A review by alanadcr
With Love, from Cold World by Alicia Thompson
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
(4.5 stars)
Alicia Thompson has been on my to-read list for a hot minute and I was so excited to be granted a digital ARC through a Berkley giveaway!
Lauren and Asa are so much fun! Each navigating the world with their own experiences and traumas made their romance all the sweeter as it developed. Lauren is exacting, some may say rigid, and works to keep a strict separation between work and home. She lives in a way that makes it easy to pick up and leave, whether she realizes it or not.
The entire "competition" for Cold World's revamp was the perfect way for Asa to mess with Lauren. Their efforts to antagonize each other had me laughing, rubbing away chest pains and tears. I had emotions and it was delightful and terrible. It's absolutely adorable to see Asa's POV and his attraction while Lauren's fall is more gradual and requires one or two lightbulb moments with one hefty friend smack.
The miscommunication trope dances about in this romance but it was handled in a way that moved the story forward in an authentic way. I wish the conversation with Asa and his sister felt more finished but the rest of the family conflict I appreciated the open ended way Thompson left it. Family is nice, but we don't need toxic nonsense. After all...
I love a good found family angle and Thompson absolutely delivered! Even though the story 100% focused on Lauren and ASA, I found myself enjoying each of the secondary characters in the small parts they played. I really hope we get to see some HEAs for the entire friend group!
This was such a cute, cozy, and heartfelt read and I am absolutely picking up a physical copy for my shelves. Its been a couple days since I finished reading and I still feel all the squishy cozy feelings. 10/10 Recommend!
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you Berkley for my review copy!
Alicia Thompson has been on my to-read list for a hot minute and I was so excited to be granted a digital ARC through a Berkley giveaway!
Lauren and Asa are so much fun! Each navigating the world with their own experiences and traumas made their romance all the sweeter as it developed. Lauren is exacting, some may say rigid, and works to keep a strict separation between work and home. She lives in a way that makes it easy to pick up and leave, whether she realizes it or not.
The entire "competition" for Cold World's revamp was the perfect way for Asa to mess with Lauren. Their efforts to antagonize each other had me laughing, rubbing away chest pains and tears. I had emotions and it was delightful and terrible. It's absolutely adorable to see Asa's POV and his attraction while Lauren's fall is more gradual and requires one or two lightbulb moments with one hefty friend smack.
The miscommunication trope dances about in this romance but it was handled in a way that moved the story forward in an authentic way. I wish the conversation with Asa and his sister felt more finished but the rest of the family conflict I appreciated the open ended way Thompson left it. Family is nice, but we don't need toxic nonsense. After all...
I love a good found family angle and Thompson absolutely delivered! Even though the story 100% focused on Lauren and ASA, I found myself enjoying each of the secondary characters in the small parts they played. I really hope we get to see some HEAs for the entire friend group!
This was such a cute, cozy, and heartfelt read and I am absolutely picking up a physical copy for my shelves. Its been a couple days since I finished reading and I still feel all the squishy cozy feelings. 10/10 Recommend!
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you Berkley for my review copy!