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Albin Academy #1
Just Like That
Summer Hemlock never meant to come back to Omen, Massachusetts.
But with his mother in need of help, Summer has no choice but to return to his hometown, take up a teaching residency at the Albin Academy boarding school—and work directly under the man who made his teenage years miserable.
Professor Fox Iseya.
Forbidding, aloof, commanding: psychology instructor Iseya is a cipher who’s always fascinated and intimidated shy, anxious Summer. But that fascination turns into something more when the older man challenges Summer to be brave. What starts as a daily game to reward Summer with a kiss for every obstacle overcome turns passionate, and a professional relationship turns quickly personal.
Yet Iseya’s walls of grief may be too high for someone like Summer to climb…until Summer’s infectious warmth shows Fox everything he’s been missing in life.
Now both men must be brave enough to trust each other, to take that leap.
To find the love they’ve always needed…
Just like that.
Carina Adores is home to highly romantic contemporary love stories featuring beloved romance tropes, where LGBTQ+ characters find their happily-ever-afters.
In Just Like That, critically acclaimed author Cole McCade introduces us to Albin Academy: a private boys’ school where some of the world’s richest families send their problem children to learn discipline and maturity, out of the public eye.
This book is approximately 65,000 words.
But with his mother in need of help, Summer has no choice but to return to his hometown, take up a teaching residency at the Albin Academy boarding school—and work directly under the man who made his teenage years miserable.
Professor Fox Iseya.
Forbidding, aloof, commanding: psychology instructor Iseya is a cipher who’s always fascinated and intimidated shy, anxious Summer. But that fascination turns into something more when the older man challenges Summer to be brave. What starts as a daily game to reward Summer with a kiss for every obstacle overcome turns passionate, and a professional relationship turns quickly personal.
Yet Iseya’s walls of grief may be too high for someone like Summer to climb…until Summer’s infectious warmth shows Fox everything he’s been missing in life.
Now both men must be brave enough to trust each other, to take that leap.
To find the love they’ve always needed…
Just like that.
Carina Adores is home to highly romantic contemporary love stories featuring beloved romance tropes, where LGBTQ+ characters find their happily-ever-afters.
In Just Like That, critically acclaimed author Cole McCade introduces us to Albin Academy: a private boys’ school where some of the world’s richest families send their problem children to learn discipline and maturity, out of the public eye.
This book is approximately 65,000 words.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2020
127 people are currently reading
1291 people want to read
About the author
Cole McCade
65 books1,535 followersSlender. Angry. (Part) Asian.
Yeah, that about sums me up.
Hi. I’m Cole. Xen. Whatever you want to call me; both are true, and both are lies. My pen names are multitudes, my nicknames legion. Tall, bi/queer, introverted author of a brown-ish persuasion made up of various flavors of Black, Asian, and Native American. I’m cuter than Hello Kitty, more bitter than the blackest coffee, and able to trip over cats in a single half-asleep lurch; I’m what happens when a Broody Antihero and a Manic Pixie Dream Boy fight to the death, and someone builds a person from the scraps left behind. Beardless, I look like the uke in every yaoi manga in existence; bearded or not, I sound like Barry White. About half my time is spent as a corporate writer, and the other half riding a train of WTFery that sometimes results in a finished book. Romance, erotica, sci-fi, horror, paranormal; LGBTQIA and cishet; diverse settings and diverse characters from a diverse author.
Sometimes I shout about things on the internet. Usually intersectional feminism and marginalized voices, and whomever’s punching down in those directions today. Sometimes human sociology, the psychology of sex and gender, and my own gender non-conforming arse (he/him, by the way). Sometimes I get really mad at Stephen Hawking and nerd out all over the place about hairy black holes, and believe it or not, that’s not a terrible pun or even worse innuendo.
That’s it. I’m a huge dork. My humor’s so dry it could empty oceans. I’m a native Southerner from the New Orleans area with zero Southern accent; I’m a mess of multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, multi-lingual influences; I have two cats. I wake up at daft hours of the morning to go running. I crochet terrible, lumpy things that never really turn into anything. I’m older than you think I look. I’m much more shy than my fury makes me sound (signifying gods only know what, but probably nothing). Recently I decided, at 36, that I needed to restart my life and move cross-country, so I tossed 75% of my possessions in the trash and randomly trucked it to Seattle. I’m in love with books and music and technology, and they war with each other for dominance and sometimes come together in a beautiful confluence. Most of the physical books I own are strange, obscure, out of print, overseas imports, or any combination of the four. Most of the physical books I used to own were destroyed in Hurricane Katrina, and have been replaced with the infinite library on my Nook. My wallet has a dangerous attraction to anything with pages; it flirts and teases and gives its all, until there’s nothing left but emptiness and ruin.
There will always be things you don’t know, and I won’t tell.
But ask me late at night over live music in a seedy bar, and you might just get an honest answer.
...or you can poke me via:
* Email: blackmagic@blackmagicblues.com
* Twitter: @thisblackmagic
* Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/xen.cole
* Website & Blog: http://www.blackmagicblues.com
* Tumblr: http://thisblackmagic.tumblr.com/
And there's my Xen Sanders SFF / Horror profile:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Yeah, that about sums me up.
Hi. I’m Cole. Xen. Whatever you want to call me; both are true, and both are lies. My pen names are multitudes, my nicknames legion. Tall, bi/queer, introverted author of a brown-ish persuasion made up of various flavors of Black, Asian, and Native American. I’m cuter than Hello Kitty, more bitter than the blackest coffee, and able to trip over cats in a single half-asleep lurch; I’m what happens when a Broody Antihero and a Manic Pixie Dream Boy fight to the death, and someone builds a person from the scraps left behind. Beardless, I look like the uke in every yaoi manga in existence; bearded or not, I sound like Barry White. About half my time is spent as a corporate writer, and the other half riding a train of WTFery that sometimes results in a finished book. Romance, erotica, sci-fi, horror, paranormal; LGBTQIA and cishet; diverse settings and diverse characters from a diverse author.
Sometimes I shout about things on the internet. Usually intersectional feminism and marginalized voices, and whomever’s punching down in those directions today. Sometimes human sociology, the psychology of sex and gender, and my own gender non-conforming arse (he/him, by the way). Sometimes I get really mad at Stephen Hawking and nerd out all over the place about hairy black holes, and believe it or not, that’s not a terrible pun or even worse innuendo.
That’s it. I’m a huge dork. My humor’s so dry it could empty oceans. I’m a native Southerner from the New Orleans area with zero Southern accent; I’m a mess of multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, multi-lingual influences; I have two cats. I wake up at daft hours of the morning to go running. I crochet terrible, lumpy things that never really turn into anything. I’m older than you think I look. I’m much more shy than my fury makes me sound (signifying gods only know what, but probably nothing). Recently I decided, at 36, that I needed to restart my life and move cross-country, so I tossed 75% of my possessions in the trash and randomly trucked it to Seattle. I’m in love with books and music and technology, and they war with each other for dominance and sometimes come together in a beautiful confluence. Most of the physical books I own are strange, obscure, out of print, overseas imports, or any combination of the four. Most of the physical books I used to own were destroyed in Hurricane Katrina, and have been replaced with the infinite library on my Nook. My wallet has a dangerous attraction to anything with pages; it flirts and teases and gives its all, until there’s nothing left but emptiness and ruin.
There will always be things you don’t know, and I won’t tell.
But ask me late at night over live music in a seedy bar, and you might just get an honest answer.
...or you can poke me via:
* Email: blackmagic@blackmagicblues.com
* Twitter: @thisblackmagic
* Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/xen.cole
* Website & Blog: http://www.blackmagicblues.com
* Tumblr: http://thisblackmagic.tumblr.com/
And there's my Xen Sanders SFF / Horror profile:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 305 reviews
August 11, 2020
3.5 Hearts
Full disclosure. I’ve never read anything by Cole McCade or his other alter ego Xen., but that doesn’t mean I haven't seen him around GR with the multitudes of praise he’s gotten especially over his Criminal Intentions series. Hence, I’ve been intrigued, and when this came across the blog, I thought why not? The publisher states that this is a “highly romantic contemporary love story”, and if that’s what you’re seeking, then come on over!
As per the blurb, Summer returns home and to the very school he once attended, hired to be a teacher in training to the most intimidating man he has ever known. To say the least, his anxiety is ratcheted up several thousand notches but for some reason, when push comes to shove, Summer can overcome that base fear, setting a precedent that creates a challenge between himself and the professor he’s fascinated with. Summer only has to be brave daily, and he’ll be rewarded with a kiss by the same man who unnerves him as much as turns him on.
Fox Iseya is not to be trifled with. He doesn’t quite know how he got wrangled into this situation with Summer, but he obviously can’t resist the enticing younger man either. Sadly, Fox has secluded himself in a fortress of grief for the last 20 or so years, and though Summer confounds him, though Summer captivates him, he’s determined to stay aloof and unattached. Fox is held by a prison of his own making, and as days and weeks go by, the push pull with Summer evolves into so much more than anticipated, causing a resigned and staunch belief that he could never be what Summer deserves.
Admittedly, I had certain expectations and knew that this wasn’t going to be some dark gritty drama. What I didn’t expect was how descriptive the imagery and how flowery the prose were going to be, especially regarding all the feelings, desires, and worries these two men have. Also, each kiss, each step towards a deeper intimacy, was detailed extensively lending a very emotional, heavy atmosphere. Some might appreciate this and some might not...
Overall, I’m not typically for over descriptive, drawn out explanations or details, for my ferret brain gets easily distracted and impatient. Regardless, this was a beautifully written age gap, second chance romance that surprised me. It’s lush and painful, hopeful and sad, and yes, so very romantic. McCade gives a very intricate and expressive look at Summer and Fox’s inner turmoil and growth. I could appreciate it for what it was, and if that’s the type of story you love, then dig in! I’m definitely intrigued by this author, and I definitely want to explore what else he has in his backlist as well as any future endeavors!
Thank you to the author and publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review
Full disclosure. I’ve never read anything by Cole McCade or his other alter ego Xen., but that doesn’t mean I haven't seen him around GR with the multitudes of praise he’s gotten especially over his Criminal Intentions series. Hence, I’ve been intrigued, and when this came across the blog, I thought why not? The publisher states that this is a “highly romantic contemporary love story”, and if that’s what you’re seeking, then come on over!
As per the blurb, Summer returns home and to the very school he once attended, hired to be a teacher in training to the most intimidating man he has ever known. To say the least, his anxiety is ratcheted up several thousand notches but for some reason, when push comes to shove, Summer can overcome that base fear, setting a precedent that creates a challenge between himself and the professor he’s fascinated with. Summer only has to be brave daily, and he’ll be rewarded with a kiss by the same man who unnerves him as much as turns him on.
Fox Iseya is not to be trifled with. He doesn’t quite know how he got wrangled into this situation with Summer, but he obviously can’t resist the enticing younger man either. Sadly, Fox has secluded himself in a fortress of grief for the last 20 or so years, and though Summer confounds him, though Summer captivates him, he’s determined to stay aloof and unattached. Fox is held by a prison of his own making, and as days and weeks go by, the push pull with Summer evolves into so much more than anticipated, causing a resigned and staunch belief that he could never be what Summer deserves.
Admittedly, I had certain expectations and knew that this wasn’t going to be some dark gritty drama. What I didn’t expect was how descriptive the imagery and how flowery the prose were going to be, especially regarding all the feelings, desires, and worries these two men have. Also, each kiss, each step towards a deeper intimacy, was detailed extensively lending a very emotional, heavy atmosphere. Some might appreciate this and some might not...
Overall, I’m not typically for over descriptive, drawn out explanations or details, for my ferret brain gets easily distracted and impatient. Regardless, this was a beautifully written age gap, second chance romance that surprised me. It’s lush and painful, hopeful and sad, and yes, so very romantic. McCade gives a very intricate and expressive look at Summer and Fox’s inner turmoil and growth. I could appreciate it for what it was, and if that’s the type of story you love, then dig in! I’m definitely intrigued by this author, and I definitely want to explore what else he has in his backlist as well as any future endeavors!
