Why Read Julie James? Let the Readers Convince You

We could wax poetic about why you should read Julie James. But instead of selling you on it, we’re letting the readers, and their favorite fictional men, do the talking.

We’re not saying Julie James invented the charming-smart-sexy trifecta in contemporary romance. She’s definitely one of our must-read authors. But if you like your heroes with banter, bite, and a badge (or briefcase), she’s the blueprint. Her romances are sharp, fast-paced, emotionally satisfying, and incredibly re-readable.

She has the ability to write the most swoon-worthy of men while pairing them with strong-willed woman. She laces her stories with just the right amount of suspense and fills in the rest with the most hilarious moments in romance. If you haven’t read any of Julie James’ books yet, go grab at least one because I’m sure when you’re done with that you’ll be looking for more!

Let’s take a stroll through the most iconic heroes that put Julie James on our keeper shelves.

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The Best Julie James Heroes

Let’s start with the undercover agent who breaks his own rules, and steals our hearts.

Nick McCall from A Lot Like Love

An FBI agent and a billionaire heiress fake-date for an undercover sting that gets way too real, too fast. Nick McCall is all gruff, no-nonsense alpha until wine shop owner Jordan Rhodes starts cracking his shell. Think opposites attract, but make it enemies-to-lovers with sparkling banter and mobster-adjacent chaos.

Laura Hunsaker, Author of Highland Eclipse says:

Nick is my man. What I love about him is that he’s very much a normal guy. He isn’t the Boss’ secretary.. or the Shiek, or the Vampire, or the bajillionaire who has a secret virgin stableboy. I like how he is very “real.” He takes care of his woman, even when she isn’t really *his* yet. In fact, my fave quote from him is:

“Something inside Nick snapped. That was his fake girlfriend in there. Sitting at the table where they had just shared cheese fries the night before. And if she thought she could throw scorching hot-sex-looks to any pansy-ass scarf-boy who wandered into her shop, she had another thing coming. He had a look of his own to show the douchebag. It was time to break out the don’t-fuck-with-me face.”

Anyone who knows me, knows I’m not big on contemporaries but something about Julie James’ heroes makes them stick with me long after the book is finished. Especially Nick. I loved how their relationship progressed and how the two of them interacted, and Nick can protect me any day of the week.

My Nick McCall Fantasy Cast: Jed Hill

Grab A Lot Like Love on Amazon or read our A Lot Like Love review

Jason Andrews from Just the Sexiest Man Alive

Hollywood heartthrob meets hotshot lawyer. Jason is the literal “Sexiest Man Alive” and he knows it. Taylor, the no-nonsense attorney hired to coach him for a film role, is not impressed. The result? Some of the best slow-burn enemies-to-lovers tension you’ll ever read.

Nissie from Riverina Romantics says:

When Annie told me about this post, she asked me “Do you want to do Jason Andrews?” Well…. YEAH! Who wouldn’t? He’s ‘Just the Sexiest Man Alive’ , for crying out loud. But if she’d asked me when I was at the beginning of the book, the answer would have been “No, thank you.” Very seldom do I like the heroine more than the hero right off the bat. But his attitude and self-importance really put me off at first. I’m very happy to say I changed my mind about Jason. Under all the show was a caring, loving guy who is hotter than blazes. A lot of people obviously thought that before they got to know the real Jason, being named The Sexiest Man Alive and all, but I came to that conclusion much later. And in getting to know he wasn’t the pompous ass he acted like, he became much more attractive to me. In addition to his gorgeous face and body, he cracked me up! Marilyn Monroe said “If you can make a girl laugh, you can make her do anything.” It’s true. By the end of the book, after he’d been taken down a notch or two by Taylor, I was completely in love with the guy. He was still Jason Andrews. Sexiest Man Alive. Biggest Star on the Planet. He still had some of his attitude. But he was oh, so divine! This could very well be my favorite Julie James book. But that opinion changes sometimes. I love them all. All her books have made me laugh and made me sigh. She has created some of the most wonderful characters I’ve ever read. It’s very safe to say that Julie James is an automatic buy for me now and all her novels are on my keepers shelf.

