By Book Club Team 
The Love Hypothesis is a charming contemporary romance set in the world of academia by Ali Hazelwood. Third-year PhD candidate Olive Smith gets herself into a very sticky situation: impulsively kissing Adam Carlsen, the university’s notoriously grumpy and brilliant professor, to prove a point. Much to her surprise, Adam agrees to fake date her, and what starts as a practical arrangement soon grows into something real. Filled with witty banter, heartwarming moments, and a slow-burn romance, this story navigates love, ambition, and vulnerability in the high-pressure world of STEM.
| Author | Ali Hazelwood |
| Publication date | September 14, 2021 |
| Goodreads Rating | 4,13 |
| Page count | 373 pages |
| Genres | Contemporary, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Adult, Chick Lit, New Adult, Love, Young Adult, College |
The Love Hypothesis Summary
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood is a heartwarming, witty adult romance involving fake dating within a cutthroat STEM academia setting that morphs into an emotionally rich, satisfying love story.
The story begins three years before the main events, when Olive Smith, a biology Ph.D. candidate, accidentally meets a kind stranger while adjusting her contacts in a bathroom during her Ph.D. interview. They share a deep but brief conversation about her passion for cancer research, and though she never learns his name, the moment lingers on.
Fast-forward to the present: Olive is deep in her research of early detection methods for pancreatic cancer, a personal battle her mother went through. When her best friend, Anh, hesitates to date Olive’s ex-boyfriend, Olive impulsively kisses the first person she sees to convince Anh she’s moved on. To her surprise, that man is Dr. Adam Carlson-a brilliant, young, and notoriously grumpy tenured professor in her department. Known for his sharp critiques and no-nonsense attitude, Adam isn’t exactly a typical partner. But he shockingly agrees to continue the charade, seeing a mutually beneficial opportunity. Adams’s department head has frozen his research funds against the rumor of his leaving the university, and a public relationship could help in retaining him.
So, once Olive and Adam embark on their fake relationship, they lay down boundaries and rules, but it starts getting tricky. She finds Adam, while blunt and demanding, is far from unkind. He’s supportive and encouraging, believing in her even when she doubts herself. In turn, Olive confides in Adam about her personal connection to her research, telling him the story of her mother’s illness. Meanwhile, Olive is also trying to get a lab space at Harvard under Dr. Tom Benton, a famous scientist and one of Adam’s old friends. Meanwhile, Adam is notably jazzed about his recent grant to collaborate on a project with Tom; Olive is more circumspect about the opportunity given the tension it will place on her already fragile balancing act between academia and family life.
Things come to a head at a major science conference in Boston. Olive is on a panel presenting her research that has everyone abuzz; Adam is the keynote speaker. At the conference, Tom corners Olive and makes unwanted advances. When she does, he accuses her of sleeping her way to the top and threatens to destroy her reputation if she ever says anything. Crushed and believing no one would ever believe her, Olive decides to save Adam’s career by breaking off their agreement. She doesn’t know that Adam was considering Harvard in large part because of him being quite serious about their relationship.
Later, after Olive finds out that she recorded her interaction with Tom, she seeks advice from her roommate Malcolm and Adam’s best friend, Dr. Holden Rodriguez. Holden tells her that Adam has deep feelings for her and encourages her to trust him. Finally, Olive plays the recording for Adam. He becomes incensed on her behalf. Adam immediately reports Tom’s misconduct, and Tom is fired.
Then Adam reveals that he has been in love with Olive for several years now, knowing her from that brief interview at her Ph.D. interview; overwhelmed, Olive reveals to him that she is in love with him because they have both been each other’s biggest supporters since always.
The novel concludes on a warm note with Olive and Adam celebrating the anniversary of their first kiss, now a deeply in-love couple who are going great guns both in their personal and professional lives. Packed with humor, romance, and depth, The Love Hypothesis is ultimately a celebration of vulnerability, ambition, and love in unexpected places.
Is The Love Hypothesis Book Spicy?
Ah, there’s spice in The Love Hypothesis, but only just-so, most of the way, because the single actual spicy scene was kind of all she wrote in terms of heavy lifting in this otherwise super character-driven and gradual relationship burn of a read for Olive and Adam.
