Love on the Brain
Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood
Published in 2022
Main Couple: Bee and Levi
The Story: Antagonists in grad school, Bee is selected to join Levi on the project of a lifetime. But will be bad blood from years past make collaboration impossible or will it open them up to a new connection of the mind…and body?
The Sex: Fairly vanilla in it’s lack of toys or tools, but I enjoyed it. It’s very partner focused. Both of them are gonna go after their O, but want to satisfy the other. They both engage in oral sex with each other. Foreplay is fun! And sometimes the goal. Hazelwood describes Levi’s treatment of Bee’s body as reverent. Loved that Bee has nipple piercings. Bee is described as engaging in “soft-core body modification.” Ali Hazelwood does a great job describing the inner workings of Bee’s mind during her intimate moments with Levi. The vaguely chaotic description of longing felt like an authentic representation of what it feels like when those moments happen. Chaos and overwhelm. Bee’s experience with her ex seems like it was focused on him, and if I’m being honest, terrible. With Levi she let’s herself go. And I’m going to give some major props to the character of Levi for being dedicated to satisfying her.
Favorite Lines:
“I read the email for the seventh time, and for the seventh time I marvel that I was given credit for my idea. Goes to show how low the bar is for focus dudes in STEM, doesn’t it? Thank you, Oh Penised Overlords, for the recognition I deserve.” Chapter 17 I know this has nothing to do with sex, but it made me laugh!!!!
“‘This might be over very quickly,’ he husks, hands gripping my thighs as I position him at my entrance. ‘But I’ll make it up to you. With my mouth. Or my fingers. If- Bee. Bee.’” Chapter 17 I think it’s important that men realized that their dicks are magical orgasm machines, and that they can admit they might need to use a different technique to get their partner to climax.
“I roll my hips to test the waters, see what hurts (very little) and what’s good (a whole lot). I learn what I want. Which angle. Which rhythm. In exchange, I let Levi’s hands roam my body wherever he likes-and it’s everywhere.” Chapter 17 Yes, Bee! Go get yours! Also, props to Levi for letting her take the lead.
Least Favorite Lines:
I didn’t have anything highlighted…Guess I have to go read it again…😉 Okay, I did. The things that pissed be off weren’t bad lines, but the douchey things Bee’ ex-boyfriend used to say to her. What a tool!
Final Thoughts:
I adored this book. I found the writing compelling, the characters interesting, and the plot unique. There was a lot that went into this books. Relationships are complex. Communication is key. I don’t always love the trope of moody dude is really just moody because he wants you and can’t express himself. I think that narrative gives men permission to be assholes and do no emotional work of their own. However, Hazelwood at least gives us a reason(ish): Bee had a serious boyfriend/fiancé during grad school, for Levi keeping his feelings to himself. Levi owns his past emotional shortcomings and his work in therapy for helping him get past them. (“ Just lots of talking about how my inability to functionally communicate my needs stemmed from a family that never allowed me to.” Chapter 20) There’s a great cast of characters that give a wonderful picture to the world these two are in. An adorable relationship between Levi and Bee’s assistants brings non-heterosexual relationships into the story even though the main characters are cis/het/white.
Beyond the sex, I found her writing style to be engrossing. I went and got her first novel, Love Hypothesis, after finishing this one. She has a clear voice. Plot of that one equally adorable. More people of color in leading roles, but I found the sex in Love on the Brain to be more fun.
Question: I’m finding more that when an author wants to show a woman is self empowered, she has her nippled pierced, or a sexually adventurous dude a prince albert. Is this the new leather jacket/motorcycle/spiked collar? No shaming to piercings, but is this something you all have noticed too?
Spice Level: 2/5
Kinks Explored: Are pierced nipples now a kink? Nah. So, really… none.
Voices Heard: A lot of these characters are white. I liked the diversity of her first book more.
Did I like it? Yeah. She’s got a formula that I enjoy.