Scarlett Cole's Love You Like That Review!

Love You Like That

By: Scarlett Cole

Release Date: May 17, 2022

Publisher: Kadelo Group Ltd

Author Website: http://www.scarlettcole.com/

5 Stars

Scarlett Cole is a writer who always stands out but when she shines she really shines and Love You Like That, book four in her Excess All Areas series, was blinding!

Alex King was so achingly hot the pages melted every time he took them over. Alex was complicated, progressive and one hell of a hero, you would want him by your side in your bed and most of all in possession of your heart. He stood out for not being perfect but for being kind, observant and being true to himself and advocating for those he cared about to be true to themselves. It is not often you find a hero so confident in himself that he gives his heroine the recognition and respect she deserves as an equal even while embracing the differences they have. This portrayal took a lot of abuse for being who he was and while painful at times it made him an exceptionally well adjusted person instead of a mess which was admirable all on its own.

Zoe, even while introverting and surrounding herself with substantial defenses to come to terms with her own hurdles, showed an incredible amount of bravery and strength. Bristly and off putting at times, once Zoe found her footing she was fierce, enlightening and a character that was as captivating as she was endearing. When Zoe realized that despite her ability to stand on her own, being capable of trusting and leaning on others while still maintaining her independence was not only empowering but freeing.

From the start it was apparent that Alex and Zoe were really well matched from their playful camaraderie, to their shared love of percussion, to their simmering physical attraction it was no surprise that they found their way to each other. Communication was so key in this pair's dynamic especially when juxtaposed against Zoe's fading ability to communicate by traditional means in the most basic way and Alex constantly battling to express his authentic self without abuse. As a couple they were true equals and partners who balanced each other by sharing the weight of their individual burdens. Alex and Zoe for all their success at being independent were two lonely people who spent a lot of their energy hiding their vulnerability and craving for, while resigning themselves to not finding, their person. This relationship blossomed when this pair opened themselves up to their potential not looking for the perfect person but the person perfect for them, someone who understood them on a whole other level and lifted them to their best place.

One of Scarlett Cole's strengths as a writer is she becomes her characters, meaning she does her research, finds out what makes her portrayals tick, so their triumphs, struggles and areas of expertise feel authentic. Sensitivity is always and foremost this author's goal when writing even when her characters do not experience kindness themselves, giving her readers stories filled with compassion not pity. Love You Like That, another Scarlett Cole story to fall in love with!

*I was given an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own. *
*While part of a series this book can be read as a standalone.*