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Foreign Affairs
FALLING IN LOVE ABROAD IS A DREAM COME TRUE.
WELL... IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE.
After twenty years in the same small town, Faith Morrissey throws caution to the wind and books herself a one-way ticket to Europe. But her study abroad trip goes a bit sideways when she’s swept off her feet by a handsome stranger on the streets of Budapest.
HE’S THE PERFECT GUY.
CORRECTION: THE PERFECT SPY.
Turns out, there’s more to Wes Adams than meets the eye. A lot more. After months undercover, the hardened CIA agent is finally close to cracking an international crime syndicate wide open. He’s not going to let anything stand in his way.
Not even the adorable American tourist who’s just stumbled directly into his crosshairs...
FOREIGN AFFAIRS is a steamy, standalone second-chance romance about an unwitting tourist who finds herself in the crosshairs of an undercover CIA agent. Due to strong language, suspenseful elements, and sexual encounters, it is intended for readers ages 16 and up.
WELL... IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE.
After twenty years in the same small town, Faith Morrissey throws caution to the wind and books herself a one-way ticket to Europe. But her study abroad trip goes a bit sideways when she’s swept off her feet by a handsome stranger on the streets of Budapest.
HE’S THE PERFECT GUY.
CORRECTION: THE PERFECT SPY.
Turns out, there’s more to Wes Adams than meets the eye. A lot more. After months undercover, the hardened CIA agent is finally close to cracking an international crime syndicate wide open. He’s not going to let anything stand in his way.
Not even the adorable American tourist who’s just stumbled directly into his crosshairs...
FOREIGN AFFAIRS is a steamy, standalone second-chance romance about an unwitting tourist who finds herself in the crosshairs of an undercover CIA agent. Due to strong language, suspenseful elements, and sexual encounters, it is intended for readers ages 16 and up.
392 pages, Unknown Binding
First published December 3, 2014
72 people are currently reading
2131 people want to read
About the author
Julie Johnson
28 books3,295 followersJULIE JOHNSON is the #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of The Wind Weaver. When she's not writing, Julie can most often be found sitting on the beach near her home in her native Massachusetts, adding stamps to her passport, drinking too much coffee, and avoiding reality by disappearing between the pages of a book. She published her debut novel on a lark, just before her senior year of college, and she's never looked back. Since, she has published twenty other novels, which have been translated into more than a dozen different languages and appeared on bestseller lists all over the world.
You can connect with Julie on her Instagram (author_julie), in her natural habitat (the bookstore), or in her exclusive reader group (The Johnson Junkies).
For news and updates, be sure to subscribe to Julie's monthly newsletter: juliejohnsonbooks.com/newsletter
You can connect with Julie on her Instagram (author_julie), in her natural habitat (the bookstore), or in her exclusive reader group (The Johnson Junkies).
For news and updates, be sure to subscribe to Julie's monthly newsletter: juliejohnsonbooks.com/newsletter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
July 27, 2016
“Wes and Faith.
Faith and Wes.
We were doomed from the start. A lost cause. A losing battle.
And yet, in that narrow instant, I didn't give a single fuck.”
Dear Julie Johnson,
I have to state it once more (I'm even considering a tattoo or a graffiti or writing a sonnet)
Once upon a time, there was a girl full of light and love. Her heart was pure as the morning sky, she was honest and innocent and real, the entire concept of deception and lies was strange to her. She put faith in everything and everyone.
Once upon a time, there was a boy full of darkness. His heart was empty, he had never experienced love or longing, there was never a person in his life that made him feel needed, that made him want to be better. He had no home and no hope, he was lonely and devoid of anything real.
Their story was not a fairytale.
“When it came to loving Wes, pleasure and pain were always wrapped up in one. We hurt each other; we healed each other. Screamed and seduced, built and broke each other.
It wasn't a normal kind of love.
It was unsafe. Undeniable. Unhealthy. Unforgettable.
It was a contradiction.”
It's midnight here, and I am trying very hard to turn my thoughts into coherent sentences, that will show even a glimpse of my emotional state after reading Erasing Faith. I have to be honest, I didn't expect to love Wes. After Say the Word, I thought it was my duty to take Fae's side and hold a grudge against the stranger who forced her to change her life and her attitude towards life. But page after page, chapter after chapter I fell deeply in love with them, with the fearsome CIA agent and his kind and passionate target.
“Maybe you are right, Red. Maybe I am hateful. Maybe I ruined your life. Maybe I'm the devil, and the worst thing that ever happened to you, and a million other awful things. But did you ever stop to think that even if I am a monster, I might be your soulmate anyway?”
Entwined with suspense and action, Erasing Faith was a sweet story of forgiveness, of hatred and love as the two sides of the same coin, a story about light and darkeness. I kept admiring Faith for her strength and patience, for her unconditional devotion to Wes, for seeing something good in him worth saving even though he didn't want to. It was really smart of Julie Johnson to use dual POV so that we could witness the struggle in both of them, their angst and their reasoning. There was something poetic about Wes, he was the tormented hero but he inflicted pain at the same time. He was gasping for breath and that terrified him.
First Finn, then Bash, and now Wes. Yeap, I'm officially ruined.
Well done Julie Johnson, well done!
PS Lux's appearance practically left me squealing!!
February 19, 2015
4.5 SOLID STARS - Had to round it up to 5 - loved it!
‘With every muscle she moved, every touch of her hands, every brush of her body against mine, I felt myself sink further into her depths.’
From the very start of this book, I began to experience those excited little book flutters and knew I was going to love Erasing Faith after being captivated by Julie Johnson’s expressively beautiful prose. This author sure does have a way with words and uses them in such a beautifully intoxicating and hypnotic way. Her words were like a seductive temptress: luring me in and never letting me go. I felt as though I wanted to pause life until the last page had been turned as Julie Johnson’s words held me captive.
“I’m not your prince, Red. The dark knight, maybe. But don’t confuse me for the valiant hero.’
The sinister atmospheric feel of the prologue set the scene for down the track, leaving me with a mixture of excitement, anticipation and dread stirring in me as I wondered how the story was going to unfold and bring us to that point in the prologue.
‘Monsters aren’t all tentacles and teeth. Sometimes, they’re far less obvious – wrapped up in charm and charisma, cloaked behind secrets and seduction’
The story held me spellbound during the suspense, the charming and witty banter between our two main characters put a smile on my face, the sexual chemistry sizzled and the mystery and secrets that abound throughout Erasing Faith kept me glued to my Kindle.
‘He was a man lost in shadows.’
Faith embarks on a journey to study abroad in Budapest in a quest discover who she is. Although coming from a large family, Faith is a bit of a loner and seems to revel in the life of the carefree traveller working for a courier firm whilst studying History in Budapest.
An accidental meeting with Wes, a handsome stranger stirs feelings in Faith as she feels an instant attraction to him. As they spend time together Faith feels a connection to Wes…it’s as though this guy ‘gets her’. Faith believes their meeting was fate but was it fate or a calculated move on Wes’s part?
‘I’d wonder late, after it all fell apart…if I’d known how it would turn out, would I have ripped that plane ticket into pieces? Would I have stayed in my life….and chosen never to meet the man who’d splinter my world – and my heart – into fragments.’
Told in alternate POV I was afforded an insight into Wes’s motives and Faiths naivety as their relationship progresses. Wes struggles internally between his feelings for this refreshingly effervescent and beautiful girl who appears so pure and so honest, intelligent and fierce, against his loyalty and commitment to the task at hand.
‘Her beauty was elemental. It radiated from beneath her skin, painted her in color against a grayscale world.’
Just who is Wes and why is he so interested in Faith? All was revealed as Julie Johnson took me through the streets of Budapest on a vividly descriptive journey, that had me breathing in every moment of Wes and Faith’s story as I uncovered the truth behind the solitary and mysterious Wes, and the discovery of what Faith had unwittingly walked into. I don’t want to give anything away so I’ll leave it up to you to find what mystery is afoot.
‘This, right here, with my mouth pressed against hers, was the safest I’d felt in years.’
This standalone had it all. Suspense, mystery, intrigue, romance, humour and passion, together with characters full of spark, all beautifully woven together by an author who really did caress me with her words, not to mention a book boyfriend to swoon over! The only reason this wasn’t a solid 5 star for me is because the second part felt a little rushed and I would have loved a little more ‘afters’ with Wes and Faith . A definite recommend without a doubt!
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April 3, 2024
★★ NEW LOOK, NEW PRICE. ★★
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KOBO → http://bit.ly/2gYwblT
NOOK → http://bit.ly/2yhhJNz
SMASHWORDS → http://bit.ly/1MNeLM2
"He's the love of her life... but his life is a lie."
FAITHLESS is a sexy, standalone, second-chance romance from internationally bestselling author Julie Johnson.
AMAZON → http://amzn.to/2yg5mkE
iBOOKS → http://apple.co/2gPuu6H
KOBO → http://bit.ly/2gYwblT
NOOK → http://bit.ly/2yhhJNz
SMASHWORDS → http://bit.ly/1MNeLM2
"He's the love of her life... but his life is a lie."
FAITHLESS is a sexy, standalone, second-chance romance from internationally bestselling author Julie Johnson.
January 2, 2015
....This consumed me, what a fabulous way to kick off 2015. All fans of hot and intense, NA reads need to read this.
December 8, 2014
**Erasing Faith generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.**
5++ Contradictory Love Stars
Each and every time Julie Johnson announces she’s writing a new story I do a little happy dance. This author possesses such a gift of storytelling. Each story she pens vividly represents two characters each on a journey of self-discovery whom find out what it’s like to love, lose, and forgive their soul mate. Erasing Faith explores the vitality of fate while questioning its very essence. It’s a contradiction of sorts fitting perfectly between the lines of the excellently written, descriptive prose composing the story of Faith Morrissey and Weston Abbott – whose very relationship just so happens to be a contradiction.
Choosing to write from the points of view of both, Faith & Wes, Julie Johnson depicts a tale reading as a fond memory of a period of time in both their lives when worlds collided so forcefully they both were knocked off their own axis. What I love about Julie’s writing are the details she provides to make you so in tune with her characters, details never overwhelming but perfectly placed to embrace the intensity or levity of the action. Ms. Johnson interprets events to the reader with such accuracy her words read like a movie scene playing out in front of your eyes.
Erasing Faith represents a love story full of mystery at the beginning with details revealing themselves throughout, subtle clues being left in every chapter, and in typical Julie Johnson fashion a perfectly placed element of surprise. The passion restrains itself from the overly graphic yet is written with such finesse you feel the connection between Faith & Wes intimately. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the high quality snark and banter Julie Johnson writes. Her subdued jokes and dry humor laced in the banter between these two characters makes you laugh out loud. There’s nothing better than two intelligent characters engaging in an intelligent game of word play.
Wes and Faith equally possess qualities you’ll love and a few that you won’t. They make mistakes, they are stubborn, they make choices affecting the rest of their lives, and they’re both figuring out who they are with the other infiltrating their life. The beauty of Wes and Faith stems from what they’re hiding from, how they fight against it, and ultimately the way in which they redeem themselves. It’s Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf for certain circling each other trying to find their place.
Although we meet Faith as Fae in Say the Word, Erasing Faith most definitely reads as a standalone novel. Just another quality of Ms. Johnson’s books I adore. It’s hard finding a good standalone book these days in the land of cliffhangers and trilogies. This author wraps her stories in neat packages leaving the reader fully satisfied with the structure of what they just consumed.
There hasn’t been a single sentence I’ve read in the three books published by Julie Johnson that felt out of place. This woman knows how to write great New Adult stories. It’s been an absolute pleasure following this author on her writing journey. With the release of Erasing Faith I’m reminded yet again why I drop everything to read a Julie Johnson book. And just like its predecessors, I could immediately go right back to chapter one and start all over again.
If you’re a fan of New Adult Romance, please don’t skip over Julie Johnson’s titles she possesses a great gift for her craft that will consume you as a reader.
Favorite Quote:
“We hit like opposing air fronts. Clashed like hot and cold. Two total contradictions – a high-pressure system and its low-pressure polar opposite – converged and created a massive atmospheric disturbance. A lighting strike.”
