The Thing About Love

Starred review from January 1, 2017
Two FBI agents who had a rocky relationship at the FBI Academy are paired in an undercover operation, forcing them to re-evaluate their first impressions, work as a team, and maybe find true love.After his girlfriend cheats on Special Agent John Shepherd and he loses her, their shared apartment, and some of his best friends in one fell swoop, he feels the timing is good for a fresh start and applies to the FBI's elite Hostage Rescue Team. Practically cooling his heels until he learns if he's been accepted, he's teamed with a new agent in the Chicago office who's just transferred from Los Angeles. Their undercover case in Jacksonville, Florida, is supposed to be a quick investigation of the popular mayor for illegal pay-for-play accusations but is complicated when it turns out that John's new partner is none other than Jessica Harlow, his nemesis from Quantico, who's moving back to her hometown after her marriage crumbled. At first old hostilities fly--behind closed doors, since both agents are consummate professionals--and they must figure out how to work together as partners, but as they do, they come to trust and respect each other, then give in to their growing attraction. After all, neither is looking for a real relationship, especially since John will likely be moving to Virginia. The partners go back and forth to Florida and grow emotionally closer, so when the investigation takes an unexpected turn and John gets news about HRT, their path to a happiness they weren't looking for becomes threatened. James (It Happened One Wedding, 2015, etc.) has carved out a particular niche with FBI characters, light but intelligent suspense, and witty repartee that ratchets up sexual tension at the same time it illuminates characters who are strong yet vulnerable, especially to each other. Her newest title highlights her talent for sexy opposites-attract romantic conflict while offering a plot that is even more layered and sophisticated than her previous distinguished work. James' star shines even brighter with this smart, sparkling winner.

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April 15, 2017

Six years ago, supersmart attorney Jessica Harlow and brash, self-assured U.S. Army Ranger John Shepherd met during FBI training at Quantico; clashed all the way to graduation; and hoped never to see each other again. And they don't--until they end up in the same office and are sent off on an undercover assignment to Florida to expose the corrupt Jacksonville mayor. Despite their best professional intentions, the sniping starts, and the fireworks begin--and then an unplanned kiss lights a fire of a different kind, one they will be hard-pressed to tamp down. Rapid-fire banter, humor, and an action-filled plot move the story along at a steady pace, and the "he said/she said" chapters add background about their enmity. VERDICT A pair of independent, relentlessly competitive operatives finally sort things out in this sexy romance that fans of upbeat, cosmopolitan suspense are sure to enjoy. James (Suddenly One Summer) lives in Chicago.

Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2017
James (Suddenly One Summer, 2015) convincingly forges a hot romantic couple out of an alpha woman and a strong man in this FBI caper. Jessica and John are horrified to find themselves working as partners in an undercover operation, given their unforgettable battles years ago during their time at the FBI academy, where they competed and bickered for weeks. Forced together again by an assignment out of the Chicago office, they try to make the best of it while pretending to be real estate developers in Jacksonville, Florida. Traveling brings them closer, leading to friendship and more. John is hoping to get an elite new FBI assignment, so both assume that this will be a light and short flirtation. Their mission is surprising, and so is their relationship. James' dialogue and characters sparkle with intelligence and humor, and there is plenty of action. Tough women who can handle powerful guys are always welcome in the contemporary romance genre. Fans of Suzanne Brockmann and Julie Garwood will enjoy James.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)