10 Books Like Love, Theoretically
Ali Hazelwood seems to have cracked the code for fluffy romances set in the STEM environment and her latest read, Love, Theoretically is one such contemporary novel. The book follows the story of Elsie and Jack, two physicists caught in bad blood due to something that happened over 15 years ago.
Jack finds himself falling for his brother’s girlfriend and Elsie cannot act upon her feelings for him because no one knows the truth about her relationship with Jack’s brother.
If you are someone who enjoyed reading this romance novel, you might be looking for similar alternatives that you can read over the summer.
Red, White and Royal Blue – Casey McQuiston
Similarities: Enemies to Lovers, Forbidden Romance
A popular book that will soon be turning into a movie is the 2019 novel, Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston which screams representation of LGBTQIA+ romances. The novel tells the story of First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz, who is the closest thing to a prince on this side of the Atlantic.
International socialite duties do have downsides though, namely when photos of a confrontation with his longtime nemesis Prince Henry at a royal wedding leak to the tabloids and threaten American/British relations.
The plan for damage control: staging a fake friendship between the First Son and the Prince. As President Claremont kicks off her re-election bid, Alex finds himself hurtling into a secret relationship with Henry that could derail the campaign and upend the two nations.
The Unhoneymooners – Christina Lauren
Similarities: Contemporary Romance, Enemies to Lovers
Olive is always unlucky: in her career, in love, in…well, everything. Compared to her, Olive’s identical twin sister Ami is probably the luckiest person in the world. After being forced to spend her sister’s wedding day with her arch-nemesis – Ethan, Olive cannot wait to end her maid of honour duties and run far away from the best man, Ethan.
However, when the entire wedding party gets food poisoning from eating bad shellfish, the only people who aren’t affected are Olive and Ethan. And now there’s an all-expenses-paid honeymoon in Hawaii up for grabs.
Putting their mutual hatred aside for the sake of a free vacation, Olive and Ethan head for paradise, determined to avoid each other at all costs.
Love on the Brain – Ali Hazelwood
Similarities: Contemporary Romance, STEMinist Romance
Another Ali Hazelwood novel on this list, Love on the Brain follows the story of Bee Königswasser, a scientist who has been trying her best to live her entire life by the simple code- What would Marie Curie do? Bee ends up working with her college arch-nemesis, Levi and despite his attractive physique, piercing eyes and more, she cannot fall for him. Moreover, Levi made his feelings toward Bee very clear in grad school itself.
However, when Bee faces some trouble at work, she sees Levi softening into an ally, backing her up and seconding her ideas. The possibilities have all her neurons firing. But when it comes time to actually make a move and put her heart on the line, there’s only one question that matters: What will Bee Königswasser do?
The Hating Game – Sally Thorne
Similarities: Enemies to Lovers, Contemporary Romance
There is little to no doubt that Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman hate each other. Not dislike. Not begrudgingly tolerate. Hate. And they have no problem displaying their feelings as they sit across from each other, executive assistants to co-CEOs of a publishing company.
Both Lucy and Josh are poles apart and are up for the same promotion which leads them to butt heads. Lucy refuses to back down when their latest game could cost her her dream job.
The Spanish Love Deception. – Elena Arias
Similarities: He falls first, Enemies to Lovers
Catalina Martín desperately needs a date for her sister’s wedding. Especially since her little white lie about her American boyfriend has spiraled out of control. Now everyone she knows—including her ex and his fiancée—will be there and eager to meet him at the wedding.
With only four weeks left before the wedding, Aaron Blackford—her tall, handsome, condescending colleague offers to step in and help her. She’d rather refuse the insufferable man but Catalina is desperate, and as the wedding draws nearer, Aaron looks like her best option.
The Soulmate Equation – Christina Lauren
Similarities: STEMinist Romance, Contemporary Fiction
Another STEMinist romance, the story follows the life of Jess Davis, a single mom who was left to raise herself thanks to her absent father and hard-partying mother who disappeared when she was six. Jess has also lost all faith in love after her ex decided he wasn’t “father material” before her daughter was even born.
Jess holds her loved ones close but working constantly to stay afloat is hard and lonely. However, Jess hears about GeneticAlly, a buzzy new DNA-based matchmaking company that’s predicted to change dating forever and one that also pays participants to date their potential matches as part of an experiment.
Twisted Hate – Ana Huang
Similarities: Enemies to Lovers, Adult Fiction
An 18+ rated, erotic romance on this list is the enemies-to-lovers novel from the Ana Huang, Twisted Series. The novel follows the story of a gorgeous, cocky, and fast on his way to becoming a hotshot doctor, Josh Chen, who has never met a woman he couldn’t charm—except for Jules Ambrose.
The beautiful redhead has been a thorn in his side since they met, but she also consumes his thoughts in a way no other woman ever has. When their animosity explodes into one unforgettable night, he proposes a solution that’ll get her out of his system once and for all: an enemies-with-benefits arrangement with simple rules: No jealousy, No strings attached, And absolutely no falling in love.
Better Than The Movies – Lynn Painter
Similarities: He fell first, Contemporary Romance
The teen romance follows the story of Liz Buxbaum, who has always known that Wes Bennett is not boyfriend material. Despite being her childhood neighbour, Liz had never called for Wes. However, when Liz’s crush befriends Wes, she ends up hanging out around him in order to be chosen by her crush as his prom date.
But as Liz and Wes scheme to get Liz her magical prom moment, she’s shocked to discover that she actually likes being around Wes. And as they continue to grow closer, she must re-examine everything she thought she knew about love—and rethink her own perception of what ‘Happily Ever After’ should really look like.
The Cruel Prince – Holly Black
Similarities: Enemies to Lovers, Adult Romance
A fantasy novel that revolves around the stories of creatures called the Faeries, The Cruel Prince tells the story of Jude, an orphan human girl who lives alone after her parents were brutally murdered. Jude’s two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie.
Ten years after the incident, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the Fae despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King. In order to win a place at the Court, Jude must defy him–and face the consequences.
Boyfriend Material – Alexis Hall
Similarities: Fake Dating, Contemporary Romance
This M/M romance follows the story of Luc O’Donnell who has never met his famous rockstar father after his parents split when he was young. Luc’s father spent the next twenty years cruising in and out of rehab. Now that his dad’s making a comeback, Luc’s back in the public eye and one compromising photo is enough to ruin everything.
To clean up his image, Luc has to find a nice, normal relationship and Oliver Blackwood is as nice and normal as they come. He’s a barrister, an ethical vegetarian, and he’s never inspired a moment of scandal in his life. In other words: perfect boyfriend material. Apart from being gay, single, and really, really in need of a date for a big event, Luc and Oliver have nothing in common. So they strike a deal to be publicity-friendly (fake) boyfriends until the dust has settled.
So there we have it, our picks for 10 books to keep you busy after reading ‘Love, Theoretically’.
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!