Not In Love by Ali Hazelwood
“You’re enough, Rue. And if you aren’t… I just don’t mind.”
Ali Hazelwood continues to dominate the women in STEM romance novel market in my opinion. This book delivers a strong FMC who knows exactly what she wants in the bedroom and workroom. The MMC proves to be the missing piece in her puzzle and gives her a new perspective on what it means to be intimate with someone.. and she just might fall in love along the way.
“You’re damn mouth,” he murmured, “is the most obscenely lovely thing I’ve ever had the burden of seeing.”
Rue and Eli turn the heat up in a different way than Hazelwood’s other STEM novels. It was a lot of fun to read a different sexual dynamic between the two main characters. They really do bring the heat in this one.
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

DNF @ chapter 8.

While there's an author's note at the beginning about how this book isn't really a rom com (fair enough, I appreciate the management of expectations), I thought it went too far in a different direction. I legitimately could not bring myself to care about Rue or Eli. Major yawn.

This was my first Ali Hazelwood book that I've read and I must say that I really enjoyed it. The characters were dynamic and endearing and fun to read about. The story itself was interesting and exciting, and it held my attention the whole time. My heart really felt for Rue, she was so misunderstood in a way that I think many people can relate to. Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC!

Here is the God's honest truth: the letter Ali Hazelwood added to the beginning of this title scared the heck out of me, and it made me almost not read this book. And truly, I don't think it warranted that type of letter at all. To be clear, I really appreciate it when authors leave warnings at the beginnings of their books-- it helps set the tone and bring readers on the journey in a safe way. That being said, Hazelwood's note did not seem to match the tone of the book, so I read the whole thing sort of squinty-eyed, waiting for it to bite me, and it just... never did? This felt like a run-of-the-mill romance to me. And in that sense, that's where the three stars came from.

Huge thank you to @prhaudio @berkleypub @berittalksbooks @thephdivabooks @dg_reads and @netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Audiobooks are my favorite gardening tool, just saying!
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it’s official. My favorite thing about reading Ali Hazelwood is reading them with friends. What Hazelwood has successfully done is created a community that is clamoring over her books when they come out and they are waiting to be discussed! The second this book came out we knew we had to discuss!

I’ll admit that I can be quite critical of Ali Hazelwood’s work. On an individual level, I think all of her books are pleasant, but by the time she released her third STEM rom-com, I was over the formula—a very small woman who is the smartest (but very misunderstood) scientist on Earth falls in love with A BIG BURLY man who is her superior. That’s not to say I don’t find validity in the stories and the characters she’s created, I just wished that her books didn’t all feels like echoes of each other.

Her past three releases have all been fresh and unique, from CHECK AND MATE, her first foray into YA romance to BRIDE, a paranormal education in knotting. With NOT IN LOVE, she returns to the world of STEM, but mixes it up enough to make this perhaps her best romance yet.

Rue Siebert finally feels comfortable: she has a select group of close friends, financial stability, and her dream career. After years of fighting, she’s finally where she’s always wanted to be, until a group of investors decide to institute a hostile takeover of the food science start-up where she works. The issue? She matched (and nearly hooked up) with Eli, one of the business partners just days before. Although they’re on differing sides of this business conflict, Rue and Eli can’t deny their connection.

NOT IN LOVE is her most emotional book yet—both Rue and Eli have trauma that’s unpacked through the novel, and while I think this exploration deserved a little more time, I appreciated her foray into deeper topics. It’s also her spiciest book yet, although there were times when I felt the emotional chemistry between Rue and Eli suffered as they both seemed to use their sexual chemistry as the only means to justify that they’re a great match.

Despite these slight qualms, I had a great time reading this. The business/hostile takeover subplot was fascinating and I liked the way Hazelwood used it to dive into friendship dynamics. I was truly rooting for Rue the entire time.

A welcome addition to Ali’s oeuvre. I gave it 4 ⭐️!

Look at Ali hazelwood over here writing yet another hit! And she keeps getting spicer as her books so on. I loved this one and I am definitely recommending it to all of my friends!

I will always be thrilled about a new Ali Hazelwood book! Not in Love has all the great elements of an Ali book, with unique characters, bingeable writing, and a fast paced plot, but it fell a bit short. Overall I thought the book was just okay. From the start, I was never entirely sold on the love story that was being portrayed. Rue and Eli’s chemistry was purely sexual and not emotional. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good spicy scene when it feels like it’s furthering plot! In this case it felt like the spice WAS the plot. I do really appreciate the deeper themes that were discussed throughout the book and admire Ali for straying from her usual romcom! I just wish there was attraction and chemistry beyond the physical aspect.

Thank you Berkley for the arc!! I’ll forever love you endlessly!

This book was addicting! I was pulled in by the love/hate relationship between Rue and Eli. Their characters were so believable and you could tell that they were real people in their world. The sexual tensionnnnnnnn between these two was so inside, I kept yelling at the kindle!!

I feel like this is a different style from the other Ali Hazelwood books I have read in the past, but I love it!!!

