Love Not Qualified by Maeve Hazel

Summary

Haelyn Ross is feeling stuck. Not only in her professional life but also her love life. So when her friend’s boyfriend suggested she download a dating app called Unlocked, it happens to unlock a whole new world for Haelyn. Not only did she meet someone, but she even got a new and a new lease on life. And for Haelyn, this all seems too good to be true and she just has a feeling something bad will happen and that happiness isn’t meant for her.

Enter Tristan. Tristan has a lot on his plate and needs to sort his own life out. But when he meets Haelyn through unusual circumstances, he can’t help but be drawn to her. Suddenly he wants to be near her all the time, to know what she thinks, what she likes, what she desires. He wants to make her happy. But Tristan knows that eventually Haelyn could find out his secret and it could ruin things between them.

Review

It took me a minute to get into this book. Haelyn was stuck but she also seemed scared to try and I get how that feels but it was just making a bit irritated that she was holding herself back. However, despite my irritation, I felt that was a realistic portrayal of how humans are scared to try new things for the uncertainty of it all.

 And I liked Tristan. Despite his rough edges, I felt Tristan was a very intriguing and complex character. He had his demons that he was facing while trying to find love and run a company. And those things are already hard enough by themselves without battling an alcohol addiction.

 What I liked about both characters once they got together was how they pushed each other. Haelyn was unsure of how good she was at her job but she still was brave enough to speak her mind. Especially when it mattered most. And I liked that she was willing to try, despite how hard things were. I think Haelyn’s character is hopeful and makes the reader feel hopeful that things will work out.

Tristian doesn’t yield or push back but he isn’t bland either. There are moments where he gently nudges Haelyn and listens and tries to understand her because he genuinely cares. But then there are moments where he refuses to take no for an answer and does what’s best for Haelyn even when she doesn’t like it. And while a part of me was like, “control freak,” the other part of me was like, “Girl, let that man take care of you.” So I could both sides.

 The only thing I found troublesome about this novel was Haelyn’s immaturity when it came to Tristan and the transitions between chapters or settings. Sometimes it read as though there were a whole chapter or a chunk of story missing between scenes. I found myself wondering how did they go from fighting to being happy or vice versa. It seemed like Haelyn was upset with Tristan at one point and then the next she was okay again. Maybe that was just the editing, but it left me very confused.

Love Not Qualified is a 3 out 5 stars and worth the read.

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