You should most definitely read all of Julie's books. Check out my 5 star reviews for her other novels:
Like Gravity
Say the Word
November 24, 2015
Strike One
Too many meaningful eye actions. This is from a SINGLE Interaction, and just what his eyes are doing... Doesn't even include her own damn eye actions:
Hey, authors, there's nothing wrong with letting eyes tell your story in small increments, but when eyes, facial features, and mouth expressions start saying more than your character's POV, you might want to start painting vs writing!
Strike Two
I'm bored. I've read 16% & you've given me NOTHING of interest other than the MCs briefly meeting twice. Wtf?!?
The pacing here is torture. The excess info and sentence fluffing could be the new solution for insomnia.
The author pads nearly every sentence with excess words... Nearly every paragraph with unnecessary sentences and useless, superfluous info... And every chapter with whole paragraphs that mean, add absolutely nothing to the story.
Here's what I mean:
On and on this goes for six pages just to SET UP for a speed dating scene. Another handful of pages in horrible speed dates with random people. Finally, the MCs exchange a few sentences. But, hell no, we still can't get on with anything of moment because he has to have a handful of pages for an inner diatribe about his own fucking name.
Come on!
Strike Three
Nonsensical shit.
Wtf are you talking about, dude?
1. How is the name Wesley Adams anywhere akin to the name Weston Abbot?
2. When she says your name, your goal was ... "I didn't want it to be a lie." How is her saying a fake name, which you find similar to your own but that's still not your name, equal to being your name?!? she's saying?!?!? Nonsensical shit, I tell ya, nonsensical!
Bonus: I'd add that this mfer, who hasn't done much beyond gripe and whine me a river, sounds about as much like a CIA operative as Kanye West would. Just saying~
Summary
DNF @ 19% due to:
• Slow pacing and padded writing style
• Too much fluff
• Too much nonsense
• Too much inner rambling and nonverbal writing cues.
• Too little of actual substance
Too many meaningful eye actions. This is from a SINGLE Interaction, and just what his eyes are doing... Doesn't even include her own damn eye actions:
"... his eyes flashed with a dark emotion I couldn't quite put my finger on.
"...promise in his dark eyes..."
"...his eyes flashing.."
"could almost feel those intense eyes watching my mouth..."
"...his dark eyes warm on mine..."
"His eyes were still too serious as they stared into mine."
"His dark eyes trapped my skittish ones."
Hey, authors, there's nothing wrong with letting eyes tell your story in small increments, but when eyes, facial features, and mouth expressions start saying more than your character's POV, you might want to start painting vs writing!
Strike Two
I'm bored. I've read 16% & you've given me NOTHING of interest other than the MCs briefly meeting twice. Wtf?!?
The pacing here is torture. The excess info and sentence fluffing could be the new solution for insomnia.
The author pads nearly every sentence with excess words... Nearly every paragraph with unnecessary sentences and useless, superfluous info... And every chapter with whole paragraphs that mean, add absolutely nothing to the story.
Here's what I mean:
There was a buffet table of appetizers on the left where, thankfully, most of the crowd had gathered. A makeshift bar had been set up on the right. I beelined for it, and not five minutes later, I had a complementary glass of cheap, boxed wine clutched tightly in one hand - in the nick of time, too, because a bubbly woman with a brunette bob straight out of the 1950s had just grabbed an electronic megaphone and stepped up onto a stool to address the crowd.
"Good evening, everyone! I'm Linda!" Her voice boomed at such a high decibel, the mic let out a piercing shriek that probably set every dog in a ten-mile radius on high alert. I rubbed at my ringing ears and took a large sip of wine from my plastic glass. It tasted horrible, but I was pretty sure if I drank enough of it, the night might become a fraction more tolerable.
"Sorry, sorry! the woman blathered into the bullhorn. "Still getting the hang of this thing!"
Her amplified giggles made me want to hurl myself into the lake.
On and on this goes for six pages just to SET UP for a speed dating scene. Another handful of pages in horrible speed dates with random people. Finally, the MCs exchange a few sentences. But, hell no, we still can't get on with anything of moment because he has to have a handful of pages for an inner diatribe about his own fucking name.
Come on!
Strike Three
Nonsensical shit.
When I'd opened my mouth to reveal my name, the cover I'd carefully rehearsed hadn't come out......
So I said Wesley Adams. Wesley. Fucking. Adams. Might as well have blown the whole fucking mission wide open and told her my real name. Hi, I'm Weston Abbott, the CIA operative attempting to infiltrate your life. Wanna grab a coffee?
I was such a fucking idiot. I could've tried to justify it - could've told myself I'd only chosen a name similar to my own because it would be easier to remember....
But that was all bullshit. I'd changed my cover at the last second for one reason only: because when I finally heard Faith Morrissey say my name I didn't want it to be a lie.
Wtf are you talking about, dude?
1. How is the name Wesley Adams anywhere akin to the name Weston Abbot?
2. When she says your name, your goal was ... "I didn't want it to be a lie." How is her saying a fake name, which you find similar to your own but that's still not your name, equal to being your name?!? she's saying?!?!? Nonsensical shit, I tell ya, nonsensical!
Bonus: I'd add that this mfer, who hasn't done much beyond gripe and whine me a river, sounds about as much like a CIA operative as Kanye West would. Just saying~
Summary
DNF @ 19% due to:
• Slow pacing and padded writing style
• Too much fluff
• Too much nonsense
• Too much inner rambling and nonverbal writing cues.
• Too little of actual substance
June 17, 2015
★ ★ ★ ★ 1/2 Unconditional Stars
I LOVE this author. I love her writing, her voice, her tone, her characters, everything! I have read every book she’s written and after each, I can’t wait for the next. And as with all the others, this is a stand-alone romantic suspense. She is a brilliant story teller, who doesn’t add unnecessary fluff to her stories. She excellently executed a dual POV between Wes and Faith. Writing a believable male character.
Her characters take journey’s of self-exploration. They may start the story damaged, but they end with understanding and growth. While New Adult romances are not my first choice of reads, I find that I don’t mind reading NA if it’s written by Ms. Johnson. If she writes it, I will read it.
Erasing Faith is no exception. Our Hero had been on his own since childhood and as a result had not felt love, let alone had the ability to share it. But when Faith stepped into his life, she broke through the barriers and the walls he had encased around his heart. She didn’t give up on him and she forced him to see not only what they could have together, but also that he deserved to have it. No matter how hard he pushed her away, she pushed back, accepting, caring and loving.
