A review by caughtbetweenpages
Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood

emotional funny inspiring 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? Yes

5.0

Can I explain exactly why this book hit for me when I read it to the degree that it did? Not really. At least part of it is Elsie's journey of taking agency and falling in love with herself, in both a sexual sense and a general life sense. Women/AFAB folks are not taught to take value in our own pleasure so it's really cool to see a book not only promote that but to take the stance of "yeah, this should be your bare minimum standard, knowing what brings you pleasure" AND ALSO to have the male counterpart of a romance be really enthusiastic about that?? it's pretty fucking healing if you ask me. On a personal level, as a human being who For Various Reasons did a lot of subversion of my own needs and wants and instead switched into a version of myself that best fit what other parties needed me to be at different times... yeah, Elsie was really good to read about. Another big part of my enjoyment is the way that there is no "backseat" partner in this book; both Elsie and Jack know who they are, will not compromise on it, and choose to be with/love one another in a way that's just really really great. I think Hazelwood has really hit her stride with this series and I will be reading whatever she comes out with next.