akswaneee's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-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
3.0
I would like this book more if I'd not read any of the authors other work. While I'd venture to say this may be her best writing, the story structure is identical to every other book and short story she's put out: academic rivals featuring a quirky but brilliant female lead and a gruff, well respected leading man; a misunderstanding that makes said female lead hate her hero; the two of them growing closer as they work together; the less than stunning revalation that he has loved her all along. I was fine with this structure when I read it the first time. The second time was even alright. But now that I've just finished the fourth, I'm beginning to wonder if this author can do anything else. I love the premise of her work, love the way it centers women in STEM fields, but I want her to find her way into telling a new story.
This book features a cameo from the leading characters of her first novel, and I can't help but imagine all of them sitting down in the fictional universe they inhabit and discovering that their love stories are exactly the same.
I truly hope that Ali Hazlewood's next book pushes her work into new territory. It's a mark of a good writer that I'm even willing to read it at this point.
This book features a cameo from the leading characters of her first novel, and I can't help but imagine all of them sitting down in the fictional universe they inhabit and discovering that their love stories are exactly the same.
I truly hope that Ali Hazlewood's next book pushes her work into new territory. It's a mark of a good writer that I'm even willing to read it at this point.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexism
mallorypen's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
So this was The Love Hypothesis in basically a different font; on the one hand, I thoroughly enjoyed The Love Hypothesis and more of the same is always a delight. On the other hand, if The Love Hypothesis is a beautiful, stylish Avenir, Love Theoretically is Century Gothic. Not bad, per se, but mildly obnoxious after dozens of paragraphs.
The fake dating trope is a red herring here for a mild antagonists to lovers trope, and that is … fine. I do love me a solid fake dating trope because the Yearning™️ is always exquisite, and this wasn’t so much a yearning tale as it was a self-realization story. Which is fine!
Elsie’s story arc was fun to follow, especially as she came to terms with her compulsive people-pleasing and lying. I adored the development of all the female friendships -George especially - and I was pleased to see the resolution with Cece. I also loved the exploration of her Type 1 with her relationship to her pod and how people reacted to it.
The cheese thing was a little weird.
Jack flirted seriously with being a Gary Stu. He was saved from that fate by the skin of his teeth - the article thing didn’t super do it for me as like, a nasty thing because of his age when he wrote it and the fact that Dr. L, who was clearly evil from the beginning, was equally at fault for it being published. But the presumption Jack displays for knowing what’s best was a good flaw for his character. The bad flaw that I didn’t super love was that he essentially mansplained Elsie’s emotional hang ups to her until she got there herself? I don’t know. Im still kind of processing how I feel on that front. The whole “I’m ready to marry you immediately and was ashamed to be lusting after my brother’s girlfriend” stuff was SPLENDID, though, so kudos for that.
As for Elsie being demi; I loved Olive’s journey in The Love Hypothesis, and appreciated how her arc was resolved around her identity. I felt similarly for Elsie’s arc, but it was SO similar to Olive it felt like there’s only one way to be demi in this universe. It felt a little lazy, to be honest.
And Dr. L can go jump in a ditch.
The fake dating trope is a red herring here for a mild antagonists to lovers trope, and that is … fine. I do love me a solid fake dating trope because the Yearning™️ is always exquisite, and this wasn’t so much a yearning tale as it was a self-realization story. Which is fine!
Elsie’s story arc was fun to follow, especially as she came to terms with her compulsive people-pleasing and lying. I adored the development of all the female friendships -George especially - and I was pleased to see the resolution with Cece. I also loved the exploration of her Type 1 with her relationship to her pod and how people reacted to it.
The cheese thing was a little weird.
Jack flirted seriously with being a Gary Stu. He was saved from that fate by the skin of his teeth - the article thing didn’t super do it for me as like, a nasty thing because of his age when he wrote it and the fact that Dr. L, who was clearly evil from the beginning, was equally at fault for it being published. But the presumption Jack displays for knowing what’s best was a good flaw for his character. The bad flaw that I didn’t super love was that he essentially mansplained Elsie’s emotional hang ups to her until she got there herself? I don’t know. Im still kind of processing how I feel on that front. The whole “I’m ready to marry you immediately and was ashamed to be lusting after my brother’s girlfriend” stuff was SPLENDID, though, so kudos for that.
As for Elsie being demi; I loved Olive’s journey in The Love Hypothesis, and appreciated how her arc was resolved around her identity. I felt similarly for Elsie’s arc, but it was SO similar to Olive it felt like there’s only one way to be demi in this universe. It felt a little lazy, to be honest.