Thank you to the author and publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review
July 1, 2020
Audio 4.5 Stars
Story....3.25 to 3.5 Stars
I can't put my finger on why I didn't enjoy this more. All I know is that having read and loved several Cole McCade books, I expected more. The writing is still outstanding, but the story lacked a certain je ne sais quoi. 🤷🏽♀️
Story....3.25 to 3.5 Stars
I can't put my finger on why I didn't enjoy this more. All I know is that having read and loved several Cole McCade books, I expected more. The writing is still outstanding, but the story lacked a certain je ne sais quoi. 🤷🏽♀️
July 2, 2020
Genre-wise this is a M/M age-gap romance.
It was very well written and instantly drew me in with its easy style.
This had such a beautiful flow to it and the prose used here was just so lyrical.
Summer Hemlock returns to his roots in Omen Massachusetts to be close to his mother and to take up a position as a TA at his former school Albin Academy.
Summer is now working under his former teacher and crush’s shadow the frosty and rigid processor Fox Iseya.
When the professor brings attention to Summers reticent nature challenging him to step out of his safe-zone Summer without thinking of the consequences angrily kisses him.
Fox has been closed off for years, the pain of losing his wife causing him to shut down his emotions and hide behind an icy outward demeanour.
Summers unexpected move totally throws him and causes the first chunk in his defences to appear.
I did initially think that it would be Fox being the elder here making that first initial move when surprisingly it was Summer who despite his more timid and submissive nature takes the reins and first pushes forward here.
Fox initially is much more reserved but does react accordingly.
He is initially very much perturbed by what is unfolding as he’s been living in an emotionless vacuum for years due to his past grief.
Dropping his walls after all this time to allow someone closer goes totally against his every instinct.
Fox’s initial floundering is adorable and such a contrast to his usual controlled outward persona.
It’s also fascinating to see Summer emerge from his chrysalis after years of keeping his head down.
As a character Summer is such a contradiction all anxious energy mixed together with a big glug of courage.
He’s afraid but still prepared to go after what he wants despite his uncertainties or maybe even because of them.
I loved the authenticity and complexity of the characters here they were imperfect and unique which gave this, in turn, such a realism.
Dynamic wise Fox Iseya is very much the dominant personality here but that is not to say the more submissive and shy Summer doesn’t also have a voice.
And as there relationship develops further Fox is very much a protector as well as a nurturer towards the much younger Summer whilst also trying to hold himself slightly separate for his own emotional protection.
I especially adored his stern take no-nonsense approach and the way it made Summer feel grounded and secure in the face of his own fears and extreme anxiety.
locked behind Fox’s stern persona is also so much surprising vulnerability and insecurities that he keeps hidden using fear of his wrath as a tool to repel others from getting close.
They were both such diverse personalities and against the odds, they seemed to fit.
This was very much a journey of discovery for both men who each found what they didn’t know they were looking for in each other and grew so much over the course of this story.
With this, we mostly focus on summer and Fox and there building bond but rather than being bored I was enthralled.
This was an incredibly romantic story, driven solely by the emerging bonds and past traumas.
It was incredibly emotional and poignant and actually had me transfixed.
I adored both Summer and Fox very much and was totally invested in their story.
They had such explosive chemistry as well as such a deep emotional connection.
There were no major gimmicks really with this and the simplicity of the story here was actually part of its whole appeal.
This was thoughtful and insightful and the emotions and slow healing experienced here is the main focus.
The struggles of a man afraid to re-open his heart and the courage of one who though still afraid doesn’t let it define and shape his future.
Totally recommend this it was great and I enjoyed it immensely.
A thumbs up from my camp.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of Just like that.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
August 16, 2024
“One of my professors said that, too. Before I left Baltimore.” Summer sighed. “Professor Khalaji. He quit teaching in the criminology program and went back to being a police detective, but...he remembered me, even though I dropped out. And he told me that ‘soft’ isn’t something many people are anymore, and that it’s not a bad thing to be soft. Not a bad thing to protect that.”
of course I’m opening up with that🙄 come on guys, Mal is the best character ever. period. I’m also kind of proud of myself for figuring it out after five pages!! I have a goldfish memory!! shows you how good Criminal Intentions series is and that YOU SHOULD GO READ IT NOW.
What I liked:
It’s a very sweet and fluffy story, filled with longing and sexual tension and cute/sexy flirting and hot kisses. The MCs have chemistry, respect and were so funny, this is my favorite quote by Fox 😂:
“Why are you so annoyingly confident around me?” Fox threw back. “I can make any other teacher in this school quiver in his boots with one look. And yet you, the most anxious, awkward person I have ever met, refuse to cower appropriately.”
What I disliked:
They were too fast but not? Summer is going back to his boarding school after seven years to be a TA to his old teacher crush. a kiss on the first meeting, an apology and asking for kisses as rewards for bravery on the second, thinking that “everything makes sense with him” on the third. BRO! SLOW THE FORK DOWN! also, Fox is the Japanese version of Seong Jae🙄
Important note:
They basically use the excuse of ‘reward’ to kiss and thankfully his ‘acts of bravery’ are not with the intention to get a reward, he just does it. BUT STILL, I didn’t like the concept and it was the main reason I haven’t read this earlier; otherwise it was nice and I enjoyed it.
April 30, 2021
Audiobook: ***4.5 Stars***
Story: ***3.5 Stars***
Now that was as different from Criminal Intentions as they come...
... and yet... everything I love about this author was still there. The writing was beautiful and lyric, the characters complex and extremely fleshed out. The name Khalaji as Summer's criminal psychology professor even got mentioned, which made me bounce up and down on my seat with utter glee and gave me heart-eyes (yeah, I'm silly like that).
It took me a bit to get into it and I didn't particularly like Fox at the beginning, but leave it to this author to get me completely invested in his characterization. The story was very character-driven with two men challenging each other and finding purpose, a new will to live, self-confidence and (new) love on the way.
It's just that I needed a bit more... plot(?)... to enjoy it fully. ;-)
A big thank you to my usual BR partners in crime Josy, Karen and Christelle for this amazing gift. You know me too well. ;-)
Story: ***3.5 Stars***
Now that was as different from Criminal Intentions as they come...
... and yet... everything I love about this author was still there. The writing was beautiful and lyric, the characters complex and extremely fleshed out. The name Khalaji as Summer's criminal psychology professor even got mentioned, which made me bounce up and down on my seat with utter glee and gave me heart-eyes (yeah, I'm silly like that).
It took me a bit to get into it and I didn't particularly like Fox at the beginning, but leave it to this author to get me completely invested in his characterization. The story was very character-driven with two men challenging each other and finding purpose, a new will to live, self-confidence and (new) love on the way.
It's just that I needed a bit more... plot(?)... to enjoy it fully. ;-)
A big thank you to my usual BR partners in crime Josy, Karen and Christelle for this amazing gift. You know me too well. ;-)
June 15, 2020
#1 Just Like That ★★★★★
#2 Just Like This
How strange, he thought. How strange indeed, that the world suddenly became more real, more crisp, the colors sharper about the edges in the slow span of breaths it took to wait for Summer to answer.
Good gods, where do I even begin with how utterly trash I am for Cole's characters, and how wholly captivated I am by this story?
But in certain circumstances, someone's name could be a love word. Intimate and shivering, rolling off the tongue.
As I've found to be the case with everything I've read from Cole so far, this isn't a fluffy, easy romance — it's soft and slow-building and even a little bit painful at time, because these are three-dimensional characters with aches and memories and traumas that have shaped them — but it is an incredibly rewarding romance, and you can rest easy knowing that these soft, broken men are still going to get the happily ever after they deserve... they just might have to fight for it. But that's my favorite part, truly.
Suddenly the stone of Iseya wasn't forbidding, but instead... stable ground. Stable ground that made Summer's world stop spinning out of control, that held him in place and grounded him until he could stop feeling like the floor was dropping out from beneath him.
Whether it's Summer's anxiety and past traumas or Iseya's loss of his first love and the way he's hidden from his grief for so long, there are a lot of heavy moments in this story. There's a depicting of loss and depression so deep it broke my heart, but there are light, sweet moments of domestic tenderness that patched it back up. Summer is such a brave, eager young thing despite his anxiety; on the other hand, stoic Iseya is tough as nails on the outside and fragile on the inside, but watching him slowly recognize that he deserved to give himself another chance at happiness? That was everything. Not to mention, his incredibly emotional Buddhist rituals and his gradual return to his love for herbalism? I loved these quiet moments of insight into his character so much.
Everything had that feeling of old spaces, of haunted spaces, quiet and whispered; the kind of place that had lace curtains and ghosts and a fifth step between every floor that creaked when the shades walked on it at night.
I'm reluctant to stray from rambling about how much I cared for the characters, but I have to also gush about the writing. Cole's way with words is absolutely brilliant and I'm already craving a return to the dark, cozy atmosphere of Albin Academy. I'm so pleased that it looks like we'll be spending more time in these halls soon! I also have to give a mention to the brief nod to Khalaji and Summer's time in Baltimore, as I'm such a sucker for authors who let their series cross paths here and there. ♥
Everything felt odd to him, as if he were an ancient and rusted machine whose circuits and pathways had gone dormant for so long that the first surge of sizzling lightning pouring through them was just a painful rush, electricity searing and burning and singeing fine and fragile things to ash because they just couldn't handle it anymore.
Lastly, I can't review this without addressing the fact that there are elements that some readers are probably going to find a bit taboo in this story. Summer is a former student of Iseya's (though nothing whatsoever happened while Summer was younger), and Iseya is more-or-less Summer's supervisor. I'm not a romance reader who has many triggers or topics I consider taboo, to be fair, but I still feel wholly confident in saying that Cole executes these tropes brilliantly, without playing into power dynamic problems or imbalances. As long as you don't expect the pairing in and of itself to bother you, I can't recommend this gorgeous romance highly enough!
✨ Representation: Summer Hemlock is queer & has anxiety; Fox Iseya is biracial (Japanese/white), queer (implied bi/pan), & has depression/suicidal ideation
✨ Content warnings for:
All quotes come from an advance copy and may not match the final release. Thank you so much to Carina Press for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
October 2, 2020
NOW LIVE!
Amazon US * Amazon UK
I love the mix of a super shy and quiet character and a grumpy and stand-offish one and this book did that combination so well. Summer and Fox blended their differences together amazingly well and it made for a very sweet and tender romance. There were a lot of moment that we got to see the unsure Summer actually be brave and stand up to the easily irritated Fox. It was a surprising thing to see just how much that happened since Summer was so shy most of the time but I loved those scenes.
Fox was so closed off and unwilling to even allow himself to enjoy life ever since he had a tragic loss years ago. But Summer wouldn't be ignored and slowly we got to see Fox open up, including some super cute half smiles that he would grant Summer. For me it made them so much stronger as a couple to see that they both grew while together.
ARC kindle provided in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon US * Amazon UK
I love the mix of a super shy and quiet character and a grumpy and stand-offish one and this book did that combination so well. Summer and Fox blended their differences together amazingly well and it made for a very sweet and tender romance. There were a lot of moment that we got to see the unsure Summer actually be brave and stand up to the easily irritated Fox. It was a surprising thing to see just how much that happened since Summer was so shy most of the time but I loved those scenes.
Fox was so closed off and unwilling to even allow himself to enjoy life ever since he had a tragic loss years ago. But Summer wouldn't be ignored and slowly we got to see Fox open up, including some super cute half smiles that he would grant Summer. For me it made them so much stronger as a couple to see that they both grew while together.
ARC kindle provided in exchange for an honest review.
October 14, 2020
This book is a wonderful, heartfelt, touching surprise.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Looking for a change of pace I decided to read and review this book. I’ve never heard of the author and the synopsis sounded intriguing.
Even from the first few chapters I knew this book was going to be something special. The ability to write in a markedly different manner just really sets this book apart.
This is a male/male relationship but just the way the author describes and tells the story is in a very sensitive yet intriguing manner. The author articulates perfectly a person who wants to hide within himself, yet finds immeasurable strength when needed. There’s a perfect balance in the characters between soft and hard, terse and polite, even dominant versus submissive personalities.
