Crossing the Line by J.J. Arias

Crossing the Line Reviews

• 
  pipsqueakreviews

  Legally romantic.
  
  I'm a fan of J.J. Arias, having recently downloaded a couple of the author's books from KU and loving them all, but this one is by far my favourite. In fact, I have to say that this one is the best and the hottest book I've come across in a long time. And when I say hottest, I don't just mean the sex. The sex was steamy and passionate, of course, and I didn't wait long to get a taste of it because the story begins with a one night stand between the main characters. But beyond that, I also meant the storyline and chemistry as well. The feelings growing in the Judge's Chambers between the Honourable Judge and her intern, and their longing and pining fed my fantasies for an age-gap, forbidden workplace romance and the sexual tension was through the roof (in my opinion, at least).
  
  I'm in love with the characters too. Sierra is an open book, young and forward in her pursuit of Jordan, while Jordan is just the opposite. But Jordan and Sierra are both very likable characters so it was so easy to fall in love with them.
  
  So love this!
• 
  Anna Avian

  Loved the chemistry between Jordan and Sierra. Even though there was plenty of angst it didn't end up being annoying and overwhelming thanks to their connection over their professional lives and their very well rounded, strong characters.
• 
  Elle

  "What more was there left to say between them other than everything?"
  
  4.5
  
  
  J.J. Arias truly deserves the title of Queen of the Age Gap Trope!
  
  By the end of the story, Jordan and Sierra have blossomed into a well-matched and endearing couple. While Sierra starts off as an immature intern, her character development is impressive, and it was satisfying to watch her journey unfold. And Jordan embodied everything I love in a character—she was genuine, patient, and unwavering in her convictions.
  
  Plus the epilogue is one of the sweetest chapters I’ve ever read.
• 
  Rain G

  Wow!
  It has been a long time since I enjoyed a book that much!
  
  -Chemistry from the beginning (I love it).
  -Solid writing style.
  -Two great and strong Main Characters.
  -The kind of sence of humor that make me smile and even laugh.
  -Lawyer/Court environment: perfect setup !
  -Interesting power balance between the main characters.
  
  I'm not a fan of age gap romances,  but in this case it felt suitable for the story.
  
  Very entertaining!
  5 stars
• 
  Leah

  Whew boy. This one was harder for me to get into. The age gap is 20 years. On top of that it’s a new judge and her intern. While nothing actually happens while she’s an intern it was still kinda uncomfortable.
  
  Sierra was also really hard for me to like. She was immature and had “player” vibes. While this is intentional it was still a lot to have to deal with before she realized she needed to grow up a bit.
• 
  currentlyreadingbynat

  I love a forbidden romance and as soon as I saw that this book featured a judge and their law intern I immediately knew I needed to read it. 🔥🔥🔥
  
  I absolutely love J.J. Arias' books as she manages to always nail the slow burn between her two main characters. This was a great way to feel the chemistry between Jordan and Sierra - it was pouring off the pages. Although they hook up at the beginning of the book, once they are in their professional roles any relationship is off-limits. You could absolutely feel the pining between both characters and I loved the resolution at the end. It felt really organic and realistic, especially because they have a 20 year age gap.
  
  Outside of the romance, both Jordan and Sierra are well-rounded characters. Although Jordan is a newly-minted judge, she's still so down to earth and lovely. Sierra is initially a bit of a playgirl at 24, but throughout the novel she develops into a more mature version of herself. Both characters completely won me over and I loved getting to know them individually but also as a couple.
  
  I highly recommend a read.
  
  Many thanks to J.J. Arias for providing me a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Ivy

  Holy hell talk about heat!! This was def one of the steamiest books I’ve read by J.J. and I was not disappointed. I found my eyes kind of bulging more than a few times when I read some scenes and each time internally I was like “niceeee”.
  
