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16 Books Like the Love Hypothesis to Obsess Over

The Love Hypothesis is a phenomenon and has started a STEM romance wave. We created this amazing list of books like The Love Hypothesis so you can overcome that book hangover.

Love the enemies-to-lovers trope? What about workplace romances? We have them all right here!

*This post, Books Like the Love Hypothesis contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you.

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

Olive Smith is a Ph.D. student who does not believe in her ability to be in love. When her best friend develops a crush on someone she dated briefly, she decides to kiss the first man she sees in order to prove she is over him.

That one kiss happens to be with THE Adam Carlsen, an academic genius. The two decide to fake-date and what starts out as pretend, becomes something more- for Olive. I loved this fake dating, office romance novel and it has a well-earned spot on its list of the best romance novels of all time.

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Books like The Love Hypothesis with Characters in STEM

Raiders of the Lost Heart

Author : Jo Segura

Year : 2023

Genre : Romance

Spice Rating :💋💋💋💋

Age Range : 18+

Dr. Socorro “Corrie” Mejía, a spirited archaeologist, dreams of unearthing an ancient Aztec warrior’s bones from deep within the Mexican jungle. Her dream comes true when she is invited to a dig site, but she’s not alone.

Enter the infuriatingly handsome Dr. Ford Matthews, her rival since grad school, now sharing the spotlight and leading the dig. The jungle adventure takes a twist as they unite against a crafty thief, all while sparks fly between them.

Why Kirsten loves it

It makes me so happy when romances get original with their storylines. I’ve never read a romance set on an archeological dig site, so I loved it! This is a fun one for fans of Indiana Jones and Bad Ass women in Stem.

Find this book in : Books like the Love Hypothesis

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

I was not prepared for this book!  Reader beware that it is the Rosie Project with a sprinkle of Pretty Woman and a whole lot of 50 Shades. 

It is not offensive in the least but, I listened to this one, and let me say that I am very glad that my kids were not in the car.  I did not realize that some of the scenes would be graphic. 

It is a great romance with a neurodiverse main character named Stella who hires an escort to teach her about relationships and I loved it. This contemporary romance is definitely on its way to classic status and has a well-earned place on our list of books like The Love Hypothesis.

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

You know how this book is going to end even before you start reading it.  However, that does not make the journey any less enjoyable.  I found it to be cute and endearing.

Don Tillman is autistic and, as he’s the narrator, we get to listen to every unfiltered thought he has in his quest to find a wife. He approaches this in a scientific way and was a perfect pick for books like The Love Hypothesis . Don is also a character who reminded me of another favorite. If you loved this book, you can find more like it on our list of Charming Books Like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine .

A Brush With Love by Mazey Eddings

Harper is a dental student who has worked so hard over the past three years to get into the best oral surgery program in the country. She will not let anyone or anything stand in her way. Her determination and grit remind me of Olive and this book needs to be included on a list of Books Like The Love Hypothesis.

When Harper crashes into Dan, a first-year dental student, everything changes. Despite being determined to stay “just friends”, Harper is finding that harder every day.

I enjoyed this pick from our list of romance books. There are detailed descriptions of Harper’s anxiety which at times is completely debilitating. I liked the fact that this book looks at anxiety and depression as a part of these characters without glossing over the realities.

Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert

This was a book that I totally enjoyed.  I read reviews that people didn’t like Chloe.  They thought she was whiny and annoying.  I completely disagree. 

I thought that she was funny, quirky, and had more depth than I initially thought.  It is a well-written romance with a little more story than I usually find in this genre and for this reason

Find this book in Books like The Love Hypothesis / Books with Colors in the Title

The Love Proof by Madeleine Henry

⁣Is there a formula that can prove love exists? Madeleine Henry does such a great job of mixing love with a drop of science to create this love story that spans decades. ⁣Sophie Jones is a physics prodigy exploring time.

During her first week at Yale she meets Jake Kristopher and the two immediately start a romance. But when the romance starts pulling Sophie from school, their relationship is tested. ⁣

⁣Sophie throws herself into her work to prove what she has always known (I won’t spoil this adorable read but it’s perfect for a list of books similar to The Love Hypothesis ). I wish the book was a little bit longer because I want to know more.

Work Romances Books Like The Love Hypothesis

Book Lovers by Emily Henry

As soon as I saw what this book was about, I knew I wanted to read it. I love Emily Henry books. Nora is a literary agent who is a shark for her clients. Her life is books and will stop and nothing for her job or her little sister, Libby.

When Libby begs Nora to take her to Sunshine Falls, the setting of one of her most famous books, she reluctantly agrees. When they get there, the town does not look anything like the book describes. In addition, her literary nemesis, book editor Charlie Lastra is in Sunshine Falls.

Now, Nora and Charlie find themselves together in a plot twist neither of them could see coming. This amazing romance about books is perfect for our list of Books Like The Love Hypothesis and is a must-read if you loved the book.

The Ex-Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon

I picked up The Ex-Talk because I wanted to read a romance by a Jewish author . I loved that this one featured a biracial, interfaith couple.

The concept was cute – two radio show hosts fake a relationship to try to get ratings. Except they are pretending they already dated and broke up… which eventually leads to them dating.

This fake dating book was a cute, easy read. This is an office romance novel that is perfect for books like The Love Hypothesis.

If I Never Met You by Mhairi McFarlane

In this romance, Laurie is completely blind-sided when her partner of 18 years leaves her without warning.  When her ex’s new girlfriend becomes pregnant within months of the breakup, Laurie is devastated. 

When Laurie gets stuck in an elevator with Jamie (the office ladies’ man), they devise a plan.  Laurie can get back at her ex and Jamie can get a promotion by showing he has a respectable girlfriend.  But, as time goes by, it is harder to draw the line between fake and real. This is another office romance novel that is perfect for a list of books like The Love Hypothesis.

Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon

I’m an avid weather lover, so this was one of my most anticipated Winter 2022 new releases!

In this romance novel, weather girl Ari teams up with sports anchor Russ to get their feuding bosses back together Parent-Trap style. This sweet and hilarious office romance novel is perfect for a list of books like The Love Hypothesis as well.

Along the way, they kindle sparks of their own! There are lots of fun weather puns, adorable scenarios for both romantic pairs, and love scenes that aren’t for the faint of heart🔥🔥🔥.

The best part of all is that the book deals with REAL life issues like depression, body image, teen pregnancy, and complex families. 

If you love workplace romances, head over to our post 14 Hot Office Romance Books You Need to Read Now for more.

Enemies to lovers books similar to the love hypothesis.

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

When I learned that Tessa Bailey used Schitt’s Creek’s Alexis as her inspiration for Piper, I knew I had to read this grumpy sunshine romance.

After getting in trouble one-to-many times for her party-girl lifestyle, Piper and her sister are banished back to their late father’s hometown in Washington.

While she’s learning to be responsible and money-conscious for the first time in her life, she needs to try not to fall for a local fisherman, Brendan. This is a sailing novel with heat!

Find this book in Enemies-to-Lovers Books / Books similar to The Love Hypothesis / Emily Henry books .

Red, White & Royal Blue

Author : Casey McQuiston

Year : 2019

We don’t think about royals and the LGBTQ community because we don’t usually see openly gay royals, which is so sad in today’s society. And to think it all starts with a NYE kiss!

This charming book is a fabulous pick from LGBTQ romance novels. I crushed hard for their romance and found myself smiling the entire time. (Also love the nod to a female president…where do I sign up for one of those?) 

Trigger Warnings

The LGBTQ romance is charming but add in a female president and I am all in.

Why Jackie loves it

Not only is the relationship between these two charming but a female president and a royal angle as well makes this a must-read!

Find this book in : Royal Romance Books / Enemies-to-Lovers Books / New Year’s Books / British Romance Novels / Books With a Color in the Title / British Books

Bringing Down the Duke

Author : Evie Dunmore

Genre : Political Romance

More info: Book 1 of 4 from A League of Extraordinary Women

Spice Rating :💋💋💋

Evie Dunmore’s debut novel spanned a series of badass women during the Suffragette era. While the story is a romance, don’t let that fool you! You’ll get a history lesson on the suffrage movement in English History as well as a lesson on Estate and Inheritance laws — which were still of utmost importance a few decades later when Downton Abbey takes place.

Annabelle Archer has the scholarship to be one of the first women to study at Oxford. In order to keep it, she must spy on the Duke of Montgomery and try to persuade him to the suffragette’s cause.

The chemistry between these two crackled off the page in this romance. If books are up your alley, this book is perfect for you. I loved Dunmore’s portrayal of strong women who stuck to their guns.

Find this book in : Enemies-to-Lovers Books / Books Like The Love Hypothesis / Historical Romance Novels / Books like Bridgerton / Fiction Books About Women in Politics

Pride, Prejudice and Other Flavors by Sonali Dev

This book was my choice for a classic adaptation and I loved this contemporary fiction book it.  Food and romance are at the center of this book and I thought that it was done so well. 

It has all the classic conflicts of Pride and Prejudice with a fresh new spin that made the book so relatable and easy to read. The conflicts make it perfect for books like The Love Hypothesis.

If you love Enemies-to-lovers books , we have an entire post!

Fake dating books like the love hypothesis.

The Wedding Date (The Wedding Date #1) by Jasmine Guillory

This was such a fun read- it was perfect to take with me for a weekend away.  When Alexa gets stuck in an elevator with Drew, she makes the crazy choice to accompany him as a fake wedding date to a wedding the next day.  If you love fake dating books, this is one of the books like The Love Hypothesis you must read.

What she didn’t account for was the fact that there might be some real attraction between them.  She is a good girl and he is a commitment-phoebe.  Can they make it work? We think you’ll love this wedding book.

The Dating Dare by Jayci Lee

For the last two years, I have been emotionally dependent on romance books to take me away from the reality of the pandemic. Every time I think that things are looking up, I am thrown for a loop.

Tara does not do relationships because one heartbreak is enough. But, when she meets her best-friends new brother-in-law, sparks fly between them.

Suddenly, Tara finds herself in a dare to date the gorgeous and tempting Seth Kim without falling in love. This book was everything that I hoped it would be and is perfect if you loved the love hypothesis book.

More Books Like the Love Hypothesis

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

April 2022 gma book club pick.

I don’t even know where to begin with this unique contemporary fiction story. Elizabeth Zott is a chemist in the 50s when women were expected to know their place in society — their place being the kitchen and the home.

Elizabeth struggles to be taken seriously in her field and as a single mother, in this amazing book. So when an offer to host a cooking show for women is put in her path, she reluctantly takes it.

She uses her no-nonsense attitude and chemistry principles to teach the women in America to not only cook but to follow their dreams outside of the home.

Zott is a quirky character like Eleanor Oliphant with a charming daughter and a dog whose inner monologue is as quirky as hers. An absolutely wonderful book about motherhood! You can also find this book on our list of Books Like The Love Hypothesis as well.

Are you looking for the perfect book for your next book club? Check out our Lessons in Chemistry Book Club Guide. If you love this book and are looking for more, we also have 15 Books Like Lessons in Chemistry .

The True Love Experiment

Author : Christina Lauren

Felicity “Fizzy” Chen is a romance novelist who has never been in love and she is beginning to think she has lost her mojo. Connor Prince is a documentary filmmaker who is thrown off balance when he needs to create a reality TV show.

When he convinces Fizzy to be the star of this show, sparks fly. The two have undeniable chemistry but will this ruin the TV show that is supposed to be about finding Fizzy’s true love? The show is supposed to see if chemistry is the same as compatibility. It is in essence, the science of love.

This was a delightful celebrity romance and the science element makes it perfect for anyone looking for something like The Love Hypothesis.

Find this book in : Celebrity Romance Novels / Books like The Love Hypothesis / Ultimate Beach Reads 2023

Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood

Bee is a brilliant and unconventional scientist who lives by a strict code “What would Marie Curie Do?” She even has a secret Twitter account to help other female scientists in a male-dominated workplace.

When she is offered her dream job at NASA, she cannot wait to start until she realizes that she is not the lead scientist. She is the co-lead with her work nemesis Levi Ward. To make matters worse, he seems to be sabotaging everything that she tries to do. Could there be a better pick for enemies-to-lovers books?

Ali Hazelwood does an amazing job of writing fantastic romances while still including the struggles that women have to deal with daily.

Find this Book in Office Romances / Books Like The Love Hypothesis / Beach Reads 2023 / Audie Awards 2023

Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood

Any romance novel by Ali Hazelwood has become a must-read so, it is no surprise that I jumped at the chance to read her newest STEMinist romcom!

Elsie has learned to live two lives; an adjunct professor in theoretical physicist by day and a fake girlfriend the rest of the time (to make ends meet). She has also learned to read people and become the Elsie that they want her to be.

When she interviews for her dream job as a theoretical physics professor at MIT, her two worlds collide. How? I don’t want to ruin the surprise. Elsie learns what she really wants an how to ask for it in a delightful and charming way.

This steamy romance novel is a must-read from our ultimate list of beach reads. It’s one of my picks for the best romance books of 2023 too! If you are looking for books for summer, this one is for you.

The Complete List of Romance Tropes: Our 12 Favorites

Looking for more romances categorized by trope? Here are all my favorites.

Ultimate List of Romances

If you love The Love Hypothesis and all things romance, then this is the list for you! We have this list carefully divided by sub-genre.

Are there more books similar to The Love Hypothesis we should add to this list?

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As a mother of two boys, Kirsten rediscovered her life-long love for reading while choosing appropriate books for her children. She started this website with Jackie to share their passion for literacy with other moms and kids. She uses her years of experience in marketing and public relations to create quarterly magazines, implement social media strategy, and ensure the website content is relevant and beautiful.

Fall In Love With The Next 12 Books Like The Love Hypothesis

If you want books like The Love Hypothesis, this list is perfect for you. From fake dating to slow-burn romances, you'll be swooning.

Silvana Reyes Lopez

Silvana Reyes is a Mexican book blogger. She enjoys all types of sub-genres, but loves a good love story. Romance fiction is her heart and joy and you might find her screaming about book releases on her Twitter account.

View All posts by Silvana Reyes Lopez

Last year brought us The Love Hypothesis . And it quickly went viral. It’s not an overreaction to say that this title hit it big and continues to do so even eight months after publication. With endearing tropes and an interesting storyline, it wasn’t a surprise when it became an instant New York Times Best Seller! Even videos featuring it on TikTok have amassed over 202.1 million views and growing by the minute. Ali Hazelwood, you created a work of art, and we’re very thankful you blessed us with it. If you’re looking for romance books like The Love Hypothesis , take a look at this list immediately.

The story follows Olive Smith, a third-year PhD candidate, who kisses the first man she sees in order to make her best friend, Anh, realize that Olive is okay for Anh to go after her ex-fling. Soon after, Olive finds out that she kissed the grumpy hotshot professor, Adam Carlsen. Surprisingly, Adam follows along, and now everyone at school thinks they’re dating… and he’s not saying otherwise.

With a slow-burn romance and some of my favorite tropes — like fake dating — in the mix, it’s easy to fall in love with The Love Hypothesis . Luckily, Hazelwood already has a sequel, Love on the Brain , coming out August 23rd this year.

Until then, here are a few books that’ll satisfy that Love Hypothesis void in your life. I organized this list in a way that you could find books that have not only the same tropes as Hazelwood’s book, but also a similar vibe.

Slow-burn Books Like The Love Hypothesis

The Belle and The Beard by Kate Canterbary

After a life-changing event in her career, Jasper-Anne decides to run away from the city. Instead, she finds herself going to the rustic old cottage her aunt left her. But before she finally catches a breath, her grumpy next-door neighbor appears. Her plans slowly start to crumble when he enters the picture. Because Linden is everywhere and she cannot escape him. Nor does she want to.

A little bit of fake dating, annoyed-at-first-sight encounter, neighbors-to-lovers, and you have one big, exciting love story.

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The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas

Catalina is in dire need of a fake boyfriend to accompany her to her sister’s wedding in Spain. A little white lie sometimes does create irreversible problems. Lucky for her, her work nemesis, Aaron, lets her know that he’s available to help her out. Catalina, at first, isn’t too sure about this, but beggars cannot be choosers, and Aaron has officially become her fake boyfriend.

This slow-burn romance with a grumpy/sunshine dynamic is a sure favorite read if you enjoyed The Love Hypothesis .

Restore Me by J.L. Seegars

Since they met, Sloane and Dominic have been enemies. Whenever they are in the same room, they either ice each other out or they can’t stop bickering. They never agree on anything and they don’t plan to, ever. But life has other plans.

Now, Sloane and Dominic have to work together at work, creating moments where they have to spend time together. When Dominic saves her one night, their relationship quickly changes into something else. But how are they going to try a relationship when Dominic was her late husband’s best friend?

Gouda Friends by Cathy Yardley

After the worst night of her life, when she found out her boyfriend was cheating on her, Tam does the only thing that feels right at that precise moment: call her estranged best friend, Josh. They haven’t seen each other in years, but when Tam gives him the emergency code word that means she’s in trouble, it’s like no time has passed at all, and their friendship is still intact.

Tam decides to fly to Ponto Beach, where Josh lives, in order to regroup and fix her life immediately. They never thought about a romance between them throughout all those years; their friendship was too important to them. But being in closed quarters after so many years might finally bring their attraction out to the surface.

Grumpy/Sunshine Romance Books

Battle Royal by Lucy Parker

Two opposites attract in this delicious romance that will, for sure, grab your attention — and heart — very quickly.

Battle Royal follows Sylvie and Dominic, two bakers who don’t have much in common. Sylvie does colorful cakes while Dominic creates minimalistic sweets. They just so happen to have neighboring bakeries. Now, they have to work together as judges in this reality TV baking competition and… it’s going to be hard for them both because they kind of don’t get along.

Everything for You by Chloe Liese

Chloe Liese returns with Everything for You , the fifth book in the fabulous Bergman Brothers series. The series follows a Swedish American family of five brothers, two sisters, and their own happily ever afters.

This book stars Oliver Bergman who has been playing soccer at a professional level for years now. He’s a rising star who can clearly see a future in the sport. While Gavin, who happens to be the captain of Oliver’s team, is suffering a downfall. His body hurts constantly, making it impossible to continue to do his best on the field. One day, their coach assigns them to be co-captains, and it couldn’t come at a worse time.

Marriage For One by Ella Maise

Rose just got the surprise of her lifetime: a stranger just asked her to marry him. Obviously, it happens to be a marriage of convenience. Though Rose does not know what he gains from it, she definitely needs his help. That’s how Rose finds herself married to Jack, a grumpy, suit-wearing man.

This book also has a slow-burn romance that will make you swoon so hard! The pining and yearning in the story are unreal, you have never seen anything like this.

Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur

This title can also be in the fake dating category in this list, so double points! Written in the Stars introduces Darcy and Elle, two women who couldn’t be more opposite. Darcy has been dealing with her matchmaking brother and she’s tired of it, so when the latest blind date goes wrong, she comes up with a plan to fake date Elle. Love is the last thing on her mind, but the gorgeous Elle is easily breaking down her walls.

Fake Dating Books

I’m So (Not) Over You by Kosoko Jackson

When your ex asks for a favor… Well, this happens to Kian Andrews when his ex, Hudson, asks him to meet up at a café. Kian doesn’t know what to think of it, maybe Hudson wants to apologize for how they left things! But no, he has it all wrong.

Hudson wants Kian to be his fake boyfriend while his parents are in town. But after the dinner, things get more complicated when Kian is invited as Hudson’s plus one at a wedding!

Act Like You Mean It by Shae Sanders

You know those times when you see actors, models, or celebrities dating someone who also happens to be a celebrity and you feel like they’re doing it for publicity? Act Like You Mean It is that.

August’s reputation is not looking good. His publicist and team come up with a plan for him to fake date a Black socialite. Xandra knows all about pretend relationships. She does it quite often with other celebrities in order for their image to improve and for them to still be relevant. This time she’s asked to be famous actor August’s girlfriend, and after the contract is signed, their pretend relationship starts!

Dating Dr. Dil by Nisha Sharma

Oh, if only you knew how many times my family has asked me when I’m going to get a boyfriend and get married… I understand plenty of what Kareena feels. If only I had a cute fake boyfriend to let my family know I’m alright.

The only thing Kareena wants is to have a relationship like her parents and to be able to fix up her mother’s house. But when her dad announces he’s selling the house, she doesn’t know what to do. Her father, though, makes her a deal: if she can get engaged in four months, he’ll give her the house. Enter Dr. Prem Verma, the man she had a one-night stand with.

Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison

Lovelight Farms is about Stella, who owns a tree farm, but is in dire need of financial help to save it. Luckily for her, an influencer is doing a contest on social media with a pretty impressive cash prize. The thing is… she needs a fake boyfriend to participate.

Luka has been her best friend for years. When he finds out that she needs a pretend partner, he grabs the opportunity to make her see that they make perfect sense together rather than apart. He’s definitely not playing pretend.

I’m just like everyone else when it comes to trying to find my next great read. Sometimes I want books that are very similar to my favorites — like The Love Hypothesis readalikes mentioned here, or even books like Beach Read , The Kiss Quotient, or other romances — and sometimes I want something that’s a little outside my comfort zone. For these kinds of book recommendations and others, Book Riot’s tailored TBR service based on reading taste is perfect. Sign up here !

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17 Heartwarming Books Like The Love Hypothesis

Last Updated on November 28, 2023 by Louisa

If you’re in the mood for a sweet, tender, and gripping romance novel, then it’s no surprise you’re looking for books like The Love Hypothesis .

Although fake relationship romances are nothing new, what I loved about The Love Hypothesis was that neither of the main characters needed love. Love found them.

