This week, we’re talking about a beloved contemporary romance, the first in Julie James’s FBI/US Attorney series — Something About You. This one is a fascinating look at a series connected by not the romance standard of friends or families, but by work. Set in Chicago, it contains all the mystery of a romantic suspense without ever straying from the contemporary romance path. The characters are sharp, the writing is clever, the structure is fascinating, and it will likely make you read the rest of the series almost immediately.

Thanks to Avon Books, publisher of Lynsay Sands’s Immortal Rising, and Kelly Cain, author of An Acquired Taste, for sponsoring the episode.

Show Notes

Julie James is the author of 9 books in the FBI/US Attorney series. They are stand alone novels in the world of the Chicago criminal justice system. 

The Hyatt Lodge in Oak Brook has a lap pool with lane lines in case you’re into that sort of thing. 

The U.S. Attorneys are federal prosecutors and there are 94 districts. Saying out each letter separately “A-U-S-A” is in fact the right way to shorten this title. Jen confirmed it with Erin.

The Peninsula is a fancy hotel in Chicago. Jen is unsure of whether or not it has a lap pool. 

After refinishing hardwood floors, you really do need to wait a while before walking on them! 

Vocation vs Career vs a bunch of other things.

“Taste her blood in her throat” as someone (ahem, Nora Roberts) might say. 

You definitely want to see that scene Jen referenced from The Old Guard with Nicky & Joe. Unfortunately, Channing Tatum’s stirring defense of romance in The Lost City is not yet available on YouTube. Watch thisas a placeholder. Or this. You’re welcome. 

Christina Lauren is going on a book tour! You can see them with Sarah in Connecticut on May 18th, or in the Chicago suburbs with Jen on May 19th. Join us! 

Spiaggia has closed, but it was very fancy in its heyday. 

It’s not weird pizza, okay.