LOVE, THEORETICALLY

I FREAKING LOVE ALI. I was so impatient I literally read a part of this book online before my copy arrived because I just could not wait. And when it finally showed up? I devoured it. No breaks. No distractions. Just me, my book, and the emotional whirlwind that is another Ali Hazelwood masterpiece. Once again, she gave us a brilliant, driven STEM heroine with real depth, a broody intellectual love interest who’s way too soft underneath the grumpiness, and that delicious mix of awkward moments, slow-burn tension, and actual plot twists that kept me flipping pages like I was running out of time.(GOD IM A SUCKER FOR HER BOOKS) The emotional beats? So well done. The academic setting? On point. The banter? Flawless. But listen… as much as I adored this book no one will EVER top Scarlett and Lukas for me. Those two have my whole heart. That’s the couple I compare everyone else to. They live rent-free in my head. Forever. Still, Love, Theoretically? 10/10. No notes. Ali Hazelwood, you never miss.

Love theoretically Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Tropes: enemies to lovers Elsie is a theoretical physicist by day and a fake dating girlfriend by night. She is very smart and kind but also has an unhealthy need to please others. She morphs into what she thinks they want her to be. Elsie meets Jack, the brother of one of her fake dates. To her shock he is ALSO her long time “evil villain” character in the physics story that is her life. After their first meeting things get very confusing because they have met a few times before as different people. Elsie thinks he’s a gym teacher, jack thinks she’s a librarian. Through the story their relationship evolves and Elsie grows as a person thanks to Jack. Jack is not at all who Elsie made him to be in her mind. He also keeps Elsie honest and helps her be her true self. I really enjoyed the evolution of their relationship throughout this book. It’s sweet and comedic. It’s light hearted and makes you say awww a bunch of times. The spicy parts were really good! This book was HOTTTT compared to the love hypothesis which was also great! The scenes were definitely really detailed 🥵🤣 I think Ali did a fantastic job incorporating some more sex into her book. I took off one start for two issues I have with Ali’s characters and I’m providing some honest information here lol You do NOT need to be a prude to have your doctorate or he a science nerd trust me. Not all female characters in doctorate programs have no time or a fear of sex. I would like to see the female characters in her next books be some kickass confident STEM babes 😍 Second reason is she gets really technical with the science 🧬 🧪 and some of us who have their doctorates still don’t really understand. Like I get nerdy science jokes are part of the whole science backdrop but if I have to keep looking them up maybe they are just a bit exclusive to the reader audience! Overall I still loved the beautiful writing, the comedy, feeling very invested in their love story and the character development. They could be real people plucked off the streets of academia.

Thank you, Ali, for giving us another hunky, mountain-sized man. I know the massive guy/smaller girl cliche is hated but . . . I kinda love it. And it's a Hazelwood staple. So thanks. But on to the book: The romance was whirlwind once started—though true enemies-to-lovers at the beginning. There's miscommunication, but not to a frightening extent (I like that trope tho, so can you really believe me?), but the book's otherwise pretty trope-less and original. I ADORED seeing a diabetic character as a protagonist and not making her whole arc or every interaction about diabetes! There was a lot of screen time to the academic side. Almost too much for your average layperson, but not quite. I found I wasn't as bored by it as I was reading her other book, Love on the Brain, though it has more than The Love Hypothesis. (Though as a person employed at an institution mentioned in the book, some of the academic aspects hit hard.) I didn't feel like the mental aspect went too far down the rabbit hole. In some ways, Elsie's problems are relatable to everyone, even if not at this level. I was really nervous that the focus would become ENTIRELY on that plotline—mental health—but it was just an important aspect instead of the entire focus. The MC also didn't overdo the tough love aspect, as far as him demanding her to be forthcoming (though a few things skirted the line, and I worried with the whole 'I want you because you've never shown your OG self and I like things that have never happened before' aspect might lead to him breaking up with her once he HAS seen all the new things, but the deep commitment romantic whirlwind that felt a little unrealistic actually evened out this fear lol.) I've seen that dominating-guy-commands-her-to-speak-thoughts done wrong in other romance books, but it didn't go far enough to feel icky in this one. Hazelwood has such a way of writing modern characters. Maybe it's her fanfiction background, but the stories feel so alive in the way fanfiction does, except polished. It does throw me when I read references to things so recent, though! (For example, referencing Young Sheldon tv show season 7, which was just announced a few months ago? Or AOC references? You on the ball, Ali!) Reaching the character growth in this book made me realize that while The Love Hypothesis is my all-time favorite book, the characters don't really grow in it. Olive is wonderful at the start and Olive is wonderful at the finish. But Elsie's transformation is really distinguishable between chapter one and the end of the book. Jacks too, in some ways, but let me focus All in all, Love, Theoretically didn't sing to me like TLH, but it was wonderful nonetheless. I laughed, I misted a little, and I read it all in one sitting. I feel like I got COVID-quarantine vibes from this book. It was cozy and easy and soft to read.

So I finally finished this book!!!! This is one of the first paperback books I bought when I started reading again January 2024. I repeatedly picked it up and struggled to get through the first 10-15% It is a bit slow, but it is also more detailed in the world of stem. I picked this book up again as audio. I am currently in an audio era and knocked it out in 2 days. While again the beginning was a bit slow, once it picked up I enjoyed it. I liked their banter and enjoyed a lot of the side characters. This was my first Ali Hazelwood book and I will be reading more

Ali Hazelwood books has always been a guilty pleasure read for me. Whenever I pick up one of her novels I know I will be entertained with nerdy goodness and quirky, lovable, intelligent characters. The novel does focus a little heavier on the scientific side as well as the politics in academia. However, I felt the information was necessary for the purpose of the plot, especially with Elsie's journey as she interviews for her dream job at MIT. In terms of the characters, I felt our heroine, Elsie was pretty similar to Ali's previous female leads. The only difference is she is more of a people pleasure. However, as the story progresses she learns to be more honest and true to herself. Unfortunately, I didn't really connect with Elsie. I felt her character was inconsistent. She is suppose to be this smart and perceptive character, but she is quick to judge (incorrectly I might add) and is completely oblivious to Jack's intentions, despite how direct he is with his feelings. On the other hand, I was genuinely surprise by the hero, Jack (aka Jonathon Smith-Turner). I loved his character. Totally different from Ali's previous male leads. He is observant, confident, thoughtful, communicative, and honest. His devotion and patience with Elsie made my heart melt. Out of all of the male leads Ali had written so far, he is probably my favorite. In terms of the climax of the story, it's nothing new. Very predictable. If you have read all the previous novels, you already know who the "villain" is in the story. As stated in my previous reviews, it would be nice to see a supportive male mentor character, because we know they also exist in the field of science. Overall, it was an enjoyable read. Had lots of lovable, fun moments. Loved the cameos. However, wouldn't mind something different in future novels.

Tally me in the column of those who love this book. I thought I had finished it—only to find myself sneaking back to reread passages. The ethos of this novel, much like Hazelwood’s earlier hit "The Love Hypothesis," creates an inviting environment for a few hours of pure escapism. The bond between the best friends is as warmly irresistible as the romantic relationship between the leads is sensuously intense. This emotional richness seems to be a hallmark of Hazelwood’s writing. However, one aspect I questioned in "Love, Theoretically" was the assumption that Jack ruined the reputation of an entire discipline. The tension between theoretical and experimental physics is well-known—especially if you're familiar with The Big Bang Theory, where Sheldon, the lofty purist, assumes superiority over Leonard and his experimentalist peers. Hazelwood adds depth to this conflict by referencing a real-life example in which a particular disciplinary approach was discredited by a critical article. She outlines the details in an addendum for readers who want to explore further. Real life situation aside, the situation in the book seems clear (at least to me—am I the only one?) that the person defamed bears much of the blame himself. His decision to accept the controversial article for publication is, in my view, the real issue—not the supposed malice of the article’s author. Had the editor exercised proper oversight, his career might have remained intact. Instead, his failure to critically evaluate the piece comes across as laziness or incompetence. Yet throughout much of the book, the heroine Elsie supports the so-called victim’s perspective, with little acknowledgment that he might share responsibility. 💖 Final Thoughts That caveat aside, I was thoroughly satisfied. Hazelwood excels at writing heroes who love without reservation and heroines who, smart, strong but also adorable messes, finally receive the love they deserve.

TOP READ 2023 Best work of the author to date! I don't know how this author does it but her books just keep getting better and better, if you loved her previous books, you're going to love this one, with her distinctive writing style and set in the STEM world, Love, Theoretically is the perfect combination of hilarious banter, sizzling chemistry and an intense slow burn romance, it is UNPUTDOWNABLE! Jack is a dreamy book boyfriend, so smart, broody, sweet and intense, he made me smile so much, always putting Elsie's needs first, I love how patient and loving he is with her, my heart almost explodes with emotion with his sweet but passionate dialogues, I adore him. Elsie is the perfect heroine, so funny; sassy, and kind, but her life is a mess, with debts, financial problems and several jobs that are not the best, however now she is about to land her dream job to help her out of her mess. The story confronts Jack and Elsie, he is part of the hiring committee for her dream job but due to some misunderstandings Jack thinks that she is lying to him, and because they are academic rivals he supports another candidate to obtain the position, but Elsie is not willing to give up so easily. Though they start as enemies, their intense attraction is evident from their first meeting. I loved the way the author narrates the evolution of the relationship, the tension is off the charts, the slow burn romance almost gave me instant combustion, their deep emotional connection is everything, and their clever and funny dialogues are in a league of their own. Addictive, captivating and so funny, this is my new favorite book of this author that gave all the feelings, perfect for fans of Enemies to lovers Slow burn STEM Romance Boy falls first Witty banter Steamy Romcom

Honestly I really dragged my feet on reading this. I was unsure if I would like it given how popular it is. But I now fully understand why everyone has loved and raved about it. Elsie is refreshingly real and Jack is adorably, frustratingly smitten. Elsie can’t seem to tell the truth about who she is. To anyone, including herself. Ever the people pleaser. Ever the chameleon. Ever the anxious girly. I really liked Elsie even when she was blind to how much people love her for her. Probably especially then. I felt seen in her. And Jack. He’s a jerk and he’s a love sick puppy. His banter and how he pushes Elsie is just perfect. He truly encourages her to bring her best, authentic self out. His reveal towards the end was frustrating though!! He preached all this honesty to Elsie and then boom the reveal happens and I felt like it was a little out of character for him. I mean I get why it had to happen but I also feel like the true Jack would have just mentioned it. He would have explained even if it went nowhere. That’s my only true gripe with the story. Well that and at times it felt a little TOO jargony. Too much science talk was happening in a way that felt like it was the author showing us she did research and not in a way that felt truly essential to the story. But other than that this story is fun and tough and Thor love is so cutely real.