Fiction The Love Hypothesis

Ali Hazelwood: Hachette, $20

To convince her friend she’s moving on from her ex, scientist and third-year PhD student Olive Smith jumps the first guy she sees, who happens to be moody hotshot young professor Adam Carlsen. When rumours spread of their lip locking, the pair quickly agree on continuing a mutually beneficial relationship ruse, but unsurprisingly fake dating quickly turns to real feelings. There’s a reason this contemporary romance became an instant hit. What started out as fan fiction based on the Star Wars characters Rey and Kylo Ren, has morphed into a contemporary STEM romance that is equal parts sweet, smart and funny. It’s a perfect holiday read, guaranteed to make you melt.

ELOUISE TYNAN