The Thing About Love Audiobook By Julie James cover art

The Thing About Love

FBI/US Attorney Series, Book 7

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The Thing About Love

By: Julie James
Narrated by: Karen White
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FBI agents Jessica Harlow and John Shepherd have a past. The former lawyer and cocky Army Ranger clashed during their training at Quantico and gladly went their separate ways after graduating from the Academy. Six years later, the last thing either of them expects is to be assigned to work as partners in a high-profile undercover sting.

For both of them, being paired with a former rival couldn't come at a worse time. Recently divorced from a Hollywood producer and looking for a fresh start, Jessica is eager to prove herself at her new field office. And John is just one case away from his dream assignment to the FBI's elite Hostage Rescue Team.

In order to nail a corrupt Florida politician, they'll have to find a way to work together - a task that becomes even trickier when they're forced to hole up at a romantic beachfront resort as part of the investigation. Suddenly, the heat behind their nonstop sparring threatens to make the job a whole lot more complicated.

©2017 Julie James (P)2017 Tantor Contemporary Contemporary Romance Fiction Military Protector Romance Romantic Comedy Women's Fiction Comedy Funny

Critic reviews

"James' star shines even brighter with this smart, sparkling winner." ( Kirkus)

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Engaging Storyline • Witty Banter • Excellent Narration • Complex Relationship • Strong Protagonists • Seamless Romance
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In this book Julie James dives back into the theme of the series with two FBI agents, Jessica and John. The only problem is that this is the first either of them have appeared in the series thus far. Prior to this, all of the books have somehow been linked to a predecessor by at least one protagonist. The only links in this book are some secondary and tertiary characters. As he is now SAC, we see Nick (from book 2, A Lot like Love) a few times. There's also a brief appearance from Jack and another known agent near the beginning of the book in an elevator. Outside of that, nothing. Both John and Jessica appear to be on completely different squads from agents in previous books. The primary case in the book doesn't even take place in Chicago, but instead in Florida. A good portion of the story in general takes place in locations other than Chicago.

All of this being said, this was still a great book. The story was engaging and the relationship between Jessica and John was dynamic and complex. I love their history and how, over the course of the book, they are able to clear up what really happened all those years ago at the FBI Academy and realize that neither had ever been malicious or nefarious in intent.

As the narrator is the same as the one that's read the rest of the series, my opinion of her narration hasn't changed much. It can be difficult to tell characters apart at times, particularly the men. It didn't pose quite as much of a problem in this book, though, which was a plus.

Why unrelated protagonists?

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This story had just the right amount of everything. Cute and fun. Loved it. Can’t wait to read another one by this author.

Cute!!

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This book series all had the same basic storyline. I think they could have had different endings

Series too alike

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Nothing more fun and sexy than two people who are in competition with each other.After 6years,John and Jessica happen apron each other again,this time as partners for the FBI,the sexual tension is thick and misunderstood for something else.Things start to become clearer though the more time the two are together”under cover “.With a little bit of competition,comes with a lot of sexual tension and then finally...combustion and love.Great narration and awesome love story,very sexy.

Combatable Love

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Love all Julie James books. Sassy, smart and sexy. Makes it ok to sit in traffic.

The Thing About Love

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This book is going to have to be listened to again and again. It is one of my favorites. The last chapter alone had me spellbound. I was listening in the car until the climax of the undercover operation. I am so glad there was no distraction in listening to the best part. The book is well written. The narration was perfectly paced from beginning to end. I was made to fell I was part of the story. I just wish the book was longer. I just finished and already I miss Jessica and John.

The Thing About Love

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This is my second Julie James/Karen White FBI story and I will certainly be looking for more. So much fun!

Love Julie James w/ Karen White narration

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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.

Really enjoy this narrator

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🔥 Read if you like: Frenemies to lovers, undercover assignments, FBI romance, witty banter, strong heroines, broody heroes

📚 Two FBI agents. One undercover assignment. Endless tension. Jessica Harlow and John Shepherd were rivals at the Academy, but six years later, fate (or rather, the Bureau) throws them together again. Their latest case requires them to work undercover at a luxurious beachfront resort, but staying professional proves difficult when old rivalries reignite… along with something else entirely.

👨‍👧 Jessica & John. She’s a sharp, determined ex-lawyer looking for a fresh start. He’s a broody, disciplined ex-Army Ranger on the cusp of his dream assignment. Their snarky banter and competitive streaks make for an electric dynamic that only intensifies as they’re forced to rely on each other. And let’s be real—the tension between them is chef’s kiss 🔥.

💞 Romance. This is frenemies to lovers done RIGHT. The slow burn is filled with smoldering glances, mutual respect, and banter that crackles. The push-and-pull between them is so addicting, and when things finally explode? Let’s just say: WORTH. THE. WAIT.

👧 Side characters. While the spotlight is on Jessica and John, their interactions with other agents and undercover ops add a layer of realism and fun. No unnecessary drama—just a solid, entertaining setup.

✍️ Writing. Julie James knows how to blend action and romance seamlessly. The dialogue is smart, the humor is spot-on, and the FBI details feel immersive (though a bit heavy in the beginning). Once the pace picks up, it’s unputdownable.

🌟 Overall. A perfect mix of heat, humor, and high-stakes action. If you love frenemies-to-lovers with strong, capable leads, this book is for you.

A perfect mix of heat, humor, & high-stakes action

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OMG, absolutely loved. Julie James hasn't written anything I haven't liked, but this one? Blew all of the others out of the water! The dynamic between Jessica and John was fantastic, whether they were in their earlier antagonistic phase (or was it antagonistic? Poor John, LOL) or their reluctant let's-make-the-best-of-this-op phase, or their OMG these two are setting the pages on fire phase, they are absolutely fantastic together. If you like romantic suspense that's high on the romance and snark and does a decent job with the suspense, you can't go wrong with Julie James!

(I got a NetGalley copy, but actually listened to the audio from Audible because I love the narrator. She does a fantastic job every time--definitely worth the expense!)

Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A

Fantastic!

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