Fake data is out of the question…
but fake dating?
“Brainy, fun, deeply relatable... This is a debut you don’t want to miss!”
UK: 12 Feb 2026
USA: 3 Feb 2026
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.
About the book
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.
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“Perfect for fans of Ali Hazelwood, Love and Other Brain Experiments is sexy, heartfelt, and bursting with charm. Lewis and Frances will take root in your brain and heart just like they do each other’s—and I dare you not to kick and squeal while they let down their guards and fall in love. This is pure academic rivals-to-lovers catnip.”
“Smart, tender, earnest, and masterful, this debut does STEM romance right. I’m no scientist, but my study’s results say that Love and Other Brain Experiments needs to be on your bookshelf.”
“Love and Other Brain Experiments is a just-one-more-chapter, heart-palpitatingly romantic delight of a romance that I was thinking about between reads. Frances and Lewis are totally delicious, and had me invested from the first page. It’s so good I’m pretty sure it altered my brain chemistry!”