WITH LOVE, FROM COLD WORLD is a standalone contemporary romance written by Alicia Thompson. This could be considered an enemies-to-lovers romance. More accurately, it’s actually an annoyed-to-lovers or exasperated-to-lovers theme. No-nonsense Lauren Fox and fun-loving Asa Williamson both work for Cold World. Cold World is located in Florida but is a tourist destination dedicated to winter fun. They are both hard workers, but their personalities and skill set often have them going in different directions. That all changes when they are tasked with working together on a project. Fireworks ensue.
This is very much so an opposites-attract love story. I have been an Alicia Thompson fan since reading her previous book, LOVE IN THE TIME OF SERIAL KILLERS. As with that previous book, this story is amazing – largely due to the complex, relatable, and fun characters. This unexpected project of brainstorming to benefit Cold World has Lauren and Asa spending time with each other that they wouldn’t normally. The story is told from alternating perspectives, so readers get a better sense of who these characters are, and their evolving feelings for each other. As they get to know each other better, they gain an appreciation for their hidden depths, and an attraction that might have been initially surface, blossoms into much more. I love these characters and the way the author has their relationship evolve over time. The flirtation and friendship are amusing and adorable. The sexy moments sneak up on you, but when they happen – wow! Alicia Thompson does a wonderful job of conveying intimacy between the main characters. Lauren and Asa bring out the best in each other by the end of the book.
WITH LOVE, FROM COLD WORLD is a lot of fun as well as being emotionally powerful. The characters in this book take it to another level and make it an amazeballs read. Apart from the romance, it was nice seeing another side to Asa and Lauren from Lauren’s work with children, and Asa’s interactions with his friends. The reader also gets a glimpse into Asa’s history with his family and everything he’s struggled with. As emotionally aware as Asa is, he carries a little baggage from his family’s rejection into his fluctuating relationship with Lauren. I liked the way Alicia Thompson resolves things at the end. Each I look forward to reading Alicia Thompson’s next book.
She has a to-do list a mile long and falling for her coworker isn't on it—yet somehow he’s become her top priority in this romantic comedy from the national bestselling author of Love in the Time of Serial Killers.
Lauren Fox is the bookkeeper for Cold World, a tourist destination that's always a winter wonderland despite being located in humid Orlando, Florida. Sure, it’s ranked way below any of the trademarked amusement parks and maybe foot traffic could be better. But it’s a fun place to work, even if “fun” isn’t exactly Lauren’s middle name.
Her coworker Asa Williamson, on the other hand, is all about finding ways to enliven his days at Cold World—whether that means organizing the Secret Santa or teasing Lauren. When the owner asks Lauren and Asa to propose something (anything, really) to raise more revenue, their rivalry heats up as they compete to come up with the best idea. But the situation is more dire than they thought, and it might take these polar opposites working together to save the day. If Asa thought Lauren didn't know how to enjoy herself, he's surprised by how much he enjoys spending time together. And if Lauren thought Asa wasn't serious about anything, she's surprised by how seriously he seems to take her.
As Lauren and Asa work to save their beloved wintery spot, they realize the real attraction might be the heat generating between them.