Unfortunately I will be DNF'ing this book. As someone who skips spicy scenes in books, I feel like I'm skipping the majority of the book from 30% on here. I think that Rue is actually kind of a horrible person and if she was a real person, no one would want to be friends with her...

Meet Rue: She is smarter than everyone else around her and if they don't immediately know what she is talking about, they are idiots. She's so absolutely brilliant that it's below her to have to explain her scientific concepts or participate in any collaboration in general. The side of her head is shaved, but also she doesn't care what anything thinks, and she is not like other girls. Basically, the last person I would want as a coworker.

Meet Eli: He's attracted to Rue because...?? She has a body, so it's cool that he can use that. That's it.

This book is one long series of severely emotionally detached hookups. It could be hot, but all personality or emotion is completely disconnected. The storyline promised in the blurb is basically background and is incredibly predictable. So, Hazelwood finally made a change: reused the same plot but removed any romance or chemistry. I don't think "Not in Love" will have the same broad appeal as other Hazelwood novels.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

I love Ali Hazelwood’s work and I’d say Not in Love is her spiciest and angstiest work. Sometimes the device of the unavailable woman and the too available man becomes too hard to believe, but you can’t stop yourself from routing for these people!

A feel good romance with just the right amount of spice, combined with drama and strife. Really enjoyed the characters in this novel.

This is definitely not my favorite Ali Hazelwood book....but it's still an Ali Hazelwood book! I think my main issue was that it took me awhile to get invested and I had trouble connecting to the FMC. Also just not a huge fan of workplace romances, although they're not really coworkers, it still gives me a bit of an ick.

Rue doesn't want relationships, just an occasional one-night-stand with someone she never has to see again. Unfortunately for her, a promising meeting with Eli doesn't lead to anything more and leaves them both very unsatisfied. And then, Eli shows up at her work as part of a team trying to bring her beloved science start-up down! Now more than ever Rue knows that she shouldn't start anything with him, but will they be able to resist?

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Ali Hazelwood does not miss! I don’t think I’ll ever get bored of science and romance! Eli and Rue were just chefs 😘

Thank you so much for this arc!

If you’re looking for a steamy, enemies with benefits romance look no further. This in the newest STEM romance from Ali Hazelwood, and watch out you don’t burn yourself from all the spice this one has in store for you. This one does deal with some heavy topics, in both our main characters past, and adds that much more emotion to the story.

A steamy romance about two troubled souls who meet when he is trying to take over the company she works for. Narrated by Callie Dalton and Jason Clarke, Hazelwood offered an enjoyable listen, but I confess I was more interested in the takeover..

I found Hazelwood’s STEM romances enjoyable and appreciated the corporate takeover element in the plot. The romance in this book is hotter than her previous ones, and I’m all for it. The problem was that there was very little time to focus on building relationships. While I enjoyed the confessions, I don’t think I’ll remember their story in three months.

The takeover stems from revenge, and the storyline was intriguing. We are left in the dark in the beginning and slowly learn the whys. I confess I was concerned for Rue and her current project.

I loved the banter and secondary characters who added to the story. Both Rue and Eli’s backstories were interesting and enough that I felt like I knew where they were coming from. The romance while sizzling lacked a genuineness I felt previously from this author.

Callie Dalton and Jason Clarke narrated in duet. They did well voicing the characters. I preferred the parts read by Dalton and liked both her male and female voices.

While not my favorite Hazelwood novel, I enjoyed the banter, takeover story, and characters.

I love Ali Hazelwood and this book didn’t feel fully like Ali until the end. I love how her novels explore the spectrum of Demi-sexuality and are slower burns. The heavy focus on the physical relationship with little plot until the end left me feeling detached from these characters and missing my favorite part of Ali’s books - the romance and STEM.

this is easily Ali Hazelwood's horniest novel yet, and that's saying something. such a sexy, dark yet tender novel with an intriguing subplot. highly rec!!!!

I am so grateful for Not in Love—it was such a juicy, steamy, delicious upgrade from Ali Hazelwood's typical. I absolutely ate this up—I simply could not get enough.

