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lucyatoz's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
"When a fake relationship between scientists meets the irresistible force of attraction, it throws one woman's carefully calculated theories on love into chaos."
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood tells the story of Olive Smith, 3rd year PhD student, who blindly ends up kissing Professor Adam Carlsen and they start to fake date, which becomes a equally beneficial for them both!
This novel is a field galore of romantic tropes and stereotypes! Was it repetitive and annoying at times? Yes. However, it was a fun read with a little bit of spice and some lovely characters in Olive's friends, Anh and Malcolm, supporting her through think and thin.
I borrowed a copy of this book from Taunton Library and listened to it on Spotify. I read this for prompt 6, women in STEM, for the 52 Book Club Reading Challenge 2024.
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood tells the story of Olive Smith, 3rd year PhD student, who blindly ends up kissing Professor Adam Carlsen and they start to fake date, which becomes a equally beneficial for them both!
This novel is a field galore of romantic tropes and stereotypes! Was it repetitive and annoying at times? Yes. However, it was a fun read with a little bit of spice and some lovely characters in Olive's friends, Anh and Malcolm, supporting her through think and thin.
I borrowed a copy of this book from Taunton Library and listened to it on Spotify. I read this for prompt 6, women in STEM, for the 52 Book Club Reading Challenge 2024.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Cancer, Cursing, Terminal illness, Medical content, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcohol
lkristin2018's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This is a sweet, new adult book about a grad student and a professor (not her professor) that decide to fake date because it will be mutually beneficial. Of course, it morphes into something real, but there are many misunderstandings along the way. Both of the main characters grow and change throughout the story, and the main female character deals with a great deal of institutional misogyny. There is an engaging LGBTQ best friend, as well as a close friend of Asian descent.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Misogyny, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Ableism, Cancer, Mental illness, Racism, and Sexism
Minor: Alcohol
rachelfayreads's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Sexism, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
sharkfan's review against another edition
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I don’t particularly enjoy romances where the girl lacks self confidence and the guy is an ass and they end up together. It teaches unhealthy relationship ideals.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Sexism, and Gaslighting
slowburnsrus's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Sexism, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Fatphobia
gabbyj's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Death of parent
corrieroe's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Eating disorder and Alcohol
nplunkie's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
3.75
I found the book fairly slow for about the first half (after the initial few chapters). I felt some of the scenarios quite contrived and felt a bit shoehorned in to move the story along e.g. sitting on the lap at a talk would be strange even if they weren’t fake dating. Anh also always being the pusher of these situations became repetitive . I didn’t find the characters to be overly lovable or develop too much Adam never actually taking any responsibility for how he passes on his feedback other than “it’s not personal so they shouldn’t be upset”
There’s about a chapter and a half of spice which I think is pretty good. Overall an enjoyable read just a few bits not totally to my personal taste
There’s about a chapter and a half of spice which I think is pretty good. Overall an enjoyable read just a few bits not totally to my personal taste
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, and Death of parent
chelseasofia's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Ok, on the one hand this book was fun, had great STEM and science rep (which I know zero about but was delighted by the specificity of it all - it’s refreshing to see characters so knowledgeable in their field of work), and I really liked the characters and their growing relationship. They really *cared* for each other and were thoughtful about each other’s feelings and boundaries. It was fairly well written (not a ton of weird overly explanatory anxiety ridden character thoughts, only a few sprinkled hither and thither) and it did not feel like a chore to read (high bar I know).
On the other hand, I am tired of a few things that are still very popular in romance: the tall guy/short girl thing, likewise the repeated wonderment about how BIG he is (ok, I get it, a couple mentions would have been enough though), and the fact that two very intelligent people can’t make the logical conclusion to not pile on lie after lie, or that sacrificing yourself for the imagined happiness of someone else by continuing those lies is somehow “real love”, please. Also the miscommunications that don’t really make sense. Also the *ridiculous* ways that they’re forced to get closer in public (via Olive’s friend pressuring her) was just kinda dumb/not fully developed. I love tropes but let’s try and inject a little reality?
I did have to keep reminding myself that these people are in their 20s and not experienced at relationships, being honest with others about their feelings, or even with themselves. I know I didn’t tell someone I loved them when I was that age, so I guess I’m just over some of this stuff because I’ve read it a lot, and I’m old (sarcasm).
I did like Olive but I wished she didn’t have to be so unsure and tentative for so much of the book. And (spoilers?) when a big awful thing happens I wanted to scream at the way she was just going to push it down and try to continue as if nothing had happened. I guess that just means that I cared for the characters. But also, the big awful thing was really over the top, done by a capital-V Villain and it came completely out of nowhere. People who are abusers and manipulative don’t really go this hard this fast, do they? I wanted it to be a little more nuanced. But then again, maybe people are really this brazen and awful in academia. It did make for a great conclusion of the story later on.
The thing I liked most was them slowly becoming friends and coming to really care for each other in such a lovely way. And it all led to the one sex scene which was both tender and hot, with lots of good communication, plus the demisexual rep. Worth it. 🔥🔥🔥
On the other hand, I am tired of a few things that are still very popular in romance: the tall guy/short girl thing, likewise the repeated wonderment about how BIG he is (ok, I get it, a couple mentions would have been enough though), and the fact that two very intelligent people can’t make the logical conclusion to not pile on lie after lie, or that sacrificing yourself for the imagined happiness of someone else by continuing those lies is somehow “real love”, please. Also the miscommunications that don’t really make sense. Also the *ridiculous* ways that they’re forced to get closer in public (via Olive’s friend pressuring her) was just kinda dumb/not fully developed. I love tropes but let’s try and inject a little reality?
I did have to keep reminding myself that these people are in their 20s and not experienced at relationships, being honest with others about their feelings, or even with themselves. I know I didn’t tell someone I loved them when I was that age, so I guess I’m just over some of this stuff because I’ve read it a lot, and I’m old (sarcasm).
I did like Olive but I wished she didn’t have to be so unsure and tentative for so much of the book. And (spoilers?) when a big awful thing happens I wanted to scream at the way she was just going to push it down and try to continue as if nothing had happened. I guess that just means that I cared for the characters. But also, the big awful thing was really over the top, done by a capital-V Villain and it came completely out of nowhere. People who are abusers and manipulative don’t really go this hard this fast, do they? I wanted it to be a little more nuanced. But then again, maybe people are really this brazen and awful in academia. It did make for a great conclusion of the story later on.
The thing I liked most was them slowly becoming friends and coming to really care for each other in such a lovely way. And it all led to the one sex scene which was both tender and hot, with lots of good communication, plus the demisexual rep. Worth it. 🔥🔥🔥
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Cancer, Grief, and Death of parent
booking_along's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment