In the fast-paced world of contemporary romance, where tropes are recycled and chemistry often feels manufactured, Ali Hazelwood burst onto the scene like a breath of fresh, nerdy air. Her books aren’t just love stories—they’re declarations of brilliance, passion, and vulnerability wrapped in STEM-centric settings and laugh-out-loud banter. If you’ve ever wanted to see a neuroscientist fall in love under fluorescent lab lights, or watch two rival engineers get snowed in together, the books by Ali Hazelwood are your intellectual comfort reads with steamy payoffs.
What sets Hazelwood apart is her refusal to separate science from emotion. Her characters are women in STEM who unapologetically pursue their careers while fumbling their way through unexpected romance. Each book is a tribute to messy humanity: protagonists who are intelligent but insecure, love interests who are gruff but secretly soft, and plots where love grows not despite their ambition, but because of it. From academia to werewolf packs, Ali Hazelwood books promise both brain and heart—and readers can’t get enough.
Below is your ultimate guide to the books by Ali Hazelwood: from viral hits and deeply nerdy novellas to her latest paranormal detours. Buckle up for banter, longing, and lots of brainy blushing.
Standalone Novels
The Love Hypothesis (2021)
PhD candidate Olive Smith never intended to kiss a random man in the biology lab hallway. But she needed to convince her best friend that she was happily dating someone new, and desperation led to impulsiveness. That random man? None other than Adam Carlsen—infamous, brooding, hyper-intimidating professor with a reputation for making students cry. Shockingly, he agrees to pretend to be her fake boyfriend, and soon their fake dating contract spirals into real feelings, deeper connections, and blushing lab assistants.
Olive is smart, guarded, and deeply uncertain about love, while Adam is reserved, brilliant, and emotionally locked down. Their slow-burn romance is filled with academic politics, mutual pining, and sizzling chemistry that builds with every shared moment. With quirky side characters, honest mental health representation, and razor-sharp banter, this is the book that catapulted Hazelwood into the hearts of romance lovers everywhere.
The Love Hypothesis remains a cornerstone among Ali Hazelwood books—perfect for fans of science, slow burns, and sweetly awkward nerds finding love when they least expect it.
Love on the Brain (2022)
Bee Königswasser lives by the mantra: What would Marie Curie do? So when she’s offered the chance to co-lead a prestigious NASA project, she jumps at the opportunity—until she discovers her co-lead is Levi Ward. Tall, quiet, and stoic, Levi was cold and dismissive toward Bee back in grad school. Now, forced into collaboration, Bee must navigate a partnership that starts icy and slowly warms into something else entirely.
As Bee faces professional sabotage, social media chaos, and career-defining decisions, Levi surprises her with support, kindness, and an emotional openness she never expected. Their chemistry is electric, their banter biting, and their emotional connection undeniably moving. But can Bee let go of past assumptions long enough to see the truth?
Funny, feminist, and fiercely heartfelt, Love on the Brain builds on Hazelwood’s signature formula with a richer emotional arc. It’s one of the most satisfying books by Ali Hazelwood, balancing quirky humor with real-life challenges and irresistible romance.
Love, Theoretically (2023)
Elsie Hannaway is a people-pleaser, a theoretical physicist, and a fake girlfriend-for-hire. By day, she scrambles for respect and income as an adjunct professor; by night, she becomes whatever her fake dating clients need her to be. But when she scores an interview for her dream job at MIT, she’s blindsided to discover that her academic nemesis—Jack Smith—is on the hiring committee.
Jack is a brilliant, blunt experimental physicist who once decimated Elsie’s beloved theoretical field. To make things worse, he also happens to be the older brother of one of her longtime fake-dating clients. But as professional friction morphs into late-night debates and personal revelations, Elsie starts to wonder if Jack sees through her many masks—and likes the person he sees underneath.
Love, Theoretically is intellectual, emotionally resonant, and filled with the kind of longing that makes Hazelwood’s romances unforgettable. It dives deep into themes of identity, worthiness, and finding someone who accepts all of you—even the parts you’ve kept hidden. Among Ali Hazelwood books, this one stands out for its emotional complexity and academic authenticity.
Check & Mate (2023)
Mallory Greenleaf used to be a chess prodigy—until tragedy drove her away from the game. Now she works part-time to support her family, avoiding the chessboard at all costs. That is, until she reluctantly enters a charity tournament and ends up beating the reigning world champion, Nolan Sawyer. Suddenly, she’s pulled back into the competitive circuit she left behind.
Nolan is stoic, mysterious, and oddly invested in Mallory’s return to chess. As their rivalry deepens, so does their connection, and what starts as tension over chess strategies grows into something far more personal. But Mallory must navigate grief, guilt, and the pressures of fame to figure out who she is—on and off the board.
Check & Mate is Hazelwood’s young adult debut, but it retains all the wit, heart, and slow-burn tension of her adult novels. It’s a story about rediscovering lost passions, healing from the past, and letting love in—even when you’re sure you’ve checkmated yourself. One of the most touching and empowering books by Ali Hazelwood.
