Ali Hazelwood’s “The Love Hypothesis” offers a charming and entertaining dive into the world of academia through the lens of a quirky, fake-dating romance. Olive Smith, a third-year Ph.D. candidate, finds herself in a convoluted situation where she has to convince her best friend that she’s moved on from her ex. Enter Adam Carlsen, a young, brooding, and somewhat feared professor, who agrees to the fake relationship to help Olive out. While it doesn’t break new ground in the genre and follows a fairly predictable path, it offers enough charm, witty banter and humorous situations that keep the tone light and engaging. It’s an enjoyable book for those looking for a sweet, if somewhat predictable, romance with a unique academic setting which is refreshing and adds a layer of authenticity and depth to the story given Hazelwood’s own background.
We’ve paired this fun, light-hearted read with Substance Cabernet Sauvignon. The fruit forward blend is complemented by the focused and pointed tannins offering texture, balance, and structure to wine, something both main characters can appreciate. Enjoy!
“Then I dream of you, and when I wake up my head’s still there, stuck on something funny, beautiful, filthy, intelligent that’s all about you.”
