I was not a big fan of The Love Hypothesis for various reasons, but I gave this one a shot and I'm happy to say that I significantly enjoyed it more. Maybe the novella format is the key to this author for me. Anyway, I thought the chemistry was pretty good, even though Levi and Bee should 100% been able to figure out (or at least consider) that they were each other's pen pal. The STEM environment was educational and enjoyable, although the Marie Curie stuff got excessive. Overall, a good little romance novella.

Love on the Brain is Ali Hazelwood’s newest novel and it was one of my most anticipated reads this summer. I was so excited to read it and I’m happy to say I enjoyed it.

Bee is a woman in STEM who is passionate about other women in STEM. She’s going to work on an exciting new project with NASA and is thrilled. Until she realized she is co-leading the project with her college nemesis, Levi Ward. Levi never seemed to like Bee and she doesn’t know why, but she’s not going to let it dull her spark. She’s too thrilled to do this!

Levi is the best thing about this book. The absolute best. I couldn’t have loved him more. True MVP, top tier book boy status. Who doesn’t love a grumpy hero who has had it bad for the heroine for so long. The LONGING in this book. It was my favorite thing. I also loved how Levi stood up for Bee and the other communication they had (though was completely unsurprising to me) was fantastic and sweet.

‘The Love Hypothesis’ was one of my favorite books last year, and while I liked this one in a lot of ways, it didn’t give me those love feels like that one did. Though it had one of the most amazing heroes, it was a bit predictable and felt disjointed to me at times. It could be that I don’t 100% understand all the science talk, but usually I’m fine with that. This was not a bad book at all, a 4 star rating is still great, I think I just expected it to be a new favorite and it wasn’t.

If you’re looking for a grumpy hero that deep down is a softy, a book with pining (sigh) and if you enjoy good banter and a You’ve Got Mail plot, pick this one up! I think so many will love this book and it had a lot of fun times!

This was not enough of a romance read for me. Like the first book I really felt that this story was more about the heroine's journey to finding love than it was about the romantic relationship between the two characters. I feel like this can easily be labeled at Woman's Fiction with romantic Elements. If we take away my expectation of the romance this is a good book. I do think that the pacing of the story at times was kind of slow. I did easily find myself disengaged with the story.

The dialogue of this story felt forced. I did not feel like the connection was there for these characters. I did love all the science in this book. It was there and I was all for it. The book was smart and engaging on the science side. I love that the author focuses on women in stem. There was a lot more STEM in this book than the previous one and I will say if you are not into it it might make the book a bit boring.

I do think the characters in this book are good solid well thought out characters.

Overall this was an ok read. I think had this been presented to me as Woman's Fiction with romantic elements my feelings might have been different. But this is being marketed as a romance and the romance feels like an after thought.

I am officially ruined for all other books, ever.

List of content warnings is located here: https://alihazelwood.com/lotb-cw/

I really loved Ali Hazelwood's debut, The Love Hypothesi, which is clearly a Reylo contemporary AU fanfic, let's be real. Love on the Brain ALSO reads like... well, a contemporary AU Reylo fanfic, haha. There were a LOT of beats that were familiar from reading The Love Hypothesis - but you know what? This Reylo stan really didn't care! There's enough new here that I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of Love on the Brain. And for folks who finished The Love Hypothesis and were despondent to leave the world of Olive and Adam, here is Olive and Adam 2.0 - Bee and Levi!!

This book also gave me really strong The Hating Game vibes, in that it's entirely from Bee's POV and she's like "UGH, Levi is so annoying, he hates me so much," but we the reader can CLEARLY read Levi's actions in a totally different way (much like Josh...)

Look. Did I see most of the plot "twists" and beats coming from a mile away? Yes. Did I love this book anyway? Also yes. I LOVE the chemistry between Bee and Levi, as well as the friendships between Bee and her assistant whose name I am totally blanking on. Also I would like a novella for Bee's sister, please! And I have BIG TIME SWOON for an Adam Driver-type character who is all big and broody and kind of socially awkward but it comes off as assholeishness...

Loved the characters, loved the vibe, loved everything I've read by Ali Hazelwood thus far and am excited to read more by her! Definitely read this one if you loved Ali's debut, The Love Hypothesis and/or Sally Thorne's The Hating Game.

This was such a cute romance read. I love how Ali Hazelwood's books focus on women in STEM. They are all insanely smart and so amazing. I loved reading Bee's & Levi story and how they worked at NASA.

I wanted to like this book, I really really did. I enjoyed The Love Hypothesis very much; it's one of the few books I've read recently where I didn't read anything else at the same time. Part of me thinks that I might've liked this more if I hadn't read The Love Hypothesis, but honestly, I still think I'd have issues. It's more like 1.5 than a 2, but I'm rounding up.

For positives, I liked the science. I liked the cats. Some of the banter was really good. I thought Bee's reasons for wanting stability yet also being scared of relationships was decent.

Maybe I should've put this at a 1 since there's a lot more I disliked about the book...

First off, how is it possible to have THAT much miscommunication? Bee is really hung up on the idea that Levi hates her, even after he tells her multiple times that he doesn't. Bee. Please listen to him, spare us your constant refusal of what is obviously the truth. Miscommunication can be fun, but it was painfully too much here, dialed up beyond 50 on the Machine in the Pit of Despair here. It simply frustrating.

Bee and Levi are Olive and Adam. They are basically the same characters, which I think other reviewers have mentioned. Except, in a weird twist, Bee and Levi are ALSO the same characters as each other. Yeah, Bee is all quirky and everything and Levi is standoffish and grumpy, but they like The Same Things. Cats, being vegan, same music, same movies, same everything. They will never have any real arguments in their relationship because there's NOTHING to argue about. They even both (BIG SPOILER but not really) run snappy science commentary Twitter accounts, and they talk to each other on there about each other without knowing the identity of the other person. Also, Bee seem to basically hate men. She rarely has anything good to say about them. Bee is also Marie Curie's #1 Fan Girl For Ever and you will know about it; I fully believe that if given a time machine, Bee would stalk Marie Curie.

And the cherry on top for me was when the Imaginary Cat jumped on someone's head to defend Bee. Because we all know that cats who are so skittish that people think they don't exist are the type to leap into action when their owner needs defending.

I'm sorry, I'm just really frustrated because I wanted this book to be good. I was looking forward to reading it. I promise I'll go write a positive review for The Love Hypothesis because I really enjoyed that one. But this? I wanted more, and I'm just disappointed.

Ali Hazelwood is the queen of smart, strong female-led romance. I really enjoyed her first book, The Love Hypothesis. However, I think Love on the Brain, her sophomore novel, was even better! It features some enemies-to-lovers romance, a heavy dose of angst and romantic tension with a forced proximity situation between two co-lead scientists working on the same major NASA/NIH project. Bee has always thought that Levi Ward hated her for everything - how she looks, what she wears, even for breathing! However, her mind will be blown when she is thrust into Levi's every day orbit again, after being assigned co-lead on a major NASA / NIH collaborative project. Hazelwood doesn't shy away from presenting facts and hot topic issues in her books, and I'm here for it. Her writing is engaging, well-researched, and oh so enjoyable. Love on the Brain spotlights the women in STEM movement and shines light on the importance of equal treatment of women in scientific fields. I loved these characters and the story line so so much. All the stars for this romance!

I really enjoyed Love on the Brain! It is similar to The Love Hypothesis in that it has a female STEM protagonist, an enemies-to-lovers romance, a moody and broody male love interest, miscommunication, fun and awkward antics, and more. However, it feels fresh, and it is delightfully entertaining!

Bee has such a strong voice, and I love her bubbly, quirky personality. And she’s so funny! Obsessed with Marie Curie, Bee also has a quick wit and rambles when nervous, and she can be really awkward. I love that she embraces who she is and what she wants. She is a determined, goal-oriented, and strong person, and I kind of want to hang out with her and dye our hair together and maybe go get matching tattoos. She and her friends (not her ex-ones. They’re terrible!) sound like people I’d want to be friends with, and their conversations, joking, and connections are fantastic.