In fact, I even got asexual vibes from our protagonist Olive, which is two thumbs up from Epic Book Society!

I’m not a fan of fairy tale romances. I like my love stories to be real, believable, and more than just falling in love.

The Love Hypothesis delivers this effortlessly.

But what other books are out there that offer the same kind of romance? Are there any similar books to The Love Hypothesis that have that believable, witty storyline? 

The simple answer is yes! Here are some of my favorite books like The Love Hypothesis for those who enjoy a heartwarming romance story.

Affiliate Disclosure : This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through any of these links. 

Quick Answer: Top 3 Picks

But first, if you don’t have much time and need a book fast, take a look at my top three favorites:

Our Favourites!

#1 Best Highly Acclaimed Novel

The Spanish Love Deception by Elina Armas

• Written by a New York Times and USA Today bestseller
• Another fake relationship romance
• A witty storyline with a slow-burning angst romance

#2 Best in Contemporary Romance

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

• An adorable friends to lovers romance story
• From the New York Times bestselling author of Beach Read
• Winner of the 2021 Goodreads Choice Awards for Best Romance

#3 Best Romantic Comedy

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

• A funny enemies to lovers romance novel
• A New York Times bestselling author
• About a wedding where everyone gets food poisoning, except two enemies, who end up taking the honeymoon

Summary of The Love Hypothesis

But before I go into the top similar books, let’s quickly recap the story. Don’t worry, I won’t reveal any spoilers if you’re still reading!

The Love Hypothesis is a Tik-Tok sensation written by New York Times bestselling author, Ali Hazelwood. 

The story follows Olive Smith, a third-year PHD candidate who has always put her career first.

She has analyzed everything about her life and came to the conclusion that she doesn’t believe in long-term relationships.

However, her best friend is a hopeless romantic who won’t get off of her case.

In a rash decision to convince her best friend that her love life is fine, Olive kisses the first man she sees.

This man just happens to be Adam Carlson, a well-known hotshot professor. 

In a bid to get her friend off her case, the pair enter a fake relationship.

Despite his reputation for being a grade-A jerk, Adam surprises Olive with how supportive he is when she really needs someone in her corner. 

Could she be wrong about relationships all this time? This is a heartwarming medical romance novel with a fake relationship and a gripping storyline.

Books Like The Love Hypothesis

Now you remember what the story is about, it’s time to show you the top books similar to The Love Hypothesis …

1. People We Meet on Vacation – Emily Henry

Unlikely best friends Poppy and Alex live apart year-round, except for a singular week during summer vacation, which they’ve been spending together every year for a decade.

Until one trip changes everything and creates a rift between them that lasts for two whole years.

Emily Henry’s People We Meet on Vacation is sure to quench your thirst for books like It The Love Hypothesis .

It explores the complicated truth that stands in the way of Alex and Poppy’s perfect reconciliation, juggling various complex characters and the nuances that make up their relationships. 

An adorable friends-to-lovers romance, and the winner of the 2021 Goodreads Choice Awards for Best Romance, People We Meet on Vacation is an ode to being true to yourself and your feelings.

View it on:

2. The Unhoneymooners – Christina Lauren

In The Unhoneymooners , Olive Torres finds herself at her sister’s wedding and facing off against the handsome but irritating best man, Ethan Thomas – her nemesis.

Unfortunately, disaster strikes when the entire wedding party falls ill with food poisoning, leaving no one to take the honeymoon arranged for the bride and groom.

Ethan jumps at the chance to take it and Olive reluctantly agrees to join him in order to prevent him from going alone.

The pair travel to Maui for ten days of bliss in what should have been a straightforward holiday arrangement.

However, they soon find that pretending to be newlyweds is far more complicated than they anticipated as they start to succumb to their own desires.

Will this unlikely duo discover newfound love along with a beautiful island paradise?

In this romantic comedy, two unlikely individuals find themselves squared off in a love-hate match.

I loved how the characters progressed and not only found their liking for each other, but changed their overall mental attitudes.

Read my complete review of The Unhoneymooners here or you can find some similar titles to The Unhoneymooners here .

3 . The Spanish Love Deception – Elena Armas

The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas ticks all the boxes if you’re looking for a sizzling enemies to lovers, fake relationship romance story. 

It’s playful and funny, and restores your faith in love. The story follows Catalina Martín’s desperate attempts to find someone who’ll pretend to be her boyfriend for a transatlantic journey to a wedding in Spain. 

Although she cannot tolerate him, her colleague Aaron Blackford seems like the unlikely best choice—rather, the only choice Catalina has—and they embark on a trip that will change their relationship forever. 

Swoon-worthy and steamy, The Spanish Love Deception is a story about the rambunctious wedding that brings Catalina and Aaron together.

4. The Deal – Elle Kennedy

The Deal is part of the ‘Off Campus’ series by Elle Kennedy but can be read as a standalone novel.

Hannah Wells is a good girl with an interest in a boy, but she’s not confident in the bedroom.

To get his attention, she decides to step out of her comfort zone and tutors the cocky captain of the Hockey Team so they can arrange a pretend date.

Garrett Graham has only ever wanted to play hockey professionally, but he needs to improve his GPA if he hopes to reach his goal.

He’s initially only interested in improving his grades when he meets Hannah Wells, thinking of her only as a means to an end.

But one passionate kiss between them leads to an unforgettable night together – and suddenly Garett is questioning what he really wants for himself and for their relationship.

Can their deal of one fake date to seduce each other keep Garrett satisfied?

The story follows two people from different worlds who slowly realize that they may not be so dissimilar as they once believed.

Read my complete review of The Deal by Elle Kennedy here or find some similar books to The Deal here .

5. Beautiful Disaster – Jamie McGuire

If you liked The Love Hypothesis , then you will love Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire.

Meet Abby Abernathy: a good girl focused on her first year at university, not one for drinking, smoking, or swearing. And then there’s Travis Maddox – the playboy who gambles, fights and charms his way through every girl he meets.

When Abby outright ignores Travis’ advances, he takes it upon himself to get into her books by making a bet involving moving in together for a month if either of them lose.

Will they be able to win this bet or will it bring them closer than ever before? It’s a brilliant light angst romance novel with an unforgettable bad boy as the main character.

Related Reading: Books like Beautiful Disaster

6. Ugly Love – Colleen Hoover

Colleen Hoover is well known for her powerful romance stories, with just the right amount of suspense and a believable storyline.

If you loved the slow-burn relationship of The Love Hypothesis , then Ugly Love should be added to your reading list.

Tate Collins and Miles Archer feel something more than just a passing attraction when they meet, but neither are ready for love.

They decide on a set of ‘rules’ to keep things simple – such as never asking about the past and not expecting a future – but soon their arrangement becomes more complicated than either of them anticipated.

Things start to break down and their love gets ugly, but Tate finds herself unable to stay away from Miles and the dangerous yet electrifying connection they have created.

Related Reading: Books like Ugly Love

7. Restore Me – J.L. Seegars

Restore Me is a forbidden romance novel about finding love after loss. It’s similar to The Love Hypothesis in the way that the main protagonists are not looking for love, but love finds them.

It follows Dominic Alexander and Sloane Kent who are falling for each other hard, only Dominic is Sloane’s late husband’s best friend. Eep! 

At first, they hate each other. Sloan finds Dominic arrogant and dismissive, and definitely off the table given their history.

But little does she know that Dominic’s attitude towards her isn’t because he hates her…rather the opposite.

After one drunken night, everything changes…

With plenty of feels, laughs, and unexpected twists, this novel is sure to leave readers feeling like they’ve experienced something special.

8. Some Kind of Magic – Mary Ann Marlowe

Some Kind of Magic is the debut novel by Mary Ann Marlowe and what a first novel!

The story follows a hapless scientist who falls in love with a rock star — but is it love or chemical?

Eden Sinclair is a Biochemist and is unaware that the scent she spritzed on herself at the lab was not perfume, but an enhanced pheromone. 

When cute Adam Copeland, a grungy-looking guy she meets at a gig, who also happens to be a rock star who is loved by many women, she realizes the truth. Only she realizes after spending the night with him…

When this gorgeous rock god wants to see her again, Eden isn’t being honest about the spray. The thought that his attraction could be nothing more than a chemical reaction is too much to bear.

The only way to find out if the love is genuine is to ditch the perfume and see what happens…

The witty dialogue and thought-provoking conversations keep the pages turning as you follow this rock-star romance book with characters discovering love in a way neither one ever saw coming.

9. The Soulmate Equation – Christina Lauren

If you’ve already read The Unhoneymooners and you’re looking for other romantic comedies to get stuck into, then you’re going to love Christa Lauren’s other bestseller, The Soulmate Equation .

This book is similar to The Love Hypothesis in that it also has a storyline about two people bought together by science…or fate.

The story follows a single mom, Jess Davis, who is a statistics whizz. Her father was never around and her mother disappeared when she was six, and her ex decided he didn’t want to be a father – so she’s not overly fond of relationships.

But then Jess learns about a new DNA-based matchmaking company, GeneticAlly, and she’s intrigued. Can she find her soulmate through DNA?

When her test shows an impossible 98 percent match with the company’s founder, Dr. River Peña, she’s even more intrigued.

She already knows Dr. Peña and she knows he’s stubborn and arrogant. Hardly soul-mate material. But when she starts to get to know him, maybe the test wasn’t that far off…

Writing with insight and wit, this work is sure to leave readers captivated by its cleverly crafted characters searching for love despite the difficult obstacles they face.

10. Things We Never Got Over – Lucy Score

At first glance, you wouldn’t guess it from the cover, but Things We Never Got Over is a steamy bad boy romance book about Knox, a solitary barber. That is, until runaway bride Naomi shows up in town and turns his life upside down.

Naomi was running from her wedding and an evil twin who stole her car and cash – leaving her stuck with nowhere to go, not even a job. But what she doesn’t know is that she also has an 11-year-old niece in tow.

What started as a favor out of pity soon develops into something more as they both struggle against their own preconceived notions and try to find their happily ever after.

This single parent romance book brings together lust and love slowly as Knox realizes he’s found someone special despite wanting to stay away from high-maintenance women.

There are similarities between this book and The Love Hypothesis in that the love story is a slow burning story, but this one is more steamy!

11. Ever After Always – Chloe Liese

Ever After Always is the third book in the Bergman Brothers series, but each book can be read as a standalone story.

The story follows Aiden and Freya who are about to embark on an emotional rollercoaster of a journey in a slow-burn, marriage-in-crisis romance story. It’s a book about making love stronger and long-lasting.

Aidan has been in love with Freya for 12 years. She’s his wife, and best friend, and he wants to give her everything. Except there’s one thing he can’t give her – a baby.

With the pressures of family asking when they can expect a child, he starts to freak out. He starts pulling away from her, and soon she has had enough and she kicks him out. 

After being forced together to celebrate her parent’s long and happy marriage, the pair must battle to save their marriage and overcome their insecurities.

A story about taking chances for real connection and dealing with unknown consequences, this book brings together themes of family dynamics, personal growth, friendship and secrets.

12. Love on the Brain – Ali Hazelwood

If you’re looking for books like The Love Hypothesis , you can’t go wrong with another book by the same author, right?

Love on the Brain is the 2022 release by Ali Hazelwood and if you loved The Love Hypothesis , you’re going to love this one!

It has similar themes in that it’s another scientist-themed rom-com where a scientist is forced to work with her nemesis.

It follows the story of Bee Königswasser who is asked to co-lead a project with her arch-enemy, Levi Ward.

But when her equipment goes missing and the staff ignores her, she realizes that she may need the help of her nemesis after all.

As they work more closely together, sparks begin to fly, and no, it’s not just chemicals reacting in the lab…

An adorable, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy about an unlikely duo, this novel is filled with twists and surprises that will keep readers turning the pages.

13. Book Lovers – Emily Henry

In Book Lovers , Nora and Charlie share a mutual love of literature, but their professional relationship is one of polite dislike.

As they coincidentally meet more often, the tension between them shifts and starts to warm into something more.

This slow-burning romance book follows the same kind of storyline as The Love Hypothesis , with a delightful mix of wit and charm.

It will leave readers eagerly awaiting the next chapter to find out if Nora and Charlie will finally realize that what started as a mutual loathing may actually have been something else all along.

14. Make It Sweet – Kristen Callihan

Make It Sweet is an emotional romance novel about finding an unlikely love.

Emma has made a name for herself playing Princess Anya on a TV series, Dark Castle, but when her character gets killed off, it all starts going downhill for her. 

Soon after she’s canceled, she finds her boyfriend in bed with another woman.

She needs to get away. So she heads to the stunning estate of Rosemont, California for some much-needed relaxation and escape.

Only, things get complicated when she meets the owner’s gorgeous grandson and ex-hockey player.

It’s clear they have a growing attraction to one another, and yet they avoid each other.

But then one impromptu nighttime skinny dip changes everything.

This is the story of two people with broken hearts, trying to mend them again. Perhaps their hearts fit together after all…

Following a mismatched pair at the center of it all, it paints a vivid picture of what it’s like to balance love and reality in a charade of romance.

15. Must Love Cowboys – Carly Bloom

Must Love Cowboys is the third in the Once Upon A Time in Texas series, but each novel can be read as a standalone novel.

This is a sexy cowboy romance novel about a bookish beautiful librarian who is in need of a fake boyfriend for an upcoming wedding. 

After she starts tutoring a gorgeous cowboy, Beau Montgomery, who really needs help managing his spreadsheets, she asks him if he would mind being her date.

And he agrees. Only he has a secret – he’s had a crush on her since junior high!

To make matters worse, the town’s gossip mill forces them to keep their fake romance deal a secret and to continue after the wedding… what happens when all these secrets come pouring out?

With its combination of lovable characters, delightful moments of humor, and a chemistry that will keep you guessing until the end, this book will make you believe in the power of true love all over again.

16. A Not So Meet Cute – Meghan Quinn

Meghan Quinn is a USA Today bestselling author, and A Not So Meet Cute is one of my favorite pieces of hers. 

It’s a romantic comedy about a desperate billionaire looking to find a fiancée.

Often described as a modern-day Pretty Woman , this hilarious billionaire romance novel will have you howling throughout.

It starts when Lottie, a good girl who was just fired, decides to stroll around a wealthy neighborhood in Beverly Hills to search for a husband.

That’s when she bumps into Huxley, a man she takes an instant dislike to…but agrees to marry him anyway. Wait what…? 

In this romantic comedy, expectations are defied and hearts are won in surprising ways.

Readers can look forward to a refreshingly unpredictable journey filled with delicious tension, witty dialogue, and unexpected affection.

17 . The Summer Proposal – Vi Keeland

Another romance author I love is Vi Keeland, who, like Ali Hazelwood, is really good at combining humor with a romantic storyline I can believe.

The Summer Proposal is all about what happens after a blind date goes terribly wrong…

Georgia’s summer is about to get a lot more interesting when she meets Max, a captivating billionaire hockey player on the New York team.

As the sparks fly and the chemistry sizzles, it turns out that Max might be even more amazing than his dimpled smile suggests!

As they embark on a romantic adventure meant to help Georgia forget an old flame, they soon find themselves wondering if what they have can really only last one summer.

Will they take a chance and try to make it work, or will their romance be just another sweet memory?

This steaming hot sports romance novel that is sizzling with fire and passion. It’s a page-turner alright, and as it’s a steamy standalone novel, there’s no cliffhanger to spoil it.

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Final Word on Books Like The Love Hypothesis

The Love Hypothesis kept me hooked from start to finish and always intrigued by where the main characters would go.

I loved the slow-burning romance, the concept of a fake relationship, and a friendship turning intimate.

If you like these themes in your romance novels, then you are going to love the books highlighted in this guide!

If you have any more books like The Love Hypothesis that you’ve read and would like to share with other readers, let me know in the comments.

About Louisa Smith

Editor/Founder - Epic Book Society

Louisa is the Founder, Editor, and Head Honcho of Epic Book Society. She was born and raised in the United Kingdom and graduated from the University for the Creative Arts with a degree in Journalism. Louisa began her writing career at the age of 7 when her poetry was published in an anthology of poems to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee. Upon graduating university, she spent several years working as a journalist writing about books before transitioning to become a Primary School Teacher. Louisa loves all genres of books, but her favorites are Sci-Fi, Romance, Fantasy, and Young Adult Fiction. Read more Louisa's story here .

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10 of the best romance books like The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

I only share books I know and love. If you buy through my links, I may earn a commission (learn more).

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood is one of the most popular romance books of the last few years, offering STEM vibes and a plot that Christina Lauren has described as “contemporary romance’s unicorn: the elusive marriage of deeply brainy and delightfully escapist.”

The author of  The Love Hypothesis  has a pretty interesting background: originally from Italy, Ali Hazelwood lived in Germany and Japan before moving to the US to pursue a Ph.D. in neuroscience (and is now a professor).

Alongside her novels, Ali is also the author of peer-reviewed articles about brain science, in which no one makes out and the ever after is not always happy.

If you loved The Love Hypothesis , you might be wondering what similar books to read next. Read on for some of the best books like The Love Hypothesi s for brainy romance and much-needed escapism...

The best books like The Love Hypothesis to escape into next

1. the kiss quotient by helen hoang.

If you’re looking for another STEMinist romance with brainy characters like Ali Hazelwood's, read The Kiss Quotient . I think it's one of the best books like The Love Hypothesis .

I love Helen Hoang’s books. Not only are they quirky and clever, but they  also have incredibly well-rounded autistic characters . As a woman with autism spectrum disorder, I didn’t know this was something I needed to read. But it turns out I absolutely do.

When she was writing her first book,  The Kiss Quotient , Helen Hoang had  recently been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and folded her experiences into the story of Stella. She's a young and ambitious woman on the autism spectrum grappling not just with her love life, but who she really is.

2. The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren

The Soulmate Equation   is another binge-worthy STEM romance that's one of the top recommended books like The Love Hypothesis on Reddit.

In one thread , Reddit user PaisleyxPoet shared, "I think I liked it even better than The Love Hypothesis - but they’re both awesome."

Single mum Jess Davis is a numbers genius, but she’s yet to find a formula for love, especially while juggling a career with raising her daughter.

After another terrible date she’s prepared to give up on love for good, but then she hears about a new matchmaking service that claims to find you the One based on a DNA equation.

This seems like an answer to her prayers, until her test shows an unheard-of 98% compatibility with the company’s founder, Dr River Pena... and Jess already knows that Dr Pena is absolutely not her soulmate.

3. Book Lovers by Emily Henry

Described as “a rom-com lover’s dream of a book” by Taylor Jenkins Reid,  Book Lovers  is the delightful romance bestseller for 2022 from the author of  People We Meet on Vacation .

Nora Stephens’ life is books—she’s read them all, and she lands huge deals as a cutthroat literary agent for work. But Nora has long given up on the idea of being one of the heroines she reads about, other than for her clients and her little sister Libby.

When Libby begs her for a sisters’ trip away to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina, Nora expects a laid-back trip and small-town pleasures – not constant run-ins with Charlie Lastra, a bookish brooding editor from back in the city, who is absolutely not Nora’s hero… at least, that’s what she keeps telling herself.

4. Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren

In  Love and Other Words , Macy Sorensen is settling into an ambitious yet predictable routine as a new pediatrics resident : work hard, marry a successful and financially secure man, keep her head down, and not think too much about what her heart really wants.

But when she runs into Elliot Petropoulos, the first and only love of her life, the bubble she’s carefully constructed is popped.

Ever since he first became her gangly and bookish friend – and up until he coaxed her heart open after the loss of her mother, before breaking it again – Elliot was once Macy’s entire world.

In this bestselling book, love, loss, and the betrayals of the past collide. If you liked The Love Hypothesis , you should definitely read this.

5. Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert

In  Act Your Age, Eve Brown (Book 3 of 3 in  The Brown Sisters  series ), the chaotic life of Eve Brown crashes into an unwilling recipient: Jacob Wayne, an uptight B&B owner .

Jacob is always in control and expects nothing less than perfection from his staff… which now, unfortunately for him, includes the purple-haired tornado of Eve Brown who’s infiltrated his work, his kitchen, and his spare bedroom...

6. Only When It’s Us by Chloe Liese

Only When It’s Us  is a frenemies-to-lovers romance about a women’s soccer star and her lumberjack-lookalike classmate.

This standalone is the first in a series of novels about a Swedish-American family of five brothers, two sisters, and their wild adventures as they each find happily ever after.

7. Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood

If you loved The Love Hypothesis , you should 100% read more by Ali Hazelwood. In her 2022 novel  Love on the Brain , scientist Bee Königswasser is forced to work on a project with her nemesis—with explosive results.

Bee lives by a simple code: what would Marie Curie do? But when it comes time to actually make a move and put her heart on the line, there’s only one question that matters: what will Bee Königswasser do?

8. The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

For two sworn enemies, anything can happen during a Hawaiian trip of a lifetime in The Unhoneymooners , the bestselling romantic comedy and perfect beach read from Christina Lauren. In sharp contrast to her sister, Olive Torres is used to being the unlucky twin: from inexplicable mishaps to a recent layoff, her life seems to be almost comically jinxed.

But when there's a free honeymoon up for grabs, Olive will be damned if she misses out on ten days of bliss in Maui ... even if it means she has to enjoy paradise with her nemesis Ethan Thomas. The weird thing is... Olive doesn’t mind playing pretend. In fact, the more she pretends to be the luckiest woman alive, the more it feels like she might be.

9. The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

The Hating Game is a laugh-out-loud romantic comedy that's all about that fine line between hate and love.

You might think that reading about work sounds awful, but in this bestseller, sworn enemies Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman prove that it can be compulsively readable.

Both executive assistants to co-CEOs of a publishing company, Lucy and Joshua are now against each other for the same promotion… and the tension between them is reaching its boiling point.

