The Thing About Love

Though the story is well written and the author is a very talented story teller, the two main characters, Jessica Harlow and John Shepherd have great chemistry but they are both so immature it about drove me nuts! They seem to be liked and respected by their peers but in their private thoughts, they sound like middle school children! John returns home from an assignment to find his live in girlfriend having sex in his bed with one of his good friends. He then finds out that several other friends knew about the affair but didn't tell him because he was on another assignment. So he completely cuts ties with the guys who knew but didn't tell him about it as well as the two betrayers. Meanwhile, Jessica has just separated from her husband because he is feeling neglected by her working too much. Now John and Jessica meet again on a new assignment and they behave like children. I don't like when adults behave immaturely, and being privvy to their private thoughts just exacerbates the situation. I really want to like both Jessica and John but...I just wish they'd grow up! They had previously met at the FBI Training Academy several years back and took an instant dislike to each other and now they are reunited and have to work together as a team. Yes, the sparks are going to fly but they could both go down in flames if they can't learn to respect the others abilities.

.....

I often forget how much I enjoy Julie James’ books. Then I read her new one and my love for her writing comes back all too quickly. One thing I’ll say, this author has yet to disappoint me.

In The Thing About Love, Julie James brings her expertise in writing special agents falling in love and my all-time favorite romance trope, enemies to lovers. There was simply no way I wouldn’t love this, right?

This book was easy to read and a whole lot of fun.

Former FBI Academy rivals Jessica Harlow and John Shepherd meet again when they’re assigned to work on an undercover case as partners. They’re both facing complicated situations in their personal lives, since John was cheated on and Jessica had recently gone through a divorce, but their careers couldn’t be going any better. John, for example, is about to join FBI’s elite Hostage Rescue Team: the place where all the toughest agents gather together to face the deadliest challenges and save people’s lives. BTW, I’d love to read a series about men (and women) in the Hostage Rescue Team. Can Julie James start writing it, please?

Since John and Jessica had a past that was all that friendly, working together was a challenge. Working together when they realized their past rivalry was mostly fueled by their attraction to each other was even harder.

I loved the dynamic here, because although there was tension and rivalry, these two were really respectful of each other. It’s so easy to fall into a trap when writing enemies to lovers, but Julie James never did. It could easily see how Jessica and John admired each other and recognized each other’s strengths. That made me admire them a lot more.

John and Jessica were also great characters individually. They were strong, career-focused, but still found time for their families, intelligent and passionate.

Another thing I could easily relate to was the case they were working on. Unfortunately, corruption is a reality in my country. Finding a politician who isn’t involved in a corruption scandal has become almost impossible, so I had no trouble understanding and following the case.

I’ve come to expect great things from Julie James’ books, and after reading my fifth book by this author, I can safely say I’ll read whatever she writes next.

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra

The Thing About Love is a steamy contemporary romance novel which left me engaged throughout the entire read and very happy that I had chosen this book. Character development was superb; not just the main characters but also the supporting characters as well.

The story begins with FBI Special Agent John Shepherd flying home from his latest undercover investigation (which lasted eight long months) and NOT in the mood to speak with his neighbors on the plane. And that is when I got hooked:

“Next to John, the guy in the middle sear was in his early forties and dressed in a suit and lime-green shirt…. Yep. Steve in the lime-green shirt was going to be a Talker……Not that sitting next to a chatty passenger was uncommon for John. He accepted the fact that in his line of work, it was an occupational hazard…But tonight, he was hoping to have a few quiet minutes to unwind before the plane landed in Chicago. And also to start thinking about how he was going to get things back on track with his girlfriend, Alicia.”

Now from there I anticipated a challenge, after all, why would he need to get things back on track with his girlfriend. What he walks in on when he gets home is not what he expected. Unfortunately for John he finds his girlfriend and best mate going at it in their bed. Needless to say, John walks out…and he is now single.

Now back in the office in Chicago, John learns that a former colleague (whom he did NOT get along with)

from his time at the FBI Academy in Quantico is joining the team at the Chicago office. In walks sexy Jessica Harlow. They had a long standing rivalry at the academy – trying to out perform each other. Now John and Jessica get assigned to a high profile undercover sting operation; they must work together regardless of their feelings for each other. During this undercover operation they each share their own perceptions of the time they both spent in Quantico. Through the process of hearing each other’s side of the story, we see that they begin to understand and appreciate each other more and even seeing how misinterpretations occurred all those years ago.

The sting operation was definitely intriguing. Made me wonder if this is how it is truly really done.

