Ali Hazelwood has carved a distinctive niche in contemporary romance by seamlessly blending scientific academia with swoon-worthy love stories. Following the phenomenal success of The Love Hypothesis, Hazelwood ventures into the novella format with Under One Roof, the first installment in her STEMinist Novellas series, which also includes Stuck with You and Below Zero. This collection promises to deliver the same smart, STEM-focused heroines and deliciously complex romantic entanglements that have become Hazelwood’s trademark.
A House Divided: The Central Conflict
Under One Roof introduces us to Mara Floyd, an environmental engineer whose world turns upside down when she inherits half of her beloved mentor Helena’s house—only to discover she’ll be sharing it with Liam Harding, Helena’s nephew and a corporate lawyer for the fossil fuel industry. The premise immediately establishes the central tension: two people with fundamentally opposing worldviews forced into intimate proximity by circumstances beyond their control.
Mara represents everything idealistic about environmental science—passionate, principled, and determined to save the planet from corporate greed. Liam embodies what she despises most: a lawyer whose very livelihood depends on defending the industries she fights against. This philosophical divide creates an electric foundation for their eventual romance, as Hazelwood expertly demonstrates how opposites don’t just attract—they combust.
The inheritance subplot serves as more than mere plot convenience. Helena’s decision to leave the house to both Mara and Liam feels intentional, almost like a final matchmaking scheme from beyond the grave. This element adds depth to the narrative, suggesting that sometimes the people who know us best can see romantic possibilities we’re blind to ourselves.
Character Development: From Loathing to Love
Hazelwood’s greatest strength lies in her character development, and Under One Roof showcases this talent beautifully. Mara begins as a woman convinced of her own righteousness, viewing Liam as nothing more than a corporate sellout. Her initial hostility feels justified and relatable—who among us hasn’t made snap judgments about people based on their career choices?
As the story progresses, Hazelwood peels back layers to reveal a more complex picture. Liam isn’t the heartless capitalist Mara assumed; he’s a man trapped by loyalty and circumstances, working for a company he despises because of professional obligations to his mentor. This revelation transforms him from a one-dimensional antagonist into a fully realized character worthy of both sympathy and desire.
The evolution of their relationship follows a carefully orchestrated dance of small moments and gradual revelations. From their first awkward encounters over coffee creamer theft to sharing Chinese takeout during a snowstorm, Hazelwood builds intimacy through domestic details that feel authentically lived-in. Their progression from enemies to reluctant roommates to friends to lovers never feels rushed or unearned.
Scientific Authenticity Meets Romantic Fantasy
One of Hazelwood’s distinguishing features as a romance author is her commitment to scientific authenticity. As a neuroscience professor herself, she brings genuine expertise to her portrayal of STEM professionals. Mara’s work at the EPA feels grounded in reality, complete with the frustrations of being the only woman on her team and dealing with condescending colleagues who question her competence.
The workplace dynamics Mara faces—particularly with her boss Sean, who consistently undermines her contributions—add layers of contemporary relevance to the story. Hazelwood doesn’t shy away from addressing the real challenges women face in STEM fields, making Mara’s professional struggles as compelling as her romantic ones.
Liam’s career as a corporate lawyer receives equally thoughtful treatment. Rather than making him a cartoon villain, Hazelwood explores the moral complexities of his position. His internal conflict about working for FGP Corp adds nuance to his character and provides a realistic foundation for the tension between him and Mara.
The Novella Format: Strengths and Limitations
At approximately 100 pages, Under One Roof demonstrates both the strengths and constraints of the novella format. Hazelwood’s tight pacing ensures that every scene serves multiple purposes—advancing the plot, developing character relationships, and building romantic tension. There’s no narrative fat here; every moment contributes to the overall story arc.
However, the compressed format occasionally works against the story’s emotional impact. While the enemies-to-lovers progression feels authentic, some readers might wish for more time to luxuriate in the slow burn. Certain character developments, particularly Liam’s decision to leave his job, feel slightly rushed given the limited page count.
