10 Books Like The Love Hypothesis
“The Love Hypothesis” is a contemporary romance novel by Ali Hazelwood, first published in 2021.
The novel explores themes of academic life, the challenges faced by women in STEM fields, and the development of trust and love between the main characters. It has been praised for its witty writing, engaging plot, and the chemistry between Olive and Adam.
If you are looking for books that share similar themes and characters like that of The Love Hypothesis, you should keep reading for some similar suggestions.
Let’s go.
Books Like The Love Hypothesis
1. The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
“The Kiss Quotient” follows Stella Lane, a woman with Asperger’s who excels in mathematics but struggles in her love life. Believing she needs lessons in romance and intimacy, Stella hires an escort, Michael Phan, to teach her.
As their sessions progress, their professional relationship becomes personal, challenging both their perceptions of love and relationships.
Major Similarities:
Like “The Love Hypothesis,” “The Kiss Quotient” combines a unique twist on romantic relationships with a protagonist who excels in a STEM field. Both novels explore themes of vulnerability, personal growth, and the unexpected paths to finding love.
The central relationships in both stories start under unconventional agreements, leading to genuine connection and emotional depth.
2. Beach Read by Emily Henry
In “Beach Read,” January Andrews, a romance writer, and Gus Everett, a literary fiction author, find themselves living next door to each other. Both suffer from writer’s block and decide to challenge each other by swapping genres for the summer.
As they spend more time together, they discover that the line between love and hate is very thin, and sometimes life’s most important lessons come from the most unexpected places.
Major Similarities:
Both “Beach Read” and “The Love Hypothesis” feature protagonists who are navigating their professional and personal lives, with a significant focus on their careers impacting their perspectives on love.
The dynamic of starting from a place of skepticism or rivalry to developing deep, romantic feelings is central to both narratives. Additionally, both books are praised for their witty dialogues, emotional depth, and the exploration of vulnerability.
3. The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
“The Hating Game” tells the story of Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman, two executive assistants stuck in a shared office and engaged in a bitter rivalry.
Their constant battle of wits hides an undercurrent of attraction, and things take a turn when they find themselves competing for a promotion. The competition becomes even more complicated as they start to recognize their true feelings for each other.
Major Similarities:
Like “The Love Hypothesis,” “The Hating Game” explores the theme of enemies-to-lovers, with the protagonists initially clashing before gradually uncovering a deep-seated attraction.
Both novels are set against a backdrop of professional settings, where career ambitions and romantic entanglements intersect. The witty banter, sexual tension, and the shift from antagonism to affection are key elements that make both books appealing to fans of contemporary romance.
4. Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn
“Love Lettering” features Meg Mackworth, a calligrapher who discovers that her skill in reading signs and weaving hidden messages into her work can affect people’s lives in unexpected ways.
When Reid Sutherland, a man whose wedding program Meg had subtly suggested might be a mistake, confronts her a year later, they embark on a journey through New York City to solve a cryptic message Meg has hidden in the city’s signs.
Their adventure leads them to explore their fears, dreams, and a possible future together.
Major Similarities:
Both “Love Lettering” and “The Love Hypothesis” blend romance with a unique professional backdrop, showcasing characters with distinct talents and careers.
The novels share a focus on personal growth, the discovery of love in unexpected places, and the importance of communication and vulnerability in building relationships.
The heartfelt and gradual development of the characters’ relationships, underscored by a strong emotional connection, mirrors the dynamic between Olive and Adam.
5. You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle
“You Deserve Each Other” follows Naomi Westfield and Nicholas Rose, an engaged couple who appear perfect on the outside but are secretly harboring resentment towards each other.
As their wedding approaches, they find themselves in a war of sabotage, hoping to force the other to end the engagement.
However, their antics lead to a rediscovery of why they fell in love in the first place, challenging them to confront their issues and decide if they truly want to be together.
Major Similarities:
This book, like “The Love Hypothesis,” features a couple in an unconventional romantic situation, where the initial premise is based on pretense or conflict rather than immediate attraction.
Both novels humorously explore the complexities of relationships, the process of breaking down barriers, and the journey towards genuine understanding and love.
