Who Would Like This Book:
If you love a witty, science-flavored romance with quirky, nerdy heroines and strong academia vibes, "Love, Theoretically" is your jam! Expect classic Ali Hazelwood hallmarks - enemies-to-lovers energy, a lovable people-pleaser main character, and a swoony, protective hero. The book stands out for its honest dive into academic struggles, nuanced mental health elements, and great chronic illness rep (shoutout to real-world diabetes details). STEM fans, romance readers who love a slow burn, and anyone who adores nerdy banter and clever pop culture references (hello, Twilight!) will find lots to love.
Who May Not Like This Book:
If formulaic plots and familiar character archetypes aren’t your thing, this book might not win you over. Some have found Hazelwood’s heroines a bit too similar, with people-pleasing bordering on frustrating. The academic setting can be heavy at times, and those not into detailed physics talk or academia politics may find themselves zoning out. Also, readers looking for more originality or who dislike instant-attraction heroes and one-note quirks (like a love for cheese or Twilight) might roll their eyes.
About:
'Love, Theoretically' by Ali Hazelwood tells the story of Elsie, a theoretical physicist who leads a double life as a fake dating girlfriend. When she meets Jack, who is both her fake date's brother and the villain in her physics story, their relationship takes unexpected turns. Through humor and character development, Elsie learns to be her true self, while Jack challenges her perceptions and helps her grow. The book explores their evolving relationship, mixing sweet moments with comedic elements and spicy scenes, creating a light-hearted and engaging read that captures the essence of academia and love.
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Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
The content warnings include discussions of diabetes and mental health issues, particularly related to the protagonist's experiences.
Has Romance?
Yes, the book has a strong presence of romance, centered around the evolving relationship between the main characters.
From The Publisher:
An Indie Next and Library Reads Pick!
Rival physicists collide in a vortex of academic feuds and fake dating shenanigans in this delightfully STEMinist romcom from the New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis and Love on the Brain .
The many lives of theoretical physicist Elsie Hannaway have finally caught up with her. By day, she's an adjunct professor, toiling away at grading labs and teaching thermodynamics in the hopes of landing tenure. By other day, Elsie makes up for her non-existent paycheck by offering her services as a fake girlfriend, tapping into her expertly honed people-pleasing skills to embody whichever version of herself the client needs.
Honestly, it's a pretty sweet gig-until her carefully constructed Elsie-verse comes crashing down. Because Jack Smith, the annoyingly attractive and arrogant older brother of her favorite client, turns out to be the cold-hearted experimental physicist who ruined her mentor's career and undermined the reputation of theorists everywhere. And he's the same Jack Smith who rules over the physics department at MIT, standing right between Elsie and her dream job.
Elsie is prepared for an all-out war of scholarly sabotage but…those long, penetrating looks? Not having to be anything other than her true self when she's with him? Will falling into an experimentalist's orbit finally tempt her to put her most guarded theories on love into practice?
Ratings (260)
Incredible (75) | |
Loved It (104) | |
Liked It (52) | |
It Was OK (21) | |
Did Not Like (8) |
Reader Stats (406):
Read It (278) | |
Currently Reading (2) | |
Want To Read (88) | |
Did Not Finish (3) | |
Not Interested (35) |
10 comment(s)
So good! 5
Ali hazelwood never misses
Ali Hazelwood will forever have a special place in my heart. She makes science sound sexy and accurate stuff love it will always love her
3.5 stars
when I read a romance book I’m looking for a soul- crushing, greatest love of all time, fate was written in the stars kind of story, this one was just okay!
it definitely didn’t help that this book was very very hyped up so I had high expectations going in.
the main character elsie was pretty relatable, I’m a people pleaser too & I loved getting to see her break out of that shell and have some character development! the man however (cannot remember his name as i’m writing this review) not my fav. he was forgettable, im sorry! also skipped the spicy scenes cause they icked me out
Fmc is so relatable for me. Especially with her friend, being truthful or with family. Yeah she was inspiring .
I don’t know what to say except this was perfect.
Boring. Seems like the same formula Ali Hazelwood always uses. Just not interested.