  I loved this. I’m not typically into age gaps but this one stole me immediately. I loved the characters; Sierra is a bombshell and I loved her from the moment she appears and Jordan was a fun surprise. I was expecting a hard ice queen who has a wall a million miles thick, but I was pleasantly surprised to read that she has a huge heart and she does have feelings. It also makes me feel great that this story does have a HEA. Great, fun, spicy book this one was and I recommend it highly!
• 
  Jo Ben-What

  Great story but I may be partial because i have a thing for judges. Lol.
  I liked everything from the dialogues, the chemistry and characters developpment. Would recommend 💯
• 
  Netgyrl (Laura)

  3.5 Stars - started slow, finished strong
  
  It took me a bit to get into it but when they decide to be together for real I just had a giant smile on my face for the rest of the book. Lovely.
• 
  Amy Marsden

  I don't quite know how to rate this, as I both liked it and didn't like some of it. I'll go with 3.5 rounded up.
  
  What I liked:
  It was very well written, as I'm coming to expect the more I read from J J Arias. She can somehow make being a lawyer sound interesting, lol.
  
  I liked all the characters. I liked Sierra's little maturity journey, and while Jordan didn't undergo the same kind of growth, I liked her too. I kind of wish they'd gone down the forbidden affair route, but I get why they didn't.
  
  I've noticed a distinct lack of men in a few of Arias's book, and I really like it. More like this please!
  
  What I didn't like:
  I feel like a broken record lol, but I'm not the biggest fan of age gaps. I've read a lot of them lately. They're everywhere! I liked that they discussed their 20 year age gap in this, and I agreed with all Jordan's points on why they shouldn't date lol, but in the end they disregard them and go ahead anyway. I just don't like it. Personal preference.
  
  While I felt a sexual chemistry between them, I wasn't quite sold on romantic chemistry. I don't really know why tbh, I can't point to anything in the book that was lacking wrt that *shrugs*
  
  
  I'm slowly but surely making my way through Arias's books! I wonder what I'll read next.
• 
  Vita L. Licari

  Such a beautiful age gap love story. Jordan is a newly minted Judge and has a one night stand with Sierra. Only to find out that Sierra is her intern. Though she left Jordan in the morning without getting her number, Sierra hasn't stopped thinking about her. Except for their one night stand, this is a slow burn story. And lovely! 5 stars!
• 
  Abigail

  4 out of 5 stars - "Crossing the Line" is such a fantastic introduction to J.J. Arias's novels for me. The book strikes a perfect balance between romance and humor, and it captivates me with its riveting dose of angst. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it as it features a compelling age-gap romance between Jordan, a judge, and Sierra, her intern who's about to be a lawyer.
  
  However, I must admit that it took me some time to fully immerse myself in the story. Initially, Sierra, a twenty-four-year-old woman, annoyed me to no end. My first impression of her was that she was arrogant and fit the mold of a “typical” young person who is carefree and impulsive. I was on the verge of giving up on the book because of that. It wasn't until the second third of the book that Sierra began to change my perception of her. And I appreciate how well-executed her character development unfolds before my eyes. Gradually, I transformed from a dubious spectator into a fervent supporter, rooting for Sierra's further success in all her endeavors.
  
  Moreover, the romantic chemistry between Sierra and Jordan became truly captivating, drawing me deeper into the narrative. I thought the age gap between Sierra and Jordan, which is 20 years, was handled aptly in the story. I genuinely appreciate how the author explores this gap from more than one perspective—adding depth and nuance to their relationship. The presence of well-developed secondary characters also further enriches the overall narrative, providing additional layers to the story.
  
  In conclusion, I had a broad, satisfied smile on my face as I reached the end of this book. I even found myself shedding a few tears while reading the bonus epilogue. I'm just thrilled to have finally dipped my toes into J.J. Arias’s novels. I eagerly look forward to delving into more of her works and exploring the worlds she creates.
• 
  Linda

  
  Took me a while to warm up to Crossing the Line and warm up I did…finally. Possibly because I don’t have that warm and fuzzy feeling when it comes to Sierra Fuentes. There’s just something about her that just didn’t sit well with me….initially. Perhaps her character came on a bit too strong and I didn’t like it…. A 20+ y/o intern and a 40+ y/o judge, a big age-gap mind you and that’s possibly why Sierra, a player no less, had no qualms chasing after Jordan. But alas Sierra falls hard and when one falls hard for another, they ‘grow’ up and stop chasing skirts (or whatever ladies normally wear) around.
  
