A review by camillatd
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

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

3.0

I had seen this book get a lot of hype online, so I went into it with moderate expectations of an enjoyable fake-dating romcom. It was very easy to get swept up in this book (as tends to happen with fake-dating plots), and I ended up reading it in one sitting. The main character, Olive, is lovable, smart, and spunky, and her love interest is a classic Byronic hero. The central conflict deals with the misogyny, privilege, and power dynamics rampant in academia, which was an interesting counterpoint to the typical romcom tropes. I found myself genuinely invested in Olive's success, academically and personally. For me, this book wasn't anything too special, but it delivered as a quick, light read.  My main complaints were that the sex was a little over the top for my liking--just a smidge too graphic for my taste--and the relationship power imbalance wasn't my fave. A lot of the tropes were a little too overdone, too. Sometimes, you just want a delightfully predictable book, though, and I did enjoy it.
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