The supporting characters, while charming, exist primarily to serve the main romance. Mara’s friends Sadie and Hannah appear mainly through video calls and text messages, providing advice and comic relief but lacking the depth they might have received in a full-length novel. This isn’t necessarily a flaw—novellas require different narrative priorities—but it does mean the world-building feels somewhat contained.
Heat Level and Romantic Chemistry
The sexual tension between Mara and Liam builds masterfully throughout the novella, culminating in scenes that are both emotionally satisfying and physically steamy. Hazelwood strikes an excellent balance between romance and explicit content, ensuring that the intimate scenes feel like natural extensions of the emotional connection rather than gratuitous additions.
The kitchen scene that serves as their first sexual encounter perfectly encapsulates everything that makes their relationship compelling. The setting—domestic, everyday—transforms into something charged with desire and vulnerability. Hazelwood’s writing in these moments is both sensual and emotionally resonant, capturing not just physical attraction but genuine emotional intimacy.
Writing Style and Voice
Hazelwood’s prose strikes an appealing balance between academic intelligence and accessible warmth. Her dialogue crackles with wit and authenticity, particularly in Mara’s internal monologue, which combines scientific precision with self-deprecating humor. The banter between Mara and Liam feels natural and unforced, contributing to their chemistry without seeming overly clever or artificial.
The author’s background in academia clearly influences her writing in positive ways. Her characters speak and think like actual scientists, with references to research, methodologies, and professional challenges that ring true. This authenticity elevates the romance beyond pure fantasy into something that feels grounded in recognizable reality.
Series Connections and Broader Context
As the first book in the STEMinist Novellas series, Under One Roof successfully establishes the world and tone for the subsequent books. The connection between Mara, Sadie, and Hannah—three friends who support each other through career challenges and romantic complications—provides a framework that carries through Stuck with You and Below Zero.
This series approach allows Hazelwood to explore different aspects of women’s experiences in STEM while maintaining thematic consistency. Each novella can stand alone while contributing to a larger narrative about friendship, professional ambition, and finding love in unexpected places.
Minor Criticisms and Areas for Improvement
While Under One Roof succeeds on multiple levels, it’s not without minor flaws. The resolution of some plot threads feels slightly too convenient—Mara’s promotion and Liam’s job search both conclude almost too neatly. The timing of their romantic confession, while emotionally satisfying, comes somewhat abruptly after months of mutual pining.
Additionally, some readers might find the environmental versus fossil fuel industry conflict a bit heavy-handed at times. While the thematic opposition serves the enemies-to-lovers structure well, occasional moments feel more like position papers than natural character development.
Similar Reads and Recommendations
Readers who enjoy Under One Roof would likely appreciate other STEM-focused romances such as:
- The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang – Features a heroine on the autism spectrum and incorporates economic research
- The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker – Opposites-attract romance with environmental themes
- Beach Read by Emily Henry – Enemies-to-lovers with writers instead of scientists
- The Hating Game by Sally Thorne – Workplace enemies-to-lovers with excellent sexual tension
- Satisfaction Guaranteed by Karelia Stetz-Waters – Features sustainable business themes and strong character development
Final Verdict: A Promising Start to an Engaging Series
Under One Roof succeeds as both a standalone romance and the opening salvo in Hazelwood’s STEMinist Novellas series. While the novella format imposes certain limitations on character development and world-building, Hazelwood maximizes every page to deliver a story that’s both intellectually engaging and emotionally satisfying.
The romance between Mara and Liam feels earned and authentic, built on a foundation of mutual respect that develops gradually from initial antagonism. Their opposing worldviews create genuine conflict that goes beyond surface-level misunderstandings, while their eventual compatibility emerges from shared values of integrity and kindness rather than simple physical attraction.
For readers seeking romance that respects both intelligence and emotion, Under One Roof delivers exactly what it promises: a smart, sexy story about two people learning that love sometimes grows in the most unexpected places. It’s a strong beginning to what promises to be an entertaining and thoughtful series exploring love, friendship, and ambition in the modern scientific world.