My The Love Hypothesis Book Review - No Spoilers
Plot Summary
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood delivers a swoony academic romance rooted in the “fake dating” trope. Olive Smith, a driven PhD candidate at Stanford, is determined to protect her career and keep her best friend’s feelings safe. In a moment of panic, she kisses the first available man so her friend will believe she’s moved on—a man who turns out to be the intimidating, brilliant Professor Adam Carlsen. When they both realize the benefits of faking a relationship (Olive needs to look “taken” and Adam needs the department to believe he’s not leaving for another university), they strike a deal. Their partnership quickly gets tangled as fake feelings begin to clash with real chemistry and vulnerability. Olive faces everything from lab work, faculty politics, and grant deadlines to lingering trauma, misogyny in STEM, and her growing feelings for Adam. As they navigate misunderstandings, ridiculous situations, and academic landmines, both have to confront what they want—outside of what they pretend to need.
Why I Love This Book
I love how bright, nerdy, and genuinely funny this book is. Olive is awkward, determined, and so easy to root for. Her inner monologues, flustered panic, and obviously caring heart made me smile, cringe, and want to see her win. Adam is the perfect “grumpy with a secret soft side”—his bluntness hides how deeply he cares. Together, they have that slow-burn chemistry that’s all tension, accidental touches, and the kind of banter that feels both sharp and sincere. The academic setting was refreshing; I felt like the author genuinely understood the struggles of being a woman in STEM, including the relentless anxiety, expectations, and pressures. I appreciated how the book never treated consent or sexual wellness as an afterthought. There’s heat, but it’s balanced by trust, clear communication, and emotional truth. The friend group adds lots of color and comfort, making the story about more than just romance. The “fake dating” hijinks deliver big, but the story truly lands in its moments of honesty, quiet encouragement, and showing all the embarrassing, real ways it feels to fall in love as an adult with too much to lose.
Who Will Like This Book
If you like fake dating, grumpy/sunshine chemistry, found-family friend groups, and lots of STEM nerdiness, this is your book. It’s for fans of slow-burn humor, opposites attract, and characters who grapple with trauma and self-doubt while still finding joy and connection. If you want an open-door romance with clear consent and focus on emotional safety, you’ll feel right at home. The story does include sexual harassment, lots of awkward moments, a power dynamic (carefully handled), and candid discussions around loss, illness, and sexual wellness. The drama feels real but never overwhelming, and the payoffs—both emotional and romantic—are worth the ride.
⚠️ Trigger warning: Sexual harassment, past trauma, loss of a loved one to illness, frank sex discussions, and skepticism around academic mentorship. If any of these are especially tender for you, be sure to check for detailed content warnings.
Tagged As
contemporary romance, academic romance, STEM heroine, fake dating, opposites attract, grumpy/sunshine, slow burn, found family, dual pov, witty banter, trauma healing, open-door romance, female scientist, friends to lovers, emotional growth, quirky heroine, cinnamon roll hero, mutual pining, campus romance, indie romance, kindle unlimited, HEA, standalone
Steam Level
There’s plenty of build-up and slow-burn, with a couple of explicit scenes that are steamy but focused on honesty and trust. The spice never overpowers the story—it feels natural and woven into the characters’ growth, not just there for show. Perfect for readers who want strong chemistry, heartfelt consent, and romantic payoff without it getting too graphic.
