What I love about Ali's books is her distinct voice. You can always tell it's her through the banter, character quirks, and her overall writing style. I'm not necessarily looking for plot; it's the characters that draw me in. Plot or no plot, I consistently enjoy her novels. Here's my ranking: 1. Love, Theoretically and The Love Hypothesis: 5 stars 2. Bride: 4 stars (despite not liking fantasy or paranormal, Ali's silliness and self-awareness made it enjoyable) 3. Love on the Brain: 3 stars (a bit frustrating, but it was my first novel by her) 4. Check and Mate: 3 stars (a bit boring) I've liked all her novels and will probably read everything she publishes!
I enjoyed hearing more about your history with Ali Hazelwood books. I actually really loved this. I enjoyed the biotech world and the found family aspects that run through the book. I found the stakes really high and I did find there were emotional beats but I think they look a little different because of the female character’s approach to the world. There’s definitely some neurodivergence coding there. Of course, I’m here for the spice but also felt like that was well done, particularly around consent. This is for sure not paced the same and it’s not breezy or light in the way some of her early books are. I came away pretty impressed with what she was able to do. I wouldn’t have minded more on the friend groups but that’s just because I loved them so much. I could have read 100 more pages of them. I gave it 4.5 stars. Love Theoretically is actually my favorite of hers but that’s because it’s so rich of what academia and job searching is like.
I enjoyed the STEM series. Love, Theoretically is my favorite. Not In Love had such a different tone and the switching from first- and third-person was a struggle.
We have opposite tastes in Ali Hazelwood books, but I’m a plot and character girlie…I get angry at books that are all smut and no plot 😅 I’ll still read this book because Hazelwood’s writing style is like addictive candy to me, but from the sounds of your review, this may become the first book of hers that we agree on
This was a great review!! Thank you for including information about the audio version !! I think I’ll pass as my faves are check & mate and the love hypothesis for plot vibes !
I’m glad you found it helpful!! I think the balance between plot and romantic themes is really important to point out especially in a romance novel! Some of us just want more of one thing than the other!
Thank you for this review! I was so excited for this book, but I’m definitely a plot and character development girl so I’ll probably pass on it for now. Though Check and Mate does sound interesting.
I did LOVE Check & Mate and Bride... But didn't like Love Hypothesis... This book doesn't sound like my taste with the over abundance of spice with little plot & character development... The only tie I usually like extra spice is if I'm reading a Dark Romance or New Adult romance where it's expected and part of the plot... but I'll probably give it a listen instead of eyeball reading since I've been on a roll with her last two books
Yeah if you listen to it, you may be more invested. I would like to know what you think about the audio bec I really couldn't decide if it was cringe or not.
I never listen to audio of romance novels. I find it cringe because what I imagine tones to be like as I read is very different. I really liked Bride. I would not defend it from the critics though, it deserves all the criticism
I’ve read The Love Hypothesis and Bride and strongly disliked (but finished) both. I find myself cringing throughout the book, and they feel like AO3 fan fics in the way they are written. I understand TLH was originally a fan fic, but the writing should have progressed with the backing of a powerhouse publisher. At this point I feel like they are capitalizing on her popularity and are just pushing books out of her.
What I love about Ali's books is her distinct voice. You can always tell it's her through the banter, character quirks, and her overall writing style. I'm not necessarily looking for plot; it's the characters that draw me in. Plot or no plot, I consistently enjoy her novels. Here's my ranking:
1. Love, Theoretically and The Love Hypothesis: 5 stars
2. Bride: 4 stars (despite not liking fantasy or paranormal, Ali's silliness and self-awareness made it enjoyable)
3. Love on the Brain: 3 stars (a bit frustrating, but it was my first novel by her)
4. Check and Mate: 3 stars (a bit boring)
I've liked all her novels and will probably read everything she publishes!
You make a lot of good points here! I love the way you laid out what you thought about each book. You are right that she does have a distinct voice.
I enjoyed hearing more about your history with Ali Hazelwood books. I actually really loved this. I enjoyed the biotech world and the found family aspects that run through the book. I found the stakes really high and I did find there were emotional beats but I think they look a little different because of the female character’s approach to the world. There’s definitely some neurodivergence coding there. Of course, I’m here for the spice but also felt like that was well done, particularly around consent. This is for sure not paced the same and it’s not breezy or light in the way some of her early books are. I came away pretty impressed with what she was able to do. I wouldn’t have minded more on the friend groups but that’s just because I loved them so much. I could have read 100 more pages of them. I gave it 4.5 stars. Love Theoretically is actually my favorite of hers but that’s because it’s so rich of what academia and job searching is like.
So good to know! Just got Check and Mate! Will let you know my thoughts when I read it! This will be my first book of hers!
YESSSSS please do!!!
I enjoyed the STEM series. Love, Theoretically is my favorite. Not In Love had such a different tone and the switching from first- and third-person was a struggle.
Yeah I agree!!! We must have similar taste
We have opposite tastes in Ali Hazelwood books, but I’m a plot and character girlie…I get angry at books that are all smut and no plot 😅 I’ll still read this book because Hazelwood’s writing style is like addictive candy to me, but from the sounds of your review, this may become the first book of hers that we agree on
I think there's a good chance we agree on this one, either way I wanna hear what you thought!!
This was a great review!! Thank you for including information about the audio version !! I think I’ll pass as my faves are check & mate and the love hypothesis for plot vibes !
I’m glad you found it helpful!! I think the balance between plot and romantic themes is really important to point out especially in a romance novel! Some of us just want more of one thing than the other!
Thank you for this review! I was so excited for this book, but I’m definitely a plot and character development girl so I’ll probably pass on it for now. Though Check and Mate does sound interesting.
That sounds like a solid plan 👍
❤
I did LOVE Check & Mate and Bride... But didn't like Love Hypothesis... This book doesn't sound like my taste with the over abundance of spice with little plot & character development... The only tie I usually like extra spice is if I'm reading a Dark Romance or New Adult romance where it's expected and part of the plot... but I'll probably give it a listen instead of eyeball reading since I've been on a roll with her last two books
Yeah if you listen to it, you may be more invested. I would like to know what you think about the audio bec I really couldn't decide if it was cringe or not.
I never listen to audio of romance novels. I find it cringe because what I imagine tones to be like as I read is very different. I really liked Bride. I would not defend it from the critics though, it deserves all the criticism
I’ve read The Love Hypothesis and Bride and strongly disliked (but finished) both. I find myself cringing throughout the book, and they feel like AO3 fan fics in the way they are written. I understand TLH was originally a fan fic, but the writing should have progressed with the backing of a powerhouse publisher. At this point I feel like they are capitalizing on her popularity and are just pushing books out of her.
I hear you. If I were you I wouldn't pick this one up!