Tori: May recently messaged me that she had a lighthearted funny romance contemporary that she thought I would like. Both of us have a fondness for funny romantic contemporaries. A story with a viable sweet romance that isn’t inundated with overblown angst and a dark emotional quagmire that can and often does leave you drained for days after reading. Not to say there isn’t anything wrong with those kinds of stories but after awhile, you need something cheery.

After reading the romance she recommended, we got to talking about how we need more of these style romances. Light hearted, funny, and with an established HEA; along the same lines as older Lori Foster or Jennifer Crusie romances. Hence came the idea of Retro Reads. Retro Reads will be a once a month or bi monthly post where May and I will reread older rom coms and discussing why we love them so much.

This months Retro Read is Jude’s Law by Lori Foster. Not many people know that Jude’s Law is actually the very first book in her SBC series. Though it doesn’t directly address the characters in the SBC series, it does reference the organization.

May: Tori, I’m excited to start here because I recall really being into Jude’s Law, and it being a super fun read. Jude is an actor/former SBC fighter and an exceptionally rich man who has been obsessed with the local art dealer, May. She doesn’t think he is serious in his advances and laughs off most of his attempts to woo her and get her out on a date (and ok, into her pants) until a series of events lands her and Jude in danger. So Tori, what do you think? Did Jude’s Law hold up over time?

Tori: Well May, I enjoyed it almost as much as the first time. This rom com is fun. Plenty of action and romance makes for a fun, steamy, laugh out loud read. Foster writes a good alpha male who manages to balance his need to protect with his ability to understand his woman’s need for independence. Jude is an alpha male without being an alpha-arse. The attraction he has towards May is “felt” throughout the book. I didn’t even have issues with his not quite on the up and up way he maneuvered May into this house and bed. Also, he has a great sense of humor and can say, “I’m sorry.” I enjoyed his camaraderie with Denny. It had a bff-father like quality that was appealing. I really wish Denny would have gotten his own book. I did have issues with May though. I never understood her loyalty towards her parents or her need to continuously protect them. Thankfully Jude understood it because I think I would have arranged for them to accidently disappear.

May, what did you think of the mystery portion of the story? Did it balance well with the romance for you?

May: Yes. This story is first and foremost about the events that led to Jude and May finally getting together and falling in love, and I feel like Foster really excelled at adding in characters and details that were interesting and added to that. The villain of the piece is a bit cliched, but I think that made him work for this story. I like that May plays a part in the figuring out of motivations, who done it, and all of that as well.

I must also comment that the character of Denny is still one of my favorites – he’s such a crusty guy, so badass, and yet also so very sensitive to the characters that need it. I would have loved to read a whole book about him for sure and seen him with some HEA goodness.

Now as you know Tori even when I like a book I’m the queen of “but”, and this book is no exception. I have three main issues with Jude’s Law:

1. The sequel baiting is over-done and quite honestly the second installment (Murphy’s Law) doesn’t meet the challenge or satisfy nearly as much as this story.

2. I never saw a reason other than “because she turns me down always” and because she has the best name ever (ha) that Jude would fall in love with May.

3. Because of the previously mentioned sequel baiting, the ending of this book felt like it strayed away from Jude and May’s story.

Aside from May’s issues with her parents, did you have any other issues with this book Tori?

Tori: May, I have to agree with some of your “buts”, though I most of the 80s rom coms all have a sense of over the top plot devices. I think it was a law or something.

My issues were:

1. Murphy’s Law was over the top and never quite hooked me like Jude’s Law. I think too much time was given to Ashley and the big secret clues were beaten to death.

2. May’s parents of course. If Foster could have made me believe there was a legit reason for her loyalty, I might have bought it. Her main reason,Tim, was an adult and once he hooked up with Denny, that reason was gone.

3. While it was cool May “solved” the mystery, I was a little shocked that trained investigators couldn’t. She figured it out in an hour. :(

I have to say, I bought Jude’s attraction. Of course, it starts as lust and the chase is appealing, but I think in the time he spends chasing her, his feelings deepen dramatically. If anything, I doubted May’s fast copulation quicker then Jude’s.

Regardless, it was a fast enjoyable read that put a smile on my face and left me feeling happy and sated at the end.

May: Tori, I just looked it up, and Jude’s law first released in 2006. So she was feeling very retro with her old school over the top vibe I guess! Oh my.

Tori: Well hell, May, maybe she was channelling her inner 80s vibe and bringing back that “lovin’ feeling,” lol

May: The bottom line for me Tori is the same as you – I enjoyed it as a fast paced read with a super alpha hero. I also really enjoyed that while Jude was hurt from the accusations of being a murderer, he wasn’t broken. So often authors go over the top with angst and healings and whatnot – it was nice to see someone who’d worked out and adjusted to the issues he had faced without some soul saving sex or serious emo moments.

What reading Jude’s law has really done for me, is rekindle my interest in visiting old favorites and seeing just how they stack up. I think we are definitely going to have to check in on the SBC fighters Tori. What do you think?

Tori: I agree. I’m so over the emotional angsty love pitfalls that seem to be the trend in romance lately. It’s like humor has been outlawed. Romance can be funny, sexy, and emotionally satisfying without completely destroying the characters. I’m so ready to revisit the SBC boys, May. Havac, Sublime, even PITA Drew Black. As I’m reading a vintage Crusie right now, I can definitely say my interest in rekindling my romance with retro reads is alive and well.

May: Ooh vintage Crusie – that’s another topic for another day I think. We’ll definitely have to keep cruising the retro reads Tori.

Goodreads l Kindle l Nook