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Love and Other Brain Experiments
Perfect for fans of Ali Hazelwood and Christina Lauren, a STEM academic-rivals-to-lovers rom-com set at a New York conference about two neuroscientists who are forced to pretend they’re dating, leading to unexpected chemistry and a heartfelt journey of self-discovery.
Neuroscientist Dr. Frances Silberstein has success on the brain. As a grad student, she was offered a job by her brilliant boyfriend, but determined to make it on her own, she turned it—and him—down. Now, stuck in postdoc purgatory with no job security and no personal life to speak of, Frances is desperate to make a breakthrough. Her best shot is a summer conference packed with her field’s leading scientists. The only problem? It’s organized by her ex, who has found the success that’s eluded her. But backing out is not an option, because Frances desperately needs to network to save her career.
Enter Dr. Lewis North: her perceptive, meticulous, and inconveniently attractive rival. When their academic sniping gets mistaken for flirtatious chemistry, Frances doesn’t deny it—putting her integrity and career on the line. As soon as her prefrontal cortex is operational again, Frances realizes she needs to keep up the charade, or risk everything she’s worked for. Faking data is out of the question, but fake dating? That might just be the solution she needs.
But as Lewis starts to make her reward centers spark and a major setback has Frances questioning everything, she must confront what she’s willing to chase—for love, for science, and for the future she thought she wanted.
Neuroscientist Dr. Frances Silberstein has success on the brain. As a grad student, she was offered a job by her brilliant boyfriend, but determined to make it on her own, she turned it—and him—down. Now, stuck in postdoc purgatory with no job security and no personal life to speak of, Frances is desperate to make a breakthrough. Her best shot is a summer conference packed with her field’s leading scientists. The only problem? It’s organized by her ex, who has found the success that’s eluded her. But backing out is not an option, because Frances desperately needs to network to save her career.
Enter Dr. Lewis North: her perceptive, meticulous, and inconveniently attractive rival. When their academic sniping gets mistaken for flirtatious chemistry, Frances doesn’t deny it—putting her integrity and career on the line. As soon as her prefrontal cortex is operational again, Frances realizes she needs to keep up the charade, or risk everything she’s worked for. Faking data is out of the question, but fake dating? That might just be the solution she needs.
But as Lewis starts to make her reward centers spark and a major setback has Frances questioning everything, she must confront what she’s willing to chase—for love, for science, and for the future she thought she wanted.
384 pages, Paperback
First published February 3, 2026
285 people are currently reading
24185 people want to read
About the author
Hannah Brohm
1 book214 followersHannah Brohm penned her first novel when she was a teen, and yes, it was about vampires. After studying psychology in university and graduating with a PhD in neuroscience, she rediscovered her passion for storytelling and swapped writing articles about brain science for swoony romance novels. Born and raised in Germany, Hannah lived in Portugal, the Netherlands and New York City before moving to London, where she now lives together with her husband and an ever-growing collection of books and handknit sweaters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,265 reviews
December 4, 2025
Thank you so much to author Hannah Brohm and NetGalley/Atria Books/Simon & Schuster for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Love and Other Brain Experiments is an absolute must read for anyone who loves academic enemies to lovers! Publication date is February 3, 2026. I gave this one 4/5 stars ✨ 🩷
Our FMC, Dr. Frances Silberstein, is a relatable, brilliant, and anxious postdoc in her early 30s, diving deep into neuroscience related to memory, amnesia, dementia, and Alzheimer’s. I loved seeing her navigate her career, personal growth, and her anxiety.. she felt so real! That said, she wasn’t always the best sister to Karo, which added to her storyline.
Dr. Lewis North is the perfect mix of guarded and caring. He’s Frances’ longtime competitor and thorn in her side. Their chemistry is absolutely electric from the very start! I loved how their instant connection grows and deepens while they navigate rivalry and hidden feelings. Lewis slowly opens up and stands up for himself, making him incredibly easy to root for.
The fake dating premise was so much fun! There were a few misunderstandings that could’ve been solved with a little communication, but the chemistry, banter, and a clever twist at the end more than made up for it.
The supporting characters were fantastic too including Brady, Ada, and Karo, who all added so much charm and personality to the story.
The last chapters had me SOBBING in the BEST WAY possible. There was so much emotion, so many heartfelt moments, and some serious 10 Things I Hate About You vibes with paper and pencil confessions that just hit me right in the feels 😭🫶🏻
This book is full of chemistry, laughter, and heartwarming (sometimes heartbreaking) moments. If you love academic rivalry, fake dating, and characters who feel real and flawed but lovable, you don’t want to miss this one! 🩷
Love and Other Brain Experiments is an absolute must read for anyone who loves academic enemies to lovers! Publication date is February 3, 2026. I gave this one 4/5 stars ✨ 🩷
Our FMC, Dr. Frances Silberstein, is a relatable, brilliant, and anxious postdoc in her early 30s, diving deep into neuroscience related to memory, amnesia, dementia, and Alzheimer’s. I loved seeing her navigate her career, personal growth, and her anxiety.. she felt so real! That said, she wasn’t always the best sister to Karo, which added to her storyline.
Dr. Lewis North is the perfect mix of guarded and caring. He’s Frances’ longtime competitor and thorn in her side. Their chemistry is absolutely electric from the very start! I loved how their instant connection grows and deepens while they navigate rivalry and hidden feelings. Lewis slowly opens up and stands up for himself, making him incredibly easy to root for.
The fake dating premise was so much fun! There were a few misunderstandings that could’ve been solved with a little communication, but the chemistry, banter, and a clever twist at the end more than made up for it.
The supporting characters were fantastic too including Brady, Ada, and Karo, who all added so much charm and personality to the story.
The last chapters had me SOBBING in the BEST WAY possible. There was so much emotion, so many heartfelt moments, and some serious 10 Things I Hate About You vibes with paper and pencil confessions that just hit me right in the feels 😭🫶🏻
This book is full of chemistry, laughter, and heartwarming (sometimes heartbreaking) moments. If you love academic rivalry, fake dating, and characters who feel real and flawed but lovable, you don’t want to miss this one! 🩷
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Well, damn, I didn't expect to love this book😭💗. REVIEW TO COME💕😘!!!!!!!!
꧁‿̩͙‿୨ ☮︎ ୧‿̩͙‿꧂🥀︎🖤✧My book girls have convinced me꧁‿̩͙‿୨ ☮︎ ୧‿̩͙‿꧂✧🖤🥀︎!!!!!!
The cover is so cutesy and pink😍😍!!!!!!!!
꧁‿̩͙‿୨ ☮︎ ୧‿̩͙‿꧂🥀︎🖤✧My book girls have convinced me꧁‿̩͙‿୨ ☮︎ ୧‿̩͙‿꧂✧🖤🥀︎!!!!!!
The cover is so cutesy and pink😍😍!!!!!!!!
February 3, 2026
This author has lived in Germany, Portugal, the Netherlands and England, but decided to write a book about New York, like everyone else.
I mean, she’s lived there too, but what a missed opportunity! The FMC lives in Maastricht, the MMC in Berlin. So, New York? Really??
But that wasn’t the only issue I had with this book.
Frances was wronged by Lewis four years ago. Since then, he’s been publicly criticizing her work, and she’s been hating him. Plot twist—they’ve never met. Now, because of a series of unfortunate events, they are fake-dating.
Both MCs were so unlikable at the beginning, that I was hate-reading it at some point. I soldiered on, and they improved a little later on, but not enough to root for them. Frances was supposed to be a geek, but she came across as snobbish and obnoxious. Lewis was not that great either, I’m not sure I would’ve forgiven him so easily for that thing he did.
The writing didn’t work for me at all. The whole thing reads like a fanfiction; it’s choppy, there are loose ends and plot holes, the characters are one-dimensional, and there isn’t much more to this story than a few clichés.
I’m very disappointed. There was a lot of potential here, and I had high hopes for this book, but it would need a lot of editing before I’d recommend it.
Thanks Aria & Aries and NetGalley for the arc, all opinions are my own.
I mean, she’s lived there too, but what a missed opportunity! The FMC lives in Maastricht, the MMC in Berlin. So, New York? Really??
But that wasn’t the only issue I had with this book.
Frances was wronged by Lewis four years ago. Since then, he’s been publicly criticizing her work, and she’s been hating him. Plot twist—they’ve never met. Now, because of a series of unfortunate events, they are fake-dating.
Both MCs were so unlikable at the beginning, that I was hate-reading it at some point. I soldiered on, and they improved a little later on, but not enough to root for them. Frances was supposed to be a geek, but she came across as snobbish and obnoxious. Lewis was not that great either, I’m not sure I would’ve forgiven him so easily for that thing he did.
The writing didn’t work for me at all. The whole thing reads like a fanfiction; it’s choppy, there are loose ends and plot holes, the characters are one-dimensional, and there isn’t much more to this story than a few clichés.
I’m very disappointed. There was a lot of potential here, and I had high hopes for this book, but it would need a lot of editing before I’d recommend it.
