Name: mariola's review of Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood
Item: Love, Theoretically
Rating: 3
Author: mariola

Ali Hazelwood

The many lives of theoretical physicist Elsie Hannaway have finally caught up with her. By day, she’s an adjunct professor, toiling away at grading labs and teaching thermodynamics in the hopes of landing tenure. By other day, Elsie makes up for her non-existent paycheck by offering her services as a fake girlfriend, tapping into her expertly honed people pleasing skills to embody whichever version of herself the client needs.

Honestly, it’s a pretty sweet gig—until her carefully constructed Elsie-verse comes crashing down. Because Jack Smith, the annoyingly attractive and broody older brother of her favorite client, turns out to be the cold-hearted experimental physicist who ruined her mentor’s career and undermined the reputation of theorists everywhere. And that same Jack who now sits on the hiring committee at MIT, right between Elsie and her dream job.

Elsie is prepared for an all-out war of scholarly sabotage but…those long, penetrating looks? Not having to be anything other than her true self when she’s with him? Will falling into an experimentalist’s orbit finally tempt her to put her most guarded theories on love into practice?

Love, Theoretically

This reminds me of when we were giving each other fake tattoos of Maxwell's equations. We thought we were so cool. 

Jojo

His tattoos are beautiful. The Dirac equation. The electron cloud. Beta decay. The Fibonacci spiral. Kinematic models, astral planes, Drake's formula, the molecular structure of MBBA. Black strokes of faded ink interlocked together in a beautiful painting. The entire foundation of modern physics is on his broad shoulder, wrapped around his large biceps. 

I’ve always been so guarded. So careful-footed. And when I stumbled, I didn’t just skin a knee. I fell facedown and knocked out all my teeth.

Julia Ye

"For what?" I ask against his throat. He's warm and smells nice. Like sleep. Like clean. Like he could easily change my sink, save kittens stuck in a tree, extinguish a fire. "For being dicks?"

Maggie Hotmer

I wonder if it'll ever end. I wonder if all these beautiful, momentous things I feel for him will ever settle into something ordinary. I can't imagine they will.

But that night he hugs me from behind while I brush my teeth and whispers, "You are the most magnificent thing that ever happened to me," and I know it to be true. 

"I want you, Elsie. All the time. I think of you. All. The. Fucking. Time. I'm distracted. I'm shit at work. And my first instinct, the very first time I saw you, was to run away. Because I knew that if we'd start doing this, we would never stop. And that's exactly how it is. There is no universe in which I'm going to let you go. I want to be with you, 

 you, every second of every day. I think--I 

 of crazy things. I want you to marry me tomorrow so you can go on my health insurance. I want to lock you in my room for a couple of weeks. I want to buy groceries based on what you like. I want to play it cool, like I'm attracted to you and not obsessed out of my mind, but that's not where I'm at. Not at all. And I need you to keep us in check. I need you to pace us, because wherever it is that we're going... I'm here. I'm already right here."

"Right. The article. I know you wrote it because it was overdue, and not because of me, but--"

"--I still wanted to... What did you say?"

He nods and his amusement shifts into something more serious. "What you said was true. And it was the right thing to do. But also... Elsie, there's very little I wouldn't do for you."

Maybe I'm not stumbling through someone else's life. Maybe I'm just living mine for the first time. 

. All I wanted was Laurendeau out of physics--and I failed, clearly. Since after screwing over my mother, he's been busy fucking up the life of the single person I've ever been in love with."

"She is if she wants to be. She can be my damn wife if she wants to be."

But this man, who was going to be the absolute worst part of my dream job, might still turn out to be the thing I want the most.

"You could be my entire world," he whispers in my ear before moving to my collarbone. "If you let me."

He sighs. "Somewhere along the way your wires got crossed. Your brain decided that you're not worth people's time and effort, and that if you ask for anything, they won't just say no, they'll also leave you." He says it matter-of-factly, like he's Archimedes of Syracuse repeating his findings about upward buoyant forces to the acropolis for the tenth time. "That's not how love works, Elsie. But don't worry for now. I'll show you."

He talks like his Saturday nights belong to me, even though this thing with us only just started, and my heart skips too many beats.

"I'm at my most comfortable around you," I say. And then, because 

: "And also at my least. But that's because you're an asshole, and unlikely ever to change."

He winces. "Once again, what happened to you?"

"Oh." I blush. "Oh." I scratch the side of my nose. "Um..."

