First off, thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for sending an e-arc for my honest opinions and review!

It’s Christmas in August and I’m not even mad about it! And if you’re not feeling the holiday spirit this early in the year, let me convince you to read this book with these tropes:
1. Enemies/rivals to lovers
2. Workplace romance (siri, play I Can See You by Taylor Swift)
3. She’s grumpy/he’s sunshine
4. Bisexual MMC (with a bunch of tattoos)
5. Dual POV
6. Found family

I actually really enjoyed the idea of an all year Christmas themed park in Florida (cause you know, climate change). The main plot focuses on Lauren and Asa working together to come up with ideas to save said theme park, Cold World, but the side plots tied it all together perfectly.

For some of Laurens childhood, she grew up in foster care after her mom abandoned her which has led Lauren guarding herself in any way possible. She begins working as a guardian in the foster system and works closely with a young boy, Eddie. The connection between them is awkward in the beginning, but she sees so much of herself in Eddie that she breaks down those high walls protecting herself to comfort him. Throughout the story, we see that Lauren struggles with letting people in her life and accepting any form of love.

And that’s when Asa comes in, your blue haired, Christmas loving bisexual who has it bad for Lauren. Sure, he teases her relentlessly, but that’s just his way of flirting but also his defense mechanism. In similar ways, Asa has been abandoned by his religious parents when he came out as bisexual. Learning about Asa’s past hit a little too close to home when it came to family/religion trauma, but that made me love him even more. And the Christmas gift he made for her?? I literally started tearing up and I want that art work framed.

I have gotten more into the found family trope and I loved the house dynamic so much, I wish I had more of them. There were some moments where it felt rushed, like the morning after the Christmas party. There was a big moment between Lauren and Asa and they didn’t really talk about it the next day, but instead did…other stuff (I’m not complaining tbh). Their relationship and confessing their love for each other felt kind of insta-lovey, but I didn’t mind it that much. And of course, the third act miscommunication breakup, HOWEVER, I didn’t mind it that much because it only lasted one chapter so it didn’t feel like a big deal.

Overall, once I got about 30% in I was hooked and couldn’t put this down! And the cover?? Absolutely gorgeous!!

Read this if you like:
❄️Enemies to lovers
❄️Workplace romance
❄️Reverse grumpy/sunshine
❄️LGBTQ2 representation
❄️Found family
❄️Witty banters
❄️Lovable side characters
❄️Subplot of family drama

I wanted to love this book but am honestly very over main female characters who are rigid, timid, and second guess every conversation they have. I didn’t want to be in Lauren’s head-I wanted out!-especially after the author’s previous book featured such a strong heroine. I am also over third-act breakups over a tiny miscommunication in a conversation. Just put your hand on his shoulder and ask a clarifying question!
That being said, this has a fun setting, lots of interesting side characters, and a super cute ending that made it an enjoyable read.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

When it comes to romance I want to escape from my day-to-day and enter a world that has me feeling gooey (in a good way, like that extra dollop of frosting on a freshly baked cinnamon role) and grinning from pure joy.

And judging by this cute cover and fun title, I was hoping this book would do just that.

Sadly, With Love, From Cold World wasn’t for me. There was little character development, a number of heavy topics that didn’t get enough page time to give us the scope and depth of what the author was trying to convey in the overall story.

As for the romance, it felt rushed. I didn’t fully believe that these two wanted a relationship, beyond the physical, based on the length of time (which is like a week) these two are interacting in the book.

Even though this one wasn’t for me, if you enjoy a workplace romance, rivals-to-lovers trope, opposites attract, and a quirky setting for a romance, then check out With Love, From Cold World.

Happy Reading ~ Cece

Thank you to Berkley for providing me with a eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Unfortunately, this book did not do it for me and I have decided to DNF.

Right from the start, I found the FMC's POV to be so down and dreary that I fell asleep about 3 times in just the first chapter. I also wasn't in on the enemies to lovers bit as they both seemed drawn to one another already in their individual POVs which kind of defeats the purpose.

Maybe one day I'll try to pick this one up again, but the long chapters and boring FMC don't entice me to come back anytime soon.

