americattt's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.25
“‘Remember how it was?’ I ask. ‘Learning them for the first time? The Schrödinger equation. The standard model.’
He nods. His throat bobs…’Knowing that the universe could can be made sense of.’
‘Made of patterns. Rules that can be discovered, predicted.’
‘Find them out, and you’ll know how to make the world into what you want.”
He nods. His throat bobs…’Knowing that the universe could can be made sense of.’
‘Made of patterns. Rules that can be discovered, predicted.’
‘Find them out, and you’ll know how to make the world into what you want.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Misogyny
Moderate: Death of parent, Sexism, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Acephobia/Arophobia and Outing
shaipanda's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
BROOO THIS WAS SO GOODDD - I absolutely loved Love Hypothesis and was excited to read this one cause I’d heard it was even better but I didn’t actually believe I’d love it more but I somehow did?? Literally just binge read this in the middle of the night starting at like 11:30 or midnight and just finished at 5am despite having work in 3 hours lmao - worth it :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Sexual content, and Sexism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Misogyny
Minor: Acephobia/Arophobia and Outing
kk_gotit_goinon's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
This was my first Ali Hazelwood book and I loved it! It's fun and entertaining, but it also shows the real life soap opera that is academia. Hazelwood captures the stress and struggle very well, it in a way that's not too depressing. I thought the couple were very sweet and I love the enemies to lovers trope. Overall great read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Outing
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
av0universe's review against another edition
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-
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Misogyny, Abandonment, Cursing, Sexual content, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Alcohol, Abandonment, Outing, and Mental illness
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
jessiereads98'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? 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 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 . 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.
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.
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’sSpoiler
Jack says no to sex, Elsie just strips in front of himOn 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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexism, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Gaslighting, Acephobia/Arophobia, Outing, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Grief, and Emotional abuse
natashaleighton_'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
This was amazing! Definitely my favourite Ali Hazelwood book to date. If you love STEM related romance or stories with a hint of enemies/rivals to lovers then I highly recommend checking this one out!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexism, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Misogyny, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Outing and Acephobia/Arophobia
tigerkind's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-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
4.0
I’ve previously been kind of “meh” about Hazelwood’s books but I feel like this might’ve been her best one yet. Likeable, relatable characters for the most part, a realistic story arc and actual real-life issues? Great stuff. Not amazing-life changing, but very solid.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Chronic illness, Vomit, Sexual content, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Classism, Abandonment, Child abuse, Cursing, Mental illness, and Alcohol
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Misogyny, Outing, Bullying, and Vomit
sam_malaika's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Outing and Gaslighting