I think I've been waiting for this story from Julie James ever since loving FBI Special Agent Nick McCall and the undercover op in A LOT LIKE LOVE...

Here, the hero and heroine are both FBI undercover agents (yesssss!), and as a special bonus, they have an antagonistic past from their Academy days. James has a particular talent writing this trope, where the lines between hate, lust, grudging respect, and a slow-burn romance deliciously blur, and I thought it was particularly well done and believable in The Thing About Love.

I do think readers may need to have more than a passing interest in FBI special agents and undercover work in particular to stick with this story, though, especially early on. There are a lot of details about the training and inner workings of an undercover investigation, as well as the life and work of an FBI agent. I, personally, am fascinated by this, so the extra exposition didn't bother me. In fact, I really enjoyed the balance between the work narrative and romance; however, I can see how some readers might get antsy and find the early pacing too slow, especially taking into account all of the backstory from John and Jessica's Academy days that was also required for the story's setup.

Loyal fans of James's FBI/US Attorney series will enjoy the brief cameos included in this one, and rest assured, even though John and Jessica's romance is slow to develop, it eventually burns nice and hot.

RATING: B+ (4½ stars)

FBI agent Jessica Harlow transfered from the L.A. office to the Chicago office when she divorced her husband. FBI agent John Shepherd just finished an undercover assignment in Detroit. They are assigned to work together on an undercover assignment in Florida to trap a crooked politician. But they have a past. Their training in Quantico didn't exactly put them in the best friends category. You might say "professional nemesis" is a better title.

Why I started this book: I was eager to get my hands on it, I loved James's previous books.

Why I finished it: Fun read, I enjoyed the "her side"/"his side" of the meet cute. Strong characters and believable action.

It’s actually been a loooong while since I’d read a Julie James book, but something about this one sparked my interest, so I picked it up. Good choice, Past Jen!

Jessica Harlow (which, incidentally, is a super cool name for a heroine, no?) recently transferred to the Chicago FBI office. Her first case is to go undercover posing as an investor to catch a corrupt politician. The problem is, she’s paired with John Shepherd, her arch rival from the FBI Academy. John has been groomed to join the ultra-elite Hostage Rescue Team since he was first recruited to the FBI, but he’s been dragging his feet on applying. When his current relationship blows up at the start of the book, he decides it’s time to finally to do what he was groomed for and sign up for HRT. Jessica wants her first case in the new office to be a success to impress her new colleagues, and John wants to go out with a win. The problem is, neither one can stand the other. They have to figure out how to put aside their differences, and a pesky case of attraction, to get the job done.

I really loved the “he said, she said” premise of the conflict in this book. While Jessica and John share a history, they definitely did NOT experience that history in the same way! Hearing them each tell their own version of their time at the Academy was funny and very illuminating. Jessica obviously had a bit of a chip on her shoulder, but it felt very justified because she was a woman in a world dominated by hot shot men. She had to be tough, and it’s easy to see how that would make her seem standoffish and unapproachable. John has a very different take on the situation, and to him he was just trying to be friendly while she was the one being condescending. For example, both Jessica and John recall an incident from their very first meeting, where John makes a jokey comment and winks at Jessica. He meant it as a friendly, welcoming introduction, with no other agenda. She interpreted it as flirting and patronizing her. Yes, Jessica seems harsh in that scene, but to me it was such a clear example of how a man might not even consider that a gesture like a wink could seem off putting to a woman used to dealing with misogyny and harassment. For his part, John tries to be open and friendly with Jessica, until she starts obviously competing with him, which triggers his own insecurities about being all brawn and no brain. Both of them had perfectly understandable interpretations of the past, and both of them were very wrong about the other.

As usual, James does a wonderful job making the investigation details seem realistic. Jessica and John are both scarily good at their jobs, and both act like actual investigators would act (or at least how I imagine they would act!). While there’s a little bit of light action at the end, for the most part this book is all about the well-planned white collar investigation, not shoot-em-up high stakes battles. What James does so well, though, is blend the competent job performance and the intriguing personal relationship into an engaging story you want to keep reading.

