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The Cooling: winning is easy if you ignore the rules
Five former classmates reunite at a conference in Brussels in 2028. Having forged their friendship during Greta Thunberg's first climate strikes, the women are now moving up the ranks of their respective climate professions and taking first steps in climate espionage with a covert movement called HaKolektiv. Hakolektiv's mission is to bring down the Progress Network, the global network that promotes and protects fossil fuels.
From the shadows, a ruthless Progress Network asset, Rosy, takes aim at the friends as she murders and extorts her way up the Network ladder. An artificial global cooling engineered by Rosy and the Progress Network quashes any impetus for global climate action.
The winning is easy if you ignore the rules is the first book in The Cooling Series.
From the shadows, a ruthless Progress Network asset, Rosy, takes aim at the friends as she murders and extorts her way up the Network ladder. An artificial global cooling engineered by Rosy and the Progress Network quashes any impetus for global climate action.
The winning is easy if you ignore the rules is the first book in The Cooling Series.
380 pages, Paperback
Published May 25, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 9, 2026
The Cooling is a climate-focused thriller that mixes espionage, politics, and technology in a way that feels both current and believable. The story follows a group of women who were friends at school and originally connected through climate activism. As adults, they have gone on to very different careers in law, journalism, finance, activism, and public relations. These different paths allow the author to explore the climate debate from many angles and show how power, money, and influence operate behind the scenes.
Climate science is seamlessly included into the story without disrupting the storyline. The information the author has included as a climate campaigner herself, feels relevant and easy to follow. I found the book educational as well as entertaining, especially in the way it explains how climate narratives can be distorted.
A central part of the plot involves the Progress Network, a global organisation working to protect fossil fuel interests. Their methods include online manipulation and disinformation, which feel unsettlingly realistic. In response, a covert climate activist group realises that traditional activism is no longer effective and to fight back, they begin using similar digital tools.
Rosy is the main villain and is very different from the group of school friends. She comes from a tough background and has been shaped by a need to survive and succeed at any cost. The school friends in contrast come from privileged backgrounds and I reflected how a lack of finance and stability can be a significant barrier to climate activism. Rosy’s actions are driven largely by money, and she trusts no one. This makes her a strong and convincing antagonist rather than a one-dimensional character.
The plot is quite complex and includes a large cast of characters. I found myself referring back to the character list, even later in the book, especially if I had a break in reading sessions. However, the story is told from multiple viewpoints, which helps keep the pace moving and offers different perspectives.
Overall, The Cooling is a thought-provoking and enjoyable thriller. It made me think about corruption, climate science, power, and the growing influence of AI in shaping online opinion. It’s a timely and unsettling read which has raised my awareness of the climate agenda, and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Thank you to Literally PR, the author JG Cook and the publisher for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Climate science is seamlessly included into the story without disrupting the storyline. The information the author has included as a climate campaigner herself, feels relevant and easy to follow. I found the book educational as well as entertaining, especially in the way it explains how climate narratives can be distorted.
A central part of the plot involves the Progress Network, a global organisation working to protect fossil fuel interests. Their methods include online manipulation and disinformation, which feel unsettlingly realistic. In response, a covert climate activist group realises that traditional activism is no longer effective and to fight back, they begin using similar digital tools.
Rosy is the main villain and is very different from the group of school friends. She comes from a tough background and has been shaped by a need to survive and succeed at any cost. The school friends in contrast come from privileged backgrounds and I reflected how a lack of finance and stability can be a significant barrier to climate activism. Rosy’s actions are driven largely by money, and she trusts no one. This makes her a strong and convincing antagonist rather than a one-dimensional character.
The plot is quite complex and includes a large cast of characters. I found myself referring back to the character list, even later in the book, especially if I had a break in reading sessions. However, the story is told from multiple viewpoints, which helps keep the pace moving and offers different perspectives.
