Well written and informative. Abstract concepts are explained in a manner that makes them accessible to a lay reader. I would recommend this for a public or university library.

I wanted to read this book because I'm interested in the neuroscience of emotions and I'd never heard of limerence before. I'm glad I got to learn about something new and this put a lot of my friends' behavior in college into perspective, however I had a very hard time staying focused while reading this book. To me, the writing just was not as engaging as it could have been, though perhaps part of the problem is that I don't believe I experience limerence myself. If this was something more applicable to my own life, I think I would have enjoyed the book more.

Still, thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!

Very interesting book about limerence, or obsession about another person that is often romantic. Reading about others' experiences was fascinating, as were the author's tips for getting out of limerence. I deducted a star for the poor writing: there was a lot of "try and", which sounds terrible. For example, you shouldn't say, "I will try and forget him." It's supposed to be, "I will try to forget him."

First and foremost, I received an arc from NetGalley. Thank you!

Well, I definitely learned something from this book. I had no ideas that limerence was a thing. Simply fascinating! Luckily, that has never happened to me because it sounds kind of creepy and scary. Give it a read and learn for yourself and about yourself.

I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for a review from NetGalley. I had never heard of the term Limerence before, but I love Non-fiction psychology books so I figured I would give it a try. The book opens with a handy questionnaire where you can determine your love style. Limerence is a style of love where you become preoccupied by biological impulses to pair-bond. When you experience limerence, your mind obsesses over your new love interest (Limerent object) in order to try to successfully reproduce. Unfortunately, sometimes this causes chaos. In a world with social media, it can lead to anxiety-inducing behavior where you try everything to make sure your love interest loves you back. The problem with this is sometimes it causes unbalance in relationships. The book explains that the beginnings of Limerence are basically the best feelings of the world, but when the relationship is not healthy, Limerence can cause jealousy, frustration, difficulty adjusting during breakups, and in worse-case scenarios, can lead to adultery. At first, I found the book very interesting. There aren't too many synonyms for the word limerence, so reading the book becomes a task in repetitiveness. The last chapters become more self-help with the author advising the best way to live your life is to live a life of purpose. The book was split into three parts. Overall, I thought the book was interesting, but I didn't fully connect with its purpose. It seemed to me that if you took the quiz and realized you live with limerence, the book cautioned that you need to be careful because you can destroy your life and everything you care about really easily. I especially did not like the chapter where you had to challenge your belief system by purposely recalling negative memories and chanting to yourself "I will not be limerent". The book also tried to be two things: a guide for people who do not experience limerence to understand it better and a cautionary tale for those who do experience it to avoid pitfalls in their romantic life. Sometimes, I think the tone was harsh towards those experiencing limerence.

Well, I really could’ve used this book back in the day. Like, a lot. It might’ve saved me from a few heartbreaks (okay, maybe more than a few) and helped me spot the giant waving red flags I somehow managed to miss while floating through one hopeless infatuation after another. If you've ever spiraled into a full blown crush that took over your brain like a rom com villain with a dopamine gun, then yeah, this book gets it.

In Smitten, neuroscientist Dr. Tom Bellamy dives into “limerence,” a term that sounds fancy but basically means “the kind of obsessive, all consuming crush that hijacks your life”. It’s not just butterflies and daydreaming; it’s a legit psychological state, one that can turn into a full blown emotional rollercoaster. Tom Bellamy, a self-confessed serial limerent, brings both personal experience and scientific insight to the table in a way that’s surprisingly relatable and deeply validating.

The first half of the book was really fascinating. The author unpacks how our brains (and specifically, our reward systems) can latch onto someone and refuse to let go. Spoiler: it might go all the way back to our attachment styles with our parents. Turns out, those of us with anxious attachment are more likely to fall into limerence traps. (It's me, hi. I'm the problem, it's me). The mix of personal anecdotes, brain science, and “oh wow, that explains everything” moments really hit home.

The second half shifts more into self-help mode, which I did appreciate. That section dragged a bit for me, but it still has value, especially if you’re currently knee deep in limerence and looking for a way out. The author offers solid tools for breaking the cycle and finding more stable, grounded relationships.

Honestly, if you’ve ever wondered why one look, one smile, or one text can send you into an emotional tailspin, Smitten offers the clarity you didn’t know you needed. It’s like therapy with a side of neuroscience, and a reminder that our brains are sometimes just a little bit dumb when it comes to love.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tom Bellamy, and St. Martin's Essentials for the eARC of this book.

I’d never really heard of *limerence* before picking up Smitten, but wow, what a fascinating deep dive. Short, sharp, and backed by neuroscience, this book explains why obsessive crushes feel so intense (and often unhinged), and how that early-stage romantic chaos is biologically wired. It’s part science, part relationship manual, and totally worth reading if you’ve ever wondered why you’re spiraling over someone after two dates. I really never considered a lot of the links to limerence before and I have a doctorate in neuroscience and so this was quite enjoyable for me!