Deep End (2025)
Marine engineer Aria Tang West is all about control—of her projects, her environment, and most of all, her emotions. But when she’s assigned to an elite underwater research mission in New Zealand, she finds herself stuck in close quarters with Grant Brennan, her ex-lover and the man she once pushed away to protect her heart. Grant is older, grumpier, and still unbearably attractive.
As the mission plunges into the depths of the ocean, Aria and Grant must work together to complete their objectives while dodging rising political tensions and their unresolved history. Trapped beneath the sea, the barriers between them begin to crumble, exposing old wounds and reigniting buried desires.
Deep End is emotionally charged, richly atmospheric, and steeped in Hazelwood’s unique brand of vulnerability and tension. It’s a story about second chances, professional pressure, and realizing that sometimes the scariest plunge isn’t into the ocean—but into love. One of the most mature and moving Ali Hazelwood books to date.
Not in Love Series
Not in Love (2024)
Rue Siebert is a brilliant structural engineer with no interest in letting anyone—especially a charming stranger—get too close. After surviving a turbulent childhood in foster care, Rue has made a life for herself built on precision, boundaries, and emotional detachment. But when she’s forced to collaborate on a high-profile green building initiative, her professional rival turns out to be Eli Killgore—a grinning, maddeningly confident competitor who threatens her hard-earned stability.
Their relationship begins as a battle of blueprints and egos, but soon blossoms into something deeper: shared passions, quiet confessions, and a slow unraveling of Rue’s tightly held armor. Eli isn’t just attractive—he’s patient, respectful, and willing to wait while Rue wrestles with her past. Together, they must confront old scars, professional expectations, and the possibility of real connection.
Not in Love is fierce, funny, and emotionally rich. With Hazelwood’s signature banter and a grounded emotional core, this book digs deeper than just flirtation—it’s about trust, trauma, and loving without losing yourself. Among the most grounded of Ali Hazelwood books, it proves that sometimes, the scariest thing to build isn’t a skyscraper—but a future with someone else.
Problematic Summer Romance (2025)
Maya Killgore is twenty-three, chronically overwhelmed, and secretly obsessed with the one man she absolutely shouldn’t want—Conor Harkness. He’s thirty-eight, wildly successful in biotech, and her older brother’s best friend. Worse, he’s made it clear that whatever exists between them—glances, tension, maybe something more—should stay buried under layers of professionalism and distance.
But when Maya’s brother decides to get married in a dreamy Sicilian villa, she and Conor end up stuck together in close quarters, surrounded by chaos, old flames, and a Mediterranean backdrop that practically begs for romance. Between ancient ruins, awkward encounters, and wedding madness, Maya decides that a summer fling might be exactly what she needs—even if Conor insists it’s a terrible idea.
Set under the golden skies of Taormina, Problematic Summer Romance is a forbidden age-gap romance full of tension, charm, and emotional insight. Ali Hazelwood balances sun-drenched settings with swoony longing and sharp dialogue, creating one of her most romantic and introspective stories yet. This companion to Not in Love brings new depth to her universe of messy, brilliant, lovable characters. One of the most tender and unforgettable entries among Ali Hazelwood books.
Bride Series (Paranormal Romance)
Bride (2024)
In a world ruled by fragile supernatural treaties, Maia, a rare Vampyre-Human hybrid, has spent her life trying to stay out of the spotlight. But when she’s forced into an arranged marriage with Bram, the powerful Alpha of the Northwest Werewolf Pack, she becomes a reluctant symbol of unity between warring species. Bram is everything Maia resents—commanding, traditional, and infuriatingly composed. Yet, beneath his quiet authority lies a man determined to protect those he loves—even her.
Thrust into a world of pack politics, blood rituals, and escalating tensions, Maia must decide where her loyalty lies. As she begins to understand her own power—and Bram’s unwavering support—the lines between alliance and affection blur. Their marriage, born of necessity, transforms into a slow-burning connection that neither of them can deny.
Bride is Ali Hazelwood’s foray into paranormal romance, but it retains all the intelligence, tension, and tender emotional arcs that define her work. It’s fierce, sensual, and surprisingly tender, making it a standout among Ali Hazelwood books for readers who like their love stories with a bite.
Mate (2025)
In this companion novel to Bride, Serena Paris—another rare Human-Were hybrid—has no intention of playing peacemaker. Fierce, outspoken, and emotionally guarded, she’s determined to avoid Koen Alexander, the new Alpha of the Northwest Pack and the man who broke her heart. But when supernatural unrest threatens to dismantle fragile alliances, Serena is forced back into the political spotlight—and into Koen’s path.
Koen is everything Serena resents: calm under pressure, maddeningly patient, and still utterly magnetic. As tensions mount and old feelings flare, they must work together to preserve peace. But emotional wounds, lingering mistrust, and long-buried secrets complicate their path forward.
Mate delivers everything fans of Ali Hazelwood books expect—sharp dialogue, emotional vulnerability, and a romance that simmers beneath the surface. With its paranormal intrigue and opposites-attract dynamic, it’s a thrilling, passionate continuation of the world introduced in Bride. If Bride was about forming an alliance, Mate is about choosing love—even when it’s the harder path.