And Dr. L can go jump in a ditch.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexism
peripato's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Emotional abuse and Sexism
samchase112's review
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
DELIGHTFUL! Is Ali Hazelwood a perfect author? No. Are her (male) characters all pretty much the same? Yes. But do I have an absolute ball reading her books? Heck yeah! Something about her romances is so compulsive and readable and makes me never want to put her books down. I just…really enjoy her books, okay?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexism
Moderate: Medical content and Cursing
amandaboyer's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Misogyny, Chronic illness, Sexism, Gaslighting, and Medical content
Moderate: Death of parent, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
dogoodwithbooks's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Outing, Sexism, Chronic illness, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death of parent and Acephobia/Arophobia
tectonixduchess's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
If i could give this book more than 5 stars I would. The romance? Amazing. The spicyness? Amazing. The growth of the main characters? Amazing. I cannot wait to read more of Ali Hazelwoods books
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexism
pau_line's review against another edition
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!!
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!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Death of parent and Infidelity
itschelseaw's review against another edition
emotional
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
2.25
This one may be my least favorite by Ali Hazlewood thus far. I appreciate that there wasn't 1/2 of the book used on the whole "he's brooding around me, therefore he hates me" trope that typically features heavily in Hazlewood's books, but even with Jack very clearly communicating with Elsie that he's into her, she refuses to believe it which was so fucking annoying.
The trope of "big, strong tall man" and "tiny woman he can fit in his pocket" remains strong with her writing, but this time it included calling Jack's hands "paws" which is an immediate ick for me (see my dislike of "Bittersweet" by Sarina Bowen for more). Knocked down 1/2 a star just for that tbh.
I think the premise was interesting, but all of the characters felt so 1-2d that it fell flat in a major way. I wanted to know more about Cece and her life, and treat her as an actual 3d character but I didn't even learn she majored in humanities until the very end of the book.
I'm glad Elsie eventually stuck up for herself, but MAN it was grueling getting there at times. Girl needs therapy!!!
Jack's whole personality is: brooding, secretly feminist, desperately in love with Elsie, a woman he thought was dating his brother and he only knew lies about up until she was interviewing for the position at MIT (but he was already basically in love with her at that point AND IT WAS ALL A LIE????? I'm honestly just?????). Jack feels like he SHOULD be a dream, but all I got was red flag after red flag with him.
Listen, Hazlewood got her start writing fanfic, and good for her! It's just obvious that she's still essentially writing fanfic with the same tropes that she used before, and after 3 books it's repetitive and boring. Do I love fanfics? Absolutely! But there's a difference (for me) between fanfic, where you're using fandom inspired and related tropes (Rylo tropes included), but once you switch to published fiction it's really difficult to use the same tropes and make it feel fresh. The tropes in this one felt on the verge of expired. I don't think I'll be checking out her future books because I don't trust that she'll move away from the tropes she's been using for the past 3.
The trope of "big, strong tall man" and "tiny woman he can fit in his pocket" remains strong with her writing, but this time it included calling Jack's hands "paws" which is an immediate ick for me (see my dislike of "Bittersweet" by Sarina Bowen for more). Knocked down 1/2 a star just for that tbh.
I think the premise was interesting, but all of the characters felt so 1-2d that it fell flat in a major way. I wanted to know more about Cece and her life, and treat her as an actual 3d character but I didn't even learn she majored in humanities until the very end of the book.
I'm glad Elsie eventually stuck up for herself, but MAN it was grueling getting there at times. Girl needs therapy!!!
Jack's whole personality is: brooding, secretly feminist, desperately in love with Elsie, a woman he thought was dating his brother and he only knew lies about up until she was interviewing for the position at MIT (but he was already basically in love with her at that point AND IT WAS ALL A LIE????? I'm honestly just?????). Jack feels like he SHOULD be a dream, but all I got was red flag after red flag with him.
Listen, Hazlewood got her start writing fanfic, and good for her! It's just obvious that she's still essentially writing fanfic with the same tropes that she used before, and after 3 books it's repetitive and boring. Do I love fanfics? Absolutely! But there's a difference (for me) between fanfic, where you're using fandom inspired and related tropes (Rylo tropes included), but once you switch to published fiction it's really difficult to use the same tropes and make it feel fresh. The tropes in this one felt on the verge of expired. I don't think I'll be checking out her future books because I don't trust that she'll move away from the tropes she's been using for the past 3.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Misogyny, Abandonment, and Death of parent
evelynyle_88's review against another edition
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!
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!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Sexual content, and Sexism
Moderate: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Misogyny
Minor: Acephobia/Arophobia and Outing