Love on the Brain

Written by Ali Hazelwood

Narrated by Brooke Bloomingdale

An Instant New York Times Bestseller

A #1 LibraryReads and Indie Next Pick!

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis comes a new STEMinist rom-com in which a scientist is forced to work on a project with her nemesis—with explosive results.

Like an avenging, purple-haired Jedi bringing balance to the mansplained universe, 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.
 
Sure, Levi is attractive in a tall, dark, and piercing-eyes kind of way. And sure, he caught her in his powerfully corded arms like a romance novel hero when she accidentally damseled in distress on her first day in the lab. But Levi made his feelings toward Bee very clear in grad school—archenemies work best employed in their own galaxies far, far away.
 
Now, her equipment is missing, the staff is ignoring her, and Bee finds her floundering career in somewhat of a pickle. 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. And the possibilities have all her neurons firing. But when it comes time to actually make a move and put her heart on the line, there’s only one question that matters: What will Bee Königswasser do?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin Audio
• Release date: Aug 23, 2022
• ISBN: 9780593591109

Ali Hazelwood

Ali Hazelwood is the New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author of multiple romance novels, as well as a writer of peer-reviewed articles about brain science, in which no one makes out and the ever after is not always happy. Originally from Italy, she lived in Germany and Japan before moving to the US to pursue a PhD in neuroscience. She recently became a professor, which absolutely terrifies her. When Ali is not at work, she can be found running, eating cake pops, or watching sci-fi movies with her three feline overlords (and her slightly-less-feline husband).

Reviews for Love on the Brain

[ecataldi-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I didn't know that romcoms in academia would be so fin - but I love Ali Hazelwood and I love reading about smart women. Love on the Brain is such a sweet enemies to lovers romance about two misunderstood scientists who have more in common then they imagine. It may have been a little predictable, but the banter was amazing, the slow burn was fantastic, and the ending was more than satisfying., I have got to read the rest of Ali Hazelwood's backlist!

[smashbasile · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Really like this! I don't often give a romance 5 stars, but I think this one is deserving. This is the second Ali Hazelwood book I've devoured (after The Love Hypothesis) and it's safe to say I'm a fan (it's more than a crush now).

The characters are pleasantly quirky. Their backstory issues are solid, but not overly traumatic (well, I suppose it was touch-and-go there near the end). There was deceit and action! There was good sex! There was intrigue! There was fainting - a lot of it. And, of course... a HEA.

[littlel-2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Sweet, horny and very very nerdy. So good.

[jennifer032 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What can I say? I liked it a lot, after being disappointed by the book "Novia," not because it was bad, but more due to personal taste, this one seemed really good to me. Ali Hazelwood rarely disappoints. If I had to find something negative, there are certain chapters that talk too much about not-so-relevant things, but it's easy and quick to read. Another thing I liked a lot is that there aren't so many clichés; even though it's different from her usual style, it's a good book. (Translated from Spanish)

[samnreader · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This one may have been more successful for me? I had zero expectations and though I had a lot of irritation while reading it, in the end, it was just breezy and fun?

Nothing too deep here or in the book but that suited me today.

[jthierer_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was fine, I guess, but I really don't think I'll read another by Ali Hazelwood any time soon, if ever. As other reviewers have pointed out this is essentially a rewrite of "The Love Hypothesis," which I also thought was just fine. I'll wait for a book that treads new ground before I revisit this author.

[wyvernfriend · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Yes, in reality a guy who walks out of rooms you're in because he's embarrassed about his feelings for you and refuses to do projects with you, giving the impression that he thinks you're a waste of time and space would be deeply irritating and deserves that he is called out regularly, but thankfully he learns. Still the comments about the sexism in science are probably all things women have experienced in STEM (and still do for a lot of the time). Honestly for me, more grovelling would have been good but he got there in the end. Silly fun romance with a lot of science.

[sedodge-608996 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

uhhhhh Yeah. Ali Hazelwood is an icon. A legend. She is the moment for all women in STEM. She writes with such relatable wit, and i want about 800 more books from her please!

[mickyfine · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Dr. Bee Konigswasser is delighted when her application to run a project at NASA is accepted, where she'll use her neuroscience background to help design a helmet that will help astronauts focus better. Her delight dims slightly when she learns that her engineering co-lead is Levi Ward who has hated her since they met in grad school. However, as she and Levi work closely on the helmet, she'll discover all is not as it seems both with the project and with her and Levi.

