I really went into this thinking it would just be another STEM romcom, which I seem to enjoy so I bit, but what I wasnt expecting was for my Star Wars-loving self to get something that is specific to my interests. When I realized what was happening, I screamed. This was lowkey exactly what I needed right now. The slow burn was very sweet, and the payoff was spicy. If you love The Last Jedi (wink), you'll love this. Ali: I see you, I respect you, and I'm cheering you on. I can't wait to see what you come up with next.

I want to end this by emphasizing how freaking cool it is that someone from the fanfiction community is getting published. I have read a lot of work on AO3 that is better than some of the IP they are based on. Seeing someone from the community (whose work I think I have read) get this opportunity is super exciting. It feels like I'm seeing a friend succeed.

Olive is hard at work on her Ph.D., which means she doesn't have extra time for dating. To convince her friend that she's moved on from her ex, Olive pulls a Crazy and kisses the first guy to walk into the lab--brilliant wunderkind and (alleged) asshole, Dr. Adam Carlsen.

For a debut, this book is OK. For me, there is a lot left to be desired in terms of characterization, dialogue, and romance, which (ironically) is not all that chemically reactive. Compared to the novel's diligent representation of academia and related academic bureaucracy, these things seem underwritten.

I do appreciate that female STEM researchers are centered and I love the way the non-binary sexual orientations are included. But if I'm being honest, the only reason I didn't DNF is because this started as a Reylo (Rey x Kylo) fanfic and, as a formerly avid Reylo "shipper", I felt some loyalty to see it through. [Can I just say, I think it's awesome for that community, that one of their stories made it to mainstream publishing.]

Sadly, that doesn't preclude it from missing the mark, though I can see how it will hit well for others. So if you've been interested in this one and/or you like the fake-dating trope, definitely add it to your list.

DNF. I really liked the premise but the writing did not work for me at all. It wouldn't be fair to the book if I finished reading and gave it a low rating.

Olive is a 3rd year grad student, earning her PhD at Stanford. She is trying to perfect and come up with blood markers for pancreatic cancer that will detect that specific cancer at an earlier, treatable stage. But an impromptu kiss in the lab’s hallway now finds Olive fake-dating Dr. Adam Carleson, one of the most hated and feared professors at Stanford. Dr. Carleson agrees to this fake-dating for a few pragmatic reasons – release of his research funding being one. If it looks like he has roots, he may just get it. But the more fake dates that they go on, the more they learn about each other and the more they start to seem real.

Smart, introverted, quirky, nerdy, misguided/misunderstood female characters are my swan song. The way Ali writes the character of Olive encapsulates all of that exquisitely. While I may not be smart enough to be a scientist, I related to many of her characteristics and mannerisms. And to find such an endearing main male character in Adam… it was magic.

I enjoyed this book thoroughly and was hard pressed to find a reason to put it down. Every interaction, action and inner monologue had me entranced. Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for the opportunity to read this. I can’t wait for everyone to read The Love Hypothesis – it’s simply superb.

I really enjoyed this fake boyfriend romance between Olive, a biology Ph.D. student, and Adam, a professor. Olive and Adam are both awkward socially but when they connect they seem perfect for each other. Sweet romance.

I loved this book. LOOOOVED this book. I normally find slow burn romances a little tedious, but this was perfectly paced with off the charts chemistry, and I just couldn’t put it down. This is one that will definitely go on my reread list, since it’s one I can see myself returning to when I need a good swoon.

The Love Hypothesis is one of the best romances I've read in a long time; I'm so glad I took a chance on a new author and tried it out!

This book felt so relaxing and lovely, perfect for a pandemic weekend. Hazelwood is an excellent writer, and got the details of academic right without bogging down the story.

I loved that the characters were both smart, in the sense that they're in academia, as well as acting like mature adult humans (albeit humans who make very human mistakes, but in believable ways). I also liked the way the main conflict was resolved - it didn't feel at all contrived, or overly dramatic, but felt natural to the story and the characters.

This also seemed like a deeply feminist romance - a beta hero who respects women and is emotionally intelligent - how novel!

I will definitely look out for future books by Hazelwood (and I hope she writes a lot of them!)

Fake dating? Women in STEM? Yes, please.