She vexed him, intrigued and confused him. He intrigued her and swept her off her feet as any fairy tale prince would.
“This wasn’t just our first kiss. It was my first real kiss. Ever.”
Together they were a mix of soft and hard, innocent and cunning, and when their love is challenged the question before them is, is love enough?
“But did you ever stop to think that even if I am a monster… I might still be your soulmate, anyway?”
I loved this story, this romance and these characters. Again, Julie Johnson put a smile on face and has me anxiously waiting for her next book!
July 26, 2018
Funny thing, I am not sure how this ended up on my TBR!?!? I still can't figure it out. I have never read this author...that I can tell. None of my GR friends have it marked? not sure? But, while browsing my online library wish list looking for a new audio to read - I basically clicked on this because the narrators are Sebastian York and Andi Arndt - the best narrator duo in the business!! And it did not disappoint!
I loved that the characters and the story hit me immediately, loved the dual POV. Wes and Faith were easy to love, easy to connect with, easy to feel the heartbreak with!! It had a touch of thriller, a touch of family, a touch of travel and lots of firing connections!! An all around great read! 4 stars!
I loved that the characters and the story hit me immediately, loved the dual POV. Wes and Faith were easy to love, easy to connect with, easy to feel the heartbreak with!! It had a touch of thriller, a touch of family, a touch of travel and lots of firing connections!! An all around great read! 4 stars!
July 16, 2015
“It might’ve started as a lie, Faith, but it sure as hell didn’t end as one. I might not have been real to you, and that’s fine. But you have to know… you were real to me.” His voice dropped so low, I could barely hear him. “It was real for me. It’s still real. The realest fucking thing I’ve ever felt.”
July 11, 2015
Overall rating: 4.5 "Red" stars!
Triggers:
Cheating:
Love triangle:
Sex with om/ow:
Intimate pasts:
OW/OM drama:
HEA:
This is the story of Weston and Faith. Faith is one of those heroines that you just love. She was sassy and spunky and had a great sense of nerdy humor. She grew up with two hippie parents along with 5 or 6 brothers and sisters. I can't remember exactly how many, but it was a big family. She always felt like as the baby she was in everyone's shadows. Not to say she felt sorry for herself or the way her parents raised her, because not only did they love her, but she loved them dearly, but she needed to break out and be her own person. Discover herself. So when an opportunity arises while in college to study abroad for a year - she jumps on it. That's how he ends up in Budapest and meets Wes.
Wes is a CIA agent. He is on his latest mission and apparently Faith is his mark for intel. Before he actually meets Faith, he studies her from afar for weeks and have his own preconceived notion about her. He thinks she is nothing more than a very beautiful face - that is until she falls into his arms literally. He is immediately taken with her and he soon becomes more obsessed with her than the mission he is supposed to be on. He knows he should stay away and he knows he doesn't deserve her, but he just keeps coming back. Unfortunately, he was right and the heroine ends up getting badly injured.
There is a separation of 3 years - which goes by SUPER QUICK. Granted, the first 50-60% of the book is a glance at the heroine, how they met and what happens as a result. The separation is literally a page and now we are at present day. Neither Faith nor Wes has moved on - even though Faith is now Fae and has literally dropped off the face of the earth. I loved how Wes finds her and what happens after. I loved how this couple was able to work out their issues and start a new life with each other.
This was a very beautiful story, but I couldn't give it 5 stars because I just felt it needed more of an ending. Don't get me wrong, it was a nice ending, but it could have used more ;)
Triggers:
Cheating:
Love triangle:
Sex with om/ow:
Intimate pasts:
OW/OM drama:
HEA:
This is the story of Weston and Faith. Faith is one of those heroines that you just love. She was sassy and spunky and had a great sense of nerdy humor. She grew up with two hippie parents along with 5 or 6 brothers and sisters. I can't remember exactly how many, but it was a big family. She always felt like as the baby she was in everyone's shadows. Not to say she felt sorry for herself or the way her parents raised her, because not only did they love her, but she loved them dearly, but she needed to break out and be her own person. Discover herself. So when an opportunity arises while in college to study abroad for a year - she jumps on it. That's how he ends up in Budapest and meets Wes.
Wes is a CIA agent. He is on his latest mission and apparently Faith is his mark for intel. Before he actually meets Faith, he studies her from afar for weeks and have his own preconceived notion about her. He thinks she is nothing more than a very beautiful face - that is until she falls into his arms literally. He is immediately taken with her and he soon becomes more obsessed with her than the mission he is supposed to be on. He knows he should stay away and he knows he doesn't deserve her, but he just keeps coming back. Unfortunately, he was right and the heroine ends up getting badly injured.
There is a separation of 3 years - which goes by SUPER QUICK. Granted, the first 50-60% of the book is a glance at the heroine, how they met and what happens as a result. The separation is literally a page and now we are at present day. Neither Faith nor Wes has moved on - even though Faith is now Fae and has literally dropped off the face of the earth. I loved how Wes finds her and what happens after. I loved how this couple was able to work out their issues and start a new life with each other.
This was a very beautiful story, but I couldn't give it 5 stars because I just felt it needed more of an ending. Don't get me wrong, it was a nice ending, but it could have used more ;)
She was so fucking beautiful it made my entire body ache like I'd taken a heavy beating. Looking at her hurt like a physical blow - one I'd accept happily. I couldn't take my eyes off of her.
"You are the person I want to fall asleep with at night and wake up to in the morning, Red. You're the person I want to share myself with-the good, the bad, the ugly." He pushed a tendril of hair behind my ear. "You're the way I want to live my life. The way I want to see the world. My guiding life. My religion... my faith "
"Maybe you're right, Red," I murmured, my mouth against her hair. "Maybe I am hateful. Maybe I ruined your life. Maybe I'm the devil, and the worst thing that ever happened to you, and a million other awful things." I tilted my head so my lips brushed her earlobe, and felt her shudder in response. "But did you ever stop to think that even if I am a monster... I might still be your soul mate, anyway?"