There were a few missteps, though. First, I felt like the conflict with John’s friends and the kerfuffle over his girlfriend never really went anywhere. There was never any real resolution there, so I didn't quite understand the point. Also, John leaving to do HRT seemed a little forced. I mean, that was sort of the point because he clearly was clearly conflicted, but I felt like his conflict went on a little too long. I also wanted Jessica to be more honest with John. Some of the end drama would have been resolved by both John and Jessica just having a solid conversation earlier, instead of dragging out the angst.

Still, this story had a unique perspective and characters I liked getting to know.

Grade: 4 out of 5

​​​​​I have always wanted to read a book by JULIE JAMES but never got around to it. Then I got lucky, and received a copy of THE THING ABOUT LOVE to review. Wow, what an enthralling novel. This book is so good, I read it from cover to cover in only a couple of days. The characters are well-convinced, the plot is exciting, and the love story is seductive.

FBI agents Jessica Harlow and John Shepherd attended academy training together. During that time, they were very competitive and rubbed each other the wrong way. In fact, they could not wait to graduate and end their professional relationship. Now it is six years later, and Jessica and John are both based out of the Chicago office. Much to their dismay, they are partnered up, and assigned to an undercover sting operation in Jacksonville, Florida. Spending time together in the sunshine state fuels their feelings for each other, and over a very short period of time they fall in love. However, due to John's promotion and transfer to Quantico, a future may not be possible.

This is both an angsty and passionate love story. The author perfectly combines drama and seduction into this fast-paced romantic read. I immediately connected with both Jessica and John, and I cheered them on as they discovered their feelings for one another. I loved learning about the intricacies of being an FBI agent, and how committed an agent has to be in order to be successful. Overall, this is a terrific book with a happy ending that will leave a smile on your face.

Complimentary copy provided by Romance Junkies.

A captivating story of two undercover FBI agents assigned to work on a case together. Sparks that have been simmering for years begin to catch fire. A great read.

Julie James is a new-to-me author and I can not wait to see what else she has in store. Novel was dripping with sweet romance and humor that I enjoyed.

I rarely ever read straight contemporary romance anymore, but I can’t resist the temptation of a new Julie James novel-- she and Jill Shalvis are my go-to authors when I need a mindless, funny, feel-good read to balance out all the dark romantic suspense. THE THING ABOUT LOVE is Ms. James’ ninth book (seventh in the loosely connected FBI/US Attorney series), and delivers everything readers have come to expect from a Julie James novel. New to her work? Jump right into THE THING ABOUT LOVE without any qualms, then explore her backlist-- ‘series’ just indicates that her books exist in the same environment (the Chicago law enforcement and legal community) with a shared timeline. THE THING ABOUT LOVE offers nothing novel in terms of plot--two hotshot undercover FBI agents with a misguided rivalry dating back to their training days at the Academy 6 years ago who fall in love whilst on assignment-- and, frankly, her books all pretty much read the same… but Ms. James is just so good at writing three-dimensional, relatable characters you can easily envision sitting down for a beer with and witty dialogue peppered with sassy zingers that you’ll find yourself flipping through the pages with a big grin on your face and laughing out loud. Even if feels like you’ve read this before, and the (not particularly exciting) setup takes up a large chunk of the book. THE THING ABOUT LOVE reads like the script of a big studio romcom-- if you’re in the mood for that, it will surely be enjoyable, but it is bound to disappoint anyone looking for an original or substantive read. In my case, I say Ms. James should continue doing what she does best-- with her books coming out every 12-24 months, I can turn off my brain and enjoy good sarcastic banter at least once during that time frame.

OMG!!!!!! Can Julie James please please please write another book for this series?!?!? But really, this book was so much fun! I stayed up all night reading it and cannot wait for the next in the series!

