A review by jillianelis_
Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

After a hiatus from romance novels, I’m glad I picked up this one to bring me back into it. Bee was an absolutely delightful protagonist (even if it felt like Marie Curie was her whole personality at times), and many of the situations referenced on @WWMD are things my partner is currently dealing with in STEM higher education/academia. In addition, my partner’s research focuses on TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) and I actually have a much better understanding of it now that I’ve read this book (weird, right?).

I found Bee and Levi as individuals, and as a couple, to be far more developed than Adam and Olive (and Levi didn’t put Bee’s entire boob in his mouth at any point - those of you who’ve read The Love Hypothesis, IYKYK). Their banter and eventual romance felt more grown up, to a certain extent.

My only qualm?

The big reveal at the end. From the start, Guy was very much giving “Tom Benton, but in a different font.” Bad vibes all around. What happened with him and Bee and how it was executed made him seem like a cartoonish Bond villain.

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Anyway, another solid release from Ali Hazelwood, and just the right reintroduction to the romance genre after some time away.