Reviews with content warning for Chronic illness - Love, Theoretically

Closed Door Mods: Chapter 19 (some parts), Chapters 21-22 (some parts)

As someone who’s read Hazelwood’s two prior STEMinist novels, I absolutely love her latest addition Love, Theoretically.

With Love, Theoretically having a much more distinct plot and characters compared to her other works, I found myself able to enjoy the same feelings I had like the first time I read her work. Witty banter under an easy-to-understand STEM context? Check. Strong female lead that you’re able to relate and maybe see yourself being friends with? Check. A swoonworthy romance that will keep you rooting for the couple till the very end? Check and check.

If you want a read that captures the magic of The Love Hypothesis into a brand new story, you should keep an eye out for Love, Theoretically.

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pau_line's review against another edition

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funny inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Wie die vorherigen Bücher der Autorin, hat auch dieses mich absolut nicht enttäuscht. Es war süß, lustig, easy zu lesen.
Trotzdem wurden auch Themen eingearbeitet, die wirklich interessant waren.
Aufgrund der doch häufig vorkommenden Wissenschaftsbegriffen und Physikinsidern, war es manchmal etwas schwierig zu verstehen. Ich hab auch nicht alle Witze und Wortspiele verstanden...passiert wohl, wenn man in Physik nie aufgepasst hat.

Die Charaktere waren super umgesetzt. Es gab keine Figur, der ich nichts abgewinnen konnte.

Sehr süßes Buch!!

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av0universe's review against another edition

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hopeful inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Musically, I should hire a tuba to follow me around.

Elsie is so effortlessly hilarious, I love her. Also loved the Olive and Adam's cameo. Don't tell them that possibly I love this book more than I did theirs oops-

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evelynyle_88's review against another edition

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emotional 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? Yes

5.0

Where to start? Everything about this was perfect! Ali Hazelwood once again proved that she is the powerhouse of romance novel and stories. Being introduced to Elsie Hannaway and Jonathan 'Jack' Smith-Turner made myself feel giddy about them. Slowly but sure.

I love the development of their slowburn romance. And I adore Elsie so much. She is brave for stand for herself and turned to be a better person she should be. I love this book so much!

For me... Love, Theoretically is the best book I've ever read from Ali. Thank you for making STEM themed book so fun to read, Ali! Applaud!

Can't wait to read more books from you. Check & Mate next!

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missrosymaplemoth's review against another edition

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3.5

As usual, Ms. Hazelwood lays it on a little thick, but her books are fast paced and enjoyable to read, like slightly-too-buttery move theatre popcorn. As a woman with type 1 diabetes, I did have a huge problem with that representation and I wish the author had done more research because it was pretty clear the research she did do was partial and on a whim. It seemed more like a plot device to make us feel sympathetic for Elsie, despite her being a grown woman and diabetic for ~15 years. I also did not like how Elsie pressured Jack during the intimate scenes. Overall very similar to her first two, not terrible, but if you’ve read The Love Hypothesis and Love on the Brain you’ve pretty much read this, too.

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linnea_tornblom's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful informative 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? Yes

5.0

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jessiereads98's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood follows Elsie and Jack as they navigate a relationship which started with a lie and animosity. The romantic and comedic elements were well balanced, and I found the story to be charming overall. It isn’t a perfect book, but it is a lot of fun.

I can see why people say this is Hazelwood’s best work, as her craft has clearly improved here. Her character and relationship development do seem to flow more smoothly and realistically here. Hazelwood has also improved at communicating information to the reader more subtly through her diction, without just outright telling us the information. Unfortunately, Ali Hazelwood remains unsubtle with the size kink in her work. At least once a chapter if not more, we are reminded how big the male main character is, and how small the female main character is (she’s described as medium a couple times, but really she’s so tiny especially compared to him). Hazelwood has also cut down on the amount of cringe overall. However, if I ever have to read about a pee erection or the character who’s supposed to be an adult combining that into one word ever again, I am suing for emotional damages.

As always, I appreciated the STEM element in this book. As someone unfamiliar with physics, I did find bits a little jargon-heavy. The heavy jargon bits did not interfere with my comprehension of the plot or characters, and I was able to understand the comedic, and plot or character relevant physics puns and metaphors. I enjoyed the realism that Ali Hazelwood brought to the story from her STEM background, such as the blurb on Elsie’s dissertation topic, and using real journal titles like Nature. I also thought the discussion of the role of adjunct professors in the current academic landscape was important, and well done.

The part of the book that was most frustrating to me, was unfortunately Elsie (the female main character). Her characterization was often contradictory, and not because she’s a people pleaser. We are repeatedly told how good Elsie is at reading people, yet she is constantly having miscommunications with Jack. This felt completely out of line with what we are told about her character, and like it was just being done to further the plot. She is also repeatedly unfair to, and disrespectful of Jack. Her take on the academic journal scandal, was completely wrong, and bordering on stupid. As someone within academia, it is not

Spoiler

Jack’s

fault that a journal accepted a blatantly falsified article, and the journal, its editor, and possibly the field do deserve scrutiny for that. It’s also unlikely that a single falsified article could affect funding to a field as large as theoretical physics so significantly, unless there were other problems in that field. So either this plot point was unrealistic, or Elsie is just stupid despite how smart she purportedly is. When arguing with Jack, she is unfair and makes false comparisons. There is also an instance where after

Spoiler

Jack says no to sex, Elsie just strips in front of him

. This borders on sexual harassment in my opinion. Elsie as a character frequently left me frustrated and with a bad taste in my mouth.

On the other hand, Jack is possibly my favourite male main character of Hazelwood’s. He’s the most fleshed out of her male main characters, and takes more of an active role throughout the story. He has flaws which are addressed in the book, but overall he’s likeable. His grand gesture was also fitting and unique, and I loved it.

Similarly, the side characters in this book really shine. Most of the side characters who get time on page have full personalities, and are likeable. They can each stand on their own as characters, rather than simply propping up the plot or being convenient set dressing.

Spoiler

I also obviously loved the Adam and Olive cameo, and references to Bee from Love on the Brain.

Despite my complaints about Elsie’s characterization, and the blatant size kink, this was another fun Hazelwood STEM romp which in some ways does improve on her previous works.

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kimveach's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Another great novel by Ali Hazelwood. In the author's own words, this is "a love story set against the backdrop of academic politics." It also talks clearly about the misery of a person with a Ph.D. trying to get a decent-paying job with benefits.

Once again, her books follow the standard romantic trope, but that is not what most of the book is about. It's what makes her romance books stand out.

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