Just Like That

Albin Academy, Book 1

By: Cole McCade

Narrated by: Kirt Graves

“The romantic longing, themes of bravery and confidence, and moments of cozy domesticity shine in this May-December romance” (Publishers Weekly)

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 elite Albin Academy - 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.

Albin Academy

Book one: Just Like That

Book two: Just Like This

Carina Adores is home to highly romantic contemporary love stories where LGBTQ+ characters find their happily-ever-afters.

A new Carina Adores title is available each month:

The Hideaway Inn by Philip William Stover
The Girl Next Door by Chelsea M. Cameron
Just Like That by Cole McCade
Hairpin Curves by Elia Winters
Better Than People by Roan Parrish
The Love Study by Kris Ripper
The Secret Ingredient by KD Fisher
Just Like This by Cole McCade
Teddy Spenser Isn’t Looking for Love by Kim Fielding
The Beautiful Things Shoppe by Philip William Stover
Best Laid Plans by Roan Parrish
Knit, Purl, a Baby and a Girl by Hettie Bell
The Hate Project by Kris Ripper
Hard Sell by Hudson Lin
For the Love of April French by Penny Aimes
Sailor Proof by Annabeth Albert
Meet Me in Madrid by Verity Lowell
The Life Revamp by Kris Ripper

©2020 Cole McCade (P)2020 Harlequin Enterprises, Limited

Too wordy but good story

Good story, likeable characters, but the details. I like details but this is over the top a bit.

Moving

This novel had many moving moments, just as every romance ought to. Characters well drawn. Performance brilliant.

I adore Kirt AND Cole

Kirt is typically not the kind of narrator I enjoy, but thanks to one of his most popular series, I’ve become attached to his narration. He did a great job with this. The story was surprisingly angsty and lovely for the most part. I have a couple of plot niggles but overall I enjoyed it.

A very strange book. There must be an easier way to get kissed!

This one is so odd that at times, it wanders into traditional fiction as opposed to staying in the realm of formula HEA romance. McCade’s writing style at times is flowery, and at times, well, flat.

The narration is quite soothing, and I waffled between three and four stars as I was so lulled on occasion that I had to go back a bit as my mind would wander. I decided it was less the gentle tenor of Graves voice that pulled me away, but the rather rambling nature of the writing.

The primary story is somewhat disjointed as it feels bigger than formula romance typically allows. Young Summer Hemlock returns to the private boys school as a TA for a professor he’s long desired. The intimidating Fox Iseya is surprised when after a conversation with Summer about bravery, finds himself being kissed. This kicks off a very twisty plot of more or less earning kisses

It also tries to add side stories about bullying, a lost spouse, a mother that might be ill(?) and a cranky school administrator. None of them are fleshed out particularly well, with the exception of the deceased spouse. That receives more attention, and certainly drives the story more than the others.

If this had been set in a school on the west coast in the 70’s, it could have been a 500 page novel dealing with the cultural challenges Fox faces as a biracial Japanese boy growing up during WW2, the need to marry, the struggle of being gay and still loving his wife. He would have suffered the after effects of her loss just as privately - torturing himself for failing her and not willing to let himself be himself. Summer would then make sense as the boy who returns to his roots and must face his childhood ghosts as well as his attraction to Fox. The ill mother, the nature of boys in boarding schools and the racism Fox would encounter - could have been pretty amazing. Their relationship would have been more private, adding to the underlying angst.

Instead the book tries to hit current topics that run rampant in formula fiction and the curious elements are forced to share the stage, if you will, rather than simply being the focus.

What didn’t work for me? Is Fox gay? I am not a fan of Gay for you plots, it isn’t made clear. There is a huge age difference, which doesn’t really bother me, but Fox’s age is also never made clear. We know Summer is 25, is Fox 40? 45? 50? I don’t remember it being stated. Also, they are very sloppy. That seems incredibly unlikely in any school, doors left open and such. Finally, the heat factor. While I appreciated the descriptions of tanned skin and angular jaws, the sex isn’t depicted with any real interest. I’m fine with taking a “less is more approach”, but if you’re going to write it, then do it well. I also realized that this is a series surrounding the school- not these characters. I am unlikely to move forward. I like a touch of realism, and having more teachers we have yet to meet also get it on at the boys school feels very unlikely and uncomfortable - especially in todays climate where gay teachers are under attack for grooming.

I would still generally recommend this title for the sheer oddity of the basic premise - a daily kiss in trade for an act of bravery, and for some of the lovely little gems of prose that McCade provides. He does a good job describing scent and mood.

The whole honeysuckle thing was a nice touch.

Stellar work!

I’m rather shocked that this book doesn’t have way more reviews & ratings. I bought this on a whim & was really hesitant, but it was 100x better than expected.

3 takeaways from this:
1. the writing is very flowery but rather passionate too.
2. The narrator is excellent & I will be reading more of his work from now on.
3. I like the theme of consent in the book. Too many romances think that an mc being overbearing and aggressive equals passion/consent when that is not always true.

Some will like it, not for me

I don't know if my assessment of this book is going to be in line with how others would feel, however, I couldn't bring myself to care for either character. I have never enjoyed the martyr characters that are so present in love stories, characters that sacrifice every ounce of themselves for someone that just gives them crumbs. So right off the bat I couldn't really identify with Summer, he struck me as self deprecating and annoying. For his counter part all I can say is that I know people like him exist and that gave me more comfort with the character. Those feelings aside, for the most part the story is written well and eloquently. If you enjoy slow, detail laden stories this one isn't bad. If you prefer action/comedy and independent willful characters with fast straight forward pacing, I would steer clear.

Absolutely Lovely, Kirt Graves is Wonderful

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.