This is a love story, eventually. But it’s also a blossoming story of change and finding your true self. Letting yourself be who it needs to be without apology.
It’s a story of letting the past go and embracing a new future. It’s a story of hope and happiness. The author beautifully articulates the passion of his characters and the emotion that builds between them.
The story is very heated and also very sensual, if that makes sense between two male characters. I was truly blown away by the sensitivity and uniqueness of the story and the characters.
Like I said prior, I have never read this author before but he has written many other books that I plan on reading. I absolutely and thoroughly loved this book. A wonderful, heartfelt, touching surprise. Bravo!
Love this one!
* copy received for review consideration
full review - https://amidlifewife.com/just-like-th...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Looking for a change of pace I decided to read and review this book. I’ve never heard of the author and the synopsis sounded intriguing.
Even from the first few chapters I knew this book was going to be something special. The ability to write in a markedly different manner just really sets this book apart.
This is a male/male relationship but just the way the author describes and tells the story is in a very sensitive yet intriguing manner. The author articulates perfectly a person who wants to hide within himself, yet finds immeasurable strength when needed. There’s a perfect balance in the characters between soft and hard, terse and polite, even dominant versus submissive personalities.
This is a love story, eventually. But it’s also a blossoming story of change and finding your true self. Letting yourself be who it needs to be without apology.
It’s a story of letting the past go and embracing a new future. It’s a story of hope and happiness. The author beautifully articulates the passion of his characters and the emotion that builds between them.
The story is very heated and also very sensual, if that makes sense between two male characters. I was truly blown away by the sensitivity and uniqueness of the story and the characters.
Like I said prior, I have never read this author before but he has written many other books that I plan on reading. I absolutely and thoroughly loved this book. A wonderful, heartfelt, touching surprise. Bravo!
Love this one!
* copy received for review consideration
full review - https://amidlifewife.com/just-like-th...
November 14, 2021
So I kind of loved this book.
I was a bit weary because of the rating and mixed reviews. But, it's Cole McCade and Kirt Graves is narrating so I took the plunge because I'm weak. #IRegretNothing
So I loved it because:
- Cole's tradmark beautiful prose is present and delicious
- It was very relationship and character driven...
- It felt very dreamy and peotic which I loved.
- Kirt's narration was on point in every scene and every emotion... except the Irish accent for one of the characters. Kirt can't do British.
- The age gap... Love age gaps.
- The Sex scenes were AMAZING. Erotic and sexy and emotional.
- The HEA was cute AF.
Now I will say something to any readers who may want to read/listen to this book.
Don't read this book expecting an CI lookalike because you'd be sorely mistaken. It's nothing like CI, Summer and Fox are nothing like Mal and SJ which is a GOOD thing because when an author keeps recycling MCs it's only downhill from there.
So read it with fresh eyes and don't compare to CI and I think you'll like it too!
I was a bit weary because of the rating and mixed reviews. But, it's Cole McCade and Kirt Graves is narrating so I took the plunge because I'm weak. #IRegretNothing
So I loved it because:
- Cole's tradmark beautiful prose is present and delicious
- It was very relationship and character driven...
- It felt very dreamy and peotic which I loved.
- Kirt's narration was on point in every scene and every emotion... except the Irish accent for one of the characters. Kirt can't do British.
- The age gap... Love age gaps.
- The Sex scenes were AMAZING. Erotic and sexy and emotional.
- The HEA was cute AF.
Now I will say something to any readers who may want to read/listen to this book.
Don't read this book expecting an CI lookalike because you'd be sorely mistaken. It's nothing like CI, Summer and Fox are nothing like Mal and SJ which is a GOOD thing because when an author keeps recycling MCs it's only downhill from there.
So read it with fresh eyes and don't compare to CI and I think you'll like it too!
June 8, 2020
4.5 stars.
It’s off to an all-boys boarding school for the first in Cole McCade’s Albin Academy series where the focus is very much on the staff’s extra-curricular activities, and in this case that’s the blossoming romance between Professor Fox Iseya and Albin-alumni/his new teaching assistant, Summer Hemlock.
One kiss for one brave thing each day?”
Aside of the fact I’ve been reading the author’s work for years, the blurb for this sucked me right in from the mention of an aloof, guarded professor and shy former student to the age-gap and promise of a kiss a day, because with those elements comes plenty of promise. And what unfolds is a tender, emotionally-satisfying romance between two men who may have twenty-one years separating them but their chemistry cares not as they’re perfect together, bringing out the best in one another, holding each other up when needed and discovering they are stronger together than apart.
Step in the shallow end with me. I’ll hold your hand all the way.”
The easygoing nature of this story despite the depth it held was just what I needed and after putting Just Like That down with a happy heart, I’m already eager to return to Albin Academy to see who’ll be next to find their happy ever after.
Copy generously provided by the author and Carina for an honest and unbiased opinion.
It’s off to an all-boys boarding school for the first in Cole McCade’s Albin Academy series where the focus is very much on the staff’s extra-curricular activities, and in this case that’s the blossoming romance between Professor Fox Iseya and Albin-alumni/his new teaching assistant, Summer Hemlock.
One kiss for one brave thing each day?”
Aside of the fact I’ve been reading the author’s work for years, the blurb for this sucked me right in from the mention of an aloof, guarded professor and shy former student to the age-gap and promise of a kiss a day, because with those elements comes plenty of promise. And what unfolds is a tender, emotionally-satisfying romance between two men who may have twenty-one years separating them but their chemistry cares not as they’re perfect together, bringing out the best in one another, holding each other up when needed and discovering they are stronger together than apart.
Step in the shallow end with me. I’ll hold your hand all the way.”
The easygoing nature of this story despite the depth it held was just what I needed and after putting Just Like That down with a happy heart, I’m already eager to return to Albin Academy to see who’ll be next to find their happy ever after.
Copy generously provided by the author and Carina for an honest and unbiased opinion.
July 6, 2020
It's a fact that I love everything I've read from Cole McCade/Xen Sanders so far. His characterizations and his writing are among the very best that I've read, and that applies here as well.
I really loved Summer and Fox. They are true opposites in every way, age, experience, outlook and personality. I enjoyed the way they played off each other and the development between them, both individually and as a couple, . I loved Summer, how despite his anxiety in a group, he was bright, warm and caring. The dichotomy of his shyness balanced against how damn bold he could be when it was important was charming and sometimes pretty damn funny. Fox was painful to read at first. The kind of black grief he had lived and isolated himself with for so damn long was devastating. He had encased himself in ice for years and simply existed that way, and the thaw Summer caused had him somewhat bewildered *and terrified* by all he began to feel.
The way CMcC writes this and shows how this progression plays out is brilliantly done. It brings out all the feels, while still using terrific humor, which I loved. However, I did have a couple of niggles that kept me from giving it the full five stars that I wanted to. Given how well Fox's grief and frozen emotions are portrayed, I had trouble believing he would have agreed to Summer's reward for bravery, though I was totally there for it, because hot. Fox was into it also *again, whoo hot* and it wasn't so much that he was, just that he was so quickly. Still, as I said, those are minor things and didn't keep me from enjoying the story.
And it must be mentioned, the chemistry between the two, and the sex scenes were blazing. This is something this author does particularly well. it isn't just the sex, it's the sizzle and UST and the palpable intimacy that he writes so astonishingly well. I don't just believe it, I feel it. *swoon*
I'll be reading any and everything that Cole writes, so I'm definitely looking forward to Just Like This!
I really loved Summer and Fox. They are true opposites in every way, age, experience, outlook and personality. I enjoyed the way they played off each other and the development between them, both individually and as a couple, . I loved Summer, how despite his anxiety in a group, he was bright, warm and caring. The dichotomy of his shyness balanced against how damn bold he could be when it was important was charming and sometimes pretty damn funny. Fox was painful to read at first. The kind of black grief he had lived and isolated himself with for so damn long was devastating. He had encased himself in ice for years and simply existed that way, and the thaw Summer caused had him somewhat bewildered *and terrified* by all he began to feel.
The way CMcC writes this and shows how this progression plays out is brilliantly done. It brings out all the feels, while still using terrific humor, which I loved. However, I did have a couple of niggles that kept me from giving it the full five stars that I wanted to. Given how well Fox's grief and frozen emotions are portrayed, I had trouble believing he would have agreed to Summer's reward for bravery, though I was totally there for it, because hot. Fox was into it also *again, whoo hot* and it wasn't so much that he was, just that he was so quickly. Still, as I said, those are minor things and didn't keep me from enjoying the story.
And it must be mentioned, the chemistry between the two, and the sex scenes were blazing. This is something this author does particularly well. it isn't just the sex, it's the sizzle and UST and the palpable intimacy that he writes so astonishingly well. I don't just believe it, I feel it. *swoon*
I'll be reading any and everything that Cole writes, so I'm definitely looking forward to Just Like This!
February 2, 2024
✰ 3.25 stars ✰
“The way he challenged Fox, too, and yet did so with the softest of touches that seemed to ask, Show me.
Show me where all the tender places are, so I won’t bruise what hurts.”
Fun fact #1 - I did not know what the term May-December really meant till just recently when I saw the latest Julianne Moore film with Natalie Portman, and how it refers to a romance between a young person and a person who is considerably older.
Fun fact #2 - I read the second book in this series first because I assumed that this comes before that, so imagine my surprise, when I was proven wrong!
Well, there's a sucker born every minute; in this case, moi. 😅
“Is that your intent, then? To breach my walls?”
“Not breach them, no.”
Summer tilted his head back again, then, but this time instead of looking at the sky...he looked up at Fox with his eyes full of that sky, the first morning clouds reflected against liquid blue.
“I’m not going to get inside unless you let me, Professor Iseya. But I can stand outside the walls and wait...and ask.”
My second go with Cole McCade Just Like That is a May-December romance between a teacher's assistant, Summer Hemlock, and his former teacher, Fox Iseya. With at least a twenty year age gap between the two, ever since his schoolboy days, Summer has harbored an intense crush on his stern and foreboding Professor, a man that exudes respect and commands honor. If you think you will find anything else underneath that,” he murmured, “you will be sorely disappointed.' 🥺 But, underneath that stern veneer is the heart of a heartbroken and lonely man, one who has experienced grief at a very early stage in his life and every since then has never felt himself worthy of anyone's love - never inclined to have a romantic interest in any partner - let alone his new very youngish and handsome T.A - his former student, no less.
But, Summer won't back down so easily; his whole life he's been so afraid to act upon his feelings or his desires, because it's something he's just never been prone to be - impulsive, brave, stepping out of his comfort zone - 'never been so reckless or so forward in his life.' And when he unexpectedly throws himself at Fox, gives him a less than favorable proposition that could mutually help them both - but only on terms that are respectful and mindful, then what's standing in their way of making the most of the time and the attraction they feel for each other? 🥹
“He paused at the door as their gazes met, Summer’s eyes widening briefly as he made a startled sound, before smiling shyly. “Oh— hi.”
Don’t smile at me that way.
Fox looked away sharply, lowering his gaze to his hands, and realized he was practically crushing the bell pepper between his palms {...} longing need building up inside him.
Don’t make me want you like this.”
I was a bit uncomfortable at first in how Summer suggested to Fox how they should act upon their feelings - it was odd, even if Fox made it less so. But, once that became something that was overrun by how I'm glad that it's not their large age difference that impacts their desire to act upon their feelings, but rather the emotional walls that Fox, 'a case study in denial' is too hesitant to break down to let Summer in. How it's ingrained into his heart and soul that the best defense is to always stay on the offense; that no one can come close to his heart, so he can never feel the heartbreak of losing them again. 😟 He's carried such a heavy guilt over his wife's death for all these years that he's forgotten what happiness feels like. 'Almost laughed, this bright thing inside him just growing brighter, because in its own way... In its own way, it was terribly, wonderfully sweet.' What having another person's body next to him feels like. What it feels like to be alive. He's closed off his heart to everything and everyone, but like the season that heralds in warmth and light and love, Summer reminded him of all that it is worth fighting and living for. 🫂
Summer had a very pure heart; okay, maybe his intentions weren't so pure from the start with his beloved professor he's been crushing on since his teen years, but now that he's twenty-four and not really doing anything illicit by pursuing him, he's definitely going to do whatever he can. 🥰 He may be 'a walking bundle of anxiety waiting to trip into a panic attack, but every once in a while I hit a breakpoint and just...do what I have to do, and say what I have to say', but the challenge to have Fox recognize his affections as something real was all the drive he needed to see it through. Despite how ambitiously forward in his pursuit to charm Fox's heart, I never felt like it was crossing the line in any way. 'Very well, you bizarrely impudent monster,” he said flatly. “I will agree to your...utterly nonsensical terms and conditions.' 😌 I mean, yes, the initial request does warrant a raised eyebrow (my own personal issues, of course!). It was rather sweet and adorable to see how they both danced and denied their kisses and embraces, while still gently getting closer to one another - in a very respectful yet desirable fashion.
