When I say that Ali Hazelwood's writing has me in a chokehold...I'm not kidding.

The Love Hypothesis was one of my top books last year. To be honest, I wasn't sure if anything could top that one. Well, insert Love on the Brain. It's only April and I have found my front runner for romance of the year.

This book was INCREDIBLE. Oh my goooood. I devoured it. I literally could not put it down. Enemies-to-lovers set in academia? I'm here for it.

Bee, our main character, was so perfectly imperfect and relatable. Her inner dialogue was hysterical and I really appreciated the way she was written; it was like I was talking/listening to a friend. She was wicked smart. Funny. Flawed. Kind. Emotional. A total bada$$. Everything I love in a FMC.

And Levi. Wow. Okay. Adam was great, but Levi might take the cake for me. His humor. His kindness. His willingness to help. Talk about ultimate book boyfriend!

I adored the secondary characters and underlying plots, too! Ro was incredibly, and Penny was such a typical kid with her questions.

Also, those plot twists?!??! I did NOT see them coming and holyyyyy cow. I was shocked!!

THE STEAM, Y'ALL. TLH touched on it a little bit but Ali went all TF in with this one. I mean, Levi really said "I want you to open your mouth and show me." O.K.A.Y.

Yeah, this review is unhinged because the book is that freaking good. Ali was an auto buy author for me after TLH and I'm so glad I preordered LotB because I cannot wait to reread it!

ALL THE STARS!!!

I basically inhaled this whole book in one sitting. And it was delightful! Ali Hazelwood does such a phenomenal job of blending romance, science, and academia into a hilariously irresistible story.

It just wasn’t quite a 5 star for me, because I get very annoyed with the "she's so tiny; he's so big" trope.

I was so excited for Ali's sophomore book, and guys it did not disappoint! I found myself very invested not only in the romance but even Bee's career- the obstacles she faced made me want to scream sometimes! This was full of funny moments, banter and bursting with quirky personality that makes these characters so likeable. You really start rooting for these two to get together, and I've never read about a male quite like Levi before, he's so sweet but not in the way that takes away from his hot-ness, lol. And there's a smidge more spice than in her debut🔥 There were a couple bits that were supposed to add some mystery to this one that I did find easily predictable, but honestly I didn't mind, I liked that those elements were included regardless. This story was so much FUN! Highly recommend!

Huge, big thanks to the publisher for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

Bee is basically married to her work. Her last relationship ended with the dissolution of a friendship and having to send wedding gifts back. But now, she's headed to work on an amazing project as the co-lead which is great, until she finds out her co-lead is her grad school nemesis. All her history comes flooding back, especially when the co-lead thinks she did marry the old boyfriend. And Bee thinks he still hates her.

Somehow, they find a way to work together and be friends...or maybe more? The enemies part of this book is mercifully short. I appreciate the animosity to start, but I also appreciate that most of it is in Bee's head--and everyone else's. The discussion of academia and especially STEM fields as a boys club is hysterical (if unfortunately true). The Twitter touches are pretty good, too. It's run and satisfying, though sometimes Bee is a little too hyperbolic for my taste.

I genuinely don’t know how to move on from this book. Before starting, I wasn’t sure how Ali Hazelwood could top The Love Hypothesis but this book did it for me. This book was PHENOMENAL!! Levi and Bee were two of my favorite MCs ever I might say. I loved their chemistry so much and Bee’s chaotic personality. I loved the idiots to lovers that this book had as well as a little bit of a secret identity trope?! SIGN ME TF UP!!!! This book is an early contender for a 2022 fave!! I am anxiously awaiting whatever she releases next, I have found a new insta buy author!!

4.5 Stars

Cute Cover? STEM? Romantic Comedy? Great Banter? Sign me the f*ck up.

This book was everything I hoped it would be- it was hilarious and heartwarming. I loved Bee and Levi as a couple and the side characters were great. I read the entire thing in one sitting.

Highly recommend it to romcom lovers and fans of the enemies to lovers trope. I am looking forward to reading whatever Ali Hazelwood writes next because she has quickly became an auto buy author for me.

THANK YOU Netgalley and Berkley for providing me an ARC to read and review. I may have screamed in excitement when I seen that I received it!

