This was absolutely such a cute book and I hate myself for putting it off for so long! The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood is such a sweet romance it left me giggling wildly to myself at two in the morning. I honestly think I may have found a new favorite author.
Olive is so smart and so cute. She actually is a female main character that can hold her own. She is smart, on her own. She has a life, of her own. Olive takes charge, loves her friends, and her life. And that’s where we get to the problem. She loves her friends so much, she decides faking a relationship is the best way to convince her BFF it is okay for her to date Olive’s ex. Enter, acerbic Adam, a hot big shot at the University Olive is studying at. Their chemistry was palpable. Sparks flew and many squeals were had by this reader at the many little moments between the two. Despite being the ‘big, bad jerk’ on campus, Adam sincerely cares. Cares about his students, his friends, and Olive.
The biggest obstacle that Adam and Olive have to face (despite the very obvious obstacle that takes place toward the end, yes another act 3 conflict) seems to be Olive herself. She is plagued with self-doubt and, despite all of the amazing things she is, she cannot seem to see that in herself. Olive constantly explains away all of the nice things Adam does and says, because he can’t obviously be falling in love with her just as she is him. Meanwhile, Adam also takes Olive at her word, believing the very same thing – she cannot possibly actually like him, the cold-hearted PhD mentor that lives to make others miserable. That fear of becoming vulnerable so you lie to yourself about the cues you’re picking up, the signs you’re seeing. With these two, it makes sense given their background, so I can’t be all too upset at the miscommunication trope being so prominent.
This review has taken me about a month to write because I just absolutely loved The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood so much I think it short-circuited my brain. It’s such a challenge putting to words the emotions this book gave me because all I want to do is scream enthusiastically. Absolutely recommending this one to all my romance lovers, especially those that enjoy the He Falls First/Harder trope.
