feeling unseen by family, women in male dominated fields, and much more. I’m glad that I dove in, trusting that if Ava Wilder wrote it I knew I’d enjoy it. Wilder’s characters always have such depth and Sylvia and Max were no exception.
Avoidants unite for this absolute pleasure of a book that will throw a brick directly at your face. But seriously, it’s special, seeing a character who you relate to find their happiness; and in the end, reflecting that (though fictional) it could happen to you too.
“Sometimes it seems like everyone else is walking around with this big secret – what it feels like to be loved – and I feel so fucking lonely that I think I might die from it. And the older I get, the more alien it feels to imagine I might ever live any other way.” Hi, yes, a knife to the heart would hurt less. Joking aside, it makes me feel less alienated—comforted even—to know that surely someone else out there has felt this way.
I’m not used to Ava Wilder writing in first person present, but I think it was the right call for this story in particular. As always I love her writing style and will continue reading everything she publishes.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advance readers copy
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you so much Ava Wilder and her publishers for the ARC of this title! I got approved at 4:47 pm and the book was done by 12:08 am. I told myself, I'll just start this and read a chapter or two... but then I was hooked! I couldn't stop reading, it was a battle of "one more chapter" verses "I'm just gonna finish the damn book". Such a good romance read!!
I loved the characters of Max and Sylvia. They were so cute, and they executed a bunch of my favorite tropes perfectly. I loved that this wasn't a stupid love story, there was some depth behind it, and I loved watching each of their journeys through career paths, family drama, workplace dymanics, and so on.
I definitely recommend this book, a great spring romance.
I loved the characters of Max and Sylvia. They were so cute, and they executed a bunch of my favorite tropes perfectly. I loved that this wasn't a stupid love story, there was some depth behind it, and I loved watching each of their journeys through career paths, family drama, workplace dymanics, and so on.
I definitely recommend this book, a great spring romance.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
HOW was this the first book of Ava’s that I’ve read? She’s an auto-buy author for me after reading this and I can’t wait to dive into her catalog. This book was amazing. It had so many things that I absolutely love in a romance. The banter between Sylvia and Max was top tier. The setting was New York City (which is one of my favorite places in the world) and I’ll eat up a book set there every time. I loved that this book dealt with some serious issues as well. And Ava’s writing was truly gripping. I read this in one sitting as soon as I was approved for the ARC because I couldn’t put it down. 5 stars. No notes.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Apparently the quickest way to get me invested in an enemies-to-lovers romance is to give them a DECADE of unresolved history and then force them to work together. 😂
Because Sylvia and Max?! OMG!! THE TENSION!!
Ten years ago, Max fired Sylvia after one disastrous night playing drums for his show. Now Sylvia finally lands the kind of steady Broadway job she’s been working toward for YEARS and guess who her new music director is?
Yep. THAT MAN…And Sylvia has absolutely not forgotten!!
What I loved most about this was how slowly their relationship shifted. Sylvia has very valid reasons for not liking Max, so this wasn’t one of those “enemies” situations where two people are mildly annoyed with each other for 14 pages. There is HISTORY here. Resentment. Misunderstandings. Hurt feelings. And then, very inconveniently, attraction…
And I LOVED watching everything Sylvia thought she knew about Max slowly start to unravel the more time they spent together.
Because Max underneath that intimidating, grumpy exterior?! SIR. The more his walls came down, the more I loved him.
BUT THEN THERE’S THE PEN PAL SITUATION.
Sylvia has also spent years talking to an anonymous online pen pal who knows her in a way almost no one else does. She can tell him the things she struggles to say out loud, and that whole element added SO much yearning and vulnerability to the story.
Very You’ve Got Mail. Very “you know me better than anyone but you don’t actually KNOW me.” You know….very much my shit. 😂
I also LOVED Sylvia.
A female drummer trying to build a career in the male dominated world of Broadway orchestras?! YES. Her career mattered to her. She had worked her ass off to get where she was, and I really appreciated that falling for someone didn’t suddenly make all of those very real professional concerns disappear.
But what really got me was how much of Sylvia she keeps tucked away from everyone around her. She wants to be seen and understood SO badly while also being absolutely fucking terrified of letting anyone get close enough to actually do it.
And apparently THAT is one of my emotional weak spots because RUDE. 🫠
I went into LOVE NOTES expecting enemies-to-lovers tension, banter, and a fun Broadway romance.
I got all of that.
But I also got two people slowly realizing that maybe being truly seen by someone doesn’t have to be terrifying.
And I ate that shit UP!!
Thank you so much to Ballentine (Dell), NetGalley, and Ava Wilder for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Because Sylvia and Max?! OMG!! THE TENSION!!
Ten years ago, Max fired Sylvia after one disastrous night playing drums for his show. Now Sylvia finally lands the kind of steady Broadway job she’s been working toward for YEARS and guess who her new music director is?
Yep. THAT MAN…And Sylvia has absolutely not forgotten!!
What I loved most about this was how slowly their relationship shifted. Sylvia has very valid reasons for not liking Max, so this wasn’t one of those “enemies” situations where two people are mildly annoyed with each other for 14 pages. There is HISTORY here. Resentment. Misunderstandings. Hurt feelings. And then, very inconveniently, attraction…
And I LOVED watching everything Sylvia thought she knew about Max slowly start to unravel the more time they spent together.
