Ali Hazelwood’s Under One Roof delivers a scientifically charged enemies-to-lovers romance that proves opposites really do attract—especially when they’re forced to share a thermostat. As the first installment in Hazelwood’s STEMinist Novellas series, which also includes Stuck with You and Below Zero, this novella captures the author’s signature blend of witty banter, STEM representation, and swoon-worthy romance in a perfectly condensed package.
The Chemistry of Forced Proximity
Environmental engineer Mara Floyd finds herself in an ecological disaster of her own making when she inherits half of her beloved mentor Helena’s house—only to discover that Helena’s corporate lawyer nephew, Liam Harding, already lives there. The setup is deliciously tense: Mara, a passionate EPA scientist dedicated to saving the planet, must cohabitate with Liam, who works for FGP Corp, a fossil fuel giant that represents everything she fights against professionally.
Hazelwood expertly uses the forced proximity trope to maximum effect, transforming what could have been a simple roommate situation into a pressure cooker of sexual tension and emotional growth. The house becomes a character in its own right, with its cozy rooms, beautiful photography collection, and that perpetually contentious thermostat serving as both sanctuary and battleground for our protagonists.
The initial animosity between Mara and Liam crackles with authentic energy. Their early confrontations—over coffee creamer theft, midnight cooking sessions, and general territorial disputes—feel genuinely irritating rather than artificially constructed. Hazelwood understands that real enemies-to-lovers romance requires characters who have legitimate reasons to dislike each other, not just manufactured misunderstandings.
Scientific Method Meets Emotional Discovery
What elevates Under One Roof above typical romance fare is Hazelwood’s commitment to authentic STEM representation. Mara’s work as an environmental engineer isn’t just window dressing; it’s integral to her character and the story’s conflict. Her frustration with her condescending boss Sean, her excitement about applying for a team leader position, and her dedication to environmental causes all feel researched and genuine.
The author, drawing from her own background in neuroscience, creates characters whose scientific minds extend beyond their professional lives. Mara approaches her feelings for Liam with the same analytical precision she brings to her engineering projects, cataloging her observations and trying to formulate hypotheses about his behavior. This scientific lens adds depth and authenticity to what could have been a formulaic romance.
Liam’s character arc proves particularly compelling as layers of his seemingly contradictory personality are peeled away. His work for FGP Corp initially positions him as Mara’s ideological opposite, but Hazelwood reveals the complexity beneath this surface antagonism. His love of nature photography, his protective instincts toward his team, and his genuine respect for Helena’s environmental work create a nuanced character wrestling with professional obligations and personal values.
The Evolution of Intimacy
Hazelwood excels at depicting the gradual shift from antagonism to attraction through carefully observed moments. The progression feels organic—from sharing Chinese takeout during a snowstorm to Liam’s protective gestures like leaving the porch light on for Mara’s late returns. These small intimacies accumulate emotional weight, creating a foundation for deeper connection that transcends physical attraction.
The romantic tension builds through domestic moments that highlight their growing compatibility. Watching The Bachelorette together, Mara fixing Liam’s microwave, their mutual teasing about Disney soundtracks—these scenes demonstrate how shared space can transform strangers into something approaching family. The author understands that sustainable romance grows from genuine friendship and compatibility, not just chemistry.
However, the emotional pacing occasionally feels rushed, particularly in the final act where Mara’s feelings shift from friendly affection to overwhelming love quite suddenly. While the sexual tension has been building effectively throughout the novella, the emotional revelation could have used additional development to feel completely earned.
Technical Precision and Narrative Flow
The novella format proves ideal for this concentrated story, allowing Hazelwood to maintain narrative focus without the subplot padding that might dilute the central relationship. At approximately 100 pages, Under One Roof delivers satisfying character development and romantic payoff without overstaying its welcome.
Hazelwood’s prose combines technical precision with emotional accessibility. Her scientific background shows in the accurate portrayal of Mara’s work environment and the realistic depiction of workplace dynamics in STEM fields. The dialogue sparkles with wit and authenticity, particularly in Mara’s conversations with her friends Sadie and Hannah, which provide crucial emotional support and comic relief.
The supporting characters, while limited by the novella’s scope, serve their purposes effectively. Helena’s presence permeates the story despite her death, her meddling nature and love for both protagonists creating the circumstances that force their proximity. The brief appearances of Liam’s friends and Mara’s colleagues provide enough context to ground the characters in believable social networks.
Addressing the Formula
While Under One Roof executes its tropes skillfully, it doesn’t entirely escape the predictability inherent in category romance. Readers familiar with enemies-to-lovers narratives will anticipate many of the story beats, from the initial antagonism through the forced cooperation to the inevitable romantic resolution. The novella’s brevity, while generally a strength, occasionally works against deeper character exploration.
The workplace elements, particularly Mara’s struggles with her dismissive boss Sean, feel somewhat underdeveloped. While these scenes effectively establish Mara’s professional challenges and Liam’s supportive nature, they could have been integrated more seamlessly into the primary romance plot.
The climactic romantic scene, while steamy and emotionally satisfying, arrives with less buildup than the tension between the characters might have warranted. The transition from intellectual attraction to physical intimacy feels slightly compressed, though this may be an inevitable constraint of the novella format.
Context Within the STEMinist Series
Under One Roof establishes the foundation for Hazelwood’s STEMinist Novellas series, introducing readers to the friendship between Mara, Sadie, and Hannah that will continue through Stuck with You and Below Zero. The series concept—following three friends as they navigate romance while pursuing STEM careers—provides a fresh framework for contemporary romance while addressing representation issues in both literature and science.
The novella’s success lies in its specificity rather than its broad appeal. Hazelwood writes for readers who want to see themselves reflected in romance—whether as scientists, nerds, or women navigating male-dominated professional environments. This targeted approach creates authentic emotional resonance for its intended audience while remaining accessible to general romance readers.
Final Analysis: A Satisfying Scientific Romance
Under One Roof succeeds as both romance and representation, delivering emotional satisfaction while showcasing the author’s commitment to authentic STEM portrayal. While it doesn’t revolutionize the enemies-to-lovers formula, it executes that formula with skill, intelligence, and genuine warmth. The novella’s concentrated focus allows Hazelwood to develop her central relationship thoroughly while maintaining narrative momentum throughout.
For readers seeking romance that celebrates intelligence, professional ambition, and the complexity of modern relationships, Under One Roof provides exactly the right chemical reaction. It’s a promising start to the STEMinist Novellas series and a testament to Hazelwood’s ability to blend scientific accuracy with romantic appeal.
Similar Books Worth Reading
- The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
- The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
- The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary
- Beach Read by Emily Henry
- The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
- Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood
