Love on the Brain

So I didn’t realize I was reading the books out of publishing order (not that it matters until you get to the acknowledgement section!) BUT I think is one is my favorite Hazelwood so far. Which is saying something since I think I AM Elsie in many ways (Theoretically) and just CANNOT get enough of Adam (Hypothesis) and Ian (Below Zero). I am a nurse, so I feel about anatomy and physiology and pharmacokinetics the way Hazelwood’s book characters feel about their fields of science. I am currently working on my masters degree, and dream of joining academia teaching someday and maybe publishing before I die (dreams). These books feel like the world I wish I lived in, and are very real comfort blankets for my brain and emotions. So why is this one my favorite? First, can we just acknowledge that in a world where women are often required to the emotional heavy lifting for their partners and everyone else around them, Hazelwood’s stellar leading ladies are often lacking in that department yet have male partners that are grounded and capable of doing and holding emotional space where they can’t? It’s a running theme now, and I AM HERE FOR IT! It’s not just that they aren’t sexist or are willing to give women credit for their work. They go to therapy. They own up to mistakes, take perspective from others, and are often more open and capable of being emotionally available and vulnerable while the ladies have more work to do, make more errors, and are less capable in this arena. That is just spectacular and not always seen in romance. Second, Bee is such a believable character because she is so honest about how she loves studying the brain and neuroscience, yet reluctantly admits that exercise is good for the brain. It’s so human to be so dedicated to the science and yet resist or even ignore evidence because of fear, experiences, and more. In some ways, she has the shortest lag time for realizing she wants her happy ending, though, which is nice to see. The consistency with some variation of Hazelwood’s leads being afraid of commitment, love, and romance are interesting. A flow chart may be needed at some point. Third, I like that in a short span, Bee gets to see so much of Levi’s life. It’s nice to give context to him and round him out in a way that does more than just clear up misunderstandings. He has a world before she gets there. It’s always more interesting when the characters have more of a world than just the two of them in bed. My only real criticism is that while we all love the fantasy of tall, built men who also are geniuses at NASA or running research labs, in reality…I don’t know. I want there to be a way for average men who are not 6’ 4” to also be emotionally mature, get the girl, and be amazing? If I could write myself I would. But I can’t, so I need other amazing people to help me out, ya know? Anyway, it’s another rock-solid story from Ali Hazelwood. I really need to just pre-order her stuff. I have yet to be disappointed.

Rating: 4 stars Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5 Let’s start with the characters! Bee was a fun, intelligent women determined to make her way in the world of STEM. For the most part, I found her charming and her inner monologue to be endearing and entertaining. BUT there were times when she was a bit too quirky. For instance, it may just be the country girl in me, but I highly doubt that people cry over road kill. That was a bit over the top…. Also I could have done without the weird little sayings with the ™️. And the incessant Marie Curie facts. Sorry not sorry. As a whole, she was a fun loving main character who had a pretty good character arc! Let’s talk about Levi! I loved his character! Did I picture Henry Cavill? Maybe…. Levi was the perfect amount of moody broody mixed with sweet, nerdy, and thoughtful. I loved seeing the transition from Bee’s arch-nemesis to friendly coworker to lover. Everything about him was 10/10. I love a take charge alpha male that has a softer side for those he loves! As far as the plot goes, it was delightful if a bit predictable. Possible spoilers ahead so read at your own risk. The big reveal was pretty much spelled out and spoon fed to the reader from the get go. Also, I call BS on ALL the things that Bee and Levi had in common. It got to the point that I just had to roll my eyes. May just be me but I don’t want to date a carbon copy of myself. Did I still find the storyline to be engaging and the relationship endearing? Absolutely! I loved the tension between Bee and Levi at the beginning. I’m a big sucker for gut clenching, heart rending angst and this book had it! The drama between Bee and Tim/Annie was *chefs kiss! I loved seeing Levi support Bee through it and put Tim and their other old coworkers in their place! All in all, it was an enjoyable read that I devoured! A great enemies to lovers storyline. For the most part, I thought this book had the perfect amount of sweet and spice without be nauseating.

The beginning of this was rough and I had to step away for a break. The sabotaging of a career, A life, hit pretty hard. But then it wasn't who I thought it was, and things started getting better. I love Ali's stories. I love the intellect and the peek into real world academia. And I agree, standardized testing is horrible and not a real measure of what you can do and are capable of. Wonderful combination of a love story and spice.

Was this book predictable? Yes. But was it entertaining? Also, yes. I liked the storyline, even though it closely resembles love, theoretically and the love hypothesis. Cute banter. A “twist” that I never felt like was a surprise. Still a fun read.

