Review: Something About You by Julie James

Series: FBI/US Attorney Book #1

Format: Mass Market Paper Back

Pages: 307

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased

Genre: Romance, Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Berkley Sensation

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Of all the hotel rooms rented by all the adulterous politicians in Chicago, female Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron Lynde had to choose the one next to 1308, where some hot-and-heavy lovemaking ends with a death. And of all the FBI agents in Illinois, it had to be Special Agent Jack Pallas who gets assigned to this high-profile homicide. The same Jack Pallas who still blames Cameron for a botched crackdown three years ago—and for nearly ruining his career.

Work with Cameron Lynde? Are they kidding? Maybe, Jack thinks, this is some kind of welcome-back prank after his stint away from Chicago. But it's no joke; the pair is going to have to put their rocky past behind them and focus on the case at hand. That is, if they can cut back on the razor-sharp jibes—and smother the flame of their sizzling-hot sexual tension. 

 

Review

This is what I’m talking about. The characters, romance, and plot are great. And Wilkins. I really love that guy.

Cameron and Jack have great chemistry and are a great example of witty banter. And Cameron has great friends which I always like in a romance. The romance was very well-paced and handled the potential difficulties of her being one of his witnesses.

I don’t typically read mysteries or romantic suspense, but Ms. James blended that kind of story with humor and a good romance. The “mystery” was revealed to the reader pretty quickly which was a risky decision but it worked and there was still tension.

Just like the other Julie James’ books I’ve read this one was funny. The dialogue is so great and flows. Especially with some of the side characters like Wilkins and Cameron’s protection detail. If this book-writing thing ever goes downhill for Ms. James she should look into writing a sitcom or romantic comedies.

Thanks for reading!

Review: Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James

Stand Alone

Format: Mass Market Paper Back

Pages: 291

Rating: 3.5 Stars

How I Got It: Borrowed from the Library

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Lawyers

Publisher: Berkley Sensation

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Payton Kendall and J.D. Jameson are lawyers who know the meaning of objection. A feminist to the bone, Payton has fought hard to succeed in a profession dominated by men. Born wealthy, privileged, and cocky, J.D. has fought hard to ignore her. Face-to-face, they're perfectly civil. They have to be. For eight years they have kept a safe distance and tolerated each other as coworkers for one reason: to make partner at the firm.

But all bets are off when they're asked to join forces on a major case. Though apprehensive at first, they begin to appreciate each other's dedication to the law—and the sparks between them quickly turn into attraction. But the increasingly hot connection does not last long when they discover that only one of them will be named partner. Now it's an all-out war. And the battle between the sexes is bound to make these lawyers hot under the collar. 

Review

This was definitely better than the last one. I read, but I still like the FBI/US Attorney books more.

Payton and J.D. were both strong characters. I’m starting to feel redundant in these reviews, but competence porn. They also were funny and their banter worked most of the time.

More than any other Julie James book I could see this one. Because of the antics between Payton and J.D. it reads like a romantic comedy. It’s hard to write situational/physical comedy, but she does it well.

I care about them as a couple and liked the resolution for their main conflict as a couple. But I want a little bit more-both as a couple and individuals. They both have interesting backstories/family situations and I would have loved to see them more developed. I’m coming to terms with the fact that I’m always going to feel that way with a Julie James book.

Thanks for reading!

Review: Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James

Stand Alone

Format: Mass Market Paper Back

Pages: 296

Rating: 3 Stars

How I Got It: Borrowed from the Library

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Lawyer

Publisher: Berkley Sensation

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Nothing fazes Taylor Donovan. In the courtroom she never lets the opposition see her sweat. In her personal life, she never lets any man rattle her—not even her cheating ex-fiancé. So when she's assigned to coach People's "Sexiest Man Alive" for his role in his next big legal thriller, she refuses to fall for the Hollywood heartthrob's charms. Even if he is the Jason Andrews.

Jason Andrews is used to having women fall at his feet. When Taylor Donovan gives him the cold shoulder, he's thrown for a loop. She's unlike any other woman he's ever met: uninterested in the limelight, seemingly immune to his advances, and shockingly capable of saying no to him. She's the perfect challenge. And the more she rejects him, the more he begins to realize she may just be his perfect match.

Review

Honestly, this was a little bit of a disappointment. I really enjoyed the other books I’ve read by Julie James and this one pissed me off a little bit. There were some things I liked—mainly Taylor. But Jason Andrews drove me crazy (not in a good way) for like 90% of the book.

So, Taylor. She’s just fantastic.  She’s smart, witty, and confident. Ms. James obviously knows how to write a well-developed heroine who knows what she’s doing and is proud of herself. There’s definitely some confidence porn here. I would want to be Taylor’s friend.

