Love, Theoretically Summary, Characters and Themes

Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood is a STEMinist rom-com that centers on Elsie Hannaway, a dedicated theoretical physicist trying to make ends meet. By day, she juggles multiple adjunct teaching jobs; by night, she moonlights as a professional fake girlfriend.

Elsie’s carefully balanced world is thrown off course when she meets Jack Smith — a brooding experimental physicist, her academic rival, and the older brother of her favorite client. To complicate matters, Jack also serves on the hiring committee at MIT, the institution Elsie dreams of joining. As academic tensions collide with undeniable chemistry, Elsie must navigate the tricky terrain between ambition and attraction. The novel blends sharp wit, academic drama, and slow-burn romance in a story about staying true to yourself — even when love gets in the way.

Summary 

Elsie Hannaway is a passionate theoretical physicist barely making ends meet as an adjunct professor at three Boston universities.

Though deeply committed to her field, the low pay and emotional toll of academia leave her exhausted and financially strained. To stay afloat — and cover her medical expenses — Elsie secretly works as a fake girlfriend through an app called Faux.

One of her regular clients, Greg Smith, has become a trusted friend. But their easy arrangement is complicated by Greg’s older brother, Jack — a sharp, no-nonsense experimental physicist who immediately distrusts Elsie. Jack suspects she’s exploiting his brother and questions her integrity.

Elsie’s world shifts when she’s shortlisted for a coveted tenure-track position at MIT — her dream job and a potential escape from academic instability. But the department is known for tension between theoretical and experimental physicists, a divide that has already cost Elsie dearly.

Years earlier, a damning article by a researcher named Jonathan Smith-Turner discredited theoretical physics and led to the firing of her mentor.

At the interview, Elsie is stunned to learn that Jonathan Smith-Turner is actually Jack Smith.

Their relationship grows increasingly tense. Jack, convinced that Elsie is both professionally and personally dishonest, becomes an obstacle in her path. Meanwhile, Elsie’s resentment toward Jack — both for his past sabotage and his current judgment — fuels her determination to succeed. Their interactions crackle with hostility, sarcasm, and chemistry.

Despite Elsie’s best efforts, the MIT position goes to another candidate, George — a deserving fellow woman in STEM and the department’s intended choice all along. Crushed by the rejection, Elsie is thrown into emotional turmoil.

Everything changes when Greg reveals the truth: his arrangement with Elsie was entirely platonic, designed to keep their meddling mother at bay and to protect his identity as an aromantic man. Jack’s misconceptions crumble, and with them, the walls he’s built around his feelings for Elsie. He confesses that his coldness masked long-standing attraction, mixed with guilt and protectiveness toward his brother.

As they grow closer, Jack challenges Elsie to stop shape-shifting to fit other people’s expectations. He urges her to embrace her true self — not just the perfect version she performs for colleagues, clients, and potential employers.

Still, Elsie wrestles with doubt, unsure if Jack can truly respect her work as a theoretical physicist. The truth emerges in a vulnerable conversation, where Jack admits that his infamous article was an act of personal revenge — not against theoretical physics itself, but against Elsie’s former advisor, who played a role in derailing his mother’s career in academia. While painful, this admission helps Elsie see the full picture behind Jack’s actions.

With understanding and forgiveness on both sides, the two reconcile. Jack publicly retracts his article, restoring some of the lost credibility to theoretical physics. Elsie, supported by George, is offered a position at MIT — not as a compromise, but in recognition of her talent and resilience.

By the novel’s end, Elsie has not only found love but also reclaimed her voice. She learns to set boundaries, stop performing for approval, and believe in her worth — both as a scientist and as herself.

Characters

Elsie Hannaway

Elsie is a highly intelligent and passionate theoretical physicist grappling with the challenges of working as an adjunct professor in a field dominated by men. Her chronic people-pleasing tendencies and desperate need for external validation lead her to mold herself into different personas to fit the expectations of others. 

This chameleon-like behavior masks her insecurities and a deep-seated fear of not being good enough. 

Despite her academic achievements, Elsie struggles with imposter syndrome and constantly seeks approval from her peers and mentors. 

Throughout the novel, Elsie embarks on a journey of self-discovery, learning to embrace her true self and assert her worth both personally and professionally. 

Her relationship with Jack acts as a catalyst for this transformation, as he challenges her to break free from the cycle of people-pleasing and to believe in her own abilities.

Jack Smith/Jonathan Smith-Turner

Jack is a brilliant experimental physicist who initially appears aloof, arrogant, and critical of Elsie’s field of theoretical physics. 