“I love you just as you are, Fox. Broken bits and all. I don’t want to make you someone else. I want you, and for you to care for me as you would...not as anyone else.”
Fox recognized so much in Summer and took great care into taking into consideration - wanting to know fully that everything done was with consent. 'Desire sank its teeth in deeper, and yet the pain of that bite was more than he could bear.'For Summer's not without his own personal issues, as well; he's afraid to really be more forward, anxiety hurting his own teaching skills and second guessing every inch of his good intentions, unsure that he is worthy of living up to his family name. 😥 Summer may have given his heart on a platter, but it was Fox's steady presence and calming demeanor that helped him in so many ways - gave him the confidence he had been lacking as a teacher, helped him recognize his own hidden talents and nurture him into being a more forthcoming person. They may have been complete opposites, but the way they connected with each other was very well-done. The sexual tension and drive of passion was - yeah, it was intense, not gonna lie! You would think Fox is really stoic in his advances, but phew! 🫠🫠
The way the author captured their fervent passion and chemistry was inhibitions unleashed. 🤌🏻🤌🏻 The pool scene was Summer's wildest dreams come true and displayed such a contrast of personality to the usual stoic Fox; not that Summer was complaining. 😏 'It was tearing itself apart, ripping itself open, destroying itself in violent shredding beats that rushed in rhythm with their flowing bodies. As if the only way he knew how to give himself to Summer was to break himself.' Even with all these raging hormones, there is this soft tender growth of recognizing each other's true potential and purpose of existence, an emotional personal journey that was captured in a heart-wrenching ending that was beautifully written. 🥲 I could feel the intensity of the emotions that were racing at that time - how vital it was for Fox to experience those feelings to see how much Summer had healed him - without him even realizing it. And for Summer to trust in himself and have the courage to face his future for whatever it may be. ❤️🩹❤️🩹
“You live for yourself, and you let me live with you. And it’s hard. I know it’s hard. I know it’s hard, but Fox... Fox, all you have to do is try {...} I just need you to say that you’re willing to try. Try for me.”
Tentatively, he brushed rain-slick lips to Fox’s, a feeling like lightning striking.
“Try...and stay.”
The writing was a double edged sword. 😔 There was a wonderful balance of levity and humor due to their strangely bizarre setup, while also providing enough seriousness and gravitas to highlight that it was an academic setting. And it was evocative and lyrical, almost to the point of being melodious that the words seemed to be floating in my eyes. However ... ah, y'know, I thought that I had a mark on repeating myself in various ways to get the point across, but Cole McCade definitely beat me in that department. It's not that the writing was repetitive, it's that to gauge the full impact of the internal turmoil or the complete scope of physical intensity or to capture the range of emotions, there were multiple phrases used to define one moment. 🙍🏻♀️
How if Fox is grieving, I had to know in every iteration that he was grieving. If Summer was thinking, it was necessary to know just how much thought was being done - in just too much coverage and detail. But, the fact that I savored and inhaled every detail, must mean something, right?? 😅 It doesn't feel like a critique overused, but I could have appreciated it more, if the details were toned down a bit more. Much like what people may think when they see how wordy my reviews are.
But, it was still a lovely read - lovely, definitely being the right word to describe it. Lovely and memorable. 👏🏻 Their romance came at a stage in their lives that was needed for them both to heal, to share an intensely charged bond that would affect their future and change how they viewed themselves. It may have been such an unlikely match, but somehow, they were just right for each other - Fox was the firm solid ground that grounded Summer and Summer was the sunlight that brought life into the sadness that had darkened Fox's lonely grieving heart for too long. 🌞🤍
“The way he challenged Fox, too, and yet did so with the softest of touches that seemed to ask, Show me.
Show me where all the tender places are, so I won’t bruise what hurts.”
Fun fact #1 - I did not know what the term May-December really meant till just recently when I saw the latest Julianne Moore film with Natalie Portman, and how it refers to a romance between a young person and a person who is considerably older.
Fun fact #2 - I read the second book in this series first because I assumed that this comes before that, so imagine my surprise, when I was proven wrong!
Well, there's a sucker born every minute; in this case, moi. 😅
“Is that your intent, then? To breach my walls?”
“Not breach them, no.”
Summer tilted his head back again, then, but this time instead of looking at the sky...he looked up at Fox with his eyes full of that sky, the first morning clouds reflected against liquid blue.
“I’m not going to get inside unless you let me, Professor Iseya. But I can stand outside the walls and wait...and ask.”
My second go with Cole McCade Just Like That is a May-December romance between a teacher's assistant, Summer Hemlock, and his former teacher, Fox Iseya. With at least a twenty year age gap between the two, ever since his schoolboy days, Summer has harbored an intense crush on his stern and foreboding Professor, a man that exudes respect and commands honor. If you think you will find anything else underneath that,” he murmured, “you will be sorely disappointed.' 🥺 But, underneath that stern veneer is the heart of a heartbroken and lonely man, one who has experienced grief at a very early stage in his life and every since then has never felt himself worthy of anyone's love - never inclined to have a romantic interest in any partner - let alone his new very youngish and handsome T.A - his former student, no less.
But, Summer won't back down so easily; his whole life he's been so afraid to act upon his feelings or his desires, because it's something he's just never been prone to be - impulsive, brave, stepping out of his comfort zone - 'never been so reckless or so forward in his life.' And when he unexpectedly throws himself at Fox, gives him a less than favorable proposition that could mutually help them both - but only on terms that are respectful and mindful, then what's standing in their way of making the most of the time and the attraction they feel for each other? 🥹
“He paused at the door as their gazes met, Summer’s eyes widening briefly as he made a startled sound, before smiling shyly. “Oh— hi.”
Don’t smile at me that way.
Fox looked away sharply, lowering his gaze to his hands, and realized he was practically crushing the bell pepper between his palms {...} longing need building up inside him.
Don’t make me want you like this.”
I was a bit uncomfortable at first in how Summer suggested to Fox how they should act upon their feelings - it was odd, even if Fox made it less so. But, once that became something that was overrun by how I'm glad that it's not their large age difference that impacts their desire to act upon their feelings, but rather the emotional walls that Fox, 'a case study in denial' is too hesitant to break down to let Summer in. How it's ingrained into his heart and soul that the best defense is to always stay on the offense; that no one can come close to his heart, so he can never feel the heartbreak of losing them again. 😟 He's carried such a heavy guilt over his wife's death for all these years that he's forgotten what happiness feels like. 'Almost laughed, this bright thing inside him just growing brighter, because in its own way... In its own way, it was terribly, wonderfully sweet.' What having another person's body next to him feels like. What it feels like to be alive. He's closed off his heart to everything and everyone, but like the season that heralds in warmth and light and love, Summer reminded him of all that it is worth fighting and living for. 🫂
Summer had a very pure heart; okay, maybe his intentions weren't so pure from the start with his beloved professor he's been crushing on since his teen years, but now that he's twenty-four and not really doing anything illicit by pursuing him, he's definitely going to do whatever he can. 🥰 He may be 'a walking bundle of anxiety waiting to trip into a panic attack, but every once in a while I hit a breakpoint and just...do what I have to do, and say what I have to say', but the challenge to have Fox recognize his affections as something real was all the drive he needed to see it through. Despite how ambitiously forward in his pursuit to charm Fox's heart, I never felt like it was crossing the line in any way. 'Very well, you bizarrely impudent monster,” he said flatly. “I will agree to your...utterly nonsensical terms and conditions.' 😌 I mean, yes, the initial request does warrant a raised eyebrow (my own personal issues, of course!). It was rather sweet and adorable to see how they both danced and denied their kisses and embraces, while still gently getting closer to one another - in a very respectful yet desirable fashion.
“I love you just as you are, Fox. Broken bits and all. I don’t want to make you someone else. I want you, and for you to care for me as you would...not as anyone else.”
Fox recognized so much in Summer and took great care into taking into consideration - wanting to know fully that everything done was with consent. 'Desire sank its teeth in deeper, and yet the pain of that bite was more than he could bear.'For Summer's not without his own personal issues, as well; he's afraid to really be more forward, anxiety hurting his own teaching skills and second guessing every inch of his good intentions, unsure that he is worthy of living up to his family name. 😥 Summer may have given his heart on a platter, but it was Fox's steady presence and calming demeanor that helped him in so many ways - gave him the confidence he had been lacking as a teacher, helped him recognize his own hidden talents and nurture him into being a more forthcoming person. They may have been complete opposites, but the way they connected with each other was very well-done. The sexual tension and drive of passion was - yeah, it was intense, not gonna lie! You would think Fox is really stoic in his advances, but phew! 🫠🫠
The way the author captured their fervent passion and chemistry was inhibitions unleashed. 🤌🏻🤌🏻 The pool scene was Summer's wildest dreams come true and displayed such a contrast of personality to the usual stoic Fox; not that Summer was complaining. 😏 'It was tearing itself apart, ripping itself open, destroying itself in violent shredding beats that rushed in rhythm with their flowing bodies. As if the only way he knew how to give himself to Summer was to break himself.' Even with all these raging hormones, there is this soft tender growth of recognizing each other's true potential and purpose of existence, an emotional personal journey that was captured in a heart-wrenching ending that was beautifully written. 🥲 I could feel the intensity of the emotions that were racing at that time - how vital it was for Fox to experience those feelings to see how much Summer had healed him - without him even realizing it. And for Summer to trust in himself and have the courage to face his future for whatever it may be. ❤️🩹❤️🩹
“You live for yourself, and you let me live with you. And it’s hard. I know it’s hard. I know it’s hard, but Fox... Fox, all you have to do is try {...} I just need you to say that you’re willing to try. Try for me.”
Tentatively, he brushed rain-slick lips to Fox’s, a feeling like lightning striking.
“Try...and stay.”
The writing was a double edged sword. 😔 There was a wonderful balance of levity and humor due to their strangely bizarre setup, while also providing enough seriousness and gravitas to highlight that it was an academic setting. And it was evocative and lyrical, almost to the point of being melodious that the words seemed to be floating in my eyes. However ... ah, y'know, I thought that I had a mark on repeating myself in various ways to get the point across, but Cole McCade definitely beat me in that department. It's not that the writing was repetitive, it's that to gauge the full impact of the internal turmoil or the complete scope of physical intensity or to capture the range of emotions, there were multiple phrases used to define one moment. 🙍🏻♀️
How if Fox is grieving, I had to know in every iteration that he was grieving. If Summer was thinking, it was necessary to know just how much thought was being done - in just too much coverage and detail. But, the fact that I savored and inhaled every detail, must mean something, right?? 😅 It doesn't feel like a critique overused, but I could have appreciated it more, if the details were toned down a bit more. Much like what people may think when they see how wordy my reviews are.
But, it was still a lovely read - lovely, definitely being the right word to describe it. Lovely and memorable. 👏🏻 Their romance came at a stage in their lives that was needed for them both to heal, to share an intensely charged bond that would affect their future and change how they viewed themselves. It may have been such an unlikely match, but somehow, they were just right for each other - Fox was the firm solid ground that grounded Summer and Summer was the sunlight that brought life into the sadness that had darkened Fox's lonely grieving heart for too long. 🌞🤍
July 17, 2020
4 -
...Be brave…
Stars!