How am I so late to the Ali Hazelwood fan train. I only just discovered Below Zero three days ago, loved it, and decided to jump into Love on the Brain on release day. Could not put it down. I had the same experience with Below Zero; two one sitting reads in a row. It's a little bit scary. Now I have to purchase the rest of her back catelog. We have an author who seems to excel at eccentric, gifted heroines, whose giftedness comes with a host of other personal challenges. For these wonderful, loveable goofballs Ali creates equally gifted heroes, with their own set of challenges; but, they have my "reading catnip" - they are surprisingly clear about what they want from their ladyloves. You will need to enjoy wildly circuitous internal dialogs about life, love, self-esteem and the challenges women face in the modern world. You should also enjoy a reading experience with a plethora of trivia and factoids. If you love Penny Reid's Knitting in the City heroines then this is right up your alley.

This book inspires me to be everything Bee is. Legit.

OMG OH MY GOD OH MIO DIO Questo libro é meraviglioso. Bellissimo. So cute e divertente. E Levi é così dolce, così bello, dio lo amo. Lo amo alla follia. Questo libro ti fa ridere, sclerare, innamorare, ridere. Bee Königswasser é una neuroscienziata. Con un ossessione per Marie Curie, tanto da aprire per gioco un profilo Twitter @WhatwouldMarieCuriedo? e inaspettatamente anni dopo diventa un profilo tra i più rilevanti nell'ambito scientifico femminile. Un punto di incontro. Una community. Una famiglia. Un libro che porta alla luce, in maniera leggere ed ironica, la situazione femminile delle donne nel mondo della scienza: una minoranza e non prese realmente sul serio. Sempre un passo indietro agli uomini. Sempre meno credibili di loro. Il profilo @WhatwouldMarieCuriedo? diventa allora un 'luogo' di sfogo e supporto, una crescita che Bee mai si sarebbe aspettata, hanno scritto articoli sul suo profilo, interviste (anonime, ovviamente, nessuno sa chi c'è dietro). Ora di fronte a Bee c'è una grande opportunità: lavorare ad un progetto rivoluzionare per la NASA. LA NASA. Sarebbe la svolta per la sua carriera. MA. C'è sempre un ma, no? non sempre le cose possono andare alla grande. Come quando il tuo fidanzato (Fidanzato con la lettera maiuscola, perché si era proposto) ti tradisce con la tua migliore amica facendoti annullare il matrimonio 6 mesi prima ma ormai é passato qualche anno, le cose si superano. Dove eravamo rimasti? ah si. Il suo co-leader non sarà altro che la sua nemesi della scuola di specializzazione. Il bello, alto, scolpito, ARROGANTE, che decisamente la odia Levi. Levi ed i suoi occhi verdi. Levi ed i suoi capelli neri. Levi ed il suo essere molto alto. Levi che l'ha sempre ignorata, evitata, screditato il suo lavoro, non l'ha mai guardata negli occhi, se c'era lei lui andava via. Quel Levi. Sono passati 6 anni da quando l'ha visto l'ultima volta. Ma nulla é cambiato. Levi la evita ancora. E' ancora freddo, distaccato, antipatico. Non vuole parlare con lei, solo per email posso comunicare! Ma c'è qualcosa che non va in questo progetto. Le attrezzature non arrivano. I giorni passano e la situazione di Bee é sempre più precaria; il suo capo misogino vuole rispedirla a casa e sostituirla con qualcun altro. Un uomo. Bee non ne pò più ed é sicura che dietro ci sia Levi. Nemmeno lui la vuole li. Eccetto che. Sarà proprio Levi ad essere dalla sua parte. Ad aiutarla. A battersi per lei. Proprio così! Secondo lui non c'è un neuroscienziato migliore di lei. E farà di tutto per non farla andare via. Avete amato Adam? Ecco, perderete la testa per Levi. Ali ha la capacità di scrivere personaggi maschili che ti faccio sciogliere il cuore senza cadere nello smielato e nascondendoli dietro comportamenti apparentemente da stronz*. Perché Levi fa tutto fuorché odiarla. E' tutto il contrario. Nemmeno sapeva che lei pensasse che lui la odiasse, per lui é totalmente inconcepibile come cosa. Soprattutto quando capisce che non é solo una fissa sua ma tutti alla loro scuola di specialistica lo pensavano. Alla Levi le confessa tutto. Cosa viene fuori? E' tutto una serie di incomprensioni, errori, e incapacità da parte sua di gestire determinati sentimenti e situazioni. Io persa per Levi. Poi è un nerd e si cresce un gatto. Totalmente andata, partita. Bee mi ha fatto ridere, e mi ha resa orgogliosa. In un mondo maschilista lei si é fatta valere. Ha creato un movimento. Lotta per il suo posto, meritato. Ma é anche spaventata dai legami e dalle relazioni. Secondo lei tutti vanno via, tutti ti lasciano. Fate un favore a voi stessi e leggetelo non appena uscirà! Fatevi scaldare il cuore da Levi, dalla sua intelligenza, dal suo essere incompreso. Un pò scontroso, decisamente introverso e chiuso ma autoritario (IN TUTTI I CAMPI, non solo sul lavoro). Ridete insieme a Bee, al suo essere tanto intelligente quanto un pò imbranata. Fatevi contagiare dal suo coraggio, dal suo volersi far valere.

