Helpful Score: 3
This was a cute book by a new author. The dialogue between the characters was very well written, I was just expecting it to be a sexier story. I always gravitate to the Berkley Sensation line because you always get a good story with plenty of steam. This book fell way short on the steam factor. And definitely not enough sexual tension between H/h. But it was an enjoyable read.
Helpful Score: 3
Grade: B+
Taylor Donovan is a very ambitious young lawyer working her way up the ranks of a prestigious Chicago law firm. She has been assigned to a sexual harassment case based out of Los Angeles. She moves temporarily to the LA branch and gets set up in a nice apartment. In addition to her sexual harassment case she has been assigned to coach the famous actor Jason Andrews for his new role in a law drama. Unimpressed with Jason's celebrity, she puts Jason in his place when he rudely fails to show for a meeting. Jason is shocked and intrigued that Taylor isn't drooling all over him. He has finally met his match in the sharp, beautiful Taylor.
Just the Sexiest Man Alive is a solid new addition to the contemporary genre. It has solid, well developed characters. Taylor is a little prickly with her ambitions to reach the top. She is all work and no play and might be hard to relate to for some readers. She still had enough vulnerability for me to like her. She lightens up when she is with her two girlfriends. At first glance, Jason is arrogant and self-centered, but eventually the reader learns more about him. As his relationship grows with Taylor he gets his humanity back and becomes a person, not just a celebrity.
Two things about this book I would like to highlight. First, is that it is extremely apparent that Ms. James knows her stuff when it comes to the courtroom. My knowledge is limited, but the author was very descriptive with the court case Taylor was working on and James's expertise shined like a beacon. Secondly, I want to commend Ms. James on her ability to create incredible sexual tension between Taylor and Jason without them actually having sex. I was surprised to realize that with only a handful of pages left, Jason and Taylor hadn't actually done the deed. This was an excellent debut and I will be looking forward to more by her in the future.
Taylor Donovan is a very ambitious young lawyer working her way up the ranks of a prestigious Chicago law firm. She has been assigned to a sexual harassment case based out of Los Angeles. She moves temporarily to the LA branch and gets set up in a nice apartment. In addition to her sexual harassment case she has been assigned to coach the famous actor Jason Andrews for his new role in a law drama. Unimpressed with Jason's celebrity, she puts Jason in his place when he rudely fails to show for a meeting. Jason is shocked and intrigued that Taylor isn't drooling all over him. He has finally met his match in the sharp, beautiful Taylor.
Just the Sexiest Man Alive is a solid new addition to the contemporary genre. It has solid, well developed characters. Taylor is a little prickly with her ambitions to reach the top. She is all work and no play and might be hard to relate to for some readers. She still had enough vulnerability for me to like her. She lightens up when she is with her two girlfriends. At first glance, Jason is arrogant and self-centered, but eventually the reader learns more about him. As his relationship grows with Taylor he gets his humanity back and becomes a person, not just a celebrity.
Two things about this book I would like to highlight. First, is that it is extremely apparent that Ms. James knows her stuff when it comes to the courtroom. My knowledge is limited, but the author was very descriptive with the court case Taylor was working on and James's expertise shined like a beacon. Secondly, I want to commend Ms. James on her ability to create incredible sexual tension between Taylor and Jason without them actually having sex. I was surprised to realize that with only a handful of pages left, Jason and Taylor hadn't actually done the deed. This was an excellent debut and I will be looking forward to more by her in the future.
Helpful Score: 2
Excellent book, well written in such a clever way, not one of those quick reads. It did not fall short at all. Really depth oriented, leaves you wanting more.
Helpful Score: 1
When Attorney Taylor Donovan is sent to Los Angeles to defend a sexual harassment case, she is also asked to coach People's "Sexiest Man Alive" for his role in a new legal thriller. Jason Andrews is used to having women fall at his feet. When Taylor gives him the cold shoulder, he is thrown for a loop. She's unlike any woman he's ever met...not interested in his movie star status. This makes her a challenge.
I had a hard time getting through this book. The hero acted like a spoiled teenager for more than half of the book, blowing off two appointments with Taylor, then trying to make her jealous by romancing his co-star. I really didn't see any chemistry between Taylor and Jason. At least his behavior finally became better about 2/3 through the story. My rating: 2 Stars.
I had a hard time getting through this book. The hero acted like a spoiled teenager for more than half of the book, blowing off two appointments with Taylor, then trying to make her jealous by romancing his co-star. I really didn't see any chemistry between Taylor and Jason. At least his behavior finally became better about 2/3 through the story. My rating: 2 Stars.
Helpful Score: 1
As with Practice Makes Perfect I think you can tell that someone with experience in the law profession wrote this book - there's a lot of references that even as a layperson, I felt that James is an author who knew her stuff. The romance here is pretty sweet. Jason is at first a little too cocky and Taylor puts him in his place. As they get to know each other Jason realizes that Taylor isn't like the usual woman who runs after him. Fame and publicity isn't what she wants. Taylor, on the other hand, feels attracted to Jason but she's wary of men who are known players after dealing with her ex-fiance, and she refuses to fall for another man like that. Of course the two keep seeing each other and feelings begin to develop. Pretty soon the press is all aflame with rumors of Jason Andrews' Mystery Woman.
Overall: A fun book. I enjoyed it and I think this author goes on the auto-buy list, both this book and Practice Makes Perfect were satisfying enough that I trust the author to keep at that level. There is not a lot of sex in this book: most of it is relationship buildup, which I personally prefer in my romance, so I was happy. I recommend this for those in the mood for an enjoyable contemporary romance.
Overall: A fun book. I enjoyed it and I think this author goes on the auto-buy list, both this book and Practice Makes Perfect were satisfying enough that I trust the author to keep at that level. There is not a lot of sex in this book: most of it is relationship buildup, which I personally prefer in my romance, so I was happy. I recommend this for those in the mood for an enjoyable contemporary romance.
