Friday, April 19, 2013

Review -- Love Irresistibly

Love Irresistibly
FBI/U.S. Attorney – Book 4
By Julie James
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: April 2, 2013
 
 









Ladies and gentleman, Julie James has done it again! Love Irresistibly is another winner and has joined Julie’s other books on my keeper shelves. As I’ve mentioned before in a previous review, I don’t believe Ms. James could write a bad book if she tried. Her storylines are always fresh and well-researched, her characters are bright and extremely likable, and the tension between the leads is smokin’. Her heroes are confident and sexy and her heroines are the kind of gals you could see yourself hanging out with or meeting for coffee…kind of like Julie, herself. J 

Readers met Cade Morgan in the previous book in the series, About That Night, when he was introduced as the Assistant U.S. Attorney who prosecuted and locked up the illustrious Twitter Terrorist. Of course, when Kyle Rhodes—said Twitter Terrorist—helped the U.S. Attorney’s office apprehend a murderer, the situation was a bit awkward for Cade, though he was appreciative of Kyle’s assistance. In Love Irresistibly, Cade is after a dirty politician and other corrupt Chicago jetsetters, and this time he needs the help of Brooke Parker. 

Brooke has worked her butt off to get to the prestigious position of general counsel for Sterling Restaurants. The only drawback is that she works a lot and has little time to date…which explains why her romantic relationships usually last only a few months. But she loves her job and does it extremely well. When Cade Morgan walks into her office asking for her help in order to bug a table at one of Sterling’s upscale restaurants, Brooke is skeptical as she is responsible for protecting Sterling’s interests. She wants details, but there are some that Cade cannot divulge due to the sensitive nature of the case. That’s when some sparks fly.
 

“Hmm.” He stretched out in the chair, looking effortlessly handsome and every inch the successful trial lawyer in his tailored navy pinstripe suit. “Now, normally, this would be the point when I’d have to give you the tough-guy speech about how, if you were to reveal to anyone the confidential nature of the information I’m about to give you, you could be charged with obstruction of justice and face a possible felony conviction and imprisonment.” He flashed her a dashing grin. “Luckily, though, since you’re a lawyer and obviously know that already, we can skip over the tough-guy stuff. Which is nice, because that part of the conversation can get really awkward.” 

 

He’d come her, to her office, to ask for her help. Now he was threatening her with obstruction of justice charges—and most annoyingly, he was doing it with a smile. 

So she returned the favor. “That is nice, Mr. Morgan. Because in response to your tough-guy speech, I, in turn, would’ve had to give you my tough-girl speech, about where, exactly, federal prosecutors who come to my office looking for assistance can stick their obstruction of justice threats.” She smiled ever so charmingly. “So I’m glad we were able to sidestep that whole ugly business. Whew.”
 

Whew is right! Brooke gives as good as she gets, and where that typically drives other men away, Cade is drawn to her and wants to know just what makes her tick. He can relate to her workaholic nature as he is very much the same in regards to his job. He hasn’t had much luck in the dating department either, particularly because he doesn’t allow women to get to know him—the real him, deep down inside. As he tells it: “It’s all right there on the surface. What you see is what you get.”  It was nice to watch him slowly allow not only Brooke in, but also the teenage brother he didn’t know about. Brooke doesn’t keep up with football, so it surprises her when her best friend Ford and his buddies all know who Cade Morgan—Northwestern University’s Rose Bowl star—is. One of my favorite lines from the book comes from the part where her friends meet Cade.
 

Unfortunately, she wasn’t going to get a word in edgewise with him right then, seeing how her friends were fawning over him like twelve-year-old girls who’d scored backstage passes to a Justin Bieber concert.
 

Julie James turns up the heat with the love scenes in this book and my, oh my, they are super sexy. Cade is super sexy. He is one of the hottest heroes I’ve read in a while—completely confident without coming across as arrogant. Absolutely delicious. 