I’m always excited for a new Ali Hazelwood book! Not in Love did not disappoint for me. I think it’s very important to read her authors note in the beginning because this definitely has a much different vibe than her other books. It’s not really a romcom and more just a romance.
Still really liked it and would recommend!

Enemies to Lovers STEM, He Falls First Dual POV Romance

Meet Eli & Rue - these two meet via an app and the attraction is instant but their rendezvous is interrupted, leaving them both angsty only to find themselves at odds over his company's takeover of the start-up where she works.

I know Ali writes about women in STEM but this book is all about the STEAM friends. These two lust after each other soooo bad and we get it in dual POV so we have no doubts about how they feel. I loved the secret stories they shared only with each other. There is just something about bearing the most secret, terrible parts of yourself with someone that is so beautiful.

I'm an Ali Hazelwood fan and Not in Love did not disappoint. Definitely recommend this for your summer reading.

forbidden, angsty, boy who is obsessed with the FMC and it's enemies with benefits. Obviously this was a 5/5 stars.

Thank you so much to Berkley Romance, Netgalley, and PRH Audio for providing an advanced copy of this! All thoughts and opinions are still my own.

I knew from the moment I read this that this wasn't going to work for a lot of diehard Ali Hazelwood fans. And that definitely seems to be the case. This is vastly different from her previous books and personally I was consumed by it.

This is far heavier on the physical romance than emotional romance, which is a departure from her more slow burn, high chemistry, will-they-won't-they stem romances.

This follows 2 scientists with heavy baggage, who work through a lot of their issues through a physical relationship. Including their dislike for each other. It's insta-attraction, lots of on page sex, with a more slow burn emotional side.

Which is the opposite setup from her previous books (lots of tension, chemistry, slow getting to know each other, ending in a big physical moment).

This also has a bit of a more melancholy feel to it. The characters have some pretty heavy pasts that affect how they see and interact with the world (and each other). And because of that, some of their interactions could definitely be seen as frustrating due to their lack of (healthy) communication.

It also might seem impossible to get on board with the hero at first. But trust me when I say, it's worth it in the end.

“You’re enough, Rue. And if you aren’t… I just don’t mind.”

Thanks to NetGalley and the folks at Berkley Publishing for an eARC of this highly anticipated release!

Not in Love thrusts us back into Ali’s Steminist world, but with a twist. She describes this book as less of a romcom and more of an erotic romance, and that tracks! This book is a bit heavier and grittier, but still has Ali’s signature banter and characters that are fun to get to know. And the DUAL POV WAS 🤌🏻 I need the MMC POV in all her books now (especially Dr. Levi Ward’s because that man was down so bad and I need to read that perspective like I need air 😭)

While I did enjoy this book, it ended up being my least favorite of Ali’s works. I personally don’t love insta-lust, and this is the set up from the get go. I really appreciated Ali writing a FMC that wasn’t bubbly and outgoing and sweet. Rue had a more subdued character, which was interesting for her to explore. I know so many people are going to identify with Rue, and I absolutely love that! However, I personally felt a slow burn would’ve worked better with this type of character to establish a connection between the FMC and MMC. Despite Rue showing very little personality, there is an instant connection between her an the MMC, Eli. I would have loved to see that build more organically, because for me I don’t understand how you can have an instant undeniable crazy attraction you have never felt your entire life based off what seems outwardly as nothing. I also prefer emotional build up before the spice, which is why this one also falls a little flat for me as it is just too spice forward. I enjoy a spicy book! but this one just had it a bit too often for me, and I felt myself wanting to get back to the plot and the conflict.

I fully own that many of my critiques are more-so personal preferences and so I will be in the minority on this one, and I am totally okay with that! I love all the 5 star reviews I have seen for this one so far, and I am so glad this book has worked for so many.

I gave it about 3 stars, but make no mistake! I have no regrets reading it, I had a fun time!

Might be my second favorite Ali book? (Bride you will always be THAT girl.) I really enjoyed this one!

