The Love Hypothesis
by Ali Hazelwood
by Ali Hazelwood
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
Awards and Accolades
Amazon’s Best Romance Book of 2021
Goodreads Choice Award
New York Times Bestseller
Hard Cover - N/A
Paperback $11.04
Kindle $6.99
Audio – Amazon $0.00
Page length - 400
Language - English
Annotated Bibliography
Hazelwood, A. (2021). The love hypothesis. Penguin Publishing Group
In the late 1930's many children were kidnapped and identities replaced, so they could become the children of the wealthy.
Summary
The story follows Olive and Adam's courtship from the meet-cute to the fake-dating and then toward the end of the novel when they finally share their true feeling for each other. Olive is a naive young grad student who falls in love with a science professor who is described as more than handsome. He is cold and arrogant which is juxtaposed against Olive's warm and inviting personality. The plot is a comedy of errors and lies that keep the main characters from learning about each other's feelings while they see each other on campus and the science lab.
Evaluation
Hazelwood's story was as predictable as it was cliche. Her characterization was shallow and inaccurate, leaving readers bewildered and wondering why they should continue reading. Her portrayal of women is insulting and unrealistic. It was difficult to relate to any of the characters in the novel, and it was frustrating to find one redeemable element of worth or value. For someone in a science graduate program, it was a challenge to imagine Olive doing well. She is a character better suited to serving as class secretary at a mediocre high school.
Ratings
1Q – Author has no talent and must have a best friend in the publishing industry.
1P – Will end up on the bargain table collecting dust for eternity
Genre and Subgenre
Romance
Appeal Factors
Pacing – easy read but boring and difficult to stay interested in the story
Characterization – characters are flat and predictable
Setting – Stanford University
Tone - humorous
Learning Experience – In love honesty is best
Author’s Website
Links to Reviews
Kirkus: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/ali-hazelwood/the-love-hypothesis-hazelwood/
Publishers Weekly: https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780593336823
Past Midnight: https://pastmidnight.home.blog/2022/01/13/the-love-hypothesis-by-ali-hazelwood-book-review/
Read Alikes
One Day in December
Gouda Friends by Cathy Yardley
Marriage for One by Ella Maise
Dating Dr. Dil by Nisha Sharma
Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison
Ideas for Book Talks
· The initial kiss scene between Adam and Olive
· Scene in the coffee shop where Olive is confessing her feelings for Adam and he over hears her.
Book Discussion Questions
1. Describe the “meet-cute” between Adam and Olive.
2. Does Olive’s character evolve by the end of the story?
3. Why do you think Adam never tells Olive how he feels?
4. Do you think Anh was a good friend to Olive?
5. What were some of the tropes you noticed as you read the book?
6. What could the author have done to make this book less cliché?
7. How does the story follow the rom-com plot curve?
Author Interviews
Collider: https://collider.com/the-love-hypothesis-ali-hazelwood-interview/
Friends of the Force: https://youtu.be/g2wTXXjY1sg
Penguin Random House: https://youtu.be/UCN_3SJuzN0
Hooks/Clues for the Future
· Pumpkin Latte
· Pancreatic Cancer
· STEM
Other Books by the Author
Loathe to Love You
Love on the Brain
Under One Roof
Stuck with You
Below Zero