A romantic comedy about a girl who needs a fake boyfriend to convince her best friend that she is over her ex. (Does one date really make someone an ex? Olive's friend Ahn seems to think so.) The characters are delightful and the relationships even more so. Hazelwood's writing is playful and captivating and I enjoyed this very much.

I would have liked to have Adam's POV as well because he is kind of an enigma for much of the book (the big, bad Dr. Carlsen) but I do love that we still get to see his softer side when he's around Olive.

The chemistry between Olive and Adam was great, the cover is adorable, and overall I really enjoyed this.

4.5/5 stars

Hazelwood actually surprised me! That’s difficult to do. And even more so in a romance, where tropes and the HEA make it pretty obvious. This women-in-STEM romance is a lovely fake dating romance. Readers who like smart protagonists and smart plot will enjoy this one, for sure. Olive’s character development is too quickly tied up without enough showing, but if you can get beyond that, I recommend it!

LGBTQIA+:
- Olive is demisexual, though that term isn’t used.

Driven PhD candidate Olive isn't interested in love or relationships, but she has to convince her best friend that she's dating someone (it's complicated). So she kisses the first man she sees--only to realize it's Adam Carlsen, professor and scourge of their department, a man who has made many students cry with his harsh critiques. Olive is even more shocked when he suggests the two keep fake-dating for professional reasons to benefit both of them. Of course, as she gets to know Adam, she realizes he might be more than his dour (but super handsome) exterior. But can they make it work for real?

I loved this book, and can't wait to see what Hazelwood writes next. There's nothing better than two smart people falling in love, without having to downplay their intellect or passions. The Love Hypothesis should definitely appeal to fans of Olivia Dade's Spoiler Alert and Olivia Waite's Feminine Pursuits series. Not to mention, Olive is on the asexual spectrum, which is a greatly underrepresented group in romance. Watching her navigate her new feelings for Adam is both joyful and illuminating.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

You know that old trope from 80s movies where the nerdy girl lets down her hair and takes off her glasses and is miraculously transformed into the hottest girl in school?

Forget That Noise.

In THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS, the hottest grad student at Stanford is sweet, adorable Olive who is an unmitigated force of nature. This smart alek academic STEM hottie is too busy saving the world from cancer to care whether or not she should let her hair down, but to help a friend find happiness, falls into a fake-dating relationship with the reviled Professor Adam Carlsen. Olive theorizes she can figure out anything - even love - with the help of an electron microscope, but unfortunately for her, Adam is my book boyfriend now.

Ali Hazelwood's THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS is smart and goofy and sexy fun! If I could give this fantastic romance more than 5 stars, I would. And now I really need to go watch Star Wars and drink a Unicorn Frappuccino.

I loved that our lead was in STEM. I loved the spotlight on challenges for women in STEM. This was a fun new twist on contemporary romance, and I am totally here for this.

4.6 - ADORABLE. It's VERY similar to one of my favorites of Sally Thorne's - The Hating Game, with just a slightly different setting. Instead of work enemies, it's set in a university lab. It definitely plays on the popular trope of fake-dating to falling in love, but at least they acknowledge it and make no pains to hide it. Olive and Adam are a joy to follow, and their chemistry is a nice slow-burn. Adam is the ideal guy - antagonistic and unapproachable to everyone but Olive. I love those big, intimidating guys that are actually so tenderhearted. Olive is nerdy, adorable, and always dealing with insecurity. Her 2 best friends are amazing and they've got a great dynamic. This book gave me all the good feels and I would definitely recommend!

You know how books come along and like, it's just Really Only For You and you don't want to share it with anyone else in the world and you hide the library's copy and buy all the other copies until they're ceiling high in your apartment and you can just 𝓵𝓲𝓿𝓮 in the book? That's the kind of book this is.
It killed me and I died but then it resurrected me like Frankenstein and his monster-- but like, in a sexy way. Because whewwwwwwww was this book steamy. Like "maybe don't read it in public because you'll be full body blushing" type of steamy (aka: the best kind).
I'm buying my own copy, obviously, because I will absolutely be rereading this one. It's Very Not Unlikely that I'll reread the eARC in a few days, if we're being entirely honest here.

I know we all say The Hating Game is the pinnacle of the contemporary romance genre, but I'm going to be bold and say that The Hating Game walked so The Love Hypothesis could run. 50 billion stars/10, absolute winner, give it all the awards including an Oscar and a Nobel.

