Review: Evidence of Desire - Lexi Blake

A fast-paced contemporary romance that sizzles from the New York Times bestselling author of Order of Protection where passion for the aw isn't the only thing heating up the courtroom.

Isla Shayne knows she's in over her head. As former all-star linebacker Trey Adams's personal lawyer, she's used to handling his business dealings and private financial matters, not murder charges. She needs to find an experienced criminal attorney who speaks her client's language. David Cormack of Garrison, Cormack and Lawless is exactly what she needs in the courtroom—and the only man she wants in the bedroom.

For David, taking on the Adams case means diving back into a world he thought he'd left behind and colliding head on with tragic possibilities he's in no mood to face. There's a reason professional football is in his past and no matter how close Isla gets to the truth he intends to leave it there.

But long days working on the case together lead to hot nights in each other's arms. As their feelings grow, the case takes a deadly twist that could change the game between the two lovers forever.

Courting Justice Series:
Order of Protection
Evidence of Desire

Visit Lexi Blake's website for more information

Review:
Isla Shayne is the family lawyer for retired linebacker Trey Adams and his family, she's used to helping them with business deals or purchasing property but when Trey is accused of murdering his wife she is in completely over her head. She knows Trey is innocent but with the evidence stacking up against him she needs help and there is no criminal attorney she can trust more than David Cormack. As an ex player himself David has a unique perspective on the health issues that Trey is battling and he will do whatever it takes to get his client the help he needs but unless they can figure out who the real murderer is Trey is looking at a life behind bars.

Evidence of Desire is the second story in Lexi Blake's Courting Justice series and I enjoyed it even more than the first book. The chemistry between Isla and David was great from the very beginning and I liked how open they were about the attraction they felt. There are no rules against them dating so they fall into a relationship very quickly but although they have very strong feelings for each other David has a reason to keep Isla at a distance. I have to admit the relationship did move very quickly, I would have preferred a slightly slower build up, but I liked them as a couple and thought they suited each other.

As far as the murder mystery went I had a very good idea who my main suspect was from very early on but I was wrong about their accomplice and hadn't guessed the whole story so the book did manage to surprise me. I also found it really interesting learning more about Trey's traumatic brain injury and how it affected his personality, it made life so difficult for his whole family but I loved the way his wife stood by him and how strong they were as a couple. That made it all the more heartbreaking that their story ended in tragedy though. I also liked that we got to catch up with the previous couple Win and Henry and I have a feeling I'm going to love Noah's story which I'm guessing will be up next.

Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Other Reviews:
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Review: Order of Protection - Lexi Blake

To high-end defense attorney Henry Garrison, Win Hughes is a woman he met during one of the most trying times of his life. She’s soft and warm, and he finds solace in their brief relationship. But Win has a secret. She’s actually Taylor Winston-Hughes—born to one of the wealthiest families in the country, orphaned as a child by a tragic accident. Win moves in the wealthiest circles, but her lavish lifestyle hides her pain.

When her best friend is murdered in the midst of a glittering New York gala, Win’s charged with the crime, and the only person in the world she wants to see is Henry.

Henry is shocked at the true identity of his lover, but he can’t reject the case. This case could take his new firm into the stratosphere. Still, he’s not getting burned by Win again. And yet every turn brings them closer together.

As the case takes a wild turn and Win's entire life is upended, she must look to the people she's closest to in order to find a killer. And Henry must decide between making his case and saving the woman he loves…

Courting Justice Series:
Order of Protection
Evidence of Desire

Visit Lexi Blake's website for more information

Review:
Henry Garrison, also known as the Monster of Manhattan, is an extremely successful defence lawyer who saw his career go up in flames when he spiralled into alcoholism during the spectacular break up of his marriage to an actress. Now he's finally starting to put his life back on track, he's sober and he's started up a new law firm with friends hoping to slowly rebuild his reputation. He meets Win Hughes when he's on a last vacation before building his business starts to take over his life again, they have a hot fling but agree not to continue it when they get back to their lives no matter how much they might want otherwise.

What he didn't know is that Win is actually Taylor Winston-Hughes, daughter of an incredibly wealthy family and part of the rich and famous set he promised never to join again after his breakup. When Win is accused of murdering her best friend Henry is the only person she trusts to prove her innocence but, as much as his firm could use the publicity of such a high profile case, he's worried about getting involved with someone who is constantly harassed by reporters and being dragged back into the limelight.

I really enjoyed the first half of this story, I thought Henry and Win's first meeting was cute and I enjoyed seeing them connect with each other. They both have a lot of baggage, Henry is an alcoholic and Win is also in recovery from an eating disorder, but I liked the way they opened up to each other and they were able to understand each other better because of their own issues. They made a really sweet couple and even though I knew Henry wouldn't be happy when he discovered Win's identity I was still rooting for them as a couple. Then when they returned to their daily lives things went a bit sideways.

Win was the same sweet girl she'd always been, someone who had worked hard to rid her life of the toxic people who helped drive her into an eating disorder and just trying to stay out of the spotlight. Henry on the other hand found his inner shark again and that wasn't an improvement on his personality. When he uncovered the truth about Win's identity he was vicious about it. Yes she'd hidden things from him and I get why that upset him but I think he took it too far and if I was Win I'd have given up on him long before he came around. Unfortunately that made it much harder to root for them as a couple and I started to wonder if they'd be better off apart. Henry did sort himself out eventually but I would have liked it to have happened a little sooner than it did.

I also felt the murder mystery ended up being a bit too far fetched, certain parts made sense but others were just ridiculous and I can't understand how nobody ever suspected anything sooner. One thing I will say is that I liked Henry's business partners, David and Noah, far more than I liked Henry so I have very high hopes for their stories. I also like the way Lexi Blake manages to connect all of her different series together, I've not read her Masters and Mercenaries or Lawless series yet (I'm new to Lexi Blake's writing and have been slowly working my way through her backlist!) but I always enjoy cameo appearances and they definitely make me more excited to get to those stories.

Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Other Reviews:
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Paperback / Kindle: