Picture a storyteller who spun spicy romances and award-winning musicals from a coastal California haven—meet Julie Soto! A USA Today bestselling author, playwright, and actress, Soto captivated readers with her debut novel Forget Me Not, a blockbuster romance that blends heart and heat. Her journey from fanfiction fame to literary stardom, paired with her musical theater flair, makes her a unique voice in modern romance.
Now settled in Fort Bragg, California, with her dog Charlie, Soto crafts stories that pulse with passion and wit. Her love for coffee, Pride and Prejudice, and fandom culture infuses her work with a playful, relatable charm. Let’s dive into the world of Julie Soto, where love blooms and creativity reigns!
The Making of Julie Soto
Born on February 12, 1988, in Sacramento, California, Julie Soto grew up with a passion for storytelling. A self-proclaimed musical theater geek and fandom nerd, she found early inspiration in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and spicy fanfiction. Writing under the pseudonym LovesBitca8, Soto honed her craft on Archive of Our Own, where her stories, like the popular The Auction, amassed a devoted following. Her time bouncing between New York and California shaped her dynamic creative voice, blending West Coast warmth with East Coast hustle.
Soto’s theater roots run deep. Her musical Generation Me won the 2017 New York Musical Festival’s Best Musical and Best Book awards, showcasing her knack for weaving narrative and emotion. This multifaceted background set the stage for her leap into traditional publishing, where she traded fanfic chapters for bestselling novels.
Julie Soto’s Unforgettable Stories
Soto’s debut, Forget Me Not (2023), is a spicy rom-com about wedding planner Ama Torres and grumpy florist Elliot Bloom, whose past heartbreak fuels tension at a high-profile wedding. Praised for its humor and heart, it landed Soto on the USA Today bestseller list and sparked a series adaptation by Universal International Studios. Fans adore its vivid characters and steamy romance, with quotes like, “You may think everything ends one day, but you haven’t had ‘everything’ with me,” resonating deeply.
Her follow-up, Not Another Love Song (2024), dives into the world of music with rivals-to-lovers Gwen Jackson and Xander Thorne, two string players whose onstage chemistry ignites. Soto’s upcoming works, The Thrashers and Rose in Chains (both 2025), promise more romance and fantasy, with the latter exploring a princess navigating a dark, magical world. Soto’s style—lush, witty, and emotionally raw—blends spicy romance with themes of resilience and connection, earning her a loyal readership.
Her fanfiction roots shine through in her accessible, trope-driven narratives, while her theater background adds dramatic flair. Whether it’s a wedding mishap or a fantasy auction, Soto’s stories feel like a warm hug with a sultry wink, inviting readers to lose themselves in love.
Why Julie Soto Matters
Julie Soto’s impact lies in her ability to bridge fandom and mainstream romance, proving fanfiction writers can conquer traditional publishing. Her stories resonate with readers craving authentic, spicy love stories that celebrate vulnerability and strength. By infusing romance with theater’s emotional depth, she’s carved a niche that feels both fresh and timeless. Her success inspires aspiring authors, showing that passion projects can bloom into bestselling careers.
Soto’s influence extends beyond books. Her musical theater contributions and fanfiction legacy foster a creative community where fans and creators connect. As she continues to write, her stories remind us that love, in all its messy glory, is worth celebrating.
About Julie Soto
- Born: February 12, 1988, Sacramento, California
- Key Works: Forget Me Not (2023), Not Another Love Song (2024), The Thrashers (2025), Rose in Chains (2025)
- Awards: 2017 New York Musical Festival Best Musical and Best Book for Generation Me
- Fun Fact: A fandom nerd, Soto wrote popular fanfiction under the pseudonym LovesBitca8.
Snag Forget Me Not or Not Another Love Song and dive into Julie Soto’s spicy, heartwarming world of romance! Whether you’re a rom-com fan or a fantasy lover, her stories will leave you swooning.