Overall, The Cooling is a thought-provoking and enjoyable thriller. It made me think about corruption, climate science, power, and the growing influence of AI in shaping online opinion. It’s a timely and unsettling read which has raised my awareness of the climate agenda, and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Thank you to Literally PR, the author JG Cook and the publisher for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
February 9, 2026
Here is my review for The Cooling by JG Cook
I was totally hooked by this spy espionage thriller that focused on climate change and five former classmates who met up again at a conference in Brussels. The women were moving up the ranks in their respective climate professions and they all joined a covert movement called HaKolektiv as they wanted to bring down the Progress Network. Lena is warned that she is being watched and she passes this information onto her handler. Rosy works for an organisation but wants more money so finds a way to her handler’s bosses and sets her sights on the five friends. I believe the author did some research before writing this story as there is a lot of information included. It’s a multiple point of vue story which I really enjoy reading and it seems a quick read. The characters are interesting and vary in age. They are well described and very realistic. The writing is very descriptive and everything is described in great detail. Especially all the climate change information. The synopsis drew me to read this story and I most certainly wasn’t disappointed. I felt like I was seeing this story in my mind as I was reading it, the description was that vivid. I just couldn’t put the book down as I needed to know what happened next. I can’t wait to read another book by this author.
Blurb :
Five former classmates meet again at a conference in Brussels in 2028. They were among Greta Thunberg's first climate strikers, now the five women are moving up the ranks in their respective climate professions.The five women one-by-one embed with a covert movement called HaKolektiv, with a mission to bring down the Progress Network, the global network that promotes and protects fossil fuels.
From the shadows, Rosy takes aim at the five women as she kills and extorts a path up the Progress Network.
An artificial global cooling engineered by Rosy and the Progress Network quashes any impetus for global climate action but one of the five women, Azuka, sees a path to unravel the enemy, using the Progress Network's own strategies.
I was totally hooked by this spy espionage thriller that focused on climate change and five former classmates who met up again at a conference in Brussels. The women were moving up the ranks in their respective climate professions and they all joined a covert movement called HaKolektiv as they wanted to bring down the Progress Network. Lena is warned that she is being watched and she passes this information onto her handler. Rosy works for an organisation but wants more money so finds a way to her handler’s bosses and sets her sights on the five friends. I believe the author did some research before writing this story as there is a lot of information included. It’s a multiple point of vue story which I really enjoy reading and it seems a quick read. The characters are interesting and vary in age. They are well described and very realistic. The writing is very descriptive and everything is described in great detail. Especially all the climate change information. The synopsis drew me to read this story and I most certainly wasn’t disappointed. I felt like I was seeing this story in my mind as I was reading it, the description was that vivid. I just couldn’t put the book down as I needed to know what happened next. I can’t wait to read another book by this author.
Blurb :
Five former classmates meet again at a conference in Brussels in 2028. They were among Greta Thunberg's first climate strikers, now the five women are moving up the ranks in their respective climate professions.The five women one-by-one embed with a covert movement called HaKolektiv, with a mission to bring down the Progress Network, the global network that promotes and protects fossil fuels.
From the shadows, Rosy takes aim at the five women as she kills and extorts a path up the Progress Network.
An artificial global cooling engineered by Rosy and the Progress Network quashes any impetus for global climate action but one of the five women, Azuka, sees a path to unravel the enemy, using the Progress Network's own strategies.
February 1, 2026
❄️ When activism turns covert ❄️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Rosy moved through the world as if mercy were a luxury she’d outgrown, and conviction the only warmth she needed.”
The Cooling is a smart, unsettling climate thriller that trades placards for infiltration and asks an uncomfortable question: what happens when the fight for the planet adopts the same ruthless tactics as the enemy?
Cook drops us into 2028 with five former climate strikers now embedded in the system they once protested, their idealism tempered but not extinguished. The dual threat of HaKolektiv and the chillingly efficient Rosy keeps the tension as taut as a tightrope, while the idea of an engineered global cooling is both audacious and deeply unnerving. While the book centres on Rosy, Azuka’s storyline, too, cuts through the noise—strategic, defiant, and quietly hopeful.
At times the political mechanics slightly overshadow the emotional depth, but this feels needed given the subject, and the novel’s urgency and ambition more than compensate.
Verdict: Provocative, cerebral, and timely, The Cooling is thought-provoking read that lingers longer than its final page.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Rosy moved through the world as if mercy were a luxury she’d outgrown, and conviction the only warmth she needed.”