10. The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas

The Spanish Love Deception was one of the best romance books of 2022, described by Helen Hoang as having "everything you could want in a romance".

This rom-com about a young woman who agrees to fake date a colleague and bring him to her sister’s wedding is addictively bingeworthy, and perfect to read next after The Love Hypothesis .

Catalina Martín would rather choose anyone but Aaron Blackford as her date – her tall, handsome, but totally insufferable colleague – but right now, she can't afford to be picky. And as the wedding draws nearer, Aaron looks like her best option.

For more feel-good unputdownable books to top up your to-read list, head over to my lists of the best new romance books for this year, the best beach reads for 2023 , the best binge-worthy books to read in a weekend, and the best feel-good books for happy reading. Enjoy!

Hi, I'm Lucy – thank you for reading! I'm a professional writer, lifelong bookworm, and the creator of Tolstoy Therapy. Drawing on my love for books and a degree in English Literature, I started Tolstoy Therapy in 2012 and have shared the most feel-good, cozy, and beautiful books for over a decade. After writing for tech companies for nearly 10 years, I now focus on my own websites and books while enjoying life and pastries in Copenhagen. For more book recommendations, subscribe to Tolstoy Therapy's weekly email to inspire your reading list.

15 Books Like The Love Hypothesis You Need to Read Right Now

Olive and Adam took the online book world by storm, propelling debut author Ali Hazelwood to the top of the New York Times bestseller list. Readers adored the nerdy couple with their banter, fake dating, and risqué relationship. Embodying some of those beloved romance tropes are the following 15 books like The Love Hypothesis.

Some of the titles on this list are just as well-known as The Love Hypothesis, while some are lesser known and pre-date the new steamy romantic comedy on shelves. Regardless, the following books should immediately be put on your TBR if you’re looking for a new couple to fall in love with.

About The Love Hypothesis

The Love Hypothesis combines many beloved romance and popular internet tropes. There is fake dating, a dash of enemies-to-lovers, an academic setting, and the grumpy one is soft for the sunshine one.

It introduces Olive Smith, a third-year PhD biology student who doesn’t believe in lasting romantic relationships. Unfortunately for her, her best friend Anh does. Which is how Olive finds herself panicking and kissing the first man she sees in an attempt to convince Anh that she is dating.

Even more unfortunately, for her, that man happens to be Adam Carlsen. He’s known around campus as the young hotshot professor with a very prickly demeanor. But for some reason Adam agrees to go along with Olive’s plan and pretend to be her boyfriend.

As with any good romance novel, sparks are bound to fly and banter is sure to ensue. Olive will discover that the only thing more complicated than a hypothesis on love is putting her own heart under the microscope.

Like many recent internet book sensations, The Love Hypothesis began as fanfiction. It originally was about Kylo Ren and Rey from Star Wars.

It is Hazelwood’s debut and propelled her to many bestseller lists, including the New York Times. The Love Hypothesis also won the Swoon Award for Contemporary Romance in 2021.

Author Ali Hazelwood describes her favorite thing in the world as exploring traditional romance tropes playing out in an academic setting. She is originally from Italy and lived in Japan and Germany before she moved to the US for her PhD in neuroscience.

In addition to The Love Hypothesis, Hazelwood has published three novellas that feature Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) leads.

15 Books like The Love Hypothesis

But now let’s dive into the recommendations for books like The Love Hypothesis. The below books all hit on one, or more, of the classic tropes Hazelwood uses in her debut. So whether you’re looking for more enemies-to-lovers, more academia, or more fake relationships in your romance books, your next read will definitely be on this list.

1. Beginner’s Guide: Love and Other Chemical Reactions by Six de los Reyes

Firstly has to be Beginner’s Guide: Love and Other Chemical Reactions by Six de los Reyes. This 2016 publication hits on many of the same themes as The Love Hypothesis; right off the bat it also features a female STEM grad student. This is the first book in the Talking Nerdy series, which has two books so far, and it takes place in the Phillippines where the author is from.

According to Kaya Rubio, twenty-five-year-old Molecular Genetics graduate student and research assistant, falling in love is a chemical reaction.

She is fed up with her spinster aunts’ relentless reminders and unsolicited advice regarding her Single Since Birth status. So, she designs a scientific, evidence-based methodology to find her a suitable partner in time for her cousin’s wedding.

As any good scientist knows, any valid experimental design requires a negative control. Enter the most unsuitable candidate for a potential boyfriend: The messy, easygoing, café owner Nero Sison.

Her null hypothesis? Going out with Nero would establish her baseline data without catalyzing the chemical reaction she seeks.

But when Kaya’s results refuse to make sense, she must conclude that there are some things in life that are simply, by nature, irrational and illogical. And that sometimes, chemistry doesn’t always happen inside a lab.

2. The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas

Next, this list of the books like The Love Hypothesis wouldn’t be complete with another 2021 BookTok sensation. The Spanish Love Deception also propelled an indie author onto bestseller lists. While it doesn’t take place in academia, The Spanish Love Deception does feature fake dating between co-workers and a healthy measure of enemies-to-lovers.

Catalina Martín desperately needs a date to her sister’s wedding. Especially since her little white lie about her American boyfriend has spiralled out of control. Now everyone she knows — including her ex and his fiancée — will be there and eager to meet him.

She only has four weeks to find someone willing to cross the Atlantic and aid in her deception. New York to Spain is no short flight and her raucous family won’t be easy to fool.

Enter Aaron Blackford — her tall, handsome, condescending colleague — who surprisingly offers to step in. She’d rather refuse; never has there been a more aggravating, blood-boiling, and insufferable man.

But Catalina is desperate, and as the wedding draws nearer, Aaron looks like her best option. And she begins to realize he might not be as terrible in the real world as he is at the office.

3. If I Never Met You by Mhairi McFarlane

Similarly, If I Never Met You also features a workplace romance and fake dating. Laurie and Jamie fall together due to circumstances, but just like Olive and Adam, their attraction will be impossible to deny.

When her partner of over a decade suddenly ends things, Laurie is left reeling — and not only because they work at the same law firm and she has to see him every day. Her once perfect life is in shambles. The thought of dating again in the age of Tinder is nothing short of horrifying.

When news of her ex’s pregnant girlfriend hits the office grapevine, taking the humiliation lying down is not an option. Then a chance encounter in a broken-down elevator with the office playboy opens up a new possibility.

Jamie Carter doesn’t believe in love, but he needs a respectable, steady girlfriend to impress their bosses. Laurie wants a hot new man to give the rumor mill something else to talk about. It’s the perfect proposition: A fauxmance played out on social media, with strategically staged photographs and a specific end date in mind.

With the plan hatched, Laurie and Jamie begin to flaunt their new couple status, to the astonishment — and jealousy — of their friends and colleagues. But there’s a fine line between pretending to be in love and actually falling for your charming, handsome fake boyfriend…

4. The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

The Hating Game is another debut that was met was roaring success and it has already been adapted into a movie. This recommendation for books like The Love Hypothesis is also a workplace enemies-to-lovers romance.

Lucy Hutton has always been certain that the nice girl can get the corner office. She’s charming and accommodating and prides herself on being loved by everyone at Bexley & Gamin. Everyone except for coldly efficient, impeccably attired, physically intimidating Joshua Templeman. And the feeling is mutual.

Trapped in a shared office together, they’ve become entrenched in an addictive, ridiculous never-ending game of one-upmanship. There’s the Staring Game. The Mirror Game. The HR Game. Lucy can’t let Joshua beat her at anything — especially when a huge new promotion goes up for the taking.

If Lucy wins this game, she’ll be Joshua’s boss. If she loses, she’ll resign. So why is she suddenly having steamy dreams about Joshua, and dressing for work like she’s got a hot date? After a perfectly innocent elevator ride ends with an earth shattering kiss, Lucy starts to wonder whether she’s got Joshua Templeman all wrong.

Maybe Lucy Hutton doesn’t hate Joshua Templeman. And maybe, he doesn’t hate her either. Or maybe this is just another game.

5. Dating Dr. Dil by Nisha Sharma

The first book in the If Shakespeare was an Auntie series, Dating Dr. Dil also features fake dating and two conflicting views on love just like Adam and Olive.

Kareena Mann dreams of having a love story like her parents. But she prefers restoring her classic car to swiping right on dating apps. When her father announces he’s selling her mother’s home, Kareena makes a deal with him. He’ll gift her the house if she can get engaged in four months.

Her search for her soulmate becomes impossible when her argument with Dr. Prem Verma, host of The Dr. Dil Show, goes viral. Now the only man in her life is the one she doesn’t want.

Dr. Prem Verma is dedicated to building a local community health center, but he needs to get donors with deep pockets. The Dr. Dil Show was doing just that, until his argument with Kareena went viral, and he’s left short changed. That’s when Kareena’s meddling aunties presented him with a solution: Convince Kareena he’s her soulmate and they’ll fund his clinic.

Even though they have conflicting views on love-matches and arranged-matches, the more time Prem spends with Kareena, the more he begins to believe she’s the woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with. But for Prem and Kareena to find their happily ever after, they must admit that hate has turned into fate.

6. The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren

The Soulmate Equation is next on our list of books like The Love Hypothesis as it shares similar scientific themes. Except in The Soulmate Equation it’s a DNA-based matchmaking company that is the lab expert.

Single mom Jess Davis is a data and statistics wizard, but no amount of number crunching can convince her to step back into the dating world. After all, her father was never around, her hard-partying mother disappeared when she was six, and her ex decided he wasn’t “father material” before her daughter was even born. Jess holds her loved ones close but working constantly to stay afloat is hard…and lonely.

But then Jess hears about GeneticAlly, a buzzy new DNA-based matchmaking company that’s predicted to change dating forever. Finding a soulmate through DNA? The reliability of numbers: This Jess understands.

At least she thought she did, until her test shows an unheard-of 98 per cent compatibility with another subject in the database: GeneticAlly’s founder, Dr. River Peña. This is one number she can’t wrap her head around, because she already knows Dr. Peña. The stuck-up, stubborn man is without a doubt not her soulmate.

But GeneticAlly has a proposition: Get to know him and we’ll pay you. Jess is barely making ends meet. So, she is in no position to turn the offer down, despite her skepticism about the project and her dislike for River.

As the pair are dragged from one event to the next as the “Diamond” pairing that could launch GeneticAlly’s valuation sky-high, Jess begins to realize that there might be more to the scientist — and the science behind a soulmate — than she thought.

7. The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

Up next in the books like The Love Hypothesis is the first in its series. Just like Hazelwood’s novel, it is a debut that features another STEM female lead who finds more comfort in numbers than relationships. It is also an own-voices novel.

Stella Lane thinks math is the only thing that unites the universe. She comes up with algorithms to predict customer purchases. It’s a job that has given her more money than she knows what to do with, and way less experience in the dating department than the average thirty-year-old.

It doesn’t help that Stella has Asperger’s and French kissing reminds her of a shark getting its teeth cleaned by pilot fish. Her conclusion: She needs lots of practice — with a professional.

Which is why she hires escort Michael Phan. The Vietnamese and Swedish stunner can’t afford to turn down Stella’s offer, and agrees to help her check off all the boxes on her lesson plan — from foreplay to more-than-missionary position…

Before long, Stella not only learns to appreciate his kisses, but to crave all the other things he’s making her feel. Soon, their no-nonsense partnership starts making a strange kind of sense. And the pattern that emerges will convince Stella that love is the best kind of logic…

8. Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

This next recommendation is slightly different from the other titles on this list of books like The Love Hypothesis. That’s because instead of fake dating, Red, White & Royal Blue begins with fake friendship between two enemies. The First Son of the United States of America and the Prince of England.

First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz is the closest thing to a prince this side of the Atlantic. With his intrepid sister and the Veep’s genius granddaughter, they’re the White House Trio, a beautiful millennial marketing strategy for his mother, President Ellen Claremont.

But international socialite duties do have downsides. Namely, when photos of a confrontation with his longtime nemesis Prince Henry at a royal wedding leak to the tabloids and threaten American/British relations. The plan for damage control: Staging a fake friendship between the First Son and the Prince. As President Claremont kicks off her re-election bid, Alex finds himself hurtling into a secret relationship with Henry that could derail the campaign and upend two nations. What is worth the sacrifice? How do you do all the good you can do? And, most importantly, how will history remember you?

9. Some Kind of Magic by Mary Ann Marlowe

Some Kind of Magic is the first in the Flirting with Fame series. It features a STEM female protagonist similar to Olive and an unlikely, at least on the surface, pairing. The male protagonist also shares the name of Adam.

Biochemist Eden Sinclair has no idea that the scent she spritzed on herself before leaving the lab is designed to enhance pheromones. Or that the cute, grungy-looking guy she meets at a gig that evening is Adam Copeland.

As in the Adam Copeland international rock god and object of lust for a million women. Make that a million and one. By the time she learns the truth, they’ve already spent the (amazing, incredible) night in his bed.

Suddenly Eden, who’s more accustomed to being set up on disastrous dates by her mom, is going out with a gorgeous celebrity who loves how down-to-earth and honest she is. But for once, Eden isn’t being honest.

She can’t bear to reveal that this overpowering attraction could be nothing more than seduction by science. And the only way to know how Adam truly feels is to ditch the perfume — and risk being ditched in turn…

10. A Lady’s Formula for Love by Elizabeth Everett

While the other titles on this list of books like The Love Hypothesis have been contemporary romances, the first book in The Secret Scientists of London series is a historical romance. However, while it reflects the societal norms of a different era, it also features a science-loving female lead.

Lady Violet Hughes is keeping secrets. First, she founded a clandestine sanctuary for England’s most brilliant female scientists. Second, she is using her genius on a confidential mission for the Crown.

But the biggest secret of all? Her feelings for protection officer Arthur Kneland.

Solitary and reserved, Arthur learned the hard way to put duty first. But the more time he spends in the company of Violet and the eccentric club members, the more his best intentions go up in flames. Literally.

When a shadowy threat infiltrates Violet’s laboratories, endangering her life and her work, scientist and bodyguard will find all their theories put to the test — and learn that the most important discoveries are those of the heart.

11. The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite

Continuing with another historical romance recommendation is the first book in the Feminine Pursuits series. With a similar title to our previous recommendation it is also a historical romance featuring a female STEM protagonist.

As Lucy Muchelney watches her ex-lover’s sham of a wedding, she wishes herself anywhere else. It isn’t until she finds a letter from the Countess of Moth, looking for someone to translate a ground-breaking French astronomy text, that she knows where to go. Showing up at the Countess’ London home, she hoped to find a challenge, not a woman who takes her breath away.

Catherine St Day looks forward to a quiet widowhood once her late husband’s scientific legacy is fulfilled. She expected to hand off the translation and wash her hands of the project.

Instead, she is intrigued by the young woman who turns up at her door, begging to be allowed to do the work, and she agrees to let Lucy stay. But as Catherine finds herself longing for Lucy, everything she believes about herself and her life is tested.

While Lucy spends her days interpreting the complicated French text, she spends her nights falling in love with the alluring Catherine. But sabotage and old wounds threaten to sever the threads that bind them. Can Lucy and Catherine find the strength to stay together or are they doomed to be star-crossed lovers?

12. Out of Character by Annabeth Albert

This is the second book in the True Colors series, but as with many romance series, this features tangential characters. Therefore, reading the first book beforehand isn’t necessary, but it may heighten your enjoyment of this one. This recommendation for books like The Love Hypothesis shares similar nerdy banter and hidden feelings.

Jasper Quigley is tired of being everyone’s favorite sidekick. He wants to become the hero of his own life, but that’s not going to happen if he agrees to help out his former best friend turned king of the jocks, Milo Lionetti. High school was miserable enough, thanks, and Jasper has no interest in dredging up painful memories of his old secret crush.

But Milo’s got nowhere else to go. His life is spiraling out of control and he’s looking to turn things back around.

Step one? Replace the rare Odyssey cards he lost in an idiotic bet. Step two? Tell his ex-best-friend exactly how he feels — how he’s always felt.

Jasper may be reluctant to reopen old wounds, but he never could resist Milo. There’s a catch, though: If Milo wants his help, he’s going to have to pitch in to make the upcoming children’s hospital charity ball the best ever. But as the two don cosplay for the kids and hunt for rare cards, nostalgia for their lost friendship may turn into something even more lasting…

13. Beach Read by Emily Henry

Our next recommendation does not feature academia or co-workers, but Augustus and January do share the same profession. They’re both authors, albeit in very different genres. What ensues is a sizzling slow burn between this unlikely pair which makes it the perfect, as the title would suggest, beach read.

Augustus Everett is an acclaimed author of literary fiction. January Andrews writes bestselling romance. When she pens a happily ever after, he kills off his entire cast.

They’re polar opposites.

In fact, the only thing they have in common is that for the next three months, they’re living in neighboring beach houses, broke, and bogged down with writer’s block.

Until, one hazy evening, one thing leads to another and they strike a deal designed to force them out of their creative ruts: Augustus will spend the summer writing something happy, and January will pen the next Great American Novel.

She’ll take him on field trips worthy of any rom-com montage, and he’ll take her to interview surviving members of a backwoods death cult (obviously). Everyone will finish a book and no one will fall in love. Really.

14. Not the Girl You Marry by Andie J. Christopher

Similar to The Love Hypothesis, Not the Girl You Marry also features fake dating. It is a retelling of the popular early-2000s movie How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and the first book in The Nolans series.

Jack Nolan is a gentleman, a journalist, and unlucky in love. His viral success has pigeon-holed him as the how-to guy for a buzzy, internet media company instead of covering hard-hitting politics. Fed up with his fluffy articles and the app-based dating scene as well, he strikes a deal with his boss to write a final piece de resistance: How to Lose a Girl.

But this is easier said than done when the girl he meets is Hannah Mayfield, and he’s not sure he wants her to dump him.

Hannah is an extremely successful event planner who’s focused on climbing the career ladder. Her firm is one of the most prestigious in the city, and she’s determined to secure her next promotion. But Hannah has a bit of an image problem.

She needs to show her boss that she has range, including planning dreaded, romantic weddings. Enter Jack. He’s the perfect man to date for a couple weeks to prove to her boss that she’s not scared of feelings.

Before Jack and Hannah know it, their fake relationship starts to feel all too real — and neither of them can stand to lose each other.

15. Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood

Finally, the last recommendation for books like The Love Hypothesis must be the upcoming new novel by author Ali Hazelwood. If you fell in love with Hazelwood’s writing in The Love Hypothesis, the highly-anticipated next book by her will be sure to please you. Just like her debut, this book features fun banter, nerdy references, and two brilliant scientist leads.

Like an avenging, purple-haired Jedi bringing balance to the mansplained universe, Bee Königswasser lives by a simple code: What would Marie Curie do?

If NASA offered her the lead on a neuroengineering project — a literal dream come true after years scraping by on the crumbs of academia — Marie would accept without hesitation. Duh. But the mother of modern physics never had to co-lead with Levi Ward.

Sure, Levi is attractive in a tall, dark, and piercing-eyes kind of way. And sure, he caught her in his powerfully corded arms like a romance novel hero when she accidentally damseled in distress on her first day in the lab. But Levi made his feelings toward Bee very clear in grad school — archenemies work best employed in their own galaxies far, far away.

Now, her equipment is missing, the staff is ignoring her, and Bee finds her floundering career in somewhat of a pickle. Perhaps it’s her occipital cortex playing tricks on her, but Bee could swear she can see Levi softening into an ally, backing her plays, seconding her ideas…devouring her with those eyes. And the possibilities have all her neurons firing.

But when it comes time to actually make a move and put her heart on the line, there’s only one question that matters: What will Bee Königswasser do? 

Final thoughts on books like The Love Hypothesis

If you find yourself wanting to read more romances like the one between Olive and Adam, now you have 15 books like The Love Hypothesis to add to your TBR. Whether you fell in love with this book for its workplace romance, enemies-to-lovers charm, or compelling fake dating trope, hopefully you’ve found a new favorite book with this list of recommendations.

Looking for more book recommendations?

Check out this list of 15 books like Red, White & Royal Blue or this list of the Best Colleen Hoover Books .

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20 Books Like The Love Hypothesis

Ali Hazelwood is a bestselling author who has written 7 novels, but her most popular and well-received is The Love Hypothesis .

The Love Hypothesis is the ultimate fake romance novel, but it manages to make this relatively common trope feel fresh and exciting with its workplace setting and themes of science and academia.

In this novel, Olive Smith, a Ph.D. candidate in her third year, sets out to convince her best friend that she has moved on from her past relationship.

To do this, she impulsively kisses the widely-disliked Professor Adam Carlsen, and the two agree to enter into a fake relationship .

What follows is a series of comedic, yet emotional events that lead both Olive and Adam to question whether their facade could turn into something more.

If you’ve finished The Love Hypothesis and want to read another book with similar themes, check out our list of recommendations!

Including another book by Ali Hazel wood herself, as well as romantic comedies by other writers, we’ve found 20 books like The Love Hypothesis centering around complicated romance, coworker relationships, shared interests, and unexpected pairings that we think you’ll enjoy!

If The Love Hypothesis is one of your favorite books, we hypothesize that you’ll also love novels such as The Spanish Love Deception, Love on the Brain, The Hating Game , If I Never Met You, and I’m So (Not) Over You. Here are 20 more books like The Love Hypothesis for your reading list.

Themes In The Love Hypothesis

(fake) romance.

At its core, The Love Hypothesis is a romance novel, but it specifically makes use of the fake romance trope.

The fake romance trope is exactly what it sounds like: when two characters put on a show of being in a relationship when they are not really romantically involved.

