Thursday 8 August 2013

Review: About That Night by Julie James

About That Night (FBI / US Attorney, #3)
About That Night by Julie James
Narrated by Karen White
Publisher: Berkley/Tantor Media
Publication date: September 17th 2012
My rating: 3.5 stars 




He's Playing Games

Though Rylann Pierce tried to fight the sparks she felt for billionaire heir Kyle Rhodes the night they met, their sizzling chemistry was undeniable. But after being stood up on their first date, Rylann never expected to see him again. So when she finds herself face-to-face with Kyle in a courthouse nine years later, she's stunned. More troubling to the beautiful assistant U.S. attorney is that she's still wildly attracted to him.

But She's Making The Rules

Just released from prison, Kyle Rhodes isn't thrilled to be the star witness in a high-profile criminal case—but when Rylann comes knocking at his door, he finds she may be the one lawyer he can't say no to. Still as gorgeous and sharp-tongued as ever, she lays down the law: she doesn't mix business with pleasure. But Kyle won't give up on something he wants—and what he wants is the one woman he's never forgotten.

My Thoughts:
When I think of a classy adult romance, Julie James always comes to mind.  I loved the first two of the FBI /US Attorney series, and for the most part I enjoyed this one as well. 

Rylann Pierce is a US Assistant Attorney just moved from San Francisco to Chicago back to her roots after a breakup.  One of her first cases is a “time-served” early release case of Kyle Rhodes, “the Twitter Terrorist.”  This is a little awkward because it just so happens that nine years ago Rylann and Kyle shared a few passionate kisses in college, but lost track of each other after a family tragedy got in the way. Neither one forgot the other, but they never thought they’d cross paths again.  Fate had other plans.

Kyle Rhodes, a computer genius and billionaire, has just been released after an agreement orchestrated by his sister, Jordan, and her FBI boyfriend (we had their story in the previous novel).  He drunkenly hacked into Twitter and shut the site down after a very public breakup.  Very stupid move over a girl he barely cared about, but he paid dearly.  Imagine his surprise when he lays eyes on a sassy brunette he let get away.  Now that Rylann is on his radar again he can’t get her out of his mind.  A case brings them back together, but complications arise from their situation; Kyle was convicted in a highly publicized trial by the very office Rylann now works for and a relationship could call question to her position. 

I really enjoyed Kyle and Rylann’s relationship. It’s grown up, without frustrating drama and incredibly sweet. They shared sizzling scenes filled with chemistry and swoon.  As I said, I’m a fan of Julie James and her classy romances, but this one seemed to lack the usual spark.  First of all, we only get Kyle and Rylann together for a snippet in the beginning and then for what felt like half* of the story they’re off living their own lives on different paths. Also, in each of the two previous stories there was a danger and suspense element that lent excitement to the story.  About That Night did not have that.  There is no underlying threat or mystery to solve driving the plot. 

I “read” the audio-version of About That Night.  The narration took me a while to get into because of the narrator’s style of delivery.  I’m not sure how to describe it other than there was pausing throughout the delivery that I thought was a little much.  I did get used to it eventually, but I’d listen to a sample of this story before I bought it just to see if it works for you.

 Favorite quotes:

“I don’t mind hot and spicy. Actually find that appealing in a girl … And chicken wings.”
Rylann turned her head and stared at him. “Did you really just compare me to chicken wings?”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing. Chicken wings are the bomb.”

“You came along and changed everything. I don’t want to be some guy you’re fooling around with anymore, Rylann. I want to be with you all the way.”

*It’s hard to determine if it was actually half of the story because I was listening to the audio-version.





 

20 comments:

YA Anonymous said...

Rach! I liked this one but I thought it lacked the spark of the first two books too. Maybe it was a bit of fatigue because the books are similar? I got Book 4 of this series right when it came out but held off on reading it until a month ago. I actually ended up really liking it and we get to catch up on a lot of the characters from Books 1-3. Hope you give it a shot!

-Maggie

Melanie said...

I'm glad you enjoyed this one, Rachel, I won't be reading this but I'm glad the romance worked!

Lovely review, hon! <33

Unknown said...

