“It’s complicated, being a woman in STEM. Even more so when you’re young and unproven. And even more so when you have a semi-pathological need to get along with others.”

This is an enemies to lovers rom-com between a cheese-loving, coffee-hating (preach!) theoretical physicist (Elsie) who studies liquid crystals and a very muscled, Henley wearing, experimental physicist (Jack) who can basically do whatever he wants because he’s famous, and also did I mention he has muscles?


Disclaimer: You do not need to know what liquid crystals are. Just keep picturing the exact wrong thing, like I do. It won’t matter. And if you do actually understand this weird state of matter, you are superior.


I wish there was a PG-13 version of this book! There was a lot to like in here. Unfortunately, the profanity (everywhere) and sexual content (mainly in chapters 19-22) definitely make this a novel for a mature audience.

How spicy are those few chapters? If I were to put it on Buffalo Wild Wings spectrum of spicy, it would probably roll in around the Mango Habenero heat. I actually have a whole section of my review dedicated to this if you need more information.


This was my first Ali Hazelwood book. Her book, The Love Hypothesis (2021), became uber popular and I believe it’s also being made into a movie. She is known for writing romcom novels about women in STEM. Which I think is amazing!

I enjoy reading about a main character who is not just intelligent, but intelligent in the sciences, who is secure in her knowledge and ability to do her career and get the job she wants. And not only is she legitimately smart, she has a great sense of humor. Especially if you can understand all her science jokes.

I also really liked that Elsie has a really good friendship with her roommate. They’re both weird in their own ways, but very supportive as they live their own lives.


In case you were wondering, I am not in academia. I’m like the opposite of Elsie. Elsie is a physicist who got her PhD in theoretical physics. I’m an art major. I guess we overlap in terms of abstract concepts and a lot of matter that doesn’t make sense to most people.

But the point is… I cannot say one way or the other whether her science should be fact-checked. I have no idea if she is accurately portraying the field or the academic politics in the world of professors and research scientists. Honestly, I don’t even know if liquid crystals is a real thing. But if she’s fabricating, she’s a real good pretender.

It was a whole new world of characters that aren’t typically written about and I enjoyed being there.


A Brief Summary

This is your classic enemies to lovers romcom story-line.

Elsie has her PhD in theoretical physics and works as an adjunct professor teaching classes at three different universities. She has diabetes and no health insurance and is barely making ends meet to get herself the insulin she needs.

To counter this financial deficit, she started ‘fake-dating’ people. An app people can use to hire others to pretend to be their dates for things.

Her latest client is Greg. He’s hired her for multiple family occasions because he is gay and has not come out to his family yet. To get them off his back about getting married, he’s using Elsie as a shield.

Enter Jack. Greg’s brother.

Wearing his “Haute couture by Chuck Norris.”

He is skeptical of her relationship with his brother. And also he has the hots for her.

“He just studies me— attentive, calm, like he knows something secret about me. That I floss once a week, tops. That I can’t figure out what the Dow Jones is, even after reading the Wikipedia entry. Other, scarier, darker things.”

The main animosity here is that both Jack and Elsie are physicists. But Jack is an EXPERIMENTAL physicist while Elsie is a THEORETICAL physicist. [Thank goodness for spellcheck… I’ve misspelled physicist every time I’ve typed it]

To make matters worse, Elsie is interviewing for a major job change that would give her health insurance and allow her to do the research she wants to do without the teaching she hates (including all the annoying— yet hilarious— emails she receives from her students asking if they can pay their tuition in dogecoin).

“Teaching load: 100 percent. Despair load: incalculable.”

“All I want is to spend my days solving hydrodynamic equations to calculate the large-scale spatiotemporal chaos exhibited by dry active nematics. And maybe, if possible, buy life-compatible levels of pancreatic hormones at reasonable prices.”

Jack is on the search committee conducting the interviews, has major influence, and is known for hating theorists. In fact, years ago he ruined the entire field by submitting a prank paper on theoretical physics to an esteemed journal where it somehow got through and became the laughing stock of the science world.


So Elsie wants to hate Jack:

“I always had a bad feeling about him, and last night— that’s why he’s so good at Go. He was a physicist all along, that— that piece of Uranus—”
"Science insult. Nice.”
"I bet he thinks in Fahrenheit—”
"Ooh, sick burn."

But he’s “the electron to my nucleus… constantly spinning around me” and they can’t help but be attracted to each other. Because that’s how science neutrons work.

And really, her hatred isn’t very believable in the book. She’s just trying to convince herself to hate him because she’s afraid of her real feelings.

Thus, this book is correctly titled- Love, Theoretically— because it’s not love actually. Yet.

It’s a theory.

Jack has Elsie figured out, but it’s not until Elsie discovers there is more to Jack when the sparks really start to fly. Because chemical reactions. Science. (Have I convinced you of my science knowledge yet?)


