I had high hopes for Not in Love as I really enjoyed the direction Hazelwood’s stories were taking with Love, Theoretically and Bride but this book didn’t even feel like it was written by her. 

At no point was I invested in Rue, Eli, or their relationship. Both have traumatic back stories that are hinted at by I think knowing more about what happened to them would have added a better understanding of what makes them tick. I didn’t hate their lust for each other as they did meet on a hook up app so it made sense for them. I did really enjoy the depiction of non-traditional sex and how they communicated and negotiated consent and what was and was not ok.

The foreshadowing in this book was very obvious and not well done at all.

I knew Rue patent was going to be a major issue after learning what happened to Florence and Rue saying she just skimmed and signed the documents for hers.

There is a great Skater Boi reference at the 45% mark which I throughly enjoyed. I will read Hazelwood’s next book but I’m much less excited for it than I was before reading Not in Love.