About That Night (F.B.I. #3) Review

About That Night by Julie James

Book description... 

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. . .

Okay so I've made it quite obvious that I absolutely LOVE Julie's knack for sarcastic humor... I'm a smart ass and I appreciate charters who are smart asses, mostly because I always pick up a new come back and it's become imperative that I keep my repertoire as updated as possible.   I have to say though... yes there was that sarcastic touch in this book but no where near what Julie's books usually contain.... and considering I'm still living on the high from Nick and Jordan's book and all their witty sparing, I was a little disappointed when I finished About That Night.  Don't get me wrong, this book is still fantastic and I'll tell you all the wonderful reasons why... but I couldn't help but warn my fellow Julie James Fans that for whatever reason this book is a tad different then the other two books in this series.

Rylann is such an unusual name and I have to say that I like it and I also have to say that the uniqueness of the name totally suits the heroine in this book.... Rylann is my kind of girl, she's driven, hardworking, ready to bust some balls, and is quick with the wit...  She's just moved back to Chicago, after her boyfriend decided he's moving to Rome with or without her.  She's gotten a job with the US Attorney's office... yes, my friends working with our dear sweet Cameron.. I still love her!  And her first case is against the one man that she never could quite forget.

Kyle... Oh dear sweet, adorable, I just want to smooch you... Kyle.  I loved Kyle but here is where I was just a tad disappointed in the sarcasm thing.. remember how sarcastic Jordan was?  Well you'd think as much shit she talked to her brother that maybe he would be quick with the comebacks too... well he is in a way... and O.M.G. I can't believe I am going to reference my own brother in another Julie James book but.... He reminds me of Terry, my big brother... He has a few quick one liners that are worthy of a chuckle or two but mostly he just doesn't know what to say.. now Julie never mentioned this in the book but I'm starting to wonder if it took him 3-5 days to think of a come back whenever Jordan would throw some sass at him?  I ask that because that's how my brother is and I tease him relentlessly.... I'm just going to go with a family can only deal with so much sarcasm and apparently Jordan got it all.... as did I

I did still adore Kyle, I mean come on, how funny is it that he's referred to as the Twitter Terrorist?  That whole situation still cracks me right up and considering I'm a girl who is normally hot for those big bad alpha men, the change was quite nice.... to lust after a geek for once.  He was sweet.. in a way... he did still have the whole "bad boy" thing going on considering his past but when he runs into Rylann after 9 years... he realizes he never could forget her either...

"I saw you laughing with your friends and your smile sucked me right in."

I wouldn't have been able to let go of him either with that line.. I'll give it to him, He knew what he was doing 9 years ago but does he have what it takes to make Rylann take a chance on an ex-conn?  I'm not going to tell you what he does but let me just forewarn you that what he does in regards to the Twitter situation (and it's not until almost the end of the book).. but what he does is actually pretty funny... well at least how the other person reacts is quite funny.  There is nothing like taking a chance and I have to hand it to Kyle for numerous things... One... he owned up to what he did and served his time like a man and Two....he has balls!!!

Rylann is in love with Kyle... no doubt there, even though it takes her a while to admit she really even has true feelings for the man.  She was left once for not wanting to give up career, she's teased because of her years plans, and the office she now works for is the same office that referred to Kyle as the Twitter Terrorist and a menace to the internet.  Can she face her fears and risk her career for Kyle once she realizes how much she loves him and wants to be with him?  I know what my answer would be and I certainly would not have sat on that decision as long as Rylann did.  I got it and understood where she was coming from... BUT, true love only finds you once and if your lucky twice.... and the fact that she was still secretly pining for Kyle and happened to get him back in her life after all these years should have made her decision easier... or at least you'd think so.

About That Night by Julie James was a solid 3.75★'s for me.  I love Julies writing style and most especially her ability to create a story that will keep me consumed while I'm cheering for a HEA and laughing out loud.  While there were a few great LOL moments it just wasn't totally there for me with this one.  On the other hand I have to say (insert some catcalling here)... Julie is turning up the heat... Kyle was freaking HOT and the scenes were a little more descriptive than in past books... bow chicka wow wow!!!!

Happy Reading!

Practice Makes Perfect Review

Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James

Book description....
When it comes to the laws of attraction, there are no rules The battle between the sexes is about to make these two lawyers hot under the collar. Opposites collide when two lawyers try to make partner at the same firm. Payton Kendall is a feminist to the bone. Cocky J.D. Jameson was born privileged. But when they're asked to join forces on a major case, they gain a newfound awareness of each other's personal assets. The partnership spot will be offered to only one of them, though. The competition heats up. Sparks fly. Let the games begin.

