Problematic Summer Romance

Problematic Summer Romance is the second installment in Hazelwood’s Not in Love series, following Not in Love (2024). Not in Love takes place several years before Problematic Summer Romance and tells the story of Eli and Rue (his fiancée in Problematic Summer Romance) as they navigate forbidden romance and workplace conflict. Prior to the events of Not in Love, Eli, Conor, and Minami were classmates in a doctoral program at the University of Texas. Minami’s research project was stolen by their faculty advisor, who gets them kicked out of the program. With help from Conor’s father, the three start the biotech firm they run in Problematic Summer Romance. They share the express goal of taking over the company where their advisor brought Minami’s stolen research. Rue is employed by this company. While she and Eli have a short history before meeting professionally, they decide to continue their affair even though Eli is working against Rue’s boss, whom she respects. When the truth comes out about Minami’s project, Rue’s desire to help Eli turns her against her boss. However, Eli, Minami, and a reluctant Conor realize that overtaking Rue’s company means Rue will lose research.