The Love Hypothesis | 🌶️ 🌶️

One fake relationship. One ridiculously attractive professor. And a chemistry experiment that’s about to get completely out of control.

Olive Smith believes in science, not love stories.

As a PhD candidate, she’s perfectly happy focusing on her research instead of romance. But when a little white lie spirals out of control, Olive finds herself kissing the first man she sees to convince her best friend she’s happily dating someone.

Unfortunately, that man happens to be Dr. Adam Carlsen.

Brilliant. Brooding. Intimidating. And possibly the most notoriously difficult professor at Stanford.

When Adam unexpectedly agrees to pretend to be her boyfriend, Olive is convinced she can keep things strictly professional.

But between fake dates, unexpected tenderness, lingering looks, and chemistry that definitely wasn’t part of the experiment, Olive begins to question everything she thought she knew about love.

Because the one thing she never accounted for?

Falling for the man who was only supposed to be pretending.

❤️ Perfect for Readers Who Love

• Fake dating that turns into real feelings
• Grumpy × sunshine romance
• Brooding, intelligent book boyfriends
• He falls first
• Slow-burn romantic tension
• STEM and academic romance
• Witty banter and unexpected tenderness
• A protective hero with a secret soft side

🌶️ Spice Level: 1/4 – Mild Spice

Expect plenty of romantic tension, stolen kisses, and slow-burning chemistry. The romance is primarily focused on emotional connection, with one more explicit open-door intimate scene.

⚠️ Reader Advisory

Contains mature sexual content, strong language, workplace power dynamics, academic harassment, sexual harassment, and discussions of discrimination in academia.

📖 Book Details

Author: Ali Hazelwood
Genre: Contemporary Romance | Romantic Comedy
Category: Workplace / Academic Romance
Tropes: Fake Dating, Grumpy × Sunshine, He Falls First
Format: Paperback
Edition: Bonus Chapter Edition (as pictured)
Recommended Age: Adult (18+)
Series: Standalone

For the girl who loves a brilliant, intimidating man who has absolutely no idea how to flirt — but knows exactly how to fall in love.