Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the advanced copy of "Love, Theoretically". STEM romances can sometimes be a hit of miss for me but it looks like as long as its written by witty Ali Hazelwood, I will absolutely love it. This story had me swooning and cackling at times while also pondering the realities of academia and STEM. I really enjoyed reading Elsie & Jack's story, though Greg was my favorite character (he took the cake)! If you like enemies to lovers, nerdy and quirky characters, you should give this book a chance!

Writer Ali Hazelwood does STEM romance right. In her newest book Love, Theoretically, a diabetic theoretical physicist finds herself vyng for her dream job, only to face down the man who ruined the life of theoretical physicist everywhere with a paper when he was just in high school. By day, Elise Hannaway is an adjunct professor taking public transportation all over the Boston area to teach during the day. At night, she works as a fake girlfriend through an online service. Using her people-pleasing skill she embodies the perfect version of whatever her client needs.  The rules of the game are one date per person, but Elsie has been making extra cash by working with one client more than once. That's where she meets Jack Smith, the attractive but annoying older brother of her favorite client.  When she goes for her dream job at MIT, she finds out that Jack Smith just so happens to be the experimental physicist that wrote the paper that ruined too many lives, including that of her advisor. He also knows more about Elsie's personal life. Let the games begin. 

Experimental versus Theoretical. Academic tenured professor versus adjunct. Enemies to lovers. Love, Theoretically is an absolute blast. Ali Hazelwood manages to balance the romantic aspects of the book with a plot that is absolutely delightful and empowers women.  For fans of Hazelwood's other books, keep an eye out for some familiar characters. 

Love, Theoretically is available June 13th.

This might just be Hazelwood's best book yet! I loved The Love Hypothesis and Love on the Brain - but I quite literally could not but this one down. I actually started and finished it in the same day because I had to know what happened with these characters.

It does follow Hazelwood's typical book theme - STEM enemies-to-loversish where the guy has never really been the enemy. I loved the cameo from characters from her previous book and to see a mini update on them - that was really cute. Ultimately, I loved the relationship and how it grew between the MCs. It didn't feel rushed or forced like a lot of romances do in the beginning. It felt super natural while reading and like something that could actually happen.

The female MC, Elsie, had an amazing character ARC that I love to see alongside the romance element of the book. There were also moments that had me laughing out loud while reading. I loved every second of this book and it is a must for those who are fans of a good romance and Hazelwood's previous work.

Easily a 5-star read for me and I cannot wait to pick up a physical copy when it comes out to go with the rest of my Hazelwood collection. Definitely pick this one up!!!!

Big thanks to Ali Hazelwood, Berkley and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

Thank you to the Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with an ARC for one of my most anticipated books this year!

I have truly enjoyed Ali Hazelwood's past two books and I was really hoping Love, Theoretically would be another favorite but unfortunately it just wasn't. While I of course loved the STEM premise and loved how this was a little bit more in depth of an "enemies to lovers" (more like academic rivals tbh) I just was not a fan of either character to be honest. I think Elsie was great and there was a lot of potential for me to lover her (I mean she is a Twilight fan after all) but I just couldn't get on board with the "people pleasing" aspect of her personality. I found that to be a very cringey and just uninteresting part of her character (and it was a large part of her character) so that was not the best. I also really wasn't a fan of Jack. I don't know if I like the "mean but has been pining for the girl since he first met her" trope too much. I think Ali Hazelwood has kind of played into this quite a bit since first publishing the Love Hypothesis and while I could let it slip with Levi and Adam at this point enough is enough. I also found it weird that Elsie basically knew how Jack felt about her since like Chapter 10 but like just kind of pretended it wasn't real/didn't bring it up. I also was not a fan of the ~spicy~ scenes. I think seeing Jack really push Elsie into being "herself" kind of made it even more cringe? I just found myself not enjoying this book as much as the others. Despite that there were some redeeming moments (which is why this a 3/5 and not a 2/5) but all in all I think there could be more of a switch up in character dynamics and tropes in Ali's next book.

Ali hazelwood never misses!! I loved the spin on fake dating (with the fake girlfriend plot). And of course the rivals to lovers shenanigans. Ali always writes with such heart. I can’t wait to read more from her.