Like many, my first brush with Ali Hazelwood was through the wildly popular The Love Hypothesis. Ironically, its very fame made me hesitant; I tend to shy away from the books everyone’s talking about. However, fate, in the form of a thoughtful gift-giver, intervened, and I found myself utterly charmed. So much so that the moment I had the chance, I eagerly snatched up Love on the Brain and let me tell you, Ali Hazelwood has officially earned a spot on my “auto-buy” author list – plot be damned, I trust her. While “The Love Hypothesis” thoroughly entertained me with its blend of sharp wit and surprisingly deep themes (all wrapped in classic rom-com tropes), Love on the Brain felt like a step up in maturity, both in its narrative and writing style. Fear not, fellow STEM enthusiasts, we are still firmly planted in the world of science! Our protagonist, Dr. Bee Königswasser, is an unforgettable character. With her vibrant hair and an endearingly quirky life philosophy – “What would Marie Curie do?” – she’s a breath of fresh air. This very mantra even fuels her engaging social media presence, connecting her with colleagues across the globe and offering glimpses into their diverse experiences within STEM fields. Hazelwood deftly uses Bee‘s journey to shed light on the persistent gender imbalances within STEM. Sadly, these environments often remain male-dominated, leaving women facing sexism and unequal opportunities. However, “Love on the Brain” transcends mere denunciation. Through Bee’s character, the author beautifully emphasizes the vital importance of female solidarity. Bee’s unwavering support for the women in her life, particularly her brilliant assistant Rocío and her equally sharp twin sister Reike, is a heartwarming thread woven throughout the narrative. One fascinating detail was Bee’s international background, her journey across various nations before settling down to pursue her academic and professional aspirations. This biographical tidbit echoed the author’s own global experiences, having lived in Italy, Japan, and the United States – a connection that adds another layer of appreciation for Hazelwood’s writing. Then there’s Dr. Levi Ward. Initially perceived by Bee as her cold and uncooperative archenemy from their university days (fueled by his apparent reluctance to collaborate or even acknowledge her presence), Levi gradually reveals himself to be the epitome of a “walking green flag.” In an environment seemingly working against Bee’s groundbreaking neuroengineering project at NASA, Levi emerges as her quiet champion, offering crucial behind-the-scenes support and advocating for her work without seeking recognition. Bee’s negative initial impressions, born from Levi’s reserved nature, slowly crumble as his genuine character shines through. It’s refreshing to witness a confident female lead like Bee navigate professional hurdles while grappling with personal vulnerabilities. Equally compelling is Levi, a man at the pinnacle of his career who still experiences relatable insecurities in everyday situations. This nuanced portrayal of both characters adds depth and authenticity to their relationship. Even if steamy scenes aren’t your cup of tea, the tender and heartfelt development of Bee and Levi’s romance is truly captivating. The storytelling itself is captivating, seamlessly weaving the intricacies of NASA and neuroscience into the narrative. Even for someone with zero background in these fields like myself, the concepts are presented in an accessible and engaging manner. The unexpected addition of a kitten roaming the NASA offices injects a delightful touch of levity. While some might draw parallels between “Love on the Brain” and “The Love Hypothesis”, I found them to be distinct and equally enjoyable in their own right. In conclusion, Love on the Brain is more than just a charming STEM romance; it’s a smart, witty, and insightful exploration of ambition, prejudice, and the unexpected connections that can blossom in the most unlikely of circumstances. If you’re looking for a book that will make you laugh, swoon, and maybe even learn a little about neuroscience along the way, then look no further. Ali Hazelwood has done it again, solidifying her place as a must-read author in the contemporary romance landscape!

My girlfriend loves this book.