Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood – Nerdy, Flirty, and Full of Feels (But I Still Love Olive & Adam More)

Hey book besties! So, I was supposed to post this on Friday… then shifted it to Saturday… and now here we are — Tuesday. 😅 Life’s been a whirlwind lately, but instead of beating myself up, I’m choosing to show up with softness (and a slightly delayed book review). Because reading should be a joy — not a deadline.

So here it is: Review #14, and this time I’m diving into Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood — the reigning queen of STEM-lit romcoms. If you’ve read The Love Hypothesis (like I have, twice), you already know what you’re in for: brilliant women, grumpy-but-soft men, and enough slow-burn tension to make your glasses fog.

Science + Sass + Kind-of Enemies-to-Lovers

Meet Bee Königswasser — neuroscientist, cat-emoji user, Marie Curie fangirl. She’s quirky, chaotic, and 100% convinced that Levi Ward, her tall, broody NASA co-lead, can’t stand her.

Naturally, they’re assigned to the same project. And naturally, tension ensues.

But here’s the twist: Levi’s not distant because he hates her. He’s distant because he’s been in love with her for years. That reveal? Immediate serotonin. Their chemistry is delightfully awkward, full of miscommunication, longing stares, and sweet gestures that sneak up on you. Hazelwood’s formula is predictable — but comforting.

Familiar Formula, but Still Fun

If I’m being totally honest, this book gave The Love Hypothesis 2.0 energy. That’s not a diss — there’s comfort in the familiar — but it didn’t pack the same emotional punch for me.

I loved Bee and Levi, but I found myself comparing them to Olive and Adam (who still own my nerdy romantic heart). The plot moves fast, the banter is sharp, and the added NASA backdrop is a cool switch-up. But emotionally? A tiny bit less impact.

Still, Bee’s chaotic internal monologue and her deeply feminist lens made her voice stand out. She’s smart, sensitive, and relatable in a very “I overthink everything while pretending I’m fine” way.

💔 Favorite Quote:

“What’s the point of loving someone if they don't know you exist?”
— Ali Hazelwood, Love on the Brain

Oof. That one stung. Bee’s vulnerability cuts through the humor, grounding the story in real emotional stakes.

Final Thoughts

If you love:

• Women in STEM owning their brilliance

• Grumpy x sunshine slow burns

• Academic settings with a side of space tech

• Romance that makes you giggle and feel

Then Love on the Brain is a solid pick. It’s charming, nerdy, and packed with enough chemistry (literal and emotional) to keep you turning pages. While it didn’t fully dethrone The Love Hypothesis for me, it definitely holds its own.

Book Review Life Update 📚

Now for a little trilogy update — I’m almost halfway through As Good As Dead, the final book in the Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series. It’s intense, twisty, and honestly a lot to emotionally unpack (in the best way).

So here’s the plan: my review for that will be up this Sunday instead of Friday — just for this week! With exams and life still catching up, I’m choosing grace over guilt. But next week? We’re back to our Friday reviews. 

Thanks for sticking with me through the delays, the detours, and the DMs where we scream about fictional men. Let me know — are you Team Bee & Levi, or still loyal to Olive & Adam?

Until Sunday — for a murder-y kind of love finale 🖤🔍