Top positive review
4.0 out of 5 starsAnother must-read from Ali Hazelwood
Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2022
I am convinced Ali Hazelwood can do no wrong. I was excited about “Under One Roof” after having read- and adored- “The Love Hypothesis” but was still a little tentative. With only the audiobook out first, I wasn’t sure if I should go ahead and buy or just wait to read on Kindle. On top of that, I really prefer the length of a novel to spend more time with characters and really understand their personalities and motives. In the end, I went ahead and started listening to the audiobook.
I shouldn’t have bothered worrying. Despite the short length, our main characters Mara and Liam are people with histories, friends, hobbies, and quirks, and even the side characters have been written to be believable and charming. Mara is an environmental engineer who knows her worth, but still falls into the trap so, so many women do of making themselves just a little bit smaller so they don’t ruffle any feathers and subsequently lose professional opportunities. Liam is in his own common trap: following the advice and guidance of someone you love and trust even though you know it’s not the right path for you. As they work through their professional lives, they’ve both recently lost someone dear to them and are adjusting to living with an unexpected roommate. Inevitably, sparks fly, but this isn’t a case of insta-love. These are two people who need the care and support of the other to feel romance, and it’s a beautiful show of budding friendship and ultimately companionship.
Hazelwood did a wonderful job making these characters interesting and easy to get to know. Within the first few pages, Mara is already relatable and someone you want to spend time with. Liam is book boyfriend-worthy from the get-go, but by the time the words “good girl” are uttered (when you know, you’ll know), we might be in hyperventilation territory. Do I wish there was more? Of course. I would love to know more about Mara’s time in grad school, Liam’s relationship with his family and mentor, and spend time with both of these characters with their friends. But for a sweet, short escape, this is another must-read from Ali Hazelwood.
