Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood Summary

Love, Theoretically follows Elsie Hannaway, a theoretical physicist working as an adjunct professor who moonlights as a fake girlfriend to make ends meet. Her carefully balanced life collapses when Jack Smith, the attractive older brother of her favorite client, turns out to be the experimental physicist who damaged her mentor's career and now sits on the hiring committee for her dream job at MIT. The novel explores whether their scholarly rivalry can transform into romance while Elsie struggles with people-pleasing tendencies and learns to be her authentic self.

Ali Hazelwood is known in the book community as a "romance powerhouse" who specializes in STEM-focused contemporary romance novels. She gained popularity with her debut novel The Love Hypothesis, which established her signature style of blending science, academic settings, and romance tropes like fake dating. Love, Theoretically represents her continued exploration of women in STEM fields, featuring smart female protagonists navigating both professional challenges and romantic relationships within academic environments.

Love, Theoretically is ideal for readers who enjoy smart banter and academic settings, particularly those who appreciate grumpy/sunshine or rivals-to-lovers dynamics. Fans of Ali Hazelwood's previous books will recognize her signature STEM romance style with snark, science references, and witty dialogue. The novel especially appeals to readers interested in stories about women navigating professional challenges in male-dominated fields, as it addresses the pandering women in STEM often face. Anyone who enjoys fake dating tropes combined with enemies-to-lovers romance will find this book engaging.

Love, Theoretically delivers Ali Hazelwood's signature blend of humor, science, and romance, though opinions vary on its execution. The first half features strong banter, funny situations, and all the hallmarks readers love from Hazelwood—snark, smart female leads in STEM, and clever puns. However, some reviewers note it follows a familiar formula from her previous works and features a less believable enemies-to-lovers dynamic. The book excels in addressing important topics like people-pleasing, authenticity, and challenges women face in academia.

The central conflict revolves around Elsie's clash with Jack Smith, who represents the experimental physics community that damaged her mentor's career and undermined theoretical physicists. This professional rivalry intensifies when Jack joins the hiring committee at MIT, standing directly between Elsie and her dream job. Additionally, Elsie must navigate the complications of fake-dating Jack's younger brother Greg while managing her attraction to Jack himself. The deeper conflict involves Elsie's people-pleasing tendencies and her struggle to present her authentic self rather than adapting to what others want.

Love, Theoretically combines multiple popular romance tropes, primarily enemies-to-lovers and fake dating. The academic rivals dynamic between theoretical physicist Elsie and experimental physicist Jack creates natural tension throughout the story. The book also features grumpy/sunshine dynamics, with Jack's brooding personality contrasting Elsie's adaptable nature. Additionally, elements of forced proximity emerge as Jack appears on Elsie's hiring committee, and the "only person I can be myself around" trope develops as their relationship progresses.

Elsie's people-pleasing manifests as constantly adapting herself to meet others' expectations, claiming to have different versions of herself for every social situation. She works as a fake girlfriend, embodying whatever personality her clients need, and struggles to say no even when doing things she doesn't enjoy. This character trait extends beyond her side job—she cracks bad puns to impress hiring committees, pretends to like movies she dislikes, and generally prioritizes others' needs over her own. Jack eventually recognizes this pattern and helps her understand the importance of prioritizing herself.

The novel explores the professional tension between theoretical physicists like Elsie, who work with mathematical models and concepts, and experimental physicists like Jack, who conduct hands-on laboratory research. Elsie harbors resentment toward Jack because he "ruined her mentor's career and undermined the reputation of theorists everywhere" through his experimental work. This academic divide mirrors real tensions in physics communities and provides the foundation for their enemies-to-lovers dynamic. The rivalry symbolizes broader questions about different approaches to knowledge and scientific validation.

The romance features gradual development, with Elsie and Jack not getting together until the final third of the book. Their relationship begins with a clash when Jack suspects Elsie of deceiving his younger brother, leading to witty banter that becomes increasingly entertaining. Despite Elsie's initial hatred being somewhat unconvincing, Jack sees through her adaptable personas to her authentic self. Their connection deepens through penetrating looks and moments where Elsie doesn't have to pretend. Jack sets healthy boundaries, ensuring their physical relationship is truly what Elsie wants rather than people-pleasing behavior.

Jack's attentiveness to Elsie's diabetes demonstrates his genuine care and consideration for her wellbeing throughout Love, Theoretically. He makes efforts to understand her condition, learns how she takes her insulin, and consistently buys her appropriate snacks. This thoughtfulness contrasts with Elsie's previous experiences and showcases Jack's protective, caring nature beyond their professional rivalry. His attention to this aspect of her health represents his desire to truly know and support her rather than expecting her to adapt to his needs, which directly addresses her people-pleasing patterns.

Both novels showcase Ali Hazelwood's signature STEM romance formula with academic settings, fake relationship elements, and smart female protagonists in physics. The Love Hypothesis was Hazelwood's debut and featured the fake dating trope "incredibly well," setting high expectations for Love, Theoretically. However, some readers feel Love, Theoretically doesn't reach the same heights, with one reviewer noting it's "in no way Hazelwood's best display of enemies to lovers romance". Both books address challenges women face in STEM fields and feature gradual relationship development with witty banter.

Critics point out that Ali Hazelwood follows a repetitive formula across her books, with similar character descriptions and relationship dynamics appearing throughout her works. The premise stretches believability—the coincidence of Jack being simultaneously Greg's brother, Elsie's academic rival, her Go opponent, and on her hiring committee feels contrived. Some readers find Elsie's people-pleasing trait poorly executed, with her "shapeshifting social chameleon" persona never fully materializing beyond basic politeness. Additionally, the enemies-to-lovers dynamic lacks authenticity since Elsie's hatred of Jack isn't particularly convincing from the start.