I've taken some time to sort my feelings out on this newest addition to Hazelwood's oeuvre, but there's something decidedly lacking. It has all the mechanisms and formulas of a great romance, but the characters, the chemistry, and the storyline fizzle out halfway through the book. There's almost a sense of going through the motions and while it all works, it didn't capture my attention as usual. Both characters were borderline forgettable and the soft enemies to lovers made it feel flat rather than tense and thrilling.

Now, it could have been down to my mood, but I read two other romance books after this and I thoroughly enjoyed those so unfortunately, this one did not click with me. It's still worth the read!

I absolutely adored this book! We have ourselves a little forbidden love story between Rue, a biotech engineer at Kline, one of the most promising start-ups in the field of food science, and Eli the man trying to steal the tech behind her friend's company. Talk about a scandal! They meet by chance through a dating app only to find themselves tangled in a secret workplace romance. Rue was bristly and stubborn yet I still related to her so hard. Eli, oh boy, he knew what he wanted and didn't let anything get in the way! I loved him so much as the romantic hero. I loved that they both had this traumatic family upbringing that gave them scars from the past. While the difficulties with their families were very different, it still gave them something to bond over and made them feel more like real people and not perfect storybook characters This was definitely one of Ali Hazelwood's steamiest books yet. the spice was so good and felt it was all relatable to the story and not just spice for spice's sake. But besides the steam and the romance, I loved that this really questioned the perspective on who the good and bad guys were throughout the book. Read if you like, enemies to lovers, dual POV and STEM-focused roles.

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review. This book releases 6/11

this book is definitely more romance-y & less stem/science-y than ali’s books and i adored that. i had a really hard time connecting to these characters because of how fast the smut came without the emotional connection.

this book is SPICCCCYYYY. like probably too spicy for me (and i don’t mind smut at all) so if you are into that you will love this book LOL

if you are into spicy AF books, forbidden love, workplace romances, texas, stem, or law - i think you will love this book! the excessive spice was just not it for me.

It hurts me to write this review.
Ali Hazelwood has always been a favorite. When Bride was released, I was so excited to read a different genre and LOVED how she seamlessly moved into the fantasy realm. While I love when authors flex their writing chops by expanding on their published "norm," Not in Love's expansion into erotica was not for me. I know there is a vast audience for the crude language and sexual openness - but I am not a fan. I had to DNF this book at 33% when the main characters were discussing their sexual preferences while naked in a hotel room. Not my jam.
I don't post negative reviews on my page, and I am not planning to include this recap in my Goodreads because I didn't finish the book and can't speak to the story's entirety. But this is my honest review. Thank you for allowing me to preview the book.

Super smart and emotionally unavailable Rue and handsome former hockey player Eli meet on an app where they arrange a one night stand that is interrupted by Rue’s complicated past. Rue and Eli meet again when Eli shows up to Rue’s job as one of the financiers trying to overthrow the company Rue works for and is owned by her female mentor, based on Eli’s own complicated past. Rue is forced to decide where her allegiances lie in this emotionally deep, but very steamy romance.

I think the Love Hypothesis will always be my fave of Ali’s, followed by Love on the Brain. But I did enjoy this more than last year’s Love Theoretically.

What I enjoyed about this one was the complex backstories both characters had that led them to where they were mentally and emotionally when they met one another, damaged and unavailable looking for one night stands. I personally enjoy a little past emotional trauma and raw, complicated plot lines in my romance, which is why I’m an avid Abby Jimenez fan. Life is more messy like that.. less like instalove unless you’re just lucky. It was really fun getting to know Rue and Eli and see how they morphed into something beautiful together that they never thought possible. I also loved Rue as a character. Ali has a knack for writing hilarious, witty, sarcastic, and incredibly intelligent FMCs and I am totally here for all of it!!

Thank you so much to Ali, Berkley, and NetGalley for the e-galley!

I wasn't super into this book. I haven't read any Ali Hazelwood before this, and I'm not the biggest fan of both her writing, and the characters. I thought Rue and Eli were not super exciting, and I had a hard time finishing this book.

This was the most disappointing Hazlewood title I've read so far. The plot was thin and the characters were flat. I didn't feel either chemistry or love from either of the main love interests. The random insertion of hockey and ice skating felt out of place.
The tone was strange; switching between points of view and tenses could have worked with another style of writing, but it just felt clunky to read.

Not in Love is the latest quirky romance from author Ali Hazelwood proving that all is fair in love and science.

Rue Siebert might not have it all, but she's content with what she's got. Her world is stable, pleasant, and hard-fought. But when her existence is threatened by a hostile takeover and its equally offensive frontman, Rue finds herself in an unexpected predicament. Eli Killgore has his reasons for wanting the company Rue works for and isn't afraid to go after what he wants. Unfortunately, that will make Rue off-limits to Eli. Soon, Eli and Rue will find themselves torn and unable to deny their burning attraction. Will Rue and Eli go all in and put their hearts on the line? You're gonna have to pick up a copy of this book to find out...

I absolutely adored Not in Love. Eli and Rue were fun characters and I enjoyed their witty/quirky banter. I loved the push and pull between Eli and Rue. I thought it led to some great chemistry. I'm a sucker for forbidden romances, and when you add in grumpy sunshine and enemies-to-lovers vibes, I'm a complete goner.

As always with Ali Hazelwood, there's more to the story than meets the eye. Not in Love isn't just a romance, but a story that isn't afraid to dive into the tough topics. I enjoyed everything about this book from beginning to end.

4.5 ⭐️

ok this was actually so cute!!!!! ali mentioned as an authors note in the beginning that not in love is moreso an erotic romance rather than a romcom and I do agree with that! this one was spicy 🥵 but I loved it none the less!!!!

from the start I was so intrigued by the characters— rue and eli and I immediately wanted to know where their situationship would head!!! and in addition to that there’s the overall plot relating to rue’s workplace that also had me on the edge of my seat. so it’s safe to say I was locked in from the beginning! rue is such an interesting character, she’s a successful engineer who’s work was motivated by her past growing up with food insecurity. so she has been working as an engineer (don’t ask me which kind bc I already forgot lol) to develop a product that can make produce last longer so people don’t run into the issues she had when she was younger :( I mean come on that is beautiful 🥹

eli and rue first meet through a sexy time app 😛 but their first encounter/meet up doesn’t go according to plan due to rue’s annoying loser brother crashing the “date”. after their meet up they’re both left wondering what could have been but rue has a strict one meet up only with all her booty calls. so they think they’ve seen the last of each other. UNTIL eli shows up to rue’s place as part of the company who’s basically gonna take over her company’s business!!!!! this added such a fun plot twist to the story!!!!!!

eli was immediately shaking in his boots so happy at the opportunity to see rue again and she was trying stay far away lollll. but that obviously didn’t last long! these 2 could not stay away from each other. I liked how eli slowly weasled his way into rue’s life. over time he was able to understand her better and found a way to slowly be let in. and I absolutely adored seeing the progress of their situation and friendship into more. there were so many beautiful intimate moments between them where they started to break down the walls. they’d both been through some difficult things in their childhood and it was beautiful seeing how they could relate and comfort one another. and the physical intimacy y’all 😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨 HOT HOT HOT!! I was actually drooling!!

my favorite aspect of the book was the way eli was so receptive to rue in every ways— sexually, emotionally, her past and at work. you can tell he adored her from the start!!!! he wanted to learn more about her and know how to be there for her. that made him so much hotter as a person I love him and want that for me :/

all in all I absolutely loved this book. I loved seeing how the plot relating to the workplace unfolded and everything in between! a captivating read from start to finish!!

First of all I’m so happy that Ali continues to write neuro diverse characters! Rue was an interesting character and I don’t think I’ve ever read someone like her, so I loved her and this aspect of the book.

However the insta love and Eli’s overall pov didn’t work for me. I have always said that I wanted a dual pov Ali Hazelwood book but it turns out reading the MMC siming this hard for the fmc isn’t really my thing.

This is just my personal preference, I think if people like insta love or the MMC falling this hard then they’d really love this book and love the dual pov component!

Overall, an easy read, with some science and some romance!

Thank you so much @alihazelwood, @berkley, @penguinrandomhouse, and @netgalley for the eARC of Not In Love by Ali Hazelwood. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

As you all know, Ali Hazelwood is one of my all time favorite authors. I’m not exaggerating when I say that I cried a few happy tears when the invite to read Not in Love hit my inbox 😂.

I would never in a million years want to spoil anything about this book, because I know I would be devastated if it happened to me. Therefore, I solemnly swear on Dr. Adam Carlsen’s favorite lab coat 🥼 (you know he has one 👀), that I’ll keep my review spoiler free.

