Just Like This

This author is a word musician. I love this way of storytelling, it elevates a narrative above an average level, composing all the little and big parts into a beautiful flowed symphony.
There is never just a simple romance, there are always unexpected layers.

“Rian Falwell has a problem. And his name is Damon Louis.” Isn’t that a fact!

So, this story is about Rian the art teacher who got a degree in fake smiles, never learned to socialize, and Damon the football coach, who despises fake smiles, both work at the Albin Academy. They don’t like each other but have to work together to help a student who ditched classes and looks more and more exhausted.

Unraveling Rian was mesmerizing, the journey of discovering the adopted Damon and his history was as mesmerizing and palpable Two souls finding a belonging, dang that was breathtaking.
They don’t just make love, they created art.
The whispers, the murmurs, the little gestures were *gasp* impressive.

Belonging… oh my heart, the yearning so palpable.
Beautifully written journey, all those impressive sentences, this author excels here.
The characters are excellently developed, the plot is well thought out!
What is a beautiful love story without a hea, don’t worry it has a very satisfying happy ending.

“But if you try sometimes …you might just get what you need.”

This review is for the NetGalley ARC: I liked this one better than the first one, particularly how all the moving parts fit together the way they only ever do in fiction. *sigh* The prose is typical Cole McCade. This school is in a pocket universe that I particularly appreciate in 2020, but it does connect with McCade’s larger ‘universe’ — you’ll recognize a name if you’ve read Criminal Intentions.

This is now my favorite enemies to lovers trope romance. <3

The only reason I gave it one star is that you can’t leave a zero star review.
I felt that the book like Groundhog Day, and it just kept saying the same thing over and over and over…. The worst book I have ever read.

I’m loving this series so far it’s just so emotional and deep the author has such a way with language and though this is quite wordy and lyrical in tone it also provides all the deep feels.
I’m not always a fan of overly prosy books but for some reason, it doesn’t bother me with this one and the words just resounded so deeply with me.
And You do feel like you are dealing with some multi-faceted individuals with complex personalities, not cardboard cutouts or caricatures.

This series definitely concentrates more on building the connection and then nurturing it until it’s developed fully and this is enemies to lovers and very well done slow-burn.
In this second book in the series, we are dealing with the PE teacher Damon and the more flamboyant Art teacher Rian.
These two are such complete opposites that at first glance they seem like they have very little in common but as we dig deeper it becomes apparent that though very different on the surface they are both equally as lost just in very different ways.

Rian seems to have had it all, from a very affluent background and all of the advantages that money brings.
This job is his first foray into being independent of his family.
His sheltered and privileged upbringing has left him feeling rather worthless with little self-belief.
He struggles with low self-esteem and how he is perceived by others this in turn means he is often over-eager to please and wears a mask that others may perceive as superficial and shallow.
This is how Damon first perceives him that is until he digs below this outward displayed disguise to the complex individual beneath.

And Damon though he loves his parents and has had a good childhood being adopted and also from a different racial culture than them has left him feeling disconnected because of this he often feels out of place and adrift.
Rian also doesn’t at first see the true Damon seeing in him the brawny Jock when in fact he is so much more, he’s deep and very caring, a natural nurturer caring deeply about the boys in his care almost like a surrogate father.

Two individuals from totally diverse backgrounds find an unexpected connection here when their goals align.
Both concerned about a pupil under there care they take it upon themselves to dig deeper.
The more time they spend in each other’s company the closer they become and they slowly realise they’re not so different.
Finding in each other something neither realised they were actually looking for.

This was actually beautiful to read and exceptionally well written as I said earlier it’s enemies to lovers slow burn M/M and it’s very well done.
I totally believed in the intense connection forming between Damon and Rian and was rooting for them every step of the way.
They also had some incredible chemistry together and got to say that epilogue was the literal icing loved it so much.
The simplicity of this story was part of its draw and I’m definitely loving this series a whole lot.
I will definitely be reading the next one that’s for sure.
I voluntary reviewed a copy of Just like this (Albin Academy #2)

Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/9460945-bex-beckie-bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
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Although I had mixed feelings about the first book in this series, Just Like That, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to read and review this story. I always like to give an author more than one chance since so many factors can influence a read. Plus, there were things I really liked about that first book. And while I wouldn’t classify this story as a “must read”, it definitely was a wonderful book that I’m glad I got to read.

Rian and Damon have amazing chemistry throughout the entire book. I was on the edge of my seat waiting for them to kiss already! They had such a strong pull, but also such a strong push. Both internalizing way too much leading to tons of misunderstandings and hurt feelings. There were times the author, in my opinion, was too wordy. Yet it was nothing like my thoughts from the first book where I was literally skimming huge chunks before of the over abundance of descriptions.

On top of the will they/won’t they part of this story, the thing that brought these two together really kept me invested in the book. There’s a student in trouble, but what exactly is the trouble? Both Damon and Rian have huge hearts and truly care about their students as if they are their own flesh and blood. It’s tearing them up inside to see one of the kindest, most talented students wither to a shell of himself right in from of them. So, as much as these two men attempt to keep their distance from one another, their devotion to their students keeps throwing them back together.

This story is by no means perfect. There was a bit of wordiness and some timeline issues. But overall, I was fully invested in the story and the characters. As with the first book, there is an overall melancholy feel to this story. There’s a definite HEA and a lot of hope throughout, though.

**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of Net Galley and Carina Press. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**

Just Like This by Cole McCade
Albin Academy #2

Opposites attract…sometimes… When sparks are ignited negatively it often means something positive soon might transpire and so it happened for Rian Falwell and Damon Louis. One man is artistic and the other a jock. Both have back stories that have formed them and come into their relationship with chips, of a sort, on their shoulders. Both also have a deep desire to help the boys at the academy and in so doing, while working together, forge a bond strong enough to see them to a HEA that brings them both a whole lot of just what they both have always wanted.

What I liked:
* Rian: ethereal with a core of steel, soft hearted but firm, wears a smile for a mask, artistic dablber – I really liked him and the growth he showed in the book.
* Damon: conflicted, looking for his roots, closed off, wary, strong, warm, complicated – I liked him and was glad he was able to open up.
* Chris: young, good, helper, kind, caring, great potential – so glad his situation worked out eventually.
* Wondering about Walden – assistant principal. I am guessing he might get his own HEA, too.
* The premises for the story and its location – a boy’s school has potential for romance among staff and students but not between the two…probably.
* The emphasis on the students and what was best rather than on the rules alone
* The mention of how adoption and not knowing one’s roots can impact a person even though they may grow up in a loving supportive family.
* That there was a HEA for Rian and Damon

What I didn’t like:
* At times I felt the characters were stereotypical/predictable, but I liked them anyway.
* Knowing that bullying and exploitation takes place even though I wish it did not.

Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? I think so

Thank you to NetGalley and Carina Adores for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3-4 Stars