Book Review: The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
From the moment I stumbled upon The Love Hypothesis, I found myself curious about how love blossom in the hallowed halls of academia. Ali Hazelwood, with her vibrant prose, invites readers into the world of Olive, a PhD student navigating the complexities of both her academic journey and her tangled love life. With so many rave reviews around the book, my anticipation was sky-high, expecting an immersive exploration of romance, ambition, and the struggles faced by women in STEM. But alas, it appears this time, it was just me—not the book.
The Love Hypothesis centers around Olive, who concocts a rather outrageous plan: to kiss a random man to convince her best friend that she’s moved on from her ex. That “random” man turns out to be Dr. Adam Carlsen, famed for his critical demeanor. The premise of a fake relationship in a high-stakes academic setting is ripe for tension and hijinks, and at first glance, it seems to promise a delightful romantic comedy.
What I absolutely adored was Olive’s representation as a young woman in a male-dominated field. As she grapples with the skepticism that comes with being a woman in STEM—where the odds often feel stacked against you—her struggles resonated deeply. Hazelwood’s portrayal of the pressures Olive faces as a Canadian PhD student conducting research in a prestigious U.S. program was refreshing and grounded. Olive’s journey reflects the challenges many women encounter in academia, and it was the highlight of the narrative for me.
However, the romance—central to the plot—felt disappointingly flat. Adam, while he had the grumpy allure I typically enjoy, lacked depth. Descriptions of his moody demeanor repeated often, leaving me yearning for a dash of personality to spice things up. While Olive’s internal monologue reveals her feelings toward him, I struggled to understand why she fell so hard, so fast. Their chemistry seemed forced rather than the organic connection I hoped for, which undercut the swoon-worthy moments that I yearn for in rom-coms.
The initial scenario that sparks their relationship—Olive’s impulsive kiss—felt contrived and out of character for an intelligent, driven PhD student. I understand the need for a plot catalyst, but it pushed the bounds of believability, making it hard for me to fully engage with the story. Additionally, while it’s great to see representation of demisexuality, the way Olive articulates her feelings about sexual attraction felt awkward and, at times, perpetuated stereotypes. This could have been a powerful narrative thread, but it left me questioning the sensitivity of the representation.
As the narrative progressed, I found myself unable to visualize Olive—most details remained elusive, overshadowed by Adam’s well-publicized physical attributes. There were only fleeting glimpses of their emotional connection, leaving their love story teetering on the edge of implausibility rather than blossoming into something beautiful.
Ultimately, The Love Hypothesis had all the pieces for a fantastic romance but faltered in execution. While I appreciated the nuance of Olive’s journey as a woman in STEM, I longed for more vivacity in the characters and convincing romantic chemistry. If you’re someone who revels in sweet, predictable romances without needing that deeper emotional dive, this could still be a charming read for you. Just know that it didn’t fully resonate with my expectations.
In short, while Ali Hazelwood’s work has struck a chord with many, this time around, it left me a tad disenchanted. However, if you’re intrigued by the concept of academic love stories, I encourage you to decide for yourself. You may find joy where I found question marks. Happy reading!
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