The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood Summary

The Love Hypothesis follows Olive Smith, a Stanford PhD student studying pancreatic cancer, who kisses a stranger to convince her friend she’s moved on. The stranger—grumpy professor Adam Carlsen—agrees to a fake relationship to appease his employers. As they navigate academic pressures and growing attraction, their arrangement blurs into real love. Themes include fake dating, STEM academia, and overcoming personal insecurities.

This novel appeals to fans of contemporary romance, STEM-inspired storytelling, and the fake-dating trope. Readers who enjoy witty banter, slow-burn relationships, and academic settings will appreciate Olive and Adam’s dynamic. It’s ideal for ages 14+ due to mild steamy scenes.

Key tropes include fake dating, grumpy-sunshine pairing, and academic rivals-to-lovers. The story also features forced proximity (lab collaborations) and a protective love interest. Hazelwood balances humor and emotional depth, with Olive’s scientific mindset clashing humorously with her romantic inexperience.

The novel highlights the high-pressure environment of PhD programs, grant competitions, and lab politics. Olive’s pancreatic cancer research mirrors real-world challenges in scientific funding, while Adam’s reputation as a harsh professor reflects academic power dynamics. The story critiques institutional sexism and sexual harassment in STEM.

Critics note repetitive physical descriptions of Adam (e.g., his size) and rushed conflict resolutions. Some find the professor-student dynamic problematic despite Adam not being Olive’s direct supervisor. However, fans praise its humor, emotional payoff, and STEM representation.

No, it’s a standalone novel. Hazelwood has since written spin-offs like Love on the Brain and Love, Theoretically, which feature new couples in similar STEM-centric settings.

The fake relationship begins when Olive impulsively kisses Adam to avoid scrutiny, and he later proposes the arrangement to secure his lab funding. Their bond deepens through shared lab work, conference trips, and defending each other against professional rivals, blending humor and heartfelt moments.

Themes include overcoming grief (Olive’s late mother), trusting others after betrayal, and balancing career ambitions with personal happiness. The story also addresses workplace harassment and the importance of ethical mentorship in academia.

Notable lines include Adam’s confession: "I want you to choose me. Want to be the person you trust more than anyone else." The book uses scientific metaphors for love, such as Olive comparing relationships to hypothesis testing.

Olive faces funding shortages, plagiarism threats, and ethical dilemmas with her research. Adam struggles with university distrust and maintaining his lab’s reputation. The story underscores resilience and collaboration in overcoming academic hurdles.

Originally a Rey/Kylo Ren (Star Wars) fanfiction, the novel retains traces of its roots through Adam’s brooding personality and physical description. Hazelwood, a neuroscience PhD, drew from her academic experiences to craft the STEM setting.

Yes! Olive and Adam confess their feelings, expose a predatory professor, and secure their professional futures. The epilogue shows them happily married, collaborating on research.