Not In Love by Ali Hazelwood

Well if this didn’t just cut me to my absolute core then I don’t know what will.

Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood amplifies a forbidden workplace romance with morally conflicting desires. It’s “opposites attract” meets “the heart wants what it wants” compounded by a soul-level knowing that your life now exists in two chapters: “Before” and “After”.

This book shows a darker side to Ali’s writing. It’s more mature; raw — guttural. There’s so much longing, pain and trauma. But there’s also laughter, discovery and the tenderness of being truly seen and accepted.

As someone who often feels like they live in a state of perpetual melancholy — Rue’s character really resonated with me. Her willingness to let others perceive her as aloof and detached in order to deter them from noticing the pieces of herself she’s uncomfortable with is painfully familiar.

I may move through the world like a porcupine overly dependent on its quills for protection. But Rue? She flies above the world like a Snowy Owl. She’s quiet. She blends in. She’s perceptive, solitary, easy to spook and harder to know. All of which makes our patient and adoring Eli even more wonderful.

Not In Love is for romance readers looking for yearning, spice, emotional vulnerability and profound character depth. I highly recommend adding this to your TBR!