Julie James has given us such thriving fun stories, the bar is set really really high at this point in the series. Jessica and John were adorable but the sizzle wasn't the same as seen between previous characters. Sweet and fluffy but missing some more sass from the other stories.

As much as I'm enjoying this series, I think listening to them back to back, and that they are all enemies to lovers tropes, has affected my enjoyment of this book. It was still good but I enjoyed the others more.

Part of the problem was that the case Jessica and John was working on together was not that exciting and it's a big part of the story. Another part was the romance was a very small part of the book.

The writing is still great and the narrator was still fantastic. I would suggest reading a few books in between the series just because the enemies to lovers trope is in every book. I was hoping for something a little different by this point.

this book reminded me of alex parrish and ryan booth from the tv show quantico and further reminded me how upsetting it is that they didn’t end up together in the end (sorry for the spoiler).

overall, i enjoyed this book. i felt that it was a bit slow at times and wish the undercover op was more exciting. also had to remove a star for mmc being named john. boring!

I was so excited to see this in a box of books I won from a Berkley Instagram giveaway!! I'm surprised I managed to make the reading last as long as I did, but I'm glad I savored it. I think reading in smaller chunks helps me to remember the story and absorb it better.

Anyway, this is just as amazing and wonderful and well-written as I've come to expect from James. Snappy, funny dialogue? Check. Smart heroine who is really good at her job and doesn't apologize for it? Check. Hero who doesn't have a problem with smart women, and isn't too emotionally constipated? Check. Good Book Noise throughout? Check!

Jessica and John met at the FBI training academy six years before, and each has a slightly different memory of their time there. The way they each interpreted the others actions felt very true to their characters, and how women and men in general see the same situation in a different light. After the academy they each went their separate ways, had some personal ups and downs, and now find themselves working an investigation together in their hometown of Chicago.

Side note - James lives in Chicago and does a good job at describing the city in a way that makes you feel like you know it too. And it's clear she keeps up on the restaurant/bar scene, so her characters can go to places that feel authentic to their personalities.

Over the course of their undercover work, Jessica and John put aside their initial hostility and start to enjoy each other's company. I liked that the discussion of their academy days took place pretty early on, so their could correct assumptions about each other. It's a slow transition from not-quite-enemies, to co-workers, to people who suddenly realize that this feeling might be love. I think this is the slowest burn relationship in any of James' books, but it works well here. Both Jessica and John have just gotten out of a relationship that ended badly, and are taking their time to focus on career and life changes. If they'd jumped into bed right away, I don't think their relationship would have lasted.

You definitely do not have to have read any of the other books in this loosely-connected series to be able to enjoy this story. I only spotted one brief cameo from a previous character, and it's only a sentence or two in passing.

I received an ARC of this book from Berkley Publishing Group via a Goodreads Giveaway, which in and of itself is the coolest thing ever. I never win anything. I also haven't read a paperback book in YEARS. It was nice to have that experience again, but the story itself wasn't really what I was expecting. It was enjoyable though, so I'm giving it 3.5 stars.

'What was it missing?' you may wonder. It absolutely had James' patented career-oriented, strong female lead; but this one seemed to lack the "sass" that I love about James' heroines. For some reason, maybe it was all the FBI background details, the banter in this book felt forced.

I liked both leads. John was the All-American, can do everything Army Ranger turned FBI Agent. That's pretty fascinating. While lawyer turned FBI Agent Jessica was also used to being the best at everything. Their relationship seemed realistic enough, and yet I do not feel like I was immersed in it the same as I have been for other characters of James' novels (i.e. Jack and Cameron or Nick and Jordan).

I think the book also lacked some secondary character development. We learned little about John's family (outside of his mom having passed - sad) and even less about Jessica's. We also didn't get much about the Jacksonville agents John and Jessica worked with. In fact the secondary character we learned most about was the FBI. And while that was interesting, and clearly presented as well researched, it wasn't really necessary either.

At the end of the day this is a contemporary romance novel and the romance fell short for me. I did appreciate that I had not anticipated the main case within the story ending in the manner that it did. I also loved the wrap up of the book - "Your version or mine."

Since this wasn't one of the FBI/US Attorney series, I'll be interested to see if there is a sequel to this book or if it will stand alone. If there is a sequel, it should benefit greatly from this first book setting the stage, so to speak.

Really enjoyed this story!!

Coffee dates with The Thing About Love

• First Date: We first meet smexy, undercover agent John Harlow on his flight back to Chicago. He has just finished an undercover stint in Detroit and is looking to mend things with his girlfriend of two years. Only he comes home to find she's been getting along just fine without him. Agent Jessica Harlow is just returning to the windy city after transferring from the LA office. After her divorce, it seemed like the perfect time to head home. John and Jessica have a competitive, somewhat snarky history together. They trained together at Quantico so imagine their surprise when they are paired up to work an undercover stint in Florida. I am all in. I like both characters, from the competitiveness to the underlying sexual tension.



• Second Date: James gave us chapter flashbacks from each character's time at Quantico giving us a sense of their shared history and thoughts. It was nice getting an insider look at their initial interactions, and it helped add depth, humor, and understanding as these two engaged. I loved the competitiveness, the tension, admiration, and banter.  It gave the romance a light, fun, feel. Because John is waiting to hear if he is accepted by the elite Hostage Resue Team, their building partnership, friendship, and tantalizing chemistry didn't have the pressures of what comes next. Of course, their romance was predictable, but James kept me reading into the wee hours. Secondary characters from Jessica's siblings and bestie to John's brother and friends added humor as they gently nudge each to question their actions and feelings.



• Third Date: I enjoyed John and Jessica's romance, their time partnered undercover and interactions with their friends and family. Both find themselves feeling more and having doubts as John prepares to depart for Virginia. I kept waiting for one to declare their feelings. James provided some twists, and unexpected happens involving the case. I loved that the tale was drama free even if I wanted them both just to stop, analyze and admit this was more than a fling. You think two FBI agents would realize they were smitten? It was lovely seeing them fall and James gave me lots of swoony and awe moments. I loved the ending and even had a good laugh with the epilogue the author provided.

Copy provided by publisher. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer