The Love Hypothesis

Reviews

1. 

   Jeeves Reads Romance – July 24, 2024

   Absolutely loved it
   I loved this SO VERY MUCH. It’s one of those books that left me smiling like a fool, with a full heart and a strong desire to start reading it all over again. The evolution of these characters from start to finish is intense, and I absolutely loved how everything came full circle by the end. One of my favorite parts of the story was trying to decipher our hero’s quiet looks, moods, and glances – there is some outstanding subtlety to this love story. And it is definitely a love story. The romance is central throughout, with a light, fresh feel that gets richer and deeper as the story progresses. It tackles difficult subjects like sexual harassment and self-worth, while also remaining exceedingly light and uplifting for much of the book. And by the end? I was content, happy, and oh so satisfied to finally see these two fools get together.The story follows Olive, a 26-year-old grad student trying to cure cancer. She is still finding her confidence, but she loves what she’s doing. So when Olive’s best friend develops feelings for the guy Olive just started dating, she does the logical thing… kiss a random man to make her friend believe that it’s all okay. Or at least that seemed logical at the time. Turns out, the random stranger that Olive kissed is none other than the most hated professor around, Adam (34). And while Olive has no desire to spend time with Adam, her impulsive act means that entering a fake relationship with the man is actually a good idea. But as the two get to know each other better, Olive discovers that the mercurial, moody professor might just be a sweetheart underneath his broody exterior.This is one of those books where the love story is SO completely unique. It’s awkward, science-filled love – and I adored every minute of it. Sure, Olive might’ve been a bit too peppy and upbeat for me at the beginning, but that’s all part of her character evolution. I loved the grumpy/sunshine dynamic, and Adam becomes such a swoonworthy cinnamon roll by the end (with a little bit of alpha gruffness). It’s a slow burn romance with one incredibly intimate and dynamic love scene – the intimacy and emotional connection are the shining stars here. Well, it’s all pretty great, actually. This has such a vivid, distinct voice that I am very much looking forward to whatever’s next from Hazelwood.Audio note: I switched back and forth between the audio and the ebook throughout – and the audio was excellent. This is told exclusively from Olive’s point of view, so there’s one narrator. She did a great job. The vibe feels young and fresh, with a voice that actually sounds like a 26-year-old. As a slow burn romance, this is perfect for listening at work – there’s nothing steamy until later on, and the story is light and easy much of the time. Your only issue will likely be that work will take a backseat to listening, lol. The runtime is a bit longer than I’d like (11 hours), and I found it difficult to listen to the narrator’s voice at a faster speed. I have no desire for the book to be shorter though, so just know that it may take awhile to get through. Overall, an excellent audiobook to go with an incredible read.

2. 

