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Available
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Penguin Publishing Group
Description
"When a fake relationship between scientists meets the irresistible force of attraction, it throws one woman's carefully calculated theories on love into chaos. As a third-year Ph.D. candidate, Olive Smith doesn't believe in lasting romantic relationships--but her best friend does, and that's what got her into this situation. Convincing Anh that Olive is dating and well on her way to a happily ever after was always going to take more than hand-wavy Jedi mind tricks: Scientists require proof. So, like any self-respecting biologist, Olive panics and kisses the first man she sees. That man is none other than Adam Carlsen, a young hotshot professor--and well-known ass. Which is why Olive is positively floored when Stanford's reigning lab tyrant agrees to keep her charade a secret and be her fake boyfriend. But when a big science conference goes haywire, putting Olive's career on the Bunsen burner, Adam surprises her again with his unyielding support and even more unyielding...six-pack abs. Suddenly their little experiment feels dangerously close to combustion. And Olive discovers that the only thing more complicated than a hypothesis on love is putting her own heart under the microscope"--… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Tikimoof
So I really hate the reasoning for the fake-relationship setup. I skipped some pages at the beginning because it was too dumb, I could not.
The dialogue between the two leads is nice. I like that! And the talk of research. Also pretty good!
But I kept thinking about the power dynamics of a
So, nope, giving up.
The dialogue between the two leads is nice. I like that! And the talk of research. Also pretty good!
But I kept thinking about the power dynamics of a
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professor/grad student (in the same field!) relationship and it just set off too many red flags, even with the author trying to handwave it. I've done training, I've seen the results of this stuff peripherally in real life, and there's all kinds of other reading about why it's bad.So, nope, giving up.
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LibraryThing member The_Literary_Jedi
This was adorable, witty, charming. It's a Grumpy meets Sunshine + fake-dating +rom-com.
The characters and story are funny; you'll keep turning pages.
The blunders that main character Olive gets herself into are forehead smacking, particularly because she's actually really smart.
The "bad-guy" that
And the main character Adam is one of the good ones.
Glad I took the time to read this. One sort of spicy scene - I'd maybe give it 2 chili peppers overall.
**All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
The characters and story are funny; you'll keep turning pages.
The blunders that main character Olive gets herself into are forehead smacking, particularly because she's actually really smart.
The "bad-guy" that
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turns up really does make you want to throw your shoe at him - he's gross.And the main character Adam is one of the good ones.
Glad I took the time to read this. One sort of spicy scene - I'd maybe give it 2 chili peppers overall.
**All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
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LibraryThing member sdbookhound
I hesitated to start reading The Love Hypothesis because it has been SO hyped! I am happy to say that it lived up to the hype for me. I thought the academia setting was different than most contemporary romances out there. I also loved that it was male love interest, Adam, who was the one pining
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away for years. It was the right amount of slow burn. One chapter of steaminess that can be skipped and not take away from the overall story. So I wouldn't categorize this as a "clean" romance. I was pleasantly surprised with Ali Hazelwood's first book and look forward to her next. Show Less
LibraryThing member samnreader
So I have stayed up too late reading 3 days in a row. 2 of the 3 were the fault of this book.
This book made me feel. From the meet-cute, which I loved, to the weird scene 3 years later (which I admittedly didn't love) to the highly specific discussions on Adam's way of speaking and his voice-even
I was expecting to hate it I have become very picky on the STEM heroine. The STEM setting, the fact that this is a professor and a student were why I was avoiding it, and finally, I heard it was Reylo fic, and I am so tired of subpar novels flooding this market after starting as fic. However, this was a well-conceptualized novel that gave me characters and relationship to root for (and frankly I felt very addicted to).
I simply loved the humor. I loved Adam's dimensions and in particular that he was gruff and abrasive in his humor while being loyal as heck to the few people he loved. I related to both characters in their struggles to navigate, particularly in the fact that they both chose very few relationships in their lives. I loved the portrayal of a woman's insecurities and the mysterious hero being revealed and broken down by the relationship he finds himself in. I loved the way that Olive thought about sex, which is to say not much, and liked that she had difficulty being attracted to people.