Kseniya from GoodReads says:

Julie James’ books are smart, snappy, funny and sexy yet so realistic. I laughed so many times while reading her books I lost count. Jason was by far my favourite character, I mean c’mon the title speaks for itself! Just The Sexiest Man Alive was an amazing book to read, I laughed my socks off at James’ witty humor! Her writing style is brilliant and she kept me interested all the way through the book. She showed a great insight into Hollywood life and she sure knows the subject of law pretty well. The characters were very strong personalities and I was nearly at the end of the book before I even realized that Taylor and Jason haven’t even kissed yet! And I usually get bored if nothing happens… Not with this book though!

Jason Andrews Fantasy Cast: Matt Bomer

Grab Just the Sexiest Man Alive on Amazon or read our Just the Sexiest Man Alive review

Jack Pallas from Something About You

Ex-FBI agent. Former flame. Full-on grudge match. When Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron Lynde is caught up in a murder investigation, she’s forced to work with the last person she wants to see: Jack Pallas, the agent whose career she almost tanked. The tension? Off the charts. The slow-burn? Perfection.

Leah from GoodReads says:

I want Jack Pallas’s babies. Seriously. The man is intense, sexual, intelligent, extremely focused, loyal, fierce, and then there’s one of my personal favorite qualities, sarcastic. How could you not want him?! He’s a studly FBI agent, out to serve and protect. He can serve and protect me anyday *wink wink*. I looove Julie James, but I would love her simply because she created Jack Pallas. I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again: Julie James is an Author Goddess!

Jack Pallas Fantasy Cast: David Gandy 

Grab Something About You on Amazon or read our Something About You review

J.D. Jameson from Practice Makes Perfect

They’ve hated each other for eight years. Now they have to work together. The result is one of the best workplace rivals-to-lovers arcs in romancelandia. J.D. is arrogant, privileged, and a total ass… and somehow, you’ll fall for him anyway.

Annie from Under The Covers says:

J.D. Jameson is a man of money. With good looks (yummy smoky blue eyes), a great job (a freakin’ lawyer!), a sports car (definitely not the Prius type), he’s the man that everyone wants to be. But he’s also an asshole. Or as Payton would say, The Asshole. He’s over-confident, never taking no for an answer. He’s controlling and dominating (though that may not be such a bad thing in certain circumstances). And basically all the things that should make me hate him, makes me love him even more! J.D. can be a douche, no question. But like Pride and Prejudice (read the book and you’ll understand this reference!), Darcy wins the girl by being nice to her. And when J.D. puts on the charm…ladies, be prepared to melt!

Nic from Scorching Book Reviews says:

As much as I love Julie James’s heroes, J.D. from Practice Makes Perfect is my favourite. J.D. isn’t a tough guy, he isn’t there to save the girl; he’s the hit guy at the office you’ve always had a crush on. At the start of the story, we see J.D. as a man embroiled in a long running feud. He’s bitter, arrogant, smarmy and a little bit of a git. The little game that he and Payton have engaged in for years has gotten out of control and the only thing that matters to him is being the best at everything. I didn’t like him much at the start of the book, but hell, he was entertaining even then. Then something happened that made him see the error of his ways, made him see he was being an ass. Then we meet the real JD and, damn, that man is HOT! When he lets go of all that tension and admits that he is attracted to Payton he becomes a force to be reckoned with. He is funny, charming, sexy and just a touch of arrogance that changes him for Mr. Nice Guy to Mr. Irresistible. He treats her like a princess that he can’t get enough of. He isn’t a perfect hero, nor is he the alpha hero but is a pretty darn appealing book boyfriend.

“You’re going to stop talking now,” he said, pulling her to him. “Because I’ve already waited long enough to do this.” Then his mouth came down on hers, and finally, after eight years. J.D. Jameson kissed her.

J.D. Jameson Fantasy Cast: Ryan Barry

So why read Julie James? 

Because her heroes are more than just hot. They’re complicated, vulnerable, funny, stubborn, loyal, and deeply satisfying to read. Her dialogue snaps. Her chemistry sizzles. And her books? Automatic rereads.

If you’re craving contemporary romance with bite and brilliance, Julie James is your girl. Ready to start? Check out the FBI/US Attorney series reading guide.

Thank you to all who helped with this post! Special thanks to Nissie and Leah for helping me come up with the perfect Jason Andrews and Jack Pallas!

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