The characters’ growth, both individually and as a couple, and the engaging, witty narrative style are elements that will appeal to fans of “The Love Hypothesis.”
6. Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert
“Act Your Age, Eve Brown” is the story of Eve Brown, the youngest of the Brown sisters, who is a bit of a hot mess and struggles to stick to a career path.
After accidentally hitting Jacob Wayne, a B&B owner, with her car during an argument, Eve ends up working for him to make amends. Their relationship evolves from adversaries to lovers as they navigate their personal challenges and vulnerabilities together.
Major Similarities:
Similar to “The Love Hypothesis,” this novel features characters in a professional setting that initially clash but gradually develop a deep, romantic connection.
Both stories celebrate the protagonists’ unique personalities and the growth they experience as they come to terms with their feelings for each other. The blend of humor, emotional depth, and the journey from misunderstanding to love mirrors the engaging dynamics in “The Love Hypothesis.”
7. The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary
In “The Flatshare,” Tiffy Moore and Leon Twomey share an apartment and a bed but have never met due to their opposite work schedules. Communicating through notes left around the apartment, they start getting to know each other without face-to-face interactions, leading to an unconventional relationship.
As they become increasingly involved in each other’s lives, they must navigate their growing feelings amid their unique living situation.
Major Similarities:
Like “The Love Hypothesis,” “The Flatshare” explores an unusual arrangement that leads to love, focusing on characters who initially know little about each other but grow closer through unconventional means.
Both novels feature protagonists dealing with personal and professional challenges, using a light-hearted and emotionally rich narrative to explore themes of love, trust, and vulnerability.
8. The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren
“The Soulmate Equation” centers around single mom Jess Davis, who is skeptical about the idea of love until she learns about a matchmaking company that uses DNA to find potential matches.
When she’s matched with the company’s founder, Dr. River Peña, with an unprecedented compatibility score, they embark on a relationship to explore the scientific and real-life implications of being “genetically destined” soulmates, leading to discoveries about love, trust, and the nature of true compatibility.
Major Similarities:
This novel, like “The Love Hypothesis,” combines a love for science and a unique approach to exploring romantic relationships, with protagonists who come from scientific backgrounds.
Both stories delve into themes of skepticism towards love, the impact of professional life on personal relationships, and the journey from doubt to deep emotional connection. The blend of science and romance offers a fresh take on contemporary love stories, appealing to readers who enjoy a mix of intellect and heart.
9. The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
“The Unhoneymooners” follows Olive Torres and Ethan Thomas, who end up taking their siblings’ honeymoon trip together after the wedding party falls ill.
Despite their mutual disdain, they decide to pretend to be newlyweds to enjoy the free vacation. Forced proximity and a series of comedic and romantic misadventures challenge their perceptions of each other and lead them to reconsider their relationship.
Major Similarities:
Both “The Unhoneymooners” and “The Love Hypothesis” feature protagonists who find themselves in a fake relationship under unusual circumstances, leading to genuine romantic development.
The enemies-to-lovers trope, combined with humor, engaging dialogue, and the transformation of the characters’ relationship from animosity to affection, are central themes that resonate in both stories. The novels skillfully blend romantic tension with comedic elements, making for an entertaining and heartfelt read.
10. Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren
Josh and Hazel are an unlikely pair; Hazel is a quirky and eccentric elementary school teacher who believes she’s a lot to handle, while Josh is the calm and collected counterpart.
After Hazel declares that they’re just friends, they start setting each other up on progressively terrible double blind dates. As their friendship deepens and their dates fail spectacularly, they begin to wonder if they’re actually perfect for each other.
Major Similarities:
Like “The Love Hypothesis,” “Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating” explores the dynamics of a relationship that starts off platonic with underlying romantic tension.
Both novels feature protagonists with contrasting personalities that complement each other, leading to humorous and heartwarming situations.
The journey from friendship to love, against a backdrop of professional and personal growth, is a theme that both stories handle with depth and humor, making them appealing to readers who enjoy contemporary romances with relatable characters and engaging plots.