Ali Hazelwood states in the preface of Not in Love that this book is different from her previous releases…and she’s not wrong. Not in Love in goes much deeper than her prior books. It’s raw, honest, and emotional. You’ll learn so much more about the characters’ inner thought processes, as well as their backstories, than ever before. Make no mistake that I am Here. For. It! 👏👏👏

That being said, Not in Love still contains 100% of that Ali Hazelwood essence we’ve all fallen in love with. The witty banter is on point, the characters are unapologetically themselves, the spice is hot, and the STEM is present, but still accessible, to anyone who doesn’t have a PhD in biochemistry.

Bottom line:

🎓If Not in Love was a doctoral candidate, Dr. Adam Carlsen would give it its diploma.

🔭If Not in Love was an engineering project at NASA, Dr. Levi Ward would give it the green light.

🏫If Not in Love was a job applicant at MIT, Dr. Jack Smith would hire it for the job. (Yes, even if it was a theoretical physicist 😂).

In the pages you will find:

✌️Dual POV
🔬Science
🌶️ Spice
⛸️🏒Hockey AND figure skating!
🤝 Found family
🏠Complicated family dynamics
🐕An adorable dog 😍
📱Dating apps
🥚 An “Ali-verse” easter egg!
📖 Another unputdownable read by Ali Hazelwood!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

#alihazelwood #notinlove #thelovehypothesis #loveonthebrain #loathetoloveyou #lovetheoretically #checkandmate #Bridealihazelwood #berkleypublishing #penguinrandomhouse #netgalley #advancedreadercopy

What a fun read! Hazelwood brings her classic blend of snark, wit, humor, and heartbreak to this newest story. Though it has the usual tropes (namely "enemies to lovers"), Hazelwood always. puts a fresh spin on the romance genre through the thoughtful crafting of complex characters and multiple POVs, along with a surprisingly unpredictable plot. This is summer must-read for anyone looking for a side of spice with their science!

Not in Love was the sweetest and most angst-filled novel Ali Hazelwood has written to date and I absolutely loved it.

Eli and Rue meet for a one-night stand that crashes and burns before it ever begins. Finding out they are literally enemies complicates things even further: Eli’s company is threatening to destroy Florence, Rue’s boss and trusted mentor.

Eli and Rue stand on opposite sides, but their chemistry and attraction is undeniable and although they try, they simply cannot stay away from each other.

They initiate a secret affair and foolishly plan to keep it strictly physical. And, although they spend a great deal of time exploring the physical aspects of their relationship, they also find that their shared childhood trauma allows them to be honest with each other in a way they never expected.

I loved watching Eli and Rue break down their barriers, openly communicate throughout the entire story, and ultimately find love and safety in one another.

Also, it may be far-fetched, but I hope Ali Hazelwood gives Hark and Maya their own book.

Ali does it again!
She thrives in an academic world. The chosen family was wonderful. The complicated family dynamics was super relatable. The way the male MC stepped up to take care of his sister was commendable.

Advanced Reader Copy Review
Not In Love by Ali Hazelwood. I went back and forth on the rating between three and four stars, and I would give it a 3.75-star rating. There is a trigger warning page before the start of this book, with even Hazelwood discussing that this book might not be for everyone. Both main characters have experienced trauma in their past that leads them to have difficulties with relationships and processing emotions. So be sure to check that before reading the book. My primary thoughts about the teetering rating were that the plot was slow in the book's first half, and there wasn't a ton of character development. However, the plot exploded in the book's second half, leading to an overall understanding of the characters' actions. Overall, if you like Ali Hazewool, definitely read it. Just proceed with caution. Side note: Are we going to get a Hark and Maya book? I would be down for that!

Not in Love is a book that I’ve been incredibly excited about since I first saw the announcement last year, and it’s no secret that Ali Hazelwood is one of my absolute favorite authors.

I went into this book with the knowledge that it would have a different tone than Ali’s previous STEM romcoms. With the knowledge that it would deal with deeper topics such as grief and food insecurity, I went into it with an open mind, excited to see how such topics would be handled in the context of a secret relationship in the workplace between two rivals.

In short, it was handled beautifully. Rue and Eli were two incredibly complex characters, individually working through their own complicated pasts in a way that brought them together: a sex forward dating app meant to match people who are looking for similar things. This becomes complicated when they realize Rue is a scientist at Kline, and Eli and his business partners are set on taking over the company and its biotech. But as relationships with such a gravitational pull as theirs goes, they decide to engage in a secret affair.

This book was spicier than Ali’s previous work, but each placement taught us more and more about the characters. As they worked through their traumas in a more physical way, we got to see their healing journeys and how they helped each other through it. Rue was a very, understandably, distrustful FMC because of her history, and it was beautiful to see how Eli met her where she was and never expected her to be anyone other than herself. Characters who show up for each other and let each other exist in the purest forms of themselves are beautiful to witness, and Ali delivered this very well. We got a slice of the classic banter while still managing to hold the hard topics up to the light in a way that kept them at the forefront of character development.

