I made the mistake of reading some reviews before writing my own, which I typically try to avoid (oh well), and I noticed that the critical reviews tend to focus on a lack of “realism” ( about which MTK), and while I do not, at this present, think “realism” is a particularly good word to choose, I do agree that readers who are not willing to be swept along on this ride will likely not enjoy this book. McCade has created these characters in a specific mold (shy, anxious, empathetic young man and hard, icy, emotionless middle-aged man, both with significant room for emotional growth) but has also created a space where these characters are going to throw “normal” out the window and we can imagine what would happen if they exist within the parameters of their emotional baggage but also kind of do whatever they want. I will say I’m a pretty plain-speaking sort of person, but I did enjoy the prose because it was able to ensorcel me into feeling invested in these characters and their emotions.Īs I read the first chapters, I thought that this would be how I’d like to tell a story. So, if straight-forward, plain-speaking prose is your jam, you might find this too flowery. What this means is that the prose is designed to be emotionally evocative.

The story is character-driven and focuses on the emotional journeys of these two men. This is an age gap, office romance between an anxious 25-year-old adrift in the world and a late-forties widower who has frozen out the world. Because the provided synopsis covers plot essentials, I’ll focus on the aspects of the book that might help provide better insight as to whether or not this book is going to be a good fit. But I’m also pretty sure that my Smut Report counterparts would not have enjoyed this book.

Just Like That tied me up in knots in fabulous ways, and I loved it.

Overall: Cole McCade can rip my guts out and give me a massive book hangover anytime. Plot: Not-put-together man needs to figure himself out, too-put-together man needs to address his emotions. Heat Factor: Pretty sure my couch is just a pile of ashes nowĬharacter Chemistry: Holy forking shirtballs! Yes!

Just like that cole mccade