The Thing About Love
4.5 Stars

FBI agents Jessica Harlow and John Shepherd have a history of animosity dating back to their time at Quantico as competitive trainees. Now, six years later, Jess and John are partnered on a high profile undercover sting. Can the former lawyer and ex-Army Ranger get over their differences long enough to catch a crook and fall in love?

It would seem that taking a long break from the series served me in good stead as the last couple of installments have been very entertaining, and this final book is the best overall.

Yes, it is even better than book one although there are many similarities between the two including the excellent love/hate relationship, incredible chemistry and minor suspense plot.

One noticeable aspect of this book is the amount of research James has invested both in terms of FBI regulations and undercover operations as well as in the HRT (Hostage Rescue Team) selection and training processes. While this can seem overwhelming and excessive at times, it is all very interesting and adds depth and nuance to both Jessica and John's characters. It makes their interactions and dilemmas all the more believable.

The one minor irritant of the book is that John and Jess's cheating exes' never get their much-deserved comeuppances.

On a final note, it appears that I have read all of the books James has published. I wonder if she is taking a break ...
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This is great entertainment for a long flight. And the characters remind one how much flying some people do in their jobs. At least, once upon a time.

Jessica Harlow meets John Shepherd at Quantico training school. But meet later when they have left other professions and joined the FBI. The hate to love trope at the centre of the story is so overwhelming it's a bit tedious, but apart from that it's a fun read.

I also enjoyed learning more about the life of an undercover FBI agent.

The audiobook is narrated by Karen White. She's great of course, but I could listen to the slow parts easily on 1 1/4 or even 1 1/2. It's a shame she narrates so many of the books I read, as my heart - or my psyche? - sinks when I hear the first few words and realise it's her distinctive voice, ONCE AGAIN. ( )

I have read the Julie James series and almost all the books are good.
There is chemistry, there is friendly banter, there is a case in the background which the characters are trying to break.
It is a good light read that leaves you with a smile ( )

I don't know what to say. This was a perfect inoffensive and bland book. Even the sex scenes were bland and usually James can write a pretty good one. I just didn't think the two leads were that interesting past their prior relationships. I really think if James had circled back to their prior relationships and actually speak on female and male dynamics when one is cheated on, it would have made for a stronger book.

So the male hero in this one is John Shepherd. Picture Chris Hemsworth in a FBI uniform.

And the female heroine is Jessica Harlow. Picture Reese Witherspoon.

Both of them are reeling for the end of their prior relationships and both are aiming to succeed at the FBI. Jessica has transferred from LA back to her hometown in Chicago. And John is hoping he gets the call soon that will land him a coveted spot on the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team.

We quickly find out that both characters have thought of the other person over the years. They met 6 years previously when they were going through their training at Quantico. They are both dismayed when they find out they are partnered on a bribery case that will take them to Florida.

Honestly, there's not much to say about either character. The development of both characters was very thin. I was intrigued with John and Jessica's background and former relationships with their exes. I also think that John's storyline would have been improved if James had circled back to his rift with his long time friends. Instead as you read you can practically check the boxes cause you know what is coming your way.

Two characters will have initial animosity but keep noting how attractive the other person is (Blue-when this happens to me in real life I don't think about how hot the guy is, I think about how I can just stab him in the neck with a pen and roll his dead body under his desk).

They will both admit they handled things poorly in the past and look to become friends (Blue-I am always right. Forget that noise.)

They will then start to flirt and talk things that would get you an HR complaint in the real world (Blue-I have told several men over the years that I am not interested and no we are not going to discuss my sex life. Dear everyone, don't ask a man or woman about things like this at work. Otherwise you will find yourself at HR talking about how you were just making a joke.)

Eventually they will give in and have wild passionate sex (Blue-Please. I have read hotter sex scenes in my mom's bodice rippers back in the day).

They will both start inner monologuing about love and falling for the other person (Blue-This is why rom-coms drive me up the wall. I had a guy talking to me about him thinking he was falling for me. This was after 2 dates. Don't do this.)

Something will come up to keep them apart. (Blue-Whatever.)

One or both of them will give up something so they can be together (Blue-See above).

I have for the most part generally liked the other books in this series. I just found this one to be rather ho-hum. A good way to past the time, but nothing that I would re-read in the future. ( )

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

Every time I finish reading a Julie James book, I know I'm about to start the "James-shakes" while I wait for the next one. They're just that good. The good news is that this year is ripe with talented authors, so I have a lot of things to fill the void, but man.. The Thing About Love was great!

If you're a fan of the first kiss, hoo boy is this the book for you. One of the best (but short) first kiss scenes I've ever read. I don't want to build it up into this big "thing," but it was tummy flipping goodness of the highest order.

Jessica and John are combustible from the very start, perfect hate-to-love characters. Ms. James even gives us some flashbacks from both POVs. And don't get me started on Jessica's first flashback... I was all like, "oh this is gooooo... WHAT?! WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?!" And then I waited until she laid the rest of the story on me and it all made sense - and I forgave her everything.

It was only their second week of training, and they’d been assigned to the same four-person team in a timed competition. So here she was, running up and down rocky terrain, slogging through mud, jumping over fences, and sloshing through cold, dirty creek water— all the while hoping that her stupid tampon wasn’t leaking since, for extra fun, she’d gotten her period that day— and the entire time, all she could hear was John’s deep, rich voice shouting at her.

Let’s go, Harlow!

Step it up, Harlow!

Grab the rope, Harlow!

Pick yourself up, Harlow! Now move, move, MOVE!

For Pete’s sake, she was perfectly aware that she was bringing up the rear on their team. Did the man really have to keep announcing it to the whole forest?

Needless to say, by the time they got to the cargo net, she’d been feeling a little testy.

“Maybe you’d rather just tie a rope around my waist and drag me the rest of the way?” Unfortunately, the sting of her sarcasm was lessened by the fact that she was panting so hard she barely got the words out.

Not even winded, John shrugged matter-of-factly. “I was going to suggest throwing you over my shoulder, but if bondage is your thing, Harlow, I’m fine with plan B.”

Ha ha, wasn’t he such a riot? She’d glared at him while climbing onto the cargo net. Try doing this with cramps, buddy, and then we’ll see who’s so tough. And then she’d dug even deeper to finish the course as strong as possible.

Yeah that's right, bantery goodness right there. I'm glad I have a huge TBR pile because I'm already jonesin' for the next Julie James book. 5 Solid Stars.
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