The STEMinist Novellas #1
From the publisher:
A USA Today Bestseller!
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis comes a new steamy, STEMinist novella…
A scientist should never cohabitate with her annoyingly hot nemesis—it leads to combustion.
Mara, Sadie, and Hannah are friends first, scientists always. Though their fields of study might take them to different corners of the world, they can all agree on this universal truth: when it comes to love and science, opposites attract and rivals make you burn…
As an environmental engineer, Mara knows all about the delicate nature of ecosystems. They require balance. And leaving the thermostat alone. And not stealing someone else’s food. And other rules Liam, her detestable big-oil lawyer of a roommate, knows nothing about. Okay, sure, technically she’s the interloper. Liam was already entrenched in his aunt’s house like some glowering grumpy giant when Mara moved in, with his big muscles and kissable mouth just sitting there on the couch tempting respectable scientists to the dark side…but Helena was her mentor and Mara’s not about to move out and give up her inheritance without a fight.
The problem is, living with someone means getting to know them. And the more Mara finds out about Liam, the harder it is to loathe him…and the easier it is to love him.
To read Sadie and Hannah’s stories look for the novellas Stuck with You and Below Zero, coming soon from Berkley!
https://amzn.to/3O5LOSv
I am not always a fan of novellas, and I never would have read this had I known. That would have been a shame, because this was such a fun read! Hazelwood is a neuroscientist and creates these strong, smart female characters who are also scientists; in this case, Mara is an environmental engineer. Her mentor has recently passed away and Mara inherits her home; well, half a house as her mentor’s nephew got the other half.
Liam was not expecting a roommate, and is none too pleased that Mara insists on staying, putting this into the enemies-to-lovers camp. Not only is he a beast to her, he is corporate lawyer for a big oil company that is destroying the environment that Mara is trying to save. Butting heads leads to some hilarious conversations, and eventually, the walls between them come down and romance ensues.
This is a terrific story that never felt like it was missing a thing, which is a problem I usually have with novellas. There is good character development, enough angst to keep the pages turning, and a happily ever after.
This is the first book of a trilogy of novellas: Stuck With You (Book 2) came out earlier this week, and Below Zero (Book 3) comes out in a few weeks. I’m a little annoyed with myself (and Hazelwood’s publicist!) that I missed grabbing the review copy of book 2, and book 3 isn’t showing up yet. Hopefully, my library will get them; I am putting in a request.
6/2022 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
UNDER ONE ROOF by Ali Hazelwood. Berkley (May 3, 2022). ASIN: B09M2TWX82. 336p.
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