Love on the Brain

Dr. Bee Königswasser is a neuroscientist whose career has been a constant uphill battle in the male-dominated world of academia. Living by her mantra “What would Marie Curie do?”, she channels her idol’s resilience to navigate professional setbacks and subtle sexism, all while secretly running a popular anonymous Twitter account celebrating women in STEM. When NASA offers her a dream role leading a groundbreaking neuroengineering project, she jumps at the chance—only to discover her co-lead is Levi Ward, the arrogant, piercing-eyed engineer from her graduate school days who made it clear he couldn’t stand her.

Thrust into close quarters at NASA’s Houston facility, Bee must confront their tangled history while fighting to prove her worth in a workplace that seems determined to undermine her. Missing equipment, dismissive colleagues, and a misogynistic supervisor threaten to derail her career, leaving her convinced Levi is sabotaging her. But as unexpected alliances form and Levi’s quiet support begins to chip away at her defenses, Bee starts questioning whether her nemesis might actually be her greatest advocate—or if she’s misreading his intentions entirely.

Ali Hazelwood masterfully weaves STEM authenticity into this enemies-to-lovers romance, highlighting the real struggles women face in scientific fields while celebrating their resilience and camaraderie. Bee’s sharp wit, neurotic charm, and unwavering dedication to her work make her a relatable heroine, while Levi’s quiet competence and hidden vulnerability defy the “cold rival” trope. Their chemistry simmers through lab mishaps, late-night brainstorming sessions, and moments where professional respect slowly melts into something far more personal.

Beyond the romance, the novel shines a light on the importance of female solidarity in STEM, from Bee’s fiercely loyal assistant to her supportive twin sister. Hazelwood avoids simplistic solutions, instead showing Bee navigating institutional bias with grit and humor—proving that brilliance isn’t gendered, even when the system acts like it is. The NASA setting adds thrilling stakes, blending cutting-edge science with just enough workplace intrigue to keep pages turning.

With laugh-out-loud dialogue, tender emotional depth, and a refreshing focus on intellectual equality, Love on the Brain is a celebration of brains, heart, and the messy, joyful journey of finding someone who truly sees you. It’s a story for anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider in their field—and a reminder that love, like science, thrives on curiosity, patience, and the courage to revise your hypotheses.