so-soI did enjoy the characters, just not so much on the plot. Can see now what others mean about Ali‘s writing; the plots all share a skeleton backbone. I did like Eli and Rue‘s growth toward each other. Wish there was more science facts in this science romance. Same with how it was just too much spice going on for a book about people who aren‘t sure they want to officially date. That‘s just not my forte.
pickThis was a cute Ali Hazelwood romance, meaning I knew what I was going to get and I enjoyed it. It has the classic Ali Hazelwood oblivious heroine and stoic, lovesick love interest who also just happens to be ridiculously tall. The video game developer / designer backdrop was a fun addition to the other STEM fields portrayed in her books. Short, sweet, and steamy.
(Tagging another Ali Hazelwood because this one isn't in the system yet.)
pan🤷🏻♀️ Ali Hazelwood has been losing me lately. Same STEM and competitive women vs men trust issues with 🌶️ galore. Just feels overdone and like the main characters have to constantly miscommunicate and argue. Not for me ✋🏼
pickI loved this read.. All Hazelwood just makes a really great read the interaction between characters and the overall storyline was perfect. This is not just about romance it‘s about science advancement, friendships, and revenge done correctly for the improvement of all involved even the bad person so I really love reading this and hope that you all can read it with the same outcome 🥰
pickI was a little unsure about this to start, but then I liked how the story came together (yes predictable, but I still liked it) and I absolutely loved the honesty between these two. Def Hazelwood‘s spiciest book so far!
pickSomeone on here said this book was angsty, which is why I bought it. It‘s my first Ali Hazelwood and although I probably won‘t read any more, it‘s not because I didn‘t enjoy it. Both main characters were likeable, there was lots of quippy banter, lots of sex (which was mostly well written, but at least not cringe-y.) I didn‘t find it angsty, but I had a good time reading it.
pickI really like this rom-com! The main characters were great and loved that there was some science in this book as well. Great story!!
pick4.5/5
Classic Ali Hazelwood. Women in STEM. Suspicious mentors. Rivals to lovers. I did appreciate having a less “sunshine“ main character as well as getting the male protagonists perspective on the story as well. It was a fun read.
pickI really liked this book! I‘ve been hard a the last few Hazelwood books, but this one hit all the right spots for me. 😊Not large man/small woman trope - main characters with complicated baggage and hang ups who have to find their way to each other, to their happy.
pick7.5/10. A great twist that comes early in the book! Lots of great characters! Gets a little repetitive in the middle but overall a fun story! 🏦🖥️💵🐕. (Includes mature content)
I finally got a bingo!
Final #BookspinBingo card for July. Technically I‘m still reading my #Bookspin (Not in Love), but I marked it off since I‘m about halfway and will definitely finish. 9 total books finished in July, even with a weeklong slump during the month.
bailedJust not my style of romance. Still well written but not loving it so DNF.
pickHaving read all Ali Hazelwood‘s books this did feel quite predictable. But equally it‘s a great storyline and perhaps what makes it feel like such a comfort read? Anyway I enjoyed it and read it in a day when I was feeling down and it cheered me right up!
pickWell, I read this in two days, it was that good. The plot and basic character setup seem the same as in Love, Theoretically, but it‘s not broken so don‘t fix it. I love how Hazelwood manages to work in genuine emotional growth while she‘s writing enjoyable and steamy romance. Not my favorite by her, but not far off, either.
pickIt‘s forbidden love! It‘s super steamy! And Eli has a huge dog named Tiny! Not In Love checked all the boxes, even the ones I didn‘t know I had, for a romance novel. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and would highly recommend it – even to a romance reader novice, or an Ali Hazelwood first-timer. Full review: https://keepingupwiththepenguins.com/not-in-love-ali-hazelwood/
pickThis was fabulous. I love stiff, quiet main female characters. The two try the let's have sex once to get it out of system deal, but you know that never works. It's definitely Hazelwood's hottest book so far. But I feel like it's also her most serious. There is definitely still humor, but the situations and pasts of the characters felt heavier.
July #BookspinBingo board all ready! My #Bookspin is Not in Love and my #Doublespin is This Time Tomorrow. I have a lot of books in progress currently, so I am hopeful to make a dent on the bingo board this month!
Decided to make my July #BookSpin list all physical books that I currently have.
so-soUsually Ali Hazelwood books/characters are snarky, smart and steamy with a lot of fun banter. This story was not like that...
pickOoh, this one was a little dark, a little suspenseful. and a lot spicy. The character backstories were compelling and the food science elements were fascinating. This has only been out a few weeks and I couldn‘t wait to read it. So glad I did! Great summer read! #BookapinBingo @TheAromaofBooks
pickDefinitely not my favorite Hazelwood—not the worst book I‘ve ever read by any stretch. While this one definitely had its moments, I laughed out loud several times, they were fewer & farther between than usual. And maybe I didn‘t love the main characters? I did appreciate that it dealt with some more serious issues like food insecurity. Objectively, it‘s an entertaining read perfect for a plane trip or weekend away. So soft pick but not my fav.
pickI cracked up reading this spicey STEM rom-com because the tall-dark-and-handsome-dude-comes-in-to-take-company/historic-building-from-beautiful-woman is such a classic Hallmark movie trope. Now I‘m going to watch my next Saturday night Hallmark movie and imagine Ali Hazelwood getting her hands on the script!
so-soMan! I really wanted to like this book, cause I have loved most of her books and I loved the cover. I rated this book a 2 out of 5 stars
Hooray! My June Book of the Month box finally arrived! 🥳🎉🎉🎉 I absolutely adored Butcher & Blackbird, so I'm really looking forward to Leather & Lark! I think I'm actually going to start with Swanson's book first though! #botm
bailedLoved this author at first but lately they all read the same... But once they talk of bondage - I'm out.
pickSTEM & spice from Hazelwood. It is still funny and flirty and fun, but a little less funny and more of a serious tone to this one. Still a pick and one I‘m glad I‘ve read. #ARC
Ali Hazelwood‘s new one is my #WeeklyFavorites from this week.
Out June 11!
pickAli 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 Emily Henry girlies, its angst made me miss the FUN I always have while reading Hazelwood.
pickLook, is every Ali Hazelwood romance *kind of* the same? Yes. Do I enjoy them regardless as a fun little treat? Also yes! Sometimes it's nice to know exactly what you're getting, and in Not in Love we got another closed off woman in science who is oblivious to the feelings of the man she's made fall head over heels for her. And I loved every second of it.
It‘s been a few days now but this was my #bookmail recently. For mostly nonsensical reasons I splurged on Hazelwood‘s entire oeuvre, including preordering the tagged. I used my birthday gift card from my MIL, so it doesn‘t count as buying myself presents right before Christmas, and then when I got sick it felt like an entirely reasonable indulgence. Not that I‘m reading them yet, of course. Instead, I‘m using my scattered focus to watch 👇🏻
Not in Love | 
