Scan barcode
A review by pages_with_panda
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I FINALLY read it. This book has been all over TikTok and I'm glad I finally read it. It's a part ridiculous, part endearing story full of "fake-dating" shenanigans.
My gripes with the book have mostly to do with some weirdness of some scenes, the writing, and the general lack of development from the characters.
One nitpick I could not get out of my head was that Adam was so much bigger than her? In every way? And yet she's 5' 8'? Just how big is this guy? And the descriptions of their body proportions threw me off completely. It just felt really unbelievable and downright impossible.
Their age gap isn't too bad (she's 26 and he's 34), but honestly she acts a LOT younger. Lying at every turn, even with justifications, made her seem really immature. Especially during the bedroom scene and with the weird body proportions? Was a little uncomfortable to read.
Adam honestly had very little personality beyond liking Olive. He's smart and works out, but that's all we're really told about him. I thought we'd be able to see more about his past - he tells us he's so cold because of his rich, negligent parents, and that's why he treats people like shit, but then does nothing to fix himself? Olive at least tells the truth at the end.
It could come across at "cringey" but I liked the banter/dialogue between Adam and Olive even though Olive didn't stop mentioning that they were "fake-dating" at every chance she got. (Seriously, how did no one hear her with how often she said it in public? I thought all eyes were always on them?)
I also found the main conflict at the end a little unbelievable and couldn’t believe what Olive’s solution was!! But without spoiling the story I won’t say more.
Other than that, it was a fun, fast-paced read!
My gripes with the book have mostly to do with some weirdness of some scenes, the writing, and the general lack of development from the characters.
One nitpick I could not get out of my head was that Adam was so much bigger than her? In every way? And yet she's 5' 8'? Just how big is this guy? And the descriptions of their body proportions threw me off completely. It just felt really unbelievable and downright impossible.
Their age gap isn't too bad (she's 26 and he's 34), but honestly she acts a LOT younger. Lying at every turn, even with justifications, made her seem really immature. Especially during the bedroom scene and with the weird body proportions? Was a little uncomfortable to read.
Adam honestly had very little personality beyond liking Olive. He's smart and works out, but that's all we're really told about him. I thought we'd be able to see more about his past - he tells us he's so cold because of his rich, negligent parents, and that's why he treats people like shit, but then does nothing to fix himself? Olive at least tells the truth at the end.
It could come across at "cringey" but I liked the banter/dialogue between Adam and Olive even though Olive didn't stop mentioning that they were "fake-dating" at every chance she got. (Seriously, how did no one hear her with how often she said it in public? I thought all eyes were always on them?)
I also found the main conflict at the end a little unbelievable and couldn’t believe what Olive’s solution was!! But without spoiling the story I won’t say more.
Other than that, it was a fun, fast-paced read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Cancer and Grief
Minor: Misogyny and Death of parent