*This is a book review of Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood.
Quick Facts
Author: Ali Hazelwood
Release Date: August 23, 2022
Genre: Contemporary romance, Fiction
Main Characters: Bee Kèonigswasser & Levi Ward
Number of Pages: 368
SJ Rating: 90%
The Synopsis
Dr. Bee Kèonigswasser has spent most of her life modeling her choices after Dr. Marie Curie, especially when she gets the opportunity of a lifetime at NASA. But things get tricky when she finds out she is co-leading with Dr. Levi Ward, a sworn nemesis from grad school. Lines get blurred. Cats take control. There’s mess after mess after trauma. Being in Houston for NASA becomes less about What Would Marie Curie Do and more about What Will Bee Do?
The Good
Honestly, this book didn’t immediately get my attention as much as Love Theoretically, but it was still a very addicting read. I don’t know if that makes sense.
I love the inclusion of steminist emojis in all skin tones on page thirty-seven. I also really loved the Stranger Things reference on page eighty. There’s also a not-so-subtle dig at Elon Musk and Fox News. It really is the little things that fill me with joy.
Page 166 ripped at my heart strings and called me single. I mean this in a very good way.
Speaking of calling me single, Levi and Bee’s first kiss had me feeling all the feels and steam. I can’t decide if I needed a glass of wine or a fan… probably both. This book had me swooning all the time for a beautiful Mister Levi. The steamy scenes are a lot more vivid in this one. I was truly not prepared for how hot and bothered I became.
Also, the ending was weird and wild and definitely not what I was expecting in the best way possible. My face literally kept repeating “I’m shook.”
One detail I really appreciate about Ali Hazelwood is she manages to put the type of science we’re working with in the title of the book.
Once the book is completely read, the first line of the author’s note says, “This book is my hate letter to standardized testing,” and I love it.
The Bad
Bee’s overthinking is literally me but in a way I can’t quite articulate; it almost makes this book hard to read. Also, for her being a neuroscientist, Bee’s denial and inability to see Levi’s intentions get a little annoying after a while. Like, Levi isn’t bad at packing portions for snacks; he’s bringing you a little something too sis.
Also, Bee’s obsession with Dr. Marie Curie is a little… much.
The Overall
Around page 24, this book became pretty predictable when she started texting Shmac, but that did not deter me from becoming completely engulfed.
I had an enjoyable first read with this one, but it’s not a book I see myself reading again. This isn’t to diss Ali Hazelwood’s writing or anything of the sort; she’s a fantastic author. There were just elements of the story that didn’t quite stick with me and suck me in like Love Theoretically.
This is another well-written book, but it’s definitely not my favorite.
Next book to be read and reviewed: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
“Men’s products are cheaper, smell better, and block my BO more effectively.”
– Bee
