Ali Hazelwood returns with another emotionally charged romance in Problematic Summer Romance, the second installment in her Not in Love series. Following the success of her debut novel The Love Hypothesis and subsequent hits like Love on the Brain, Deep End, Bride, and Love, Theoretically, Hazelwood continues to demonstrate her mastery of STEM-adjacent romance with this complex exploration of forbidden attraction set against the breathtaking backdrop of Sicily.
Plot Overview: When Destination Weddings Go Deliciously Wrong
Problematic Summer Romance follows Maya Killgore, a 23-year-old physics graduate student who harbors an inconvenient obsession with Conor Harkness, her brother Eli’s 38-year-old best friend and business partner. When Eli’s destination wedding in Taormina, Sicily turns into a volcanic disaster—quite literally—Maya and Conor find themselves trapped together in a romantic villa for over a week.
The premise immediately establishes the novel’s central tension: the age gap that Conor finds insurmountable and Maya considers irrelevant. Hazelwood doesn’t shy away from the inherent complications of their dynamic, instead using them as the foundation for a slow-burn romance that spans three years of telephone conversations, ten months of silence, and one explosive week in Italy.
What sets this story apart from typical age-gap romances is Hazelwood’s commitment to addressing the power imbalance head-on. Conor’s reluctance isn’t rooted in simple propriety but in genuine concern about taking advantage of someone he perceives as vulnerable. This moral complexity elevates the narrative beyond mere forbidden romance tropes.
Character Development: Flawed Heroes Worth Rooting For
Maya Killgore: More Than Just a Younger Woman
Maya emerges as one of Hazelwood’s most compelling heroines. Far from the naive ingénue often found in age-gap romances, she’s intellectually formidable, emotionally mature, and refreshingly self-aware. Her background as a physics student pursuing opportunities at MIT and CERN establishes her credentials, while her struggle with career choices and family expectations makes her relatable.
Hazelwood particularly excels in depicting Maya’s anger management issues and her complex relationship with her brother Eli. These elements add depth to her character, showing how past trauma—the loss of her parents—continues to shape her present relationships. The author’s portrayal of Maya’s therapeutic journey feels authentic rather than performative.
Conor Harkness: The Reluctant Anti-Hero
Conor represents Hazelwood’s most morally complex male lead to date. His refusal to pursue Maya stems from genuine ethical concerns rather than mere adherence to social conventions. The revelation of his troubled family background and his history with addiction adds layers to his character that justify his cautious approach to relationships.
The author skillfully balances Conor’s professional competence—he’s a successful biotech investor—with his emotional unavailability. His three-year friendship with Maya, conducted primarily through phone calls, creates an intimacy that transcends physical attraction while highlighting his ability to compartmentalize his feelings.
Setting as Character: Sicily’s Romantic Allure
Hazelwood’s depiction of Sicily is nothing short of magnificent. From the volcanic drama of Mount Etna to the ancient Greek theaters of Taormina, the setting becomes integral to the story’s emotional arc. The author’s obvious love for the region infuses every description with sensual detail that makes readers want to book the next flight to Italy.
The Villa Fedra serves as more than mere backdrop; it becomes a character in its own right. The isolated luxury of the setting strips away the characters’ usual defenses, forcing confrontations that might never occur in their ordinary lives. The various mishaps—food poisoning, volcanic eruptions, wardrobe disasters—create a pressure cooker environment that accelerates emotional revelations.
Particularly effective is Hazelwood’s use of Isola Bella as a metaphor for Maya and Conor’s relationship. The island, accessible only at low tide, mirrors the windows of opportunity in their romance—moments when the barriers between them temporarily disappear.
Romance Elements: Heat Meets Heart
The romantic tension in Problematic Summer Romance builds with masterful pacing. Hazelwood understands that the best romances simmer rather than boil, and she takes her time developing the emotional connection between Maya and Conor before addressing their physical attraction.
The author’s handling of their intimate scenes deserves particular praise. Rather than relying on explicit content alone, she grounds their physical relationship in emotional vulnerability. Conor’s internal struggle between desire and propriety creates tension that enhances rather than detracts from their chemistry.
The supporting cast, including Eli and Rue’s relationship, Maya’s friendship with lawyer Nyota, and the various wedding guests, adds depth without overwhelming the central romance. Each character serves a purpose in either supporting or challenging the protagonists’ journey toward each other.
Connection to the Series: Building on Not in Love
As the second book in the Not in Love series, Problematic Summer Romance benefits from the established world of Harkness Group and its interconnected characters. Readers of Not in Love will appreciate seeing familiar faces like Minami and Sul, while newcomers can easily follow the story without feeling lost.
The book successfully expands the series’ exploration of complicated relationships within professional settings. Where Not in Love focused on enemies-to-lovers dynamics, this installment examines forbidden attraction and the ethics of pursuing someone when power imbalances exist.
Critical Analysis: Strengths and Weaknesses
What Works Exceptionally Well
The novel’s greatest strength lies in its refusal to minimize the legitimate concerns surrounding age-gap relationships. Hazelwood doesn’t dismiss Conor’s worries as outdated or unnecessary; instead, she allows both characters to grapple with the complexity of their situation. This mature approach elevates the romance beyond simple wish fulfillment.
The author’s scientific background continues to serve her well, as evidenced by Maya’s authentic voice as a physics student. The details about her research, career struggles, and academic ambitions never feel forced or superficial.
Areas for Improvement
While the novel’s length allows for character development, some readers may find the pacing uneven. The extensive backstory, while emotionally resonant, occasionally slows the forward momentum of the present-day romance.
Additionally, some secondary characters, particularly the wedding guests, feel somewhat underdeveloped despite their prominence in the plot. While they serve their function in creating chaos and comedy, they lack the depth of characterization found in Hazelwood’s earlier works.
Target Audience and Comparisons
Problematic Summer Romance will appeal most strongly to readers who enjoyed Hazelwood’s previous works, particularly those who appreciate morally complex heroes and heroines who challenge romantic conventions. Fans of authors like Christina Lauren, Sally Thorne, and Helen Hoang will find familiar themes of professional relationships and emotional vulnerability.
The book also succeeds as a destination romance, joining the ranks of novels like Beach Read by Emily Henry and The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas in using international settings to enhance romantic tension.
Final Verdict: A Worthy Addition to Contemporary Romance
Problematic Summer Romance succeeds in tackling one of romance’s most contentious tropes with intelligence and sensitivity. While it may not reach the heights of Hazelwood’s breakout novel The Love Hypothesis, it demonstrates her continued growth as a writer willing to explore complex emotional territory.
The novel’s treatment of consent, power dynamics, and emotional maturity sets a high standard for contemporary romance. Hazelwood proves that age-gap romances can be both steamy and thoughtful, addressing legitimate concerns while still delivering the emotional satisfaction readers seek.
For existing fans of the Not in Love series, this book provides essential context for the interconnected world Hazelwood is building. For newcomers, it offers an accessible entry point into her particular brand of smart, sexy romance.
- Recommended for: Readers who enjoy age-gap romances with emotional depth, destination romance enthusiasts, and fans of STEM heroines who refuse to be underestimated.