I thoroughly enjoyed Love, Theoretically! It was highly addictive and so hard to put down. The miscommunication trope is generally one of my least favorites, but somehow, I don’t mind the way Ali Hazelwood wields it.

Elsie is an underemployed adjunct physicist who struggles to people please. To make ends meet, she works as a fake girlfriend through the Faux dating app to be able to afford insulin as a diabetic (no health insurance in underemployed land). Jack is an MIT physicist and the brother of Elsie’s most recent fake dating client, who she is convinced hates her. He also happens to think she’s a librarian (per her faux persona) and is confused when she shows up as an interviewee for an open faculty position at MIT (her dream job!). It’s giving academic rivals to lovers, secret pining, and “no one puts baby in a corner” vibes. I also liked the Acro/Ace rep and the chronic illness rep and the realities of not being able to access affordable health care.

It does have similar overtones as Ali Hazelwood’s other novels -- a STEM setting and Kylo/Rey (hulking male/wispy female) like characters. But, I find there’s just enough old for it to feel like a comfortable friend and just enough new to keep it interesting. Overall, I suspect if you enjoyed her other works, you’ll love this one!

Elsie, a people pleaser, theoretical physicist and adjunct professor, who just happens to moonlight as a fake girlfriend, finds herself stretched quite thin between jobs as she slips further and further from what she's striving for. After applying for a dream job and making it to the top two candidates, she is thrown a curveball. The older brother of a long term fake dating client is on the hiring committee for said job. Best part? He hates her – or at least she thinks he does.

Well I think it is safe to say that Hazelwood is a reliable author. But I think there can be a thin line between having a niche that you write about and writing books that are nearly interchangeable with the swapping of some names. I love the women in STEM focus and that each book focused on a different avenue of such. But otherwise the FMC all felt very similar to those in her previous work. Luckily the MMC felt different and more mature overall. Unfortunately, important time that should have been building their connection was used with unnecessary scientific blurbs. I love science. I love building the scene and story but this aspect felt over the top. This resulted in their connection and chemistry feeling very superficial to me. The book was a quick and easy read though. Plus there was a cute Olive and Adam cameo scene (my favorites of hers) and a mention of Bee.

Thank you Berkley for the arc of Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood. This is my third Hazelwood and I enjoyed it just as much, if not more than The Love Hypothesis and Love on the Brain. :) These Women in STEM books are just CUTE.
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While I find the storylines and characters in Ali's books to be similar from book to book, I like the way she writes, the quirky female leads, the broody, intelligent men, and all the pop culture references. Love, Theoretically is a little heavier on the science and academia plot lines, but mostly sticks to being an enemies-to-loves rom com (like her previous books!). Ali, if you read this, I want a friends-to-lovers pleeaaase! (I think she could write a killer friends-to-lovers story!).
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One thing to know about Hazelwood's books is that they are incredibly steamy - the door is WIDE OPEN. I am not a huge fan of this but I find it super easy to skip if it isn't your thing. And if it is, enjoy! She delivers! I also enjoy how much representation she includes and her emphasis on self-care and self-advocating.
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This is a fun one that I think a lot of people will enjoy!

Ali Hazelwood can do no wrong. This was so sweet and stunning and smart! I love the relationship development of the characters and Elsie's character development and Jack!!!! Oh goodness, this was an absolute delight to read!

Love, Theoretically is my favorite thing I've read from Hazelwood since The Love Hypothesis. Dare I say I love it even more than the latter? Honestly, I'm having a bit of trouble getting my thoughts together about this book. It hit me harder than I was expecting emotionally. There were these great, fun moments in the story and then BAM! I was crying. I didn't expect that. The story broke me down for a moment, but then it built me right back up with a slow burn romance I was so rooting for. 

Elsie and Jack were a highly entertaining pairing. They met at a few of her client's family get togethers and Elsie can tell Jack doesn't like her. When she bumps into Jack in her other professional academic life, she knows he really doesn't like her. She doesn't like him either. There's all this angry banter fighting against mutual attraction. It was the perfect combination, the perfect foreplay. Elsie and Jack belonged together. I don't want to get too into it, but Jack saw things in Elsie other people didn't. He made her feel seen and that was so special. Elsie gave something back to Jack that he didn't know he needed in the end as well. I loved how the plot built around them, their careers, and their feelings for each other. 