Thanks Aria & Aries and NetGalley for the arc, all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Love and Other Brain Experiments
⤷ ⭑⭑⭑⭑
꒰ Dr. Frances Silberstein, is a postdoctoral neuroscientist in her early 30s, residing in the Netherlands. While on a flight to the anticipated Sawyer’s Summer Seminars in New York, which is organized by her well-known ex-boyfriend, she gets acquainted to Lewis North who was also attending the 2-week conference.
To her surprise, she discovers that he is actually Dr. Theodore L. North, a fellow cognitive neuroscientist and academic rival who has a reputation for frequently critiquing her published research papers online. ꒱
Release Date : February 3, 2026 ⟢
⌞ What To Expect: ⌝
⌗ rival (neuro)scientists
⌗ STEM romance
⌗ fake dating with scientific integrity
⌗ kissing to test out hypothesis
This book is Brohm's debut novel, but it changed the way I view STEM books and definitely raised the bar for me. Honestly, I don't often read STEM books or contemporary romance, but this is now the benchmark I want for my STEM romances. The idea of kissing each other to test their hypothesis? I AM SEATED.
Hannah Brohm is not only a romance author but also a neuroscientist! I was surprised to learn this after reading the book as I found Frances's internal dialogue and our character's thought processes absolutely fascinating, so learning this after reading the book was mind-blowing.
𓏲⋆🖌️.* Dr. Frances Silberstein : A brilliant neuroscientist who is deeply rooted to her research to investigate memory loss and the mechanics of the memory in the human brain, especially since her sister’s accident hit so close to home. I didn't expect to find a connection with Frances, particularly regarding her stress and anxiety related to her career. Her job situation is unstable, causing her to move countries and constantly worry about her future, both personally and professionally, especially in an era when many tend to equate self-worth with occupation.
𓏲⋆🗒️.* If you’ve been following my updates, you’d know that I wasn’t a fan of Dr. Lewis North at first! But let me tell you... he completely won me over! Behind that confident façade, there is so much more to him, especially his struggles with his self-esteem and proving himself to his family. The way he genuinely cares for Frances? It just melted my heart. From surprising her with donuts to cheer her up to that absolutely adorable moments when he cleans her glasses - let's say I was hooked.
I loved the character growth in both of them—it felt unfiltered and real. Mature communication dealt between two overthinkers. Lewis's constant support for Frances allows her to be her true self, while Frances is there for Lewis during his lowest moments, dealing with his parents' (father's) scrutiny over his passion and work.
If we are being honest, I thought their reason for the fake-dating bit was a bit overdramatic. However, that makes sense for academic overthinkers who prioritize their work and reputation first and foremost.
My favorite quote is actually the epigraph because of how sweet it was:
Thank you to Edelweiss, Atria Books, and of course, Hannah Brohm for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Please remember that this opinion is my own. ⭑
⋆˚࿔
pre-read : the cover got me.
⤷ ⭑⭑⭑⭑
₊˚ʚ ❝ “You have no idea how much bandwidth you take up in my head. ❞
꒰ Dr. Frances Silberstein, is a postdoctoral neuroscientist in her early 30s, residing in the Netherlands. While on a flight to the anticipated Sawyer’s Summer Seminars in New York, which is organized by her well-known ex-boyfriend, she gets acquainted to Lewis North who was also attending the 2-week conference.
To her surprise, she discovers that he is actually Dr. Theodore L. North, a fellow cognitive neuroscientist and academic rival who has a reputation for frequently critiquing her published research papers online. ꒱
Release Date : February 3, 2026 ⟢
⌞ What To Expect: ⌝
⌗ rival (neuro)scientists
⌗ STEM romance
⌗ fake dating with scientific integrity
⌗ kissing to test out hypothesis
This book is Brohm's debut novel, but it changed the way I view STEM books and definitely raised the bar for me. Honestly, I don't often read STEM books or contemporary romance, but this is now the benchmark I want for my STEM romances. The idea of kissing each other to test their hypothesis? I AM SEATED.
*·˚ ༘ ➳ ♡ ❝ The data?”
“Yes, the data. The kiss. ❞
Hannah Brohm is not only a romance author but also a neuroscientist! I was surprised to learn this after reading the book as I found Frances's internal dialogue and our character's thought processes absolutely fascinating, so learning this after reading the book was mind-blowing.
❝ I’m miles behind where I thought I would be, pushed to the sidelines and watching everyone else race ahead while my feet are stuck to the ground. ❞ ؛༊
𓏲⋆🖌️.* Dr. Frances Silberstein : A brilliant neuroscientist who is deeply rooted to her research to investigate memory loss and the mechanics of the memory in the human brain, especially since her sister’s accident hit so close to home. I didn't expect to find a connection with Frances, particularly regarding her stress and anxiety related to her career. Her job situation is unstable, causing her to move countries and constantly worry about her future, both personally and professionally, especially in an era when many tend to equate self-worth with occupation.
.☘︎ ݁˖ ❝ From a scientific standpoint, purely objectively speaking that is, he does have his attributes. I guess with his swooping hair and those clear blue eyes, strong arms and bashful smile, you could even call him cute. ❞
𓏲⋆🗒️.* If you’ve been following my updates, you’d know that I wasn’t a fan of Dr. Lewis North at first! But let me tell you... he completely won me over! Behind that confident façade, there is so much more to him, especially his struggles with his self-esteem and proving himself to his family. The way he genuinely cares for Frances? It just melted my heart. From surprising her with donuts to cheer her up to that absolutely adorable moments when he cleans her glasses - let's say I was hooked.
⋮ ⌗ ❝ What’s more loving than telling someone you accept them the way they are? Annoying quirks, and all? That it doesn’t matter if they hate public speaking, that they cannot figure out emojis for the life of them, that they use scientific discussions as a way to ignore their feelings? Because you love them anyway? ❞ ♡
I loved the character growth in both of them—it felt unfiltered and real. Mature communication dealt between two overthinkers. Lewis's constant support for Frances allows her to be her true self, while Frances is there for Lewis during his lowest moments, dealing with his parents' (father's) scrutiny over his passion and work.
If we are being honest, I thought their reason for the fake-dating bit was a bit overdramatic. However, that makes sense for academic overthinkers who prioritize their work and reputation first and foremost.
My favorite quote is actually the epigraph because of how sweet it was:
❝ Remember when you came up to me and asked what statistical model I used in my Bachelor thesis? Favorite moment of serendipity, right there.
This one was always going to be for you. ❞ ˚˖𓍢ִ໋❀
Thank you to Edelweiss, Atria Books, and of course, Hannah Brohm for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Please remember that this opinion is my own. ⭑
⋆˚࿔
pre-read : the cover got me.
February 9, 2026
3.5 ★— You know when you taste the best version of your favorite food at some incredibly authentic or very fancy restaurant, and then you come home and try the familiar version you used to love… only to realize you can’t quite enjoy it the same way anymore, even though it’s not actually bad?
That’s what this reading experience felt like for me, as someone whose introduction to STEM romance came through Penny Reid and Ali Hazelwood.
The writing here was perfectly fine, and the characters had enough depth to feel believable, but I still found myself missing a few key things, and ultimately came away from this read feeling like I’ve seen versions of this type of book executed in far more engrossing ways.
Most of all, I felt a true absence of romantic tension between the two leads. Once the fake relationship dynamic between Frances and Lewis moved past the early stages, the spark of interesting chemistry they initially seemed to have faded for me. I never felt a real pull to truly see them together, never sensed strong chemistry between them, and I think that shaped how unexciting I found them as a pair.
Frances is a postdoc neuroscientist desperately trying to secure a steady position in her field that feeds her passion, and aside from a genuinely fun first meeting scene involving the MMC, I unfortunately found her a little… boring. There weren’t many interesting quirks in her internal monologue or distinctive traits that made her especially enjoyable as a POV character, and I felt very similarly about the male love interest, Lewis.
Their early rival/enemy tension comes from a misunderstanding involving him leaving her name off a research paper she should have been credited on, but once that conflict is resolved, there isn’t much else driving their dynamic forward in a really intriguing way.
Frances becomes very obviously interested in him in a scene I didn't personally love tension-wise, and I didn’t feel that this really delivered on the “he falls first” promise the book markets. The yearning felt minimal, and her sudden, emerging attraction to Lewis in the midpoint of the story seemed slightly overdramatic in its intensity to me, which, again, may stem from me never fully getting a feel for their romantic tension to begin with.
The ending, along with some of the events leading up to it, felt somewhat rushed. While Frances’ anxieties and insecurities made sense for her character, I just felt like the late introduction of conflict involving her sister was a bit tacked on, as though it existed mainly to create last-minute drama before the resolution. And while everything wraps up very neatly, the emotional payoff of it all did not land for me.
I do think that Love and Other Brain Experiments could work well as a palate cleanser or an easy read for people wanting something light that has STEM-romance vibes. However, for those who have read widely in this genre or are looking for strong chemistry and sizzling tension, this book might feel a little flat.
__________________
Thank you to Atria Books for the ARC.
That’s what this reading experience felt like for me, as someone whose introduction to STEM romance came through Penny Reid and Ali Hazelwood.
The writing here was perfectly fine, and the characters had enough depth to feel believable, but I still found myself missing a few key things, and ultimately came away from this read feeling like I’ve seen versions of this type of book executed in far more engrossing ways.
Most of all, I felt a true absence of romantic tension between the two leads. Once the fake relationship dynamic between Frances and Lewis moved past the early stages, the spark of interesting chemistry they initially seemed to have faded for me. I never felt a real pull to truly see them together, never sensed strong chemistry between them, and I think that shaped how unexciting I found them as a pair.
Frances is a postdoc neuroscientist desperately trying to secure a steady position in her field that feeds her passion, and aside from a genuinely fun first meeting scene involving the MMC, I unfortunately found her a little… boring. There weren’t many interesting quirks in her internal monologue or distinctive traits that made her especially enjoyable as a POV character, and I felt very similarly about the male love interest, Lewis.
Their early rival/enemy tension comes from a misunderstanding involving him leaving her name off a research paper she should have been credited on, but once that conflict is resolved, there isn’t much else driving their dynamic forward in a really intriguing way.
Frances becomes very obviously interested in him in a scene I didn't personally love tension-wise, and I didn’t feel that this really delivered on the “he falls first” promise the book markets. The yearning felt minimal, and her sudden, emerging attraction to Lewis in the midpoint of the story seemed slightly overdramatic in its intensity to me, which, again, may stem from me never fully getting a feel for their romantic tension to begin with.
The ending, along with some of the events leading up to it, felt somewhat rushed. While Frances’ anxieties and insecurities made sense for her character, I just felt like the late introduction of conflict involving her sister was a bit tacked on, as though it existed mainly to create last-minute drama before the resolution. And while everything wraps up very neatly, the emotional payoff of it all did not land for me.
I do think that Love and Other Brain Experiments could work well as a palate cleanser or an easy read for people wanting something light that has STEM-romance vibes. However, for those who have read widely in this genre or are looking for strong chemistry and sizzling tension, this book might feel a little flat.
__________________
Thank you to Atria Books for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ ── 4.5 stars
a remarkable stem romance perfect for fans of ali hazelwood!
from the moment i picked this book up, i wasn't bored for a second. and truly had such a fun time with this!!
this is also set up like an ali novel in the best way, academic rivals who used to have a friendship shared through their mutual studies. after a betrayal and long term feuding over journal and peer reviews—they meet for the first time on a flight on the way to a conference.
lewis is truly your perfect mmc, shy, attentive, intelligent, and caring. this guy likes our fmc wearing glasses and cleans them for her 🥹 he's read every single piece of work he's published
the banter and light hearted back and forth was wonderful! the emotional aspect of being tired and finally realizing living life to the fullest may be worth more than burning out in the labs ❤🩹
if stem romances and down bad mmcs' are up your alley, check this out on feb 3!
𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ ── pre-read
i LOVE romances with women in stem !!!! like smart, intelligent, beautiful women with down bad men?!! and yk me i live for academic rivals !!! im SAT 🙂↕️
↪ started jan 10
↪ finished jan 12
a remarkable stem romance perfect for fans of ali hazelwood!
from the moment i picked this book up, i wasn't bored for a second. and truly had such a fun time with this!!
this is also set up like an ali novel in the best way, academic rivals who used to have a friendship shared through their mutual studies. after a betrayal and long term feuding over journal and peer reviews—they meet for the first time on a flight on the way to a conference.
lewis is truly your perfect mmc, shy, attentive, intelligent, and caring. this guy likes our fmc wearing glasses and cleans them for her 🥹 he's read every single piece of work he's published
the banter and light hearted back and forth was wonderful! the emotional aspect of being tired and finally realizing living life to the fullest may be worth more than burning out in the labs ❤🩹
if stem romances and down bad mmcs' are up your alley, check this out on feb 3!
𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ ── pre-read
i LOVE romances with women in stem !!!! like smart, intelligent, beautiful women with down bad men?!! and yk me i live for academic rivals !!! im SAT 🙂↕️
↪ started jan 10
↪ finished jan 12
September 23, 2025
4.5 ⭐
This book is a must-read for everyone who loves STEM romances.
Frances is a neuroscientist, but even though she’s achieved success in brain research, her future still feels uncertain. She plans to network with other scientists in her field at a summer conference organized by her ex. By chance, her ex’s fiancée assumes she’s dating Lewis—her sworn rival. And so, to avoid looking bad in front of her colleagues, she convinces him to fake date her.
I loved this book so much! I adore reading STEM romances, even if I don’t always understand what the characters are talking about. Hannah Brohm herself has a PhD in neuroscience, and you can really feel that she has deep knowledge in the field.
I really loved the characters! Lewis was so kind and sweet, and whenever his cheeks turned red, I just melted! I admired Frances so much—how confidently she went after her goals, how she supported Lewis when he needed it most! And I absolutely loved the epilogue—the characters finally found their home together!
This is an incredible debut. I read the whole book in a single day because I simply couldn’t put it down! Now I’ll be eagerly waiting for Hannah’s next books!
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
✓STEM romance
✓fake dating
✓slow burn
✓he’s her academical rival
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This book is a must-read for everyone who loves STEM romances.
Frances is a neuroscientist, but even though she’s achieved success in brain research, her future still feels uncertain. She plans to network with other scientists in her field at a summer conference organized by her ex. By chance, her ex’s fiancée assumes she’s dating Lewis—her sworn rival. And so, to avoid looking bad in front of her colleagues, she convinces him to fake date her.
I loved this book so much! I adore reading STEM romances, even if I don’t always understand what the characters are talking about. Hannah Brohm herself has a PhD in neuroscience, and you can really feel that she has deep knowledge in the field.
I really loved the characters! Lewis was so kind and sweet, and whenever his cheeks turned red, I just melted! I admired Frances so much—how confidently she went after her goals, how she supported Lewis when he needed it most! And I absolutely loved the epilogue—the characters finally found their home together!
This is an incredible debut. I read the whole book in a single day because I simply couldn’t put it down! Now I’ll be eagerly waiting for Hannah’s next books!
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
✓STEM romance
✓fake dating
✓slow burn
✓he’s her academical rival
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
March 8, 2026
౨ৎꨄ︎ 4 stars
do i have a new favorite author? i sure do!!!!
what a lovely surprise this was! i honestly didn’t have any expectations as this is the author’s first book, but i must say.. what a debut! it has some flaws, but none of them take away from how good this story actually is.
as the book promises, it is about STEM academic-rivals-to-lovers and it's mixed with fake dating, so yes that's literally my thing hehe. and it didn’t fail to deliver! from the moment they meet to the last page, i was invested in their relationship. i also enjoyed the setting. it’s of course mainly academic, but you get to explore new york and some activities with the characters. it makes the reading experience even better.
frances is driven, hardworking and very ambitious. but life hasn't been easy for her and everything just seems to be going against her. she knows what she wants and whats good for her, which sometimes makes her to do wrong decisions. but i love how she starts viewing her life and her relationships differently towards the end of the book.
lewis is such a perfect book boyfriend. yes, he messes up here and there, but he is so kind and thoughtful. all the things he does for frances and how he tries to make up for his mistakes? give me that man pls.
i love how hannah captured the major plot of this story. fake dating is something frances and lewis didn’t expect to do when they flew to new york and it’s not easy for either of them at first. that’s how i imagine when you pretend to be in love! awkward, not knowing what to do, forgetting important things… but then it obviously develops into something real and the switch is on point here. some of the tension is so well captured. i mean.. the first kiss? wow!
main issue with this book might be some of the plot holes. and i also didn’t enjoy the reason for the drama towards the end of the book, it basically felt like the same issue they had in the first place. but as mentioned, the book is still well written and i cannot wait for what hannah brohm is planning in the future!!
────୨ৎ────
౨ৎꨄ︎ pre-read: i came across hannah randomly when she liked one of my tiktok vids and i just got super excited for this!!! hope it’s good hehe <3
do i have a new favorite author? i sure do!!!!
what a lovely surprise this was! i honestly didn’t have any expectations as this is the author’s first book, but i must say.. what a debut! it has some flaws, but none of them take away from how good this story actually is.
as the book promises, it is about STEM academic-rivals-to-lovers and it's mixed with fake dating, so yes that's literally my thing hehe. and it didn’t fail to deliver! from the moment they meet to the last page, i was invested in their relationship. i also enjoyed the setting. it’s of course mainly academic, but you get to explore new york and some activities with the characters. it makes the reading experience even better.
frances is driven, hardworking and very ambitious. but life hasn't been easy for her and everything just seems to be going against her. she knows what she wants and whats good for her, which sometimes makes her to do wrong decisions. but i love how she starts viewing her life and her relationships differently towards the end of the book.
lewis is such a perfect book boyfriend. yes, he messes up here and there, but he is so kind and thoughtful. all the things he does for frances and how he tries to make up for his mistakes? give me that man pls.
i love how hannah captured the major plot of this story. fake dating is something frances and lewis didn’t expect to do when they flew to new york and it’s not easy for either of them at first. that’s how i imagine when you pretend to be in love! awkward, not knowing what to do, forgetting important things… but then it obviously develops into something real and the switch is on point here. some of the tension is so well captured. i mean.. the first kiss? wow!
main issue with this book might be some of the plot holes. and i also didn’t enjoy the reason for the drama towards the end of the book, it basically felt like the same issue they had in the first place. but as mentioned, the book is still well written and i cannot wait for what hannah brohm is planning in the future!!