  Not that Jordan is all Ms. Perfect, she has her own hung up… 1) of her power over Sierra given the working relationship between them (which I totally get and respect) and 2) the 20 age gap between them when pt. 1 above is no longer an issue… ok I get it as well but it gets lame when this is all that she thinks about. Eventually both Sierra and Jordan reach their destination and it’s quite heartening to see their characters develop over time…or one might say that they both ‘grow up’…finally! 😁
  
  Nicely done… 4 ⭐
  
  
• 
  Bárbara Sousa

  Age-gap that involves a judge and an intern/soon to be lawyer?! YAS! Sign me up hehe
  This story was very beautiful and sexy and a bit angsty at times, but everything fit perfectly. I really enjoyed this book and its characters and I especially enjoyed watching them evolve and finally come together to live happily ever after 🥰
• 
  Lisa

  OMFG. The build-up in the book is INSANE after the first steamy scene!
  
  I usually want to give up on slow-burn type reads quite quickly, but I held on for dear life with this one because it was written so well.
  
  And IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT! 😳🤌 The long-awaited steamy moments were so worth it. 🔥 I read them over and over to make sure it finally happened lmao. I didn't know lawyers and judges could be so sexy. Not only for the steamy scenes, I thoroughly enjoyed the progression of their relationship and getting to know each other. It gave me lumps in my throat at times and butterflies at others.
  
  I love JJ Arias' work so far and am excited to read all of them!! 9.5/10
• 
  Silvia

  Steamy!
  
  A steamy age gap from Arias, it starts as a one night stand and continues as a professional relationship once the 2 MCs must work together. A good read, maybe don't read it in public but definitely worth the read.
• 
  Tory

  Throughly Enjoyable
  
  I enjoyed this book very much. I liked the characters and the setting. The writing is fantastic and I cheered for a happy ending. I like books about lawyers and judges and this book didn’t let me down.
• 
  Celina

  This one had me contemplating some of my life ideas. That break-up scene made me really nervous. I was literally shaking, because I could understand Jordan's point, but fuck.
• 
  Teddy

  Surprisingly good. This one took me a minute to get into. It starts with a very detailed and long one-night stand that leads unexpectedly to an employer/employee relationship, which leads to a slowwww burn romance. There’s a large age-gap between the characters that I was very happy to see them discuss realistically. Most importantly, these women have so much chemistry! JJ does a great job writing sexy women. I did wonder if Sierra was fulfilling some mommy issues in maybe not the best way but the story overcomes that. There is a fair amount of angst that’s appropriate to the story and the ending is very rewarding.
  
  Good line: “The choice was simple, even if it wasn’t easy.”
  
  Short summary: Jordan has just been made a judge and doesn’t want to screw it up. Especially not with her 20 years younger intern who she accidentally screwed last weekend. But sexy Sierra is hard to resist, even more so when she turns out to be smart too. Will Jordan put her reputation on the line for Sierra or can she resist temptation?
• 
  Kimmy

  If you like a book to have a workplace romance theme with an age gap that includes a very buttoned up judge and a eager and beautiful law student then look no further..
  
  This novel had a bit of everything in it for me, I'm a fan on angst and will they, won't they kinda plots. It was a solid story, fast paced and full of twists and turns. J.J Arias in my opinion knows how to lure a reader in and leave you wanting more and more from each page you turn, for me this was an explosive steamy beginning that then simmered down into a delicious and slow burn afterwards before kicking the heat back up to the point you will be the one feeling hot under the collar.
  
