A review by charlie6
The Love Hypothesis, by Ali Hazelwood

lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

My opinions:
  • Adam and Olive are white. As the romantic leads, they are naturally the focus of this book. But they were also the only characters to be developed. 
  • The diverse characters (BIPOC and LGBTQI+) were side characters and were developed as needed by the plot.
  • There was a strange amount of emphasis on Adam wearing a Henley. I feel like he’s got a cartoon character closet of endless Henley shirts.
  • I found it a bit weird that a comment from a stranger shaped a major life decision but I guess that happens.
  • I dislike the names Holden, Malcolm, and Jeremy. It felt like names were picked from a baby name shortlist rather than chosen to fit the character.
  • I’m very opinionated but I really enjoyed this book. It was fun and I loved the story. As unrealistic as it all was, I loved the reasons the characters stared fake-dating. It felt unique for the trope.
  • I love their relationship, I love how they cheered each other up.
  • I love how Olive described Adam’s presence. It was so comforting to read and it was sweet how that developed.
  • The dialogue is so good!! This book made me laugh so many times. Olive is really funny.
  • SpoilerSpeaking of natural dialogue, Tom’s rant was not it. It felt like an amalgamation of one-liners. And it didn’t make sense for his smart and cunning character to give up so much of himself in that moment.
  • Also the “3 points” Holden reveals in answer to Olive’s question felt a bit forced. It was the longest conversation they’d had and it was just the perfect amount of information to further the plot.</ spoiler>
  • I liked how the absurdity of situations were balanced by discussing the tropes as they were portrayed. It showed that this story did not need to be taken seriously.
  • But I loved how the book did take itself seriously at important moments such as the consequences to harassment.
  • I loved the environment. It was really fun to read about a romance in academia and I felt like a learned a lot about that world.
  • I loved how Adam was consistently kind to Olive. It made me realise that I prefer the friends to lovers trope rather than enemies to lovers.
  • I loved how Adam always checked in with Olive. But I feel like it was a bit one sided as she rarely asked if he was okay. I did appreciate how they both valued consent.
  • SpoilerI liked how they consistently communicated throughout sex. It was really nice to read about them checking in with each other and emphasising that it is okay to change your mind. In saying that, I hated how Adam brought Olive’s hand to his crotch to feel his erection. I felt like that was kind of gross. And it was weird how he kept rubbing himself while asking for consent… like I get the author is trying to point out consent isn’t “unsexy” and doesnt “kill the mood” but there’s gotta be a better way to handle that. It honestly read as if he was getting off on her uncertainty.</ spoiler>
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