The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

ARC provided by @BerkleyPress as part of a @Goodreads giveaway! It releases September 14, 2021!

If you ever wondered why your college professor didn’t answer your email, this book is for you.

If you went to grad school and can still recall with perfect clarity the contents of the vending machine in your hallway, this book is for you.

If you ever wondered what academia is like and why so many professors are so scatterbrained, this book is for you.

Most of all, if you love women in STEM, unusual fake-dating tropes, accidentally falling in love and great side characters, this book is for you.

It isn’t without its faults, for two grown adults, Adam and Olive spend way too much time, dancing around each other without speaking their truth. It leads to some will they/won’t they angst that could have been more scenes in bed. This book absolutely gave me bang-xiety. Having said that I appreciated the honest, messy, and consent-filled sex scene we got.

The characters felt honest, overworked, and constantly playing the political games of academia, which is very real.

I wish we got some more time after they finally sorted everything out, their banter and energy were very good. I also wish that Adam did not come in to “take care” of Olive’s abuser. She had so much power and him stepping in broke that apart for me. Though Olive does wield power over Adam in that scene in the most subtle of ways. It was a quiet strength that was great to see. I just wanted a bigger win for her, but if she is happy and this is her speed, then I stand with her.

Now, please give us a whole Malcolm-Holden novel. Holden was the best BFF. -Sky