Ali Hazelwood Recommends 5 Romance Books to Read While You Wait for ‘The Love Hypothesis’ Sequel
Discover the love stories that have earned a place on the bestselling author's own reading list
Key Takeaways
- Ali Hazelwood recommends five romances to read before her 2027 sequel.
- Pick styles you love: small-town, romcom, friends-to-lovers, reinvention, advice-column
- Start reading: Hazelwood’s five picks are cozy, swoony romance reads
Ali Hazelwood knows romance. As the author of nearly 20 different swoon-worthy novels, Hazelwood has a good handle on what consists of a happily ever after and all of the messy, confusing feelings and actions it takes to get there. With one film adaptation already available for your binge-watching pleasure in the form of The Love Hypothesis, this romance novelist—and former neuroscience professor!—is the perfect writer to get your next recommendation from.
Hazelwood’s first and most popular novel—The Love Hypothesis—initially began as Star Wars fanfiction, eventually becoming the BookTok sensation and No. 1 movie on Prime Video. Plus, with her sequel to the book, The Two-Body Problem, on the way in 2027, you know she is deeply immersed in the romance world.
So, if you adored The Love Hypothesis as much as we did and enjoy her other STEMinist (STEM and feminist) novels, check out the books the romance author has recommended for your next read while you wait for her follow-up.
Ali Hazelwood’s recommendations
‘Georgie, All Along’ by Kate Clayborn
Georgie, All Along is the perfect small-town romance for all of Ali Hazelwood’s fans. The story follows longtime personal assistant Georgie Mulcahy who has always put others ahead of herself. But when she finds herself back in her home town and away from the chaos of her life in L.A., she’s met with the blank page that is her own hopes and dreams.
Discovering an old diary, full of possibilities she once dreamed of, Georgie is inspired to make them happen and get her own life on track. Soon enough, she meets Levi Fanning, former town troublemaker and current hermit, who offers to help Georgie complete her list. But through all of their time spent together, Georgie discovers that what she really wants might be right beside her.
What Ali said: “So I just finished this book and I’m a bit shell shocked at how good it was so this review is not gonna be coherent at all, more like an unhinged list of all the things that made me fall so hard for this book…but kate clayborn takes a simple story and makes it SO SPECIAL AND MAGIC AND CHARMING…”
What readers said: “This time, instead of a review, I’d like to just leave a big, fat, red heart emoji, if that’s okay with you guys. Because – this book!!! This beautifully written, hilarious and wholesome book!”
‘Marlowe Banks, Redesigned’ by Jacqueline Firkins
Marlowe Banks, Redesigned shows you that failure and forgiveness are a part of life and sometimes you just need a little redesign.
Marlowe Banks is going through it: her engagement just ended, critics tore apart her latest costume design, she has overdue student loans and her parents are disappointed. So, Marlowe takes the failure and shoves it down by relocating from New York City to Los Angeles in an attempt to hide.
After getting a job as a production assistant on a popular TV show, a costume mix-up pushes Marlowe in front of the camera, where she shares a heated look with the show’s star and bad boy, Angus Gordon. As they’re forced to be together on set, Marlowe has to decide whether it’s better to stay in the shadows or give her life a redesign.
What Ali said: “Okay, this book is my child now, I have adopted her, we will grow old and happy together on a diet that’s 99% serrated strawberries…The thing I liked the most about the book… is the theme of failure and dealing with criticism.”
What readers said: “I LOVED both of these characters!! They are so well developed that I felt like I knew both!! I adored the banter and wit!! I really didn’t want it to end!”
‘If You Ask Me’ by Libby Hubscher
Violet Covington is the author of a popular advice column, Dear Sweetie, where she offers polite solutions to every situation. But when she discovers that her husband has been cheating on her, Violet turns to her column as an outlet for her frustrations—which quickly goes viral.
Another solution for her venting? Burning her ex-husband’s clothing in her front yard, which draws firefighter Dez to put out the flames. While her boss and ex-husband are looking for the old, sweet Violet to return, Dez appreciates her just the way she is. Although she finds herself at odds with her former self, Violet considers that this new version might be the way to find her own happy ending.
What Ali said: “Incredible book. Libby Hubscher is just so good at writing stories that are both funny and moving–I am IN AWE.”
What readers said: “I read Meet me in paradise last year and now this one and I can safely say I will read anything Libby Hubscher writes! I LOVED this book so much!!!”
‘The Ex Talk’ by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Shay Goldstein has been at her Seattle radio station for nearly a decade and she loves it—until Dominic Yun joins the team and acts like he knows everything about being on the radio. The two clash and when the struggling station needs a new show idea, Shay has a concept that her boss loves: The Ex Talk, featuring two exes who deliver relationship advice live.
But when her boss suggests that she and Dominic portray the exes because the two of them already can’t stand her, the two have no choice but to take on the challenge—or lose their jobs. Although they don’t like lying to the listeners, Shay and Dominic are good at faking their history and the show skyrockets. But when lines get blurry and feelings become real, revealing the truth can do more harm than good.
What Ali said: “I have read it, and if you are a fan of romcoms, or romance, or excellent writing—basically, if you enjoy anything that’s good in life, I can guarantee that you are going to LOVE it, and therefore you should read it too.”
What readers said: “TRULY a fun little delight! Reading The Ex Talk made me feel the exact same way that watching How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days / 13 Going on 30 makes me feel…This is romcom material.”
‘From the Jump’ by Lacie Waldon
Liv Bakersfield does everything she’s supposed to do. She’s financially responsible, works out, is a good person and she takes her job seriously—maybe too seriously. Overworked and tired, Liv is about to miss out on yet another trip with her college best friends. But when she finally decides to start saying no, Liv relishes it by quitting her job and heading to South Africa on vacation.
Everything is perfect there, from the sights to spending time with her friends and, of course, her friendship with the emotionally unavailable Lucas Deiss. But when they head back to L.A., Liv realizes her whim decisions weren’t all that smart, sending her right back into Lucas’ life. Now, she has to decide whether she should get back on the right track or risk it all by taking the jump.
What Ali said: “Sweet swoony and suuuuuuuper romantic 😍amazing story on the importance of trying to step out of our comfort zone, and of course, I loooove friends to lovers stories! super recommend!!”
What readers said: “Lacie Waldon’s sophomore novel strikes a perfect balance between romance, friendship, family and discovering who we all are once we drop our carefully crafted facade.”
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