Book details
The Love Hypothesis
by Ali Hazelwood
2021 · Berkley Books
About the book
Olive Smith, a third-year biology PhD candidate at Stanford, panics when she needs to convince her best friend she is over an ex-boyfriend. To provide immediate proof, she kisses the first man she sees in the science hallway. That man is Adam Carlsen, a young professor known for his abrasive personality and harsh grading. The two enter a formal agreement to fake a romantic relationship to solve Olive’s social dilemma and help Adam secure research funding. They navigate academic conferences, lab politics, and a high-stakes department scandal while maintaining their charade.
This story appeals to readers who enjoy the fake-dating trope set within the specific culture of STEM academia. It targets those looking for a romantic comedy that addresses the power dynamics of graduate school and the pressure of publishing research. Readers finish the book with a perspective on how rigorous intellectual environments impact personal intimacy. The narrative provides an escape into a world where professional rivals find common ground through shared scientific goals and accidental emotional vulnerability.
Details
- Published
- 2021
- Publisher
- Berkley Books
- ISBN
- 9780593336823
- Language
- EN