I wasn't planning on reading this book through the night and being a zombie in the morning but y'know what? Olive and Adam are more than worth the dark circles and red eyes! I'm ngl, I went into this feeling more than a little nervous cos the hype is absolutely wild around it, but I'm beyond chuffed to say that it was *chefs kiss* and definitely lived up to all the hype! The academic setting, the endearingly awkward moments, the witty and cheeky banter, the CHEMISTRY! And bedroom Dr. Adam Carlsen? HELLO! It was unexpected (not sure why cos the man is fine) and it was hot AF. So wow (so wow)! 🥵 Like, I don't know if I can even form coherent and non-rambly sentences for this review because I loved it so much? I'm gonna try though but also who am I kidding? This is going to be rambly and gushing and probably a mess but I hope it convinces you to read the book! 😂
You know when you start a new book and almost immediately know, within the first few pages, that you're going to love it? That was this book for me! Hazelwood's writing is so easy to read and full of quirky and humorous moments that made it so difficult to put this book down. I was surprised to find that I also really enjoyed the academic setting and I liked that it wasn't just a 'background' aspect to the story but an integral part of it. Although I'm not familiar with the academic world myself, I could tell that Hazelwood was and that came through clearly in the writing and it was immersive. It's a cutthroat world and the misogyny is rampant, as evidenced by Olive's and Ahn's experiences, and I appreciated that Hazelwood doesn't shy away from the harsh reality of what it's like to be in academia in general but specifically to be a woman in academia, in S.T.E.M.
While the setting was great, it was the characters that won me over and I adored every single one of them. This book had such a fantastic cast of characters and I loved that the side characters felt well fleshed out too! I was immediately charmed by Olive's slightly chaotic and anxious but entirely adorable nerdy energy. She's wickedly smart and super passionate about her research into pancreatic cancer, but she's also witty and absolutely hilarious! She's a literal ray of sunshine and I loved being in her head so much that it was so easy to root for her success and happiness. I adored her friendships with Ahn and Malcolm, her ride or dies, and their friendly banter had me constantly laughing out loud (so much so that my sister asked me what I was reading that was so hilarious)! They were such a great group of friends and I loved seeing them achieve their dreams and finding their happiness alongside Olive. Now let's talk about the grumpy star of the show, Olive's long-time secret-admirer and everyone's favourite nightmare: Dr. Adam Carlsen. He's an absolute genius who takes his responsibilities as a science mentor very seriously and cares about his students and their success despite maybe not vocalising that in ways that people prefer. Underneath his gruff and intimidating exterior, he's loyal, so freaking cheeky and a total sweetheart, especially when it comes to Olive. I can't even describe the way my heart swooned at all the ways he was a simp for her but I am grinning big just thinking about it right now! Also, listen. I'm a big fan of hugely nerdy men that are hulkingly built (the contrast tho) and what can I say? This man was everything! And I mean, I already mentioned how knee-quakingly hot Adam is when he's unleashed in the bedroom so... I mean, I guess I'm just a fool for this man. 🙃
Although their fake dating kicked off pretty early in the story, the progression of their romance from strangers who tolerate each other on weekly fake dates to tentative yet adorable friends to swoontastic lovers was immaculately done! Watching them slip into easy, comforting, and totally cheeky banter the more they spent time together made me ridiculously happy. There's no doubt that Hazelwood does the slow-burn build-up extremely well and the more they got to know each other and found themselves in relationship-esque situations that had me squealing and giggling with utter delight, the more invested I became in their relationship. I mean, there was hand-holding, lap-sitting, sunscreen applying on naked backs!!! And I. Pls. I swoon. I cannot. I loved it so much and it's rare that I immediately want to go back and read the swoony bits the minute I finish a romance, but I immediately want to go back and read the swoony bits in this book already! 😂
I honestly don't know what else to say about this book other than to keep gushing about how swoony the romance was and how happy their interactions made me. I'm so glad that I finally shook off the nerves and dove into this because it was amazing. The only regret I have is that it's over and I already can't wait to read it again at some point because this has fast become one of my favourite romances—and definitely one of my top reads in 2021! All I can say is READ IT! Also, I thought I'd share some content warnings below because there are some topics and events that may be triggering for readers, so please read with care ❤️
CW/TW: Sexual harassment, mental abuse (between mentor/mentee, recounted), death of a parent (pancreatic cancer)
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“I am going to take care of this,” he told her. There was something determined, earnest in his eyes. Olive had never felt safer, or more loved. “And then I’ll come find you, and I’ll take care of you.”Highlighted by 3,819 Kindle readers- It wasn’t until a few minutes later, when she was sitting on her bed staring at the Boston skyline and chewing on her lunch, that Olive realized that the protein bar Adam had given her was covered in chocolate.Highlighted by 3,434 Kindle readers
- “Have you considered getting a real girlfriend?” His eyebrow lifted. “Have you considered getting a real date?” “Touché.”Highlighted by 2,598 Kindle readers
From the Publisher
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Ali Hazelwood is a multi-published author - alas, of peer-reviewed articles about brain science, in which no one makes out and the ever after is not always happy. Originally from Italy, she lived in Germany and Japan before moving to the US to pursue a Ph.D. in neuroscience. She recently became a professor, which absolutely terrifies her. When Ali is not at work, she can be found running, crocheting, eating cake pops, or watching sci-fi movies with her two feline overlords (and her slightly-less-feline husband).
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| Love on the Brain | Under One Roof | Stuck With You | Below Zero | Loathe to Love You | |
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| Price | £5.80 | £2.99 | £2.99 | £2.99 | £7.22 |
| Read more by Ali Hazelwood | Bee Königswasser lives by a simple code: What would Marie Curie do? If NASA offered her the lead on a neuroengineering project, Marie would accept without hesitation. Duh. But the mother of modern physics never had to co-lead with Levi Ward . . . | Mara, Sadie, and Hannah are friends first, scientists always and they can all agree on this universal truth: when it comes to love and science, opposites attract and rivals make you burn... | Logically, Sadie knows that civil engineers are supposed to build bridges. But when you are stuck for hours in a tiny New York elevator with the man who broke your heart, you earn the right to burn that bridge to the ground. | Hannah, a NASA aerospace engineer, has found herself injured and stranded at a remote Arctic research station. To make it worse, the one person willing to undertake the hazardous rescue mission is her longtime rival. | Get the three irresistible short stories, Under One Roof, Stuck With You and Below Zero together in one book for the first time, with an exclusive extra chapter. |
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Reviews with images
Cute Easy Read
Cute Story and Meet-Cute, Easy Read.A little predictable but expected, although there were parts I wasn’t expecting.I wish I got to understand Adam more.I felt like there were some scenarios that were really drawn out and when it came to the ending it felt rushed.I found myself at the end wanting more, more depth and more dialogue between Olive and Adam and their feelings.I loved the dialogue and banter that was between them though.It was a nice easy read but left me wanting more.
Top reviews from United Kingdom
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One of my fave books of 2021—giggle inducing banter, loveable characters, and a swoontastic romance!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 January 2022
Top reviews from other countries
BrownDove
This book placed Ali Hazelwood on my must-read authors!
Reviewed in Germany on 21 July 2024
Kendy Brachez
UN LIBRO QUE TE ENGANCHA A LA PRIMERA ✅
Reviewed in Spain on 1 July 2024