This was my second Julie Soto book, and I might give her one more go because I can see the potential but I'm not overwhelmed with excitement.

I know the music aspect / switching between the violin and the cello / the orchestra hierarchy irritated a lot of people because it wasn't realistic, but as someone who has literally no background in music I was able to suspend my disbelief for that pretty easily. (I can see how that would be a deal breaker if you're familiar with the industry, but I'm not so it wasn't something that bothered me.)

This book relied on the miscommunication trope soooo heavily. To the point where the things the main characters WERE communicating didn't make any sense. Xander's criticisms of Gwen's playing were actually him admiring how amazing she was? Are we in kindergarten?

I'm also not a fan of insta-love, which it felt like this book was supposed to be rivals to lovers but there was no build up. They just suddenly were banging like rabbits and saying "I love you" with no relationship development at all.

Gwen as a character felt like a child. She's written as if she's so self aware but constantly makes stupid impulsive decisions. The villains of the story were spelled out right at the beginning of the book, but she just keeps ignoring everyone's stories and warnings and all of her gut feelings, and then is shocked and confused when the villains do something villainous to her.
I will say, even if most of the music politics didn't bother me,

the fact that she legitimately couldn't relax and just play, makes it feel like an absolutely insane choice to make her first chair. publicity gimmick or not. Potential doesn't mean she's ready for that?!?

Xander / Alex was I think supposed to be aloof and mysterious but he just came across as condescending. 

The 3rd act breakup was so random and frustrating.

It relied so heavily on the characters just accepting the villains behavior. Literally zero character growth throughout the entire story. And then the resolution was them just ...changing their minds and quitting their jobs? Luckily there was that lawyer Gwen's roommate just started dating who specializes in contracts.

Everyone coming together and resolving their decades long issues over a holiday meal, and just having an impromptu jam session felt so gimmicky. If all it took was a quick chat to solve everything then why did it take decades to happen?

My last complaint is less about the story and more just a personal gripe, but the fact that Ama (the FMC from her previous book, Forget Me Not) kept showing up got really annoying really quickly. The first time she was spotted was fine, a cute little Easter egg, but then she just. kept. appearing. She didn't add anything to the story, it was clearly supposed to be a little tongue in cheek, but it was just distracting from the main story.