I know a lot of people can't stand withheld conversations and missed communication opportunities. I do not disagree on the whole, but I don't agree either. That missed connection here and there did not bother me in this book, and all the while the characters really were saying it without really putting it out there. I do wonder, though, why someone who could be so forthright with an intimidating stranger couldn't tell her best friend to fuck off from time to time, so the whole fake dating set up was stupidly contrived even if the motivations below it were sweet and believable. I did appreciate that rather than gloss over a normally-for-me yick of faculty/student it was a solid source of conflict for the characters, and that it was often at the forefront. In dealing with her friends, it could become more like a conflict of interest that would seem to be unsustainable to me. I still don't recommend it as a pairing that's easy to navigate through a relationship, and found it odd that another was introduced in this novel.
There was a bit of a plot wrench that was maybe a 'try to do too much' that I both appreciated (emotional!) and didn't know if was necessary. The follow-up to that, for me, was a bit cheap and unfortunate and made ever-so convenient in ways that remind me "this isn't real life" (view spoiler)
Anh and Malcolm - I think I could write a whole whole bunch on this topic. Rep. But is it good rep? It definitely pinged a lot "I wish this was done better," feelings for me throughout the book, but it didn't spoil the relationships or enjoyment of it overall. To be fair, however, I can also see it ruining some readers' experiences.
Finally, at the end of the novel, I realized this isn't likely REYLO so much as Real PERSON FICTION about Adam Driver. I have qualms about that, without a doubt, especially given this cover, because first, I just don't like RPF as a concept. I can understand influences/how you picture a character, etc etc, but this didn't come off as an echo. It makes me deeply uncomfortable that celebrities often time give up privacy because of their profession. No small part of my issues here in particular are about Adam Driver's particular drive for privacy.
And sidenote: I will amplify Meg here, too much of Adam's being tall. It really really doesn't come up all that much.
In the end though, hero as a mystery and some of the developments here were simply my most favorite types of things in first person POV romance. And it made me cry and it made me laugh. So it's a win in my book, but with reservations.
I look forward to seeing what the author does next. (less) [edit]
This book made me feel. From the meet-cute, which I loved, to the weird scene 3 years later (which I admittedly didn't love) to the highly specific discussions on Adam's way of speaking and his voice-even
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heavily relying on that for their first meeting-I just ate this up.I was expecting to hate it I have become very picky on the STEM heroine. The STEM setting, the fact that this is a professor and a student were why I was avoiding it, and finally, I heard it was Reylo fic, and I am so tired of subpar novels flooding this market after starting as fic. However, this was a well-conceptualized novel that gave me characters and relationship to root for (and frankly I felt very addicted to).
I simply loved the humor. I loved Adam's dimensions and in particular that he was gruff and abrasive in his humor while being loyal as heck to the few people he loved. I related to both characters in their struggles to navigate, particularly in the fact that they both chose very few relationships in their lives. I loved the portrayal of a woman's insecurities and the mysterious hero being revealed and broken down by the relationship he finds himself in. I loved the way that Olive thought about sex, which is to say not much, and liked that she had difficulty being attracted to people.
I know a lot of people can't stand withheld conversations and missed communication opportunities. I do not disagree on the whole, but I don't agree either. That missed connection here and there did not bother me in this book, and all the while the characters really were saying it without really putting it out there. I do wonder, though, why someone who could be so forthright with an intimidating stranger couldn't tell her best friend to fuck off from time to time, so the whole fake dating set up was stupidly contrived even if the motivations below it were sweet and believable. I did appreciate that rather than gloss over a normally-for-me yick of faculty/student it was a solid source of conflict for the characters, and that it was often at the forefront. In dealing with her friends, it could become more like a conflict of interest that would seem to be unsustainable to me. I still don't recommend it as a pairing that's easy to navigate through a relationship, and found it odd that another was introduced in this novel.
There was a bit of a plot wrench that was maybe a 'try to do too much' that I both appreciated (emotional!) and didn't know if was necessary. The follow-up to that, for me, was a bit cheap and unfortunate and made ever-so convenient in ways that remind me "this isn't real life" (view spoiler)
Anh and Malcolm - I think I could write a whole whole bunch on this topic. Rep. But is it good rep? It definitely pinged a lot "I wish this was done better," feelings for me throughout the book, but it didn't spoil the relationships or enjoyment of it overall. To be fair, however, I can also see it ruining some readers' experiences.
