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.

❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️ 𝙰𝚛𝚌 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠
♡𝚆𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝙻𝚘𝚟𝚎, 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝙲𝚘𝚕𝚍 𝚆𝚘𝚛𝚕𝚍♡
𝙰𝚕𝚒𝚌𝚒𝚊 𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚖𝚙𝚜𝚘𝚗
4.5/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

•𝚆𝚘𝚛𝚔𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚌𝚎 𝚛𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎
•𝙴𝚗𝚎𝚖𝚒𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚜
•𝙳𝚞𝚊𝚕 𝙿𝙾𝚅
•𝙻𝙶𝙱𝚃𝚀+ 𝚛𝚎𝚙
•𝙵𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍 𝚏𝚊𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚢

Happy Pub Day !

Need a Christmas in July palate cleanser? Look 👀 no further! Thank you to Netgalley and for a copy of this consumable read 🫶🏼

Y’all! This book! The cover drew me in instantly, but I could not put it down once I started reading.

Asa (easy breezy, passionate bi MMC) and Lauren (over meticulous robot FMC) have never quite gotten along at Cold World. But when the nostalgic theme park is in trouble, their boss has them collab on a project to turn things around.

Basically, Cold World is in for some heat 🥵

Being a native Floridian in the Orlando area had me completely bias going into this one but it was WAY more than I expected. The struggles I’ve witnessed for mom and pop theme parks have gone through growing up made this book’s reality even more real!

The romantic comedy traumedy (is that a thing?) had me in my feels with the journey of these two MC’s. Revealing traumatic pasts and working together to have a hopeful, helpful future was just 🥹🥹🥹

With Love, From Cold War by Alicia Thompson is an opposites attract, grumpy/sunshine, enemies to lovers workplace romance, which combines the fun tropes of a romcom with the realism of difficult pasts. These characters have been coworkers for years at a struggling holiday entertainment park, which was the definition of cuteness with snow globes, ice skating & gift wrapping galore. In some ways, it reminded me of a holiday TV movie, but it also went beyond that with serious real life struggles, childhood traumas, some family drama mixed with the perfect amount banter & spice.

I really appreciated that this book had a really cool concept in terms of a setting with the winter based theme park. I thought it was also enthralling that both leads had complex histories, which shaped them into the people they are because they both had very valid & important stories to tell. It showcased grief, loss, the struggles of family estrangement as well as personal growth. I loved that both characters volunteered & gave back to their community. There was just so much good in this book. Realistic pasts & storylines always heighten the experience for me & I feel like they create important depth & just bring the book to life.

I highly recommend reading this if you’re like me & enjoy these things…
🩵Opposites Attract, Grumpy/Sunshine
🩵Bisexual hero
🩵Found family friend group
🩵Realistic Storylines
🩵Forced proximity, workplace romance

I cannot wait to read more form this author!

Massive thanks to NetGalley & Berkley Publishing for the gifted arc, which I voluntarily read & reviewed.

Content Warnings: Biphobia, loss of parent, childhood trauma, foster care, family estrangement & forced outing.

I will add to Amazon after publication & add links once I do!

(sent for review) solid 3.5? im feeling all over the place about this.

Lauren Fox is the bookkeeper at Florida's winter attraction/amusement park, Cold World. Lauren is shy, overly cautious, and is the person with a checklist for everything. Asa Williamson is Cold World's longest employee, doing a million jobs around the park (gift shop, managing the snow globe, supervising the skating rink). He is also Lauren's exact personality opposite. Free spirited and spontaneous. Asa and Lauren have a tendency to butt heads. His spontaneity irks her, and he tends to roll his eyes at her being a "wet blanket" (his words, not mine). Their boss gives both of them the challenge to come up with some innovative plan to save Cold World, Asa begs Lauren to work with him, she continually refuses, and they find themselves spending more and more time together, and liking the other more and more.

I don't know how to rate this exactly. I'm stuck because the middle section was really enjoyable while the beginning was slow and the ending was frustrating. Publishers and book marketing teams loooove to throw enemies to lovers out there when they really mean something else. That something else is just opposites attract.

The premise is so fun! And I love the representation we have with a bi male main character. Additionally, I found both characters really realistic, really convincing and endearing. The issue is the actual romance. First of all, the first 30% is a lot of this 'head-butting' which is more just Asa teasing Lauren beyond the point of funny sometimes (though he is a pretty sweet, golden retriever boy after that). They're physically attracted to each other but I think the love was lacking? Like it's clear they like each other, and they're attracted to each other but do they love each other? idk.

but it was fun! just not convincing enough to be a new favorite. plus so much of this book is these characters not being able to properly communicate w one another. blech too much miscommunication.

I loved everything about this book. Inclusion. Pronouns. LGBTQIA+ representation. Realistic relationship issues. Childhood trauma. PTSD. Trauma.
Found family is very dear to my heart - as I worked hard to find my family. I support books with this theme - supporting, encouraging, loving people who push you to be better.
Lauren and Asa both have issues - they still have issues at the end of the book. I loved that!
One of my best books of the year.