It has been a while since I have read anything by Cole McCade, and the first time for it to be an M/M offering. Truth be told I am not a huge M/M reader in general, but on occasion I like to dip a toe into the genre, and the synopsis for this one sounded right up my ‘trope preference’ alley.
Ready to start again. Ready to try…
Age gap romance, with a touch of the forbidden; TA to Professor, are both themes that I enjoy, and Summer’s eager pursuance of his old tutorly crush definitely highlighted those themes well. Fox has completely closed himself of from love, emotion, interaction and living in general after the death of his wife decades before, and Summer in his time at the Academy as a student barely made a dent in his memory. But seven years on he has returned and although he still has a large number of his old anxiety issues and shyness, the removal of his verbal filter (especially around the Professor) made for some humorous and sweet interactions.
"You’re like a puppy in human form."
I think the clash in pretty much all parts of their personalities is what balanced them out for well in the long run, and Just Like That was a pretty quick read if you take into the account the themes in play. There were some parts of the story and characters I felt were underutilised, and others that could have maybe been paired back but overall this couple’s coming together made for a happy couple of hours reading and a great way to break up my regular reading patterns.
ARC generously provided by the author, in exchange for the above honest review.
It has been a while since I have read anything by Cole McCade, and the first time for it to be an M/M offering. Truth be told I am not a huge M/M reader in general, but on occasion I like to dip a toe into the genre, and the synopsis for this one sounded right up my ‘trope preference’ alley.
Ready to start again. Ready to try…
Age gap romance, with a touch of the forbidden; TA to Professor, are both themes that I enjoy, and Summer’s eager pursuance of his old tutorly crush definitely highlighted those themes well. Fox has completely closed himself of from love, emotion, interaction and living in general after the death of his wife decades before, and Summer in his time at the Academy as a student barely made a dent in his memory. But seven years on he has returned and although he still has a large number of his old anxiety issues and shyness, the removal of his verbal filter (especially around the Professor) made for some humorous and sweet interactions.
"You’re like a puppy in human form."
I think the clash in pretty much all parts of their personalities is what balanced them out for well in the long run, and Just Like That was a pretty quick read if you take into the account the themes in play. There were some parts of the story and characters I felt were underutilised, and others that could have maybe been paired back but overall this couple’s coming together made for a happy couple of hours reading and a great way to break up my regular reading patterns.
ARC generously provided by the author, in exchange for the above honest review.
June 27, 2020
When I read the blurb and subsequently requested for this ARC, I assumed I knew exactly what I was about to read; i.e. a simple novel about a former student who returns to school and wins over his former professor. I honestly do not know why I thought that when Cole McCade's books are as far from "simple" as can ever be.
This was a book chock full of brilliantly flowing language used to weave a nuanced tale about overcoming grief, the rebirth of something thought to have been lost, and the discovery that love can indeed exist in the most unlikely circumstances and between the most unlikely people if one just reached for it. I thoroughly enjoyed my reading experience.
My only critique(if I can even call it that) was the pacing. I felt the pacing dragged the story a bit and could've been sped up more to make the story much more engaging that it already was.
Aside that, as I've indicated above, I thoroughly enjoyed myself reading about these two unconventional heroes and how they (to borrow Rihanna's words) "Found love in a hopeless place". I will be certainly be continuing with this series.
***eARC Graciously Provided by Publisher in Exchange for an Honest,Unbiased Review***
This was a book chock full of brilliantly flowing language used to weave a nuanced tale about overcoming grief, the rebirth of something thought to have been lost, and the discovery that love can indeed exist in the most unlikely circumstances and between the most unlikely people if one just reached for it. I thoroughly enjoyed my reading experience.
My only critique(if I can even call it that) was the pacing. I felt the pacing dragged the story a bit and could've been sped up more to make the story much more engaging that it already was.
Aside that, as I've indicated above, I thoroughly enjoyed myself reading about these two unconventional heroes and how they (to borrow Rihanna's words) "Found love in a hopeless place". I will be certainly be continuing with this series.
***eARC Graciously Provided by Publisher in Exchange for an Honest,Unbiased Review***
July 3, 2020
4,25 stars
Emotionally intense.
Beautifully poetic.
Deeply complex.
What I loved about this:
1. Both MCs are very relatable, and I rooted for them from the bottom of my heart. Summer is so positive, so full of energy and light “a puppy in human form”, while Fox, the ”resident ice queen of Albin Academy for decades” is so vulnerable and raw once we get to know him better.
2. The age gap: Fox is about 20 years older than Summer. Loved that although the age gap is there, it’s ultimately not defining their relationship, and the power dynamics between them.
3. Cole McCade shows us how two very different men, with very different issues, at two very different stages in their lives, fit together like strawberries and cream or missing puzzle pieces. While Fox and his strength do wonders for anxiety-ridden Summer, Summer brings light, hope and feelings in Fox’s emotionally detached life, something he’s forgotten he’s capable of.
4. Cole McCade is one of those authors who can take a sex scene and make it something truly special. And I’m not talking about the heat alone here (which is incidentally on full throttle), but the deep connection he creates between the men. Absolutely stunning.
5. Loved Lily, Summer’s mum. She’s the only secondary character that really stands out. We don’t get to know many other people.
What I wondered about:
a. The little ‘kissing deal' between Fox and Summer felt pretty unlikely, but it made for a great, very romantic, almost fairy-tale like plot.
b. Albin Academy seems pretty flexible when it comes to employing staff.
c. And that goes for their disciplinary procedures, too. Not sure that’s realistic, but maybe it doesn’t have to be.
But, in the big scheme of things, these are minor niggles in this beautiful character study of two men who find themselves by finding each other.
Favourite lines:
“Just because things ended was no reason to avoid beginning them at all.
I kind of think ‘no’ is the most important word we know, and not enough people listen to it.
Hope was infinitely more painful than fear.”
Emotionally intense.
Beautifully poetic.
Deeply complex.
What I loved about this:
1. Both MCs are very relatable, and I rooted for them from the bottom of my heart. Summer is so positive, so full of energy and light “a puppy in human form”, while Fox, the ”resident ice queen of Albin Academy for decades” is so vulnerable and raw once we get to know him better.
2. The age gap: Fox is about 20 years older than Summer. Loved that although the age gap is there, it’s ultimately not defining their relationship, and the power dynamics between them.
3. Cole McCade shows us how two very different men, with very different issues, at two very different stages in their lives, fit together like strawberries and cream or missing puzzle pieces. While Fox and his strength do wonders for anxiety-ridden Summer, Summer brings light, hope and feelings in Fox’s emotionally detached life, something he’s forgotten he’s capable of.
4. Cole McCade is one of those authors who can take a sex scene and make it something truly special. And I’m not talking about the heat alone here (which is incidentally on full throttle), but the deep connection he creates between the men. Absolutely stunning.
5. Loved Lily, Summer’s mum. She’s the only secondary character that really stands out. We don’t get to know many other people.
What I wondered about:
a. The little ‘kissing deal' between Fox and Summer felt pretty unlikely, but it made for a great, very romantic, almost fairy-tale like plot.
b. Albin Academy seems pretty flexible when it comes to employing staff.
c. And that goes for their disciplinary procedures, too. Not sure that’s realistic, but maybe it doesn’t have to be.
But, in the big scheme of things, these are minor niggles in this beautiful character study of two men who find themselves by finding each other.
Favourite lines:
“Just because things ended was no reason to avoid beginning them at all.
I kind of think ‘no’ is the most important word we know, and not enough people listen to it.
Hope was infinitely more painful than fear.”
December 17, 2020
This did... not work for me.
This was a slippery road of one unbelievable scene after the other. Nothing made sense, nothing was realistic (which I usually don't have a problem with but when it's too much even I am taken aback).
Some scenes actually made me angry.
One star for the writing though. The actual words were beautiful at times.
This was a slippery road of one unbelievable scene after the other. Nothing made sense, nothing was realistic (which I usually don't have a problem with but when it's too much even I am taken aback).
Some scenes actually made me angry.
One star for the writing though. The actual words were beautiful at times.
June 22, 2020
Summer Hemlock and Fox Iseya
Oh boy.
Fox Iseya is a sharp-tongued man with an ice-cold demeanor. After his wife died many years ago Fox just stopped living. His attitude is the only thing he has to keep humans at distance.
Summer is a twenty-five, anxious, brave, young, and delicate, who unarmed Fox at first sight.
His soft voice, kind smiles, and knowing eyes, Summer sees right through him.
Fox tries everything to withstand Summer but he never had a chance.
After seven years Summer is back at the elite Albin Academy, now working directly under and with Professor Fox Iseya. The man who always made him anxious and more.
Somehow the tables are turned. Haughty Fox wants Summer to be brave so Summer does the bravest thing, kissing Fox.
“The water glided over him as if it loved him, and wanted to cling to him as closely as possible.”
Just like the water Fox wants to be close to Summer but can’t commit, this is his last year at Albin Academy. Summer wants Fox to be brave too.
Ghawd what a romantic story, with kind vulnerable personalities.
While all those sentences were beautifully written in long extended deeply moving ways, at times I wished they were wam bam short. I was so anxious and impatient it was too much, the road to the ultimate place was long and I wanted the fast way, not getting there through a maze but the short way. Even though the maze was full of beautiful flowers, they distracted from my goal.
Gosh, I feel superficial saying this, the author is a master with words, while I’m focused on the goal this author does everything to avoid it. The road is what matters not the goal itself.
I know, I KNOW!!
I loved this story very. It was deeply moving and highly romantic, with the most lovable precious characters.
Oh boy.
Fox Iseya is a sharp-tongued man with an ice-cold demeanor. After his wife died many years ago Fox just stopped living. His attitude is the only thing he has to keep humans at distance.
Summer is a twenty-five, anxious, brave, young, and delicate, who unarmed Fox at first sight.
His soft voice, kind smiles, and knowing eyes, Summer sees right through him.
Fox tries everything to withstand Summer but he never had a chance.
After seven years Summer is back at the elite Albin Academy, now working directly under and with Professor Fox Iseya. The man who always made him anxious and more.
Somehow the tables are turned. Haughty Fox wants Summer to be brave so Summer does the bravest thing, kissing Fox.
“The water glided over him as if it loved him, and wanted to cling to him as closely as possible.”
Just like the water Fox wants to be close to Summer but can’t commit, this is his last year at Albin Academy. Summer wants Fox to be brave too.
Ghawd what a romantic story, with kind vulnerable personalities.
While all those sentences were beautifully written in long extended deeply moving ways, at times I wished they were wam bam short. I was so anxious and impatient it was too much, the road to the ultimate place was long and I wanted the fast way, not getting there through a maze but the short way. Even though the maze was full of beautiful flowers, they distracted from my goal.
Gosh, I feel superficial saying this, the author is a master with words, while I’m focused on the goal this author does everything to avoid it. The road is what matters not the goal itself.
I know, I KNOW!!
I loved this story very. It was deeply moving and highly romantic, with the most lovable precious characters.
June 9, 2020
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I've been crossing days off of my calendar in anticipation for the next book in the Criminal Intentions series, so when I saw a new book by Cole McCade I jumped at the chance to read it.
It took me a second to place the fact that I had briefly met Summer Hemlock in a Baltimore coffee shop with Malcolm Khalaji during Season 1, Episode 10, and that little connection sent a trail of warmth through me, not gonna lie.
Summer's story only starts when he returns to his home town on Omen, Massachusetts to be around for his mom as she gets older, and that means getting a job at his old school, Albin Academy - an all boys boarding school for the rich and (more often than not) unwanted kids of the rich and powerful.
Summer was a legacy student, his late father had worked at the school, which earned him a full scholarship. While Summer never fit in amongst the wealthy kids at Albin, with his anxious disposition and almost pathological inability to look other people in the eye, there wasn't another school he rather be at than Albin, because of one particular Psych elective class, taught by one Fox Iseya.
(This is where I point out that it's a little weird to call him "Professor" Fox Iseya, because this is an American boarding school and he is just a teacher - at least that's how it worked at the American boarding school I attended ¯\_(ツ)_/¯)
Fox Iseya dominated Summer's every waking thought when he was a senior, and from the moment Summer walks back into (a burning) Albin Academy - thanks to resident (non-intentional) pyro teacher Dr. Liu - Iseya is once again the focus of Summer's world.
