Review: Suddenly One Summer by Julie James

Suddenly One Summer by Julie James
Publisher: Jove
Publication date: June 2nd 2015
My rating:  4 stars 
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From the New York Times bestselling author of It Happened One Wedding comes a novel about a man and a woman whose summer is about to get very, very steamy…

Divorce lawyer Victoria Slade has seen enough unhappy endings to swear off marriage forever. That doesn't mean she's opposed to casual dating—just not with her cocky new neighbor, who is as gorgeous and tempting as he is off-limits. But once she agrees to take on his sister's case, she's as determined to win as ever—even if that means teaming up with Ford…

Investigative journalist Ford Dixon is bent on finding the man who got his sister pregnant and left her high and dry. He's willing to partner with Victoria, despite the fact that the beautiful brunette gets under his skin like no other woman. He might not be looking to settle down, but there's no denying the scorching attraction between them. Still, the more time he spends with Victoria, the more he realizes that the one woman as skeptical about love as he is might be the only woman he could really fall for…

My Thoughts:

Suddenly One Summer was a one of my favorite types of romances: hate that turns into begrudging like and admiration, eventually turning into unexpected love. With a lot of snarky, clever banter in between, of course!

The moment Ford and Victoria lock eyes from afar, it’s lust at first sight.  Unfortunately, their encounter is interrupted and the two go their separate ways, or so they think.  Unknown to either, Victoria is the new next-door neighbor to Ford, and the antics broadcast through thin walls has left less than a stellar impression on her. They get off to bad start when mistaken assumptions are made on both sides.  Being next door they have numerous opportunities to snark and snap at each other, dancing around an obvious attraction and making me laugh in the process.

When Ford’s sister, Nicole shows up crying with a small baby in tow, Victoria, a family law attorney, steps up and offers her services to help.  Working together to locate Nicole’s baby daddy, Ford witnesses the softer side of Victoria, glimpses the good, caring woman she is on the inside.  Victoria sees a sweet protective side to Ford, going all out to help his sister in need, and things begin to change and heat up between these two! 

Victoria was smart, successful, and sassy, but she was also guarded and I really couldn’t blame her.  Her parents, the two people who were supposed to unconditionally love and support her, both hurt her profoundly.  Being a divorce attorney and witnessing the demise of so many marriages only underscored her feelings on wedded bliss:

“I like keeping things simple and fun. No obligations, no expectations, no endgame of a marriage, two-point-five kids, and a minivan in the suburbs. I have self-selected out of the happily-ever-after rat race, so to speak.”

Aww, Victoria….*sniff*

Ford was a sweetheart, determined to help his sister. I loved the babysitting scene, it realistically captures the havoc a tiny baby can bring, and I was cracking up throughout!  But Ford also had his own baggage, growing up with an alcoholic father full of unpredictable mood swings.  He keeps clear of complicated relationships, commitment not being part of his vocabulary.  Victoria should be Ford’s dream come true, but something about her stirs up unexpected and deeper feelings.  

It was a pleasure to witness Victoria and Ford change their thoughts on love and work toward their own happily-ever-after!

 

Suddenly One Summer was a signature Julie James romance: smart, classy, and full of hot chemistry! A total recommend!