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The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
Romance

The Love Hypothesis

BOTY FINALIST

Each year thousands of members vote for our Book of the Year award—congrats to The Love Hypothesis!

Debut

We love supporting debut authors. Congrats, Ali Hazelwood, on your first book!

by Ali Hazelwood

Quick take

After a fake relationship generates real sparks, a rising scientist must decide if she's ready to experiment with love.

Good to know

  • Illustrated icon, Icon_Quirky

    Quirky

  • Illustrated icon, Icon_LOL

    LOL

  • Illustrated icon, Icon_SalaciousPeach

    Salacious

  • Illustrated icon, Icons_Underdog

    Underdog

Synopsis

As a third-year Ph.D. candidate, Olive Smith doesn't believe in lasting romantic relationships—but her best friend does, and that's what got her into this situation. Convincing Anh that Olive is dating and well on her way to a happily ever after was always going to take more than hand-wavy Jedi mind tricks: Scientists require proof. So, like any self-respecting biologist, Olive panics and kisses the first man she sees.

That man is none other than Adam Carlsen, a young hotshot professor—and well-known ass. Which is why Olive is positively floored when Stanford's reigning lab tyrant agrees to keep her charade a secret and be her fake boyfriend. But when a big science conference goes haywire, putting Olive's career on the Bunsen burner, Adam surprises her again with his unyielding support and even more unyielding... six-pack abs.

Suddenly their little experiment feels dangerously close to combustion. And Olive discovers that the only thing more complicated than a hypothesis on love is putting her own heart under the microscope.

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Free sample

Get an early look from the first pages of The Love Hypothesis.

Why I love it

What is the formula for a perfect romance? For me, it’s about the sweet moments, the witty banter, and amazing chemistry. I’m particularly drawn to love stories that also go beyond falling in love, which is why I was excited to read about Olive’s journey as a young scientist. I loved her drive and ambition. Once I began reading The Love Hypothesis, I knew that it had all the right elements to become one of my new favorite romances.

Set in the world of academia, Olive is a Ph.D. biology student who spends most of her time in a lab. She certainly doesn’t have time for dating. So when she kisses a random person at her university to convince her best friend, Anh, that she is doing just fine, she finds herself entering into a fake dating agreement with the infamously grumpy Professor Carlsen. It’s the perfect plan: Olive’s friends will stop worrying about her and Adam’s bosses will believe he’s not leaving for a new job anytime soon. Adam and Olive just need to follow a few ground rules and not fall in love. What could possibly go wrong?

On the surface, this book is a fun romance about a hilarious fake dating scheme. But it’s also more than that. It’s a glimpse into the world of academia and the obstacles women face in the male-dominated STEM field. I found myself reading this book whenever I had the chance. I felt completely invested in Adam and Olive’s love story and how everything would unfold. The Love Hypothesis is everything that you’ll want in your next read. I have a theory you’ll love this book—I know I did!

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Member ratings (68,217)

  • Lindsay P.

    Janesville, WI

    Don’t mind me, as I add Ali Hazelwood’s 2 upcoming STEM-inist novels to my TBR. Best Rom-Com I’ve read in 2021.The worst part of this book, is that’s it a debut and I have for more ???? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

  • Annie S.

    Saint Paul, MN

    Loved this book so much! I raced through it and then was sad that I read it so fast because I didn’t want it to be over. Likable characters, interesting setting, just so much fun to read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

  • Lindsey M.

    New Braunfels, TX

    LOVED. I was immediately drawn into the story, and I loved the characters’ acknowledgement of the romcom scenario. I’m so sad that it’s over—serious book hangover. Excited for more Ali Hazelwood!❤️❤️

  • Natalie P.

    Baltimore, MD

    So I’m not one to read rom coms, but this one completely stole my heart. I read it in one day, I just couldn’t put it down ???? I’m so sad it’s a debut and I can’t get more !!!! I need another Adam fix

  • Stephanie H.

    White Bear Lake, MN

    The Love Hypothesis was everything to me! It gave me all the gooey romance feels, giggles, “aw” moments, with the banter and actions between Olive and Adam. If you don’t know me, I’m all about science