The Spice Factor

As mentioned before, there is some graphic sexual content in this book. You can probably come away unscathed by it if you just skip chapters 19-22.

I am not an avid romance reader. My concept of what ‘graphic sexual content’ is may be skewed. I have no clue. There’s an entire genre called Erotica so I’m sure this isn’t the worst you could read. I don’t want to be able to explain to you from personal experience where this is on the spectrum. Use your best judgement.

But based on my personal preferences on what I want to read, this had stuff that went too far and too detailed.


So imagine my shock when I read this:

“Jack and I did a bunch of things that high schoolers today would barely consider a quarter of first base...”

What?!

I must be very naive to what is happening in high schools right now. It is ridiculous if what they did was not even first base. Clearly they don’t understand how baseball works.

Plus some of it isn’t realistic. Like the fact that he didn’t have “rotten-eggy morning breath.” Everyone has bad breath in the morning. It’s an unfortunate staple of life.

Anyway, I know a lot of readers won’t hold the same views of sex that I do, so I’ll try not to belabor the point.

But if Ali Hazelwood should read my review: Can you PLEASE make PG-13 versions of your books for people like me?


A couple other comments related to sex that I just decided I wanted to point out:

“Not that there would be anything wrong: sex work is legitimate work, and people who engage in it are just as deserving of respect as ballerinas, or firefighters, or hedge fund managers.”

I don’t know if Hazelwood actually believes this idea, though I would venture to guess that she does, but this is a harmful view to hold and completely ignores the fact that most ‘sex work’ is not legitimate. It increases the demand and creation of porn which is also harmful to people. It increases the demand for women which inevitably leads to sex and child trafficking. It is not an ‘innocent line of work’ as some are trying to suggest.

The sexual ‘freedom’ the general population is dying for isn’t quite the utopia they think they’ll get.

If you don’t believe me, do your own research. It’s not hard to find the wreckage in the wake of sex work and porn. Yes, I have strong feelings about this.

I can agree that all people should be treated with respect and dignity, regardless of their ‘occupation.’ I am not condemning the people, but the industry.

[Some other related book suggestions: The Porn Problem, Taking Down Backpage]


If that paragraph made me some enemies, how about this one:

“Planned Parenthood is good people.”

I wasn’t planning to write all of this in this review but here I am. I guess there’s worse things I could be doing with my time.

There is a center in my town called Agape. They help women who are pregnant or who recently had babies. They help them with medical and emotional care. But they do not provide abortions. These are the kinds of centers we need more of.

It’s an oxymoron to have Planned Parenthood and good people in the same sentence. Abortion is the killing of babies and that is not good.

I’m sure many of you have lots of arguments you’d like to share with me about Planned Parenthood. I would direct you HERE.


Okay, I’ll get off my soap box.

The bottom line is: There is some graphic sexual content in a few of the chapters that I wish wasn’t there.


Elsie’s People-Pleasing

A core part of this book is Elsie’s desire to please people. She learned early in life that if she could change into what people wanted, they liked her. She became good at recognizing what people wanted to hear, see, etc and adapted to fit their desire or expectation of who she should be.

“I don’t really have time for that. But what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Or makes you resent your pathological inability to set boundaries, one of the two.”

“I find that people like me better if they don’t have to expend emotional energy on me.”

This paired well with her fake-dating gig. She could be anyone!

This does not pair well with actual dating. Her roommate tells her:

“You’d rather walk into the sea with stones in your pockets than date— though that’s because of your basic misconception that human romantic relationships can only succeed if you hide and shape yourself into what you think others want you to be.”

Jack is different, though. He can see through her various personas. He recognizes when her personality changes. He calls her on it. And psycho-analyzes:

“That way if something goes wrong, if someone rejects you, then it’s not about you, is it? When you’re yourself, that’s when you’re exposed. Vulnerable. But if you hold back… Losing a game’s always painful, but knowing that you haven’t played your best hand makes it bearable.”

This is a somewhat common trope for romance novels/movies. A person who is afraid to be themselves because they don’t want to be rejected.

It wasn’t groundbreaking concepts, but I liked how Jack challenged her to speak her mind, to be honest, and say ‘no.’

She was not afraid to be confrontational with Jack when she was still in the hate-phase. I liked that side of her. I like when someone stands up for themselves. I get annoyed when people don’t say what they’re thinking especially in important situations. Go ahead. Give me an Enneagram number.

Obviously don’t be annoying and argumentative, but just strong-willed, secure, and confident to hold your own.


Randoms

Here are some things I thought were funny and I didn’t know where else to put them so this is the place.

“I sink into the heated seat he turned on for me and remember the time I swerved to avoid a squirrel, almost causing a multivehicle crash. The squirrel turned out to be a Wendy’s paper bag, but it’s fine. I’m good at other things. Probably.”