Finally, at the end of the novel, I realized this isn't likely REYLO so much as Real PERSON FICTION about Adam Driver. I have qualms about that, without a doubt, especially given this cover, because first, I just don't like RPF as a concept. I can understand influences/how you picture a character, etc etc, but this didn't come off as an echo. It makes me deeply uncomfortable that celebrities often time give up privacy because of their profession. No small part of my issues here in particular are about Adam Driver's particular drive for privacy.
And sidenote: I will amplify Meg here, too much of Adam's being tall. It really really doesn't come up all that much.
In the end though, hero as a mystery and some of the developments here were simply my most favorite types of things in first person POV romance. And it made me cry and it made me laugh. So it's a win in my book, but with reservations.
I look forward to seeing what the author does next. (less) [edit]
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LibraryThing member kevn57
I saw a Nova episode last year about women and STEM, and it really pissed me off. I've looked up to scientists my whole life, my dad was a scientist and the books I started reading were all SF. So to see how far from perfect scientists are in that special and in this book it's so appalling. I love
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technology and all that it's supplied to me, how much further along would we be in tech and pure science if we had twice the number of people suited to science. Quit treating women like dirt, and allow them to succeed in whatever field they choose. People in power who abuse that power should be suitably punished, that punishment should override any golden parachute contracts, that takes vile people out of power and then rewards them with money and retirement. I also hate that Olive almost let the creep get away, I understand why she felt the way she did but I still hate it. Show Less
LibraryThing member purpledog
I enjoyed this one, though I did feel parts of the plot were a bit of an overreach. Yet, the characters were so good they made up for this small flaw. I liked the nerdiness of both Olive and Adam, and they did not fit the mold entirely which made the characters work even better together.
In short,
In short,
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in a sea of similar books this was better than most and stood out. Enjoyed and I would recommend to readers of the genre to not miss this one. Show Less
LibraryThing member Bodagirl
Very cute. I really enjoyed the hints of metafiction and fourth-wall breaking passages: "How many times have you done this [fake dating]? Zero. But I'm familiar with the trope." (p. 58) and "Approximately two out of three fake-dating situations will eventually involve room-sharing; 50 percent of I also enjoyed that Olive put on her big girl panties and (partially) saved herself.
The aspect of the book that I question is that the fake-relationship was ok within the academic department, even though I know that author works in academia. I work at a university and have much more strict rules about faculty and students dating.
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room-sharing situations will be further complicated by the presence of only one bed." (p. 204). The aspect of the book that I question is that the fake-relationship was ok within the academic department, even though I know that author works in academia. I work at a university and have much more strict rules about faculty and students dating.
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LibraryThing member Ray_
This was such an adorable book omg
LibraryThing member Madison_Fairbanks
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
Contemporary romantic comedy. Fake relationship troupe.
Olive and Adam fake a relationship for reasons they both feel are important. Their friendship blooms as their careers throws up stumbling blocks.
Adorable and entertaining. I liked the two together. Their
Shocking what the heroine experienced but afraid it was more common in the past.
I would love to read more by this author.
Contemporary romantic comedy. Fake relationship troupe.
Olive and Adam fake a relationship for reasons they both feel are important. Their friendship blooms as their careers throws up stumbling blocks.
Adorable and entertaining. I liked the two together. Their
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chemistry is sexy and flirty with a real friendship base filled with laughter and teasing.Shocking what the heroine experienced but afraid it was more common in the past.
I would love to read more by this author.
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LibraryThing member Jynell
Do you enjoy science?
As a nurse, I love science... and so when I read that this book was about a woman in #STEM, I knew it was a book I had to read. My first book from @AliHazelwood and I have to admit I couldn't stop...
While I own the hardcover from @BookoftheMonth, I actually listened
Olive and Adam are the perfect amount of geek meets sexy scientist! I love their shared love of #biology and how they push and encourage each other to reach their dreams. Their friends are quite hysterical on top of that!
For those that want to know, there was only 1 sex scene... and it was amazingly steamy!... but could easily be skipped over without affecting the plot at all.
I definitely want to recommend this one to all the #RomCom readers out there!
As a nurse, I love science... and so when I read that this book was about a woman in #STEM, I knew it was a book I had to read. My first book from @AliHazelwood and I have to admit I couldn't stop...
While I own the hardcover from @BookoftheMonth, I actually listened
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to it from @PRHAudio. The narrator was splendid and really brought the story to life.
