Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood
When Ali Hazelwood’s debut The Love Hypothesis (Berkley) was released in 2021, romance fans were enamored with the story about two scientists finding themselves in a hate-to-fake-dating relationship. This debut put Hazelwood’s name on the map, and she has become one of the biggest names in romance ever since.
This STEM romance not only sent Hazelwood to the official New York Times bestseller list, it also became a BookTok sensation on TikTok. Readers loved spilling the details of the romance story across social media, something that has helped Hazelwood gather a dedicated fan base. Her second book, Love on the Brain, as well as her newly released Loathe to Love You STEM novella collection, are proof that Hazelwood is becoming a legendary romance author, with books full of relatable and intelligent characters.
But what makes Ali Hazelwood stand out from the crowd and has led her to write STEM-inspired romance novels, is her own scientific background. Hazelwood is a professor with a PhD in neuroscience. But sometimes, even she has to do research for her novels in order to explore new themes and ideas.
I had the chance to ask Ali a few questions for BookTrib about her books and writing process, as well as her upcoming novel Love, Theoretically.
Q: In your books, there is smart banter and quirky commentary between the love interest and the girl who just might like him after all. How do you brainstorm these characters, and how do you approach the way in which their connection develops?
A: There is usually a specific trope, or dynamic, or tension that I set out to explore. But I have to say, now that I’m writing book six, I’ve started realizing that the process for every book feels different!
My ideas come from all over the place, but mostly from media I’ve enjoyed and whose elements I want to explore more.
[For Love, Theoretically] it was a very organic process — I had the story idea, wondered what kind of people would be more likely to end up in that specific situation, and everything progressed side by side.Q: Your latest book, Love, Theoretically, is out June 13. What can readers expect from the book and its story?
A: It’s the story of Elsie and Jack, who are both physicists (but different kinds of physicists, as they’d readily tell you) and who find themselves face to face when Elsie applies for a Job in Jack’s department at MIT. Unfortunately, they already know each other, because Elsie has been fake dating Jack’s brother for a while …
Q: Has your experience in academia and science shaped your writing? What kind of research did you have to do for Love, Theoretically?
A: It’s what I know best, so writing in academic/lab settings is what feels most natural to me!
It has definitely made me want to channel my academic angst into my writing! And I don’t know very much about physics, so there was a lot of Googling going on …
Q: When it comes to writing, do you have a specific ritual that gets you ready to write? Do you need a quiet room, a candle burning, a fun drink or maybe some music? Inquiring minds want to know!
A: I would say that my ritual is postponing the moment when I start writing a book as much as I can, thus creating an endless cycle of barely met deadlines and days spent having to write every second of every hour, even when I’m on the toilet or scarfing down a sandwich, just to avoid having to ask for an extension. But I’m hoping to soon become the kind of writer whose more organized and lights a candle for atmosphere — it’s one of my biggest career goals!
Q: What are you reading now? What books or authors inspire you?
A: I just finished The Name Drop by Susan Lee and I’m obsessed! It’s the k-drama adjacent YA book I’ve always wanted! And I get inspiration from most (all?) romance novels I read.
Q: What’s next for you in the literary world that you can share with us?
A: My first YA book, [Check & Mate] a rivals-to-lovers coming of age set in the world of professional chess, is coming out this November, and it’s my most beloved child. After that, I’ll publish my next book that’s not quite a STEM romcom, which is very exciting for me!
Ali Hazelwood is the New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis, as well as a writer 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 PhD in neuroscience. She recently became a professor, which absolutely terrifies her. When Ali is not at work, she can be found running, eating cake pops or watching sci-fi movies with her two feline overlords (and her slightly-less-feline husband).
