This is the only book I’ve ever read by Ali Hazelwood and what a good introduction it was for me. First of all the cover, obsessed and the plot was just fantastic.

Ali Hazelwood books feel like eating your favourite comfort food!

Do you kinda know what you'll get? Yes ,Does it matter? Nope! Not at all.

Love Theoretically, is an enemies-to-lovers romcom that will leave you craving more. In this STEMinist tale, Elsie Hannaway, a brilliant theoretical physicist, juggles her academic aspirations with a unique side job as a professional fake girlfriend. When Elsie's path crosses with Jack Smith, the attractive and arrogant older brother of her favorite client, sparks fly as they engage in a battle of wits.

The chemistry between Elsie and Jack is undeniable, and their banter is fantastic!
The book also explores Elsie's close friendship with her supportive flatmate, Cece, and I love how Ali Hazelwood’s side characters are so fleshed out. 


The star for me is Hedgie and I defy anyone to not want a pet hedgehog after reading this book!!

While Love Theoretically follows Hazelwood's familiar formula and themes, it brings its own unique charm. The scientific content may not appeal to everyone this for me is the most science heavy of Ali Hazelwood’s previous books, and it is a little slow to start. But for fans of Ali Hazelwood's style and STEM enthusiasts, this book is a must-read.

One of the highlights is Elsie's personal growth throughout the story, despite some initial whininess. Jack also surprises as a lovable character, becoming one of my favourites created by Hazelwood, I mean he’s not Adam but I could get used to them. If you enjoy enemies-to-lovers and fake dating scenarios, Love Theoretically has got you covered.



Look out for cameo appearances by some familiar faces- I may have squealed!

This was 4.25 stars for me :)

Ali Hazelwood just has a way when it comes to swoonworthy romances that makes my heart melt. Although there are many tropes in this new novel that you will have seen before on Hazelwood's books, this is a joyous smile inducing romp.

My favourite Ali Hazelwood book yet. Our main characters are both physicists and natural academic rivals due to the fact that Elsie works in theoretical and Jack on the experimental side of the field. Elsie is a professor adjuct, a fancy way of saying she's a PhD but not a tenured professor who gets paid a pittance and spends her days running around teaching classes across multiple campuses. She's also got Type 1 diabetes, so medical expenses plus normal cost of living mean that she is basically living in near-poverty in a shared apartment with a friend. Oh, and her family are horrid. She really needs the job she is going for at MIT but of course, things don't go as planned.

Elsie is a more fully sketched, complex character than Hazelwood's previous heroines and I found her story very moving. She's got a gift for masquerade - she can tell what people want from her and she uses this "talent" to good effect being a fake girlfriend on an app called Faux. The problem is, however that after so many years of acting the way people want her to, of making sure she's not annoying or a burden to everyone in her life, she feels she can never be herself. It's really sad how she cannot really show anyone the true person she is (even down to her not liking the same movies as her friend and hiding this fact) for fear of being rejected. From being a chronic people-pleaser to realizing that this behavior is both toxic and unsustainable, Elsie grows throughout the book and though it is Jack that is the catalyst and ultimately holds her accountable for it, it's her own journey.

Jack is a wonderful and confident MMC with very few of the near-trademark Hazelwood stereotypical features (except, yes, he's tall! But thankfully, Elsie is not tiny). He's a bit of a golden retriever but has a sad past that we discover as the story unfolds. I thought the rivals part of the rivals-to-lovers trope was really well done when it came to these two because not only do you have the traditional academic distrust/dislike between their two fields but Jack did a bad thing in his youth and there is genuine ill-feeling there. I loved how he recognizes he hasn't done what a good person should and his grand gesture - to both Elsie and the scientific community - was well executed without being OTT.

And the spice! Is it just me or did this book step up a level in the spice stakes when compared to previous outings from the author? Loved, loved, loved the very real attraction and desperate lust between these two idiot geniuses.

