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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
(2.5) I’m so bummed that this book did not work for me. I enjoyed Ali Hazelwood’s first book, The Love Hypothesis (albeit not as much as TikTok did), so I was excited when her women in stem romcom novellas were announced, but this was not it for me.
The first half of this novella read like one long AITA post where I, unfortunately, wanted to scream at our heroine/narrator that yes, she was the asshole. Also, for being a very smart woman (Environmental Engineer working for the EPA) she was soooooooooo stupid when it came to Liam! This is knit-picky of me, but I also wish she had liked her job more. I know sexism in STEM is common, but her job played such a small role in the story I think it would’ve been nice to have her just enjoy it and not have to deal with sexist coworkers.
I also find Ali Hazelwood’s humor to be *very* millennial. Do with that what you will.
I do think I’ll try another one of Ali Hazelwood’s novellas when they come out, but this was a miss for me.
I did enjoy trying to guess what (if any) fanfic this started as. It is widely known that The Love Hypothesis started as a Reylo fanfic, and based on the cover, people were speculating this one might’ve been Harry/Ginny. Having read the book, I don’t think the family situations/characterizations fit those characters. I could maybe see Sirius/Lily, but idk if that’s a popular ship. Or this could be not based on any sort of fanfic, but it’s fun to speculate.
The first half of this novella read like one long AITA post where I, unfortunately, wanted to scream at our heroine/narrator that yes, she was the asshole. Also, for being a very smart woman (Environmental Engineer working for the EPA) she was soooooooooo stupid when it came to Liam! This is knit-picky of me, but I also wish she had liked her job more. I know sexism in STEM is common, but her job played such a small role in the story I think it would’ve been nice to have her just enjoy it and not have to deal with sexist coworkers.
I also find Ali Hazelwood’s humor to be *very* millennial. Do with that what you will.
I do think I’ll try another one of Ali Hazelwood’s novellas when they come out, but this was a miss for me.
I did enjoy trying to guess what (if any) fanfic this started as. It is widely known that The Love Hypothesis started as a Reylo fanfic, and based on the cover, people were speculating this one might’ve been Harry/Ginny. Having read the book, I don’t think the family situations/characterizations fit those characters. I could maybe see Sirius/Lily, but idk if that’s a popular ship. Or this could be not based on any sort of fanfic, but it’s fun to speculate.
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Unreal, unreal, UNREAL
Ali does it everytime!!!!!
I had to bite my hand while listening to the last chapter
Ali does it everytime!!!!!
I had to bite my hand while listening to the last chapter
fast-paced
STEM Girl + Grumpy Guy + One House
(Minor Spoilers Ahead)
This novella is basically “Hallmark enemies-to-roommates” but with spreadsheets and climate change. Mara inherits half a house. Liam already lives in said house. He’s a big-oil lawyer. She’s an environmental engineer. Cue the vibes.
I loved the premise (nothing like forced proximity to make two people realize they’re hot for each other) and Ali Hazelwood does her usual thing—STEM heroine, grumpy/sunshine dynamic, lots of bickering. It’s fun.
My main issue, aside from the usual novella limitations? One sex scene really didn’t sit right. One character admits they don’t actually enjoy sex, and instead of pausing or checking in, the other just goes ahead. It was jarring in an otherwise playful story.
On a brighter note, I appreciated that the novella doesn’t shy away from showing male characters with insecurities. Romance novels often paint men as perfect, confident studs, so it was refreshing to see a more realistic perspective—reminding us that men can be vulnerable too, and that it doesn’t make them any less appealing.
Still, this was a cozy, one-sitting read with enough banter and science jokes to keep me entertained. Not my favorite Hazelwood, but perfect for a rainy afternoon.
(Minor Spoilers Ahead)
This novella is basically “Hallmark enemies-to-roommates” but with spreadsheets and climate change. Mara inherits half a house. Liam already lives in said house. He’s a big-oil lawyer. She’s an environmental engineer. Cue the vibes.
I loved the premise (nothing like forced proximity to make two people realize they’re hot for each other) and Ali Hazelwood does her usual thing—STEM heroine, grumpy/sunshine dynamic, lots of bickering. It’s fun.
My main issue, aside from the usual novella limitations? One sex scene really didn’t sit right. One character admits they don’t actually enjoy sex, and instead of pausing or checking in, the other just goes ahead. It was jarring in an otherwise playful story.
On a brighter note, I appreciated that the novella doesn’t shy away from showing male characters with insecurities. Romance novels often paint men as perfect, confident studs, so it was refreshing to see a more realistic perspective—reminding us that men can be vulnerable too, and that it doesn’t make them any less appealing.
Still, this was a cozy, one-sitting read with enough banter and science jokes to keep me entertained. Not my favorite Hazelwood, but perfect for a rainy afternoon.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It’s a short book but I honestly can’t even get into it
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
