A Lot Like Love

FBI-US Attorney Series, Book 2

By: Julie James

Narrated by: Karen White

Length: 10 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

Jordan Rhodes is invited to all of Chicago's best parties, but there's only one the FBI wants to crash. To get her brother out of jail, she agrees to take Agent McCall as her date. But when the mission gets botched, requiring their "relationship" to continue, it starts to feel less like an investigation-and a lot like something else.

©2011 Julie James (P)2012 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A smart, sexy read." (Nalini Singh)

This book was good, but book 1 was superior.

This is the second novel of a series but a stand-alone. I loved the first novel, SOMETHING ABOUT YOU, probably because the storyline involved my favourite trope – enemies to lovers, and it was done well. Here, in A LOT LIKE LOVE, a wealthy heiress socialite (albeit a reluctant one) and an FBI agent are forced to work together in a pretend relationship so the FBI can take down a criminal businessman.

Jordan was a lovely and admirable heroine from start to finish, but while FBI Agent Nick was heroic, he wasn’t as commanding as the hero in the first story so I wasn't as "into him." Together Jordan and Nick didn't have as much chemistry as I needed to feel to love this book. Also, book 1 contained some memorable moments of humour that have stayed with me whereas book 2 didn’t have this balance.

Overall, however, I’m glad I listened to A LOT LIKE LOVE, because the beloved characters from book 1 made cameo appearances and it was good to see where they are now; and events in this book prepared me for book 3. Jordan’s jailbird brother that we got to know a little in A LOT LIKE LOVE is the hero of book 3 and I can’t wait to listen to that one – it should be a hoot because he is rather likeable and landed in jail for hilarious (and serious) reasons.

The same narrator, Karen White, was responsible for books 1 and 2 and I quite liked her style in both stories. It seems to me then, that the rating I am giving A LOT LIKE LOVE is suffering because of plot and character comparisons with the first book, which I felt was superior.

A Lot Like Love

This was engaging and great from beginning to end. Jordan is an heiress who is really down to earth even though her twin is in prison for shutting down twitter (it was twitter!) and she is approached by the FBI to help in a sting operation to bring down a money launderer and they will release her brother early. Jordan owns a wine shop and close to the man who is throwing the party they need access to. Nick McCall is an undercover FBI agent who was supposed to be backup until the flu took down Jordan's FBI date and Nick had to step in and the chemistry between these two could warm up even the coldest Chicago winter night. Nick sure did earn the moniker tall, dark and smoldering and these two have to learn to co-exist, especially when things get all kinds of up and close and dangerous. Oh yeah, I am looking forward to the rest of this series!

So steamy

I loved this book! I listened to it in one day. I don't want to give away any spoilers, but I'd definitely recommend it?

I love this series!

STORY (romance) - A Lot Like Love is another fun romp in this great romance series. I listened out of order (due to sales), so this is my third book. I've loved them all, but About That Night (#3) is my favorite. You don't have to listen to them in order, but I would recommend it if you can. The characters are related either by profession or family so their development continues from book to book, though each book is actually one romance and can stand on its own. This series has it all -- smart characters, clever dialogue, steamy sex and interesting background stories involving big-time FBI investigations. You can't go wrong here.

PERFORMANCE - Nice job. I've heard a few female narrators who perform more masculine male voices, but she does a pretty good job.

OVERALL - If you like hot contemporary romances, start with Book 1 of this series.

Good Read, Good Narration

A Lot Like Love, book 2 in the FBI-US Attorney Series, is a lot of fun! Like book 1, you won't want to put this one down. I thought it wasn't as high tempo as book 1; it didn't have as many action-packed scenes. But the love story was more in depth...more interesting. If you haven't read book 1, don't worry. So far, this isn't the type of series that builds on previous stories. The previous characters only make cameo appearances. One of the things I loved about this book was Nick's perspective. He continually thinks about what he would do or think if he was "one of those sensitive types" without acknowledging that he actually is. And let's face it, what girl doesn't like a tough guy with a sensitive side?

I also love that in books 1 & 2, James has written about intelligent, successful women who waited to meet the right person. Jordan is not one of the silly, overly emotional women romance writers often create. She's a woman you can actually root for and identify with.

Karen White did a great job as narrator. I especially enjoyed her delivery of the more sarcastic/funny lines. And her depiction of Nick was spot-on.

P.S. The dynamic between Jordan and her twin brother Kyle was both funny and endearing.

OMG! I'm still basking in the afterglow ...

