Romance novels have given us plenty of swoon-worthy love interests over the years, from brooding bad boys to charming rock stars. But nerdy characters can be just as appealing, especially when they’re passionate about their work, obsessed with their hobbies, or a little awkward when it comes to dating. These five romance books put that kind of love interest in the spotlight, proving that being a nerd can be pretty attractive.
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
Fake dating in academia
The Love Hypothesis follows Olive Smith, a Ph.D. student who isn’t exactly an expert when it comes to relationships. When she kisses Professor Adam Carlsen to convince her best friend that she’s moved on from a previous crush, she finds herself in a fake relationship with the notoriously intimidating academic. Hazelwood knows her way around an academic romance, and this book is a good example of why the setting works so well for the genre.
Adam has the intimidating professor reputation, while Olive is much more focused on her research than figuring out her love life. I particularly enjoy the contrast between how capable these characters are in their professional lives and how complicated things become when feelings enter the picture. Adam’s reputation also makes the fake-dating arrangement more entertaining, especially as Olive gets to know the person behind his stern exterior.
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
When dating becomes a research project
The Kiss Quotient centers on Stella Lane, an accomplished econometrician who is much more comfortable working with numbers than dealing with anything that resembles a romantic relationship. Believing she needs more experience with dating and intimacy, Stella hires an escort named Michael Phan to help her learn. Their arrangement is supposed to be practical. But the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to keep things professional.
Stella’s approach to dating is a nice change from the usual romance heroine. She treats relationships like a problem she knows she can solve if she just does enough research and prep work. It’s a super endearing trait and makes Stella’s early interactions with Michael adorable. I also really like that she doesn’t have to become a completely different person to find love. Her analytical nature is part of who she is and the story makes room for that.
Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood
Scientists with a complicated history
In Love on the Brain, neuroscientist Bee Königswasser gets the opportunity to work on a NASA project she’s always dreamed about. The only problem is she’ll have to work alongside Levi Ward, an engineer she remembers from graduate school and someone who has never seemed particularly fond of her. As they work together, Bee starts to realize that there’s more going on between them than their professional disagreements suggest.
Bee’s enthusiasm for science is one of the things that makes her such a fun character. She’s not a person who treats her career as a side detail while waiting for better things. Her work is important to her, and I like that the book gives her ambitions the respect they deserve. The tension with Levi also adds a juicy complication, which gets messy when they’re expected to put their differences aside and work towards the same goal.
Next Level Love by Shameez Patel
A gaming crush becomes something more
Next Level Love follows Elizabeth Gordon-Bettencourt, a civil engineering intern who’s trying to build a career for herself while putting some distance between her and her family’s drama. Her biggest source of comfort is an online game, where she’s developed a close friendship with a player called @theanswerisno. What Elizabeth doesn’t know is that her demanding new boss, Lincoln Carden, and the guy she’s been gaming with are the same person.
I love the idea of a romance where two people get along brilliantly online but have the worst time connecting in real life. I’m sure a lot of people can relate since having a fun time with someone through a screen is easier than having to second-guess every interaction in person. Lincoln is an excellent example of that since his quieter personality at work contrasts with his confident gaming persona. And that gives their relationship an added dose of awkwardness and romantic tension.
Playing Flirty by Shameez Patel
Game night gets competitive
Playing Flirty follows Rose Marie Jones, who likes having a plan for just about everything. Her weekly board-game nights are one of the few exceptions, especially when she’s playing against William Ashdern, a rather handsome game designer. Things get interesting when Rose decides to enter a contest with a board game she’s secretly created. She needs William’s help to get it ready, which means spending more time with the person who brings out her competitive side.
I’m a big fan of romances that feature lighthearted rivalries, where the characters actually enjoy challenging each other. It gives the story a little more substance than the basic meet-cute setups that are everywhere. It’s also really refreshing when the lead characters can spend time together away from the usual dinner dates and movie nights. But the thing I like most about Playing Flirty is that Rose has her own creative ambitions, too, which gives her something to pursue beyond the romance.