Love and Other Brain Experiments

A Novel

by Hannah Brohm

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Pub Date Feb 03 2026 | Archive Date Feb 17 2026

Description

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.

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...

Available Editions

EDITION	Other Format
ISBN	9781668095034
PRICE	$19.00 (USD)
PAGES	384

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Additional Information

Average rating from 131 members

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Featured Reviews

Reviewer 893221

An absolutely adorable STEM rom com perfect for fans of Ali Hazelwood. I love fake-dating, and I love a progression from enemies to friends to lovers and this book did not disappoint.

I loved how Brohm integrated academia into the story. The portrayal of Lewis and Frances' problems, their goals and desires were all realistic and I learned a lot about academia as well.

Frances' relationship with her younger sister was really beautiful and I loved seeing their dynamic shift and grow throughout the story. I also loved Frances' own growth with her relationship with her job and her hopes for the future. A book that was simultaneously steamy, sweet and heart-warming. Highly recommend!

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Tori R, Reviewer

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!

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Kat R, Reviewer

NASA should study my standards for romance novels because they are truly astronomically high, and this just skyrocketed them into a new galaxy, I fear.

✰ 5 stars, as a woman in STEM, I feel as though this story has the most accurate, nuanced portrayal of a woman in STEM in any romance novel I have ever read. and simply no one else but this hot nerdy man can appropriately intellectually stimulate her. I strongly recommend for fans of Ali Hazelwood's steminist romances who like Abby Jimenez and Tarah DeWitt-level emotion and character complexity.

thank you to Atria Books for the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy

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Katie G, Reviewer

If I had a nickel for every time a PhD neuroscientist wrote a fantastic romance, I'd have two nickels, and I'm thrilled to have them.

This book had me hooked from the very first chapter. I loved Frances and Lewis’s banter; it was fun to see them shift from academic rivals to lovers while keeping their fiery spirit. Having the characters communicate and own up to their mistakes was so refreshing; the conflict between them was not brushed over with a simple apology. Lewis is a man who knows how to apologize, and we love him for that. This book does a fantastic job of showcasing the characters' introspection and how they work to improve.

I truly loved this book, and I can’t wait for it to hit the shelves.

My favorite quote from the book: "Love is accepting someone without reservations."