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.

Hey Siri play "Down Bad" by Taylor Swift. Honestly Eli is the definition of down bad for Rue especially since she doesn't do repeats and wants nothing to do with him at first. Ali Hazelwood did a great job of letting the plot unravel that made the reader feel like we earned the solve and HEA. I would like to see stories for a few mor characters in this world, especially Eli's sister??? Can't wait for her next one!

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review!

This book was a mixed experience for me, earning three stars. While it had its moments, the predictability and repetitive trope usage overshadowed the positives.

The story centers on Rue, a relatable, emotionally unavailable woman, and Eli, a somewhat forgettable finance guy. Rue’s portrayal as a shy and socially anxious character was refreshing and resonated with me, making her feel very real. Eli, though less memorable, is sweet and completely devoted to Rue, a dynamic I enjoy in romance. Their mutual vulnerability and the way they share hidden parts of themselves added emotional depth to their relationship.

However, the book’s excessive focus on sex, which isn't Hazelwood's strong suit, detracted from the story. Eli’s frequent thoughts about Rue as a "fantastic lay" and his mentions of it to her felt reductive, especially as their emotional connection deepened. It seemed like Eli was more interested in Rue for sex for much of the book, which was disappointing given the story’s potential.

I appreciate the representation of women in STEM, and we definitely need more books that highlight and celebrate women in these fields. However, this book fell short in that regard. Hazelwood’s tendency to stick to the same trope made the plot too predictable, with her books often following a similar pattern, making them less engaging.

While this book might appeal to fans of cutesy STEM romances, relatable female leads, devoted male characters, and plenty of steamy scenes, it ultimately felt too familiar and formulaic to be truly captivating. We need more books that not only feature women in STEM but also uplift and empower them beyond repetitive storylines.

Fantastic. Ali Hazelwood books hit better the more she writes. The character development, the steam, the story. Loved!

I was very interested in the plot line, but unfortunately it could not progress without 2-3 shmex scenes. Every single time things got interesting.

I feel like i got blue balled by there being too much sex??

I am really disappointed in this one. I just couldn't connect with the characters as I have in her other books. I really enjoyed reading Bride earlier this year. But Eli came across as really controlling and the relationship doesn't seem super healthy.

NOT IN LOVE might be Ali Hazelwood's best novel yet! It's definitely steamier than her other books, but it only serves to deepen the connection between the main characters. I can't wait for this author's next book!

This book was not my favorite of Ali’s. The story was just okay. I feel like once you’ve read one of her books you’ve pretty much read them all. Overall it was just okay!

Ali Hazelwood is an insta-buy author for me. Her warmth and humor are evident in her writing, and let’s face it, the spice is THERE. So I was incredibly grateful to be given an ARC of this book.

Now listen, I will basically read a grocery list from Hazelwood I love her writing so much. And I think many fans will enjoy this STEM based romance between a loyal scientist and the executive who is poised to take the business over.

Rue, our heroine, is smart and sweet and seriously too damn loyal to a fault. She’s based her entire research on a handshake agreement with her friend who happens to also be her boss. Which is really bad considering that boss is currently scrambling to save her company from an investment group that is looking to oust her.
Enter Eli. Eli, Eli, Eli. Oh dear. He has some history, (no spoilers!) and is really used to getting what he wants. Except he really wants Rue. Who hates him. Sorta. Kinda. Maybe?

There is some spice and Hazelwood does her usual magic of creating well drawn out characters with conflicting priorities. I especially enjoyed her female friendships in this one. Her best friend and her best friend's sister was much needed anchor for our heroine, providing comic relief and gravity.
That said, for some reason and it’s probably just me and has nothing to do with the book, I didn’t feel as connected to these two. I rooted for them sure, but I felt Rue, while supposed to be incredibly smart, didn’t act very smart. I felt like she should have realized what was happening sooner and even though she is incredibly loyal, really, lady? Come on. The writing was on the wall like four chapters ago.
And Eli and Rue together, while the writing is solid and spicy, it didn’t feel as strong as some of her other couples.

But let’s be honest, Hazlewood’s books are consistently solid romantic Stem stories that deliver spice and heart. So even though this one might not be my favorite, it’s still a solid addition to my Ali Hazelwood collection!

And then, Rue, I met you. And you casually cracked my life into before and after you.”

A quick and spicy read! This was my first Ali Hazelwood book and I was hoping for more romance. Yet, it is definitely a book that sucks you into the story and as you read, you feel the immediate attraction between the main characters.

Ali Hazelwood is a queen of quirky romance. I loved every minute of this book - it was a total must read. I just loved it.

This was not the typical Ali Hazelwood book that I'm used to and it threw me for a loop. If I had known it's more of an erotic romance than a romance, I would have gone in thinking something different. As far as the story goes, it was ok for me and the end made it a little better for sure. As always, I love the STEM element. I will still keep reading her books and just seeing what she comes up with next!

I have genuinely loved everything that Ali Hazelwood has done. The Love Hypothesis was probably my favorite book ever written This one did not disappoint. It was fun, spicy, and everything in between. I can't wait for her next book to come out.

This is my first Ali Hazelwood in awhile, and I really enjoyed the tonal shift into this read! Had an undercurrent of darkness, but the love was strong and the MC was incredibly unique. The first half, I wasn't sure. The second half I LOVED. Overall really enjoyable read.