by Julie James
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
From the New York Times bestselling author of It Happened One Wedding comes a novel about a man and a woman whose summer is about to get very, very steamy…Divorce lawyer Victoria Slade has seen enough unhappy endings to swear off marriage forever. That doesn't mean she's opposed to casual dating—just not with her cocky new neighbor, who is as gorgeous and tempting as he is off-limits. But once she agrees to take on his sister's case, she's as determined to win as ever—even if that means teaming up with Ford…Investigative journalist Ford Dixon is bent on finding the man who got his sister pregnant and left her high and dry. He's willing to partner with Victoria, despite the fact that the beautiful brunette gets under his skin like no other woman. He might not be looking to settle down, but there's no denying the scorching attraction between them. Still, the more time he spends with Victoria, the more he realizes that the one woman as skeptical about love as he is might be the only woman he could really fall for…
Suddenly One Sumner by Julie James is a delicious beach read with depth and characters you will embrace. This was my first James’ novel and while this is a standalone, the hero Ford first appeared in one of her FBI/US Attorney novels. I must admit to being curious. Filled with banter, sexy time and wrapped in heartwarming side stories it is easy to see why Julie James is a favorite.
The tale surrounds two thirty-something characters whose upbringing has them swearing off long term relationships. When Victoria Slade, a successful divorce attorney suffers panic attacks after a home invasion, she temporarily moves into a condominium for the summer until her newly purchased condominium is available. A shared bedroom wall and poor sound proofing soon have her exchange banter with smexy, single investigative reporter Ford Dixon. The tale that unfolds had me consuming this in a single evening.
Suddenly One Summer is a novel the reader will easily slip into, they will soon find themselves laughing, wiping a tear and becoming fully invested in this couple. The secondary characters weaved throughout gave this novel a small-town community feel and enhanced the story. The depth of the story from the fleshed out characters to the couch sessions with a therapist both surprised and delighted me. James weaved in delicious banter, page melting heat, humor and side stories that held weight.
Both carries scars from their childhoods but are survivors with successful careers and strong social networks. Victoria’s personality and her need to be observed as “normal” by others was one I am sure many women can relate to. There is a story about Ford’s sister that I found especially touching and I loved the way it caused Ford and Victoria to interact. We do get some miscommunication but it was realistically done and not overly drawn out.
If you are looking for a feel good, swoon-worthy summer read with a small-town feel and a little heat then you cannot go wrong with Suddenly One Summer.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Nise'
I enjoyed this one too. Karen White narrates Julies books and does a great job.
kimbacaffeinate
I will keep that in mind. I haven’t done too many contemps on audio.
Bookworm Brandee
I haven’t read James yet but this one sounds like it’d be great. I love smexy banter and i like a story where the MCs have sworn off love. I’ll add this to my tbr. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I love banter too Brandee and I am glad I tried her 🙂
Grace MyBookSnack
I’m taking this one to the beach to read! 🙂
Lauren H
Julie James is one of my favorite romance authors. I’ve ready every one of her books, accept Suddenly One Summer, which I still need to buy. Normally I just pre-order her books so I don’t have to think about it they auto deliver to my Kindle, but I completely forgot to do that this year.
kimbacaffeinate
This was my first and I am glad I took a chance. Well actually I am glad the cover hooked me..bwahaha
Paij Slater
Sounds right up my alley. Great review Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Paij, I am glad I tried this author.
Deborah
It does sound like a great relaxing read! It’s winter here, but guess it would be ideal for curling up on the couch under a blanket!
kimbacaffeinate
oh heck yes, just add some wine or hot cocoa.
Lanie
My librarian just told me about this book! How funny:D I do love the ladies dress on the cover, it just totally catches my eye with that popping blue. Good review!
kimbacaffeinate
hehe..you should always listen to your librarian!
Lorna
Sounds like a good side story to enjoy as well as the main romance. I like reads like this occasionally-gets me away from all the paranormal I read. Thanks for sharing 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
This was different and sweet and yep a perfect in-between for those paranormal reads.
Lexxie
I love romances that go a little deeper than the falling in love and steamy scenes, Kim! Suddenly One Summer sounds really good, so of course I’m adding it to my TBR.
Have a wonderful weekend and happy reading.
kimbacaffeinate
I do too Lexxie, this was wonderfully balanced
Lover Of Romance
I love those feel good summer romances, and I have been wanting to read this author. I will have to put this on my summer tbr list. I love that both characters have pasts they have overcome…another plus. Lovely review, you have me really excited to read this one.
kimbacaffeinate
I am so glad I picked it up, enjoy!
Angela Adams
One of my favorite authors! Thanks for the post!!
kimbacaffeinate
I am glad you like her and so happy I discovered her Angela.
