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booksinherhead's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Since leaving academia, Rue Siebert has poured herself into a biotech startup that allows her to pursue her own research. When she first meets Eli, their chemistry leaves them both breathless. Imagine their horror when 24 hours later they find themselves on opposite sides of a hostile corporate takeover. Their secret affair can't stay a secret forever...With NOT IN LOVE Ali Hazelwood shows her readers how artfully she can write characters with emotional depth. This is sexy, emotional, and quick to read. Hazelwood's best yet!
I think the 'boss is taking advantage of intellectual property and the love interest knows the boss is shady' is kinda an overdone trope, but I think it worked for this book and I DID enjoy seeing it done within the academia/biotech sphere.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Stalking
Major content warnings formeganpbell's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Ali Hazelwood writes my favorite rom-coms. I count on her for making me giggle and kick my lil feet while two people fall for each other despite each other. I’m not the first to say her novels tend to be similar, but I’d argue this one departs in major ways, particularly tone. While I enjoyed the science-set plot as always, and I think this will appeal to the Emily Henry girlies, its angst made me miss the FUN I always have while reading Hazelwood.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Eating disorder, Stalking, Toxic friendship, Death of parent, Child abuse, and Pregnancy
naluminum's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I love Ali Hazelwood, and I enjoyed the forbidden affair between these 2 characters from different companies but it was hard to relate to either main character. It frustrated me that Eli had very little character depth past how much he wanted to get with Rue. And as the summary says, he does have his own reasons for trying to takeover Rue’s company but even from his perspective, it isn’t revealed until Rue finds out. Until that point he just accepts that Rue sees him as the bad guy. I did like how Hazelwood explored slightly darker themes in the characters’ pasts and how they are still working through their traumas.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Stalking
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