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A review by icedviennalatte
Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood
4.0
"Not in Love" is certainly a departure from Ali's usual stories and I'm not mad about it! Instead of her usual humorous, witty, rom-com style, Not in Love is angstier and more erotic. Witty one-liners are definitely still present, but the overall tone is bleaker than her usual work. I can see how people who love Ali Hazelwood's usual style might not like this book as much. I personally love gritty and erotic romance so this is right up my "Ali" (please take away my keyboard).
I think it's a bit critical for others to say that Ali "sold herself out" for writing a spicier book this time. I think this is a story that Ali wanted to tell and she wrote it the way she wanted to. My prediction is that Ali has gotten more daring as her books have grown in popularity. Rue and Eli are both complicated, flawed characters with real baggage. I think the they are the most realistic characters that I have read from Ali. Rue and Eli both struggle to connect with others for their own reasons, and they initially form a connection through sex. If you're not into spicy romance, you might not enjoy this one and that's okay.
I do wish for a stronger romantic development in this story, though. Just because the characters' connection starts off as sexual doesn't mean that they can't develop a strong and beautiful romantic connection. Rue and Eli definitely DO develop a romantic connection, but it feels like we only get to see the beginning. It feels like Rue and Eli are trauma-bonding for most of the book, until they realize they are in love. It takes a long time for them to develop a deeper romantic connection and the story wraps up quite fast after that. I do LOVE Eli though; he kisses the ground Rue walks on right from the start, he understands her, and is incredibly giving without expecting anything in return. This may not be the most swoon-worthy Ali Hazelwood book, but I was definitely swooning over Eli.
Ali Hazelwood's books are always so fun to read, and hard to put down. She's insta-buy for me at this point. Can't wait for Deep End!
I think it's a bit critical for others to say that Ali "sold herself out" for writing a spicier book this time. I think this is a story that Ali wanted to tell and she wrote it the way she wanted to. My prediction is that Ali has gotten more daring as her books have grown in popularity. Rue and Eli are both complicated, flawed characters with real baggage. I think the they are the most realistic characters that I have read from Ali. Rue and Eli both struggle to connect with others for their own reasons, and they initially form a connection through sex. If you're not into spicy romance, you might not enjoy this one and that's okay.
I do wish for a stronger romantic development in this story, though. Just because the characters' connection starts off as sexual doesn't mean that they can't develop a strong and beautiful romantic connection. Rue and Eli definitely DO develop a romantic connection, but it feels like we only get to see the beginning. It feels like Rue and Eli are trauma-bonding for most of the book, until they realize they are in love. It takes a long time for them to develop a deeper romantic connection and the story wraps up quite fast after that. I do LOVE Eli though; he kisses the ground Rue walks on right from the start, he understands her, and is incredibly giving without expecting anything in return. This may not be the most swoon-worthy Ali Hazelwood book, but I was definitely swooning over Eli.
Ali Hazelwood's books are always so fun to read, and hard to put down. She's insta-buy for me at this point. Can't wait for Deep End!