And can we talk about Levi Ward? Smart, sweet, sexy, patient, and awkward Levi Ward, oh how I love you! Levi’s been pining for Bee for a long time, but he hides his feelings behind a grumpy, brooding exterior. Of course, Bee thinks Levi hates her. What else would she think? But the more Bee gets to know Levi, the more she sees what a kind, generous, and sensitive man he is. She also starts to realize the depth of his feelings and that she might have misinterpreted past behaviors.

Bee and Levi have a fabulous enemies-to-lovers romance, and their journey from nemeses to friends to more is pretty swoon-tastic. The way Levi PINES for Bee – Oh my word!!! I love romances with great banter, tender moments, and some funny ones too. Bee and Levi have that in spades. I’ve heard their story compared to You’ve Got Mail meets The Hating Game, and that is such a perfect description. I love how these two knock down the walls between them and face their feelings all while working on cutting-edge science.

This is such a fun and charming read, and it has similar vibes to The Love Hypothesis, so if you liked that one, you’ll definitely enjoy this one too. There’s also a bit of a mystery that threatens Bee and Levi’s project and Bee’s future career, and there are some relevant messages about gender biases and inequities, grief, friendship, family, and loss. Thanks so much to Berkley Books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

I absolutely adore these nerds in love books by Ali Hazelwood.

This story centers on Bee Königswasser. Bee is a neuroscientist and an obsessed fan of Marie Curie. She posts on Twitter under @WhatWouldMarieCuriedo focusing on concerns of women in STEM.

Bee passed up on a perfect position, post doctorate, since it would mean working with her cheating ex-fiancé and her former ex-best friend. Bee has been wallowing under a bad boss until she is given an opportunity to lead a team on a project for NASA. Even when she finds out that she will be co-leader with her arch-nemesis, Levi Ward, her excitement doesn’t diminish. Okay, yes it does but to co-lead a NASA project will create opportunities Bee feared she would never see again. Levi will just have to deal with seeing her again, even if he does find her repulsive. See Bee isn’t your typical nerdy, button down scientist. Bee likes to dye her hair (currently purple). She has several piercings and tattoos and she prefers business really casual over suits. If Levi can’t stand to work with her, that’s his problem.

At least she thought it was his problem, but right from the start, Levi hasn’t provided the lab equipment for Bee and her assistant, nor does he even bother to respond to her many, many emails. Jerk! Obviously, he is trying to make working together very much Bee’s problem.

Okay, maybe there was some kind of server problem. And maybe, just maybe, there was some kind of funding problem going on with internal politics standing in the way of scientific progress, but admitting that Levi might not be such a bad guy after all doesn’t seem to make it hurt less that he still seems to hate Bee for nothing more than being herself. Or maybe, just maybe, like some of the other issues. Maybe there is more to Levi’s attitude toward Bee than even she realized.

I got a very strong Pride and Prejudice vibe with this story. Levi stares at Bee a lot, and Bee isn’t the only one to interpret his constant stares as dislike. Her whole graduate class thought Levi hated Bee. The first time Bee’s assistant sees them together, she comments how Levi does really hate Bee. Of course, we know that Levi fell head over heels for Bee the first time he meets her. His awful family upbringing made discussing feelings difficult. In fact, the only other person who correctly interpreted Levi’s staring for what it was was Bee’s ex-fiancé who warns Levi off and fans Bee’s dislike of Levi.

I have to admit that most of the neuroscience in this one was above my head, but I could certainly understand Bee’s stances on how women in STEM are treated, even move than 100 years after Marie Curie help break the male only barrier in science. The author mentions how Marie Curie was invited to give a talk but then no one could listen to her little girly brain talk about science and her husband had to present her findings. Yet, women in STEM still face having their work belittled and how while Bee appreciated Levi’s standing by her work, and how it wasn’t until Bee received Levi’s support that the other male colleagues acknowledged Bee’s suggestions. She called this “sausage referencing” needing the backing of a person with a penis to get your point acknowledged. It is sad that woman still have such an uphill battle to be accepted by the men in STEM.