December 1, 2014
Another large round of applause to Miss Julie Johnson. This is my third Julie Johnson book and I was just as eager to read this as I was the others! I got Erasing Faith as an ARC and I was so excited to start it that I definitely skipped out on some of the Thanksgiving festivities to sneak away and get some reading in!
I have never been one to like those reviews that explain half the book before you've even read it, and lord knows I don't have the patience to find the millions of perfect quotes and gifs to demonstrate how awesome it was, but believe me when I say Erasing Faith was awesome. I don't want to share too much because I feel like the whole book is one huge spoiler - one of the perils of a now/then story line. Erasing Faith tells the story of Faith Morrissey/Fae Mongomery (introduced in Say the Word) and Wes Abbot. The story starts in Budapest, and while I have never visited, there was so much detail and flavor packed in that I felt like I was following Faith around as she went on her adventure to find herself. As the story progressed with the dual perspectives I loved the chance to peek inside,not only Faith's mind, but Wes' as well and I really grew to love him, despite all the walls and distance. I will also say that Wow! I did not see that ending coming!
All and all a big thumbs up and absolutely worth a read. The perfect balance between sexy-times, laughing-times, aw-times, and "omg-just-be-honest"-angst-times!
I have never been one to like those reviews that explain half the book before you've even read it, and lord knows I don't have the patience to find the millions of perfect quotes and gifs to demonstrate how awesome it was, but believe me when I say Erasing Faith was awesome. I don't want to share too much because I feel like the whole book is one huge spoiler - one of the perils of a now/then story line. Erasing Faith tells the story of Faith Morrissey/Fae Mongomery (introduced in Say the Word) and Wes Abbot. The story starts in Budapest, and while I have never visited, there was so much detail and flavor packed in that I felt like I was following Faith around as she went on her adventure to find herself. As the story progressed with the dual perspectives I loved the chance to peek inside,not only Faith's mind, but Wes' as well and I really grew to love him, despite all the walls and distance. I will also say that Wow! I did not see that ending coming!
All and all a big thumbs up and absolutely worth a read. The perfect balance between sexy-times, laughing-times, aw-times, and "omg-just-be-honest"-angst-times!
November 14, 2017
Talk Nerdy to Me
This would make a great title for a book, but in Faithless by Julie Johnson it is the title of a chapter and the reason super spy Wes falls for his mark in a sting he is developing to capture an international arms dealer. In a set up to "meet" bicycle courier and college student Faith, Wes trips her and her resultant nervous babbling completely disarms and charms the young but jaded CIA agent.
Before you know it, the mark becomes something more. More than Wes can handle. More than he wants her to mean. More than is safe for her given the parameters of his mission.
Faith's openness and happy, guileless life are anathema to Wes. She fascinates him. And he hates himself for what he did to her before he even knew her. His treachery plays with his emotions, his confidence and his loyalties. Because he can't reconcile who he is day to day and with Faith, there is a bit of Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde going on.
"Wes’ grin fell off his face so abruptly, I worried he’d suffered some kind of mental breakdown. Something dark flashed in his eyes as he stared at my face."
"She blew up my life. I hated her for it. But not as much as I loved her."
Of course, involving a super spy with a sweet innocent isn't going to end well. But Faith has changed Wes and he learns that he no longer wants to be Faith-less.
This would make a great title for a book, but in Faithless by Julie Johnson it is the title of a chapter and the reason super spy Wes falls for his mark in a sting he is developing to capture an international arms dealer. In a set up to "meet" bicycle courier and college student Faith, Wes trips her and her resultant nervous babbling completely disarms and charms the young but jaded CIA agent.
Before you know it, the mark becomes something more. More than Wes can handle. More than he wants her to mean. More than is safe for her given the parameters of his mission.
Faith's openness and happy, guileless life are anathema to Wes. She fascinates him. And he hates himself for what he did to her before he even knew her. His treachery plays with his emotions, his confidence and his loyalties. Because he can't reconcile who he is day to day and with Faith, there is a bit of Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde going on.
"Wes’ grin fell off his face so abruptly, I worried he’d suffered some kind of mental breakdown. Something dark flashed in his eyes as he stared at my face."
"She blew up my life. I hated her for it. But not as much as I loved her."
Of course, involving a super spy with a sweet innocent isn't going to end well. But Faith has changed Wes and he learns that he no longer wants to be Faith-less.
February 23, 2015
4.5 stars!! This book was so beautifully written, it was a joy to read. I loved the suspense and drama and the chemistry between the two leading protagonists had me hot and melting. Was a fantastic read and I loved the setting, the country was brought to life through cleverly crafted words and scenes. (full review to come)
July 16, 2015
So I'm gonna make this short and sweet.
I really enjoyed this one more than I thought I would! It was the romantic read that I needed to break my bad luck in books. I enjoy those types of stories where the hero is undercover so It really just worked for me and I will be reading more of this author !
I really enjoyed this one more than I thought I would! It was the romantic read that I needed to break my bad luck in books. I enjoy those types of stories where the hero is undercover so It really just worked for me and I will be reading more of this author !
June 7, 2016
This book had a slow start for me. I think that the beginning of the story was boring, and that's why I kept putting it down. That, plus the fact that I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, probably had me a little feeling a bit more impatient than normal. I don't mind building a back story, character development, etc., but the part of this story that took place in the past dragged on for too long. I quite enjoyed the story that takes place in the present, but it was altogether too short. Not even 30% of this book takes place after Faith and Wes's three year separation. I guess it wasn't enough for me to get over how much reading it took to get there.
What I liked:
1) The dual povs. Although they were written in the first person, I didn't mind! Color me surprised. Julie Johnson sure can write.
2) Faith wasn't your typical socially awkward NA heroine. I can't stand those! You kind of loathe them for being so awkward, and then you feel guilty about loathing someone who's either been abused, traumatized or neglected. Then you feel a bit of self-loathing for being such a horrible person, and finally you feel anger toward the author for forcing that kind of emotional response from you in the first place. It's not nice.
3) The last quarter of the book was great. I enjoyed the three years later period.
4) The plot was unusual and not what I was expecting when reading a NA romance novel. Johnson added just enough spy details to make it interesting.
What I didn't like:
1) Wes's eyes and mention of his eyes. I've never come across someone who's so emotive with them. Mention of them after a while was annoying.
2) How gullible Faith was. Yes, I know she was very innocent, but did she have to be so naive?