Wow…the steamy parts were HOT. Yikes. Who would have thought of FBI agents as super sexy as well as super awesome? I loved one reflective moment after a very hot and steamy kiss – had me giggling, that’s for sure:

She looked up at the ceiling and shook her head. “I can’t believe I kissed you.”

“Please. I can’t believe I kissed you.”

.

.

.

Her inner pragmatic voice did a face-palm.

And this is why we don’t hook up with other agents. Never dip your pen in the company inkwell. Don’t get your nookie where you get your cookies. Don’t fish off the company pier. Don’t…Thanks, yes, she got the point.”

John is also following up on his dream of becoming a member of the Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) by participating in the two-week selection program at Quantico. Once that was completed, he was in a holding pattern so he returned to the sting operation. Just as the operation is coming to a conclusion, John hears that he made HRT. Of course by this time, John and Jessica have become quite close. It broke my heart a bit when they split so that John could follow his dream, and that he is leaving his family.

Will love prevail in the end? Read The Thing About Love for yourself ☺. You will definitely enjoy the journey…laughing and tearing up…rooting for John…then Jessica…worth the time and effort to read!!!

I have only read book #6 and now #7 in the FBI/US Attorney Series by Julie James. From this latest read, I am definitely going back and reading the first 5 books of the series.

4.5 Stars ~ Top Pick

A romance about FBI agents. How apropos, I thought when I picked it up. The FBI have been prominent in the news these days, haven’t they? But this book is way better than real life because it’s a romance with a big and ridiculously hot FBI hero (he’s six foot four and built and our heroine did call him “big guy”).

So here’s the deal, Jessica Harlow and John Shepherd have a bit of a history. Six years ago they spent six months going through the FBI Academy together. You’d think that two extremely attractive people of the opposite sex and from the same city—Chicago—would be naturally drawn to each other. You’d only be half right. They are but things are never that simple.

Jessica is functioning in a male dominated field and she has to be careful in how she conducts herself. Hooking up with the hot former Army Ranger is not in the cards, so when he introduces himself to her, she kind of blows him off. She doesn’t want to encourage him. A cold shoulder devolves into a verbal put down, and boy do things go downhill from there. Fast forward to current day, Jessica’s opinion of John hasn’t changed.

Hey, look at me, watch me fly through this obstacle course with one hand and two feet tied behind my back. This is child’s play to what we did in the Rangers, bitches!
John’s opinion of Jessica isn’t much better.

Ooh, look at me, I’m soooo smart with my Stanford law degree, I should be teaching these classes instead of sitting here with the rest of you schmucks.
God, I love these two. They had me smiling and laughing throughout the book. Funny watching them be thrown together once again, this time working at the FBI office in Chicago on an undercover political corruption case. You can imagine their reaction to setting eyes on each other after six years. Love it! Conflict and tension, my two favorite emotions.

John is just coming out of a long-term relationship, and it’s the worst kind of break up. Jessica is back from LA and a five-year marriage to a Hollywood producer. At this point, she’s ready to start dating again. Or I should say her younger brother and sister (twins) are doing their damndest to hook her up, with no luck. John doesn’t even enter into the picture because she doesn’t like him. Okay, you know that’s not really true. They simply got off on the wrong foot, but once they’re working together—jetting off to Jacksonville, FL to bring down its corrupt mayor—things start to defrost between them. That long dormant attraction starts to simmer.

One of the things I love about Ms. James’ heroines is that they’re not the kind of women who hang back waiting for the guy to make the first move. They give encouraging signs and don’t back down and become all missish when the heroes act on them. Once they have it in their head that they want him, they’re not reticent about it. It’s beyond refreshing. The same can be said about Jessica. The fact is, she’s not looking for anything long term, but then neither is John. Prior to coming back to the Chicago, he tried out for HRT (Hostage Rescue Team) and he’s waiting to see if he’s accepted. If he does, he’ll be moving to Virginia and then going who knows where—all over the globe. It’s the perfect situation for two people for which a brief affair is all they want. LOL. Right.

The secondary characters are nicely fleshed out, their supporting status doing what readers expect them to do—fully round out the John and Jessica’s lives. I particularly enjoyed John’s dilemma with his friends and the camaraderie between the agents in the office. The dialogue is snappy, filled with humor, and real. Not so trendy and hip that you’re rolling your eyes thinking, ‘Do grown adults really talk this way’ but not so staid and formal that you can’t believe it’s the 21st century.