A character was wearing a “Breathe If You Hate Tom Brady shirt.” Haha. Classic. I’m totally going to use this concept on a shirt for my website’s store. So many possibilities.

A student comes up to her to “tell me about this super-cool movie he just watched and ask me if one could theoretically invert time (dang you, Christopher Nolan)” This is the movie Tenet. Which I have watched. And I would definitely be the student that would want to discuss the physics of it. Because it’s insane.


Recommendation

Okay, so after all that, what’s the deal?

If you have the self-control to skip over a few chapters, and don’t mind some swearing and sexual innuendo, I think you’ll enjoy this unique and humorous take on a rom-com.

If any of that doesn’t sit well with you, probably try something else. Possibly The Rom-Com Agenda.

And if Hazelwood comes out with some PG-13 material, SOMEONE PLEASE COME TELL ME!


Learning Corner

This book is about scientists, so of course they’re going to say words like ‘gravitational singularity,’ ‘sectoral heterochromic,’ ‘boson,’ and ‘biaxial nematics.’

We have permission to gloss over those. But there were also some other big words if you want to expand your vocabulary and sound like you have a PhD in something.

ignominy: public shame or disgrace (It would be an ignominy if you didn’t follow my reviews on Facebook.)

apotheosis: the highest point in the development of something; culmination or climax (The apotheosis of your day was to stumble across my book reviews.)

inchoately: confused or incoherently (When you don’t know what book to read next, you may walk around inchoately.)

convivial: friendly, lively, enjoyable (Browsing my book reviews is a convivial way to spend an afternoon!)

And I finally researched how to actually pronounce these two reads: “canapes” and “annals". So that was cool.


[Content Advisory: 88 f-words (that tend to show up in groupings of 3), 96 s-words, sexual inneundos throughout; a couple graphic sex scenes (as talked about above)]


**Received an ARC via NetGalley**

Elsie is a theoretical physicist who has a few problems. 1. She is an adjunct professor and can barely make ends meet. 2. She is always twisting herself to become the person whoever she's talking to wants. 3. She's interviewing for a job she really needs and finds out one of the people on the panel is her arch-nemesis. This was a pretty light enemies to lovers romance. They didn't stay enemies for too long. The characters were interesting and seemed to have depth and the science was interesting and made this feel more meaty than a typical romance. I did find some character traits to get a little grating by end of the book but would highly recommend.

As always, Ali Hazelwood delivers with a book that is charming, funny, witty, and overall a delight to read. I love her books so much that I'm seriously considering purchasing them all in print to have on my bookshelf.

@prhinternational
Thanks @prhinternational for the free ebook in exchange for an honest review!

I loved this book! Elsie and Jack are one of my favourite couples Ali has ever written! The banter and the scientific talks they have will keep you interested in knowing who they truly are beneath their mask as well as how things will end up for them.
I found it very interesting how the author branched out in this novel and explroed other tropes outside of the formula used for previous books! I think it's great to write different things and to show versatility!
Elsie goes through a lot of self discovery and I was particularly excited to see how she would stand up and take ownership of her own life! I loved her friendship with Cece! They has a very meaningful relationship and I think fans of Ali Hazelwood will love them!
This book also dives in with very important topic such as sexism within academia, which is still very prevalent, how much power mentors have over their meentes, especially when it comes to getting them lab positions, and the debate between theoric and experimental physicists. While they're both very different, they are both necessary and should complement each other!
There's also LGBT+ rep as well as very accepting allies, which I think is essential! One of the main characters is demisexual and one of the side characters is aroace!
The Olive and Adam cameo was everything! I loved seeing them again and seeing them interact with Elsie and Jack! Another very important Ali Hazelwood character is mentioned, which proves they are all connected!
Definetily pick this book up, it doesn't disappoint!

TW:sexual content, mentions of sexual assault, sexism, betrayal.

#PRHInternationalPartner #sponsored #ad

First a thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

Ali Hazelwood brings another light-hearted, contemporary STEAM romance to the table with Love, Theoretically. Hazelwood's newest edition follows theoretical physicist Elsie, who is desperate to make it out of the teaching sphere, which forces her to turn to part-time online dating for extra cash just to survive, and into the track of academia that will allow her to focus solely on perfecting her theories on a livable wage. When famed theorist hating, experimental physicist Jack Smith stands between Elsie and her chance at a once in a lifetime job opportunity, tension builds and sparks fly.

Filled with Hazelwood's common tropes of grumpy/sunshine and miscommunication galore, this book feels like an echo of both The Love Hypothesis and Love on the Brain. While Love, Theoretically does not particularly stand out from Hazelwood's previous novels, it does satisfy the desire for a cute, quirky, and easy-going romance read.

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