Category Archives: Julia London

Review: The Billionaire in Boots by Julia London

Title: The Billionaire in Boots by Julia London
Princes of Texas Series Book Three
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 364 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Summary:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Julia London delivers a sexy new contemporary western, where a lonesome rancher and a no-nonsense cowgirl learn that you don’t choose who you fall for–love lassos you….

As the firstborn son, it’s been drilled into Nick that he is the heir apparent to the Prince family empire. But cattle ranching has never been his true passion. Nick wants to be a pilot.  However, when his father dies, leaving Nick to clean up the mess, he knows he must do his duty before following his heart.

Charlotte Bailey can’t believe that Nick is back to run the ranch. As the office manager, she knows it’s her responsibility to help him. If only he wasn’t so brooding and cranky–and so hot it’s a wonder his chaps don’t melt right off him. But when sparks fly between them, she’s adamant about staying away from a cowboy on his way out the door.

Nick knows the ranch’s pretty, smart, and capable office manager is off-limits, but he needs her. And working in such close proximity to Charlotte every day is making Nick crazy. She smells good, she looks good, she makes him laugh, but most of all she makes him want to stay….

Review:

The Billionaire in Boots by Julia London is a funny and heartwarming romance. Although this newest release is the third installment in the Princes of Texas series, it can be read as a standalone.

Eighteen months after his father’s death, reluctant rancher Nick Prince is worried his chance to fulfill his dream is slipping through his fingers.  He is in charge of the family ranch which remains in a financially precarious situation due to his father’s gambling.  Nick loves his brother Luca and sister Hallie but he is slightly resentful they do not have to sacrifice their career choices for the future of the ranch. He loves the solitary home he has created for himself, but Nick is beginning to feel a little lonely. The highlight of his day is sparring with office manager Charlotte Bailey. Despite deciding not to pursue a relationship with her following their scorching hot encounter two years ago, Nick is finding it very difficult to resist his attraction to the sassy, spirited Charlotte.

Charlotte is funny, vivacious and bighearted.  Now in her early thirties, she is afraid her dream of  marriage and a family might not come true. At the urging of her sister Cassie, Charlotte is giving on line dating a whirl, but her dates fizzle more than sizzle. Charlotte truly enjoys her job and she has worked hard to push her one night with Nick and her interest in him to the back of her mind. But she still enjoys their teasing conversations, witty emails exchanges and humorous text messages.

Their flirtatious banter soon gives way to passion, but Charlotte and Nick live in the present and avoid planning for a future together. Charlotte is  close to her family and she is firmly planted in their small country town. Nick still yearns to fulfill his dream of becoming a pilot. When Nick comes to a startling realization, their relationship hangs in the balance as he makes decisions without consulting Charlotte. With two very different visions of their lives, is there any chance Nick and Charlotte’s romance will turn into a lasting relationship?

The Billionaire in Boots is a light-hearted romance with serious undertones. Charlotte is a refreshing breath of fresh air who is upbeat and loving. Nick is the epitome of the strong, silent type who can be a little grumpy. Despite their diverse personalities, they are a surprisingly well-suited couple.  With realistic problems to overcome, Julia London brings this heartfelt and engaging romance to a sweet and uplifting conclusion. This playful addition to  the Princes of Texas series is sure to be a hit with readers of contemporary romances.

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Review: The Perfect Homecoming by Julia London

Title: The Perfect Homecoming by Julia London
Pine River Series Book Three
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: A

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Julia London delivers another stand-alone, heartwarming love story in her Pine River series.

Emma Tyler’s cool exterior and penchant for sarcasm keep most people from getting too close…and an unusual compulsion drives her to steal from the few men who do. When her trophy-collecting habit goes too far, she quits her ritzy event-planning job in Los Angeles and runs away to Pine River, hiding with her estranged half-sisters at Homecoming Ranch and caring for Leo Kendrick, her ailing friend.

