The Love Hypothesis: From BookTok Favourite to the Big Screen
The Love Hypothesis has officially made the leap from bestselling romance to the screen and if you love Ali Hazelwood’s signature mix of science, romance, witty banter and fake dating, now is the perfect time to revisit the book.
Ali Hazelwood’s The Love Hypothesis first captured readers with its irresistible combination of academia, awkward chemistry and a romance that starts with a very convincing fake relationship. Now, the story has been adapted into a movie starring Lili Reinhart as Olive Smith and Tom Bateman as Dr Adam Carlsen, and it is streaming on Prime Video from 23 September 2026.
Meet Olive and Adam
The story follows Olive Smith, a PhD candidate who finds herself in a slightly complicated situation when she impulsively kisses Adam Carlsen, the famously intimidating professor in her department.
The solution? Pretend they're dating.
What begins as a fake relationship quickly becomes considerably more complicated as Olive and Adam spend more time together — and the line between pretending and something much more real starts to disappear.
The film keeps the central premise of Hazelwood's novel: a scientist, a fake relationship and plenty of chemistry.
Why The Love Hypothesis became such a favourite
Part of the charm of The Love Hypothesis is its setting. Rather than the usual romantic backdrop, Hazelwood places her characters in the world of academia and scientific research, giving the romance plenty of opportunities for awkward encounters, competitive tension and wonderfully nerdy details.
And then there's the fake-dating trope.
Olive and Adam's relationship has all the ingredients romance readers love — grumpy meets sunshine, forced proximity, fake dating and plenty of slow-burning chemistry.
It's clever, funny and very easy to get swept up in.
Now you can watch it too
The new movie adaptation brings Olive and Adam to Prime Video, with Lili Reinhart and Tom Bateman taking on the central roles. The film is directed by Claire Scanlon, with Ali Hazelwood also credited among the producers.
So whether you've already read the book and are ready to see Olive and Adam brought to life, or you've discovered the story through the movie and want to experience the original romance, this is the perfect excuse to pick up a copy.
Because sometimes the best way to watch a book-to-screen adaptation is to read the book first.
More Ali Hazelwood to add to your TBR
If The Love Hypothesis has you craving more Ali Hazelwood, there's plenty more to discover.
From Love on the Brain and Love, Theoretically to Bride and Not in Love, Hazelwood's books combine romance with clever heroines, ambitious careers and plenty of chemistry. Lowplex Books currently has a selection of Ali Hazelwood titles and collections, including a 4-book collection featuring Loathe to Love You, Love Theoretically, Love on the Brain and The Love Hypothesis.
