Advice to Love By

The film opens with Kendall Turner promoting her books 'Dating and Mating in the Modern Age' and 'Swipe Left' on a morning talk show, where she argues that romance can be 'hacked' through data and logic. During the show, she mocks a rival columnist, 'Doctor Lovestruck,' for promoting 'fate and feelings' over science. Unbeknownst to her, Nathan Hart, a journalist at Pacific Sounder Magazine, is the man behind the Doctor Lovestruck persona. Nathan’s editor assigns him to write a profile on Kendall, leading to their first meeting at a bookstore signing. Kendall, feeling pressure from her editor Ella to produce a new book, decides to make herself the subject of her own research, using her interactions with Nathan to test a four-step compatibility process: signaling interest, connecting meaningfully, demonstrating worth, and establishing trust. Nathan and Kendall begin a series of dates that serve as a battleground for their opposing philosophies. Nathan attempts to charm her with 'grand gestures' and spontaneous acts, like paying for strangers' coffee, while Kendall analyzes his behavior through behavioral science. They participate in a variety of activities, including a judo class where Kendall accidentally throws Nathan, and a rock-climbing session where Nathan tries to push Kendall out of her comfort zone. Meanwhile, subplots involve Kendall’s sister Joy, an artist who finds love with a paramedic named Tyler through pure instinct, and Kendall’s editor Ella, who begins dating bookstore owner Grant after Kendall ironically advises him to 'do nothing' to win her over. As Nathan and Kendall grow closer, Nathan struggles with his secret identity, especially as his 'Doctor Lovestruck' column begins to improve because of Kendall's influence. Kendall eventually confesses to Nathan that she is writing a book about their dating experience, which she views as a gesture of transparency. However, the relationship hits a breaking point when Kendall discovers Nathan is Doctor Lovestruck. She feels betrayed that he wasn't honest about his identity while she was 'experimenting' on him. The conflict culminates at the Emerald City Book Gala, where Kendall is scheduled to speak. Nathan, realizing he has fallen for her, stages a 'Doctor Lovestruck' style grand gesture by hijacking the Q&A session to publicly apologize and declare his love. He admits that while they have different approaches, she is the best thing that ever happened to him. Kendall chooses to trust her feelings over her data, and the two reconcile with a kiss.