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0701mango's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
I really liked the leads' dynamic in this book, and I appreciate the science of it as a student of science myself. However, I found it harder to like Bee, the heroine, compared to some of Ali Hazelwood's other heroines like Olive from The Love Hypothesis and Mara from the novella Under One Roof. That being said, I found Levi, the hero, very attractive and highly appealing as a romantic interest. He was strong and secure, and I find good leadership to be attractive. The order of events in the romantic plot was not for me. Nor were some of the plot points themselves of the romantic plot. For one, I really hate the misunderstandings/miscommunication trope, and that was pretty central for a lot of the book. I include Bee and Levi not knowing they're Twitter friends in the components of this trope. I don't mind that they had sex before getting together, but this back and forth of will Bee let herself be in love or not was not for me. I generally don't like when the romantic resolution happens on the very last page, but I thought it worked better in The Love Hypothesis than in this book. In the last third or quarter of the book, everything felt like too much of a rollercoaster for my taste.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Misogyny, Car accident, and Death of parent
Minor: Gun violence and Murder
The main character, Bee, is an orphan whose parents passed away in a vehicle accident. She has attachment issues stemming largely from moving around a lot as a child and her ex-fiance cheating on her with her best friend. Bee's love interest, Levi, has a disinterested, rude, and unsupportive family. The sexual content in this book is explicitly written and somewhat frequent.nicksalex's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Misogyny, and Death of parent
litlifeguide's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Animal death
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was one of my most anticipated releases of the year because I read "The Love Hypothesis" last year and loved it. I am a sucker for a nerdy romcom that takes place in higher education. I was really into this book until the end, which kind of ruined it for me.
"Love on the Brain" follows Bee, a young woman who has been struggling to make a name for herself in her academic field, neuroengineering. When she gets offered her dream job to work with NASA she is elated...until she finds out her co lead is Levi, a man who has hated her since grad school, seemingly for no reason. Bee relocates to Texas to start her new job and is frustrated not only to see that Levi is the same guy, but that she still has to deal with the sexist politics she has always had to face. Can Bee succeed with her project and finally prove to everyone that women are just as capable as men, and can her and Levi resolve their differences?
I think it is pretty obvious that this story centralizes as a love story between Bee and Levi. I am normally not a big fan of enemies to lovers, but their story overall did work for me. I loved seeing their love story, and I really enjoyed that they already had a past together, so it kind of felt like a second chance romance. I did think Bee was incredibly annoying at times. I understand an empathize that she is going through a difficult time and trying to heal from her past trainwreck of a relationship, but she is entirely convinced that Levi is the enemy and will not even give him a chance. I also understand that woman, especially in the science fields, have to work twice as hard because of their sexist male counterparts, and I love to see Ali Hazelwood's characters kickass and show how smart and capable they are, but I am getting a little bored that all of her characters seem to have the same jaded outlook. I would love to see her write a woman character who is a little less jaded by the struggles woman face. Again, I get it, and it sucks that we still live in a world where women are seen as inferior, just from a fictional standpoint, I would love to see a variety.
The ending of this book is CRAZY. The story takes a dramatic, Hollywood -like turn and becomes a high action, higher stakes adventure for a hot second, which I did not see coming. This is where the story lost me. I did not need that intense scene, and it seemed way too over the time to be plausible.
I will definitely read from Ali Hazelwood again, but I do hope she writes a different story in the future!
"Love on the Brain" follows Bee, a young woman who has been struggling to make a name for herself in her academic field, neuroengineering. When she gets offered her dream job to work with NASA she is elated...until she finds out her co lead is Levi, a man who has hated her since grad school, seemingly for no reason. Bee relocates to Texas to start her new job and is frustrated not only to see that Levi is the same guy, but that she still has to deal with the sexist politics she has always had to face. Can Bee succeed with her project and finally prove to everyone that women are just as capable as men, and can her and Levi resolve their differences?
I think it is pretty obvious that this story centralizes as a love story between Bee and Levi. I am normally not a big fan of enemies to lovers, but their story overall did work for me. I loved seeing their love story, and I really enjoyed that they already had a past together, so it kind of felt like a second chance romance. I did think Bee was incredibly annoying at times. I understand an empathize that she is going through a difficult time and trying to heal from her past trainwreck of a relationship, but she is entirely convinced that Levi is the enemy and will not even give him a chance. I also understand that woman, especially in the science fields, have to work twice as hard because of their sexist male counterparts, and I love to see Ali Hazelwood's characters kickass and show how smart and capable they are, but I am getting a little bored that all of her characters seem to have the same jaded outlook. I would love to see her write a woman character who is a little less jaded by the struggles woman face. Again, I get it, and it sucks that we still live in a world where women are seen as inferior, just from a fictional standpoint, I would love to see a variety.
The ending of this book is CRAZY. The story takes a dramatic, Hollywood -like turn and becomes a high action, higher stakes adventure for a hot second, which I did not see coming. This is where the story lost me. I did not need that intense scene, and it seemed way too over the time to be plausible.
