PP Jude's Law ebook

I love Lori Foster's books but this one, well, the female leading character, May, is annoying. I'm two-thirds of the way through the book. Her actions don't reflect any 'strengths' but are supposed only when characters would think/say she was. We all have insecurities but hers are too much for her to be matched with someone of Jude's character. I guess it's a good thing she has a 'great rack'. Her old-hen mothering and incredibly bad decisions were character flaws that just didn't impress me. Working two jobs, enabling alcoholic/philandering/lazy relatives does not make a heroine with a backbone. She comes across as an overly-worrying, 29 year old wimp with childish tendencies who tries to be independent but fails.

Story line is good, just not the heroine.

It's probably been ten years since I read Jude's Law the first time around, but with the hot new cover and the kindle edition only 1.99 I couldn't pass up the buy and another reread. Jude was hot and he just wants to take care of May. May was loyal and sweet even to those who don't deserve her loyalty and love. They end up forced to live together to uncover an enemy that is out to hurt them both. A little bit of action, drama and some good loving. I enjoyed this story this time around just as I did the first time. Now I need to do a reread of Murphy's Law which is another story part of this duology.

I loved this story! I don't want to give any spoilers, but I usually don't like when a story isn't complete at the end of the book, but beings as you are told ahead of time that this is book 1 of 2, I find I have a different reaction. I guess it's in the knowing. This set has been out a while though, so not sure how it was at release time. Now back to the review.
Jude is a fighter and an actor, who has been found not guilty of killing a young woman. No one really sees him out in public, unless there is a showing at the gallery owned by May. He has a thing for May, but she won't take him seriously when he could have a skinny woman rather than someone heavy like her. When her brother gets into trouble she turns to Jude for help. He's willing to help, for a price. Will she take it? Read this book and see how their relationship develops!

I read more romance novels than I care to admit (more than should probably be legally allowed) but Lori Foster's work is a bit outside my normal realm of historical Victorian and Medieval romances. I didn't particularly care for the heroine (if she could be called that, albeit loosely) and I wonder why author's insist on writing from a "larger" woman's point of view if they cannot pull it off. I understand we all have problems with self-esteem and body image, but May (protagonist) is practically OBSESSED with the size of her backside, and this makes it hard for the reader to navigate around it (pun intended). Eventually you start to wonder how big May really is, through all the "lush curves" and "plump" seductiveness she carries, all you can think is 'How big is this t#@t really?'

This shouldn't have been an issue, except that Ms. Foster bludgeons you over the head with it at least every other page until you almost want to dare her to name a size. 12? 14? 16? 22? God forbid writers actually nail down any "larger" character's size in such concrete details; think how offensive it could be! Contrary to how this sounds, I did not hate the book, I just found it to be a bit pandering and lacking in plot, though it did set the stage (albeit shakily) for Murphy's Law.

If you are looking to read a non-committal book between serious reads, or if you happen to be a modern romance junkie, this book will suit you fine. I prefer to take this book completely at face value and not worry about the character flaws.

So begins the story of a woman, May, who has captured the interest of our rich Hollywood star, ex-SBC hero Jude.

Oh, I enjoyed this one, but I found it hard to fully believe the story and its characters.

May was supposed to be a strong and independent heroine I think, but I didn't really buy it. Half the time she was a pushover. When he makes hurtful accusation to her in the beginning to test her real feelings for him, she slugs him. That made me really happy. Until she apologizes..

A few times Jude became a little overbearing, wanting her to do what he wanted. Case in point, he tells May no, that she couldn't come with him to be part of the fun to see the bad dude. Also, a few points in the book May was just naturally showing concern, and he immediately gives a cutting remark about her 'coddling' him.

Another pet peeve of mine also is when the H/H are having an argument, then they have sex and everything is suddenly okay...Um, no. I hate it when sex becomes the magic tool that resolves issues.

I couldn't understand how May didn't come to resent her parents and her brother for not having treated her with respect or an ounce of compasion. It annoys me when cruelty is amplified to the point of extremes to highlight how much of a matryr the protagonist is. To me it backfires, it doesn't make me fully believe that not only can one can hold such disdain, but that someone can take all that cruelty dished out without fighting back. Granted the heroine later on had spine to take her parents later on, but enduring it for that long is a little hard to take in.

And after all this stuff that happens to her, that someone wants Jude dead, that her parents are nuts and her brother is a certified idiot, she asks Jude to not insult her brother, as it personally offends her.

I am also supposed to believe that out of all restaurants and all tables, her best friend happened to wait the table of the mastermind of her brother's beating. O.O

If I could suspend my disbelief in a few points, which I kind of did, and once I got over having to question each character's motivation each time, I could appreciate it for what it is- the story of how two untrusting people who have been brought together by the circumstances, who have struggled to be rid of a ruthless guy hellbent on ruining Jude's life. I found it ironic that her brother, her family, the very people who caused her to question her personal worth, who didn't lover her, have become very thing that lead her to find happiness.

I find that I am growing more fond of these 'comfort reads'. I do enjoy angsty reads once in a while, the way that angst-lover enjoy some light-hearted reads in occasion- it's just that I rest comfortably at the less angsty side. I can acknowledge that it is hard to strike gold with a book that can balance that familiar formulaic romance and at the same time, provide enough tension and conflict for me to enjoy it. I find there is satisfaction in the way these romance reads go. I like knowing what would happen, and I like wondering how it will be different. No, I did not fall in love with Jude's Law, but it was one of my better reads that sustained my interest with a sweet romance read that just hit the spot.

He has been waiting. And waiting. He has been going to her gallery for awhile. She is what he wants. And it's time to make her his. She can't be a SBC guy and a Hollywood celeb wants her. But she loves him. She is willing to risk her heart for him. This guy is worth it.