As with most great romances, there were some top-notch side characters to help things along. I loved Elsie's friendship with Cece. Jack's relationship with both Greg and Millicent added so much fun. I even loved hating the people who caused them problems. Oh, and I swear The Twilight Saga felt like a character in this one as well. 

Despite making me cry, Love, Theoretically made me very happy. It was an entertaining romance I didn't want to put down. It was filled with science, love, romance, and I even learned some new things. If you have liked this author's previous works, I'm 99% sure you will enjoy this book. It had some similar tropes and things as some of the previous books, but still managed to feel new and exciting by using them in different ways.

I read this book from cover to cover within 24 hours of getting the ARC. I enjoyed Ali Hazelwood’s earlier books but this one is definitely my favorite! While the description suggested a fake dating trope, that actually gets turned on it’s head in that the fake dating gets in the way of the actual romance rather than helping it along. What I really loved about this story was the way Jack ultimately wants to care for Elsie in a way no one else in her life has. And as always, Hazelwood’s take on the world of women in STEM and, in this case, academia was wonderfully revealing and well handled. Can’t wait to get this one into my customers’ hands!

For an author who historically writes STEM-centric novels, it's only fitting Hazelwood follows a formula. Think overly large man, small-into-one-kind-of-food-too-much woman, a cast of equally as eccentric characters all wrapped up in an academic setting. It works, but I can't help but think of the Spiderman meme where they're all pointing at each other after reading this book because is it really all that different?

It's been so fun as a reader seeing her writing skills grow (this is definitely the best writing-wise!), I just wish she went off-script/rogue/into a different Adam Driver-look-alike sunset.

this is honestly Ali's steamiest, spiciest, funniest book I'm not even joking. if you love her books, but keep coming back to "I need more spice"- this book has it. she heard us and did not disappoint.

I don't want to give too much away, but this book had everything I could've wanted. and per usual, even though it's centered around the STEM world, I never feel left out not having much background in science. I think Ali Hazelwood does a fantastic job of keeping her stories relatable to every reader, while writing about academia. this book had me cackling and swooning. oh my goodness the SWOONING.

I even caught myself tearing up at some parts. I know... ME tearing up at a book... who even am I??? it was literally so sweet and romantic I couldn't even believe myself. this is definitely her best work thus far and I already want to reread it again.

This book was a copy of the love hypothesis and love on the brain, exactly what I was afraid off. Ali is good at drawing you in, so I did end up enjoying this anyway.

However, there is one thing that annoyed me more than anything else. The way the female main character is so incapable of doing anything without the help of the male main character infuriates me.

I want Ali to write strong independent and confident women of STEM, and not write them as this stereotypical insecure women without social intelligence.

other than this, I did enjoy the plot of the book and will probably read her future books as well.

Thank you so much for the early review copy! A more detailed review and links will be published closer to the release date, but I had to express my gratitude and first impressions as soon as I read it. <3

4.5 stars

*sigh* My heart is so full and so happy right now. This book, guys. This book. I literally inhaled it in two sittings, there is such an addictive quality about Ali's writing!

These characters will live rent free in my head for times to come.

For anyone worrying if this is TLH 3.0, I'd say heck no. Yes, there are some things that may seem familiar, as in you can tell its the same brand of writing, that quirky almost awkward cuteness, but it's a whole different kind of story, plot-wise and character dynamic-wise.

I don't want to spoil anything, but let's just say you don't have to wonder for the entire book "what the heck is this guy thinking ahhh" like it happened with Adam. Because J is very much up front about what he wants and what he feels, and he's mostly working on bringing grumpy skittish Elsie on the same page. We are dealing with a bit of reverse grumpy sunshine situation and someone had to say the things and show the things lol. Also, it's a lot of show, don't tell.

Still delicious maddening slow burn, still cute, still LOL banter, still smart, a whole lot of swoon.

Let me give you a bit of Jack:
"Elsie?" My name, again. Said like the universe made the word for him alone."