Thrillseekers Anonymous founder Cooper Jessup has his hands full with work and his brother’s looming prison release date. But when a client asks him to track down Emma Tyler to retrieve a stolen memento, Cooper can’t turn down the money…or the chance to see the beautiful Emma again.

When Cooper comes to collect the item, Emma refuses to admit the horrible truth. This handsome man may see right through her steely veneer, but can he get close enough to show her how love and honesty can heal a troubled heart?

The Review:

The Perfect Homecoming is the very poignant third installment in Julia London’s heartwarming Pine River series starring the Tyler sisters. In this outing, Emma flees from her seemingly perfect life as an event planner and returns the ranch she co-owns with her two sisters, Libby and Madeline. Unfortunately the past she is trying to leave behind catches up with her when Cooper Jessup tracks her down to retrieve a missing keepsake for a client.

Emma is so emotionally damaged that it is absolutely heartbreaking. Her issues are deeply rooted in her childhood but it is a horrible betrayal that leaves her trapped in an unhealthy pattern of behavior ten years later.  Growing up, Emma never quite measured up to her “perfect” stepsister and while she has made peace with what other people consider her shortcomings, she never quite fits in. She is a stunningly beautiful woman but her unflinching honesty puts her at disadvantage in most social settings. She is not deliberately hurtful but her direct answers to sensitive questions are rarely appreciated. This lack of social niceties has given her a reputation of being hard and insensitive, but in reality, Emma is incredibly fragile.

Cooper is one of the very few people who sees Emma as more than a pretty face. Growing up with a brother who is typically on the wrong side of the law, Cooper has a remarkable ability to accept people as they are without judging them. Cooper has no doubt that Emma has the object in question, but what he does not know is why she took it. He is frustrated by her vehement denials, but he still finds himself falling for her. However, trying to convince Emma that she is worthy of his love is an almost impossible task.

Emma and Cooper’s paths have crossed a couple of times in their professional lives and they have a mutual respect for each other. They are also attracted to one another, but Emma pushes him away due to her shame and general feeling of unworthiness. This does not stop her from trying to seduce him and although Cooper does desire her, he refuses to let her use sex as a distraction. Cooper also knows Emma deserves more than she is willing to settle for and until she believes she deserves unconditional love, there seems little chance of a future for them.

The Perfect Homecoming is a powerful novel of love, redemption and forgiveness. It is also a very sweet romance that pulls on the heartstrings but it is the growth of Emma’s character that makes it such an outstanding and emotional read. A very moving epilogue perfectly wraps up all of the loose ends and brings not only the novel, but the entire series, to an extremely satisfying and emotional conclusion.

Throughout the Pine River series, Julia London has not hesitated to write about very difficult and sensitive topics and each book packs a very emotional punch. Each novel in the series is thought-provoking, moving and realistic and although they can be read as standalone stories, I highly recommend the entire Pine River series.

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Filed under Contemporary, Julia London, Montlake Romance, Pine River Series, Rated A, Review, Romance, The Perfect Homecoming

Review: One Mad Night by Julia London

one mad nightTitle: One Mad Night by Julia London
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 160 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

A delightful new contemporary romance novella from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Julia London.

One winter’s night a blizzard sweeps across the country, demonstrating that fate can change the course of lives in an instant…and fate has got a sense of humor.

Chelsea Crawford and Ian Rafferty are high profile ad execs in cutthroat competition for a client. When a major winter storm puts New York City on lockdown, the two rivals have to make it through the night together-oh, the many ways in which opposites attract…

The Review:

One Mad Night by Julia London is a fun, flirty and fast-paced novella. It is also a sizzling hot romance that has a surprising amount of depth and substance.

Business rivals in the same advertising firm, Chelsea Crawford and Ian Rafferty are locked in a fierce competition for the same account. Chelsea has worked her butt of the agency for six years while Ian is a relative newcomer to the company. When both of them are stranded in the office by a blizzard, Chelsea and Ian are surprised by how much they learn about one another and ultimately, themselves.

