So after a frustrating last romance I needed a palate cleanser. Something that didn’t make me think, that was literally a book version of a cheesy romantic comedy. Ms. Julie James, ladies and gentlemen, author of the good to very good mindless candy that is her FBI/US Attorneys series. I’ve read a couple in the series (never in order), so when one pops up on sale I’ll grab it.
Special Agent Vaughn Roberts is a fancy FBI undercover guy working “white collar” crimes. Sidney Sinclair is running a private equity firm. They meet when he spots her on a bad date, and hits on her after the bad date leaves. She rejects him in hand, but wait! Turns out their siblings are getting married (and secretly pregnant). Shenanigans obviously ensure.
I just finished it last night, and I already have trouble remembering the particulars. But that’s okay, because I enjoyed it during for the most part. Sidney and Vaughn have some good banter, pretty decent sex, and a couple of “awww” moments at the end as everything works out. I really enjoyed also, that when they go shopping Vaughn gets a makeover-ish moment, instead of Sidney. Always gotta enjoy flipping around some gender rolls. Also that both of them are good at their jobs and ambitious as all get out. And both find that attractive. Again, always appreciate a hero who can happily take a confident heroine.
On the downside the characters are pretty, painfully cookie cutter. Vaughn says things about how men never talk about their feelings, blah blah blah. He’s a “man’s man”. And can we just stop with this stereotype? All people, even the most “manly” can talk about their feelings if they want to. The whole grunting to communicate idea can die now. I’m married to a “manly man”, and he can regularly talk about his feelings. Better than me. Let’s just let this one go.
So this one was a refreshing win. I won’t remember it in a month, but that’s okay. That’s what this series is for. They’re light fluff that are relaxing, require zero thought, and don’t clog up my brain for years to come with details.
This is my current reading effort. I’m not that far in and my leeriness of Wall Street in conjunction with the impending Cheeto Voldemort Deregulation Nation presidency means I am giving the heroine’s profession major side eye.
I picked this up recently too. I feel like Julie James is the contemporary equivalent of Mary Balogh: I’ll rarely be wowed (though it’s possible), but I also won’t be terribly disappointed. Good to know she’s holding to form.
James isn’t as good as Balogh, I think. Balogh manages more substance as a rule and has more heft to her stories overall. Plus FLAVIAN.
I liked Julie James’s first couple of books, but all the recent ones just run together. All I remember about this one was thinking that not all side characters (Vaughn) need a standalone story.
You’ve gotta love a good sorbet between heavy courses.