The explicit scene happens later in the book, during a pivotal moment in their relationship, and is written in a tasteful and consensual way, keeping with the characters’ personalities and the story’s tone. If you’re someone who enjoys romance novels with a bit of steam but not too much, this book strikes a good balance between sweet and spicy.
The Love Hypothesis Spicy Chapters
In The Love Hypothesis, the primary spicy content is concentrated in Chapter 16, which features the book’s one explicit scene. This chapter marks a significant turning point in Olive and Adam’s relationship, bringing their emotional connection to a physical level.
The Love Hypothesis: Age Rating
The Love Hypothesis is recommended for readers aged 16+ or 18+, considering there is one explicit scene, themes of sexual harassment, and some mature humor. It would be best for older teens and adults who enjoy a mix of romance, humor, and a little spice.
The Love Hypothesis Characters
Here’s a list of key characters in The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood:
- Olive Smith: The main character, a passionate biology Ph.D. student researching early detection methods for pancreatic cancer.
- Dr. Adam Carlsen: A brilliant but grumpy young professor, known for his bluntness and high standards, who agrees to fake date Olive.
- Anh Pham: Olive’s best friend and fellow Ph.D. student, who plays a significant role in the fake dating setup.
- Malcolm: Olive’s supportive roommate and friend, also a Ph.D. student.
- Dr. Tom Benton: A prominent Harvard professor and Adam’s friend, who offers Olive a lab position but later reveals his true, predatory nature.
- Dr. Holden Rodriguez: A faculty member and Adam’s childhood friend, who provides guidance and support to Olive and Malcolm.
These characters bring humor, drama, and depth to the story!
The Love Hypothesis Review
This fake dating trope set in STEM academia got me from the very first page. Olive is such a relatable nerdy heroine, while Adam had the perfect mix of grumpy and soft-hearted. The chemistry is palpable, and the slow burn is deliciously torturous in just the right way. What’s more, the witty banter and the subtle humor kept me smiling throughout.
Pros:
- Tropes of Engagement: The fake dating, grumpy-sunshine, and slow-burn are done to perfection here.
- Setting STEM: The academic element is unique, refreshing, surely for readers that especially enjoy their women in STEM representation.
- Olive and Adam’s relationship is sweet, swoon-worthy, and well-timed within heartfelt and humorous moments for both.
- Strong Side Characters: More importantly, adds to the deep fun, Anh and Malcolm are stellar in their supporting element.
- Feminist Undertones: The novel deals with harassment, professional ambition, and women navigating male-dominated spaces.
- Perfect Spice Level: There is literally just one explicit scene, and it’s great, but it reads organic to the rest of the novel.
Cons:
- Predictable Plot: It uses romance novel tropes; thus, the book is not something new.
- Some Stereotypes: Adam’s “grumpy professor” vibe and Olive’s cluelessness feel very on-the-nose at times.
- Pacing Issues: Middle section drags a little before romance finally picks up. The plot for harassment-while an important theme-can be quite uncomfortable with the scenes with Tom and for some readers may be triggering.
Final Thoughts
A big fan of slow-burn romance, strongly feminist, with relatable characters and just the right amount of steam, would go all their way into this novel, The Love Hypothesis. This is charmingly funny and will keep you rooting for love. It has minor flaws but is a book that I can wholeheartedly recommend!
Who Would Like This Book 💕
- Romance Fans: Love fake dating, slow burn, and grumpy-sunshine tropes.
- STEM/Academia Enthusiasts: Enjoy stories featuring women in STEM.
- Light Spice Lovers: Prefer romance with limited explicit scenes.
- Feminist Readers: Appreciate themes like ambition and gender dynamics.
- Fans of Witty Banter: Love quirky characters and humor.
Who Might Not 🚫
- Non-Romance Readers: Not into trope-heavy love stories.
- Plot-Driven Readers: Prefer complex or unpredictable plots.
- Cliché Avoiders: Dislike grumpy professors or quirky heroines.
- Harassment-Sensitive Readers: Might find certain scenes uncomfortable.
- Spice Seekers: Want steamier romance.
Verdict: Perfect for lighthearted romance lovers, but not for those seeking intricate plots or heavy spice.