Jack's eyebrow lifts. "You seem more alarmed by dinner than murder."

"Are you giving me permission to rummage around you bedroom? Like you have nothing to hide?"

He lifts one eyebrow. "What would I hide?"

"I don't know." I shrug. "A giant tentacle dildo. Viagra. A diary with a pink locket."

"None of that would be worth hiding." he says, the most quietly confident man in the entire world.

When you're not trying to be someone else."

"Have you ever considered that maybe you're already the way I want you to be? That maybe there are no signals because nothing needs to be changed?"

"I understand what I'm seeing, so listen to me, asshole." Jack's tone is chilling. Terrifyingly calm. Austin pales and takes a small step back, and I almost feel sorry for him. "You're harassing a woman who asked you to get out of her personal space while she's at a work function. Because she rejected you."

. She asked you to leave. Get the fuck out of my sight."

 be someone else. It's unsettling, and disturbingly baring, and also... relaxing.

"Not everyone wants you to be someone else, Elsie." He's wrong about that, but I can smell his skin. It's good in a way that's primeval. Almost evolutionary. I hate it. "And I definitely wouldn't want you to be George."

He presses his lips together. He's even closer now. Surprisingly earnest. "It would be a waste."

"The real girl who wished to be a puppet," he murmurs, low and rumbly. 

"Analyze people. Turn yourself on and off."

mariola

Al igual que los otros libros de Ali, este lo leí en mi tiempo libre de la uni ya que son fáciles de leer. La dinámica de los personajes es muy buena y el tema de fake girlfriend o para el caso de Jack "forbidden love" pq pensaba que la protagonista era la novia real de su hermano es muy bueno jejejeje. La tensión también es muy buena jiji. Btw el "adviser" de ella siempre me cayó mal. 

Yoli

still my favourite Ali hazelwood book (of the ones I’ve read)

I really REALLY enjoyed this book! It’s a funny and satisfying read, or maybe I’m biased because I’m a stem girlie– which is why I understand why some people didn’t like this, but it’s perfectly my type!

The conflict was a bit meh for me, like come on… really? Over that? Not to be invalidating but yeah it was just a bit bland. Resolution was cute!! Honestly I adore Jack more, he’s so diverse and deep, and sensible. For me at least. 

It’s quite academic! Jokes and puns or even some proses might be tricky to understand but that’s the charm of it for me. I liked this A LOT! 

I really REALLY enjoyed this book! It’s a funny and satisfying read, or maybe I’m biased because I’m a stem girlie– which is why I understand why some people didn’t like this, but it’s perfectly my type!

The conflict was a bit meh for me, like come on… really? Over that? Not to be invalidating but yeah it was just a bit bland. Resolution was cute!! Honestly I adore Jack more, he’s so diverse and deep, and sensible. For me at least. 

It’s quite academic! Jokes and puns or even some proses might be tricky to understand but that’s the charm of it for me. I liked this A LOT! 

I love my silly little romance books and giggling over them. What else are we destined for if not enjoying things?

sophie <3

korfai 

Lili

this is the type of book that you can read in a day and it's fun to talk shit about, but kind of feels like scrolling on twitter. contemporary romance authors often add this girlboss liberal whitewash over their stories while still adopting problematic tropes. some people may like "insecure virgin girl" meets "guy with notoriously high body count," but it's not really my thing. of course jack, who is big and hot and experienced and big, saves the smart but emotionally incompetent (not to mention tiny) elsie. her emotional incompetence and womanness vastly outweigh her intelligence, so she needs a big strong man, duh. and did we mention that jack is big? his hands are big too, in case the author didn't say that enough times. perhaps marginally better than the love hypothesis, but the jury's still out.

zoe m

Charlotte Helie 

Tiana holt

This is such an easy read and made me giggle LOTS of times. On a more serious note, I really appreciate how the author always tackle the politics within academia — particularly, with the experiences of women. 

On the other side of the coin, while I greatly enjoyed this book, I cannot overlook how non-STEM characters seem a little too... comical. Like their traits is always impulsive, irrational, and etc. I know that is not the intention of the author but, yeah, just a personal sentiment.

I wish Ali Hazelwood can write my life and give me my own Jack Smith-Turner!

Actual rating: 4.75

This is such an easy read and made me giggle LOTS of times. On a more serious note, I really appreciate how the author always tackle the politics within academia — particularly, with the experiences of women. 