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

If you’re wondering if Love on the Brain and The Love Hypothesis have the exact same vibe, let me just say that YES. It’s the EXACT. SAME. VIBE.

But idk that this is necessarily a bad thing? Ali Hazelwood brings a lot of that zany humor and voice to her story that I enjoy. But it did make Olive and Bee seem the exact same person. And Adam and Levi are the same too now that I think on it………

But that’s NBD. I liked The Love Hypothesis, I can get down with same vibes!

However…

The thing that made this book a middle of the road read for me is the miscommunication trope. Not just that. The miscommunication trope for SO. FREAKING. LONG. The only thing keeping these two lovers apart was a conversation. A very brief one at that. Really just one sentence. I found myself scratching my head at 50% like……………we still aren’t here yet?

And Bee drove me a little bonkers. Okay, a lot bonkers. Okay at times I was rolling my eyes because for a brilliant scientist she was completely clueless and oblivious. Why did Levi have to tell her ten thousand times that he never hated her? Why is she convinced that Levi only wants to be friends with benefits? Bee?? Why?? And what was that random family scene injected in the middle The Hating Game style for absolutely no reason? It made no sense.

Speaking of not making sense…the ending…I just glazed right over whatever that was…because…what was that? It seemed so outrageous I couldn’t believe what I was reading.

I was also having Bridgerton season one petty outrage because I don’t think Bee and Levi ever look at each other and say “I love you.” Y’all. I need this in my romance books. It’s a requirement.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

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 after years scraping by on the crumbs of academia—Marie would accept without hesitation. Duh. But the mother of modern physics never had to co-lead with Levi Ward. Levi made his feelings toward Bee very clear in grad school—archenemies work best employed in their own galaxies far, far away. Perhaps it’s her occipital cortex playing tricks on her, but Bee could swear she can see Levi softening into an ally, backing her plays, seconding her ideas…devouring her with those eyes. There’s only one question that matters: What will Bee Königswasser do?

Ali Hazelwood, you have done it again. I have once again devoured a story you have written. Another love story, Gina? Yes. I’m apparently in a mood, and Ali Hazelwood has delivered. I was worried after her debut, “how will she do it again?” “She’s an exceptional writer, but will her story be as good?” The answer is, she’s amazing and I will forever read her stories.

I loved the characters. Nerdy scientists may just be some of my favorite characters to read. They were quirky, but not in an unrealistic, creepy way. They developed nicely. I laughed, and cried, and felt a whole range of emotions. The side characters were charming and fun, and while I wished I got to see more of everyone, I would not have wanted to take anything away from the story.

The two main characters, Bee and Levi, made my heart feel large and my head hurt. Normally the lack of communication trope makes me irrationally angry, but in this book, it was almost charming. Trope-wise it had one of my all-time favorites: when the man falls first. There’s just something so romantic to a story when you see a man fall in love with the woman, and then patiently waits for her to catch up. And let me tell you, Levi was patient.

Overall, I won’t say this book wasn’t without its flaws. I’ve read too many books to say any book is truly perfect. However, this book was exactly what I wanted it to be. Funny, romantic, quirky, emotional. It had it all. I am desperate for another novel by Ali Hazelwood.

*Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this E-Arc in exchange for an honest review*

I smiled through this entire book. Ali Hazelwood's books just ooze charm. Her characters are so easily lovable, quirky, and simply put...charming. I was charmed. I laughed, I cried, and I fell in love with Levi.

I flew through this book in a single afternoon. The writing was easy to read, had me laughing out loud, and my heart squeezing in my chest at the romantic moments. Speaking of romantic moments, this had it all: enemies to lovers (but it's all actually a misunderstanding and he's been in love the whole time), a tall brooding love interest with a heart of gold, a heroine who's reluctant to let anyone in, funny well meaning friends and side-characters, cats performing heroic acts, and the love interest always stepping in for the mc's best interests in the most swoon worthy ways.

You don't have to worry about second book blues when it comes to this one. It was just as good as The Love Hypothesis, if not even better if I do say so myself.

PS: It's nice to see a fellow Reylo thrive. I loved the Star Wars references (of course) and the nods to the traditional Reylo tropes.