I was thoroughly delighted by this contemporary romance from Ali Hazelwood. Again she brings life to the world of women in STEM while crafting a really steamy romance. Bee and Levi's romance is charming and full of plenty of good banter. The plotline about Bee's career in science is also super compelling. Recommended for romance readers.

[mktoronto · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I was skeptical after all the novellas were the same story, but thankfully this was the best thing she's written. The hero still looks like Adam Driver (seriously, move on from Reylo already!) but at least he had depth and cared about people. Our heroine had her own issues and a penchant for having things happen to her but she cared about her science and making things better for women who do it. For 80% of the book I saw all the plot coming but didn't see the true villain coming and the ending wasn't completely predictable. And unlike the first book, there isn't a skeevy power dynamic going on. I do like her breezy style of writing and I loved the supporting cast. It was worth my time.

[foggidawn · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When Bee gets her dream position as head neuroscientist on a project at NASA, she's literally jumping for joy, until she learns that her co-lead is Levi Ward, her nemesis since grad school. He hates her, and he's going to make this project a nightmare, she knows. When she arrives and none of her equipment is in place and her office hasn't been set up, her suspicions seem to have been confirmed. But does he really hate her? And is he really the one causing delays in the project? Or is there more going on than meets the eye?

This was a solidly fun romance read, with some steamy bits, but not enough to overpower the story. There's a "You've Got Mail" subplot, and also some Glenda/Elphaba bits involving some secondary characters. Perhaps the fact that so many pieces of the plot reminded me of other things was the reason that I didn't feel that this was as strong a book as The Love Hypothesis, Hazelwood's other novel that I've read. It's still a good book, don't get me wrong, and very enjoyable for romance fans. There's cool neuroscience stuff, a lot of Marie Curie love, and some serious shade cast on standardized testing. A fun light read.

[herenya_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Bee, a neuroscientist, is working on a project at NASA, and her co-lead is a guy who notoriously ignored her back in grad school. Bee is convinced that Levi hates her still -- it’d explain the missing equipment, delays and unanswered emails.

I was expecting this to be much more reminiscent of You’ve Got Mail, because Bee anonymously runs a Twitter account @WhatWhatMarieDo and it’s fairly obvious to the reader who her Twitter buddy @Schmacademics must be in IRL. However the romance unfolds in its own way and, while I love courtship through correspondence, that allows Bee and Levi to avoid the potential problems of that sort of situation.

Bee’s Twitter account is still plot-relevant. It also allows her to share her passion for women in STEM in general and Marie Curie in particular, and for @Schmacademics to share his feelings about his new colleague.

I enjoyed this a lot. (Not as much as The Love Hypothesis, if we’re making comparisons, but I also wasn’t expecting that.) As I said before, I like how Hazelwood writes about couples who accept and support each other, mistakes, insecurities, messy emotions and all.

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. I’ve long learned that engaging with basement-dwelling stemlords who come online looking for a fight is never a good idea—the last thing I want is to provide free entertainment for their fragile egos. If they want to blow off some steam, they can buy a gym membership or play third-person-shooter video games. Like normal people.

[terran_9 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a fun read, starring a smart female scientist. There were humorous characters and relationships and I just enjoyed the whole thing.

[ftbooklover · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Marie Curie devotee, Bee Konigswasser, has finally landed her dream job at NASA helping to design and implement a neuroengineering project, but everything sours when she hears that she will be working with her grad school nemesis, Levi Ward. Bee knows that Levi hates her, and that knowledge is reinforced when it seems as though he is trying to sabotage her part of their project, making her attraction to him more than a little inconvenient. However, when it becomes clear that other forces are at work, Bee discovers that Levi might be more of an ally than she ever could have hoped.

Love on the Brain is a fun rom-com set in the world of STEM. All of the characters in the story are bright, intelligent people, especially the leads whose quirky personalities are well developed, but are at times, annoying, making them difficult to like, particularly at the beginning of the story. Supporting characters are less developed, but add depth and layers to the plot. While the ending is a little far-fetched, and somewhat predictable, most of the story is entertaining. Overall, Love on the Brain is another successful addition to Ali Hazelwood's growing list of titles.

[smorton11 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A solid 3.5 that I had is a three here for how long it took me to get into the story.