Chelsea is a little uptight and focused on her career, whereas Ian is more laidback and easygoing. Both are good at their jobs, but Chelsea lets her boss take advantage of her which leaves her at a distinct disadvantage in the aggressive advertising world. Ian has worked hard to get ahead and while he has earned his place in the company, he becomes disillusioned once he realizes he has been given an unfair advantage.

One Mad Night is an absolutely charming story that is impossible to put down. Ian and Chelsea are wonderfully developed protagonists, their attraction is scorching hot and their banter is delightfully witty. Despite its short length, Julia London delivers a believable love story that is heartfelt and engaging.

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Filed under Contemporary, Julia London, One Mad Night, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Sourcebooks Casablanca

Review: Return to Homecoming Ranch by Julia London

homecoming ranchTitle: Return to Homecoming Ranch by Julia London
Pine River Series Book Two
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 334 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Curly-haired Libby Tyler never stops smiling…until her beloved boyfriend suddenly forces her out of their home and away from his adoring kids. When she learns he dumped her for his flighty ex-wife, Libby’s sadness turns to fury—and she very publicly smashes his truck with a golf club, earning herself a trip to a mental health center for some “rest.”

Handsome, hazel-eyed deputy Sam Winters has been sober for two years. Afraid of backsliding, he lives in the mountains and keeps his distance from people. Yet he never forgot Libby, his former colleague at the sheriff’s office whose charm and cheerfulness always warmed his days.

Now Libby’s back, ignoring the townspeople’s whispers (and her ex’s restraining order) while desperately trying to make Homecoming Ranch a successful event destination. She keeps causing trouble for Sam, but he finds her smile more beautiful than ever…and his touch gives her thrills she’s never felt. Could these two lost souls mend each other’s broken hearts?

The Review:

Return to Homecoming Ranch is the second novel in Julia London’s Pine River series. This installment features another one of the Tyler sisters and it is a poignant and very heartwarming story.

Return to Homecoming Ranch opens not long after Libby Tyler’s very public breakdown where she attacked her ex-boyfriend’s truck with a golf club. A week of intensive, inpatient therapy has helped her regain her equilibrium, but she still has hopes of regaining her lost family. A recovering alcoholic, Deputy Sam Winters knows what it is like to pick up the pieces after a public fall from grace. So when Libby violates the restraining order her ex took out on her, instead of arresting her, Sam takes a softhearted approach and lets her go with a stern lecture. Libby keeps getting into trouble, Sam continues to rescue her and before long, their somewhat uneasy friendship leads to romance.

Libby is a passionate, vivacious and giving young woman but she is also impulsive, reckless and stubborn. The end of her four year relationship blindsided her but it was losing her ex’s two young kids that really broke her heart. Libby has irrational and unrealistic expectations of salvaging her relationship with the kids and nothing and no one can convince her otherwise. It is incredibly frustrating watching her self-destruct time and again and while Sam’s efforts to help her are well-intentioned, he should have let her deal with the consequences of her actions much, much sooner.

Sam works hard to maintain his sobriety and he now leads a solitary, quiet, peaceful life. He is incredibly patient with Libby and his feelings run much deeper than just friendship. Sam has serious reservations about becoming involved with Libby, and he is very upfront about what he needs from her to make things work between them. But Sam’s expectations are impossible to maintain and Libby makes a rash and impetus decision that jeopardizes their relationship.

Adding to Libby’s problems is the future of Homecoming Ranch. She and her sister Madeline are struggling to turn it into a hotspot for destination events, but they are running into numerous snags while working on their current project. Libby is also having problems with a fundraiser she is spearheading and in order to make it a success, she needs the expert assistance only her estranged sister Emma can provide and her arrival sets the stage for the next book in the Pine River series.

Return to Homecoming Ranch is a wonderful novel and Julia London deftly handles very difficult subjects with ease. Sam and Libby are well-developed, imperfect protagonists who eventually (if somewhat painfully) triumph over their personal demons. All in all, this heartfelt romance is compelling, entertaining and emotionally satisfying.

