“If I were able to love someone, I would choose you. In that timeline, I would want it to be you.
Ali Hazelwood‘s latest STEM-focused romance, Not in Love, introduces biotech engineer Rue Siebert, whose perfect career is threatened by a corporate takeover.
Eli Kilgore’s hostile takeover bid for Rue’s company puts their careers on a collision course. Despite their opposing goals, an undeniable attraction ignites between them, leading to a secret pact with an expiration date.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about Not in love—from a detailed summary and key themes to an in-depth analysis of the characters and plot. Whether you’re a fan of Ali Hazelwood or a newcomer to her work, this guide will provide you with valuable insights into the book and its impact.
Summary of Not in love by Ali Hazelwood
Rue Siebert might not have it all, but she has enough: a few friends she can always count on, the financial stability she yearned for as a kid, and a successful career as a biotech engineer at Kline, one of the most promising start-ups in the field of food science. Her world is stable, pleasant, and hard-fought. Until a hostile takeover and its offensively attractive front man threatens to bring it all crumbling down.
Eli Killgore and his business partners want Kline, period. Eli has his own reasons for pushing this deal through—and he’s a man who gets what he wants. With one burning exception: Rue. The woman he can’t stop thinking about. The woman who’s off-limits to him.
Torn between loyalty and an undeniable attraction, Rue and Eli throw caution out the lab and the boardroom windows. Their affair is secret, no-strings-attached, and has a built-in deadline: the day one of their companies will prevail. But the heart is risky business—one that plays for keeps.
Review of Not in love by Ali Hazelwood
Ali Hazelwood is one of my favorite authors; she never disappoints me. But I was a little scared to dive into Not in Love, because it was darker and steamier than her other books. However, Ali has managed to impress again and again.
Plot Analysis of Not in love
A food scientist Rue Siebert finds herself at odds with a venture capitalist Eli Killgore when his company targets hers for acquisition. Their professional rivalry is complicated by a secret, forbidden attraction.
Not in Love is Hazelwood’s steamiest novel yet. Eli’s dirty talk ignites the pages “ So I can press you into the mattress right now and fuck your ass without lube?”( OMG!!! This lives in my head rent-free ) but the intense focus on physical attraction overshadows emotional depth in the first half of the book. As the story progresses, Rue and Eli’s vulnerability grows, leading to a more fulfilling connection.
The balance between steamy scenes and plot development is perfect in Not in Love. The emotional depth of Rue and Eli’s characters, coupled with Eli’s patient nature, makes for a compelling and satisfying read.
Beyond the romance, Not in Love delves into complex themes of trauma and intellectual proprety infringement , delivering a thrilling and emotionally charged narrative.
Characters of Not in love
Rue Siebert : Her journey from insecure and isolated to confident and empowered is inspiring. Overcoming childhood trauma and betrayal, she demonstrates remarkable resilience. Her loyalty to friends and her ability to stand up for herself are admirable. Her connection with Eli is a beautiful transformation.
Eli Killgore : Once again, I found myself obsessed with the way Ali writes her men. I loved how kind and patient he was with Rue, and never forced her hand. He just was so kind. Don’t let me begin with the mouth on this man ( I need him badly 🧎🏽♀️). Eli is an instantly likable character, particularly when he unexpectedly comes to Rue’s aid. His desire for harmony among his business partners and girlfriend, as well as his selfless decision to prioritize Rue’s patent over his own revenge plot, showcases his emotional maturity and depth.
Rue & Eli : Their connection is electric, a potent blend of physical and intellectual attraction. They ignite something in each other, unlocking thoughts and feelings neither knew existed. With every shared moment, their understanding deepens, revealing a compatibility that’s both intoxicating and undeniable. Their bond is a force to be reckoned with, a magnetic pull that defies logic. And beneath the casual encounters lies a recognition of something extraordinary, a potential that’s too powerful to ignore.