Ali Hazelwood has become an auto buy author for me and while this one was okay, it's definitely not my favorite of hers. Rue and Eli's relationship felt more like lust than love to me and definitely too instant. The book focused a lot on their sexual tension and not enough on their emotional connection, which made it hard for me to feel invested in them. They barely got to know each other aside from telling short stories from their past and her telling him repeatedly that she didn't want a relationship.

What separated this one from Ali's prior books was definitely Rue, who I'm sorry to say didn't have a personality whatsoever. I'm used to Ali's characters being funny and quirky and while I don't think she has to do the same thing every time and I appreciate her mixing it up, I do wish Rue was more interesting to follow along with. She was just so dry and moody which didn't make for an engaging read and they never really explained why she was that way. What caused you to be such a wet blanket? You just hate people for no reason? Why was Eli so invested in her when she literally gave him nothing? It just didn't track.

I did like the dual POV that she introduced and the workplace drama - the Florence/patent side of the book definitely kept me interested. I work in finance so while some may not enjoy business talk in romances I certainly didn't mind it. Overall this one was okay but not great.

Ali Hazelwood does it again! I loved the authors note at the beginning as it set my expectations for the rest of the book. In comparison to her other books, this one felt more steamy and more mature (as far as how the characters were together/handled conflict). It did feel less science-y but still love a women in stem! I don't think this will be for everyone (the spice/verbiage/erotic romance) but it I had a blast reading it! 4.5/5 stars

aahhhhhh ali hazelwood never misses!! I loved Rue and Eli from their very first meeting. The entire plot set up was perfect. If you're looking for a solid romance, this is the perfect book for you.

Everyone was saying this is Ali's spiciest yet, and THEY WERE RIGHT!! (wish I had done the audio now, seeing everyone swooning over the narrator thoughhhh)

Ali once again, did romance right! *everybody clap* The characters have chemistry, they feel raw, emotional, and vulnerable. I enjoyed how different her approach was to sex in this book, about how people have different comfort levels and kinks, and it's all individual and unique to each person.

I thoroughly enjoyed, and would recommend.

*Thanks to Netgalley/Berkley for my gifted e-book copy! All reviews and opinions are my own.

It pains me to have to give this story such a low rating because Ali Hazelwood's books have always been one of my favorite forms of escapism, but Not in Love was the first book by this author that didn't make me blush or giggle. All in all, it was ok, which is not usually something I would say about her books at all. Usually its's "this was fantastic! or great!" I am hopeful the next one will be better formulated.

I absolutely loved this book! I think this is my favorite Ali Hazelwood to date. Eli is soo dreamy and I loved how he cherished Rue for exactly who she was and let everything be at her pace. The story was captivating and the spice and chemistry were off the charts!

Rue Siebert, a biotech engineer, faces a hostile takeover at her stable job. Enter Eli Killgore, the irresistible front man. Their secret affair defies odds, blending romance and workplace drama. Ali Hazelwood’s storytelling is as irresistible as fresh-baked cookies. 🍪💕
Happy reading! 📚

Ali Hazelwood is an automatic read so I was pumped to get a digital copy from Berkely!

First thing of note, this book is different from Ali’s other contemporary romances, a fact the author herself prepares readers for in a note before the book begins. After reading, I would sum it up as there’s more complex and deeper struggles for the MC’s.

FMC Rue is a closed off biotech engineer at food science start-up, Kline. MMC Eli, is a labrador partner in the company that wants to acquire Kline - and turn Rue’s life upside down. Oh, and Eli and Rue met up as strangers last night for a hook-up that didn’t happen… INTRIGUE. This is a story of two emotionally complex and hurt people who attempt to connect despite their conflicting loyalties, work details, and personal traumas. And Ali keeps it coming with the twisty-turns.

I gave this book 4 stars because it was a solid story, well-written, and interesting to read. BUT - honestly, none of us had the vigor for it that we normally have for Ali’s stories. We tried to dive into why and most likely the answer is expectations as this is a tonal shift. However the counter argument to that is we loved Bride, which was a complete turn. I personally struggled because I felt it was a bit too damsel saved by the knight, versus strong independent people who support one another.

TLDR; Read it. It’s worth it. And then report back because we are still trying to put our thumb on our exact feelings.

Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood is a delightful and engaging romance that combines sharp wit with heartfelt emotion. Hazelwood’s expertly crafted characters and charming narrative create a captivating story full of chemistry and humor. The novel’s blend of romance and relatable moments makes it a standout read that will leave readers smiling.

This was so different from Ali’s usual work and I ate it up!! Rue and Eli are PERFECT for each other. The tension!! The SPICE!! So good

I’ve had generally neutral opinions regarding Ali’s books but THIS???????

Not in Love was truly cinema. To be fair, I am from Austin and seeing an emotionally unavailable woman get loved to the corners of the universe made me want to SCREAM. The physicality of their relationship made so much sense as well, and the book truly went all the way to 5 stars for me with that simple conversation of “I appreciate our physicality, but let’s just watch a movie together.” A sexy dance of two kindred spirits finding a home together.