This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may earn a small commission—thanks for your support!
If The Love Hypothesis movie has left you pining for more lab coats and academic chemistry, you’re not alone. Ali Hazelwood’s breakout novel has not only created its very own category of romances — “STEM romance” — but also spurred the creation of a long list of books for you to pick up after watching the movie.
No matter what type of romance you prefer, from enemies-to-lovers’ plot to a comforting book full of dialogue, or even a spicy version of failed experiments and discoveries, there’s a book for you here. Some of the books were written by Hazelwood herself, others were written by new authors putting their own take on the genre, from marine biologists to neuroscientists and storm chasers to medical residents.
Stem Romance Books
Here are 12 novels to add to your TBR after watching the love hypothesis movie.
1. Deep in Love — Nicole Cubba
The rivalry-turned-love trope set in academia but with the setting of the ocean. Marine biologist Charlie Bowen gets trapped on a boat for three weeks with Mateo Alvarez, her sworn enemy who is filming a documentary. This slow-burn romance will certainly appeal to fans of “lab coat banter,” as it also features quotes from Darwin.
2. Give Me Butterflies — Jillian Meadows
The story is set in a natural science museum where an anxious entomologist and an arrogant astronomer compete for promotion. A single dad and hilarious chemistry between the characters make this story a perfect choice for anyone who enjoyed the opposites-attracting story of The Love Hypothesis movie.
3. Love, Theoretically — Ali Hazelwood
Hazelwood’s own follow-up. Elsie Hannaway is an adjunct physicist who moonlights as a professional fake girlfriend — until her newest client’s brother turns out to be the MIT professor who tanked her mentor’s career. Expect the same nerdy banter and slow-burn tension that made The Love Hypothesis movie a hit.
4. Love on the Brain — Ali Hazelwood
Neuroscientist Bee Königswasser is forced to work with Levi Ward, the man she’s convinced has hated her since grad school — and NASA’s chaotic bureaucracy is the least of her problems once old feelings resurface. If you loved Adam and Olive’s dynamic, this delivers a similar mix of insecurity, competence, and tenderness.
5. A Theory of Uncertain Things
A lesser-known entry in the STEM romance wave, leaning into the genre’s signature blend of academic setting and emotional vulnerability. Worth tracking down if you’ve already worked through the bigger names and want something under the radar.
6. Love and Other Brain Experiments — Hannah Brohm
Two neuroscientists, a professional feud, and a fake-dating ruse that spirals out of control during an important conference. Check off all those “enemies to lovers” tropes, as well as the science authenticity that Hazelwood readers crave.
7. In Stormy Weather — Chelsea Curto
Think back on the physics trope but swap it out for meteorology, as a storm-chasing influencer with a PhD in atmospheric sciences squares off against the childhood rival turned flash TV weatherman as they race through a Category 5 hurricane. High stakes, plenty of heat, and scientific accuracy galore.
8. The Kiss Quotient — Helen Hoang
Often credited with launching the STEM romance trend in romance fiction. This novel follows data scientist Stella Lane, who is autistic, as she seeks to overcome her anxiety around physical affection by hiring an escort. She gets a lot more than she expected!
9. On Rotation — Shirlene Obuobi
Heartwarming, funny, and emotional novel about Angie Appiah, a Ghanaian American medical student who’s meticulously constructed “perfect immigrant daughter” story starts falling apart right when her life is complicated even further with romance.
10. The Soulmate Equation — Christina Lauren
Data analyst Jess agrees to experiment with a DNA-matching application and is paired with the brilliant but difficult founder of the company. It combines the DNA-dating setup that made The Love Hypothesis so enjoyable, as well as the warmth that Christina Lauren brings to her writing.
11. Love Sick — Deidra Duncan
An enemies to lovers story at a hospital involving two competing OB-GYN residents, one of whom is dealing with the rumor of how she became a resident of the program. The author herself is an OB-GYN, and the attention to details in this setting is very realistic.
12. A Little Buzzed — Alys Murray
The spiciest and silliest title of the list: a sex toy engineer and a software developer who builds the company’s app agree to conduct research together and fall in love in the process.
If you enjoyed The Love Hypothesis movie, you will absolutely enjoy all of these novels. The book links are provided for your convenience to easily access them on Amazon.
20 Best Enemies to Lovers Movies of All Time
Best Autumn Movies: 15 Cozy Picks to Fall in Love With This Season