TEST
I tend to be skeptical about online buzz, and I’ve seen a lot for Julie James’ romances. Well, I get it now. Something About You is a fun contemporary romance filled with witty, well-developed characters, and it is a book I heartily recommend.
Things start out with a bang, when heroine Cameron Lynde is kept awake in a posh Chicago hotel room by noisy sex from the room next door. She finally calls hotel management, but before security arrives, Cameron hears the door to the room shut and gets a peek at the man exiting the room.
When security arrives, they discover a murdered prostitute. Even though Cameron only glimpsed the man, she becomes the leading witness. As an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Chicago, she lets the police know that she expects to be kept informed. Cameron gets more than she bargained for when FBI agent Jack Pallas appears to question her. It turns out the prostitute had secretly recorded the action with her client, the wealthy, married U.S. Senator from Illinois.
Jack and Cameron have an interesting history. They briefly worked together three years earlier on an organized crime case. When the case fell apart, Jack blamed Cameron, and trashed her in the media. As punishment, Jack was sent to Nebraska for three years, something he also blamed on Cameron.
Cameron is the only thing keeping the Senator out of jail. Although she didn’t get a good look at the killer, it’s clear the man she saw wasn’t him. Despite efforts to keep Cameron’s identity secret, information leaks out, and Cameron soon faces death threats, bringing her into closer contact with Jack than either of them want.
We find out early on who actually murdered the prostitute. Make no mistake – this is a contemporary romance and not romantic suspense. I enjoyed the mystery plot, but it never overwhelmed the romance or character development.
Cameron and Jack are likeable, witty, intelligent, well-developed characters. They work and have lives apart from each other, interacting with numerous other people. However, when they are together, the attraction is apparent.
The dialog is wonderful, and much of it is very funny, without being over-the-top. Some of the funniest conversations feature Jack’s reactions when he must listen to the police officers assigned to protect Cameron discussing her dating life.
There are also some outstanding secondary characters. My favorite, hands down, is Cameron’s best friend, a popular Chicago sportswriter. Yes, he’s the gay best friend we see in so many contemporary romances, but I didn’t find him to be even remotely stereotypical. I adored him, and want him for my best friend.
I’m always a bit nervous when romances are set in Chicago; I had no need to be in this case. I’m familiar with many of the settings featured in the book, and they were spot on, as was the feel for Chicago political attitudes.
I really loved this book, When I finished, I wanted to start reading it again. I also intend to buy a genuine print version – as opposed to my ARC copy. To me, these are clear signs of a DIK.
Grade: A-
Book Type: Contemporary Romance
Sensuality: Warm
Review Date: 03/03/10
Publication Date: 2010
My first memory is sitting with my mother on a blanket in our backyard surrounded by books and she is reading one of them to me. My love of reading was encouraged by my parents and it continues to today. I’ve gone through a lot of different genres over the years, but I currently primarily read mysteries (historical mysteries are my favorites) and romances (focusing on contemporaries, categories, and steampunk). When I’m not reading or working, I love to travel, knit, and work on various community projects.
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Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.