Meet my new favorite Ali Hazelwood book!

Love on the Brain is filled with the STEM career paths, banter, and romantic tension that we all loved from The Love Hypothesis with an unexpected third act twist. I had fun reading this book and happily devoured it one Saturday. Bee and Levi have an enjoyable back-and-forth relationship and I loved how much of an affect the supporting characters actually have in this story and on Bee and Levi’s relationship with each other.

Bee Königswasser is ready for things to go in her favor for once. When the perfect opportunity presents itself, she is ecstatic until she learns she must co-lead the project. Her co-leader is Levi Ward, the guy that acted like she had the plague in grad school. BLINK is a combined project of the NHI and NASA and special to both Bee and Levi for different reasons. So, they need to be able to put the past aside and find a way to work together.
Bee is such a well defined and complex character. I absolutely love women in STEMM and related so much to Bee. I love her personality and hair and clothing choices, she is not afraid to be herself. And the terms her RA and her have for being women in a male dominated environment are very true. Not only is a Bee a great scientist, she has overcome adversity in her personal life as well. However, she has not completely discovered how to move forward.
My biggest struggle with the book is that we only get Bee’s point of view so we see Levi through her perspective. At first there does not seem to be many redeeming qualities about Levi besides his brain power, until Bee is forced to change her perspective. As Levi opens up to Bee, we see that he too has overcome a lot. I would have liked to see some of the book from his view to fully understand his internal battles.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and like most books with STEMM characters, it made my nerd heart happy. You can tell that Ali Hazelwood knows what she is talking about and her characters work and behave like scientists. I think that could be a distraction if you do not enjoy science in your romance book. This book has a bit of everything: a mystery, some suspense, personal conflict, and drama that can make the romance seem a bit secondary. Again, I think getting some of Levi’s views would help the development and understanding of the romance plot. I still rated it high because I love how complex all the characters are and the quirky little traits that make them unique. I am excited to see Ali continue to grow as an author.

Did Bee bother me? Absolutely. Did I enjoy the “super tiny woman/ big strong man” trope? Not over my dead body.

Did I still rip through this quickly and enjoy it? Also yes.

I didn’t like how Bee over and over and over insisted Levi hated her despite him consistently telling her he didn’t, or that Levi physically couldn’t be around her? That being said the book was compulsively readable and the end threw me for a loop in a good way!

Love on the Brain

4.5/5

I live for women in STEM!! Makes me wonder what my life would have been like if I had continued with my chemistry degree instead of switching to nursing. I am a total nerd at heart 100%

So again we’ve got the lovely enemies to lovers trope which I LIVEEEE FORRR!!! Which then brings us to the stupid miscommunication trope whomp whomp 😒 This book was hilarious, witty and hawt 🥵🥵

I really loved this book it was just what I needed. The main character Bee a freaking neuro scientist was A1, she was hilarious and I could relate with the chemistry love and her obsession with Marie Curie (the GOAT of women in STEM). I loved Bee’s back story and her research assistant OMG I LOVE HER!!!

This book is such a tribute to women in science and all the obstacles we have to jump through in order to be successful!

And ugh Levi bless his sweet little heart & his love for his furry little guy 🥹🐈‍⬛❤️ I won’t lie the ending through me off, I was not expecting the twist and I’m not sure if I loved it or hated it 😅

I highly recommend picking this up! Let’s just say Ali Hazelwoods writing speaks to me 👏🏽👏🏽 I’ll be adding all her books to my TBR!

I received this digital ARC for an honest review courtesy of Netgalley and Berkley publishing!

I adore Ali's books and I love that they involve women in STEM. I learn new things every time I read her stories. Bee and Levi have amazing chemistry from enemies to lovers and their banter is very entertaining. The cat that may or may not exist is fun and the narrator, Brooke Bloomingdale, does a great job giving the characters a voice.

Delicious, swoon-worthy, addictive.

In a reading slump? Well I'm so happy to tell you that the wait is finally over for you my bookish friends!!

This book was simply EVERYTHING.

Enemies to lovers will forever be my favorite trope and I am not afraid to admit it!! Ali Hazelwood has stolen my heart yet again with the bubbly and quirky, Bee and the awkward yet unbelievably sexy, Levi. I cannot wait to read more from this author and she is now an instant buy for me after reading her sophomore novel that undoubtedly has left my heart feeling like I just got the warmest hug I have ever received.

* A very special THANK YOU to NetGalley for providing me with this amazing arc!!! *

I loved reading this book. Ali Hazelwood is close to being an insta-read author for me. She does the whole hopeless longing thing so well.