────୨ৎ────
౨ৎꨄ︎ pre-read: i came across hannah randomly when she liked one of my tiktok vids and i just got super excited for this!!! hope it’s good hehe <3
March 6, 2026
I was genuinely surprised by how much I loved this. Usually, STEM romances can be tricky for me. Half the time I’m lost in the complex concepts (let’s face it, not all of us are born to be doctors 😭), but this book struck a perfect balance. To be fair, I didn’t grasp every single scientific detail, but honestly, I didn’t need to. It never felt overwhelming or like I was drowning in equations.
And can we talk about the rivals-to-lovers angle? 😭🤚🏼
I didn’t realize how much I needed it until now. 🤭🤭
Like it is SUCH an underrated trope. 🙂↕️🙂↕️🙂↕️
Now on to the characters…
Frances is such a layered, relatable heroine—driven, brilliant, and fiercely determined to carve her own path in neuroscience. My heart genuinely went out to her as I felt her frustration, longing, and exhaustion after years of chasing dreams that seemed just out of reach, yet she kept pushing forward, refusing to give up. 🫂 There’s something incredibly inspiring about her resilience, and I loved that the story included so much of her personal growth, not just her romantic escapades. 👏🏼
And then there’s Lewis—meticulous, perceptive, and inconveniently attractive 😉, with a quiet confidence that makes him magnetic without being overbearing. He’s sharp and exacting in his work, but he also has an unspoken kindness and attentiveness. Watching him navigate both his rivalry with Frances and his own feelings, so patient, thoughtful, and unexpectedly vulnerable, added real depth to the story. 🫶🏼🫶🏼
My only complaint is I do wish we got inside Lewis’s head… 😔 BUT even without it, the slow unraveling of their dynamic was beautiful. From their almost comical first “meet cute” to discovering each other as rivals, and then the delicious tension of fake dating turning into real feelings 😏—it’s exactly the kind of setup that makes your stomach flutter. (ALSO!! The secret pining?! I loved every second of it😩).
I also adored Frances’s journey outside of romance. Watching her misunderstand Lewis’s actions and intentions, only to slowly realize that she had been seeing things through her own assumptions and bitterness, was so satisfying. It really shows how easy it is to misread people and unintentionally create conflict—and how rewarding it can be when you finally understand both someone else and yourself through simple communication .
Honestly, for a debut, this book is absolutely stunning. It’s witty, smart, heartfelt, and full of tension that keeps you hooked from the first page to the last. I’m already itching to see what this author does next. Five stars, no question. 🩷🩷
-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-favorite quotes-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-
”If he'd turn his head slightly, if he'd put his ear to my chest, he'd hear the way my heart tattoos its pattern of unforeseen attraction into the underside of my skin.”
“There's something awake in his eyes, an unwavering focus, when he listens to me talk.
I feel his attention like a touch to my temple, a nudge to my chin, a physical connection that grounds me in the here and now.”
“In his hands I feel precious, cared for, enough.”
“There is no limit to the ways I want you."
"I've never felt this way before. Attraction, sure. Appreciation, maybe comfort, too. But not this endless wonder. Like I'm a kid again, going to bed after the best possible day, but scared to fall asleep because I don't want it to end. That's what it feels like when I'm around you."
-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-
things to know about the book ↓
🧠 rivals → lovers
🧠 fake dating
🧠 slowburn
🧠 miscommunication
🧠 STEM romance
🧠 single POV (hers)
A huge thank you to Netgalley, Atria Books, and Hannah Brohm for allowing me to read this arc. These are all my honest opinions in this review.
spice rating:【 🌶️🌶️ 】
swearing: yes
⸻⸻⸻
・❥・⁀➷ pre-read
i’m not really in the mood for a STEM romance, but this is due on February 2nd so I need to get a head start… i’m hoping it’s good 😭
And can we talk about the rivals-to-lovers angle? 😭🤚🏼
I didn’t realize how much I needed it until now. 🤭🤭
Like it is SUCH an underrated trope. 🙂↕️🙂↕️🙂↕️
Now on to the characters…
Frances is such a layered, relatable heroine—driven, brilliant, and fiercely determined to carve her own path in neuroscience. My heart genuinely went out to her as I felt her frustration, longing, and exhaustion after years of chasing dreams that seemed just out of reach, yet she kept pushing forward, refusing to give up. 🫂 There’s something incredibly inspiring about her resilience, and I loved that the story included so much of her personal growth, not just her romantic escapades. 👏🏼
And then there’s Lewis—meticulous, perceptive, and inconveniently attractive 😉, with a quiet confidence that makes him magnetic without being overbearing. He’s sharp and exacting in his work, but he also has an unspoken kindness and attentiveness. Watching him navigate both his rivalry with Frances and his own feelings, so patient, thoughtful, and unexpectedly vulnerable, added real depth to the story. 🫶🏼🫶🏼
My only complaint is I do wish we got inside Lewis’s head… 😔 BUT even without it, the slow unraveling of their dynamic was beautiful. From their almost comical first “meet cute” to discovering each other as rivals, and then the delicious tension of fake dating turning into real feelings 😏—it’s exactly the kind of setup that makes your stomach flutter. (ALSO!! The secret pining?! I loved every second of it😩).
I also adored Frances’s journey outside of romance. Watching her misunderstand Lewis’s actions and intentions, only to slowly realize that she had been seeing things through her own assumptions and bitterness, was so satisfying. It really shows how easy it is to misread people and unintentionally create conflict—and how rewarding it can be when you finally understand both someone else and yourself through simple communication .
Honestly, for a debut, this book is absolutely stunning. It’s witty, smart, heartfelt, and full of tension that keeps you hooked from the first page to the last. I’m already itching to see what this author does next. Five stars, no question. 🩷🩷
-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-favorite quotes-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-
”If he'd turn his head slightly, if he'd put his ear to my chest, he'd hear the way my heart tattoos its pattern of unforeseen attraction into the underside of my skin.”
“There's something awake in his eyes, an unwavering focus, when he listens to me talk.
I feel his attention like a touch to my temple, a nudge to my chin, a physical connection that grounds me in the here and now.”
“In his hands I feel precious, cared for, enough.”
“There is no limit to the ways I want you."
"I've never felt this way before. Attraction, sure. Appreciation, maybe comfort, too. But not this endless wonder. Like I'm a kid again, going to bed after the best possible day, but scared to fall asleep because I don't want it to end. That's what it feels like when I'm around you."
-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-
things to know about the book ↓
🧠 rivals → lovers
🧠 fake dating
🧠 slowburn
🧠 miscommunication
🧠 STEM romance
🧠 single POV (hers)
A huge thank you to Netgalley, Atria Books, and Hannah Brohm for allowing me to read this arc. These are all my honest opinions in this review.
spice rating:【 🌶️🌶️ 】
swearing: yes
⸻⸻⸻
・❥・⁀➷ pre-read
i’m not really in the mood for a STEM romance, but this is due on February 2nd so I need to get a head start… i’m hoping it’s good 😭
February 8, 2026
we have to kiss….for science. you can’t argue with romance novel logic people!!
followed shortly after by: i know we just kissed each others brains out but back to the data
Bookstagram | Blog
followed shortly after by: i know we just kissed each others brains out but back to the data
Bookstagram | Blog
Want to read
December 13, 2025it’s giving ali hazelwood spoof, but i’m intrigued 👀
March 13, 2026
I love these idiots
March 11, 2026
A clever, sometime painfully awkward STEM romance about ambition, resilience, and discovering that love might be just around the lab bench! 🧠💕
At the center of the story is Dr. Frances, a brilliant neuroscientist navigating the incredibly competitive and often frustrating world of academia. The book doesn’t shy away from showing the very real misogyny that still exists in research spaces, and watching Frances push through those challenges to protect both her career and reputation makes her an easy heroine to root for. The fake-dating setup that follows adds plenty of humor and tension, especially when it involves her academic rival, with really nice forearms. (Because we ALL love forearms, right ?!)
One of my favorite things about this book is how passionate the characters are about their work. Even when the reality of academia feels exhausting or discouraging, their dedication to research and discovery adds so much depth to the story. It’s refreshing to read a romance where ambition and intellectual curiosity are such a big part of the characters’ identities and they don't give it all up for love.
Beyond the romance, I also really loved the emotional growth between Frances and her sister. Their relationship adds another meaningful layer to the story, showcasing personal / familial healing with people who are biologically programmed to love you - even when you're so different.
If you loved The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood, there’s a very good chance this one will be right up your alley. With its academic setting, rivals-to-romance tension, and the sometimes awkward fake-dating trope, Love and Other Brain Experiments delivers a thoughtful and entertaining STEM romance!
**Thank you to Atria for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR🖤
Follow me on Instagram for honest reviews, bookish freebies & giveaways! 🖤
At the center of the story is Dr. Frances, a brilliant neuroscientist navigating the incredibly competitive and often frustrating world of academia. The book doesn’t shy away from showing the very real misogyny that still exists in research spaces, and watching Frances push through those challenges to protect both her career and reputation makes her an easy heroine to root for. The fake-dating setup that follows adds plenty of humor and tension, especially when it involves her academic rival, with really nice forearms. (Because we ALL love forearms, right ?!)
One of my favorite things about this book is how passionate the characters are about their work. Even when the reality of academia feels exhausting or discouraging, their dedication to research and discovery adds so much depth to the story. It’s refreshing to read a romance where ambition and intellectual curiosity are such a big part of the characters’ identities and they don't give it all up for love.
Beyond the romance, I also really loved the emotional growth between Frances and her sister. Their relationship adds another meaningful layer to the story, showcasing personal / familial healing with people who are biologically programmed to love you - even when you're so different.
If you loved The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood, there’s a very good chance this one will be right up your alley. With its academic setting, rivals-to-romance tension, and the sometimes awkward fake-dating trope, Love and Other Brain Experiments delivers a thoughtful and entertaining STEM romance!
**Thank you to Atria for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR🖤
Follow me on Instagram for honest reviews, bookish freebies & giveaways! 🖤
November 12, 2025
▹TL;DR Review: This debut delivers everything I love in a contemporary STEM romance—academic rivals-to-lovers tension, a vivid NYC setting, and authentic glimpses into the pressures of academia. While I was hooked by the characters and atmosphere, the story juggled a few too many conflicts, leaving some resolutions underdeveloped—but overall, it’s an engaging and enjoyable read I’d still recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the eARC. This is my honest review. Love and Other Brain Experiments comes out February 3, 2026!
▹My ⭐ Rating: ★★★.5 out of 5
▹Format: 📱 eReader
Buddy read with my sweet bestie Lina!
─────────────────────────
○★○ What to Expect from This Book: ○★○
– About: Neuroscientist Dr. Frances Silberstein is stuck in post-doc limbo, desperate for a breakthrough and job security. When she attends a conference organized by her ex-boyfriend, she clashes with her rival Dr. Lewis North. After a misunderstanding at the conference makes them appear to be a couple, Frances and Lewis decide to fake-date—all in the name of career strategy. But as fake becomes real, Frances must decide what she’s truly chasing: for love, for science, and for her future.
– FMC: Dr. Franziska Silberstein (aka “Frances”). 32 years old. Born in Germany, but has lived all over. Loves both neuroscience and computer science. Wants to be taken seriously on her own and not with the help of a man, but also struggles a bit with self-worth.
– MMC: Dr. Theodore Lewis North (aka “Lewis”). Neuroscientist. Born in NYC, but has lived all over. Makes questionable choices, but has a good heart. Likes to challenge Frances. Not super great at communication skills.
– Location: New York City and the Netherlands (briefly)
– POV: Single first-person
– Spice: 2 open-door explicit spicy scenes
– Tropes: rivals to lovers, fake dating, STEM/academia setting, forced proximity
– Content warning: misogynistic ex, work-field politics, pitfalls of academia, gray areas on giving credit to intellectual property, panic attacks
– Representation: women in STEM, vegetarian FMC, lactose intolerant MMC
─────────────────────────
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺ 1:00 ──ㅇ────── 4:12
Now Playing: Love on the Brain by Rihanna
─────────────────────────
★○ If You Like the Following, You Might Like This Book ○★
➼ Romance stories where the FMC is in STEM, like Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood and Give Me Butterflies by Jillian Meadows
➼ Academic rivals to lovers, like the books An Academic Affair by Jodi McAlister and Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams
─────────────────────────
⍟»This or That«⍟
Character Driven———✧————————Plot Driven
Fast Burn———————✧————Slow Burn
Sweet—————✧——————Spicy
Light/Fluffy————✧———————Heavy/Emotional
─────────────────────────
🎯 My Thoughts:
This debut novel has so many components that I love in contemporary romance: men and women in STEM, academic rivals to lovers, all in a NYC setting. That said, I sometimes felt like too much conflict was going on, and not enough connective tissue to explain the conflict resolution.
What I Loved:
1 • The academic side of the story was so interesting and while I’ve never been in academia, it felt relatable. The politics, gender inequality, and cutthroat competitiveness really comes through in this book
2 • The STEM atmosphere. I am the complete opposite of this (I’m a “creative”, so I find this so refreshing and exciting). It is even more pronounced in this book than other similar STEM romances, and I like that a lot
3 • The main characters in the first half of the book. From Frances and Lewis’s meet cute to their first week together had a lot of juicy tension, not just romantically, but professionally also
4 • Lewis’s character depth, as shown by his familial issues
5 • The unlikely friendships that are formed by some of the characters
6 • The ending was really cute
What Didn’t Work for Me:
1 • The abundance of conflicts. I think Lina and I counted around 9 conflicts throughout the story (some are related to others so maybe this number is inflated). I wished that maybe 1-2 of those conflicts didn’t happen to give more room for the resolution of the other conflicts to be fleshed out a bit more
2 • Lewis’s communication skills (or lack thereof). And then his excuses for the choices he made that created conflict with Frances
3 • Frances (specifically in the last half of the book). I feel like for someone so analytical, she made a lot of rash conclusions and decisions based off of everyone else’s actions. I wished she found her voice a little more
Would I Recommend?: Yes. Despite my critique, I really enjoyed this book. I found myself wanting to pick it up and read it whenever I wasn’t. I also really enjoyed this as a buddy read, but that's probably just because Lina is amazing.
__________________
Buddy read with my gal Lina. Bring on the STEM romance rivals!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the eARC. This is my honest review. Love and Other Brain Experiments comes out February 3, 2026!
▹My ⭐ Rating: ★★★.5 out of 5
▹Format: 📱 eReader
Buddy read with my sweet bestie Lina!
─────────────────────────
○★○ What to Expect from This Book: ○★○
– About: Neuroscientist Dr. Frances Silberstein is stuck in post-doc limbo, desperate for a breakthrough and job security. When she attends a conference organized by her ex-boyfriend, she clashes with her rival Dr. Lewis North. After a misunderstanding at the conference makes them appear to be a couple, Frances and Lewis decide to fake-date—all in the name of career strategy. But as fake becomes real, Frances must decide what she’s truly chasing: for love, for science, and for her future.
– FMC: Dr. Franziska Silberstein (aka “Frances”). 32 years old. Born in Germany, but has lived all over. Loves both neuroscience and computer science. Wants to be taken seriously on her own and not with the help of a man, but also struggles a bit with self-worth.
– MMC: Dr. Theodore Lewis North (aka “Lewis”). Neuroscientist. Born in NYC, but has lived all over. Makes questionable choices, but has a good heart. Likes to challenge Frances. Not super great at communication skills.
– Location: New York City and the Netherlands (briefly)
– POV: Single first-person
– Spice: 2 open-door explicit spicy scenes
– Tropes: rivals to lovers, fake dating, STEM/academia setting, forced proximity
– Content warning: misogynistic ex, work-field politics, pitfalls of academia, gray areas on giving credit to intellectual property, panic attacks
– Representation: women in STEM, vegetarian FMC, lactose intolerant MMC
─────────────────────────
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺ 1:00 ──ㅇ────── 4:12
Now Playing: Love on the Brain by Rihanna
╰┈➤ ❝And I run for miles just to get a taste, must be love on the brain❞
─────────────────────────
★○ If You Like the Following, You Might Like This Book ○★
➼ Romance stories where the FMC is in STEM, like Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood and Give Me Butterflies by Jillian Meadows
➼ Academic rivals to lovers, like the books An Academic Affair by Jodi McAlister and Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams
─────────────────────────
⍟»This or That«⍟
Character Driven———✧————————Plot Driven
Fast Burn———————✧————Slow Burn
Sweet—————✧——————Spicy
Light/Fluffy————✧———————Heavy/Emotional
─────────────────────────
🎯 My Thoughts:
This debut novel has so many components that I love in contemporary romance: men and women in STEM, academic rivals to lovers, all in a NYC setting. That said, I sometimes felt like too much conflict was going on, and not enough connective tissue to explain the conflict resolution.