The Thing About Love has just the right amount of intrigue and suspense to satisfy readers who like that but don’t want it overwhelming the romance. And you may want to bone up on your acronyms. Just kidding. Ms. James spells them all out at least the first time she uses them, but in the FBI world, they have quite a few.

I loved the ending, and I loved that I was surprised at the way things unfolded. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Jessica and John and I look forward to Ms. James’ next book.

~ Beverley

There’s simply nothing quite like a Julie James novel. The Thing About Love has everything I’ve come to love about Ms. James’s work: intelligent, interesting characters, crackling chemistry, an engaging romance, and sharp attention to detail. It’s a story that feels light on its feet but also has substance, and I loved every bit of it.

John and Jessica are irresistible characters who grabbed my attention from the first. Jessica is quite possibly my favorite of Ms. James’s heroines. Not only is she incredibly smart, she’s the best example I have ever seen in a contemporary romance of a woman working to build a successful career in a male-dominated field. From the moment she starts training at Quantico, Jessica is aware that her gender and height are working against her. Jessica doesn’t waste time feeling sorry for herself because she has a disadvantage. She works hard to overcome the obstacles in her path and I have an incredible amount of respect for her dedication, strength, and resourcefulness. Her nemesis at the Academy is John, a former Army Ranger for whom the more physical aspects of FBI training are a breeze. John is no slouch in the academic department, but there are areas where he has to work just as hard to succeed as Jessica does when it comes to the more athletic areas of their training. The two of them push each other constantly, their competitiveness bringing out the best agents in them – though they’d be loath to admit it.

The flashbacks to Quantico set the stage for John and Jessica’s reunion six years later when she transfers to the Chicago FBI office. When the two of them meet again, they pick up bickering right where they’d left off at the Academy. But having to work together undercover means they need to play nice, and I loved watching them work through their issues and come to understand one another. With that understanding comes increasingly strong sexual tension. Theirs is a slow-burn romance, and the payoff is worth it. John and Jessica have fantastic chemistry both as partners and as lovers. I honestly enjoyed watching them work together as much as I adored their romance. They complement one another perfectly, and there’s no false drama to detract from their story. The obstacles hampering John and Jessica’s romance feel realistic to the characters and their jobs and the resolution that gives these two their happily ever after left me with a huge smile on my face.

Every Julie James novel I’ve picked up features characters who feel whole and real, with fully developed personal and professional lives. The Thing About Love is no exception and it makes Jessica and John’s story all the better. When you combine Ms. James’s well-developed characters with her snappy dialogue and a romance that’s both spicy and sweet, it’s easy to see why I adored this book. I highly recommend The Thing About Love to any contemporary romance fan!

The Thing About Love (FBI/US Attorney #7) by Julie James is another enjoyable romance by this author, even though this one seems a little more on the lighthearted side. It’s a very character driven novel with a lot of dialogue, and not much shoot em up action. This is also a reunion story of sorts, even though the hero and heroine don’t have much if a positive opinion towards one another because of their interactions in the past. But these two unlikely people come together again to work undercover on a case that deals with bribery. They must put aside their differences to catch the bad guy. When they do, they become excellent partners, both in and out the bedroom.

Jessica was once a lawyer turned FBI agent. She is newly divorced from her Hollywood producer husband who never really understood her job. She has now moved on, and is excited to work a new case. But she’s in for more surprises when she finds out she must team up John, who she knew six years ago. She and John both trained together. Their relationship then was not on the best terms. She felt John was cocky and a know it all who thought she was a cupcake and couldn’t make it in the program. John never meant to offend her because he was insanely attracted to her. But they went their separate ways. John is also getting over a bad relationship- he found his girlfriend in bed with one of his close friends. An undercover assignment is just what he needs, even though Jessica is there to push his buttons.

Jessica and John are professionals, so they try to keep their feelings about one another to themselves. Through flashbacks, we see how these two first met and why they couldn’t stand one another. As they fall deeper into their assignment, which isn’t that dangerous or scary, they decided they have a lot more in common that they first thought. As they reach common ground, their respect for one another grows, which turns into something more deeper and sexual.

The Thing About Love is a strange title for this story, including the cover, which doesn’t fit because this romance is heavy on the FBI atmosphere even though the concentration is one Jessica and John bonding. These two are very smart, independent and hard working. They are equals in every way, which makes for a nice read, especially because they have great chemistry together. The love scenes fit the tone of the book, even though they aren’t too graphic or seductive. The joy in reading is watching the action unfold as Jessica and John try to take down their man.