[literaryleftovers · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Love on the Brain is a glittering romp, embracing ador and academia in equal measure. Science turns sexy in Hazelwood’s second novel, flipping old cliches upside down and putting a modern twist on the adages of romance. When neuroscientist Bee Konigswasser lands her dream job only to learn that she will be co-leading the project with her grad-school nemesis Levi Ward, she has no choice but to thrust their history aside to focus on the biggest assignment of her life. Unfortunately, the past doesn't like to stay buried, and soon secrets begin spilling out. Determined to not be a damsel in distress, Bee struggles to accept Levi’s help when sabotage suddenly begins affecting their work. Soon, the former archenemies are in the technological race of their lives, where they start to see that working together will be the only path to success. A spicy liaison woven artfully with social commentary on the politics of science, this novel is a love letter to STEM, classic Hollywood romance, and to anyone who has ever raised the question, “What would Marie Curie do?”

[kingrat_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

3 hours into the audiobook and the MC and LI both still refuse to use their words. MC thinks LI hates her and despises her. MC overhears conversation where LI tells someone else that MC is great at her job and deserves support. MC has conversation with LI about this, but then stamps off for the umpteenth time without listening to LI. LI does not tell MC what's going on for like 8 conversations, doesn't follow up on missed communications, and is confused when his good intentions aren't given credit.

I can't. This is young adult behavior from people wearing adult clothes. DNF.

[stevelindahl · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Love on the brain is silly at times but if you're looking for a light, fun read, it will do. The main character, Bee Königswasser, is a neuroscientist who also seems to be a space case. That term is appropriate, I suppose, since she is assigned to co-lead a NASA project with Levi Ward, an engineer. Levi is someone she believes hated her when they knew each other in college. She is always getting into situations requiring help from Levi and regrets each time he saves her.

"Lust" on the brain would be a more accurate title for the book since the story is about two people who find each other very attractive but have a difficult time communicating. The book has some graphic sex scenes but lacks the small things that lead to love. Still, the mishaps the characters get into are fun.

[sdbookhound · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It took me a while to get through this book, not because I wasn't enjoying it, but rather due to how busy I've been and the lack of time to read. It made it necessary for me to go back and re-read some sections. I'm glad I took the time to do this because I caught a lot of little things that made the book more enjoyable for me. Bee's humor was sometimes easier to catch on the second read. She is quite the character who when orphaned at a young age spent time living with relatives in many different countries. This left her longing for stability. She thought she had that with her fiancé, but he disappointed her and broke her heart. The other main character and love interest, Levi, had been pining for Bee for years and years and she didn't know it. In fact, she thought he hated everything about her. Fast forward several years and Bee and Levi are working together on a very important project at NASA. Things get sticky as they attempt to work together.

It was fun to watch this story unfold. I can't say that it wasn't predictable, because it was, but that didn't bother me. It just made me want to keep reading to get the point where both Bee and Levi are finally on the same page. I enjoyed this and am looking forward to Ali Hazelwood's next book.

[okies-600424 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such an easy read I finished it in a night. Ali Hazelwood is a natural with romantic comedy and i love her settings in academia. This one wasn't quite as good as The Love Hypothesis but close.

I haven't heard the expression "STEMinist rom-com" but that's exactly what this is- both Levi and Bee work for NASA. They first met as post-graduates.az

[madison_fairbanks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood
Romcom. Contemporary. Second chance troupe.
Bee is hired by NASA, her dream employer. But she doesn’t expect her old nemesis Levi as her supervisor and he doesn’t seem to want her to succeed.

Entertaining and smart. STEM geekiness and love. A winning combination.

[cicidean-346788 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I was really looking forward to this next book about strong, smart women in STEM but Dr. Bee Konigswasser was such a disappointment to me. She’s whiny, meak, let’s everyone push her around, lacks confidence, and let’s others fight her battles for her. I had absolutely no respect for her and I kept reading hoping at some point I’d feel differently about her.

[narshkite · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So yeah. This read yielded a smiley goopy happy me. As with The Love Hypothesis and the intervening novellas Hazelwood released, our stars, Bee and Levi are kickass STEMinists (I loved them even though they are vegan and realllllly love cats.) There are great side characters including a wonderful chosen family and jerky co-workers, and people who are forgiven for making mistakes. The love story here is so good, so romantic. And this is sexier than the books that came before, very sexy indeed. Ali Hazelwood knows exactly how to make me swoon. I am so glad I jumped on this as soon as it was released (well it came out the same day as the new Sarah MacLean, so there was a delay in me getting started, but I think I am still within a week of publication.) Hooray for science, hooray for brilliant and strong women in STEM, hooray for 6'4" and 5'2" feminist NASA team leaders, hooray for found family, hooray for cozy homes, and hooray for great sex. The Texas setting was problematic, but it is NASA so it was there, Alabama, or Florida so I have to accept that. I am a satisfied customer!