Olive and Adam are the perfect amount of geek meets sexy scientist! I love their shared love of #biology and how they push and encourage each other to reach their dreams. Their friends are quite hysterical on top of that!
For those that want to know, there was only 1 sex scene... and it was amazingly steamy!... but could easily be skipped over without affecting the plot at all.
I definitely want to recommend this one to all the #RomCom readers out there!
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LibraryThing member Narshkite
I tore through this. I work in a graduate research institution focused on things STEM (I know only law and policy, but I am surrounded by brilliant scientists and technologists) so it was particularly fun for me to read a romance set in that world. That said, even if this were not my life, I would
The romance is very warm and fuzzy. Adam is an excellent book boyfriend in almost every way. The only problem in the book is that the "I can't tell him/her how I really feel" went on way too long. It went on when any sentient person, no matter how insecure and inexperienced, would have known the other person was into them. It was unnecessary and frustrating and not in a good frustrating way that just amps up your longing for the HEA, but in the "really? haven't we already done this?" sort of way. Overall still really dreamy, well written, and satisfying. I have been on a good reading tear across genres for more than a month and this one is definitely on the good reads (to be distinguished from goodreads) list.
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have loved this. Adam and Olive are wonderful characters, as are their friends. The women support one another, people are friends with people of all genders and sexual orientations, and the good men in this book do not question that the women scientists are scientists whose work is exactly as important or unimportant as the work of male scientists. It is really nice.The romance is very warm and fuzzy. Adam is an excellent book boyfriend in almost every way. The only problem in the book is that the "I can't tell him/her how I really feel" went on way too long. It went on when any sentient person, no matter how insecure and inexperienced, would have known the other person was into them. It was unnecessary and frustrating and not in a good frustrating way that just amps up your longing for the HEA, but in the "really? haven't we already done this?" sort of way. Overall still really dreamy, well written, and satisfying. I have been on a good reading tear across genres for more than a month and this one is definitely on the good reads (to be distinguished from goodreads) list.
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LibraryThing member acargile
Love Hypothesis may have been perfectly timed for me! I loved everything (except the bonus chapter--more on that later).
Olive devotes herself to answering a question--can pancreatic cancer be detected early? She's debated about being a good Ph.D candidate to Stanford when she meets a stranger in
Olive and Adam decide to "fake date," but they also discover that they enjoy each others company. Ahn repeatedly puts Olive and Adam in situations that bring them closer. Adam always supports Olive in everything. He's understanding and kind, which surprises Olive because Adam is known for being an ass. What she discovers is that he has high expectations for his students, wanting them to perform better than they believe they can; he wants them to be true scientists. The other students are stunned to see them dating. She takes the hit from students when they're mad at Adam. She and Adam, however, share many of the same feelings about science. When she has the opportunity to work with a well-known scientist at Harvard, she is very excited. She needs a better lab to finish her experiments. Adam is excited for her.
Of course, many incidents come together to create major problems, but Adam always picks Olive, recognizing her goodness, her intelligence, and her kindness. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this novel. My only criticism is the bonus chapter. This chapter is from Adam's point of view. There are so many places in the book that I would have loved to get his point of view, but the chosen scene was not engaging as the rest of the novel. I would love his point of view from the first meeting or the restaurant scene. Overall, fantastic novel!
Olive devotes herself to answering a question--can pancreatic cancer be detected early? She's debated about being a good Ph.D candidate to Stanford when she meets a stranger in
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the bathroom. She never sees him, but he tells her that her reason to apply represents the perfect reason. Three years in and she always wonders who the person was because she would like to thank him. One evening, Olive wants her best friend to feel free to date Olive's date. Olive had gone out with Jeremy a few times, but she wasn't interested in him, knowing that Jeremy and Ahn were drawn to each other. Knowing Ahn will see her, she grabs the first male she finds and kisses him so that Ahn will see. It all begins.Olive and Adam decide to "fake date," but they also discover that they enjoy each others company. Ahn repeatedly puts Olive and Adam in situations that bring them closer. Adam always supports Olive in everything. He's understanding and kind, which surprises Olive because Adam is known for being an ass. What she discovers is that he has high expectations for his students, wanting them to perform better than they believe they can; he wants them to be true scientists. The other students are stunned to see them dating. She takes the hit from students when they're mad at Adam. She and Adam, however, share many of the same feelings about science. When she has the opportunity to work with a well-known scientist at Harvard, she is very excited. She needs a better lab to finish her experiments. Adam is excited for her.