Also, I auto-rate a book 3 stars when I DNF on NetGalley as I do not feel it is fair of me to tank ratings when I did not finish the book.

Enemies to lovers, childhood trauma, amusement parks…what a combo!
The story follows by-the-books bookkeeper Lauren and fun and lively Asa, coworkers and nemeses at Cold World, a winter wonderland attraction in the heart of Florida. Rivalries come to a head when a competition for ideas to boost revenue is introduced, but to save the company they love, it calls for working together…and these two discover, there’s more to each other than first opinions.
While there’s not a lot of mystery to this one, it’s a fun romcom read full of multiple POV, queer MC representation, and more.
Thank you to Berkley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. This is out now!

Polar opposites Lauren and Asa both work at Cold World, an amusement park in Orlando Florida. When you think amusement park and Orlando Florida you think any of the Disney parks or Universal. Well, the fictional attendance reflects this. Lauren and Asa need to come together to drive up attendance and in doing so they end up falling for each other. This was cute and made me
super nostalgic for trips to #SantasVillage as a kid!
.

Huge thank you to @berkleypub @berittalksbooks @thephdivabooks @dg_reads and @netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the author's other book Love In The Time Of Serial Killers so I was quite excited for this one and it was a bit different from what I'd been expecting - but in a really good way!😍⁣

Lauren Fox is a bookkeeper at Cold World, a wintery tourist destination in Orlando and she might seem uptight and closed-off to many people including her co-worker Asa Williamson, who is quite the opposite of her in many ways. And when their boss asks them to come up with creative ideas to increase footfall and revenue, Lauren's competitive spirit awakens. But somehow they end up working together and start to see each other in a new light!⁣
⁣
If you didn't already know, outwardly cold/uptight ice queen heroines are my fave and when paired with an easygoing hero(who's bi) make my heart go 😍😍 Both Lauren and Asa had so much more to their characters than they showed outside. And rather than an enemies to lovers feel, imo they had a sort of frictional relationship mostly due to preconceived notions and awkwardness. I loved watching them realize that they were wrong about each other and grow closer while lifting each other up. They were exactly what the other needed and I adored the romance and the found family too! Everything felt very real from their pasts to their present reactions and I loved the relationship development along with the steam! Their coworkers and roommates were amazing side characters too! And I'm not gonna deny that I love a good locked-in-at-work scene😏😆⁣
I didn't know that the story would be set in December so I guess there was a nice holiday touch to it too without that being the focus!⁣
Do give this one a try if you're in the mood for a fun workplace romance with real & relatable characters!❣️✨

Lauren and Asa are coworkers at a winter wonderland themed amusement park in Florida. When tasked to come up with a fresh new concept for the theme park, these rivals must work together to save their beloved jobs. While working together they realize there’s a real attraction between them, but can it be enough to save their wintery tourist attraction?

This was such a fun and unexpected read. I didn’t read the synopsis before requesting it, and it was nothing like I was expecting, but in a good way! I loved both Lauren and Asa, and all of their adorable quirks. Opposites attract is becoming one of my favorite tropes, and I really enjoyed seeing Asa’s playfulness paired with Lauren’s serious side.

Although the love story is a main focus of this book, there are some serious parts which worked so well. Lauren’s work with a foster child and Asa’s family’s concerns with his queerness were a big factor in who they are and how they came together. I enjoyed seeing these characters grow throughout the story to become comfortable with who they are.

There are some great secondary characters in this book, and I loved all of Asa’s roommates and the found family between them. Their boss Delores was a fun character as well. But my favorite parts were the times they were at Cold World and reading about this fun setting.

Alicia Thompson was able to draw me in from the start, and kept me invested in these characters throughout. I look forward to reading more from her.

Thank you Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for advanced copies in exchange for my honest review.

