lizgriffinwords's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
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
5.0
Thank you Ali and Berkley for the eARC.
I read this entire book today, a rare occurrence for me when it comes to ebooks. I can say with absolute sincerity that I have never smiled so hard AND cried so hard over a book. Ever.
I’ve never felt as seen as I do through Elsie, through her relationship trauma, her aro/ace questioning, her code-switching. I’ll come up with a more coherent review prior to publication… probably. I just love Ali so much.
I read this entire book today, a rare occurrence for me when it comes to ebooks. I can say with absolute sincerity that I have never smiled so hard AND cried so hard over a book. Ever.
I’ve never felt as seen as I do through Elsie, through her relationship trauma, her aro/ace questioning, her code-switching. I’ll come up with a more coherent review prior to publication… probably. I just love Ali so much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Gaslighting
Minor: Sexism and Acephobia/Arophobia
Accurate depiction of sexism and undue influence in academia (not by love interest). Aro/ace phobia is brief and the character repents for the behavior.sophs_mood_reading_room's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you NetGalley & Little, Brown Book Group UK for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Well I just have to say as a girl who swore she doesn’t like contemporary books, I was wrong.
Ali Hazelwood has written the perfect romance book. And here is why:
- Smart, sassy female lead working in STEM academia (when I say smart I mean it!)
- perfect grumpy/sunshine
- fake dating (but not what you expect)
- he falls first
- who did this to you vibes
- self discovery and empowerment
Elsie is a theoretical physicist graduate working as an adjunct professor (think limited pay and lots of annoying emails from her students wanting extensions on paper due to their mystery rashes etc).
Finally she’s in the final round interview for her dream faculty job at MIT, when she discovers her pretend boyfriend’s brother who hates her(yep I’ll let you wrap your head around that) is on the decision board.
What follows is a period of self loathing/self loving and attempting to outwit Jack and get her job.
This wasn’t your typical one dimensional love story with predictable plot lines. There were some amazingly raw moments (I cried when Elsie let go about how she feels about herself 40% into the book). There was fun wit, believable interactions including the difficulties of being a woman working in STEM acedemia.
It was also wonderfully written, fantastic little moments, thought processes and pop culture/acedemic references.
I also loved the cameo of Olive & Adam from The Love Hypothesis, it was so fun to see them.
So please, go read this book, no it’s not a literally masterpiece but it is the wonderful read you need!
Well I just have to say as a girl who swore she doesn’t like contemporary books, I was wrong.
Ali Hazelwood has written the perfect romance book. And here is why:
- Smart, sassy female lead working in STEM academia (when I say smart I mean it!)
- perfect grumpy/sunshine
- fake dating (but not what you expect)
- he falls first
- who did this to you vibes
- self discovery and empowerment
Elsie is a theoretical physicist graduate working as an adjunct professor (think limited pay and lots of annoying emails from her students wanting extensions on paper due to their mystery rashes etc).
Finally she’s in the final round interview for her dream faculty job at MIT, when she discovers her pretend boyfriend’s brother who hates her(yep I’ll let you wrap your head around that) is on the decision board.
What follows is a period of self loathing/self loving and attempting to outwit Jack and get her job.
This wasn’t your typical one dimensional love story with predictable plot lines. There were some amazingly raw moments (I cried when Elsie let go about how she feels about herself 40% into the book). There was fun wit, believable interactions including the difficulties of being a woman working in STEM acedemia.
It was also wonderfully written, fantastic little moments, thought processes and pop culture/acedemic references.
I also loved the cameo of Olive & Adam from The Love Hypothesis, it was so fun to see them.
So please, go read this book, no it’s not a literally masterpiece but it is the wonderful read you need!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexism, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Misogyny
meganpbell's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Listen, is the love interest freakishly large and financially secure and the main character petite and penurious and the setting scientific? You know the answers, however…Elsie’s pathological people pleasing, how her mentor’s ARCH ENEMY sees right through it, the academic feuding (inspired by a true story), her hilarious inner monologue, his YEARNING, the diabetes and ace and demisexuality rep, can we hear it. FOR. THE. STEAM., THE STEAM, PEOPLE! I couldn’t put it down. This is my favorite Ali Hazelwood yet!
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexism, Death of parent, Chronic illness, Toxic relationship, and Medical content
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