5⭐️/ 3-4🌶️

YESSSSS! Another new Ali Hazelwood book! The highlight of my day! Set within the S.T.E.M. setting that Ali is known for writing this was also a bit different compared to her previous romance books. With a bit more spice, and intimacy between the main characters, it also dealt with some deeper topics as well. At the helm of this story was, Rue Siebert and Eli Killgore. Rue was a biotech engineer and Eli was part of a private equity firm. The two worked in different industries, and yet there was a crossover in their work especially when Eli and his business partners take over the company Rue works at. With things changing at Kline (company where Rue works), it seemed like things wouldn’t happen between Rue and Eli, and yet…the instant chemistry they shared couldn’t be ignored. Ali Hazelwood wrote such an amazing story that had me hooked from the first few pages! Can never go wrong with an Ali Hazelwood book! 

Rue Siebert wasn’t the usual character that Ali Hazelwood usually wrote about. In the past, Ali’s characters have been a mix of quirky, sunshine, and sweet. With Rue, she was quiet, serious, and blunt. I’ve loved each and every character Ali has written, and with Rue she was a nice change up to the usual characters I read about. Rue wasn’t the most popular person, and she was fine with that, if anything she actually preferred when people gave her space. Rue was an intriguing character who was not only an intelligent woman working in a S.T.E.M. field as an engineer, but also how she went about her life. Between the high demands of her job, there wasn’t much time for a social life, and with the way Rue was, she wasn’t a fan of relationships, but instead liked the occasional hookup. When Rue met Eli, things were a bit complicated especially with Eli and his partners coming into Rue’s workplace, but nonetheless there was this as Rue said it, “ gravitational pull” between her and Eli. 

I think it’s safe to say that I loved Eli right away. Eli was also another intriguing character who had me loving his quiet demeanor, but also had this strength that was able to command a board room or hold his ground against anyone. The night that Eli met Rue for the first time, I could instantly see how this man was affected by her, and it just grew increasingly clear how much he WANTED HER! You wanna read about a man that’s “down bad” for a woman, then Eli is that man for you! Even with everything happening at Kline and Harkness (Eli and his partners company), Eli couldn’t shake the feelings he had over Rue. (Sigh) I just loved seeing Eli quickly become obsessed with Rue. Eli was use to getting things done, use to the occasional hookup that met his needs, but Rue was an entirely different kind of woman that didn’t hold back her thoughts about him nor did she subscribe to people pleasing tendencies that others might have. Eli was in for the biggest challenge of his life and that was Rue for him. 

Compared to Ali’s other books, I feel like this was her spiciest book to date! Rue and Eli had an interesting dynamic that not only showed how comfortable they were with each other, but also the sexual intimacy between them was hot. If you’re not a fan of spice, then I don’t think you’ll like this book, but if you are…then prepare for a GREAT TIME! WOO! At first, Rue was adamant on her one time only rule when it came to hookups, but I could see that even Rue couldn’t help feeling the way she did whenever she was with Eli. Even Eli, who was once use to hookups, became a man that solely wanted Rue, and it showed in the ways he cherished her mind, and body. Yes there was a lustful feeling to Rue and Eli’s romance, but I’d like to think that even with them being all hot and heavy in the beginning, there was also moments of vulnerability that shined through as their relationship become stronger. 

Wow, simply wow. Ali Hazelwood just knows how to write these fictional characters that I end up adoring so much! This still had the usual S.T.E.M. plot that Ali incorporates into her books, but it also felt like a new twist to her romantic stories. I felt like this story had a bit more maturity to it from the level of spice that was more prevalent since that was the beginning of what Rue and Eli had together. In addition, with the topics mentioned it wasn’t all “cutesy” as one might anticipate from previously Ali Hazelwood books. I think Rue was a unique character who I haven’t heard before from the way she handled social interactions, she was blunt, and I found her charming in the way she was unapologetic herself. Eli was also an intriguing character who I immediately found myself wanting to call my newest book boyfriend because, not only was he part of a successful private equity firm, but the fact that he was knowledgeable in chemical engineering, helped develop a successful patent, played hockey, and had an adorable dog, I mean, as if I couldn’t love him anymore, seeing Eli become obsessed with Rue was more reason! I loved seeing the vulnerability between Rue and Eli over the course of the story especially towards the end as they finally reached a point in which they realized there was more between them. If you’re looking for a spicy romance, with lovable characters, and an equally interesting story line, then you should definitely read this book!