Bee is such a fun character and I really enjoyed her story. This is another fabulous story from Ali Hazelwood and I am looking forward to many, many more.

This book was just a charming, fun, and sweet as Ali Hazelwood's first book! I LOVED both the characters but them TOGETHER even better! Loved every minute of reading this fantastic duo.

Thank you Berkley for my copy of Love on the Brain. All thoughts are my own!

Last Summer, I devoured The Love Hypothesis like most readers. It was fast and fun and flirty. I was so excited for Ali Hazelwood’s three novellas to release and Love on the Brain. But after I didn’t enjoy the novellas…I was nervous for Love on the Brain.

I’m so bummed to report that Love on the Brain did not live up my love of The Love Hypothesis. Overall, I didn’t connect with this story. I was, frankly, quite annoyed by most of it. The pacing didn’t work for me, the excessive references to how tall the MMC was and how small the FMC was really frustrated me, and the tropes simply didn’t appeal to me. It wasn’t a book for me and that’s okay!

My specific thoughts are below!

Synopsis:

“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?” —Goodreads

What I Liked:

The Characters Personalities—Look, Bee is unapologetically herself. I can totally admire that and envy it, since I still struggle with wanting to be liked.

Women in STEM—The best parts of Ali Hazelwood’s books are women who love math and science and are incredibly skilled at their jobs. We need more of that!

What Didn’t Work:

Pacing—A slow burn that didn’t feel justified. What I loved about The Love Hypothesis was that it just BEGAN. You were right there with the action and it was intoxicating. It made you want to keep turning pages. This did not have that element.

The Characters Personalities—I’m sorry, this is SO personal but I really don’t like cats and being a cat person was such a huge part of these characters. It annoyed me (I know, i’m a jerk) but Bee was just A LOT for me.

Call Backs to You’ve Got Mail—I really don’t like the You’ve Got Mail Trope. It feels a bit dated to me now and I’ve read way too much of it. Like, are you all really out here just talking to strangers daily without inquiring for some other details?! I can’t suspend my disbelief for it.

Character Authenticity: 3/5

Steam Rating: 2/5

Overall Rating: 2.75-3/5

Content Warnings:

Gun violence, sexism, grief, fainting,

Thank you, Berkley and NetGalley for the eARC!

I very much enjoyed Ali Hazelwood's The Love Hypothesis, but I absolutely devoured Love on the Brain. There are definite similarities between the two, but while TLH was inspired by the Reylo fandom, LOTB took a page out of "You've Got Mail."

It's cute, it's awkward, it's at times so sugary sweet I feel like I'm getting a cavity, but at other times it's deeply emotional and relatable. It's an endearing, heartwarming love story set in the STEM world, with badass, role model women who carry the torch for each other and daily honor the female scientists who blazed a trail before them.

Bee is the quirky, purple-haired, tattooed genius I want to be when I grow up - if I was any good at science. She lands a dream job helping lead a team of scientists and engineers at NASA. But, her co-lead is Levi Ward, the guy she considers her archnemesis from grad school, and who she thinks absolutely despises her. Spoiler alert: He doesn't hate her; (*feigns shock*) he's actually in love with her and has been for years.

Cue awkward encounters, intense and loaded looks, and (eventually) some seriously steamy moments in the heat of scientific discovery.

All the best tropes are present: enemies to lovers, miscommunication, colleagues to lovers, and a bit of mystery/espionage/politics involving NASA. All of the main characters are so loveable, and the banter between them is grounded, authentic, and at times laugh-out-loud funny.

It was so fun to read this story from Bee's POV and basically get to explore her brain in all its nerdy, eccentric, vegan, cat-loving, self-deprecating glory. Her journey was especially beautiful as she went from being closed all to almost any type of friend or romantic relationship to creating an unlikely family of her own.

Some of the drawbacks were the cliche tropes: Levi is, of course, a massive muscly man with a huge you-know-what. At times, he can read as one-dimensional, and at other times he's so much "the perfect man" that it veers into fantasy. And some of the miscommunication seems unrealistic, especially with the awkwardness of both Levi and Bee thinking the other person is married.