  I always enjoy J.J Arias work and as always I cannot wait for the next novel
• 
  Catalina

  GO LESBIANS GO!!!!
  
  con esa portada, no esperaba que fuera tan bueno y estuviera todo tan bien ejecutado, a lovely surprise.
• 
  Dani

  My fave JJ work yet. Loved it!
• 
  MissAlice 2U

  A judge and a law student with a side of age-gap happiness. This book had me from the synopsis alone. I haven't read an Arias book that wasn't steamy wonderfulness, but this one is just adorable with the double epilogue.
  
  The will they, won't they is palpable. I've never read characters or met humans with this much control- it's spellbinding. I enjoyed how they both had growing to do and it was a gentle nod to therapy for assisting a strong woman on her journey. The legalese and courtroom appearances were as informative as they were entertaining. The dialogue is effortless and the ending is worth the 80% tumult. Can't wait to read more books by this author.
• 
  Michelle

  La verdad esperaba un poco más, este libro tiene una gran premisa que sin duda sabe atraer, el problema que yo vi, es que no hay balance entre las protagonistas, más allá de la diferencia de edad, Jordan es una protagonista fuerte, centrada, con miedos y emociones válidos. Sierra por otro lado se la paso más de medio libro siendo odiosa y sin ningún punto fuerte a mencionar, para el momento que comenzaba a tomar impulso el libro estaba a dos o tres capítulos de terminar.
  
  Otra cosa que vi, mejor dicho que pensé, sería que el libro se desarrollaría justo en lo que dice la sinopsis, trabajar con la persona con la que te has acostado sin sin saber que terminarías conviviendo bajo una gran tensión sexual detrás...el problema es que eso fueron a penas unos capítulos así que me sentí un poco timada.
• 
  Jen

  A good dose of insta-lust, some mutual pining, and a bit of a windy path to a satisfying HEA. Well written with two MCs I really enjoyed getting to know. Highly recommend.
• 
  Lara

  delightful age gap romance
  
  The barriers were realistic and the main characters fully realized. The reversals were painful and the growth hard won. Loved the ending!
• 
  Yilian Herrera

  This was a great age gap story! Very spicy. The way the story unfolded most definitely kept me gasping and waiting to know more. Another very enjoyable one.
• 
  :)

  sierra pls be my gf pls be my gf
• 
  Nicky Sol

  “Crossing the line” is the first novel written by J.J. Arias which I read.
  
  I found it really beautifully penned.
  
  It is an age-gap / office / boss/intern / opposites attract lesbian romance involving two very special characters, newly appointed judge Jordan Blake and law student Sierra Fuentes, two amazing women, both brilliant & beautiful, meet at the Cherry Bomb night club and have a torrid one-night stand affair, without knowing about their professional lives and how those will be entwined.
  
  The title suggests the problematic boss / employee professional relationship that could be caused by their steamy love affair.
  
  The cover depicts an attractive, yet a troubled Sierra, in an open white shirt horizontally leaning on a crisp white bed linen, suggesting perhaps she was thinking / dreaming about Jordan or on how to convince her, their connection is real and worth exploring.
  
  Favorite quote:
  
  “Endlessly amused, the young woman ran her fingers through her glossy dark hair, her smile unwavering. “What’s your name?”
  
  Jordan smirked as she shook her head. The girl’s confidence was unshakable. “Why do you want to know my name?”
  
  As if a wave of the devastating effect it would have, the woman licked her lips before leaning in. Her face gazed Jordan’s cheek as she got so close that her warm breath tickled the shell of Jordan’s ear.
  
  “So I know what to scream later,” she whispered, her voice husky from having to shout over the music.”
  
  Jordan Blake has just been appointed a judge at 44 years old after a long career in criminal defense at the PD’s office. Professionally, her life goes pretty well and she can’t wait to start her new job, an update to her career.
  
  
  Personally, Jordan has a baggage: her failed 18 years old relationship with a verbally abusive & cheating wife, her lack of self-esteem when it comes to romantic relationships even after two years after her divorce.
  
  She is also still missing her mom, even after five years after her death.
  
