Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

1159 reviews

eallain96's review

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emotional funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0


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nplunkie's review

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funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I found the book fairly slow for about the first half (after the initial few chapters). I felt some of the scenarios quite contrived and felt a bit shoehorned in to move the story along
e.g. sitting on the lap at a talk would be strange even if they weren’t fake dating. Anh also always being the pusher of these situations became repetitive
. I didn’t find the characters to be overly lovable or develop too much
Adam never actually taking any responsibility for how he passes on his feedback other than “it’s not personal so they shouldn’t be upset”

There’s about a chapter and a half of spice which I think is pretty good. Overall an enjoyable read just a few bits not totally to my personal taste

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mari_library's review

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funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This book was a solid 4-star read. I have to praise Ali Hazelwood for making me like the type of main character I normally hate. Was the story predictable? Yes. Was it enjoyable? Also, yes.

The object permanence was definitely not there since every time I put this book down, I forgot I was reading it. BUT when I was reading the book, it was enjoyable and engaging. The story is your typical fake-dating romance, the characters and plot were predictable, and in all cases, it was a solid romance. There is very little to say against it other than the main character's best friend is shitty. I don't think Anh played the part well as a best friend, and I don't think she showed the same level of investment in her friendship as Olive did. However, Adam Carlsen???? My man! He was *chef's kiss* the definition of a man written by a woman. I love him.

Overall, an enjoyable and solid read.

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reallife_kazbrekker's review

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lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

2.0

DNF at page 204.

I don't dnf books a lot, but I just couldn't take another page of this book. 
I just couldn't keep reading about how tall and muscular the main love interest was... Seriously like every two sentences she mentions his height. Like I get it, he's tall. You don't need to keep mentioning it.

Anyway I can understand why other people like this book, but it's just not for me I guess...

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chelseasofia's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Ok, on the one hand this book was fun, had great STEM and science rep (which I know zero about but was delighted by the specificity of it all - it’s refreshing to see characters so knowledgeable in their field of work), and I really liked the characters and their growing relationship. They really *cared* for each other and were thoughtful about each other’s feelings and boundaries. It was fairly well written (not a ton of weird overly explanatory anxiety ridden character thoughts, only a few sprinkled hither and thither) and it did not feel like a chore to read (high bar I know).

On the other hand, I am tired of a few things that are still very popular in romance: the tall guy/short girl thing, likewise the repeated wonderment about how BIG he is (ok, I get it, a couple mentions would have been enough though), and the fact that two very intelligent people can’t make the logical conclusion to not pile on lie after lie, or that sacrificing yourself for the imagined happiness of someone else by continuing those lies is somehow “real love”, please. Also the miscommunications that don’t really make sense. Also the *ridiculous* ways that they’re forced to get closer in public (via Olive’s friend pressuring her) was just kinda dumb/not fully developed. I love tropes but let’s try and inject a little reality? 

I did have to keep reminding myself that these people are in their 20s and not experienced at relationships, being honest with others about their feelings, or even with themselves. I know I didn’t tell someone I loved them when I was that age, so I guess I’m just over some of this stuff because I’ve read it a lot, and I’m old (sarcasm).

I did like Olive but I wished she didn’t have to be so unsure and tentative for so much of the book. And (spoilers?) when a big awful thing happens I wanted to scream at the way she was just going to push it down and try to continue as if nothing had happened. I guess that just means that I cared for the characters. But also, the big awful thing was really over the top, done by a capital-V Villain and it came completely out of nowhere. People who are abusers and manipulative don’t really go this hard this fast, do they? I wanted it to be a little more nuanced. But then again, maybe people are really this brazen and awful in academia. It did make for a great conclusion of the story later on.

The thing I liked most was them slowly becoming friends and coming to really care for each other in such a lovely way. And it all led to the one sex scene which was both tender and hot, with lots of good communication, plus the demisexual rep. Worth it. 🔥🔥🔥

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michaelavanr's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I am such a nerd and this book brought me right back to undergrad doing a research product and having a crush on one of the post docs in the lab. Nerdy romance is everything. Fake dating is everything. 
One of my favourite micro tropes is where the characters in a romance book discuss reading smut or their favourite tropes but this was a little bit too on the nose. They used the term “fake dating” way too often when it could have been more implied. 

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readnoot's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

This was a nice fluffy read to sink my teeth into! I thought that Olive and her overarching dilemma of worrying that anyone she loves will eventually somehow leave her were written rather compellingly; the reader could definitely understand her hesitations in admitting her true feelings to Adam and sympathize with her internal struggles over doing so. Adam was also a great love interest, as I never cease to admire when the MMC who has been in love with the FMC for ages and is finally getting an opportunity to be with her still gives her space, follows her lead, and refrains from sharing the depth of his feelings for her, essentially operating as if everything is business as usual even though it is torture for him. This type of I’ll-take-whatever-she-chooses-to-give-me MMC is a Hazelwood staple that does not go unnoticed or unappreciated, especially when there are so many romance books featuring overly possessive, basically misogynistic male leads who are somehow supposed to be read as caring and empowering when they are actually toxic and harmful. I would definitely recommend this novel if you are looking for an unproblematic romance with a happy ending!

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dwdillydally's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75


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venusinfauxfur's review

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lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

My second Ali Hazelwood book—despite rating both in the 3-star range, I must admit they were very pleasant reads! I found both somewhat derivative but also quite fun and silly; great low-commitment books to bring me out of a reading rut. 

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readwithsarah's review

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lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75


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