Published by Forever on February 10, 2026
Age/Genres: Adult, Romance
Rating:
Goodreads
When elusive metal frontman Dax Nakamura agrees to give his first interview in years, he has one his ex, Sloane Donavan, has to write it.
Bad-boy-turned-straight-edge frontman, Dax Nakamura, would prefer the skeletons in his closet to stay there, thank you very much. But not giving interviews didn’t stop the press from writing about one of metal’s biggest bands—or its lead vocalist. With their new album about to drop, Dax is finally ready to address the rumors that have plagued Final Revelations for the past eight years. And the only person he trusts to write it is the same person who broke his heart three summers ago.
Sloane Donavan knew she wanted to write about music since the first time she posted a MySpace blog for her neighbor’s garage band. A journalism degree, a failed internship, and countless backstage passes later, Sloane still hasn’t secured the dream job she left her dream man behind for. So when Dax shows back up with a career-making opportunity—exclusive insight into him, his band, and the chance to craft the narrative of one of the scene’s most revered bands—Sloane agrees, with one No one can know they’re exes. As they dive into Dax’s past, Sloane quickly realizes their history isn’t the only thing he’s hiding, and Sloane has a choice to make. The article Dax wants and the salacious tell-all Sloane’s editor expects are two completely different stories. This is the big break she’s been waiting for, but it comes with a the chance to rewrite the ending with her first and only love.
It had been three years since she walked away from her first and only love to chase her music journalism dreams, but after losing herself in a toxic work situation, Sloan was starting over in Dax's hometown. It was inevitable that their paths would cross, but when they are forced to spend copious amounts of time together for an interview, Sloan finds that she is still into Dax.
I love me a second chance romance, and I cannot deny how much I wanted this time around to be forever for these two. There were so many reasons why THIS was the time for them.
Dax had grown so much during their three years apart. He was more comfortable in his life and had made some major decisions about his future. He knew what he wanted, and he had set his sights on Sloan sharing that future with him.
Sloan was still dealing with the disappointment of how her dream fell apart and how her idol fell from his pedestal. She hoped to turn her freelance job into a permanent position, but it all hinged on getting the interview with Dax's band right.
I may have found Sloan's struggle frustrating, but it did ring true. She was trying to avoid the mistakes made by her own parents, and it may have pushed her to an extreme. I was ultimately pleased with how it all worked out, and in the meantime, I loved being part of the scene. This was nostalgic for me, though I was more emo/alternative than screamo. Being at music festivals and club gigs, talking about AP and Napster. I was flooded with memories.
Overall, I loved watching Dax and Sloan reconnect and getting a glimpse into the fictional Ohio music scene. I enjoyed the addition of the interview transcripts, album reviews, and articles that allowed me learn the history of Dax's band, and the story was filled with a great cast of supporting characters who I grew to love.
Published by Atria Books on February 3, 2026
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Rating:
Goodreads
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.
Frances Silberstein was dreading attending a conference organized by her ex but knew it was a great opportunity to network and give her career a boost. When she accidentally allows someone to believe she is dating her nemesis, Lewis North, Frances must partake in a fake relationship where Lewis charms her and makes her rethink her stance on him.
Every time I read a book set in the world of academia, I wonder why people do it. The characters are always so miserable or at least express so much dissatisfaction with their lives. It seems to be even worse for females. This "culture" played a big role in Love and Other Brain Experiments as we watch Frances trying to navigate this world and make a name for herself.
The story featured a romance between Frances and Lewis. They had admired each others work for several years and had once engaged in discussions online and by email, but all that changed after Lewis published a paper that set his star rising in the community. I loved the way they were reunited and how they accidentally became a (fake) couple. I thought they were great together and enjoyed seeing them get to know each other better while supporting and encouraging one another in their professional and private lives. They had chemistry, and their banter was smart and witty. I found them to be an enjoyable couple, but I knew there was not going to be a smooth road to the HEA.
The romance was definitely a central part of this tale, but the bigger story was Frances' personal struggle as an academic. Since parting ways with her ex-boyfriend in order to pursue her own research career, Frances had moved to several different countries and been forced to start over with each new contract. She was at a crossroads as to what she really wanted and in what direction she wished to take her career. She was seeking balance and trying hard to figure out how attain this goal. I was pleasantly surprised with the way this part of the story played out even if I struggled with her path at times.
Overall, I enjoyed getting to meet Frances and Lewis. I loved the way they interacted and had blessed this union from the very beginning. They simply fit with each other so well, and the grand gesture was so on brand for them. It brought a smile to my face, and as a science nerd, I found the STEM aspects fascinating. A definite plus for me.
*ARCS PROVIDED BY THE PUBLISHER
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