Reading a Julie James’ novel is always a pleasing experience. The Thing About Love has many things to enjoy here, including a whip smart sexy heroine who not only makes the hero hum with satisfaction, but gives him a peace of mind because she is the special gift he once lost and found again. A great second chance at love for these two undercover agents

Katiebabs

My Review:
Flat out...I really enjoy Julie James' stories. Her heroines are tough and sassy. Her heroes are badass and alpha and her story lines are usually fun and witty. But this one didn't quite have the umph that I expect from a Julie James novel. And honestly I was trying to analyze exactly why this morning. The dialogue wasn't quite so snappy, despite the hero's constant need to quip about Jessica's saucy attitude. (Honestly by the end, it kind of felt like the author was adding that in to make it feel more snappy than it truly was...and that was kind of a bummer...and distracting.)

But despite all that...this book was good. Just not quite as my very high expectations for a Julie James book.

But there is a lot of good to be found in this story. The hero and the heroine have a history, but it's a history fraught with contention. They were the two highest performers while qualifying for the FBI at Quantico. As a result, they were constantly trying to one-up one another. For Jessica, this was especially difficult. As one of only two females, she had to perform up to standard even more so than her male counterparts. And at 5'3" she didn't hold much competition physically against John who was 6'4". As a result, they left the academy both pretty much hating the other.

So, when they become partners in an undercover operation, things aren't quite smooth sailing. Also, they're both coming off hard break-ups and they are both really attractive people attracted to one another. But they're undercover in Florida as high-powered, corporate investors. As such, the ambience was fun. I liked Jessica's tradition of a glass of wine and piece of cake after a long day undercover (she's my kind of girl). Their banter about the core of their jobs was fun. Jessica works white collar; John works in the more violent crimes area (and I can't remember exactly what that was off the top of my head right now).

I liked the conflict about how there is no easy resolution. Even if the two can resolve their feelings for one another, they are going different places. It kept me reading and wondering how in the world this could ever all get sorted. I love it when I get close to the end of a book and I'm still wondering. That's a great twist that the author pulled off.

So a bit of a mixed review, but I'll be honest...that's mainly because Julie James has set such a high bar for her writing, not anything truly against this book. It was a fun read. Lots of fun, sexy times, with a bit of FBI intrigue and danger added in just to keep it exciting.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.

The Thing About Love pairs undercover FBI agents Jessica Harlow and John Shepard in a case to catch a crooked politician. The problem: Jessica and John know each other previously. Specifically from their FBI training six years ago. They didn't get along then, and it doesn't seem like they're going to get along now. But they are both professionals and they put aside whatever tensions lurks between them in order to get the job done. Along the way, they discover that what they thought they knew about each other, and about what happened during their training, was based on misinformation and biases.

As they work together their animosity starts to turn into something different, but both are facing different aspirations when it comes to their jobs. Aspirations that could tear them apart.

The Thing Above Love is a classic enemies-to-lovers story trope. Julie James knew just which buttons to push and how to push them in regards to Jessica and John's relationship. And what results is a suck-you-in story complete with witty banter, and a romance that slowly heats up the page.

I loved the perspectives we get on both Jessica and John's side in regards to what exactly went wrong in their first meeting. I didn't feel like one person was right and another wrong. Instead it was just a differing of viewpoints and coming from different places. Jessica trying to prove herself in what is majorly a man's profession. John trying to prove that he's more than just muscle, that he can cut it in the interrogation and smarts department.

I also really liked the build up of the relationship between Jessica and John. I mean, the tension between them, even when their fighting, is sexually charged right from the beginning. There's no denying it. And as they slowly move away from hating each other into looking at each other with different eyes, the chemistry just ratchets up from there tenfold.

Overall, I think this is a great standalone read. Everything about it just kept me glued to the page and I'll be honest when I say I'm a little surprised at how much I really enjoyed this book, but if you're looking for a great romance read right now, you can do no better than The Thing About Love.

Jessica Harlow and John Shepherd first met at the Quantico training facility as fresh recruits ready to show they were the best. They very gladly parted ways after graduation, with a strong dislike for each other. Six years later, they never expected that they would be paired up for an undercover assignment in a high-profile case that would force them to work side-by-side and actually get along.

The timing of this is less than ideal, John, fresh from a stinging betrayal and Jessica fresh from a divorce, are both eager to prove themselves for different reasons, but as they become closer and closer, they find maybe they had the wrong impression of each other back in school and the person they thought they knew is actually someone completely different and someone they can’t imagine not having in their life.