Pacing & writing style
Ali Hazelwood has a knack for creating characters that are both engaging and endearing. Rue is a captivating protagonist who immediately draws readers in with her unique personality. I found myself deeply invested in her journey. Eli, on the other hand, is pure sunshine, a character that’s impossible not to love. Their love story is a poignant exploration of vulnerability and raw emotion.
She masterfully blends heartfelt romance with thought-provoking themes. While the love story between Rue and Eli is undeniably captivating, the novel also delves into complex issues like trauma and intellectual property rights. It’s an emotional rollercoaster that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.
Ali’s world-building is as captivating as her characters. The plot is fresh and engaging, complementing the heartwarming romance perfectly. This book is a delightful escape that left me feeling both exhilarated and content.
Also, the book was elevated by the dual perspective, offering a richer and more immersive reading experience.
The banter and sexual tension in this book are off the charts! Eli’s obsessive pursuit of Rue creates an electrifying chemistry that ignites every page. Both characters embrace their desires with a refreshing openness, resulting in explicit and consensual scenes that are pure fire.
Tropes of Not in love
Tags : Enemies to lovers | Enemies with benefits | STEM romance| Opposites attract | Forbidden romance | He falls first and harder | Contemporary romance | Adult romance | New adult romance | Fiction.
Trigger warnings : Childhood poverty and food insecurity | Anxiety around food, mostly due to past food insecurity | Mentions of addiction (secondary characters) | Social anxiety | Parental death (accidents, illness) (off page, in the past) | Parental neglect | Power exchange (pre-negotiated, during sex) | Attempted assault of the FMC by her brother (she is unharmed) | Pregnancy of a secondary character | Cursing and vulgar language
Some quotes I enjoyed
“ Fair warning : if you don’t stop pushing me, I’m going to bend you over this bench and show you exactly what I’m into.”
“She was something else. Utterly unique. Unpredictable. Deliciously complicated.”
“ It’s because with you I never have to worry about being too odd, too unlikable, too out of tune. You never make me feel anything other than just right.”
“ I’m not going to follow the rules, Rue. I’m not going to behave. I’m not going to pretend this enough.”
“ Whenever you want to feel like this.” he murmured at the inside of my thigh, “ call me. use me.”
“Maybe people can be happy and sad. Maybe stories are messy and complicated. Maybe endings don’t always include solutions that tie everything together in a bow. But that doesn’t mean that they have to be tragedies.”
“Your damn mouth,” he murmured, “is the most obscenely lovely thing I’ve ever had the burden of seeing.”
Final Thought on Not in love
Craving more spice in your Ali Hazelwood romance? Look no further than Not in Love. This book is unapologetically spicy and heavy.
I was initially concerned that the book’s explicit content might overshadow the story. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the spice is integral to character development and plot progression.
This is Ali Hazelwood’s most serious book to date, offering a departure from her signature comedic style. However, her trademark humor still manages to inject lightheartedness into the narrative.
About the author
Ali Hazelwood is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Love, Theoretically and The Love Hypothesis, as well as a writer of peer-reviewed articles about brain science, in which no one makes out and the ever after is not always happy. Originally from Italy, she lived in Germany and Japan before moving to the US to pursue a PhD in neuroscience. When Ali is not at work, she can be found running, eating cake pops, or watching sci-fi movies with her three feline overlords (and her slightly-less-feline husband).
Practical Information for Readers
Not in love Book Formats
Not in love is available in various formats to suit every reader’s preference:
- Hardcover/Paperback: Ideal for readers who enjoy the tactile experience of holding a physical book.
- eBook: Convenient for on-the-go reading, available on all major e-reader platforms.
- Audiobook: Narrated with emotional depth, available on platforms like Audible.
- PDF Not in love : While some may search for a PDF version, it’s recommended to opt for legal eBook options to support the author.
Not in love Age Rating
The book is recommended for readers aged 22 and up. Because it does contain explicit content, and the themes of love, regret, and family estrangement are more suitable for older new adults and adults.
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