Because Max underneath that intimidating, grumpy exterior?! SIR. The more his walls came down, the more I loved him.
BUT THEN THERE’S THE PEN PAL SITUATION.
Sylvia has also spent years talking to an anonymous online pen pal who knows her in a way almost no one else does. She can tell him the things she struggles to say out loud, and that whole element added SO much yearning and vulnerability to the story.
Very You’ve Got Mail. Very “you know me better than anyone but you don’t actually KNOW me.” You know….very much my shit. 😂
I also LOVED Sylvia.
A female drummer trying to build a career in the male dominated world of Broadway orchestras?! YES. Her career mattered to her. She had worked her ass off to get where she was, and I really appreciated that falling for someone didn’t suddenly make all of those very real professional concerns disappear.
But what really got me was how much of Sylvia she keeps tucked away from everyone around her. She wants to be seen and understood SO badly while also being absolutely fucking terrified of letting anyone get close enough to actually do it.
And apparently THAT is one of my emotional weak spots because RUDE. 🫠
I went into LOVE NOTES expecting enemies-to-lovers tension, banter, and a fun Broadway romance.
I got all of that.
But I also got two people slowly realizing that maybe being truly seen by someone doesn’t have to be terrifying.
And I ate that shit UP!!
Thank you so much to Ballentine (Dell), NetGalley, and Ava Wilder for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As someone who has been involved in fandom spaces, including bookish ones, for a very long time, I feel like keep running into the same people. Like, it sometimes feels like it's often the same 15-25 people in certain niches. And so I was very primed to like the secret fandom pen pal part, as it is also one of my favorite tropes. And by focusing on musical theater, it removed one of the things that has bothered me a bit about Wilder's work in the past (that its set in places or situations I know too well). But I maybe should have realized that maybe the reason I didn't know a lot about it .. is because maybe I'm not a fan? And so having it be set so involved in a thing I don't like ...means I wouldn't really care about that part? Oops.
Which would have been fine, except I also feel like there was maybe 1-2 plot lines too many that could have been cut for time and depth. And some of the things said in the third act break up were maybe kind of a lot. But overall I just like how Wilder writes!
Thank you to Ballantine and Netgalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review!
Which would have been fine, except I also feel like there was maybe 1-2 plot lines too many that could have been cut for time and depth. And some of the things said in the third act break up were maybe kind of a lot. But overall I just like how Wilder writes!
Thank you to Ballantine and Netgalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Sylvia Roth is no stranger to hard work or disappointment. As a Broadway pit drummer, a rarity for women, she’s dedicated her life to her craft even when every show she lands at shutters. One of the rare constants has been an online pen pal who she confesses her fears and successes to…even though they don’t know each other’s real names.
Max Edelman is a young musical director in a constant defensive crouch against any suggestion that his nepo-baby status is the reason for his success.
So when Sylvia’s catastrophic day in the orchestra pit collides with Max’s pathological perfectionism, sparks fly, and not in a good way. A decade later, both Max and Sylvia have moved onward and upward, but collide again. This time as part of the orchestra for the most beloved musical of the age. For Sylvia, this means a steady paycheck and recognition of her talent. For Max, the gig is a place to sink in and lick some personal wounds while staying in a high-visibility role.
The pair clash at first, mirroring their meet not-so-cute––but as time passes each is willing to listen to the other and find an acceptable middle ground. They also cannot deny the difficult attraction they have for each other. Secrets are revealed and choices are made that force both Sylvia and Max to grow and change, and most important, make space for love and partnership.
Something I always enjoy in Ava Wilder’s books is the immersion into the careers of her women protagonists. Their jobs are never an afterthought and they are carefully woven into the fabric of who that character is and how they move through the world around them. Sylvia, in another writer’s hands, could easily turn manic pixie dream girl. Here the inherent quirks of her personality have grounding in her past and inform the way she approaches her job and even her love life.
We know Max only through Sylvia’s eyes, as this is FMC single POV only. I felt here, as I do in most single POV stories, that we lost some of the partnership aspects I look for in genre Romance. This turns the book toward Women’s Fiction, where the main story is Sylvia’s overall journey. Max is a big part of this, but because we only see the world through her eyes he cannot help but become a more secondary character to her, versus an equal billing main character. He’s also a mercurial guy, which would make hearing his internal dialogue a bonus.
What makes this a Romance for me is that we do get plenty of on-page time with Max and Sylvia together. Also, the epistolary portions give much deeper insight into that other point-of-view and Max doesn’t stay a complete mystery.
Fans of Wilder’s previous books will find the same things to love here: Big feelings and emotions. Real conflict and imperfect main characters. Big swoony love story moments.
———
Ballantine (April 20, 2027)
Genre/Subgenre: contemporary romance
Standalone/Series: standalone
Themes/Tropes: epistolary, musicians, workplace romance, rivals to lovers, second chance to make a better impression,
Steam/Spice Level: open door, on the page intimacy, slow burn
Setting: Broadway, New York City
BIPOC Characters: yes, secondary characters
LGBTQ+ Characters: heroine is bisexual, secondary characters
Religion: Jewish main characters
POV: single POV, heroine only
Cops/LEO: N/A
Character Ages: 30s
Does the Dog/Horse/Cat Die? Her cat is alive and happy at the end
__________
Ballantine Dell provided an Advanced Reader Copy which was used to write this review.