Neuroscientist Bee is offered to lead a project that could catapult her career. She will be working with NASA on a project that needs the best of the engineering world melded with the neuroscience world. When she finds out the Levi Ward, her arch nemesis from grad school, is her co-lead on the project, she has a minor freak out. Like with everything else in her life, she doesn't let it stop her from diving headfirst into the project. When things start to go awry for Bee, she suspects Levi is the culprit, until he begins to show his support for her behind the scenes and in front of their team. Bee sees a softer side to the rude and icy Levi and eventually she finds herself falling for the guy.

KAJ:LKFJD:LSKJF:DJS:LKFDJSD:LKJ. That's how I feel right now. I loved this book so much that I almost didn't want to write this review, for fear that I wouldn't be able to find the words to articulate how much I loved it and why. I started this book last night and after I turned off the light at 9:30pm to go to bed, I tossed and turned until I gave in and turned the light back on so I could read a few more chapters. I proceeded to do that THREE more times until about 12:30am - turned off the light, tossed and turned, then turned it back on to read. Eventually I had to stop because I couldn't keep my eyes open.

Bee was the brilliant and quirky woman that I would love to be. She had her own unique style and marched to her own beat. She did the weirdest things and had the strangest thoughts and I loved her for it! Bee was a badass neuroscientist who resiliently succeeded in spite of the misogynistic challenges that she has faced. I want more women in STEM centered books with strong heroines like her!

Levi is the definition of swoon-worthy. As Bee said, he was a combination of all the types of men and had the best mix of characteristics. Not to mention that he was also very brooding and mysterious at first. When the reasons for why he has been so rude to her was revealed, I became a blob of melted heart. Can we please get a Levi POV book or some chapters???

This was a slow burn romance, with Bee and Levi starting off as enemies and then their hate for each other was chipped away as they worked together. When they finally kissed, I WAS DONE FOR. When they took their physical intimacy to the next level, it was jaw-droppingly steamy. Those sex scenes were steamy, fun, and really entertaining!

There was a turn in the pacing and kind of twist in the story line that I didn't expect but I loved how it turned out. It made Bee and Levi's ooey-gooey love story a tad bit more exciting and added a layer to the story that I enjoyed.

I was wary to believe that Ali Hazelwood could write a second novel as amazing as The Love Hypothesis. I am happy to report that I loved Love on the Brain more than her first book! This is going to be in my top reads of 2022!

Steam level: 🔥🔥🔥½
⚠️: misogyny & sexism, sexual harassment, panic attacks, infidelity (not between the main characters), death of a loved one, mention of a fatal car accident

Love on the Brain is the story of Bee, a neuroscientist who teams you with NASA for a neuroengineering project. The project reunites Bee with her nemesis from grad school and by all accounts, someone is deliberately sabotaging the project. This book was full of quirky, endearing characters. I always love reading about women in STEM who are strong, determined and not afraid to shine in typically male dominated fields. The banter was so cute, the bit of suspense kept me hooked and the romance was sweet but with full disclosure, the sex scenes made me cringe so I just started skipping them. But I still loved it - it was a fun, fluffy summer read that made me laugh out loud and warmed my heart, all with very similar vibes as Love Hypothesis.

Review will be posted on 8/23/22

Bee, a neuroscientist, just landed her dream job working on a project with both NASA and the NIH. This is everything she has ever dreamed of, except that she is has to work on the project with Levi Ward, her nemesis. Bee knows Levi from graduate school and he was impossible to work with, aloof, and an all around jerk. Once she is there and Bee starts working on the project, things go from bad to worse. Someone is sabotaging her efforts; could it be Levi? Thankfully, Bee finds solace in her anonymous, but very popular, social media account that highlights issues in both science and academics, especially when it comes to women. Slowly as Bee and Levi continue to work with one another, he has her back more often than not. So, who is creating all these roadblocks for Bee and BLINK, the program they are developing? Bee and Levi will have to work together like never before and can Bee get over her hesitation and broken heart from her ex-fiance? Ali Hazelwood's Love on the Brain is a fun, laugh-out-loud novel for fans of STEM rom-coms.

I really liked Bee from the start of Love on the Brain. She runs an social media account called What Would Marie Do (as in Marie Curie) and it was so much fun to learn tidbits about Marie's amazing life as Bee channels her in her responses. Hazelwood shares tweets and common concerns in academia via the social media account, so it was a nice touch. Also, Bee lands her dream job, but she is hesitant about working with Levi as it hasn't gone well in the past. As I mentioned before, someone is screwing things up for her while she is working on BLINK and at first, she assumes it's Levi. As time goes by, she realizes that it can't be him, so who is out to get her? She finds herself relying on Levi a bit more (maybe he isn't so bad?) and sparks fly. If you like the whole enemies-to-something more trope, Love on the Brain will be right up your alley.

