__romancereader__'s review against another edition
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: Injury/injury detail, Car accident, Cursing, Gun violence, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Violence, Death, Alcohol, Animal death, Death of parent, and Infidelity
Not all content warnings are about the main characters some are and some are about the characters that come along in the book❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥staramillion's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Death of parent, Car accident, and Medical content
emeraudienne's review against another edition
funny
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Gun violence
Minor: Car accident
ashleyvharris's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
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
Nerdy science romance is a fucking delight and Ali Hazelwood proves it yet again in her second book Love on the Brain.
Ali has such a distinct writing voice that feels natural and engaging. I struggle with books that try too hard to be sarcastic and *witty* because it always feels forced and unnatural. Ali does not have this problem at all. Her jokes and dialogue read like a conversation with my friends. She makes it so easy to connect with her protagonists this way.
I’m a bit conflicted over the two main characters and their romance. Let’s be honest, I would commit crime for Levi Ward (also Rocio and Felicette). But it also felt like a near carbon copy of The Love Hypothesis. Levi and Adam Carlsen are almost interchangeable, no? And the Bee and Olive too. Their romances also felt very similar. It would have been great to see something completely different. Can I get a male scientist with golden retriever energy, please?
No spoilers, but the ending felt… extra? Like I feel like it was a little too General Hospital telenovela-y. Like okay [villain], calm down, please.
Also, my cat-loving hear was glowing. Someone send me links to Schrödinger and Felicette fan art please and thanks. Love them both and they obviously stole the show.
With that said, my BIGGEST, most PRESSING critique of Love on the Brain is I NEED LEVI’S POV. LIKE YESTERDAY. Even more than Adam Carlsen, I was DYING to know this man’s thoughts. I want this entire book again but from his perspective, a la Midnight Sun. Do you hear me Ali? I need twenty-five (25!!!) chapters plus an epilogue with nothing but Dr. Levi Ward pining after Bee. Otherwise I will be talking about this every week in therapy.
If you like nerdy things, science, romance, or cats, you should read this lil’ gem of a book. It made my cold, shriveled heart happy :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Misogyny, and Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment, Chronic illness, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Death of parent, Violence, Car accident, Death, and Gun violence
midnightbelles's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I don’t know how to feel about this. I went into the Love Hypothesis with skewed views about its contents so I decided to read this with an open mind.
The beginning of this was really boring and I was really confused for about 10 chapters and not even about the science stuff. I felt like the “enemies” thing didn’t really make any sense and I also felt like Bee kept trying to force her wrong opinion down my throat. However I thought that it was sweet that he fell first and I felt so bad for him that she remained convinced that he hated her despite him explicitly saying on multiple different occasions that he didn’t. Her obtuseness really frustrated me a lot while reading. Despite spending most of this book confused it was a nice read.
The beginning of this was really boring and I was really confused for about 10 chapters and not even about the science stuff. I felt like the “enemies” thing didn’t really make any sense and I also felt like Bee kept trying to force her wrong opinion down my throat. However I thought that it was sweet that he fell first and I felt so bad for him that she remained convinced that he hated her despite him explicitly saying on multiple different occasions that he didn’t. Her obtuseness really frustrated me a lot while reading.
Spoiler
I also thought the gun thing was doing a bit too much. It really wasn’t necessary. And the ending and makeup seemed very rushed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Gun violence
Minor: Chronic illness, Sexism, Grief, and Car accident
kiserke's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
While as a woman in STEM I really appreciated the messages communicated in the background of this book, it just wasn't quite as good as The Love Hypothesis. However, I'm a big fan of You've Got Mail and loved that this functioned as a retelling. I feel like in that aspect it was successful, despite falling a little flat. Don't get me wrong though, this is worth a read and I've even re-read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence, Misogyny, Gun violence, Infidelity, Sexism, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Car accident and Death of parent
As with The Love Hypothesis, this book is spicy and does have graphically described sexual content. It also takes place in a male dominated setting with a female protagonist which does lead to sexism and misogyny. The rest of the content warnings require some spoilers:Spoiler
Early in the book it is mentioned that Bee's parents died in a car accident when she was little, but it wasn't lingered on. When we meet Levi's parents we find that they are very emotionally abusive. We also find out the Bee's previous fiancé had cheated on her repeatedly. Finally, the last content warnings refer to a scene late in the book where the MCs are being threatened at gunpoint and one of the MCs attempts to take down their attacker.lovealwaysadi's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, and Misogyny
Moderate: Chronic illness, Cursing, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Injury/injury detail, Abandonment, Car accident, Gun violence, and Medical content
lealovesbooks's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.25
I liked the book. But I wanted to love it. Romance and neuroscience? Sign me up. But the execution was disappointing. Definitely not the authors best work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Abandonment and Chronic illness
Minor: Death of parent, Gun violence, and Car accident
vj_thompson's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I definitely enjoyed Love Hypothesis more. The writing in this story was hard for me to follow. Bee’s character was adorable and a total badass. I loved her background and her admiration for the female scientists she referenced through the book. For the record, the romance was SO different from the first book. Maybe even better!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Sexism
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Medical content and Car accident
cady_sass's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.75
What can I say, I’m a sucker for Ali Hazelwood and her “STEMinist” novels. This is thoroughly cute and enjoyable. We do fall into the typical Hazelwood trap of “he’s SO HUGE” and “she’s so small” but at this point I’m used to it, it’s clearly her thing. The characters are quirky and I love them all, but Rocio stole my heart. I imagine her to be a scientist version of Aubrey Plaza.
Now, I’ll say my same critique that I’ve said about nearly everything she’s written: I do not and will not ever understand why she feels the need to write about choosing unsafe sex. And this is in EVERY BOOK she writes. Not a single condom in sight. Not a single conversation about being tested. These people are scientists! It’s fiction, so whatever, but normalizing the “it’s okay, I’m on birth control” narrative is harmful. I’ll get off my soapbox now.
Now, I’ll say my same critique that I’ve said about nearly everything she’s written: I do not and will not ever understand why she feels the need to write about choosing unsafe sex. And this is in EVERY BOOK she writes. Not a single condom in sight. Not a single conversation about being tested. These people are scientists! It’s fiction, so whatever, but normalizing the “it’s okay, I’m on birth control” narrative is harmful. I’ll get off my soapbox now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death of parent, Medical content, Misogyny, Toxic friendship, Cursing, Sexual content, Car accident, Sexism, and Toxic relationship