Max Edelman is a young musical director in a constant defensive crouch against any suggestion that his nepo-baby status is the reason for his success.
So when Sylvia’s catastrophic day in the orchestra pit collides with Max’s pathological perfectionism, sparks fly, and not in a good way. A decade later, both Max and Sylvia have moved onward and upward, but collide again. This time as part of the orchestra for the most beloved musical of the age. For Sylvia, this means a steady paycheck and recognition of her talent. For Max, the gig is a place to sink in and lick some personal wounds while staying in a high-visibility role.
The pair clash at first, mirroring their meet not-so-cute––but as time passes each is willing to listen to the other and find an acceptable middle ground. They also cannot deny the difficult attraction they have for each other. Secrets are revealed and choices are made that force both Sylvia and Max to grow and change, and most important, make space for love and partnership.
Something I always enjoy in Ava Wilder’s books is the immersion into the careers of her women protagonists. Their jobs are never an afterthought and they are carefully woven into the fabric of who that character is and how they move through the world around them. Sylvia, in another writer’s hands, could easily turn manic pixie dream girl. Here the inherent quirks of her personality have grounding in her past and inform the way she approaches her job and even her love life.
We know Max only through Sylvia’s eyes, as this is FMC single POV only. I felt here, as I do in most single POV stories, that we lost some of the partnership aspects I look for in genre Romance. This turns the book toward Women’s Fiction, where the main story is Sylvia’s overall journey. Max is a big part of this, but because we only see the world through her eyes he cannot help but become a more secondary character to her, versus an equal billing main character. He’s also a mercurial guy, which would make hearing his internal dialogue a bonus.
What makes this a Romance for me is that we do get plenty of on-page time with Max and Sylvia together. Also, the epistolary portions give much deeper insight into that other point-of-view and Max doesn’t stay a complete mystery.
Fans of Wilder’s previous books will find the same things to love here: Big feelings and emotions. Real conflict and imperfect main characters. Big swoony love story moments.
———
Ballantine (April 20, 2027)
Genre/Subgenre: contemporary romance
Standalone/Series: standalone
Themes/Tropes: epistolary, musicians, workplace romance, rivals to lovers, second chance to make a better impression,
Steam/Spice Level: open door, on the page intimacy, slow burn
Setting: Broadway, New York City
BIPOC Characters: yes, secondary characters
LGBTQ+ Characters: heroine is bisexual, secondary characters
Religion: Jewish main characters
POV: single POV, heroine only
Cops/LEO: N/A
Character Ages: 30s
Does the Dog/Horse/Cat Die? Her cat is alive and happy at the end
__________
Ballantine Dell provided an Advanced Reader Copy which was used to write this review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of advanced copy received from NetGalley
*May contain slight spoilers
3.5⭐️
First of all, I would like to thank NetGalley and Ballantine for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review!
This book was undeniably a fun and enticing read. I have never read any book quite like it. Sylvia and Max were a very cute duo to read about, and I enjoyed the focus on older characters and how they deal with more niche careers within the arts. I loved their intense moments and how they always had a way of understanding each other. Although the book had its serious and emotional moments, I really appreciated the humor in this book. The “venom” exchange has to be my favorite part! It was such an endearing and humorous way to show the technological divide between differing generations.
Where the book lost me was the pacing and the cursed third-act breakup. I was really frustrated with how hesitant Sylvia and Max were to advance their relationship. It is understandable that they were fearful for their job security and power dynamic, but seeing how quickly Max resigned from his position made the conflict seem silly in the big picture. Also, Sylvia really put me through it with her lack of communication about her job offer, which fed into her relationship insecurities and caused further unnecessary conflict. Thankfully, everything is pretty much resolved in the end, but it did not make the journey there any easier to read.
Overall, I had a really good time reading this book, and I am looking forward to more books by Ava Wilder!
Thank you again to NetGalley and Ballantine for the advance copy!
*May contain slight spoilers
3.5⭐️
First of all, I would like to thank NetGalley and Ballantine for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review!
This book was undeniably a fun and enticing read. I have never read any book quite like it. Sylvia and Max were a very cute duo to read about, and I enjoyed the focus on older characters and how they deal with more niche careers within the arts. I loved their intense moments and how they always had a way of understanding each other. Although the book had its serious and emotional moments, I really appreciated the humor in this book. The “venom” exchange has to be my favorite part! It was such an endearing and humorous way to show the technological divide between differing generations.
Where the book lost me was the pacing and the cursed third-act breakup. I was really frustrated with how hesitant Sylvia and Max were to advance their relationship. It is understandable that they were fearful for their job security and power dynamic, but seeing how quickly Max resigned from his position made the conflict seem silly in the big picture. Also, Sylvia really put me through it with her lack of communication about her job offer, which fed into her relationship insecurities and caused further unnecessary conflict. Thankfully, everything is pretty much resolved in the end, but it did not make the journey there any easier to read.
Overall, I had a really good time reading this book, and I am looking forward to more books by Ava Wilder!
Thank you again to NetGalley and Ballantine for the advance copy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Adorable romance set in the Broadway world! I LOVED all the musical theater references, and Ava Wilder paints a really vivid picture of FMC Sylvia Roth's life as a Broadway pit musician (drummer). It was a unique take on the Broadway career. Most other Broadway-focused romances involve actors. I also enjoyed the She Loves Me subplot—Sylvia has had a fellow Broadway-loving email pen pal for YEARS. I didn't think it was meant to be a twist, so much as dramatic irony, that it took so long for her to figure out who the pen pal was!