What I Loved:
1 • The academic side of the story was so interesting and while I’ve never been in academia, it felt relatable. The politics, gender inequality, and cutthroat competitiveness really comes through in this book
2 • The STEM atmosphere. I am the complete opposite of this (I’m a “creative”, so I find this so refreshing and exciting). It is even more pronounced in this book than other similar STEM romances, and I like that a lot
3 • The main characters in the first half of the book. From Frances and Lewis’s meet cute to their first week together had a lot of juicy tension, not just romantically, but professionally also
4 • Lewis’s character depth, as shown by his familial issues
5 • The unlikely friendships that are formed by some of the characters
6 • The ending was really cute
What Didn’t Work for Me:
1 • The abundance of conflicts. I think Lina and I counted around 9 conflicts throughout the story (some are related to others so maybe this number is inflated). I wished that maybe 1-2 of those conflicts didn’t happen to give more room for the resolution of the other conflicts to be fleshed out a bit more
2 • Lewis’s communication skills (or lack thereof). And then his excuses for the choices he made that created conflict with Frances
3 • Frances (specifically in the last half of the book). I feel like for someone so analytical, she made a lot of rash conclusions and decisions based off of everyone else’s actions. I wished she found her voice a little more
Would I Recommend?: Yes. Despite my critique, I really enjoyed this book. I found myself wanting to pick it up and read it whenever I wasn’t. I also really enjoyed this as a buddy read, but that's probably just because Lina is amazing.
__________________
Buddy read with my gal Lina. Bring on the STEM romance rivals!
October 18, 2025
thank you to netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
this was a super cute STEM rom-com full of cute, playful banter!
looking forward to reading more from this author!!
this was a super cute STEM rom-com full of cute, playful banter!
looking forward to reading more from this author!!
November 13, 2025
3.75 / 5 Stars
I really love reading academic rivals to lovers (one of my new favorite tropes) and this was a really great debut novel. There were just a few things that fell slightly short for me. In “Love and Other Experiments,” Frances is heading to a neuroscience conference in NYC with some hesitations. First, it’s been five years since she broke up with her ex, the same man who is organizing the conference. And she’s heading there unsure if she will get grant money to stay in the Netherlands. Oh, and she hates flying. So when a fly attendant seats her next to a man who needs help with an abstract, Frances is happy to help, until they hit turbulence and she literally clings on to this man for dear life. Handsome and kind at first, he turns out to be her biggest academic nemesis – the man who constantly criticizes her papers and stole credit for her idea four years ago. And while people can contain multitudes, Frances just cannot reconcile her idea of Dr. Lewis North with the man who was nice to her when she had a panic attack. When her ex’s new fiancee interprets her and Lewis’s interaction as dating, Frances doesn’t correct her. And then it is too late to say “JK” without everyone thinking that Frances is a liar and questioning her integrity. Naturally, they decide to fake date. But turns out bicker can be foreplay for these two hot dummies.
You will probably like this book if you like:
👩🔬 STEM academia setting
👩🔬 Rivals to lovers
👩🔬 Fake dating
👩🔬 “We should practice kissing for … science”
👩🔬 He loves her glasses
👩🔬 Complicated family dynamics
👩🔬 Discussions of sexism in the workplace
I love an academic rivals to lovers storyline because it is usually grounded in some level of respect and mental attraction. Frances and Leo had a lot in common and pushed each other to be better scientists which in turn pushed each other’s buttons which I love. It led to some really fun banter. I also love that these two thought through their fake dating scenario extremely logically. Is fake dating still kind of silly? Sure, but there were no flaws in logic for why they should fake date.
I liked that both of them got depth from their family relationships and work lives. Lewis was the black sheep of his family for being a scientist (I know, it made me eye roll a little), but it did explain his lack of communication skills. And I think the details about Frances experiencing sexism (and having to work twice as hard to get half as far) were really thought provoking and really well done.
There were just some plot holes that made it a bit hard to buy into the story fully. First, it was exceptionally hard to believe France did not know what Lewis looked like and vice versa. These two have been rivals for four years and Frances didn’t google him once? Not even to print out his picture so she could throw darts at it? Second, the explanation for why Lewis “stole” Frances’ work made sense but why he never apologized just didn’t add up (so that was a -1 in the Lewis column). Third, these two have a lack of communication (not even a miscommunication) which leads to the third act conflict that really rubbed me the wrong way (sorry, I made myself laugh with that innuendo given that this is a romance novel 😂). It just didn’t sit well with me given everything between Lewis and Frances. Frances’ conflict with her sister also felt like it came out of nowhere and felt like a pile on for poor Frances when she was down and out. And finally, there were a few plot points that were used that felt like loose ends (like that damn notebook – iykyk) and therefore felt like they were used for the sake of creating drama instead of being integral for the plot.
The very end had a cute wrap-up that did make the third act conflict feel a little better so I did feel slightly more satisfied. If you like fake dating and you like STEM, you may really like this book. It had way more science than other STEM focused books that I’ve read which was really interesting (even if some of it went over my head). And I think I would definitely read another book by this author.
Big thank you to Kelsey for being the best reading buddy and holding my hand through my third act crash out 😂!
Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for providing this eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: Feb 3, 2026
_______________________
Pre-Read Thoughts: Getting to do another buddy ready with my love, Kelsey! I feel like I've had some good luck with academia nerds (complimentary) in love so I am looking forward to this one!
I really love reading academic rivals to lovers (one of my new favorite tropes) and this was a really great debut novel. There were just a few things that fell slightly short for me. In “Love and Other Experiments,” Frances is heading to a neuroscience conference in NYC with some hesitations. First, it’s been five years since she broke up with her ex, the same man who is organizing the conference. And she’s heading there unsure if she will get grant money to stay in the Netherlands. Oh, and she hates flying. So when a fly attendant seats her next to a man who needs help with an abstract, Frances is happy to help, until they hit turbulence and she literally clings on to this man for dear life. Handsome and kind at first, he turns out to be her biggest academic nemesis – the man who constantly criticizes her papers and stole credit for her idea four years ago. And while people can contain multitudes, Frances just cannot reconcile her idea of Dr. Lewis North with the man who was nice to her when she had a panic attack. When her ex’s new fiancee interprets her and Lewis’s interaction as dating, Frances doesn’t correct her. And then it is too late to say “JK” without everyone thinking that Frances is a liar and questioning her integrity. Naturally, they decide to fake date. But turns out bicker can be foreplay for these two hot dummies.
You will probably like this book if you like:
👩🔬 STEM academia setting
👩🔬 Rivals to lovers
👩🔬 Fake dating
👩🔬 “We should practice kissing for … science”
👩🔬 He loves her glasses
👩🔬 Complicated family dynamics
👩🔬 Discussions of sexism in the workplace
I love an academic rivals to lovers storyline because it is usually grounded in some level of respect and mental attraction. Frances and Leo had a lot in common and pushed each other to be better scientists which in turn pushed each other’s buttons which I love. It led to some really fun banter. I also love that these two thought through their fake dating scenario extremely logically. Is fake dating still kind of silly? Sure, but there were no flaws in logic for why they should fake date.
I liked that both of them got depth from their family relationships and work lives. Lewis was the black sheep of his family for being a scientist (I know, it made me eye roll a little), but it did explain his lack of communication skills. And I think the details about Frances experiencing sexism (and having to work twice as hard to get half as far) were really thought provoking and really well done.
There were just some plot holes that made it a bit hard to buy into the story fully. First, it was exceptionally hard to believe France did not know what Lewis looked like and vice versa. These two have been rivals for four years and Frances didn’t google him once? Not even to print out his picture so she could throw darts at it? Second, the explanation for why Lewis “stole” Frances’ work made sense but why he never apologized just didn’t add up (so that was a -1 in the Lewis column). Third, these two have a lack of communication (not even a miscommunication) which leads to the third act conflict that really rubbed me the wrong way (sorry, I made myself laugh with that innuendo given that this is a romance novel 😂). It just didn’t sit well with me given everything between Lewis and Frances. Frances’ conflict with her sister also felt like it came out of nowhere and felt like a pile on for poor Frances when she was down and out. And finally, there were a few plot points that were used that felt like loose ends (like that damn notebook – iykyk) and therefore felt like they were used for the sake of creating drama instead of being integral for the plot.
The very end had a cute wrap-up that did make the third act conflict feel a little better so I did feel slightly more satisfied. If you like fake dating and you like STEM, you may really like this book. It had way more science than other STEM focused books that I’ve read which was really interesting (even if some of it went over my head). And I think I would definitely read another book by this author.
Big thank you to Kelsey for being the best reading buddy and holding my hand through my third act crash out 😂!
Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for providing this eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: Feb 3, 2026
_______________________
Pre-Read Thoughts: Getting to do another buddy ready with my love, Kelsey! I feel like I've had some good luck with academia nerds (complimentary) in love so I am looking forward to this one!
November 7, 2025
This was such a heart-warming, heart-pounding, good read. I lapped up every page and fell in love with both Lewis and Frances. I was rooting for them the whole way through and couldn't get enough of these two adorable nerds in all their brilliant scientific brains.
