Recent Reads: Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood

Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood
Series: STEMinist series #2
Publisher: Jove
Publication Date:  August 23, 2022

 

Format: Hardback
Source: from BOTM

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

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.

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 - 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. But Levi made his feelings toward Bee very clear in grad school - archenemies work best employed in their own galaxies far, far away.

But when her equipment starts to go missing and the staff ignore her, Bee could swear she sees Levi softening into an ally, backing her plays, seconding her ideas... devouring her with those eyes. 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?

Review: 

I ran through this book. It was so cute and fun. This is essentially book two in the STEMinist series from Ali Hazelwood and follow up to The Love Hypothesis. 

Bee is a Dr. of neurobiology who has been getting the short end of the stick for a long time. She is a STEM female and that seems to be the source of a number of her problems, however she was recently given the co-lead on a NASA/NIH project... sadly it is with a man that has hated her since grad school. The male-dominated world of STEM was on the forefront of this story, as it was in the last book, and this one also tackles issues with standardized testing that is required for graduate admissions as well. 

The story follows Bee as she tries to navigate a new workplace, a new team, and he co-leads apparent hatred for her. Much of this story is miscommunication driven, so if that is a trope that you don't enjoy, this will be a difficult read for you. That being said, I found it all a little cute, because Levi, the male lead of this book it adorable and you can tell he has issues but not the ones that Bee thinks. Not only is Bee trying to navigate her new project, but she is also dealing with an ex-situation, and a Twitter account that she runs anonymously. 

Overall, the plot of this book it cute, much of it is lead up to the romantic elements. 

Bee as a character is so dramatic and at times too much... but I was with her throughout her (over?) dramatized STEM issues as a woman in this world. I guarantee it is a difficult space and am really hoping it was dramatized.... 

Levi was so smitten, and readers could immediately tell, at least I could, and it was so sad seeing him struggle with his affections with Bee. I thought the addition of his family was interesting as well and would have loved for that aspect to have been more developed. 

Bee's RA was hilarious, emo/ goth goddess who was so fun with random facts, and other randomness and so much emotion... so good. Loved her.

The end was a little odd, there was a lot of violence out of nowhere it seemed, and it was not well placed, and the action of it all at the very end seemed rushed. That being said, I really enjoyed it. There were a lot of spicy scenes as well, so if that is not your cup of tea, beware. I can't wait to pick up her next one.