This is a really interesting way to start a romance novel because both characters are adamant that they are not interested in one another while simultaneously putting themselves into situations and dynamics that can easily spark romantic feelings.

In The Love Hypothesis, one of the main themes is academia – specifically, in the field of STEM.

Olive, the protagonist, is a third-year Ph.D. candidate researching pancreatic cancer, while her love interest, Adam, is a Biology professor.

While the biology lab may not be everyone’s first thought for a romantic setting, this makes the book more interesting since it’s out of the ordinary and allows for some genuine bonding between the main characters.

The academic setting of the novel also contributes a sense of tension and raises the stakes, since this is an environment in which deviating from the rules is frowned upon. And, of course, there’s the issue of the novel’s next big theme…

Workplace Relationships

Because Olive is a Ph.D. student and Adam is a professor, there is inherently a power dynamic in this pairing. This complicates the plot and the relationship between the main characters, as does any workplace relationship.

Workplace relationships are a common theme in romance novels because it’s a great way to have two characters thrown together, even if they don’t like each other at first.

You’ll see coworker and business relationships pop up repeatedly throughout our recommendations, both in scientific fields and in other career paths.

Books Like The Love Hypothesis

The spanish love deception by elena armas.

The Spanish Love Deception is a romantic comedy novel that uses the fake dating trope just as expertly as The Love Hypothesis.

However, instead of the romance unfolding in an academic setting, the premise is that the protagonist, Catalina, is looking for a date to attend her sister’s wedding.

It does still have a workplace element, though, so if that’s what you loved about The Love Hypothesis, you’ll enjoy this novel, too.

Catalina has been lying to her family about her relationship status, and now that her sister’s wedding is approaching, the cat is about to get out of the bag.

Unless, that is, she takes up her colleague, Aaron Blackford, on his offer to be her fake date. Despite disliking Aaron, Catalina agrees to bring him to Spain.

As drama and awkwardness unfold, however, her feelings begin to change.

• Consistent tension and drama keep readers interested
• Subtle and believable romance
• Deals with relatable real-life issues
• Slightly longer than it needed to be

Themes: Fake dating, workplace romance, family dynamics, enemies to lovers, appearances, trust

The Kiss Quotient By Helen Hoang

If you’re part of the BookTok community, you may already have heard of The Kiss Quotient.

In this novel, the protagonist, Stella, believes that everything in the universe comes down to a mathematical calculation.

Determined to expand on her limited dating experience, Stella hires Michael (an escort) for practice purposes, but she soon begins to realize that no algorithm could have predicted her feelings as her relationship with Michael develops.

As in The Love Hypothesis, there is a central theme of math and scientific theory running through this novel, which only serves to heighten the romantic elements of the plot by contrast.

The Love Hypothesis fans will enjoy watching the once purely transactional dynamic between the two protagonists unfold into something more.

• Easy to read
• Well-paced slow burn
• Explores neurodivergence sensitively
• Subplots are much less interesting than the main plot

Themes: Romance, math, science, neurodivergence

Beginner’s Guide: Love And Other Chemical Reactions By Six de los Reyes

Beginner’s Guide: Love and Other Chemical Reactions is the first of two books in the Talking Nerdy series.

The protagonist is Kaya Rubio, who is a twenty-five-year-old research assistant in the field of Molecular Genetics.

Kaya has never been in a relationship and has never particularly wanted one, but her family’s constant pressure leads her to design a scientific method for finding a boyfriend.

When Kaya meets Nero Sison, the complete opposite of everything she thinks she wants in a partner, she sees him as the perfect negative control, but her feelings toward Nero take her by surprise.

Beginner’s Guide presents a different take on the fake dating trope seen in The Love Hypothesis, with one partner rather than both entering into the relationship under false pretenses rather than both parties coming to an agreement ahead of time.

• Easy and quick to get through
• Funny and light-hearted
• A great read for science-lovers
• The chemistry between the main characters is lacking in places

Themes: Fake dating, science, family dynamics, romance, experiments

Lovelight Farms By B.K. Borison

Lovelight Farms is different from the other books we’ve recommended for fans of The Love Hypothesis so far, mainly because it doesn’t feature scientific or mathematical themes (apart from the data analyst love interest), or a coworker romance.

However, if you love the fake dating trope and want to see it in other settings, you’ll adore this heartwarming, Christmas-themed romantic comedy.

Stella’s Christmas tree farm is in danger of being closed down, and when she hears of an Instagram competition with a huge cash prize, she jumps at the chance to enter.

However, to win, she needs to make the farm appear to be a romantic destination.

To do this, she convinces her best friend Luka to pretend to be her boyfriend, but it turns out that both Luka and Stella have deeper feelings than friendship for one another.

• Cute and heartwarming premise
• Light-hearted, fun mystery subplot
• Perfect for the holiday season
• Fairly slow-paced at the beginning

Themes: Holidays, fake dating, friends to lovers, romance

Some Kind Of Magic By Mary Ann Marlowe

Some Kind of Magic is Mary Ann Marlow’s debut novel. The story follows Eden Sinclair, a biochemist, who accidentally enhances her pheromones in the lab one day and attracts the attention of rock star Adam Copeland.

By the time Eden figures out the cause of Adam’s intense interest, the two are already dating.

At this point, Eden is caught in a dilemma: stop using the perfume and risk losing an incredible relationship, or live with the guilt of her secret.

As Eden’s relationship with Adam develops further, the stakes get even higher, and the decision gets all the more difficult to make.

Like The Love Hypothesis, this novel has scientific undercurrents to the romance plot, so if you’re interested in literal chemistry as well as the dating kind, this is the book for you.

• The interesting and fun main character
• Witty and amusing throughout
• The fresh and suspenseful plot
• Quite slow-paced for the most part

Themes: Chemistry, romance, deception, honesty, moral dilemma

Dating Dr. Dil By Nisha Sharma

In Dating Dr. Dil, the reader is introduced to Kareena Mann, who has always dreamed of finding a love like her parents’.

After making a deal with her father to find her soulmate in exchange for the gift of her parents’ house, Kareena meets a cardiologist and host of the Dr. Dil Show, Prem.

When Prem’s reputation is damaged by the public response to his interview with Kareena, the two begin dating in an attempt to salvage his image, but the real feelings that develop are beyond what either of them could have expected.

Another novel that explores the intersection between science and love, Dating Dr. Dil is a great example of both the fake dating and enemies-to-lovers tropes.

• Strong female protagonist
• An easy, fast-paced read
• Some very funny moments
• Feels repetitive in places

Themes: Science, medicine, love, enemies to lovers, fake dating

Act Like You Mean It By Shae Sanders

Act Like You Mean It is a fascinating romance novel that plays with the concept of actors pretending to be romantically involved, and takes it offscreen.

In this novel, Hollywood leading man August Chambers is looking for a (fake) girlfriend that his fanbase will approve of to boost his image.

When socialite Xandra Nicole agrees to play the public role of his partner, both parties realize that they are experiencing real feelings for one another… The only problem is, how do you know what’s real or not in Hollywood?

Admittedly, this book might seem quite different from The Love Hypothesis at first, mostly because there’s no scientific theme here.

However, it still has two main characters in roughly the same industry engaging in the fake dating trope.

• Intriguing premise
• Romance feels realistic and raw
• Good character development in a short space of time
• Fairly slow-paced

Themes: Fake dating, fame, appearances, media, romance

Book Lovers By Emily Henry

Emily Henry is a very successful romance author, and Book Lovers is one of her most beloved works.

Luckily for fans of The Love Hypothesis, it also features two protagonists in roughly the same line of work: literary agent Nora, and editor Charlie.

When Nora takes a trip to North Carolina, she finds herself running into Charlie repeatedly – something that doesn’t delight either of them.

However, fate seems to want these two book lovers to come together, and that’s exactly what happens, in the most unexpected ways.

Although there’s no fake romance plot line in Book Lovers, the enemies-to-lovers trope is expertly handled, and the shared interest both protagonists share in literature helps to bring them together, similar to Olive and Adam in The Love Hypothesis.

• Emotional and touching
• Characters have unique quirks
• Ideal plot for writers and bookworms
• Heavy themes sometimes overshadow the romance

Themes: Literature, vacation romance, fate, enemies to lovers

The Hating Game By Sally Thorne

The Hating Game has been adapted for the big screen and is one of bestselling author Sally Thorne’s most well-received works.

It tells a classic enemies-to-lovers story in which colleagues Lucy and Joshua compete for the same promotion, with unexpected consequences.

Joshua and Lucy are complete opposites, despite both working as executive assistants in the same publishing company.

They actively despise each other, but when the tension mounts between them in the run-up to a big promotion, they find that their contempt for one another may mask some more tender feelings.

This workplace romance is the perfect follow-up read for bookworms who loved the colleagues-to-lovers relationship in The Love Hypothesis.

• Believable use of enemies-to-lovers
• Fun and easy to read
• Well-written and developed characters
• Quite cheesy in places

Themes: Workplace romance, enemies to lovers, opposites attract competition, career, ambition

Battle Royal By Lucy Parker

Anyone who loves the enemies-to-lovers trope and romance between people in the same line of work as in The Love Hypothesis, you’ll really enjoy Battle Royal, particularly if you love baking.

In this novel, Sylvie is a famous baker following her appearance on a popular baking show.

Dominic is famed for being a favorite baker of the King himself and was the one to vote Sylvie off the show years ago. Not only that, but their personalities are total opposites.

Dominic and Sylvie must now compete for the opportunity to bake Princess Rose’s wedding cake, bringing tensions between them to an all-time high in this romantic comedy .

• Heart-warming concept and story
• Some funny moments throughout
• Perfect for baking enthusiasts
• Lots of minor plots can get confusing

Themes: Baking, competition, enemies to lovers, and opposites attract

The Unhoneymooners By Christina Lauren

We recommend The Unhoneymooners to readers who enjoyed The Love Hypothesis as well as other similar novels, like The Spanish Love Deception (see above).

This is another book that uses the enemies-to-lovers trope in the context of a destination wedding. It also has a fake romance plot, like the one we see in The Love Hypothesis.

Olive is dreading attending her twin sister’s wedding, and she dreads having to spend time with the groom’s best man, Ethan, even more.

That is until the whole wedding party except Olive and Ethan come down with food poisoning and the two get the opportunity to go on a honeymoon to Maui together.

As they pretend to be a couple, the tension between these sworn enemies begins to soften.

• Classic enemies-to-lovers story
• Humorous and light-hearted
• Good escapism
• Two authors’ writing styles are identifiable

Themes: Vacation, enemies to lovers, fake dating, family drama

I’m So (Not) Over You By Kosoko Jackson

I’m So (Not) Over You is one of the most interesting takes on the fake dating trope we’ve seen, so it’s the perfect follow-up read for fans of The Love Hypothesis.

In this romantic comedy, Kian Andrews gets a text from his ex, Hudson. As it turns out, Hudson wants Kian to stand in as his fake boyfriend to maintain the image of a relationship while his family are visiting.

Then, in an unexpected turn, Kian is invited to be Hudson’s plus one at a wedding.

Pretending to be romantically involved again has both Kian and Hudson questioning whether their feelings for one another are really in the past after all.

• Easy and enjoyable to read
• Explores important societal issues
• Uses common tropes in fresh ways
• Possibly longer than necessary

Themes: Fake dating, marriage, family, career, heartbreak, reconnection

Beach Read By Emily Henry

Beach Read by Emily Henry has been one of the most talked-about romance novels in recent years. If you enjoyed The Love Hypothesis, especially if you’ve also read Book Lovers, this is the romantic comedy for you.

Augustus and January are total opposites of one another. They’re both authors, but while Augusts writes prestigious literary fiction , January is a romance author.

These writers find themselves in beach houses next to each other for three months over the summer, both trying to get over their writer’s block.

Neither one of them would have thought the other could help them out of their predicament until they agree to try swapping genres.

Another novel about two people in the same field of work, this one skips the fake romance and enemies-to-lovers tropes and delivers on feel-good, opposites attract romance.

It’s a great read if you don’t want to deal with a lot of tension and just want a classic romantic comedy to escape into.

• Funny and feel-good
• Tackles difficult themes such as depression well
• An interesting read for literary professionals
• Romance feels cliché in places

Themes: Writing, vacation, mental health, opposites attract, romance

The Soulmate Equation By Christina Lauren

The Soulmate Equation takes us back to the science-themed romance of The Love Hypothesis with a story about a statistics-obsessed single mom who is cynical about the idea of love.

However, when she hears about a matchmaking company that pairs people based on their DNA, Jess knows she has to give it a try.

After matching with scientist Dr. River Pena, whom she already knows and has never liked, Jess is confused but agrees to get to know him in order to claim a monetary reward from the company.

What follows is the world’s most romantic scientific experiment and an excellent romantic comedy for The Love Hypothesis fans.

• Interesting take on enemies to lovers
• Compelling chemistry between characters
• Powerful insight into the protagonist’s emotions
• Slow burn for the most part

Themes: Science, online dating, romance, enemies to lovers, experiments

My Mechanical Romance By Alexene Farol Follmuth

My Mechanical Romance is a YA novel with similar themes to The Love Hypothesis, except instead of the biology lab, our two love interests meet in engineering class.

Bel is the only girl in the class, and Teo wants her on the robotics team, not just because she has talent, but because he has feelings for her.

Bel is strong-willed and challenges Teo at every turn, but could romance still blossom as Bel navigates the difficulties of being a woman in STEM?

This is another great read for those who loved The Love Hypothesis because of its focus on women in STEM.

• Very funny at points
• Discusses the reality of being a woman in STEM
• Unrealistic dialogue in places

Themes: STEM, engineering, gender roles, romance, female empowerment

Love On The Brain By Ali Hazelwood

If you loved The Love Hypothesis and want to read more by Ali Hazelwood, the next read we recommend is Love on the Brain.

This romantic comedy also takes place in an academic setting and while it doesn’t feature fake dating, it does have a compelling enemies-to-lovers storyline.

Bee has always dreamed of working for NASA and idolizes Marie Curie. When she’s asked to co-lead with Levi Ward, with whom she has never seen eye to eye, she is understandably hesitant.

However, as the project goes on, she starts to suspect that her handsome colleague may have some feelings for her. But will Bee confront Levi about his feelings for a chance at love?

• Witty and amusing
• The same writing style as The Love Hypothesis
• Likable protagonists
• Some readers find it too similar to The Love Hypothesis

Themes: Science, romance, career, ambition, enemies to lovers

A Lady’s Formula For Love By Elizabeth Everett

A Lady’s Formula for Love is the perfect bookshelf addition for The Love Hypothesis fans who are also interested in historical fiction.

This book has many of the same themes as The Love Hypothesis, including women in science, but it’s set in Victorian England and also features a suspenseful mystery plot.

Lady Violet is one of the most prominent women in the scientific field, at a time when women were actively discouraged from going into science.

She is working on a secret mission for the Queen, and she happens to be in love with Arthur, her protection officer.

When Violet’s laboratory and her life are threatened, she and Arthur must work together to unveil the culprit, but they may also unveil some secret feelings along the way.

• An easy read for historical fiction fans
• The tense and intriguing mystery plot
• Discusses important events like the Suffragette movement
• Not the best character development

Themes: Science, women in science, gender roles, romance, hidden feelings, mystery

If I Never Met You By Mhairi McFarlane

If I Never Met You makes masterful use of the fake romance trope, and it also has a coworker romance plot, so it’s very similar to The Love Hypothesis, minus the scientific themes.

Laurie has just been through a difficult breakup, and to make things even more painful, her ex works in the same law firm as her.

When she finds out that her ex’s new girlfriend is pregnant, Laurie decides to enter into a fake relationship with Jamie, who also needs a partner to project an image of stability at work.

As Laurie and Jamie present themselves as the new power couple in the office, they discover that pretending to be in love with someone is one of the easiest ways to fall in love for real.

• Likable protagonist
• Plenty of emotional depth
• Lots of drama to keep readers entertained
• The slow pace throughout most of the book

Themes: Coworker romance, career, fake romance, heartbreak

Red, White & Royal Blue By Casey McQuiston

Red, White & Royal Blue is a romantic comedy that involves secret romance, enemies to lovers, and international politics.

It might not have the science or coworker romance themes seen in The Love Hypothesis, but it does feature an interesting take on the fake dating trope that fans of The Love Hypothesis shouldn’t miss.

The story centers around the son of the new President of the United States, and the United Kingdom’s Prince Henry.

These two had an altercation in the past, and when the tabloids find out about it, it’s an international relations disaster – until the two men decide to fake a truce on social media.

However, as their fake friendship grows, romantic feelings start to blossom, and before they know it, these two public figures are secretly dating.

• High-stakes plot line creates suspense
• Amusing and emotional simultaneously
• Excellent escapist and light-hearted read
• Storyline requires the reader to suspend disbelief

Themes: Politics, international relations, fake friendship, secret romance, enemies to lovers

How To Fail At Flirting By Denise Williams

In How to Fail at Flirting, Naya’s friends encourage her to take one night off from her stressful job and have some fun .

They give her a checklist of things to do, and when Naya meets Jake on business, she starts to cross off the items, starting with letting him buy her a drink.

However, Naya’s budding romance with Jake is complicated. For one thing, their relationship could damage her career, and for another, she’s still recovering from the trauma of her past abusive relationship.

Will Naya open herself up to love and risk her job in the process, or will she play it safe at the expense of what could be the romance of a lifetime?

Like The Love Hypothesis, this romantic novel deals with the complexities of combining career and love.

• Believable chemistry between protagonists
• Exemplifies healthy communication in relationships
• Witty, compelling writing
• Some upsetting themes

Themes: Career, romance, dilemma, friendships, trauma

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been struggling to find a book to follow The Love Hypothesis, our 20 recommendations should help you to fill more spaces on your bookshelves with science-themed, fake dating, and coworker romances.

Since The Love Hypothesis has a strong focus on STEM, and women in STEM, in particular, a lot of our recommendations feature similar themes.

If you were drawn in by the scientific themes in The Love Hypothesis, you should pick up books like The Kiss Quotient, The Soulmate Equation, Love on the Brain, and Dating Dr. Dil next.

On the other hand, if you’re mainly interested in the workplace or career romance theme, consider books such as The Hating Game, Beach Read, Book Lovers, Battle Royal, or A Lady’s Formula for Love.

For fans of the fake dating trope, we have included plenty of recommendations, including I’m So (Not) Over You, Act Like You Mean It, Lovelight Farms, and If I Never Met You.

With so many romantic comedies involving fake dating, career dilemmas, and women in science, you should have plenty to read after finishing The Love Hypothesis!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the love hypothesis based on fanfiction.

Yes, The Love Hypothesis started out as a piece of Star Wars fanfiction, and the characters of Olive and Adam are based around Rey Skywalker and Kylo Ren. T

his makes The Love Hypothesis a great read for science fiction fans as well as romance lovers.

What Age Group Is The Love Hypothesis Written For?

The Love Hypothesis, like many of Ali Hazelwood’s other books, contains some explicit scenes and language that would be inappropriate for younger readers. Therefore, this book is marketed toward adults aged 18 and over.

Why Is The Love Hypothesis So Popular?

The Love Hypothesis is so popular because of its unique setting and context, combined with the well-liked fake dating romance trope. Together, these aspects of the novel make for an interesting read.

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23 Best Books like The Love Hypothesis to Read in 2023

As you are looking for the best books like The Love Hypothesis, I am assuming you absolutely loved reading Ali Hazelwood’s popular novel. You want to read something similar, and that’s what this list is all about!

The Love Hypothesis is about Olive, who doesn’t have a very good love life, but this is because she doesn’t want to bother with it. Her friend Anh intends to rectify this, so Olive tries to make her friend believe that her love life is great! To further her lie, Olive enlists the help of Adam, her coworker. For some reason, he agrees to fake date her.

Olive and Adam try to fool Anh and everyone around them into thinking that they are really dating and are desperately in love with one another. It works, and everyone falls for it. The problem is Olive and Adam are starting to develop feelings for each other. It won’t take long for their fake dating to turn into something way more real.

The author of this engaging book is Ali Hazelwood , who certainly puts her personal life into her fiction novels. She is an Italian neuroscience professor who was born in Italy and lives in many places all over the world. In her books, you will find women in STEM careers. The Love Hypothesis features such a character, so it’s great to see her real life influencing her fiction!

So, if you want to read books similar to The Love Hypothesis and fall in love again with the romance genre, here are some recommendations to help you out of your reading slump this year!

Best Books like The Love Hypothesis (2023)

1. it happened one summer by tessa bailey.

Piper Bellinger has been forced to relocate to Westport, Washington, where her late father owned a dive bar. This is a far cry from how she used to be. Once upon a time, Piper used to be a socialite who was constantly followed by the paparazzi. It comes to a screeching halt when her stepfather suddenly cuts her off because he believes she is getting out of control.

She and her sister arrive in Westport, unsure what to do with themselves. In this town, she meets Brendan, a fisherman with whom she instantly clashes. He thinks she is a fish out of the water, and Piper decides to prove him and her stepfather wrong!

The more time Piper spends in Westport, the more she realizes she likes living here… and being around Brendan. Soon Piper finds herself torn between her old life and new life.

2. The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas

Catalina Martin’s sister is getting married soon, and naturally, as her sister, she is invited. She needs a date, and if the wedding had happened before she broke up with her boyfriend, she wouldn’t have had to look far. The issue is Catalina’s ex-boyfriend is now engaged and is going to her sister’s wedding to add to her shame.

Now Catalina is scrambling to find someone to go to her sister’s wedding in Spain and be her date. The man who offers to help her out is Aaron Blackford, her coworker. He’s handsome but also a jerk, so the last thing she wants is to be stuck spending time with him in Spain.