Cold, stand-offish Iseya, who keeps everyone at arm's length, who can shut every other faculty member up with one well timed glare, Iseya who can keep even the unruly and entitled students of Albin Academy in line without a word uttered. Iseya with his long (Summer would really like to know just how long) hair always tied up, squeezed into his tailored suits and glasses and the new found ability to turn Summer's anxiety into reckless, and often inappropriate, bravery. If you call kissing your old teacher and new mentor before your first day of work, which yes, yes! Definitely inappropriate. But also kind of delicious?
Summer seems to startle Iseya out his cold and petrified existence and maybe just maybe, they'll keep challenging each other until they have nothing left to give.
I devoured this in a day. That's all.
I've been crossing days off of my calendar in anticipation for the next book in the Criminal Intentions series, so when I saw a new book by Cole McCade I jumped at the chance to read it.
It took me a second to place the fact that I had briefly met Summer Hemlock in a Baltimore coffee shop with Malcolm Khalaji during Season 1, Episode 10, and that little connection sent a trail of warmth through me, not gonna lie.
Summer's story only starts when he returns to his home town on Omen, Massachusetts to be around for his mom as she gets older, and that means getting a job at his old school, Albin Academy - an all boys boarding school for the rich and (more often than not) unwanted kids of the rich and powerful.
Summer was a legacy student, his late father had worked at the school, which earned him a full scholarship. While Summer never fit in amongst the wealthy kids at Albin, with his anxious disposition and almost pathological inability to look other people in the eye, there wasn't another school he rather be at than Albin, because of one particular Psych elective class, taught by one Fox Iseya.
(This is where I point out that it's a little weird to call him "Professor" Fox Iseya, because this is an American boarding school and he is just a teacher - at least that's how it worked at the American boarding school I attended ¯\_(ツ)_/¯)
Fox Iseya dominated Summer's every waking thought when he was a senior, and from the moment Summer walks back into (a burning) Albin Academy - thanks to resident (non-intentional) pyro teacher Dr. Liu - Iseya is once again the focus of Summer's world.
Cold, stand-offish Iseya, who keeps everyone at arm's length, who can shut every other faculty member up with one well timed glare, Iseya who can keep even the unruly and entitled students of Albin Academy in line without a word uttered. Iseya with his long (Summer would really like to know just how long) hair always tied up, squeezed into his tailored suits and glasses and the new found ability to turn Summer's anxiety into reckless, and often inappropriate, bravery. If you call kissing your old teacher and new mentor before your first day of work, which yes, yes! Definitely inappropriate. But also kind of delicious?
Summer seems to startle Iseya out his cold and petrified existence and maybe just maybe, they'll keep challenging each other until they have nothing left to give.
I devoured this in a day. That's all.
August 1, 2023
Gosh, this book. Once in a blue moon, I'll stumble upon a book that will totally blow my expectations away even though I went in with none.
That's the case with Just Like That by Cole MCcade this is a new to me author that I've heard about through his Criminal Intentions series, getting high praises. Still, since I'm a mood reader, it will wait for a while 😅 so I checked out his other titles, and this book sounded like something I'll enjoy, and I enjoyed it indeed 😂I'll be honest age gap is not my favorite trope, but this author made it soooo good I just ignored that.
There is something special in the writing style of this book that made it so poetic, and I don't know squat about poetry 😅 but it sounded so tender, sweet, and achingly emotional in the way he described the intimate moments between the characters, especially the kissing scenes and the turmoil they go through.
I was totally captivated by the dynamics, the heat, the chemistry, and the connection between Fox and summer. It kept me glued to my iPad and made me smile, sigh, and swoon at these two.
You can feel the emotions seeping through the pages, and it was beautifully delivered ❤️I loved everything about this book, and I highly recommend you to pick it up. I guarantee you won't regret it. It's definitely made it to my favorite list of reads of all time.
One very important final note: My lawrd those kissing scenes were hot 🔥
I miss them already
That's the case with Just Like That by Cole MCcade this is a new to me author that I've heard about through his Criminal Intentions series, getting high praises. Still, since I'm a mood reader, it will wait for a while 😅 so I checked out his other titles, and this book sounded like something I'll enjoy, and I enjoyed it indeed 😂I'll be honest age gap is not my favorite trope, but this author made it soooo good I just ignored that.
There is something special in the writing style of this book that made it so poetic, and I don't know squat about poetry 😅 but it sounded so tender, sweet, and achingly emotional in the way he described the intimate moments between the characters, especially the kissing scenes and the turmoil they go through.
I was totally captivated by the dynamics, the heat, the chemistry, and the connection between Fox and summer. It kept me glued to my iPad and made me smile, sigh, and swoon at these two.
You can feel the emotions seeping through the pages, and it was beautifully delivered ❤️I loved everything about this book, and I highly recommend you to pick it up. I guarantee you won't regret it. It's definitely made it to my favorite list of reads of all time.
One very important final note: My lawrd those kissing scenes were hot 🔥
I miss them already
June 25, 2020
CW: anxiety and on page panic attacks, depression, talk of suicidal ideation, bullying, loss of spouse and parent in the past.
There are other content warnings which are mentioned in the beginning of the book.
I know I don’t read enough ownvoices gay romance stories even though I like the genre a lot, but I’m always looking out for more. And Cole McCade is definitely one author I look forward to even though I did abandon his Criminal Intentions aerial after reading nine or ten episodes because it was too dark for my taste. But this is a new romance series and I was so excited when I got the ARC.
While this series is definitely not dark, it’s also not like the romcoms I’m used to reading. Both the characters of Fox and Summer are the products of their pasts and traumas, and their depictions felt so real and visceral. Summer suffers from anxiety and panic attacks but he is also brave enough to give voice to his desires when challenged and I admired him so much for being compassionate and relentlessly trying to get out of his comfort zone.
Fox on the other hand has closed himself off for years because he couldn’t process the grief of losing his wife. He is a professor everyone is quite scared of because he is a very tough taskmaster, but underneath he is so soft and just needs someone to show him that deserves to live and love again.
Cole has a way with words and the writing really is exquisite at places, tugging at your heartstrings so much that you can feel all the pain and the joy that the characters are experiencing. Even though I did feel that the falling in love part happened a bit fast, it was still very believable and I was rooting for them all the way. I wasn’t sure I would like the setting of the boarding school before I started reading the book, and I’m still not entirely impressed with it because the concept of rich kids being bullies and traumatizing each other is not my kind of narrative, but I liked the direction the author took that particular subplot in. There were not many other side characters except Summer’s mom who only made a couple of appearances, but was delightful.
Overall, this was a very emotional love story with great depth in the characters and I thoroughly loved my reading experience. And I’m quite excited to see where the series goes next.
There are other content warnings which are mentioned in the beginning of the book.
I know I don’t read enough ownvoices gay romance stories even though I like the genre a lot, but I’m always looking out for more. And Cole McCade is definitely one author I look forward to even though I did abandon his Criminal Intentions aerial after reading nine or ten episodes because it was too dark for my taste. But this is a new romance series and I was so excited when I got the ARC.
While this series is definitely not dark, it’s also not like the romcoms I’m used to reading. Both the characters of Fox and Summer are the products of their pasts and traumas, and their depictions felt so real and visceral. Summer suffers from anxiety and panic attacks but he is also brave enough to give voice to his desires when challenged and I admired him so much for being compassionate and relentlessly trying to get out of his comfort zone.
Fox on the other hand has closed himself off for years because he couldn’t process the grief of losing his wife. He is a professor everyone is quite scared of because he is a very tough taskmaster, but underneath he is so soft and just needs someone to show him that deserves to live and love again.
Cole has a way with words and the writing really is exquisite at places, tugging at your heartstrings so much that you can feel all the pain and the joy that the characters are experiencing. Even though I did feel that the falling in love part happened a bit fast, it was still very believable and I was rooting for them all the way. I wasn’t sure I would like the setting of the boarding school before I started reading the book, and I’m still not entirely impressed with it because the concept of rich kids being bullies and traumatizing each other is not my kind of narrative, but I liked the direction the author took that particular subplot in. There were not many other side characters except Summer’s mom who only made a couple of appearances, but was delightful.
Overall, this was a very emotional love story with great depth in the characters and I thoroughly loved my reading experience. And I’m quite excited to see where the series goes next.
July 4, 2020
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 Stars. I decided to come back and round up not down. Because a few days later, I’m still thinking about Summer and Fox. 🥰
The good:
✔️I love Cole McCade’s writing. Some have said he has too much of a purple prose thing going on. For me it almost gets to that point once in a while. But mainly, I tend to love it. It feels sensual and lyrical. I can totally sink into it. A personal preference I suppose.
✔️Age gap. Yes please! This is a big one. 20+ years. It was done right. And for those of you that are like me and don’t do daddy kink, this doesn’t have any. I guess that could also be considered a negative for some. 🤷🏻♀️
✔️Grumpy vs Sunshine trope. I live for that.
✔️Hot, hot, hot! 🔥
✔️Good depictions of grief and anxiety.
The...not as good?
🔴The ending. It felt over dramatic and a little OTT
🔴 A case of not insta-love but fast love didn’t work for me considering the length of time and Fox’s issues.
🔴Would have liked some more relationship development.
This was a solid read. I’m a big fan of this author and will happily read book two. I’m thinking it’s about another pair because these two seem wrapped up. For the life of me, I can’t figure out who it will be about. Maybe the two students having problems? The assistant principal? Weird, pyromaniac science teacher? 🤣
This also reminded me that I need to get back to his Criminal Intentions series. I read a ton in a row and needed a break but it may be time to continue them. 😄
The good:
✔️I love Cole McCade’s writing. Some have said he has too much of a purple prose thing going on. For me it almost gets to that point once in a while. But mainly, I tend to love it. It feels sensual and lyrical. I can totally sink into it. A personal preference I suppose.
✔️Age gap. Yes please! This is a big one. 20+ years. It was done right. And for those of you that are like me and don’t do daddy kink, this doesn’t have any. I guess that could also be considered a negative for some. 🤷🏻♀️
✔️Grumpy vs Sunshine trope. I live for that.
✔️Hot, hot, hot! 🔥
✔️Good depictions of grief and anxiety.
The...not as good?
🔴The ending. It felt over dramatic and a little OTT
🔴 A case of not insta-love but fast love didn’t work for me considering the length of time and Fox’s issues.
🔴Would have liked some more relationship development.
This was a solid read. I’m a big fan of this author and will happily read book two. I’m thinking it’s about another pair because these two seem wrapped up. For the life of me, I can’t figure out who it will be about. Maybe the two students having problems? The assistant principal? Weird, pyromaniac science teacher? 🤣
This also reminded me that I need to get back to his Criminal Intentions series. I read a ton in a row and needed a break but it may be time to continue them. 😄
July 31, 2020
An absolutely lovely romance.
In Just Like That Cole McCade spins a tender and emotional story. The characters are deep and intricate, and their relationship is wonderfully complex. With the added bonus of Cole McCade’s truly beautiful writing, Just Like That is a moving story I won’t soon forget.
Audio performed by Kirt Graves, his deep and rumbly tone lends itself well to the angst in this story.
a copy of Just Like That was provided by NetGalley for the purpose of my honest review
In Just Like That Cole McCade spins a tender and emotional story. The characters are deep and intricate, and their relationship is wonderfully complex. With the added bonus of Cole McCade’s truly beautiful writing, Just Like That is a moving story I won’t soon forget.
Audio performed by Kirt Graves, his deep and rumbly tone lends itself well to the angst in this story.
a copy of Just Like That was provided by NetGalley for the purpose of my honest review
May 29, 2020
4.5 stars!
My first read of this author outside his CI series and I gotta say that I loved it.
This is about Summer Hemlock who we met briefly in season 1 of CI when Malcolm met him at like a coffee house for a talk.
Summer grew up in a small town called Omen (interesting name :p) and his father worked at probably the town's biggest attraction - Albin Academy, an all boys private high school. Summer grew up with his mother, and they grew up poor, and Summer had gotten in by a scholarship.
And when he was there, Fox Iseya was his psychology teacher, and Summer had a huge crush on him.
