SUMMARY
It will take the frosty terrain of the Arctic to show these rival scientists that their chemistry burns hot.
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?
To read Mara and Sadie’s stories look for the novellas Under One Roof and Stuck with You available now from Berkley!
Image and summary from Goodreads.
REVIEW
I was in the mood for a quick audiobook and Below Zero ended up being exactly what I needed. Sometimes you don’t want to commit to a 10 or 12 hour audiobook. You just want a fun romance you can finish in an afternoon and this definitely filled that gap.
I’ve read a few of Ali Hazelwood’s books now and while this wasn’t my favourite of hers, I still had a really enjoyable time with it. It was an easy listen that kept me entertained from start to finish and it reminded me why I keep coming back to her books whenever I’m looking for a STEM romance.
I really liked the two main characters. Hannah was intelligent, determined and more than capable of holding her own. I always appreciate how Ali Hazelwood writes women who are passionate about their careers without that becoming their entire personality. Hannah felt like someone who genuinely loved what she did and I enjoyed following her journey throughout the novella.
Ian also grew on me as the story went on. At first, he came across as a little reserved but it quickly became obvious how deeply he cared about Hannah. I liked that his actions spoke louder than his words and there were several moments where his protective side really shone through. It made their relationship feel sweet without becoming over the top.
Because it’s a novella, everything naturally moves at a much faster pace than a full length novel. I actually didn’t mind that too much because I knew what I was getting into. The romance develops quickly, but it still had enough chemistry and banter to keep me invested and I found myself smiling during quite a few of their interactions.
The audiobook was also really well done. It was easy to listen to and before I knew it, I’d finished the entire story. Sometimes that’s exactly the kind of book you’re looking for. Something thats light, entertaining and easy to get through without asking too much of you.
Overall, Below Zero was a solid little romance that did exactly what I wanted it to do. It gave me a quick escape, some likeable characters and a satisfying story in just a few hours. While it probably won’t be my most memorable Ali Hazelwood read, I still really enjoyed my time with it.
This was a 3 star read for me. It was a fun, easy audiobook that was perfect for when I wanted a shorter romance and I’d definitely recommend it if you’re after a quick read between longer books or looking for a little more Ali Hazelwood in your life.
-Rachelle
I’m on Instagram at @rachellesbookshelf
