It’s a truth universally acknowledged that once you’ve devoured Ali Hazelwood’s The Love Hypothesis, you’re left with an insatiable craving for more.
The magic of that novel lies in its perfect formula: a brilliant, relatable heroine navigating the male-dominated world of STEM, a stoic and secretly soft-hearted hero, the irresistible tension of a fake-dating arrangement, and dialogue that crackles with intelligence and wit.
It’s a romance that respects its characters' minds as much as their hearts.
If you’re searching for books that capture that same lightning in a bottle, you’ve come to the right place. The following list is curated for fans who appreciate intellectually matched couples, palpable chemistry, and story arcs that are as emotionally satisfying as they are clever. Prepare to find your next five-star read.
If you want the purest successor to The Love Hypothesis, look no further than the author herself. Bee Königswasser, a brilliant neuroscientist, lands her dream job leading a project for NASA, only to discover she must co-lead with her grad school nemesis, Levi Ward. He’s tall, dark, handsome, and seems to hate her with a passion.
Why you'll love it if you loved The Love Hypothesis: This novel is Hazelwood’s signature blend of a woman-in-STEM protagonist, an academic rivals-to-lovers plot, and a hero whose stoicism masks deep devotion.
Bee’s plucky determination and Levi’s simmering intensity are a perfect echo of Olive and Adam’s dynamic, complete with laugh-out-loud moments and a swoon-worthy payoff.
Catalina Martín is in desperate need of a date for her sister’s wedding in Spain, especially after lying to her family about her American boyfriend. Her infuriating, impossibly handsome colleague, Aaron Blackford, offers to step in, but Catalina would rather swallow glass. As the wedding nears, his offer becomes her only option.
Why you'll love it if you loved The Love Hypothesis: This book is a masterclass in the grumpy/sunshine and workplace-rivals tropes. The slow-burn romance is built on a foundation of cutting remarks that slowly soften into genuine care, mirroring the delicious tension between Olive and Adam.
The fake-dating scenario forces a proximity that crackles with unspoken attraction, making it an essential read for fans of that specific trope.
Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman are executive assistants to co-CEOs, and their rivalry is the stuff of office legend. They communicate through a series of passive-aggressive games, fueled by mutual animosity—or so it seems. When a promotion puts them in direct competition, their games escalate into something dangerously close to attraction.
Why you'll love it if you loved The Love Hypothesis: This novel is the blueprint for the modern workplace enemies-to-lovers romance. The sharp, whip-smart dialogue and the constant battle of wits will feel instantly familiar.
Like Adam, Joshua is a misunderstood grump, and the journey from seething animosity to undeniable passion is both hilarious and deeply romantic.
Stella Lane, a brilliant econometrician with Asperger's, has a thriving career but a nonexistent dating life. Concluding that she needs practice, she hires a professional escort, Michael Phan, to teach her everything from kissing to intimacy. Their business arrangement soon becomes complicated by very real, uncalculated feelings.
Why you'll love it if you loved The Love Hypothesis: This is a must-read for anyone who adored the STEM setting and the intelligent, slightly awkward heroine. Stella’s analytical approach to romance is both charming and relatable, and her journey of self-discovery is handled with incredible sensitivity and heart.
The chemistry between Stella and Michael is tender, electric, and profoundly moving.
Literary agent Nora Stephens is a shark. Book editor Charlie Lastra is her brooding, city-based nemesis. When Nora takes a trip to a charming small town in North Carolina for a month, the last person she expects to run into is Charlie.
Thrown together repeatedly, they begin to unravel the carefully constructed stories they tell about themselves and each other. Why you'll love it if you loved The Love Hypothesis: This is a perfect match for readers who appreciate intellectually sharp protagonists who are true equals.
The dialogue is razor-sharp and sophisticated, and the romance subverts familiar tropes in a clever, thoughtful way. It celebrates two ambitious, career-driven people finding love without having to sacrifice their identities—a core theme that resonated with fans of Olive’s academic passions.
Luc O’Donnell, the chaos-prone son of rock-star parents, needs to clean up his public image fast. Oliver Blackwood, a prim and proper barrister, needs a steady date for an upcoming event. They strike a deal to be fake boyfriends for the sake of appearances.
Their arrangement is a clash of personalities, but beneath the witty sparring lies a surprising and genuine connection. Why you'll love it if you loved The Love Hypothesis: If the fake-dating scenario was your favorite part of TLH, this book is your holy grail.
