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.
Insights from The Love Hypothesis
“I'm a scientist. I'm not supposed to believe in things that don't exist.”
Olive kisses a complete stranger to avoid an awkward conversation. Sometimes social anxiety makes you do the weirdest stuff.
“I’m going to make you come, Olive. All because you’re my fake girlfriend.”
Adam is famously mean but makes sure Olive gets her favorite pumpkin spice latte. Little acts of service matter more than a scary reputation.
“Carry yourself with the confidence of a mediocre white man.”
Being a woman in science feels like a constant battle for funding and respect. Watching Olive fight for her research lab feels incredibly real.
Fake dating usually gets messy because you start blurting out the truth. The lines get blurry when someone actually listens to your dreams.
- Published
- 2021
- Publisher
- Berkley Books
- ISBN
- 9780593336823
- Language
- EN
