As the fifth book in the Accidental Love series, Not Catching Love leans more into Xander’s personal healing than the romance itself. With his struggles left undiagnosed and untreated, much of the story follows his journey toward better mental health rather than the development of his relationship with Derek. While I appreciated that love wasn’t depicted as an instant fix, the romance took a backseat, making this feel more like Xander’s self-growth story than a love story.

Derek, though caring, wasn’t as engaging as other characters in the series. His mixed signals regarding boundaries added some frustration to their dynamic. Still, it’s a thoughtful read with a strong focus on mental health, offering a different but meaningful take on love and self-acceptance.