Of course, many incidents come together to create major problems, but Adam always picks Olive, recognizing her goodness, her intelligence, and her kindness. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this novel. My only criticism is the bonus chapter. This chapter is from Adam's point of view. There are so many places in the book that I would have loved to get his point of view, but the chosen scene was not engaging as the rest of the novel. I would love his point of view from the first meeting or the restaurant scene. Overall, fantastic novel!
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LibraryThing member Carolesrandomlife
I liked this book. There has been a ton of hype surrounding this book since its release and just about every review that I have seen gave this book all the stars. I had high expectations when I picked this book up and I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed when I wasn’t quite as taken with
I liked Olive and Adam a lot and I thought that they were great together. At the start of the book, they embark on a fake dating scheme. I thought that the reasons behind their reasons to fake date each other were rather lacking but I went with it. It was so obvious that Adam was smitten with Olive from the start and I really enjoyed the time that they spent together in the story. I did really like that they were both scientists and enjoyed the scenes where they talked science and Adam gave a few suggestions. Olive helped Adam to see how the students saw him.
I did think that a lot of the book was rather predictable. Of course, I knew from the start that Olive and Adam would fall for each other since this isn’t the first romance that I have picked up. When the main drama of the story popped up, I wasn’t surprised. I really just wanted these two to sit down and have a conversation and avoid most of the problems. Of course, it would be a short book if the author did it my way so what do I know.
I would recommend this book to others. I thought that this was a well-done romance with great characters, a lot of chemistry, just the right amount of humor, and a STEM backdrop that set it apart. I will definitely be checking out more of Ali Hazelwood’s books in the future.
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it as everyone else seemed to be. Don’t get me wrong – this was a really good book but it stayed solidly in four-star territory for me. I enjoyed this book and am really glad that I finally got around to picking it up.I liked Olive and Adam a lot and I thought that they were great together. At the start of the book, they embark on a fake dating scheme. I thought that the reasons behind their reasons to fake date each other were rather lacking but I went with it. It was so obvious that Adam was smitten with Olive from the start and I really enjoyed the time that they spent together in the story. I did really like that they were both scientists and enjoyed the scenes where they talked science and Adam gave a few suggestions. Olive helped Adam to see how the students saw him.
I did think that a lot of the book was rather predictable. Of course, I knew from the start that Olive and Adam would fall for each other since this isn’t the first romance that I have picked up. When the main drama of the story popped up, I wasn’t surprised. I really just wanted these two to sit down and have a conversation and avoid most of the problems. Of course, it would be a short book if the author did it my way so what do I know.
I would recommend this book to others. I thought that this was a well-done romance with great characters, a lot of chemistry, just the right amount of humor, and a STEM backdrop that set it apart. I will definitely be checking out more of Ali Hazelwood’s books in the future.
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LibraryThing member jovemako
OK, this was a SUPER cute read. Now I get the all the hype. I bought it before it started showing up on my book social media things. That being said, I ended up reading half the book last night and finishing it. I really love that the careers in this book are STEM focused. (I'm biased. Cause I'm a
I kept glancing back at the cover as I was reading because....I don't know. I did notice it was usually anytime a new thing was described about Adam. I gotta say, based off the description of him (physical and personality) through the book, he's not a guy I would ignore. lol. (*flirty* well,... hello!) And there were a couple of spots towards the end of the story I found myself re-reading a few times because something cracked me up a little. (page 326 specifically as one example) Or it was just so enjoyable to read that particular part I re-read it.
I do like Olive too. I don't agree with some of her actions, BUT what I do like is that they gave her personality about sex that makes sense. At least to me. There were some spots where I kind of wished she had more of a spine instead of what she did. Still she grew one when it really counted. Adam and Olive are an adorable read though.
I actually kind of want a sequel for it. I have no idea what it would look like. I just want more of these characters.
Definitely worth the read!
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woman in a STEM career.) I kept glancing back at the cover as I was reading because....I don't know. I did notice it was usually anytime a new thing was described about Adam. I gotta say, based off the description of him (physical and personality) through the book, he's not a guy I would ignore. lol. (*flirty* well,... hello!) And there were a couple of spots towards the end of the story I found myself re-reading a few times because something cracked me up a little. (page 326 specifically as one example) Or it was just so enjoyable to read that particular part I re-read it.