7 years later, a 25 year old Summer has come back to Omen to work as Iseya's TA, and Summer is just as attracted as when he was a teenager when he meets Fox again.
Fox wasn't attracted when Summer was his student, but Summer has changed those 7 years, and is an adult now, and Fox does feel a spark of interest he tries desperately to ignore.
Fox is 46, so he's 21 years older than Summer, so we get that may-december romance aspect. But also, when Fox was around Summer's age, he lost his wife, and Fox has been closed off ever since, and is afraid to love again.
But Summer is persistent and he doesn't give up, and Fox never tells him "no" despite Summer giving him every opportunity to.
I loved these two and their chemistry, they were on fire together. (And with how much they went at it all over the school, I'm surprised they only really got caught once ;)).
They have a few weeks together, but Fox is still having a hard time, the more he falls for Summer, because he doesn't want to be falling for him and he's falling for him anyway and that terrifies him. And Summer is consistently sweet and kind and optimistic.
Summer has some somewhat severe anxiety, and you can't help but feel for him, and Fox treats him kindly when he has panic attacks, no matter how. many times Fox says he's not good for Summer, that he's not nice or feeling or anything like that.
And despite Summer's anxiety, he takes to talking to the high school boys one-on-one, and being there for them. When there's some bullying going on, Summer desperately wants to help (he was bullied as well when he was at the school), and Summer finds more and more love in a guidance counselor role than a teacher role.
I gave .5 off because I felt we could have got a little more at the end and I felt it ended a little too soon, I just wanted a little more of seeing them settling into their HEA, but I still loved this book overall.
Seeing these two go from the beginning of their relationship to where they end up was wonderful and I loved it. And seeing as this is the first book in this series, I wonder if the next book will be about these two or a new couple. I will be happy either way :D.
(Also this made me miss Seong-Jae and Malcolm, and I'm hopeful we'll get the next CI installment soon *fingers crossed*)
Two massive thumbs up from me, definitely recommend, especially if you're a fan of Cole McCade's writing and/or his CI series.
***ARC generously provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review***
My first read of this author outside his CI series and I gotta say that I loved it.
This is about Summer Hemlock who we met briefly in season 1 of CI when Malcolm met him at like a coffee house for a talk.
Summer grew up in a small town called Omen (interesting name :p) and his father worked at probably the town's biggest attraction - Albin Academy, an all boys private high school. Summer grew up with his mother, and they grew up poor, and Summer had gotten in by a scholarship.
And when he was there, Fox Iseya was his psychology teacher, and Summer had a huge crush on him.
7 years later, a 25 year old Summer has come back to Omen to work as Iseya's TA, and Summer is just as attracted as when he was a teenager when he meets Fox again.
Fox wasn't attracted when Summer was his student, but Summer has changed those 7 years, and is an adult now, and Fox does feel a spark of interest he tries desperately to ignore.
Fox is 46, so he's 21 years older than Summer, so we get that may-december romance aspect. But also, when Fox was around Summer's age, he lost his wife, and Fox has been closed off ever since, and is afraid to love again.
But Summer is persistent and he doesn't give up, and Fox never tells him "no" despite Summer giving him every opportunity to.
I loved these two and their chemistry, they were on fire together. (And with how much they went at it all over the school, I'm surprised they only really got caught once ;)).
They have a few weeks together, but Fox is still having a hard time, the more he falls for Summer, because he doesn't want to be falling for him and he's falling for him anyway and that terrifies him. And Summer is consistently sweet and kind and optimistic.
Summer has some somewhat severe anxiety, and you can't help but feel for him, and Fox treats him kindly when he has panic attacks, no matter how. many times Fox says he's not good for Summer, that he's not nice or feeling or anything like that.
And despite Summer's anxiety, he takes to talking to the high school boys one-on-one, and being there for them. When there's some bullying going on, Summer desperately wants to help (he was bullied as well when he was at the school), and Summer finds more and more love in a guidance counselor role than a teacher role.
I gave .5 off because I felt we could have got a little more at the end and I felt it ended a little too soon, I just wanted a little more of seeing them settling into their HEA, but I still loved this book overall.
Seeing these two go from the beginning of their relationship to where they end up was wonderful and I loved it. And seeing as this is the first book in this series, I wonder if the next book will be about these two or a new couple. I will be happy either way :D.
(Also this made me miss Seong-Jae and Malcolm, and I'm hopeful we'll get the next CI installment soon *fingers crossed*)
Two massive thumbs up from me, definitely recommend, especially if you're a fan of Cole McCade's writing and/or his CI series.
***ARC generously provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review***
June 29, 2021
This is really 3.5 rounded up. The writing is good as usual but the premise is really unbelievable:
1. Widower Fox (where do these names come from??) suddenly comes out of 20 yrs of no sex, no life, bc 1 ex-student pushes his buttons
2. Summer Hemlock (right???! That name!!!) kisses his ex teacher the first day back in town out of nowhere
3. After a few days, they go bareback at a public pool at night…. No talk of STDs just BAM
And so forth and so on…. 20 yrs of nothing and a few days of zero to 300 and Fox is cured.
OK rounding down now.
1. Widower Fox (where do these names come from??) suddenly comes out of 20 yrs of no sex, no life, bc 1 ex-student pushes his buttons
2. Summer Hemlock (right???! That name!!!) kisses his ex teacher the first day back in town out of nowhere
3. After a few days, they go bareback at a public pool at night…. No talk of STDs just BAM
And so forth and so on…. 20 yrs of nothing and a few days of zero to 300 and Fox is cured.
OK rounding down now.
August 5, 2020
I've given this a B at AAR.
The new Carina Adores line from Carina Press promises highly romantic, feel-good stories with a strong central trope featuring LGBTQ+ protagonists getting their Happily Ever Afters. Carina has a pretty strong track record when it comes to queer romance and I’m really looking forward to trying the new-to-me authors in the line as well as to reading new books from ‘old’ favourites. Cole McCade has been on my radar for a while (I even have some of the books in his Criminal Intentions series on my Kindle – I just haven’t got around to reading them yet!) and I eagerly jumped into Just Like That, an exquisitely written May/December romance between a professor and former student that, while somewhat melancholy in tone, delivers a deeply felt, sensual love story.
Seven years earlier, Summer Hemlock left Albin Academy, a prestigious boys’ boarding school, and fled to Baltimore, intending to shake off the hopeless, invisible boy he’d been, find himself and learn not to be afraid. He’d intended never to return to his home town, but he knows his mother isn’t getting any younger, so he takes up a TA position at the academy – in the psychology department – in order to be closer to her.
He arrives to find the school on fire. Well, not all of it, just the chemistry lab. Summer well remembers Dr. Liu’s propensity to set things on fire from his own time at the school, and makes his way inside to see what he can do to help. The first voice he hears is one that stirs up many memories of hours spent listening to it in a class full of boys who were more than a little afraid of the man it belonged to – the same voice Summer now follows through the smoke, to find the tall, severely elegant form of Professor Fox Iseya – upon whom Summer had a massive teenage crush.
Fox had forgotten about the imminent arrival of his new TA and certainly doesn’t give much thought to his former students, so he’s surprised, when Summer introduces himself, to find himself actually able to recall the gangly, shy boy Summer had been, and then contrasting that memory with the attractive, athletic young man standing in front of him. Once the fire is out and he and Summer are finally able to talk, Fox wastes no time in making clear his reservations about Summer’s ability to do the job:
“They will push those boundaries at every turn, and considering you haven’t changed a bit from when you were a student… I don’t think you’re capable of dealing with that.”
Summer angrily refutes that suggestion, which leads Fox to issue a challenge. Summer is to do one thing that takes him out of his comfort zone every day to show that he’s prepared to take the necessary steps “to face down a classroom of unruly, disrespectful children” on his own. Goaded past irritation at Iseya’s dismissiveness, Summer accepts the challenge and makes an immediate start on doing things that scare him – and fulfils a long-buried secret longing. He kisses Fox – then panics and leaves, feeling like a complete idiot.
Summer returns the next morning, intent on doing his scary thing for the day – to find Fox and apologise. The conversation they have here is wonderfully open and honest; Summer is upfront about his attraction to Fox – who is upfront about not understanding exactly what Summer finds to like about him – and I loved the way Summer talks openly about his anxiety and explains how every so often, he hits “fuck-it mode”, a breaking point where he just has to say or do what he has to regardless of how scary it may be. This talk engenders a kind of… if not exactly trust or friendship, then the makings of it, and leads Summer to issue a challenge of his own. He has learned that Fox suffered a terrible loss when he was around Summer’s age, and that he has built incredibly thick emotional walls to protect himself from ever again experiencing such pain. Summer suggests that perhaps Fox is ready to start living again only to find himself caught in a cage of his own making, and offers him a deal. Refusing to listen to Fox’s insistence that he’s old and used-up and has nothing to offer, Summer tells him that when he (Summer) does something out of his comfort zone each day, he will ask Fox for a kiss as a reward – which Fox will give only if he really wants to.
Okay, yes, the kiss-a-day premise is a bit creaky, but Mr. McCade makes it work, allowing both characters to learn about each other, reassess their preconceptions and become closer as the days and weeks – and kisses – pass. But even as Fox is starting to see the truth of Summer – a young man who is willing to challenge himself at every turn, to face down fears he couldn’t control every day, wired into his brain by chemical tractions and triggers – and to realise that for the first time in years, he might actually learn to be happy again, he’s also terrified. He’s falling for Summer – young, optimistic, bright and oh, so sweet – and what will he do when, as is bound to happen, Summer tires of being with someone so broken who doesn’t know how to love him back?
The writing in this book is insightful and utterly captivating, and the characters are both complex and compelling. The growing intensity of the emotional connection between them is described in prose that is both lyrical and beautiful, and made those emotions leap off the page and get under my skin in a way that doesn’t happen very often. I loved seeing Summer finally finding himself and his purpose; he’s a wonderful mix of strength and vulnerability and I was as charmed by him as Fox was. Fox’s self-imposed aloofness and detachment make him a bit harder to like, but the author does such a good job of showing why he is the way he is that I began to warm to him quickly, especially when he starts to let down his guard a little and let Summer in.
But on the downside, some things, such as Fox’s insistence on having nothing to offer someone as vibrant and present as Summer and that Summer will soon get tired of being with him got a bit repetitive, and there was just a little bit too much introspection at times. The grand romantic gesture at the end is a bit TSTL (which the author admits in his notes!) and made me roll my eyes a bit, and as I said earlier, the kiss-a-day thing, while rather charming, was also a bit of a stretch.
Even so, I really enjoyed Just Like That and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for an emotionally satisfying, slow-burn romance. I’m looking forward to the next in the series.
The new Carina Adores line from Carina Press promises highly romantic, feel-good stories with a strong central trope featuring LGBTQ+ protagonists getting their Happily Ever Afters. Carina has a pretty strong track record when it comes to queer romance and I’m really looking forward to trying the new-to-me authors in the line as well as to reading new books from ‘old’ favourites. Cole McCade has been on my radar for a while (I even have some of the books in his Criminal Intentions series on my Kindle – I just haven’t got around to reading them yet!) and I eagerly jumped into Just Like That, an exquisitely written May/December romance between a professor and former student that, while somewhat melancholy in tone, delivers a deeply felt, sensual love story.
Seven years earlier, Summer Hemlock left Albin Academy, a prestigious boys’ boarding school, and fled to Baltimore, intending to shake off the hopeless, invisible boy he’d been, find himself and learn not to be afraid. He’d intended never to return to his home town, but he knows his mother isn’t getting any younger, so he takes up a TA position at the academy – in the psychology department – in order to be closer to her.
He arrives to find the school on fire. Well, not all of it, just the chemistry lab. Summer well remembers Dr. Liu’s propensity to set things on fire from his own time at the school, and makes his way inside to see what he can do to help. The first voice he hears is one that stirs up many memories of hours spent listening to it in a class full of boys who were more than a little afraid of the man it belonged to – the same voice Summer now follows through the smoke, to find the tall, severely elegant form of Professor Fox Iseya – upon whom Summer had a massive teenage crush.