Eventually, Catalina has no choice but to take Aaron up on his offer because she can’t find anyone else. It turns out that outside of the office, Aaron is a pretty decent guy.

3. Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood

Love on the Brain is another novel by Ali Hazelwood that focuses on Bee Königswasser, who is involved in STEM. She is a scientist who takes her job very seriously. It’s a great job if you ignore the fact that she has to work alongside Lee, her arch-nemesis, whom she hasn’t gotten along with since grad school.

Levi Ward is very handsome but has been cold towards her since the moment they met. Bee is happy to keep a distance from him. Then when her things at work start going missing and her other employees start ignoring her, Levi’s attitude changes. It’s like the man is being nice to her, which is very hard for this scientist to make sense of.

With Levi now being nice to her, Bee starts to see a different side of him. It’s a side that makes her fall hard, but would she act on her feelings? Probably, not!

4. People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

They say that opposites attract, and this applies not only to romantic relationships but also friendships. Alex and Poppy are two people who fall under this definition. The two couldn’t be more different, but they are great friends. Poppy is more outgoing and on the wild side, while Alex is quiet and a homebody.

After meeting one summer, the two make sure to get together for one week in the summer. It’s something they have been doing for a decade together, but then they had a falling out and stopped speaking with each other.

It’s been two years since that falling out, and Poppy is at her unhappiest. The last time she was happy was when she was with Alex, so she reaches out to him to see if they could take a trip again. To Poppy’s surprise, he says yes.

This gives the two a chance to finally talk about what happened, but will it lead to a resolution or break them apart forever?

5. The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren

Jess Davis hasn’t had particularly good luck with men in her life. It started when her father abandoned her before birth and continued when her daughter’s father noped out because fatherhood just wasn’t his thing. To support herself and her daughter, she works in data and statistics and prefers to stay away from dating entirely.

Then Jess hears about this new matchmaking program. It matches people based on their DNA and is supposed to be pretty accurate. She signs up because she trusts numbers; if the numbers say it’s true, then it must be me!

When she is matched with a 98 percent compatibility to Dr. River Pena, the creator of GeneticAlly, she is thrown for a loop. She’s met this man before and thinks he is a stubborn, snobby jerk. There is no way someone like him could be her soulmate.

GeneticAlly ends up giving Jess an offer. If she gets to know River, then she’ll get money. This will help boost the company, and Jess will no longer be struggling. She accepts but wonders what the heck she is getting herself into.

6. The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman work as assistants to the CEOs of a publishing company. The two are coworkers who hate each other. They’ve never gotten along, and this is for several reasons. Lucy finds Joshua to be a pessimistic jerk who wouldn’t know what fun was if it bit him in the butt. On the other hand, Joshua finds Lucy too bubbly and outgoing.

Sometimes, differences can bridge gaps, but other times they can push people apart. The two come to a head when they find themselves up for the same promotion. It only makes things worse between them… until Lucy wonders if she does hate Joshua and if the feeling is mutual.

There is something there between them, after all. Well, that or they are just playing with each other. This is definitely one of the best books like The Love Hypothesis that you need to read!

7. Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert

Chloe Brown has a problem. It isn’t that she is a computer geek who is usually trapped inside her parent’s house, never able to go out. She suffers from a chronic illness, which made her produce six things that would help her have a more exciting life.

However, it’s easier said than done. Chloe doesn’t know how to start tackling her list, so she asks Redford ‘Red’ Morgan to help her tackle this list. She knows him because she’s spent a lot of time watching him, and why wouldn’t she? Red is an extremely attractive artist who works as a handyman by day and has tattoos and a motorcycle.

The two start to get close once they begin spending time together. It makes Chloe want to know more about the mysterious man who has captivated her interest. Her only question is: is the feeling mutual?

8. Take A Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert

Danika Brown hasn’t had a particularly good history with dating and relationships. Outside of her romantic life, she’s doing great. She has a great job and is making good money, but her personal life leaves much to be desired.

Despite Danika’s hesitance towards romance, she does still have urges. It’s why she wants a friend with benefits, which eventually comes in the form of Zafir Ansari, a security guard and ex-rugby player. He ends up helping her during a workplace fire drill, and a video gets taken and goes viral.

The internet starts shipping the two of them. They end up faking a relationship in public, which gives Dani a plan to seduce Zafir and make him her FWB. The problem is, Zafir wants to get involved romantically. It makes for a complicated situation that Dani never wanted or expected.

9. Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert

Act your age, Eve Brown’s family keeps saying. You need to grow up, they love to tell her. See, Eve doesn’t need to be told these things. She knows she is a walking ball of chaos, but it’s just how it is. Either take or leave it.

This chaos ends up affecting another person when Eve Brown hits someone with her car. She didn’t intend to hit Jacob Wayne, owner of the bed and breakfast she happened to interview at. Sure, he told Eve that the position of chef would never be hers, but she never intended to hit him with her car.

With Jacob’s arm now broken and his business understaffed, Eve offers to help. I mean, it’s only fair after she unintentionally hit him with her car. The two couldn’t be more different, but as they like to say, opposites do attract.

10. Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Alex Claremont Diaz hasn’t had the most average childhood. For one, his mother is the President of the United States. He spends most of his time running around the White House with his sister and the Vice President’s granddaughter. Together, the trio has a lot of fun, and it’s also great PR for his mother, Ellen Claremont.

Besides friends, Alex also has an enemy in Henry, who is a part of the British royal family. After the fight in a very public way, his mother tries to create a fake friendship between the two boys to soothe tensions. The reason for this? Well, her reelection campaign, for one.

Alex has no choice but to spend time with Henry, but when their relationship turns into something more, it leaves him at a loss of what to do and how to proceed.

11. Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey

Next up on the list of books similar to The Love Hypothesis is Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey, which features two people fake dating that ends up developing into something real!

Georgette Castle works as a child party planner, and she loves it! Her family owns a home renovation business, so they were a little disappointed when she chose not to follow in their footsteps. Due to these issues, Georgette decides to give herself what is called a glow. She’ll get more attention to her business, fix her looks and wardrobe, and finally get a love life.

To boost her reputation, she creates a fake relationship with Travis Ford, a former baseball star who is now flipping houses. To Georgette’s surprise, he agrees to fake date her. It will shock Georgette’s family and hopefully help Travis get a new job.

What starts as a fake relationship ends up turning into something more. When feelings are involved, things can get complicated, so the future ahead will not be easy for Georgette and Travis.

12. The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

Stella Lane is a thirty autistic woman who doesn’t understand people or love. What she understands is math. Her job involves using math to develop algorithms to predict customer purchases.

Despite her disinterest in love, she is curious as any person would be. To get practice at the physical aspects of love (like kissing and sex), she hires an escort named Michael Phan, who has obvious experience in this department. He is a paid escort, after all.

After they start practicing, Stella begins to enjoy herself and likes it when Michael touches her. The more time they spend together, the more she realizes she might be in love with Michael. Something strange for a woman who prefers numbers over people.

13. Book Lovers by Emily Henry

Book Lovers is one of Emily Henry’s popular books , which can, without a doubt, be considered one of the best books like The Love Hypothesis!

Nora loves books and has even made a career out of it as a literary agent… one who doesn’t pull any punches. However, her life is work, work, work. Libby, her sister, wants her to come to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina, for a month-long vacation. It doesn’t take long for Nora to agree to accompany her sister on this trip.

Everything is going well until Nora ends up bumping into Charlie Lastra not once but multiple times. This is a problem because she knows Charlie Lastra. He is a book editor from the city, and Nora doesn’t have a good impression of him.

It seems that no matter how hard Nora tries, she can’t escape work… or Charlie, Is it a coincidence, or is fate pushing them together?

14. The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

Olive and her twin sister Ami couldn’t be more different. She is very unlucky in every sense of the word, while Ami is lucky and always seems to benefit from things. When Ami announces she is getting married and that Ethan is her fiancé’s best man, Olive is torn. This is a problem because Ethan is her nemesis.

So now Olive has to deal with Ethan… that is until the entire wedding party gets food poisoning except her and Ethan. This leaves a free 10-day trip to Maui up for grabs. Olive and Ethan agree to get along while on the trip because who would turn down a free trip?!

It should be no problem for the two to play a fake couple on a honeymoon. That is until real feelings start to get involved.

15. Only When It’s Us by Chloe Liese

Only When It’s Us is an enemies-to-lovers book focusing on Willa and Ryder, who don’t like each other. For Willa, the hatred goes back to a class in college when she desperately needed lecture notes to study. The only one whom she could get them from was Ryder. He not only refused to help her but straight up didn’t even answer her in the first place. This made her determined to get not only those notes but also revenge.

Ryder dislikes Willa because he believes she has always looked down on him. Ever since they met, she’s given him dirty looks and seems to think he is scum or something. This is why he refuses to help her in their class. It’s his starting revenge on Willa, who is going to bring him down.

16. You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria

Jasmine Lin Rodriguez is a soap opera star who is going through a rough time right now. After breaking up with her boyfriend, the paparazzi went crazy with the story. To clear her head, Jasmine accepts a job in a bilingual romantic comedy that will star a telenovela star named Ashton Suarez.

Ashton’s goal in accepting this job is to get his career up and running in the United States. To make sure this movie is a success, Jasmine and Ashton try to practice in private to increase their chemistry with one another. One thing leads to another, and the chemistry between them does spill onto the big screen.

When looking for books like The Love Hypothesis, you should definitely consider reading You Had Me at Hola , as it features two people who start a fake relationship of sorts that end up developing into something real!

17. Restore Me by J.L. Seegars

Slone Kent and Dominic Alexander have a problem with one another. For one, Dominic is Slone’s late husband’s best friend. He’s also a huge jerk and has always made her life a living hell from the moment they met.

Dominic Alexander’s problem with Slone is that he finds her amazing. He’s always had feelings for her from the moment they met a decade ago, but she was his best friend’s wife. This meant that Slone was off-limits, and he had to do whatever he could to make sure she didn’t find out his true feelings.

One night changes everything. Dominic starts to be nice to Sloane, and suddenly she begins to feel differently about her late husband’s best friend.

18. Beach Read by Emily Henry

One common illness that can strike a writer at any moment is the dreaded writer’s block. Currently, Augustus Everett, a famous literary fiction author, and January Andrews, an equally renowned romance novelist, are suffering from this.

They find themselves neighbors in side-by-side beach houses. The two authors are, therefore, neighbors for three months in an attempt to try to get their creative juices flowing again.

January and Augustus strike up a strange deal one evening to help solve their writer’s block. They will write in each other’s genres and see what happens. Not only will they save their failing careers, but they might also find themselves falling in love.

19. Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade

This novel focuses on Marcus Caster-Rupp and April Whittier. Marcus is a popular actor on the TV show Gods of the Gates. He plays as Aeneas and enjoys a lot of success. What people don’t know is that in his spare time, he is a fanfiction writer writing fanfic about his show. This is because he is frustrated with where the writers have taken the characters.

Then there is April, who is a massive fan of the show. She writes fanfic and even does cosplays. When she posts a creation featuring the popular character Lavinia, her picture goes viral for both good and bad reasons. Marcus sees the picture and decides to ask her out just to spite all the haters and critics.

Marcus ends up falling hard for April, but he fears that it might tear them apart when she learns of his secret fanfic account.

20. Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score

A person’s wedding day is to be a special occasion, but for Naomi, this isn’t the case. She’s left her fiancé at the altar and is on her way to see her estranged twin sister, who needs help. When she arrives in town, her sister quickly returns to ruining her life, and she does this by stealing her car and crashing it.

This proves to be a problem because Naomi’s sister Tina has a child who has no one but to take care of her except Naomi.

Watching all of this is Knox, a barber who lives in the town. He feels sorry for Naomi and figures he will help her out. This is big for him because he prefers to keep to himself. However, once he helps her, he is sure he’ll be left alone again…, or so Knox hopes.

21. Love at First by Kate Clayborn

Next up on the list of books like The Love Hypothesis, we have Love at First by Kate Clayborn featuring two people who are drawn to each other!

Will Sterling believes he did fall in love one day sixteen years ago when he was a teenager. He heard a stranger’s lovely voice coming from the balcony below. Since then, he’s thought of that stranger fondly. He finds himself back in the same apartment complex temporarily all those years later for family reasons, and his mind keeps going back to that girl he heard.

Nora Clarke isn’t thrilled when Will Sterling returns, and he is quick to notice. Will feels like he recognizes her but is unable to pinpoint it. During his time there, the two start to bond, though she seems reluctant to let this bond grow. The connection between them is obvious to Will. To Nora, not so much.

22. Make It Sweet by Kristen Callihan

Make it Sweet focuses on Emma, who is a popular actress on the show Dark Castle. She plays Anya and is loved by many. Then they kill off her character, and she finds out her boyfriend is cheating on her. It’s a double whammy, which is why Anya decides to go to Rosemont, California, an estate where she can catch her breath.

There she meets Lucian Osmond, the owner’s grandson whom she is instantly attracted to. Lucian prefers to keep to himself, so Emma decides to leave him be. The two are fine with ignoring each other until that growing attraction becomes too big to ignore.

23. A Not So Meet Cute by Meghan Quinn

This novel is similar to Pretty Woman , only more ridiculous and hilarious. A young woman is not doing great in love or life, and her enemy, whom she, unfortunately, worked for, fired her, leaving her desperate and poor.

One evening while she is walking about Beverly Hills, she meets Huxley Cane. He’s also going through it. A business deal of his has blown up in his face, and he needs some way out of it. A few hours later, and listening to the man tell her all his problems, this young woman ends up agreeing to be this man’s Pretty Woman, just not the hooker part.

It may seem like a crazy thing to do, but people do desperate things to make some money. And this seems like a great way to make money… until the woman falls in love with him, that is.

These are the top books similar to The Love Hypothesis, the fantastic and uber-popular book by Ali Hazelwood. I don’t expect you to read them all, but some books on the list are bound to stand out to you if you enjoyed reading The Love Hypothesis.

So, what are you waiting for? Get going, pick one of the featured books, and start reading! With all these books, you’ll be sure never to have a dull moment anytime soon.

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10 Charming Books Like The Love Hypothesis

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Books like The Love Hypothesis provide heartwarming scenes, loveable characters and give us hope that love prevails. With the popular fake relationship trope as the main point of conflict, this book will make you laugh, blush and cry.

We all know someone who has a pessimistic outlook on love, much like our main character, third-year PhD candidate, Olive Smith. Olive doesn’t believe in long term lasting relationships however, when she tells her best friend, Anh, she has moved on and is dating once more, the one thing Anh needs is proof.

Panicked, Olive kisses the first man in sight which happens to be Adam Carlsen, a critical and unapproachable young professor who decides to keep up the charade. When things go awry at a science conference and Olive’s career is put in jeopardy, Adam has her back.

Soon, Olive finds that fake feelings can easily be mistaken for real ones and she is very close to falling in love herself.

If you’re looking for more books similar to The Love Hypothesis these ten suggestions are worth adding to your reading list!

Table of Contents

10 Books like The Love Hypothesis

The hating game , by sally thorne.

Everyone knows there is a fine line between love and hate, but no one more than Lucy Hutton and Josh Templeman. In this debut rom-com, we meet Lucy who prides herself on being liked by everyone in the office – everyone but Josh and the feeling is mutual.

Trapped in an office together for over forty hours a week, a never-ending game of upmanship begins. When a promotion comes up for grabs, Lucy and Josh turn it into their next game where the winner becomes the other’s boss. If she loses, Lucy plans on resigning.

When the two share a steamy kiss in the elevator, Lucy starts to wonder whether she does truly hate Josh after all. The Hating Game has the enemies to lovers trope that is perfect if you’re looking for more books like The Love Hypothesis .

Have you already read this novel? Check out our list of books like The Hating Game !

The Flatshare , by Beth O’Leary

After another breakup with her ex-boyfriend, Tiffy is desperate to leave his apartment and needs something cheap, fast and easy. The perfect solution comes up in the form of a flatshare.

Leon Twomey works night shifts and needs some quick cash, so he offers out his apartment whilst he works. The two start leaving notes for each other around the flat but as months begin to pass, the two haven’t even met yet.

With crazy ex-boyfriends, demanding jobs, wrongly imprisoned brothers and more, the two realize love blossoms in the strangest of places. Written from both Tiffy and Leon’s perspectives, we get to see both sides of the arrangement as well as benefit from two different writing styles.

The Flatshare is a great alternative for those looking for books like The Love Hypothesis .

Already read this novel? Check out our list of books like The Flatshare!

The Spanish Love Deception , by Elena Armas

Catalina is in desperate need of a date to her sister’s wedding in Spain after a little white lie about an American boyfriend spirals out of hand. With four weeks to find someone willing to fly to Spain and pretend to be her boyfriend in front of everyone she knows, Catalina is desperate.

However, she is not desperate enough to accept Aaron Blackford’s offer. To Catalina, Aaron is the most insufferable man alive however as the wedding draws nearer, it looks like he might be her best option.

The Spanish Love Deception is the perfect enemies-to-lovers, fake dating rom-com for those wanting more slow-burner books similar to The Love Hypothesis .

Already read this book? Check out our list of more books like The Spanish Love Deception!

It Ends With Us , by Colleen Hoover

For a heart-wrenching tale of love and loss, It Ends With Us is an unforgettable book like The Love Hypothesis.

Lily has worked hard for the life she lives with her own business in Boston, far from the small town she grew up in. She meets Ryle, a handsome neurosurgeon, who is arrogant and stubborn and has an unusual dislike of relationships.

Despite this, Lily and Ryle’s relationship is threatened when Atlas, Lily’s first love, reappears in her life.

This widely praised book explores the devastating repercussions of domestic abuse and takes a deeper look at love itself.

Have you already read this novel? Check out our list of books like It Ends With Us !

Entwined , by A. J. Rosen

Entwined is set in a world where soulmates exist among a race descended directly from the Greek Gods, Avery Montgomery isn’t sure she even wants a soulmate.

Now seventeen, Avery will go to her first Gathering where she will meet her soulmate and be tied to them forever through the ability to share thoughts with one another. Avery hopes her soulmate is Adrian who is charming and energetic but why does she feel connected to Vladimir, her best friend’s older brother?

In her attempt to find true love, Avery realizes the world of Hellenicus is not quite what she thought and now she must make a choice and the wrong one might risk the wrath of the Gods.

This riveting book is a great alternative for those wanting more books like The Love Hypothesis .

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo , by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Books similar to The Love Hypothesis tell stories about love found in unexpected places. In The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo , old Hollywood icon, Evelyn Hugo, is finally prepared to tell the truth about her reclusive and scandalous life.

When she chooses Monique Grant as her biography writer, no one is more shocked than the small magazine reporter herself.

Taken to Evelyn’s luxurious home, Monique listens as Evelyn tells the story of her life from Los Angeles in the 1950s to leaving her career in the 1980s as well as the seven husbands she married along the way.

As Evelyn reveals her life’s secrets, Monique is determined to use this to kickstart her writing career. However, as more and more are revealed, Monique begins to realize Evelyn’s life intertwines with her own in ways she couldn’t imagine.

Have you already read this novel? Check out our list of books like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo!

It Happened One Summer , by Tessa Bailey

It Happened One Summer is perfect for fans of the TV show Schitt’s Creek as we follow Piper Bellinger, a fashionable wild child who the paparazzi love to report on.

Following a crazy night with too much alcohol, Piper finds herself in prison. Her stepfather cuts her off and sends her to Washington with her sister to run their late father’s bar. Piper meets Brendan, a bearded sea captain who holds out no hope that Piper will last outside of Beverly Hills.

Determined to prove her stepfather and Brendan wrong, Piper finds herself enjoying the quiet life and developing feelings for the sea captain who sails off for weeks on end. LA is what she knows but is it what she really wants?

It Happened One Summer has the rom-com elements that make books like The Love Hypothesis so popular.

Have you already read this novel? Check out our list of books like It Happened One Summer !

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine , by Gail Honeyman

If you like easy-to-read and uplifting books like The Love Hypothesis then Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is a great alternative.

Eleanor Oliphant tends to lack the necessary social skills she needs to form human connections and usually says exactly what she is thinking. Her carefully planned out life is fine – not bad but not good. When Eleanor meets Raymond, the unhygienic IT man at work, everything changes.

The two save an elderly man from a fall and Eleanor finds herself leaving the life of isolation she created for herself, soon finding that maybe she can make friends and fall in love after all.

Have you already read this novel? Check out this list of books like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine !

People We Meet On Vacation , by Emily Henry

For a fresh take on the friends-to-lovers trope, People We Meet On Vacation is the perfect book similar to The Love Hypothesis .

Best friends since college, total opposites Poppy and Alex take a vacation together every summer. Poppy lives in New York whilst Alex still lives in their small hometown so this week of fun is their chance to catch up until two years ago – the two haven’t spoken since.

Missing her best friend, Poppy asks Alex if he wants to join her on a week away one last time and surprisingly, he agrees. With a week to fix everything and unspoken feelings lingering in the air, can Poppy and Alex make up?

Already read this book? Check out our list of more books like People We Meet on Vacation!

The Kiss Quotient , by Helen Hoang

Much like The Love Hypothesis, The Kiss Quotient has a protagonist who believes in facts and figures over the complicated idea of love and relationships.

Stella Lane creates algorithms that predict customer purchases leaving her with a lack of dating experience and more money than she knows what to do with. Stella also has Asperger’s and her lack of experience at thirty years old worries her, leading her to hire escort Michael Phan.

He teaches her about foreplay, sex positions and more but as they continue their partnership, they must examine their own feelings.

For a refreshing take on the romance genre like The Love Hypothesis, The Kiss Quotient will quench that thirst!