There's a dash of bad boy there, a hint of mystery, a dollop of smoothness. And yet, a touch of hunger, a raw unrefined air. Mostly, he looks cool".

I kid you not, I was like, Adam who? (But then we got a glimpse of Adam and Olive and I was like nevermind, they are SUPREME.).

Jack can win the award for the best book boyfriend of the year.

"Bold of you to assume the real me is my best hand. ...
"Foolish of you to think it isn't."

And going with the show don't tell theme, who needs the L word and asking outs and pet names and all that, when you have this:

"What's wrong with us?"(...)
"I think we both know that." (...) You know where we're going, here."

I loved it. All of it.

Full review to come closer to the pub date when I can fangirl and say more and drop the quotes that had me all mush. Xo

I am always a fan of how Ali Hazelwood is so good at pining. Love, Theoretically is no exception, and while her books all share deep similarities (a large, huge dude who is brooding over a smaller, thin woman), I eat up her writing. I really enjoyed the insights into academia's hiring processes and how adjunct professors really get a horrible deal - not working in this sector, it was eye-opening. There was a great mix of female empowerment, a male MC who works to help uplift women in STEM and the take down of a misogynistic male STEM leader. I think this may have been my favorite Hazelwood book so far.

Ali’s book age like a fine wine. Each one is better than the last in the best way. I cried, I laughed, I annotated the fire out of this book. This was such a fun and wonderful romance that was riddled with all of our favorite tropes, real life feelings, and even a little something for TLH girlies. This was a masterpiece and I loved every single second of Elise. Jack is a true contender for the ultimate book boyfriend and I can’t wait to see what else Ali comes up with. Read it now.

For those that know me, it is no secret that I LOVE Ms. Ali and her writing! She is so incredibly good at what she does and her skills were on full display in Love, Theoretically. The lovable (and smart af!!) characters, the excellent humor and banter (truly *chef’s kiss*), the focus on women in STEM and the challenges they face!! I adored our MCs. Elsie is doing the damn thing to get shit done!! Nothing but admiration for her fighting the good fight in the face of challenges and chasing after her dream job. She is such a badass in her field and it’s truly such a joy to read about incredible women. And JACK. I felt that he was the most well rounded of Ali’s male leads??? Don’t get me wrong I am an Adam and Levi girlie through and through!! But sir Jack? And the way he’s able to see straight through Elsie’s carefully constructed walls, people-pleasing, and see her for HER??? *SOB* Really love a hero that is articulate with his feelings, and Jack is exactly that!

I knew there was going to be an Adam and Olive cameo and boy oh boy did Ali deliver. I was expecting a brief appearance and was DELIGHTED when instead they were featured so prominently and had full conversations with Jack and Elsie. In fact, the chapter in question was perhaps my very favorite part of the novel!

My biggest piece of feedback for the book as a whole, is that the tropes felt veryyy similar to those in TLH and Love on the Brain. This might be win for some readers who love these specific tropes and the familiarity of reading them time and time again, but for me I found myself a bit distracted by the similarities while reading. As much as I love rivals to lovers, guy falls first, and I’ve always loved you, I would have liked to see some new ground covered. Secondly, though more minor to my reading experience, was the plot regarding Elsie’s incredibly immature twin brothers. They were slashing each other’s tires and fighting over a girl… as fully grown adults? While I don’t read romance for super realistic plot lines, I had I hard time getting behind the nonsense these two brought when we can assume they are nearly 30 years old (given they are older than Elsie who is 27).

All in all, Love, Theoretically was a solid rom-com for me from one of my very favorite authors! The biggest thank you to the Ali, Berkley, and NetGalley for access to an early copy in exchange for an honest review. As always, I am eager to read whatever Ali pens next!

If you like books featuring…
Fake dating relationships
Academia
Characters learning to stand up for themselves
ARO/ACE representation

Great for fans of…
Please Like Me (VOD)
Heartstopper (Graphic Novel by Alice Oseman & Netflix)
Sex Lives of College Girls (HBO)

I’m so lucky to get to read this book early. Ali Hazelwood books have the best banter and quirkiest characters you can’t help but root for.

I especially loved the dynamic between the two MCs and will probably be re-reading this again soon.

All the stars. All the romance.