Ali Hazelwood continues her masterful exploration of romance in STEM academia with “Stuck with You,” the second installment in The STEMinist Novellas series. Following the success of “Under One Roof” and preceding “Below Zero,” this novella demonstrates Hazelwood’s exceptional ability to weave together scientific precision with emotional complexity, creating a story that resonates with both romance enthusiasts and STEM professionals.
The trilogy follows three brilliant friends—Mara, Sadie, and Hannah—as they navigate love, career challenges, and the unique obstacles facing women in science. While each novella stands alone, together they form a cohesive exploration of modern romance within academic and professional STEM environments.
The Perfect Storm: Plot and Premise
Sadie Grantham, a sustainability-focused civil engineer working for the small firm GreenFrame, finds herself trapped in more ways than one when a power outage strands her in a tiny Manhattan elevator with Erik Nowak, the towering Danish engineer who shattered her heart three weeks prior. What begins as a claustrophobic nightmare transforms into an emotionally charged confrontation that forces both characters to examine their assumptions and motivations.
The premise brilliantly capitalizes on the forced proximity trope while adding layers of professional rivalry and corporate intrigue. Hazelwood skillfully uses the confined space as both a literal and metaphorical pressure cooker, where suppressed emotions and unresolved conflicts bubble to the surface with increasing intensity.
The dual timeline structure—alternating between the present elevator crisis and flashbacks to their initial meeting and whirlwind romance—creates a compelling narrative rhythm. Readers experience both the immediate tension of their trapped situation and the gradual revelation of what went wrong between them, making each revelation feel earned and impactful.
Character Development: Depth Beyond Stereotypes
Sadie Grantham: The Superstitious Engineer
Sadie emerges as a wonderfully complex protagonist who defies typical romance novel archetypes. Her endearing superstitions—from lucky croissants to lavender underwear—provide comic relief while revealing deeper layers of vulnerability and the pressure she faces as a woman in a male-dominated field. Her loyalty to sustainable engineering principles, despite financial struggles, demonstrates her integrity and passion for meaningful work.
Hazelwood excels at showing Sadie’s internal conflict between her rational, scientific mind and her emotional responses. Her superstitious rituals serve as a coping mechanism for the uncertainty and discrimination she faces professionally, making her feel authentic rather than quirky for quirk’s sake.
Erik Nowak: More Than a Corporate Viking
Erik initially appears as the stereotypical cold, corporate villain—a “sentient human McMansion” as Sadie colorfully describes him. However, Hazelwood gradually peels back his layers to reveal a man genuinely committed to excellence and surprisingly considerate in his personal relationships. His Danish heritage adds cultural depth without relying on tired foreign romance tropes.
The revelation of his true motivations provides satisfying character development. His interest in Sadie’s academic work stems from genuine professional admiration rather than corporate espionage, transforming him from antagonist to misunderstood hero without absolving him of his communication failures.
Romance Dynamics: Chemistry That Crackles
The sexual tension between Sadie and Erik practically leaps off the page. Their initial meeting over Faye’s terrible croissants establishes immediate chemistry through witty banter about soccer, engineering ethics, and money laundering theories. Hazelwood excels at building romantic tension through intellectual compatibility—their shared passion for soccer and engineering creates authentic connection points.
The intimate scenes balance heat with emotional vulnerability. Hazelwood writes sex scenes that feel integral to character development rather than gratuitous, particularly in how Erik’s patience and consideration contrast with Sadie’s expectations based on past experiences. Their physical compatibility mirrors their intellectual connection, creating a well-rounded romantic foundation.
The second-chance romance elements work effectively because both characters have genuine reasons for their initial separation and realistic paths toward reconciliation. The corporate misunderstanding feels plausible within the cutthroat engineering industry, avoiding contrived conflict for drama’s sake.
STEM Representation: Authentic Professional Challenges
Hazelwood’s background in academia shines through her authentic portrayal of STEM workplace dynamics. The contrast between Sadie’s small, idealistic firm and Erik’s corporate giant reflects real tensions within engineering—the struggle between profit-driven projects and sustainable, ethical practices resonates with contemporary environmental concerns.
“Stuck with You” effectively highlights challenges facing women in STEM without becoming preachy. Sadie’s experiences with condescending clients who question her expertise feel unfortunately realistic, while her friendship with fellow STEM women provides necessary support and validation.
The technical details feel accurate without overwhelming general readers. Hazelwood strikes an excellent balance between showcasing the protagonists’ expertise and maintaining accessibility for readers outside STEM fields.
Writing Style: Hazelwood’s Signature Voice
Hazelwood’s prose combines technical precision with emotional warmth, mirroring her characters’ scientific backgrounds and romantic sensibilities. Her dialogue sparkles with wit and authenticity—the soccer debates feel like genuine conversations between passionate fans, while the scientific discussions demonstrate real expertise without intimidating readers.
The first-person narrative from Sadie’s perspective creates immediate intimacy and allows for her endearing internal monologue. Hazelwood captures the overthinking tendencies of an analytical mind while maintaining humor and relatability.
However, the novella format sometimes feels constraining. Certain plot developments, particularly the resolution of professional conflicts, feel rushed compared to the careful pacing of the romantic elements. The quick reconciliation with Gianna and potential solutions to the client competition lack the detailed exploration given to the central relationship.
Strengths and Minor Criticisms
“Stuck with You” excels in several key areas:
- Authentic STEM representation that avoids stereotypes while acknowledging real challenges
- Complex character development within a constrained format
- Excellent romantic tension built through shared interests and intellectual compatibility
- Humor and heart balanced throughout the narrative
- Satisfying resolution that feels earned rather than convenient
Areas where the novella shows minor weaknesses include:
- Pacing inconsistencies between romantic and professional plot resolution
- Limited exploration of supporting characters due to length constraints
- Corporate conflict resolution that feels somewhat simplified
Comparison Within The STEMinist Series
“Stuck with You” benefits from being part of a larger universe while maintaining independence. The brief appearances of Mara and Hannah through video calls provide continuity without overwhelming Sadie’s individual story. Readers familiar with “Under One Roof” will appreciate seeing Mara’s relationship with Liam develop in the background, while newcomers won’t feel lost.
“Stuck with You” successfully balances being accessible to new readers while rewarding series followers with character development and relationship progression across books.
Final Verdict: A Compelling Second-Chance Romance
“Stuck with You” delivers exactly what readers expect from Ali Hazelwood—smart, sexy romance featuring STEM professionals who feel like real people rather than fantasy figures. The novella format suits the intense, focused nature of the elevator setting, creating a pressure-cooker atmosphere that drives both conflict and resolution.
While minor pacing issues prevent it from achieving perfection, the strong character development, authentic STEM representation, and satisfying romantic arc make it a worthy addition to contemporary romance. Hazelwood continues to prove that academia can be just as sexy as any other romance setting when handled with skill and authenticity.
For readers seeking intelligent romance featuring women in STEM, “Stuck with You” offers both escapism and representation, proving that love stories can thrive even in the most analytically minded environments.
Similar Books You Might Enjoy
- The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood – For more academic romance with similar humor and heat
- Beach Read by Emily Henry – Academic rivals with emotional depth
- The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas – Fake dating in academia with strong STEM representation
- The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren – Enemies-to-lovers with witty banter
- Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon – Contemporary romance with career-focused heroines