The Love Hypothesis

"The Love Hypothesis" got its start as Star Wars Rey/Kylo Ren fan fiction, with Adam Driver inspiring the male protagonist's name. If you've seen the movies, what similarities did you notice between Olive and Rey and Adam and Kylo Ren? Did you notice the character resemblences in the cover art? Does learning about the novel's fan fiction roots (if this is news to you) influence how you view the book?

Fake dating is a classic romance novel trope. How does this story put its own unique spin on the trope?

How far would you go to protect a friend's happiness? Were Olive's actions over the top?

Olive is concerned that the (fake) relationship will impact her career. What challenges did Olive face as a woman in STEM and how do they reflect real-world issues in these fields?

Adam has a (bad) reputation on campus. While he believes he's being fair and helpful, others see him as unduly cruel. What's your take on "tough love" teaching methods? Where's the line between direct and hurtful?

How did you see Olive's feelings toward Adam change throughout the story, and what moments marked the biggest shifts in her perspective?

Why does Olive lie to Adam about the conversation with Malcolm he overheard? Why does she later break up with Adam once the expiration date for their faux relationship arrives? What makes honest communication about our feelings so difficult, even when the stakes are high?

Were you as blindsided by Tom's true nature as Olive, or did you pick up on warning signs earlier in the story? What red flags, if any, did you notice?

Hazelwood has a Ph.D. in neuroscience and taught at a university, and she peppers her novel with scientifice references and terminology. Did you enjoy this window into the world of science academia? If you have exerience in academia or STEM fields, what rang true or felt off?