Beyond the main characters, we got to meet a whole cast of side characters who were not only well developed, but truly displayed how found family and community can really help the healing process.

I truly recommend this read, because it’s nothing short of amazing 🩷

Thank you Berkley and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

My love for this book is simply not enough to write in this tiny reviewer slot. I need loads of paper, endless amounts of pens and even quills, and finally all the time in the world. 😘🙌

This book was so different then what Ali usually writes, and I was utterly consumed by it. The tone of this book is much more serious and handles subjects like Grief, food insecurity, and child neglect.

It def is less of a rom-com and leans more towards another genre which Ali has dubbed "Erotic Romance." I think this is important to acknowledge because others might not enjoy this book for that very reason.

I personally fell in love with this book and everything it gave me 🧎🏻‍♀️.

Our two main characters are Eli and Rue who meet via a dating app (things don't quite work out the first time) but the sparks do fly. the following day they meet and it turns out that Eli and his business partners are trying to take over the company that Rue works for. And despite that... the attraction is THERE, therefore their affair begins. Leaving both Rue and Eli questioning everything.

This book had everything, Eli is a man who will HUMBLE himself before Rue. He is so whipped and in love that it fits like a glove 💋. If your man isn't as committed as Eli, you might want to THINK AGAIN 🫵.

The way that even fate was rooting for them too had me chuckling 🤭.

Rue and Eli are both individuals who struggle with the concept of dating. Some might find this annoying and therefore find this book not to be within their tastes and that's okay. But personally, I love it when two characters define their idea of love together rather than apart.

Rue was so me-coded, that I needed to catch my breath. She is a full-hearted introvert with very few friends and a lack of a social life. And yet, she is an amazing character that WINS you over. Despite her distant persona, she knows exactly what she wants and she is NOT apologetic about it. Rightfully so.

I would love to be your friend Rue!! I need you to teach me your ways so that I can also get myself a man like Eli 👀.

This was the perfect mix of Angst, Spice, and Drama wrapped up with a major bow of Horniness 🥵.

Ali and her work always manage to captivate me! And this book showcased exactly that.

I cannot wait for the world to have this book in their hands 🫶🏼.

This is not like any other Ali Hazelwoods and I am here for it!
Is 2024 the year of getting deep complicated romance characters?!
Everything in this book is different. The spicy sex scenes, the type of characters, even the amount of stem. But overall it is still a quick read and there is still an animal sidekick and free bride, Ali has proves she can do no wrong.

ali hazelwood’s novels will always be a hit for me. she is an auto-buy author and i will read any and everything she writes. not in love takes the cake for being my fav ali hazelwood to date. golden retriever x black cat will forever be my fav romance trope and eli + rue were so dang perfect. eli was such a lover boy and such a baby girl! i absolutely adored how he cared so deeply for rue. gimmie a mmc who is so obsessed with his girl and who will do any and everything for her. rue was and is MY GIRL. i related to her on such a visceral level. eli said it perfectly: “my sad, beautiful fortress girl” 🥹!!!!! the chemistry, tension, and swoony moments were there from the very start of this book. i was instantly rooting for them. not only was this top tier spice but it was also so emotional. i was one minute sweating from how hot they were and then the next minute crying bc i felt so deeply for these two. i can’t recommend this one enough and im so excited for you all to get your hands on it!!!

thank you berkley for the ARC!!! i had the most wonderful time! pub date: june 11th 💖

ali hazelwood’s novels will always be a hit for me. she is an auto-buy author and i will read any and everything she writes. not in love takes the cake for being my fav ali hazelwood to date. golden retriever x black cat will forever be my fav romance trope and eli + rue were so dang perfect. eli was such a lover boy and such a baby girl! i absolutely adored how he cared so deeply for rue. gimmie a mmc who is so obsessed with his girl and who will do any and everything for her. rue was and is MY GIRL. i related to her on such a visceral level. eli said it perfectly: “my sad, beautiful fortress girl” 🥹!!!!! the chemistry, tension, and swoony moments were there from the very start of this book. i was instantly rooting for them. not only was this top tier spice but it was also so emotional. i was one minute sweating from how hot they were and then the next minute crying bc i felt so deeply for these two. i can’t recommend this one enough and im so excited for you all to get your hands on it!!!

thank you berkley for the ARC!!! i had the most wonderful time! pub date: june 11th 💖