Love and Other Brain Experiments - by Hannah Brohm (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

"Perfect for fans of Ali Hazelwood and other STEM romances." --Booklist (starred review)

An 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.

Review Quotes

"Brohm's debut is simply delightful. The chemistry between Frances and Lewis is off the charts, and their witty banter will make readers swoon. Full of fascinating details about neuroscience, this is perfect for fans of Ali Hazelwood and other STEM romances."--Booklist, starred review

"Brohm's debut is a creative take on both academic romance and the fake-dating trope, with laugh-out-loud dialogue and a satisfying resolution. Great for fans of Ali Hazelwood."--Library Journal

"The angst between Frances and Lewis is delicious, and the focus on STEM will appeal to fans of Ali Hazelwood."--Publisher's Weekly

"A stunner debut with endless steam and wit! Hannah Brohm is a voice to watch. Funny, smart, and addictively romantic, Love and Other Brain Experiments is the perfect read."--Peyton Corinne, USA Today bestselling author of Unsteady and Unloved

"A totally charming read, Love and Other Brain Experiments is the sweetest romance. The perfect blend of fake dating and forearms, with the most romantic PowerPoint presentation you'll ever encounter. I loved this brilliant debut and I can't wait to see what Hannah Brohm comes up with next."--Laura Wood, author of Under Your Spell and Let's Make a Scene

"Hannah Brohm skillfully weaves together a debut novel that's smart, beautifully written, and teeming with delicious romantic tension. With its immersive academic backdrop and a fake dating scheme that had me flying through the pages, Love and Other Brain Experiments is a dopamine rush from start to finish."--Ellie K. Wilde, author of Only in Your Dreams and Only Between Us

"No one loves fake dating like I do, and this one elevates my favorite trope with emotionally vulnerable characters navigating their way through a truly heartfelt and hopeful love story. Move this debut to the top of your list."--Annabel Monaghan, New York Times bestselling author

"Smart and sexy, Love and Other Brain Experiments will be relatable for everyone, not just those in academia. Brohm weaves a beautiful tale of self-worth, patience, and hard work through fake dating chaos, the slow realization of romantic feelings, and a brilliant woman-in-STEM. An absolute knockout!"--Chelsea Curto, author of the DC Stars series

"Love and Other Brain Experiments is the intellectually seductive, trope-perfect, lanyard-melting debut of the year. Brohm's twin loves for the romance genre and neuroscience sang on every page. I couldn't get enough of the gorgeous writing, delicious academia backdrop, and heartwarming main characters. Brohm peels off their hard shells with finesse and no small amount of tension. I was glued, start to finish."--Clare Gilmore, USA Today bestselling author of Never Over

"Attention all STEM romance lovers: this smart and poignant debut will make you swoon, fan yourself, and wonder how neuroscience could be so sexy. With deeply relatable characters who grow past their fears and mistakes together, you'll want to hug this book when you're done."--Victoria Lavine, international bestselling author of Any Trope but You

"Love and Other Brain Experiments was a brainy delight. Brohm plays with my favourite tropes (academic rivals! fake dating! forced proximity!) masterfully; her writing is cheeky and self-aware, but warmed by an undercurrent of sincerity and real heart. She weaves in unflinchingly trenchant observations about academia by someone who has clearly been through it all--the thankless postdoc grind, the sick addiction to inbox refreshing after grant applications, the revolving mess of ego/devastating emotional breakdown that studs one's trajectory up the ivory tower. Love and Other Brain Experiments is about finding love of three kinds--romantic, sisterly, and self. It is also an ode to overthinkers; Frances, I see you--possibly I am you. I was left charmed and delighted. A stellar debut."--Brigitte Knightley, New York Times bestselling author of The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy

"There are few things that make me kick my feet like nerds helplessly following their hearts ... in spite of their minds. Love and Other Brain Experiments is brainy, fun, deeply relatable and Brohm effortlessly captures all the delicious nuances that come from mixing a high-stakes summer program and a fake-dating charade between academic rivals. This is a debut you don't want to miss, I guarantee it will take up all the bandwidth in your head and heart."--Elena Armas, New York Times bestselling author

About the Author

Hannah 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.