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A review by fandomsandfiction
Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
We all know and love the fake dating trope. Character A and Character B get into a fake dating arrangement and end up falling in love with each other in the process. But what if Character A and Character B's BROTHER fall in love? Falling in love with your favourite* fake date's brother who also happens to be your academic rival and the mortal enemy of everyone in your department? What could possibly go wrong? 🤭
*yes, you read right, there are multiple fake dates
That is the premise of this <i>Love, Theoretically</i> and it sure makes for an entertaining read!
Character A is Elsie, a brilliant theoretical physicist, weary adjunct professor, and professional people-pleaser with a side gig in fake dating.
Character B is Jack. Or Jonathan Smith-Turner. Or The Cold-Hearted Experimental Physicist Who Undermined The Reputation Of Theorists Everywhere. He's known by a few names.
There's lots of banter. Lots of interesting characters. Lots of cheese. And LOTS of science jokes and references that went over my head a bit (I am no longer a woman in STEM (I tried)). I did get all the film jokes and references though 😌 (they gave me a silly sense of satisfaction, like maybe I <i>am</i> actually retaining parts of this course I'm doing). Thank you Cece for your film nerd service.
As a (recovering) people-pleaser myself, I could relate to Elsie in many ways. But damn her people-pleasing, and general naivety, is BAD bad 😳 To the point where multiple people are gaslighting her and she is being used as a chess piece (or is Go piece more accurate?) in a game of STEM rivalry between the theorists and the experimentalists AND SHE DOESN'T EVEN REALIZE IT! Jack did come in as a sort of superhero figure that saved Elsie's messed-up life (I love you girl, but your life <i>was</i> messed up 🥲) and initiated her character development/self-improvement which was kind of .... eh. But it is possible to meet someone that completely changes your perspective on life. It just so happens that for Elsie it is some guy.
I loved the Olive and Adam cameo! I hated Dr L and just about every male professor/scientist/science student in the book. I loved the aro/ace and demi rep (it isn't openly stated that Elsie is demisexual, but it is sort of implied?). The break-up scene kinda sucked. And I wasn't too crazy about the last 1/4. The emails from the students were funny, even if some did feel a <i>bit</i> too unrealistic. It was nice to see diabetes rep (we need more romcoms with invisible disability represention!!). And there's a decent level of 🌶️ if that's what you're into.
Overall, a fun book! Especially for the STEMinists, feminists and general nerds looking for love. ❤️
*yes, you read right, there are multiple fake dates
That is the premise of this <i>Love, Theoretically</i> and it sure makes for an entertaining read!
Character A is Elsie, a brilliant theoretical physicist, weary adjunct professor, and professional people-pleaser with a side gig in fake dating.
Character B is Jack. Or Jonathan Smith-Turner. Or The Cold-Hearted Experimental Physicist Who Undermined The Reputation Of Theorists Everywhere. He's known by a few names.
There's lots of banter. Lots of interesting characters. Lots of cheese. And LOTS of science jokes and references that went over my head a bit (I am no longer a woman in STEM (I tried)). I did get all the film jokes and references though 😌 (they gave me a silly sense of satisfaction, like maybe I <i>am</i> actually retaining parts of this course I'm doing). Thank you Cece for your film nerd service.
As a (recovering) people-pleaser myself, I could relate to Elsie in many ways. But damn her people-pleasing, and general naivety, is BAD bad 😳 To the point where multiple people are gaslighting her and she is being used as a chess piece (or is Go piece more accurate?) in a game of STEM rivalry between the theorists and the experimentalists AND SHE DOESN'T EVEN REALIZE IT! Jack did come in as a sort of superhero figure that saved Elsie's messed-up life (I love you girl, but your life <i>was</i> messed up 🥲) and initiated her character development/self-improvement which was kind of .... eh. But it is possible to meet someone that completely changes your perspective on life. It just so happens that for Elsie it is some guy.
I loved the Olive and Adam cameo! I hated Dr L and just about every male professor/scientist/science student in the book. I loved the aro/ace and demi rep (it isn't openly stated that Elsie is demisexual, but it is sort of implied?). The break-up scene kinda sucked. And I wasn't too crazy about the last 1/4. The emails from the students were funny, even if some did feel a <i>bit</i> too unrealistic. It was nice to see diabetes rep (we need more romcoms with invisible disability represention!!). And there's a decent level of 🌶️ if that's what you're into.
Overall, a fun book! Especially for the STEMinists, feminists and general nerds looking for love. ❤️