A few months days ago, I posted a review of Just Like That, the first book in the Albin Academy series. Today, I’m back reviewing Just Like This written by Cole McCade. The second installment is a beautiful and heartwarming (LGBTQ+) adult romance. The book was released on Tuesday and published by Carina Press.
Check out my review below. Also, a little excerpt for you inside :). Thank you so much, Harlequin/Carina Press, for gifting me an e-copy of this book.
Synopsis – Just Like This by Cole McCade
Rian Falwell has a problem.
And his name is Damon Louis.
Rian’s life as the art teacher to a gaggle of displaced boys at Albin Academy should be smooth sailing—until the stubborn, grouchy football coach comes into his world like a lightning strike and ignites a heated conflict that would leave them sworn enemies if not for a common goal.
A student in peril. A troubling secret. And two men who are polar opposites but must work together to protect their charges.
They shouldn’t want each other. They shouldn’t even like each other.
Yet as they fight to save a young man from the edge, they discover more than they thought possible about each other—and about themselves.
In the space between hatred, they find love.
And the lives they have always wanted…
Just like this.
“The romantic longing, themes of bravery and confidence, and moments of cozy domesticity shine.” —Publishers Weekly on Just Like That
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Review – Just Like This by Cole McCade
Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Just Like This is the second installment in the Albin Academy series. I absolutely adored Just Like That, the first book in the series. So, I was really eager to read this book.
The story is about Damon, the gym teacher, and Rian, the art teacher, who come to realize that one of their A students, Chris, has been lying to them as to where he’s been. They’re worried and want to understand what’s going on with Chris especially because of his worrisome behavior/look. Unfortunately, both teachers cannot stand each other, but their genuine concern will force them to put their anger/hate aside. Both will find more than they bargained for.
This enemy-to-lover romance is heartwarming as the characters learn so much about themselves. They fight their own demons and while fighting this attraction. The chemistry is great between them. The characters are really fleshed out and the story unfolds nicely. The mystery around what happened to Chris adds enough suspense to keep the story going. The only thing that made me rate this book 4 instead of 5 is that the characters spend a lot of time in their heads, and I found myself skimming through a lot. Though I love the story – I just felt it could have used less exploration into their doubts and fears.
Apart from that, I love the story, the characters, and the ending is just beautiful. Just Like This is a sweet romance and a fast read.
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book Excerpt Below
6-Excerpt_JustLikeThis_ColeMcCade-1About the author: Cole McCade
Cole McCade is a New Orleans-born Southern boy without the Southern accent, currently residing somewhere in Seattle. He spends his days as a suit-and-tie corporate consultant and business writer, and his nights writing contemporary romance and erotica that flirts with the edge of taboo—when he’s not being tackled by two hyperactive cats.
He also writes genre-bending science fiction and fantasy tinged with a touch of horror and flavored by the influences of his multiethnic, multicultural, multilingual background as Xen. He wavers between calling himself bisexual, calling himself queer, and trying to figure out where “demi” fits into the whole mess—but no matter what word he uses he’s a staunch advocate of LGBTQIA and POC representation and visibility in genre fiction. And while he spends more time than is healthy hiding in his writing cave instead of hanging around social media, you can generally find him in these usual haunts:
Website | Facebook | Facebook Fan Page | Twitter | Instagram | BookBub | Tumblr
Carina Adores is home to highly romantic contemporary love stories featuring beloved romance tropes, where LGBTQ+ characters find their happily-ever-afters.
A new Carina Adores title is available each month in trade paperback, ebook and audiobook formats.
- Just Like That by Cole McCade (available now!)
- Hairpin Curves by Elia Winters (available now!)
- Better Than People by Roan Parrish (available now!)
- The Secret Ingredient by KD Fisher (available now!)
- Teddy Spenser Isn’t Looking for Love by Kim Fielding (coming December 29, 2020)
- The Beautiful Things Shoppe by Philip William Stover (coming January 26, 2021)
- Our Level Best by Roan Parrish (coming February 23, 2021)
- Learn to Knit in Nine Months or Less by Hettie Bell (coming March 30, 2021)
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