What I like most about Love on the Brain is the dialogue. I am a sucker for witty banter and Hazelwood does it so well. She captures the nerdy academic side, but makes it seem cool and even romantic at times. I really enjoyed the witty dialogue between Levi and Bee as well as the social media discussion between @WhatWouldMarieDo and other academic accounts. I felt that some of the issues she brought up were very timely and if a reader happens to be in the science or academic field, he or she will definitely relate and appreciate some of the discussions.

The plot in Love on the Brain was a bit more twisty than The Love Hypothesis and I didn't see some of the plot twists coming. This definitely kept me flipping the pages. While I didn't love this one as much as The Love Hypothesis, it was still a solid and intelligent read.

So, if you enjoy a brainy novel or are a fan of Hazelwood's The Love Hypothesis, definitely add Love on the Brain to your TBR list. I know I'll read anything Hazelwood writes. Are you a fan of Hazelwood? Is this book on your TBR list? Let me know in the comments below.

If I read a book by Ali Hazelwood it escapes me. I really, really enjoyed this book. As a teacher, and former science teacher, I loved all the nerdiness that came with it. This book also has the just right amount of hot, hot, hotness! If it seems like it could not be more tailor made for me, there is a ton of humor. I love the women power, girl boss, stance this takes showing that women actually have brains, and you cannot take credit for our work. I feel that goes without saying, but as a woman, I know this does happen.

I loved this book... the romance, the humor, the nerdiness. Swoon.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Net Galley & Berkley for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review! I thoroughly enjoyed this title. Bee, the main character was quirky, loveable, and a total girlboss at the same time! This story was fast paced and fun to read. I do not have a brain for science, I truly appreciated how the author made any science/engineering topics both interesting & easy to follow. I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about women in STEM & the historical tid-bids about Marie Curie! I love a good enemies to lovers trope, and the relationship between Bee & Levi was funny, sweet, and sexy! Definitely recommend to anyone looking for a fun Rom-Com with good depth to it! A solid 4/5 starts from me!

How would you feel if you were a neuroscientist chosen to lead a NASA project? Then find out a day later that you're actually co-leading with your arch enemy from grad school?

This romance was a quick read with lots of steam. The author has an engaging writing style with lots of banter and humor. I liked the text messages and tweets plus all the tidbits on Madame Marie Curie. There is a You've Got Mail vibe as well. It has women in STEM, workplace romance and hidden identities.

I really enjoyed Bee and Levi as a couple. Once they moved past their misunderstandings, I liked seeing them support one another personally and professionally. The secondary characters were also a great addition to the story.

Thank you to the publisher for my e-copy of this book.

Love on the Brain is gloriously nerdy and sexy, with on-point commentary about women in STEM. The characters are relatable with a well-written plot that is sure to leave you wanting more.

A cute romantic comedy, fans of Ali Hazelwood and "Love on the Brain" will undoubtedly enjoy this one. The romance was filled with touching moments and cute dialogue, and it makes for a great late-Summer beach read.

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Thanks for the free book @prhinternational #ad #PRHInternationalPartner⠀
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Esta es la historia de Bee Könisgswasser, una neurocientífica que para todo en su vida se pregunta ¿qué haría Marie Curie? pues es super fan de esta científica; tanto así que tiene una cuenta de twitter bajo ese pseudonimo y en ella expone las injusticias que sufren las mujeres en el campo de la ciencia. Ella trabaja en el instituto NHI, su jefe es terrible y cuando la llaman de la NASA para coliderar un proyecto cree que le ha llegado la oportunidad de su vida, hasta que descubre dos cosas: ⠀
1.- Su colíder es nada más y nada menos que su Némesis, Levi Ward.⠀
2.- Alguien (según sus sospechas, Levi) está impidiendo que el proyecto avance. ⠀
¿Cómo hará para soportar todo esto?⠀
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Yo estoy enamorada de este estilo de ROMCOM que escribe Ali, ya que siempre nos presenta personajes enmarcados en el mundo científico y completamente humanos. En este caso, Bee es overthinker y con eso me puedo relacionar enormemente. Me reí muchísimo porque todo el conflicto está basado en una mala interpretación de las acciones de los personajes. ⠀
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Levi, por su parte, es un ser humano adorable, fan de los gatos y tiene una cuenta de twitter que apoya a la de Bee, sin saber que es ella la que está detrás. Este es mi nuevo crush literario.⠀
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Si aman las ROMCOM, el slowburn, las protagonistas super humanas y que sobrepiensan todo, este es su libro. Sale a la venta el 23/08 así que ténganlo en su radar.⠀
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Donning my purple wig on a random Monday in order to channel my inner Bee in the hopes that Levi Ward will come and find me and sweep me off my feet. My eternal gratitude to Berkley for the opportunity to read an early copy of Ali Hazelwood’s sophomore novel, Love on the Brain, which comes out tomorrow and you absolutely do not want to miss. After book edging this one really hard, I read this in a single sitting yesterday. I have so many thoughts and emotions swirling around in my brain. I have not swooned this hard since I read A Taste of Blood and Iron earlier this year and while that one remains my favorite, Love on the Brain is a very, very close second.