The Cooling is a smart, unsettling climate thriller that trades placards for infiltration and asks an uncomfortable question: what happens when the fight for the planet adopts the same ruthless tactics as the enemy?
Cook drops us into 2028 with five former climate strikers now embedded in the system they once protested, their idealism tempered but not extinguished. The dual threat of HaKolektiv and the chillingly efficient Rosy keeps the tension as taut as a tightrope, while the idea of an engineered global cooling is both audacious and deeply unnerving. While the book centres on Rosy, Azuka’s storyline, too, cuts through the noise—strategic, defiant, and quietly hopeful.
At times the political mechanics slightly overshadow the emotional depth, but this feels needed given the subject, and the novel’s urgency and ambition more than compensate.
Verdict: Provocative, cerebral, and timely, The Cooling is thought-provoking read that lingers longer than its final page.
February 3, 2026
The perfect book for climate activists and all readers who care about protecting our planet. Are governments deceiving us by telling us our climate is warming? JG Cook tackled this topic head-on. She pulled it off quite well. At first, the sheer number of main characters bothered me, but over time, I somehow got used to it.
The plot is captivating. I enjoyed the espionage action. I was rooting for the heroes from HaKolektiv in their fight against the dishonest people from the Progress Network. Be careful who you trust. Stay alert.
I like the author's style. I'll be keeping an eye on her work.
It's worth reading "The Cooling" and getting drawn into a dangerous game. A game of truth and life. I can tell you right away that it's worth reading to the end.
I'll happily read the sequel to this story.
The plot is captivating. I enjoyed the espionage action. I was rooting for the heroes from HaKolektiv in their fight against the dishonest people from the Progress Network. Be careful who you trust. Stay alert.
I like the author's style. I'll be keeping an eye on her work.
It's worth reading "The Cooling" and getting drawn into a dangerous game. A game of truth and life. I can tell you right away that it's worth reading to the end.
I'll happily read the sequel to this story.
February 1, 2026
The Cooling was such an interesting and timely read which I was excited to read as soon as I read the blurb. The writing is easy to follow and enjoyable. I particularly liked the structure of different view points during the chapters building up the story as we go. I enjoyed the writing and the characters and while I might have liked a little more development on the emotional side I did really enjoy the pacing and plot. I will definitely continue this series. I personally couldn’t put it down when I got into it. Most definitely one to read if you like a good thriller with ecological themes.
February 8, 2026
Espionage and intrigue with real purpose behind it.
The Cooling drops you into a near-future world of climate politics, covert movements and corporate power plays, and it does it with real pace.
The characters really stood out: five former climate strikers now embedded in very different corners of the climate world, from the World Bank to the Times Brussels desk, and even PR work linked to fossil fuels. That mix makes the story feel sharp, modern and morally complex.
With Rosy masterminding events from the shadows, this is a smart, twist-filled read that feels chillingly believable. Highly recommended.
The Cooling drops you into a near-future world of climate politics, covert movements and corporate power plays, and it does it with real pace.
The characters really stood out: five former climate strikers now embedded in very different corners of the climate world, from the World Bank to the Times Brussels desk, and even PR work linked to fossil fuels. That mix makes the story feel sharp, modern and morally complex.
With Rosy masterminding events from the shadows, this is a smart, twist-filled read that feels chillingly believable. Highly recommended.
February 2, 2026
An absolute page-turner.
The Cooling takes the climate crisis and explores it through espionage and political intrigue, with a modern twist on the hidden power struggles behind big business and radical politics.
JG Cook weaves together suspense, accessible science, and high-stakes tension, while keeping the focus on five compelling women trying to make change from within flawed systems, from environmental law and activism to journalism and PR.
Rosy is brilliantly drawn as an antagonist, and the momentum builds throughout.
February 8, 2026
It took me several chapters of remembering names - there's a few - before I became fully embroiled into the plot and the characters.
The Cooling is a clever climate thriller where activism goes undercover. I found it well paced with several unexpected twists. It's full on espionage and excitement all the way. There's never a dull moment.
It's the first in a promising new series from Cook and I'm hoping I don't havr to wait too long before I can read the second installment.