I have to say that I really enjoyed these characters but then again I absolutely LOVE sarcastic humor and Julie James KNOWS how to write sarcastic humor.

Payton and J.D. have worked together at the same Law firm for the past 8 years and have not gotten along since their first week.  They have a way of... let's say bringing out the best in each other... that makes you want to smack both of them upside the head and say... will you just kiss already?... but it's hilarious, their quit wit had me cracking up constantly and praising Julie for her awesome sarcasm skills.

Since they're both in their eighth year they're up to either go up or get out and both have their hearts set on becoming a partner at the firm.  They're both litigators but specialize in different field areas so they've never worked together... until now.  A huge class action law suit has been filed against a large company by it's employees... therefore, both Payton and J.D. are needed to help out due to their specialties.

It was amusing to see them forced to work together because at one point the potential client wants them to talk about each other and since they don't exactly get along....  Anyway, together they do a great job of wooing this potential client and are congratulated for their big hook as well as informed that there will only be one partner named this year which means... they are now each others competition..... and this is when it gets good and I mean hilarious.... The sexual tension is so thick already but yet.... it gets even thicker.

A little accident/misunderstanding/on purpose kind thing happens and so the war begins.... Okay so I don't want to give any of this away because this is seriously what made the book for me.  I mean I was laughing so hard I had tears rolling down my face and my belly was all cramped up... What Payton does to J.D.... funny, but what made it better was what happened later that day.  Then what J.D. does to Payton... that was just mean, come on you never mess with a woman's... yep so not giving it away... but when that something 'happened' to her... well, I lost it, I mean busted up laughing and best of all was her recovery.... That. Was. Amazeballs.... I mean like totally freaking awesome!  Then J.D. finds himself in a bit of a jam and no one to help, he specifically tells his secretary NOT to mention it to Payton... but of course she finds out and ends up having to 'help out'.  Now here is where it got interesting... because J.D. flips out before he can even find out what went down and ends up having to eat his words and apologize to Payton.

Before his apology I was ready to jump in the book and shove the two of them together but after.... well let's just say I was a little satisfied and then I was rolling my eyes thinking... damn lawyers need to quit thinking for once and go with their initial feelings instead of trying to break every thing down!  Needless to say things didn't get far... at all... other than to stir up some more sexual tension and have them both questioning their feelings for each other.... and then it seems like they're back to where they started but... less.  They aren't not getting along they just aren't speaking... avoiding each other to be exact until their boss informs them of an upcoming trip he needs them to take just days before the announcement of who will be named partner.

Things get... a little, no... a lot heated while out of town and that's just at the dinner table with the client ;).  Obviously some talking and.... ummm... other stuff...ya know... fun stuff is done and they both decide to extend their stay together one more day.  Things are passionate between Payton and J.D., they're still fun because these two still throw around the sarcasm...if it's not obvious right now, I get a total kick of  sarcastic humor... Anyway, when it's time to go home both feel that dread... that kind of dread like "it's been real and I don't want it to end but I don't know how you feel about this whole situation because we never discussed what exactly we're doing here because neither of us really wants to admit what we're really feeling because we're both too scared" kind thing... wow I really just rambled on that one... So obviously things, again, end on a not so perfect note after J.D. tells Payton that he wants to be with her but she's too afraid of what how they will feel about each other when one of them is chosen and the other is left to start over again at another firm.

They have one day to wait before they find out who will be named partner and with the feelings that J.D. confessed to Payton, even though she's terrified of how she's going to feel about the partner decision she decides it's time to live her life for herself and seeks out J.D. to tell him what she wants. BUT... and here is where I had to roll my eyes at the same time I was shaking my head and thinking... Men!  Sometimes they just do not know when to keep their mouth shut.  Anyway... Payton is pissed and I mean pissed, which I don't blame her, I would have been too, I mean he seriously could have ruined..... so not gonna give it away.  So she decides she is done with him once and for all but what she doesn't know is that he is in love with her and doesn't plan to let her go.  He has a new plan.....


Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James is an awesome quick witted, humorous, easy read that has me ready for more of Julie's creative writing style.  I've said it before and I'm sure I'll say it many times but there is nothing better than a book that can have me out right laughing so hard I get tears in my eyes.  I may not be able to compare my love for Julie's books like I can my addiction to Kristen Ashley books but I have to say that Julie has proven to me that I no longer need to read the synopsis before I hit the 1-click button on Amazon... with her it's an automatic now and considering I'm one of those readers who like to check out all the other reviews (mostly the 4stars and under) before I purchase a book... that is saying something huge.  There are only two... well now three authors that I will do that for.  So check out Julie's work... they're all great reads and all have that wonderful humor that keeps me coming back for more!

