I absolutely loved the love hypothesis and this is the second book in the series. It was so lovely to catch up with the characters again. I love this series because it's not just a love story but it's always about being a strong independent woman with a kick ass career.

Love theoretically follows Elsie an adjunct professor and professional fake girlfriend and Jack the brother of her latest fake boyfriend. They instantly dislike eachother and then Jack turns out to be the physicist that wrote the fake artikel that nearly ruined her field and he also has a vote on whether she will get the job she really wants.

Love, theoretically has a fun storyline and it has likeable characters. I liked the Aro/ace and diabetes representation. I loved the cameo of Adam and Olive. It is however similar to the other books by Ali Hazelwood. This one has also an enemies to lovers/academic rivals trope. I would like to see Ali explore other tropes in the future.

I've really enjoyed Ali Hazelwoods books so far and Love Theoretically did not disappoint. Great characters, and especially Elsie had so much more depth than many romance novels!

My first book by this author but it won't be my last. Fun, flirtatious and feminist, a fantastic combination. Great plotting too.

I would like to start this off by saying I know a lot of people think this is going to be like the love hypothesis 3.0 and in my opinion it is not.

Elsie has a P.H.D in theoretical physics and is is working on her theory of liquid crystals. She currently works at a collage teaching classes and is having money issues. She lives with her roommate Cece who is her best friend. Elsie has a major problem she has to please people, she moulds herself to be what other. People what her to be.As I side job for some extra in come she works for an app and goes on fake dates with people.

Jack is a experimental theorist. Around ten years ago he wrote published something that hurt the reputation for theorists. It did really well and ruined the careers of a lot of theorists when all he wanted to do was hurt one person and get them out of the world of physics.

Elsie is helping Greg smith get his family off of his back about dating someone. This is how she meets his brother jack. At first they get off on the wrong foot, jack thinks she Is lying to and leading on his brother. And maybe he has a few feelings for her himself?

When they meet again at an interview Elsie is undergoing for a place at MIT. When jack see’s Elsie he gets suspicious and his worries that she’s lying to his brother only increase. During this interview process he learns a lot about Elsie and eventually learns about his brothers fake relationship.

As always, Ali Hazelwood does not disappoint with lovable characters, a fast-paced plot, and STEM representation Love Theoretically ticks the right boxes. However, I found this novel to be quite similar to her other works, and so while it doesn't particularly stand out, it does satisfy the desire for an enjoyable romantic read.

I would like to say a huge thank you to Little Brown Book Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book!

Having loved all of Ali Hazelwood’s books so far, I was excited to be granted a review copy of Love, Theoretically and once again, she did not disappoint! The writing style was fantastic and I adored being back in the world of STEM.

The characters are wonderfully complex and beautifully written. Jack just might be my favourite of Ali’s male leads. What an absolute delight of a man 😍

Elsie is such a sweetheart and I adored seeing her finding her way back to herself. I thought her chronic illness was handled brilliantly and gave a real insight into the daily challenges people face, especially when healthcare is so expensive.

The connection between Elsie and Jack was fantastic, it felt realistic and genuine, as well as 🔥🔥🔥

Another amazing read from Ali and now comes the downside of getting a copy of this book early - the even longer wait until the next one!

My first 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read of 2023 ❤️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher (Little, Brown Book Group UK - Sphere) for providing a copy of the book for review. All opinions are my own and provided willingly.

Love Theoretically is the latest “STEMinisit” romance novel from Ali Hazelwood. It follows the story of Elsie, a theoretical physicist who’s trying to balance the work she loves and being able to afford to live. She has a huge job interview but a familiar face there threatens to derail her plans.
If you enjoyed the previous novels from Hazelwood then you will like this, it’s very much the same formula as her other books. That isn’t a criticism, it felt like catching up with old friends even though you’re meeting for the first time! As always, extremely readable and a great plot.

Love, theoretically was another humdinger from Ali Hazelwood

This was a bit note academic than the love hypothesis but it didn’t take anything away fyp the novel - and the sexual chemistry (or should I say the physics) was intense 🔥🔥🔥

I loved it that the main character had a hidden disability and bring a parent of a child with type 1 diabetes it was great to see this and good to know it didn’t hold Elsie back one bit. The sad part was to think in the US people still have to worry where their insulin is coming from and that healthcare from employers is so important. We’re so lucky here in the UK that we get it from our NHS.

Jack and Elsie were such a great match and I really enjoyed their love/hate relationship. To see Jack not be able to be without her 🥰 I just loved it!

This is the second book by Ali Hazelwood that I have read and whilst I can appreciate why some feel there isn’t enough of a difference in plot, I loved this book. I really enjoyed Elsie’s friendships, especially with Greg and I felt a strong connection between Elsie and Jack.