I was obsessed from start to finish, nothing about this book I didn't like. As well as being a great romance, the author also gives us insight into the ugly side of academia and the potential for abuse and controlling behavior within the university system. Also wonderful to see a character who really needs therapy actually getting it.

Side-note: I loved the character of Elsie's friend Cece (linguistics goddess and owner of the very excellent Hedgie the hedgehog), she had a little love-journey of her own throughout this book and I'd like to see it fleshed out some day!

What I like most about all Hazelwoods books is how she writes her characters. I know people often complain about the premise being the same as her books are typically set in a stem environment but I am not one of those people. I love how every time I pick up one of her books I'm introduced to a new world and scientific field so I hope that we get more to come because the research she puts in needs to be acknowledged because that takes real skill

Personally, I found this book to be good at presenting certain themes such as people pleasing and being the dependent sibling. Elsie's character development particularly stood out when she turned off the phone when her mum called it was clear she had made a lot of progress. Personally, I think jack is the best love interest Hazelwood has written he is caring throughout to else and actually has a personality and a backstory that is interesting. Honestly maybe jack needs his own book. The only thing I didn't like about this book was that it felt very slow and some parts felt like filler I feel like they definitely could have made this book around 300 pages without taking out any substance but apart from that is was good and I can't wait to read checkmate when it is released


Review on Instagram: will be published June 13th

Love, Theoretically was an adorable story, not only of a couple finding each other, but also of our main character finding herself.

Elsie is a physicist adjuncting at several universities just trying to get by, pay her rent, and buy her insulin. Unfortunately, adjuncting doesn’t pay very much at all, so for the past several years she and her housemate have been ‘fake girlfriending’ at events through an app. When a position opens at MIT and Elsie makes it to the final two candidates, she’s hopeful that her fake girlfriending days could be behind her, but things don’t quite go to plan.

This was my first Ali Hazelwood book and I can confidently say I’m going to go and read all the others now. I’m still dipping my toes into romance and finding authors I like, and I absolutely loved Love, Theoretically.

Elsie and Jack were such fantastic main characters. There were so many layers to them as people and their interactions, and set against the backdrop of academia it just created the perfect mixing pot.
In her acknowledgements Hazelwood says she hopes she didn’t make this one too politically academic, but I didn’t find it to be that way at all - I think the job politics will (unfortunately) feel familiar to many readers both in and out of academia.

The barbs and banter between the two main characters were hilarious, and I loved the sprinkled (and more embedded) pop-culture references throughout.
In the way of many romances, once the relationship does get going, it moves fast - but while I was aware of this, it didn’t take anything away from the story.

Overall, I absolutely tore through Love, Theoretically and can’t wait to read more of Ali Hazelwood’s books.

People pleaser extraordinaire Elsie was a really easy character to root for. She’s just lovely and her being type 1 diabetic and showing how difficult it is to be an academic and afford the cost of needed medicine gave real depth while also giving her the determination to go after her dream job.

Jack while being her arch nemesis is also the only person she isn’t eager to please so is totally herself with. It doesn’t matter that he’s also easy on the eye and a man mountain I would happily climb and lay claim to conquering.

While this is pretty much the same as The love hypothesis but with minuscule changes it is still an easy read and totally worth it for the spicy scenes. I will give the author credit for being able to write believable and hot sex scenes that you need a cold shower after.

I would also like to give a nod to best friend/flatmate and her cute pet hedgehog. Although I wouldn’t advise keeping them as a pet and instead leave them wild it’s fiction so that makes it okay.

Coming home from the bookshop with an Ali Hazelwood novel is like coming home from the shop with a tub of Ben & Jerrys - you know you’re in for a treat.

Fun, frothy, romantic - it’s like being on the phone with your favourite friend and hearing all about their rollercoaster of a love life.

Brilliant dialogue, zingy chemistry, a delightful cast of characters, and two leads who are crazy about each other - the perfect mix for Ali Hazelwood magic!