Oooooh sounds fab! I think I'd have better luck with a physical copy though, not sure why but I don't get on very well with audiobooks :S
Great review and I'm glad you liked it despite the narrator's style :)

Melissa (i swim for oceans) said...

I haven't read this series at all, and I'm not sure it would work for me if there's no undercurrent of mystery or deception. That's what keeps me going at night haha but seriously, though the romance sounds pretty dang lovely, I doubt this one's for me. Love your take on it though, Rachel! Great review :)

Mary @ BookSwarm said...

I really enjoy Julie James's stories -- they're well-written, have strong and interesting characters, and are definitely classy. This one sounds like it definitely follows that pattern.

Keertana said...

I agree, Rachel - I thought this lacked a certain spark. I can't help but enjoy these books, but none of them have compared to the first one for me. And I still need to finish the second..eventually! Great review, dear!

Anonymous said...

I've read the first book in this series and I remember loving it! The romance was perfect in it.
I've been meaning to get back to the series, but it keeps slipping off my mind.
It's a shame that this one lacked the spark that the previous books in the series had. The romance does seem really sweet though.
Great review, Rachel! :)

Tanja - Tanychy said...

I'm not really fond of this genre but it really seems interesting. I mean it has to be with such plot and great characters. Too bad it missed mystery, but I'm glad you enjoyed it overall. Great review Rachel :)

Jenny said...

I remember being SUPER excited for Kyle's story when I read the other books Rachel, so I'm a little bummed that this couple is apart doing their own thing for so much of the story. When I pick up a romance, I want it to be all tension and banter and sexy times:) Still, I do love Julie James and I've been madly in love with Kyle for a while, so I think I'll still read this one!

Oh, and to answer your question - No, I don't love the Elder Races novels as much as the Fever series, but they're REALLY good. You'd like Dragos. Oh yes.

brandileigh2003 said...

Classy with a fun relationship to watch grow sound great

Unknown said...

Love this series! Glad you liked this one, Rachel. I love the hot geek character.

Siiri said...

A classy adult novel? What is that? :D Are there any? Nowadays there're steamy, steamy and once again--steamy adult novels. Most of them are at least. Chemistry, sweet and swoon? You got me, girl! I didn't even know about this series *_* Sucks that it didn't live up to the previous installments, but I'm glad to know that you were still able to enjoy yourself:) YAYY!!

Jen (Books and Other Happy Ever Afters) said...

I really need to read a Julie James novel! The romance sounds just like the type that I like with a strong sizzling chemistry and lots of drama. I think I'm going to pick up the book version of this one, since I have to like an audio a LOT to enjoy the book, too. Lovely review!

Rachel said...

I like dramatic pauses like in many of Pay It Forward scenes, but when I listen to books I would prefer a consistent flow. Fantastic review Rachel! I like suspense too so I probably would be bothered by that too.

MåїÐ»-(¯`v´¯)-» said...

I love this series and really enjoyed this addition to it. I didn't have the audio version, so its too bad about the narration. But, I really enjoyed Rylann and Kyle's relationship too. And I was a little bummed about the absence of the whole danger/mystery element, but Julie made it work in the best possible way. I'm glad you still enjoyed this overall, Rachel! :D Great review!

~ Maida
Literary Love Affair 

Unknown said...

Oh, I've always heard good things about Julie James's books! I think I even met her at RT, very nice lady. I will definitely check this series out, but I think I'll go for a book over audio.
Great review, Rachel!

Henrietta @ Leisure Reads said...

Thanks for sharing this classy adult romance. Kyle sounds really cool, and I like the quote re: chicken wings :)

Sam (Realm of Fiction) said...

I'm not sure if this is my sort of book, but I'm glad to hear that the romance is sweet and without any frustrating drama, even if it was lacking a spark. Perhaps it was just the audiobook narrator? It's hard to tell sometimes. Anyway, great review! I'm glad you mostly enjoyed it. :)

Krazzyme(Young Readers) said...

Awww... the quotes are so amazing. He shut down twitter *woah* definitely intrigued

Unknown said...

This had me at FBI, jail, stood-up date, and billionaire. Oh! And it's a series! I love that he shut down Twitter and the quotes are intriguing! Thanks for the great review, Rachel!

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