Fox had forgotten about the imminent arrival of his new TA and certainly doesn’t give much thought to his former students, so he’s surprised, when Summer introduces himself, to find himself actually able to recall the gangly, shy boy Summer had been, and then contrasting that memory with the attractive, athletic young man standing in front of him. Once the fire is out and he and Summer are finally able to talk, Fox wastes no time in making clear his reservations about Summer’s ability to do the job:
“They will push those boundaries at every turn, and considering you haven’t changed a bit from when you were a student… I don’t think you’re capable of dealing with that.”
Summer angrily refutes that suggestion, which leads Fox to issue a challenge. Summer is to do one thing that takes him out of his comfort zone every day to show that he’s prepared to take the necessary steps “to face down a classroom of unruly, disrespectful children” on his own. Goaded past irritation at Iseya’s dismissiveness, Summer accepts the challenge and makes an immediate start on doing things that scare him – and fulfils a long-buried secret longing. He kisses Fox – then panics and leaves, feeling like a complete idiot.
Summer returns the next morning, intent on doing his scary thing for the day – to find Fox and apologise. The conversation they have here is wonderfully open and honest; Summer is upfront about his attraction to Fox – who is upfront about not understanding exactly what Summer finds to like about him – and I loved the way Summer talks openly about his anxiety and explains how every so often, he hits “fuck-it mode”, a breaking point where he just has to say or do what he has to regardless of how scary it may be. This talk engenders a kind of… if not exactly trust or friendship, then the makings of it, and leads Summer to issue a challenge of his own. He has learned that Fox suffered a terrible loss when he was around Summer’s age, and that he has built incredibly thick emotional walls to protect himself from ever again experiencing such pain. Summer suggests that perhaps Fox is ready to start living again only to find himself caught in a cage of his own making, and offers him a deal. Refusing to listen to Fox’s insistence that he’s old and used-up and has nothing to offer, Summer tells him that when he (Summer) does something out of his comfort zone each day, he will ask Fox for a kiss as a reward – which Fox will give only if he really wants to.
Okay, yes, the kiss-a-day premise is a bit creaky, but Mr. McCade makes it work, allowing both characters to learn about each other, reassess their preconceptions and become closer as the days and weeks – and kisses – pass. But even as Fox is starting to see the truth of Summer – a young man who is willing to challenge himself at every turn, to face down fears he couldn’t control every day, wired into his brain by chemical tractions and triggers – and to realise that for the first time in years, he might actually learn to be happy again, he’s also terrified. He’s falling for Summer – young, optimistic, bright and oh, so sweet – and what will he do when, as is bound to happen, Summer tires of being with someone so broken who doesn’t know how to love him back?
The writing in this book is insightful and utterly captivating, and the characters are both complex and compelling. The growing intensity of the emotional connection between them is described in prose that is both lyrical and beautiful, and made those emotions leap off the page and get under my skin in a way that doesn’t happen very often. I loved seeing Summer finally finding himself and his purpose; he’s a wonderful mix of strength and vulnerability and I was as charmed by him as Fox was. Fox’s self-imposed aloofness and detachment make him a bit harder to like, but the author does such a good job of showing why he is the way he is that I began to warm to him quickly, especially when he starts to let down his guard a little and let Summer in.
But on the downside, some things, such as Fox’s insistence on having nothing to offer someone as vibrant and present as Summer and that Summer will soon get tired of being with him got a bit repetitive, and there was just a little bit too much introspection at times. The grand romantic gesture at the end is a bit TSTL (which the author admits in his notes!) and made me roll my eyes a bit, and as I said earlier, the kiss-a-day thing, while rather charming, was also a bit of a stretch.
Even so, I really enjoyed Just Like That and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for an emotionally satisfying, slow-burn romance. I’m looking forward to the next in the series.
July 23, 2020
I received a copy of this book via the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Despite having quite an extensive back list, Cole McCade is a new-to-me author. However, I knew I absolutely had to get my hands on this story the moment I read the blurb. There was just something about it that cried out to my readerly heart and demanded my immediate and undivided attention. And I must say, Just Like That followed through quite nicely with its promise.
First and foremost, I fell for Summer Hemlock almost immediately. He’s one of those characters that jumps off the page and straight into your heart. I adored how the author portrayed him as a down-to-earth, genuine, anxiety-riddled mess. His character was just so real. As someone who suffers from anxiety myself, I can confirm his reactions were spot on and so incredibly relatable that I couldn’t imagine not falling for him. And when the gruff, stern Fox Iseya made his first real move to calm and soothe Summer during one of his panic attacks? I was done. Both characters had me by the heartstrings from there on out.
This is one of those stories that feels predictable on the surface—and I’m not knocking predictability… tropes are tropes for a reason—but before I knew it, everything I expected to happen… wasn’t. Sure, the overall story has a satisfying overall romance arc, but the little twists, bumps, and tiny celebrations that keep a story moving forward toward its final end point found a way to surprise me more often than not. Which, I loved. I’m a trope-aholic, so you’ll rarely catch me complaining about a romance author following the tried and true stepping stones set forth by the story tellers of yore, but when an author finds a way to fulfill my expectations while still keeping things fresh… Well, that makes me a happy little reader.
There were only a few nit-picky things that kept me from giving this story a full five-star review, but I won’t go into the ones that are mostly personal taste related. I still think the story was phenomenal despite those aspects and they are legitimately just things I have preferences one way or the other over and it takes a whole heck of a lotta different opinions and tastes to make the world spin. However, there’s one thing I will point out because it’s one of those things I can’t be silent about. And that’s… safe sex or, in this case, the lack thereof. A man my best friend had one night of unprotected sex with transmitted HIV to him from that single encounter. That was the first and last time he ever did that, but because it forever changed his life, reading sex scenes where safe sex isn’t addressed can be triggering and emotionally upsetting to him, which is the main reason I can’t be silent when I run across this particular faux pas in books. Even in fiction, the portrayal of unsafe sex can have consequences on real readers.
Okay, off my soap box. I swear, I am in no way, shape, or form coming down on the author or belittling the book or my readerly enjoyment. It’s simply something I can’t personally ignore. It came down to deciding whether to decline to review a book I otherwise loved or bend one of my rules a bit and insert a partially unflattering note into the review.
Still, I loved this story, so very much. I’d recommend it to any lover of romance, although I would provide a personal CW for unsafe sex. Just because I’m me. :) So, go forth and enjoy this wonderful book. I know I will definitely be keeping an eye out for the next in the series!
Despite having quite an extensive back list, Cole McCade is a new-to-me author. However, I knew I absolutely had to get my hands on this story the moment I read the blurb. There was just something about it that cried out to my readerly heart and demanded my immediate and undivided attention. And I must say, Just Like That followed through quite nicely with its promise.
First and foremost, I fell for Summer Hemlock almost immediately. He’s one of those characters that jumps off the page and straight into your heart. I adored how the author portrayed him as a down-to-earth, genuine, anxiety-riddled mess. His character was just so real. As someone who suffers from anxiety myself, I can confirm his reactions were spot on and so incredibly relatable that I couldn’t imagine not falling for him. And when the gruff, stern Fox Iseya made his first real move to calm and soothe Summer during one of his panic attacks? I was done. Both characters had me by the heartstrings from there on out.
This is one of those stories that feels predictable on the surface—and I’m not knocking predictability… tropes are tropes for a reason—but before I knew it, everything I expected to happen… wasn’t. Sure, the overall story has a satisfying overall romance arc, but the little twists, bumps, and tiny celebrations that keep a story moving forward toward its final end point found a way to surprise me more often than not. Which, I loved. I’m a trope-aholic, so you’ll rarely catch me complaining about a romance author following the tried and true stepping stones set forth by the story tellers of yore, but when an author finds a way to fulfill my expectations while still keeping things fresh… Well, that makes me a happy little reader.
There were only a few nit-picky things that kept me from giving this story a full five-star review, but I won’t go into the ones that are mostly personal taste related. I still think the story was phenomenal despite those aspects and they are legitimately just things I have preferences one way or the other over and it takes a whole heck of a lotta different opinions and tastes to make the world spin. However, there’s one thing I will point out because it’s one of those things I can’t be silent about. And that’s… safe sex or, in this case, the lack thereof. A man my best friend had one night of unprotected sex with transmitted HIV to him from that single encounter. That was the first and last time he ever did that, but because it forever changed his life, reading sex scenes where safe sex isn’t addressed can be triggering and emotionally upsetting to him, which is the main reason I can’t be silent when I run across this particular faux pas in books. Even in fiction, the portrayal of unsafe sex can have consequences on real readers.
Okay, off my soap box. I swear, I am in no way, shape, or form coming down on the author or belittling the book or my readerly enjoyment. It’s simply something I can’t personally ignore. It came down to deciding whether to decline to review a book I otherwise loved or bend one of my rules a bit and insert a partially unflattering note into the review.
Still, I loved this story, so very much. I’d recommend it to any lover of romance, although I would provide a personal CW for unsafe sex. Just because I’m me. :) So, go forth and enjoy this wonderful book. I know I will definitely be keeping an eye out for the next in the series!
July 26, 2020
I have to admit that the only other book that I’ve read by this author is Over and Over Again. I’ve never read any of the Criminal Intentions books, but I get the impression that the writing in those books is very different from this. This is all I know, and I love it. I can read this type of book all day long. I loved everything about it. It was wonderfully narrated by Kirt Graves. Dreamy sigh. I’m happy.
November 18, 2024
I liked the first 80%, but the end didn't work for me AT ALL. I have never been so happy to see a book end at 94%!! (There's a long preview for another book at the end of the KU download.) Both the writing and plot went so far off the rails for me that it will probably be a while before I try anything else from this author, even though he's always been a solid 3-star writer for me. I wouldn't recommend it, but if you know you're a particular fan of his writing style, you'll probably be fine.
June 10, 2020
Purple prose thy name is Cole McCade.
I have a few books by this author lurking in my TBR, and I thought a new release & a new series might be a good starting point. If i liked it, I could backtrack to one of my older titles.
Friends, this author is not for me. Rambling, repetitive woe-is-me monologuing; flowery, bordering on ridiculous descriptions of things, people, feelings, and sounds (how do you hear the slide of grass?!) had me rolling my eyes; and a boring story, do not a 5-star romance make.
Aside from those general criticisms, I didn't find the set-up - wherein an established professor uses kisses as a reward for a qualified candidate to do the job he's been hired (and is being paid) to do - realistic in any whatsoever. Also unrealistic? That prior to the first kiss (ambush) the professor was once happily married to a woman and never considered or expressed any interest in a same sex relationship prior to this point. Or that his much younger former student somehow intuits he probably likes men, too, BASED ON ABSOLUTELY NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER. Or that kisses quickly turn into indiscreet displays of affection during work time. Or that these two have sex for the first time on a lounge chair at the VERY PUBLIC school pool. Folks, COME ON.
This was a whole lot of ridiculous scenes linked together in a boring love story featuring two principal characters I couldn't connect with. It didn't work for me. At all.
I have a few books by this author lurking in my TBR, and I thought a new release & a new series might be a good starting point. If i liked it, I could backtrack to one of my older titles.
Friends, this author is not for me. Rambling, repetitive woe-is-me monologuing; flowery, bordering on ridiculous descriptions of things, people, feelings, and sounds (how do you hear the slide of grass?!) had me rolling my eyes; and a boring story, do not a 5-star romance make.
Aside from those general criticisms, I didn't find the set-up - wherein an established professor uses kisses as a reward for a qualified candidate to do the job he's been hired (and is being paid) to do - realistic in any whatsoever. Also unrealistic? That prior to the first kiss (ambush) the professor was once happily married to a woman and never considered or expressed any interest in a same sex relationship prior to this point. Or that his much younger former student somehow intuits he probably likes men, too, BASED ON ABSOLUTELY NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER. Or that kisses quickly turn into indiscreet displays of affection during work time. Or that these two have sex for the first time on a lounge chair at the VERY PUBLIC school pool. Folks, COME ON.
This was a whole lot of ridiculous scenes linked together in a boring love story featuring two principal characters I couldn't connect with. It didn't work for me. At all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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