❄️ Blog Tour & Book Review ❄️

With Love, From Cold World by @aliciabooks was one of my most anticipated reads this year and I'm excited to be on the blog tour and tell you that it was excellent. It was heart-warming and swoony and Asa (the MMC) is why the heart-eyes emoji was invented. Thanks to @berkleyromance and @netgalley for the gifted ebook - it is officially out today! 🥳🎉

✔️ Golden Retriever/Black Cat
✔️ Workplace Romance
✔️ Forced Proximity
✔️ Found Family

I'm a sunshine to those who know me best, but I am Lauren (the FMC) for most of the world - a type A who hides behind routine and a solitary life because fun and community = vulnerability. So of course, she's put off by Asa - her sunshiney coworker who is able to irk and intrigue her in equal measures. She assumes he's an all-surface personality hire, and it's only when they are asked to help come up with a plan to save their workplace (Cold World) that they are able to get past their preconceived notions of each other and start to have feelings.

I loved this opposites-attract couple and seeing them slowly come together, with some relatable missteps along the way. Some of my favorite moments were the many instances where Asa and Lauren each pulled back from each other; the way Alicia wrote these scenes brought me back to being young and so afraid to like someone more than that person liked me.

As much as I identified with Lauren, Asa was my favorite. Such a cinnamon roll and I loved seeing Lauren through his eyes. An art-y boy who is comfortable in his own skin and likes you so SO much?!

I also loved that the characters' childhoods/backstories led to them volunteering their time to causes and resources they appreciated or wished they had.

This book was the warmest of hugs. 5⭐️! I loved it so much, I preordered two copies (a signed one and the B&N edition). AND I'm so excited to meet Alicia when she goes to @therippedbodice later this month!

Steam 🔥🔥
Banter 🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️
Swoon 💕💕💕💕💕

I had a great time with this book! I really enjoyed this author’s debut so I was very excited to give her sophomore novel a try. It didn’t take long before I was hooked by this story. I really liked both Lauren and Asa and thought that they had amazing chemistry together. I found this to be a very entertaining romance and had a hard time putting it down.

Lauren and Asa both work at a tourist destination in Florida called Cold World. They don’t really interact with each other all that much until the owner asks them to help come up with a plan to earn more money for the company. As they spend more time together, they find that they are drawn to each other. Both of these characters have issues from their past to work through and I loved seeing how they worked to support each other.

I listened to the audiobook and thought that Lindsey Dorcus did an amazing job with the story. I believe that this was the first time that I have had a chance to listen to this narrator’s work and I must say that I was impressed by her performance. I enjoyed the way she was able to bring the story to life with the various character voices and the fact that she was able to bring just the right amount of emotion to her reading. I do believe that her performance added to my overall enjoyment.

I would definitely recommend this book to others. This was a wonderful romance filled with great characters and a fun setting. I enjoyed watching this pair do what it took to find their happily ever after together. I do hope to read more of this author’s work in the future.

I received a review copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group and Penguin Random House Audio.

Don’t let this sweet cover fool you, while this is a wonderful romance, it deals with some heavy and important topics. I completely loved that about it.

It has an amazing found family message, and I loved Asa’s look on life and the kindness he showed to Lauren and others. I loved the banter between Asa and Lauren and how he brought Lauren out of her shell. This one definitely had a real life feel to me. I read and listened to this one, and you can’t go wrong with either format in my opinion.

Melli’s Book Breakdown
🤍Bi Hero
🤍Christmas Place in FL
🤍Found Family
🤍Steam

*it also touches on suicide. If you are ever feel depressed or suicidal and need someone to talk my DMs are ALWAYS open. You can also text 988 to speak with someone immediately from the hotline. Remember the world is better place with you than with you. 💕

With Love, From Cold World by Alicia Thompson made me feel all the feels! It was fun and light in parts then angsty and heavy in the best ways possible. Enemies to lovers is my favorite trope and Thompson seamlessly incorporated it. Lauren’s standoffishness makes perfect sense when you find out more about her and I grew to really love her. Asa is the perfect foil for Lauren and how supportive their relationship becomes is inspiring. Also, did you see this cover? Gorgeous!

I have a new favorite author in Alicia Thompson, after enjoying her debut, and now this has made her an auto buy author for me.

This slow burn romance was so sweet and heartwarming, and I loved watching the love between Lauren and Asa bloom from enemies to friends to lovers.