I had to sit on this review for a week, to be honest. I almost didn't love this book (I thought I "got" it but I don't think I actually "get" it) and it wasn't living up to my expectations for those two particular space wizards, BUT once I just read the damn book, I loved it. Ok, maybe I wouldn't have named him *****Adam***** but I can get past that!!!!

It was SO genuinely fun and hilarious and heart-warming and so well-damn-done. An actual woman in STEM! The chemistry!! I've never *loved* a fake-dating plot and yet here I am!! because it was believable and swoony and it delivered! I thought Olive was a relatable character with relatable struggles, even if you are not yourself a woman in STEM/academia.

A cute and intelligent rom-com with a very fun main character, Olive, who's just trying to make it in STEM academia. The meet cute was adorable, and everyone loves a convoluted fake dating trope (and the awkwardness that ensues). The plot is pretty delightful, though it is hard in the beginning to reconcile Adam's behavior with Olive and his reputation amongst the other grad students as an all around jerk and killer-of-dreams. But not to worry, all will be revealed! The side characters are super lovable. I needed something lighthearted and fun to read, and this certainly fit the bill.

This book is fantastic!

The perfect, feel-good romance, with a dash of women in STEM! I read this book in one day and it did not disappoint.

I laughed, I cried, I got a warm fuzzy feeling...and it made me want to go to grad school?

Olive Smith is such a wonderful MC who shows the cutthroat world of a woman in academia. Trying to stand out and prove yourself and find confidence in your own capability I think is a struggle we can all relate to no matter our field. Dr. Adam Carlsen is the perfect broody boyfriend who only has a soft spot for the MC.

Give this book a chance when it comes out in September and you will not be disappointed. Will be pushing my book club to read this one!

This book has skyrocketed into my all-time favorites and I am really excited to see it out in the world and in the hands of readers this year!

Truly, it’s been a long time since a book kept me up late, but I found myself staying up until 2am to read this because I just couldn’t get enough of these characters, I have fallen absolutely head over heels in love with them.

Olive is a PhD student who, in a moment of panic, finds herself in the middle of a fake dating scheme with none other than the notoriously broody and unapproachable Dr. Adam Carlsen. Realizing they can both benefit from continuing their ruse, Olive and Adam set out some ground rules and end date for their fake relationship, but what ensues is a hilarious series of events that leave Olive feeling like there may be more to Dr. Carlsen than everyone believes.

Needless to say, I LOVED this book so much. The relationship between Olive and Adam was so wholesome and caring, and this story absolutely hit the ‘Grumpy + Sunshine One’ trope solidly. There is just something so attractive about a character that understands boundaries, consent, and is careful and compassionate like Adam. A million thumbs up for his character.

The humor was on point (I loved Malcolm, Anh and Holden so much!), and the representation of STEM and the joys and hardships of it really made this story into a true gem and unlike any other that I’ve read.

And of course, just the knowledge that this story was inspired by two of my favorite space wizards is the cherry on top. 😉 Highly, highly recommend adding this book to your TBR!

Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing for a free review copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own!

I seriously cannot gush about this book enough!! It was so incredibly amazing and I HIGHLY recommend enough that you preorder this RIGHT NOW!! I would give it an infinite amount of stars but sadly Goodreads only allows for five, so that’ll have to suffice for now. I can say wholeheartedly that this is my all time favorite romance ever! Yes, you heard that right, ALL TIME FAVORITE!! My full review will be up closer to the pub day but for now I will continue to gush about it on my Instagram and pray for September 14 to hurry up so I can have a physical copy to gaze lovingly at for the rest of my life!!!

This was an absolute blast to read. It's self aware of its tropes and it embraces them with a full heart and a heavy dose of humour. The leads have great chemistry (puns on this will no doubt abound, even though the central characters are biologists) and the quirky set-ups that drive their fake relationship amp up the heat in ridiculously fun ways. I appreciated the ways the potentially problematic student/teacher dynamic was addressed, as it so often isn't in set ups like this. The banter was snappy and joyful, giving the read a swift pace and loads of spark. I also loved the barbed and well-deserved pokes at academia, and the ways Hazelwood wove the scientific background/outlook of her lead through the prose. Readers will be flipping pages to get to the steamy scenes and they won't be disappointed. This may be the first book we're seeing from the author, but I hope she writes fast, because readers will be clamouring for more as soon as they finish the epilogue.