SUMMARY
Nothing like a little rivalry between scientists to take love to the next level.
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….
To read Mara and Hannah’s stories look for the novellas Under One Roof, available now, and Below Zero, coming soon from Berkley!
Image and summary from Goodreads.
REVIEW
After listening to both Under One Roof and Below Zero, I decided to finish off Ali Hazelwood’s STEMinist novellas with Stuck with You. I listened to this one as an audiobook as well and while I still enjoyed it overall, it ended up being my least favourite of the three.
That being said, I still had a good time listening to it.
One thing I consistently enjoy about Ali Hazelwood’s writing is how easy it is to read or in this case listen to. Her novellas are perfect when you’re looking for something quick and entertaining that you can finish in a few hours. I always find myself reaching for them between longer books because they’re such an easy palate cleanser.
The elevator setting was probably my favourite part of the story. I thought it was a fun concept and the forced proximity immediately created some entertaining tension between the characters. It’s one of those situations that would probably be a nightmare in real life but makes for a fun romance.
I also liked Sadie and Erik as individual characters. Sadie was smart, determined and easy to root for, while Erik had that classic Ali Hazelwood hero vibe as he was quiet, dependable and clearly more caring than he initially let on. Their chemistry was there and I enjoyed seeing the little glimpses into how their relationship had developed before the events of the novella.
I think the biggest reason this one didn’t work quite as well for me was that I never felt as invested in the romance as I did in the other two novellas. Because the story jumps between the present and previous moments in their relationship, I sometimes felt like I was playing catch up emotionally. I understood why the characters felt the way they did, but I didn’t always feel those emotions alongside them.
The audiobook itself was really enjoyable and made the story easy to get through. It kept me engaged, even during the slower moments and before I knew it I’d reached the end. It’s definitely the kind of audiobook that’s perfect for a commute, a walk or when you’re just looking for something light to listen to.
Overall, Stuck with You was still an enjoyable romance, but compared to Under One Roof and Below Zero, it just didn’t leave the same impression on me. It had some cute moments, an interesting premise and likeable characters, but I just found myself connecting with the other stories a little more.
This was a 3 star read for me and my least favourite of Ali Hazelwood’s STEMinist novellas. Even so, I’m glad I completed the collection and I’d still recommend the series if you’re looking for quick, easy romances with STEM settings and Ali Hazelwood’s signature writing style.
-Rachelle
I’m on Instagram at @rachellesbookshelf
