Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James

Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm continuing my Julie James kick, and apparently, I like bickering lawyers who are always trying to one up each other. This one also has a lot of humor.

Book 179 read in 2018

Pages: 291

Suddenly One Summer by Julie James

Summary: "Divorce lawyer Victoria Slade has seen enough unhappy endings to swear off marriage forever. That doesn't mean she's opposed to casual dating--just not with her cocky new neighbor, who is as gorgeous and tempting as he is off-limits."

Another fun read from Julie James! I love reading the fancy lives of her characters in Chicago. The way she describes their world is fascinating and interesting. I hope she continues with this series, but I hope that she adds a little more action and intrigue to her future books. They are getting a little too procedural and not enough WOW factor. 

291 pages

The Thing About Love by Julie James

Summary: "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."

The Thing About Love is Julie James' highly anticipated next installment in her wonderful FBI/US Attorney series. 

That being said, I think I was anticipating this book just a little too much and thus set my expectations way higher than they should have been. The premise is juicy, but the story just didn't live up to its high potential. I loved the entire FBI Training scenario, as well as the enemies-to-lovers storyline, but the actual case/plot of the story significantly lacked action and excitement. It never quite made my heart race or had me eagerly turning the page. Usually, the plots of James' books are intense, but this one just fell a little flat. I'd still give the book around 4 stars...just lower your expectations.

384 pages

Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James

Summary: "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’ve kept a safe distance and tolerated each other as co-workers for one reason only: to make partner at the firm. But all bets are off when they’re asked to join forces on a major case."

Whew, another Julie James' book! She is just one of the best! It was a bit inspired by Pride and Prejudice, which was fun to read in terms of rival lawyers in a big law firm in Chicago. I was disappointed with a few bits of how Payton and J.D.'s rivalry played out...but overall, it was a great story! 

305 pages

It Happened One Wedding by Julie James

Summary: "After a humiliating end to her engagement, investment banker Sidney Sinclair is done with commitment-phobic men. But when her sister winds up engaged after a whirlwind courtship, Sidney is thrown into close contact with exactly the kind of playboy she wants to avoid--the gorgeous best man. She's stuck with him, for better or worse, until her sister walks down the aisle, but that doesn't mean she has to give in to his smooth advances, no matter how tempting they are..."

It Happened One Wedding is the 5th book in the FBI/US Attorney series by Julie James. I enjoyed it so much! I actually read it earlier this summer but had forgotten to post it. I love Julie James' writing and this entire series. It makes me sad that I've caught up and now have to impatiently wait for her to publish the next one! 

Characters: Sidney Sinclair + Vaughn Roberts

292 pages

Love Irresistibly by Julie James

Love Irresistibly is the fourth book in the FBI/U.S. Attorney contemporary romance series, and it is a fun installment! I wish the sequels had the danger/intrigue of the first book, but oh well, they're still easy and fun to read! 

I LOVE how the previous books' characters keep popping up. It put the biggest smile on my face to see Cameron and Jack (from the first book) show up and their big surprise! :)

Julie James is an excellent author, and I will continue to read any and all of her books! 

Couple = Brooke Parker + Cade Morgan

292 pages

About That Night by Julie James

Summary: "Though Rylann Pierce tried to fight the sparks she felt for billionaire heir Kyle Rhodes the night they met, their chemistry was undeniable. But after being stood up, she never expected to see him again. Nine years later, the beautiful assistant U.S. attorney finds herself face to face with Kyle in a courtroom--and still wildly attracted to him."

Kyle Rhodes is introduced in the second book, A Lot Like Love, and I was a little wary of how he would serve as protagonist in this 3rd installment of the FBI/U.S. Attorney series. However, it worked out pretty well! I enjoyed Rylann's character, and her connection with Kyle was cute. This book didn't quite have the danger or drama of the other books, so that was a bit of a let down. But the other characters: Nick, Jordan, Jack and Cameron all make fun appearances! 

I don't know why I like these books so much, but they are easy and enjoyable to read. Julie James is a good character builder and story-teller. 

Couple = Rylann Pierce + Kyle Rhodes

295 pages

A Lot Like Love by Julie James

Summary: "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."

A Lot Like Love is the second installment of Julie James' FBI/U.S. Attorney romance series. It was a fun read, but I never connected to the characters as much as I did in the first book. It was nice to see Cameron Lynde and Jack Pallas show up in this book as well! I plan to finish the series as they are witty and the story is well-told. 

Couple = Jordan Rhodes + Nick McCall

289 pages

Something About You by Julie James

Something About You is the first in the FBI/US Attorney romance series by Julie James. It was a great read - it had a good balance of story, intrigue, character development  and romance. Cameron Lynde is an assistant US Attorney in Chicago when she accidentally witnesses a murder. This event puts her back in touch with Special Agent Jack Pallas, whom she does not get along with (understatement). I enjoyed the slow enemies to lovers trope, as well as most of the FBI/US Attorney interactions. Cameron is smart, brave and entertaining. The romance part was just right - it seemed natural and not overly graphic or over-the-top.  I will probably try to read more in the series. 

Couple = Cameron Lynde + Jack Pallas

323 pages