bookaddiction's review
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
this comment may have spoilers in it -I really like this book the twist at the ending gave me really bad anxiety until the situation was solved but then i did start to enjoy it i do think the ending could've been longer and the epilogue could've been better i like for books to be plot and romance but more romance then anything so if you are like me in that kinda way then you probably won’t enjoy the book all that good you still will like it though just probably not love it the whole book i was waiting for them to get together and then the ending they didn’t really verbally get together bee just showed up to his house and said We in a sentence and that was kinda how they got together then they switched to epilogue and brought it to the 5k race they talked about though the book the ending was rushed and i wished the epilogue would’ve atleast fast fowarded a couple years and showed what they were like and gave some memories they shared over time but that didnt happen it just fast forwarded a couple months but i did enjoy the book i really love Levi and Bee together i jsut wish the author gave a little more memories and time together so i could really really fall inlove with the characters of the book im going to give this book a five star-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️because i still enjoyed it nonetheless
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Injury/injury detail, Cursing, Sexual content, Alcohol, Animal death, Car accident, Death, Violence, Gun violence, Death of parent, and Infidelity
micaelamariem's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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
4.0
loved this book! Took me a while to get into it and for a while I thought The Love Hypothesis was better (and imo they’re completely different) but actually in this one there’s anonymous social media accounts, steminist politics, spice, enemies to lovers, espionage, sabotage, and cats. Everything I love. I do wish the beginning was a bit more exciting and some plot twists weren’t so predictable but it definitely picked up and I’d recommend to romance readers everywhere.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Cursing, Abandonment, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Infidelity, Sexual content, Death, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Violence
nebraskanwriter's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Gun violence, Toxic friendship, Misogyny, Alcohol, Cursing, Death, Gaslighting, Grief, Medical content, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Infidelity
hannibanani29's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexism
Moderate: Animal death, Misogyny, Cursing, Toxic relationship, and Infidelity
Minor: Death of parent, Classism, Suicide, Grief, Death, Alcohol, Gun violence, and Car accident
juliaaaaaa's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-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? It's complicated
3.0
the "im so tiny" and "oh hes so big" is making me sick, i just imagined she was 5'9 because she was giving tall vibes idk.
the plot was soo predictable, i knew from the start levi was whatever username on twitter sne that guy was shady.
the sex scenes were weird, like sjfj "open your mouth" and "good girl" boy what the hell...
i enjoyed the love hipothesis wayy more.
the plot was soo predictable, i knew from the start levi was whatever username on twitter sne that guy was shady.
the sex scenes were weird, like sjfj "open your mouth" and "good girl" boy what the hell...
i enjoyed the love hipothesis wayy more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Death, Infidelity, Sexual content, Misogyny, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
Moderate: Cursing, Gun violence, Alcohol, and Animal death
ottercorg's review
funny
medium-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
Ali’s last book was what got me back into reading for pleasure, so I was very excited for this one to make its debut and to read it. And I enjoyed it a lot! Well written, steamy intimacy, and interesting subject matter. However…it was a little TOO predictable. I’m pretty oblivious; I don’t guess the ending often, or figure out plot twists until they are revealed. But I figured this one out immediately. Which was a bit of a bummer. Thankfully, there was still a wild plot twist that I didn’t consider even once! So…4 stars. Side note - Bee irritated me a lot. Because she’s oblivious, like me. It was excruciating at times. But I’m trying to be sympathetic to her trauma. Trying.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Gun violence, Toxic relationship, and Death
Minor: Death of parent, Medical content, Sexism, and Alcohol
thatswhatshanread's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
First and foremost: Ali Hazelwood knows cute and quirky to a very tall, dark and handsome T. “Love on the Brain” was science + cuteness, encapsulated. You don’t have to know anything about neuroscience or space to understand the workplace romance fleshed out amongst these pages. It’s quite endearing, if a little repetitive. As many have pointed out, the plot and characters are very similar to Ali’s first steminist romcom and one of my personal favorites of all time, “The Love Hypothesis”. Forgive me for comparing them, but it absolutely happened!! I had no control over it!!
I love Levi, and I love Adam. But Olive >>> Bee for sure. Moving on.