Hall delivers some of the most brilliant, laugh-out-loud dialogue in the genre, and the opposites-attract dynamic between the disastrous but endearing Luc and the stoic, kind-hearted Oliver is pure gold. It’s a feel-good romance with substance and heart.
Single mom and data scientist Jess Davis is a numbers person who believes love can’t be predicted. Yet, she’s tempted by a new DNA-based dating app that boasts a 98% compatibility match with its founder, the stubborn and aloof Dr. River Peña.
When the company offers her a lucrative sum to fake-date River and prove their science works, she can’t refuse. Why you'll love it if you loved The Love Hypothesis: This story seamlessly weaves science and data into its romantic core.
The enemies-to-lovers storyline, rooted in professional skepticism and a clash of personalities, will delight fans of Adam and Olive’s initial dynamic. The novel is a smart, charming exploration of whether love is a matter of science or a mystery of the heart.
After a near-death experience, the chronically ill and computer-obsessed Chloe Brown creates a list to help her “get a life.” To complete it, she enlists the help of her building’s superintendent, Redford "Red" Morgan, a gruff artist with a heart of gold.
Their initially transactional relationship blossoms as they help each other heal from past wounds. Why you'll love it if you loved The Love Hypothesis: While not set in academia, this book nails the grumpy/sunshine dynamic with incredible warmth and wit.
Chloe is a smart, quirky heroine whose vulnerability makes her immensely lovable, much like Olive. The banter is top-tier, and the story offers meaningful representation and an emotional depth that makes the romance feel earned and authentic.
January Andrews is a bestselling romance author. Augustus Everett writes acclaimed literary fiction. They are polar opposites who find themselves in neighboring beach houses for the summer, both struggling with writer’s block.
They strike a deal: Augustus will write a happily-ever-after, and January will pen the next great American novel, leading to research trips that challenge everything they thought they knew about love and storytelling.
Why you'll love it if you loved The Love Hypothesis: This novel excels at pairing two smart, professionally accomplished rivals and forcing them to confront their differences. The banter is electric, but it’s the underlying emotional vulnerability that makes this story so powerful.
Like Olive and Adam, January and Gus must navigate personal trauma and grief on their path to one another, resulting in a rich, deeply satisfying romance.
Andie Rose, a hyper-organized pre-med student, is ready for a fresh start at her dream university. Her plans are immediately upended by her RA, the infuriatingly charming Milo, who is the chaotic inverse of her organized world.
He’s also the TA for the creative writing class she needs to graduate, and their academic and personal lives collide in unexpected ways. Why you'll love it if you loved The Love Hypothesis: This is a perfect campus romance for readers missing the university setting.
The rivals-to-lovers tension is fantastic, with Andie’s meticulous planning clashing beautifully with Milo’s spontaneous energy. It captures the spirit of finding yourself—and love—amidst the pressures of higher education, all with the smart, witty flair Hazelwood fans adore.
Olive Torres is the perpetually unlucky twin, a fact confirmed when the entire wedding party at her sister's reception gets food poisoning—except for her and the best man, Ethan Thomas, her sworn archenemy. With a non-refundable honeymoon to Maui up for grabs, they agree to a truce and a temporary fake marriage to enjoy a free vacation.
Why you'll love it if you loved The Love Hypothesis: This book is a pure, unadulterated dose of enemies-to-lovers fun with a forced-proximity twist. The verbal sparring between Olive and Ethan is relentless and hilarious, making their eventual romantic turn all the more rewarding.
It’s a lighter, vacation-set take on the fake relationship trope, perfect for when you want maximum banter and sizzling chemistry.
PhD student Danika Brown is a career-focused academic who has no time for love. When a video of security guard Zafir Ansari "rescuing" her from a fire drill gone wrong goes viral, the internet is convinced they’re the perfect couple.
To boost the profile of Zaf’s sports charity, they agree to a fake relationship, but their pretend affection starts to feel incredibly real. Why you'll love it if you loved The Love Hypothesis: This book features another brilliant academic heroine who approaches romance with skepticism and logic.
Dani’s PhD-candidate status and the campus setting will feel like a welcome return to form. The fake-dating plotline is executed with Hibbert’s signature blend of humor, steam, and genuine emotional intelligence, creating a romance that is both smart and incredibly heartwarming.