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A review by machadamia
Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood
funny
lighthearted
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
3.75
As a fan of her debut novel, The Love Hypothesis, and also someone who was disappointed by all other releases by Hazelwood, I actually enjoyed this one.
The premise of academic rivals falling in love is cute but throw in some fake dating side shenanigans and I am rather sold. I am a simple gal.
Things I rather liked -
About 1/3 in, I thought that she finally found her stride the story flowed well into the next beat and the next and the next. Until we reached the moment where they startedsleeping together and it was just non stop those scenes, I wondered if they need to work and how they were keeping their jobs. Maybe because this book didn’t have the dates written like TLH had so it felt like it was just every other day. The main conflicts were predictable if you’ve read her previous books but I appreciated that this time there were many more layers to the hurdles the couple have to jump through. From the interview which I thought was going to be sabotaged by her mentor but in fact it was the system problem (btw I love that we learned more about the issues in STEM for women) and then her mentor being linked to Jack’s past. I really appreciated that this time there was a lot more academia stuff which was what I was interested in when reading her STEM books. I also liked that there was a lot more proper dating this time as compared to TLH before they officially got together, together.
I’m glad the male main character here got a more fleshed out backstory as well. And I love that Elsie is actually very badass and smart like she isn’t stumbling around crying for help, she is actively so good at doing what she does.
Things I disliked -
At the start, I got irritated at her writing style. It kind of felt like she was having trouble even starting the book and googled a bunch of words she wanted to put in - a bunch of smart sounding words that is. I mean I have no doubt Hazelwood is smart, she is a phd holder! But the sentences felt a bit forced. At times I am just skipping over those additional descriptors because like yeah I got it they feel this way don’t need to be a bit more unhinged and give me 3 more short sentences exclaiming it but I’m realising this is her style which was fine previously but a little annoying now.
I hated all the random pop culture stuff she just had to throw in there for no reason but okay she is a nerd I get it. I just didn’t like that it didn’t really serve the story and this usually happens during the annoying 3 additional unnecessary sentences describing those things.
Okay I just want to say that the main plot driver is rather implausible - like how canthis guy just see all the lies she is telling?!! There must be some lies that gets past him.
Overall though, it was an enjoyable read! Probably one of her better releases.
The premise of academic rivals falling in love is cute but throw in some fake dating side shenanigans and I am rather sold. I am a simple gal.
Things I rather liked -
About 1/3 in, I thought that she finally found her stride the story flowed well into the next beat and the next and the next. Until we reached the moment where they started
I’m glad the male main character here got a more fleshed out backstory as well. And I love that Elsie is actually very badass and smart like she isn’t stumbling around crying for help, she is actively so good at doing what she does.
Things I disliked -
At the start, I got irritated at her writing style. It kind of felt like she was having trouble even starting the book and googled a bunch of words she wanted to put in - a bunch of smart sounding words that is. I mean I have no doubt Hazelwood is smart, she is a phd holder! But the sentences felt a bit forced. At times I am just skipping over those additional descriptors because like yeah I got it they feel this way don’t need to be a bit more unhinged and give me 3 more short sentences exclaiming it but I’m realising this is her style which was fine previously but a little annoying now.
I hated all the random pop culture stuff she just had to throw in there for no reason but okay she is a nerd I get it. I just didn’t like that it didn’t really serve the story and this usually happens during the annoying 3 additional unnecessary sentences describing those things.
Okay I just want to say that the main plot driver is rather implausible - like how can
Overall though, it was an enjoyable read! Probably one of her better releases.