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

A LOT LIKE LOVE by Julie James and read by Karen White is an exceptionally fabulous romantic suspense listen. The combo of Julie James and Karen White is nothing short of pure perfection! Many, many thanks to the posters on a Goodreads romantic audio group for recommending that I check out the Julie James/Karen White offerings! You were all right on and have earned my undying appreciation! So... as they recommended this series to me, I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys fun contemporary romances generously spiced with suspense!

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Lot Like Love?

When Nick professed his love to Jordan in the back seat of a car. Here's a snippet from that scene that still makes me tear up:

“One more second and he would’ve hit you with the gun. And who knows what else. When I think about what could’ve happened . . .” He gripped her shoulders determinedly. “I should’ve told you this earlier, Jordan. Now that I’ve got my chance, you’re going to hear it whether you like it or not. You came into my life and messed the whole thing up and now I’m screwed. Because I’m in love with you. As in balls-out, head-over-heels, watching-Dancing-with-the-Stars -on-Monday-nights, wine-and-bubble-bath kind of love. Hell, I think I’d even wear a scarf indoors for you.”

Have you listened to any of Karen White’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Karen is hands-down one of my favorite narrators! I have discovered many new authors thanks to her as I will pick up anything that I see that she's narrated. Simply put, if you have not listened to one of her productions, you are missing out. Every word, every pause, every inflection, i.e, the whole package comprises a polished, precise, and engaging listen. I know I’m fan-girling, but Karen’s works deserve it as they are all pure vocal magic. Pick one up and check her out!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It did! I laughed, I cried. I was on the edge of my seat! This whole series is riveting, witty and sexy crime-investigating romance! Each one has left me fan-girling.

Any additional comments?

Even though A LOT LIKE LOVE is the second installment in the author’s fantastic FBI/US Attorney series, it can be enjoyed as a stand-alone if that is your preference. However, if you enjoy fun contemporary romances generously spiced with suspense, start with the first book and exponentially increase your pleasure!

A LOT LIKE LOVE is the story of the ‘ubiquitous tall, dark, and smoldering’ undercover agent Nick McCall and heiress Jordan Rhodes, a wine connoisseur extraordinaire. As the story begins, we are there as the FBI solicits the assistance of Jordan, a billionaire’s daughter, to cause a diversion, so the FBI can then bug a local business owner believed to be laundering money while he’s not paying attention. In return, they will get her brother out of prison, where he is serving a sentence for pulling off the largest hack in Twitter’s history. Sound interesting? After all, what could possibly go wrong? Hang on tight as this is a wild dangerous romp! As a fringe benefit to this mesmerizing tale, it doubles as a genuinely interesting educational primer on wine and the wine industry.

Who will be the next to fall in love in this riveting, witty and sexy crime-investigating romance series? I can’t wait to find out who it will be! The next installment, ABOUT THAT NIGHT, is already cued on my phone. Meanwhile, I'm still basking in the afterglow left by A LOT LIKE LOVE.

Great read..

Any additional comments?

This is the second book of the series and I think I liked it a little better than the first, although I did love both of them. I liked Nick and Jordan, a lot. Really liked Huxley. Loved the storyline and really liked that there was just enough sex to make it interesting. Love how the author can write a drama and have some good laugh-out-loud moments.

As to the narrator: With the other book she did a wonderful job. However, it took me a while to use to Nick's voice because she gave him a terrible Brooklyn accent and it just didn't sound right. But I did get used to it and, eventually, it was just OK. I hope she doesn't do that again in any of the other books.

On to book 3 now!! (Which I've already started but didn't get that far since I started it at 2:30 this morning, right after I finished A lot Like Love.)

I love this Series!

I love this series! The concept of the Twitter Terrorist is so hysterical and again James' incredible dialogue makes this one series I can highly recommend! Just the right mix of romance and suspense!

Amazing how wine can lead to so much fun

What a like about Jordon is she sticks to her conviction and stays on track as to why she reached out to the FBI. Who can blame McCall for chasing down Jordon. Got to love those FBI agents. The story is fun. It is not wild but enjoyable. Sexy and romantic. Narration is good. This series reminds me a lot of K Sparks minus the vampires. Worth a credit Not a lot guns, action and you are not a roller coaster ride but it’s enjoyable.

Could be good

I wanted to like listening to this book, tried three times, but every chapter the narrator makes characters sound like they are pondering something or questioning what they are thinking or saying. It drove me crazy. I think I will try reading the book instead, the reviews seem like this book will be a fun read.