Enemies-to-lovers meets She Loves Me were also just the right tropes for a Broadway romance. Sylvia meets music director Max Edelman when she subs in at a Broadway show. It's absolutely disastrous. 10 years later, she lands a permanent gig drumming for the fictional Alice In Wonderland-inspired musical Heartless...and comes face-to-face with Max again, now the F/T music director.
This was a slow burn, but not so slow I lost interest. My only gripe is that I wish we had skipped the third act breakup and spent more time on the actual developing relationship. The final conflict came with less than 10% of the book left; it added little to the story. Also, because this was such a slow burn, I wish we had gone deeper with Sylvia and Max's relationship once they actually figured themselves out. I would have liked to have seen them grow more together as a couple.
Loved all the Broadway musical and NYC Jewish cultural references!
Thank you to Ballantine via Netgalley for the complimentary digital ARC for my honest review.
Enemies-to-lovers meets She Loves Me were also just the right tropes for a Broadway romance. Sylvia meets music director Max Edelman when she subs in at a Broadway show. It's absolutely disastrous. 10 years later, she lands a permanent gig drumming for the fictional Alice In Wonderland-inspired musical Heartless...and comes face-to-face with Max again, now the F/T music director.
This was a slow burn, but not so slow I lost interest. My only gripe is that I wish we had skipped the third act breakup and spent more time on the actual developing relationship. The final conflict came with less than 10% of the book left; it added little to the story. Also, because this was such a slow burn, I wish we had gone deeper with Sylvia and Max's relationship once they actually figured themselves out. I would have liked to have seen them grow more together as a couple.
Loved all the Broadway musical and NYC Jewish cultural references!
Thank you to Ballantine via Netgalley for the complimentary digital ARC for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Any book that is going to reference Whiplash gets so many stars from me. My inner band nerd really really enjoyed this book. A fun enemies to loves/friends to lovers, forced proximity, slow burn, forbidden romance with strong you’ve got mail vibes with so much yearning, set in the orchestra pit on Broadway.
Syl is struggling to be successful as a women in percussion to make it in the world of Broadway orchestra which is dominated by older men. Then she lands a dream job, her all time favorite musical, and possibly the most steady gig in Broadway, the show that’s been around for years and will never end. Only to show up day one and learn she will be working under the man responsible for the worst night of her life. Her arch nemesis Max. As she struggles to put of with Max’s demanding direction and not being welcomed into the group from the other members she relies on her friendship with her online pen pal to make it through the hard days.
Soon she’s feeling conflicted as she realizes that she might not actually hate Max, she may in fact like him. Or does she like her online pal more? Feelings get confusing as both relationships progress and Syl is left wondering if either relationship is worth the possible hurt of pursuing.
I devoured this book, the slow burn nearly killed me because I just couldn’t wait for them to get together and then I didn’t want it to end I could have read so much more of Syl and Max! I’ve been a big fan of Ava Wilder since her first book and this new one does not disappoint.
Syl is struggling to be successful as a women in percussion to make it in the world of Broadway orchestra which is dominated by older men. Then she lands a dream job, her all time favorite musical, and possibly the most steady gig in Broadway, the show that’s been around for years and will never end. Only to show up day one and learn she will be working under the man responsible for the worst night of her life. Her arch nemesis Max. As she struggles to put of with Max’s demanding direction and not being welcomed into the group from the other members she relies on her friendship with her online pen pal to make it through the hard days.
Soon she’s feeling conflicted as she realizes that she might not actually hate Max, she may in fact like him. Or does she like her online pal more? Feelings get confusing as both relationships progress and Syl is left wondering if either relationship is worth the possible hurt of pursuing.
I devoured this book, the slow burn nearly killed me because I just couldn’t wait for them to get together and then I didn’t want it to end I could have read so much more of Syl and Max! I’ve been a big fan of Ava Wilder since her first book and this new one does not disappoint.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Love Notes follows Syl, a Broadway pit drummer and her decade old nemesis, Max, who is now the Music Director at her otherwise dream job. She has been working for years to establish herself in a male dominated career and won't let animosity with Max get in the way of a steady job. While working together she finds he's not as bad as she previously thought but is set on not compromising her career for a man. While things are heating up with Max, her longest relationship, an anonymous pen pal since childhood, is now interested in taking things to the next level.
I devoured this book and could not put it down. I absolutely loved it from start to finish. Behind the scenes of a Broadway musical made for such a fun and interesting setting. I am a sucker for any epistolary devices in books, whether emails or texts, but especially anonymous pen pals. I think the anonymity allows the characters to be more honest and vulnerable, and this book delivers all of the above. There's major You've Got Mail vibes in this book and even a cheeky Meg Ryan reference, but the book is not a copycat. Enemies to lovers is not my favorite trope but it was handled so well here. Syl and Max's transition away from being enemies was believable and created the best yearning, slow burn situation. There are great side characters, intergenerational relationships and messy family dynamics. The book looks at how hard it is for women to success in orchestras and more generally, the sacrifices they tend to make for relationships and children. There is also great Jewish and LGBTQ representation.
Thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine Books and Dell Romance for the ARC!
I devoured this book and could not put it down. I absolutely loved it from start to finish. Behind the scenes of a Broadway musical made for such a fun and interesting setting. I am a sucker for any epistolary devices in books, whether emails or texts, but especially anonymous pen pals. I think the anonymity allows the characters to be more honest and vulnerable, and this book delivers all of the above. There's major You've Got Mail vibes in this book and even a cheeky Meg Ryan reference, but the book is not a copycat. Enemies to lovers is not my favorite trope but it was handled so well here. Syl and Max's transition away from being enemies was believable and created the best yearning, slow burn situation. There are great side characters, intergenerational relationships and messy family dynamics. The book looks at how hard it is for women to success in orchestras and more generally, the sacrifices they tend to make for relationships and children. There is also great Jewish and LGBTQ representation.
Thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine Books and Dell Romance for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
WOW. I just finished Love Notes, and all I can say is Ava Wilder absolutely knocked it out of the park! This easily shot up my favorite reads of 2026 list. This truly is my definition of a perfect read—enemies to lovers, immaculate tension, *so* steamy, swoon-worthy romance, and a fresh take on You've Got Mail. I can already tell this book will be HUGE (bestseller lists incoming), and I will be personally recommending this book to my friends, family, peers, and colleagues to purchase.
Also, I read most of this book while on a day trip from Connecticut to New York (on the Metro-North and everything), so I have the most fun memories reading, and I feel so connected to everything about this story (Syl and Max OF COURSE, the setting, Broadway, literally everything).
If you couldn't tell by my absolutely glowing review, this book is an instant SIX-STAR READ. I preordered after I saw the *stunning* cover reveal, but I honestly might preorder again to give a copy to a friend. Love Notes truly is THAT good. BUY IT NOW!
Thank you so much to Dell Romance/Ballantine for sending over this eARC and allowing me to read one of my favorite books I've truly read all year. I can't wait to reread this one again, and again, and again (and again for good measure).
My thoughts, as always, are strictly my own.
Also, I read most of this book while on a day trip from Connecticut to New York (on the Metro-North and everything), so I have the most fun memories reading, and I feel so connected to everything about this story (Syl and Max OF COURSE, the setting, Broadway, literally everything).
If you couldn't tell by my absolutely glowing review, this book is an instant SIX-STAR READ. I preordered after I saw the *stunning* cover reveal, but I honestly might preorder again to give a copy to a friend. Love Notes truly is THAT good. BUY IT NOW!
Thank you so much to Dell Romance/Ballantine for sending over this eARC and allowing me to read one of my favorite books I've truly read all year. I can't wait to reread this one again, and again, and again (and again for good measure).
My thoughts, as always, are strictly my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Love Notes or as I like to call it: an autobiography 🙂↕️🧚🏻♀️
I loved this book so much. I’m so grateful to have been given an ARC from NetGalley!! I’ve already told Ava this (and anyone who will listen lol) but seriously it feels like this book was written about me. A girl jazz drummer, aspiring Broadway pit musician, from Long Island, BISEXUAL, and the list goes on! The similarities are crazy and I felt so seen (a little too seen…….. 👀 jk).
More importantly, this book reignited my need to be in a professional pit as soon as I’m done with grad school in June. Besides the personal push this book gave me, it also just made me feel good and gave me joy, both things that we all need more of!!
Even if you’re not a musician, or aren’t into musicals (and like… thank god for all the references), you will still love this story. It’s beautiful and heartwarming and nostalgic and all of the rom-com things.
I am so happy that Ava put so much care into this story, not just with the emotional aspects but the details and accuracy of being a girl drummer 😭😭😭😭😭 It really is such a tough career path and even so, I’m so excited to be on it. I am Sylvia and I love that!!! Thank you Ava <3
(When the book is released, I will write a full review! I cannot wait to organize my thoughts further :)
I loved this book so much. I’m so grateful to have been given an ARC from NetGalley!! I’ve already told Ava this (and anyone who will listen lol) but seriously it feels like this book was written about me. A girl jazz drummer, aspiring Broadway pit musician, from Long Island, BISEXUAL, and the list goes on! The similarities are crazy and I felt so seen (a little too seen…….. 👀 jk).
More importantly, this book reignited my need to be in a professional pit as soon as I’m done with grad school in June. Besides the personal push this book gave me, it also just made me feel good and gave me joy, both things that we all need more of!!
Even if you’re not a musician, or aren’t into musicals (and like… thank god for all the references), you will still love this story. It’s beautiful and heartwarming and nostalgic and all of the rom-com things.
I am so happy that Ava put so much care into this story, not just with the emotional aspects but the details and accuracy of being a girl drummer 😭😭😭😭😭 It really is such a tough career path and even so, I’m so excited to be on it. I am Sylvia and I love that!!! Thank you Ava <3
(When the book is released, I will write a full review! I cannot wait to organize my thoughts further :)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
To say that I loved this book would be an understatement. This is by far my favorite Ava book!
Ten years ago, Sylvia "Syl" met Max Edelman when she was filling in as a last minute replacement on the drums. When her train is delayed and she rushes to get to the performance on time, she knows she is not at the top of her game. It's a complete disaster. Max immediately tells her not to return, letting Syl know that she's going to be replaced.