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Filed under Contemporary, Julia London, Montlake Romance, Pine River Series, Rated B, Return to Homecoming Ranch, Review, Romance

Review: The Devil Takes a Bride by Julia London

devil brideTitle: The Devil Takes a Bride by Julia London
The Cabot Sisters Series Book Two
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: HQN
Genre: Historical, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

From powerful love to sizzling passion, Julia London always delivers an incomparable Regency reading experience. Returning to her acclaimed Cabot Stepsisters series, we meet an earl who can only be tamed by one wicked lady…

A plan born of desperation…

Once the toast of society, Grace Cabot and her sisters now await the shame of losing high status and fine luxuries upon the death of the Earl of Beckington. The dire circumstances are inevitable unless, of course, Grace’s wicked plot to seduce a wealthy viscount into marriage goes off without a single hitch. But once a stolen embrace with the wrong man leads her to be discovered in the arms of Jeffrey, the Earl of Merryton, her plan takes a most unexpected—and scorching—twist.

…and altered by passion.

Governed by routine and ruled by duty, Jeffrey had no desire for a wife before he succumbed to Grace’s temptation. Though his golden-haired, in-name-only bride is the definition of disorder, he can’t resist wanting her in every way. But once her secrets meet his, society might consider their lives to be ruined beyond repair…while Jeffrey might just see it as a new beginning.

The Review:

The ending of The Trouble with Honor left me very curious about what mischief middle sister Grace Cabot was up to, so I have been impatiently awaiting the release of The Devil Takes a Bride. This second installment of Julia London’s captivating Cabot Sisters series was well worth the wait and I absolutely LOVED this delectably steamy romance!

Like her sister Honor, Grace is trying to wed before word gets out about their mother’s rapidly declining mental state. She has devised a rather daring plan to ensnare a wealthy husband, but her plan quickly goes awry when she is caught in a torrid embrace with her intended target’s older brother, the Earl of Merryton. With little choice in the matter, she and Jeffrey quickly wed and begin married life at his country estate where Grace learns a lot about herself as she tries to understand her rather enigmatic husband.

Grace is a wonderful heroine despite her somewhat reprehensible actions early in the novel. She takes full responsibility for her exploits and while an apology cannot possible right the horrible wrong, she is pragmatic about their marriage. She makes every effort to learn as much as she can about Jeffrey, but he is very closemouthed about, well, everything. She is challenged by her efforts to get to know her new husband, and she soon discovers a life of attending and throwing soirees leaves her ill-equipped for a sedate life far from society.  Determined to make a happy life for herself, Grace eagerly explores her surroundings and makes an unexpectedly fortuitous acquaintance who provides her with much needed insight into Jeffrey’s past.

Jeffrey is a very heartbreaking hero who is deeply scarred by his dysfunctional childhood. With the responsibility for his family resting on his shoulders, Jeffrey is often at odds with his brother who finds it impossible to live up to Jeffrey’s unbelievably high standards. Jeffrey suffers from severe OCD as he tries to meet his (long deceased) father’s expectations and Grace introduces nearly unbearable chaos into his perfectly controlled world. Having lived mostly by himself, Jeffrey finds it impossible to make what he considers unnecessary small talk and his almost desperate need to protect his family’s reputation forces him to keep his affliction a closely guarded secret.

There is a sexual component to Jeffrey’s OCD that he has tried and failed to suppress throughout the years. While the relationship between Jeffrey and Grace is extremely passionate, Jeffrey’s fears of losing control make their first encounters impersonal and unsatisfying for Grace. Once Jeffrey’s secrets are finally out in the open, he is pleasantly surprised not only by Grace’s reaction to his revelations, but the general improvement in his condition. Their lovemaking greatly benefits from Jeffrey’s honesty and as they find mutual satisfaction in the bedroom, their overall relationship improves as well.

The Devil Takes a Bride is a wonderful journey of self-discovery for both Jeffrey and Grace. Their problems are realistic and with very little angst, they struggle to make the best of their forced marriage. With a little determination and a whole lot of communication, Grace and Jeffrey find their much deserved happily ever after. It is an absolutely wonderful addition to Julia London’s Cabot Sisters series that is sure to delight fans of historical romances.

