The STEMinist Novellas by Ali Hazelwood| Review

Posted October 24, 2022 by Cristina (Girl in the Pages) in Books, Reviews / 0 Comments

The STEMinist Novellas by Ali Hazelwood| ReviewUnder One Roof (The STEMinist Novellas, #1) by Ali Hazelwood
Also by this author: The Love Hypothesis, Love on the Brain, Love, Theoretically, Bride
Published by Berkley on February 8, 2022
Genres: Adult Fiction, Romance
Pages: 112 •Format: E-BookSource: Overdrive
Goodreads
four-stars

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.

I’m always a bit concerned going into a novella if I’m going to really feel connected with the characters due to the limited length. I’m happy to report that in all 3 of Ali Hazelwood’s STEMinist novellas I not only enjoyed the characters and romances, I adored them. Following a trio of best friends, the first novella kicks off with Mara, an environmental engineer who’s forced by circumstance into being roommates with Liam, a lawyer for a big-oil company, pretty much making them instant enemies.

Ali Hazelwood is known for her hate-to-love romances and these novellas are no exception. However, this is the first one with a roommate setting and it was a fun twist on the theme. Mara and Liam are at odds over just about everything- their jobs, their home, their hobbies and household quirks. I loved how so many of Mara’s interests were related to mine (Disney movie soundtracks and The Bachelor, anyone?) but she’s still also a super smart scientist and Liam eventually goes from being bemused by her interests to supporting them (them watching The Bachelor together was *chef’s kiss*). I also think out of the three novellas Mara and Liam had the most romantic tension and definitely the spiciest romance. This novella also holds a special spot because it introduces the future protagonists of the other ones (Mara’s BFFs Sadie and Hannah) and leaves some clues regarding what to expect in their stories.

The STEMinist Novellas by Ali Hazelwood| ReviewStuck with You (The STEMinist Novellas, #2) by Ali Hazelwood
Also by this author: The Love Hypothesis, Love on the Brain, Love, Theoretically, Bride
Published by Berkley on March 8, 2022
Genres: Adult Fiction, Romance
Pages: 127 •Format: E-BookSource: Overdrive
Goodreads
four-stars

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…

Logically, Sadie knows that civil engineers are supposed to build bridges. However, as a woman of STEM she also understands that variables can change, and when you are stuck for hours in a tiny New York elevator with the man who broke your heart, you earn the right to burn that brawny, blond bridge to the ground. Erik can apologize all he wants, but to quote her rebel leader—she’d just as soon kiss a Wookiee.

Not even the most sophisticated of Sadie’s superstitious rituals could have predicted such a disastrous reunion. But while she refuses to acknowledge the siren call of Erik’s steely forearms or the way his voice softens when he offers her his sweater, Sadie can’t help but wonder if there might be more layers to her cold-hearted nemesis than meet the eye. Maybe, possibly, even burned bridges can still be crossed….

Stuck with You is easily my favorite novella out of the bunch. The story follows Sadie, a superstitious engineer who unknowingly falls for Erik, a leader at her company’s rival firm (who she hilariously refers to as “Corporate Thor.”) The premise is actually a bit of a twist on Hazelwood’s typical trope, since the enemies part comes after the lovers part- so it’s more of an acquaintances > lovers > enemies > lovers situation (romance fans will know the difference!) Once the *betrayal* happens they get stuck in an elevator (of course) and have to hash out the miscommunication that transpired. A bit stereotypical? Yes, but oh so fun!

The STEMinist Novellas by Ali Hazelwood| ReviewBelow Zero (The STEMinist Novellas, #3) by Ali Hazelwood
Also by this author: The Love Hypothesis, Love on the Brain, Love, Theoretically, Bride
Published by Berkley on April 5, 2022
Genres: Adult Fiction, Romance
Pages: 139 •Format: E-BookSource: Overdrive
Goodreads
three-stars

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…

Hannah’s got a bad feeling about this. Not only has the NASA aerospace engineer found herself injured and stranded at a remote Arctic research station—but the one person willing to undertake the hazardous rescue mission is her longtime rival.
Ian has been many things to Hannah: the villain who tried to veto her expedition and ruin her career, the man who stars in her most deliciously lurid dreams…but he’s never played the hero. So why is he risking everything to be here? And why does his presence seem just as dangerous to her heart as the coming snowstorm?

Below Zero was my least favorite of the novellas, I think largely because I didn’t vibe with Hannah. She’s very prickly and I just found her “not like other girls” persona to be a bit tiresome. I also wasn’t super into the love interest (I think maybe because he was Mara’s cousin and therefore felt like family, lol?) However, I love this novella because it finally united all 3 protagonists and couples and it was just such fun fan service. There’s also a lot of cool research expedition stuff in this one if that’s your thing (I’m just here for the romance, lol).

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