Love on the Brain

No sophomore slump here! Love on the Brain is as deliciously swoony and addictive as The Love Hypothesis, with characters who are equally compelling. I devoured it in one sitting and LOVED it the whole way through. It's quirky and science-filled, with a relationship that's layered and nuanced. I loved trying to figure out our hero's thoughts and feelings, and I loved that it has a similar vibe to The Love Hypothesis (both standalones) while also feeling distinct and original. This heroine takes the quirkiness up a level, and there's also a LOT of scientific fun to go along with the romance. And it is definitely a romance. Told exclusively from the heroine's point of view, one of my favorite parts was intensely analyzing the hero's every thought and action. I kinda felt like a love detective, puzzling out his feelings every step of the way. Both characters are exceedingly likable, even when I was frustrated with the heroine's cluelessness - or reluctance? - at times. It held my attention with ease, and is without a doubt one of my favorite books of the year.The story follows Bee, a neuroscientist whose last relationship almost tanked her career before it even started. The bright, bubbly woman is now a little more closed off, though she's incredibly excited about the career opportunity that has come her way. The temporary assignment is the kind of project that could change her entire career trajectory, and Bee can't wait to get started... until she discovers who her co-lead on the project will be. Bee met Levi back in grad school, and his attitude couldn't have made it clearer how much he despised her. She hasn't forgotten about her grad school nemesis in the years since, and seeing him again makes all of those old feelings come rushing back. Her hatred and resentment towards him, of course. As the two start work together, their old issues rise to the surface, and it doesn't take long to realize that their project won't be successful if they can't get along.Bee is quite the character, and she makes this story feel even more vibrant than anticipated. It felt like everything was turned up a notch - the personality, the science, the chemistry, the pop culture references. Oh, and the HEAT! This is steamier than The Love Hypothesis, but it's still got the slow burn goodness that I was hoping for. Bee and Levi are FANTASTIC together, and it was easy to see all of the ways they're perfect for each other... even if Bee is oblivious. The whole book is low angst but friction-filled, with enemies to lovers vibes and tons of sexual tension. It really felt like a rom com, and the tone is upbeat throughout. I loved Bee and Levi's rich history, how they are in so much of the book together, and how everything just felt so unique. I loved the whole thing, let's be honest here. This exceeded my (very high) expectations, and made for one incredibly memorable read.

Dr. Bee Konigswasser is a neuroscientist. She loves the brain but hates working for NIH under her male boss who doesn’t appreciate her or understand that she is so much smarter than he is. So when she gets offered a contract job at NASA, she is beyond thrilled. And then she finds out that her college nemesis Dr. Levi Ward will be her co-lead and is devastated but decides to grin and bear it. As long as they can behave like professionals, this could be the career boost she’s been hoping for.This book was really cute. Bee is incredibly smart, witty and makes lots of puns. She loves science, Marie Curie and cats, even though she hates the fact that science is still so male dominated. But she is going to keep working and with an unexpected ally in Dr. Ward, she is really kicking butt with this project. But of course all is fair in love and war and things end up going off the rails.I enjoyed this one. It was funny, it was steamy and it was interesting. I do know a little bit about the brain, but it was fun to learn more. And this book also points out how stupid standardized testing is at predicting future academic outcomes which was something I didn’t really know about. It’s a great vacation read and I’d recommend it!

Ali Hazelwood writes some of the best books I have ever read. I always learn so much about subjects I have never had an aptitude for but find very interesting. Her characters are a delight, there is laughing, sadness, romance and some spice. Perfect!

I wanted to love this book. I really did. It has all the elements to make it a great read: Fantastic writing skill by the author, a quirky heroine in a unique (to romance novels at least) career field, insight into true-to-life obstacles female scientists have to navigate every day, and a pining hero who thinks the heroine is a goddess (Who wouldn't want that?). The problem is that all these fresh ingredients, which have been thrown together and should develop into a tasty and nourishing read, have been cooked in an old, dirty pot and stirred by an equally dirty spoon. By this, I mean the author using the same tired crutch of misunderstandings-that-could-be-cleared-up-with-a-simple-conversation to further her plot along. Then, she compounds the problem by adding the surprise-villain-is-just-crazy-because-reasons as the "twist." SIGH. It's just lazy plotting, and I expect better from a traditionally-published author charging me over $10 for a Kindle version of her novel.I like Bee, I love Levi, and I want to love their relationship. But how can I when I get to see so little of it? Them arguing? Check. Conversations that abruptly end and/or are interrupted (in a contrived manner) before any resolution happens? Check. Sex scenes? Check. (NOTE: I am not complaining about those.) Lots of dialogue about a cat's anal glands? Check.What I didn't get was them having actual conversations with each other. Then, even after the third act is over and the big reveal is made? I still don't get it. There is no real resolution. Why? No clue. Between this and the lack of surprise over any of the "misunderstandings" in the first place, it left me skimming where I should have been savoring chapters.If this were just one book where this happened, I would let it go. But these are issues this author has a lot. I only beg her to stop or this will be the last book I buy and/or read of hers. I need surprises, twists, and real resolution. I need a heroine who doesn't build herself up as a badass who then runs away bawling at the first sign of an issue. How am I supposed to believe that this is a woman who has survived academia? How am I supposed to cheer for her when she both ridicules the idea of a man having to fight for her (to get respect) and then later literally demands a man fight the battle so she can go home and cry? Huh? I understand she thought it was her fault, but you don't just run home crying. There IS crying in academia, but only after you've exhausted every other avenue first. Women in STEM don't have time for the nervous breakdowns they are owed. They fight. They persevere. They find another way to achieve their goal. This is what pioneers like Marie Curie did.I just wish I could say the same for Bee.

So I used to say I don't read romance (now untrue), now I can't even say I don't read contemporary romance. I loved this book. I loved the story and the cuteness. So much intelligent fun, I really like smart jokes, kinda gave me Big Bamg Theory vibes. I liked the enemies (but not really you know how it goes) to lovers. I liked how it took a while, they are friends first. Sometimes the spice overtakes the plot but not here. The plot was really good too.

Vi gente falando que não gostou desse, mas não sei qual é o problema dessa gente, eu achei ótimo esse livro, gostei até mais do que a Hipótese do Amor da mesma autora (que por sinal é muito bom também)! Eu adorei os protagonistas, mesmo a protagonista sendo toda traumatizada e sem noção (com razão!) a história tem um desenrolar muito envolvente e fácil de acompanhar e dar risadas! Adorei

Un gran libro que leer si terminaste el de la hipotesis del amor! Me encanto el protagonista y pude leer la historia rapida y felizmente. Lo recomiendo.

Cute, funny, sexy and with some action / mystery. One of her best books. Highly recommended. I am in love!

Muy en la dinámica de la autora. Es entretenido y se lee rápido.