For a neuroscientist working on a NASA-funded project, Dr. Bee Königswasser is quite the oblivious Damsel in Distress™ when it comes to her supposed grad school nemesis, Dr. Levi Ward. She is Tiny and Clumsy and Alternative Hair. He is Massive and Closed Off and Beautiful Green Eyes. Levi avoided her in grad school at all costs because He Hated Her So Much And There Is No Other Explanation.
It’s your typical enemies-to-lovers romance, but I appreciated that the “enemies” part didn’t fester long. We all know the “enemies” trope is never that accurate considering at least one party is secretly in love the entire time. In this case, it’s glaringly obvious to everyone except our stubborn MC.
I enjoyed this novel, but it didn’t give me all of the swooning and butterflies that TLH gave me. Which, understandably, is hard to achieve. Still, I think it has long been a dream of mine to score a NASA scientist who named his cat Schrödinger.
Extra points for the extra steam in this one, though 🔥
I love Levi, and I love Adam. But Olive >>> Bee for sure. Moving on.
For a neuroscientist working on a NASA-funded project, Dr. Bee Königswasser is quite the oblivious Damsel in Distress™ when it comes to her supposed grad school nemesis, Dr. Levi Ward. She is Tiny and Clumsy and Alternative Hair. He is Massive and Closed Off and Beautiful Green Eyes. Levi avoided her in grad school at all costs because He Hated Her So Much And There Is No Other Explanation.
It’s your typical enemies-to-lovers romance, but I appreciated that the “enemies” part didn’t fester long. We all know the “enemies” trope is never that accurate considering at least one party is secretly in love the entire time. In this case, it’s glaringly obvious to everyone except our stubborn MC.
I enjoyed this novel, but it didn’t give me all of the swooning and butterflies that TLH gave me. Which, understandably, is hard to achieve. Still, I think it has long been a dream of mine to score a NASA scientist who named his cat Schrödinger.
Extra points for the extra steam in this one, though 🔥
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, Animal cruelty, Chronic illness, Gaslighting, Animal death, Cursing, Death of parent, Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Sexism, Medical content, and Misogyny
Moderate: Abandonment, Stalking, Bullying, Car accident, Injury/injury detail, Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, and Grief
Minor: Gun violence
soniajoy98's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Misogyny, Gun violence, Sexual content, Sexism, Abandonment, and Cursing
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Gaslighting
anastashamarie's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
So here's the thing. Love Hypothesis was a "lightning in a bottle" sort of book to me. It captured every bit of the experience of a woman in academia trying to navigate relationships and imposter syndrome. It made me feel seen and understood. Love on the Brain felt like it was trying to do the same, but unfortunately I didn't find it as successful.
🐝 I liked Bee a lot on the surface. She was written as quirky in a way that I wish more authors would write quirky. I loved all the Marie Curie facts and her love of cats. I loved her tolerance of and appreciation for Rocío's oddities. I loved how her unusual childhood experiences combined into her desire for stability. But for a character who seemed to value independence and confidence in Marie and herself, I hated how much she got in her own way throughout the entire book. (Warning, this is where it gets into rant territory. I have never wanted to shake a fictional character so badly.)
🐝 In Love Hypothesis, I loved Olive's uncertainty in herself and her academic abilities. I thought it was realistic and meaningful and impactful. But Bee's insecurity was turned almost entirely towards a man, who she claimed not to like anyway--insecurity that happened BEFORE her traumatic, failed relationship; that was independent of any need for others to like/accept her (it's not like she talks a lot about wanting other people to like her so it's not really like wanting to be liked was a discernible personality trait overall). Insecurity over relationships in and of itself isn't a bad thing. In fact, it's very relatable, especially to someone like me who greatly values relationships. But she didn't even have a relationship with him at a first, claimed she hated him too! She even speaks of other men in a way that exhibits a bit of misandry (admittedly reactively from the misogyny she has faced). So why did she even care if he didn't like her or not until she got to BLINK and animosity could have been something that would hurt her career? I think that's why I liked the way Olive's characterization so much more...her core conflict wasn't focused on whether or not a man liked her, it was on figuring out how to carve herself a place in a field that didn't seem to want her to fit. There's just so much more interesting about women than some dude's opinion on us.