  Her mom was really supportive and Jordan came out as a lesbian really early in her life during the ‘90s. Her mom even went to LGBT prides with her.
  
  She has a couple of good friends in Maggie and Olga who encourage her to go out and date again, but Jordan’s trust in women faded.
  
  Until one fateful night, when Maggie asked Jordan to come to the Cherry bomb nightclub for a reunion with old friends, so Jordan obliges only to find a club full of youngsters and feeling really old. This is the night when she meets Sierra, this beautiful young woman that hits on Jordan at the bar and follows her up, even after Jordan mentions she could be her mother and denies her drink and won’t tell Sierra her name. Somehow, they end up on the roof kissing and can’t get their hands of each other and walking towards a steamy hot one night stand at the beach hotel from the beach across the street from the club.
  
  I really liked that their attraction is hot from the beginning and that the steamy one night stand comes at the beginning of the story, leaving me craving for more.
  
  Yet, Sierra walks away in the morning leaving Jordan to have breakfast on her own, just like this was just a one night stand.
  
  Sierra Fuentes is a 24 year old law student who also happens to work as a bartender at Cherry Bomb night club to increase her income. She wants to make a difference when she graduates to work in criminal defense for the PD’s office, defending the poor ones who don’t have a chance to hire expensive lawyers when in custody.
  
  
  Personally, Sierra isn’t dating, she has never had a real relationship previously, because she wants to focus on her degree. She has a couple of great friends and roommates: Devon & Lo. She also knows she loves older women from a young age when she had crushes on one of her teachers. Sierra needs to grow up, she needs to get a grip and stop taking for granted all the ladies that are attracted to her and end up in an one night stand with her and she loves them and leave them attitude doesn’t work indefinitely.
  
  When she meets Jordan who refuses her, at first, but afterwards they end up having a steaming-hot one night stand, she leaves in the morning without asking her who she was and what she was doing for a living, but she can’t keep her mind of Jordan.
  
  Fate is helpful and Jordan has a new judicial intern which happens to be Sierra, so their lives are intertwined now, also professionally.
  
  Jordan is scared to death to lose her job because of the conflict between Sierra being her law intern and their personal relationship. She has rules and she will follow them, no matter how much her attraction to Sierra defies her. It is realistic and believable, a woman like Jordan to do that to preserve her career.
  
  Sierra on the other hand has nothing to lose and she is surprised to find herself still attracted to Jordan and wanting to go on with their hot affair against all odds.
  
  She never expects Jordan to say no, so she is confused, yet she works hard to impress Jordan with her brain and her hard work at her office.
  
  I found it quite real, the fact that their sexual relationship continues only after Sierra’s stage at Jordan’s office ends and Sierra’s last semester ends and she graduates and she works in criminal defense at the PD’s office and even has her own flat (in few words, after Sierra grows up).
  
  Sierra and Jordan meet again in the courtroom and Jordan is impressed and longs for more.
  
  After being chased by Sierra for so many times, Jordan chases her now. She goes at Cherry Bomb to find Sierra, yet Sierra is not there, but her friends are, yet Jordan chickens out and runs off.
  
  But fate brings them back together and this time: Sierra has grown up and she is ready for a long term relationship, her love for Jordan has changed into a deeper sense of reality, passion and love, just as Jordan understands she has fallen in love with Sierra and opens her heart to her, with the only plea of not getting hurt.
  
  
  I enjoyed their love making and their role play games are really sexy.
  
  
  I liked the realistic situations the characters have been put through and how they’ve reacted.
  
  The multitude of themes contained in the plot surely show that: the office affair / the boss/employee conflict / the 20 year old age gap issue was debated very serious especially by Jordan who explained Sierra the implications of it after ten or more years together or the judgmental matter created by Jordan’s boss, a closeted lesbian herself, who wants to dissuade her to speak at the Lambda Law Conference (LGBT conference).
  
  I totally recommend this awesome book (it also has a sequel) and I will definitely read more books by J.J. Arias.
  
  Inkmarksonemptydreams~