“There is no universe in which I’m going to let you go.”

Tropes;

1. Academic rivals to lovers
2. Fake dating
3. Boy obsessed
4. Hurt/Comfort
5. STEMinist Rom-Com

🌶️ Spice rating; 2.5/5 ⭐️ (It is spicier than her previous books imo)

Ali being unapologetic about her fan fiction background/root is one of the biggest reasons why I adore her works. There is something so nostalgic and familiar about her writing that just gives the feeling of coming home to. As someone who grew up consuming fanfics since her adolescence, I personally love ali’s lore and niche!

Now let me go into detail about why I loved this book shall we;

・❥・Elsie Hannaway is the biggest people pleaser and has a strong case of impostor syndrome. Her ability to say no and neglecting her needs to appease others were some of the most relatable aspects of the book. She is a huge physics/theorist geek and the book does delve into the science/physics subject quite often, and I for one adored her as a character. Elsie’s growth was a fundamental part of why I enjoyed love, theoretically. There is nothing more rewarding than when you are rooting for the heroine and she comes through 🥳

・❥・Jack Smith. Where do I even begin? He instantly became my favourite ali hazelwood hero with this simple line,
“Be gentle with me, Elsie. That’s all I ask.”
Vulnerable and communicative men? We love them! 🥰 He is just the right amount of cocky and confident and sexy. Did I mention he has a black hole tattoo on his biceps? Seriously, who wouldn’t love this sexy hunk of a nerd?! He is so sweet and patient with Elsie. Jack Smith is different than Ali’s previous hero(s). In fact, I think Jack Smith should be the archetype for every romance books’ male lead.

The misunderstanding in the book was very minimal and resolved quickly without taking unnecessary amount of pages. The main “conflict” felt secondary to the romance and did not take away from the romance at all, which is why I thoroughly enjoyed this book.


ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ Now onto the romance!

The build-up was good. It might be slow-burnish for some (things really start picking up after the 60% mark, I think) and some moments had me squealing and kicking my feet 😩🥰

CW; chronic illness

So Elsie has Type A diabetes and when Jack comes to know about it, he reads up on it and is super attuned to her needs. There were so many subtle moments where he checks up on her and making her hot chocolate all the time was one of it 🥺

There is also this kissing scene that had my toes curling and I just-

“Come here,” he repeats, and his mouth’s on mine, insistent, brakeless this time. Like he’s kissing me for now, for all the times he couldn’t before, for later, too. Whatever it was that held him back yesterday, two nights ago, the past two weeks, it melts in the morn- ing sun.

Elsie will literally forge her personality depending on who she’s interacting with and when Jack calls her out on it— he sees her right through it—

“Have you considered that maybe you’re already the way I want you to be? That maybe there are no signals because nothing needs to be changed?”

He doesn’t want her to be anybody else with him!! He wants her as she is!! 😭🫶😭🫶💕💕

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ Another cute, romantic gesture was Jack buying the entire box set of Twilight so he could watch it with Elsie (because it’s her favourite franchise) and if that isn’t the peak of romance, I don’t know what is!

And before I forget, we got our much awaited AdamOlive cameo!! My babies are happily engaged and Olive is planning on surprising Adam with their marriage date <333

Overall, if you love science, sexy nerd who is also a pining loser (affectionate), and twilight, this is THE book for you!

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is by far my favourite Ali Hazelwood book to date. The characters felt so real and I connected with them on a personal level. The overall themes are similar to Hazelwood's other books, but I feel as though that gives her a key niche in the romance market. The Olive & Adam cameo was beautifully written and it felt natural to the story as opposed to something artificially constructed to appease fans. This book demonstrates what I love about the romance genre; the beauty and raw emotion when two people grow and learn more about themselves together.

ali hazelwood, and steminist novels. you know what you getting into, so dsont expect anything brand new. however that being ssaid, i enjoyed this infinitely more than love on the brain. The characters were likeable, funnier, sexier and even a tad quirkier (maybe not qquite olive quirky) but still very good. Jack and Elsies chemistry in this is excellent. elsie has so muich going on and yet will she or wont she fall for the hot brother of her favourite fake dating client, hes sexy but oh so infuriating and ruined her mentors career. But is that all it seems?
i really enjoyed this. its lighthearted, but it made me emotional still, yes its predicitable but i love the third act drama isnt just the usual miscommunication.
I'd recommend for people who have read and loved ali hazelwood before, id recommned for people bran new to ali hazelwood. shes smashed this one, it might even be my favourite of the three!

Oh, man did I enjoy this one! Love, Theoretically, is a rivals to lovers romance that is flipping swoony. Elsie Hannaway is a theoretical physicist who meets Jack Smith-Turner, an experimental physicist who once published a faux article that shamed and disgraced theoretical physics. Yes, that plot is as tension-filled as it sounds.

Jack works at MIT, where Elsie has an upcoming interview to make tenure. However, she’s met Jack before, a few times actually, at family functions where she fake-dated his brother. And is that second plot bomb didn’t have you scrambling to pick up this book, then I don’t know what’s wrong with you.

I enjoyed Love, Theoretically. It was smart; I know nothing about science, so I did get a wee bit lost; funny, sexy, and so so sweet. I loved the slow move from Jack and Elsie’s antagonism into friendship into a stomach-flipping romance. I love the respect they have for each other and their work and how they both helped each other grow and challenge themselves; it’s such a good book.

Yes yes yes!! I am here for this book and any more by Ali Hazelwood. I think I loved this even more than The Love Hypothesis which is saying something.
This book had me laughing on the tube (honestly I must have looked like a smitten schoolgirl 😅) particularly in the scene where Jack and Elsie go round to Millicent’s house - what an icon!
Another character I loved was Cece. Such main character energy, I would love to have a friend like her in the real world!
I think Ali has a very unique quality to her writing - it’s almost sarcastic at times and so witty - I honestly devour her words, they’re addictive.
Also just want to take a minute to appreciate the steamy scenes 👏
Honestly this book was just excellent! There were one or two scenes towards the beginning I found a little long/science-y but ultimately it didn’t affect my enjoyment of the book and that’s one of the beautiful things about Ali’s books - they combine a typical, steamy romance with women working in STEM.
Highly recommend and can’t wait for everyone to read this when it’s published this summer!
Thank you to NetGalley and little brown for this eARC!! Ps. When’s the next Ali Hazelwood book? 👀

Is this book vastly different to the other Ali Hazelwood books I've read? No. Do I care? No. In fact I think it might be a new favourite!

Elsie was an interesting and funny character and I loved seeing her blossom over the course of the story.
Her flatmate was a delight and their relationship with cheese is entirely relatable...I feel seen.

Thank you NetGalley and Little Brown Book group for providing me with a free digital copy on exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. I feel very lucky.

Ali Hazelwood has written two more likeable, nerdy, science characters from the world of Academia. Elsie meets Jack and I loved them straight away. It's an enemy (he's her enemy/she's not his) to lovers romance with a baddy , academic politics, tricky family dynamics, a romantic lead man and a dash of Olive and Adam. I loved it.

Make this perfectly named book your next romance read; you won’t regret it. It’s sweet yet smouldering. The characters are brilliantly written and vivid. The author has achieved the perfect balance with the science in this book - enough I learnt somethings but not too much that I felt overwhelmed by it. Sure, I guessed the big reveal and the resolution was kind of hasty for my taste but who cares? As with all of Ali Hazelwood’s books, I just felt good reading this book , I enjoyed every page and I am always eager for her next book. A light hearted and lovely read.

Thanks to Ali Hazelwood, Little,Brown Book Group Uk and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Review to be posted at @herheadinherbook on IG on 1st June

Thanks to Ali Hazelwood, Little Brown Books and Netgalley for a copy of the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

First of all, in the last year, Ali Hazelwood has become one of my favourite authors. I devoured her entire back catalogue within six months (2 full novels and 3 novellas, plus bonus chapters!) and was super excited to be have been given a chance to read Love, Theoretically months before its' release.

I wasn't left disappointed. I loved Elise (Elsie) and Jack's relationship - even though it was a little weird for me because those are my brother and sister-in-law's names - and the whole fake-dating for money scenario was great. As always, the supporting cast were great. Millicent was probably my favourite, however, I was also quite a big fan of Greg and Cece too. It took me a while to like George, but I did end up liking her too.

I also actually really liked this one for the plot. Academic politics isn't something that's covered in a lot of novels, and it was interesting to see the way that interviews are conducted from first hand experience this time, rather than from tidbits that we got from The Love Hypothesis. I also really liked the fact that whilst Jack and Elsie did know each other because of Greg, it wasn't directly related to her profession or his.

Overall, I really liked this book, and I'm excited to get a physical copy on release day!

I really enjoyed The Love Hypothesis because of its STEM academic context and the fact that it was so incredibly easy to absolutely devour and Love, Theoretically was a similar reading experience. I find the fake dating trope to be too contrived on the whole but something about Hazelwood's ability to write romantic plots makes me want to suspend all disbelief and means that once I start I can't stop. With my critical hat on, it did feel a bit same-y and predictable, and Elsie's character development shows up pretty late in the game, but on the other hand I did feel like there was a full cast of characters who felt very realistic to me and the trials and tribulations of Elsie's life and academia in general felt incredibly familiar. Overall, Love Theoretically lived up to expectations and was an enjoyable read.