I loved this book as much as I loved The Love Hypothesis. I need Hazelwood's next book in my hands as quickly as possible, because I am OBSESSED.

Ali Hazelwood has done it again! This book had me hooked from the very first page. The characters are funny and quick to steal your heart. Ali Hazelwood has created another book that is sure to keep readers laughing and smiling throughout and after. She has found the perfect balance of romance, comedy, drama, and..... spice of course!

I eagerly awaited Ali Hazelwood's next book and I was not disappointed! Though the setting may seem similar to "The Love Hypothesis", her new book tells another story of colleagues going from enemies to lovers as they're forced to work on a new project. Hazelwood has created another amazing romance with lovable characters which also engages in the issues that women face in STEM professions. Her background in science provides the kind a nuance that elevates a story from good to great/fantastic/memorable/awesome. It's so good that at one point I
found myself close to tears in frustration over Bee's situation. I devoured "Love on the Brain" in one day, and I can't wait to see what Hazelwood will write next.

Ali Hazelwood, as per usual, did a phenomenal job of making me fall in love with her characters immediately. I wanted to know who hurt them, why they hurt them, and what I could do to help them. I’ll absolutely recommend this to every single person I find browsing the romance section.

It was never a question whether I would love this book. I read The Love Hypothesis last year (loved it) and immediately knew that Ali Hazelwood was a phenomenal writer and everything she writes was going to reflect this.
Love on the Brain had everything that made The Love Hypothesis great and more. Like her first book, her protagonists are working in STEM careers. There was an enemies to lovers plot, done in such a creative way. There were all of these fun details and quotable moments. This book is definitely in my top five for the year.
Honestly, anything I say probably won't do this book justice. So just read it!

Step aside Adam Carlsen, Levi Ward has entered the chat and he is not here to play.

This book is my second chance romance with Ali Hazelwood and she hit it out of the park with this one.

Bee is a bright, extroverted neuroscientist who loves Star Wars and Marie Curie. She has purple hair, colourful outfits, and a dream to throw the patriarchy off balance. When she's invited to co-lead a project with her nemesis Levi Ward (who absolutely HATED her in grad school) she's wary, but a scientist can't just pass up NASA.

I had so much fun with Bee - her personality was so loud and proud and I adored her confidence (that she had most of the time) in herself and her work. Her snappy cinematic-like narration (that breaks the fourth wall, but in a good way) was entertaining and captivating. Also, her beef with Levi is legit and I loved the enemies-to-friends-to-lovers / grump & sunshine dynamic they had. Levi is absolutely a dream and I fell for him so hard once he came out of his shell. Their vastly different family experiences and their journey to where they are today was super different and I appreciate how that played into the plot and their actions through the story.

This was also a lot spicier than The Love Hypothesis - many open door scenes. Just saying.

The secondary characters really helped to round out the story and their presence filled in the world, Levi and Bee's shared history, and the dynamics of their scientific community. Ro, especially, was a favourite - I loved her random goth facts and her attitude towards basically everything. Bee's sister and Levi's friends also reflect their lived experiences back on them and really help build up their history and their past together and apart. Such a great way to flesh that out!

While a little bit predictable at times, Hazelwood's writing is addictive, snappy, and full of banter and wit. It was so hard for me to tear myself away from this book (which is why I'll be hopping on my work laptop at 10PM right after I finish writing this). Additionally, I found that the storyline for Love on the Brain was very cohesive and the foreshadowing and puzzle pieces all fell into place chaotically (on purpose) in the end and I loved it. It was a super satisfying, if not maddening, finale.

Love on the Brain is also a fantastic look at the sexism that takes place in the science community and the disparity between the supposed "legitimacy" of a woman's opinions and concerns versus a man's. Those elements were handled really well and I loved Bee's categorization of them.

I have so many highlights for this book, I can't wait til my final copy arrives in August so I can annotate the heck out it.

Also, as a Canadian, I am a Nickelback stan. I stand with Deadpool LOL

TW: mentions death (car accident and rock climbing accident), seizures, sexism in the workplace and mentions of sexual harassment, gun and life-threatening situation (doesn't end in death)
Rep: bi-sexual secondary character (sapphic relationship)

Plot: 4.5/5
Characters: 4.5/5
World Building: 4/5
Writing: 5/5
Pacing: 5/5
Overall: 5/5

eARC gifted via NetGalley by Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review.