STEMinist Novellas & Collections
Under One Roof (2022)
When Mara, an environmental engineer, inherits half a house from her mentor, she expects solitude—not Liam, a surly environmental lawyer who co-owns the other half. Their living arrangement begins with friction: passive-aggressive Post-it notes, territorial standoffs, and barely civil encounters. But beneath Liam’s aloof exterior lies a deeply principled man, and Mara soon realizes that proximity breeds not contempt—but attraction.
As their home transforms from battleground to shared space, tension gives way to tenderness. Liam proves to be attentive and quietly supportive, and Mara starts to let her guard down. With smart dialogue and palpable chemistry, this novella delivers the ultimate forced proximity romance.
Under One Roof is a charming bite-sized entry into the world of Ali Hazelwood books. It combines humor, vulnerability, and feminist STEM representation in under 150 pages—perfect for readers who crave a quick hit of nerdy romance.
Stuck With You (2022)
Sadie, a civil engineer passionate about eco-friendly design, is riding high after a magical one-night connection with Erik—until he ghosts her. Weeks later, the universe locks them in an elevator together. Forced to confront one another, they begin to untangle the web of miscommunication, assumptions, and unspoken feelings.
Told over the span of their elevator entrapment and flashbacks to their initial spark, Stuck With You explores how pride, hurt, and lack of communication can derail something beautiful. Erik, once silent and aloof, opens up with surprising vulnerability, and Sadie begins to reconsider what she thought she knew.
This novella is Ali Hazelwood’s ode to second chances and the courage it takes to admit you were wrong. Compact but rich in emotion, it’s a story of rediscovering connection after disappointment—an essential piece in the growing catalog of books by Ali Hazelwood.
Below Zero (2022)
NASA engineer Hannah has a reputation for being tough, independent, and emotionally untouchable. So when she gets injured and stranded on a solo Arctic mission, no one volunteers to rescue her—except Ian, the man she once pushed away. Their icy reunion is both literal and emotional, as flashbacks reveal a simmering connection that neither of them ever fully explored.
As Ian navigates treacherous terrain to reach her, Hannah reflects on the choices she made that kept them apart. Their journey becomes as much about survival as it is about reconciliation. Ian’s quiet persistence and unwavering care challenge Hannah’s belief that needing someone makes her weak.
Below Zero blends action, romance, and introspection, offering a snow-covered slow burn that melts the hardest of hearts. For readers of Ali Hazelwood books, it’s a satisfying conclusion to the STEMinist novella trio—equal parts thrilling and tender.
Loathe to Love You (2023)
Loathe to Love You compiles all three STEMinist novellas—Under One Roof, Stuck With You, and Below Zero—into one beautifully cohesive collection. With added bonus content and behind-the-scenes glimpses into Hazelwood’s process, the anthology reads like a masterclass in compact storytelling. Each heroine brings her own flavor of brilliance, vulnerability, and sarcasm to the page, while the men they fall for are quietly powerful in ways that redefine masculinity.
Whether you’re reading it all at once or savoring it story by story, Loathe to Love You distills the very best of Hazelwood’s style: quirky banter, deeply felt emotions, and respect for women in science. This collection is a must-read for longtime fans and the perfect entry point for newcomers exploring Ali Hazelwood books for the first time.
Other Novellas
Cruel Winter With You (2024)
Academic rivals Nora and Lucien have spent years butting heads in the conference room. But when a blizzard traps them in a remote research cabin over winter break, icy silence turns into heated tension. With nowhere to hide, both are forced to face the unresolved feelings—and the one night they never speak about.
Set against a snow-covered backdrop, Cruel Winter With You delivers holiday angst, steamy near-misses, and the kind of grudging respect that slowly unravels into something more. As barriers fall and truths emerge, Nora and Lucien must decide whether they’re willing to risk their careers—and their hearts—for a second chance.
This novella adds a touch of seasonal spice to the world of Ali Hazelwood books. It’s festive, flirty, and emotionally satisfying—proof that even the coldest hearts can warm with the right kindling.
Two Can Play (2024)
In this audio-exclusive novella, Hazelwood returns to her roots: academia, rivalry, and slow-burning tension. Two ambitious postdocs are vying for the same prestigious fellowship, but their professional one-upmanship conceals a mutual attraction that neither is willing to admit. Forced to co-present at a symposium, they’re pushed beyond competition into unexpected intimacy.
Two Can Play is short, sharp, and sizzling. With crisp dialogue and perfectly timed tension, it showcases Hazelwood’s ability to pack a full arc into a small space. It’s another gem in the growing trove of Ali Hazelwood books—and one you won’t want to miss.
Final Thoughts
What makes Ali Hazelwood books so beloved is their willingness to say: yes, smart women deserve epic love stories. They deserve to be messy, sexy, stubborn, soft. In a publishing world that too often flattens heroines into stereotypes, Hazelwood gives us characters who feel layered and real—women who get to be both scientists and soulmates.
Whether you’re in it for the academic enemies-to-lovers angst or the paranormal politicking of hybrid heroines and brooding Alphas, one thing is guaranteed: Ali Hazelwood will make you believe that brains and passion go hand in hand. It’s time to fall in love—the Hazelwood way.
