5 Wine Glass #Audio #Review for A Lot like Love by Julie James

Title: A LOT LIKE LOVE
Series: FBI/US Attorney #2
Author: Julie James
Narrator: Karen White
Format: Audible, 10 hours and 5 minutes
Published: Tantor Audio (August 27, 2012)
ISBN: ASIN:B0092JV8C4
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Audible
Reviewer: Linda
Source: Audible
Rating: 5 out of 5 Wine Glasses

The FBI wants her cooperation...

As the daughter of a billionaire and the owner of the city's top wine store, Jordan Rhodes is invited to the most exclusive parties in Chicago. But there's only one party the FBI wants to crash: the charity fundraiser of a famous restaurateur, who also happens to launder money for the mob. In exchange for her brother's release from prison, Jordan is going to be there—with a date supplied by the Bureau.

Agent McCall just wants her...

As the top undercover agent in Chicago, Nick McCall has one rule: never get personal. This "date" with Jordan Rhodes is merely an assignment—one they're both determined to pull off even if they can't be together for five minutes before the sarcasm and sparks begin to fly. But when Nick's investigation is compromised, he and Jordan have no choice but to pretend they're a couple, and what starts out as a simple assignment begins to feel a lot like something more. 

Linda's Thoughts:
“Well, Ma, see... there's this girl."
Silence.
He checked to make sure the call hadn't been dropped. "You still there, Ma?"
A sniffle.
"You can't be crying already," he said. "I haven't told you anything about her yet."
"It doesn't matter, Nick," his mother said through her tears. "Those are the three words I've been waiting thirty-four years to hear.”

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!

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.

Following please find a few of my favorite quotes from A LOT LIKE LOVE.:

 “Boyfriend huh? I didn't realize we had taken things to that level."
"Oh, I'm sorry--this is my first undercover operation," Jordan said. "I'm a little unclear about the rules. Are we seeing other people in this fake relationship?”
---

“Because wine means the responsible part of the day is over.”
---

“Time for Wine Tasting 101. 
“So here’s how this works. When tasting a wine, as opposed to casual drinking, there are four basic steps you need to remember: sight, smell, taste, then spit or swallow.”
Nick paused at that last part and cocked his head. “And your personal preference on the latter would be…?”
“Only lightweights spit.”
His right eye twitched.”
…“And then when she takes him through the whole wine tasting process, finishing with a long, languid taste that she really enjoyed “she opened her eyes and saw Nick staring at her.
“I feel like I need a cigarette and a shower after watching that.”
---

“Does the U.S. attorney know you spend your workdays listening to office gossip?”
Jack grinned in satisfaction. “The U.S. attorney is thrilled that there’s finally someone else for this office to gossip about.”

As I mentioned, Karen White performs this audio. 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!

As an added bonus to fans of the series, in this book we get to catch up with former Army Special Forces and current FBI Special Agent Jack Pallas and Chicago’s U.S. Attorney Cameron Lynde. Even after having read their captivating story months ago, I continue to think of them often, so being privy to their air space for even a short time is a win-win!

Who will be the next to fall in love in this riveting, witty and sexy crime-investigating romance series?

“First Pallas and now you,” the gray-haired man said, shaking his head at Nick. “It’s like I’m running a goddamn dating service around here.” He spun around. “Wilkins! Huxley!” he barked. “Next case that involves a single woman—you’re up.”
Standing at the sidewalk, Agent Wilkins pumped his fist excitedly. “Yes.”
Huxley adjusted his glasses with a grin, looking decidedly pleased.
“That was supposed to be sarcastic. I’m getting too old for this shit.”

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.


Suggested Reading Order: 
SOMETHING ABOUT YOU (Book #1)
A LOT LIKE LOVE (Book #2)
ABOUT THAT NIGHT (Book #3)
LOVE IRRESISTIBLY, (Book #4)
IT HAPPENED ONE WEDDING (Book #5)
SUDDENLY ONE SUMMER (Book #6)
THE THING ABOUT LOVE (Book #7)