A review by rasha_reads
Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood

challenging emotional funny inspiring reflective fast-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

5.0

And now for book 7 on my Ali Hazelwood readathon… “Love, Theoretically” is a witty and hilarious enemies to lovers romantic romp that takes place in the heart of STEM academia.

Once again, AH has delivered a wonderful, feel good book that takes the rivals to lovers, hidden identity and (mis)understanding tropes and reworked them into a lighthearted yet touching story. The FMC, Elsie, is a struggling adjunct professor who struggles to make ends meet so also moonlights as a fake girlfriend. But then, her two worlds collide when her fake boyfriend’s brother is one of the deciding votes when she applies for a new job… 

The humour is heightened by details added to the story and characters such as Elsie’s love of cheese, her opinions on the Twilight Saga and 2001: A Space Odyssey, her roommate’s pet hedgehog and a brief crossover with AH’s other books (Olive and Adam from “The Love Hypothesis” make an appearance as well as a mention of WWMD from “Love on the Brain”), among other things.

Hilarious as I found this book (and I was laughing out loud more often than not) with its brilliant, witty and sharp dialogue, it also had its serious side. AH also interweaves a statement into the plot about the rampant misogyny in the sciences, toxic actions and men’s behaviour when they don’t get what they want. 

But beyond that, what was really interesting was Elsie’s ability to APE (“Assess, Plan, Enact."). For multiple reasons, Elsie has developed a skill to find out what the person she is interacting with wants or needs, adjusts her behaviour and delivers an alternate version of herself. By doing this, her true personality is subsumed and she makes those around her happy (also a useful skill for providing fake relationships). But the question becomes, how does she make herself happy and does she even know what she wants? I loved this because it is a trait that many women exhibit, consciously or not, when in relationships - especially romantic ones. We have a tendency to react and mirror others feeling instead of thinking about what we want first. This is not to say that every woman is a doormat but merely that we often put other’s wants and feelings before our own. In this book, the subject is handled very well and gives the relationship between Elsie and Jack real depth.

When it comes to STEM romances that are not just touching love stories but that also have something important to say, you can never go wrong when choosing to pick up an Ali Hazelwood novel and this was a favourite.

5 stars 🤓📚

@AliHazelwood #LoveTheoretically  

#romance #fiction #STEMromance #STEM

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