You may know this by now, but I absolutely adore a well done hate to love trope, and James knocked this one out of the park for sure. I really loved both Jessica and John as characters and I really loved the chemistry between them. I found that I couldn’t help myself from cheering for them even when they were both doing stupid things, and believe me… there are plenty of times where you want to kind of knock their heads together and just tell them to stop being dumb, but I really, truly loved it!

I’m also a fan of suspense and this story had just enough to keep you on the edge of your seat! I’ll be honest and admit that I haven’t read a ton of Julie James, I don’t really know why, since the few that I have read I’ve enjoyed, but I think I’m going to make a bit more of an effort to do so!
If you are a fan of contemporary romance with characters you just can’t help but root for, and a bit of steam and a bit of suspense then The Thing About Love is going to be just the read you need!

I thoroughly enjoyed this fun and flirty story. What makes it so captivating are the well developed characters and the the witty, snappy dialogue. I enjoyed the main characters and all the entertaining secondary characters. This is a fast paced story with a hunky, alpha male hero and a sassy heroine.

Special agent John Shepperd and special agent Jessica Harlow first meet when they go through the FBI academy in Quantico together. They spend twenty one weeks trying to outwit each other and compete over everything. By the end of their training, they loathe each other and hope they never meet again. Before joining the FBI, John was an Army Ranger and is the biggest, most athletic in their training group. While Jessica, an attorney, is one of two women in their class and feels she has to constantly prove herself.

Now, six years later, Jessica moves back to her hometown of Chicago and finds herself partnered with her former nemesis, John. Neither of them is happy to be working undercover together and find themselves first right back into their old habit of competing over everything. I was laughing out loud, enjoying their snarky remarks and how they continually try to one up each other. All the while, pretending to everyone else, they get along. As they work on the case, they grudgingly start to admire each other and find themselves having to fight their mutual attraction.

I loved the chemistry between John and Jessica. They have a dry wit and there is a lot of verbal bantering and funny lines. Julie James has an easy, breezy, carefree style of writing that is so hard for most writers to achieve but she seems to do it effortlessly. I was immediately transported into John and Jessica's world and I never wanted to leave.

I was given an advanced copy of this book to write an honest review for Netgalley and Cocktails and Books.

I had a difficult time deciding between three and four stars for this one.

It was good, not great but not bad either however it could have used less time sort of dragging out the sit downs and socialization and really focused on the h/h who I completely adored but expected more out of after all the focus being drawn on a certain attribute or trait but then never getting to see it. I didn't really get why it was made such a big deal out of why John was this or that when he just comes off as a regular joe without anything to establish the whole he's a 'this that or other' ditto that for Jess.

I didn't particularly get why they were a love match either since there wasn't a whole lot of love to be found or explored between them since their relationship is more or less a focus on their professional bond that made them feel more like friends than lovers than any passion or emotional bond that should have been established.

Yet there is a lot of world building, there is a lot in plot, a lot in the case being worked, there is a lot involved in Julie's author voice her writing is fantastic, I just wanted more out of our h/h and a reason to cheer for their love life involvement. Still, it was a great read and I enjoyed it so in the end I went with four stars.

Good read.

This review was written by Marie as a guest review on Ever After Book Reviews blog:

The Thing About Love, is that it hits you when you least expect it. And the hero and heroine in this book were blindsided by it while doing the jobs they adore.

This second-chance romance is a light-hearted, fun and sassy story about Jessica and John, two former FBI trainees who are reconnected years later, when they’re assigned to the exact same case. As the story unfolds, their former irritations with one another feed in to their undeniable chemistry. As time goes by and they are forced to spend time with one another, their quips and witty banter make for an entertaining show, and evolve in to just what they never expected – love.

Ms. James never disappoints when she tells a story. Her literary talents bring her characters to life, and the snarky and strong-willed Jessica is a perfect match for the very stoic and swoon-worthy John. Throw in the excitement of a delightfully detailed FBI investigation, and you’ve got a beautifully pieced together romance with an air of mystery.

I have always loved her books, and this one… this one is by far one of my absolute favorites.

I voluntarily read a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feelings are my own.

The Thing About Love is my first Julie James book, and all I have to say to that is- where have I been and what have I been missing? I have this strong desire to go back and read the rest of this series, and I probably will once I get a little more time! This is book #7 in FBI/US Attorney series but can definitely be read as a stand alone.