I will definitely be recommending this as a summer romance!

I will read absolutely anything Ali Hazelwood writes forever. I absolutely loved this book, was it predictable - yes. did I care - no

This book was probably the most STEM of all her books. the politics in the different sciences played a major part of the story line. As someone not in STEM or with any scientific knowledge outside the big band theory a lot of it went over my head, I did find this make the book lag for me in parts but I still loved it.

this might be my favourite relationship of all the novels and we know how I feel about Adam.

If you liked Love on the Brain and The Love Hypothesis you need to read Love Theoretically. You won't be disappointed

I literally screamed getting the notification for this- Thank you so much to Netgalley and Little brown Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Now am I a slight obsessive with Ali's Books- Yes
Is it because i'm a woman in STEM, Demisexual and live for the representation I found in the Love Hypothesis and needed more- also Yes, and she writes amazing male love interests.

Okay fangirl moment over, the plot of this one is actually so cute and I love some enemies to lovers in the academic rivals way- this delivers in the strangest way possible. The plot is really intriguing, but is a tad similar to some of the other books which some people may not particularly appreciate, but honestly I loved this one. Also no spoilers- but some great plot twists and interesting characters in this one.
The pacing of this was fantastic, I read the entire thing on the day I got it and it has lived in my brain rent free for months. I have it pre-ordered and will most likely re-read it when it arrives.

Elsie and Jack as characters were fantastically written, developed and i loved all their banter based interactions, The world was wonderfully built up and expanded on previous books and I just....I'm running out of praise for how much i loved this.

If you liked Ali's other books- you will probably like this and that's all I need to say.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

Holding my hands up in shame to admit that this is the first Ali Hazelwood book I have read! I am very disappointed in myself and will be correctly this problem as soon as possible because I need more ASAP.

Hazelwood's writing is so addictive, I stayed up till 3am to finish this book and was heartbroken when my Kindle ran out of battery 7% away from me finishing this book.

I LOVED these characters, Elsie was a fanastic protaganist and I loved having the whole book from her point of view. I just loved reading through such pivotal moments in her life and cared about her the moment I started reading.

I think Jack might be added to my list of favourite fictional boyfriends. Smart, funny, owns up to his flaws, willing to talk about Twilight. What's not to love?

Can't wait to go back and read the books I haven't read yet!

I was nervous going into this book after Love on the Brain fell a flat for me. Fortunately I found it to be just about different enough to Love on the Brain and The Love Hypothesis that I found it a really fun read.
Our protagonist Elsie had some relatable traits for me (hello my fellow people pleasers!) although her character really took it to the extreme. Same with Jack, a super honest character big on boundaries but again took it waaaaaay further than was realistic. Once I got past that, I had fun reading this despite the incessant commentary on Jack’s huge size, a classic Hazelwood trope. For once I would like to read about an average or even smaller sized man 😂
I’d recommend this if you’re looking for a slow burn enemies-to-friends-to-lovers and vaguely enjoyed Ali Hazelwood’s other books.

At the beginning of the book, I was having a tough time understanding it. I found it difficult to connect with the story and its characters. However, as I kept reading, something changed. Around halfway through, I started to feel really happy that I didn't give up. The book reminded me why I love reading about love scenes, love talk, and sensuality. It made me feel warm inside and reminded me of the things I enjoy.

At first, I couldn't grasp the funny scenes that my friends who were reading the book with me loved so much. I think I was expecting something more mature and serious. But as the story progressed, it transformed into something beautiful and heartwarming. I was pleasantly surprised by how well the author handled heavy topics in the book. They managed to turn misunderstandings into understanding, and it was done in such a skillful way that it touched my heart.

I am grateful to all my girlfriends who read the book along with me. Their presence and discussions made the reading experience even more enjoyable. Sharing thoughts and emotions with them added depth to my understanding of the story. I want to thank them for joining me in this journey and making it a memorable one.