Fast forward ten years later, Syl's Broadway show closes after a short run and she finds herself unemployed again. That is until a dream opportunity arises at Heartless, the long-running musical that would provide her excellent job security for years to come. The only problem is that Max is the MD on the show.
The tension between the two of them is clear from the beginning. Syl tries to break the ice between the long time employees of the show who are not as friendly as she'd expected. Max is also starting to show Syl that maybe he's not as cranky as he seems and that there's more to his backstory than she ever knew.
I LOVED this book! The only downside was I felt the ending was a bit rushed, but I was invested from the beginning. Thank you so much for this arc!
Ten years ago, Sylvia "Syl" met Max Edelman when she was filling in as a last minute replacement on the drums. When her train is delayed and she rushes to get to the performance on time, she knows she is not at the top of her game. It's a complete disaster. Max immediately tells her not to return, letting Syl know that she's going to be replaced.
Fast forward ten years later, Syl's Broadway show closes after a short run and she finds herself unemployed again. That is until a dream opportunity arises at Heartless, the long-running musical that would provide her excellent job security for years to come. The only problem is that Max is the MD on the show.
The tension between the two of them is clear from the beginning. Syl tries to break the ice between the long time employees of the show who are not as friendly as she'd expected. Max is also starting to show Syl that maybe he's not as cranky as he seems and that there's more to his backstory than she ever knew.
I LOVED this book! The only downside was I felt the ending was a bit rushed, but I was invested from the beginning. Thank you so much for this arc!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Treating Broadway not just as a backdrop, but as the raw, beating heart of the romance itself creates an almost narcotic spell. It might be their lives, livelihood, and passion, but the fresh and raw fever of musical dreams really kept me locked into the story and the success of the characters from start to finish.
Ava Wilder’s Love Notes conducts a masterclass in enemies-to-lovers tension by locking a brilliant, trailblazing female percussionist and a demanding, maddeningly talented conductor inside the pressure cooker of a Broadway pit orchestra.
Every clash of sticks, every driving beat, and every sharp cue mirrors the electric friction between two professionals at the absolute top of their game. When mastery of an art form collides with the slow burn agony of a grudge turned entirely too passionate, the result is pure, melodic magic. It's a love story that proves the best kind of harmony is the one you have to fight for every single measure.
Coming from a girl that lived, loved, and breathed musicals through most of her life - this was such a hit for me!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Ava Wilder’s Love Notes conducts a masterclass in enemies-to-lovers tension by locking a brilliant, trailblazing female percussionist and a demanding, maddeningly talented conductor inside the pressure cooker of a Broadway pit orchestra.
Every clash of sticks, every driving beat, and every sharp cue mirrors the electric friction between two professionals at the absolute top of their game. When mastery of an art form collides with the slow burn agony of a grudge turned entirely too passionate, the result is pure, melodic magic. It's a love story that proves the best kind of harmony is the one you have to fight for every single measure.
Coming from a girl that lived, loved, and breathed musicals through most of her life - this was such a hit for me!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Single pov. Slowwwww burn. Enemies to lovers.
3.75🌟
1.5🌶
Sylvia is a pit musician on Broadway. Max is the very serious, grumpy music director. And they cant seem to stop crossing paths. Overtime Sylvia begins to understand Max a bit more and can't help but be drawn to him.
Syl met metalman in a Broadway lovers group forum 20 years ago and have been chatting online ever since.
How does Sylvia, Max and Metalman's story all connect? I bet you'll never guessssssssss.
My notes:
🎵The Cover is beautiful!
🎵This is my first Ava Wilder book. It was very well written. It was funny with enough detail, without being overdone. I will definitely check out some of her other books.
🎵The first 25% is pretty slow.
Thank you Ava Wilder and Net galley for the pre-release.
3.75🌟
1.5🌶
Sylvia is a pit musician on Broadway. Max is the very serious, grumpy music director. And they cant seem to stop crossing paths. Overtime Sylvia begins to understand Max a bit more and can't help but be drawn to him.
Syl met metalman in a Broadway lovers group forum 20 years ago and have been chatting online ever since.
How does Sylvia, Max and Metalman's story all connect? I bet you'll never guessssssssss.
My notes:
🎵The Cover is beautiful!
🎵This is my first Ava Wilder book. It was very well written. It was funny with enough detail, without being overdone. I will definitely check out some of her other books.
🎵The first 25% is pretty slow.
Thank you Ava Wilder and Net galley for the pre-release.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Oh my gosh I loved this book and literally devoured it in 2 days!! The tension between Max and Sylvia had me on the edge of my seat and I did not want to put the book down!!
Sylvia and Max’s history made their relationship even more addicting and I loved seeing it unfold! They are very different in a lot of way but somehow they were exactly what the other needed. I LOVE the pacing of this book and their relationship so much that I NEED to check out Ava Wilder’s other books!
Thank you so so so much NetGalley for sending me an early copy of this book! 💗
Sylvia and Max’s history made their relationship even more addicting and I loved seeing it unfold! They are very different in a lot of way but somehow they were exactly what the other needed. I LOVE the pacing of this book and their relationship so much that I NEED to check out Ava Wilder’s other books!
