Stuck With You by Ali Hazelwood is a contemporary romance novel that follows the complicated relationship between two engineers, whose lives intertwine during an unexpected elevator malfunction. Set in New York City, the story explores themes of love, vulnerability, and personal growth as the protagonists navigate their feelings amidst humorous and tense situations. Readers will enjoy the witty banter and emotional depth that Hazelwood is known for, making this book a perfect choice for fans of romantic comedies and character-driven narratives. The novel showcases the challenges of balancing career ambitions with personal connections, appealing to those who appreciate stories about love in the workplace.

Key Points

  • Explores the romantic tension between two engineers trapped in an elevator
  • Highlights themes of vulnerability and personal growth in relationships
  • Set against the backdrop of New York City, adding to the urban romance vibe
  • Features witty dialogue and humor characteristic of Ali Hazelwood's writing
newtopiccyclegrowin
Author:Ali Hazelwood
107 pages
Language:English
Type:Novel
History
newtopiccyclegrowin
Author:Ali Hazelwood
107 pages
Language:English
Type:Novel
History
201
/ 107
Chapter 1
Present
My world comes to an end at 10:43 on a Friday night, when the elevator
lurches to a stop between the eighth and seventh floor of the building that
houses the engineering firm where I work. The ceiling lights flicker. Then
go off completely. Then, after a stretch that lasts about five seconds but
feels like several decades, come back with the slightly yellower tinge of the
emergency bulb.
Crap.
Fun fact: This is actually the second time my world came to an end
tonight. The first was less than a minute ago. When the elevator I’m riding
stopped on the thirteenth floor, and Erik Nowak, the last person I ever
wanted to see, appeared in all his blond, massive, Viking-like glory. He
studied me for what felt like too long, took a step inside, and then studied
me some more while I avidly inspected the tips of my shoes.
Re-crap.
It’s a slightly complicated situation. I work in New York City, and my
company, GreenFrame, rents a small office on the eighteenth floor of a
Manhattan building. Very small. It has to be very small, because we’re a
baby firm, still establishing ourselves in a pretty cutthroat market, and we
don’t always make a ton of money. I guess that’s what happens when you
value things like sustainability, environmental protection, economic
viability and efficiency, renewability rather than depletion, minimization of
exposure to potential hazards such as toxic materials, and... well, I won’t
bore you with the Wikipedia entry on green engineering. Suffice it to say,
my boss, Gianna (who coincidentally is the only other engineer working
full-time at the firm), founded GreenFrame with the aim of creating great
structures that actually make sense within their environment, and is
delightfully, crunchily hard-core about it. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always
pay very well. Or well.
Or at all.
So, yeah. Like I said, a slightly complicated situation, especially when
compared with more traditional engineering companies that don’t focus as
much on conservation and pollution control. Like ProBld. The giant firm
where Erik Nowak works. The one that takes up the whole thirteenth floor.
And the twelfth. Maybe the eleventh, too? I lost track.
So when the elevator began to slow down around the fourteenth floor, I
felt a surge of apprehension, which I naively discarded as mere paranoia.
You have nothing to worry about, Sadie, I told myself. ProBld has tons of
offices. They’re always expanding. Orchestrating “mergers” and eating up
smaller firms. Like the Blob. They are truly the corrosive alien amoeboidal
entity of the business, which translates to hundreds of people working for
them, which in turn means that any one out of those hundreds of people
could be calling the elevator. Any one. There’s no way it’s Erik Nowak.
Yeah. No.
It was Erik Nowak, all right. With his massive, colossal presence. Erik
Nowak, who spent the entirety of our five-floor ride staring at me with
those ruthless, icy blue eyes of his. Erik Nowak, who’s currently looking up
at the emergency light with a slight frown.
“The power’s out,” he says, an obvious statement, with that stupidly
deep voice of his. It hasn’t changed one whit since the last time we talked.
Nor since that string of messages he left on my phone before I blocked his
number. The ones that I never bothered answering but also couldn’t quite
bring myself to delete. The ones I could not stop myself from listening to,
over and over.
And over.
It’s still a stupid voice. Stupid and insidious, rich and precise and
clipped and low, with acoustic properties all its own. “I moved here from
Denmark when I was fourteen,” he told me at dinner when I asked him
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End of Document
201

Figures

Photo courtesy of the author

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FAQs

What is the main conflict between Sadie and Erik in 'Stuck With You'?
The main conflict between Sadie and Erik arises from their complicated past and Erik's previous actions that hurt Sadie. After a night spent together, Sadie feels betrayed when Erik's behavior leads her to believe he used their time together to gain information for a competing firm, ProBld. This misunderstanding causes her to block Erik's number and avoid him, leading to a tense situation when they find themselves stuck in an elevator together.
How does Sadie's job influence her relationship with Erik?
Sadie's job as an engineer at GreenFrame plays a significant role in her relationship with Erik, who works at ProBld, a competing firm. The tension between their professional lives complicates their personal interactions, especially when Sadie feels that Erik's interest in her may be tied to corporate espionage. This concern is heightened when she learns that Erik has circulated her work without her knowledge, which leads to feelings of betrayal and distrust.
What themes are explored in 'Stuck With You' by Ali Hazelwood?
'Stuck With You' explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the complexities of modern relationships, particularly in a professional context. The story delves into how personal and work lives intersect, and how misunderstandings can arise from professional competition. Additionally, it examines the emotional struggles of the characters as they navigate their feelings for each other amidst the pressures of their careers in engineering.
What is the significance of the elevator scene in the novel?
The elevator scene in 'Stuck With You' is significant as it serves as a catalyst for the characters' confrontation and emotional reckoning. Being trapped together forces Sadie and Erik to face their unresolved feelings and the misunderstandings that have kept them apart. This setting amplifies the tension and urgency of their situation, allowing for a deeper exploration of their relationship dynamics and the impact of their past on their present interactions.
How does Erik's character develop throughout the story?
Erik's character in 'Stuck With You' evolves from being perceived as a surly and aloof engineer to someone who shows vulnerability and genuine care for Sadie. Initially, he is seen as a competitor, but as the story progresses, his actions reveal a desire to make amends and understand Sadie's perspective. His willingness to confront the consequences of his past decisions and his determination to reconnect with Sadie highlight his growth and complexity as a character.
What role does Sadie's past relationship with Oscar play in her actions?
Sadie's past relationship with Oscar significantly influences her actions and emotional responses throughout 'Stuck With You'. After being heartbroken by Oscar's betrayal, Sadie becomes wary of intimacy and trust, which affects how she perceives Erik's intentions. Her experiences with Oscar make her hesitant to open up to Erik, fearing that she might face similar pain again, which adds layers to her character and her interactions with Erik.
What is the emotional climax of 'Stuck With You'?
The emotional climax of 'Stuck With You' occurs when Sadie and Erik confront their feelings for each other while trapped in the elevator. This moment of vulnerability leads to a heartfelt exchange where they address their misunderstandings and the impact of Erik's actions on their relationship. It is a turning point that allows them to acknowledge their attraction and the potential for a deeper connection, setting the stage for their reconciliation.

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