Title: The Thing About Love
Author: Julie James
Series: /
Pages: 380 
Genre(s): Contemporary
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FBI agents Jessica Harlow and John Shepherd have a past. The former lawyer and cocky Army Ranger clashed during their training at Quantico and gladly went their separate ways after graduating from the Academy. Six years later, the last thing either of them expects is to be assigned to work as partners in a high-profile undercover sting.

For both of them, being paired with an old rival couldn’t come at a worse time. Recently divorced from a Hollywood producer and looking for a fresh start, Jessica is eager to prove herself at her new field office. And John is just one case away from his dream assignment to the FBI’s elite Hostage Rescue Team. In order to nail a corrupt Florida politician, they’ll have to find a way to work together—a task that becomes even trickier when they’re forced to hole up at a romantic beachfront resort as part of the investigation. Suddenly, the heat behind their nonstop sparring threatens to make the job a lot more complicated...

It seems like an absolute age since Julie James last wrote a book and so I couldn’t wait to get stuck into this story.

Firstly, I’m not a massive fan of the cover of the book. It gives the impression that the story is more of a romantic suspense or gritty story when it’s more of a straight, contemporary romance. Anyway, I’m not letting that affect my rating of the book.

As with many of Julie James previous books, our heroine, Jessica, and our hero, John, are initially at odds with each other due to previous history when they were both FBI recruits at basic training. When they find themselves working with each other 6 years later, they simply start right where they left off with their fighting, sniping and banter.

That’s one of the things I adore about Julie James - she writes banter so well. The pair bounced off each other and it was witty, fun and sexy. Jess and John, too, were well developed and interesting. I believed them and was rooting for them. This was the kind of story that you needed to get back to just so you could find out what they were going to do to resolve the issues they had.

There’s no ‘big bad’ in this story so the main focus is on Jess, John, their relationship and the trials and tribulations of being in the FBI. I like the FBI element almost as much as I like it when Ms James’ writes about lawyers. I hope she continues with this kind of story and I’d love to see John’s brother, Nate, find a girl from the FBI in her next book!


So what stopped it from getting the full 5 stars? Well, I just didn’t feel this book had the sparkle of her previous books. To be fair, I adore her previous books so she’s set a high standard for herself and I know that not every book will be just as amazing. This book just didn’t quite reach those heights.

There was also quite a lot of explanation of FBI terms and procedures and the like. I needed to know the details but at times I felt the explaining was almost a side-note to the story as if the author pulled us away from the story for a moment just so she could impart the knowledge she’d gained in the (presumably immense) research for this book.

And finally, I could have done with a little more angry banter between John and Jessica at the start of the novel. Sure, I got that they didn’t like each other in the Academy but thinking back to the exhilarating banter between J.D. and Payton in Practice Makes Perfect, I could have done with something, well, more, between John and Jess in this story.

That seems like quite a lot of grievances but I honestly did like this story. Don’t make the mistake I did and read the negative reviews of this book before reading it as this can easily cloud your enjoyment of what is a really fun book. It still has Julie James’ sparkling wit and great characters and it has definitely been worth the ridiculously long wait to have this book in my hands. There’s even a fun set of questions at the end of the book so you can read and enjoy with your book club. I wasn’t expecting to be quizzed at the end of the book so I skipped those pages but it was still a fun addition!  Hopefully Ms James’ next book won’t take nearly as long to get here but this one still gets 4 stars from me.

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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. . .

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I have been a huge fan of Julie James since reading her first book and this one just cements her as an exceptional contemporary writer and one of my all time favourites.

Kyle first appeared in James' previous book, A Lot Like Love, which featured his twin sister's story. You don't have to have read that book or any of the others to understand and like this book although if you have read it then Jordan and Nick (as well as some of the supporting cast and Cameron and Jack from Something about You) make brief appearances which is always fun.

I'm always looking for a heroine that I can both like and root for and Rylann fits the bill. She's sassy, fiesty, fun and sarcastic yet retains a vulnerability that makes her extremely likeable. She's also smart and works hard which I like a lot. Kyle is a hard working, sexy and passionate man and one that I couldn't help but fall for. He may be an ex-con but don't let this put you off! Together the pair have such spark, chemistry and the banter was genius and had me laughing out loud on occasion.

Once again this book is set in the world of lawyers, the FBI and everything that entails. The storyline is realistic yet never getting bogged down in detail and makes for a book that I just couldn't put down. The storyline flows nicely and there's always something new to keep your interest. This is the kind of book that makes you want to live the characters lives and I finished it feeling rejuvenated while also feeling very sad that I couldn't keep reading.

If you like smart romances with sparkle and wit then I can't recommend this book highly enough. It's a real page turner and one which I enjoyed immensely. A very well deserved 5 stars.

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305 pages

FBI/US Attorney Series:

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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 fund-raiser 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 

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This is another winner from Julie James and it is chock full of her trademark wit, humour and smart and sharp banter. It stands completely alone but we did get little cameo appearances from Cameron and Jack from her previous book, Something about You.

My favourite thing about Julie James' writing is always the way that her main characters spark off each other. Despite this being a constant in her books the plot and characters are always so fresh and new and a joy to read from start to finish.

Jordan was a great character - strong and confident yet still likeable and relatable. But it was Nick who stole the show and my heart. I just love brooding, dark and mysterious men who fall hook, line and sinker for the girl of their dreams. Nick and Jordan together had great chemistry and some sexy scenes that greatly complemented the story.

I was also very happy to hear that Julie James' next book (About That Night) will be Jordan's brother, Kyle's story.

The more I read of Julie James the more I love her writing style and her stories. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking out for a sexy, sassy romantic story. 5 stars.

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304 pages

FBI/US Attorney Series:

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Fate has thrown two sworn enemies...

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...

...into each other's arms

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.

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This is another great contemporary romance that I couldn't put down from start to finish. I loved the sassy, intelligent characters and the great chemistry between the pair. Cameron was a strong woman but far from a stereotype and someone I admired, rooted for and wanted to be! Jack was the perfect foil for Cameron as well as being a first class hero. Glowering, broody and a man's man - he is the kind of guy any woman would wish for.

The story was interesting, exciting and didn't rely on the obvious conflicts or dramas to move the story on. While involving a little bit of suspense over the killer, the book wasn't in the least bit scary and I'm a complete wuss when it comes to things like this! This is definitely the kind of story that you just have to keep reading and that you really invest in both the characters and the book as a whole.

Julie James is truly becoming one of my favourite contemporary authors. Her characters are smart and witty with great chemistry and banter and the story has the right balance of romance and action/suspense. Furthermore she always leaves me wanting more and with that happy glow when I'm finished a book. Now a definite auto buy for me and something I'd recommend for everyone especially fans of Susan Andersen. 5 stars.

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323 pages

FBI/US Attorney Series:

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