Thank you so so so much NetGalley for sending me an early copy of this book! 💗
November 2, 2026
I gobbled up another Ava Wilder romance and I had so much fun. I enjoyed visiting the Broadway world with a Who’s Got Mail twist. Loooooved the chemistry between Syl and Max. I’ll read anything Ava writes!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Want to Read
October 10, 2026New Ava Wilder? Hell yes!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Ava Wilder never misses!!!
Somehow each book I’m like, surely this can’t be even better than the last one? And then it somehow IS. And this may very well be my favorite because what do you MEAN they’re plagued by yearning and longing and angst on levels not even they are aware of??
Y’all know I adore when the MMC was a jerk one (1) time long ago and the FMC just decides he is dead to her forever (me) but then ALAS!!! There was a REASON and, more importantly, A MAN APOLOGIZING AND TAKING ACCOUNTABILITY FOR HIS ACTIONS (we can suspend disbelief because it’s a romance).
And boy howdy do Sylvia and Max each have their reasons for guarding their hearts. From their tentative truce to their budding friendship to their tumble into trust and love, they are both equally vulnerable and EXTREMELY reluctant to be so, resulting in a sort of emotional tap-dance that neither of them knows all the steps to.
The way the musicals and the music itself plays such a vital role to the story was so expertly done, and all of the side nudges that are more obvious to us than either of them lead to a slow and VERY well earned collision of their worlds. This book made me miss high school band. Which is saying something because you could not pay me to set foot in a high school ever again in my life.
Somehow each book I’m like, surely this can’t be even better than the last one? And then it somehow IS. And this may very well be my favorite because what do you MEAN they’re plagued by yearning and longing and angst on levels not even they are aware of??
Y’all know I adore when the MMC was a jerk one (1) time long ago and the FMC just decides he is dead to her forever (me) but then ALAS!!! There was a REASON and, more importantly, A MAN APOLOGIZING AND TAKING ACCOUNTABILITY FOR HIS ACTIONS (we can suspend disbelief because it’s a romance).
And boy howdy do Sylvia and Max each have their reasons for guarding their hearts. From their tentative truce to their budding friendship to their tumble into trust and love, they are both equally vulnerable and EXTREMELY reluctant to be so, resulting in a sort of emotional tap-dance that neither of them knows all the steps to.
The way the musicals and the music itself plays such a vital role to the story was so expertly done, and all of the side nudges that are more obvious to us than either of them lead to a slow and VERY well earned collision of their worlds. This book made me miss high school band. Which is saying something because you could not pay me to set foot in a high school ever again in my life.
Review of advance copy
ava wilder writes the best slowburns 🤌
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Love Notes is a romance set in the world of Broadway that caught my attention because of its combination of enemies to lovers, workplace romance, and a slow-burn love story. The main character, Sylvia Roth, is a drummer who has spent years trying to make a name for herself in an industry dominated mostly by men. When she lands a job in Heartless, one of Broadway’s longest-running musicals, she thinks she might finally have the job stability she desperately needs. The problem? Her musical director is Max Edelman, the man who fired her ten years ago during one of the worst experiences of her career.
The relationship between Sylvia and Max was one of the things I found most interesting. Sylvia has good reasons to distrust him, so it’s not simply a case of two people disliking each other for no reason. As they start working together again, Sylvia begins to realize that Max is more complicated than she remembers, while he also has to deal with his own professional struggles and the challenge of fitting into a workplace where not everyone is willing to accept him. I liked how their relationship developed gradually, moving from initial tension to a truce, then to a closer connection, and eventually to feelings neither of them expected.
I also found the way the story explores Sylvia’s struggles as a woman in a profession where she constantly has to prove she deserves her place really interesting. Her career matters to her, and she isn’t willing to put everything she has worked for at risk for a relationship, especially when Max is her boss. This conflict gives the romance more depth because it’s not just about accepting their feelings but also deciding what they’re willing to risk for them.
Another detail I enjoyed was the pen-pal storyline. Sylvia has spent years talking online with an anonymous person she trusts and with whom she can be vulnerable in a way she struggles to be with others. As her relationship with Max begins to change, that friendship also starts taking a different direction. I liked how this storyline connects with the main romance and adds another layer to the story, especially through the contrast between what Sylvia feels comfortable sharing in writing and what she struggles to express face-to-face.
I also loved that the novel gives us a glimpse into the world of Broadway from the perspective of the orchestra musicians instead of focusing on the actors onstage. It’s a different approach that lets us see the work that goes into every performance and makes the setting feel like an important part of the story. Music isn't just a background detail; it plays a meaningful role in the main characters’ lives and in the way they connect with each other.
Overall, I think this is a great choice for readers who enjoy slow-burn romances, tension between two characters with unresolved history, and relationships built on trust. Sylvia and Max have their own struggles, insecurities, and reasons for protecting themselves emotionally, which makes their growing connection feel gradual rather than immediate.
The relationship between Sylvia and Max was one of the things I found most interesting. Sylvia has good reasons to distrust him, so it’s not simply a case of two people disliking each other for no reason. As they start working together again, Sylvia begins to realize that Max is more complicated than she remembers, while he also has to deal with his own professional struggles and the challenge of fitting into a workplace where not everyone is willing to accept him. I liked how their relationship developed gradually, moving from initial tension to a truce, then to a closer connection, and eventually to feelings neither of them expected.