His reputation as a formidable rival precedes him, and his past actions, particularly the publication of an article that discredited theoretical physics, have caused significant harm to Elsie and her mentor. 

However, beneath his tough exterior, Jack harbors hidden vulnerabilities and a genuine passion for science. His complex relationship with his family, particularly his mother’s ostracization from academia, shapes his motivations and fuels his desire for revenge. 

As the story unfolds, Jack’s layers peel back, revealing a more compassionate and understanding side. His growing affection for Elsie prompts him to confront his past mistakes and seek redemption for the damage he has caused.

Greg Smith

Greg is Jack’s younger brother and Elsie’s client on the Faux app. He is portrayed as a kind, supportive, and understanding friend to Elsie. 

Greg’s aromanticism and lack of interest in traditional dating create a unique dynamic with Elsie, as their relationship is built on genuine friendship and mutual respect. Greg’s acceptance of Elsie for who she is, without any expectations or demands, provides a safe space for her to be herself. 

His role in the story highlights the importance of platonic relationships and the diverse forms that love can take.

Christophe Laurendeau

Christophe is Elsie’s mentor and a respected figure in the field of theoretical physics. He has been a guiding force in Elsie’s academic journey, offering support and encouragement. 

However, his past conflicts with Jack’s mother and his subsequent actions to protect Elsie from further harm create a web of secrets and unspoken truths. 

Laurendeau’s well-intentioned but ultimately misguided attempts to shield Elsie from the harsh realities of academia lead to a rift in their relationship. 

His character serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of paternalism and the importance of open communication and trust in mentoring relationships.

George

George is a talented experimental physicist who is initially presented as a rival to Elsie for the tenure-track position at MIT. 

However, as the story progresses, George emerges as a supportive and encouraging colleague. Her genuine admiration for Elsie’s work and her willingness to offer her a dream job demonstrate a spirit of collaboration and camaraderie within the scientific community. 

George’s character challenges the stereotype of women in STEM as being overly competitive and highlights the importance of female solidarity in a male-dominated field.

Themes

Performing Identity – Gender, Selfhood, and Survival

Elsie’s relentless shape-shifting — whether as an academic, a fake girlfriend, or a dutiful daughter — reflects the societal expectations placed on women to mold themselves to fit the desires of others. In male-dominated spaces like academia, her adaptability is less a choice than a necessity, a means of survival where invisibility is often safer than standing out.

But this constant performance comes at a personal cost. Elsie becomes disconnected from her own wants and values, internalizing imposter syndrome and losing sight of who she truly is. Ali Hazelwood uses Elsie’s journey to explore the psychological toll of performative femininity and the power of reclaiming authenticity. By the end, Elsie’s refusal to continue curating herself for others becomes a quiet act of rebellion — and self-liberation.

Revenge, Consequences, and the Path to Redemption

Jack’s past decision to discredit theoretical physics isn’t rooted in scientific rivalry alone — it’s deeply personal. Motivated by his mother’s unjust treatment in academia, Jack weaponizes his influence to settle a score. But his act of revenge ricochets far beyond its intended target, harming innocent people like Elsie and tainting his own integrity.

The novel doesn’t glamorize revenge; instead, it unpacks its emotional cost. Through Jack’s remorse and eventual accountability, Hazelwood underscores that healing comes not through vengeance but through vulnerability, forgiveness, and honest reckoning. His arc is one of repair, not just in love but in legacy.

Rivalry and Respect in the Academic World

At its core, Love, Theoretically is a story about the intellectual tensions — and quiet prejudices — that exist within academia. The rivalry between theoretical and experimental physicists becomes a metaphor for larger issues of validation, elitism, and collaboration in scientific research.

Elsie’s initial hostility toward Jack is rooted in years of feeling dismissed and undermined. But as their relationship evolves, so does the recognition that both branches of physics — and by extension, all forms of knowledge — have value. The novel encourages a dismantling of hierarchies in academia and champions mutual respect between disciplines.

Self-Worth, Boundaries, and Emotional Autonomy

Elsie’s deep need for approval — whether from mentors, institutions, or romantic partners — drives her to neglect her own needs and desires. Her inability to set boundaries leaves her emotionally overextended and quietly resentful, caught in a cycle of overperformance and underappreciation.

As the narrative unfolds, Elsie learns to redefine her self-worth on her own terms. She begins asserting herself, standing up to those who diminish her, and recognizing that love and success should never require self-erasure. Her evolution highlights the quiet strength in saying no, in prioritizing one’s mental and emotional well-being, and in choosing authenticity over acceptance.