The fake dating scene will always be a favorite for a very good reason. This was so well done, I truly enjoyed every single chapter.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
The fake dating scene will always be a favorite for a very good reason. This was so well done, I truly enjoyed every single chapter.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
March 11, 2026
saw so many mutuals adore this but it didn’t feel, at any point, like he ever really liked her and what the damn fuck. that is the whole point of a romance book 😃
thank you(?) to atria for the advanced copy!
thank you(?) to atria for the advanced copy!
February 17, 2026
Love and Other Brain Experiments by Hannah Brohm
Contemporary romance. Stem. Fake dating and second chance troupes. Multiple time lines.
Doctors Frances Silberstein and Lewis North are both traveling to a New York conference when they are seated together on a plane. They had a relationship once before but job offers sent them in different directions. Their work is similar and they are competing for some of the same grants but in order not to be caught in a lie, the two agree to pretend to be dating. Everything seems to be going well but as deadlines near and pressure increases, Frances is forced to look at her own life and do some analysis. Is work enough?
These two are driven to do the best science they can to help the world. But they forget to live. Her sister is harsh but it was apparently a long time coming.
Love the nerd aspect both Frances and Lewis shared. What a pair.
A charismatic romance with charm and science.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
Contemporary romance. Stem. Fake dating and second chance troupes. Multiple time lines.
Doctors Frances Silberstein and Lewis North are both traveling to a New York conference when they are seated together on a plane. They had a relationship once before but job offers sent them in different directions. Their work is similar and they are competing for some of the same grants but in order not to be caught in a lie, the two agree to pretend to be dating. Everything seems to be going well but as deadlines near and pressure increases, Frances is forced to look at her own life and do some analysis. Is work enough?
These two are driven to do the best science they can to help the world. But they forget to live. Her sister is harsh but it was apparently a long time coming.
Love the nerd aspect both Frances and Lewis shared. What a pair.
A charismatic romance with charm and science.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
July 23, 2025
This was my first ARC read and it did not disappoint! This was also my first Hannah Brohm book and it won’t be my last. This book is a super cute rom-com that is filled with cute and funny banter. The MMC and FMC find themselves at the center of a sticky situation and the only solution is fake dating. As you can imagine how that plays out in the best way possible. This book was a great read!
September 4, 2025
LIFE IS WORTH LIVING 🎵🎵
Waaaww this was so good, I read it in under 24 hours, it felt just like an Ali Hazelwood book and I’m saying that in the best way possible. I am definitely not objective about it because I am literally the target audience for this kind of book but IT WAS SO GOOD.
Little synopsis:
Frances and Lewis meet in a transatlantic flight, sitting next to each other and when Frances tries to help Lewis shorten his abstract, she understands that he’s actually Dr North, her academic rival who nitpicks every scientific paper she writes. They are both headed to the same academic conference in New York and they’ll be in a sticky situation that will force them to spend time together.
The characters felt very real and the struggles of working in STEM and academia were nicely written. I think even though I understand all the science talk, that people will follow easily everything is explained in simpler terms without making it arrogant or condescending.
Frances’ stress and anxiety about her work and all the discourse about tying your self worth to your work felt so RAW. I loved her journey and I’m so glad about the ending of the book.
The tension is HIGH between our MCs and they flirt over email and science.
The most unrealistic thing about the story is the fact that Lewis is a man in STEM who actually has emotional intelligence and can read social cues…thank god for fictional men.
Oh and Hannah? Please write more 🥹
Tropes:
- Academic rivals to lovers
- Fake dating
- Scientific conference
- Nerdy banter
- He cooks for her
- Slow burn
- Forced proximity
Thanks to Netgalley, Aria & Aries and Hannah Brohm for the ARC.
Waaaww this was so good, I read it in under 24 hours, it felt just like an Ali Hazelwood book and I’m saying that in the best way possible. I am definitely not objective about it because I am literally the target audience for this kind of book but IT WAS SO GOOD.
Little synopsis:
Frances and Lewis meet in a transatlantic flight, sitting next to each other and when Frances tries to help Lewis shorten his abstract, she understands that he’s actually Dr North, her academic rival who nitpicks every scientific paper she writes. They are both headed to the same academic conference in New York and they’ll be in a sticky situation that will force them to spend time together.
The characters felt very real and the struggles of working in STEM and academia were nicely written. I think even though I understand all the science talk, that people will follow easily everything is explained in simpler terms without making it arrogant or condescending.
Frances’ stress and anxiety about her work and all the discourse about tying your self worth to your work felt so RAW. I loved her journey and I’m so glad about the ending of the book.
The tension is HIGH between our MCs and they flirt over email and science.
The most unrealistic thing about the story is the fact that Lewis is a man in STEM who actually has emotional intelligence and can read social cues…thank god for fictional men.
Oh and Hannah? Please write more 🥹
Tropes:
- Academic rivals to lovers
- Fake dating
- Scientific conference
- Nerdy banter
- He cooks for her
- Slow burn
- Forced proximity
Thanks to Netgalley, Aria & Aries and Hannah Brohm for the ARC.
December 30, 2025
it’s a lovely day to talk about a NEW and CUTE debut book STEM romance novel because if u’re looking up for more stories involving fake dating and STEM this one could be the one for 🫵🏻 so be ready to read about my thoughts… ;)
if u’re an ali hazelwood fan like me i know u’ll enjoy frances and lewis’s story because because i certainly did! from the start i was sat and ready to fly in NY with our lovely and relatable main characters ;”)
from the start it was obviously that u could feel the chemistry between frances and levi until she found out who levi was and the professional history they had involved but life happens and u never know right? and these two will have to fake dating and ikyk 😁 feelings will be involved with also the professional aspect that frances has to face respect lewis and so everything mixes and here u’re served with an interesting and adorable romcom!
and the outcome of our couple’s love… 100% correct and not only! i really appreciated how hannah brohm portrayed frances’s feelings towards her career and love! she was truly a lovely and inspiring female main character! levi oh levi the thoughtful man he were… to have more men like him… but besides from this i truly loved to read how he tried with his family and remained true to his beliefs!
lewis and frances in the end were really cute but most importantly very mature! it was so refreshing to see them communicating and understanding each other it was truly something else and i definitely appreciated that <333
last but not least i would like to thanks netgalley and aria & aries for allowing me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion!
if u’re an ali hazelwood fan like me i know u’ll enjoy frances and lewis’s story because because i certainly did! from the start i was sat and ready to fly in NY with our lovely and relatable main characters ;”)
from the start it was obviously that u could feel the chemistry between frances and levi until she found out who levi was and the professional history they had involved but life happens and u never know right? and these two will have to fake dating and ikyk 😁 feelings will be involved with also the professional aspect that frances has to face respect lewis and so everything mixes and here u’re served with an interesting and adorable romcom!
and the outcome of our couple’s love… 100% correct and not only! i really appreciated how hannah brohm portrayed frances’s feelings towards her career and love! she was truly a lovely and inspiring female main character! levi oh levi the thoughtful man he were… to have more men like him… but besides from this i truly loved to read how he tried with his family and remained true to his beliefs!
lewis and frances in the end were really cute but most importantly very mature! it was so refreshing to see them communicating and understanding each other it was truly something else and i definitely appreciated that <333
last but not least i would like to thanks netgalley and aria & aries for allowing me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion!
February 2, 2026
4.3 stars!!
Thank you to Atria Books, Hannah Brohm, and Netgalley for the ARC!
I found this to be a fun and cute little romance! i love women in STEM (since I am one) and it’s always so refreshing to see
Frances, our FMC, seemed to be pretty good overall as a character, Lewis too - they both had good attributes, but alongside that they had flaws they were able to recognize which is important
there was a lot of miscommunication between the two that annoyed me, but it got resolved over time
I found that I was hooked the whole time too, I was so excited to get back to the story and see where it would go. I was so happy that the characters all got to see a happier ending, even some of the side ones like Karo
I honestly loved Brady, we love fanfics in this house!
Overall, a fun and engaging storyline!
Thank you to Atria Books, Hannah Brohm, and Netgalley for the ARC!
I found this to be a fun and cute little romance! i love women in STEM (since I am one) and it’s always so refreshing to see
Frances, our FMC, seemed to be pretty good overall as a character, Lewis too - they both had good attributes, but alongside that they had flaws they were able to recognize which is important
there was a lot of miscommunication between the two that annoyed me, but it got resolved over time
I found that I was hooked the whole time too, I was so excited to get back to the story and see where it would go. I was so happy that the characters all got to see a happier ending, even some of the side ones like Karo
I honestly loved Brady, we love fanfics in this house!
Overall, a fun and engaging storyline!
