Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Love Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood Narrator: Therese Plummer
Published by Berkley, Penguin Audio on June 13, 2023
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 368
Length: 12 hours, 34 minutes
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
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The many lives of theoretical physicist Elsie Hannaway have finally caught up with her. By day, she’s an adjunct professor, toiling away at grading labs and teaching thermodynamics in the hopes of landing tenure. By other day, Elsie makes up for her non-existent paycheck by offering her services as a fake girlfriend, tapping into her expertly honed people pleasing skills to embody whichever version of herself the client needs.
Honestly, it’s a pretty sweet gig—until her carefully constructed Elsie-verse comes crashing down. Because Jack Smith, the annoyingly attractive and broody older brother of her favorite client, turns out to be the cold-hearted experimental physicist who ruined her mentor’s career and undermined the reputation of theorists everywhere. And that same Jack who now sits on the hiring committee at MIT, right between Elsie and her dream job.
I’m all in for a stem world. The academics and politics fascinate me. Ok, the misogyny and treatment of women also infuriates me. The world in Love, Theoretically, is connected to some of the author’s other books, which was only recognizable in a very brief mention near the end.
Elsie loves her work and she has a real talent. But she’s starving herself and without health insurance because she’s just an adjunct professor. She has no health insurance and she needs it. So she and her roommate also have jobs as fake dates to supplement their incomes. Suddenly, she gets and interview for a job she really wants at MIT, and the older brother of one of her fake dates is on the hiring committee.
Elsie is manipulated by her family, and her mentor, and works really hard for everything. If she’s a little tired and used to putting on an agreeable face to the world, well it’s what she needs to do to survive.
The annoying older brother, Jack Smith, is unreadable to her. (Jack Smith – lol) He knows so much more than he can tell her and he may have an easy road as a white male but he’s not unfair. While Elsie battles him fiercely, he takes steps to protect her. While I dislike a situation where the woman is down on her luck / money, and the man has lots of money and influence, it is often the way it is and certainly shows how strong and capable the woman is.
I found this to be such an emotional ride as Elsie learns some truths about herself, and being herself. Of course, she and Jack are so compatible and the sparks lead to such a good relationship in the end. It was heart-warming. I loved all the feelings here and look forward to much more in this world.
Narration:
I love this narrator. She’s fantastic. Most of her titles are in a different genre, as far as the ones I have heard. I love the emotions inspired by her performance. Elsie has a more emotional tone to her voice; Jack is more straightforward, more neutral in tone. I listened at my normal 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Therese Plummer
Therese Plummer is an actor and voice over artist living and working in New York City. Favorite roles to date include TV: Rose Nerrick, The Good Wife, Andy in Law and Order SVU. Stage: Celebrity Row; New York Theatre Workshop, Under Tillage, The Irish Repertory Theatre. Off-off Broadway credits include The Vagina Monologues, Suzanne in Twilight of the Gold’s and Madeline in the Award Winning Samuel French Short play The Sweet Room. Comedy Credits include Improv at Upright Citizens Brigade and Stand-up at Caroline’s Comedy Club. Therese also performed her one woman show, Ribbons Undone, at the Here Arts Center.
Therese records audio books for Audible.com, Recorded Books and Talking Books, Inc. As an adolescent counselor, Therese spent five years utilizing Drama therapy techniques in individual and group settings before moving to New York. She shares a passion of creating, helping and entertaining and feels incredibly lucky to do all three.
About Ali Hazelwood
I’m Ali, and I write contemporary romcom novels about women in STEM and academia. I love cats, Nutella, and side ponytails. I’m also currently learning to crochet, so as you can tell I’m a super busy gal with an intense and exciting life!
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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One of these days I’m going to read one of her books! Glad you loved this. It sounds like there are some relatable real life elements as well as romance and STEM😁
yes and they are all stand alone. I mean some characters know characters in other books but they aren’t really in the books. This is one of the best along with the first one.
I’ve got this coming up so it’s great to see you give it so many stars, Anne💜
It’s very relatable. I hope you enjoy it. I did work in academia for 4 years. As an adjunct professor. lol
You caught the essence of Elsie’s situation and story in this one. I loved Jack so much and was infuriated with her mentor.
This was a great character study, personal growth and learning for Elsie.
So happy you loved this one too, Anne! Wonderful review!
Thank you Rachel. It was enjoyable. The STEM themes always appeal to me too.
I also loved this one, it was very emotional.
Thanks Role. This one gave all the feels.
I listened to The Love Hypothesis and really enjoyed it and this one looks so fun! I’m a big fan of this narrator as well.
Thanks Katherine. I hope you get to read this one. I liked it very much. I enjoyed the STEM and academic themes.
Yes…I loved these characters and enjoyed the Narration.
Thank you Kimberly, it was a great read.
These covers are just so dang cute.
They are fun.
I totally and completely missed the connection to the earlier books – I don’t even remember the names of those characters. LOL! I enjoyed this one as well.
I’m pretty sure George is from another one but maybe my brain made that up?
I loved this one too! Great review!
Thanks. The science and academia are so fascinating. The character growth here is the real win.