Huge thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC, it was so good to be back in the world of STEM with a super steamy, vulnerable, and emotional romance from Ali!

When I say steamy, I mean STEAMY. The title is perfectly fitting because for the first 2/3 of the book or so it's not as much love as it is lust, and wow these scenes had me blushing! Eli and Rue no doubt have chemistry in the bedroom, but watching them develop that through their past and their openly vulnerable "stories" was a nice touch that allowed the reader to grow and like them as they grew together. Over the last 1/3 of the book we really see things coming together both professionally and personally for Rue and Eli. There was some "miscommunication" that I usually do not enjoy, however the missed communication was more in the professional side of the story. In the personal and romantic parts, Eli and Rue were exceptionally forthcoming about their past and their lives which was refreshing as we saw them figure out each other and their connection.

I say we grew along with them because that's really how I felt. The beginning had me hooked and curious, but the middle section almost lost me a bit as it was so focused on the sex that I really struggled to see their emotional connection coming through. As I said above, the ending of the book was really redeeming as the focus more on the characters themselves. Rue's past was the most touching, but left her feeling like a character that needed protecting and "saving", which was a little different than Ali's usual role of a powerful female lead and I still am not sure how I feel about it.

Definitely recommend for fans of Ali's other work, this was actually was a bit different and a bit deeper, which was a nice touch! Out this June 😊

Unpopular opinion… this might be my least favorite Ali Hazelwood book yet 😭. This sits somewhere between a 3⭐️ and 3.5⭐️ for me.

This book wasn’t horrible, but for me it was just ok, and the plot was lacking. This is very different than the other Ali Hazelwood books I love so much. And sadly this change of pace just didn’t do it for me.

In all honesty, I think the spice almost ruined it for me. I’m pretty sure this book is 80% smut. And I’m all for the smut, but something about this one irked me. And I think it might have been Eli. His character, the way he would act with and regarding Rue, the things he would say. SO many times I got ick vibes. There were definitely moments in there with things he would say that would just rub me the wrong way.

I’m all for smut but I really felt like it overpowered so much of the plot. Which was a bummer because I think the storyline had potential to pull me in but it fell so flat. I also wanted to learn more about Rue and her family and the food insecurity aspect.. such an important topic brought into a book to feel like it was buried under a bunch of smut.

Relationship wise… I wanted to see Rue and Eli’s relationship build a bit. See that development. But it was like some instant sexual attraction that somehow was instant love for Eli, and for Rue and her personality you could see it being an internal struggle learning that she might actually have feelings there. And I might be the odd one out with this view point (don’t come at me y’all!) but, due to these two dynamics and how Eli was, it felt like Eli was manipulating Rue half the time. Something was off and maybe I can’t even really pin point it. But I def didn’t get the best vibes from Eli. I really liked Rues character and loved that she is a woman who knows what works for her sexually and made it such a point to make sure Eli was on board with that. And yet somehow Eli convinced her to do what she stated she hated doing, and all of a sudden she didn’t hate it anymore. Not a fan. It was written in a way that felt like the “I can fix them” trope and that’s a hard no for me.

I did have thoughts throughout the book that maybe Rue is on the spectrum too. Which would be awesome representation in a book but then that never was clarified, and that let me down a bit. Because having a character with ASD would be awesome.

All in all, this book wasn’t for me.

Ali Hazelwood is a must read for me... Not In Love solidified my stance.
I thought the disclaimer at the beginning was very appropriate and spot - on. Hazelwood describes that book as less rom-com and more erotic romance - which is true. mostly. There is still plenty of comedic relief and banter but the steamy scenes are definitely more frequent and descriptive than some of her past novels. The way she ties in the elements of the MC's relationship to their shared emotional trauma is. very well done. Rue is indebted to Florence for helping her breakthrough in her professional field, but also for helping her find her place in the world. I loved the neurodivergent quirks of Rue and the way that her friends not only accept her, but embrace her. Eli and Rue meet by chance, but as their lives become more intertwined both personally and professionally, they begin to see that their connection may be unavoidable - not matter how hard they try. I will say, the one thing that struck me as odd was Florence commenting on Rue's haircut... I feel like I *get* where Hazelwood was going with this line of thinking, but it didn't hold true throughout the book and it felt like an odd placement of that type of comment/behavior since it was the first (and only) occurrence of such. Regardless, Hazelwood's books are smart, steamy, and just the right amount of hilarious to keep me coming back again and again. Although the love scenes were more frequent, they never felt gratuitous or unnecessary in nature (in my opinion) and I felt like they added to the storyline and the characters' development. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

THIS BOOK 🥹🥹🥹

Ali never disappoints and this book was no exception. I loved every minute of it. Eli and Rue were so tender and heartfelt and they made me feel every single one of the feelings. My heart is so full.

Ali Hazelwood's newest book is a sweet and steamy read with her classic STEM setting. I enjoyed reading this story and seeing Rue and Eli's relationship unfold. Fans of Ali Hazelwood's previous books will eat this up! I especially appreciated that Rue was a tall gal and that we didn't have another small female love interest.

ali hazelwood writes men that could never actually exist and that’s why i keep coming back for more. the things these men think and say KILL ME! the banter! the witty conversations! i need more from eli and rue asap!!

I love everything Ali writes and this one was no exception! It was PURE ANGST and steam and just amazingly written as usual! I can’t wait to scream about this one when it comes out!

I think this might be her best book yet. I loved it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC.

A very satisfying, originals romance! Rue and Eli were a great match-up. Loved how Eli saw the beauty in Rue, including her awkwardness, walls and all. Usually I love the spicy in romance, but for some reason they didn’t real click for me personally. However they really moved the relationship, so for that reason they worked. Definitely felt like an Ali hazelwood book for sure.

If there is one thing about me is that I will run to read an Ali Hazelwood book, and she did it again!
Not in Love was the perfect mix of humor, steam, heavy emotional baggage and academic politics. I'm usually not big on dual pov's but both characters were so interesting and had enough depth that it kept me reeled in every time there was a pov change. This was also very much her most angst-ridden book yet (and I'm here for it!!!) and ended being such a fun time following Eli & Rue.
In the end it's definitely up there with the love hypothesis and love theoretically for my favorites by Hazelwood!

An Electrifying Romance: "Not in Love" by Ali Hazelwood

Prepare to be swept off your feet and into a world of passion, intrigue, and undeniable chemistry with Ali Hazelwood's captivating novel, "Not in Love." From its pulse-pounding plot to its sizzling romance, this book is a rollercoaster ride of emotions that will leave readers breathless and begging for more.

At the center of the story is Rue Siebert, a fiercely independent biotech engineer whose world is turned upside down when her company, Kline, becomes the target of a hostile takeover led by the enigmatic Eli Killgore. Despite their undeniable attraction, Rue and Eli find themselves on opposite sides of a high-stakes business deal, torn between loyalty and desire.

What sets "Not in Love" apart is its electrifying romance, which crackles with tension and heat from the very first page. Ali Hazelwood has crafted a love story that is as forbidden as it is irresistible, drawing readers into a world of secrets, betrayal, and passion that will keep them guessing until the very end. Rue and Eli's chemistry is off the charts, igniting sparks that leap off the page and leave readers breathless with anticipation.

But "Not in Love" is more than just a steamy romance—it's a story about the power of love to transcend boundaries and defy expectations. As Rue and Eli navigate the treacherous waters of corporate espionage and personal desire, they must confront their own fears and insecurities, risking everything for a chance at happiness. Their journey is a testament to the transformative power of love, reminding readers that sometimes the greatest risks yield the greatest rewards.

Moreover, Ali Hazelwood's writing is nothing short of mesmerizing, weaving together a complex tapestry of emotions, suspense, and heart-stopping romance that will keep readers glued to the page until the very end. With its sharp dialogue, richly drawn characters, and pulse-pounding plot twists, "Not in Love" is a masterclass in storytelling that will leave readers craving more.

