The Jewels of January

By: Julia Heart

Narrated by: Sara Brodt

Length: 10 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

Austin, Texas. 1991. An enigmatic stripper captivates a self-assured 6th Street bartender. Could their covert friendship embolden her to break free from the confines of a self-help community?

Jewels still hasn't learned to trust herself. Grateful that her spiritual leader has temporarily healed her debilitating panic attacks, the anxious 25-year-old doesn’t question the man when he encourages her to take a job at a local strip club. But when she starts putting his behaviors together, she becomes suspicious of his motives.

James is determined to step out of his father's shadow. Though he’s focused on opening his own bar, he can’t shake the gorgeous but unavailable Jewels from his mind. And while he’s willing to be drawn into a world of this hard-to-get beauty, he begins to wonder what she's involved in when he overhears someone suggest her therapy group may be something more sinister.

Confused when her flirtatious forbidden suitor walks away without a word, Jewels reexamines the world outside her group. And as their paths cross, James refuses to allow his own mad crush to get in the way of the friendship she shyly requests.

Can they both defeat self-doubt and unending obstacles to find their happy ending?

The Jewels of January is an edgy work of women’s romantic fiction. If you like witty and funny heroines, sprinkles of intrigue, and introspection on real-life issues, then you’ll adore Julia Heart’s upbeat look back at a crazy time in her early 20s.

©2023 Julia Heart (P)2024 Julia Heart

Redeeming story of strength and bravery

"The Jewels of January" by Julia Heart offers a captivating journey through the streets of Austin, Texas, in 1991. Narrated by the talented Sarah Brodt, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this audio experience, especially considering it's not a genre I typically gravitate towards. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Sarah Brodt for gifting me this book as a sample of her audio work.

The story follows Jewels, a young woman grappling with anxiety and uncertainty, who finds solace in an unconventional friendship with James, a determined bartender with dreams of his own. As their paths intertwine, they confront the complexities of trust, self-discovery, and the pursuit of freedom.

What stood out to me most was the empowering message woven throughout the narrative, particularly in the emphasis on empowerment and freedom for individuals in challenging situations. The ending, in particular, resonated with me, leaving a lasting impression of hope and resilience.

Heart's writing skillfully blends humor, intrigue, and introspection, creating a compelling story that keeps the listener engaged from start to finish. The witty and funny heroine, sprinkled with moments of intrigue, adds depth to the narrative, making it a truly enjoyable experience.

Overall, "The Jewels of January" is a refreshing and uplifting work of women's romantic fiction. If you're looking for a story that balances humor with introspection, this book is sure to delight.

Great Romance

This was a great story. It’s got great late 80s/90s references, the dual pov is perfect and the narrator put a lot of heart into the characters. Loved this story.