Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood delivered a new STEMinist RomCom and this time we are going to NASA. I have loved all of Hazelwood’s romances and while I enjoyed Love on the Brain; I wanted more. Come find out why….
by Ali Hazelwood
Narrator: Brooke Bloomingdale
Length: 11 hours and 7 minutes
Genres: Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Heat Level:
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.3x
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.
Like an avenging, purple-haired Jedi bringing balance to the mansplained universe, 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 after years scraping by on the crumbs of academia—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. And sure, he caught her in his powerfully corded arms like a romance novel hero when she accidentally damseled in distress on her first day in the lab. But Levi made his feelings toward Bee very clear in grad school—archenemies work best employed in their own galaxies far, far away.
Now, her equipment is missing, the staff is ignoring her, and Bee finds her floundering career in somewhat of a pickle. Perhaps it’s her occipital cortex playing tricks on her, but Bee could swear she can see Levi softening into an ally, backing her plays, seconding her ideas…devouring her with those eyes. And 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
Caffeinated Aspects
- Science..sexy science, brains and brawn. Females in science.
- 28-year-old neuroscientist Bee Königswasser who asks herself, “What would Marie Curie do?” and rocks purple hair. She makes science cool and Hazelwood does, too.
- Bee has relationship & career baggage and some of it holds her back, but she takes the high road and I felt that. We see character growth as she learns to trust.
- a stray cat
- NASA
- Brilliant sexy engineer and socially awkward Levi Ward. A solid friend who is crushing on the girl but acts like an aloof ass. (until you get to know him) Cat lover.
- I loved getting Bee’s point of view from her inner thoughts to her twitter account.
- A little suspense to push the heroine.
- Bee’s assistant and the things she does at NASA.
- Girl Power.
- Superb narration.
- Lots of humor that made me laugh out loud.
- Sweet, swoon-worthy moments that curled my toes.
- A prickly hero who will grow on you.
Decaffeinated Aspects
- I felt like Ward was too similar to Hazelwood’s previous heroes. I wanted him to be more distinct, and it took me a while to cozie up to him.
- The miscommunication drove me insane. So much could have been resolved if Ward wasn’t so standoffish, particularly within the work environment. It’s all explained, but caused angst.
- I REALLY struggled to like Ward in the beginning, unlike previous heroes I couldn’t see through his pompous ways and it was offputting. It took me a while, but of course Hazelwood got me to come around.
- I felt like some threads were fillers and didn’t truly explain away some of Ward’s past behavior. The dinner with the parents… what? Awkward.
Brooke Bloomingdale narrates and did a splendid job of capturing Bee from her personality to struggles. I would listen to her again. I’ve listened to the past three Hazelwood releases and found her books work well in this format.
Do I recommend Love on the Brain? Of course I do. Despite my frustrations, I had a good time listening and loved the characters, despite wanting more. I adore this author and her STEM romances. I cannot wait to see what the author brings us next.
Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood offered a RomCom to feed your inner nerd. #Audiobook #BrookeBloomingdale #audiobookreview Share on XAbout Ali Hazelwood
Ali Hazelwood is a multi-published author—alas, of peer-reviewed articles about brain science, in which no one makes out and the ever after is not always happy. Originally from Italy, she lived in Germany and Japan before moving to the U.S. to pursue a Ph.D. in neuroscience. She recently became a professor, which absolutely terrifies her. When Ali is not at work, she can be found running, crocheting, eating cake pops, or watching sci-fi movies with her two feline overlords (and her slightly-less-feline husband).
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Lorna
I know I’m late with the comment but I wanted to wait until I listened to it before I commented. Just got it from the library finally. I enjoyed the listen and really liked the narrator too. At times I felt a little lost with the science terms so I just let them go over my head. And you are right. Levi was very similar to her other full size book hero. Can’t remember names and I haven’t read the novellas yet. I did stay interested and enjoyed it.
Kimberly
Yep, I love this author and just felt like she could have given me a fresher hero…lol
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature)
I’ve loved all the other books by this author, but miscommunication can be something that makes me mark a rating down on a book, so glad to know in advance. Thanks for sharing your review!
Kimberly
Thanks Lisa.
Sara
Wonderful review.
The miscommunication trope annoys me as well! Haven’t read this one yet but this trope always makes me want to shout, well go talk to each other! Lol.
I’m glad you still enjoyed reading the book! Loved hearing your thoughts.
Kimberly
Lol, I did enjoy it even if I set the bar higher.
Jen
I really disliked Levi in the beginning – how could you not? I was worried he wouldn’t be able to be redeemed, but Hazelwood did a great job of winning me over, despite the fact that we don’t have his POV. Fun review!
Kimberly
Agreed.
Amber Elise @ Du Livre
I rarely like the miscommunication trope and it bothered me how much the author leaned on it. You’re both professional adults, use your words!
Kimberly
I totally get it.
Rachel @Waves of Fiction
Yes loved The Love Hypothesis and this one was fun, but the misunderstandings went on too long, IMO. Also, lots of Marie Currie and science rambling for me.
Katherine
This sounds good but I’ve hit a string of books heavy in miscommunication and its not my favorite plot device as it is so I’ll give this one a pass for now at least. This is an author I really want to read though so I will have to pick up one of her earlier books.
Kimberly
I loved The Love Hypothesis. Try that one!
Carole @ Carole's Random Life
I liked, didn’t love, The Love Hypothesis and decided to give this one a try. I should have a copy in my hands soon. It sounds like Ward may be a difficult character to love.
Kimberly
Now I absolutely loved the Love Hypothesis, so I will be curious to hear your thoughts on Love on the Brain…lol
Anne - Books of My Heart
OK I am glad to see someone wasn’t quite as thrilled with this one as the first. I did like Ward because I felt like it wasn’t his fault exactly other than the communication. But it’s a bit hard because what does he say I’m attracted to you but I know you’re engaged / married. The miscommunication went on way too long. Stupid Tim didn’t help either.
Kimberly
Agreed, and I really didn’t like the way he treated her in college.
Nadene
I am sorry to hear about your frustrations with the hero. Fortunately the author managed to win you over. Great review.
Kimberly
She did. I love this author, so I am glad the second half swept me off my feet.
Wendy
I loved this, but I can understand your frustrations with Ward. I liked that he was so similar to the H in The Love Hypothesis.
Kimberly
Now see, that annoyed me. I wanted a fresh guy to crush on, not a recycled hero, and the similarities were too spot on.
Ethan
I often find the conflict in these kinds of romances to be so preventable. You definitely have to be willing to just go along for the ride!
Kimberly
Typically, I like the hero and as a reader understand what is going on. I don’t know, maybe this story needed his pov.
Lover of Romance
I am sorry to hear that you had some frustrations here especially with the hero at times, but it sounds like the author was able to eventually win you over. But happy to hear it was still a solid read for you, I know many enjoy this author.
Kimberly
I have read or listened to all of her book. She is an autobuy.