Evidence of Desire by Lexi Blake Pages: 352
Series: Courting Justice #3
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Setting: New York City
Source: ARC, NetGalley
Also in this series: Order of Protection
Also by this author: Seduction in Session, Satisfaction, Revenge, At Your Service, Small Town Siren, Siren in the City, Close Cover, Order of Protection , Lost and Found, Enchanted, Butterfly Bayou
Goodreads
A fast-paced contemporary romance that sizzles from the New York Times bestselling author of Order of Protection where passion for the law 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.
Evidence of Desire is book 2 in the Courting Justice series but it stands alone. I enjoyed this one much more than book 1-I thought David and Isla were more enjoyable and relatable characters for sure!
Isla is a lawyer to the stars-she helps them with things like wills, business deals, and real estate. When one of her clients is accused of murder, she knows she needs to bring in a great criminal defense attorney. Enter David Cormack from Garrison, Cormack, and Lawless. David is a former pro athlete turned Harvard educated lawyer and agrees to help Isla defend Trey Adams, another former footballer who is accused of killing his wife.
CTE, or Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, and its devastating effects plays a huge role in the story. Trey suffers from it and you get a glimpse into what life was like for him and his family. David is terrified he might end up with CTE as well. It invades his thoughts DAILY. David’s fear might seem a bit premature or excessive, but I think lots of people experience some type of fear like this-cancer runs in a family and you become paranoid about getting cancer for example. Isla is the opposite-she isn’t afraid of any illness and never lets it stand in the way of those she loves. Her fiancee died from leukemia and she stayed with him. Trey Adams is a close friend and she has never given up on him, even when he doesn’t remember her. David and Isla have an instant lust for each other, but quickly realize its more than just lust. David’s fears get in the way though; while this pushing away trope is annoying, I do understand his feelings. He can’t fathom subjecting someone he loves to a life like Trey’s family endured. So, irritating and dumb, but understandable.
Isla is one of my favorite heroines because she isn’t afraid of her soft side. She doesn’t pretend she can handle everything and be badass. She pukes when she finds the body. She cries when she is upset. She knows when she is in over her head and asks for help. I love this type of heroine because she is real.
Evidence of Desire was a great story beyond the characters, too. David and Isla are trying to figure out who killed Portia Adams: was it Trey? Could it have been an intruder? Can they trust Trey’s memory at all? Throw in the fact that Isla is now the executor of the Adams’ estate and you have 2 pissed off Adams children! The mystery is well done and while I figured out the major part of it before it was revealed, I didn’t see the secondary reveal. Blake writes great suspense and very sexy romance, and Evidence of Desire is one of my new favorites!
- POV: 3rd
- Tears: no
- Trope: lawyers, coworkers, widow
- Triggers: none
- Series/Standalone: standalone within an interconnected series
- Cliffhanger: View Spoiler »
- HEA: View Spoiler »
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Buried Lies by Kaylea Cross, SEALs Honor by Megan Crane, Death is Not Enough by Karen Rose,…then you will probably like Evidence of Desire!
Evidence of Desire
Fantastic review. I am generally not into the whole illness/push away trope either but I really, really like the sound of this heroine. I have seen far too many of the over the top badass heroines lately, and a more realistic one will be a nice reprieve so I will be reading this one soon. ? Thank you for this amazing post and recommendation.
I was so excited to get a normal heroine! Someone who knows what she can and can’t handle! It was really refreshing!
Great review, is the Lawless in David’s law firm name, Riley Lawless from the Lawless series? I’m mighty curious about this series. I do love lawyer romances and enjoyed the Lawless series. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this one, Samantha!
Yes its the youngest brother, Nathan Lawless!! The company is funded by Drew Lawless!!!
I really adore this author so much, Lexi Blake is such a fun author to read and I can’t wait to grab this one up and I love it when the second book is better than the first!!!
Excellent review! It sounds great and I certainly like Kaylea Cross and Karen Rose very much. I haven’t tried this author but I will have to keep her in mind. Anne – Books of My Heart
Oh you should try her Lawless series!! Its great too! Some of her stuff (Masters and Mercenaries) is more towards the erotica side, but this series and the Lawless series are romantic suspense.