I really like Hazelwood's writing, although I think she is more compelling in romcom mode rather than erotic romance - but I loved the intensity of this, the unusual characterisation, the adult themes, and the holdover of the scientific/adademic setting from her romcoms which I think works better than her last foray into the chess world.

This is one of Ali Hazelwood's best books yet!

Even though they almost had a one night stand and are almost sure they would never see one another again, their jobs lead to them crossing paths the next day. Given that Eli's company Harkness is trying to take over Kline, the company where Rue works, they should do everything except become close. At last, one of Rue's best friend is the founder and owner of the company and Harkness seemingly wants to do everything in their power to ruin Kline. Yet, Rue and Eli's sexual chemistry is undeniable and it makes it difficult to stay away from one another - especially when they keep on meeting on accident and unintentionally.

Albeit this is Hazelwood's spiciest book so far, it is also one of the funniest. It was truly entertaining and reading this book was very enjoyable. The dual POV, which also switched narratives, was really fun and also made so much sense for the characters, I would not have wanted it any other way! Additionally, the characters really did have an undeniable chemistry. The way they interacted with each other was weirdly refreshing, their communication was on point.
Loved this book a lot more than expected!

I absolutely loved Not in Love. I read it in a single day. It's definitely more erotic and mature than Hazelwood's previous work. There isn't an adorable meet-cute or satisfyingly slow burn. For example, the book opens with our two main characters, Rue and Eli, meeting up for no-strings-attached sex after communicating and sharing their kinks via a dating app.

The sexual chemistry is undeniable and very much at the forefront of their relationship/arrangement. The romance element along with any vulnerability or true intimacy slowly develops throughout as their secret affair unravels abd becomes more and more complicated.

I think Rue is possibly my favourite FMC that Hazelwood has ever written. She's socially awkward, possibly neurodivergent, intelligent, brutally honest and fiercely loyal. Both characters have a lot of past truma that effects their ability to commit to one another and I found that Rue's difficulties around food and her inability to invest in relationships was really thoughtfully written and handled beautifully. There's a lot to unpack with Rue and I appreciated the depth Hazelwood went into in terms if her past and what motivates her professionally.

On a side note, I personally appreciated that Rue wasn't the petite and small breasted heroine I've come to expect from romance books. Her body is described as soft, curvy with a rounded stomach and hips with little imperfections that Eli counts enthusiastically and worships. I loved how this book is both body and sex positive throughout. This is my favourite romance book of the year so far.

Biotech engineer Dr Rue Siebert and Financial Wiz Eli Killgore are on opposite sides of a hostile takeover fight for the company Rue works for. But just before it begins, they meet each other via a sex-forward dating app and sparks fly.

This is a deviation from Hazelwood’s previous books (and the preface warned me as much), being very much a work of erotic fiction of characters with serious trauma in their pasts that still haunts them every day. Most of the light rom-com elements of her previous novels (will they/wont they and off page sex for the most part) are gone and there’s lots of “they most certainly will and they’re going to describe to you their sexual exploration” in its place. That being said, it’s well written smut (this is far beyond “spice”) with characters that share their traumas as they explore each other. Rue is shy, and I would say neurodivergent too, but knows what she wants in the bedroom. She’s empowered in that way and not willing to accept anything else. Eli has his own traumas to battle and from the get-go isn’t your typical alpha male that often appears in erotic fiction. He goes out of his way right to make her feel safe right from their first encounter.

In short, this feels like a much more mature Ali Hazelwood book than say Check & Mate (which is referenced briefly!). Still well-rounded in both plot and characterisation, but with a hell of a lot of consensual sexual exploration!

I normally LOVE Ali Hazelwood’s book but this one didn’t hit the same spot as it usually does. However, I know that this book was not written for me as Ali Hazelwood states at the beginning of the book that this isn’t her usual style. That it’s more of an erotica rather than a romance. BUT that’s what I love about Hazelwood’s books! The building romantic potential between the two characters and their adoration for one another. Whereas this was definitely missing from this book.

I felt like the characters lacked chemistry and it was too focused on their sexual acts rather than anything else. It was a confused mix between them wanting to pursue a relationship but also having little interest in one another. I think I would have preferred it if it stayed as an agreement that solely focused on lust.

Also, the friendships in the book felt a lot more lack lustre, in comparison to her other books.

I’m sure people will still love this book, but sadly it just not for me.

Very charming in the distinctly Ali Hazelwood way! I will say it’s not my fave of her books but I still enjoyed it all the same. Slightly predictable (but I find most romances are?) yet very funny!

I feel like a broken record when I say this is Ali Hazelwood's best book yet! She honestly can't keep getting away with it, just pure perfection in every sense of the word!