The fake dating trope, done right
Fake dating is one of the most popular tropes in romance for a reason: it forces two characters into situations where they have to act like a couple, which means proximity, tension, and a slow build toward something real. The Love Hypothesis leans fully into this, and readers can't resist watching the line between "pretend" and "real" blur chapter by chapter.
A heroine readers actually relate to
Olive isn't a flawless main character — she's anxious, overthinks everything, and has a tendency to spiral. For a lot of readers, especially those in academia or early career stress, she feels real in a way that made the book hit harder than a typical rom-com.
The grumpy x sunshine dynamic
Adam Carlsen is the textbook "grumpy" love interest: closed-off, intimidating, secretly soft. Pair that with Olive's more anxious, overthinking energy, and you get one of the most beloved character dynamics in contemporary romance.
It made STEM romance its own subgenre
Before The Love Hypothesis, "professor and PhD student" romance wasn't really a recognizable category. Ali Hazelwood basically created an entire subgenre with this book — and readers have been hooked on STEM-set romances ever since.
The Love Hypothesis is coming to Prime Video
After years of anticipation, the film adaptation officially premieres on Prime Video on September 23, 2026, starring Lili Reinhart as Olive and Tom Bateman as Adam. The casting alone has reignited the fandom, with fans dissecting every first-look photo and teaser clip released so far.
For longtime readers, this is the moment to revisit the book before watching how Olive and Adam's story translates to the screen — and for anyone who's never read it, there's no better time to start.
Get ready for the release
Whether you're rereading the book for the fifth time or picking it up for the first time before the movie drops, here's how to make the most of it:
- Reread the book before September 23 so the details are fresh when the movie airs.
- Plan a watch party with friends who are just as invested in Olive and Adam's chemistry.
- Discover your own fake dating romance with our Blind Date Book (Romance) — a surprise pick for anyone who can't get enough of this trope.
- Mark your favorite scenes with one of our romance bookmarks.
Frequently asked questions about The Love Hypothesis
When does The Love Hypothesis movie come out?
The Love Hypothesis premieres exclusively on Prime Video on September 23, 2026.
Who stars in The Love Hypothesis movie?
Lili Reinhart plays Olive Smith, and Tom Bateman plays Dr. Adam Carlsen.
Is The Love Hypothesis part of a series?
The Love Hypothesis is a standalone novel, though Ali Hazelwood has written several other STEM romance novels with a similar tone and trope-heavy style.
Why is The Love Hypothesis trope called "fake dating"?
Fake dating refers to a trope where two characters pretend to be in a relationship for a specific reason — in this case, to help Olive convince her friend she's over her ex — and then develop real feelings along the way.
What should I read if I loved The Love Hypothesis?
If you love the fake dating and grumpy x sunshine combination, try our Blind Date Book (Romance) for a surprise pick with a similar trope-heavy energy.
Ready to fall for Olive and Adam again?
Whether you're counting down to September 23 or just discovering The Love Hypothesis for the first time, this is the kind of book — and now, the kind of movie — that BookTok keeps coming back to. Pick up your own fake dating romance with our Blind Date Book, bookmark your favorite moments with a romance bookmark, and get ready for the BookTok event of the fall.