Rue & Eli have both been through very traumatizing events in their lives that shape who they have become as adults. Their vulnerability and they way they slowly opened up to each other because of how instantly comfortable they felt in each other's company was beautiful to read. Yes they had chemistry from the get go and it was a little insta lusty and lovey, BUT you get WHY both of them are this way and why it is hard for them, specially for Rue, to see past something physical.

While I could not really connect with Rue for the most part, I did find her social anxiety relatable and her fear of trusting people hit close to home. I get why it was so hard for her to let her guard down and the weight and guilt that she carries as an older sister was very loud! Too close to home!

ELI! Oh he is a man OBSESSED! And so utterly HOT! His patience with Rue was incredible and I love how truly SOLID he was for her. How he showed her over and over again, not just told her. And his POV? Truly a highlight for me.

I also found that Ali addressed the topic of food insecurity extremely well and with a lot of care. As someone who had never read about something like this before, I felt that Ali wrote it in such a way that you truly felt it alongside Rue. I was in tears and very choked up when she finally opened up and told Eli her story.

This felt so different than Ali's previous STEM romances, and different in a great way. I usually find Ali's books to be a bit more light hearted, a bit more goofy, while still having depth. This one I found to be a little bit more serious and definitely more profound. While I do wish the plot moved a tiny bit faster, I find that overall this is one of Ali's strongest works yet.

DO MIND — this is for sure Ali's spiciest book. I mean those two were HORNY for each other oh my lordddd. She turned it up for this one and it was great, I have zero complaints. But if spice heavy books aren't really your cup of tea, you might want to consider skipping this one.

Oh Ali Hazelwood the woman that you are! I will always love you and your big hunky simps of MMCs!

THANK YOU SO MUCH BERKLEY FOR THE ARC!!

This was super spicy—Hazelwood you make me blush! I enjoyed the mysterious corporate takeover aspect to it as well.

I was SO pleasantly surprised by this book. I was able to do a dual read with the eArc and the ALC (thanks to librofm). The audio was DELIGHTFUL.

I loved how this book was sweet and hot all at once! Rue had so many layers and Eli was more than willing to find her in between them.

Ali wrote this with less science in mind (although still prominent) but that’s what made it so different for me. It was more focused on character development and their struggles in and outside of their relationship.

I don’t know if I’d classify this as a romcom because it felt deeper than that? I laughed at some parts but it also made me think deeply.

Eli had a third POV which was interesting. It kept me in Rue’s shoes (she had a first POV).

Loved and I can’t wait to read more Ali!!

Dr. Rue Siebert is a talented biotech engineer who is passionate about her work but who has no interest in a relationship. Rue uses an app when she wants a one night stand and this is how she meets Eli Kilgore. Rue and Eli have amazing chemistry, but Rue makes it very clear that regardless of their chemistry, this will be one night and one night only. Imagine Rue’s surprise when she goes to work to find that her company is in the midst of a hostile takeover, and Eli is one of the business partners responsible for it. Once they are forced to start spending more time together, even though they are on opposite sides of this takeover, Rue and Eli cannot fight their attraction any longer and begin a forbidden relationship.

I loved both Rue and Eli. Rue is smart, quick-witted, and very determined, but she’s also very guarded when it comes to her emotions. It’s a challenge to figure out how she really feels and I found that fascinating. Eli finds it equally fascinating and after their initial encounter, he cannot stop thinking about Rue. I’m a sucker for a “he fell first” story and this one is just so well done. I also really enjoyed the way their relationship evolves, both on an emotional and physical level, especially as it becomes clear that both characters are more vulnerable than they seem at first. I will also say this book is a bit spicier than Hazelwood’s other books as sex plays a big part in Rue and Eli’s relationship as they slowly learn to trust one another.

Lastly, I will say that even though Not in Love doesn’t have the rom-com vibes of Hazelwood’s other books, it still has plenty of witty banter to balance out the more dramatic and angsty moments. I found it a very entertaining read from start to finish & I especially enjoyed the audiobook which I read in tandem with the ebook. Callie Dalton & Jason Clarke narrate and they both do such a tremendous job of capturing the complexities & vulnerability of each character.

4 1/2 stars