3) How long it took for the author to get to the present day. I almost lost faith and stopped reading. (See what I did there?)
4) The present day part of the story was too short to counteract how long the past section was.
5) Wes. To be honest, his cocky, is-it-real-is-it-fake smiles, non-apologetic self was very off putting. Maybe if he struggled more with how he was using her, I would have liked him better. I wasn't convinced that he deserved to be happy.
What I liked:
1) The dual povs. Although they were written in the first person, I didn't mind! Color me surprised. Julie Johnson sure can write.
2) Faith wasn't your typical socially awkward NA heroine. I can't stand those! You kind of loathe them for being so awkward, and then you feel guilty about loathing someone who's either been abused, traumatized or neglected. Then you feel a bit of self-loathing for being such a horrible person, and finally you feel anger toward the author for forcing that kind of emotional response from you in the first place. It's not nice.
3) The last quarter of the book was great. I enjoyed the three years later period.
4) The plot was unusual and not what I was expecting when reading a NA romance novel. Johnson added just enough spy details to make it interesting.
What I didn't like:
1) Wes's eyes and mention of his eyes. I've never come across someone who's so emotive with them. Mention of them after a while was annoying.
2) How gullible Faith was. Yes, I know she was very innocent, but did she have to be so naive?
3) How long it took for the author to get to the present day. I almost lost faith and stopped reading. (See what I did there?)
4) The present day part of the story was too short to counteract how long the past section was.
5) Wes. To be honest, his cocky, is-it-real-is-it-fake smiles, non-apologetic self was very off putting. Maybe if he struggled more with how he was using her, I would have liked him better. I wasn't convinced that he deserved to be happy.
April 14, 2015
I really loved this. This is my second book by Julie and I so love her writing . She pulls you in instantly to the story and also the characters. It's a slow building, second chance romance with a side of mystery. I LOVED Faith and Wes together they are both strong characters. Loved their instant connection and the banter between them was great. This was a beautiful story and I loved the ending.
November 27, 2023
Came open-minded and didn't expect anything since I picked this book based solely on the narrators. I loved everything. A solid 4.5 stars just because I felt like I lost 3years after Budapest otherwise a 5 for sure.
December 18, 2014
A standing ovation is in order for Julie Johnson and her awesome writing skills. Erasing Faith was absolutely amazing and is by far my favorite book that she has written. This was one of my most anticipated novels and it did not disappoint. I received Erasing Faith as an ARC on Thanksgiving and after my family fell into their turkey comas, I fell into the love story of Wes and Faith and the magical city of Budapest as their back drop.
You originally meet Faith Morrissey in Say the Word, but as Fae Montgomery. You never get the chance to really learn that much about her because she is always so mysterious and only briefly hints at her past. That only made me want to know what she was hiding, so when Julie Johnson announced that she was writing a book about Fae I was beyond excited.
In the beginning you meet a young and hopeful Faith in the historical city of Budapest to finish out her senior year when she literally crashes into a mysterious stranger. She is immediately attracted to this mystery man and let me tell you the sparks are just flying off the page, and they only just looked at each other. But this mystery man (aka Wes) is hiding something. At first he won’t let his guard down. He must always were the “mask” and never slip but there is something about Faith that draws him in and won’t let go.
I am going to put a quote from the book and I don’t really know if would be considered a spoiler but just in case…
***SPOILER ALERT***
“So why did one stupid, insignificant, staged conversation with Faith Morrissey have me wishing I could, just for a single moment, be him again? To look into her eyes, to talk to her, as the real me, rather than the asshole who was about to take a wrecking ball to her life?”
Ohhh the feels *sighs* they are fantastic. One thing I loved about this book was being inside Wes’ head. He was completely thrown off balance when he started having feelings for Faith that he fought them every chance he got, but something kept pulling him back to her. Fate perhaps? Hmmm… I don’t know guess you’ll have to read to find out.
I want to tell you more but I’ve already said too much. You need, no you must read Erasing Faith. It will leave you a crying, laughing, happy dancing hot mess. It is phenomenal. Congrats Julie Johnson!! Two thumbs way up! Five stars all around!! Okay I’ll stop, but seriously DO NOT PASS THIS UP. It is a must read!
You originally meet Faith Morrissey in Say the Word, but as Fae Montgomery. You never get the chance to really learn that much about her because she is always so mysterious and only briefly hints at her past. That only made me want to know what she was hiding, so when Julie Johnson announced that she was writing a book about Fae I was beyond excited.
In the beginning you meet a young and hopeful Faith in the historical city of Budapest to finish out her senior year when she literally crashes into a mysterious stranger. She is immediately attracted to this mystery man and let me tell you the sparks are just flying off the page, and they only just looked at each other. But this mystery man (aka Wes) is hiding something. At first he won’t let his guard down. He must always were the “mask” and never slip but there is something about Faith that draws him in and won’t let go.
I am going to put a quote from the book and I don’t really know if would be considered a spoiler but just in case…
***SPOILER ALERT***
“So why did one stupid, insignificant, staged conversation with Faith Morrissey have me wishing I could, just for a single moment, be him again? To look into her eyes, to talk to her, as the real me, rather than the asshole who was about to take a wrecking ball to her life?”
Ohhh the feels *sighs* they are fantastic. One thing I loved about this book was being inside Wes’ head. He was completely thrown off balance when he started having feelings for Faith that he fought them every chance he got, but something kept pulling him back to her. Fate perhaps? Hmmm… I don’t know guess you’ll have to read to find out.
I want to tell you more but I’ve already said too much. You need, no you must read Erasing Faith. It will leave you a crying, laughing, happy dancing hot mess. It is phenomenal. Congrats Julie Johnson!! Two thumbs way up! Five stars all around!! Okay I’ll stop, but seriously DO NOT PASS THIS UP. It is a must read!
