BOOK REVIEW: Under One Roof (The STEMinist Novellas #1) by Ali Hazelwood

Under One Roof (The STEMinist Novellas #1)
by Ali Hazelwood
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

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.

Review:

In his sleep. I swear I’m going to kill him in his damn sleep. When he least expects it. And then I’ll celebrate by throwing empty bottles of creamer at his corpse.

Under One Roof was an enemies to lovers with a fabulous forced proximity!  While they were both mesmerized by each other at first sight, once they knew who the other was Liam’s walls went up ridiculously high.  You see, Liam didn’t want Mara in the house they were now supposed to share.  And while he tried to buy her out multiple times, Mara was determined to keep her portion of the house she had inherited from an old professor.  She loved it there!  Even if Liam was the worst, sexiest roommate ever!

“And I guess I could lay off with the Disney soundtracks?”
“Could you?”
“Yeah.”
“Even The Little Mermaid?”
“Yes.”
“What about Moana?”
“Liam, I’m really trying, here. If you could please—” I am ready to storm out of the kitchen when I realize that he’s actually smiling. Well, sort of. With his eyes. Oh my God, was that a joke? He jokes? “You’re not as funny as you think.”

Liam was the king at being cold towards Mara.  He was also talented at antagonizing and messing with her too.  I felt guilty laughing at some of the scenes, but I just couldn’t help it lol.  Plus I adored Liam! So when push came to shove, Mara got her hands dirty too.  Their banter and fighting was so much fun!  And I loved that they had quirky moments of peace watching The Bachlorette.

He is going to ruin me for anyone else. He is going to destroy me in each and every possible way.
“Please,” he murmurs.
I don’t really have a choice: I want to say yes, so I nod. Whatever you want, you can have, Liam.

From their first meeting I was constantly searching for clues that Liam liked Mara.  Especially since we got the story only in her point of view.  Yes their work was oceans apart, yes they had a strong hate vibe going on but there was also so much more simmering between them too!  And when things got steamy, my heart was so happy!  I would have loved to read a full length novel with these characters though.  We got little snippets here, and other moments in time as the weeks go by, but I wanted to be able to see all the moments and more of their lives!  Under One Roof was still a ton of fun, and I can’t wait to read the next two novellas!

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