A review by illstoptheworldandreadwithyou
Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood

4.5

 What was supposed to be a one-night stand—but appears to have the potential for more—turns into an unexpected workplace romance in Ali Hazelwood’s Not in Love. 

 

Rue Siebert is dedicated to her biotech engineering job and to her mentor, the the head of Kline, her employer. It may not be the fullest life, but she has her science, a few friends, and her plants. And whenever she feels the need for additional outlets, she uses apps to seek out one-time only hookups. 

 

And that’s just fine—really, it is—until one of the men she with whom she matches shows up at her work as one of the business partners at a firm that wants to take over Kline and to dethrone Rue’s beloved mentor. 

 

Eli wants Kline and its tech, but he also wants Rue. He feels a connection with her, and he wants more. He’s not just attracted to her; he likes her and wants to get to know her. 

 

At a glance: 

• Dual POV
• Women in STEM
• Found/chosen family
• Forbidden romance
• Higher heat / more open-door love scenes than previous Hazelwood novels
• Building a physical connection before opening up to more of an emotional one
• Both MCs with baggage they need to work through

 
My enjoyment of the book grew as Rue and Eli spent more and more time together. I especially loved the last third of the book. 

Fair warning: this feels emotionally heavier than Hazelwood’s previous works. I highlighted multiple passages of dialogue and snippets of the characters’ internal monologues that ripped my heart wide open.
  
I received an advance copy of the book from Berkley and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.