A review by sydsshelves
Loathe to Love You by Ali Hazelwood
3.0
These books are just alright, nothing that really sticks. They seem to follow the same formula, with similar characters and recurring misunderstandings. Each male lead comes across as brooding and reserved – a type that becomes glaringly obvious when you read these novellas one after the other.
The plot revolves around three intelligent girlfriends navigating post-grad school life. Each of them finds themselves entangled with a gruff, towering man who seems to dislike them for various reasons. They end up in situations where they must coexist (sharing living space against his will, competition over clients, past romantic advances), and instead of straightforward communication, they avoid confronting the issues until circumstances force them to confront their feelings. Of course, steamy scenes follow, and everything culminates in a satisfying happy ending.
It's not that I dislike these stories; it's just that every time I finish an Ali Hazelwood book, I'm left wanting more. I do appreciate her focus on intelligent female characters and the STEM-inspired flirting, but I can't ignore that the characters often fit into the same mold – deeply insecure, in need of rescue, and providing a contrast to the dark, brooding guys. The repetition of these tropes is wearing thin for me.
The plot revolves around three intelligent girlfriends navigating post-grad school life. Each of them finds themselves entangled with a gruff, towering man who seems to dislike them for various reasons. They end up in situations where they must coexist (sharing living space against his will, competition over clients, past romantic advances), and instead of straightforward communication, they avoid confronting the issues until circumstances force them to confront their feelings. Of course, steamy scenes follow, and everything culminates in a satisfying happy ending.
It's not that I dislike these stories; it's just that every time I finish an Ali Hazelwood book, I'm left wanting more. I do appreciate her focus on intelligent female characters and the STEM-inspired flirting, but I can't ignore that the characters often fit into the same mold – deeply insecure, in need of rescue, and providing a contrast to the dark, brooding guys. The repetition of these tropes is wearing thin for me.