Jessica Harlow’s job is everything to her. Now that her marriage is over, she’s essentially given up on men and is married to her job. When she gets paired with John Shepherd for an undercover assignment, the banter is strong between these two, and so is the chemistry! These two are rivals of sorts, but now that they’re working together they have to find a way to do just that- work together! It’s not as easy as it seems…

My favorite thing about this book- it made me LAUGH. Not just smile or chuckle a bit, full on laugh. I love funny books, and when you add in a sexy story with witty back and forth banter and fantastic characters, you have a huge win in my book! Jessica is a strong and fabulous heroine and I loved John as well! If you’re looking for a book that has great sexual tension, a fun enemies to lovers story line and one that will make you laugh out loud, this is one I highly recommend you picking up!

The Thing About Love was my first Julie James novel. This was such a fun and flirty read with a dash of suspense and danger! It had passion, mystery love, attraction, snappy banter and was full of adventure. I couldn't stop reading after I picked it up and was immediately swept away. John and Jessica were swoony, sexy and heartfelt. I felt their connection right away and could not stop reading! 

John Shepherd and Jessica Harlow have a history together. Six years earlier they were both in the FBI Academy and while initially an attraction formed at first glance, competitive juices flowed and tensions rose. Fast forward six years later. what happens they are forced to work undercover six years later on a case and old tensions rise in the form of white hot lust? Can they both make it work or will past resentments surface and become too much of an obstacle for this pair?

The Thing About Love was a fantastic frenemies to lovers romance. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and loved their back and forth banter. While I hoped for more of a romance between John and Jessica, I was quite charmed and absolutely loved that ending!! All in all, this was a great read! 4 stars!

Jessica Harlow (Pretty, Nerdy, smart, & hard working) and John Shepherd (good looking, ex military & smart) are both FBI agents that originally come from the same town and graduate from the same training class at Quantico. Apparently they were very competitive with each other from the start. So it was a shock to both of them to be suddenly going under cover together for an investigation. They had to learn to work together and use both of their abilities to catch the bad guy in the end. They did end up falling in love but it was a very slow process for the two stubborn people.
There was some humor in it and the romance. I did like the book but I think there were a few parts that I felt that the FBI would not really be as cheesy as it was described in the book. It was a good read though and would suggest it to others.
I received this book free to read from firsttoread.com in exchange for an honest review. The opinions in this review are 100% my own.

Jessica Harlow and John Shepherd are classmates from the FBI Academy. Their competitive natures made them enemies at that time, and they have not seen each other since. Fast forward a few years and both are working in the Chicago office. Both are reeling from failed relationships and both are at the top of their games in the undercover world. This enemies to lovers story could easily be a cliche, but Julie James gives the characters heart. There is a tenderness to the is story that easily melts my heart. John Shepherd is has an appealing personality that is down to earth with just a touch of flintiness. Being undercover gives these two agents not only an opportunity to spend time together, but to do so under the guise of being someone else. It is like giving each other permission to be something a little more than they normally are. I say that this book is infinitely readable and is to be enjoyed with your favorite libation.

OMG, absolutely loved. Julie James hasn't written anything I haven't liked, but this one? Blew all of the others out of the water! The dynamic between Jessica and John was fantastic, whether they were in their earlier antagonistic phase (or was it antagonistic? Poor John, LOL) or their reluctant let's-make-the-best-of-this-op phase, or their OMG these two are setting the pages on fire phase, they are absolutely fantastic together. If you like romantic suspense that's high on the romance and snark and does a decent job with the suspense, you can't go wrong with Julie James!

(I got a NetGalley copy, but actually listened to the audio from Audible because I love the narrator. She does a fantastic job every time--definitely worth the expense!)

Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A

I won this book on Goodreads for an honest review.

I wish I had read this book right away when I won this book. I loved this book. This story line was awesome. The characters were strong and driven. I loved them. The chemistry that Julie James developed between these two characters was phenomenal. I loved the relationship and banter between two characters. The backstory of the characters was very well written and placed well in the story to help the story proceed along appropriately. The dialogue in this book really moved the story along and created the needed chemistry.

I read this book in two settings because it was so good. It was a captivating story.

5 star read for anyone who likes romantic suspense/mystery. I found a new book boyfriend in John Shepherd.

The emotional chaos between Jessica Harlow and John Shephard in The Thing About Love was very entertaining. Uncertainty and a low self-esteem let these two FBI agents clash against each other during their training at the FBI Academy. Six years later, however, they recognize the true feelings and intentions behind their competitive thinking at this time and maybe ... but maybe ... there has always been a small spark of attractiveness between them ....