Happy Reading!

A Lot Like Love (F.B.I. #2) Review

A Lot Like Love by Julie James is the second book in the F.B.I. series and by far has so much sarcastic humor that it's difficult not to have any LOL moments!

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. 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

I don't even know where to begin with this one because it was just....THAT GOOD!!  Jordan is awesome, she has one heck of a sarcastic, sassy mouth on her that had me laughing so hard my kids looked at me like I had a screw loose!  Her relationship with her brother, Kyle who was in prison for....LOL....hacking into twitter and shutting it down for two days, is too funny (kind of reminds me of how I interact with my brother, hmmm....Terry, I now have some awesome material should you ever find yourself incarcerated so consider yourself warned!).  Anyway, it's so obvious they love and adore each other but the sarcastic wit they throw at each other is quite comical!  

"I'm hardly perfect.  I'm just a lot better at not getting caught than you."  She took in their surroundings.  "Maybe I should've given you a few pointers."  Kyle nodded approvingly.  "Nice one."  "I have months and months worth of this material" Jordan said.

So Jordan loves her brother right?  I mean like A Lot!  The F.B.I. need more evidence to make this arrest  so Jordan is visited by two agents during a blizzard and carted down to their office to discuss her brother.  She ends up agreeing to help them out to get her brother out of prison. 

Nick had me in knots...he has this rugged sex appeal and he's just as quick witted as Jordan....Total match made in heaven ;).  Anyway, he was asked by his boss to assist on the case involving Jordan as more of a favor because of his undercover expertise.  He's simply supposed to be there more for advice purposes than anything and is told he would be finished in time to head home to New York for his Mom's birthday.  Unfortunately things don't go as planned and he ends up as Jordan's date the night of the party.

Here's where Nick and Jordan's 'relationship' starts to get interesting.....

He finds her sassy and beautiful and has to check himself on more than occasion because she simply "isn't his type".  She finds him annoying 95% of the time and has to bite her tongue on more than one occasion to keep from getting into a sarcasm smack down with him.

"Tell me something.  Are you trying to get a rise out of me, or does being this irritating come naturally to you?"  Nick's eyes flickered over her with amusement.  "I suppose I may be trying to annoy you a little."

So....Nick ends up as Jordan's date because the agent who was supposed to go with her got the stomach flu the day of the event.  They start off as totally fake but it's undeniable there is some chemistry between the two even as they discuss their "cover story"

"Our cover story is that my character has been smitten from the moment he met you.  He's not about to let another man get anywhere  near you."  "Your character sounds a little possessive.  Is this something my character should be worried about?"

They go to the event and Jordan gives Nick a quick lesson on wine tasting.  It's quite amusing how simply talking about wine and the steps of a wine tasting can sound so.....dirty ;)....It's even more amusing to see how intrigued Nick becomes while listening to Jordan talk about it

"Fine by me.  I'm as eager as the next guy to get to spit or swallow."

Nick gets his job done that night and Jordan is relieved she was able to pull off her part of the deal.  Now that she is finished with assisting the F.B.I. she's ready to move on to the part where her brother gets released from prison!  Too bad for her, the bad guy has this psychotic illusion Jordan is meant for him and is quite upset that she showed up to his even with another man when he planned on impressing her with his wine selection that was made just for her.  So the bad guy hires a P.I. to follow Nick to find out more about him and his relationship with Jordan.  Which means Nick and Jordan get to continue their fake relationship and the release of Kyle isn't going to happen as planned.  Jordan is none to pleased about this turn of events but plays along because she really wants to see her brother out of prison.  Funny thing is....now she is playing a bigger part in the operation and is starting to enjoy all the secret agent stuff

"Are you sure I don't need a code word or something?"  Jordan asked.  "Maybe we should have one just in case."

So they go about their ways throughout the week.  Jordan seems to be unlucky when it comes to this case working in her favor.  She has to keep what's going on from her brother and because the paper announced that she was at the Valentines Day event with "Mr. Tall, Dark, and Smoldering" she now has to lie to her friends and family about her relationship with Nick.

Things start to pick up between Nick and Jordan and they both start to question what they're feeling because this is a fake relationship after all.  After a nice evening alone together on what could be considered an "almost" date where an "almost" kiss happened at Jordan's doorstep, one of Nick's lovers shows up at Jordan's store to question her relationship with Nick.  After she leaves Jordan calls to tell Nick about it and they get into a little bit of a tiff about it because he feels the need to explain but she tells him she doesn't need any explanations.  Nick decided to go talk to her only to find her having a glass of wine with a man at her store.