February 14, 2026
4✨ 2.5🌶️
format: 📖 &📱(thank you atria for the advanced copies!)
tropes/what to expect:
• rivals to lovers
• STEM romance & lotssss of nerdy banter
• fake dating
• open door spice (2 scenes)
love & other brain experiments turned out to be a sweet and nerdy delight with a dash of spice! i saw it was marketed for fans of ali hazelwood and i said: say less, immediately adding to my TBR. while not necessarily a novel story, it’s well written, super cute, and a super easy read. definitely recommend picking it up if you’re looking for an fun academic rivals to lovers story!
format: 📖 &📱(thank you atria for the advanced copies!)
tropes/what to expect:
• rivals to lovers
• STEM romance & lotssss of nerdy banter
• fake dating
• open door spice (2 scenes)
love & other brain experiments turned out to be a sweet and nerdy delight with a dash of spice! i saw it was marketed for fans of ali hazelwood and i said: say less, immediately adding to my TBR. while not necessarily a novel story, it’s well written, super cute, and a super easy read. definitely recommend picking it up if you’re looking for an fun academic rivals to lovers story!
March 27, 2026
i thought this was cute, but it overexplained itself way too much. i don't need to be explained what a grant or what a postdoc is, but the amount of times the narration stated lewis was frances' "academic nemesis/rival" gave me the ick. there was so much telling instead of showing, long info dumps that broke the immersion. it could have been so much better, but at least it was entertaining.
i enjoyed the romance, but it wasn't anything otherworldly. it was just there and, at times, it didn't feel like they liked each other that much. the miscommunication was frankly frustrating. i didn't really get the "he falls first" because it wasn't shown to me.
the ending felt a bit rushed, especially with the sister conflict, as i felt like it wasn't explored properly throughout the book. i understand it was an explosion, they hit a boiling point, but it should have happened earlier. frances was definitely overcompensating after, and it became a bit repetitive.
i enjoyed the romance, but it wasn't anything otherworldly. it was just there and, at times, it didn't feel like they liked each other that much. the miscommunication was frankly frustrating. i didn't really get the "he falls first" because it wasn't shown to me.
the ending felt a bit rushed, especially with the sister conflict, as i felt like it wasn't explored properly throughout the book. i understand it was an explosion, they hit a boiling point, but it should have happened earlier. frances was definitely overcompensating after, and it became a bit repetitive.
December 9, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC copy of this book - releasing Feb 2026
STEM romance, rivals to lovers, fake dating
Frances is a neurology research scientist PhD - her world revolves her career. After being burned by her last relationship and men in academia, she is stubborn to a fault to succeed on her own merit. Hence why, with her current contract ending, she’s heading to a big science convention - hosted by her ex - in hopes of networking and finding another lab and job. On the plane ride over, she meets a charming fellow intellectual and sparks fly - until she realizes this is a fellow scientist in her field who has openly criticized her for years - Lewis. Immediately their rivalry kicks into full gear - both proud and neither taking any criticism well. But when they get to the conference and people mistake their bickering for flirting - Frances is so flustered she doesn’t correct them - and then is trapped by not being able to go back on her word. Not wanting to look like an unreliable fraud, she decides to proposition Lewis to fake date to maintain their reputations. But as their chemistry grows, into a tentative friendship and then the start of something more, can a short term fake relationship become more when it started as a lie and their insecurities and past keep building up walls between them?
STEM romance, rivals to lovers, fake dating
Frances is a neurology research scientist PhD - her world revolves her career. After being burned by her last relationship and men in academia, she is stubborn to a fault to succeed on her own merit. Hence why, with her current contract ending, she’s heading to a big science convention - hosted by her ex - in hopes of networking and finding another lab and job. On the plane ride over, she meets a charming fellow intellectual and sparks fly - until she realizes this is a fellow scientist in her field who has openly criticized her for years - Lewis. Immediately their rivalry kicks into full gear - both proud and neither taking any criticism well. But when they get to the conference and people mistake their bickering for flirting - Frances is so flustered she doesn’t correct them - and then is trapped by not being able to go back on her word. Not wanting to look like an unreliable fraud, she decides to proposition Lewis to fake date to maintain their reputations. But as their chemistry grows, into a tentative friendship and then the start of something more, can a short term fake relationship become more when it started as a lie and their insecurities and past keep building up walls between them?
March 25, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ Definitely one for fans of Ali Hazelwood and the growing STEM romance community!
Besides having an adorable cover that really drew me in, this book delivered a beautiful story about balancing work, life, dating and baggage. Frances is a complex character and I appreciated her character growth so much. I loved that not only her sister calls her out, but Lewis does as well. I think their relationship, while having its set backs, was mature, realistic and a little quirky.
The fake dating set up was a little silly to me at first, as it always is, but I found it believable that Frances would be concerned with how her peers would view her if they realized she lied about something so silly.
— fake dating
— women in STEM
— workplace romance
— enemies to lovers
Besides having an adorable cover that really drew me in, this book delivered a beautiful story about balancing work, life, dating and baggage. Frances is a complex character and I appreciated her character growth so much. I loved that not only her sister calls her out, but Lewis does as well. I think their relationship, while having its set backs, was mature, realistic and a little quirky.
The fake dating set up was a little silly to me at first, as it always is, but I found it believable that Frances would be concerned with how her peers would view her if they realized she lied about something so silly.
— fake dating
— women in STEM
— workplace romance
— enemies to lovers
July 25, 2025
What a fabulous debut!!
This book is for STEM lovers, but really anyone who loves a great slow-burn, fake-dating romance. Both characters were extremely likable and had tremendous growth throughout the book. I appreciated that they actually communicated with each other (most of the time) and were able to resolve most misunderstandings like adults. I can't wait to read more from Hannah in the future!
This book is for STEM lovers, but really anyone who loves a great slow-burn, fake-dating romance. Both characters were extremely likable and had tremendous growth throughout the book. I appreciated that they actually communicated with each other (most of the time) and were able to resolve most misunderstandings like adults. I can't wait to read more from Hannah in the future!
August 17, 2025
Gosh, what to say? I liked the idea of this story and was interested in the plot and the resolution. But the writing was just so tedious. The sentence structure was confusing… at times too simple and at others just oddly developed. The dialogue is stilted and unnatural (can’t imagine people speaking this way and, no, it’s not because the characters are academics!). It’s a beginner novel with beginner writing, so it would have really benefited from a snappier, sharper edit.
January 26, 2026
5 ⭐️
Frances is a neuroscientist on her way to New York for one of the biggest academia conferences of the year. Even with Murphys law following her left and right, she’s determined to make the best out of this trip. Although the plane ride is turning a little sour (having a fear of flying will do that to you.)
When she gets moved next to a cute fellow academia man, she’s thinking her luck has turned around. Until murphys law hits a home run and she realizes the man next to her is her arch nemesis who she has had an online rivalry with for 4 years.
Lewis is a kind, nerdy man who is hard and confident on the outside, but soft inside. He may have left Frances’s name off a citation, and criticized all her papers, but he’s fighting his own internal demons while battling the hardships of academia.
They try to avoid each other after the reveal of their identities on the flight, but that doesn’t last long when they find themselves in an office together to get their welcome packets. Frances ex is running the program- and the icing on the cake is the woman in front of them catching them up to speed on the conference is his new fiance. Who mistakes Lewis and Frances as a couple.
Frances and Lewis fake date to protect their careers at this conference, and what could go wrong?
I LOVEDDDD this book! It was so cute and had my attention the entire time. The enemies to lovers, fake dating, and academia aspect all tied in a beautiful present for me. The tie in with Frances wanting stability and mentioning nailing pictures to the walls coming full circle at the end? Had me tearing up!
Lewis and Frances were extremely believe main characters, and their back stories made so much sense as well. As much as I hate miscommunication, I felt like it added to this story plot well!
Thank you so much Hannah Brohm, NetGalley, & Atria books for this ARC!
Frances is a neuroscientist on her way to New York for one of the biggest academia conferences of the year. Even with Murphys law following her left and right, she’s determined to make the best out of this trip. Although the plane ride is turning a little sour (having a fear of flying will do that to you.)
When she gets moved next to a cute fellow academia man, she’s thinking her luck has turned around. Until murphys law hits a home run and she realizes the man next to her is her arch nemesis who she has had an online rivalry with for 4 years.
Lewis is a kind, nerdy man who is hard and confident on the outside, but soft inside. He may have left Frances’s name off a citation, and criticized all her papers, but he’s fighting his own internal demons while battling the hardships of academia.
They try to avoid each other after the reveal of their identities on the flight, but that doesn’t last long when they find themselves in an office together to get their welcome packets. Frances ex is running the program- and the icing on the cake is the woman in front of them catching them up to speed on the conference is his new fiance. Who mistakes Lewis and Frances as a couple.
Frances and Lewis fake date to protect their careers at this conference, and what could go wrong?
I LOVEDDDD this book! It was so cute and had my attention the entire time. The enemies to lovers, fake dating, and academia aspect all tied in a beautiful present for me. The tie in with Frances wanting stability and mentioning nailing pictures to the walls coming full circle at the end? Had me tearing up!
Lewis and Frances were extremely believe main characters, and their back stories made so much sense as well. As much as I hate miscommunication, I felt like it added to this story plot well!
Thank you so much Hannah Brohm, NetGalley, & Atria books for this ARC!
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