But overall, Love on the Brain showcases the best of Ali Hazelwood's love stories with sugar, spice, and everything STEM.

Do you want to bad news or the good news first?

Bad news? Okay. There’s our favorite miscommunication trope in chapter 1, and because our lovely Bee (FMC) is a bit of a steamroller (cue that scene from Parks and Rec) it stays for a bit.

So here’s my thing with Ali’s book, they’re all the same. There’s nothing that makes any of the characters in her books/novellas any different. They’re all “he’s really big/she’s really small,” which is just a hard eye roll from me. The men are almost all the same, and so are the women. This book is no different, she’s just got a big dick kink I guess.

Her books also have no clear queer representation, when they are, indeed, queer characters. If I find out Bee is queer after I read this book I’m going to consider knocking it down half a star. I shouldn’t have to find out this information from a different source, it should be in the book.

Anyways, I digress.

For all the things I don’t like about Ali’s books, I went into this one expecting to not like it. Welp, folks, I was wrong.

Let’s start with the sex scenes, previously her track record with writing these has been a bit cringey in the dialogue category. However, it seems likes she has learned sexy dialogue isn’t her thing since any sex scene in this book is written more poetically than her others, while still stay descriptive. This made them so much easier to read and more romantic. Good job there.

Another thing I liked about this book (and her others) is the representation of the women in STEM. It was written really well and I didn’t think it was over done at all. There were no Title IX jokes (I’m looking at you Love Hypothesis) so already, I like it more. The Sausage Fest™️ jokes were great

The side characters were done really well and Rocío was FANTASTIC! Just needed to give a shoutout to one of my favorite characters.

There was so much humor in this one and I really enjoyed all of the jokes, the banter between Bee & Levi was really well done and it was amazing to see the progress of their relationship.

Oh also, there were cats. Did I forget to mention that? That helped.

Levi is also better than Adam. Fight me.

Another thing I really enjoyed was the way Twitter was used, and I can’t say anymore because spoilers, but it was so cute and now I must go watch ~insert romcom movie spoiler here~

The last thing I’ll say is that Bee was just a tad annoying at some points. She rambled a lot (even in her inner dialogue), she was a steamroller, she called football sports ball but then knew how a linebacker would be build? I’m just being picky, I did like her, but sometimes I rolled my eyes at her.

Overall, this is my favorite book from her. It’s so much better than The Love Hypothesis or any of the novellas.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC!

I know people hate the recurring plot lines with minute changes in details but i quite liked the predictably of it. A simple, fun, rom-com that has its ups and downs (and a lot of science talk) but always ends in a happily ever after <3

Nothing like a good old STEM-forced proximity-academic rivals to lovers- romance…. but …… i don’t think i ever want to hear the name Marie Curie ever again LOL. This protagonist will not shut up about her- in a completely psychotic way. (Spoilers: I kept thinking they’d eventually give us a reason for her obsession and health issues but i guess not).

The plot twist was really cool though. Completely caught me off guard! While i enjoyed it-I hope we can see different sides of Ali Hazelwood in the future though. I enjoy her writing style and would love to see her explore more contemporary romances.

Also my copy had a few writing typos.

I love the STEM settings of Ali Hazelwood's books and I definitely look forward to reading the other novellas in this series. I'm always a fan of the "I must convince you that I hate you because I actually love you" clenched jaw leading man and Levi does not disappoint. His eventual softening and opening up to Bee, as she navigates rewiring her brain to not abjectly HATE Levi, is a lovely journey. Some sweet and spicy parts throughout, I'd definitely recommend!

“You were always in my head. And I could never get you out”.

Esta reseña es de un ARC digital que me envió Penguin Random House International.

Ustedes saben que quedé OBSESIONADA con lo que escribe Ali Hazelwood después de que leí The Love Hypothesis y se convirtió en uno de los mejores libros de mi año. Ahora, un tiempo después, llega Love on the Brain y cumple TODAS las expectativas que tenía. Es hermoso, feel-good y tiene una gran dosis de “nos conocemos, pienso que me odias, nos fuerzan a trabajar juntos, hay tensión, nos volvemos sex buddies, creo que no significa nada, pero en el fondo siempre hemos estado enamorados y lo disfrazamos con mala comunicación y odio falso”.

