"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a community of women trying to mind their own business must be in want of a random man's opinion."
Release Date: August 23, 2022
Genre: Contemporary romance, fiction
Rating:
Summary:
Bee's theory was right-forcing a scientist to work with her nemesis triggers explosive results.
Like an avenging, purple-haired Jedi bringing balance to the mansplained universe, Bee Königswasser lives by a simple code: What would Marie Curie do? If NASA offered Marie her dream neuroengineering project, she would accept without hesitation. Duh, But the mother of modern physics never had to co-lead with Levi Ward.
Sure, Levi has soul-piercing eyes. And sure, he caught her in his powerfully corded arms like a romance novel hero when she accidentally damseled in distress on her first day in the lab. But Levi made his feelings toward bee clear in grad school-archenemies work best when employed in their own galaxies far, far away.
Now her equipment is missing, the staff ignores her, and Bee finds her floundering career in somewhat of a pickle. Perhaps it's her occipital cortex playing tricks on her, but Bee could swear she can see Levi softening into an ally, backing her plays...devouring her with those eyes. And the possibilities have all her neurons firing. But when it comes time to actually make a move and put her heart on the line, there's only one question that matters: What will Bee Königswasser do?
Review:
I had been seeing this book ALL OVER bookstagram, even before I joined bookstagram myself. The cover was so damn cute and I could not wait to dive into this book.
I was immediately infatuated with the main protagonist, Bee Königswasser. She is funky, bold, and does not fit into the traditional mold of a woman in science. But men already find it so repulsive to have women in STEM, let alone a charming and confident purple-haired Bee. Bee was very relatable for a character (who has a completely niche occupation such as a neuroscientist). I appreciated her empowering other women and women in STEM on her secret Twitter account. I always appreciate a book with feminist characters and/or feminist undertones.
I am a BIG fan of very niche occupations, hobbies, or interests for characters in books. This allows the character to invite you into their special world, which may be completely different from the readers experience or exposure. To read about neuroscientists, engineering, and NASA all in one book: definitely tickled my fancy.
Speaking of niche interests, Bee's obsession with Marie Curie: I personally loved this aspect of the book as I am also a big fan of Marie Curie myself. Albeit, more of a mild fascination with Marie Curie where Bee has an outright passion for her, her work, and her life. However, I am obsessed with radium and uranium. From this, I have developed a healthy obsession with work-place safety and OSHA because of radium/uranium tragedies. I know there are some people out there felt that the Marie Curie obsession was random, unnecessary, or excessive but I feel the complete opposite. It was unique and intriguing. I also discovered more interesting facts about Marie's life that I never knew before. I do always appreciate a book that can help me learn something new.
I fell head-over-heels in love with Levi. He is just so damn precious. Also, the amount of times Levi went to bat for Bee and defended her, not just because he absolutely loves her but because she is an amazing scientist. Levi can cook me vegan food and train me for a 5k marathon any day. The passion, the longing he has for Bee..."I know what she smells like. This little freckle on her neck when she pulls up her hair. Her upper lip is a little plumper than the lower. The curve of her wrist, when she holds a pen. It's wrong, really wrong, but I know the shape of her. I go to sleep thinking about it, and then I wake up, go to work, and she is there, and it's impossible. I tell her stuff I know she'll agree to, just to hear her hum back at me. It's like hot water down my fucking spine. She's married. She's brilliant. She trusts me, and all I think about is taking her to my office, stripping her, doing unspeakable things to her. And I want to tell her. I want to tell her that she's luminous, she's so bright in my mind, sometimes I can't focus. Sometimes I forget why I came into the room. I'm distracted. I wanted to push her against a wall, and I want her to push back. I want to go back in time and punch her stupid husband on the day I met him and then travel back to the future and punch him again. I want to buy her flowers, food, books. I want to hold her hand, and I want to lock her in my bedroom. She's everything I ever wanted and I want to inject her into my veins and also never see her again. There's nothing like her and these feelings, they are fucking intolerable. They were half-asleep while she was gone, but now she's here and my body thinks it's a fucking teenager and I don't know what to do. I don't know what to do. There is nothing I can do, so I'll just...not." Swooning, absolutely swooning. Also, I appreciate the line about how luminescent Bee is, very reminiscent of radium and the eerie glow it can emit. An extra layer of detail that had me all mushy inside.
The chemistry between Levi and Bee was undeniable, even when they thought they were sworn enemies. The quirky banter was on point. I was laughing out loud and chuckling to myself at so many points. The sex scenes between these two were also very passionate and well-written. You could feel the longing and desperation from Levi, who has been loving Bee from afar for so long. For Bee, she was experiencing lust and sexual satisfaction that she had never received from her shitty ex. Someone who had made her feel inadequate but then to realize was the inadequate one in the bedroom. Then to be worshipped, her body treated like a temple and she, the goddess, by Levi. It was a whirlwind for Bee.
Speaking of her shitty ex, Tim is a horrible human being. Absolute trash. I can understand why Bee had such a hard time admitting that her relationship with Levi was more than friends-with-benefits and really investing in the relationship. Typically, I HATE when the relationship is finally happening and one of the partners is in denial. But this made sense for Bee and her previous romantic trauma. Also, honestly, fuck Anna. You betrayed Bee's trust as her BEST FRIEND. I blame Tim AND I blame Anna. The friendship between Bee and Anna is gone. The trust was obliterated. You cannot earn that trust back. Thank you for the closure, have a wonderful life. It is time to close that chapter in her life, on Anna and on Tim.
I knew throughout the pair's work at NASA there was some level of sabotage occurring, not innocent mistakes. However, I never suspected Guy to be behind them. I honestly thought Boris was more likely. However, with a name like Guy, it makes a lot of sense now. They did foreshadow a few times: how is it possible for Guy to be so accepting not being co-lead and how is it possible that Guy can be so nice? It was obvious foreshadowing but it did not really hit me until he was standing there with a gun!
This book easily gets 5 out of 5 bunnies. A powerful, feminist female lead. A brooding, soft male lead. A niche occupation. Slow burn, quirky banter, intense passion, a romance that feels like coming home. This book checked ALL the boxes. It was such a quick read; I annihilated this book in less than 2 days...and that was me trying to pace myself. My only complaint: I wish it was longer!
Quotes:
"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a community of women trying to mind their own business must be in want of a random man's opinion."
"If there is one thing men hate more than smart woman, it's a smart woman who makes her own choices when it comes to her own sex life."
"The real villain is love: an unstable isotope, constantly undergoing spontaneous nuclear decay. And it will forever go unpunished."
"Thank you, Oh Penised Overlords, for the recognition I deserve."
"Guess this is it-being love. Truly in love. Lots and lots of horrible, wondrous, violent emotions."
"You were always in my head. And I could never get you out."
"I want to tell her that she's luminous, she's so bright in my mind, sometimes I can't focus."