4.5 ⭐️
The most emotional an Ali Hazelwood book has ever made me. The middle had me bawling my eyes out. I empathized with the main character so much in this. I don't really like I'm like her (I can be pretty headstrong) but I can easily see another universe where I end up just like her. Without the PhD.
I think the romance is super well done. Jack is the sweetest. One of those guys in romance novels I would actually be willing to date because he seems genuine and smart. He doesn't come off overbearing which can be hot in romance novels but annoying IRL.
I like that the book isn't super predictable. Even if the main plot was easy to guess, I mean its a romance novel, the side plot was surprisingly well fleshed out and had some real thought put into it. In the author's note Ali mentioned that it was heavily inspired by her experience post-grad which probably helped it feel so down to earth and real.
Very very good. As with a lot of contemporary romances, I think this one is a little forgettable. I'm glad I have a copy of this for my shelf.
I LOOOOOOOOVED this! Ali Hazelwood did it again with her STEM romance magic. The banter was chef’s kiss—Elsie and Jack had me laughing out loud, and the fake dating trope? YES, please. I was all in.
I also have to shout out Jack’s grandma—she was amazing. She was like, “I like her for you, Jack, not your brother,” and I was like, “Grandma knows what’s up.” I adored her and the little moments she had with Elsie.
The games they played? So fun! But honestly, what made the whole thing even juicier was the fact that Elsie hated Jack’s guts. I mean, the dude was a famous experimental theorist who ruined her mentor’s career and basically undermined everything she believed in as a theorist. The tension was REAL. And Elsie becoming a girlfriend-for-hire? Genius. She’s got to make a living somehow, right? But I loved how it wasn’t about her “selling herself” but being the perfect girlfriend for hire. It was both funny and kinda smart.
As for Jack—ugh, I hated and loved him in equal measure. He was SO cocky and showy at times that I legit wanted to jump into the book and feed him to gators. But then he’d do something small, like noticing how Elsie needed to relax and just be herself, and I’d be like, “Okay, okay, I’ll put the pitchfork down, I kinda like you.”
Overall, this book was a total winner. The banter, the tension, the fake dating—everything just worked. I absolutely loved Elsie and Jack together, even if Jack was a bit of a pain sometimes. If you’re into STEM romances with tons of chemistry and banter, this one is a must-read.
Great listen. Ali's characters give me all the feels.
Love, Theoretically is a pretty good read and, in my opinion, the best book by Ali Hazelwood so far.
One of the standout elements is the development of the characters, who finally possess depth and personality. In previous books by this author, I often struggled with the lack of personality in male characters, as they seemed to be defined solely by their mysteriousness and well-built physiques. Jack appears much more authentic as a character. Of course, he is still tall and possesses a broad, muscular chest, much like all the other men in the author's books, but I can actually see some characters trait in him.
What's more, I can finally believe that Elsie is a genuine scientist. Unlike her predecessors, she doesn't come across as dim-witted, and she actually has some faith in her own research (even if it ain't that strong). Okay, her people-pleasing issues might be a bit exaggerated, but it adds a touch of uniqueness to her character, something more than just a love for pumpkin spice lattes (yes, Olive, I'm looking at you).
The sex scenes in this book are far better written than in the author's previous works. Finally, I had no trouble believing that there was a genuine connection between the two main characters. Whether it was the passionate moments in the bedroom or the deeper emotions they shared, their relationship felt authentic. Even the final conflict between Jack and Elsie is quite sensible and fitting for their characters. It gives them a chance to grow and evolve.
Love, Theoretically is undoubtedly Ali Hazelwood's best book to date. I can clearly see the progress she has made. After reading her debut novel, I wasn't convinced that I wanted to read more from her, but now I believe that each book by this author is better than the last. So there is still some hope.
Overall,
Love, Theoretically is an enjoyable read. It showcases the author's improvement in character development, romantic scenes, and storytelling. If you're a fan of Ali Hazelwood's previous works or simply looking for a heartwarming and well-crafted romance, this book is worth picking up.
What can you read after
Love, Theoretically?
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