I do like Olive too. I don't agree with some of her actions, BUT what I do like is that they gave her personality about sex that makes sense. At least to me. There were some spots where I kind of wished she had more of a spine instead of what she did. Still she grew one when it really counted. Adam and Olive are an adorable read though.
I actually kind of want a sequel for it. I have no idea what it would look like. I just want more of these characters.
Definitely worth the read!
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LibraryThing member sedodge
Contemporary romance was never my thing ... but it absolutely is now. I will be RUNNING to go buy the rest of Ali Hazelwood's Books. As a women in academic research, this book resonated down to my soul. There are so many great life lessons in it, not to mention the swoon worthy characters! I would
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do just about anything for Adam Carlson. I'm a bit greedy and I wish that the epilogue was longer and I got to see more of the happily ever after, but I can't blame the book for ending where it did. It is SUCH a fun read! Show Less
LibraryThing member forsanolim
3.5 stars
This book has been all over, so I was looking forward to getting to it! And I definitely thought it was a fun read. Olive's a PhD student, and she begins to fake-date a professor in her department (but not her professor), who is known throughout the department for being exacting and hard
This felt pretty unrealistic (as isn't unusual, I guess), but I had a fun time with it. I did predict most of the plot/third-act conflict by around a quarter of the way through the book---I don't know if that was the intent, but I was pretty confident I knew at least the vague outlines of what could happen (though I didn't predict one big part of it). The power dynamics also definitely took a fair bit of suspension of disbelief for me---while the book definitely spends emphasizes that there's no official ban on Olive and Adam's relationship, I still don't really think it'd fly in real life, though it worked fine in the novel.
This book has been all over, so I was looking forward to getting to it! And I definitely thought it was a fun read. Olive's a PhD student, and she begins to fake-date a professor in her department (but not her professor), who is known throughout the department for being exacting and hard
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on students' work. Repeatedly forced into proximity to keep up their fake-dating charade, the two spend increasing amounts of time together.This felt pretty unrealistic (as isn't unusual, I guess), but I had a fun time with it. I did predict most of the plot/third-act conflict by around a quarter of the way through the book---I don't know if that was the intent, but I was pretty confident I knew at least the vague outlines of what could happen (though I didn't predict one big part of it). The power dynamics also definitely took a fair bit of suspension of disbelief for me---while the book definitely spends emphasizes that there's no official ban on Olive and Adam's relationship, I still don't really think it'd fly in real life, though it worked fine in the novel.
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LibraryThing member HeatherLINC
This novel is very popular at the moment in our school library thanks to Book Tok, and it is rarely on the shelves, so I decided to see what all the fuss was about. When I started reading I was surprised to discover that the protagonists were adults but I did find myself chuckling at Olive and her
My biggest concern, however, was the VERY detailed sex scene - it consumed two chapters!! I know of Year 8s who have read "The Love Hypothesis" and I am not comfortable that they have been exposed so graphically to this when they are only 13 or 14 years of age. Call me old-fashioned but still . . .
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antics. She was snarky and witty, and I loved when she and Adam interacted. I also appreciated the fact that the author decided to make Olive part of the STEM program - more women are definitely needed in this area.My biggest concern, however, was the VERY detailed sex scene - it consumed two chapters!! I know of Year 8s who have read "The Love Hypothesis" and I am not comfortable that they have been exposed so graphically to this when they are only 13 or 14 years of age. Call me old-fashioned but still . . .
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LibraryThing member ktreads22
If you want a PERFECT Rom-Com as a book you want this one. I will immediately be recommending this to everyone I know who loves a good, teeth-rottingly sweet book. Oh I loved every minute. Once I sat down to read it, it consumed my thoughts for the rest of the day and I HAD to finish it. Work be
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damned. Thank you for a lovely book. This will be re-read for sure. Show Less
LibraryThing member yonitdm
Such a cute read! I was smiling and laughing the whole time. Knowing it was Reylo fan fiction made for super cute details. Olive and Adam are adorable! I'm a sucker for a grumpy one falls for the sunshine one. And fake dating. So good
LibraryThing member Herenya
When Olive, a third year PhD student, impulsively asks a man in the biology hallway if she can kiss him, she’s just hoping to convince her best friend that she’s on a date. Not start a department-wide rumour that she and Dr Adam Carlston are in a relationship. But once the rumour takes off, she
This ticked a lot of boxes for me. University setting! Fake dating! Single-POV! Characters explicitly addressing potential power imbalance in their relationship! But more than that, I enjoyed Olive’s interactions with Adam for the way they quickly develop in-jokes, the way both of them ask the other if they're okay with something, and the way Olive discovers she's comfortable telling Adam about her mistakes and anxieties. I enjoyed this so much I immediately reread it.
