Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood

Synopsis:

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

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

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

Tina's Review

@inkedinmudd

Rating: 🧡🧡🧡🧡

Let me start by saying that Love, Theoretically, is my least favorite Ali Hazelwood book. I loved the book's first half, but after Elsie and Jack hooked up, I felt disconnected from the story, and the ending wasn't the strongest.

But what I did love about this book was Jack. Oh, he was so swoon-worthy. I love a blonde-haired MMC that falls first! I also loved Cece – Elsie's roommate. I could not go on without mentioning the references to Twilight, and there were so many that my 2008 heart was grinning so big. The fact that Jack willingly had a Twilight marathon on his own accord with Elsie added to my love for him.

In this story, Ali really explores the political side of academia, and it was super heavy. This was her most science-esque book to date. With it being centered on Theorists, I also enjoyed those references, like the mention of Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory, and who doesn't love Bill Nye?

Even though it was not my favorite, I still love Ali and look forward to the next installment. I love that we got an Olive and Adam cameo and a mentioning of Bee. Fingers crossed that one day they all come together in one book!

Jessica's Review

Rating: 💙💙💙

This was my first Ali Hazelwood read and I enjoyed it. In some ways it made me feel a little on the not smart side with the science talk, but With that said it was still a good read and I enjoyed the book. The characters where solid and the banter between them made me giggle. Jack is swoon worthy and a little rough around the edges, which makes for a great leading male. It was a very relatable book and had realistic issues, and every day life struggles. Even though this was a three star for me, I will definitely be picking up other books by Ali Hazelwood.

Taylor's Review

@25thavenuewest

Rating: 🖤🖤🖤

I honestly didn’t feel educated enough to read this book. Hot damn, so much of it is filled with words I had to look up, science terminology I’ll never understand, and that’s just the beginning of the book. I loved The Love Hypothesis, and Love on the Brain both of which I felt like I could understand.

Now, the romance? THE ROMANCE. Holy banana pants. Ali’s ability to bring tension to the absolute BOILING point is phenomenal! I am always caught holding my breath when her characters finally admit feelings, or kiss, or do…other adult things. 😉 This one is no different, it’s better, if I’m being honest. The relationship Jack and Elsie have is unreal.

However, the ending? Not what I was hoping for. I’m not mad about it, I’m just not satisfied either. Especially considering their relationship was a rollercoaster.