Have you already read this novel? Check out this list of books like The Kiss Quotient !

Books like The Love Hypothesis illustrate the obstacles we face and must overcome whilst looking for love, friendship and happiness. Each of these books has a different take on the romance genre and has something fresh for those looking for something similar to read!

Are you looking for more books similar to The Love Hypothesis? Have any recommendations that didn’t make the list? Let us know in the comments!

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Charlotte is a writer for Books Like This One. She studied drama and writing for performance and enjoys reading romance, literary fiction and young adult novels. Some of her favourite authors include Donna Tartt and Leigh Bardugo. Read more from Charlotte

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Books like The Love Hypothesis

By Kobo • December 18, 2022 Recommended Reading

The test results are in and we’ve moved from hypothetical next reads to guaranteed recommendations.

What started as "Reylo" Star Wars fan fiction quickly turned into one of the most popular books of 2021.  The Love Hypothesis  went viral and stays on the bestseller list even a year later. It’s no wonder it’s such a hit. It’s sweet, witty, well written, and gives readers real feelings. On top of that, it features women in STEM, or STEMinists if you will. Ali Hazelwood is giving STEMinists the happily ever afters that they deserve.

If you’re one of the thousands that love this book, you’re bound to find something in the list below to keep you turning pages as quickly as you did for The Love Hypothesis . 

Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur

If you love opposites attract, then this LGBTQ+ pair is for you. A free-spirit astrologist and a logic-driven actuary fall in love. Math minded Darcy went on a terrible first date, but just to get her brother off her case about dating, she lies and says the date was a success. Elle, on the other hand, is desperately looking for true love and knows it’s not Darcy for sure after their date. When Elle’s new business partner turns out to also be Darcy’s brother, she’s shocked to hear him excited about her and his sister’s budding romance. She goes along with it because Darcy begs Elle, and plus, she needs her business to thrive. This fake relationship has a firm expiration date: New Year’s Eve. As the end of the year draws near, they start to realize that some of the fake relationship is turning into real feelings.

Dating Dr. Dil by Nisha Sharma

If you like enemies-to-lovers meets Grey’s Anatomy, then you’re going to love this novel. Dr. Prem Vermais the host of the Dr. Dil Show. Kareena Mann is a hopeless romantic who is trying to keep her parents from selling her childhood home. They agree to give her the house if she gets engaged, but she only has four months to find her soulmate. The last thing she needs is the negative attention she gets from an argument with Prem Verma going viral online, making the only man in her life the one she loves to hate. The bad publicity is hurting the show, and Prem needs the proceeds from it to fund his community health center. When Kareena's meddling aunties offer to fund the clinic if he convinces her they belong together, it’s an opportunity he can’t refuse. At first, Prem and Kareena seem to disagree on everything. The more time they spend together, the more their feelings change. They have to admit that the passion they feel for each other isn’t burning with hate any more.

Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers

In Honey Girl , Grace Porter, our leading STEMinist, has just finished her PhD in astronomy and can’t find a job. Grace is a straight-A, type-A science nerd. But she can’t pass up a girls trip to Las Vegas at the last minute, because what else is she doing? Let the hilarity ensue! In Vegas she wakes up hungover and married to a woman from the other side of the country. This book will have you snorting, but don’t be fooled, while funny it tackles serious interpersonal relationship issues and the burnout so many Millennials face. Rogers does an exquisite job of weaving the serious relatable issues with light-hearted funny moments. You won’t want to put this one down.

A Lady’s Formula for Love  by Elizabeth Everett

This historical romance gives off serious romcom Love Hypothesis vibes. Lady Violet Hughes has set up a secret society for lady scientists. Not only that, but she’s working undercover for the crown as well. She has many secrets. One of them is her feelings for buttoned up protection officer Arthur Kneland. When a shadowy threat sneaks into Violet’s laboratory, that’s when the true experiment between them begins.

Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood

Ali Hazelwood’s newest release does not disappoint current fans. Love on the Bra in brings all the things we’ve come to love and expect from a Hazelwood novel: lovable characters, funny dialogue, STEMinists, hot, pining heroes, and all the feels. When Dr. Bee Königswasser is offered her the lead on a neuroengineering project for NASA, she doesn’t hesitate to hightail it to Texas to pursue her career dream job, even if her grad school nemesis Levi Ward is also on the team. Bee channels her inner Marie Curie and soldiers on despite obstacle after obstacle getting in her way, the biggest of which (physically and metaphorically) is Levi. Soon she finds out there’s a very fine line between love and hate, and she might have misread it.

The Trouble with Hating You  by Sajni Patel

Liya Thakkar is a successful biochemical engineer, boss lady, proud single woman. She doesn’t need her parents, of all people, setting her up on a date. That’s exactly what happens one night when she goes there for dinner. As soon as Liya realizes it’s a setup, she’s out the door faster than a chemical reaction. So when the new lawyer for her struggling company shows up a few days later, of course it’s Jay Shah from the dinner fiasco. Their business correspondence turns more personal and goes later and later into the night, and they might have to rethink their initial impressions of each other. For people who can’t get enough of the enemies-to-lovers trope and the witty banter found in The Love Hypothesis , this book ticks all the boxes.

When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

Don’t let the fact that this is a YA novel fool you; it gives pining and complicated misunderstandings as well as Adam and Olivia. Plus our heroine is a young STEMinist trying to get ahead in the masculine world of web development. Sandhya Menon is a master of the slow burn. Dimple Shah has graduated high school, gotten into her dream coding camp, and will not deviate from her 5-year plan, especially not for her parents’ annoying arranged marriage notions. Rishi Patel, on the other hand, is a romantic and can’t wait to get to coding camp in San Francisco to meet Dimple more than to put another extra curricular on his resume. When they meet and feelings between them start to develop, Rishi thinks Dimple knows about the setup. She doesn’t. Everything explodes when she finds out and thinks Rishi is a liar. He doesn’t think it’s something they can come back from.

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8 Romance Books Like The Love Hypothesis

These romance reads are full of chemistry.

Ali Hazelwood's romance novel The Love Hypothesis took TikTok by storm and quickly became one of the must-read books of 2021. Having gotten her start writing Reylo fanfiction, Hazelwood built up a dedicated fanbase of her own before making the switch to novels. 

She’s now a New York Times bestseller and has readers clamoring for her next book! While you wait, we have a few suggestions of books that fans of The Love Hypothesis will devour, whether they’re into fake dating stories, STEM heroines, or good old-fashioned banter.

Some Kind of Magic

By Mary Ann Marlowe

Eden Sinclair is a biochemist who works for a company that specializes in clinical research on sexual enhancement products (also known to Eden and her colleagues as boner research!). It pays the bills but she keeps her own love life on the shelf. That is until a colleague gives her a vial of what she thinks is perfume. 

It turns out that the scent is designed to enhance pheromones, and that leads to a night of incredible passion with Adam Copeland, an international rockstar with millions of women begging for his attention. After discovering the truth, Eden is terrified that Adam's interest in her is purely scent-driven and she can't bear to lose the man she's falling for fast. Dare she ditch the perfume or keep up the facade until it's too late?

8 Nerdy Romance Novels for Pi Day

Fighting Love

By Melissa West

Zac Littleton is a single dad living in the picturesque town of Crestler's Key where he and his brothers farm the land that's been in their family for generations. His daughter thinks he needs to lighten up and have some fun, but dating's the last thing on his mind. 

Enter Sophie Marsh, a newcomer in town who is trying to get her organic produce business off the ground. She's annoyed that Zac's company beats her in sales every week but still needs his help winning over the skeptical locals. A fake romance is surely the only solution to both of their problems.

Limited-Time Offer: Get a FREE book of our best stories when you sign up for A Love So True 's newsletter!

Craving more romance? No need to beg! 

How Not to Fall

By Emily Foster

Annabelle Coffey is a research assistant prepping her mock dissertation before she applies for medical school. The world of data and the scientific method is easy for her, especially when compared to the messiness of human emotions. She's fallen hard for her advisor, the handsome and ever-so-British Dr. Charles Douglas. 

When she propositions him, he turns her down due to the potential ethical issues of a student sleeping with their teacher, but she won't be his student for long. In the break between graduation and going to a new school, the pair of them are free to explore their burning attraction to one another. 

The Kiss Quotient

By Helen Hoang

If you fell hard for Olive and Adam in The Love Hypothesis, then prepare for a repeat with Stella and Michael in Helen Hoang's utterly delightful debut romance, The Kiss Quotient . Stella Lane is a mathematician who enjoys the certainty of numbers. Dating is far less predictable, especially for a woman with Asperger's . 

So, to prepare herself to enter the madness of the dating pool, she does the only logical thing and hires an escort to teach her how to love (and make love). Michael Phan is gorgeous and caring, seemingly the perfect man for the job. He also can't afford to turn down this job so he gets to work teaching Stella all of the things on her exceedingly detailed lesson plan. Soon, their no-nonsense business arrangement becomes steamy and the lines between professional and personal begin to blur.

10 Asian Romance Novels to Fall in Love With

By Courtney Milan

While probably best known for her historical novels, Courtney Milan's contemporary Cyclone romances are an underrated delight, taking place to the backdrop of a major tech giant and the people who work within it. 

Jay na Thalang is a workaholic genius whose all-consuming passion for science dominates every aspect of his life. He has no time for love, so perhaps it's for the best that, when he first meets the gorgeous Maria Lopez, he inadvertently insults her. 

Maria likes her quiet life, one where she runs an increasingly popular blog where she imagines plausible future apocalypses. Anonymity is important to her, but she cannot help but form a friendship with her most dedicated follower. Unbeknownst to either of them, said commenter is Jay, her new enemy.

Related: 14 Scintillating and Satisfying Enemies to Lovers Books

The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics

By Olivia Waite

Maybe you loved the STEM heroine of The Love Hypothesis , but fancy seeing it in a historical context. Olivia Waite’s Feminine Pursuits series features smart women pursuing their intellectual interests amid the smothering glance of patriarchy, all with slow burn romances and happy ever afters! 

The first novel in the trilogy tells the story of Catherine, the Countess of Moth, a widow seeking someone to translate a ground-breaking French astronomy text. She finds her translator in the form of Lucy Muchelney, a brilliant young woman whose genius has been denied by the old men of the scientific community. 

Lucy's brother told her that nobody is going to employ a woman as an astronomer, but she wants to prove the world wrong. What she couldn't have foreseen was her growing attraction to the older woman who is aiding her research. This is a love letter to the overlooked and forgotten women of STEM throughout the centuries. 

10 Queer Regency Romances, Because History Wasn't Hetero

The Spanish Love Deception

By Elena Armas

We can’t talk about romance smash hits on Booktok without getting into the unexpected success of Elena Armas's breakout novel The Spanish Love Deception . Initially self-published, the novel was quickly snapped up by Simon & Schuster once it went viral worldwide! It’s not hard to see why so many readers were charmed by this story of enemies-to-lovers with an enviable Spanish backdrop. 

Catalina Martín is desperate not to attend her sister's wedding alone, but as a forever single woman, finding a willing man to be her fake date is easier said than done. Step forward Aaron Blackford: handsome, charming, and utterly aggravating. Catalina would usually choose death over spending time with Aaron but since he's the only offer she has, she's taking it. They just need to survive a few weeks with her meddling family and not kill one another. Perhaps they'll find out that they have far more in common than initially planned.

8 Books Like the After Series

You Had Me at Hola

By Alexis Daria

After a messy public breakup, soap opera darling Jasmine Lin Rodriguez has become the tabloids' newest target. With her public image and career now on shaky territory, she puts all her hopes on her latest project, a bilingual romantic comedy for the number one streaming service in the country. The only problem is her new co-star. 

Telenova hunk Ashton Suárez was just killed off from his biggest role. Worried that his own career is on the ropes, he signs onto a new movie at the last minute with dreams of breaking through to Hollywood. Both he and Jasmine need to prove to audiences that they've got fiery chemistry to spare, but faking that is proving to be a bit tough following a disastrous first meeting. Can they survive the press scrutiny, the industry expectations, and their own feelings?

8 Stunning Romance Books for Libras

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'The Love Hypothesis' won Amazon's best romance book of 2021, has a near-perfect rating on Goodreads, and is all over TikTok. Here's why it's such a unique love story.

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• " The Love Hypothesis " grabbed the attention of romance readers everywhere in 2021.
• It was named Amazon's Best Romance Novel of 2021 and was nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award.
• This book checks off all my boxes for a great romance read and is definitely worth the hype.

This year, Amazon named " The Love Hypothesis " by Ali Hazelwood the best romance book of the year. Even though it was only recently published in September 2021, "The Love Hypothesis" has quickly become a fan-favorite, with 88% of Goodreads reviewers giving it four- or five-star-level praise .

It was also nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award and is hugely popular amongst Book of the Month members , with only 1% of readers giving it a "disliked" rating.

"The Love Hypothesis" is about Olive Smith, a third-year Ph.D. candidate studying pancreatic cancer at Stanford. In an attempt to convince one of her best friends that she's moved on from an old crush, she impulsively kisses Dr. Adam Carlsen, the department's notoriously brutal (but undeniably attractive) professor. After the kiss, Adam and Olive agree to fake a relationship so she can prove to her friend that she's happily dating and he can convince their department that he isn't planning to leave anytime soon.

I'm a little picky about my romance novels , so giving this read every bit of a five-star review didn't come lightly. My standards are high because the best romance novels have the potential to expose readers to authentic and imperfect relationships and offer new topics of discussion without making us feel like it's a story we've already read. 

With all the hype surrounding this new romance read, I couldn't resist picking it up.

Here's why "The Love Hypothesis" is one of my favorite recent romance books:

1. the story focuses a lot on olive and adam's lives outside their romance, making their love story more believable and interesting..

Romance novels tend to fall into a few popular tropes such as " enemies-to-lovers " or "forbidden love." "The Love Hypothesis" combines two of the most popular tropes right now, "Fake dating" and "grumpy/sunshine," really well — I loved the contrast between Adam's serious attitude to Olive's bright and sugary one. 

But despite following these tropes, the story feels fresh because it's also largely about Olive's work and its meaning to her. The only other romance book I've read featuring a STEM heroine is "The Kiss Quotient" , so I loved seeing that representation and learning about something new. 

The story honestly reflected the challenges Ph.D. candidates face in academia and that authenticity — deepened by the author's personal experiences — brought the characters, the settings, and the romance to life even more as Olive and Adam faced challenges with funding, time-consuming research, and questioning their sense of purpose.

2. The steamier scenes are also awkward and realistic, which made them even better.

In romance books, there are a few different levels of how graphic a steamy scene can get , from little-to-no detail to explicitly outlined movements. (I personally prefer mine to "fade to black.")

There was only one chapter with adult content, and it was definitely graphic. While I made a ton of ridiculous faces while reading and tried to skim past the parts that made me audibly gasp, I loved that it wasn't a movie-made, perfect sex scene with graceful movements and smooth dialogue. The scene was a little awkward, imperfect, and full of consent and conversation, making it refreshingly real.

3. The book deals with other topics besides the main love story, making it a much deeper read.

While it's wonderful to get swept up in the magic of a romantic storyline, having a secondary plot that addresses real issues is what makes a romance novel truly great . 

Mild spoilers and content warnings ahead: While "The Love Hypothesis" is a fun romantic read, it also addresses the pain of familial death, power differentials, intimacy challenges, and, most prevalently, workplace sexual harassment. 

Love is beautiful, fun, and amazing, but "The Love Hypothesis" takes the opportunity to also include conversations about serious issues. While these topics may be tough for some readers, I think these plot points, hard conversations, and complicated emotions take "The Love Hypothesis" to the next level and make it a five-star read. 

The bottom line

"The Love Hypothesis" has everything I personally look for in a romance novel: A unique storyline, authentic characters, and an important message. If you're looking for a perfectly balanced romance read, "The Love Hypothesis" is worth the hype and definitely one of the best romance books to come out in the past year.

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r/RomanceBooks is a discussion sub for readers of romance novels. Home of the magic search button and endless book recommendations as well as discussions about tropes and characters, Author AMAs, book clubs, and more. Happy Endings guaranteed.

Books similar to The Love Hypothesis

So i really enjoyed the love hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood. Adam's character was a joy to read. I love the acadamia settings as well. So what are some simialr books? Nerdy or broody characters, or like educated romance world (academia, STEM,...). I have surfed the web and these are the titles i found that was mentioned they might be similar:

Safety In Numbers by Sophie Penhaligon

Heart Smart by Emma Lee Jayne

Remedial Rocket Science by Susanna Nix

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

Any others? :D

Thanks in advance

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Helpful Book Guide: The Love Hypothesis Spicy Chapters List and Review

Posted on Published: July 27, 2023  - Last updated: October 23, 2023

Categories Book Guide , Spicy Chapters

What are The Love Hypothesis spicy chapters? Well, this guide is for you! Though this book is not very spicy, it is still my responsibility to squeeze out the spiciest The Love Hypothesis spicy chapters possible for you. It’s also a book I recommend with the ‘who did this to you” trope!

Table of Contents

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

When a fake relationship between scientists meets the irresistible force of attraction, it throws one woman’s carefully calculated theories on love into chaos.

As a third-year Ph.D. candidate, Olive Smith doesn’t believe in lasting romantic relationships–but her best friend does, and that’s what got her into this situation. Convincing Anh that Olive is dating and well on her way to a happily ever after was always going to take more than hand-wavy Jedi mind tricks: Scientists require proof. So, like any self-respecting biologist, Olive panics and kisses the first man she sees.

That man is none other than Adam Carlsen, a young hotshot professor–and well-known ass. Which is why Olive is positively floored when Stanford’s reigning lab tyrant agrees to keep her charade a secret and be her fake boyfriend. But when a big science conference goes haywire, putting Olive’s career on the Bunsen burner, Adam surprises her again with his unyielding support and even more unyielding…six-pack abs.

Suddenly their little experiment feels dangerously close to combustion. And Olive discovers that the only thing more complicated than a hypothesis on love is putting her own heart under the microscope.

The Love Hypothesis Review

The Love Hypothesis is a captivating and heartwarming romance that delves into the complexities of academia and love. The story revolves around Olive Smith, a dedicated PhD student, and Adam Carlsen, a charming and cocky professor. Both characters are beautifully crafted with depth and vulnerability, making them relatable and endearing to readers.

The romance between Olive and Adam is a slow-burn delight, filled with moments of vulnerability and tenderness that will leave you swooning. Their undeniable chemistry and emotional connection create an engaging and satisfying love story. The witty banter between the two adds a delightful touch to their interactions.

Ali Hazelwood’s writing is both engaging and emotionally resonant, effortlessly drawing readers into the world of academia and scientific research. The novel’s exploration of the characters’ hidden depths and vulnerability adds layers to the story, making it a truly captivating read from beginning to end. “The Love Hypothesis” is a must-read for anyone looking for a heartwarming and well-developed romance that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

books like the Love Hypothesis

The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas

Catalina Martín desperately needs a date to her sister’s wedding. Especially since her little white lie about her American boyfriend has spiralled out of control. Now everyone she knows—including her ex and his fiancée—will be there and eager to meet him.

She only has four weeks to find someone willing to cross the Atlantic and aid in her deception. New York to Spain is no short flight and her raucous family won’t be easy to fool.

Enter Aaron Blackford—her tall, handsome, condescending colleague—who surprisingly offers to step in. She’d rather refuse; never has there been a more aggravating, blood-boiling, and insufferable man.

But Catalina is desperate, and as the wedding draws nearer, Aaron looks like her best option. And she begins to realize he might not be as terrible in the real world as he is at the office.

This book was cute to read! Also have the only one bed trope and enemies to lovers (of course).

Twisted Games by Ana Huang

She can never be his…but he’s taking her anyway.

Stoic, broody, and arrogant, elite bodyguard Rhys Larsen has two rules: 1) Protect his clients at all costs 2) Do not become emotionally involved. Ever.

He has never once been tempted to break those rules…until  her.

Bridget von Ascheberg. A princess with a stubborn streak that matches his own and a hidden fire that reduces his rules to ash. She’s nothing he expected and everything he never knew he needed.

Day by day, inch by inch, she breaks down his defences until he’s faced with a truth he can no longer deny: he swore an oath to protect her, but all he wants is to ruin her. Take her.

Because she’s his.

His princess. His forbidden fruit. His every depraved fantasy.

Regal, strong-willed, and bound by the chains of duty, Princess Bridget dreams of the freedom to live and love as she chooses.

But when her brother abdicates, she’s suddenly faced with the prospect of a loveless, politically expedient marriage and a throne she never wanted.

And as she navigates the intricacies—and treacheries—of her new role, she must also hide her desire for a man she can’t have.

Her bodyguard. Her protector. Her ultimate ruin.

Unexpected and forbidden, theirs is a love that could destroy a kingdom…and doom them both.

Icebreaker by Hannah Grace

Anastasia Allen has worked her entire life for a shot at Team USA.

A competitive figure skater since she was five years old, a full college scholarship thanks to her place on the Maple Hills skating team, and a schedule that would make even the most driven person weep, Stassie comes to win.

No exceptions.

Nathan Hawkins has never had a problem he couldn’t solve. As captain of the Maple Hills Titans, he knows the responsibility of keeping the hockey team on the ice rests on his shoulders.

When a misunderstanding results in the two teams sharing a rink, and Anastasia’s partner gets hurt in the aftermath, Nate finds himself swapping his stick for tights, and one scary coach for an even scarier one.

The pair find themselves stuck together in more ways than one, but it’s fine, because Anastasia doesn’t even like hockey players…right?

Twisted Hate by Ana Huang

He hates her…almost as much as he wants her.

