If you’re looking for a laugh-out-loud, sexy rom-com, look no further than Ali Hazelwood’s debut novel, The Love Hypothesis. Once Reylo fanfic, Hazelwood transformed her novel into a STEM nerd’s daydream.
Olive lied to her best friend Anh, telling her she was on a date when in actuality she was working in the lab like she always is. So, when she unexpectedly sees Anh, she kisses the first guy she sees to keep the lie going. Although she may have convinced Anh, she kisses the notoriously rude, handsome, and impressive Dr. Adam Carlsen.
A young professor who’s excelling in his field, Adam has managed to make most of the grad students cry coming out of his office. Which is why Olive is beyond shocked that he agrees to her fake dating scheme to keep Anh from knowing about her lie. As they spend more time together, Olive discovers maybe Adam’s reputation is more complicated than it seems, and maybe he’s not the man she once thought he was.
I devoured this book in one day because it’s that good. Yes, I had papers and readings, but they sat in front of me on the table at Bobst because I couldn’t focus on anything other than Adam and Olive. I had to stifle so many laughs because of how funny this book is! Adam and Olive fulfill the classic grumpy/sunshine trope which gives them a phenomenal dynamic.
Adam was dark and brooding, who only drinks black coffee, while Olive had Pumpkin Spice Lattes flooding her veins. Their chemistry was jumping off the page in such an adorable way, even when they were just friends! Adam may not seem like the typical romantic hero, but he meets, fulfills, and succeeds every single one of your expectations. He’s overprotective, but also extremely respectful of Olive and her work. Olive, on the other hand, is a hard worker who doesn’t let gender expectations define her. She pushes past the idea that you can’t like pink and be in STEM, and does not let anyone bully her. She was a character I truly admired and respected.
This book also discusses how women are treated in STEM and in the workplace, which I thought was well-done and important. There is a content warning for sexual harassment and sexism (not from the hero).
This book is worth your time. I finished it just a few weeks ago, and I’ve already reread it and forced my friends to read it, too. I could not keep the smile off my face as I read it and it lingered in my mind for days! I’m eager to read more of Ali Hazelwood’s book and follow her career!
If you like fake dating, academic settings, and overprotective book boyfriends, this one is for you!
For The Love Hypothesis memes, more romance recommendations, or to even just flood my DMs with your thoughts on this book, follow my bookstagram @readinromance!