Ali Hazelwood’s 7 Romance Books, Ranked

Bride is an outlier in Hazelwood’s catalog, as it’s the first paranormal romance of the bunch. Misery has always been used by the Vampyre higher-ups to ensure that a war between Weres, Humans, and Vampyres never breaks out. It’s why she was sent away as a child, and it’s why she’s marrying Were leader Lowe now. She also wants to find out why her best friend Serena has suddenly disappeared. This pick has plenty of the spice that Hazelwood readers are used to, a large cast that soon becomes indistinguishable from one another, and a mystery resolution that becomes too messy to pick apart. But, for those who always wished Bella just picked Jacob, this one is for you.

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Hazelwood brings high-stakes workplace drama to the latest in her STEMinist series, which offers plenty of intrigue. Rue Siebert discovers that Eli, the man she almost hooked up with one night, is actually a part of the financial group trying to buy out Kline, the lab where she works and her best friend founded. But, of course, they can’t stay away from each other. Rue and Eli promise to share the worst parts of themselves, peeling back the layers of regret, pain, and hurt because this relationship can only go so far before their loyalties drag them apart. Rue is a refreshing heroine in terms of sexual dynamics since many of Hazelwood’s heroines aren’t prone to taking the lead in the way Rue does. The workplace drama and friendship betrayal holds most of the story’s true interest, but Eli and Rue make for a dynamic couple.

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I know this placement will be controversial because this is The Ali Hazelwood Book. It has everything readers have come to know her for: a quirky heroine, a stoic love interest, a powerful message about the troubles of academia, and steamy scenes sure to make one blush. PhD student Olive didn’t mean to kiss professor Adam Carlsen. It just kind of happened. But now, everyone in the department thinks they’re together, and unless Olive wants to blow up her friendship by revealing a lie, she’ll have to convince Adam to fake date. But Adam surprisingly doesn’t need much convincing and is as protective of her as a real boyfriend would be when Olive’s career comes under threat. As an early entry into her career, Hazelwood hadn’t mastered the balance between the strong and silent type. Don’t be mad at me, but Adam might just be a bit too stoic.

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Don’t beat me up, but I think Ali Hazelwood needs to write more YA! This is top-tier, heartstopping sweetness that doesn’t let up for a moment. Mallory left chess behind a long time ago, but when her family’s in trouble, she enters a tournament to win the cash prize. When she beats Nolan, the best of the best, it’s a shock to the chess world and even to Mallory. And Nolan wants to keep playing. Mallory can’t quite figure out if they’re playing to some further endgame and can’t deny the passion she once felt for the game rekindling. THIS is a slow burn for the ages, and Mallory grappling with the weight of the pressure to keep her family afloat is one that is heartbreaking and authentic.

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It’s quite hard for an author to top themselves, but Hazelwood truly comes close with her latest romance, Deep End. Like Bride, this is a step away from Hazelwood’s traditional STEMinist series, but she finds more success in this college sports romance. Scarlett is a diver, doing her best to make a comeback after an injury, and Lukas is the team’s captain and golden boy. What they never thought was that they’d share an interest in BDSM dynamics in the bedroom. This offering acts as a real step up for Hazelwood in terms of offering weightier emotional elements and the navigation of a complex sexual dynamic. (Cheers to women embracing their sexual desires!) It’s part sexy, part vulnerable, and all around incredibly tantalizing and truly grounding. And there’s a surprise appearance from another couple in the Hazelwood universe? Just the cherry on top!

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When Bee winds up at the NASA space station to work with Levi, a former grad school peer who made his displeasure for her clear (oh, how Ali loves a good miscommunication trope), she’s not going to let him stand in the way of creating the next best gear for NASA astronauts. But as it turns out, Levi is quick to learn that his habit of solving things behind Bee’s back only ends with further miscommunication and just…cuts it out! (And that is why Levi Ward beats Adam Carlsen any day.) It’s wonderful! Levi is quiet, but warm, funny, and attentive. Bee makes for a charming narrator whose disbelief about his feelings for her never feels forced. Though this ending veers into the unbelievable — Levi gives one of the best confessions of any Hazelwood leading man — I’ll allow it. (“I didn’t let go of you for years, and I didnt even have you. But you need to let me.” I am a puddle on the floor).

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Love Theoretically acts as what Ali Hazelwood can do in the STEMinist space at her absolute best. Theoretical physicist Elsie takes people-pleasing to a whole new level. With her side job as a fake girlfriend, Elise is a pro at analyzing a person and transforming herself into whoever they need her to be. But Jack won’t let her lie to him about what she wants. And, wow, who knew observantness could be so hot! Hazelwood truly dazzles with this duo. Banter? Check. Chemistry? Through the roof! Elsie and Jack are exactly what the other needs, someone who can call the other out with love and care. Looking for a genuinely heartening story of finally being seen and being encouraged to be who you are? It’s all right here.

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