🐝 Also, for a scientist, Bee is not very good at processing and accepting alternative evidence or new information.
🐝 I'm sorry, but baby Levi just deserves better. Deserves someone who doesn't have the emotional maturity of a teaspoon. Deserves someone who puts in as much effort as he does and actually gives a proportionate amount of well-rounded apologies. He put in the work to do better for himself and his future partners. Tries to show people he cares. I'm not saying that people with trust issues don't deserve those things in a partner. But I am saying it's not your partner's job to fix your trust issues (because, as Bee showed, no amount of anything that anyone else says will help. You have to decide to trust and be vulnerable yourself). I hope epilogue-Bee is that for him.
😒 Also, any time characters go from a deep emotional conversation to immediately boning in just a no for me. He just told you he watched his friend die a horrible death, and you're like "oh, let me sit in his lap. The trauma induced horniness is a constant ick. Process your emotions please and then go at it after if you need to physically express the emotional intimacy you just gained. Your therapist would be disappointed at your avoidance of his discomfort. (I'm sorry, my empathy sensors just can't do that rapid of a switch from devastated to horny.)
🏳️🌈 Another also, the way the author writes queer characters irritates me to no end, in this book and the last. and Hazelwood unintentionally perpetuates the stereotype that bi-presenting folks are just horny and inconsistent. Like why the stereotypes? Are you just trying to be inclusive for the sake of it? I've been stewing on this since the last book, too...idk, maybe I'm just being too sensitive?
🧠 Aside my frustrations, this wasn't a bad book. Predictable, maybe. But cute and still realistic to the academic/#lablife experience. Another adorable "book boyfriend" I just want to hug for being a good human. But everything this book did, Love Hypothesis had already accomplished and accomplished better. If you liked Love Hypothesis, then I still think this is worth the read (I read most of it in one evening because I couldn't put it down). But don't expect anything earth shattering.
🐝 I liked Bee a lot on the surface. She was written as quirky in a way that I wish more authors would write quirky. I loved all the Marie Curie facts and her love of cats. I loved her tolerance of and appreciation for Rocío's oddities. I loved how her unusual childhood experiences combined into her desire for stability. But for a character who seemed to value independence and confidence in Marie and herself, I hated how much she got in her own way throughout the entire book. (Warning, this is where it gets into rant territory. I have never wanted to shake a fictional character so badly.)
🐝 In Love Hypothesis, I loved Olive's uncertainty in herself and her academic abilities. I thought it was realistic and meaningful and impactful. But Bee's insecurity was turned almost entirely towards a man, who she claimed not to like anyway--insecurity that happened BEFORE her traumatic, failed relationship; that was independent of any need for others to like/accept her (it's not like she talks a lot about wanting other people to like her so it's not really like wanting to be liked was a discernible personality trait overall). Insecurity over relationships in and of itself isn't a bad thing. In fact, it's very relatable, especially to someone like me who greatly values relationships. But she didn't even have a relationship with him at a first, claimed she hated him too! She even speaks of other men in a way that exhibits a bit of misandry (admittedly reactively from the misogyny she has faced). So why did she even care if he didn't like her or not until she got to BLINK and animosity could have been something that would hurt her career? I think that's why I liked the way Olive's characterization so much more...her core conflict wasn't focused on whether or not a man liked her, it was on figuring out how to carve herself a place in a field that didn't seem to want her to fit. There's just so much more interesting about women than some dude's opinion on us.
🐝 Also, for a scientist, Bee is not very good at processing and accepting alternative evidence or new information.
Spoiler
Levi both showed and told her that he didn't hate her multiple times. I know she had a traumatic past and that she's felt abandoned and betrayed before but the DENIAL. Girl, no one can help you if you don't help yourself! Maybe starting with therapy again. Her internal monologue of "he's lying, he hates me" nears insufferable toward the end of the book. How many times does the man need to exhibit that he likes you for you to CHILL. Ugh.🐝 I'm sorry, but baby Levi just deserves better. Deserves someone who doesn't have the emotional maturity of a teaspoon. Deserves someone who puts in as much effort as he does and actually gives a proportionate amount of well-rounded apologies. He put in the work to do better for himself and his future partners. Tries to show people he cares. I'm not saying that people with trust issues don't deserve those things in a partner. But I am saying it's not your partner's job to fix your trust issues (because, as Bee showed, no amount of anything that anyone else says will help. You have to decide to trust and be vulnerable yourself). I hope epilogue-Bee is that for him.