Aquí nos encontramos con Bree, una científica obsesionada con Marie Curie a la que de repente le ofrecen el trabajo de su vida como neuroingeniera de un gran proyecto de la NASA. A pesar de que tendrá que mudarse de ciudad y de que se tendrá que reencontrar con Levi, su archienemigo y persona odiada número uno, ella acepta la oportunidad y se lanza de cabeza a este proyecto. Sin embargo, las cosas cuando llega no salen de la mejor manera, se encuentra con mil trabas en este nuevo trabajo y lo peor es que todas se las achaca a Levi, quien cree que la quiere sabotear, hasta que empieza a notar que él la apoya en todas sus decisiones, que la defiende ante un equipo de científicos bastante machista y… que es incapaz de dejar de mirarla ni un segundo.

Creo que Ali Hazelwood ha demostrado que es una maestra en crear situaciones de tensión y en alargarlas hasta que se hacen casi dolorosas de leer. Aunque, claro, en medio de toda esta tensión siempre hay pequeños momentos, miradas, palabras con doble sentido y malentendidos que hacen que todo sea increíble todo el tiempo y que lo único que quieras es que los dos protagonistas se queden encerrados en un ascensor y dejen salirlo todo, if you know what I mean.

Creo que una de mis cosas favoritas de este libro fue que, además de la historia de la vida real de Bee y Levi, también tenemos una especie de meta-historia twittera con los álter egos de estos dos personajes en redes sociales. ¡Y adoré que fueran tan tontitos como para no darse cuenta de que estaban hablando el uno con el otro! Es más, debo advertirles que Love on the Brain tiene el cliché MÁS ENORME de mala comunicación y asunciones erradas del mundo. Literalmente, la relación-no-relación de Bee y Levi avanza y no avanza porque todo el tiempo están pensando que el otro piensa cosas que realmente no está pensando… o que están casados cuando no lo están, lol. A mí normalmente me molesta un montón este cliché, pero en este libro no me desesperó sino que me dio ternurita.

En definitiva, creo que me declaro una fan incondicional de las historias de Ali Hazelwood y, como necesito más en mi vida, creo que voy a leer muy pronto las tres novellas que sacó exclusivamente en ebook y audiolibro porque quiero romance en vena en este mismo segundo.

The more time I reflect on this book, the more torn I am with the grade. The feels - when the romance is ROMANTIC - are great; everything else is over the top bad or dumb or silly or WTF Hazelwood. Pick a lane and stay in it. There is simply too much quirkiness and bizarreness and Marie Curie-ness and villainy for this one, not very long, contemporary romance.

Okay. So the story. Bee Königswasser has the opportunity to score her dream job. Unfortunately, she'll have to work alongside Levi Ward, a super hot engineering nerd who once treated her like shit when they were in graduate school together and SHE WAS ENGAGED TO ANOTHER GUY. I mean, he was a total dick. Oh, but hold up. This is a fictional romance so WE ALREADY KNOW he did it because he was SECRETLY IN LOVE WITH HER. Okee dokey. So he didn't do that and she's just a dummy who didn't realize? Or he's a jerk and we're supposed to forgive it? I DON'T KNOW.

Anywho, Bee arrives for her dream job at NASA in Houston with her super bizarre, not funny, just totally weird assistant in tow and promptly faints on the first day. Cue the arrival of Levi/dickhead to save the day. She's mortified - OMIGOD - and he's standoffish (that's his thing), so she immediately decides he still hates her and since maybe he acts like he does...

And because this is a Bee thing - the whole rando fainting - we just go along with it. Ahem.

