How did she do it again?? How did she leave me wanting more??? This was Ali Hazelwood's SPICIEST and darkest novel, and I was 100% here for it.
Rue loves her job as a chemical engineer working on a project that was inspired by the challenges she faced in childhood. However, the company she works for is about to be bought out, leaving hundreds of jobs in jeopardy. The culprit? A company called Harkness, and one of the founders just so happens to be Rue's extremely hot almost-one-night-stand, Eli. Their attraction for each other grows despite the fact that one of Rue's closest friends could lose her company. What could happen next?
***THE PLOT***
Ali has a little author's note at the beginning of the book that tells readers there are some darker themes introduced in Not in Love. Both the main characters struggled with traumatic childhoods, but the beautiful thing is that they're able to help each other grow through it by giving each other a safe space.
Honestly, I was kept guessing till the very end. This was one of those plots that had my brain running in circles wondering how the issues presented would get resolved. In my opinion, this was Hazelwood's strongest plot. In her past books (which I loved), the miscommunication tropes didn't quite work for me. Here, I could connect dots to see why each character feels a certain way. Maybe the dual perspectives helps.
***THE CHARACTERS***
I think Hazelwood did a great job portraying Rue who truly doesn't believe she can ever be in love after the circumstances in her past. She's let them define her, but Eli swoops in with his own share of challenges, and together they get to come out better.
Rue is one of Hazelwood's signature sassy STEMinists that we've come to know and love. She's not afraid to speak her mind and will do anything she can to help those she loves. There's a bit more depth to Rue than some of the other STEMinists, and one of those aspects is that she enjoys being a body because she doesn't want to think of commitment. She wants commitment, but she doesn't think she can ever attain it.
Eli is so patient. He's also a little bossy (but in a hot kind of way that makes me blush). I think he's a great contrast to Rue because he's more outgoing and likes to hang out with a big group of friends. He's the golden retriever to Rue's black cat, and it's such a fun dynamic.
The side characters are all great. I do wish you get to see a little bit more of Hark because I think he's got something he's hiding. I'm very suspicious. Tisha and her sister were great, and I was glad they were part of Rue's "found family". Let us not forget Tiny, whose name does not reflect his furry self (it's a dog).
***FINAL THOUGHTS***
I think this is my second favorite Hazelwood novel. The Love Hypothesis is the OG, so that's hard to beat, but I felt like this novel had more character development than previous ones. I also think the miscommunication trope worked the best here. Maybe I just also like Eli's style *wink*.
If you're considering picking this one up, just do it. I don't think you'll regret it!
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Popular Highlights in this book
“A fair bit. We’re not Nolan Sawyer level, or anything—” “Mallory Greenleaf level, you mean?”Highlighted by 150 Kindle readers- My first impression of him was probably highly similar to others’ first impressions of me—with the caveat that serious, unsmiling men tended to be considered consummate professionals, while serious, unsmiling women were often written off as haughty shrews.Highlighted by 123 Kindle readers
- Serious. A little impenetrable. Complicated. And Eli had never been a fan of easy.Highlighted by 109 Kindle readers
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In love with Not In Love
This made for a perfect summer read. I loved the quirky main characters Eli & Rue as well as the STEM best friends. I absolutely devoured this book. Classic Ali Hazelwood dual POV, STEM romance at its best.The banter between Rue and Eli was angsty and spicy from their first interaction and continued to grow as they began a forbidden relationship. This book also contains STEM friendships which were just as powerful as Rue and Eli.Be sure to read the forward in this book as Ali Hazelwood explains that Rue & Eli don't fit her typical book character model.Forced proximity*Dual POV*Enemies to lovers*STEM relationships*Angst*Childhood trauma*No strings attached*Spice