I also found the way the story explores Sylvia’s struggles as a woman in a profession where she constantly has to prove she deserves her place really interesting. Her career matters to her, and she isn’t willing to put everything she has worked for at risk for a relationship, especially when Max is her boss. This conflict gives the romance more depth because it’s not just about accepting their feelings but also deciding what they’re willing to risk for them.
Another detail I enjoyed was the pen-pal storyline. Sylvia has spent years talking online with an anonymous person she trusts and with whom she can be vulnerable in a way she struggles to be with others. As her relationship with Max begins to change, that friendship also starts taking a different direction. I liked how this storyline connects with the main romance and adds another layer to the story, especially through the contrast between what Sylvia feels comfortable sharing in writing and what she struggles to express face-to-face.
I also loved that the novel gives us a glimpse into the world of Broadway from the perspective of the orchestra musicians instead of focusing on the actors onstage. It’s a different approach that lets us see the work that goes into every performance and makes the setting feel like an important part of the story. Music isn't just a background detail; it plays a meaningful role in the main characters’ lives and in the way they connect with each other.
Overall, I think this is a great choice for readers who enjoy slow-burn romances, tension between two characters with unresolved history, and relationships built on trust. Sylvia and Max have their own struggles, insecurities, and reasons for protecting themselves emotionally, which makes their growing connection feel gradual rather than immediate.
October 26, 2026
The blurb definitely reeled me in for sure, and it did not disappoint. I don’t have any interest in musicals and I wouldn’t be the most knowledgeable about them, but I really enjoyed this book, and it was from the perspective of the orchestra, which was even more interesting. It was refreshing. I enjoyed learning a little bit more about the behind the scenes and the work involved in every show. Music is such a vital part of my life, and it was nice to be reminded of the work and dedication these artists strive for to share their love for music.
It’s great to see more MMC’s in their 30’s. It’s cool that Sylvia, the FMC was a drummer, and doing this at Broadway too! A woman thriving in a male dominated field, it just makes me happy. I loved seeing that representation. Syl felt unseen, and I really could relate to that. Syl was refreshing and unique, I love how the author paints a very clear image of her.
Max was an interesting character, and I liked seeing more of him the further the story progressed. He’s vulnerable beneath the surface, and it takes a little while to see his soft side. I really enjoyed the chemistry between him and Sylvia, watching them slowly get to know each other and realise there was so much more to the other person than they initially thought. There was something so satisfying about seeing them find their way towards each other.
This book is so much more than a romance. It explores feeling unseen, loneliness, vulnerability, and what it means to let someone truly see you. There’s also the added complexity of navigating a relationship when your career and professional reputation are on the line. I really appreciated that these struggles weren’t brushed aside just because the characters had feelings for each other.
There was so much depth to this one, and I loved how the author brought the world of Broadway to life through the musicians rather than just focusing on the performers on stage. It made the setting feel distinctive and gave the story another layer. You can really feel how much care went into the details. This book is so much more than a romance, and it is layered with so much depth. It explores feeling unseen, loneliness, vulnerability, and what it means to let someone truly see you. There’s also the struggle of being a woman in a male-dominated field and the sacrifices that come with pursuing a career you love. I loved how all these different elements came together to make the story.
I feel like in romance, we definitely need dual POV. I want to know how they think, the way they think, and seeing things through their perspective. It would have been amazing to just understand Max more, and show us the readers, who he is. My only other complaint would be that I thought the ending was a little rushed. I would’ve loved it to have been a little longer and the epilogue to have been a year or two on from the end.
Thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine, and Ava Wilder for providing this ARC in exchange for a voluntary, honest review.
It’s great to see more MMC’s in their 30’s. It’s cool that Sylvia, the FMC was a drummer, and doing this at Broadway too! A woman thriving in a male dominated field, it just makes me happy. I loved seeing that representation. Syl felt unseen, and I really could relate to that. Syl was refreshing and unique, I love how the author paints a very clear image of her.
Max was an interesting character, and I liked seeing more of him the further the story progressed. He’s vulnerable beneath the surface, and it takes a little while to see his soft side. I really enjoyed the chemistry between him and Sylvia, watching them slowly get to know each other and realise there was so much more to the other person than they initially thought. There was something so satisfying about seeing them find their way towards each other.
This book is so much more than a romance. It explores feeling unseen, loneliness, vulnerability, and what it means to let someone truly see you. There’s also the added complexity of navigating a relationship when your career and professional reputation are on the line. I really appreciated that these struggles weren’t brushed aside just because the characters had feelings for each other.
There was so much depth to this one, and I loved how the author brought the world of Broadway to life through the musicians rather than just focusing on the performers on stage. It made the setting feel distinctive and gave the story another layer. You can really feel how much care went into the details. This book is so much more than a romance, and it is layered with so much depth. It explores feeling unseen, loneliness, vulnerability, and what it means to let someone truly see you. There’s also the struggle of being a woman in a male-dominated field and the sacrifices that come with pursuing a career you love. I loved how all these different elements came together to make the story.
I feel like in romance, we definitely need dual POV. I want to know how they think, the way they think, and seeing things through their perspective. It would have been amazing to just understand Max more, and show us the readers, who he is. My only other complaint would be that I thought the ending was a little rushed. I would’ve loved it to have been a little longer and the epilogue to have been a year or two on from the end.
Thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine, and Ava Wilder for providing this ARC in exchange for a voluntary, honest review.
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