Book number 55 for this year was Love Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood. I have now nearly read all of her books, as they are just an easy go-to comfort read!
A sort-of summary
Elsie lives a double life, adjunct professor by day, serial fake girlfriend by night. The fake dating thing is just a way to make a bit of extra cash and Elsie hopes she finally gives it all up with this new job at M.I.T and her career can finally get underway. Everything was going fine until her fake date’s handsome and suspicious brother, turns out to not only be one of the people on the hiring committee for her position but he also the person who wrote the infamous paper, which tanked the reputation of theoretical physicists everywhere and ruined the career of Elsie’s mentor. Not wanting to ‘out’ her sweet client to his brother, Elsie can’t explain herself to Jack Smith, causing him to dislike her almost as much as she dislikes him (or so she thinks). The other problem is, he’s immune to her social chameleon abilities, so Elsie constantly finds herself on the back foot but Jack stands in the way of a good salary, with health benefits – not quite her dream job but definitely better than where she’s at now, so she’s determined to best him.
My thoughts
I enjoyed this book! I liked Elsie’s personality and I related to her people pleasing, social chameleon-ness a worrying amount to be honest. I also liked how these spicy scenes were constructed, as it wasn’t the usual partner-knows-immediately-the-right-way-to-please, but it showed them figuring things out, with consent chat and contraception chat. I know that doesn’t sound hot but the more of these romance books I’ve read, the more I find it’s better for representing real(ish) life and I just think it doesn’t hurt to include a little of that in a spicy way. I enjoy the whole steminist backdrop to Ali’s books, as it gives them a little more depth.
These books are what they say on the tin, cute romances, with a guaranteed happily ever after, perfect for a bit of easy reading.
P.S. This has really highlighted to me how I don’t know how to spell the bloody word theoretical.
*this is an affiliate link
Antonia Bernardin 
Leave a comment