Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood Published by Berkley on August 23, 2022
Pages: 368
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Brooke Bloomingdale
Length: 11 hrs and 7 mins
Genres: Romance, Romantic Comedy
Amazon Audible
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis comes a new STEMinist rom-com in which a scientist is forced to work on a project with her nemesis—with explosive results.
Bee Königswasser lives by a simple code: What would Marie Curie do? If NASA offered her the lead on a neuroengineering project - a literal dream come true - Marie would accept without hesitation. Duh. But the mother of modern physics never had to co-lead with Levi Ward.
Sure, Levi is attractive in a tall, dark, and piercing-eyes kind of way. But Levi made his feelings toward Bee very clear in grad school - archenemies work best employed in their own galaxies far, far away.
But when her equipment starts to go missing and the staff ignore her, Bee could swear she sees Levi softening into an ally, backing her plays, seconding her ideas... devouring her with those eyes. The possibilities have all her neurons firing.
But when it comes time to actually make a move and put her heart on the line, there's only one question that matters: What will Bee Königswasser do?
On the heels of Ali Hazelwood’s breakout hit,The Love Hypothesis, Love on the Brain had a lot to live up to. I’m pleased to say that while I didn’t love it as much, Love on the Brain is still quite enjoyable. I like how Hazelwood portrays women in STEM as quirky and fun. It seems to be her storytelling signature, and it’s right up my alley.
Love on the Brain isn’t one of those dark enemies-to-lovers stories where the main characters are cruel to each other before falling deeply in love. Instead, with a relationship built on a ground of misunderstandings, there is a playful animosity between Bee and Levi. I liked that things are different than they appear.
Bee and Levi are brilliant scientists, but clueless about romantic relationships. It’s both charming and frustrating. I enjoyed Bee’s awkward sense of humor, even though it feels forced at times. Her obsession with Marie Curie and her women in STEM Twitter following, are delightful. As sweet as the book is, Levi is spicy in the bedroom. It’s always the straight-laced, quiet ones.
The twist is easy to spot, but the reveal is appealing nonetheless. All in all, this is an easy, entertaining story.
Recommended for fans of:
Enemies to lovers stories
Women in STEM
Twitter
About Ali Hazelwood
My favorite thing in the world is to explore traditional romance tropes—and to picture how they’ll play out in academic settings.
Rival scientists falling in love despite their better judgement?
There’s only one cot in the lab?
Fake dating during faculty meeting?
Sign me up!
I’m originally from Italy, lived in Japan and Germany, and eventually moved to the US to pursue a Ph.D. in Neuroscience. I recently became a professor, which absolutely terrifies me. Oh, the sheer dread of being entrusted with the care of young minds!
When I’m not at work you can find me binge-watching shows with my feline overlords (and my slightly less feline husband), running, or eating candy.
Oh, and I’m a New York Times Bestselling Author.
I’m represented by the amazing Thao Le of the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency.
You nailed this review. It really was an easy, fun read. Even if I could predict it.
I so loved that one too Angela!
I thought this book was so much fun. I enjoyed your review so much!
Thank you!
I enjoyed this more than Love Hypothesis. Great review!
Wow. High praise.
Glad to hear you enjoyed this one! I’m excited but also nervous to get to it because I loved The Love Hypothesis so much.
The Love Hypothesis was one of my favorite books of last year.