The Cooling is a clever climate thriller where activism goes undercover. I found it well paced with several unexpected twists. It's full on espionage and excitement all the way. There's never a dull moment.
It's the first in a promising new series from Cook and I'm hoping I don't havr to wait too long before I can read the second installment.
February 5, 2026
The Cooling by JG Cook, kindly gifted by LiterallyPR 📚
“Five former classmates meet again at a conference in Brussels in 2028. They were among Greta Thunberg's first climate strikers, now the five women are moving up the ranks in their respective climate professions.The five women one-by-one embed with a covert movement called HaKolektiv, with a mission to bring down the Progress Network, the global network that promotes and protects fossil fuels.
From the shadows, Rosy takes aim at the five women as she kills and extorts a path up the Progress Network.
An artificial global cooling engineered by Rosy and the Progress Network quashes any impetus for global climate action but one of the five women, Azuka, sees a path to unravel the enemy, using the Progress Network's own strategies.”
Climate change and what’s happening in the world is always a widely discussed thing, and this activism espionage story definitely delved into this.
We see five school friends who all have been involved in one way or the other in elements of this since their youths and how they have each gotten involved in the shady underworld of trying to save the earth
This was a thought provoking one and definitely not beyond the realms of truth for a dark future
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
“Five former classmates meet again at a conference in Brussels in 2028. They were among Greta Thunberg's first climate strikers, now the five women are moving up the ranks in their respective climate professions.The five women one-by-one embed with a covert movement called HaKolektiv, with a mission to bring down the Progress Network, the global network that promotes and protects fossil fuels.
From the shadows, Rosy takes aim at the five women as she kills and extorts a path up the Progress Network.
An artificial global cooling engineered by Rosy and the Progress Network quashes any impetus for global climate action but one of the five women, Azuka, sees a path to unravel the enemy, using the Progress Network's own strategies.”
Climate change and what’s happening in the world is always a widely discussed thing, and this activism espionage story definitely delved into this.
We see five school friends who all have been involved in one way or the other in elements of this since their youths and how they have each gotten involved in the shady underworld of trying to save the earth
This was a thought provoking one and definitely not beyond the realms of truth for a dark future
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
February 9, 2026
💚 Blurb-
Five former classmates reunite at a conference in Brussels in 2028. Having forged their friendship during Greta Thunberg's first climate strikes, the women are now moving up the ranks of their respective climate professions and taking first steps in climate espionage with a covert movement called HaKolektiv. Hakolektiv's mission is to bring down the Progress Network, the global network that promotes and protects fossil fuels.
From the shadows, a ruthless Progress Network asset, Rosy, takes aim at the friends as she murders and extorts her way up the Network ladder. An artificial global cooling engineered by Rosy and the Progress Network quashes any impetus for global climate action.
The winning is easy if you ignore the rules is the first book in The Cooling Series.
🩵 Review -
This was such an interesting and entertaining read. From the very first page the author's writing had me hooked. There was plenty of content and twists and turns to keep me interested and reading until the end. I loved the author's writing style and the pacing was just right. Plus I loved the great mix of characters. Overall, a great read that I highly recommend to other readers.
💝 Thank you to Literally PR, the author JG Cook and the publisher for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Five former classmates reunite at a conference in Brussels in 2028. Having forged their friendship during Greta Thunberg's first climate strikes, the women are now moving up the ranks of their respective climate professions and taking first steps in climate espionage with a covert movement called HaKolektiv. Hakolektiv's mission is to bring down the Progress Network, the global network that promotes and protects fossil fuels.
From the shadows, a ruthless Progress Network asset, Rosy, takes aim at the friends as she murders and extorts her way up the Network ladder. An artificial global cooling engineered by Rosy and the Progress Network quashes any impetus for global climate action.
The winning is easy if you ignore the rules is the first book in The Cooling Series.
🩵 Review -
This was such an interesting and entertaining read. From the very first page the author's writing had me hooked. There was plenty of content and twists and turns to keep me interested and reading until the end. I loved the author's writing style and the pacing was just right. Plus I loved the great mix of characters. Overall, a great read that I highly recommend to other readers.
💝 Thank you to Literally PR, the author JG Cook and the publisher for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews