Book Review on "The Love Hypothesis" by Victoria Romão Nóbrega ('23)
I just have to start this review by saying that I was very skeptical when I purchased this book. Just like everyone else I spend a great deal of time on tik tok and instagram (not saying that this is a good thing), and the book tok has been fiercely talking about this book, so one day at a random Barnes and Noble I stumbled across it. So I decided to see what the fuss was about so I purchased it. I have to admit that it was on my TBR (to be read) shelf for a very long time.
Finally during the winter break I decided to read it. One day. Literally one day was all it took me to finish the book. It was so good and filled with the clichés we love (to hate sometimes), but in a very mature way. Here is a brief summary:
The book follows the story of Olive, a PhD student that wants to prove to her best friend that she has moved on (Olive’s best friend wants to date a guy Olive once went out with). Without another way to prove it, she kisses the first man she sees, which happens to be Adam Carlsen, the most hated professor of the PhD program she is in. Together they come up with a plan to both convince Olive’s friend and also help Doctor Carlsen get back his funding from the university.
I know what you are thinking: student-teacher relationship, isn’t that inappropriate? Well the book covers that, and in the book’s world it is not illegal or forbidden. Let’s put it this way, here are the reasons I found in the book why this acceptable:
Adam is not Olive’s professor, in fact he never was.
Since this is a PhD program, the rules are different
They are “real adults” (the age difference is not even that big I would say, about 5 years)
The PhD programs they are in are different, so he will never be able to interfere with her grades, papers, or research
Adam makes sure to tell the Dean and PhD program director about their relationship
They hardly make contact on campus
I am not saying that in real life this is acceptable, but for the benefits of the story we will take it, ok?
The book has a lot of romantic sweetness, but it manages to maintain the strength of our female characters. Also the male love interest is respectful, smart and caring (yes, he is the Devil for his students, but only as a professor). I guess that these kinds of books where we see a woman in STEM, taking charge of her career, following her dreams and not giving up, keep our hearts warm and make us aspire to be somewhat like them.
So I decided to make a short list of reasons why you should read this book:
Woman in STEM (yes I will mention this as much as I can)
Talks about consent in relationships
LGBTQ+ characters (they also have a love story in the book)
Talks about friendship, and how we are loyal to our friends
She is obsessed with Starbucks (as a student, I can relate)
The male lead character is not toxic (GREEN FLAG)
This book is definitely worth reading if you are looking for something light that will give you warmth and excitement, is fast-paced, doesn’t have many fillers, and of course has a romance (we are in need of that, aren’t we?).
Overall I give this book five stars! :)