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TheLoveHypothesis

Instagram 2021-09 culture active Updated 2026-02-18
Early 2020s Notable 5 million+ lifetime posts

First documented in September 2021 on Instagram. Currently active and in regular use across social platforms since 2021.

Also known as: LoveHypothesisAliHazelwood

Origin

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood (September 2021) is a STEM romance (PhD student fake-dating grumpy professor) that became a #BookTok phenomenon. The Reylo fanfiction-to-published-novel sold 2 million+ copies.

Cultural Impact

  • #1 New York Times bestseller
  • STEM romance boom (neuroscience, biology, physics heroines)
  • Reylo (Star Wars) origin debate
  • Academia romance trend

The Fanfiction Pipeline

Hazelwood’s novel originated as Star Wars Rey/Kylo Ren fanfiction, part of a trend of fanfic writers publishing original novels (e.g., Red, White & Royal Blue, The Spanish Love Deception).

Why It Worked

The fake-dating trope, grumpy-sunshine dynamic, and STEM representation appealed to readers wanting romance heroines with careers, not just love interests. Adam Carlsen became BookTok boyfriend material.

Sources

Explore #TheLoveHypothesis

Instagram ↗ X (Twitter) ↗ TikTok ↗ YouTube ↗

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