Lindy
I love my stories to have a Smexy Hero. I appreciate delicious banter, humor, depth, and fleshed out characters. I can tell how much you loved Suddenly One Summer! It sounds like a wonderful story. Lovely Review Kim 🙂
Lindy@ A Bookish Escape
kimbacaffeinate
I love when they exchange barbs 🙂
Melissa (Books and Things)
This sounds low on angst and I love those. I also need a beach to read this at. So, if I get the book, you’ll send me to the beach, right? 😉
kimbacaffeinate
It was and um sure I will send you to the beach. 🙂
Heidi
I read a review of this on Reader’s Den and Rachel really liked it as well. I like that it deals with older people instead of the angsty twenty somethings. I love the cover. This looks like the perfect beach read. Hey I am headed there next week, should bring this one.
kimbacaffeinate
It was nice having older characters and the banter was fun
Ramona
Feel-good & swoon-worthy, especially laced with banter and some poignant scenes, sounds great. I like the premise – it’s so relatable. It could happen to anyone, any day 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
It was totally relatable and a whole lot of fun
Benish
I’ve seen this one around before, the cover is so pretty though – this would be a wonderful light read for the summer, thanks for the awesome review Kimba 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I love the cover too Benish
Tracy Terry
Sounds like a great summer read though I’m concerned it might have to much swoon for my liking.
kimbacaffeinate
Low heat, but the romance is center stage Tracy.
kimbacaffeinate
No, not to swoony Tracy
Debbie Haupt
Ah Kim Julie is a new to me author but after reading your fab review, not for long 🙂 Have a great weekend!
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Debbie I am delighted I tried her
Laurel-Rain Snow
I do love a light summer read with challenging characters, especially when they are fighting against their feelings. Thanks!
kimbacaffeinate
Hope you decide to try this one Laurel
Nick
I’m so excited you loved this, Kim! It sounds fantastic and I can’t wait to meet these characters and fall in love with them.
Wonderful review!
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Nick. This was fun
Sophia Rose
I love it when a book makes me both laugh and cry. Sounds good!
kimbacaffeinate
I do too Sophia, hope you get to try this one
Jonetta (Ejaygirl)
Seems like we had the same reader experience with this story! I loved it, too.
kimbacaffeinate
I was glad to see the audio worked on this as well
Cyn
Yay! Glad to see you loved this, too! I just finished this yesterday and I totally loved the banter and ‘neighbour’ romance. I don’t remember loving Ford that much in Brooke/Cade’s book, but he totally won me over in this one!
Great review, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes..I am excited you felt the same way Cyn
tonyalee
Aw I love the sound of this one. Every once in awhile I want to read a swoony feel good book! 😀
kimbacaffeinate
It’s nice to mix theses kind of reads in
Karla
Wonderful review Kim! I’ve been a JJ fan for years, and her FBI/US Attorney series is fantastic! I’ve been waiting to read about Ford for a long time, and now I can’t wait to dive into this one. Yes, go back and find out about Ford, you won’t regret it. But, if you want to try a great stand-alone by JJ, check out Practice Makes Perfect, another wonderful summer read…or anytime for that matter! Thank you for the review!
kimbacaffeinate
I want to read them now Karla!
Jenny
I need to read this Kim! I love Julie James something fierce, and I’ve been in a bit of a funk lately with my YA reads, so it’s time to switch over to guaranteed feel-good reads like this. *runs to Amazon* Have a fantastic weekend!
kimbacaffeinate
I didn’t know you loved this author, I am excited to try more
Trish
I love couch sessions with a therapist in a book, I always feel like I learn something. So it’s cheap therapy for me! I want to try this one.
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, I like them too Trish
Paula M.
Oh I will definitely try this one out since some days I want to take a break from YA reads and read a more mature book. Plus, I really adore that cover and blurb! <3
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah I limit my YA to fantasy and dystopian these days with the occasional contemporary here or there
Jeann
You know what, I can’t remember the last time I read about a relationship that was about a “Second chance” romance. Lovely review Kimba!
kimbacaffeinate
I wouldn’t necessarily call this a second chance as they were strangers, but it was a sweet one.
Red Iza
I haven’t read Julie James yet, I feel like I’m missing something good 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I am glad I tried it.
Silvia
I heard about the author before, but never tried her titles. This one sounds like a summer read I could enjoy, I’ll keep it in mind. Thanks for reviewing, Kimberly 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I really enjoyed it and hope you give it a whirl.
blodeuedd
Summer, small town, awesome
kimbacaffeinate
yes I agree 🙂
kindlemom1
Looks like you had a great time with this Kim, it sounds perfect for this time of year!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, it screams summer 🙂
Melliane
It’s nice that the author managed well all these feelings. I wonder if I heard about the author before, I’m not sure but this one sounds good! great review!
kimbacaffeinate
This was my first experience but it was delightful