I will definitely read from Ali Hazelwood again, but I do hope she writes a different story in the future!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Death and Death of parent
lucygraham_27's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, and Death of parent
ardentlyandi's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I was so excited to read this after reading TLH when it came out but almost immediately, I was a little disappointed with this book. From the jump, you pretty much have an idea where it’s going. Shmac being Levi is blatantly obvious from the first time he’s introduced. I feel like everything was very predictable. I love the grumpy/sunshine trope but the misunderstanding trope is so obvious from the beginning. I don’t really understand how Bee is a neuroscientist but also can’t realize that Levi very obviously likes her or at the very least doesn’t hate her. Overall, I was just disappointed. Especially towards the end, things took a weird, random turn that I don’t think would be expected from a lighthearted romance book. Unexpected can be good, but I don’t think it made sense here. It went from super predictable to something so out of left field that you wouldn’t really ever see coming. On the other hand, I did enjoy the women in STEM aspects, discussions about the inequality facing groups of people who aren’t cis, white, straight men and I did enjoy Levi’s character for the most part and some of the supporting characters. I do love Ali Hazelwood’s writing style so I look forward to her next book, I’m just hoping for something a little less predictable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Gun violence and Misogyny
Minor: Animal death, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
kenzieb8's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
northernbooknerd's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
My Thoughts
Once again Ali Hazelwood has my nerdy heart singing! Love on the Brain is a quirky, light hearted academic rivals turned co-workers romance set in a NASA research centre and I absolutely LOVED it.
Well written, well paced, and funny. I lost track of how many times this book had me smiling or laughing out loud, and books that do this make me absolutely giddy!
Review
What I liked:
Can I say everything? 🤓
For starters I really appreciated the under arching theme of women in STEM and the struggles they go through on a daily basis. As a women who works in STEM this is something I’ve been passionate about ever since college and seeing it discussed in a book gets me fired up. Another important topic that was discussed throughout the book is standardized testing in academics and how it is outdated, ableist, and favours the privileged.
The story contained lovable characters, with lots of cute witty banter. Bee was refreshingly smart, determined, quirky and relatable in the way that her fears and insecurities often plagued her. Levi was as swoon worthy as any love interest, but what really set him apart for me his ally-ship towards women in STEM. The side characters were far more interesting to me than those in TLH, and I would love to see a novella following Rocio (Bee’s RA)!
The setting is easily my favourite out of all contemporary romance books I’ve read, but as a nerd who’s been in love with astronomy for longer than I can even remember, I may be bias in this instance.
What I disliked:
I genuinely can't think of anything I disliked about this book, I enjoyed every moment while reading it. Oh wait, I can think of one thing... why did they have to hate on Nickelback? 🥲 (Just kidding. Well kind of. I do love that band, but would never fault people who don't. That's the beauty of opinions.)
Final Thoughts
If you liked The Love Hypothesis I think you will enjoy this as it follows a very similar format. I had a great time reading this and would highly recommend it if you are a contemporary romance reader who's a little (or a lot) nerdy.
Format: Physical book 📖
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Writing: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🔥🔥
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Who would like this? Anyone who is looking for a fun lighthearted romance with great women in STEM representation.
Quotes
Once again Ali Hazelwood has my nerdy heart singing! Love on the Brain is a quirky, light hearted academic rivals turned co-workers romance set in a NASA research centre and I absolutely LOVED it.
Well written, well paced, and funny. I lost track of how many times this book had me smiling or laughing out loud, and books that do this make me absolutely giddy!
Review
What I liked:
Can I say everything? 🤓
For starters I really appreciated the under arching theme of women in STEM and the struggles they go through on a daily basis. As a women who works in STEM this is something I’ve been passionate about ever since college and seeing it discussed in a book gets me fired up. Another important topic that was discussed throughout the book is standardized testing in academics and how it is outdated, ableist, and favours the privileged.
The story contained lovable characters, with lots of cute witty banter. Bee was refreshingly smart, determined, quirky and relatable in the way that her fears and insecurities often plagued her. Levi was as swoon worthy as any love interest, but what really set him apart for me his ally-ship towards women in STEM. The side characters were far more interesting to me than those in TLH, and I would love to see a novella following Rocio (Bee’s RA)!
The setting is easily my favourite out of all contemporary romance books I’ve read, but as a nerd who’s been in love with astronomy for longer than I can even remember, I may be bias in this instance.
What I disliked:
I genuinely can't think of anything I disliked about this book, I enjoyed every moment while reading it. Oh wait, I can think of one thing... why did they have to hate on Nickelback? 🥲 (Just kidding. Well kind of. I do love that band, but would never fault people who don't. That's the beauty of opinions.)
Final Thoughts
If you liked The Love Hypothesis I think you will enjoy this as it follows a very similar format. I had a great time reading this and would highly recommend it if you are a contemporary romance reader who's a little (or a lot) nerdy.
Format: Physical book 📖
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Writing: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🔥🔥
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Who would like this? Anyone who is looking for a fun lighthearted romance with great women in STEM representation.
Quotes
Do you know what’s reliable instead? What never, ever abandoned Dr. Curie in all her years? Her curiosity. Her discoveries. Her accomplishments. Science. Science is where it’s at. - page 2
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a community of women trying to mind their own business must be in want of a random man’s opinion. - page 22
Were only humans. We’re full of "whys," drowning in "whys." Every once in a while, we need a bit of "because," and if it's not readily available, we make it up. - page 290
Triggers
** This list is not extensive**
Tropes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Sexual content
Moderate: Gun violence, Misogyny, and Death of parent
bedtimesandbooks's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Gun violence
ecravens's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Death of parent