“Ground rules?”
“Yes. You know. What we are allowed and not allowed to do. What we can expect from this arrangement. I think that’s pretty standard protocol, before embarking on a fake-dating relationship.”
He tilted his head. “Standard protocol?”
“Yup.”
“How many times have you done this?”
“Zero. But I am familiar with the trope.”
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and Adam decide they both benefit from allowing it to continue.This ticked a lot of boxes for me. University setting! Fake dating! Single-POV! Characters explicitly addressing potential power imbalance in their relationship! But more than that, I enjoyed Olive’s interactions with Adam for the way they quickly develop in-jokes, the way both of them ask the other if they're okay with something, and the way Olive discovers she's comfortable telling Adam about her mistakes and anxieties. I enjoyed this so much I immediately reread it.
“Ground rules?”
“Yes. You know. What we are allowed and not allowed to do. What we can expect from this arrangement. I think that’s pretty standard protocol, before embarking on a fake-dating relationship.”
He tilted his head. “Standard protocol?”
“Yup.”
“How many times have you done this?”
“Zero. But I am familiar with the trope.”
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LibraryThing member ecataldi
Why did I wait so long to read this?! I loved every second of this book. I thought Christina Lauren and Emily Henry were my favorite romance authors but Ali Hazelwood is a serious contender now! This romantic comedy is set in academia and is nerdy and fun without ever taking away from the romance
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or going to overboard. Olive is desperate for her best friend to date Jeremy, her ex, because those two are perfect for each other and Olive never even liked him. But her best friend, Anh, won't even consider it because she think Olive still has feelings for him. Olive concocts a fake dating scheme with hard ass professor and researcher, Dr. Carlsen, just to get Anh off her ass. And it works! But now Olive and Dr. Carlsen are in a weird position, how long to fake date for? Filled with all the tropes but done in such a new and fun way, this romance is a slow burn with plenty of spice. I ate it up. Give me more! Show Less
LibraryThing member vampireacademia
I could not put this book down! Very cutesy, academic romance with a fake dating trope!
LibraryThing member smorton11
I broke a couple of my own rules for this one – I read a bestseller, and it contains two of my biggest personal triggers – a dead mom and pancreatic cancer. But. I’m unashamedly a Reylo stan (Rey & Kylo Ren from the most recent Star Wars trilogy) and, well, look at the cover. Adam just looks
I’m not much of a romance reader, I read one or two a year because sometimes I just want a book that I don’t have to think about, so I’m not particularly up on the tropes of romance but I believe this is a fake-dating and miscommunication trope heavy romance. I’m not big on miscommunication tropes because I think it leads to a depiction of an unhealthy romance but given the personalities and quirks of the characters involved, it fits.
Olive is a pretty endearing spunky heroine and Adam is a pretty warm and fuzzy brooding professor love interest. Both have some pretty neat friends who are always welcome additions when they pop up in the story, but I was so disappointed that this book does not pass the Bechdel test. While Olive does have a named BFF, Anh, their conversations are exclusively limited to the men in their lives which is tremendously disappointing as they are both Ph.D. students with many shared interests that they can discuss. Most of what we learn about Anh is through Olive’s POV sharing details to us as readers about their friendship.
However, Olive and her friends are a pretty tight group and they all support each other, especially after a very foreseeable and predictable sexual assault. Yes, this lighthearted contemporary rom-com has a sexual assault but you can see it coming from a mile away. It doesn’t make it any easier to read, but it does, I think, prepare the reader for its eventually. It also greatly affects the plot and muddles things in understandable, and not so understandable, ways.
There’s a very awkward to read sex scene (compared to the ones I’ve read in other contemporary romances) which starts a bit of the downward trend for the book. The miscommunications grow larger, the stakes higher, and the plot devolves into a mess that isn’t really cleaned up by the end.
