Not in Love

I`d give this book 3,5-4 stars - I liked it a lot, but I doubt I will pick it for reread any time soon.

I have read all Ali's previous STEM novels, but this one is different, maybe a bit more serious. Don`t get me wrong, we still have all the usual Ali Hazelwood Things TM, like a scientist girl going through something (Rue); a big muscular handsome man, who was captivated by her from the first sight (Eli); some very funny friend of the MC; a happy ending.

The main difference can be seen on the first page - Ali herself warns us about certain trigger-warnings. The main characters are more complex now, both Rue and Eli have been through a lot and we see how it affects them (and their relationships) now. Compared with Love, Theoretically, the difference is huge! (yes, I think that MCs in Love, Theoretically were flat, especially Adam! Still enjoyed it though, but will not return to it again).

I also had a feeling while reading, as if there was less humor and less science in this one, probably because the author focused deeply on the traumatic past of MCs, and their healing and development. It was still quite funny, and warm, and lighthearted to a degree, but it's the characters` past that gives the book a more serious tone - it's kinda their thing from the beginning to share their deepest, darkest secrets with each other.

Another big difference - the main heroine. She is no longer a small, delicate, struggling academic. This time we see a young woman, who is tall, calm (at least she looks calm and composed), has a decent job that she likes, and, in her own words, was born without a sense of humor. What a change, right? It was very refreshing to see a new type of MC in classic Ali Hazelwood setting, I'm really glad that Ali`s books are becoming slightly more complex while still remaining classic and unmistakable Ali Hazelwood`s booksTM (looking right at you, Love, Theoretically!).

Eli - he is nice, especially through Rue`s eyes. We have all the classics: he's tall, successful, and obsessed with Rue, but is still interesting to observe their dynamic. This time he does not fall in love at first sight (he is obsessed with her body at first sight. Why, you may ask? I have no idea), and we can actually see some development in their relationship. It is still very obviously He Falls First kinda thing. There are chapters from his point of view, but I maintain that Ali Hazelwood cannot write MMC POV in a non-creepy way (that Adam`s chapter haunts me to this day!). And yet it helps the story, and not everything is creepy, some of it quite nice; we can see some other sides of MMC beyond his obsession with a girl, and that's a win!

I really enjoyed Not in love, and I like that Ali Hazelwood tries different things while keeping her style. Some people don't like the predictability of her books, but I do, as I always know what to expect, and can enjoy humor, scientific topics and romance in the process. I read this one in two days, and even though I knew how things will end for MCs, I was still invested in other story lines (the one with business side of things - tbh, I expected more justice for some characters, and if you read previous books, than it will be easy to guess who villain is, though not right from the beginning, I`ll give Ali that). Oh, and this book is very 18+.

Enjoy! (but pls check trigger-warnings first)

Really solid. I do think I need to take a wee break from Hazelwood. Her novels are all GREAT, and very spicy, but there is a tiny bit of sameness across books (maybe it's the STEMinist stuff, which I also love, so take this with a grain of salt) that I just need a pause from. Still, this was no exception to her general excellence, and might be my favorite, sexiest couple. Hazelwood really compassionately portrays neurodivergence (and not from a deficit perspective), and I think this is her kinkiest yet. So I'm sure I'll be back before too long.