   Kerstin Upmeyer – July 24, 2024

   A fan fic inspired romance I actually liked!
   I am starting to recognize with some chagrin that I am aging out of a certain demographic of romance novels… Another book I am reading, The Love Study, is so utterly early 20-somethings of the moment-ish that I struggle to connect with the characters. Luckily, The Love Hypothesis drew me in and kept me there. Granted, the characters are older, especially considering the age gap, but they still have many Millenial moments that I cock my head at, like a puzzled Gen-X puppy. Still, Ali creates such great, complex characters that even when I didn’t relate, I CARED. I want to care, swoon, laugh, and get mad or hurt for the people fumbling their way towards love. I’ve read some ‘fluff’ romance lately, and honestly, the genre itself can be rife with overworn tropes and stereotypical characters that never extend past the typical. It makes it hard for the romance, and its ups and downs, to have much impact on me.What I like about TLH is it may take on those tropes but it makes them uniquely it’s own. I really liked Olive’s character, and even when she did things that frustrated me, I felt it just made her a more fleshed-out character. I appreciated the women in STEM focus and the inclusion and representation in the book. I also appreciated how when some books would have galloped to the grand gesture after a certain point, Ali didn’t rush it. There were the requisite ridiculously contrived scenarios that repeatedly throw the 2 people together that I always simultaneously adore and roll my eyes at. More often than not, Ali gives a wink with her tongue in cheek, pointing out how these ARE those contrived tropes while simultaneously reveling in them. “Trust me,” Olive explains in a ‘we have to share a hotel room but don’t worry there is 2 beds’ scenario, “there is ALWAYS only one bed.”The sex scene felt both hot and yet in some moments awkward, tender, and exposing (making it feel all the more real). Although never specifically ID’d as such, it’s pretty obvious from her own comments that Olive is likely Demi-sexual (only feels arousal if the person is someone deeply cared about and trusted). It felt like it brought even more impact to the actual scene when it finally happened. Great ways of folding in consent without making it overbearing or detracting from the “he wants her so much he’s barely/not quite in control of himself” that I always find so yum.My only couple beefs were the “perfect physical specimen” for the grumpy, science-nerd love interest who was so handsome (although Ali apparently got her start writing Star Wars Kylo Ren fan-fic so perhaps Adam Driver is the inspiration for Professor Carlsen?) The other was just how AWFUL she portrayed Academia in Science, especially for women. I’m sure it’s rife with a lot of what she described, she even admits to working through some of her own experiences in writing the book. I kept having the same thought though, why put yourself through that? Like, it sounded SO AWFUL. But there must always be trailblazers and people who are SO passionate about something they will endure insane toxicity to be a part of it. I’m the person who wouldn’t find anything worth the personal misery I guess, but that’s just me.I liked the rep for anxiety both social and general, which felt very real to me, a fellow sufferer. I liked the friend group and the amount of humor and nuance in the writing. And let’s speak a moment about the cover. The Illustrator is amazing and honestly, her cover is what sold me to take the leap and buy the book. the other covers of the upcoming books are obviously the same artist’s work and I think they fit beautifully with the books.So yeah, calling all geek-girls, this is a great romance book and I will definitely be reading more of the author’s work in the future.

3. 

   Bonitos detalles. Producto igual que en la foto. Llegó muy pronto. – July 24, 2024

   El libro llegó en buen estado, pero aún así amazon usa no le pone ningun plástico burbuja o algo, solo una bolsa.La historia es preciosa, los personajes son agradables. Pasé un buen rato leyendo a estos dos.

4. 

   Dalila Souza – July 24, 2024

   Ultimamente, não é que tenho dado azar com romances, mas acho que não estou no momento para lê-los. Nada me agrada muito, começo a ler gostando, mas chegando na metade já quero abandonar, as cenas de romance me fazem revirar os olhos e pular páginas e no final acabo por dar até menos que três estrelas (o que é bastante difícil pra mim).Mas The Love Hypothesis? O hype é real. Pelo menos foi pra mim.Eu lia, lia e queria continuar lendo – mesmo quando estava caindo de sono ou quando na sala de espera, o veterinário me chamou pra falar do meu cachorro.Acho que o que me pegou na história é que já começou engraçada e se manteve assim. A Olive, a protagonista, é uma dessas personagens que é altamente gostável – e divertida (e com gostos meio esquisitos para café). O Adam, então, nem se fala. Ele é todo fofo e mesmo que seja “antagonistic and unapproachable”, é de suspirar.E mais: o livro é cheio de tropes – a própria Olive diz que é muito parecida com uma rom-com. Cada vez que me deparava com uma dessas tropes, achei que ia desgostar um pouco da história, mas muito pelo contrário, só me fez gostar mais E vibrar pelos dois e pelas situações.A cena que eles finalmente ficam juntos foi muito crível. Não foi ‘sugar-coated’, sabe?! Foi real.A Ali não fez heróis e heroínas tontos. Eles são inteligentes, cheio de medos e dúvidas reais e você torce o tempo todos por eles. De fato, a história é muito inteligente.Pra minha sorte, no final do livro tinha uma excerpt do próximo livro da série. Só digo isso: Quando é que essa mulher vai lançá-lo??? Já quero pra hoje.

5. 

   Cliente_Amazon – July 24, 2024

   Romance che parte da un presupposto assurdo, ma fa in fretta a farselo perdonare grazie a personaggi ben tratteggiati e a una storia d’amore che si sviluppa in modo graduale, inesorabile e convincente, narrata con una scrittura accattivante e coinvolgente. Letto in poco più di un giorno sotto l’ombrellone.