Ali Hazelwood has done it again and by it I mean written a book that is a straight shot of swoony serotonin to my brain. Somehow this book is even better than THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS, which would seem impossible an yet here we are?? Falling madly in love with Bee and Levi??

I fully admit that I'd read TLH in its original fanfic form and for that reason, TLH carried with it a lot of expectations when I read it. And don't get me wrong - it met those expectations and was great! But I think free of such intense expectations and with less direct 1-to-1 Star Wars/Reylo parallels, LOVE ON THE BRAIN was free to spread its wings and be more of its own thing, which I LOVED. Like complete, over the top, can't wait to force this book into the hands of everyone I know, LOVE. Big thanks to Berkley for letting me read this early copy - absolutely can't wait to see what Hazelwood writes next!

4.5/5 - Love on the Brain

3.5 / 5 STARS - Story Authenticity

5 / 5 STARS - Relatable and Lovable Characters

4 / 5 STARS - Steaminess

In Love on the Brain, by the incredible Ali Hazelwood, a neuroscientist, Bee, earns the opportunity of a lifetime - to run a team for NASA to develop critical gear for astronauts. Well, actually, co-run - with her lifelong nemesis, Levi Ward, that is. Will their past make working there impossible? Will they be able to achieve their goals before their competitors?

Let me start with this - Ali Hazelwood had my heart ever since I read The Love Hypothesis in less than 8 hours. I was so excited to have the opportunity to read this ARC (and yes, I already preordered the book). She did not disappoint. The story was well written, the characters relatable, and gave you just enough chemistry and detail to keep you turning the page for more. It is a captivating story that I would very much recommend to anyone who enjoys contemporary romance.

I did find I was more rooting for Levi and Bee to succeed, and then get together, in that order, versus TLH, which was closely tied in to Adam and Olive’s dynamic. Completely preferential, but I personally adored Adam and Olive’s dynamic, so it is hard not to compare.

My only other comment is regarding prose/writing style. I LOVE Ali’s style . . . but in TLH, her short novella Under One Roof, and in Love on the Brain, I found there were moments in which the staging was confusing. This seems to be most apparent during the more, ehem, steamy scenes. I have to go back and look for staging cues to set the scene properly in my head, which kind of takes me out of the moment.

For example, in Love on the Brain, I would understand if two characters were kissing and what they were feeling, but then there would be a comment suggesting the main character was actually turned away from the other, and not facing them. Another example was Chapter 16 of TLH (you know the scene) where certain remarks made it confusing as to whether Adam was standing or sitting. It just seems to be a reoccurring theme I’ve noticed, and would love for those moments to flow like the rest of the book.

All in all, Ali Hazelwood has created another wonderful woman-in-STEM novel that will have you sprinting through the pages. If you enjoyed The Love Hypothesis, I highly recommend Love on the Brain.

Thank you again, Netgalley, Berkley Publishing, and Ali Hazelwood for sending me this ARC. It was such an honor!

I loved this so much! The banter,,the angst, perfect light enemies to lovers fun!
If you loved The Love Hypothesis, you'll absolutely love Love on the Brain.

the ideal romance is a man being obsessed with an unknowing woman from afar until she notices him after several years of pining. i don't make the rules

this was silly in many ways but it was also ideal and romanticized and THATS WHAT I'M HERE FOR

i love bee (tho she is dumb) and rocio

you guys aren't ready!!!

Coming off the success of the love hypothesis, this author found a formula that works and hasn’t strayed from it. This second book is a standalone that packs the same witty comedic timing and lost of angst and fevered glances. Bee and Levi have tons of miscommunication that makes their relationship pretty angsty and non existent. Until they’re thrown together on a project for a NASA. The journey to bee and Levi as a unit is fun, electric and will make you read this in one sitting. I love all things academia and navigating the politics and nuances of it through a comedic eye also make this a fun read. There’s a slight plot twist I didn’t see coming that is the cherry on top but I loved it. The you got mail, 90s rock and all the millennial references carve a space in your heart as well