A workplace romance is such a fun trope, but I absolutely loved the Cold World Park setting in sunny FL, that felt like a magical Winter Wonderland and those nostalgic wintry feelings.

Alicia writes such great characters, who are struggling with the traumas of their past, all while bringing together such a tender and sweet story, but also bringing all the laughs.

The narration by Lindsey Dorcus was fantastic, making the story come to life and bringing the sultry vibes 🔥

📖𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲, 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱
✍️Alicia Thompson
🗓️8.1.23
💘Romantic Comedy
★★★★★

*thanks to @berkleyromance and @prhaudio for the #gifted copy

I am literally the WORST secret keeper.

I get way too excited and just can’t help myself, I need to share my news. Even if it’s not my news (per se) I still can’t hold it in or I’ll just about burst.

So, when I see the little reminders that tell me I’m not allowed to post until 30 days before, I nearly lose control of my bladder.

Well, I tried my best and I made it! This little blabber mouth, did not ruin the surprise for all of you.

I absolutely fell head over heels in love with Asa and Lauren! The complexity and diversity that lays within these characters characters will have you rooting for them the entire way. I wouldn’t call them flawed but more or less multi layered. Getting to know these two opened my eyes to a whole new world and I enjoyed every bit of it.

This book is out today and you don’t want to miss it! Here’s a little teaser:

She has a to-do list a mile long and falling for her coworker isn't on it—yet somehow he’s become her top priority in this romantic comedy from the national bestselling author of Love in the Time of Serial Killers.

Lauren Fox is the bookkeeper for Cold World, a tourist destination that's always a winter wonderland despite being located in humid Orlando, Florida. Sure, it’s ranked way below any of the trademarked amusement parks and maybe foot traffic could be better. But it’s a fun place to work, even if “fun” isn’t exactly Lauren’s middle name. 

Her coworker Asa Williamson, on the other hand, is all about finding ways to enliven his days at Cold World—whether that means organizing the Secret Santa or teasing Lauren. When the owner asks Lauren and Asa to propose something (anything, really) to raise more revenue, their rivalry heats up as they compete to come up with the best idea. But the situation is more dire than they thought, and it might take these polar opposites working together to save the day. If Asa thought Lauren didn't know how to enjoy herself, he's surprised by how much he enjoys spending time together. And if Lauren thought Asa wasn't serious about anything, she's surprised by how seriously he seems to take her. 

As Lauren and Asa work to save their beloved wintery spot, they realize the real attraction might be the heat generating between them.

With Love, from Cold World is an electrifying and one-of-a-kind workplace romance that has captivated my heart. This story revolves around two polar opposites, whose undeniable chemistry creates an intense and unforgettable experience. The setting itself becomes a character, immersing readers in a truly remarkable atmosphere. Prepare to be enthralled by this steamy delight, guaranteed to keep you warm throughout the winter season.

Other than the cover being one of the mode beautiful covers I have ever seen. This
Book was also incredible. The found family aspect brought tears to me eyes. Loved it!!

Welcome to Christmas in July (or August)!

This was so so good! All the best tropes - enemies to lovers in the workplace, slow burn, grumpy sunshine and CHRISTMAS!! Such a fun holiday story that I will definitely be re-reading around the holidays. I had a HUGE smile on my face the entire time I was reading this book because it was THAT CUTE!

The main characters were relatable, lovable and huggable. I just wanted to join them for a cup of hot cocoa around the fire and become best friends and then go skating in Cold World. Alicia Thompson created such a magical and nostalgic world that I was left wanting to be a part of it.

Oh workplace romances hit close to home. I loved the rivalry that's not at all a rivalry.
I haven't read Alicia Thompson's first book but this one hit all the marks for tropes.
Super cute, even predictable but that's not at all a bad thing.
Christmas in August isn't so bad.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy of With Love, From Cold World by Alicia Thompson. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC.

I started off not really connecting with Lauren's character and was pleasantly surprised to find she grew on me. By the halfway point I was openly entertained by Lauren and Asa's relationship and their growth as characters. The story moved swiftly, and the romance felt realistic, with just the right amount of spice. I give this book a solid 4/5 stars.