It's a lovely entertaining romance novel about the stones to the luck, that we put in our own way.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

## FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC. I had so much fun reading this book. The hero and heroine have sparks flying all over the place! The dialogue between them is witty and playful and I love that. And the banter between the hero and his mates was dead on. Being ex-military myself, I can confirm they really do trash talk just like that. All in good fun of course. Oh, and once again Julie wrote an extraordinary heroine. Strong, smart, fun-loving, and beautiful. YES! I hate when I have to read pages and pages of how a heroine is insecure about her looks or her weight. It competely ruins the romance. Another winner for sure.

I've been waiting so long for another Julie James book to come out and I was disappointed that this one isn't up to her usual knock-them-out-of-the-park books. It was an easy read, interesting to learn about the subjects at hand (FBI, HRT, restaurant concepts), and the main characters were easy to read about - especially since they really liked each other after about a day (not the 6 years ago part but modern day). It could have used a more dangerous or daring or suspenseful background plot - nobody was ever in real or imagined danger, there were no shady characters following anyone around or lurking in the background, just the one criminal who they easily bamboozled. I love Julie James books and I will continue to read them all, but this one just didn't have it going for it like "Something About you" or "A Lot Like Love".

The Thing About Love is such a well written novel. Julie James gives us a truly believable story about two undercover agents finding each other again after they each dealt with disappointing break-ups.

Their shared experience in the FBI Academy is told from both of their point of views and gives the reader hope that misunderstandings can be worked out through communication.

There was humor and heartache, everything I look for in a contemporary novel.

Bravo Ms. James.

Julie James continues her highly detailed romantic comedy FBI series with the The Thing About Love. James brings together two people who have been burned by love badly has them as FBI agents who are now paired together. Jessica is the non typical FBI agent who specializes in white crime who just relocated back to Chicago. Her partner John Shepard her nemesis from Quantico days aka Mr. Perfect former Army Ranger assigned to work with her. Being together shows them a different side neither was expecting.

I really enjoyed this one! I thought John and Jessica's witty banter and sarcastic quips whipped up an introspective, slow burning romance that was charged with sexual tension! The extensive job/case descriptions did seem to slow the romance aspect down occasionally, but it also managed to hightlight what would become strengths to John and Jessica' relationship. I can't wait to see who's up next!

John Shepherd and Jessica Harlow met while training to become FBI agents. It did not go well. John was a dedicated Army Ranger, the picture of the perfect soldier who flew through the physical aspects of the training, and Jessica was fresh out of law school and an academic wiz. Following misinterpreted motives and misunderstandings they became fierce competitors who couldn’t wait to see the back of each other at the completion of their training.

Now, it’s six years later. Jessica is newly divorced after her marriage to a Hollywood producer fell apart due to her dedication to her job, and John’s long-term relationship has just gone up in flames for the same reason. They both throw themselves into their work, and when Jess’s transfer to the FBI’s Chicago office sees her going straight into an undercover mission, they are both horrified to discover that they are now partners.

I love an enemies-to-lovers romance, and this one is really well done. The animosity between John and Jessica is believable, but the underlying chemistry is very much present, and it’s a delicious mix of emotions as they are thrown together for the first time in six years, and all of that aggression is just begging to come out. The banter is fantastic, and every moment they were together was so much fun!

John and Jess are fantastic character, both strong and confident, with no baggage, traumatic backgrounds or unnecessary drama. They are both ‘normal’ people, successful and driven in their careers, and determined to get through their mission together as they become the front-line in a longstanding investigation into a fraudulent politician. And, of course, as they travel away together to carry out their job, all of their time together allows them to get to know each other, to re-hash the past and talk about the present, and their long-buried attraction resurfaces.

I loved these two together! The relationship felt so natural with lots of chemistry and sexual tension and a great camaraderie as they move from enemies to friends to lovers, and it flowed beautifully. There’s a great build-up with no stupid behaviour and no game playing, they just go with it, and it all feels so right.

The sexy time is hot and intense, and with the story written in dual POV we get to see them both falling for each other, and what they initially planned to be a short-term affair soon becomes something so much more.

But life has a way of complicating things, and when John is given the career opportunity of a lifetime, they will both be forced to re-evaluate their priorities and what they want from life.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a fun, smart, romantic and intriguing read. There’s a lot of detail given about John and Jessica’s case, their jobs, and the various training and political aspects of their work, and while it was interesting, I honestly didn’t feel that I needed to know that much. For me it was all about the love story, and that, combined with how much I enjoyed the characters, was what carried the book for me - though I did think that the different elements of the story were blended really well.