December 31, 2014
Another fantastic read from this author! I’ve read Like Gravity and Say the Word by the same author before and I’m pleased to say I loved this story just as much. It’s a sweet second chance love story (like the author’s other books) but also has small action/suspense/mystery/crime thriller elements to it. The book starts off with a bang by introducing you to Wes and Faith – two characters who apparently hate each other – before moving to the main storyline which takes place three years earlier in Budapest. I liked the unusual setting of the story – it was nice to see a non-western city featured in a story for a change. It gave a lot more opportunities for historical and artistic tidbits to slip through which I loved. I also loved Faith’s character. Her stubborn openness with Wes was refreshing and I liked the way they seemed to get each other from the get go. Wes was a bit more difficult to like since right from the onset of the story you knew he was going to break Faith’s heart; however, despite my initial attempts to dislike him I found myself sympathising with his dilemma about Faith and understanding how difficult it was to love and be loved after a lifetime of isolation. I still think he was an idiot for running off but it all worked out in the end so I can’t hold it against him.
Overall, this was a fantastic read that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. I would recommend it if you have read the author’s other books and loved them just as much as I did. If you haven’t read any of Julie Johnson’s other books, start with Say the Word before reading this one. You don't really have to; Erasing Faith was a great story too, but I think Say the Word is still my favourite so far.
Overall, this was a fantastic read that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. I would recommend it if you have read the author’s other books and loved them just as much as I did. If you haven’t read any of Julie Johnson’s other books, start with Say the Word before reading this one. You don't really have to; Erasing Faith was a great story too, but I think Say the Word is still my favourite so far.
December 26, 2017
So I really can't & won't say much about this book because the less you know the better it is when you start reading the book. You get hooked from page one till the last word in the series.
I have read all of Julie Johnson's books, but this was by far my favorite. She captured all the emotions. The connections between the two characters Wes & Faith was instant & it lit up.
Their meeting isn't a coincidence. It was all planned from the beginning. I was intrigued from the first page. This is a romance like no other.
Faith goes to Budapest for school where she met Wes. They kept meeting in different places from there on after. It was told in alternate POV's which was a bonus because you got to see what both were feeling.
“I’m not your prince, Red. The dark knight, maybe. But don’t confuse me for the valiant hero.’
This was a standalone novel that had it all; Suspense, mystery, romance, humor.
"We hit like opposing air fronts. Clashed like hot and cold. Two total contradictions – a high-pressure system and its low-pressure polar opposite – converged and created a massive atmospheric disturbance. A lighting strike.”
I have read all of Julie Johnson's books, but this was by far my favorite. She captured all the emotions. The connections between the two characters Wes & Faith was instant & it lit up.
Their meeting isn't a coincidence. It was all planned from the beginning. I was intrigued from the first page. This is a romance like no other.
Faith goes to Budapest for school where she met Wes. They kept meeting in different places from there on after. It was told in alternate POV's which was a bonus because you got to see what both were feeling.
“I’m not your prince, Red. The dark knight, maybe. But don’t confuse me for the valiant hero.’
This was a standalone novel that had it all; Suspense, mystery, romance, humor.
"We hit like opposing air fronts. Clashed like hot and cold. Two total contradictions – a high-pressure system and its low-pressure polar opposite – converged and created a massive atmospheric disturbance. A lighting strike.”
December 31, 2014
Thank you!thank you! Julie for giving me an opportunity to read an advanced copy of your book! You have truly become my favorite author! Each time you take pen to paper you create a magical prose masterpiece. I don't know which of your books is my favorite. There all at the top!
This story begins with an overseas adventure for Faith with a semester abroad. She is bright young and carefree. While out she runs into Wes and so the adventure of fate begins. Wes is opposite of everything faith is. These two young people have a magical world wind romance. Little does faith now that Wes is keeping things from here including his true identity. And things crash from there!
I loved being able to have the dual perspectives of both Faith and Wes. It gives you a chance to see that Wes isn't such a bad guy after all and he does have a heart!
I would say this is a must read, as well as Julie's two other books Say the Word and Like Gravity!
This story begins with an overseas adventure for Faith with a semester abroad. She is bright young and carefree. While out she runs into Wes and so the adventure of fate begins. Wes is opposite of everything faith is. These two young people have a magical world wind romance. Little does faith now that Wes is keeping things from here including his true identity. And things crash from there!
I loved being able to have the dual perspectives of both Faith and Wes. It gives you a chance to see that Wes isn't such a bad guy after all and he does have a heart!
I would say this is a must read, as well as Julie's two other books Say the Word and Like Gravity!
December 12, 2014
This book....
I freaking LOVED it.
That's no surprise, really. I love all of Julie Johnson's books. But this one....
This one was my FAVORITE.
A swoony, sexy, 5-star second chance romance with a yummy alpha hero and a strong, sassy heroine. What more could you ask for? Seriously -- go read it right this minute!
I freaking LOVED it.
That's no surprise, really. I love all of Julie Johnson's books. But this one....
This one was my FAVORITE.
A swoony, sexy, 5-star second chance romance with a yummy alpha hero and a strong, sassy heroine. What more could you ask for? Seriously -- go read it right this minute!
June 30, 2015
Wow. This is the second time Julie Johnson drew me in with another beautiful love story. One of my favorite tropes is second-chance romance and she writes them captivatingly. Say The Word was one of my last year's favorites and she didn't let me down with Faith and Wes' story. I loved it.
I wish there's a book about Conor since I thought he was going to be Faith's romantic interest at first. Honestly, I had put aside this book when I read that there's another love interest for Fae. I really was ready for Fae and Conor because of the love/hate thing they had going on in the first book. BUT... few chapters in about Wes and I had a change of heart. Conor who? Oh, well. All I want to say is... book three, please?
I wish there's a book about Conor since I thought he was going to be Faith's romantic interest at first. Honestly, I had put aside this book when I read that there's another love interest for Fae. I really was ready for Fae and Conor because of the love/hate thing they had going on in the first book. BUT... few chapters in about Wes and I had a change of heart. Conor who? Oh, well. All I want to say is... book three, please?
February 22, 2015
I went into this book blind, I didn't know a thing about it, and that's very strange for me to do bc I'm a spoiler junkie. This author can write almost flawlessly. She sucks you into the story and connect with her characters, their voices, the actions and everything else that a good writer should as you read a book.
I was hooked right from the prologue. Just exactly what I needed from the humdrum I've been reading lately. It was a recommendation from my KU, I had never heard of this author but now I'll be sure to follow her and make sure to read more of her books.