Overall, though, I enjoyed Olive and Adam’s relationship, for the most part, but the secondary characters wind up really stealing the show. It’s an enjoyable read, it depicts women in STEM which is a very welcome addition to publishing in general, and made my Reylo stan heart very happy. As a last side note, I’m really loving the plethora of trade paperback romances that have been published in the last five years as avid romance readers now have lots of options and a great deal more diversity! I also really appreciate that this is a millennial romance – perhaps the publishing industry is finally starting to get a handle on new adult now that all of us millennials asking for it are pushing (or over) 30 or just writing it ourselves?
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like Adam Driver. So here we are.I’m not much of a romance reader, I read one or two a year because sometimes I just want a book that I don’t have to think about, so I’m not particularly up on the tropes of romance but I believe this is a fake-dating and miscommunication trope heavy romance. I’m not big on miscommunication tropes because I think it leads to a depiction of an unhealthy romance but given the personalities and quirks of the characters involved, it fits.
Olive is a pretty endearing spunky heroine and Adam is a pretty warm and fuzzy brooding professor love interest. Both have some pretty neat friends who are always welcome additions when they pop up in the story, but I was so disappointed that this book does not pass the Bechdel test. While Olive does have a named BFF, Anh, their conversations are exclusively limited to the men in their lives which is tremendously disappointing as they are both Ph.D. students with many shared interests that they can discuss. Most of what we learn about Anh is through Olive’s POV sharing details to us as readers about their friendship.
However, Olive and her friends are a pretty tight group and they all support each other, especially after a very foreseeable and predictable sexual assault. Yes, this lighthearted contemporary rom-com has a sexual assault but you can see it coming from a mile away. It doesn’t make it any easier to read, but it does, I think, prepare the reader for its eventually. It also greatly affects the plot and muddles things in understandable, and not so understandable, ways.
There’s a very awkward to read sex scene (compared to the ones I’ve read in other contemporary romances) which starts a bit of the downward trend for the book. The miscommunications grow larger, the stakes higher, and the plot devolves into a mess that isn’t really cleaned up by the end.
Overall, though, I enjoyed Olive and Adam’s relationship, for the most part, but the secondary characters wind up really stealing the show. It’s an enjoyable read, it depicts women in STEM which is a very welcome addition to publishing in general, and made my Reylo stan heart very happy. As a last side note, I’m really loving the plethora of trade paperback romances that have been published in the last five years as avid romance readers now have lots of options and a great deal more diversity! I also really appreciate that this is a millennial romance – perhaps the publishing industry is finally starting to get a handle on new adult now that all of us millennials asking for it are pushing (or over) 30 or just writing it ourselves?
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LibraryThing member jlynno84
Not quite what I had expected, but turned out to be a very sweet love story. There is a very slow build to the spice, but the story is so well written and charming. Overall very refreshing and loved having a heroine that was valued more for her brain than for her body!
LibraryThing member ftbooklover
Olive Smith doesn't want her friend, Anh, to think that she has lingering feelings for former date, Jeremy because Olive knows they will be perfect for each other, so she decides to make Anh believe that she is dating Professor Adam Carlsen. Olive is surprised when Adam accepts her proposal to fake
The Love Hypothesis reminds me of classic romance stories of the past that drew readers in with easily identifiable characters who show the kind of feelings that real people have and then develops them successfully over the course of the entire book, bringing the reader along for the ride. Although, the premise of this story is not a new one, the science and Ph.D characterization puts a modern take on several tried and true tropes. Overall, The Love Hypothesis lives up to the recent hype as this archetypal tale gets a modern spin with exceptional execution.
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date, especially since he appears to be universally hated on campus, but his reasons seem valid. Things go smoothly until Olive and Adam find themselves inserted into each other's real personal lives with unexpected results.The Love Hypothesis reminds me of classic romance stories of the past that drew readers in with easily identifiable characters who show the kind of feelings that real people have and then develops them successfully over the course of the entire book, bringing the reader along for the ride. Although, the premise of this story is not a new one, the science and Ph.D characterization puts a modern take on several tried and true tropes. Overall, The Love Hypothesis lives up to the recent hype as this archetypal tale gets a modern spin with exceptional execution.
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Awards
Indie Next List (September 2021)
LibraryReads (Monthly Pick — September 2021)
Original publication date
2021-09-14
Local notes
Love Hypothesis, 1
DDC/MDS
| Fic Romance Hazelwood |