On the other side of the coin, while I greatly enjoyed this book, I cannot overlook how non-STEM characters seem a little too... comical. Like their traits is always impulsive, irrational, and etc. I know that is not the intention of the author but, yeah, just a personal sentiment.

I wish Ali Hazelwood can write my life and give me my own Jack Smith-Turner!



It was a fine read. Got a little bored in the middle and the plot didn’t really intrigue me to keep reading. JACK SO HOT THOUGH. I liked Ali’s other two books better. But overall it was an okay read it just took me a REALLY long time

Daniela Castrodes

Julia pinheiro

Cuuuuute.

Please give me a jack.

I deserve him.

But what was up with the random constant tentacle references, and her obsession with Alice and Bella? Also, weird mention of Woody and Buzz homoerotic energy (Girly, Woody and Buzz are part of a children cartoon series, there was no erotic anything)?! Someone needs to search the authors search history (lol). I'm fine with a little of this, because everyone has their interests, but it was literally every few pages. I honestly would've fled the scene if I was Jack. But I guess since she was attractive, he was fine with it.

Nonetheless, I liked this couple. I weirdly wanted there to be more arguing? I think I take enemies to lovers too seriously. Like, I was 60% through the book and didn't want her to give in? Make it make sense.

Sarah Campbell

This was a cute read.
But what was up with the random constant tentacle references, and her obsession with Alice and Bella? Also, weird mention of Woody and Buzz homoerotic energy (Girly, Woody and Buzz are part of a children cartoon series, there was no erotic anything)?! Someone needs to search the authors search history (lol). I'm fine with a little of this, because everyone has their interests, but it was literally every few pages. I honestly would've fled the scene if I was Jack. But I guess since she was attractive, he was fine with it.
Nonetheless, I liked this couple. I weirdly wanted there to be more arguing? I think I take enemies to lovers too seriously. Like, I was 60% through the book and didn't want her to give in? Make it make sense.
Anyways, cute read! 

oh my god this might be one of my favorite romance books ever! ali hazelwood outdid herself with the combination of academia & romance. this book was a slow-burn & had very realistic life experiences. there were so many times where my jaw dropped and i had to shut the book. definitely a page turner, i couldn’t put it down! elsie discovers a new perspective on life which i love! she’s able to set boundaries for herself and fully embrace her true, honest self. jack smith is (literally) a man written by a woman, he’s such a dream! these characters are unapologetically themselves in the best way! loved seeing the student emails too, it added a lot of humor to the story!

𐔌 . ⟡ shay .ᐟ ֹ ₊ ꒱

Rival physicists collide in a vortex of academic feuds and fake dating shenanigans in this delightfully STEMinist romcom from the New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis and Love on the Brain.
 
The many lives of theoretical physicist Elsie Hannaway have finally caught up with her. By day, she’s an adjunct professor, toiling away at grading labs and teaching thermodynamics in the hopes of landing tenure. By other day, Elsie makes up for her non-existent paycheck by offering her services as a fake girlfriend, tapping into her expertly honed people-pleasing skills to embody whichever version of herself the client needs.
 
Honestly, it’s a pretty sweet gig—until her carefully constructed Elsie-verse comes crashing down. Because Jack Smith, the annoyingly attractive and arrogant older brother of her favorite client, turns out to be the cold-hearted experimental physicist who ruined her mentor’s career and undermined the reputation of theorists everywhere. And he’s the same Jack Smith who rules over the physics department at MIT, standing right between Elsie and her dream job.
 
Elsie is prepared for an all-out war of scholarly sabotage but…those long, penetrating looks? Not having to be anything other than her true self when she’s with him? Will falling into an experimentalist’s orbit finally tempt her to put her most guarded theories on love into practice?

Love Theoretically

I have to confess, Ali Hazelwood is my secret obsession. Her women in STEM just manage to capture me every time. Even if her stories are somewhat very predictable, I eat it up again and again. The topics of this book were especially captivating (I tried to understand the chemical talk but I obviously failed lol). It was also interesting to read about academical politics and how they benefit and harm the people involved. 

In comparison to her other main novels, there is nothing spicy happening for a very long time, but when they finally got started towards the end, the couldn‘t seem to be able to stop themselves, which I think, kind of wrecked the story for me, as the fmc main focus got pushed too much to the background. 