I woke up this morning replaying the scenes between Levi and Ward like they were something that happened to me and not just characters that I read about. You know that scene in Twilight (I know but bear with me) where it’s the morning after Bella and Edward have finally hooked up and she’s just like looking in the mirror and touching her lips while she relives every moment? Ya, that was me today but minus the lip touching because I’m not completely unhinged (but only just). I have fallen so hard and I’m not sure when I’ll recover. There are several pages of quotes I’m dying to share but I need to get my hands on a final copy before I do that but just know they are coming. Love on the Brain has

- enemies to lovers (but only vibes because he’s actually head over heels in love with her and trying desperately to hide it because he thinks she’s married)
- a series of increasingly upsetting misunderstandings that had me wondering how Hazelwood was going to sort it so I could love Levi as much as my heart was telling me to (don’t worry because she totally did)
- a hilariously wonderful sapphic side story that is that meme of a black house next to a purple & pink house personified
- the swooniest hero I’ve read in a while and my favorite new book boyfriend
- badass women in STEM
- that trope where the MCs are already anonymously close online but don’t know it yet (but in this case it isn’t the source of the conflict which made it so much better)
- great banter and even better steam

A bit more about that last point. I love steamy romance books and have read all sorts of them at this point. They’re all delightful in their own ways but sometimes I find myself reading one that has intimate moments that feel so perfectly tailored to the characters that I find it impossible to imagine that they’ve been made up. Ali Hazelwood has accomplished this to perfection with Levi and Bee. Their scenes are so raw and tender and brain meltingly sexy. I could go on for thousands more words about this one but I’d rather you just read it and then come thank me when you (hopefully) fall as hard as I did. And I really really hope we get at least one bonus chapter from Levi’s perspective, though I don’t know that I could handle it.

Bee Königswasser is a neuroscientist who was just offered her dream job, leading a project for NASA. Secretly abiding by the principles of Marie Curie, Bee is psyched for the opportunity, until she discovers who she’s sharing the project with, that is.

Levi Ward has long been Bee’s arch nemesis, expressing his perceived disdain time and time again when the two were in grad school together. So when Levi and Bee meet up in present day, his dismissive demeanor doesn’t surprise Bee, but it still upsets her. What did she ever do to deserve such hatred from the (hot) scientist?

Placing their differences on the back Bunsen burner, the two coders slowly learn to decipher what caused them to take issue with each other in the first place. Before long, they realize they’re better as a covalent bond than as individual atoms. But even the best experiments yield mixed results. Can they get the formula right this time around?

Love on the Brain is the latest release from the super popular, Ali Hazelwood. Making STEM sexy is no easy feat and yet Hazelwood is beginning to have a reputation for doing just that. As for the story, despite its refreshing uniqueness, I could still do without some of the overdone misunderstanding and corny sex scenes. I realize these things are some romance readers ingredients for perfect chemistry, but for this reader it just makes for some weird science.

Thank you Berkley Romance and Netgalley for the gifted eARC.

I loved Hazelwood's debut, The Love Hypothesis, last year so I have been excitedly counting down to Love on the Brain. So much of what I enjoyed about Hypothesis can be found in this book as well - STEM heroine, grumpy and sunshine, classroom/workplace complications, good humor. The book is incredibly readable and I flew threw it over the weekend after struggling to figure out what kind of reading mood I was in.

However, there was just something "off"about certain parts of this one for me. Some parts felt a little overly preachy, the workplace problem I kept seeing coming and it felt just so over the top unrealistic to me, and the steam... wow, the steam. I ended up having to skim parts of it, because it was... a lot (like rivals A Court of Silver Flames a lot).

I'm going with a 4 star because overall I did really enjoy it and I haven't found a lot of contemporary RomComs that have held my attention recently, but certain aspects of the book could were more 3 stars for me.

Love love love
This is definitely not my usually genre but I absolutely love all of Ali Hazelwood's books I've read.
Love the chemistry between the main characters.
Love the dialog between everyone.
One of the books I will 100% be rereading.