I highly recommend Love Irresistibly to any and all lovers of contemporary romance. It is brilliantly-written book that is a must-read! And if you haven’t yet discovered the talent of Julie James—who is one of my select “go to” contemporary authors—please do yourself a favor and pick up her books! 

Because I love Julie’s books SO much and am in the giving mood, I would love to give away a copy of the second book in the series, A Lot Like Love, which features scrumptious FBI agent Nick McCall. So tell me, who is your favorite contemporary romance hero and what book is he from? Also, have you read Julie’s books? If so, which is your favorite? One random commenter will win a copy of A Lot Like Love by Julie James. (US addresses only, please)
 

 
~Andrea

33 comments:

  1. Cade was a great hero and Julie James has written some of my favorites including Jack from "Something About You." I wonder if Sam will ever get his own book, but I'm guessing the hero of the next book might be either Ford or Vaughn.

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    1. I love Jack and Nick, Jane. I am hoping for Vaughn's story next, but it could be Ford or Seth (Huxley) who are next. Any of them would be fine with me!

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  2. All Julie James books are my favorites! They're all wonderful. I think 2012's About that Night is my favorite...of course, that's the last one I've read. (Love Irresistibly is high on my TBR list.) I think her first book, Just the Sexiest Man Alive, would make such a good movie; I wish some clever studio would pick it up!

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    1. LSUReader, A LOT LIKE LOVE is my all-time JJ favorite, though ALL of her books are terrific and I believe they all would make great movies. :)

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  3. I haven't read any of her books yet. However, your 5 star rating definitely caught my eye. I will purchase some of her books soon!

    Favorite romance hero- Wow it's difficult to pick only one. Case Longren in Sharon Sala's Always a Lady He stands by her even though physically she is no longer beautiful. He sees inside her heart and soul and treasures her.

    I also liked Tate Rutledge in Sandra Brown's Mirror Image.

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    1. Laurie, you simply MUST read Jule James's books. I promise you will not be disappointed!

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  4. It IS so difficult to pick just one. I love all of Julie's heros and am partial to heroes named Nick and Jack.

    Here are a few of my favorites: Jackson from Jackson Rule - Sharon Sala,
    Nick from Pink Moon - Stef Ann Holm
    Wyatt from The Summer of Two Wishes - Julia London.

    I could go on and on.

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    1. "It IS so difficult to pick just one. I love all of Julie's heros and am partial to heroes named Nick and Jack."

      I know, right!? I love Jack and Nick, too. Just wait until you read Cade's book. :)

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  5. Meant to sign in as google. That is me with favs as Jackson Rule, Nick from Pink Moon, etc.

    Pat L.

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  6. What a tough question. I have several favorites - but Jack from Virgin River, and even Preacher - not your typical romance hero type, but gooshy on the inside and Alex from Susan Mallery's Tempting also. Really almost anyone from Susan Mallery, Rachel Gibson, Julie James of course, Robin Carr, SEP and Toni Blake. And speaking of Toni, loved the hero from The Red Diary - Nick Armstrong (See, I like Nicks and Jacks too - lol).

    An leaving a lot out.

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    1. LOL! I see a pattern with the name Jack and Nick.... ;-)

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  7. I've not read Julie's books, but I am intrigued. Will certainly put them on my reading list.

    Smiles,

    Linda Joyce

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    1. Hi, Linda! I can't recommend Julie's books enough. They are THAT good!

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  8. Great review, Andrea! I told you Love Irresistibly was another winner. LOL I've been a Julie James fan since Just the Sexiest Man Alive. I've loved them all, but if pushed to choose a favorite, I'd go with Something About You. It's one I always mention when people talk about authors who excel at creating sexual tension.

