avatarElin Melaas

Summary

The article is a glowing review of 'The Love Hypothesis' by Ali Hazelwood, a contemporary romance novel that has captivated the reader and expanded their literary preferences.

Abstract

The review titled "‘The Love Hypothesis’ — The Book That Led Me Into a Contemporary Romance-Bubble" expresses the reviewer's unexpected delight in discovering a new favorite genre through this book. Initially skeptical, the reviewer was swayed by TikTok recommendations and found the story of Olive Smith, a Ph.D. candidate, and her fake relationship with the stoic Professor Adam Carlsen to be irresistibly charming. The novel, set in an academic environment, is praised for its humor, relatable characters, and engaging plot. The reviewer was so enamored that they read the book twice in a row, emphasizing its magnetic quality and the depth of the characters' interactions. The book is recommended for those looking for a delightful reading experience and has inspired the reviewer to explore more of the contemporary romance genre.

Opinions

  • The reviewer admits that TikTok influenced their decision to read the book, and they were pleasantly surprised by how much they enjoyed it.
  • 'The Love Hypothesis' is described as a captivating read with a perfect blend of humor, chemistry, and academic setting, particularly appealing to those interested in STEM.
  • Olive Smith is characterized as a humorous and relatable protagonist, while Adam Carlsen is depicted as the classic grumpy character, creating an engaging 'Sunshine meets Grumpy' dynamic.
  • The reviewer highly recommends the book, rating it 5 stars and describing it as a 'Must Read' despite not typically being a fan of the romance genre.
  • The age gap and professional roles of the characters add complexity to the story, enhancing the narrative with different perspectives and potential conflicts.
  • The reviewer expresses a strong emotional connection to the book, having laughed out loud and reread it immediately after finishing.
  • The article encourages readers to follow the 'Hooked by Books' publication for more book recommendations and invites writers to contribute their own tips.
  • A referral link is provided for readers interested in joining Medium, offering unlimited access to stories on the platform.

Book review

‘The Love Hypothesis’ — The Book That Led Me Into a Contemporary Romance-Bubble

I neither can nor will break free

Photo credit: Elin Melaas

TikTok made me read it, and TikTok was right. I loved it! 💖 It showed me a new genre I find surprisingly irresistible: Contemporary Romance.

I thought fantasy and dystopia were my book genres, but my bookish horizon has expanded 😊

‘The Love Hypothesis’ by Ali Hazelwood

Goodreads rating: 4.28 My rating: 5 stars — A Must Read Genre: Contemporary Romance Published: 2021 by Berkley Books

Escape the long and dark November days and jump into Ali Hazelwood’s spicy academical world. Here you will meet third-year Ph.D. candidate Olive Smith and professor Adam Carlsen. She is cheerful, and he is ‘antagonistic and unapproachable’. In this book, Sunshine meets Grumpy, and it’s just perfect!🙌

“God, she had forced a married man, a father, to kiss her. Now people thought that he was having an affair. His wife was probably crying into her pillow. His kids would grow up with horrible daddy issues and become serial killers.” — Ali Hazelwood

To prove to her friend Anh that she is over her ex, Olive kisses a random guy. The guy turns out to be the hot professor Adam Carlsen. To convince Anh it’s okay to date Olive’s ex, Dr. Carlsen agrees to be her fake boyfriend.

I fell in love with Olive in the prologue, and it lasted the entire book. She is so funny and made me laugh out loud multiple times. Olive is a woman in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). Since science is my thing, too, the setting is perfect.

This book is magnetic — impossible to put down until you’ve finished reading it.

Olive and Adam are lovely together. I adore their interactions, mood differences, backstories, and vulnerabilities. Their age gap means they have different viewpoints; she is a Ph.D. candidate, and he is a professor. It is doomed to be complicated.

“I low-key hate myself for forcing you to do all that stuff. Well, maybe not ‘hate’, but I’d write myself a strongly worded email.” — Ali Hazelwood

This book is magnetic — impossible to put down until you’ve finished reading it. Read The Love Hypothesis to treat yourself to some delightful reading moments.

Dear Ali Hazelwood, you have accomplished something great: when I finished the book, I reread it right away 📖

Photo credit: Elin Melaas

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