Gorgeous, cocky, and fast on his way to becoming a hotshot doctor, Josh Chen has never met a woman he couldn’t charm—except for Jules f**king Ambrose.

The beautiful redhead has been a thorn in his side since they met, but she also consumes his thoughts in a way no woman ever has.

When their animosity explodes into one unforgettable night, he proposes a solution that’ll get her out of his system once and for all: an enemies with benefits arrangement with simple rules.

No jealousy.

No strings attached.

And absolutely no falling in love.

Outgoing and ambitious, Jules Ambrose is a former party girl who’s focused on one thing: passing the attorney’s bar exam.

The last thing she needs is to get involved with a doctor who puts the SUFFER in insufferable…no matter how good-looking he is.

But the more she gets to know him, the more she realizes there’s more than meets the eye to the man she’s hated for so long.

Her best friend’s brother.

Her nemesis.

And her only salvation.

Theirs is a match made in hell, and when the demons from their past catch up with them, they’re faced with truths that could either save them …or destroy everything they’ve worked for.

Twisted Hate is a steamy enemies with benefits/enemies to lovers romance. It’s book three in the Twisted series but can be read as a standalone.

Abou t The Fine Print by Lauren Asher

A typical billionaire romance that is quite popular. It’s one of the more famous ones of the genre, especially on Kindle Unlimited.

Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood

Bee Königswasser lives by a simple code: What would Marie Curie do? If NASA offered her the lead on a neuroengineering project – a literal dream come true – Marie would accept without hesitation. Duh. But the mother of modern physics never had to co-lead with Levi Ward.

Sure, Levi is attractive in a tall, dark, and piercing-eyes kind of way. But Levi made his feelings toward Bee very clear in grad school – archenemies work best employed in their own galaxies far, far away.

But when her equipment starts to go missing and the staff ignore her, Bee could swear she sees Levi softening into an ally, backing her plays, seconding her ideas… devouring her with those eyes. The possibilities have all her neurons firing.

But when it comes time to actually make a move and put her heart on the line, there’s only one question that matters: What will Bee Königswasser do?

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

Piper Bellinger is fashionable, influential, and her reputation as a wild child means the paparazzi are constantly on her heels. When too much champagne and an out-of-control rooftop party lands Piper in the slammer, her stepfather decides enough is enough. So he cuts her off, and sends Piper and her sister to learn some responsibility running their late father’s dive bar… in Washington.

Piper hasn’t even been in Westport for five minutes when she meets big, bearded sea captain Brendan, who thinks she won’t last a week outside of Beverly Hills. So what if Piper can’t do math, and the idea of sleeping in a shabby apartment with bunk beds gives her hives. How bad could it really be? She’s determined to show her stepfather—and the hot, grumpy local—that she’s more than a pretty face.

Except it’s a small town and everywhere she turns, she bumps into Brendan. The fun-loving socialite and the gruff fisherman are polar opposites, but there’s an undeniable attraction simmering between them. Piper doesn’t want any distractions, especially feelings for a man who sails off into the sunset for weeks at a time.

Yet as she reconnects with her past and begins to feel at home in Westport, Piper starts to wonder if the cold, glamorous life she knew is what she truly wants. LA is calling her name, but Brendan—and this town full of memories—may have already caught her heart. 

Romance between a sunshine fashionable “it” celebrity girl with grumpy sea sailor local. Bright cheerful icon x cold ordinary sailor combo meal.

The Love Hypothesis Spicy Chapters

As many readers may know (especially romance book readers), oftentimes we like to seek out book tropes and read romance books that include the book tropes we usually like and the book tropes we want to read at the moment. It’s what drives a lot of book recommendations and is a common way we seek out books to read. If you are a reader who is interested in:

• Tracking tropes that you have already read
• Tracking tropes that you would want to read in the future
• Collect original trope ideas that you came up with (and haven’t come across before)

Then this book trope reading journal is perfectly made for you!

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These swoony titles feature broody cowboys with secret hearts of gold

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Grab your hat, put on your boots and saddle up your horse. Whether you love a down-to-earth rancher, a bull rider who lives a bit dangerously or a home-grown cattleman who lives on the farm, cowboy romance books offer a taste of life in the Wild West — with a little spice added in! We gathered a list of our favorites. From heartfelt love stories and comedic ranch shenanigans to sweet and sometimes steamy moments, these novels have something for every reader. Keep scrolling for all of our cowboy romance recommendations. Yeehaw!

‘Flawless’ by Elsie Silver

From BookTok sensation Elsie Silver comes the first in the Chestnut Springs Series. When it comes to professional bull riding, Rhett Easton is the golden boy. At least he was…until he got into a public brawl. That’s where Summer Hamilton, the daughter of Rhett’s agent, comes in. Her new assignment is to help Rhett clean up his act. Rhett doesn’t want a babysitter, but soon he and Summer form an undeniable connection. Rhett’s reputation can’t take any more hits and Summer can’t take any more heartbreak, so they decide not to cross any lines with each other — until Rhett chooses to steal Summer’s heart for good. 

What readers are saying: “A fellow romance reader told me this story’s small town ranch setting was beyond charming, so that’s initially what interested me in Elsie Silver’s Flawless ,” says Melissa D’Agnese, Woman’s World Senior Editor. “But the simmering, slow-burn chemistry between Rhett and Summer hooked me from the start. If you’re considering a cowboy romance full of heart, this one won’t disappoint — it’s a fun escape!”

‘Done and Dusted’ by Lyla Sage

Saddle up and head to Rebel Blue Ranch. Clementine “Emmy” Ryder has no clue what she’s doing — for the first time ever. She left her small town of Meadowlark, went to college and made a career for herself by doing what she loves: riding horses. However, when an accident leaves her injured with no choice but to return home, there’s more waiting for her than she expected. Luke Brooks hasn’t seen Emmy in years. And as the town’s resident bad boy he can’t help but want to stir up trouble for Emmy. He’s also her older brother’s best friend. It turns out Luke might be the spark Emmy needs to get back on her feet, but if they’re not careful they both could go up in flames. 

What readers are saying: “ I have no words for the amount of absolute LOVE I have with this book! I became obsessed with it from the start. Not only is it a small-town cowboy romance but he falls first AND he’s her brother’s best friend. Need I say more? I devoured this book. I might’ve found another top fave author!”

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‘the longest ride’ by nicholas sparks  .

At 91 years old, Ira Levinson is stranded on an embankment after a car crash, with only the visions and memories of his late wife, Ruth, to keep him alive. A few miles away at a local bull-riding event, an unlikely love is blooming between college senior Sophia and young cowboy Luke. The two couples have little in common and are separated by years and experience, yet their lives converge with unexpected poignancy.  

What readers are saying: “I was drawn into both of these love stories, told in alternating chapters, and couldn’t wait to see how they connected,” says Tara Hans, Woman’s World Managing Editor. “And while the ending was ever-so-slightly far-fetched, it was exactly the kind of feel-good we could all use. I was left smiling and wanting to hold my loved ones close.”

‘Untamed Cowboy’ by Maisey Yates

Bennett Dodge and Kaylee Capshaw have known each other for years and are business partners at a veterinary clinic. Their relationship is strictly platonic — even though Kaylee has harbored a secret crush on Bennett since their high school days. So when a troubled 15-year-old boy enters the picture and Bennett discovers the teen is his son, everyday life around the clinic is shaken up. Suddenly, Bennett finds himself leaning on Kaylee more than ever. Will this bring them closer together or break their bond? 

What readers are saying: “ Fantastic entertainment. Maisey writes such detailed stories with captivating characters. I love her series. Warning, you will become addicted!”

‘The Wedding Crasher and the Cowboy’ by Robin Bielman

Kennedy Martin never expected to hear that her ex has cold feet days before he’s supposed to get married. After a whirlwind phone call, she decides to crash his wedding — only to convince him that he and his fiance are seriously made for each other. What she doesn’t anticipate is a run-in with her college nemesis, Maverick Owens. He’s still as annoying as ever, but Kennedy can’t help but appreciate how good he looks in his cowboy hat. To ensure she gets time with the groom to save the wedding, Kennedy finds herself participating in the pre-wedding festivities. The catch? Everything somehow involves having Maverick right by her side. Will their forced proximity spark a connection or will Kennedy be stuck in one of the longest weeks of her life?

What readers are saying: “This is my second Robin Bielman book and I LOVED it. Maverick and Kennedy were such fun characters and I really enjoyed the rustic ranch vibes. It was great to see Maverick and Kennedy progress from college rivals to fully being in love. I seriously cannot recommend this one enough and I live for cowboy romance!!”

‘Cowboy Bold ’ by Carolyn Brown

You don’t want to miss the first book in an exciting cowboy romance series from bestselling author Carolyn Brown. Cade McGuire looks forward to hosting underprivileged kids at his ranch every summer. However, this year he finds himself short-staffed and lacking a counselor. Retta Palmer is broke and needs something new and exciting, which is how she lands herself a gig as a counselor at Longhorn Canyon Ranch. Cade and Retta aren’t looking for anything serious, but with matchmaking townspeople and curious campers, they end up closer than they could have anticipated.

What readers are saying: “C arolyn Brown has never disappointed me yet and Cowboy Bold was no different. I loved every minute of this book. I am really looking forward to the next book: Cowboy Honor.”

‘A Country Affair’ by Debbie Macomber

Filled with heartfelt moments and Southern charm, this tome features two of beloved author Debbie Macomber’s greatest stories. In A Little Bit Country, city girl Rorie Campbell gets stranded on the side of a country road and is saved by handsome cowboy Clay Franklin. Then, Country Bride follows Kate Logan, who spontaneously proposes to her friend Luke Rivers, and when he agrees, he refuses to break his promise. A delight! 

What readers are saying: “I loved all the characters. The story was fabulous and really kept me wondering. I really couldn’t figure out the plot until the end. It was very well written. Thank you Debbie for another wonderful novel!”

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‘the last second chance’ by lucy score.

Head to Blue Moon in this sweet, steamy romance from bestselling author Lucy Score. Joey Greer is great at raising horses and holding grudges. But eight years earlier, Jackson Pierce, her high school sweetheart abandoned her and left town — and she’s not willing to forgive or forget… until he returns to Blue Moon ready for a second chance at love with Joey. But Jax has secrets of his own, plus the town’s beautification committee has a few tricks up their sleeve that could either help Joey and Jax leave the past behind or guarantee they’ll never be together again. 

What readers are saying: “ This was a great book. The story was engrossing, the characters lovable and the town as a whole seems wonderful. Looking forward to my next trip in Book 4 of the series.”

‘Duty or Desire’ by Brenda Jackson

Fans of classic love stories will rejoice over this dreamy saga filled with sweet moments and fiery chemistry. Pete Higgins is a Westmoreland cowboy and an honorable man and always keeps his word. After taking in his orphaned niece, he hires a temporary nanny, Myra Hollister, and he is immediately enchanted by Myra’s beauty and charm. But she also has dangerous secrets that make Pete question if love is worth the risk. 

What readers are saying: “ Brenda Jackson never ceases to amaze me, her storytelling. The romance between Pete & Myra is the reason I keep reading all of her books. I love the adventure, danger, secrecy and hot romance in all her books.”

‘Wyoming Tough’ by Diana Palmer

Deal of the Day

Mallory Kirk is a cowboy through and through and he knows exactly what his ranch needs day in and day out. But he doubts his new cowgirl Morie Brannt will be able to do the same. In fact, he doesn’t think she’ll be able to pull her weight at all. Morie has a lot of spirit and she’s willing to use that to work hard and at times disagree with her boss. While they spar about proper ranch care,  sparks fly and Mallory gets to see Morie in a new light. This tough cowboy may have to put it all on the line if love’s involved. 

What readers are saying: “ Diana’s books NEVER fail to keep me glued to them. I not only get them for my Kindle I also buy the books (just in case the Kindle fails). Look forward to many more books by Diana Palmer.”

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BOOK REVIEW: The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

Synopsis: When a fake relationship between scientists meets the irresistible force of attraction, it throws one woman's carefully calculated theories on love into chaos. As a third-year Ph.D. candidate, Olive Smith doesn't believe in lasting romantic relationships--but her best friend does, and that's what got her into this situation. Convincing Anh that Olive is dating and well on her way to a happily ever after was always going to take more than hand-wavy Jedi mind tricks: Scientists require proof. So, like any self-respecting biologist, Olive panics and kisses the first man she sees. That man is none other than Adam Carlsen, a young hotshot professor--and well-known ass. Which is why Olive is positively floored when Stanford's reigning lab tyrant agrees to keep her charade a secret and be her fake boyfriend. But when a big science conference goes haywire, putting Olive's career on the Bunsen burner, Adam surprises her again with his unyielding support and even more unyielding...six-pack abs. Suddenly their little experiment feels dangerously close to combustion. And Olive discovers that the only thing more complicated than a hypothesis on love is putting her own heart under the microscope.

The Love Hypothesis snuck up on me and captured my heart.  It was addicting, sexy, angsty and thoroughly intoxicating!  I’m sure a huge fan of the fake dating trope and it not only made this book a ton of fun but it had a lot of emotional power too.  With a broody male, a quirky girl and a story filled with science, contemporary romance lovers will fall head over heels in love with this book!

“Have you considered getting a real girlfriend?” His eyebrow lifted. “Have you considered getting a real date?” “Touché.”

The prologue quickly pulled me in.  Not only was the meet cute beyond adorable and memorable , but it was laced with emotion too.  When we jumped two years and eleven months into the future in chapter one, we found Olive fake kissing some random guy.  I was like what is even going on?!   But it was because she hoped that her best friend would see her liking someone else and would then start dating her ex, who she never had feelings for. So to prove to her bestie that she had moved on, she kissed the first guy she saw. And it was Adam Carlsen who was a professor at her school and a complete jerk. It led to them fake dating and there’s so much more to the story then this but eeps I loved every minute of it!

“People who date, they—they talk. A lot. More than just greetings in the  hallway. They know each other’s favorite colors, and where they were  born, and they . . . they hold hands. They kiss.” Adam pressed his lips  together as if to suppress a smile. “We could never do that .” A fresh  wave of mortification crashed into Olive. “I am sorry about the kiss. I  really didn’t think, and—” He shook his head. “It’s fine.”

Olive was a brilliant scientist in grad school, but she was a little unsure of herself at times.  It took me a little while to warm up to her, and I wanted to shake her a time or two about her lying.  I wanted her to be upfront and honest but as the story unfolded and we learned the whys behind her actions it was impossible not to love her.  Her past and present helped mold who she was nowadays and we get to know every part of Olive.  So during moments like when she explained why she was so passionate about her research, I got tears in my eyes.  I loved her determination and dedication! And when she found her voice and the courage to say and do what she wanted, I was so proud of how far Olive grew from that first page till the last!

Olive laughed, and the way he looked at her, kind and curious and  patient . . . she must be hallucinating it. Her head was not right. She  should have brought a sun hat.

Adam Carlsen was such an unknown besides his reputation as an arrogant asshole. Yet each time we learned a little something more about Adam, I kept falling harder and harder.  Adam knew how to take control and be in charge of a situation.  Yes it sometimes made him come across as a complete and total jerk but other times it came across so hot *fans face*.  He left me feeling beyond happy, giddy and counting down till his next interaction with Olive!  But with Adam, I loved how he commanded attention from others without even trying. I also loved how his humor was so subtle and effortless; each time he made me laugh out loud he snagged another piece of my heart. Adam was caring, strong, beautiful, someone so easy to become obsessed with and the moments he was thoughtful made my heart exploded. I was absolutely obsessed with this broody man who oh so easily got added to my book boyfriend list!

“We are friends, right?” His frown deepened. “Friends?” “Yes. You and I.” He studied for a long moment. Something new passed through his face,  stark and a little sad. Too fleeting to interpret. “Yes, Olive.”

Olive and Adam’s moments together created even more speculation and gossip of what was truly happening between them.  So it easily led to them fake dating. They both had reasons behind wanting to do that. So each time they were together, I desperately wanted them never to part. I was obsessed with their coffee dates or when they ran into each other. Because even the most simplistic moments between them, like listening to a presentation or a school picnic, made me have butterflies in my stomach. The chemistry between them was through the roof hot. And while I guessed how quite a few things would play out, it never once took away from my love of this story.  But one thing I didn’t guess correctly was how unbelievably sexy this book was.  Pages upon pages of scenes had me melting into a pile on the floor.  Together they were sigh worthy!

He took a deep breath. His shoulders rose and fell in time with the  thudding of her heart. “I wish you could see yourself the way I see  you.”

The Love Hypothesis was a mixture of steamy and adorable, and landed right on my favorites list! It was impossible not to cry tears or stop the smiles that constantly appeared on my face. Ohhh plus it was so cute that Olive kept thinking of them as a book trope, like the fake boyfriend, possible one bed, her wearing his shirt and he’s speechless.  It truly didn’t even matter that I’ve read so many of these tropes countless times, Olive and Adam made it feel unique on every single page. Now I now can’t wait to read whatever else Ali Hazelwood releases!

He tilted his head. “Standard protocol?” “Yup.” “How many times have you  done this?” “Zero. But I am familiar with the trope.” “The . . . what?” He  blinked at her, confused.

“It was good, wasn’t it?” Olive asked, with a small, wistful smile. She  wasn’t herself sure what she was referring to. Maybe his arms around  her. Maybe this last kiss. Maybe everything else. The sunscreen, his  ridiculous answers on his favorite color, the quiet conversations late  at night . . . all of it had been so very good. “It was.” Adam’s voice  sounded too deep to be his own. When he pressed his lips against her  forehead one last time, she felt her love for him swell fuller than a  river in flood. 

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Adult Romance

March 16, 2022 at 11:05 am

March 23, 2022 at 12:09 pm

A million times yes! You’re making me want to re-read this one *sigh*!

March 21, 2022 at 11:05 am

March 23, 2022 at 12:11 pm

Thank you! I’m so happy to hear that it lived up to the hype for you, yay! This book was such a wonderful surprise, I was hoping to enjoy it and loved that I loved it so deeply!

March 23, 2022 at 2:16 am

March 23, 2022 at 12:23 pm

Personally I’m not a fan of the cover at all *shrugs and then hides face* lol. But it was the fake dating trope that pulled me in and I’m so glad I did because the story was so fun and the chemistry was amazing!

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The Love Hypothesis Kindle Edition

• Print length 383 pages
• Language English
• Sticky notes On Kindle Scribe
• Publisher Berkley
• Publication date September 14, 2021
• File size 3306 KB
• Page Flip Enabled
• Word Wise Enabled
• Enhanced typesetting Enabled
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About the author, excerpt. © reprinted by permission. all rights reserved..

Chapter One

Hypothesis: When given a choice between A (a slightly inconveniencing situation) and B (a colossal shitshow with devastating consequences), I will inevitably end up selecting B.

In Olive's defense, the man didn't seem to mind the kiss too much.

It did take him a moment to adjust-perfectly understandable, given the sudden circumstances. It was an awkward, uncomfortable, somewhat painful minute, in which Olive was simultaneously smashing her lips against his and pushing herself as high as her toes would extend to keep her mouth at the same level as his face. Did he have to be so tall? The kiss must have looked like some clumsy headbutt, and she grew anxious that she was not going to be able to pull the whole thing off. Her friend Anh, whom Olive had spotted coming her way a few seconds ago, was going to take one look at this and know at once that Olive and Kiss Dude couldn't possibly be two people in the middle of a date.

Then that agonizingly slow moment went by, and the kiss became . . . different. The man inhaled sharply and inclined his head a tiny bit, making Olive feel less like a squirrel monkey climbing a baobab tree, and his hands-which were large and pleasantly warm in the AC of the hallway-closed around her waist. They slid up a few inches, coming to wrap around Olive's rib cage and holding her to himself. Not too close, and not too far.

It was more of a prolonged peck than anything, but it was quite nice, and for the life span of a few seconds Olive forgot a large number of things, including the fact that she was pressed against a random, unknown dude. That she'd barely had the time to whisper "Can I please kiss you?" before locking lips with him. That what had originally driven her to put on this entire show was the hope of fooling Anh, her best friend in the whole world.

But a good kiss will do that: make a girl forget herself for a while. Olive found herself melting into a broad, solid chest that showed absolutely no give. Her hands traveled from a defined jaw into surprisingly thick and soft hair, and then-then she heard herself sigh, as if already out of breath, and that's when it hit her like a brick on the head, the realization that- No. No.

Nope, nope, no.

She should not be enjoying this. Random dude, and all that.

Olive gasped and pushed herself away from him, frantically looking for Anh. In the 11:00 p.m. bluish glow of the biology labs' hallway, her friend was nowhere to be seen. Weird. Olive was sure she had spotted her a few seconds earlier.

Kiss Dude, on the other hand, was standing right in front of her, lips parted, chest rising and a weird light flickering in his eyes, which was exactly when it dawned on her, the enormity of what she had just done. Of who she had just-

Fuck her life.

Fuck. Her. Life.

Because Dr. Adam Carlsen was a known ass.

This fact was not remarkable in and of itself, as in academia every position above the graduate student level (Olive's level, sadly) required some degree of assness in order to be held for any length of time, with tenured faculty at the very peak of the ass pyramid. Dr. Carlsen, though-he was exceptional. At least if the rumors were anything to go by.

He was the reason Olive's roommate, Malcolm, had to completely scrap two research projects and would likely end up graduating a year late; the one who had made Jeremy throw up from anxiety before his qualifying exams; the sole culprit for half the students in the department being forced to postpone their thesis defenses. Joe, who used to be in Olive's cohort and would take her to watch out-of-focus European movies with microscopic subtitles every Thursday night, had been a research assistant in Carlsen's lab, but he'd decided to drop out six months into it for "reasons." It was probably for the best, since most of Carlsen's remaining graduate assistants had perennially shaky hands and often looked like they hadn't slept in a year.

