Hero: J.D. Jameson
Heroine: Payton Kendall
Grade: 4.5 out of 5
When it comes to the laws of attraction… Payton Kendall and J.D. Jameson are lawyers who know the meanin of objection. A feminist to the bone, Payton has fought hard to succeed in a profession dominated by men. Born wealthy, privileged, and cocky, J.D. has fought hard to ignore her. Face-to-face, they’re perfectly civil. They have to be. For eight years they h ave kept a safe distance and tolerated each other as coworkers for one reason one: to make partner at the firm. …there are no rules. But all bets are off when they’re asked to join forces on a major case. Though apprehensive at first, they begin to appreciate each other’s dedication to the law- and the sparks between them quickly turn into attraction. But the increasingly hot connection does not last long when they discvoer that only one of them will be named partner. Now it’s an all-out war. And the battle between the sexes is bound to make these lawyers how under the collar.
I was pretty anxious to get this story because I so enjoyed Julie’s last book, Just the Sexiest Man Alive. I had every faith that I would enjoy this book to pieces too. I’m so happy to say that Julie didn’t steer me wrong this time around. This book was too cute and too funny and it made for an entertaining read.
Julie James has a knack for writing those perfect for a day at the beach reads. The books that keep a smile on your face and a laugh waiting to bubble right out of your mouth. She didn’t disappoint with her newest release which is set to release on March 3, 2009.
This book is about two lawyers who don’t like each other but who are both up for partner and have to compete for that one coveted spot as partner in the firm. They have both spent the last 8 years working themselves into the ground because making partner in this firm is all they’ve wanted since they started working there. They both have their own reasons for why they want to make partner and seeing their antics to get to the top had me laughing from the beginning to the end of this book.
J.D. Jameson has his eyes on the prize and nothing or no one is going to keep him from making partner…not even that annoying uppity Payton Kendall. She’s a thorn in his side and he knows that he’s gonna need his wits about him if he’s gonna take her on. J.D. was one of those asshole heroes that you love despite the fact that he’s such a dick. He’s hot, he’s smart and he’s extremely confident and I loved all of his asshole-ishness. I think his cocky attitude worked well for him. It gave him that cutting edge he needed to be one of the leading contenders for partner.
I loved him. I loved the bit at the end of the book where we find out why he was the way he was with Payton. I loved how Payton was pissed to high heaven over it and I just loved J.D. I thought he was the perfect guy for Payton and I loved their chemistry together. My one gripe was that J.D. had issues with his father and I was bummed that we didn’t get closure on that score, it was mentioned and we see why J.D. was so gung ho about making partner and then it kind of just disappeared. But that didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story, it just made me curious to find out what happened with that? Did he just realize that his father’s approval over his life didn’t matter to him, what was it? That’s the only thing that gave me pause in the story.
Well that and J.D’s name…what does J.D. stand for? Inquiring minds want to know. =)
Payton was a strong heroine, one that rolled with the punches and one that totally deserved to be partner. The way she handled J.D.’s prank in court was nothing short of hilarious and amazing. She just cracked me the heck up in every scene that she was in. She was a great character and one that will totally have me laughing every time I reread this book because trust and believe, I will be rereading this book.
As a whole, this book delivers the laughs, it delivers the steam and it delivers a fantastically written romance with two strong characters that made an entertaining read just right. I am just as excited about this book as I was when I read Just the Sexiest Man Alive last year and I’m already waiting anxiously for Julie’s next release. She’s got a phenomenal talent for writing those cute and hilariously funny contemporary romances and I am a total fan of her work. You will definitely want to pick this book up because it is another winner for Julie James!
P.S. Julie, I must plead with you for a story not only for Jeremy from Just the Sexiest Man Alive but now for Tyler…because I seriously heart Tyler. He was a great addition to this story and he so needs his own story, what say you make that happen, eh? =)
Heads up: Julie James will be visiting Book Binge again (YAY!) on on friday, February 27th so be sure to stop by and hang out, you won’t want to miss out on winning a copy of Practice Makes Perfect for your very own. =)
This book is available from Berkley. You can buy it here or here in e-format.
I thought the same thing – loved the book, loved the chemistry, thought it was a fun way to spend an afternoon, but really wanted to see some closure with his father (good or bad) and REALLY want to know what J.D. stood for! Even Payton thinks that at one point, but it’s never mentioned again.
I hope this week goes by quick so I can grab my copy to read! Love your review even it makes me even more anxious to read this book. hehe
Yeah!! Thank you so much for the great review, Rowena!!! Glad I didn’t disappoint you after JTSMA. : ) As for your question about J.D.’s father, without saying too much, I think you hit the nail on the head with what I intended for J.D.’s resolution on that issue. What I love is that you got into J.D. so much that you wanted to know these things– even what “J.D.” stands for!
There is a bit of a story behind what “J.D.” stands for… and in an early draft I originally included a scene where Payton finds out… It’s probably too long for a comment here, but maybe something I should mention on Friday…?
As for Tyler getting his own story, I will definitely give that some serious consideration. Both he and Jeremy need to find a good woman. : )
Ooo I can’t wait to read this one.