The antagonistic-lovers trope is Julie James’s calling card, I swear. And it’s done with quite a bit of aplomb in ‘The Thing About Love’ which is pretty much a solid, steady kind of offering that has been a long time in coming. Technically not quite part of the FBI series that James has gotten going, John Shepherd (this guy can easily be a main character from Lost or Stargate with a heroic name like that) and Jessica Harlow work perfectly fine on their own here as first entanglements bring them from oneupmanship to dislike and finally, to mutual attraction years later. The long break between books as well, helps in a way that make the story not feel like a retread, even if characters from her previous books do flit peripherally in and out as reminders of the lawyer/law-enforcement dynamic that has always defined this series.

The setup is painstakingly detailed, given the number of pages in this book, even though the research and writing feel like a police procedural at times, but by and large, the story somehow reads like a screenplay—written for readers, yet built for the big screen on Valentine’s day while newly-minted couples cozy up to John and Jessica’s slow burn and capitulation.

Despite starting out a little slowly, the delicious build gained momentum and not without several laugh-out-loud descriptions I’ll always come to associate with James’s brand of written romantic comedy. The peaks and troughs aren’t too sharp, and without the pile of angst or false levity that could accompany stories like these, James manages to keep the whole story buoyant and easy to read. I think what I really enjoyed was the fact that I didn’t quite know how things were going to progress—or at least work themselves out—despite being able to guess how the conflict was going to play out when both Jessica’s and John’s career paths looked as though they were moving in opposite directions. Yet both Jessica and John are great in their own way, with pasts they’d rather leave behind but still lacking those extremes that can make or break a character, which, in many ways, do make them quite likeable.

Definitely a way more light-hearted read (not that that’s a bad thing) for FBI-type romances, ‘The Thing about Love’ is an unexpected surprise and I daresay, quite worth the wait.

I enjoyed this book, but I didn't love it. The hero was kind of a jerk who didn't REALIZE how much of a jerk he was, and in the end gets away with it. I think it's particularly interesting to read as it explores sexism in the workplace. But like, it annoyed me that he didn't even think. "Hey, maybe her actions could be considered from this point of view rather than this point of view." You know, but I still liked it.

Julie James does it again! Her books never disappoint me. I have enjoyed the other books in the FBI/US Attorney Series, I can tell that James uses her knowledge of the legal system to hit just the right note in this series where it is believable and a satisfying read.

I like that FBI agents Jessica Harlow and John Shepherd didn't have an immediate romantic connection, and it took them several years to come back around to each other. Even once they did, it took spending time together and talking about their past animosity before the heat started to turn up.

It was also interesting that their lives didn't unfold in the way that they thought that they would, but they were happy with where they ended up. All in all, a very pleasurable read on a quiet weekend day. I can't wait for the next installment in the series.

Author Julie James really has a solid thing going with this group of urban professionals that pop in and out of each others' lives. It's fun to hear from protagonists of her past books, but I really enjoyed these two new characters.

Jessica and John's initial hostility toward each other was pretty fun, and James does a great job of unveiling their past history in a way that makes sense. I love the fact that we get to experience their initial meet-cute from both of their differing perspectives. It felt very authentic, the fact that they both came out of Quantico with major misconceptions about each other.

The plot was solid, and the heat is turned up to the max between these two.

Four solid stars.

*I received a review copy from the publisher/author via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*

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!

I am a fan of the FBI/US Attorney series, and was therefore, quite excited to read this book. Although this is not part of the FBI/USA series, it takes place in that world, and we had a few cameos from some of its inhabitants, which is always a thrill for me.
After losing his girlfriend, his apartment, and three of his friends in the span of three days, he probably would never be less attached to Chicago than he was right then.

Jessica returns to her hometown following her divorce, and on her first assignment, is reunited with her nemesis from Quantico, John. Both of them have their own version of their time at the Academy, but as their working relationship flourishes, so does their personal relationship.
suddenly her inner pragmatic voice - the one that had previously been telling her not to notice these things was holding up its hands in surrender.