Dr. Carlsen might have been a young academic rock star and biology's wunderkind, but he was also mean and hypercritical, and it was obvious in the way he spoke, in the way he carried himself, that he thought himself the only person doing decent science within the Stanford biology department. Within the entire world, probably. He was a notoriously moody, obnoxious, terrifying dick.

And Olive had just kissed him.

She wasn't sure how long the silence lasted-only that he was the one to break it. He stood in front of Olive, ridiculously intimidating with dark eyes and even darker hair, staring down from who knows how many inches above six feet-he must have been over half a foot taller than she was. He scowled, an expression that she recognized from seeing him attend the departmental seminar, a look that usually preceded him raising his hand to point out some perceived fatal flaw in the speaker's work.

Adam Carlsen. Destroyer of research careers , Olive had once overheard her adviser say.

It's okay. It's fine. Totally fine. She was just going to pretend nothing had happened, nod at him politely, and tiptoe her way out of here. Yes, solid plan.

"Did you . . . Did you just kiss me?" He sounded puzzled, and maybe a little out of breath. His lips were full and plump and . . . God. Kissed. There was simply no way Olive could get away with denying what she had just done.

Still, it was worth a try.

Surprisingly, it seemed to work.

"Ah. Okay, then." Carlsen nodded and turned around, looking vaguely disoriented. He took a couple of steps down the hallway, reached the water fountain-maybe where he'd been headed in the first place.

Olive was starting to believe that she might actually be off the hook when he halted and turned back with a skeptical expression.

"Are you sure?"

"I-" She buried her face in her hands. "It's not the way it looks."

"Okay. I . . . Okay," he repeated slowly. His voice was deep and low and sounded a lot like he was on his way to get ting mad. Like maybe he was already mad. "What's going on here?"

There was simply no way to explain this. Any normal person would have found Olive's situation odd, but Adam Carlsen, who obviously considered empathy a bug and not a feature of humanity, could never understand. She let her hands fall to her sides and took a deep breath.

"I . . . listen, I don't mean to be rude, but this is really none of your business."

He stared at her for a moment, and then he nodded. "Yes. Of course." He must be getting back into his usual groove, because his tone had lost some of its surprise and was back to normal-dry. Laconic. "I'll just go back to my office and begin to work on my Title IX complaint."

Olive exhaled in relief. "Yeah. That would be great, since- Wait. Your what?"

He cocked his head. "Title IX is a federal law that protects against sexual misconduct within academic settings-"

"I know what Title IX is."

"I see. So you willfully chose to disregard it."

"I- What? No. No, I didn't!"

He shrugged. "I must be mistaken, then. Someone else must have assaulted me."

"Assault-I didn't 'assault' you."

"You did kiss me."

"But not really ."

"Without first securing my consent."

"I asked if I could kiss you!"

"And then did so without waiting for my response."

"What? You said yes."

"Excuse me?"

She frowned. "I asked if I could kiss you, and you said yes."

"Incorrect. You asked if you could kiss me and I snorted."

"I'm pretty sure I heard you said yes."

He lifted one eyebrow, and for a minute Olive let herself daydream of drowning someone. Dr. Carlsen. Herself. Both sounded like great options.

"Listen, I'm really sorry. It was a weird situation. Can we just forget that this happened?"

He studied her for a long moment, his angular face serious and something else, something that she couldn't quite decipher because she was too busy noticing all over again how damn towering and broad he was. Just massive. Olive had always been slight, just this side of too slender, but girls who are five eight rarely felt diminutive. At least until they found themselves standing next to Adam Carlsen. She'd known that he was tall, of course, from seeing him around the department or walking across campus, from sharing the elevator with him, but they'd never interacted. Never been this close.

Except for a second ago, Olive. When you almost put your tongue in his-

"Is something wrong?" He sounded almost concerned.

"What? No. No, there isn't."

"Because," he continued calmly, "kissing a stranger at midnight in a science lab might be a sign that there is."

"There isn't."

Carlsen nodded, thoughtful. "Very well. Expect mail in the next few days, then." He began to walk past her, and she turned to yell after him.

"You didn't even ask my name!"

"I'm sure anyone could figure it out, since you must have swiped your badge to get in the labs area after hours. Have a good night."

"Wait!" She leaned forward and stopped him with a hand on his wrist. He paused immediately, even though it was obvious that it would take him no effort to free himself, and stared pointedly at the spot where her fingers had wrapped around his skin-right below a wristwatch that probably cost half her yearly graduate salary. Or all of it.

She let go of him at once and took one step back. "Sorry, I didn't mean to-"

"The kiss. Explain."

Olive bit into her lower lip. She had truly screwed herself over. She had to tell him, now. "Anh Pham." She looked around to make sure Anh was really gone. "The girl who was passing by. She's a graduate student in the biology department."

Carlsen gave no indication of knowing who Anh was.

"Anh has . . ." Olive pushed a strand of brown hair behind her ear. This was where the story became embarrassing. Complicated, and a little juvenile sounding. "I was seeing this guy in the department. Jeremy Langley, he has red hair and works with Dr. . . . Anyway, we went out just a couple of times, and then I brought him to Anh's birthday party, and they just sort of hit it off and-"

Olive shut her eyes. Which was probably a bad idea, because now she could see it painted on her lids, how her best friend and her date had bantered in that bowling alley, as if they'd known each other their whole lives; the never-exhausted topics of conversation, the laughter, and then, at the end of the night, Jeremy following Anh's every move with his gaze. It had been painfully clear who he was interested in. Olive waved a hand and tried for a smile.

"Long story short, after Jeremy and I ended things he asked Anh out. She said no because of . . . girl code and all that, but I can tell that she really likes him. She's afraid to hurt my feelings, and no matter how many times I told her it was fine she wouldn't believe me."

Not to mention that the other day I overheard her confess to our friend Malcolm that she thought Jeremy was awesome, but she could never betray me by going out with him, and she sounded so dejected. Disappointed and insecure, not at all like the spunky, larger-than-life Anh I am used to.

"So I just lied and told her that I was already dating someone else. Because she's one of my closest friends and I'd never seen her like a guy this much and I want her to have the good things she deserves and I'm positive that she would do the same for me and-" Olive realized that she was rambling and that Carlsen couldn't have cared less. She stopped and swallowed, even though her mouth felt dry. "Tonight. I told her I'd be on a date tonight ."

"Ah." His expression was unreadable.

"But I'm not. So I decided to come in to work on an experiment, but Anh showed up, too. She wasn't supposed to be here. But she was. Coming this way. And I panicked-well." Olive wiped a hand down her face. "I didn't really think."

Carlsen didn't say anything, but it was there in his eyes that he was thinking. Obviously.

"I just needed her to believe that I was on a date."

He nodded. "So you kissed the first person you saw in the hallway. Perfectly logical."

Olive winced. "When you put it like that, perhaps it wasn't my best moment."

"But it wasn't my worst, either! I'm pretty sure Anh saw us. Now she'll think that I was on a date with you and she'll hopefully feel free to go out with Jeremy and-" She shook her head. "Listen. I'm so, so sorry about the kiss."

"Please, don't report me. I really thought I heard you say yes. I promise I didn't mean to . . ."

Suddenly, the enormity of what she had just done fully dawned on her. She had just kissed a random guy, a guy who happened to be the most notoriously unpleasant faculty member in the biology department. She'd misunderstood a snort for consent, she'd basically attacked him in the hallway, and now he was staring at her in that odd, pensive way, so large and focused and close to her, and . . .

Maybe it was the late night. Maybe it was that her last coffee had been sixteen hours ago. Maybe it was Adam Carlsen looking down at her, like that. All of a sudden, this entire situation was just too much.

"Actually, you're absolutely right. And I am so sorry. If you felt in any way harassed by me, you really should report me, because it's only fair. It was a horrible thing to do, though I really didn't want to . . . Not that my intentions matter; it's more like your perception of . . ."

Crap, crap, crap.

"I'm going to leave now, okay? Thank you, and . . . I am so, so, so sorry." Olive spun around on her heels and ran away down the hallway.

"Olive," she heard him call after her. "Olive, wait-"

She didn't stop. She sprinted down the stairs to the first floor and then out the building and across the pathways of the sparsely lit Stanford campus, running past a girl walking her dog and a group of students laughing in front of the library. She continued until she was standing in front of her apartment's door, stopping only to unlock it, making a beeline for her room in the hope of avoiding her roommate and whoever he might have brought home tonight. It wasn’t until she slumped on her bed, staring at the glow‑in‑the- dark stars glued to her ceiling, that she realized that she had neglected to check on her lab mice. She had also left her laptop on her bench and her sweatshirt somewhere in the lab, and she had completely forgotten to stop at the store and buy the coffee she’d promised Malcolm she’d get for tomorrow morning. Shit. What a disaster of a day. It never occurred to Olive that Dr. Adam Carlsen— known ass— had called her by her name.

Product details

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08T6XN4FP
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Berkley (September 14, 2021)
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 14, 2021
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• File size ‏ : ‎ 3306 KB
• Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
• Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 383 pages
• Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1408725762
• #117 in Workplace Romance eBooks
• #139 in Workplace Romance
• #466 in Romantic Comedy (Kindle Store)

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About the author

Ali hazelwood.

Ali Hazelwood is a multi-published author—alas, of peer-reviewed articles about brain science, in which no one makes out and the ever after is not always happy. Originally from Italy, she lived in Germany and Japan before moving to the U.S. to pursue a Ph.D. in neuroscience. She recently became a professor, which absolutely terrifies her. When Ali is not at work, she can be found running, crocheting, eating cake pops, or watching sci-fi movies with her two feline overlords (and her slightly-less-feline husband).

Customer reviews

• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 5 star 65% 24% 8% 2% 1% 65%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 4 star 65% 24% 8% 2% 1% 24%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 3 star 65% 24% 8% 2% 1% 8%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 2 star 65% 24% 8% 2% 1% 2%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 1 star 65% 24% 8% 2% 1% 1%

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Customers say

Customers find the book easy to read and fresh. They also describe the characters as lovable, charming, and heartwarming. Readers describe the plot as compelling, captivating, and realistic. They appreciate the content as wholesome, risk-adverse, and risk-taking. Customers find it to be a great rom-com with a chemistry class. However, some customers feel the sexual content is cheesy and gross. Opinions are mixed on the pacing, with some finding it quick paced and others finding it slow.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers find the book funny, charming, and heartwarming. They also appreciate the clever writing and the cheesy humour. Readers say the book is well thought out and has a young and fresh vibe.

"...She did a great job. The vibe feels young and fresh , with a voice that actually sounds like a 26-year-old...." Read more

"...This is cute and sweet. It’s cheesy , but it knows that it is, and I think that makes it all the better.Olive is adorable...." Read more

"...I liked the friend group and the amount of humor and nuance in the writing . And let's speak a moment about the cover...." Read more

"I loved this book! It was sooooo good ! This was my first time reading something by this author, and I am totally in love...." Read more

Customers find the plot compelling, captivating, and easy to read. They also say the characters are lovable and the conflicts realistic. Readers also mention that the pacing of the romance is perfect. They find the book charming, quirky, and fresh with a modern twist. Overall, they say it's a realistic representation of how people in college interact.

"...And it is definitely a love story. The romance is central throughout , with a light, fresh feel that gets richer and deeper as the story progresses...." Read more

"...is probably not going to be everyone’s favorite FMC but she’s dorky and believable ...." Read more

"...So yeah, calling all geek-girls, this is a great romance book and I will definitely be reading more of the author's work in the future." Read more

"...This is a great story , and I definitely recommend giving it a try." Read more

Customers find the characters loveable, witty, and cute. They also say the illustrator is amazing and the book has a vivid, distinct voice.

"...Well, it's all pretty great, actually. This has such a vivid , distinct voice that I am very much looking forward to whatever's next from..." Read more

"... Adam is cute . I really wish this was dual POV. I would LOVE to experience the pining and brooding that I know was going on in his head. But alas...." Read more

"...And let's speak a moment about the cover. The Illustrator is amazing and honestly, her cover is what sold me to take the leap and buy the book...." Read more

"...I really love her writing style. The characters were super smart but not so smart that everything went over my head.I just loved Olive...." Read more

Customers find the book has a nice bit of spice, is wholesome, and sweet. They also say it's funny and light, like cotton candy.

"...This is cute and sweet . It’s cheesy, but it knows that it is, and I think that makes it all the better.Olive is adorable...." Read more

"FINAL DECISION: This book is fun and light, like cotton candy . Even the "serious" storyline is really fluff because it lacks complexity...." Read more

"...Tall, academic, and sweet … he’s what dreams are made of..." Read more

"...This book does contain spice . I would say 2.5 spicy peppers out of 5 spicy peppers...." Read more

Customers find the academic setting and nerdy references to science and research interesting and captivating. They also describe the book as a good science rom com with an accurate representation of academia. Readers also mention that the book flows smoothly and there isn't a boring part in any chapter.

"...Tall, academic , and sweet… he’s what dreams are made of..." Read more

"...I felt the world of academia was well established as it was shown, not told...." Read more

"Please read because the chemistry is undeniable !!" Read more

"..." is a delightful and charming romance novel that combines scientific curiosity with matters of the heart...." Read more

Customers find the book heartwarming, sweet, and slightly depressing. They also say the attraction is almost tangible, and the book has an incredibly intimate and dynamic love scene. Customers also mention the book is brooding, commanding, and loveable.

"...It's a slow burn romance with one incredibly intimate and dynamic love scene - the intimacy and emotional connection are the shining stars here...." Read more

"...The sex scene felt both hot and yet in some moments awkward , tender, and exposing (making it feel all the more real)...." Read more

"...Olive had was so real that Ali makes it relatable and shows the real emotions and struggles that comes with it. Definitely a good read! 💯..." Read more

"...I was enchanted, humored, encouraged and enlightened by this novel!..." Read more

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book. Some find it very quick paced, while others say it feels kinda slow. They also mention that the sex feels rushed and that it feels like lazy narration and plot.

"...A perfect summer romcom. This was easy to read and I finished it very quickly ...." Read more

"...The runtime is a bit longer than I'd like (11 hours), and I found it difficult to listen to the narrator's voice at a faster speed...." Read more

"...it’s a super fast read , b) it’s highly addicting, and c) Adam and Olive’s relationship/banter is the best...." Read more

"I love this book. It was a bit slow and I feel like the book could have been a bit shorter but the story was worth it...." Read more

Customers find the sexual content in the book cheesy, gross, and annoying. They also say the main character is immature and annoying, and the book is ridiculous and offensive.

"...Content Warnings: There is one scene with explicit sexual content (or two if you count the bonus chapter), and characters discuss sex at other times...." Read more

"...It's weird and gross . Ok, tangent over...." Read more

"...So much second hand embarrassment in this book . I was literally cringing on behalf of Olive...." Read more

"...Smut score: 3.5/5 (slow burn, explicit but not super kinky other than *one* thing that had me going "ohhhh" 🥵🌶)..." Read more

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The Love Hypothesis

By Ali Hazelwood

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Average rating: 7.81

1,392 RATINGS

145 REVIEWS

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The love hypothesis.

• Common Sense Says
• Parents Say 2 Reviews
• Kids Say 2 Reviews

Common Sense Media Review

Uneven romance has explicit sex, features women in STEM.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Ali Hazelwood's The Love Hypothesis is an adult romance set in the higher levels of academia at Stanford University. Ph.D. candidate Olive starts a fake relationship with a professor in hopes of inspiring her best friend to go for the man she's really interested in. Other than a few…

Why Age 17+?

Other than a few kisses and some romantic tension, there's only one sex scene, b

"Bulls--t," "clit," "clusterf--k," "c--k," "d--k," "f--k," "f--king," "holy crap

An incident of verbal sexual assault with an attempted kiss and coercion. An exc

A few food and beverage brands, and a couple of entertainment franchises to esta

All characters are adults of legal drinking age in California, where the story i

Any Positive Content?

Olive and Ahn are good models of women in STEM. They're extremely loyal and supp

Olive reads as White, is from Canada, and is very slim. Adam implies he's Jewish

An author's note explains Title IX and offers websites supporting women and BIPO

You have to be strong and tough to make it in the academic world, especially in

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Other than a few kisses and some romantic tension, there's only one sex scene, but it's extended, explicit, and meant to arouse. Oral and genital sex, manual stimulation, genital penetration, sucking nipples and genitals, and orgasm are described in detail with some crude words like "clit" and "c--k." Good examples of consent are modeled, and birth control and being "clean" are talked about. A few times adults talk about sex or sex acts like sixty-nining, butt stuff, and getting a "hand job."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

"Bulls--t," "clit," "clusterf--k," "c--k," "d--k," "f--k," "f--king," "holy crap," "holy s--t," "pr--k," "s--t," "s--tshow," ass," "assness," "bitch," "bitching," "butt," "crap," "crapfest," "dammit," "goddamned," "hell," "jackass," "pee," "smart-ass." "Jesus" as an exclamation.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Violence & Scariness

An incident of verbal sexual assault with an attempted kiss and coercion. An excerpt at the end from a future book has sexual harassment and cyberbullying. A man pins another against a wall by the collar and threatens to kill him.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

A few food and beverage brands, and a couple of entertainment franchises to establish character and setting.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

All characters are adults of legal drinking age in California, where the story is set. Very little actual drinking is depicted, but there are mentions of past drunkenness, a weekly beer and s'mores night, and taking advantage of free alcohol at academic meetings and conferences.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Positive Role Models

Olive and Ahn are good models of women in STEM. They're extremely loyal and supportive of each other, and Anh creates chances to support other women, especially BIPOC women in STEM. Adam is very protective and kind on a personal level toward Olive, but to his students he's harsh and uncompromising and seems uncaring. Olive makes a grand gesture out of compassion for Anh and models perseverance in advancing her research and career.

Diverse Representations

Olive reads as White, is from Canada, and is very slim. Adam implies he's Jewish and is very tall and powerfully built. Best friend Anh's family is from Vietnam, and she identifies as a woman of color. Roommate Malcolm reads as White, dates men, and enters a romantic relationship with another man. Olive wonders if she's asexual.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Educational Value

An author's note explains Title IX and offers websites supporting women and BIPOC women in STEM academic fields. The overall story provides insight into graduate and postgraduate academic life and careers, especially in STEM fields.

Positive Messages

You have to be strong and tough to make it in the academic world, especially in STEM fields. Don't be afraid to speak up when you've been harmed or you learn about something unethical. Your web of lies will eventually come to light, and when it does, it may cause more hurt than being truthful from the start would have.

Parents need to know that Ali Hazelwood's The Love Hypothesis is an adult romance set in the higher levels of academia at Stanford University. Ph.D. candidate Olive starts a fake relationship with a professor in hopes of inspiring her best friend to go for the man she's really interested in. Other than a few kisses and some romantic tension, there's only one sex scene, but it's extended, explicit, and meant to arouse. Oral and genital sex, manual stimulation, genital penetration, sucking nipples and genitals, and orgasm are described in detail with words like "clit" and "c--k." Main character Olive experiences verbal sexual assault, and an excerpt from another book in the back has sexual harassment and cyberbullying. Strong language includes "c--k," "d--k," "f--k," "pr--k," "s--t," and more. Adults mention past excessive drinking, look forward to free alcohol at university events, and have a weekly "beer and s'mores night." Two characters remember one of them projectile vomiting after eating bad shrimp, but it's not described. Olive is an orphan with no family. Her mother died of pancreatic cancer, so grief and loss are important themes, along with the struggles women still face in STEM-related fields.

Where to Read

Parent and kid reviews.

• Parents say (2)
• Kids say (2)

Based on 2 parent reviews

Good for kids

What's the story.

THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS is about Stanford graduate student Olive, who needs to convince her best friend, Anh, that it's OK for Anh to date a guy Olive had recently been seeing but wasn't really interested in. So she hatches a plan to "fake-date" none other than the Biology department's most prestigious professor, Adam Carlsen, who's also a huge jerk. As Olive and Adam's ruse gets harder and harder to keep up, Olive starts to feel like she wishes their dating wasn't actually fake. Will she be able to untangle her web of lies without ruining everything, for everyone?

Is It Any Good?

This romance set in the lofty world of a prestigious graduate school program has its ups and downs. It's refreshing to see women in STEM represented and important to highlight how much many women struggle in that world. The Love Hypothesis has some funny banter, especially with colorful supporting characters. Readers who enjoy very familiar romcom tropes will feel at home here, because this story is chock-full of them. The one explicit sex scene is easy to skip for those who aren't interested. A big drawback is Olive's truly bad and unrealistic decision making, which strains believability and takes the reader outside the story.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about the graphic sex in The Love Hypothesis . Is it over-the-top? Realistic? Is reading about it different from seeing it in movies, videos, and other media?

What are some concerns about reading or watching explicit sex ? Do you compare yourself or your body to the characters? Does it make you afraid, feel creepy, or unsure about what sex is like for real people?

What about all the strong language? Is it realistic? Is it a big deal? Why, or why not?

Talk about women studying and working in STEM fields. What are some of the challenges Olive and Ahn face? How do they deal with them? Who supports them? What can men do to make STEM fields more welcoming and inclusive?

Book Details

• Author : Ali Hazelwood
• Genre : Romance
• Topics : STEM , Friendship , Great Girl Role Models
• Character Strengths : Compassion , Perseverance
• Book type : Fiction
• Publisher : Berkley
• Publication date : September 14, 2021
• Publisher's recommended age(s) : 18 - 18
• Number of pages : 400
• Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), iBooks, Kindle
• Last updated : April 2, 2024

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Suggest an Update

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