In conclusion, "Not in Love" is a must-read for fans of steamy romance and pulse-pounding suspense. With its captivating storyline, unforgettable characters, and sizzling chemistry, Ali Hazelwood has delivered a true gem of a novel that will leave readers swooning and clamoring for more. So grab a copy, buckle up, and get ready for a wild ride that will leave you breathless and begging for more.

Not my favorite of Hazelwood's - I didn't really love either main character and the crux of their conflict seemed to revolve almost solely around sex, which seemed like a change for this author. Lots of sexy times.

Ali Hazelwood does it again! I was not sold by the summary but I got sucked in. I read this in a day and loved the characters, the plot, and the spice.

ali hazewood books only get better and better! not in love varies from her past stem books, it felt more mature and poignant. the plot was fascinating and although i found myself getting really confused amidst all the legal talk: hazelwood's writing style helps the reader understand the basics of what's going on. in addition, rue and eli's romance doesn't revolve the repeated tropes present in her former novels. eli and rue have a deep, profound relationship (even before it's romantic) and it truly makes the book shine. the personalities, the struggles, and the connection between eli and rue make this book all the while. i cannot recommend this book enough! as always, thank you to netgalley and berkley publishing group for providing me with an arc!

Hazelwood did warn that this wasn't your typical rom-com, so I've no one to be disappointed in but myself for not loving this as much as I do her other books. Still, my least favorite Ali Hazelwood beats the best of most of my must-read romance authors, so.

I am a huge fan of Ali Hazelwood, so I was super excited to receive this ARC! Not In Love is one of my most anticipated releases of the year, and it did NOT disappoint. In fact, this might be my favourite Hazelwood book yet. I was on the edge of my seat from the first chapter. Perhaps my fav MMC from her as well. I LOVED that we got dual POV for this book - it added so much to the story and she wrote both POV's perfectly. Love love love

I loved this book! This was definitely Ali's spiciest read yet without a doubt. Eli was the best book boyfriend and I absolutely adored Rue. Even though I could guess the plot with Florence's the ending still made me cheer. A 10/10 read in my book.

I love Ali Hazelwood, but this is the first book of hers that I have mixed feelings about.

The dual-perspective romance is always a win for me and some of the silly stations that the MCs ended up in made me outright giggle on my flight back home. I adored some aspects of Eli and Rue's relationship, all the communication that happened between the characters is what I love about Ali's style of romance and I appreciated that some hard topics in this book started conversations about what emotional trauma and healing look like.

But while I loved the complexity of Rue's storyline, the novel was missing some of my favorite Hazelwood aspects. I was looking for supportive side characters to have more screen time, I was looking for all the fun facts and information about a random yet super important field of science, and overall I had such an issue when Rue communicated boundaries about her spice preferences but then those preferences were not supported throughout the book. I am not a fan of the broken until the right person fixes me trope, and some key aspects of the story followed that narrative too much for my usual five-star rating.

Overall I had fun reading this ARC and thank Netgally so much for the advanced copy.

Shout out to Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC! Not in Love is very different in tone than Ali Hazelwood’s other novels and, as always, she does an incredible job. One thing about her books is you’ll also learn about science and, in this case, private equity. (I still don’t entirely understand private equity. I’m so sorry, Ali!) In any case, I loved this book. I always enjoy her books, that’s a given, but this one really hit hard and I couldn't put it down. She has a real talent for moving between genres and Not in Love is a really good mix of romance with more of a contemporary fiction feel. Throughout this book, I kept thinking about how good Ali Hazelwood would be at writing a book that’s all mystery, romance, and political intrigue. I’ll be waiting! Alexa please play Glitch by Taylor Swift.

Not my favorite — at least she moved on from the “I’m so petite” trope, but it was way spicier than I remember her books usually being?

Was reading on a flight and had to skip past large swaths bc I was pretty sure the teenage boy across the aisle was reading over my shoulder. 😂