But in the end i really liked this book. It’s a fun story with mildly deep and important scenes and banter and attraction, which imo anyone needs to read from time to time <3

Valentina

I have to confess, Ali Hazelwood is my secret obsession. Her women in STEM just manage to capture me every time. Even if her stories are somewhat very predictable, I eat it up again and again. The topics of this book were especially captivating (I tried to understand the chemical talk but I obviously failed lol). It was also interesting to read about academical politics and how they benefit and harm the people involved. 

In comparison to her other main novels, there is nothing spicy happening for a very long time, but when they finally got started towards the end, the couldn‘t seem to be able to stop themselves, which I think, kind of wrecked the story for me, as the fmc main focus got pushed too much to the background. 

But in the end i really liked this book. It’s a fun story with mildly deep and important scenes and banter and attraction, which imo anyone needs to read from time to time <3

ang 

god if you love me take all elsie hannaway and jack smith's suffers and give them to their families (no greg) 
+ they are probably the cutest couple i've ever read about

big ab

firstly, the poor characterization of having T1D pissed me off. people with t1d can eat whatever they want?? there’s also no way she could have afforded insulin w/ no health insurance and was just rationing her insulin and only passed out twice in two years. just no. AND IF YOU WERE TO PASS OUT, IT WOULDNT BE FROM ONE SINGULAR SLICE OF CAKE. IT WOULD BE BECAUSE YOU ARE LOW MOST LIKELY, NOT HIGH FROMFIVE BITES OF CAKE.
secondly, i do not believe that a stressed out overworked, underpayed, chronically single 28 year old woman has never masturbated. when that is a free, fun, relaxing solo activity.
thirdly, just no. i hated her so much. she’s 28 years old and acts like a 15 year old child. and i hate that shit. like so much. she wants a father figure, and he wants a child to take care of. it’s so nasty. however i did respect her love for twilight because me too.

Jennifer Gosnell

I DIDN’T WANT THIS BOOK TO END 😭 It was soooo good. The characters were amazing, the story was so compelling. I was a bit worried the scientific jargon would be too much (I was a poliSCI major, I don’t know shit about actual science), but it definitely wasn’t. Such a great story. This was my first Ali Hazelwood book, and I think I’m going to need to read her others now.

Linara K.S

This book could've been PERFECTION ! 
 
I loved Elsie this time around (unlike Olive), and Jack had dimensions (again, unlike Adam), which was a great discovery but it didn’t last long much like anything good ever does. 

Elsie’s inner dialogue was relatable and self-deprecating, which I love, and the banter between her and Jack is just chef's kiss so good. His stubbornness and immovable will were refreshing, but unfortunately, it didn't last. The setup, the side characters, and Elsie's backstory of why she is the way she is were great. EVERYTHING till the 60% mark was great. But then...
It turns out Ali just loves making her men simps and stripping them of their own personality.

Much like every other Ali Hazelwood love interest, Jack became an obsessed, uncharacteristically subdued version of himself when he was with Elsie. Every part of him that made him well... HIM went straight out the window. His need to please Elsie in every way possible was somewhat unattractive and made his character look desperate and unauthentic. He's a renowned physics experimentalist ffs. 

Oh, and don't let me get started on the third act breakup. That conflict was bs. It could've been resolved in one page, but Ali had to drag it out and make it as dramatic as possible. The third act really took 2 stars away (especially with Jack's new found pliable personality) -⭐️⭐️. Don't get me wrong, I love myself a respectful, muscled simp but not when it goes against their personality. At the end of the book, I felt cheated. I was promised another version of Jack and got a yes-man who was both unrealistic about his feelings and obsessed.


Side-note: I'm a woman in STEM, a chemistry and physics student who's about to apply for a masters degree in crystallisation, and that's exactly the subject Elsie and Jack research which was a happy coincidence. So bonus star for that alone +⭐️.

So in conclusion I,sadly, want to give this book 3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rebecca Hurd

So cute!! Loved the story and characters so much!! Perfect blend of academia and romance!! Learned some new big words as well which was a plus lol I’ll probably forget them tomorrow!! Ali is always an automatic buy for me her books never disappoint!!

Great book very well written, there are alot of scientific words throughout the book which didn't make sense to me 🙈 but I still enjoyed the read, very easy to get stuck into proper page turner. Warning very raunchy  in places 🤣🤣

Kathy gerrard

Maya 

3.5 stars 

Ali Hazelwood makes the perfect romance books to just relax into but also makes me want to rip my hair out bc I know no man will ever treat me this right 🥲

Zoe R

So good! Ali hazelwood never fails to deliver fun and light reads! 

mariola &
Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood

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