A review by annalenawrites
Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was SO GOOD. Easily one of the best books I've ever read. I absolutely devoured it and simultaneously never wanted it to end. I read the author's note and acknowledgements eagerly because I didn't want it to be over. 

Elsie is such a great main character, so relatable and funny and I love her development. I think a lot of women with anxiety and/ or autism would relate to her a lot and that's really valuable. Her roommate and family are unique side characters that add a lot to the story's charm. 

The plot was amazing. I loved the academic setting and the story starting with a professorship job interview. I love that main characters aren't academic rivals but he was still standing in the way of her career, I think that was a really interesting plotline that I haven't read before. 

I LOVE Jack as a character. Would marry him in a heartbeat. He's so considerate, attentive, caring, gentle, loving, smart, and multi-faceted. The characters' initial dislike of each other feels very real and understandable but later it's also very clear how they misunderstood each other. 

The plot twist was predictable in a way that made me excited to have guessed it because there were hints throughout the book, not shockingly out of nowhere but also not predictable in a boring way. 

I'll read this again in the future and I definitely want to read more by the author, I'm really positively surprised by how mucj I loved this!!