Under One Roof - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

 

Under One Roof (The STEMinist Novellas #1)

by Ali Hazelwood

What is it about:

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.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:

I absolutely loved The Love Hypothesis, so I preordered this novella in hope it would be just as delicious.

It was a nice enough read.

The story starts near the end and then jumps back to the start to show how Mara and Liam end up together. I wasn't a fan of the moments-in-time-like storytelling this novella uses. I didn't feel connected to Mara, so wasn't very sympathetic to her troubles.

Liam was nice. I could understand why he doesn't like Mara at first. The way they finally get together felt contrived though.

I will confess that the Enemies to Lovers trope isn't my favorite either. Apart from the rare exception it feels like Enemies to Lovers is either 'Not actual enemies, but snarky lust' or 'Why the actual F do these people want to be in a relationship after all that?'.

All in all not a bad read, but not what I was hoping for. I will give the next novella a try though, in the hope it will reach the same heights as The Love Hypothesis again.

Why should you read it:

If you like Contemporary Enemies to Lovers you might like this.

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