But Jason came off as a self-entitled ass. I feel like Ms. James wanted that and was trying to show how love would change him. But I don’t think he changed. I get that he’s super famous and everyone falls all over themselves for him, but he doesn’t need to be so obnoxious when Taylor doesn’t.

Their romance feels like a play on the billionaire trope. He showers her with money and things with the expectation that she’ll be awed. I like that she isn’t impressed by him. Sometimes their “banter” worked for me, but I’m not 100% sold on the romance.

Even though I was disappointed it has some of the charms of her other books and it won’t stop me from reading more.

Thanks for reading!

Review: A Lot Like Love by Julie James

Series: FBI/US Attorney Book #2

Format: ebook

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased

Genre: Contemporary Romance,

Publisher: Berkley Sensation

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

The FBI wants her cooperation...

As the daughter of a billionaire and the owner of the city's top wine store, Jordan Rhodes is invited to the most exclusive parties in Chicago. But there's only one party the FBI wants to crash: the charity fundraiser of a famous restaurateur, who also happens to launder money for the mob. In exchange for her brother's release from prison, Jordan is going to be there—with a date supplied by the Bureau.

Agent McCall just wants her...

As the top undercover agent in Chicago, Nick McCall has one rule: never get personal. This "date" with Jordan Rhodes is merely an assignment—one they're both determined to pull off even if they can't be together for five minutes before the sarcasm and sparks begin to fly. But when Nick's investigation is compromised, he and Jordan have no choice but to pretend they're a couple, and what starts out as a simple assignment begins to feel a lot like something more.

Review

I just cruise through Julie James’ writing. It’s fast, engaging, and easy to read. I think I like Kyle’s book a little bit more, but this was still great.

Jordan is done so well. She’s very aware of her wealth and situation in life, but she isn’t pretentious or self-deprecating. I actually am in Nick’s corner when it comes to wine, but I love seeing how knowledgeable she is. Nick is also a great character and I really enjoyed his interactions with his family. I really want an epilogue or something where Jordan meets his family in New York.

They have a great relationship with good banter and chemistry. I just wish it had covered more time and I got to see more of their “real” relationship. This is a common complaint I have with romance, but the ending felt a little rushed.

And now it’s taking all the will power I have not to buy all of Julie James’ books, because I’m basically addicted.

Thanks for reading!

Review: About that Night by Julie James

Series: FBI/US Attorney Book #3

Format: Mass Market Paper Back

Pages: 284

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: Borrowed from the Library

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Berkley Sensation

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

He's Playing Games

Though Rylann Pierce tried to fight the sparks she felt for billionaire heir Kyle Rhodes the night they met, their sizzling chemistry was undeniable. But after being stood up on their first date, Rylann never expected to see him again. So when she finds herself face-to-face with Kyle in a courthouse nine years later, she's stunned. More troubling to the beautiful assistant U.S. attorney is that she's still wildly attracted to him.

But She's Making The Rules

Just released from prison, Kyle Rhodes isn't thrilled to be the star witness in a high-profile criminal case—but when Rylann comes knocking at his door, he finds she may be the one lawyer he can't say no to. Still as gorgeous and sharp-tongued as ever, she lays down the law: she doesn't mix business with pleasure. But Kyle won't give up on something he wants—and what he wants is the one woman he's never forgotten.

 

Review

I’ve heard a lot about Julie James when I was at the library I was like: what the hell. I grabbed the three books they had and decided to pick this one up first because of the synopsis. I was not disappointed and will definitely be reading more Julie James.

Rylann and Kyle are both great. Aside from Rylann’s name which bothers me. But she’s a great confident character. I like competence porn and Rylann and Kyle both had that. Kyle isn’t the typical computer geek hero which surprised me, but I liked it. The running Twitter Terrorist thing and his reactions to it are hilarious.

They definitely have the kind of romance I love. They banter, but it’s witty instead of cruel. And they definitely have some great sexual chemistry. I’ve mentioned that I like when couples have to deal with real problems. This one did that, but instead of it being a problem it was reality. They both have to work and care about their jobs. It’s nice to see an author acknowledge that being in a relationship doesn’t mean the rest of your life goes on hold.

My complaints are minor things. I wanted a little bit more development on Rylann. Mainly, I wanted more of her family. I also wanted more relationship development. Heck, I would’ve settled for an epilogue.

Even though this is a contemporary romance, Ms. James has some great world building. I want to spend more time in Chicago with all of these characters including the minor ones. I’m a huge sucker for sequel bait.

Thanks for reading!