Not in Love

What I love most about this book—and I do love it—is that it didn't seem contrived in the way most romances do. I believed the subplots that bolstered the main one about Eli and Rue's relationship.

It seemed real that a corporate takeover or slimy executive could cause mistrust in one's personal life, enough mistrust to derail a relationship.

Rue was naturally hesitant in her most normal interactions with other human, male or female, with the exception of sex. That was just a clinical necessity to her that could be handled matter-of-factly. The more dispassionately (here's my list of preferences and deal-breakers, take ‘em or leave ‘em.) Really there was always someone willing to play the sex game for one night because she didn't believe in second meetups. That was for people who wanted more than she could offer.

Eli thought he could be equally dispassionate, but he was fooling himself. His whole life had been one passionate act after another. Life had pushed him hard and he was managed, like a genius and skilled ice skater, to stay upright. And moral.

The fact that the two of them struggled to connect, Rue especially, wasn't helped by the jobs they had. His: corporate takeovers. Hers: the corporation being taken. It was a scientist (her) and a numbers guy, both finally making the money they needed. Really needed. Their desired outcomes, business-wise, were polar opposites. Of course they couldn't have a connection. Nothing permanent. She was willing to settle for less. He was willing to settle for anything, but that didn't seem like it would work.

BTW, the sex is hot, hot, hot.

Ali Hazelwood hits it outta the park with this one. Give it a read.