Friends, obviously and eventually they find a way to work together. Bee is super oblivious to things that are obvious to other people. For example, it's possible that Levi is awkward around Bee and doesn't hate her (especially since everyone else thinks Levi is super nice and normal and great to work with). It NEVER occurs to Bee that maybe Levi LIKEY LIKES her. Friends, it gets so old, so fast. Instead, every single time Levi goes out of his way to help Bee or be nice to her or not treat her like the weirdo she is (SO. SO. SO MANY TIMES), Bee chalks it up to chance. LEGIT SO MANY TIMES. I can't even count how many times.

Meanwhile, Bee also sort of pretends she's married (AS ONE DOES) and Levi (our jerk/awkward person) notices things like wedding rings and NOTICES HER EFFING RING and then makes the obvious assumption that she is married so he never tries to put his smooth moves on her. Which he doesn't have (see: graduate school) but really does (see: his moves in the second half of this book). Hazelwood can't decide who or how Levi is supposed to be so she tries to make him Not a Player and then a Super Good at It (romance) Player.

Wow. You're like, what the hell is this story about? Shortlist just off the top of my head:

Working at NASA.
The shitty ways female scientists are treated in the workplace.
Loneliness.
Toxic Twitter.
Female empowerment.
Bad relationships.
Abusive friendships.
Standardized testing. (It's bad.)
Family.
Female bonding.
Marie Curie.
LGBTQI+.
Jealousy.
Guilt.
Missed opportunities.
Hidden cameras.
Secret cats.
I COULD GO ON.

Long story not short, Levi loves Bee and always has. She's been burned by a cheater and is a super oddball with all the quirky stuff you can imagine an author can think up and also a FREAKING WEDDING RING on and despite being a literal genius, she's blind to basic human interpersonal relationship stuff. She has an assistant who is straight up weird, a secret twitter identity, an obsession that ISN'T FUNNY OR INTERESTING OR NECESSARY with Marie Curie and it's all a big mess.

Even though she's annoying and oblivious and he's stoic and hot and perfect (I mean, come on, Hazelwood. Give us a break.) they are soul mates. But there's a villain, too, and until that person goes totally batshit crazy, what the F is happening here, off the rails, these two can't figure their shit out and get together. But then they get it. THEY LOVE EACH OTHER. Wow. Duh.

Hmm. I didn't like this. It mostly isn't good despite all the opportunities for it TO BE GREAT. I can't recommend it.

4 Stars!

I loved this one so much more than Ali’s first! Olive and Adam had a decent story, but I wanted more growth and pining and strength AND OMG DID LEVI AND BEE DELIVER.

No one has ever pined as hard as Levi. No one. Ever. Like this man, ugh my heart is melted. He loves so hard, is so kind, patient, enduring, AND HE COOKS AND CLEANS THANK YOU.

Bee is funny and quirky and OH SO TINY DONT FORGET SHE IS TINY LEVI’S WHOLE HAND CAN COVER HER ENTIRE FACE AND OMG SHE IS SO THIN SHE IS BASICALLY 5 BANANAS IN A TRENCHCOAT (that is an actual line in the book btw).

I have nothing against skinny heroines, because we all know by now that no one can control their genetics and body type, but after two books where we are constantly reminded of how TEENY THESE WOMEN ARE COMPARED TO THESE MASSIVELY HUNKY MEN, I’m kind of over how blatant the physical descriptions are. That’s why I dropped it a whole star. I don’t need to read about how concave a person’s ribs are as a cute thing or how wispy they are every other page.

Anyhoo, I enjoyed this one a lot, and found moments where I couldn’t put it down. The side characters are incredible (AND HI WE GET A KAYLEE IN THIS BOOK!!!!), and DID I MENTION THE PINING?!!!!!

I have a feeling this is going to be one of the world’s favorite romances this year.

From the first paragraph, I knew this book would be a good one. I immersed myself into the book from the first chapter and I cannot say enough good things about this book! Honestly amazing! The writing is incredible and the plot is just one to die for. I am absolutely obsessed with this book. My favorite part would have to be the character development throughout the book. Character development is something I look forward to and this book did not disappoint.

I loved this book! I really enjoyed The Love Hypothesis, but I truly loved Love on the Brain. Ali Hazelwood’s writing is wonderful and it’s so enjoyable to read about women in STEM. This book was a true treat.