I was hooked right from the prologue. Just exactly what I needed from the humdrum I've been reading lately. It was a recommendation from my KU, I had never heard of this author but now I'll be sure to follow her and make sure to read more of her books.
February 22, 2015
4.5 stars that I rounded up to 5. I loved this book. There are certain passages in it that rate 10 stars. The only reason I didn't give it a full 5 star rating is that I felt just a little bit was missing in that we didn't get much of Wes's background. We got a heart wrenching snippet, but I wanted to know so much more about why he chose to lose himself in the CIA and cut and run each time he got close to finding some true happiness.
But, it was a great read, one that I'm sure a lot of GR'ers will enjoy.
But, it was a great read, one that I'm sure a lot of GR'ers will enjoy.
July 27, 2015
I felt so much for Faith in this book. I met her in Say the Word, but this book was amazing in showing two people falling in love under strenuous circumstances. Great book. Amazing Author.
October 9, 2015
3.5 Stars
Was really good in some parts and others I found myself skimming.
Was really good in some parts and others I found myself skimming.
December 20, 2015
Yep another one that I liked and couldn't put down.
February 2, 2015
A young woman travels to Budapest to study and meets a man who turns out to be the best and worst thing that ever happened to her.
This book works on so many levels, it's hard to know where to begin. Faith Morrissey is a fascinating character. The youngest kid in her family, she's never quite developed her own identity. She travels to Europe to gain independence and a little perspective. She doesn't expect to run into someone like Weston Abbot. Of course, that's not the name he gives her. Wes is a jaded CIA operative in charge of getting the goods on a criminal organization with ties to Faith's employer. In spite of his best efforts, Wes soon comes to see Faith as more than a means to an end. Watching him grow and soften as their relationship develops is one of the best parts of the story.
Too bad their feelings for one another can't protect them from the dangerous reality of Wes's mission. When things come to an abrupt and violent head, Faith is lucky to survive. Though she comes through physically, her emotions are another story. Angry, disillusioned, heart-broken, she buries her former naive self and takes on a new name and a confident, powerful new persona. The new Faith--or Fae--would never be taken in by a game playing user. This is put to the test when past enemies resurface. Faith/Fae has to run for her life and...there's Wes right in the middle of it all!
The chemistry between Wes and Faith is epic. There's an erotic undercurrent, sure, but the sweetness of their love affair is what stands out for me. There are also great side characters. Conor is an FBI agent and Faith's reluctant savior. Margot is Faith's roommate in Budapest. I didn't get enough of them. I really really really hope Julie Johnson has a surprise up her sleeve and things aren't quite what they seem on the Margot front.
One small blemish in an otherwise fabulous book--the "before" section goes on a bit compared to the "now" section. This imbalance exerts a subtle breaking force between the 30 and 50% point of the story. I found myself rushing ahead. Not a completely bad thing, since it means I cared about what happened. But it undermined the beautiful setting Johnson gives us. The scenes in Budapest are so realistic and well drawn, they're worth lingering over.
ERASING FAITH is an incredibly romantic novel full of suspense and intrigue. Highly recommended.
This book works on so many levels, it's hard to know where to begin. Faith Morrissey is a fascinating character. The youngest kid in her family, she's never quite developed her own identity. She travels to Europe to gain independence and a little perspective. She doesn't expect to run into someone like Weston Abbot. Of course, that's not the name he gives her. Wes is a jaded CIA operative in charge of getting the goods on a criminal organization with ties to Faith's employer. In spite of his best efforts, Wes soon comes to see Faith as more than a means to an end. Watching him grow and soften as their relationship develops is one of the best parts of the story.
Too bad their feelings for one another can't protect them from the dangerous reality of Wes's mission. When things come to an abrupt and violent head, Faith is lucky to survive. Though she comes through physically, her emotions are another story. Angry, disillusioned, heart-broken, she buries her former naive self and takes on a new name and a confident, powerful new persona. The new Faith--or Fae--would never be taken in by a game playing user. This is put to the test when past enemies resurface. Faith/Fae has to run for her life and...there's Wes right in the middle of it all!
The chemistry between Wes and Faith is epic. There's an erotic undercurrent, sure, but the sweetness of their love affair is what stands out for me. There are also great side characters. Conor is an FBI agent and Faith's reluctant savior. Margot is Faith's roommate in Budapest. I didn't get enough of them. I really really really hope Julie Johnson has a surprise up her sleeve and things aren't quite what they seem on the Margot front.
One small blemish in an otherwise fabulous book--the "before" section goes on a bit compared to the "now" section. This imbalance exerts a subtle breaking force between the 30 and 50% point of the story. I found myself rushing ahead. Not a completely bad thing, since it means I cared about what happened. But it undermined the beautiful setting Johnson gives us. The scenes in Budapest are so realistic and well drawn, they're worth lingering over.
ERASING FAITH is an incredibly romantic novel full of suspense and intrigue. Highly recommended.
December 2, 2014
I'm one of the lucky ones who received the Erasing Faith ARC from Julie Johnson, and there is a reason why I just ADORE her! If you are like me you have probably read a TON of books that follow a certain formula. After awhile you get bored and hope, cross your fingers, search, download sample after sample hoping something good will come a long. And yes!! Hallelujah! I'm recovering from my book withdrawals, thanks to Julie! Let me just say, I first fell in love with Julie's writing style in Like Gravity (which is still my favorite of hers, if you haven't read it, GET IT!). She has an uncanny way of pulling you into the stories she is telling. Her description of the characters, the scenes, emotions are so well written that you are immediately invested into the characters. Erasing Faith takes place mainly in Hungary which I have never been and after reading this book I want to go! We meet Faith/Fae first in Say the Word if you haven't read that it's ok you don't need to read it first, BUT you should read it because that's another "good read" ;) I'm not going to talk what the book is about because you just have to read it for yourself, I promise it's an enjoyable read. I'm not into "spoiling" So what I will say is...If you are looking for a book that takes you on an adventure, suspense (makes you think) has some crazy, off the charts chemistry between the main characters (you feel like your heart may explode) humor (I literally laughed out loud and couldn't stop laughing in parts of the book, it was a good thing), possibly take away some really good life lessons (which in this book is overcoming fears), AND love to read from two POV's (which I LOVED!) then READ ERASING FAITH!! I promise, you won't be disappointed!!
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