Book Review: Love, in Theory by Elodie Cheesman

 Love, in Theory

by

Elodie Cheesman

There's an algorithm for everything else, so why not love?

 

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia

 

Publication date: 25th May 2021

 

Genre: Contemporary fiction

 

Pages: 352

 

RRP: $32.99AUD

 

Format read: Paperback

 

Source: courtesy of the publisher

 

 About the book

When 24-year-old lawyer Romy learns that she is at her 'optimal stopping point' (the mathematically designated point at which one should select the next 'best person' who comes along in order to have the best chance at happily ever after), she knows it's time to get serious about her love life.

Ruthlessly rational, with a belief in data over destiny, Romy knows that reliability and consistency are dependable options, while passion and lust are transitory and only bring pain and disillusionment.

That's why sensible Hans the engineer is the right choice, as opposed to graphic designer James who exhibits the kind of behaviour that has got her into trouble before. Isn't he?

 

My review

 

Love, in Theory follows 24 year old law student Romy as she struggles to find 'the one'.

 

I enjoyed the snippets of  the employment law cases that Romy worked on and how Cheesman put a humorous spin on them.

Romy's mother tells her about a dating theory she had read about based on algorithms, called the optimal stopping theory. Romy goes on Tinder date after Tinder date until she meets Hans who is somewhat staid and very unlike the fun, spontaneous James, but Romy isn't after fireworks, she's after stability. It's clearly a matter of head over heart.

I loved all the mentions of sights and bars around Sydney and being my hometown it was easy to imagine Romy and her friends there. Love, in Theory is a light read, a fun rom-com and I read it at a time when I needed something light, cheery and with a happy ending. In this way it certainly delivered. I will have to say though I think the story would be better appreciated by the under thirties.

Elodie Cheesman has written a delightful debut about the conundrum of dating in the modern era and the old adage of whether to follow your heart or your head.

My rating 3 / 5     ⭐⭐⭐

About the author

Elodie Cheesman grew up in Canberra. She studied law at the University of Sydney and the University of Oxford, and was an Associate to the Honourable Chief Justice Susan Kiefel AC at the High Court of Australia. She works as a lawyer in Sydney. Love, in Theory is her first novel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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