With Love, from Cold World
Ratings16
Average rating4
Wow there was a lot of past character trauma packed into this romcom that I was totally not prepared for and I'm not entirely convinced it was fleshed out fully. But the actual romance plotline was great
One of the better M/F contemporary romances I've read in the past year (frankly, it doesn't have much competition), and a significant improvement on Thompson's 2022 mainstream debut, [b:Love in the Time of Serial Killers 59722215 Love in the Time of Serial Killers Alicia Thompson https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1640224232l/59722215.SX50.jpg 94049519]. The plot is nemeses-to-lovers, with a slightly run-d0wn “winter in Florida” theme park as the unusual setting. The FMC is a former foster child with intimacy and control issues. The MMC's parents threw him out of the house when he was caught kissing another boy, leaving him with abandonment issues. The buttoned-up FMC and the laid-back MMC take a little too long to get past their mutual antagonism, but as they slowly open up to each other their relationship becomes passionate and supportive. This is one of the few M/F romances I've encountered in which the MMC's bisexuality is an important plot point, instead of a way for the author to performatively indicate their queer allyship. The novel's cover image suggests that it will have a similar vibe to an Ali Hazelwood book, but I found Alicia Thompson to be more skilled at creating realistic, flawed characters and thus a more satisfying HEA.Slightly tangential, but important to me, rant: This is the second book I have read recently that uses the “we can just get a grant to save the organization!” resolution. As a former grant writer, I can assure you that there aren't oodles of grants growing on trees, just waiting to be picked by any earnest do-gooders that come around. Getting a grant is usually a long, laborious and complex process that requires a specific set of skills, not just “good at writing.”
This was cute enough. It wasn't terribly exciting. Nice to have some bi male representation, but the chemistry between Lauren and Asa wasn't there for me. If she can't tell if he's making fun of her, best believe I also cannot tell. Maybe it would have been better if it was just a single POV? Ion know. It also would have helped if Daniel was a viable option for even a second. He was so obviously a twat that it wasn't believable to me that Lauren would be nervous around him regardless of his undescribed, but definitely there, hotness. It just missed for me.
Read if you like:
- Rivals to Lovers
- LGBTQ+ Rep
- Workplace Romance
- Grumpy/Sunshine
- Dual POV
- Foster Care (backstory)
- Set in Florida
- Slow Burn
With Love, from Cold World is a fun and cute romance that also handles some heavier topics (might wanna check the CWs). With a workplace competition a la The Hating Game, this found-family, grumpy-sunshine, enemies to lovers romance is hard to put down and will leave you with a smile.
While it's not really a holiday romance, it does mostly take place close to and around Christmas and it's set in a winter wonderland attraction in Florida, so could make a great holiday or winter read.
I really enjoyed reading this book, and found it really difficult to put down. The romance is delicate and beautiful. The characters have depth and growth, and are also relatable and likable. There was nothing here that I didn't find authentic. From their personal journeys to the development of their relationship, it all felt really genuine.
The book has two main characters that are shaped by their pasts. Processing their childhood trauma is at times as much of the story as their romance.
Lauren is all about rules, lists, and her career. She's learned it's best to keep people at a distance. It was beautiful watching Lauren start to bend some of her rules and open up to others, but still not lose what makes her her.
Asa's priority is friends and enjoying life. He's genuine, caring, funny and brings out the best (and at times worst) parts of Lauren. I appreciated that he wasn't a generic romance MMC, he's bi, has blue hair and minimal ambition. He's content with what he has and doesn't really want anything to change.
I was rooting for these two from the first moment, they're adorable, they have great banter and it gets spicy too!
Their trauma is handled beautifully, there are a few scenes that made me wanna give these characters a hug for their heart break, or applaud them for how they stood up for each other.
Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC!