Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood – A fun STEM Romance That’s Swoony and Relatable

I don’t often venture outside my usual fantasy reads, but the drama on Instagram—and my love for Bride—pushed me to pick up Love, Theoretically. And honestly? I’m so glad I did. This book hit me in ways I wasn’t expecting. Ali Hazelwood delivers a romance that’s funny, vulnerable, sharp-witted, and emotionally satisfying. If you’ve ever felt like you had to perform for the world just to be liked, this book will hit home.

At a Glance

A People-Pleaser in a Pressure Cooker

Elsie is a theoretical physicist, brilliant but overextended, stuck in the soul-crushing loop of adjunct positions with little pay, no health insurance, and a chronic condition (Type 1 Diabetes) that adds another layer of stress to her already precarious life. She moonlights as a fake girlfriend to make ends meet; a gig she keeps strictly separate from her academic life.

But when a job interview at MIT puts her face-to-face with Jack, the older brother of one of her fake-dating clients, things spiral fast. Jack, a respected physicist and skeptic of her work, is cold, unreadable… and completely disruptive to the carefully curated version of herself she presents to the world.

Smart, Sensitive, and So Satisfying

This is very much a he-falls-first romance, and the dynamic is so well done. Jack doesn’t want a version of Elsie—he wants her. And when that starts to sink in, you can feel Elsie’s walls begin to crack. The connection between them is layered and emotionally intelligent. There’s no third-act breakup, no dramatic misunderstanding. Just honest, thoughtful conversations, gradual vulnerability, and some incredible tension.

Their chemistry? Off the charts. But even better than the heat is the heart. Jack is thoughtful and grounding, Elsie is witty and quietly unraveling, and together they’re a perfect storm of messy healing and personal growth.

Representation That Matters

Hazelwood includes ace/aro spectrum rep, as well as chronic illness (Elsie’s diabetes) without turning these into “issues.” They’re part of the characters, not the plot. It’s respectful and seamlessly woven into the story, which I appreciated so much.

And let’s not forget the Twilight references, because they’re everywhere—and hilarious. 

Favorite Quote

“Have you ever considered that maybe you're already the way I want you to be? That maybe there are no signals because nothing needs to be changed?”

Be still, my people-pleaser heart. 💔

Tropes & Themes

👩‍🔬 STEM romance

💘 Academic rivals to lovers

🌪️ Grumpy x sunshine

🧠 He falls first

💬 Witty banter

👨‍👩‍👧 Complicated family dynamics

❤️‍🔥 Slow burn

💉 Diabetes rep

🌈 Ace/aro spectrum rep

📚 She’s (sort of) dating his brother

🧛 Twilight references

🎭 Fake dating (with a twist)

Final Thoughts

Love, Theoretically is the kind of romance that sneaks up on you—not just with swoon-worthy moments, but with quiet reflections on identity, value, and choosing honesty over performance. Elsie isn’t perfect. She’s exhausted, lonely, and trying to be liked so hard that she forgets how to like herself.

Watching her learn, grow, and open up to someone who sees her exactly as she is? That’s the kind of story that stays with you.

Whether you’re a STEM nerd or just someone who’s ever felt not enough, Love, Theoretically is worth the read.