Ali Hazelwood returns with another STEMinist delight, Love, Theoretically. Building on her established formula, the novel offers a witty and heartfelt university romance laced with scientific reflections.
Elsie, a passionate theoretical physicist, yearns for a lab but finds herself stuck in a meagre adjunct professor role. Juggling finances with her diabetes treatment, she stumbles upon a fake-dating agency. Balancing her academic life with this secret pursuit, her worlds collide when Jack, the older brother of a client (whom she lied to about being a librarian!), appears on the tenure commission judging her career.
Elsie embodies Hazelwood‘s signature heroine: brilliant, studious, and a tad inexperienced in love. Her dedication to science translates into resilience and determination. Despite her illness, her relatable background makes her instantly likable. The one critique: unlike Olive and Mara, even with multiple jobs, Elsie‘s financial struggles feel a tad stretched. Perhaps the hefty US medical bills explain the run-down apartment, but a touch of tidiness wouldn’t hurt.
Jack initially mirrors previous male leads, but unlike Adam, his initial aloofness lacks immediate explanation. Thankfully, he redeems himself in the second half of the story with his backstory adding depth to the character.
The undeniable chemistry between him and Elsie, coupled with their inspiring personal growth journeys, is engaging. However, comparisons to the captivating Adam-Olive duo are inevitable (whose cameo is a really cute touch).
The university setting, an Hazelwood trademark, showcases its academic intricacies, both inspiring and flawed. The portrayal of the system’s struggles, while familiar, offers fresh insights.
Overall, Love, Theoretically is a light-hearted, well-paced read. It shines brightest when appreciated on its own merits, not overshadowed by its predecessors.
This witty romance caters to adult readers seeking a mature and refreshingly non-cringe love story.
He gives me a confused, curious look. Like he knows that I’m complicated, but he doesn’t mind. Like he’d rather spend the rest of his life studying an inch of me than discovering the mysteries behind the universe.