Read my reviews of the other books in the series HERE.

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Filed under Harlequin, HarlequinHQN, Historical, Julia London, Rated B+, Review, Romance, The Cabot Sisters, The Fall of Lady Grace

Review: The Trouble with Honor by Julia London

honorTitle: The Trouble with Honor by Julia London
The Cabot Sisters Book One
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: HQN
Genre: Historical, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Passion and scandal collide in New York Times bestselling author Julia London’s brand-new series about four sisters determined to rescue themselves from ruin…

Desperate times call for daring measures as Honor Cabot, the eldest stepdaughter of the wealthy Earl of Beckington, awaits her family’s ruin. Upon the earl’s death she and her sisters stand to lose the luxury of their grand home—and their place on the pedestal of society—to their stepbrother and his social-climbing fiancée. Forced to act quickly, Honor makes a devil’s bargain with the only rogue in London who can seduce her stepbrother’s fiancée out of the Cabots’ lives for good.

An illegitimate son of a duke, George Easton was born of scandal and grows his fortune through dangerous risks. But now he and Honor are dabbling in a perilous dance of seduction that puts her reputation and his jaded heart on the line. And as unexpected desire threatens to change the rules of their secret game, the stakes may become too high even for a notorious gambler and a determined, free-spirited debutante to handle.

The Review:

The Trouble with Honor, the first novel in Julia London’s The Cabot Sisters series, is a delightfully charming historical romance. This sparkling gem is full of appealing characters but it is the fun storyline and deliciously steamy encounters that kept me captivated from beginning to end.

With her stepfather’s rapidly failing health and her stepbrother’s impending marriage, Honor Cabot devises an outrageous scheme to save her family from financial ruin. Her mother’s swiftly deteriorating health is the impetus behind Honor and her sister Grace’s fears for future of their small family and Honor enlists the aid of George Easton to help convince her stepbrother’s fiancée to reconsider her upcoming marriage.

Honor is in her early twenties and having had her heart broken in the past, she has steered clear of romantic entanglements so it is easy to believe she is frivolous and a little shallow. But lurking behind Honor’s carefree exterior is a very determined young woman who is fiercely devoted to her loved ones. Stubborn, headstrong and quite feisty, she is also very kindhearted and quite loving. Honor cares deeply for her stepbrother, Augustine, but she also knows how easily manipulated he can be by his fiancée, Monica. It is her desperation to protect her mother that drives Honor to devise her plan to come between Augustine and Monica but Monica is surprisingly resistant to George’s charms. And then there’s the matter of Honor’s surprising attraction to George…

The illegitimate son of a chambermaid and a Duke, all George has ever desired is to be accepted by society. He has achieved a measure of success by investing in risky ventures and for much of the novel, he is on the brink of financial ruin when his latest undertaking appears to have gone awry. While George may not be entertained in polite society, he is quite popular with the ladies, and in fact, he is a bit of a rake. But he is a rake with a conscience, and at first, he is quite hesitant to woo Monica from Augustine. But Honor is pretty persuasive and since she does not want George to actually seduce Monica, George reluctantly agrees to go along with Honor’s plan.

George and Honor are wonderful protagonists and I really enjoyed watching them match wits. Honor is certainly a force to be reckoned with and George is certainly up to the task of resisting her manipulations. The chemistry between them is palpable and their scenes are underscored with a delicious sexual tension.

The plot of The Trouble with Honor is refreshingly unique and the characters are well-developed and likable. George and Honor are wonderfully imperfect with insecurities and flaws that are easy to relate to. Julia London adroitly avoids the usual romance clichés and even the “evil” secondary cast of characters is appealing and sympathetic. A truly enjoyable read that leaves me eager for the next installment in the Cabot Sisters series.

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Filed under Harlequin, HarlequinHQN, Historical, Julia London, Rated B+, Review, Romance, The Cabot Sisters, The Trouble with Honor