These two were fantastic! Both were wounded from the betrayal of their former significant others, and were looking for a way to heal. Jessica's plan was to leave LA and start over in Chicago. John's plan was to leave Chicago and start over with the Hostage Rescue Team. They never anticipated they would be each others salve. This enemies to lovers story had me laughing and crying (happy tears, I swear). They had great banter, great chemistry, and John, John was everything. He was so much mushier than Jessica and I just could not get enough of him.
"..every operator has to be one hundred percent committed." He looked at her without hesitation. "I'm not there. Not when I think about everything you and I could have together."

I loved so many of the supporting characters too. Both Jessica and John have a world filled with fun and wonderful friends and family. I hope there will be more of these books, and perhaps, instead of the officemates, it may focus on their social circle, because there are stories there. I do suspect Jessica's best friend may get a storyline with one of John's co-workers, but I could be wrong.

Another thing I loved about this book, was how it brought me back to one of my favorite home towns: Jacksonville! I lived there for 6.5 years and loved every minute of it. I appreciated how James brought me to Jax Beach, PVB, San Marco, Riverside. What a lovely trip I had.

Overall: Fun enemies to lovers romance filled with great characters, great banter, and even suspense.

I really enjoyed this one! This was my first book by Julie James and it won't be the last. This was like a combination of The Hating Game and Jill Shalvis' Heartbreaker Bay series. The two main characters have a past that's not exactly warm and fuzzy and come back together six years later to work on an undercover case together. Loved the two MCs, the hate to love romance, the undercover scenes, and the pacing of the book. I can't wait to read more from this author!

I enjoyed this novel. The characters felt fleshed out and real and the novel was fun. I enjoyed the back and forth.

I have always been a fan of Julie James but this might be my favorite of her books. The chemistry between the two main characters was spot on, and the end of the book had me racing to finish, though I could easily read more about this pair. The flashbacks to when they first met were fun and the undercover scenes were always entertaining. I will definitely be reading this again.

Second chances are always fun. Throw in two stubborn people. Amazing.

I think that FBI/US Attorney fans are going to be very happy with this book. Not only do we get to revisit the Chicago office, we get a whole new couple to root for.
Six years ago, Jessica Harlow and John Shepherd were in the same training class and battled each other every step of the way. They parted thinking "good riddance." And never gave the other a thought as Jess moved to L.A. and assumed John was recruited into an elite team in D.C. But, after his mother's illness, John ended up home in Chicago. Too bad he just found out that his girlfriend of two years is cheating on him with one of his best friends. And found out in the worst way possible.
Jessi just went through a divorce and has moved back to Chicago to be closer to her family and to her best friend. She's a great undercover agent and isn't surprised to be picked for an elite op taking down a corrupt Floridian mayor. However, she is surprised to find out that her partner in the op is none other than her old buddy John.
We get to see both John and Jessica's versions of what happened six years ago which is pretty nice, to see where misunderstandings took place. And I liked that the two actually talked about their differences. There was a lot of angst and some Medium Misunderstandings at the end that were a little overdrawn but it was an overall nice story and regular James readers will be pleased. The tie-ins to previous books are incredibly light and this would work as a good stand alone for new readers as well.

Four stars
This book comes out April 18

John and Jessica first met at Quantico during their training at the FBI academy. Despite their mutual attraction, they were constantly competing and trying to outwit each other. Neither is sad to see the other go.

Six years later they are assigned as partners on an undercover sting. The old hostilities immediately resurface. Gradually as they work together each shares their perception from their time at Quantico. It becomes the ultimate he said, she said of their time together. But in hearing each other side of the story they gain a greater understanding of each other’s motivations. Soon these two strong, intelligent individuals are working together in a smooth professional partnership that turns into a hot, steamy, no strings relationship. It takes another separation to make them realize what they mean to each other.

This is another strong addition to Julie James’ FBI/US Attorney series. It has all the banter and wit that make these books fun. If you like the other books in the series, this one won’t disappoint.

*ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*