Something inside Nick snapped.  That was his fake girlfriend in there.  Sitting at the table where they had just shared cheese friends the night before.  And if she thought she could throw scorching hot sex-looks to any pansy-ass scarf-boy who wandered into her shop, she has another thing coming.

Things changed.... their "fake" kinda became real....for both of them.  Nick was doing things he'd never even thought to do for another woman and Jordan was discovering there was more to Nick than she thought.  So they have a chat and Nick tells her she isn't going to get the same speech he has used with all the women before her so Jordan invites Nick to Napa Valley.

They have an amazing weekend in Napa together.....a HOT, amazing weekend ;).  Nick knows it's time to make a decision about what should happen as far as him and Jordan are concerned but he's realizing that his usual MO wasn't what he was wanting and started considering career changes but decided it was up to Jordan to make the next move. 

Jordan thought, because of his past situations it was up to Nick to make the next move and she gave him lots of opportunities but because their communication on this subject sucked they ended up parting ways with a  

"this was an incredible weekend but....."

Both are unhappy with this decision and after thinking about it for a while Jordan decides to call Nick to talk about what was going on between them.  He's convinced it's not meant to be and doesn't pick up but the tightness in his chest doesn't let up even after he should have been "over" her

And here's what freaked him out most:  if he was one of those sensitive, introspective types, he would say that the feelings he had for Jordan sure seemed a lot like love and he, Nick McCall, didn't do love.

So Jordan gets held at gun point by the bad guy and Nick comes to her rescue and it all gets all happy and cute after that

"You came into my life and messed the whole thing up and now I'm screwed.  Because I'm in love with you.  As in balls-out, head-over-heels, watching- Dancing with the Stars on Monday nights, wine-and-bubble-bath kind of love.  Hell, I think I'd even wear a scarf indoors for you."

 See....happy and cute!  Kyle confronts Jordan about her involvement of him getting out of prison and then confronts her about Nick and tries to tell her what to do about "Mr. Tall, Dark, and Sarcastic" so she lets him know she thinks Nick is a keeper.  But it's even pretty obvious to Kyle that Jordan and Nick are meant for each other... after all his first reaction to Nick is to note that he's just as sarcastic as Jordan!

A Lot Like Love was an absolute delight!  I enjoyed every bit of this book and recommend that you read it too!  Julie James has marvelous knack for sarcastic humor and had me laughing just about every chapter!  It's already found it's way onto my reread list and will remain there even if just for the sarcasm alone....but really the entire story was great.....the romance, while funny, was still sweet and had me cheering for a happily ever after!  Check it out, you won't be disappointed you did!

Happy Reading!

 

Something About You (F.B.I. #1) Review

Something About You by Julie James was a great light read that held my attention and kept me laughing out loud! 

While staying in a hotel due to rennovations at home Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron Lynde witnessed some hot-and-heavy lovemaking ending with a death. And of all the FBI agents in Illinois, it had to be Special Agent Jack Pallas heading the investigation.  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.

I really enjoyed our female lead, Cameron Lynde!  A career driven woman forced to face situations that would have most running for the hills.  She's smart and quick thinking, sassy and full of sarcasm, and let's just say can come up with some great one liners ;).....My kinda Girl!!!!  

So Cameron is staying in a hotel room because she is having her hardwood floors redone but now she is seriously rethinking her desire to turn the weekend into some much needed R&R 

Thirty thousand hotel rooms in the city of Chicago, and Cameron Lynde managed to find one next door to a couple having a sex marathon.

 I could only imagine how bad that would suck....seriously!!  So after hearing the energetic couple start round two at 4 o'clock in the morning she decides she has had enough and calls the front desk to have something done about it.  Unfortunately, there has been a murder in the room next door and since Cameron happened to peek out her peep hole and saw the back of the murderer she is now in the throes of a full on FBI investigation!  Even more unfortunately is Agent Jack Pallas happens to be the Special Agent in charge of it. 

So a little history of Jack and Cameron.... Three years prior Jack and Cameron had been working together to press charges against a big player in the drug trafficking in Chicago where Jack had been working undercover and was tortured for two days and made it out with serious injuries.  So after her boss, Silas, tells her he has decided against filing any charges in the case and informs Cameron she will be letting Jack know of this decision.  As well as tell him nothing of how the decision was made.  He threw her right under the bus....big time.  So she tells him and, understandably, he is PISSED! 

"I think the assistant U.S. attorney has her head up her ass, that's what I think.  They should've assigned the case to somebody with some fucking balls."

Sooooo....Jack's little comment that almost got him fired, got him sent to Nebraska for three years in stead.  But what Jack doesn't know is that the transfer was the best Cameron could do for him as far as saving his job.  Because he doesn't know that he's still a tiny bit....okay a lot still upset with her when he sees her for the first time.

So moving back to the story.  Jack walks into Cameron's hotel room with his partner Sam Wilkins and they start questioning her...well Wilkins questions her because she suddenly feels like only cooperating with him and not with Jack.  Jack steps in a few times and Cameron just can't help but throw some sass at him and his attitude while questioning her

"I heard butt cheeks being slapped and walls that were banged so hard my teeth nearly rattled.  Frankly, I've found this whole evening to be a little odd, Agent Pallas."

She really did crack me up!

Jack is a typical moody alpha male that is still pissed at what happened between him and Cameron three years prior but is trying real hard to put it behind him so he doesn't have to leave Chicago again.  He did regret what had happened three years ago especially since he actually didn't mind working with Cameron so much at the time.  But he also didn't think he'd have to face Cameron a week after being back home so he had a little bit of a difficult time not playing "Bad Cop"

So as a precautionary measure the FBI  requests that the C.P.D. keep an eye out on Cameron.  Well...that doesn't turn out too hot and the bad guy ends up getting into her house and holds her at gun point.  Jack comes to the rescue....you even get that in his P.O.V. ....big sigh..... The FBI, namely Jack, decide they are no longer taking chances with Cameron's safety and Jack moves in with her. The chemistry between the two is hot....sizzling hot...and after an almost kiss a few days before and a major hot little make out session they both start to question their feelings for each other. 

"Shockingly, some people actually find me charming."  "I once found you charming, too." Jack said quietly

So Cameron decides since they've danced around the past enough it's time to tell Jack about what happened three years ago.  Every thing changes from there....boy do they ever ;)  Jack's only response is to lay a hot one on her!

Things had changed for Jack, ever since he'd found out the truth about what had happened three years ago.  Because of that he asked a lot of questions, wanting to learn more about Cameron.

 
They learn more about each other while in Michigan at Amy's wedding.  She tells him about her father and how he was murdered and how that influenced her decision to apply for the position at the U.S. Attorney's office.  He also finds out how she ended up with such a nice large house on the income she makes.  They even talk about their thoughts they had of the other three years ago and even in between

"You're so beautiful, Cameron," he said, running his finger along the side of her face.  "Despite everything that happened, over the last three years there were so many times I would lay in bed at night, thinking about you."

 Awwww....who wouldn't melt at those words?  Once they get back to Chicago, Jack has her pick her code for her new security system

"What's five-two-two-five?"  "It spells 'Jack' on the keypad"

So cute and something I would so do too LOL.  Now, Jack and Cam are starting to really think about their feelings for one another.  He's realizing that with just a smile she's got him wrapped around her finger, and she is asking herself if this is what it feels like to fall in love.  Jack asks Cam about her internet connection because it seems slow and she responds by telling him if restarting doesn't work she just calls Collin

Jack folded his arms across his chest.  "I think we need to talk about this Collin dependency.  Because there's a new sheriff in town." "Hmm.  That's a little alpha for my tastes," Cameron said

Ummmm....what?????.....You can be as alpha as you want with me Jack and I won't talk back....okay I won't talk back much. 

A bunch of stuff happens next....the murderer is in Cameron's house, he gets into a bit of a scuffle with Jack and ends up in a position where he doesn't have much choice but to follow Jack's orders

"Since you've been listening, you know what she means to me.  I would kill anyone who harmed her.  Give me the name and I'll make an exception."

 Of course he tells and because of his response and Cameron's awesome prosecuting record, along with her being one tough cookie she gets a big promotion.

It just occurred to me that as a U.S. attorney, you're now in a position of authority over me."  Cameron raised an eyebrow.  "You're right, Agent Pallas.  There is a new sheriff in town."

 Love it!  So in the end Jack and Cameron get their happily ever after plus some ....Yippee!!!!!....  Cameron decides to kick her new position off with a bang and filed charges in the case Jack had been working three years ago, she asks him to officially move in with her, and her and Jack profess their love for each other!

Something About You was a great story!  I enjoyed the characters, their interaction with each other, and most especially the quick witted sarcasm of all of them!  I would definitely recommend this read especially if you enjoy a hot alpha male that carries a gun because of a position in power and a sassy, smart woman who comes off fearless!  I will definitely put Something About You on my reread list and will check out more of Ms. James books!

Happy Reading!