The Thing About Love by Julie James is another one of her wonderful adult romances. Julie James is one of my favorite romance authors, who always gives us a wonderful story, great couples that are successful in their careers, with a perfect blend of sassiness and hot sexual chemistry.

Jessica Harlow and John Shepherd, met each other 6 years ago, during their FBI training at Quantico. The competition was fierce, and snarky; when the training was over, they both walked away not caring if they would ever meet again. In present time, Jessica returns to her home town of Chicago, after a broken marriage. John is coming off of an undercover job, only to find his girlfriend in bed with his best friend. When Jessica is given an assignment in an undercover sting, involving a corrupt mayor of Jacksonville, she is shocked and not too happy to see her new partner in this case is John. Needless to say, John, who is already in a bad frame of mind, isn’t too keen on seeing Jessica again. Their old hostilities resurface, but they are now seasoned professionals and determined to work together in the sting operation.

In a short time, both Jessica and John will reveal things from their training time that causes them to realize that their perceptions were off base. The attraction for each other begins to heat up, and their chemistry together was super hot. They also made a great team, setting up the mayor for the fall. I loved watching both of them fall in love with each other, and at the same time become impressed with their partner’s skills.

The story was very well done by James, as she is an expert in FBI suspense types of stories, with a wonderful romance filled with fun banter, sassiness and a sexy couple. With our couple both coming off of their own heartaches, it helped add to the story, especially when John tries out for the elite counterterrorism Hostage Rescue Team. Jessica was our perfect heroine, who being a woman, had it harder to prove her worth as a smart savvy kick-ass agent. John, having been an army ranger before signing up for the FBI, was not only tough, but was also a hot hunk. I loved everything about them both, as they were super great characters that Julie James always seems to give us.

From the moment I started to read this book, I could feel my happiness, as I thoroughly enjoyed the entire book. So many romances are about those in their twenties; when it comes to reading about two people successful in their lives, and in their thirties, beyond the angst of those just starting out…no one does it better then Julie James. I love her stories; her awesome couples; the fun & sexy romances, which you just can’t get enough of. I strongly suggest you read The Thing about Love, and if you have not read Julie James, what are you waiting for?

FBI Special Agent John Shepherd returns home to Chicago after an undercover mission in Detroit for the organised crime squad went on a little too long. Eager to make things up to his long-suffering girl-friend Alicia he arrives home early only to find her in bed with another man! Seriously annoyed with himself (and her, naturally) he decides to try our for the elite FBI Hostage Rescue Team (HRT for short), something he has been approached about on an annual basis for some years but had always put off due to work or family or love commitments.

FBI Special Agent Jessica Harlow was based in Los Angeles on the public corruption squad until her marriage to a famous film director broke down. Now she is relocating back to her home town of Chicago.

Whilst John awaits the results of his HRT try-out the Special Agent in Charge Nick McCall makes the decision not to put him on any long-term assignments as he could be off to New Operator Training School within a few months if he makes the selection. The obvious choice would be to pair John up with the new agent on a short-term operation for the Jacksonville office which, coincidentally, has just requested two shady Chicago private equity investor types to assist in a sting on the local mayor who is taking kick-backs for planning and zoning favours.

The only problem is, John and Jessica know each other. They underwent FBI training together and were mortal enemies - how will they ever manage to work together?

This is a classic He Said/ She Said story AND an attraction of opposites. Jessica entered the FBI as a lawyer. At five foot four she is short and her fighting and shooting skills were less developed than her classmates although her interview skills were exemplary. John, on the other hand, cam into the FBI from the Rangers, so he was top of the class for physical agility and shooting, but he struggled in the more intellectual and softer skills. From the very first day they antagonised each other. Or did they?

I liked this but I didn't love it. I think I wanted more snarky banter and oneupmanship between John and Jessica. Hurrah that they were being professional and getting the job done but I felt they fell into bed too easily.

I know that this book took a long time to get published, whether that was the choice of the publisher or because the book wasn't going to plan I don't know. Maybe I am feeling a bit meh about the book because I have waited so long to read it? But I just had the feeling that I had read it all before (although not literally).

Not my favourite Julie James.

Rivals at FBI Training Camp 6 years ago, John and Jessica didn't get along. They happily went their separate ways until now, when they have been selected to be partners on an undercover op. Even though they irritate each other, their chemistry is off the charts so it's only a matter of time before their professionalism turns personal. Enjoyable plot, sexual tension, and romance make this a must read!

Another great book from Julie James!! I have read every book in this series and have never been disappointed! Her characters are wonderful and the storylines are engaging. I can never put down one of her books!