Before reading "Love, Theoretically", I thought nothing would trump "The Love Hypothesis" for me. Boy, was I wrong! This was an absolute roller coaster ride of emotions all in one book. Our hero Jack and heroine Elsie collide in what is a supreme misunderstanding in the world of academics and I believe Hazelwood set up the premise of this story so well! The reader understands from the very beginning of the book what makes Elsie tick, as well as her values- which is reiterated many times in the novel due to the nature of the academic feud between Jack and Elsie.

Not only is the main plotline great, but the romance scenes between Jack and Elsie are to die for. There is an amazing appearance of our favourites from "The Love Hypothesis", Adam and Olive in a scene with Jack's friends and my god. No wonder I love this book so much!

Definitely a standout book in this year's romcom releases!

Unfortunately this book was just not for me. I’m getting quite bored of the same formula being used in all of Ali Hazelwood’s books. I would love to see something new from her.

I just simply didn’t care about the characters, the romance, or the plot, and it was a struggle to keep going. This book was also much more STEM heavy than the authors other offerings and it was just too much for me personally. I became very bored and started to slip into a book slump.

Thankyou to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I found this to be a quick and enjoyable read. I liked seeing how Elsie and Jack’s relationship developed and their chemistry. However, at times I also found it a little predictable. A perfect beach/holiday read though.

DNF at 27%
⭐⭐ for what I read.

Sorry folks, I cannot bring myself to finish #LoveTheoretically by #AliHazelwood. It's not interesting, Elsie is obnoxious, Jack is one dimensional, and at 27%, to STILL be in the interview process is too much. The writing itself is solid but very repetitive. The reader gets it, you gave your phone a cute name, you have a medical condition that needs monitoring (not throwing shade), you're short, he's tall, you don't like him.

I know some of y'all really rate Hazelwood and this book, and I'm happy for you but I'm done.

Love, Theoretically will be published on 13 June 2023.

Thanks to @littlebrownbookgroup_uk and @netgalley for the free e-ARC in return for an unbiased review.

Whilst I still really enjoyed this one, and the sex scenes are definitely not to be read in public, I can’t help but feel that this storyline is a little thin now sadly. I didn’t feel as connected to these characters but I think it was because they were very similar to previous ones. Sadly I found this a little dull at times as well. But the sex scenes were great!

If I am being honest, I was a little disappointed by this. I had really enjoyed Love Hypothesis so thought this would be the same.

However, I just couldn’t really relate to the plot, the characters and the writing in general.

It wasn’t bad and it was still well written but it just wasn’t for me unfortunately. If you want a light hearted romance it may work for you.

This is an enemies to lovers romantic comedy following the two main protagonists Elsie and Jack. Elsie is a theoretical physicist who works tirelessly for very little pay and in order to boost her salary she has another job in an agency as a ‘fake dater’. She’s funny, quirky and intelligent and is a decent enough female protagonist. Jack is a huge hunk of a man and I liked him as a character. He’s honest, loveable, patient and caring and he had Elsie’s rather complex personality figured out from the onset. The chemistry between them is apparent and there are one or two very spicy scenes. I adored the relationship Elsie shared with her flatmate and they were very supportive of one another. I think Cece was even more bonkers than Elsie and there were some hilarious moments when they were together also featuring her pet hedgehog, Hedgie.

After reading several of the author’s previous novels there is no doubt she follows a specific formula, has very similar themes running through her books and apart from the differing storyline there are some very obvious similarities. This is an enjoyable enough read with some funny moments but I didn’t love it half as much as Love on the Brain, which I gave 5 stars. There was a lot more scientific content in Love Theoretically and the beginning of the book was slow going which did hinder my reading experience. Definitely not the author’s best book in my opinion, but for all you STEM loving, Ali Hazelwood fans you’re probably going to love it.

Thank you so much to the publisher for the eARC via Netgalley