Love, Theoretically

Y’all few things make my Astronomers heart happy in the way having a fresh Ali Hazelwood book does, and yes I started the audiobook at midnight, and it was wholeheartedly worth it because yet again it’s 5 massive stars for me! Narrative was fantastically on point, and felt very true to the characters with her inflections and tone. She truly captures Elsie’s voice perfectly and pulled off all of the male characters with what seems like ease. All characters were very easily distinguishable and fit the character’s personality and background. Will love to relisten to this I’ve! Now to the story itself! Did I mention I loved it? As a disabled/chronically ill STEM baddie myself (I’m an Astronomer who is still pissed I’m not called a Skyentist) I felt so seen by the FMC Elsie who is also chronically ill (Type one Diabetes) like me, and a theoretical physicist who doesn’t quite know where she fits in the world. She relies heavily on people pleasing and making herself fit in every situation and this goes seemingly unnoticed by everyone in the world but Jack, her soon to be but maybe technically already nemesis. So much of myself was on these pages, which is something I experience every time I read her books because she has a fantastic way of giving you all the OMG I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST ME moments your therapy has been lacking. The banter, wit and nerdtastic easter eggs are always on point (SO SAY WE ALL to that subtle BSG reference) with pacing and character development clearly well fleshed out so that it never feels rushed or like insta love even in a stand-alone romance. Her worlds are always believable, relatable and full of self discovery which isn’t easy to hit the mark on every time. But, as expected Love Theoretically seriously earned it’s ranking amidst its predecessors on my bookshelf because it had all the above and more. I will be glaring in I TOLD YOU SO at my bank for giving me grief over how many editions I preordered. Seriously y’all, if you are a chronically ill romance reader, someone who struggles being a people pleaser who might just need to see themselves as the totally normal relatable hero, a woman fighting through the patriarchy just to live all of your STEM dreams (and may still think Bill Nye is a hottie, also I see you Mitchio Kaku and Brian Cox) or all of the above, this is the contemporary steminist romance for you!

Ali Hazelwood books has always been a guilty pleasure read for me. Whenever I pick up one of her novels I know I will be entertained with nerdy goodness and quirky, lovable, intelligent characters. The novel does focus a little heavier on the scientific side as well as the politics in academia. However, I felt the information was necessary for the purpose of the plot, especially with Elsie's journey as she interviews for her dream job at MIT. In terms of the characters, I felt our heroine, Elsie was pretty similar to Ali's previous female leads. The only difference is she is more of a people pleasure. However, as the story progresses she learns to be more honest and true to herself. Unfortunately, I didn't really connect with Elsie. I felt her character was inconsistent. She is suppose to be this smart and perceptive character, but she is quick to judge (incorrectly I might add) and is completely oblivious to Jack's intentions, despite how direct he is with his feelings. On the other hand, I was genuinely surprise by the hero, Jack (aka Jonathon Smith-Turner). I loved his character. Totally different from Ali's previous male leads. He is observant, confident, thoughtful, communicative, and honest. His devotion and patience with Elsie made my heart melt. Out of all of the male leads Ali had written so far, he is probably my favorite. In terms of the climax of the story, it's nothing new. Very predictable. If you have read all the previous novels, you already know who the "villain" is in the story. As stated in my previous reviews, it would be nice to see a supportive male mentor character, because we know they also exist in the field of science. Overall, it was an enjoyable read. Had lots of lovable, fun moments. Loved the cameos. However, wouldn't mind something different in future novels.

Whenever you read a new authors book you never know what it's going to be like. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story, a setting in different circumstances. The situation of academia, love and humor all lead to a great read. Well worth it.

Another great read by Ali Hazelwood. Can’t wait for her next books

Ich weiß nicht, wie viele tausend Liebesromane ich schon gelesen habe (keine Übertreibung!), und in letzter Zeit fiel es mir zunehmend schwer, nicht schon auf Seite 10 auf "DELETE" zu drücken, aber dann hab ich zufällig AH entdeckt - und bin begeistert! Ihre Storyline ist zugegebener Maßen nicht neu - aber eben gerade so vertraut, wie es dieser Liebesromanjunky erwartet. Und das akademische Setting überzeugt - AH weiß eben, worüber sie schreibt, und das merkt man! Vor allem ihr Umgang mit der Sprache und der Wortwitz haben mich begeistert. Ihre Charaktere sind absolut liebenswert und glaubwürdig. Mich erinnert sie an meine absolute Lieblingsautorin Susan Elizabeth Phillips - und AH schreibt auch noch die besseren Sexszenen! Gestern hab ich Love Theoretically beendet, The Love Hypothesis in einem Zug gelesen und gerade Love on the Brain runtergeladen - ABSOLUTE EMPFEHLUNG für jede Leserin, die wie ich gerne Sätze mit mehr als 5-8 Wörtern liest, gerne mehr Story hat als Übergänge zwischen Sexszenen und YA schon eine Zeit lang entwachsen ist!

I'm a late arrival to the delight that is reading Ali Hazelwood, but it made for the most delightful binge reread before the release of this extra DELIGHTFUL book. It is difficult for me to imagine anyone not enjoying the eccentric humor and freight cars full of factoids mixed with popculture obsessions that live in the mind of our brilliant heroine this time. That's Ali's pie festival winning recipe for romance: the busy, BUSY brains of intellectually gifted young women and creating men to ground and appreciate these female paragons of strengths and flaws. This time it's hypervigilent Elsie, a young adjunct professor of physics who is slaving away for low pay and no health insurance , trying to make her way in a world where she has one true female friend. Both young women have side hustles of working as a sort of fake girlfriendsfor hire through an app called Faux (it's the only way they can make rent and although it sounds seedy neither girl ever crosses an escort line. It really is just a service that rents out young people of both sexes for social situations where it is helpful to have someone pretend to be your significant other to make a good impression). I have thoroughly enjoyed all of Ali's heroines, but Elsie is so special in how she turns herself inside out to try to please people she loves... her internal dialogue so acutely attuned to pleasing others and how this creation of happiness for others gives her self worth....that your heart goes out to this gifted but deeply scared young woman. And then Ali gives her physicist Jack (SWOON). I want to go on and on about Jack, but you really need to enjoy his perfection for Elsie, in all of its flawed glory, for yourself. If you enjoy the kind of brainy, over thinking female protagonists that populate Penny Reid's Knitting in the City series, I think you'll love this book......really any of Ms Hazelwood's books. Beware there's a book binge in your future!

El libro llegó en buenas condiciones y su calidad es buena.