😒 Also, any time characters go from a deep emotional conversation to immediately boning in just a no for me. He just told you he watched his friend die a horrible death, and you're like "oh, let me sit in his lap. The trauma induced horniness is a constant ick. Process your emotions please and then go at it after if you need to physically express the emotional intimacy you just gained. Your therapist would be disappointed at your avoidance of his discomfort. (I'm sorry, my empathy sensors just can't do that rapid of a switch from devastated to horny.)
🏳️🌈 Another also, the way the author writes queer characters irritates me to no end, in this book and the last.
Spoiler
Rocío goes from having a boyfriend she talked to often to dumping his ass and f*cking a female coworker? Why even give her a SO in the first place? It's scandalous enough to have an office romance let alone to end another relationship for it. There was a mention of "maybe they're poly?" which would have been refreshing to see, especially if it wasn't fetishized. But nah, she breaks up with the boyfriend for another girl,🧠 Aside my frustrations, this wasn't a bad book. Predictable, maybe. But cute and still realistic to the academic/#lablife experience. Another adorable "book boyfriend" I just want to hug for being a good human. But everything this book did, Love Hypothesis had already accomplished and accomplished better. If you liked Love Hypothesis, then I still think this is worth the read (I read most of it in one evening because I couldn't put it down). But don't expect anything earth shattering.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Misogyny, Gaslighting, and Sexual content
Moderate: Infidelity, Gun violence, Biphobia, Death, and Alcohol
Minor: Death of parent
zanazy's review
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-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
3.0
Another quick, feel good, romance read. Lots of the story is predictable but it’s done in a way I did not mind it. Bee is a great lead, I lover her imperfections and comparing her to Olive from Love Hypothesis, she’s much more relatable because she’s so imperfect. I’m not sure why both main leads are orphans, but Bee having a twin sister as an outlet was a welcome add. Levi is great. He’s similar yet more approachable than Adam, and I liked him right away. My favorite character was Rocio… she was the best thing about this story.
Bee had a lot of baggage… too much, in addition to being an orphan, she was engaged and ultimately called off her wedding weeks before because her fiancée was cheating on her with her bff. This meant she could not go to the lab she planned to go to (since they were going there too), and yeah. She also had serious fears of being left alone and heartbreak so she’s really in a bad spot to love anyone. Levi was too perfect and as it’s said in the book… to “hate” someone that much it’s like love. He was clearly head over heels with Bee… with her being a neuro science expert, her obliviousness to this was not funny, it was sad.
Plot wise, of course the guy friend if Levi was the bad guy… of course Rocio falls for Kaylee… basically a rehash of Love Hypothesis. Huge lack of originality. The girl power moments become a joke when I’m the end Levi is the savior. That NASA would have such crap security… completely unrealistic.
For a cute easy read, it’s comparable to Love Hypothesis… but be warned… you may just want to read that again as this is much too similar a story. Rocio aside, no originality in this one.
Spoiler
Bee had a lot of baggage… too much, in addition to being an orphan, she was engaged and ultimately called off her wedding weeks before because her fiancée was cheating on her with her bff. This meant she could not go to the lab she planned to go to (since they were going there too), and yeah. She also had serious fears of being left alone and heartbreak so she’s really in a bad spot to love anyone. Levi was too perfect and as it’s said in the book… to “hate” someone that much it’s like love. He was clearly head over heels with Bee… with her being a neuro science expert, her obliviousness to this was not funny, it was sad.
Plot wise, of course the guy friend if Levi was the bad guy… of course Rocio falls for Kaylee… basically a rehash of Love Hypothesis. Huge lack of originality. The girl power moments become a joke when I’m the end Levi is the savior. That NASA would have such crap security… completely unrealistic.
For a cute easy read, it’s comparable to Love Hypothesis… but be warned… you may just want to read that again as this is much too similar a story. Rocio aside, no originality in this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol and Grief
Minor: Animal death, Cursing, Death of parent, Death, and Toxic relationship
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