    I can't name one favorite contemporary author. In addition to Julie James, I'll add Molly O'Keefe, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Kristan Higgins, Rachel Gibson, Meg Benjamin, Jill Shalvis, and Shannon Stacey to the list plus long-time favorites like Nora Roberts and Susan Mallery. Kathleen Gilles Seidel hasn't had a new one out in ages, but I reread her books regularly. And then there are the authors of small-town romances,which are a separate category for me, with writers like Robyn Carr, Debbie Macomber, Jodi Thomas, Brenda Novak, Roxanne St. Claire, Jo Ann Ross, Emily March, RaeAnne Thane, Sherryl Woods, Mariah Stewart, and others. Plus my never-miss category authors such as Sarah Mayberry, Karina Bliss, Janice Kay Johnson, Beth Andrews, Ellen Hartman, and others. These are just my autobuys.

    My favorite contemporary hero is a three-way tie between Quinn Hunter in Till the Stars Fall by Kathleen Gilles Seidel, Murphy Muldoon in Born in Shame by Nora Roberts, and Walt Arneson in Summer in Sonoma by Robyn Carr--betas every one. ;)

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    1. You were so right, Janga! :) With as many romances a we all read, it IS hard to narrow it down to one! Lol

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  9. Great review, Andrea! I love Julie's books and am looking forward to reading this one once life settles down a bit.

    I have a lot of contemporary hero favorites but the one that immediately comes to mind is Jack from Robyn Carr's Virgin River. I do love that man! ♥

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  10. I'm afraid I haven't read her as yet. I do tend to read historicals on my tbr pile first but there are some great contemporary authors out there and I would have to say Jill Shalvis is one of my favorites.

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    1. Catslady, Jill Shalvis is one of my favorite contemporary authors, too. :)

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  11. I agree with the review. This was a terrific book. Besides the lead characters, Julie James writes the best secondary characters around. I especially liked the scenes between Cade and Zach.

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    1. She really does, Kim. I loved getting to know Ford, Vaughn, and Zach. :)

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  12. Andrea, Julie James wasn't on my radar before, but she is now. Thanks for the great review!

    Favorite contemporary romance hero, eh? That's a toughie, but I guess I'll go with Cameron Quinn, hero of Sea Swept, the first book in Nora Roberts' Chesapeake quartet. He's such a softie under his tough-guy exterior, and he's great--if reluctantly so--with Seth, the boy who ties the series together.

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    1. I agree, Nora writes some GREAT heroes, Nancy. And I highly recommend Julie's books. You won't be disappointed!

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  13. In the past I've been a reader of either Regency Historicals or romantic suspense, so I am just now venturing into reading contemporaries and don't have a fave hero or author of contemporaries. And no, I haven't read anything by Julie James, but I definitely intend to now after reading this review blog. Her combo of romance and FBI stories sound intriguing. I'm so glad I read this book review today! jdh2690@gmail.com

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    1. I'm glad you did, too, Janice! I hope you enjoy your venture into contemporary romance and that you'll give Julie's books a try. :)

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  14. I haven't read Julie's books yet, but I will, for sure! It is hard to pick a favorite contemporary romance hero, since I fall in love with them all as I read the books! How about Brady from Animal Magnetism by Jill Shalvis? Love that guy!

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    1. Brady is a great choice, Sharlene! I love that book. :)

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  15. I've read all Julie's stories and it is frustrating that she only writes one a year. This looks like another great story by her. I don't really have a favorite hero since I am usually enjoying the story I am reading at the moment.

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    1. I wish we got more than one JJ book a year, too, Maureen. Maybe someday!

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  16. Alas, I have not yet read Julie James' books, but I have several of them and need to make time to get to them. My favorite contemporary hero is Cal Morrissey from Jennifer Crusie's BET ME. I read it al least once a year!

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    1. Flora, you REALLY need to read Julie's books! :)

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  17. Cain Black from The Summer He Came Home by Julianna Stone is my favorite hero! I don't know if I've read a Julie James book or not - I'd have to consult my pages long book read list - and I can't do that right now cause I'm at work!!! I'd love to be entered to win this one, cause it sounds super good. Thanks for the chance.

    mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

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