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A review by koistyfishy
Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
3 Imaginary Cat Stars ⭐
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️/5
Ummmm being a woman in STEM ... I am offended.
Now, don't get me wrong — I deliberated on this internally for a while, and I believe there's a Catch-22 tied to this issue. So, I'm not sure if there was a way to avoid offending some people.
This is my first Ali Hazelwood and overall, I can't say I'm impressed. I didn't hate the book, nor did I love it. Without anything to compare it to, I can't say if my issues with the book are inherent to all her STEM novels or if it's just this one.
Now, onto why I say it's a Catch-22: this book can be both praised and criticized for its portrayal of science and people in STEM. On one hand, it's commendable as it initiates a conversation with readers who may not necessarily be familiar with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It makes these subjects accessible to everyone and provides insight into the layers within a research laboratory. Some may even argue that this book could serve as a positive influence in inspiring women and girls to pursue careers in the STEM field.
However, on the other hand, the overly stereotyped characters in this book completely undermine all the good it was trying to achieve. I do not believe one woman was NOT either overly quirky, awkward or had some unusual characteristic about her or they are absolute perfect snowflakes. Bee (who is named after a Bee, Buzz Buzz, has an unhealthy obsession with veganism and Marie Curie and is obviously "not like the other girls" as she has a septum piercing and purple hair).
My main issue with her character is that Ali Hazelwood gave her this annoying habit of thought vomit in her internal monologue, trying too hard to be funny by throwing random cliché references or puns about cocks and hoping that something might stick with the reader. Bee felt immature, childish, and seriously like she had just finished high school and was not almost thirty.
Then we have the portrayal that NO MAN IN STEM (besides apparently Levi Ward) is not a misogynistic Neanderthal who believes a woman's place is in the kitchen and not in a laboratory. Every single man in this book except Levi objectifies women, has something against women or women in STEM or just Bee. I don't know, but this stereotype of what men are like in the STEM field is entirely incorrect. While some aspects are true and historically STEM is mostly male-dominated, the constant reinforcement of "this is actually what they are like in STEM" is appalling and annoying.
Levi Ward? There's not much to say about the man as mostly he just grunts or speaks in one-liners, and we are told he had issues but is over them now. And the fact that he's been in love with Bee since seeing her the first time (talk about a little worrisome) — I just have no read on the guy! Good for him; he is perfect for Bee. I did dislike that their entire relationship was built on miscommunication or lack of communication though.
Overall, nothing in this book from a romance side stood out — it wasn't groundbreaking, novel, or worth a Nobel Prize in discovery. I am most likely going to forget about it. In the end, it wasn't bad, but it wasn't amazing... just meh.
Trope Summary:
▶ Enemies to Lovers
▶ STEM Setting
▶ Secret Pen Pals
▶ He is SOOOO BIG and she is so smol
▶ Workplace Romance
▶ Grumpy X Sunshine
▶ Cats
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️/5
Ummmm being a woman in STEM ... I am offended.
Now, don't get me wrong — I deliberated on this internally for a while, and I believe there's a Catch-22 tied to this issue. So, I'm not sure if there was a way to avoid offending some people.
This is my first Ali Hazelwood and overall, I can't say I'm impressed. I didn't hate the book, nor did I love it. Without anything to compare it to, I can't say if my issues with the book are inherent to all her STEM novels or if it's just this one.
Now, onto why I say it's a Catch-22: this book can be both praised and criticized for its portrayal of science and people in STEM. On one hand, it's commendable as it initiates a conversation with readers who may not necessarily be familiar with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It makes these subjects accessible to everyone and provides insight into the layers within a research laboratory. Some may even argue that this book could serve as a positive influence in inspiring women and girls to pursue careers in the STEM field.
However, on the other hand, the overly stereotyped characters in this book completely undermine all the good it was trying to achieve. I do not believe one woman was NOT either overly quirky, awkward or had some unusual characteristic about her or they are absolute perfect snowflakes. Bee (who is named after a Bee, Buzz Buzz, has an unhealthy obsession with veganism and Marie Curie and is obviously "not like the other girls" as she has a septum piercing and purple hair).
My main issue with her character is that Ali Hazelwood gave her this annoying habit of thought vomit in her internal monologue, trying too hard to be funny by throwing random cliché references or puns about cocks and hoping that something might stick with the reader. Bee felt immature, childish, and seriously like she had just finished high school and was not almost thirty.
Then we have the portrayal that NO MAN IN STEM (besides apparently Levi Ward) is not a misogynistic Neanderthal who believes a woman's place is in the kitchen and not in a laboratory. Every single man in this book except Levi objectifies women, has something against women or women in STEM or just Bee. I don't know, but this stereotype of what men are like in the STEM field is entirely incorrect. While some aspects are true and historically STEM is mostly male-dominated, the constant reinforcement of "this is actually what they are like in STEM" is appalling and annoying.
Levi Ward? There's not much to say about the man as mostly he just grunts or speaks in one-liners, and we are told he had issues but is over them now. And the fact that he's been in love with Bee since seeing her the first time (talk about a little worrisome) — I just have no read on the guy! Good for him; he is perfect for Bee. I did dislike that their entire relationship was built on miscommunication or lack of communication though.
Overall, nothing in this book from a romance side stood out — it wasn't groundbreaking, novel, or worth a Nobel Prize in discovery. I am most likely going to forget about it. In the end, it wasn't bad, but it wasn't amazing... just meh.
Trope Summary:
▶ Enemies to Lovers
▶ STEM Setting
▶ Secret Pen Pals
▶ He is SOOOO BIG and she is so smol
▶ Workplace Romance
▶ Grumpy X Sunshine
▶ Cats
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Misogyny, and Sexual content
Moderate: Infidelity, Gun violence, and Death of parent